[Nutosong] Korea’s New + Retro Masterpieces · K-POP
Korea’s “newtro” culture, which has drawn attention especially with its surge in popularity since 2019.
In this article, we’ll spotlight K-pop tracks where you can really feel that newtro vibe.
A fresh sensation born from a fusion of new and retro!
It’s a culture emblematic of the Reiwa era’s beginning, popular mainly among millennials and younger (teens to 30s), and embraced in areas like fashion and lifestyle as well.
In music, you’ll find soothing tracks influenced by city pop, and glittering, dazzling soundscapes centered on synthesizers—sure to get your heart racing.
Let’s dive in and enjoy the charm of these newtro songs!
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[Neutro Songs] Korea’s New + Retro Masterpieces: K-POP (21–30)
GroovyCRAVITY
CRAVITY is a nine-member boy group.
Their release “Groovy” is a disco track built around guitar.
The lyrics encourage dancing your stress away, making it perfect for getting hyped with everyone or lifting your mood.
The song also features intense dance performance and appealing rap parts.
If you can, take time to look closely at the lyrics.
There’s also an orchestral version with a heavier, richer sound that’s a must-listen—be sure to check it out together.
Lonely nightJUJU SECRET
JUJU SECRET is a musical duo formed by Lee Mi-joo and Park Jin-joo after appearing together on a variety show.
Their debut single is “Lonely Night.” The song portrays a woman who, despite a breakup, can’t forget her ex and spends sleepless nights.
It’s crafted with synth sounds that make you want to sway along.
Although the two originally belong to different groups, they deliver a perfectly synchronized performance.
Afterlife (Feat. OOHYO)SPACECOWBOY
Space Cowboy is a music producer and singer-songwriter known for working on songs for Korean girl group Lovelyz, among others.
He’s also known for his distinctive, slightly mysterious look—usually appearing in media and music videos wearing a white mask and sunglasses.
Featuring singer OOHYO, his track “Afterlife” is a comfortable, ’80s-style synth-pop tune.
It’s a popular song within the “newtro” trend that’s gaining attention among young people in Korea, and its sound aligns with U.S.
and U.K.
trends as well, so I’d recommend it to Western pop fans too.
By the way, he’s known to be fond of Japan and well-versed in Japanese culture and music, so if you’re interested, be sure to check out his other tracks as well!
SOUL LADYYUKIKA
After working in the Japanese entertainment industry, Raika Teramoto made her debut in South Korea as a singer in 2019 under the name YUKIKA.
Her debut album, Soul Lady, released in 2020, consists entirely of songs sung in Korean and drew attention by reaching No.
1 on the K-POP album charts on iTunes in several countries.
The piece featured here is the album’s title track mentioned above, a song whose refined disco-pop arrangement evokes the 1980s—nostalgic yet fresh—and fits perfectly with current trends in the music scene.
Be sure to check out the dazzling music video as well.
숙녀Yubin
Among the so-called second-generation groups that sparked the K-pop boom in Japan, Wonder Girls stood out with concept-driven songs that each highlighted a retro image from the ’60s to ’80s, bringing a very fresh feel and boasting many hits of different styles—and they were also quick to break into the U.S.
market as a girl group.
Yubin, who was active as the group’s main rapper, made her solo debut with “Lady (숙녀),” a track that clearly channels 1980s disco and city pop.
It’s a must-listen masterpiece for anyone looking to delve into Korean city pop.
Be sure to check out the wonderful music video too, featuring Yubin in glamorous, bubble-era fashion!
In conclusion
I introduced some recommended Korean newtro songs! There isn’t a strict definition, so it can feel tricky, but one key point might be that all the tracks give off a stylish vibe.
While researching, I also felt that healing elements and bright, glamorous melodies are some of the genre’s characteristics.
Newtro songs are likely to keep attracting attention, and I’d love to keep digging deeper into them!