NewJeans Ponder Over Love Confessions in ‘OMG’

K-pop sensation NewJeans have pretty much nailed the trifecta of K-pop: compelling sound, solid dance moves, and intriguing lore to get the masses talking. And in their latest release “OMG,” Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein relay why they are the flag bearers of the fifth generation of K-pop.

Leading the group’s first single album of the same name, “OMG” comes just 10 days after the release of the now chart-topping hit “Ditto.” Co-written by Hanni, “OMG” explores the caution a girl practices when debating whether they should take the leap of faith and get closer to their love interest, as depicted in the chorus where Hanni and Danielle sing, “Oh my, oh my God, I knew this would happen/ I was really hoping that he will come through/ Oh my, oh my God, it’s only you/ Asking all the time about what I should do.”

In tune with their nostalgic yet contemporary style, the latest release is a breezy hip-hop and R&B track with UK garage and trap rhythms weaved in to keep the atmosphere refreshing. Similar to the dance routines in “Hybe Boy” and “Ditto,” the choreography in “OMG” is breezy and extremely laid-back, begging dancers and non-dancers alike to groove to its beats. 

The music video fills in the gaps left by their earlier releases, proving to be an exciting addition to NewJeans’ growing lore. In “Ditto,” we saw the members’ life in a high school through two settings – one provided through the eyes of Heesoo and the second with a third-person perspective. In both versions, it’s abundantly clear that Heesoo leaves the group due to a possible misunderstanding. Whether Heesoo is real or a mere hallucination of the NewJeans members is yet to be confirmed. Now, in “OMG,” the NewJeans members seem to be suffering from a form of memory loss, resulting in their admittance into a psychiatric facility. During their time there, the members are trying to remind one another that they did in fact belong to a group called NewJeans. However, each member seems to have a different story about their time before they entered the facility. 

In true Marvel fashion, the end-credits scene of the video shows a Twitter user drafting the tweet, “Am I the only one uncomfortable with this music video’s materials? Just show their faces and dance.” Right before hitting send, Minji – dressed as a medical professional – places her arm around a woman and says, “Times up. It’s time to go,” seemingly insinuating that the troll belongs in the psychiatric facility. 

OMG, the record,marks the group’s first single album since their debut and is composed of two tracks, “OMG” and “Ditto.” The “Hybe Boy” hitmakers debuted last year with their eponymous EP and instantly became a local and international favorite. NewJeans also ranked first on Rolling Stone India’s 10 Best K-pop Debuts of 2022 list.