After another packed year in K-pop, writers Chelsea, Eileen, and Siena discuss the best comebacks of 2024!
Siena: I’m excited to chat about our picks! I think our mixture of overlap and difference showcases the range of strong 2024 comebacks. That makes our unanimous number one pick even more striking.
Aespa had a blockbuster year, breaking records and sweeping many end-of-year awards. The sheer quality of their trio of major releases (“Supernova,” “Armageddon,” and “Whiplash”) was astounding; “Supernova” and “Whiplash” are among my top five K-pop songs of the year. In 2024, it felt like everything came together for Aespa and they reached, then exceeded their full potential. That’s why they were my unchallenged top pick.
Chelsea and Eileen, what landed Aespa in your number one spots?
Chelsea: I completely agree! More than a single comeback taking my top spot, it’s that 2024 really felt like Aespa’s year. They’ve established a clear musical identity that is still edgy, and a visual brand that is equally recognizable. I think the kick-off success of “Supernova”—which was the first pre-released of the title tracks—speaks a lot to how solid this year of releases was for them. “Whiplash” wasn’t my favorite, but I can’t deny that it’s an Aespa signature earworm.
Eileen: Though Aespa saw immense success through several releases during the year, the group placed at the top of my list mainly because of one track: “Supernova.” Its addictive instrumental and relentless energy blew me away at first listen, channeling the electronic elements of SM’s past hits while still fitting a more modern soundscape. The song not only marks a new high in Aespa’s discography, but has also evidently impacted the K-pop scene as a whole this year.
Interestingly, it was the first of two title tracks from the group’s first studio album as Chelsea noted. We often see pre-releases being used to build hype for what’s to come, but I still found “Supernova” far stronger than “Armageddon.”
In a similar fashion, I enjoyed Zerobaseone’s pre-release song “Sweat” a lot more than its accompanying title track “Feel the Pop.” This isn’t to say that “Feel the Pop” is unpleasant, I just have a hard time wrapping my head around why it was chosen to be the lead single over the much brighter sound of “Sweat.”
Having said that, the group’s subsequent release would bring about “Good So Bad” which may be their strongest comeback thus far. Since their debut, Zerobaseone have leaned toward a drum and bass-influenced style for their title tracks. “Good So Bad” shifts this musical direction with a vibrant synth-pop tune that centers around a gorgeous, melodic chorus. This kind of rich, full-fledged sound seems to be becoming scarcer among the current generation, so hearing this from the group was a welcome breath of fresh air.
On the topic of fifth generation boy groups, I see BoyNextDoor landed on both of your lists. What about their comebacks this year won you over?
Siena: BoyNextDoor had a great rookie year in 2023, but their 2024 comebacks really made me sit up and take notice… and judging by their steadily rising popularity, I wasn’t the only one. From the wildly catchy “Earth, Wind & Fire,” to standout brash pre-release “Dangerous,” to the softly groovy “Nice Guy,” BoyNextDoor showed their range while staying true to their signature mischievous everyman concept. Releasing two EPs also helped build out their music catalog to excellent effect. 2024 was a year that BoyNextDoor seized with confidence and force, firmly claiming a top spot in the emerging fifth generation.
Chelsea, what impressed you about BoyNextDoor?
Chelsea: BoyNextDoor really caught my attention this year. First with “Earth Wind and Fire” and then with “Nice Guy.” I wouldn’t say that either song falls under my usual taste, but the energy this group performs with makes them stand out—and I was lucky enough to see them live. They are skilled rookies who lean into their youthfulness, and I think they’re doing a great job of both endearing the public (and fellow idols) to them while also carving out a clear musical niche from which they can grow. Not to mention, their B-sides and mini albums have shown consistency, and their title tracks have led many new fans to their full body of work.
It is clear that they are a product of Zico, but I—and I think many other casual fans—are drawn to them from the personality that comes out of their music and MVs. With two stand-out comebacks this year under their belt, I’m excited to see what they return with in January!
There’s another rookie boy group that made Eileen’s list this year. What drew you to Riize?
Eileen: While the discord regarding the group continues to bewilder me, Riize have proven to be one of the most promising acts musically speaking. Their discography may be small but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with quality and consistency. “Impossible” and “Boom Boom Bass” are the standouts for me this year. The funky, groovy sound is one I’m usually biased toward, and I’m thrilled to see a rookie group embrace it so confidently.
Siena, you also have Riize on your list. What about them grabbed your attention?
Siena: Eileen, I agree that Riize’s discography has an outsize impact; I find myself returning often to many of their b-sides as well as title tracks. Riize also had a fantastic comeback run in 2024, opening with “Love 119,” then dropping “Impossible” and “Boom Boom Bass” in the spring, and closing out with “Combo.”
“Impossible” in particular felt like a breakthrough moment, one of those unicorn comebacks where concept, music, dance, and group charisma collide into a perfect package. The only reason Riize aren’t higher on my list is because SM Entertainment’s horrific mismanagement of Seunghan’s return/removal crushed their momentum near the end of the year. Nevertheless, 2024 was a creative triumph for the group and I’m anticipating a strong 2025.
Chelsea, you also have another boy group on your list. What made Enhypen your fifth pick?
Chelsea: Enhypen made my top five less so for chart success—though they do have a pretty solid international fanbase—but because of musical consistency. Romance: Untold continued their dark, obsessive, yet somehow sweet sound, and more than the title track, its B-sides really stood out to me.
I know fans on Twitter love to debate about who started the “vampire” concept in K-pop, but I think Enhypen are a group that have managed to carry the concept quite far and shown consistency in connecting their music and their visuals. They rounded out the year with the MV for “No Doubt” of the Daydream repackage, and I adore the humor woven into it while keeping a dark edge.
Another group I’ve seen on the rise this year was Kiss of Life. Between the virality of “Sticky,” their performance at Waterbomb, and the TikTok challenge success of “Igloo,” they were inescapable this year on social media. They’ve cornered the market with a more mature concept and a carefree attitude that makes them stand out.
On top of all the virality, Kiss of Life put out good, second/third-gen nostalgic music with prominent vocals. “Bad News” was one of my favorite releases of 2023, and I was anxious about the group beating it in 2024. Then they dropped “Midas Touch” and once again blew me away. In a musical climate where bridges have disappeared and songs barely reach two and a half minutes, they released a banger of a track with a bridge barely clocking in at 3 minutes – a masterclass in how to keep a song short but not boring. Their mini album Lose Yourself was the cherry on top of an impressive musical year.
Siena, we both have Kiss of Life on our lists. What made them one of your favorites this year?
Siena: As you say, Kiss of Life have a carefree confidence that made them special since day one; their self-assurance makes it easy to forget that the group only debuted in 2023 (although several members have been active in the industry far longer). 2024 was a banner year for them, with several strong comebacks and the aforementioned virality building incredible momentum. Comparing the level of recognition and success they had at the start of 2024 to where they are now, it’s clear that 2024 was a game changer. The group also deserves praise for skillfully and playfully taking on the mantle of the sexy concept during an era in K-pop that can be hostile to the style.
From a rising girl group, to an always exciting veteran one: Eileen, what put Red Velvet on your list?
Eileen: Although more and more idol groups continue to enter the K-pop scene, there aren’t many who can boast of a legacy like Red Velvet’s. Throughout the years, the quintet’s discography has been built and shaped to be one of the industry’s most unique and unconventional as they expand both their ‘red’ and ‘velvet’ sounds. And “Cosmic,” the title track to celebrate the group’s tenth anniversary, is quintessential Red Velvet and also their most enthralling single in some time. The splendor of the instrumental with its colorful string synths and disco influence is stunning, and the members’ vocals are beautifully highlighted during the chorus. It’s elegant and romantic yet tinged with a subtle wistfulness that I find especially evocative.
In contrast, Nayeon’s “ABCD” isn’t subtle or understated in the slightest. It’s loud, bombastic, and in-your-face as the high energy carries on from start to finish. The topline and layered instrumental is constantly changing melodies and rhythms, and Nayeon pulls the number off with a swaggering diva attitude that makes her performance even more addictive.
Though I’m not necessarily against easy-listening tunes, in a time when simple, TikTok-ready songs are all the rage, a track as complex and powerful as “ABCD” is an absolute delight.
Rosé is another third generation artist that made a splash with her solo work this year. What about her comeback put her on your list, Siena?
Siena: Rosé’s comeback wasn’t just fun, substantive (a whole album!), and chart-topping: It was a triumphant reinvention. The Rosé seen barring her soul throughout Rosie or rocking out with Bruno Mars in “APT.” bears little resemblance to Black Pink’s Rosé or even the person seen in solo releases past, although the confidence of today no doubt stands on a foundation built from those experiences. It was genuinely exciting to see such a well known artist break new ground, and receive well-deserved global kudos for doing so.
Chelsea, your final selection also made a momentous comeback in 2024. What made Day6 your second place pick?
Chelsea: With all the military enlistments, a break in releases, and the hype that built up around Day6 in their absence, a lot was riding on their return in 2024. They’ve been great for years now, but it felt like while they were away the general public and fellow idols realized how much they missed their music: “Congratulations” was everywhere, and their old B-sides were suddenly heard in convenience stores. Thankfully, Fourever proved to be a solid, yet new, return, and “Welcome to the Show” introduced exactly what the band has in store for their future. With such a theatrical re-emergence onto the scene, Day6 proved not only that they have been missed but that they have so much more in store for us.
Of course, it’s not an entirely new beginning—Day6 have been known to K-pop fans for years. But Fourever and its follow-up mini Band Aid marked the beginning of their life as superstars. They became the first Korean K-pop band to play Gocheok stadium and sold out all nights. They’re number two on my list not just because their music is finally being appreciated in the mainstream, but because they came back even stronger than before and ready to take on this new level of fame that they may never have imagined possible on the rough road they followed up to this point—with quality music to boot.
Readers: What were your favorite comebacks of 2024? And what are you hoping to see in 2025?
(Billboard, YouTube[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Image via SM Entertainment.)
