YENA NEMONEMO: A Fresh Take on Modern K-pop Love Songs

NEMONEMO recently earned its place at #20 on NME's 25 best K-pop songs of 2024 list, showcasing YENA's distinctive approach to modern music. This spritely track stands out with its unusually fast tempo, reminiscent of J-pop styles that push boundaries of conventional pacing.

Released on September 30, the "nemonemo" album marks YENA's return after an eight-month hiatus following her third mini-album "Good Morning" from January. During her comeback showcase, YENA explained the album's core concept, stating that it "revolves around the theme of love". Furthermore, the nemonemo meaning takes an eccentric approach to this universal theme, offering listeners fresh perspective through metaphorical lyrics crafted with input from renowned artist Zico. The track has earned critical acclaim, with reviewers praising how YENA "echoes the intensity surrounding her, feeding into the song's best instincts".

The story behind 'Nemonemo'

YENA's third single album, NEMONEMO, emerged from a creative journey that blends nostalgia with modern sensibilities. The project was announced on September 19, 2024, before its official release on September 30—marking her return to the music scene after an eight-month hiatus since her "Good Morning" mini-album.

How the album came together

Initially, YENA drew inspiration from second-generation K-pop groups that shaped her musical tastes. "I wanted to bring back the emotions I felt from songs by groups like T-ara, After School, and Orange Caramel," she revealed during her Seoul press conference. The result is an electronic dance track that combines millennium sounds with contemporary MZ generation sensibility. The album features three physical versions: 네? (ne?), 모! (mo!) and PLVE.

Zico's role in shaping the lyrics

Remarkably, the title track's distinctive concept came together just days before recording. "Two days before recording, we still didn't have the lyrics. So I decided to play the track for Zico," YENA explained. This last-minute collaboration wasn't random—YENA and Zico share a unique personal connection. "My older brother Choi SeongMin and ZICO's older brother Woo TaeWoon were in the same group. We saw each other often since childhood," she disclosed. Consequently, when she struggled with lyrics, Zico stepped in, contributing the clever "NEMONEMO" concept and key phrases that shaped the song's identity.

YENA's vision for the concept

The album's central theme revolves around YENA's distinctive perspective on love. "Everyone defines and expresses love differently, and this album expresses love in my own lovely way," she stated at her comeback showcase. Moreover, she embraced the square metaphor for its ability to represent love's complexities—angular, sometimes rigid, yet sweet like a sugar cube. "The title track carries that nostalgic feel but in my own style," YENA emphasized, highlighting her commitment to authenticity despite drawing from familiar influences.

Breaking down the lyrics and meaning

Looking beyond the catchy melody, NEMONEMO presents a deeper narrative through its carefully crafted lyrics. At first glance, the repeated phrase might seem like just another K-pop earworm, yet its meaning reveals YENA's unique perspective on relationships.

What does 'nemonemo' mean?

Originally derived from the Korean word for 'square,' nemonemo forms the conceptual foundation of YENA's musical narrative. This seemingly simple geometric reference becomes a powerful metaphor throughout the song. Unlike other love songs that might use hearts or circles to symbolize perfect romance, YENA deliberately chooses angular imagery to represent love's jagged realities.

The metaphor of squares in love

"When you're in love, there are good times, but you can also hurt each other, get upset, and show sharp edges," YENA explained during her Seoul press conference. Essentially, the square metaphor illustrates how relationships aren't always smooth—they have corners that can prick and hurt. This visual metaphor permeates the lyrics with lines like "We are like squares blaming each other".

Emotional progression in the song

Throughout NEMONEMO, listeners witness an emotional journey. Initially, YENA acknowledges the relationship's painful nature: "I'm full of scars, it's really killing me". The song portrays a relationship where both parties hurt each other, with the protagonist questioning whether to end things. Yet rather than concluding with heartbreak, the narrative shifts toward acceptance.

Key lines from the chorus and bridge

The chorus candidly captures relationship friction: "If I reach out, you'll get pricked". However, the bridge marks a turning point in emotional tone: "Even if I get pricked, I'll reach out first". This transformation illustrates YENA's decision to embrace imperfection, highlighted in her promise to "hug you like a round ribbon"—softening her approach to someone who remains square-edged.

Musical style and production choices

NEMONEMO bursts with distinctive sonic elements that set it apart in today's K-pop landscape. The track showcases YENA's ability to blend nostalgic influences with contemporary production techniques.

Genre influences: K-pop meets J-pop

YENA's musical approach draws heavily from second-generation K-pop acts while incorporating J-pop sensibilities. "I wanted to bring back the emotions I felt from songs by groups like T-ara, After School, and Orange Caramel," YENA explained. This fusion creates what many describe as a "hyperactive dance track more commonly heard in J-pop". Particularly noteworthy is how the song evokes the spirit of quirky groups like Orange Caramel while maintaining YENA's unique identity.

Use of synths and tempo

The production features "bright and explosive synths" alongside "percussion that barrels forward with peppy enthusiasm". Technically speaking, NEMONEMO runs at 138 BPM with a 2:58 runtime, creating what critics call a "spritely speed" reminiscent of J-pop tracks "set 10% faster than is prudent". This accelerated tempo contributes significantly to the song's energetic feel.

Vocal delivery and tone

YENA perfectly matches the track's manic energy through her vocal approach. As one reviewer noted, she "delivers her lines with an appropriate aloofness" while maintaining the "cutesy energy" essential to the concept. The bridge provides "a nice infusion of vocals" that balances the high-energy verses.

How the production supports the theme

The production cleverly reinforces the square motif through "rigid moves" in both choreography and musical structure. Additionally, the "relentless, danceable, bubblegum" quality mirrors the song's playful take on love's complexities. The track has been described as "a dopamine hit" that delivers "unbridled instrumental" elements, perfectly complementing YENA's quirky interpretation of square-like love.

Visual storytelling and performance

The visual dimension of NEMONEMO tells a compelling story that perfectly complements its musical narrative.

Music video symbolism

The music video portrays YENA pursuing an uninterested love interest who remains absorbed in his phone. The square motif appears repeatedly, most notably when she kicks a cube at him to gain attention. After he's rushed to an ambulance, she follows with concern—a moment that finally makes him notice her. In a surprising twist, comedian Park Myungsoo is revealed as the love interest. Throughout the video, various sketches and post-production effects enhance the industrial backgrounds, creating a visually stimulating experience.

Choreography and stage presence

YENA's performance features signature finger choreography that expressively forms squares, emphasizing the song's central metaphor. Her unique facial expressions—described by fans as "adorable anger"—bring undeniable charm to performances. Though she often holds a microphone instead of participating fully in dance sequences, she cleverly integrates with her dancers, establishing visible chemistry that enhances viewer engagement.

Behind-the-scenes insights

K-pop choreographer Choi Young-joon collaborated with the dance team Ready from "Street Woman Fighter 2" to create NEMONEMO's distinctive movements. YENA herself affirmed that performing on stage represents "the best moment" for her—describing it as when she feels "happiest".

Fan reactions to the visuals

Viewers consistently praise YENA's "infectious" energy and how physically impossible it is "to stop moving" while watching. Many note her perfect balance of "cute and hot", plus how the high-energy performance leaves the chorus "stuck in my head". Ultimately, fans appreciate the lighthearted concept where even antagonists join the celebration.