Kpop trends are gradually changing from NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM and Gen4 Kpop

Set roles and positions of group members

In the 2nd and 3rd generations of Kpop, most groups have a clear division of member roles, especially the titles of "leader", "main vocalist", "main rapper", even "visual" and "center" for the group.

Big Bang has leader G-Dragon, main vocalist Taeyang; SNSD has leader and main vocalist Taeyeon, center face YoonA; Blackpink has main vocalist Rosé, main rapper Jennie and visual Jisoo...

However, this trend is becoming less common, as today's bands tend to introduce themselves by name, emphasizing unity and harmony rather than highlighting individual roles.

This change shows the flexibility in groups, allowing members to try out different roles. NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, RIIZE are groups that are following this new trend.

NewJeans has no team leader and does not clearly divide roles for each member. Photo: HYBE

Transition in song

Recently, audiences have noticed that many K-pop songs have omitted the bridge (a transitional section usually placed before the chorus, or at the end of the song). Previously, bridges played an important role in the song, bringing climax and impressing the listener.

EXO's "Tempo", NCT 127's "Simon Says", Blackpink's "Kill this love" and "Playing With Fire", BTS's "On", Seventeen's "Don't Wanna Cry"... are all Kpop songs that have bridges and are loved by the audience.

But in Gen 4 Kpop groups like NewJeans, IVE, Fifty Fifty, many of their songs lack climax bridges. This is because the musical trend of these groups tends to be more easy listening and gentle.

Gen 2, gen 3 Kpop is famous for songs with verses — Gen 2 and Gen 3 Kpop are famous for songs with impressive bridges. Photo: Naver

Song length is longer than 3 minutes

Another surprising trend in K-pop is the shortening of song lengths. In the past, most K-pop songs lasted over 3 minutes. Now, some are as short as 2 minutes, with “Get Up” by NewJeans clocking in at just 36 seconds.

The increasingly short length of K-pop songs may reflect changes in the public's listening habits, or it may be the "race" of producers to the rapid development of digital platforms and video applications, typically Tiktok.

The duration of LE SSERAFIM's recent songs such as "EASY", "Smart", "Perfect Night" are all under 3 minutes. Photo: HYBE

Ability to sing live

Performing on stage and singing live are the differentiating factors that create the unique color of Kpop. Groups like SNSD, Big Bang, 2NE1, Blackpink, BTS are all popular names because of their impressive performance and live singing abilities.

But by the fourth generation, audiences complained that idols were becoming lazy about singing live. They often turned on background music to sing over them, even lip-syncing in shows, music events, and award ceremonies.

Recently, the group LE SSERAFIM has caused controversy because of their poor live performance when winning on weekly music shows.

This makes the public think that in Gen 4 Kpop, the talent factor in singing has gradually faded, instead companies pay more attention to the idol's beauty.

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