Plus Magazine

| Written by Jang Junhwan (Editor for the music webzine IZM)

The movements of K-POP are not ordinary. Based on the so-called ‘4th Generation K-POP idols,’ the use of the ‘Drum’n’Bass’ (DnB) genre is rapidly spreading. Already this year, several interesting results have emerged. Around the time when the tenth member of tripleS was revealed, the group chose DnB as the main technique for the last track ‘Chowall’ of their first mini album, which would set the direction for the group.

One of the tracks from IVE’s first full-length album, ‘Hypnosis,’ feels like a light and fast jab as you listen. At first, there are no clues, but when it reaches the pre-chorus section where Liz’s mysterious vocals appear, DnB makes a brief and bold appearance as a building material. NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM’s approach to using DnB is a daring and straightforward style. In the case of the song ‘Zero,’ which was a collaboration with Coca-Cola, they aggressively utilized finely segmented DnB to meet the purpose of a commercial song that needs to grab attention. On the other hand, ‘Burn the Bridge,’ which interprets DnB as a dreamy element, was inserted as the background music for the trailer of LE SSERAFIM’s follow-up work, serving as a device to project the progressive concept of the album [UNFORGIVEN] and the group’s bold image.

Undoubtedly, for those with a keen interest in new songs, this phenomenon has been directly or indirectly experienced. Let’s briefly touch upon the explanation here. Excluding historical factors such as the background and development of the genre, the central elements that make up DnB are as follows: First, a foundation is established by repeating ‘breakbeat’ sections, where the original beat is finely divided using technical drums. A heavy ‘bass’ is added to enhance resonance and increase the sense of weight. Simply combining these two elements is the basic form. However, the more complex and fresh the development, the more it is directly linked to the DJ’s capabilities. Therefore, a fast tempo of 160~190 BPM, pulling sounds, and unique drum patterns are preferred in composition and sequencing.

As the pandemic gradually subsides and numerous musicians, including Beyoncé, have declared the need for a dance revival, both major and minor artists are actively engaging in exchanges and working towards the reconstruction of dance in the post-Corona era. Even so, it is difficult to imagine a collaboration between the intoxicating and awakening-focused DnB and the mass-appeal-centered K-POP. Born in the underground club scene in the 1990s, the ‘Drum’n’Bass’ genre, which pursued harder and stronger music and has already experienced several ups and downs, is now being revived, writing a new history of trends and welcoming its second golden age. How did this happen?

In response to this question, all media outlets unanimously pointed to TikTok, the epicenter of new trends, and specifically, the emergence of young British singer-songwriter PinkPantheress. It’s not an exaggeration to say that most of the current trends start on TikTok. To understand this background, it’s necessary to go back to 2020 when Billie Eilish, who interpreted the keywords of depression and seclusion for the masses, emerged as a Gen Z pop star, and Bedroom Pop, with its characteristic lo-fi sound stimulating dreamy emotions, became popular.

At that time, 20-year-old musician PinkPantheress, who was active on platforms like SoundCloud and TikTok, was a Bedroom Pop artist loyal to the DIY principle but also an enthusiast who explored and enjoyed the pure rhythm of the popular DnB of the past. Perhaps her taste was reflected in her music. She started releasing songs that skillfully blended her two favorite domains, and teenagers began to show a strong reaction on short-form platforms to the intriguing yet contrasting combination of her smooth vocals and chaotic beats.

Soon after, the emergence of piri & tommy and Vierre Cloud, who gained attention simultaneously, led to an influx of fandom into the genre itself, which is considered the beginning of this trend. Of course, this phenomenon is not exclusive to the UK. ‘Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2’ (2023), a collaboration between PinkPantheress and another TikTok star, Ice Spice, who is known for Drill music, is currently dominating the top of the US Billboard chart, demonstrating its power without regard to borders. In Korea, R&B artists like iiso and BÉBE YANA brought this style to the domestic scene, receiving positive responses from critics and listeners. Just as Avril Lavigne’s Pop Punk and My Chemical Romance’s emo rock once did, DnB was the next genre that met the needs of adolescent teenagers who were aimlessly searching for ‘unique music’ that would provide them with a sense of distinction from the older generation as they went through the different stages of life.

As we can see here, the recent trend of DnB that has emerged is not simply a faithful reproduction of past heritage. The passage of time is often accompanied by change. This series of developments, which began in 2021, is often described as ‘atmospheric Drum’n’Bass, with a focus on female vocals, hazy melodies, and a sense of space within stable soundscapes, while simultaneously emanating the contrasting allure of complex rhythms. This subtle yet non-burdensome difference has sparked people’s interest, and the current trend that has landed in K-POP also falls within this realm.

Listeners familiar with traditional DnB often remember the period after the late 2000s when Pendulum and Rudimental actively performed at festivals, laying the foundation for mainstream popularity by combining with the EDM era. They primarily recall the ‘powerful and explosive style of Drum’n’Bass during that time. The current DnB and the DnB of the past are clearly different. This raises a question: Is this the first time that K-POP and Drum’n’Bass have intersected?

In fact, the use of Drum’n’Bass in K-POP has been more frequent than one might think. Of course, there are differences in purpose and sound compared to the original DnB. Rather than being a core element that showcases the genre’s presence, it has been used as an additional device to harness the speed that DnB possesses, aligning with the popular direction it has taken since the 2010s. It operates in a way that emphasizes the ‘drum’ and ‘bass’ elements, adding dynamism to the songs.

Let’s take a look at TWICE’s ‘CHEER UP’ (2016), which emphasizes a bubbly sound for a refreshing vibe, and STAYC’s ‘SO BAD’ (2020) with its dazzling synth melody. When the honest buildup reaches its climax, a solid and authentic DnB beat bursts out. The contrast at the transition points is clear, allowing listeners to immediately recognize the intended focal points of the creators. On the other hand, I.O.I’s ‘Very Very Very’ starts off with the distinctive rhythm and tone of DnB, providing persuasiveness to the concept of ‘hoping the group will be remembered’ and creating an immersive environment that is easy to get into.

After 2022, K-pop’s approach to genre adoption has become more progressive and expansive. While there are clear instances of incorporating DnB as an element in songs, what stands out the most is the strong tendency to quickly gather emerging trends and innovate them as unique features of each group. During the early 2000s, the ‘UK Garage’ genre, which was prominent at the time, influenced the DJ duo Disclosure, propelling them to the forefront of the global club scene. We can observe the ripple effect of this era through SHINee’s ‘Prism’ (2016), EXID’s ‘Too Good To Me’ (2017), GOT7’s ‘Lullaby’ (2018), and THE BOYZ’s ‘Salty’ (2020), as each group presented their own unique styles, leaving a mark on each respective year.

In recent times, the trend of rapper Lil Uzi Vert’s ‘Just Wanna Rock,’ which reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts, and the resurgence of the ‘Jersey Club’beat, which has gained renewed attention through its combination with TikTok culture, can be mentioned. From NewJeans’ ‘Ditto,’ which emits a sense of mesmerizing nostalgia with its subtle and intriguing beats, to SEVENTEEN’s ‘Super,’ which explosively captures powerful choreography and resonates strongly with the heart, the usage of these beats is truly diverse. This aspect is intriguing. In the context of genre adoption, the first step is to be conscious of and capture the emerging trends, but in today’s K-POP, there is a sense of intention to refine it as a new weapon beyond mere imitation.

Such work can become a source of export rather than one-sided import. Interestingly, if you look at some interviews with PinkPantheress, who stands at the center of the trend, you will frequently come across mentions of herself being a longtime fan of K-POP. In fact, her release ‘Met You’ in 2021 is a work that samples EXID’s song ‘Night Rather Than Day’ from 2017.

In today’s era, 4th generation idols utilize DnB in various ways. They engage in a bullet-free war, leaving variations to keep up with trends, to express themselves uniquely, and most importantly, to leave a special impression on the public. The notion that one must go overseas to grasp the trends has become a thing of the past. K-pop now wholeheartedly embraces the trends of its time without prejudice, striving to incorporate each trend as part of its spectrum. As K-POP’s influence rapidly expands, its growth rate is becoming frighteningly fast.

※ Manuscripts from outside writers may not reflect the editorial direction of this magazine.