Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage, and substance.
February was even slower than January, which we already called a slow month. Despite that, there were still a few standout releases worth giving a listen from both established and underrated artists to make the month of Valentine’s complete with a few solid songs. More importantly, we’ve seen some major names of the third generation of K-pop return to the stage and some intriguing debuts.
2026 is only two months in, and with March well underway, it may very well be a good idea revisiting some of last month’s strongest songs.
8. Suen – Heart Emojis
As the artist’s first full album, ‘In my room’ finds itself with some solid tracks scattered throughout its admittedly brief 10 songs and 23 minutes, including Cherry Blossom and Shower. Her songs carry a lightness and simplicity that makes them easily replayable, with Heart Emojis being one such track.
This track might only come in at 2 minutes and 23 seconds, but it utilizes its runtime to great effect. If there’s an artist that her sound evokes, it’s that of a more lowkey effie, whose hyperpop album ‘E’ from last year finds itself scattered throughout Suen’s work here. With its blend of great vocals and good production, this is one of the year’s more underrated tracks.
7. X:IN – Coming Home
X:IN always have some interesting songs hidden within their albums, and their newest release, ‘Hyper’, is no different. With this admirably upbeat and uplifting album addition, X:IN tackles a song with a lot of English lyrics with strong, united vocals that make for a track that feels like a victory lap.
With lines like “Light me up, I feel so warm in your arms, Feels like coming home,” this is a song clearly made for their fans who have stuck by the group to lift them up for years. With this being their third year active, it is nice to see the group still making good music.
6. NAVILLERA – NO LIMIT
No, CRAXY’s song hasn’t found a remake, but this is brand new group NAVILLERA’s big debut, and boy does it leave an impression. Both the song and the music video clearly lack the budget of larger groups and companies, but the girls make do and deliver a very brash and unashamedly hectic debut.
It’s a very familiar song with a lot of typical elements you’d see from a 2020s K-pop song, but it does it well enough to be enjoyable. With this being the group’s debut, there’s potential here with the girls delivering solid rapping and a powerful chorus.
5. JIWOO – Lily
It may have taken a long while, but KARD’s maknae finally has her own solo release in the form of a whole EP, and its fourth track, Lily, is the clear standout. Known for her unique tone, Jiwoo utilizes her vocals in this album track composed only of English lyrics to deliver a somber, tender showcase of her talents.
With a rather comforting instrumental behind her, Jiwoo declares her recognition and devotion to the song’s subject in an infectiously enamored manner. With her also serving as the song’s lyricist, this song showcases her talents in a way that feels rather overdue.
4. JINHYEONBIN – The Void
A former member of the short-lived (and sorely missed) bugAboo, the group’s former maknae returns with her first comeback in the form of her second digital single. This time, Hyeonbin greets audiences with a sweetly enchanting track that actually takes its time with a comforting guitar in the background.
With a nice buildup to a strong chorus anchored by her steady vocals, the soloist makes sure we know her capacity as not just the singer of this track, but the composer and lyricist. It’s arranged nicely, and is definitely one of the year’s better ballad-adjacent songs. The song is more than worth a few listens and provides hope for the revival of ballads as title tracks in the K-pop idol space.
3. CHUNG HA – Save me
One of the industry’s most underrated and underappreciated soloists, Chung Ha makes a return with this English digital single. Despite its simplicity and familiarity, Save Me is frankly one of the year’s strongest soloist songs, perhaps even because of it.
Commemorating her birthday, this song’s surprisingly emotional lyrics reveal a vulnerability to the icon, ditching her typical dance-pop synth sounds for a more sentimental track. It has a powerful chorus drop, as she sings out, “What if I’m hurting? What if I need someone?” in a moving cry for support and help. This track offers listeners a more sincere look at fans’ favourite dance legends.
2. WJSN – Bloom hour
Coming after quite a few solo releases and side projects including Dayoung’s massive hit Body, fever dream EL7Z UP’s CHEEKY with Yeoreum, and SeolA’s moving Without U, it’s great hearing the girls back together after years apart. Inviting comparisons to other sentimental fan songs like Kep1er’s Shooting Star, Bloom hour itself is a great return for the long-dormant group.
To call it unfortunate that it took this long to get new music from this group would be an understatement, but here we are. Thankfully, it’s a very strong track. It doesn’t do anything revolutionary with its production, but it’s an enjoyably emotional sign that this group still has much to offer its fans despite what fans often say is sidelining by the industry for newer acts.
1. GAEUL (IVE) – Odd
IVE dropped their second full album this February consisting of 6 group tracks and 6 solo songs, and frankly, the half consisting of solo tracks is the better half. While the group track Hush is admittedly good, solo tracks Super ICY and Unreal from members Leeseo and Liz respectively work as other album highlights. That said, Gaeul’s surprisingly beautiful and groovy Odd stands out as one of the year’s best songs.
Thanks to Gaeul herself being involved in the song’s lyrics and composition, the IVE rapper displays a tender, addicting side to her vocals, utilizing the echo in the chorus to make her voice stand out in an irresistible way. Odd is easily the month’s best song, and might very well be one of the first half of the year’s best tracks. While she may work well with her group, if this is what she can deliver on her own, one can only hope for more opportunities for her to shine.
To support the artists featured in today’s special piece, please follow them at their social media links below:
NAVILLERA: Instagram; Spotify
JINHYEONBIN: Instagram; Spotify
CHUNGHA: Instagram; Spotify
GAEUL: (Group) Instagram; IVE Spotify
Cover image sourced from Bae Su Hyun – @pl_lightt on Instagram
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