K-Pop Embraces Y2K Nostalgia: KARD and aespa Lead the Charge

《Songwriter's Insight by Min-Kyung Lee》
Min-Kyung Lee, a singer-songwriter and journalist, delves into the world of music from an artist's perspective, uncovering hidden meanings and behind-the-scenes stories.

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The K-pop scene is experiencing a nostalgic wave, with groups like aespa and the co-ed group KARD leading the charge back to the 2000s' retro vibes.

KARD released their new track 'DRIFT' on the 2nd, with the title song 'Touch' heavily inspired by the 2000s. The song features siren sounds, electronic plucks, short string harmonies, and electric piano sounds, all hallmarks of the Y2K era. Notably, BM, a member of KARD, incorporated production techniques used by Justin Timberlake's producers and aimed to emulate Britney Spears' vocal direction.

Despite its retro influences, 'Touch' avoids sounding outdated due to its sophisticated vocal direction and mixing. Unlike past tracks with flat soundscapes, 'Touch' uses a three-dimensional arrangement of instruments and vocals. The combination of Jiwoo's deep rap and Somin's modern K-pop vocals adds a fresh appeal to the song.

aespa also embraced the 2000s vibe with their release of 'Dirty Work' on the 27th of last month. The song quickly climbed to the top of YouTube's trending music videos and Melon's TOP 100 chart. aespa's styling, reminiscent of Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, and Kelly Clarkson's smoky makeup, enhances the song's sexy allure.

The arrangement of 'Dirty Work' draws heavily from electronic music elements seen in Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face,' Britney Spears' 'Womanizer,' and Kesha's 'Tik Tok.' The distorted bass and clap-driven snare add to its unique sound. aespa distinguishes themselves with a minimalist approach, focusing on vocal richness while keeping the instrumental track light. The chorus features synths and plucks that follow the bass line, contrasting with the busy instrumentals of past music styles.

The 2000s music and makeup style was previously explored by (G)I-DLE with their May release 'Good Thing,' which stayed true to the era's essence but left some wanting more modern elements. The fusion of 2025's refined vocals with simple arrangements has now become a staple in K-pop's mainstream.

Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr