Why SUNMI's Pporappippam Became The Ultimate K-pop Summer Anthem

Sunmi Pporappippam stormed the music scene in 2020, recording an impressive 341,409 streams on Spotify on its release day — marking her best debut on the platform to date. The captivating single topped iTunes charts in six countries including Malta, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Qatar, Finland, and Mongolia, cementing Sunmi's position as a formidable force in K-pop. Since her official solo debut in 2017, Sunmi has established herself as a K-pop diva, consistently delivering hit after hit.

What makes Pporappippam particularly special is its distinctive blend of musical elements. The song delivers a blissful synth-powered beat complemented by touches of funk guitar, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Furthermore, the track opens with an entrancing flute melody that immediately captivates listeners, setting the stage for the groovy experience that follows. For fans of Sunmi's previous work, Pporappippam feels like a natural continuation from where 2018's Siren left off, yet it stands on its own as a unique summer anthem that showcases her artistic evolution and magnetic appeal.

The story behind Pporappippam

Initially, Sunmi had been developing a completely different track for her 2020 comeback. However, she shifted direction with purpose. "Because these days people feel down and heavy-hearted, I wanted to make something that could help them feel refreshed rather than something deep," Sunmi explained during her online showcase.

Why Sunmi chose to release a love song

After a string of hits that approached romance with skepticism, Sunmi decided to explore new emotional territory. "For me, this is the first true love song. From 'Lalalay,' 'Noir' to 'Siren,' my music largely carried cynicism or ridicule of love," she revealed. The artist wanted to deliver a sense of emotional relief during the challenging pandemic period. "I wanted to make a perfect song for summer... I want to deliver an even more youthful atmosphere," Sunmi noted.

The meaning of 'Pporappippam' and its Korean roots

"Pporappippam" (보라빛 밤) translates to "purple night" in Korean, specifically referring to the violet-colored sky at sunset. In Korean literary tradition, this purple hue often evokes a dreamlike state or "a vision within a dream", perfectly aligning with the song's romantic themes.

How the title reflects Sunmi's identity

Notably, Sunmi chose this title not only because "the violet-colored sky made her feel an undefinable sense of love and joy" but also because "she thought that the color purple best described her". "As I want to keep my own color, I added the flute sound to the intro and hook... it's the Sunmi-trademarked bright city pop genre".

Inside the sound: Composition and genre

The musical architecture of Pporappippam showcases Sunmi's distinctive sound identity through carefully crafted elements and structures.

Dance-pop meets city pop: defining the genre

At its core, Pporappippam represents a modernized take on retro city pop. This Japanese-originated genre from the '70s, which later reached South Korea in the '80s, is characterized by "an urban atmosphere with a rhythmic, funky base that is usually expressed with minutely chopped rhythms of guitars or synthesizers". The song effectively captures that dreamy night-ride-through-the-city feeling that defines authentic city pop.

Key instruments: flute, synths, and guitar

The instrumental palette creates Pporappippam's distinctive sound architecture. First and foremost, the entrancing flute melody in both intro and hook was Sunmi's deliberate addition to maintain her unique artistic identity. Complementing this are sparkling synths, rhythmic guitar loops, constant disco-like beats, and long bass notes. Moreover, solo guitarist Jukjae contributed impressive guitar riffs that enhance the track's funky foundation.

Sunmi and Frants: a creative partnership

Pporappippam pairs Sunmi once again with producer FRANTS, who has co-composed most of her post-2018 material. The two demonstrate a creative synergy that works exceptionally well, especially when they draw influence from 1980s music.

How the song structure builds emotional flow

The song's structure creates a journey of escalating emotion. Beginning with synth strings reminiscent of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach", it transitions through verses with groovy atmosphere before arriving at a chorus described as "pure summertime bliss". Interestingly, the bridge introduces filtered guitar that remains through the final chorus, providing "an incredibly satisfying set-up" and maintaining a sense of fluidity throughout the entire track.

Visual storytelling in the music video

Released on June 29, 2020, the "Pporappippam" music video creates a sensory experience that perfectly complements the song's romantic themes. Directed by Ziyong Kim of FantazyLab, the visual narrative amplifies Sunmi's vision of summer love.

Purple hues and beach bonfires: setting the mood

Throughout the video, a distinctive purple saturation bathes every scene, directly reflecting the title's meaning of "purple-hue night". This dreamy violet filter transforms ordinary moments into enchanting vignettes. Young partygoers gather around beach bonfires with fireworks, while other scenes feature vintage cars, sparklers, and cityscapes. These visual elements create an atmosphere of carefree summer revelry, altogether different from Sunmi's previous videos.

Styling and choreography choices

The fashion direction, handled by stylist Kevin Germanier, presents Sunmi in striking outfits that complement the purple aesthetic. Meanwhile, the choreography, created by dancer Lee Yi-jung, includes memorable finger movements and a signature point move during the drop. The backup dancers wear hats that add visual interest, at one point forming a heart shape as they surround Sunmi.

Symbolism and aesthetic direction

In accordance with the dreamlike quality of the song, the video incorporates symbolic elements such as a bed placed directly on the beach under lavender skies. Additionally, the grainy camcorder/VHS footage style creates a nostalgic effect, essentially capturing the song's ability to convey emotion through visual imagery.

Reception and cultural impact

Upon its release, "Pporappippam" made an immediate impact across multiple platforms. The track debuted in the top eight of realtime music charts including Bugs, Genie and Melon. Internationally, the song topped iTunes Charts in six countries, including Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Finland.

Chart performance and streaming milestones

"Pporappippam" recorded 341,409 Spotify streams on its release day, marking Sunmi's best debut on the platform. The song debuted at number 5 on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart, making Sunmi the only South Korean female soloist with six songs peaking within the top five. On the Gaon Digital Chart, it entered at number 5, becoming her eighth consecutive top-10 single.

Fan reactions and critical acclaim

Critics hailed "Pporappippam" as "song-of-the-year gorgeous" and "one of the year's best comebacks". One reviewer noted, "In an industry obsessed with manufacturing stars, she simply is one". The song stood out as "the best song in this disappointing month" according to many fan comments.

Why it stood out in 2020's K-pop scene

Throughout a challenging 2020, "Pporappippam" offered a refreshing escape from the prevalent trends. Its retro city pop sound distinguished it in a market often dominated by trap-influenced productions. The track's "ability to convey nostalgia through heavy musical imagery" resonated deeply with listeners.

Comparisons to 'Siren' and 'Heroine'

Musically, "Pporappippam" feels like "a combination of ['Siren' and 'Heroine']", yet stands as its own artistic statement. Unlike her previous releases that carried "cynicism or ridicule of love", this track showcases a warmer, more romantic side of Sunmi's artistry.