It’s been two years of ZEROBASEONE changing our lives and the K-pop scene. They’ve constantly shaken us with every comeback and made their way into our playlists, and it all led to this: the release of their full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER. Beating the odds and inserting their power as 5th-gen leaders more than ever before, ZEROBASEONE just gave us their best album to date—and here’s why.
The Pre-Releases
Before we got the release of ZEROBASEONE’s NEVER SAY NEVER, we got a taste of what was to come. ‘SLAM DUNK‘ was released as a pre-release single last month, and its bold, loud sound made it clear that ZEROBASEONE didn’t come here to play with the most important comeback of their career. Additionally, ZEROBASEONE included the Korean version of their Japanese track, ‘NOW OR NEVER.’ This perfect pop song could never get old, and this new version gives it a new life and even more energy. ‘NOW OR NEVER’ is a must-listen and blends into the album perfectly. Those two songs were enough for us to know this album would be the release of a lifetime.
‘ICONIK’
‘ICONIK’ represents everything ZEROBASEONE stands for: youth, freedom, art, and confidence. You wouldn’t expect that with such a smooth start, ‘ICONIK’ would switch into an energetic and groovy track. The title track screams ZEROBASEONE’s name—it’s confident, electric, refreshing, bold, and magical. And in perfect ZEROBASEONE fashion, ‘ICONIK’ exudes pop excellence by delivering incredibly addictive and satisfying melodies with exceptional vocals. But what makes ‘ICONIK’ even more memorable is that when you think you have it figured out, different elements in the song simply sweep you off your feet. ZEROBASEONE are always ready to surprise us, and there’s no denying they’re right: they’re iconic.
NEVER SAY NEVER
This isn’t a comeback like any other. Full-length albums often allow groups to further explore their sound and artistry with more b-sides. And with a group like ZEROBASEONE, consistently delivering the best of the best, NEVER SAY NEVER was meant to be a masterpiece. These B-sides are probably the best ones we’ve gotten from ZEROBASEONE, which says a lot. ‘Lovesick Game’ starts it off extremely strong. This song is special from the very first few seconds, with its mysterious, luring, and sophisticated melodies. This song is all about falling in love, and for it to be all-consuming, hypnotizing, and intoxicating; ‘Lovesick Game’ replicates the feeling perfectly well with the atmosphere it creates.
ZEROBASEONE excels in every concept, and while ‘Lovesick Game’ is on the darker side, songs like ‘Goosebumps’ and ‘Dumb’ represent their brighter and fun side incredibly well. ‘Goosebumps’ is a soft, bubbly, sweet song that encapsulates perfectly the initial emotions of liking someone. Just like a new love, it’s refreshing and light. Listening to ‘Dumb’ makes all worries and problems disappear with its lighthearted, video game-inspired production. The shift in the chorus is something that always comes as a surprise and makes ‘Dumb’ such a standout track.
‘EXTRA’ is almost too good to be just a B-side. This song is simply K-pop excellence: the vocals, the energy, the mix and match of different genres—it’s all there. ‘EXTRA’ is an absolute banger and the B-side from NEVER SAY NEVER. It soon transitions into another huge highlight of the album: ‘Long Way Back.’ This ballad embodies the ’90s boyband and R&B influence, and it’s no secret that ZEROBASEONE are incredible vocalists, so of course, this song hits in all the right ways. The way they express feelings of not wanting to lose someone they’ve grown apart from is gutwrenching and devastating.
ZEROBASEONE can do youthful, hopeful, and nostalgic songs like no one else, and ‘Star Eyes’ is one of the most beautiful examples of that. As it represents their journey as a group and bonds with their fans, ‘Star Eyes’ is energetic and a serotonin boost, but also incredibly emotional. ZEROBASEONE has come so far as individuals, as a group, and as artists, and ‘Star Eyes’ is a testament to all they’ve been through and their hard work.
‘I Know U Know’ is a heartfelt, gorgeous soft ballad about unconditional love that comes as the perfect closure to NEVER SAY NEVER. It’s an album where ZEROBASEONE explore different genres, showcase their vocals, and all the sides to their talent in various amazing ways, resulting in an absolute masterpiece. ZEROBASEONE has been a group to look for since their debut, and they’ve proven with every comeback their talent and growth, everything amounting to one of the best releases of the year with NEVER SAY NEVER. ZEROBASEONE will, indeed, forever be iconic.
Image source: WAKEONE
What’s your favorite track out of NEVER SAY NEVER? Are you more team ‘SLAM DUNK’ or ‘ICONIK?’ Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
It’s been over a year since Stray Kids’ last proper comeback with ATE in July 2024. Since then, it’s been non-stop between going on their biggest tour yet with the dominATE World Tour, releasing a special album with HOP at the end of last year, their unit songs in Mixtape: dominATE, having two Japanese comebacks, including their second full-length Japanese album with GIANT, and their masterpiece of a mini-album with Hollow, and all that while breaking records left and right. 2025 has been a busy year for Stray Kids, but it hasn’t been a quiet one. Yet, we knew what it would all eventually lead to, and after months of spoilers at concerts that left us looking like idiots, one of the most anticipated releases of the year is finally here: KARMA.
They already had us screaming the word ‘karma’ at the top of our lungs at every stop of their tour when they performed ‘TOPLINE,’ but now the word truly has earned its own meaning and special spot in Stray Kids history. And here’s how.
Image source: JYP Entertainment
‘CEREMONY’
Stray Kids have a lot to celebrate after over seven years as a group: music show wins, awards, record-breaking achievements, a perfect discography, a contract renewal, and a team that is ready to continue taking over the world. And this is precisely what ‘CEREMONY’ is about.
While ‘CEREMONY’ screams Stray Kids and has the sound that makes them so unique, it also feels fresh and new, especially with its production, which blends trap beats with EDM, and the melodies they deliver. With less than three minutes, there are still so many details in the track to unpack, from the “no one, nobody can stop me” detail at the end of Changbin‘s verse, or Han giving us one of his most special raps in a title track. It also wouldn’t be a Stray Kids song without witty word plays, and here the most significant one is between ‘karma’ and ‘calmer.’ And the reference to a ‘ratio’ is one of the most iconic things 3RACHA has ever written.
Tied together by a sports concept, ‘CEREMONY’ possesses a unique energy that celebrates achievements, hard work, and passion. ‘CEREMONY’ is infectious with how positive it is – listening to this alone will make you feel like good things are coming your way. There’s nothing to worry about when you put good things into the universe, and moving past their struggles, Stray Kids found the other side brighter than anyone else.
KARMA includes two additional versions of ‘CEREMONY’: the English version, but most importantly, the Festival version. We could never forget the impact of the Festival version of ‘Chk Chk Boom,’ but this new remix is out of this world. Stray Kids makes it feel like we’re already at a rave. It’s a version that isn’t afraid to fully embrace EDM and electronic elements, serving a song that stands on its own outside of the original. Versachoi really outdid himself and proved, again, how remixes can really blow your mind.
KARMA
KARMA is not just a simple comeback; it’s also Stray Kids’ fourth full-length album, following some of their most iconic and groundbreaking releases: GO LIVE, NOEASY, and 5-STAR. It’s no problem to follow up such monumental releases because Stray Kids know how to deliver an album that is both cohesive and explores different styles, themes, and influences to create something unique that only they could do. KARMA celebrates their path, and it’s deeply influenced by everything that has happened in their career and carries messages of hope, heartbreak, and power. And as expected: it’s incredible.
Image source: Spotify
‘BLEEP’
Stray Kids start off KARMA with an absolute banger – or rather a slap, if you will. One thing about Stray Kids is that they consistently know how to open an album, and ‘BLEEP’ does the job extremely well, being one of the biggest highlights of the album. ‘BLEEP’ is the older sister of ‘CHEESE,’ incorporating more hip-hop elements to make a track that feels darker, bolder, and even more confident. With one single track, Stray Kids have already established their confidence, their never-ending passion, and their unique identity. The build-up to the last chorus is an experience that cannot be described and is already one of the best moments in the entire album – the production is intense. They didn’t hold back in any aspect with ‘BLEEP,’ whether it’s rap, production, or lyrics: this is Stray Kids.
‘BLEEP’ is a track that shuts down and dismisses all the mindless hatred thrown at them, making it the perfect track to embody KARMA and transition into celebrating everything they’ve become by being better people.
‘CREED’
If you’re still listening to 3RACHA‘s discography as much as we are, ‘CREED’ will probably be your favorite. Stray Kids have always been heavily influenced by hip-hop, and they established themselves as one of the groups with the strongest rap lines in the industry even before their debut. But with ‘CREED,’ they fully went for it with the hip-hop sound, giving us a dark track full of personality, and verses that will leave you absolutely speechless (especially the second verse). Stray Kids‘ raps are just too good. ‘CREED’ is about Stray Kids’ convictions, their journey, and how they’ve always stuck to their guts, and that’s why they’re here now.
‘MESS’
From ‘Another Day,’ to ‘Secret Secret,’ to ‘Collision’ and ‘GET LIT,’ it’s a staple that a good Stray Kids full-length album will always give us an incredible hanpop song. And it makes sense that this song dates back to 2021, the same year that we got songs like ‘Wish You Back‘ and ‘HaPpY‘ from him, because ‘Mess’ has that exact same vibe. And needless to say, those are some of our favorite songs from Han. The lyrics are heartbreaking yet create a beautiful and irreplicable atmosphere while giving us catchy melodies that will have you feel every note in the depths of your soul. ‘Mess’ feels desperate, heartbreaking, and has everything you need in a good sad song.
‘In My Head’
Stray Kids know exactly what they’re good at, and over the years, they’ve perfected their signature sound; however, that has never stopped them from exploring outside of their comfort zone. While Stray Kids are no strangers to dipping their toes in rock, and it’s a genre that has had a huge influence on their music since day one, we’ve never heard something quite like ‘In My Head’ from them yet. Giving us that late 2000s, early 2010s pop-punk sound, ‘In My Head’ sees Stray Kids bringing us back to our teens. It has the same energy as some of our favorite anthems from that time, down to the lyrics of self-doubt and exploration of mental health, which also brings us back to the themes from their early discography.
A song like ‘In My Head’ was a matter of time for Stray Kids, and we’re so happy it’s finally here. One thing about this one is that, for once, it will never leave your head, and two, you will find yourself constantly reaching for it.
‘Half Time’
Following the sports concept explored in the title track, ‘Half Time’ is a fun, dynamic, explosive track about Stray Kids’ journey and ambitions. Stray Kids have been on their biggest tour yet, selling out stadiums all over the world, for the past year, and it’s in songs like ‘Half Time’ where you can see so clearly the influence of such an experience. ‘Half Time’ has the perfect energy and melodies for big crowds, loud cheers, and captures the electric energy from Stray Kids’ live performances in their music. To put it simply: it’s a brighter, more confident version of their 2023 b-side, ‘Blind Spot.’
‘Phoenix’
We got Stray Kids going full-on pop-punk, we got Stray Kids bringing the most hip-hop track they’ve ever made as a full group, and we also got Stray Kids doing EDM again – and it’s never been this beautiful. Stray Kids themselves described ‘Phoenix’ as a middle point between ‘MIROH‘ and their self-titled song ‘Stray Kids,’ and that’s literally it – meaning also, yes, perfect for an encore. It is impossible to put into words all the emotions this song awakens in the listener and the absolute genius of the production. The influence of legends in EDM music, such as Avicii, is palpable: ‘Phoenix’ is melodic, nostalgic, but full of hope. This is the B-side in KARMA if you ask us. Give us ‘Phoenix’ and ‘CEREMONY (Festival version)’ and we’re ready for the rave.
‘Ghost’
Even before the release of ‘Ghost,’ everyone was going feral over its melodies spoiled in Stray Kids’ signature mashup teaser. And it did not let us down (though we wouldn’t say no to a full version of that remix…). ‘Ghost’ has some of the most addictive melodies in the album. Its pop sound feels incredibly satisfying, accompanied perfectly by a track that leans more towards hip-hop, showcasing Stray Kids‘ genius in blending and mixing genres. But despite the brightness of the track, ‘Ghost’ is one of the darkest tracks in KARMA. It explores feelings of loss and numbness, yet still holds a hint of hope. It’s so Stray Kids.
‘0801’
‘0801’ is the last new track in KARMA – followed by the festival version and the english version of ‘CEREMONY.’ It’s been seven years since the release of ‘0325’ in I am YOU, where Stray Kids celebrated their beginning, naming a song after their debut date. It’s a full-circle experience to have a song named after the anniversary of the fandom. After Bang Chan gave us ‘Youtiful‘ in 5-STAR, ‘0801‘ writes itself in the list of Stray Kids’ fan songs, and it might be one of our favorites. With immaculate, infectious pop melodies, ‘0801’ feels warm and special, serving as a beautiful showcase of the bond between the group and STAYs. That callback to one of their most important songs, ‘Grow Up,’ will never fail to get us close to tears. ‘0801’ is sweet yet vulnerable, and the cherry on top of a masterpiece of an album.
The concept of hard work and that good things eventually come around has never been lost on Stray Kids. Even before their debut, the group has been releasing incredible music into the world and has given us one of the most perfect and iconic discographies in all of K-pop. All the hard work and passion have paid off, with them already being one of the biggest K-pop groups ever. And clearly, KARMA shows that they’re not ready to stop any time soon.
If you’re like us and still can’t get enough of Stray Kids, even after listening to KARMA, Stray Kids not only brought KARMA to life in several cities by teaming up with Spotify, but they also created a playlist featuring their entire discography. And if you’re wondering what kind of Stray Kids champion you are, you can take the quiz here!
What’s your favorite version of ‘CEREMONY?’ What’s your favorite b-side out of KARMA? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
The K-Pop industry has been reset and balance has been restored, AKA Baekhyun has finally returned. After a three-year wait since 2021’s Bambi, one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Baekhyun, has released new mini album, Hello World. He’s also dropped a music video for the title track, ‘Pineapple Slice,’ a deliciously sweet R&B pop track.
We couldn’t be happier to be living through a new Baekhyun era, especially with all the ‘Pineapple Slice’ performances we’ve been treated to! Here are three you absolutely need to catch up on…
Dance Practice
Sometimes Baekhyun’s dance skills can get overlooked, as he’s so infamous for his vocals. But allow us, and the ‘Pineapple Slice’ dance practice, to remind you what a great performer Baekhyun is. His movements are as smooth and nonchalant as his voice can be.
It’s LIVE Band Version
We’ve already mentioned it twice, but give us the grace to mention it again: there’s no vocalist in the world quite like Baekhyun. Any opportunity to hear his vocals in full force is one we will take, and the live band version of ‘Pineapple Slice’ just multiplied our love for it tenfold.
Music Bank 240906
We don’t know about you, but we’ve missed seeing Baekhyun on music shows more than we could ever say. Of course, we adored every stage from EXO’s ‘Cream Soda’ comeback, but solo comebacks are just something entirely different. Every performance of ‘Pineapple Slice’ is golden, but we’re deeply obsessed with the cowboy aesthetic that K-Pop just can’t cast aside.
What’s your favorite track on Hello World? Which is your favorite ‘Pineapple Slice’ performance from Baekhyun? Drop a comment below, tweet us @TheHoneyPop, or hit us up on our Instagram and Facebook.
SEVENTEEN continues to make history this year, and we’re just super proud of them. We also got some news on Jeonghan, Jun, and Seungkwan, as well as sneak peeks at their upcoming album!👀
Lollapalooza Berlin
Photo courtesy: Lollapalooza Berlin
The crowd was packed with excited Carats waiting to see what kind of stage SEVENTEEN was going to put on, and we can confidently say that everyone left the show as excited as when they got there. They not only blew us away but everyone in Berlin as well!
Setlist
‘Super’
‘Don Quixote’
‘Darl+ing’
‘Ready to Love’
‘Rock with you’
‘Left & Right’
BSS – ‘Fighting’
Vocal Unit – ‘Cheers to youth’
Performance Unit ‘Spell’
HipHop Unit ‘Fire’
Leader Line – ‘Cheers’
‘Clap’
‘Maestro’
‘SOS’
‘HOT’
‘Headliner’
‘Together’ (Eng Ver.)
‘God of Music’
‘Aju Nice’
If you’ve ever been to a SEVENTEEN show, then you’ve heard a handful of these tracks live and know how well they can perform. So, we expected some of these tracks because they do like to pull out their top hits for moments like this. Some of our favorite track performances had to be ‘Headliner,’ ‘Cheers,’ ‘Hot,’ ‘Maestro,’ and, of course, the never-ending ‘Aju Nice.’ We know you have been seeing the fancams from that day 😉
You can watch the full performance on their official YouTube channel. The boys always put on one hell of a show, but this one is just different, making history; while it was Jeonghan’s last performance for a little while, sadly, we were missing Jun.
It Will Always Be 13
Okay, so we got the news about Jun and Jeonghan around the same time; PLEDIS let Carats know that neither will be going on their upcoming tour nor will they be participating in album promotions, but they did film some stuff for the album beforehand, which is good! So Jun is currently in China diving into more acting, and Jeonghan will be starting his Military Service on September 26th. We also want to mention that Seungkwan has been appointed public relations ambassador for Jeju Island, which we know is a big deal for him as he is a Jeju Native. And a possible collab between Vernon and DJ Khaled? We’re proud of all the boys!
12th Mini Album
So we got our first teaser of the upcoming 12th mini-album, pictures, and the album name! Pledis first tweeted the 12th mini-album teaser, and we were shown a subway with the words “I Felt Helpless” as the standout. We can also see the words, labeled from one to three, “SEVENTEEN,” “HELPLESS,” and “BLUE” on a sign in the subway, with “M12,” “1014,” and “1800” right beside them. If you’ve been here long, you know everything in a teaser is a clue, so we know most, if not all, of the words are important.
Soon after that, we got the teaser pictures where all 13 guys are basically floating or submerged under the water, and honestly, just from these first pics, we know they’re gonna eat up the concept. And now, onto the most important part. Drumroll, please! The upcoming mini-album will be called Spill The Feels. From that name alone, we know we will most definitely also be in our own feels. We also got the title track, which is called ‘Speak Up,’ its release date, which is 10.14.24, as well as the teaser, which you can watch below!
You can pre-order and pre-save the album here. We can also expect these songs to be performed at their upcoming U.S. Tour; you can get more info about that from our coverage here.
Carats, we all know when an album is around the corner, we should expect more news and announcements leading up to it. So keep your eyes peeled and ears open, and we’ll do the same!
How excited are you for Spill The Feels? Which SEVENTEEN news was your favorite? Let us know in the comments down below or over on Twitter @thehoneypop, and don’t forget to talk to us on Facebook and Instagram!
And if you want more SEVENTEEN content while waiting for Spill The Feels, we gotchu!
