Hello, honey bees who have a taste for the best honey, aka K-POP. It is time for another installment of your favorite THP feature – our K-POP HOTSPOT. We’re already at the end of December, aka 2023 is as good as over. What a year it has been! And there have been so many amazing comebacks and debuts that we need to review with you all.
But before we dive in, make sure to check out the releases we have already covered, such as LUCY, NMIXX, ATEEZ, and WOODZ.
THIS MONTH’S NEWS
We think we aren’t the only ones who have dreamed of being an idol right? Well, lucky you if you were born between 2005 and 2013 SM wants you to apply for their 2024 SM Global Audition! If you want to live the full K-Pop dream and experience while becoming an artist you can sign up right here.
Speaking of global our global boy Jungkook dropped another surprise on us this month before he enlisted as one of the last members of BTS into the military. ‘Hate You’ has been one of our favorite tracks on the album and Jungkook knows since he gave us an official music video for it. Watch it here.
Okay, we think that’s everything so far. Now, let’s get into many more amazing comebacks and debuts in December’s K-POP HOTSPOT!
NCT U
A new place, a safe space, a world of possibilities. ‘Marine Turtle’ is NCT U’s new single written by Chenle. In three minutes Kun, XiaoJun, RenJun, and Chenle managed to make a ballad that brings comfort for the closing of the year. It definitely feels like a ride on the sea. Will you sail with NCT U?
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NCT U:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
BAEKHO
Some relationships are not defined, or maybe they are, however, what we do know is that this collaboration between BekHo and JiWon is everything that is right. A song for those who seek to fix bad habits, be guided by the heart, show affection, and trust in luck. This sea of emotions is accompanied by incredible beats and a visualizer like no other.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BAEKHO:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
KARD BM
BM has just dropped his third solo single album, Lowkey, giving us not one, but two new R&B bangers! BM knows exactly how to set the mood, and this single album proves it. ‘Lowkey’ is a groovy track with his signature sexy lyrics. And do you see the choreography? We’ve been rewatching the music video all month. His b-side ‘ATAP (After The After Party)’ is too good! BM’s rap style and rhythm are so satisfying to hear, and no one’s doing it like him!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KARD:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
HEIZE
What is love if not a roller coaster? Heize captures in her new mini album those ups and downs, and the forced departures. Together with 10CM, they tell the story of a couple who, clinging to their promises, got lost in the attempt to save their relationship, while everything good was consumed. No one could represent it better than Heize, with a beautiful voice and a video with such immersive shots that make it seem out of this world!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HEIZE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
APINK
Apink released their festive new song, ‘PINK CHRISTMAS,’ which means our holiday season is officially complete! This track is so cute and magical and everything we could ask for. And we need to know who styled Apink’s outfits in the music video because they look fantastic! Apink’s vocals never disappoint, and they’ve given us a special surprise with this single. We’ll treasure this all through the new year!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APINK:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
LEE Hi
Living in a memory, living in longing, is undoubtedly a feeling that drags the soul to live in a loop. In ‘Alley’ LeeHi and Si Kyung manage to capture the essence of a love lost in the air, mixed emotions, and a memory that comes with the cold winter. It is a work of art that leaves you speechless.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEE HI:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
HOYA
Now that’s a comeback we didn’t have on our bingo cards for December! Hoya is finally back with a treat and we definitely ‘Deserve’ it. He has been so communicative on Twitter leading up to this single especially and you can tell that this r&b heavy song is from Hoya to his fans. We love it and consider it our favorite Christmas gift!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOYA:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
DAESUNG
We might have to accept that BigBang is no more but that doesn’t mean that the boys can’t give us solo releases. Daesung blessed our ears with a new song that shows off his honey vocals. ‘Flow’ is a gift in this cold month and a warm hug in front of a fireplace. We are grateful for this beautiful mellow song and hope he has the best Christmas yet!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DAESUNG:
YOUTUBE
BTS JIMIN
BTS really are the gift that keeps on giving, even after enlistment the boys keep treating us with surprises. Jimin took it upon himself to make us cry our eyes out as he dropped the fan song ‘Closer Than This’ featuring moments we are so very fond of. We already miss the boys so much but the precious memories we have made with them will be with us until they are back.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BTS:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE
NCT 127
It is tradition for at least one SM act to release a winter-themed album/single. This year around it is NCT 127’s turn and they delivered a cheery Christmas r&b song. The vocals are vocalizing in ‘Be There For Me’ and it makes for an extra cozy listen. The single offers two other b-sides that are just as good. We love SM’s winter music and NCT 127 delivered just like Santa does every year!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NCT 127:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
TVXQ
The kings are back! It’s always iconic whenever TVXQ drop a new release, and we’re always here to hype it up. Getting a whole album from these legends made our end-of-the-year even better, and it got us starting 2024 just right. 20&2 gave us the musical experience we’ve been craving from the duo, which included a variety of tracks of different styles, solo pieces, and an unplugged version of the ever-so-iconic ‘The Way U Are.’ And don’t get us started on the title track ‘Rebel!’ There is a reason why TVXQ are a leading act in the K-Pop scene, and we finally got to experience the duo’s power after such a long time. We’re feeling blessed and won’t be getting over this comeback for a long time.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TVXQ:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | CHANGMIN INSTAGRAM | YUNHO INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
What. A. Month. Our playlists keep growing with all new K-Pop songs! And are we ready for what the new year and January’s K-POP HOTSPOT? Absolutely.
What was your favorite December comeback? Which ones are you most excited about in January? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheHoneyPOP!
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