The Heart of NU’EST W
As one of the biggest K-Pop events in the U.S., KCON LA, draws closer, new artists for the lineup have continued to be announced ranging from TWICE to Dynamic Duo. To get attendees prepared for all of the amazing artists at KCON, we wanted to shine a light on some of the groups who will take center stage at the Staples Center next month. That includes NU’EST W, Pledis Entertainment’s boy group that won over the hearts of many around the world with their dedication to music and each other.
NU’EST W is a sub-unit of the group NU’EST, which was formed in 2012 and has five members: JR, Aron, Baekho, Minhyun, and Ren. Four of the group’s members—JR, Baekho, Minhyun, and Ren—participated in season two of Produce 101, shocking fellow contestants and viewers around the world because they were already established idols who chose to become trainees again. The members were open about their struggles, passion for music, and brotherhood while on the show, which contributed to a massive surge in popularity for the group in Korea. Several of their previous singles rose to the Top 100 on the Gaon and MelOn charts and fluctuated rankings all the way until the end of the show’s broadcast. All four members ranked in the Top 20 of Produce 101, with Minhyun debuting with the show’s boy group Wanna One.
With Minhyun participating in Wanna One’s promotions until the group’s disbandment in December 2018, NU’EST returned to the K-Pop scene as the sub-unit NU’EST W. The “W” literally stands for “wait,” meaning that they are waiting for Minhyun to return to become NU’EST again.
Special Stage - “If You”
NU’EST W returned with new music just over a week after the ending of season two of Produce 101 as a way to properly thank their loving, dedicated fanbase called Loves for their continuous support! The group performed two tracks, a revision of their 2013 hit “Hello” and the heart-wrenching ballad “If You,” which skyrocketed to the top of Korean music charts. With lyrics provided by JR, “If You” is a simple, beautiful track that allows the members’ message to take center stage. The song’s lyrics depict the members in agony as they long for a person they love to return to them, and are said to be reflective of their time during Produce 101.
The Debut - “Where You At”
The sub-unit’s official “debut” single was the song “Where You At,” which was released on October 10, 2017. The track was an instant success and even secured NU’EST W’s first-ever win on the music program M Countdown on October 19, 2017! “Where You At” is a future bass style track that has a powerful chorus followed by a swift, EDM breakdown that allows the perfect platform for smooth choreography. The song was written by members JR and Baekho, with Baekho also composing the song too. The lyrics are a desperate call to someone they love, but cannot reach; despite the distance, the members of NU’EST continue to search for them without fail. That sense of melancholy definitely transfers over to the song’s music video as the members run through narrow alleyways, the desert, and hallways desperately looking for the ones they love.
The Comeback - “Dejavu”
On June 25, NU’EST W embarked on a new concept, style, and sound with their latest comeback, “Dejavu.” The song is NU’EST W’s first-ever attempt at a Latin-inspired pop tune, but what makes it a truly unforgettable song is its unique melody. “Dejavu” is a very mysterious track; upon first listen, it’s hard to understand where it will take a listener. The song has this innate, smooth, effortless sound as it flows from an energetic, up-tempo first verse to a sudden funky, light chorus with the members’ vocals floating on top. This kind of comeback proves that NU’EST W is among the highest caliber of artists, especially given that JR and Baekho provided lyrics and composed the song too. “Dejavu” is the definition of addictive. Instead of seeing, “Dejavu” is the kind of track that a listener will want to listen to more than once.