The Retro Trend in 2020 K-pop

 by: Nush Sikdar

In years past, the K-pop industry has seen “phases” in which many comebacks from a particular time period share a general theme or genre. Starting in around April of 2020 and picking up in popularity around August through the rest of year, the industry saw a sudden spike in retro-themed comebacks. These were mostly 70’s- and 80’s-based, taking inspiration from disco, funk, and city pop. Let’s take a look through some of these releases, listed in order of release date!


Top left: BTS. Top right: Twice. Bottom left: Mamamoo. Bottom right: Seventeen.

Dumhdurum by Apink


    Apink starts this list off strong with a high-energy song about accepting and getting over a broken relationship. “Dumhdurum” is repeated throughout the song to imitate one’s heartbeat, and the song describes heartbreak through a series of metaphors (saying that her heart and her love has died) and melancholic memories. At first, this comeback went largely unnoticed, but after a few weeks, a clip of the group performing the choreography went viral because of a hypnotizing segment of the dance that appears impossible, in which two of the girls start with their hands interlaced and end apart as a further allusion to the lyrics. Clips of this performance made rounds on various social media platforms, and it even became a trend on TikTok for a few weeks. Currently, the music video sits at 30 million views.



When We Disco by Sunmi and J. Y. Park


    J. Y. Park is the founder and CEO of JYP entertainment, and in addition to this executive position, unlike most other CEOs, he also releases comebacks as an idol would. Sunmi was formerly under JYP entertainment, where she was a member of Wonder Girls for a total of five years. Despite no longer being represented under his company, Sunmi and J. Y. Park have remained friends. This song recounts a now-older couple looking back on their youth together when they would dance “like magic” at the disco. Although we are most definitely too young to have memories like those in the song, the lyrics struck deep for many older fans of Park Jinyoung and Sunmi. The music video currently has 35 million views. 


Dynamite by BTS


    BTS is arguably the biggest K-pop act out there and one of the biggest music acts in the world. “Dynamite” is their first and currently only song that is fully in English. It is also their first song to play on large American radio stations, likely due to the song being in English. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Top 100 Chart for 4 weeks, holding the record for longest double domination of any title. The song is about simply loving yourself, enjoying yourself, and doing things you love with all the confidence in the world. The choreography of the song takes reference from several Michael Jackson moves, further driving its retro inspiration. The music video currently has over 900 million views, and the fanbase plans on bringing that number up to 1 billion before the Grammys, for which the members of BTS have been announced as performers and nominees. 



La Di Da by Everglow


    All of Everglow’s releases up to this comeback were much more EDM-based and had heavy drops at the chorus. “La Di Da” is a stark contrast to this pattern, taking great inspiration from the synths commonly used in much older pop music. The visuals and styling in the music video also reference the scenery and vibe of futuristic movies from the 80’s and 90’s by including details such as dark city skylines with only a few bright white lights, helicopters flying high in the sky with searchlights to look for those going against dystopian social norms, and the typical black leather suits worn by the “resistance”. Some scenes from the music video also take reference from pop performances in the 80’s through sequined dresses, chunky jewelry, and bright shining lights. The song is an anthem for self confidence and continuing to be yourself through everything you do, defying those who are praying on your downfall. The chorus begins with the iconic line “got no time for haters,” and the fierce choreography certainly proves the girls’ resilience. The music video currently sits at 85 million views. 




HOME:RUN by Seventeen


    Seventeen’s comeback is slightly different from the others on this list in that while it is heavily inspired by older music, it actually draws from jazz and styles of the 20’s, while adding their own energetic twist on the genre. The lyrics create a metaphor centered around baseball that encourages the listener to shoot for their dreams because they can do whatever they want to accomplish. The music video draws further from the theme of baseball and the Roaring Twenties through its sets and outfits. Despite having 13 members and intense choreography, Seventeen always manages to be insanely synchronized in every performance, so I highly recommend you check out their comeback stages. Currently, the music video has nearly 80 million views. 



Dingga by Mamamoo


    This comeback is a near personification of a classic 80’s-themed comeback, complete with a funky beat, roller rink and diner sets, neon lights, and colorful, sparkling outfits. The song describes the members’ love for going  out and having fun, and bewails their disappointment in the current state of the world, complaining that they “lack Vitamin D,” have to waste money on delivery fees, and are stuck in the same place all day. The music video also reminds us all to keep wearing our masks so that things can get back to normal. Mamamoo never fails to bring their energy and attitude with their powerful vocals and fierce choreography. The music video currently has 45 million views. 



I Can’t Stop Me by Twice


    In the past few comebacks, Twice has entirely switched up their cute, girly concept with a darker, more mature concept. This release adds a retro feel that the group has never previously tried, and they more than pulled it off. From the synth in the background to the references to “futuristic” movies from the 80’s, “I Can’t Stop Me” fully embraces the retro concept while still maintaining Twice’s distinctive energy. The song details one’s urge to give into something they know they shouldn’t, but feel like they need to do. The song further adds to this angst with ample background vocals that bring out the severity of this temptation, as well as show off the vocal range of the members. Currently, the music video has 258 million views.