newjeans questions and answers template cover image mister korean

What is the story behind NewJeans’ debut single “Attention”?

NewJeans is a South Korean girl group that debuted with their single “Attention” in July 2022. The song was released as a surprise, without any prior announcements about the group or its members. This strategy helped create a lot of interest and excitement among fans, and the music video quickly gained over 1.3 million views on YouTube within the first day.

The song “Attention” is about having a crush on someone and wanting their attention. The lyrics express feelings of infatuation and the desire to be close to the person they like. The music style is a mix of pop and R&B, inspired by the late 1990s and early 2000s, with elements of new jack swing and house music. This nostalgic sound is part of a trend in South Korea called “newtro,” which blends old styles with modern twists.

NewJeans and their team had high hopes for “Attention” because they had been working on it for a long time. The group’s members practiced the song for two years before its release, which helped them feel confident about its potential success. The song’s success was not just a coincidence; it was the result of careful planning and hard work by the group and their creative director, Min Hee Jin, who has experience with successful K-pop groups.

The music video for “Attention” is bright and joyful, featuring simple yet catchy choreography that became popular on social media platforms like TikTok. The song’s popularity extended beyond Korea, charting in several countries and receiving certifications in Japan and South Korea. Overall, “Attention” marked a strong debut for NewJeans, setting them up for future success in the music industry.

Related Q&As