K-Pop Playlist: Busy Week, Encouraging Beats

AdminJanuary 24, 2025

When the minutes fly by too fast, and the to-do list seems never-ending, sometimes all you need is a K-pop song or two! I find that they always give a much needed pause, reset, and boost, to finish out the day strong! This week’s playlist features several high energy beats, a creative cross-over, plus an amazing cover! It’s time for a music break — let’s hit play!

M.O.N.T – ‘OMW’

Boy-band trio, M.O.N.T., is bringing an encouraging pop-rock vibe in their newest album’s title track. They do a fantastic job balancing vocals and raps, all while showcasing their playful personalities, in this up-beat, sunny song — I’m all smiles after watching!

CREZL – ‘Hakuna Matata’

I am always delighted to discover new cross-over groups! It’s a niche genre combining K-Pop, operatic, and sometimes classical Korean music elements to create a unique and captivating sound. CREZL (whose name is an abbreviation of English and Korean, meaning “creative joy”) have done a brilliant job melding their individual vocal colors in ‘Hakuna Matata’. Plus, the modern hanbok styling in the MV is fabulous!

BSS (Seventeen) – ‘CBZ (Prime Time)’

The new BSS album is finally here!!! Seventeen members, DK, Hoshi, and Seungkwan, are (as always) insanely talented, energetic, and humorous! ‘CBZ’, short for ’CheongBaZi/청바지’, is an abbreviated Korean phrase meaning “youth is right now”. While that’s the main message of this song, there’s also a fun play on words, as CBZ also sounds like the Korean word for ‘blue jeans’ — hence their attire and random references to jeans sprinkled throughout the MV. Whether you’re soaking up the funky, jazz-piano beat, or you’re up and dancing along to the crazy-fun choreo, this song brings ALL the happy feels!!

2Z – ‘Glorious Youth’

I’ve been a casual follower of this indie band since their debut in 2020. They’ve recently welcomed a new song-writer/guitarist to the group, revamping their music styling, and have returned once again to their pop-rock roots. I’m thrilled with the sound of ‘Glorious Youth’, as well as ALL the tracks off the new album!

SeongHwa (ATEEZ) – ‘Vaundy’

(Hardcore fan-girling mode: ON!) OH. MY. GOODNESS — I am SO in love with this new cover from ATEEZ’s SeongHwa!!! The original song is from Japanese artist, odoriko, and features an upbeat rhythm, contrasted with sad lyrics. Seonghwa’s cover captures that juxtaposition perfectly! And you know what else is perfect? His vocal range!! He switches from earthy low tones, to high falsettos, easily covering the range and intonation that spans each verse. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this MV — it’s outstanding!!

IVE – ‘Rebel Heart’

IVE is back and they are inviting girls around the world to join them in this rebel anthem! I’m always a sucker for an underdog storyline, and especially excited for a new track that features their signature group sound. A focus on vocal harmonies set to an edgy, pop vibe is what they do best — I’m ready to be a rebel too!!