TWS's "Plot Twist" and RIIZE's "Love 119" Make Waves on Top Streaming Platforms

Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment

In recent years, K-pop has seen a surge in the global dominance of girl groups like NewJeans, IVE, aespa, and Le Sserafim, amassing widespread fan bases and topping international music charts. Conversely, the male counterparts faced challenges in securing top positions on streaming charts, often struggling to capture the attention of non-fans and casual listeners. 

▲ K-pop boy band TWS / Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment

However, newcomers TWS and RIIZE have emerged as game-changers in the K-pop landscape. Departing from the powerful and intense style often associated with male K-pop acts, these rookie boy bands have adopted a more accessible approach with easy-listening songs, resonating with a broader audience.

TWS's lead track, "Plot Twist," from their debut album "Sparkling Blue," has achieved remarkable success on streaming charts. As of Sunday afternoon, the song holds the second position on Melon's real-time chart, trailing only behind "Love wins all" by K-pop singer IU. TWS also secured the second spot on Bugs' real-time chart and claimed the ninth position on Spotify's Top 50 — South Korea chart.

Notably, TWS, debuting on January 22, represents the first boy band introduced by Pledis Entertainment in nine years under the HYBE umbrella. The group introduced their unique music genre, "Boyhood Pop," during a press event in Seoul, emphasizing a natural and friendly approach to their music.

▲ K-pop boy band RIIZE / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentRIIZE, the first boy band from K-pop giant SM Entertainment in seven years, is also making significant strides in the streaming world. Their recent release, "Love 119," has garnered attention from casual listeners, ranking sixth on Melon and Bugs' real-time charts as of Sunday afternoon. The track, released on January 5, previously reached the third spot on Melon and dominated Bugs' weekly chart for two consecutive weeks.

"Love 119" samples izi's 2005 song "Emergency Room," known from the popular TV drama "Sassy Girl Chun-hyang," and falls under RIIZE's distinct music genre, "Emotional Pop." The group aims to explore diverse emotions and experiences through this genre, as stated by Kim Hyung-kook, the executive director of SM Wizard Production managing RIIZE.

RIIZE's debut track, "Get a Guitar," released in September of the previous year, continues to maintain a strong presence on streaming charts, securing the 22nd spot on Melon as of Sunday. The retro-infused track showcases the group's enduring popularity despite its release several months ago.

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Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com