There wasn't many debut's that stood out for me in 2024 especially for groups, as you can see above that it was mainly the solo debuts that really stood out for me. With that said I did enjoy a lot of the debuts but I want to share with you the main 10 that really stood out for me.
Here are the 10 debuts that stole the show for me in 2024.
Hui
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I loved Hui's solo debut, his album was one of my honourable mentions in my Top 20 K-pop Albums post. Hui really has a unique voice, he really excels and stands out with any song.
Jinho's solo debut was amazing, there is a good mixture of songs on his mini album. I want to hear him do more rock sounding songs as they really suit his voice. His B-side Over gave me FTISLAND vibes and I can really see him being a frontman for a rock band.
I don't know if I can really count Yuqi as she's released solo songs before but she finally got to release a mini album in 2024, and this is why I've included her. Because her solo album was too good to be ignored. I love every track on her album. I desperately want to get my hands on a physical copy.
His solo debut mini album was stunning. San-Ha has always one of my favourite voices in Astro, I can't help but feel like Losing My Mind is about Moonbin because as soon as I heard this song it made me think about him and made me feel emotional. Even if you're not an Astro fan, I highly recommend this album it really showcases his voice.
While it got some hate, I absolutely loves Yeonjun's solo debut single. It's really catchy and it's one of them songs that just gets stuck in your head. i really enjoyed seeing another side to him away from TXT.
Yuta's solo debut was definitely one of my favourites. His album was amazing and definitely my favourite of all the NCT members solo debuts. If you checked out my top 20 K-pop albums post, then you know that his album came in first place.
Tzuyu's solo debut has to be my favourite out of the Twice members so far. Her album is cute and catchy and really suits her. They didn't try to force her into any songs that were above her ability and it really shows she's a good vocalist. I really love her voice.
Like with Yuqi, Ten has had solo songs before but 2024 saw him release his first mini album. Each track on the album was really catchy and really showcase Ten's voice. Like with Yuta, if you're not an NCT fan, I still highly recommend giving Ten's album a listen.
I absolutely loved TWS' debut mini album. Each track was really catchy and could have easily been a title track. Each release of theirs so far have been really catchy and sounding really fresh and new.
With how much I love and enjoy PLAVE and their music, when I cam across Sphaze, I decided to give them a listen. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked their debut single album. Sphaze are 2nd male lead webtoon characters, I'm interested in checking out each of the webtoon's they're in as well as what music they will release next.
Super One is SuperM's first full length album and comes almost a year after their debut.
On the 5th of August 2020, SM Entertainment announced that SuperM would be making a comeback, and that they would be releasing 2 singles prior to the albums release.
Between the 9th and 12th of August 2020, the teaser images were released for the 1st single titled 100.
On the 13th of August 2020, the M/V teaser for 100 released.
On the 25th of September 2020, the One (Monster & Infinity) M/V was released, along with the physical and digital release of their 1st full length album Super One.
Mark took part in the lyric writing for track 100 as well as taking part in composing.
Taeyong and Mark took part in the lyric writing for Together at Home.
Super One peaked at No.1 on the Gaon Albums Chart, No.29 on the Official UK Digital Albums Chart, No.2 on the Billboard 200 and No.1 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.
Gaon Sales: 502,455+
Oricon Sales: 23,193+
Chinese Sales: 45,059+
US Sales: 107,900+
Total Sales 678,607+ so far.
*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*
The M/V for 100 has so far gained 22,008,973 million views so far, with the views continuing to increase daily.
The M/V for 호랑이 (Tiger Inside) has so far gained 37,036,446 million views, with the views continuing to increase daily.
The M/V for One (Monster & Infinity) has so far gained 21,770,153 million views, with the views still continuing to increase.
Super One is released in 6 versions: Super, One, Unit A, Unit B, Unit C and Limited Edition.
All versions are set out in a box case and come with the Cd, booklet, photo book, a random postcard, poster, random ID card, and 2 random photo cards.
The Super version is orange, the One version is green, all the unit versions are blue with Unit A being Taemin and Taeyong, Unit B being Baekhyun, Mark and Lucas, and Unit C being Kai and Ten. The limited edition has a group image on the cover.
The photo books for all the versions apart from the Limited Edition are all different.
Track List:
One (Monster & Infinity)
Infinity
Monster
Wish You Were Here
Big Chance
100
호랑이 (Tiger Inside)
Better Days
Together at Home
Drip
Line 'Em Up
Dangerous Woman
Step Up
So Long
With You
As you can see I have 3 of the versions, I have the Super version, Unit A version and Unit B version, the Unit A version I bought from my local HMV store and noticed that I only got 1 photo card and 2 postcards, and no ID card, which made me assume the international versions are different from the American releases, the other 2 versions are both American releases.
The layout of the album is pretty much the same as EXO's Obsession album, I really liked that the goodies that come with this album are in a separate box, meaning you can look through the photo book without everything falling out.
I love the photo books and that the concept is kept the same for each one, the only thing I was a little gutted about was that there is no photo's that follows the concept for the One (Monster & Infinity) M/V.
The album itself on first listen I didn't know what to think as a lot of the tracks are sung in English with some odd bits of Korean, for me I don't need them to sing in English for me to enjoy the songs, but the more I listened to it the more I got used to it and fell in love with the tracks even more.
As soon as I saw that One (Monster & Infinity) was the title track, I knew we were getting another hybrid track like SHINee's Sherlock (Clue + Note), 2 individual tracks put together to create a whole new song. I think they put track together perfectly, the parts of the songs they used fit together like a jigsaw piece. I think when you hear this track and then listen to the stand alone tracks, you'll agree they did an amazing job.
I absolutely love the intro for Infinity, even if I couldn't help adding and beyond to Baekhyun's "to infinity". I love the melody in the beginning for me it gives the song a very futuristic sound and feeling. While the chorus works well as part of One (Monster & Infinity) for me I love the rest of the song as a whole.
Whenever I listen to Wish You Were Here, I can't help but sing along, this is definitely one of my favourite songs from the album, whether you're a fan of SuperM or not, the chorus is easy enough for you to be able to sing along to. I love the melody for this song as well as the vocals, my body sways involuntary with this track, it pulls me straight in.
I've always been confused as to why this track is called Big Chance, when they sing "do you wanna make that big mistake." This song overall gives me summer vibes, there is nothing in this song that I dislike, all their voices really fit this style of song.
100 is one of those tracks you know had to be included on SuperM's album, it definitely got everyone hyped up for their album and return, SuperM's motto should be go hard or go home, SHINee, EXO and NCT are known for their up tempo tracks and hard choreography, which is why SuperM try to take it up a notch, but I can't hear this song without hearing Kai in my head saying "Baekhyun-hyung, you're always shouting."
I love how the whole of 호랑이 (Tiger Inside) is sung and I especially love how Taemin and Ten pronounce growl. This is one of those songs that you can't help but sing and dance along to.
The first time I listened to Better Days I was in tears, this is definitely my overall favourite track from the album, it's also my go-to pick-me-up song whenever I feel myself struggling. I won't deny that when I first listened to the lyrics, the first thing that came to mind was the late Jonghyun, it made me think about how all the members have to deal with heartbreak and mental health. Whenever I listen to this song I can't help but wonder how they felt singing this song. I still cry whenever I listen to it and I just know if I ever get to seem them perform it live there won't be a dry eye in the house. Remember if you're ever struggling, there will always be better days after the darkness.
I was way too excited and happy to see Dangerous Woman on the track list, I've had my fingers crossed that we'd finally get a studio version after seeing them perform it live in London. It's definitely one of my favourite songs from SuperM.
Step Up really reminds me of another song, but I just can't put my finger on it, it's probably just the style of song that sounds familiar, it does however remind me of something SHINee would do.
The final track on the album is another song I was really happy to see on the track list, With You. I saw them perform this song live in London back in February and I was in love with it, I was gutted when I didn't think I had any recordings of them performing it, it was hidden behind another song. It wasn't until they performed it on One World: Together at Home, that I realised it was sung in English.
For a first full album this is a really good selection of songs, that really suits all the members voices. The more I listen to more each song pulls me in, I definitely have some favourites, but they're all amazing songs.
I'm dubious on whether we will get any SuperM next year as Baekhyun is due to enlist for his military service, but I look forward to them returning.
Were you a fan of Super One?
Do you have a physical copy?
Which version did you go for?
What were your thoughts on 100, 호랑이 (Tiger Inside) and One (Monster & Infinity)?
