This week’s K-pop releases deliver two dance- and electro-pop-influenced tracks from NCT WISH and newly debuted girl group A20 LITE, as well as two synth-heavy numbers from ZEROBASEONE member SUNG HANBIN and A20 SOUL. While most of these entries focus on the younger generation of idols, we also see the return of beloved second-gen group TEEN TOP with a sweet, pop/R&B song dedicated to their fanbase of over 15 years.

---

NCT WISH - “I SPY”

Of all the NCT units, the youngest group — NCT WISH — has easily been the most active in the last few years. Following the release of their first studio album, Ode to Love, in April, the Japanese-Korean boy group is back with their fourth mini-album, I SPY. Keeping up with their bright, youthful sound, the album’s eponymous title track combines dance and electro-pop elements, featuring dynamic structural variations, capturing the feeling of every sense zeroing in on a crush with curious, innocent energy.

In both its song production and music video aesthetic, “I SPY” is reminiscent of the kinetic, sporadic energy of a computer game, topped with electronic glitches that add to its digital charm. If anything, the song is a perfect mirror to WISH’s older-brother group, NCT Dream, and their 2022 comeback, “Glitch Mode” — just another reminder of how deep the “neo” brand runs, regardless of the unit.

A20 LITE - “NEON”

Following his 2023 departure from SM Entertainment, longtime record producer and executive Lee Sooman has set out to establish his latest entertainment agency, A20 Entertainment. After debuting his first group under the company, A20 MAY, in 2024, Lee has officially unveiled one of his two newest additions: girl group A20 LITE. Debuting with their first single, “NEON,” the track harkens back to some of Lee Sooman’s most prolific second-gen idol groups from his tenure at SM, most notably Girls’ Generation.

Produced by Yoo Youngjin and Dem Jointz, “NEON” draws from a hodgepodge of genres but is mostly rooted in dance and electro-pop. Its rhythmic electronic production carries over into the group’s vocals, with the main hook distorting the members’ voices to sound more robotic. However, the effect isn’t overpowering and doesn’t take away from the prominent harmonies throughout the rest of the track. While A20 isn’t meant to copy-paste the styles SM and Lee became known for, “NEON” could definitely be seen as a worthy electro-pop successor to Girls’ Generation’s 2011 hit, “The Boys.”

A20 SOUL - “SUPERSTAR”

In conjunction with A20 LITE’s debut, Lee Sooman also debuted his first boy group, A20 SOUL, with a surprising 15-member lineup. Hailing from countries including Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, and the U.S., A20 SOUL marks Lee’s second venture in large-scale global expansion, following the creation of his former group, NCT, in 2016. However, listeners will find that A20 is much more vocal-based than most other K-pop groups, especially in this era. While A20 LITE’s “NEON” largely focused on electronic-based sounds, A20 SOUL’s pre-release single, “SUPERSTAR,” leans in the opposite direction, settling on a dazzling synthwave spectacle.

Produced by Yoo Youngjin — who’s been responsible for countless K-pop hits over the years — the song draws on ‘80s synth influences, showcasing the members’ vocals above anything else. With delicate melodies and a multi-layered production, “SUPERSTAR” feels otherworldly and perfectly paced, becoming one of the few K-pop singles to reach a four-minute runtime these days. It’s wonderfully nostalgic without trying too hard to be nostalgic.

SUNGHANBIN - “UNDEAD”

2026 has been an exciting new chapter for ZEROBASEONE, including a newly reconfigured lineup and a complete 180-degree style change for the group, the debut of its first subunit, EMP, and the first member to branch out as a soloist, SUNGHANBIN. As leader of ZEROBASEONE, HANBIN has already proved he can handle his own, and “UNDEAD” is no different. As the theatrical title track of his debut EP, DEAD:ALIVE, the track is drama incarnate, combining elements of alternative pop-rock, synth-pop, contemporary R&B, and even alternative dance. From beginning to end, “UNDEAD” races to the finish line with boundless fervor and determination — but it doesn’t rush at all. Every dark, cinematic thrash of heavy guitar riffs and booming percussion is earned, amplifying HANBIN’s soaring vocals to the point of pure catharsis. It may be a daunting task to be the first of his group to go solo, but HANBIN makes it look effortless.

TEEN TOP - “See My Angel”

Although 2026 has seen the return of many second-gen icons and veterans, TEEN TOP has been holding it down for fans of that era for quite some time now. After releasing their 15th anniversary EP, Just 15, Just Teen Top, in 2025, the quartet is back with their 12th mini-album, DON’T STOP. While its title track of the same name retains the EDM-driven elements that propelled the group to success in their early years, it’s the slower, more sentimental B-side, “See My Angel,” that stands out among the rest. The song is a soft, mid-tempo pop/R&B ballad addressed to TEEN TOP’s fanbase, known as “Angel.” Through the members’ smooth vocals and harmonies, “See My Angel” is both a love letter and a “thank you” to the fans who have stood by the group for over 15 years and allowed them to be themselves through it all. There are many fan-oriented K-pop songs like this, but when it comes from a group that’s managed to last for as long as TEEN TOP has, it’s an occasion worth celebrating.