NewJeans OMG Album Review: Why K-pop Fans Can't Stop Talking About It

NewJeans' OMG album achieved Platinum certification in South Korea within months of its January 2, 2023 release. Despite containing only two tracks—the title song "OMG" and pre-release single "Ditto"—this compact album sold an astonishing 1.29 million copies in South Korea alone. Additionally, it topped the South Korean Albums chart while reaching number 2 on Japan's Oricon chart with 35,418 copies sold. The album's impressive 6:37 total runtime proved that quality trumps quantity, as both songs became cultural phenomena. Following their successful August 2022 debut EP, the group's '90s-inspired Christmas teasers for OMG significantly built anticipation among fans. Consequently, the album finished 2023 ranked 24th on South Korea's year-end charts and 3rd on Japan's Combined Singles chart, cementing NewJeans' status as K-pop powerhouses.

What Is 'OMG' by NewJeans and Why It Matters

'OMG' stands as NewJeans' first single album, marking a pivotal moment in their rapid ascension within the K-pop industry. Originally announced on November 10, 2022, during Hybe Corporation's annual community briefing, the album showcases the group's artistic evolution just months after their summer debut.

Release Date and Background

Initially teased on December 12, 2022, 'OMG' officially dropped on January 2, 2023, following the pre-release single "Ditto" on December 19. The album garnered an astonishing 800,000 pre-orders, surpassing their debut album's total sales. This remarkable achievement underscores how quickly NewJeans transformed from newcomers into industry powerhouses. According to ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, "If the debut album showcased NewJeans' summer, this single album will be one that showcases NewJeans' winter". The strategic timing of a winter release allowed the group to display different facets of their artistry.

Connection to Debut Album

'OMG' builds upon the foundation established by their debut EP "New Jeans," which achieved unprecedented commercial success in August 2022. Their debut EP had "the highest recorded sales in history for a K-pop girl group debut album with over 444,000 sold in just four days". Notably, the single album broke this record within a day, selling over 480,000 copies. Furthermore, the musical narrative continues what began in their debut—relationships and connection themes viewed through the lens of teenage experiences, albeit with winter serving as the backdrop rather than summer.

Winter Concept and Artistic Direction

The album embraces a distinctly winter aesthetic, characterized by what member Hyein described as "a song that embodies a story about our relationship with Bunnies". Musically, 'OMG' ventures into UK Garage territory, featuring plucked staccato synth chords, skittering cowbells, and layered vocal harmonies. In contrast, "Ditto" draws inspiration from Baltimore club music, creating a cohesive yet diverse sonic experience. Particularly fascinating is the music video's concept, which references Park Chan-wook's film "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK," portraying the members as psychiatric hospital patients. This creative direction connects visually to "Ditto" through shared uniforms and themes, suggesting an intentional narrative thread between both tracks.

Track Breakdown: 'OMG' and 'Ditto'

The two tracks on NewJeans' OMG album showcase distinct musical personalities while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision through their interconnected themes and symbolism.

Song Themes and Lyrics

"OMG" explores the complex emotions of young love and the intensity of infatuation. Written partially by group member Hanni, the lyrics blend Korean and English to depict a relationship that borders on obsession: "No I can never let him go/ I only think of you 24/ I'm a lucky girl I know, I know." Hanni revealed she drew inspiration from "high school teen dramas where the girls are at their lockers and they're talking about a guy they like," aiming to create conversational lyrics that seamlessly fit the melody. Nevertheless, the recurring line "I was really hoping that he will come through" hints at an underlying disappointment that connects to the music video's concept.

Conversely, "Ditto" delves into platonic relationships and uncertain teenage emotions. Co-written by NewJeans member Minji, the song examines the yearning for connection, featuring the memorable refrain "say it back, oh, say it, ditto." Minji explained that the song represents the special relationship between NewJeans and their fans (nicknamed "Bunnies"), portraying "how sincere and vital that relationship and friendship is."

Production and Sound Style

"OMG" features a distinctive production anchored by plucked, staccato synth chords, skittering cowbells, and layered percussion. The track blends hip-hop, R&B, trap, and UK garage elements, creating what music critics described as "soft, minimalist R&B" with "bouncy synth" characteristics. Essentially, the song balances contemporary production with nostalgic 1990s R&B sensibilities.

Meanwhile, "Ditto" showcases a completely different sonic palette rooted in Baltimore club music. Set at approximately 130 beats per minute, the track opens with Hyein's atmospheric humming over synth pads before introducing soft, staccato beats and claps using 808 drums. These elements create syncopated rhythms reminiscent of UK garage, breakbeat, and 1980s house music, resulting in what reviewers called a "hazy, ethereal, and dreamy" winter atmosphere.

Music Video Concepts and Symbolism

Both music videos form an interconnected narrative with multilayered meanings. "OMG" portrays the members as psychiatric hospital patients with different delusions—Hanni believes she's an iPhone, Danielle claims they're NewJeans, while others imagine themselves as fairytale characters. Actor Kim Joo-hun appears as a doctor who may actually be a patient himself, creating ambiguity about reality versus imagination.

"Ditto" presents dual perspectives through "Side A" and "Side B" videos. They tell the story of a character named Ban Heesoo (phonetically similar to "Bunnies" in Korean) filming what appears to be friendships with NewJeans members. However, the videos reveal she might be filming empty spaces, suggesting themes of loneliness, parasocial relationships, and the connection between fans and idols. This artistic approach prompted numerous fan theories, which the members themselves enjoy reading and discussing without confirming a definitive interpretation.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Buzz

Following their January 2023 release, the NewJeans OMG album sparked unprecedented social media buzz, transforming from mere music into a cultural phenomenon that resonated deeply with younger audiences.

Social Media Trends and Memes

TikTok undeniably played a pivotal role in catapulting "OMG" to global recognition. The song quickly became a viral sensation when CapCut user @Dels created a transition video template featuring lyrics passing across the screen with retro-styled imagery. Throughout January 2023, this template sparked countless creative adaptations across platforms. Even celebrities joined the trend—Ryan Reynolds participated on January 24, garnering 3.4 million views in just three days. The trend's versatility extended beyond entertainment, with transportation services like San Francisco's BART train system creating their own "OMG" edits that reached 1 million views within 24 hours.

Impact on K-pop Fandoms

The relationship between NewJeans and their fanbase, affectionately called "Bunnies" (or "Tokki" in Korean), represents a fascinating evolution in K-pop fan dynamics. Primarily, NewJeans fostered a distinctly different fan relationship compared to many predecessors. As member Danielle noted in a Billboard interview, "It's been enjoyable watching other people do our songs, and I keep checking because I'm inquisitive!". This approach created stronger bonds with fans, who actively developed theories about the interconnected narratives in the music videos. For instance, many fans interpreted Hanni's "iPhone" character in the "OMG" video as commentary on idol-fan relationships.

Why 'OMG' Resonates with Gen Z

The group's appeal to Generation Z stems from their authentic representation of youth experiences and aesthetics. First thing to remember is that NewJeans deliberately embraces Y2K nostalgia while simultaneously reflecting contemporary youth culture. Their music videos portray relatable coming-of-age moments—school scenes, developing crushes, and hanging out with friends—presented with a dreamlike, nostalgic filter. Furthermore, member Minji acknowledged this connection by stating, "I find the fact that you can be imaginative with the videos to be cute, and rather than having a clear answer, I think leaving it open is part of the allure". This approach encourages personal interpretation, fostering deeper emotional investment from listeners who see themselves reflected in the music and visuals.

Chart Success and Album Versions

The new jeans OMG album transformed the rookie group into certified chart-dominating artists worldwide, with impressive rankings across multiple international music markets.

Global Chart Rankings

"OMG" showcased its global appeal through impressive chart performances across continents. On the Billboard Global 200, the title track peaked at number 10, while also reaching number 74 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100. Remarkably, "OMG" claimed the top position in Singapore and on Billboard's Hits of the World charts for South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In Japan, the song reached number 7 on the Japan Hot 100 chart, ultimately earning the group the highest rank for a foreign artist (13th) on Billboard Japan's 2024 annual "Artist 100" chart. Moreover, "Ditto" and "OMG" ranked 61st and 77th respectively on Japan's comprehensive "Hot 100" chart, making NewJeans the only foreign artist with multiple songs on this annual ranking.

Sales and Certifications

The newjeans OMG album achieved extraordinary commercial success from day one. The single album sold an astounding 701,241 copies in its first week according to Hanteo charts, with first-day sales alone reaching 481,425 copies. Subsequently, the album was certified Million by the Korean Music Contents Association (KMCA), surpassing 1.79 million total copies sold in South Korea. Furthermore, "OMG" received Platinum certification from Japan's Recording Industry Association (RIAJ) after exceeding 100 million streams, later achieving Double Platinum status for 200 million streams. Likewise, the song earned Gold certification in New Zealand.

New Jeans OMG Album Versions and Inclusions

The omg newjeans album was released in six distinct versions – individual member editions (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) plus a group version. Each version included identical core contents yet featured unique visual elements. The complete package contained:

One CD with both tracks ("OMG" and "Ditto")
25 message cards (designs varying by version)
52-page photobook
12-page lyrics booklet
5 photocards
2 stickers

All physical album purchases counted toward Hanteo, Circle (Gaon), and Billboard charts, ultimately contributing to the group's remarkable commercial achievements.