7 Unique K-Pop Concepts That Should Get More Hype

K-pop’s fun and unique concepts are one of the genre’s most defining features, and it’s one of the main reasons why fans keep coming to enjoy debuts and comebacks again and again. From cute to cool to totally crazy, there’s something for everyone. Here are just a few of the more unique K-pop concepts out there and some reasons why they deserve more hype.

1. WOODZ (Cho Seung Youn) – “I hate you”

With the sound of a K-band and the visuals of the wildest K-pop MV ever, WOODZ’s latest comeback is everything all rolled into one. The track itself has a slightly emo/punk rock sound reminiscent of the early 2000’s, something that’s harder to find among the more recent K-pop releases. Plus, the music video is every bit as quirky as you’d expect from WOODZ. What’s not to love!?

2. TWICE – “Alcohol-Free”

Sure, summer-themed comebacks are a dime a dozen. However, there’s just something about this track that feels different. The full commitment to that tropical sound in the track and the blissful visuals of the MV leave nothing to be desired here, and it’s definitely a concept that K-pop could use more of. Listening to this song makes you feel like you’ve been instantly transported to a beachside resort!

3. TXT – “Nap of a star”

TXT is known for their music videos, several of which have a lot of short film-esque storylines that make them worth watching over and over again. However, that’s not the only thing that makes “Nap of a star” stand out – the song has dreamy, ethereal vocals and a delicate backtrack that make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale. It’s not a typical sound for a boy group track, but it’s still stunning!

4. SISTAR – “Touch my body”

It’s hard to believe that this song is nearly eight years old, but it remains iconic for a reason. It’s undeniably catchy, and the juxtaposition between the light vocals and the bubblegum-pop style backtrack is absolute perfection. Most of all, though, this song is a display of the power that comes with unabashed femininity – and it’d be great to see more of this type of track in the future as newer groups age up and evolve their sound.

5. NCT U – “The 7th Sense”

This track is a classic from the early days of NCT, and it marks a new era in the K-pop sound that could still stand to be explored. It has a futuristic R&B sound mixed with the melody and rhythmic rap, and the beat is totally hypnotic. This style of song relies less on a definitive melody and more on the delivery of each line, and when done well it’s totally revolutionary for K-pop. Bring it on!

6. IRENE & SEULGI – “Naughty”

It seems like K-pop duos are harder and harder to find these days, but Irene and Seulgi of Red Velvet make a strong case as to why they should be more popular. “Naughty” is not only amazing in terms of the track itself, but the choreography is bold and complex enough that it could warrant an entire breakdown of its own. Every performance of this song is worth watching, and I want more!

7. BTS – “Black Swan”

With a backtrack reminiscent of a classical ballet and a gorgeous choreography to match, “Black Swan” is inarguably one of BTS’s greatest works. It grounds a light, haunting melody in the hip hop bass and K-pop sound that the group has mastered, and it would definitely be hard to match a concept like this. BTS is up to the challenge, though, and this style suits the group surprisingly well.

What’s a concept you wish there was more of in K-pop? Tell us in the comments!