Unsung Artists: October – December 2025

The first weeks of 2026 are upon us, but there’s still lots to unpack from last year! In this special edition of Unsung Artists, we look at some of the best comebacks in the last quarter of 2025, from eye-catching rookie efforts, to exciting reinventions from veteran idols.

Hearts2Hearts – “Focus”

As SM Entertainment’s first new girl group since Aespa, Hearts2Hearts debuted with no shortage of spotlight or pressure. Initially, the nine-member group struggled to fully capitalize on their debut momentum. Slowly but surely though, they’ve come into their own. Of course, very little in K-pop is wholly original. Hearts2Hearts’ split concept calls to mind labelmates Red Velvet, and the concepts themselves (part bubblegum cutesy pop, part softly futuristic and fantastical performance pieces) feel like a fifth-generation remix of Loona. But there’s no reason to quibble when Hearts2Hearts are filling a big hole in the current K-pop landscape…and with a ton of panache, as showcased in their latest comeback, “Focus.”

“Focus” is by far the group’s most dynamic title track yet, an earworm dance song presented with visual flair. The MV finds the group attending a magical school in the sky (this description is not a metaphor) and grappling with an all-consuming crush (“I cannot focus, you’re all I’m seeing”). Sometimes, “Focus” can get a bit busy; the animated Siamese cats and the ballet studio aren’t strictly necessary or on-theme. But more often than not, the MV’s enthusiastic approach hits, from its translation of the “magical girl” genre into an anime-style fight sequence, to several clever uses of mirrors, to the excellent editing that emphasizes the pose-like nature of the wacking-inspired dance.

The result is a comeback that is fun and light, but thanks to its intense stylishness, far from forgettable. If Hearts2Hearts keep moving forward in this fashion, they will truly be a force to be reckoned with.

Xdinary Heroes – “ICU”

In the oddly large oeuvre of K-pop tracks comparing love to an illness, Xdinary Heroes “ICU” is a delightfully unhinged addition. In the colorful MV, cartoon-style animation, surrealist imagery, and cheesy (complimentary) visual effects transform an angsty storyline into something unmistakably playful:

So sick! My heart cut right through by you

Call the doctor, call the doctor

Diagnosis: 1 lifetime needed to recover

Charge up, shock, oh shock

Live performances of “ICU” are equally, if not more, compelling. The band’s excellent vocals and admirable musicality shine (even if it’s hard to fully enjoy guitarist Jun Han’s terrific solo in light of his aggressively side-eye worthy comments this summer). Jooyeon in particular (a variety show favorite) manages to evoke genuine rock-and-roll energy, a feat that alludes even some of the best K-pop rock bands. There’s something a bit rock and roll about “ICU’s” whole, chaotic thing… which is definitely what makes it such a blast.

Miyeon ft. Colde – “Reno”

In a fascinating heel turn from the aesthetic of her previous solo releases, Miyeon goes full femme fatale in “Reno.” The cinematic MV mostly uses a single cavernous building as its setting, but transforms its nooks and crannies into various scenes, like mini theater productions that spill out at the edges. Some of the visuals that are achieved are truly stunning: a painted sky bearing witness to an unspeakable crime, a lavender projection making Miyeon both her own background and her own audience, and a simplistic but devastating final silhouetted tableau that, again, positions Miyeon as both lead actor and passive viewer.

It’s a testament to the strength of the MV’s execution that it can feel downright disturbing at times. The murderous lover trope (“finally our relationship can last forever”) is a tale as old as time, rooted in all-too-real violence that can easily make artistic interpretations sour on your tongue. The most successful renditions often position themselves as fables of female rage or pulpy horror comedies that are not to be taken seriously. “Reno” takes a different approach. Its theatricality co-exists with surprisingly grounded emotional weight. Visually, it’s a decadent feast. But taken as a whole, it has an unexpectedly, and intriguingly, uncomfortable bite.

Yeonjun – “No Labels: Part 01”

In another strong solo return, Yeonjun came back with ambition and style in “No Labels: Part 01,” a triptych MV featuring “Coma,” “Let Me Tell You” with Katseye’s Daniela, and “Talk to You.” It’s a lot to squeeze into six minutes, but the MV largely succeeds. The result is a video in three distinct parts that nevertheless coheres — and proves to be a formidable showcase of Yeonjun’s versatile charisma.

One small fault is that the MV’s closing section, “Talk to You”, is probably its weakest. “Coma” is more dynamic and visually experimental, and “Let Me Tell You” is an immediate delight as a rare example of a chemistry-filled and committed K-pop duet. The comical yet grungy “Talk to You” is still good fun, but it never quite hits its rhythm. That being said, “No Labels Part 01” positions Yeonjun as a burgeoning soloist with an intriguing vision, a vision that he is well on his way to bringing to life.

Riize – “Fame”

As soon as you hear the blaring electric guitar riff at the heart of “Fame,” you know you’re in for something special. A fascinating mash-up of rock, hip-hop, and classic K-pop influences, “Fame” is one of Riize’s most musically dynamic tracks to-date. It also walks a strange, wonderful line between hyper-modern and nostalgic sounds. While the genre-blending has a distinctly 2020s feel, Shotaro, Sungchan, and Eunseok’s raps could have come straight from an early 2010s TVXQ track.

The MV attempts a similar mash-up with less success. Classic performance sequences and a grungy industrial setting are punctuated with special effects that both attempt hyper-modernism (pixelated images of the members recur, as if they are transforming into avatars of themselves) and feel oddly dated in their execution. The MV isn’t necessarily bad, it just doesn’t match the hype of the track itself. On the other hand, taking a more visceral, literal approach might not have been strategic. Even for K-pop, Riize have faced more than their fair share of toxic fandom dynamics in their short career, and “Fame” often seems to address that head-on:

Which side of me will you want

Not the façade but the real me inside

I make it explode, this moment’s all I’ve got

“Fame” packs a punch on multiple levels while playing right into Riize’s greatest strengths: emotional conviction, wickedly strong vocals, and even stronger performance skills.

Zico & Lilas (Yoasobi’s Ikura) – “Duet”

“Quirky cool” is practically Zico’s calling card at this point, both in his solo work and in his role as BoyNextDoor’s producer. “Duet” is yet another track in that lane, which means it’s catchy and charming, but also somewhat predictable. What gives it an extra kick is the duet-er herself, Lilas, better known as one half of the mega-popular Japanese duo Yoasobi. Her voice has always been remarkable, and that holds true here: sweet and lilting like birdsong, clear as a bell, and never cloying or squeaky.

(Korea Times, YouTube[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Lyrics via YouTube[1][2][3][4]. Images via SM Entertainment.)