The concept of the 'First Song of the Year' has become a cultural phenomenon since the late 2010s, with many songs gaining popularity for supposedly determining one's fortune for the year. Notably, IVE's 'REBEL HEART,' released in January, is gaining attention as a new favorite for this tradition with its uplifting and energetic lyrics.
The idea of a 'First Song of the Year' was popularized by WJSN's 'As You Wish,' released in 2019. The song's lyrics, which translate to 'As you wish, it will come true,' have been embraced as a mantra for realizing one's desires. Since 2020, it has consistently climbed the charts at midnight on New Year's Eve. DAY6's 'Time of Our Life' is another popular choice, with its message of creating beautiful memories for the future.
Looking ahead, IVE's 'REBEL HEART' is a strong contender for the most beloved 'First Song of the Year.' The song opens with the lyrics, 'Start as if you've achieved everything, end as if you've won.' The chorus features English lyrics that assert, 'Whether you love or hate, you can't be me. Try it. I'll break free.'
The song is currently receiving a warm reception online. A post on platform X noted, 'This song fits perfectly with the year-end stage as we approach the New Year. The opening line says it all,' garnering over 1.01 million views, 12,000 likes, and 6,700 shares. Similarly, another post stating, 'The intro makes my heart swell. I've decided to make this my first song of the year,' received 620,000 views and over 10,000 likes.
Another song poised for a resurgence is ILY:1's 'Lucky Girl Syndrome,' released last year. The song emphasizes luck from the start, with lyrics like 'I'm lucky today, everything seems to go well / My smile in the mirror cheers me on,' conveying a positive message.
NCT WISH's 'WISH' is also gaining attention. The song includes lyrics such as 'If you wish earnestly, you can be anything,' and 'Every day that starts anew, the future I've dreamed of is before my eyes,' expressing hope and the excitement of new beginnings.
By Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr