Oh My Girl 'Nonstop' Review: Why This Mini Album Became Their Biggest Hit Yet

Oh My Girl Nonstop, released on April 27, 2020, stands as one of K-pop's most remarkable success stories in recent years. The seventh mini album from the group didn't just capture attention – it shattered records, with the title track "Nonstop" becoming the longest-running girl group song on MelOn Daily Chart Top 100 at 480 days.

Furthermore, this mini album proved to be a double success story. While "Nonstop" dominated Korean charts, peaking at No. 2 on the Gaon chart, the b-side track "Dolphin" unexpectedly soared to even greater heights, charting for an impressive 546 consecutive days and eventually earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan for reaching 50 million streams. With a stellar 8.7/10 rating from critics and multiple music show wins, including their first win on "The Show" on May 5, this five-track collection lasting just 17:28 minutes transformed Oh My Girl's career trajectory practically overnight.

The Comeback Story: How 'Nonstop' Was Born

After their impressive showing on Mnet's "Queendom" competition in 2019, Oh My Girl began preparing for what would become their career-defining comeback. The group, often dubbed "concept fairies" for their versatility, started generating buzz in March 2020 when WM Entertainment confirmed they were readying an April release.

Oh My Girl Nonstop release date and teaser rollout

On April 13, 2020, the agency officially announced April 27 as the comeback date. The teaser campaign kicked off on April 17 with the reveal of the mini album's title "NONSTOP". Between April 18-22, Oh My Girl released a series of eye-catching promotional photos featuring the members in lavender-themed outfits alongside collage-inspired images evoking childhood nostalgia. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the group held their showcase via a live broadcast on Naver TV rather than with a physical audience.

Member Jiho's return and group dynamics

Notably, this comeback marked Jiho's return to the group after taking a hiatus for health reasons. WM Entertainment announced, "Member Jiho's condition has improved as she focused on recovery during her hiatus. After continuous discussion with her, the final decision was made for her return". This reunion was significant as it allowed Oh My Girl to promote as a complete seven-member unit for the first time in months.

Concept and theme: Board game visuals and lyrics

The "NONSTOP" concept centered around an innovative board game theme that distinguished it from their previous releases. Leader Hyojung described it as "a concept they had never tried before". The physical album actually included dice and a functional board game. According to the promotional materials, the "NONSTOP game" represented "an exciting journey inside you that makes your heart pound". The game's narrative involved players trying to escape a deserted island by rolling matching numbers on dice—a metaphor for the song's lyrics about complicated feelings toward a friend. The teddy bear featured in the music video symbolized these evolving emotions, changing size and color throughout the visual.

Track-by-Track Review of the 'Nonstop' Mini Album

The five-track 'Nonstop' mini album showcases Oh My Girl's musical versatility, blending their signature sound with fresh elements that helped establish their mainstream appeal.

Nonstop: A vibrant title track with chart-topping appeal

The album's namesake track combines synth-pop and tropical island genres with subtle hip-hop influences, particularly during Mimi's rap sequences. Despite its bright energy, "Nonstop" notably avoids reverting to the group's cutesy roots, instead delivering a more mature sound. The addictive hook embedded at the end of each chorus gives the song its distinctive character, with the members adding a touch of attitude that resonates with listeners. The melody perfectly complements the board game concept of the music video, creating a cohesive audio-visual experience.

Dolphin: The unexpected viral hit

Perhaps the most surprising success story of the album, "Dolphin" features light vocals contrasting brilliantly against deep, thumping instrumentation. The track's clever production includes a trap influence in its final segment that prevents the repetitive structure from becoming monotonous. This extremely addictive b-side quickly became a fan favorite, earning praise as "the favorite side-track of the year" from critics.

Flower Tea: A soothing ballad with jazzy undertones

Positioned in the middle of the album, this ballad incorporates classical instruments with subtle jazzy elements in the chorus. The soothing melody showcases the members' vocal abilities while creating a warm, fireplace-like atmosphere. Although some reviewers noted it interrupts the album's energetic flow, its emotional depth adds necessary contrast.

NE♡N: Retro-pop with a modern twist

This track brilliantly balances retro elements with contemporary production, featuring an 8-bit sound incorporated into the instrumental. Though the heart in the title might suggest excessive cuteness, the song maintains a sophisticated pop sensibility with just a mild level of sweetness. The contrast between retro influences and modern production creates an engaging listening experience.

Krystal: A nostalgic closer with BoA-like vibes

Concluding the album, "Krystal" delivers a nostalgic medium-tempo pop ballad reminiscent of BoA's earlier works. The percussion and synths create a glimmering, crystal-like sonic landscape, perfectly matching the track's title. Unlike "Dolphin," the vocals here are notably warmer and sweeter, creating an appropriately reflective closing statement for the mini album.

Chart Success and Awards: Breaking Records

The immediate aftermath of "Nonstop" release revealed the mini album's remarkable commercial impact, positioning Oh My Girl as genuine chart competitors in an industry dominated by larger agencies.

MelOn and Gaon chart milestones

Upon release, "Nonstop" claimed the #1 spot on MelOn's realtime charts—marking Oh My Girl's first-ever MelOn #1 since their 2015 debut. The title track subsequently achieved unprecedented longevity, setting the record as the longest-running girl group song on MelOn Daily Chart Top 100 with 480 days. Impressively, this record was later broken by the album's own b-side "Dolphin," which maintained chart presence for 546 consecutive days. On Gaon, "Nonstop" peaked at #2, ultimately surpassing 500 million digital points—becoming the only idol group song released in 2020 to reach this milestone.

Music show wins and weekly dominance

The mini album triggered Oh My Girl's most successful promotional cycle to date. "Nonstop" secured eight music show trophies across all major programs, including:

Two wins on SBS's "The Show" (May 5 and 12, 2020)
One win on MBC's "Show Champion" (May 6)
Two wins on Mnet's "M Countdown" (May 7 and 14)
One win on MBC's "Show! Music Core" (May 9)
One win on SBS's "Inkigayo" (May 10)
One win on KBS's "Music Bank" (May 15)

Their May 9 victory on "Show! Music Core" proved especially significant, scoring 9,433 points—a substantial margin over competitors. Consequently, Oh My Girl ranked 8th among girl groups with the most music show wins in 2020.

RIAJ Gold certification in Japan

Even beyond Korea, the mini album established international credentials. In 2020, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) implemented a new certification system for streaming achievements. Under this framework, "Dolphin" later earned official gold certification for reaching 50 million streams in Japan, cementing the song's cross-border appeal alongside BTS's Jimin and BLACKPINK as certified international acts.

Why 'Nonstop' Became Their Biggest Hit Yet

Beyond its chart achievements, several factors converged to make Nonstop the defining release in Oh My Girl's career. The mini album arrived at a crucial moment, benefiting from their heightened visibility following "Queendom" while introducing fresh elements that appealed to both existing fans and new listeners.

Fan reception and social media buzz

The social media response to Oh My Girl's return was overwhelmingly positive, primarily fueled by Jiho's comeback after her health-related hiatus. Fans expressed their enthusiasm with comments like "OH MY GIRL is back! Can't wait for this one!" and "anniversary comeback? Yes, please!" across platforms. Many longtime supporters celebrated the group's continued success, with one fan noting, "a gg who is still active to see their 10th anniversary… we LOVE you oh my girl". Moreover, the board game concept resonated strongly with their audience, creating viral moments as fans recreated elements from the playful visual presentation.

Critical acclaim and replay value

Despite some critics initially describing "Nonstop" as a "generic tropical track", reviews ultimately acknowledged how the group's "effortless charisma" elevated the material. The mini album received an impressive 8.7/10 overall rating, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional replay value of both the title track and "Dolphin." In fact, one reviewer stated that these two songs were "peak Kpop". Additionally, the album's production quality earned praise for maintaining a "slickly-produced pop" sound that made listening "an absolute pleasure".

Comparison to previous albums

Nonstop marked a significant evolution from Oh My Girl's earlier releases. The mini album incorporated more rap elements than previous title tracks, with Mimi's contributions receiving particular recognition. Nonetheless, the album successfully preserved their signature brightness while showcasing a more mature sound. As one reviewer noted, the release demonstrated "how much their sound has evolved while maintaining their signature brightness". Certainly, this balance between familiar elements and fresh approaches helped Nonstop connect with listeners who had previously overlooked the group's discography.