2024 in K-Pop is the phenomenal success of the song APT. of Rosé of Blackpink with Bruno Mars. It's also the surprise reunion of BIGBANG at the end of the year, during the MAMA Awards ceremony, the anticipated debut of BABYMONSTER, MEOVV and ARTMS, of which we will remember the very successful Virtual Angel. It is also the protest of RIIZE fans against the unjust ousting of Seunghan of his group and the departures of News Jeans from HYBE and fromis_9 from Pledis Entertainment.
In France, the idols continued to occupy the front rows of Fashion Week shows. Attesting to their status as influential figures, SEVENTEEN received their UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth diploma under the blazing June sun, before Jin of BTS becomes the superstar of the Olympic torch relay. Without forgetting the concerts of IVE, NCT Dream or the arrival of Lisa and Stray Kids at the Yellow Pieces Gala. But on the studio side, here are ten K-Pop songs that caught our attention.
10 – Horizon by Taemin
Taemin is one of those artists who slip through your fingers and, through artistic sleight of hand, prevent you from fully understanding them. Illustrious maknae of SHINee, and fabulous soloist, he packed his bags after 16 years of activity at SM Entertainment to settle down at BPM. There, he granted himself the freedom to design Eternalhis fifth mini-album. Barely started, Horizonone of the two singles, is already under tension. The bass responds to the percussion, reassures the furious synths while Taemin's veiled timbre is covered with tremolos in the face of the urgency of the chorus. The Music and choreography reinforce each other. L'idol of the idols leads his troop with incisive precision and infinite elegance. Horizon doesn't have to pale next to the classics of Taemin's discography, but you'll have to listen to it in its entirety to try to decipher the persona he's created for himself.
9 – HOME SWEET HOME by G-Dragon (feat. Taeyang & Daesung)
G-Dragon has put his crown back on as the king of K-Pop and is back in action. Promising a new album, seven years later Kwon Ji Yonghe made those who were moved by the news wait Power Then HOME SWEET HOME. With his inimitable timbre, the rapper assures that it is “like [s’il n’était] never left”, and, to better return to “the place where [il] belongs”, passes the torch to important guests – his two best allies – Taeyang et Daesung. At its peak, HOME SWEET HOME belongs to BIGBANG, a pioneering K-Pop group. GD had composed it and kept it in the hope that it would one day return to the legend. No clip, just this performance at the MAMA Awards ceremony where the trio carries the title with a laughing confidence that their 18 years on stage have taught them. What a sweet return.
Music
