K-Pop Releases: Mar. 2025

Hello, everyone! Welcome, or welcome back to K-Pop Releases, where I check out a select number of k-pop songs released within the month. I'm your host, Grace, A.K.A. Lil' Miss Different, and today we'll be looking at the songs released in March! When I was making this blog, I described it as "Big 4" heavy month. That's still the case; out of the 17 songs we're looking at, 10 of them come from one of those labels - those labels being SM, YG, JYP, and HYBE (along with its subsidiary labels) - some more than others. That's over half of these groups and artists who come from those labels, and if you come from any of them, chances are that you're going far in the k-pop world!

But just because an artist or group comes from one of the Big 4, doesn't automatically mean the song they have is good. Yes, while there's a lot of good songs here, there's also a couple of duds, along with songs that are either standard or songs that I like despite a glaring flaw. This month is pretty mixed all things considered.

Once again, I'll be ranking each song a score out of 6, based entirely on my opinion:

• 0/6 - Crap Tier (hate the song)

• 1/6 - Bad Tier (still don't like, but could be worse)

• 2/6 - Mid Tier (boring or just mediocre)

• 3/6 - Decent Tier (just okay, only check out once in a while)

• 4/6 - Good Tier (perfectly serviceable)

• 5/6 - Great Tier (really enjoy)

• 6/6 - Amazing Tier (completely in love)

Different opinions are fine, but please be respectful of my thoughts as you read along. Are we ready?

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'like JENNIE' by JENNIE

Release: Mar. 7

Label: Odd Atelier

Ranking: 3/6

Ruby is finally out, and this is the last single off of it...and likely the last time I'll talk about Jennie for a while. A BLACKPINK comeback could happen - they're touring this year, after all!

Before I start praising this song, I have one thing I don't like about the track: it's way too short, just barely two minutes long. Now with that out of the way, this song's pretty solid. It's just Jennie flexing about her confidence, and she rides this heavy beat really well. I also want to point out that while most of this song's in English, there's a few lines in the second verse in Korean, which is really interesting. Not much else to say here, just a really decent bop that could've had more of an impact.

'Handlebars' with Dua Lipa's really good, too!

'Sweet Dreams' by j-hope ft. Miguel

Release: Mar. 7

Label: HYBE - Big Hit Music

Ranking: 3/6

Well... About time we review a BTS member. In this case, we're looking at J-Hope, one of the rappers. Aside from that Don Toliver song he was on recently (yes, the one where the Louis Vuitton bag has a featuring credit), this is his first music release post-military service. And let me just say, this one's alright.

'Sweet Dreams' is an R&B pop song, about a desire to love and to be loved back. J-Hope and R&B singer Miguel, despite not having any chemistry, sound really nice on this relaxing beat. While the instrumentation sounds nice, it doesn't leave much of an impression for me. In other words, I could end up forgetting this throughout the year.

'YELLOW' by TREASURE

Release: Mar. 7

Label: YG Entertainment

Ranking: 3/6

Hey, our first official YG release in this series (this is the only YG act we're reviewing this month, btw)! Out of all the 4th Gen boy bands that came from the Big 4, TREASURE tends to get lost in the shuffle. It's kind of a shame, 'cause I find them pretty underrated. I mean, just look at the other Big 4 boy bands from that era. HYBE has TXT and ENHYPEN, two groups with very distinct concepts, who tend to fall into that company's easy-listening/western sound. SM doesn't have one (unless you count the supergroup SuperM), as I think they were too occupied with NCT. Then there's JYP, who has the most successful of the bunch in Stray Kids, who not only are self-produced, but are also very charismatic.

I think it might come down to TREASURE's concept: cutesy boy crush. I mean, there's a place for that in k-pop; I even said in the January blog that I like BOYNEXTDOOR. But here's the thing: most of those other groups I mentioned have an edge in their sound and style. TREASURE have their edgy side, too, but that doesn't come across to me often, and I think that has to do with the members themselves. There's 10 of these guys, and while I can tell the rappers apart just fine, their vocalists don't stick out to me very much. I'm sure the guys are talented (they're from YG - of course they are), and they sing well, but I feel like I'm missing something from them, you know?

Sorry about the rant. Let's review 'YELLOW', shall we? It's a very cute and chipper track, about how the guys will love this person as the year goes by. They describe their love as "yellow", hence the song's title, which I believe means it makes them happy. The instrumentation has a cheery piano riff, and I like the guitar playing during the rap verse. It's a nice, pleasant vibe, but TREASURE have other tracks I could be listening to instead. 'LAST NIGHT' is on the same album as this, and I find it a much better track, so check that one out if you want.

'96ers' by Hoshi x Woozi

Release: Mar. 10

Label: HYBE - Pledis Entertainment

Ranking: 1/6

Man, this one hurts...

In case you haven't read the January blog, here's a refresher: I really like SEVENTEEN. I think they put out a lot of great music. So when I say I don't like a song of their's, it's not frequent, and it really stings.

This time, we have a new subunit in the form of Hoshi x Woozi (or 'HxW' for short). These two actually did have a song together before this, 'Bring It', which was on SEVENTEEN's 2017 album Teen, Age (which spawned the title track 'CLAP'). However, let's look at '96ers', and why I'm not very fond of it.

I do have one positive thing to say about this song: Hoshi and Woozi themselves. They're incredibly charismatic, and you can feel the chemistry these two have. Unfortunately, what made this song end up in the Bad Tier for me is the production. I'm sorry, but what's this swishy beat, the cowbell that doesn't fit well, and that pitched-up yelp in the hook is extremely annoying? I don't like the squeaked-up "Just like this" line in the pre-chorus either. The song is a celebratory track of how far these two have come, but it's hard for me to vibe along when there's so many annoying elements throughout it! It reminds me of why I didn't like 'CHEERS', another celebratory song the two did with their leader S.Coups, which was also bogged down by terrible production ideas. Woozi's usually a great producer, but this wasn't his best work. Sorry, Carats. I didn't care for this one.

'Air' by YEJI

Release: Mar. 10

Label: JYP Entertainment

Ranking: 4/6

So... It's been six years since ITZY debuted. I've seen people who love that group, others who hate them, and some who are mixed on them. I fall into the last category, because while yes, they do have their bops, they also have some duds, especially in 2022 and '23. I don't know about you, but I feel like last year was a redemption year for them, as least musically (there's no way they're reaching the same success they did in their early years). Heck, I call 'Imaginary Friend' one of my favorite songs from last year.

So they start 2025 with a solo debut - in this case, their leader Yeji. And it's safe to say, this is really good! It's an '80's synthpop track, about the overwhelming feeling of being drawn to someone. The song has a heavy bass, and I like the guitar that appears in the bridge. And yet, something's keeping me from calling it great. I think it's Yeji herself. I love her low voice, and she stands out really well in ITZY, but I feel like she could've been more engaging?

What do I mean by that? What I mean is, to go solo, you need to have a commanding presence - give me a reason to check out your work. When TWICE's Nayeon and Jihyo released solo music, they grabbed my attention - the former for the vibes, and the latter for her incredible voice. I want to root for Yeji, and I hope this song grows on me. Still a really solid track overall.

'Baby, Not Baby' by SEULGI

Release: Mar. 10

Label: SM Entertainment

Ranking: 5/6

Now this is more my style! We now move on to Seulgi, the lead vocalist of Red Velvet, and of all the members who've released solo music so far, her's is easily my favorite. Seulgi made her solo debut in 2022 with '28 Reasons', an awesome track, and I was really curious how she would follow it up. While 'Baby, Not Baby' isn't as great as that song was, it's still incredible in its own right.

It's a pop rock track, with a dark edge to it, and Seulgi sounds really good against the instrumentation. Seriously, her voice is incredible, and it's pretty clear that darker concepts suit her so well! And then, there's the song's message: it's about embracing the affection of a relationship, but not wanting to be boxed into a specific image. Instead, she would rather focus on staying true to herself, which I find very commendable. One part I'm really mixed on is the chorus, specifically the line 'I'm so f-ing sorry', except the f-word is bleeped out. And although the beep isn't obnoxiously loud, it may not affect me, I can imagine it would annoy someone else. Overall, it's another home run for Seulgi! Great first comeback!

'WHEE!' by XIUMIN

Release: Mar. 10

Label: INB100

Ranking: 2/6

Funny how I have two idols from SM acts back to back from each other...

Here we have Xiumin, a member of EXO, another iconic 3rd Gen boy band, and while I get their appeal, a good chunk of their songs don't click with me. I wish I had good answer as to why. Like Seulgi, Xiumin also made his solo debut in 2022 (SM Station stuff doesn't count!) with 'Brand New', which was just fine at best. Since then, he joined fellow member Baekhyun's label, INB100, for solo projects.

This is his first comeback, and it's just kinda whatever to me. It's a light, breezy track about reaching a dream with someone, but the production doesn't do a whole lot to keep me engaged. Plus, I'm not a big fan of Xiumin's vocal delivery, either. His voice is very nasal in places, and the way he says the title is really annoying, which doesn't help.

If you like this track, good for you. It's just completely unremarkable for me.

'LOVE RACE' by SF9

Release: Mar. 11

Label: FNC Entertainment

Ranking: 5/6

Ah... another 3rd Gen boy band. SF9 debuted in 2016 under FNC Ent., and they're...fine. I don't know, they don't grab me the way other boy bands do. Ironically, this group no longer consists of nine members, as former member Rowoon left in 2023 to focus on acting. And then there's the current members; Dawon's currently in the military, and Zuho is currently inactive for reasons I'm unsure about. So six members, then.

Let's focus on the song. This might be my favorite song of their's. I think it's entirely based on vibes, as this is badass! I love the rock-esque instrumentation - it feels ambitious. The guys sound amazing here, too; I especially love the way Jaeyoon sounds in the bridge! Not much else I can say, just a really great track overall. Good job, SF9!

'ShaLaLa' by SAY MY NAME

Release: Mar. 13

Label: iNKODE

Ranking: 4/6

No, I'm not referring to the iconic Destiny's Child of the same name. Nor the ATEEZ song.

This is SAY MY NAME, a seven-member girl group that debuted in October of last year. They come from a small company called 'iNKODE', which was founded in 2023, and they seem to be its first group. However, one thing of note I want to bring up is the group's leader, Hitomi, who was already part of two different groups before this: the Japanese idol group AKB48, and the one where more people remember her from, the project group IZ*ONE. It's nice to see her again after over three years since that group disbanded!

What do I think of their music so far? They're fine. Their debut 'WaveWay' was a very cutesy track, if a bit on the safe side. As for 'ShaLaLa', it's also safe, leaning towards mainstream. The production is lovely, the beat has a dreamy vibe, and the girls sound really nice here. I wish this group did a bit more to stand out, but they still have a long way to go. There's still potential. Check them out if you haven't.

'HOT' by LE SSERAFIM

Release: Mar. 14

Label: HYBE - Source Music

Ranking: 5/6

Is it safe to say that LE SSERAFIM could be growing on me? Let me explain: up until last year, this was a group I knew existed, but they didn't quite grab me yet. I have checked out their singles and let just say it - they're really hit or miss. I'm sorry if that comes off as harsh, but that's just how I feel. On one hand, they have 'ANTIFRAGILE' and 'CRAZY', two absolute bops, and on the other, they have 'EASY', a very empty little nothing of a track. What I'm saying is, their easy-listening stuff tends to fall flat for me.

This song, 'HOT', also falls into the easy-listening category, but here's the thing: it's fantastic! Turns out, all they need is a soft rock instrumentation, and I'm all ears! I really like the weird kazoo-like guitar solo near the end of the track. The song is about love, and the members sell the theme very well. Chaewon and Yunjun easily stand out the most; you can hear the emotion in their vocal performances. Kazuha sounds nice, too, and I like how she opens up the song. Though I do wish Sakura and Eunchae had more to do. I know those two often get the least lines, but they got shafted here! Sakura only got seven seconds worth of lines, and Eunchae got 11! I'm not expecting line distributions to be perfectly equal, but they could've spread it out a little more. Plus, this song falls on the short side; I feel like after the second post-chorus, the song is going somewhere more grand, but then it just ends.

Aside from the abrupt ending and having one of the most unfair line distributions I've seen in a while, this is still a wonderful track. I hope LE SSERAFIM have a great year!

'KNOW ABOUT ME' by NMIXX

Release: Mar. 17

Label: JYP Entertainment

Ranking: 2/6

NMIXX are a weird group to describe. They have their own unique brand of k-pop, a genre they call MIXXPOP. It's when a song is broken up per segment into different genres or instrumentals. It's sounds as insane as you think it is, and k-pop is already quirky enough, and NMIXX pushed that sound even further. Plus, they have some incredible vocalists; Haewon and Lily are especially fantastic! I imagine getting into their music is hard (it was for me at first), and I can see where you're coming from if you find them annoying.

But if there's one thing NMIXX shouldn't be, it's boring, and that's what 'KNOW ABOUT ME' is. I mean, what the hell happened here?! The Fe304 series had a winning streak of title tracks; 'DASH' and 'See that?' were awesome! This song is a downgrade, a massively underwhelming send-off to the Fe304 trilogy.

Let's discuss why: the beat sounds like elevator music. Tell me that doesn't sound like something you'd hear on your way to a hotel room! The song only kicks in at the bridge, when this distorted guitar sounds pops up, and it has this ugly foghorn sound to it! And then there's the members... I like these girls; they're usually forces of personalities, but here, they just sound disinterested to me. The only members who really stand out are Jiwoo and Kyujin - they really sound like they're giving their all. Lily and Sullyoon have some bits to shine, and Haewon and Bae are practically non-existent.

Want my advice? Just listen to 'High Horse', the pre-release track to Fe304: FORWARD. It does a much better job at showcasing NMIXX's best attributes. I don't know what this group is doing next, but for the love of God, I hope it's not more like this.

'VVV' by THE BOYZ

Release: Mar. 17

Label: ONE HUNDRED

Ranking: 6/6

Okay! That was three girl groups in a row. Time to focus on another boy band, this time, THE BOYZ. They debuted in very late 2017 under IST Ent. (went by other names before this), and are made up of a whopping 11 members! I mean, the guys themselves are okay for what they are, and their music's fine enough at best. However, their contracts over there ended in back in December and have moved to ONE HUNDRED, a label that's still pretty new.

This is their first comeback under that label, and let me just say it: this is awesome! To me, THE BOYZ are at their best when the music's full of energy, and this song's no exception. 'VVV' is a flashy disco(?) dance track, about living life to the fullest. The song is lively the whole way through, perfect for a party or a festival, and the guys sound incredible! I love the post-bridge when Eric goes 'Watch me dash, watch me dash', and speaking of which, when did his voice get so deep?! I don't remember his voice being that low before!

If you haven't checked this out yet, please do! You won't regret it!

'BEBE' by STAYC

Release: Mar. 18

Label: High Up Entertainment

Ranking: 4/6

Speaking of flashy dance tracks... Here we have STAYC, a six-member girl group who debuted in 2020, starting out as this overly cutesy group. Most of those songs are really solid for what they are, though as of last year, they've been drifting away from that sound and into something a bit more mainstream-friendly. It worked for TWICE in the turn of the decade, so surely it can work for STAYC, right?

I don't know, yet. I love me a fashion runway vibe kind of song, but the girls don't exactly have the forceful personalities to pull it off. Take aespa's 'Whiplash' for example: the beat in that song was heavier, and the members of that group have the charisma and level of coolness to ride that vibe.

'BEBE' sounds like the tween version of those L 'Oréal make-up commercials, which given the group's concept, shouldn't surprise me. The production still sounds nice, but it could pass as background noise, too. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of Sieun's vocal performance either. She has this cute, almost squeaky voice, and while I usually don't mind her, she's pretty annoying here. Her voice is suited much better in songs like 'STEREOTYPE' or 'Bubble', and she clashes so awkwardly here. And she takes up a bulk of the song, too! Aside from the pre-chorus, the other members don't get as much time to shine. The only other member who stands out to me most is J, and that's mainly because her deep voice is so complementary with the music. The line 'At the same time lookin' like a Maknae' got a chuckle out of me, not gonna lie (especially since she is the maknae of the group).

I'm still not used to this direction STAYC are going in, but after my take on this song, it could end up shrinking on me.

'+82 Pressin'' by MARK (ft. HAECHAN)

Release: Mar. 19

Label: SM Entertainment

Ranking: 4/6

Quite the month for SM soloists, isn't it? This time, we're looking at Mark, a member of NCT - one of the most prominent members of that group, in fact, being part of the 127 unit and the leader of the DREAM unit. He officially made his solo debut last year and is set to release his debut album early into next month (or Apr. 7).

While '200' and 'Fraktsiya' were good for what they were, so's this one! It's a flex anthem, and this time, Mark brought fellow member Haechan along for the ride. These two sound great together - I consider Mark one of the better SM rappers, and I've always liked Haechan's soft and raspy voice; though hearing him rap at the beginning of the track is a bit awkward.

The instrumentation is pretty solid, too. I really like the marching drums and whistling that opens up the song. I feel like it's something you could hear in an army movie. Just a pretty standard track, overall. Can't wait for the album to drop!

'STUNNER' by TEN

Release: Mar. 24

Label: SM Entertainment

Ranking: 5/6

Well, would you look at that - another NCT member. This time, Ten, who's part of the unit WayV. Discounting any SM Station releases, he made his solo debut last year with 'Nightwalker', a really cool song.

'STUNNER' goes for a more sultry vibe, and Ten has a great voice for it. In other words, this song is really good. I like the beat, and while Ten's rapping in the second verse is solid enough, it's his singing that really lets him shine. He has an incredible voice; I might have to check out WayV again just for him! Check this one out if you haven't!

'BTG' by KiiiKiii

Release: Mar. 24

Label: STARSHIP Entertainment

Ranking: 3/6

Well, this should be interesting. Here we have KiiiKiii, STARSHIP's newest girl group. Before I review their song proper, I want to bring something up: I'm surprised there's already a new girl group under this label. Keep in mind, IVE debuted in late 2021, just over three years ago! They might not be as big as they were in their heyday, but they're still one of the more recognizable non-Big 4 acts and still have a devoted fanbase.

On to KiiiKiii proper. They've already been spreading buzz with two pre-debut singles: 'I DO ME' and 'DEBUT SONG', the former being pretty okay, and the latter being God awful (though I think that's kinda the point). My thoughts on their actual debut song, 'BTG', are really mixed.

Let's start with the production. It's a fast-paced track with a trap beat, and it jumbles all over the place to me. And then there's KiiiKiii themselves; there's five of these girls, and the best way I can describe them is competent. Not great, not horrible, just competent. Sui and Haum have pretty, yet breathy voices, and while their pre-chorus is catchy, they don't exactly complement the song's production style. The rappers, on the other hand, really carry this song. They have commanding presences, and they sound incredibly playful. Their youngest member, Kya, has a surprisingly low voice, possibly the lowest in the group! These girls are braggadocios, but not in the same way BABYMONSTER and MEOVV were in their debut songs. While those groups were already claiming to be cool right out of gate under a stock, empty beat, this song is more "wannabe" cool. It's like a group of girls playing dress-up, and I think that's a much more suitable concept for their age group. And the song at least tries to stay in a lively atmosphere...in a dark and sinister way, but still.

A fine enough debut, and whether this song grows or shrinks on me, I'll be keeping an eye out for this group in the future.

'Panic' by BEOMGYU

Release: Mar. 27

Label: HYBE - Big Hit Music

Ranking: 4/6

Now we're ending the blog with another solo debut, this time Beomgyu, a member of TXT. The last time a member of this group released a solo song, it was Yeonjun with 'GGUM', and it was horrible! Quite possibly the worst k-pop song released last year!

That's not the case this time! Yes, 'Panic' is really good. I love me an "emo"-type ballad, and Beomgyu delivered it very well. I do wish there was a least a bridge and a final chorus, 'cause then the song could've felt more grand. Besides that, I can see this one growing on me if I'm in the right mood.

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And that's March 2025 for you! I know I'm missing some dates, but I needed to limit myself. Next month doesn't seem to be as busy so far, so that'll be a breather for me.

If you like what you read, please subscribe to my blog to stay up to date, and follow my social medias that are linked on the home page! This is Grace, and have a wonderful day!