Vote for the Best K-Pop Releases of 2024 (So Far)

Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week, our first-ever Fan Chant reader poll is live! There’s never been a better time to subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week.

Has “Smoothie” stayed at the top of your playlist? Are you unable to shake “Deja Vu,” or obsessed with making it all look “Easy?”

No matter what fandoms you hail from, I want to hear from you! The Fan Chant Mid-Year Survey is now officially live. This is the first time we’ve tried something like this, but I can’t wait to see what readers have been excited about it and maybe add some new favorites to my own playlists.

Here’s the plan: Fill out the survey and share it with all your pals. I’m going to collect the answers and publish the results right here in the column in the coming weeks, and then share how the responses line up with my personal picks of 2024 so far.

There are so many fun things about K-pop — the spectacle, the synchronization — but one especially great feature is the frequency of releases. Fans rarely have to wait too long for new music. I was struck earlier this year by the fact that eternal sunshine was Ariana Grande’s first release in four years, and couldn’t believe I used to live like that all the time. All this to say, there’s already so much great music out in 2024, and I can’t wait to shine the spotlight on a big chunk of it right here.

To participate, tap this link here and get started. Happy voting!

NCT DREAM Tour

NCT DREAM, photo courtesy of SM Entertainment

NCT subunit NCT DREAM are hitting the road for a pretty huge 2024 tour. Get the scoop on “THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE” here.

Song Rec of the Week:

I love Dean’s voice, I love production from Gray, and I love a saxophone moment. I can’t believe I’d never heard this song before!