BABYMONSTER 'CHOOM' (2026)

What is BABYMONSTER CHOOM (춤)?

CHOOM (춤) is BABYMONSTER's third mini album released by YG Entertainment on May 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM KST. The title represents an English stylization of the Korean word for "dance," preserving its original pronunciation. The album serves as BABYMONSTER's comeback following their previous mini album, WE GO UP.

The album contains four tracks: "MOON," "춤 (CHOOM)," "I LIKE IT," and "LOCKED IN," with "춤 (CHOOM)" functioning as the title track. The title track is a hip-hop dance song characterized by an addictive synth riff and powerful bass, conveying a message of unity that encourages listeners to surrender to the rhythm, dance freely, and come together as one. The album showcases diverse genres including Southern trap-style R&B, bright dance tracks, and warm R&B pop, reflecting BABYMONSTER's ambition to transform the entire world into one dance floor.

Member Rami did not participate in the album's recording and production due to her ongoing health-related hiatus. The remaining six BABYMONSTER members (RUKA, ASA, PHARITA, AHYEON, RORA, CHIQUITA) performed on the album.

The album achieved commercial success, selling 387,871 copies on its first day according to Hanteo Chart. Additionally, CHOOM reached number one on the iTunes Top Albums charts in 15 regions. Pre-orders for the album opened on March 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM KST and continued until May 3.

BABYMONSTER CHOOM music video and visual concept

YG Entertainment unveiled the visual concept through mugshot-style photographs beginning April 13, 2026, with initial releases featuring members Asa and Chiquita. The bold imagery presented the members staring directly into the camera lens, creating an intense atmosphere while holding boards inscribed with the phrase "Charged with a crime of dancing too excitedly". Asa appeared with bob haircut styling and a red halter neck outfit, while Chiquita showcased kitsch elements through colorful tops and fur decorations. Group posters maintaining the mugshot concept followed on April 17, displaying the combined synergy of all performing members.

Mugshot concept photos

The mugshot aesthetic developed through sequential releases, with a moving poster unveiled April 28 spotlighting Ruka, Pharita, and Ahyeon. These members commanded attention through bold styling paired with relaxed gestures and cynical expressions. The visual teasers established the album's core theme of unity through dance while introducing the track's sound.

Dance performance video

The music video presents the members transformed into secret agents, executing intense choreography on a waterlogged floor. The performance maximizes the members' dance lines and powerful energy through fearless group formations.

Storyline and characters

The visual narrative centers on characters arrested for excessive dancing, connecting the mugshot concept photographs with the secret agent storyline presented in the performance sequences.

Song composition and lyrics of CHOOM

Musical style and production

The production team comprised YG, P.K, DEE.P, and 2K as composers and arrangers, while lyricists included YG, Lauren Aquilina, CHOICE37, Jonna Hall, Kim Mingu (NiNE), Sandra Wikström, and Malaynah. The track runs for 2:58 minutes and features dynamic beats paired with an addictive synth riff and heavy bass foundation. YG Entertainment commissioned 10 choreographers for the dance sequences, though YG ultimately created the chorus choreography.

Line distribution among BABYMONSTER members

The six performing members delivered verses and pre-chorus sections, with Asa and Ruka handling rap portions while Pharita, Ahyeon, Rora, and Chiquita executed vocal lines. The intro features Rora and Chiquita, establishing the song's energy before transitioning into verses distributed among multiple members.

Key lyrics and their meaning

The lyrics center on losing oneself in music, with phrases like "Loosen up" and "swallow the rhythm" encouraging complete immersion in the beat. Lines reference surrendering to movement as self-expression, transforming dance into a statement of confidence and control. The recurring invitation "Let's choom" extends beyond physical movement to represent fearless identity expression. The track incorporates days of the week in Korean, creating temporal universality for the dance experience.

FAQS

BABYMONSTER made its debut in 2023 under YG Entertainment. The group consists of seven members: Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita. The CHOOM mini album represents the group's first release since the EP WE GO UP in October 2025.

According to YG Entertainment's exclusive Q&A accompanying the album release, CHOOM was designed to draw admiration through overwhelming music and performance. The world tour supporting the album kicks off June 26 in Seoul, marking a significant milestone in the group's promotional activities.

The album showcases all performing members' capabilities across four distinct tracks, each exploring different musical territories. The production involved multiple international collaborators, including composers and lyricists from various countries, reflecting YG Entertainment's approach to global music creation.

The physical album offers collectors fifteen different versions, accommodating various fan preferences through Photobook editions, individual Jewel versions featuring each member, and Plush Keyring versions with QR functionality. Pre-order pricing varied by format, with standard Photobook versions, mid-tier Jewel editions, and entry-level Plush Keyring options providing accessibility across different budget ranges.