There is also a hit formula like ‘Rise in the New Year’
K-pop top tier Rise is releasing a ‘New Year‘s Song’ again this year. They remade SM Entertainment’s senior TVXQ‘s debut song ‘Hug’. Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment
There is also a hit formula called ‘Rise in the New Year’.
K-pop top-tier Rise will be releasing a ‘New Year‘s Song’ this year, following last year. In the traditional seasonal song season, which is largely divided into two seasons: midsummer and year-end, Rise has pioneered the area of ‘First song of the New Year’, and there is also a glimpse of positive intentions to solidify this trend.
SM Entertainment (SM), the agency, revealed that Rise will be remaking the debut song ‘Hug’ by TVXQ, the ‘Living Legend’ and seniors of the same agency. This remake is also drawing more attention as it is being released in time for SM’s 30th anniversary, which is no different from the history of K-pop itself.
In conjunction with this, SM announced that they plan to release a ‘30th Anniversary Commemorative Album’, which will consist of remake versions that each senior and junior artist has produced that fit their respective team colors, starting with the Rise case.
The Rise version of ‘Hug’ was simultaneously released on major global pop music platforms at 6 PM on the 8th, Korean time. ‘Hug’ is TVXQ‘s debut song that took place 21 years ago, and it immediately became a ‘mega hit’.
A scene from the Rise Pan ‘Hug’ stage video Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment
Regarding Rise’s ‘Hug’ remake, SM explained, “The original song has a Y2K sensibility and trendy sound added to create a newtro mood, and the introduction is decorated with Rise‘s signature soft acapella and refreshing vocals.”
Prior to this ‘Hug’ remake, Rise released ‘Love 119’, a remake of ‘Emergency Room’, early last year, and received a great response. ‘Love 119’ played a decisive role in Rise’s popularity as well as solidifying their position as a ‘talented idol’.
Reporter Heo Min-nyeong mignon@donga.com
