Four years after NewJeans burst onto the scene, the group is once again commanding attention. On July 21, Minji, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein reunited in new anniversary content, marking their first appearance together as a four-member line-up. While their next musical move remains under wraps, the unexpected reunion has already stirred fresh excitement around the group. As NewJeans looks towards a new chapter, we revisit the defining musical and visual eras that helped make them one of K-pop’s most influential acts

"New Jeans": The debut that made Y2K feel fresh again

NewJeans made one of K-pop’s most memorable entrances when “Attention” arrived without warning in July 2022. Their self-titled debut EP followed in August with “Hype Boy”, “Cookie” and “Hurt”, pairing relaxed R&B-pop with light, understated production. Low-rise denim, baby tees and natural hairstyles channelled the early 2000s without feeling overly styled, while the loose choreography made the members look like five friends simply enjoying the music. It was fresh, spontaneous and instantly recognisable - a girl-next-door identity that would soon influence K-pop far beyond the group itself.

OMG and Ditto: A darker, dreamier winter chapter

By January 2023, NewJeans had swapped the brightness of their debut for something colder and more emotionally mysterious. “Ditto” combined soft vocals with a subtle club-inspired beat and grainy school-camcorder visuals. Its two-part music video, split into “Side A” and “Side B”, revisited the same friendship from different perspectives, leaving viewers to wonder where memory ended and fantasy began. “OMG” followed with a brighter R&B bounce and an equally surreal take on identity and fandom, while “Ditto” became the group’s first Billboard Hot 100 entry.

"Get Up": The summer NewJeans went global

Released in July 2023, NewJeans’ second EP, "Get Up," made their music feel faster, brighter and more energetic. “Super Shy” paired airy vocals with quick, club-inspired rhythms, while its large-scale street choreography captured the carefree rush of summer. “ETA”, “Cool With You” and “ASAP” each arrived with a distinctive visual world, while a collaboration with The Powerpuff Girls pushed the group further into animation and wider pop culture. The EP topped the Billboard 200, and “Super Shy” became their highest-charting Hot 100 single at No. 48.

"How Sweet" and "Supernatural": A bolder twist on their signature style

NewJeans’ final releases before their hiatus arrived in 2024, pushing beyond the dreamy minimalism of their earlier work. “How Sweet” introduced a punchier, hip-hop-influenced sound, while “Bubble Gum” provided a lighter, sun-soaked contrast. Their official Japanese debut continued the evolution, with “Supernatural” drawing on smooth 1990s dance and R&B and “Right Now” embracing playful retro visuals. Baggy sportswear, bold prints and more individual styling also refreshed their familiar Y2K aesthetic, revealing a more experimental side of the group without losing the easygoing charm.

"2026 Summer of NewJeans": A new chapter begins with four

Following the ADOR dispute, the attempted NJZ rebrand and their 2025 hiatus, NewJeans’ future was left up in the air. Now, 2026 Summer of NewJeans, released on July 21, gives fans an exciting first look at the group as four. The anniversary films show Minji, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein roller-skating, sewing and relaxing outdoors, bringing back the easy intimacy of their debut era. With future plans still under wraps, it feels like a promising first step towards what comes next.

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