K-Pop Artists Gear Up for Summer with Early Releases: Kwon Eun-bi, NCT WISH, and Swings Lead the Way

Although it's only mid-April, K-pop artists like Kwon Eun-bi and NCT WISH are already setting their sights on summer with fresh music releases. These artists are dropping tracks with cool, refreshing vibes ahead of the festival season, aiming to connect with audiences.

On April 14, singer Kwon Eun-bi released her new single 'Hello Stranger.' The track is based on a moombahton rhythm, a beat often associated with summer. It features passionate Latin guitar sounds and a chorus lifted by pluck (marimba) and brass sounds.

'Hello Stranger' draws attention for its similarity to Kwon Eun-bi's hit 'Underwater,' as both tracks utilize the moombahton rhythm. Industry insiders suggest that Kwon Eun-bi, known as the 'Waterbomb Goddess,' may have crafted this song with festival performances in mind.

NCT WISH also released 'Poppop' on the same day, a track that exudes early summer vibes. This dance-pop song with strong trap elements starts with a refreshing arrangement and adds a heavy 808 bass from the second verse, enhancing its hip-hop feel. Similar brass sounds to those in Kwon Eun-bi's 'Hello Stranger' add excitement to the track. The song's ending includes a section designed for fans to sing along, making it perfect for festivals and concerts.

Rapper Swings also dropped his EP 'Like Water' on the same day, featuring seven tracks. The album starts with relatively bright tunes, but gains weight and depth from the fourth track onward. The title track 'Like Water' shares characteristics with the other songs, emphasizing cool brass sounds and repetitive rhythms and lyrics that encourage sing-alongs.

An industry insider commented, "While it's challenging to label these artists as 'chart-toppers' just yet, there's a reason for releasing summer festival tracks three months in advance. It allows the public to become familiar with the songs." They added, "If you can't immediately hit the top of the charts with a buzzworthy release, approaching the audience in a friendly manner is also a good strategy."

Reported by Min-kyung Lee, TenAsia 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr