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"How Sweet" is a song by the South Korean girl group NewJeans from their second single album of the same name. It was released by ADOR on May 24, 2024, along with the B-side track "Bubble Gum". NewJeans began promoting the single in April 2024, through the release of the music video for "Bubble Gum" on YouTube, featuring the Japanese version of the track in advertisements and television programs in Japan, and appearing on music shows and variety shows in South Korea. The single album debuted at number one in South Korea. It has been described as a Miami bass and electropop song.
Background and composition
NewJeans debuted in 2022 under ADOR, a subsidiary label of Hybe Corporation, and their 2023 EP Get Up was the group's first entry and first number-one on the US Billboard 200. Selling over two million copies, Get Up established NewJeans as one of the most prominent international music acts of the year. Several publications named it among the best music releases of the year. In April 2024, a dispute between Hybe and ADOR's CEO Min Hee-jin over Min's authority within the label became widely publicized. Amid the controversy, NewJeans released their subsequent single, "How Sweet", which had been announced prior.
According to ADOR's press release, "How Sweet" is a Miami bass song. NME wrote that the track "sees NewJeans playing with Miami bass". They continue to reimagine Y2K sounds, transforming them into their own "enchanting spells." Nylon opined that the production "gives off zingy electroclash". Billboard described it as electropop. Lyrically, the group, known for their "witty approach" to relationships, stays true to form with "How Sweet," delivering yet another track focused on self-love.
Release and promotion
On March 27, 2024, ADOR announced that NewJeans would host a fan meeting in Japan and release two double singles in 2024: "How Sweet" and "Bubble Gum" on May 24 and "Supernatural" and "Right Now" on June 21. ADOR stated that NewJeans would be making their debut in the Japanese music market with the release of "Supernatural", their first song in Japanese, while they would focus on promoting "How Sweet" and "Bubble Gum" in South Korea. In conjuction with the singles' announcement, ADOR stated that NewJeans would release an album in the second half of 2024 and embark on a worldwide tour in 2025. The press release caused Hybe Corporation's daily market capitalization to increase by nearly ₩1 trillion. In April 2024, ADOR announced that member Hyein would not participate in promotional activities to recover from an injury.
The CD single became available for pre-order on April 26, 2024, in two physical formats: a vinyl LP-sized version and a Weverse-exclusive version. Additional items available with the CD include a book containing interviews with the members, a photo book, stickers, posters, photo cards, and post cards. In May 2024, NewJeans began making appearances on South Korean music shows, including Music Bank, and variety shows, including 2 Days & 1 Night and Park Myung-soo's web show on YouTube. NewJeans performed at the K-Wave Concert Inkigayo on June 2, 2024. The single album debuted at the number one spot in South Korea.
Reception
NME's Tássia Assis, praises the group's continuation of their signature style, blending Y2K influences with fresh elements. Assis suggests that tne song feels like a safe, even lukewarm, addition to their discography. While the song is enjoyable and fit well with their previous work, the release lacks the innovation and impact of their past singles like "Hype Boy" or "Ditto." Jeff Benjamin included it in his list of "the 20 best K-pop songs of 2024 so far." He praised the track as a refreshing breakup anthem with a breezy, summery feel, highlighting the group's harmonies and how the song becomes more infectious with each listen. "How Sweet" was featured at number 35 on The Fader's list of the best songs of 2024.
Kim, Ji-hye (May 21, 2024). 뉴진스 표 힙합은 어떨까… ‘하우 스위트’ 24일 발매 [How about New Jeans table hip-hop... 'How Sweet' will be released on the 24th]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
^ Lim, Se-jung (March 28, 2024). 뉴진스 5월 24일 컴백, 6월 일본 데뷔 [New Jeans May 24 comeback, June debut in Japan]. Kookmin Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
Heo, Min-nyeong (March 28, 2024). ‘1조 그룹’ 뉴진스 [‘KRW 1 trillion group’ NewJeans]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
Myung, Hee-sook (May 12, 2024). [단독] '대세' 뉴진스, 첫 공중파 예능 출격…'1박2일' 촬영 완료 [ ‘Top’ New Jeans, first public broadcast entertainment show… ‘2 Days & 1 Night’ filming completed]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
Han, Hae-seon (May 17, 2024). '할명수' 뉴진스 "24일 신곡 'How Sweet'=찐 힙합" 스포일러[★밤TView] ['Hal Myung-soo' New Jeans "New song 'How Sweet' = True hip-hop" on the 24th Spoiler ]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
Won, Sung-yoon (May 14, 2024). 뉴진스, 투어스 등 SBS ‘케이-웨이브 콘서트 인기가요’ 2차 라인업 이름 올렸다 [New Jeans, Tours and other SBS 'K-Wave Concert Popular Song' 2nd lineup was named]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
Hyeon, Jung-min (May 31, 2024). 뉴진스 "민희진 대표님 사랑합니다" 1위 수상 소감 '애틋' (뮤직뱅크) [New Jeans "I love you, CEO Min Hee-jin" 1st place acceptance speech 'Affection' (Music Bank)] (in Korean). Sports World. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Naver.
Yoon, Gi-baek (June 8, 2024). 뉴진스, '음악중심' 1위... 음방 3관왕 질주 [NewJeans, No. 1 on 'Music Core'... Run for 3rd place in music broadcast] (in Korean). E Daily. Retrieved June 9, 2024 – via Naver.
Lee, Seung-hun (June 15, 2024). 뉴진스, 아이브·에스파 밟고 '음중' 1위..나연→선미 컴백 [종합] [NewJeans, takes first place against Ive and Aespa on 'Music Core'...Nayeon→Sunmi comeback ] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via Naver.
Lee, Ha-na (June 22, 2024). '음악중심' 뉴진스, 아이브·에스파 제치고 3주 1위..권은비→라이즈 컴백[종합] ['Music Core' NewJeans beats Ive and Aespa to take first place for 3 weeks..Kwon Eun-bi→Riize comeback ] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved June 23, 2024 – via Naver.
