January Breakouts
It’s been an exciting month for comebacks! From newly debuted groups to the return of our favorite seasoned acts, January has been packed with compelling releases all across the board.
“Hala Hala” - ATEEZ
Fresh off a late 2018 debut, ATEEZ has been garnering the attention of K-Pop fans for their unique concepts and crisp performances. A lot of anticipation surrounded their first comeback, and the pre-release performance video of “Hala Hala” made a splash among the community. It’s impossible to deny the strength of the unique melody of the song, which is guaranteed to get stuck in your brain after one listen. ATEEZ is certainly shaping up to be one of the strongest rookies on the scene this year.
“Getting Closer” - SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN has been around for quite a number of years, but they still manage to surprise fans with different concepts in each new release. Though “Getting Closer” was a pre-release for the later album release of You Made My Dawn toward the end of January, K-Pop fans couldn’t stop talking about this track and what it foreshadowed for the new album. The intensely darker concept caught everyone’s attention, along with the flawless execution of the choreography that SEVENTEEN is so well known for. The group is continuing to prove it is a strong competitor in the genre and is definitely not going anywhere anytime soon.
“Song Request” - Lee Sora
A year after being announced, Lee Sora’s collaboration with BTS’s Suga and Epik High’s Tablo was finally released to the public. A ton of anticipation surrounded this release, with many fans eager to see what was in store for this mega-producer collaboration. “Song Request” topped real time domestic charts and topped iTunes charts in 51 different countries. The soft and comforting ballad struck a chord with listeners all across the world.
“Hug Me” - Apink
Apink’s strength and longevity in the K-Pop industry is nothing short of amazing, especially considering how many girl groups we’ve lost in the last few years to disbandment. The group continues their domination of Korea into 2019, releasing new mini-album PERCENT and reaching within at least the top five in many countries around the world. While the title track “%%” has been a highlight of the group’s domination, the B-sides have also helped push the album into higher recognition. “Hug Me” is a warm R&B track that presents the group’s strong vocals along with an intoxicating beat.
“Valkyrie” - ONEUS
Joining the lineup of some amazing debuts this month, ONEUS made an impressive debut on the charts, with their mini-album LIGHT US hitting the top spot on iTunes in the U.S. and Australia. “Valkyrie” has a powerful yet subdued beat that leaves a lasting impression on the listener and is unique while still being catchy enough to turn heads. The rookies have also shown an impressive skill in their performance and choreography to complement the melody, making “Valkyrie” one of the best debuts thus far.