NewJeans 'How Sweet': The Hidden Story Behind 2024 Catchiest K-pop Song

NewJeans "How Sweet" became a global K-pop sensation immediately after its May 24, 2024 release, catapulting the group's market capitalization by nearly ₩1 trillion in a single day. The catchy Miami bass and electropop track served as the title song for their second single album of the same name, which quickly debuted at number one in South Korea.

Following the massive success of their previous EP "Get Up," which sold over two million copies and topped the US Billboard 200, NewJeans continued their winning streak with "How Sweet." The song, alongside its B-side track "Bubble Gum," showcases the group's signature style through lyrics focused on self-love and relationships approached with a witty perspective. Additionally, the track has earned impressive accolades, including first-place wins on popular music programs like "Show Champion" and "Music Bank."

Consequently, "How Sweet" has charted impressively across multiple countries, reaching number one in Hong Kong and number two in South Korea on the Circle chart. The song was even recognized at number 35 on The Fader's list of the best songs of 2024, cementing NewJeans' growing influence in the global music scene.

The story behind 'How Sweet'

Behind the glossy facade of "How Sweet" lies a complex story of musical evolution and corporate conflict. The journey begins with a group that rapidly transformed from industry newcomers to global superstars in just two years.

NewJeans' rise before 2024

Initially debuting in July 2022 under ADOR, a subsidiary of entertainment powerhouse Hybe Corporation, NewJeans quickly captured worldwide attention. The quintet—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—stormed to the top of South Korean charts with their debut single "Attention," establishing themselves without traditional pre-debut promotion. Their self-titled debut EP and subsequent single album "OMG" both sold over one million copies, demonstrating their immediate commercial appeal.

By 2023, NewJeans had become an unstoppable force. Their EP "Get Up" sold nearly 1.2 million copies within 24 hours, marking the second-largest first-day figure for any Korean girl group in history. The album eventually topped the US Billboard 200, cementing their international crossover status. Beyond music, the members secured prestigious brand ambassadorships with luxury fashion houses including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Chanel Korea, and Dior.

The Hybe-ADOR controversy backdrop

In April 2024, the harmony shattered when Hybe launched an internal audit of ADOR and its CEO Min Hee-jin. Hybe accused Min of attempting to "hijack control" of ADOR and NewJeans through a planned takeover with outside investors. Min, meanwhile, claimed Hybe was retaliating after she complained about another Hybe girl group, ILLIT, allegedly copying NewJeans' identity and concepts.

Throughout this dispute, NewJeans members publicly stood by Min, their producer and mentor. When Min was ultimately removed as CEO in August 2024, the group voiced their frustration through fan community apps and a surprise YouTube livestream where they demanded Min's reinstatement, describing Hybe as an "inhumane company."

Why this release mattered

In spite of this turbulent backdrop, "How Sweet" was announced on March 27, 2024, as part of two planned double singles for the year. The May 24 release represented far more than just new music—it demonstrated the group's resilience amid corporate chaos. Moreover, the single's success boosted Hybe's market capitalization by nearly ₩1 trillion in a single day, underlining NewJeans' tremendous commercial impact despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil.

Given the controversy and the group's public stance against their parent company, "How Sweet" became a symbolic statement of their artistic identity beyond corporate control—a precursor to their eventual rebranding as NJZ after leaving ADOR in late 2024.

Inside the sound: Composition and lyrics

At the core of "How Sweet" lies a distinctive sonic palette that solidifies NewJeans' reputation for revitalizing retro sounds. The track marks yet another evolution in the group's musical journey while maintaining their signature style.

Miami bass and Y2K influences

"How Sweet" showcases a vibrant hip-hop foundation infused with unmistakable Miami Bass influences. The production masterfully blends nostalgic elements with contemporary flair, featuring bouncy synths in the intro followed by heavy bass and cheerful drum sounds that create a rhythmic, hip-hop atmosphere. Producer 520 (Lee Ho-hyung) crafted an ethereal backdrop of prolonged synth notes that perfectly complement the energetic Miami Bass beats and Space Invader-esque 8-bit beeps. This pairing creates a sonic landscape that simultaneously feels fresh and nostalgic.

The track continues NewJeans' tradition of reimagining Y2K sounds, transforming them into their own "enchanting spells". Furthermore, the synth and drum cymbal sounds specifically evoke 90s hip-hop dance styles, creating an appeal that crosses generational boundaries. Some critics have also noted that the production "gives off zingy electroclash" vibes, while Billboard classified it as electropop.

Themes of self-love and independence

Lyrically, "How Sweet" stays true to NewJeans' "witty approach" to relationships, essentially delivering a refreshing breakup anthem with a breezy, summery feel. The song highlights the importance of eliminating toxicity and embracing independence. Throughout the track, the group showcases their lower vocal register with "nonchalant sass", particularly in lines that establish boundaries with a toxic relationship.

Notable lyric lines from 'How Sweet'

The song's most impactful lyrics include the assertive chorus: "And don't you know how sweet it tastes? Now that I'm without you". Particularly notable is the stern declaration "I'm done with drama it's good karma", which emphasizes the theme of liberation. Other standout lines include "You little demon in my storyline / Don't knock on my door, I'll see you out" and "I won't wait, I'm feeling / My own way, I'm in it / 'Cause me and you are different / So I won't stay, I'm leaving", which powerfully communicate the song's message of self-empowerment.

Release, promotion, and fan response

The promotional rollout for "How Sweet" began strategically on March 26, 2024, when NewJeans announced the double single would be released on May 24, with "Bubble Gum" serving as a pre-release commercial song in April.

Pre-release strategy and teasers

ADOR unveiled the first tantalizing teaser images for "How Sweet" on April 26, 2024. These teasers showcased the members embracing refreshed Y2K aesthetics with beanies, bandanas, and oversized hoodies styled in ways that felt distinctly NewJeans. Notably, the members debuted striking new looks – Hanni with a chic bob, Danielle sporting her natural curls, and Hyein turning heads with trendy red tresses. The physical album design teasers followed shortly thereafter, building anticipation among fans.

On April 8, NewJeans and Japanese company Kao released 30-second and 60-second commercials featuring "Bubble Gum", effectively giving fans an early taste of their upcoming sound. However, on May 8, ADOR announced that member Hyein would be unable to participate in promotions due to a microfracture sustained during practice.

Music show appearances and variety shows

Following the release, NewJeans quickly began their promotional activities, securing their first music show trophy for "How Sweet" on the May 29 episode of "Show Champion". This victory marked the beginning of an impressive run, as they went on to win four additional trophies on shows including "Music Bank" and "Music Core".

Though historically selective about variety show appearances, the group began expanding their television presence. In November 2024, NewJeans made their Japanese variety show debut on a 2-hour special of "Nino-san" on NTV. They also appeared on South Korean public broadcasting network KBS's "2 Days 1 Night".

Fan reactions and online buzz

The response to "How Sweet" was overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the choreography as "fire" despite it being "a bit more amped up than their past dances". Second-generation idol KARA's Gyuri enthusiastically promoted the song on social media, urging her followers to "take a listen to NewJeans' fresh new song".

Nevertheless, some fans expressed disappointment about Hyein's absence, hoping for "an OT5 choreo video once Hyein is healed". Others criticized the commercial nature of recent releases, noting the "constant coca cola promo" in their content. By the end of May 2024, "How Sweet" had sold an impressive 1,085,355 copies, proving that despite mixed reactions, NewJeans' commercial power remained undeniable.

Chart success and critical reception

Upon release, "How Sweet" quickly conquered music charts worldwide, further cementing NewJeans' status as a commercial powerhouse in the industry. The track's performance across platforms told a remarkable story of sustained popularity throughout 2024 and beyond.

Domestic and international chart positions

On domestic platforms, "How Sweet" immediately made its mark, recording over 37,000 listeners on Melon—the highest number of unique listeners for any song in 2024. The single consistently maintained second position on Melon, Genie, and Bugs weekly charts for three consecutive weeks. Internationally, the track secured impressive rankings on Billboard charts, holding 21st position on the "Global (excluding U.S.)" chart and 28th on the "Global 200" chart. Indeed, "How Sweet" maintained its presence on these charts for an impressive 11 consecutive weeks.

Music program wins and accolades

The song's popularity translated into multiple award show victories, securing its third music show trophy on the June 8 episode of MBC's "Music Core" with a total of 6,837 points. Overall, "How Sweet" collected five music show wins, including victories on "Show Champion," "Music Bank," and "Show! Music Core". Subsequently, the single album reached significant sales milestones, selling 884,717 copies in its first week and surpassing one million total sales by June 5, 2024. The Recording Industry Association of Japan awarded "How Sweet" a gold certification on January 4, 2025, underlining its cross-border appeal.

Critics' take: safe or standout?

Critical reception of "How Sweet" was largely positive, albeit with some nuanced perspectives. Music critic Kim Youngdae praised the song, noting that NewJeans consistently surprised him: "It's the ability to take music that could be difficult and make it easy to enjoy". Conversely, NME offered a more tempered assessment, calling it "a lukewarm addition" that "lacks the effervescent impact of 'Hype Boy'". Still, the track earned significant recognition, ranking 35th on Rolling Stone's "100 Best Songs of 2024" list, where the magazine commended NewJeans for "continuing their streak of delivering experimental, fresh, and original music".