Since its June 20 release, KPop: Demon Hunters has broken records in both film and music. The Sony and Netflix animated project from directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans became the most-watched animated film on Netflix within a month of its release and has since become the platform’s most-watched film of all time. A weekend theatrical singalong grossed an estimated $18 million, earning Netflix its first box office No. 1.

Every original track from the soundtrack has charted on Billboard Hot 100. "Golden" became the first No. 1 by a female-led K-pop group; "Your Idol," "Soda Pop" and "How It’s Done" occupied the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Demon Hunters became the first movie soundtrack to have four songs simultaneously in the Top 10 

The film is a love letter to K-culture, following the trio girl group HUNTR/X, composed of leader Rumi, lead dancer Mira, and lead rapper Zoey (voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, respectively) as they protect the world from demons by slaying them and sealing a mystical barrier known as the Honmoon. Their battle intensifies when rival boy group the Saja Boys are unveiled to also be demons. 

While the film’s record-breaking success reflects its animation, storytelling and cultural impact, the true heart of KPop: Demon Hunters is EJAE. The singer/songwriter is behind many of its standout tracks, including "Golden," and has long been a hitmaker within the K-pop industry.

Below, get to know EJAE, from her pivotal role in KPop: Demon Hunters and her extensive background in Korean music.

She Helped Build KPop Demon Hunters From Its Earliest Demos

EJAE joined KPop: Demon Hunters near its inception in 2020 and was tasked with shaping the musical DNA of the film.

In an interview with Genius Korea, EJAE recalled that the first months were spent experimenting with songs from scratch to capture the directors’ vision for crucial scenes. Some sequences required nearly 60 demo versions, most of which were discarded or heavily reworked. One track survived the workshopping: the BLACKPINK-inspired opener "How It’s Done," which became the high-octane introduction to the world of the HUNTR/X trio.

As the project grew, additional collaborators joined. Musical director Ian Eisendrath worked alongside producers and songwriters from THEBLACKLABEL, the team behind acts such as BLACKPINK and MEOVV. THEBLACKLABEL contributed to nearly half of the film’s original songs, including the ominous "Your Idol" and saccharinely catchy "Soda Pop," helping fuse traditional Korean instrumentation with modern K-pop sensibilities.

EJAE told Forbes the process involved constant collaboration. The directors would outline a scene’s mood and share reference tracks. THEBLACKLABEL would produce the instrumental track, after which EJAE and co-writer Mark Sonnenblick crafted the lyrics, melody, and overall concept. EJAE recorded the demos herself — from lead vocals to harmonies and backgrounds — even standing in for the male idol characters. Because the directors envisioned Rumi with a lower vocal register than her bandmates, EJAE eventually became the singing voice of the protagonist. Audrey Nuna provided the singing voice for Mira and REI AMI for Zoey.

"EJAE is the heart and soul of Huntr/x," director Kang wrote on X. "She has been working on the movie since 2019. Her demos helped get us the green light."

EJAE Has Deep Industry Roots

Born Kim Eun-jae in Seoul, she began idol training at age 11 and spent a decade under K-pop label giant SM Entertainment. EJAE was considered for multiple debut paths, including a three-member girl group and a solo career, before aging out of the trainee system in 2011. She then attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Reflecting on her SM years, EJAE told The Korea Herald, "I learned to think about how a song might translate into choreography or a music video. That perspective has shaped my songwriting ever since."

Entertainment runs in her family: she is the granddaughter of actor and lawyer Shin Young-kyun, a screen legend who appeared in hundreds of films.**

EJAE Took Home Gold Even Before "Golden" 

Prior to KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE already had a formidable discography in K-pop. At a 2017 songwriting camp for SM Entertainment, she wrote and demoed what would become Red Velvet’s 2019 hit "Psycho," inspired by an argument with her long-distance fiancé. 

Released as the lead single for The ReVe Festival: Finale, the song earned Song of the Year at the Gaon Chart Music Awards, Red Velvet’s first Melon Music Award nomination for Song of the Year, and the group’s first MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best K-Pop. It was eventually certified platinum in Korea.

She has since written or produced for top acts, cementing her status as a behind-the-scenes titan. Among EJAE's credits are aespa’s "Drama" and "Armageddon,"  LE SSERAFIM’s "So Cynical (Badum)," TWICE’s Last Waltz," and NMIXX’s "O.O" and "DICE." In a full circle moment, TWICE’s Jihyo, Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon featured on the KPop Demon Hunters original track "Takedown." 

She Is The Idol’s Idol

KPop Demon Hunters' viral success stems from endless fan engagement like memes, fan art, online discourse and TikTok trends, but most of all, its covers. "Golden" is the most popular track from the film and one of the most vocally demanding, culminating in a belting high note. It’s become a flex test for K-pop artists across generations.

YouTube has a plethora of covers from IVE’s Yujin, soloist Ailee, Park Dahyee, Apink’s Eunji, izna’s Jeemin, Jungeun, Koko at KCON LA 2025, and Super Junior’s Ryeowook. EJAE shared her amazement of all the covers on Instagram, writing, "I apologize in advance for writing it so friggin’ hard."

When asked by Korea Joongang Daily for a favorite cover, EJAE highlighted first-generation idol Bada of S.E.S.: "I’ve been so impressed by how each artist interprets the song in their own way. Bada’s cover was especially memorable. I even posted on social media that I was a longtime S.E.S. fan, and it was such an honor. She’s truly a vocal queen."

Rumi Reflects EJAE's Own Story 

The character of Rumi and EJAE often feel one in the same, and EJAE’s work on the film draws directly from her own industry experience.  

KPop: Demon Hunters centers on Rumi’s journey of embracing her half-demon self, learning to release the burden of perfection, and accepting her vulnerabilities, and realizing that her struggles need not be faced alone. Throughout, she's guided by a team with a deep love for music, animation, and Korean culture. 

Drawing from lived experience, EJAE became the essence of Rumi. She has said she cried while writing the lyrics and recording the demo for "Golden." Per Billboard, EJAE recalled: "Being perfect is such a big thing while training. That heartbreak I felt, me not aligning and getting dropped, I brought that into the lyrics and my performance." 

EJAE is celebrated not only for her technical contributions, but for the ways in which her own story resonates with the film’s deeper themes of acceptance, perseverance, and self-discovery. She told K-pop Herald, "Winning a GRAMMY wouldn’t just be a personal milestone. It would be a message to every Asian American girl who’s ever felt impostor syndrome in this industry." 

EJAE’s blend of personal history, emotional transparency, and artistic mastery makes her not merely a contributor but the sincere soul of KPop: Demon Hunters; a force once vulnerable, now golden, resplendent, and unstoppable. 

The 2025 Latin GRAMMY Premiere kicked off in historic fashion, crowning the first-ever winner for Best Music For Visual Media: Camilo Sanabria.

The Colombian composer won the newly minted category for his score for the Netflix series "Cien Años De Soledad." The category is part of the new Visual Media field that was introduced for the 2025 Latin GRAMMYS, designed to recognize composers of original works created to accompany films, series, documentaries, or video games.

Sanabria, whose work has appeared in series such as "El Libertador" and "Niñas Mal" as well as international productions like "Ugly Betty" and the film Pride and Glory (starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell), collaborated on the project with musician and researcher Juancho Valencia, who was in charge of the folkloric arrangements.

Though Sanabria didn't make an acceptance speech on stage, he took to Instagram to celebrate his victory — which marked his first Latin GRAMMY win — and offer a series of thank yous to Netflix Latinoamérica, Valencia and others.

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Made up of 36 tracks, the soundtrack for "Cien Años de Soledad" was the result of extensive research into Colombian history in the 19th century, the period in which the episodes of the mythical and fictional town of Macondo take place. The first season of the series, which debuted in December 2024, features eight episodes in which Sanabria captures the essence of magical realism and the cultural and emotional contrasts of the country. His score highlights traditional rhythms such as cumbia, vallenato and Afro-Caribbean percussion.

In an interview with Billboard Colombia, Sanabria said that the process of research and creation took a full year of work. Recording sessions took place in Bogotá, with the collaboration of musicians from various Caribbean regions, as well as remote recordings conducted in Hungary.

Along with Valencia’s contributions, the soundtrack also features accordionist Luis Javier Hernández, who sings and plays the accordion on "Compadre Santana"; actor/musician Víctor José Navarro, who also lent his talent on the accordion to various pieces; Carlos Mendiola, an actor from the series who performs "Canta en Silencio"; and Eddy Álvarez on "Oye Morenita."

The other nominees in the first-time category were: Pedro Osuna for the soundtrack to the series "Cada Minuto Cuenta," Federico Jusid for the soundtrack to the series "El Eternauta," Eduardo Cabra for the soundtrack to the film In The Summers, and Gustavo Santaolalla for the soundtrack to the series "Pedro Páramo."

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

This year's Song Of The Year nominees capture the multitude of experiences we've had over the past 12 months, from celebration to nostalgia to heartbreak.

Lady Gaga and ROSÉ & Bruno Mars offered party-starting bangers with "Abracadabra" and "APT," and KPop Demon Hunter's record-breaking "Golden" landed at the top of everyone's summer playlists.

Sabrina Carpenter provided an anthem against emotionally unavailable men on her Man's Best Friend lead single, "Manchild," while Billie Eilish reflected on the complex dynamic of dating your friend's ex on "WILDFLOWER." On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar & SZA offered a sultry soundtrack to an epic romance with "luther."

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny and Doechii provided connective sentiments; where Bad Bunny's "DtMF" shares the regret of taking the past for granted, Doechii's "Anxiety" normalizes the stress we feel in a tense society.

With compelling melodies or relatable lyrics, each of these tracks remind us that we aren't alone in any of life's most pivotal moments — and that is exactly what Song Of The Year celebrates annually. Below, discover the eight nominees for the 2026 GRAMMYS and how they defined the past year.

Lady Gaga — "Abracadabra"

Lady Gaga, Henry Walter & Andrew Watt, songwriters

After Lady Gaga's The Fame and Born This Way created a touchstone for dark pop, Little Monsters soon saw a departure from the sound with her subsequent albums, including Joanne (Americana), Chromatica (house) and Love for Sale (jazz). With "Abracadabra," she made the anticipated homecoming to her roots.

The MAYHEM lead single is a true homage to her debut. Much like her earliest instrumentation, it boasts a bass-driven beat, decorated by pulsing synths. The song's hypnotic chorus — "Abracadabra, amor-ooh-na-na/ Abracadabra, morta-ooh-gaga" — is reminiscent of the iconic hook of "Bad Romance." And the music video revives her gothic surrealism with elaborate costumes and theatrical choreography.

Where much of the current musical climate borrows and fuses elements of country and rock, "Abracadabra" embodies Gaga's distinctive interpretation of pop's enduring appeal from 2009 to 2025. The track is also nominated in the Record Of The Year Category.

Doechii — "Anxiety"

Jaylah Hickmon, songwriter

In 2019, Doechii flipped Gotye & Kimbra's GRAMMY-winning single, "Somebody That I Used to Know," into a riveting expression of "Anxiety" on her YouTube channel. Following a viral resurface earlier this year, she dropped an official version, and it's become the anthem she never expected.

Over the iconic xylophone-led instrumental, Doechii confronts her paranoia and nerves: "Anxiety, keep on tryin' me/ I feel it quietly, tryna silence/ Anxiety, shake it off of me/ Somebody's watching me, it's my anxiety." She later challenges the source — the current political state — in its second verse, as she hums, "No limits, no borders/ What's in that new world order?/ Marco Polo/ Negro run from po-po." The track is also nominated for Record Of The Year.

Since the song's release, Doechii has continued to be outspoken about activism and her concern with society beyond her music. Along with denouncing ICE raids, transphobic attacks and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in her BET Awards speech, the GRAMMY-winning rapper launched Anxiety Is Watching Me, a resource hub designed to support individuals struggling with mental health issues.

ROSÉ & Bruno Mars — "APT."

Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park, Theron Thomas & Henry Walter, songwriters

Forget beer pong and kings cup. In her viral single, BLACKPINK's ROSÉ teams up with Bruno Mars to introduce you to a quintessential Korean drinking game: Apartment. The upbeat, indie rock-inspired track spotlights the classic chant — "Apteu, apteu," the duo cheers in the chorus — as they traverse the cheeky anticipation of a potential rendezvous.

For ROSÉ, one of the driving forces for the song was to share a slice of her upbringing: "Korean culture is, I would say, one of the most fun cultures out there. To be able to show that to the world, it's like a personal excitement for me," she revealed in her Paper Magazine cover.

While Bruno Mars' rock influence and a sample of Toni Basil's "Mickey" guide the song's production, ROSÉ's K-pop flair is found within its quippy, repetitive hook, reminiscent of PSY's "Gangnam Style." The track received a simultaneous nomination for Record Of The Year.

Bad Bunny — "DtMF"

Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Hugo René Sención Sanabria, Tyler Thomas Spry & Roberto José Rosado Torres, songwriters

You've probably seen fans use Bad Bunny's "DtMF" to soundtrack heartfelt pictures from their past on TikTok. Maybe you saw someone recreate the single's lawn chair album art to immortalize a special moment. Or, you might have watched someone cry over the song's nostalgia-tinged grief: "I should've taken more pictures when I had you/ I should've given you more kisses and hugs whenever I could/ I hope my people never move away/ And if I get drunk today, I hope they help me out," he croons in Spanish.

At its core, "DtMF" is an expression of Bad Bunny's Puerto Rican heritage. As listeners score their own history with the track, its messaging blurs the line between individual and collective memory in our universal experiences of life. Much like the rest of its respective album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, "DtMF"turns personal nostalgia into something equally sacred and communal. "DtMF" is also nominated for Record Of The Year.

HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI — "Golden" [From KPop Demon Hunters]

EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick, songwriters

In less than six months, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix's most-watched title of all time, rivaling the success of Disney juggernauts like Encanto and Frozen. With its infusion of traditional Korean culture and plurilingual soundtrack, it heralds a surge in the hallyu movement. Spearheading its impact is "Golden," an inspirational track about the fictional girl group HUNTR/X's determination to make their voices heard.

"I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin'/ Like I'm born to be/ We dreamin' hard, we came so far/ Now I believe/ We're going up, up, up, it's our moment/ You know together we're glowing/ Gonna be, gonna be golden," they sing.

But the grit of the trio isn't only present in the song's empowering lyricism. At its climax, EJAE reaches an impressive A5 as her character, Rumi, reveals her half-demon bloodline. It's a clear representation of the sacrifice the characters are willing to make to bring their dreams to fruition. This moment is everything "Golden" represents, an explosive hallelujah that turns struggle into triumph.

Kendrick Lamar & SZA — "luther"

Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Solána Rowe, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington, songwriters

Mirroring the vocal musings of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn, Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "If This World Were Mine"-sampled single, "luther," takes listeners on a melodic journey of intimacy, commitment and vulnerability.

"If this world was mine, I'd take your dreams and make 'em multiple/ If this world was mine, I'd take your enemies in front of God/ Introduce 'em to that light, hit them strictly with that fire," Lamar promises.

SZA's response is just as devoted: "If it was up to me/ I wouldn't give these nobodies no sympathy/ I'd take away the pain, I'd give you everything."

"Luther" underscores Lamar's versatility as a storyteller and producer. Juxtaposed next to the ferocity of his 2025 Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year winner, "Not Like Us," this collaboration showcases something much more tender, full of yearning and profoundly human in its portrayal of love. "Luther" is also nominated for Record Of The Year at this year’s GRAMMYS.

Sabrina Carpenter — "Manchild"

Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters

In 2024, Sabrina Carpenter offered a warning to any potential suitor: "If you don't wanna cry to my music, don't make me hate you prolifically." Fast forward to a year later, and the Short n' Sweet songstress is waving her white flag to questionable men in the cathartically honest "Manchild."

"Manchild, why you always come a-running to me?/ F— my life, won't you let an innocent woman be?" She questions in the song's infectious, country-twanged chorus. "Never heard of self-care/ Half your brain just ain't there."

As the opening number to Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, "Manchild" sets the tone for her blasé mindset toward romance in the album's later tracks. Men will be men, as she contemplates on the bridge, but it doesn't have to stop her from pursuing having fun and achieving pleasure. The song is also nominated for Record Of The Year.

Billie Eilish — "WILDFLOWER"

Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters

In the shadows of Billie Eilish's twinkling 2025 Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year nominee, "BIRDS OF A FEATHER," lives a more harrowing, introspective counterpart in "WILDFLOWER." In the moody song, Eilish navigates the guilt of dating a friend's ex while feeling haunted by the ghost of his former flame.

"I see her in the back of my mind all the time/ Like a fever, like I'm burning alive, like a sign/ Did I cross the line?" Eilish candidly admits. "Well, good things don't last/ And life moves so fast/ I'd never ask who was better/ 'Cause she couldn't be/ More different from me/ Happy and free in leather."

The track is a trademark of Eilish's signature sound, from her ethereal vocals to its soothing fusion of acoustic guitars and lo-fi beats. Its lyricism is arguably her most self-aware to date, as she acknowledges her own shortcomings in love and the ways her insecurity can even be self-destructive. "WILDFLOWER" is also nominated in the Record Of The Year Category.

Apparently fall is actually a time of renewal because this week's batch of new music is filled with plenty of unexpected comebacks, surprise singles and welcome collaborations.

Lily Allen makes a surprise return with West End Girl, BOYNEXTDOOR delivers THE ACTION, Odunsi (The Engine) shushes the crowd with SHHH and Taylor Acorn makes her claim as the Poster Child for the ongoing pop-punk revival. Plus, Natalie Jane faces the world I didn't want, Adam Mac puts on a Southern Spectacle and Sigrid promises There's Always More That I Could Say.

Elsewhere, Imogen Heap unveils the title track for her forthcoming album I AM___, Tainy and Feid reunite for "MONSTRUO," Polo G looks for "Quality Over Quantity," Foo Fighters are "Asking For A Friend," The Chainsmokers offer "The Cure," Chet Faker drops "This Time For Real," and Edgehill spends "17 Hours" on their new single. Other new songs out this week include Tigerlily Gold's "Mess Out of Me," Kashus Culpepper's "Mean To Me" and Vincent Mason's "Little Miss."

Meanwhile, mgk has spent the week dropping bonus tracks from his 2020 album, Tickets to My Downfall, and The Click Five take fans back to the Y2K glory days of mix CDs and "TRL" with "Throwback," their first new single in 14 years. 

Below, press play on 10 other new releases worth checking out, including new singles from Selena Gomez, LE SSERAFIM and j-hope and Megan Thee Stallion.  

Selena Gomez — "In The Dark"

On Oct. 23, Selena Gomez dropped a surprise on her millions of fans in the form of "In The Dark," her first solo single since the infectious 2024 one-off "Love On." The dance floor-ready jam features on the official soundtrack for Season 2 of Netflix's "Nobody Wants This," and the accompanying music video gives the superstar a welcome opportunity to revisit shades of her 2015 album Revival with its visual aesthetic.

LE SSERAFIM — SPAGHETTI

Eat it up! LE SSERAFIM are feasting on "SPAGHETTI" thanks to their brand-new collaboration with j-hope of BTS. The track's music video finds the K-pop girl group nailing their choreography on, that's right, a giant plate of pasta before Hobi takes over for a deliciously swaggering rap interlude.

On the accompanying single album, the quintet serve up the single in many different forms, including the original version, an English-language version and a solo version featuring just the five members sans j-hope, as well as bonus B-side "Pearlies (My oyster is the world)."

Watch: LE SSERAFIM Spends A "Perfect Night" With Fans On The GRAMMY Museum Stage | Global Spin Live

Megan Thee Stallion — "Lover Girl"

Attention Hotties, Megan Thee Stallion is in love! On her new single, the three-time GRAMMY-winning rapper is a bonafide "Lover Girl" and not afraid to show it off. Likely inspired by her budding relationship with NBA star Klay Thompson — who featured in teasers for the song posted to Megan's social media — the self-described "freaky girl" gets gleefully raunchy about her newfound romance over a pitch-perfect sample of Total's 1996 hit "Kissin' You."

Read More: Black Sounds Beautiful: How Megan Thee Stallion Turned Viral Fame Into A GRAMMY-Winning Rap Career

Mumford & Sons feat. Hozier — "Rubber Band Man"

For their new single, "Rubber Band Man," Mumford & Sons teamed up with none other than Hozier for a growling, folk rock duet of epic proportions. In the song's music video, the British GRAMMY winners and the Irish troubadour perform together in moody grayscale, wailing, "You're a world away, but you're still the same/ I know you by your heart and I will call you by your name/ And it's a long way from the crack to the break/ You know that I remember everything."

Brandi Carlile — Returning to Myself

Brandi Carlile's acclaimed career comes full circle on her eighth album, Returning to Myself. The project marks the 11-time GRAMMY winner's first solo project since 2021's In These Silent Days, which took home the golden gramophone for Best Americana Album in 2023.

Across the studio set's taut 10-song tracklist, the singer/songwriter does a whole lot of self-reflecting on the title track, turns up the amps on "Church and State" and pays loving tribute to the great Joni Mitchell on the titular "Joni."

Queen Naija — 30.

Queen Naija enters a new decade as well as a new musical era on her EP 30. The R&B songstress was determined to showcase her growth across the eight-track project. "I feel like 30. is just me walking into my thirties," she said in a press statement about the release. "I've felt my brain make this switch that I never thought—or I never knew — could happen. I've grown so much, and I've learned so many different things."

Read More: 10 R&B Artists On The Rise: Destin Conrad, Leon Thomas III, Dijon, Laila!, SAILORR & More

Alexandra Kay — Second Wind

Alexandra Kay's quickly rising career continues to gain momentum with the release of her sophomore album, Second Wind. Arriving two years after her post-divorce debut, 2023's All I've Ever Known, the new studio set finds the country singer in a happier, more peaceful place through standout singles like "Feminine Energy," "Cupid's A Cowgirl" and "The Last." Meanwhile, Kay takes a cheater to task on "Big Boy Boots" and proudly asserts her reinvention on "Old Me."

Read More: 14 Rising Country Stars To Know Now: Hudson Westbrook, Elizabeth Nichols, Ole 60 & More

The Neighbourhood — "Private" / "OMG" / "Lovebomb"

Nearly four years since The Neighbourhood announced they were taking an indefinite hiatus in early 2022, the band is primed and ready to kick off a new era. They're tripling down on their comeback by releasing a trio of singles: the pulsating "Private," the fuzzed out "OMG" and midtempo confession "Lovebomb." The three singles also arrive alongside an announcement sure to thrill fans of the West Coast alt rockers even more — Jesse Rutherford and co. will be unveiling their long-awaited fifth album, titled (((((ultraSOUND))))), on Nov. 14.  

Tyla — "CHANEL"

Tyla wants to be dripping in "CHANEL" on her latest single of 2025. In the song's accompanying video, the groundbreaking, first-ever GRAMMY winner for Best African Music Performance wields a tiny, gold-plated pistol straight at the camera as she demands, "How you say you love me?/ You ain't put me in Chanel." Referring to herself as a "flawless diamond piece," the African singer later adds, "I'm a big dog, baby, underdog, baby/ Self-made b—h, yeah, you can upgrade me/ Waistline crazy, mandem chase me/ Say you wan' see me, where you gon' take me?"

Read More: South African Singer Tyla Won The Inaugural Best African Music Performance Category At The 2024 GRAMMYs. What Does It Mean For African Music On The Global Stage?

Mac Miller — GO:OD AM (10th Anniversary)

It's been seven years since Mac Miller's tragic passing, and fans have one more way to honor the late rapper's legacy thanks to the 10-year anniversary rerelease of his major label debut, 2015's GO:OD AM. Along with singles "100 Grandkids" and "Weekend," the reissue features three new, previously unreleased tracks including Vinny Radio collab "Royal Flush," "Cable Box" and "Carpe Diem."

On Oct. 20, Korean pop girl group TWICE will celebrate their 10th anniversary. This milestone is a rare feat in K-pop — especially for a group who has kept their original nine-member lineup intact. 

Since their 2015 debut on JYP Entertainment’s survival show "Sixteen," TWICE have grown into one of the most influential acts in the industry. During their early years, members  Jihyo, Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Jeongyeon, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu captivated audiences around the world with their sweet songs and bubbly charisma (see "Cheer Up," "TT"). They topped charts with each new release, earned coveted awards, and set the blueprint for younger generations.

They boast achievements like becoming the first K-pop girl group to sell out L.A.’s SoFi Stadium in 2024, and becoming the first K-pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza festival in Chicago last summer.

TWICE's music has matured as they have; the group began to experiment with deeper concepts, different genres ("Feel Special," "I Can’t Stop Me"), and most members started to contribute lyrics and compositions to their albums. Their music reflects a compelling coming-of-age, where young girls turn into confident women, all while soundtracked by songs that bring joy, comfort, reflection, and, sometimes, tears.

As the nine members prepare for their 2026 This Is For world tour, which will kick off in January, GRAMMY.com looks back on their prolific, prodigious body of work. Excluding their hefty Japanese discography, below are 11 essential TWICE songs that define their artistry, resilience, and peerless charisma.

"Like Ooh-Ahh" (2015)

"Like Ooh-Ahh" was TWICE's introduction to the world, and one that immediately stood out for its quirky blend of rock, pop, and hip-hop. In press materials, the track was described as "color pop," a unique genre that only TWICE would be able to portray. Produced by the duo Black Eyed Pilseung, "Like Ooh-Ahh" was more of a sleeper hit than an overnight success, slowly climbing the charts in the months following its release.

The song hinted at traits that would resurface much later in TWICE's career, such as a cheeky demeanor and edgier visuals. All of that was on display in a playful music video, where the nine members attempt to escape a zombie apocalypse.

"Cheer Up" (2016)

"Cheer Up" was only TWICE’s second single, but it catapulted them into K-pop stardom. Its buzzing, optimistic sugary energy resonated with audiences in need of a cute pick-me-up. The now-emblematic music video, featuring TWICE dressed as famous movie characters (like Nayeon as Scream’s Sidney Prescott and Tzuyu as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's), sealed the deal, making it easy and fun to recognize each member and their individual charms.

As more people caught on to JYP's newest girl group, "Cheer Up" topped the prestigious Circle Digital Chart (formerly Gaon) and became their most-streamed song of 2016 in South Korea. It also earned TWICE their first music show win and was awarded Song of the Year at both the Melon Music Awards and the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Sana’s viral "shy shy shy" line has become one of K-pop’s most known memes.

"TT" (2016)

Six months after "Cheer Up," TWICE doubled down on their success with the synth-laden "TT," off their third EP, Twicecoaster: Lane 1. Half cute, half haunting, the single incorporated the "TT" emoticon for crying/being sad in its lyrics and choreography, making it instantly memorable.

Released just one week before Halloween, the "TT" music video also contributed to a rise in the song’s popularity. Employing the same structure of "Cheer Up," each member dressed as a different fictional character, with Jeongyeon as Pinocchio, Momo becoming Tinker Bell, and Dahyun playing a comical White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. Overall, "TT" showed new depths to what would become TWICE’s signature cute pop sound, and solidified their image as the girl group to watch in the following decade.

"Likey" (2017)

In the lead single for their first studio album, Twicetagram, TWICE questioned how the pervasive social media "like" affects our lives. Underlined by one of their most addictive electropop melodies, they share vulnerabilities: "Inside the small screen, I wanna be the prettiest," sings Jihyo, while Jeongyeon reflects, "It takes so much effort to get the perfect look / But it is something I can never give up."

The song was an instant hit, with its cute choreography spawning endless covers by fellow K-pop artists and fans. At this point, it was clear that TWICE’s bubbly façade hid more beneath the surface, and that those nuances would make them stand out even more throughout the years.

"What Is Love?" (2018)

Considered by many a quintessential TWICE track, "What Is Love?" took inspiration from Hollywood films and musicals to translate their curiosity about the titular feeling. Cushioned by twinkling beats and a vintage charm, they wonder when and how they will experience a relationship that is "as sweet as candy" and "like flying in the sky."

The single’s catchy melody might've caught the attention of new listeners, but the music video pulled them deep into TWICE’s world. In it, they reenact iconic movie scenes (including the dance in Pulp Fiction and the pottery scene in Ghost) to hilarious, relatable results. After "Cheer Up" and "Signal," "What Is Love?" became TWICE’s third consecutive Song of the Year win at the 2018 MAMA Awards, tying them up with BTS as the acts with most wins in the history of the category.

"Fancy" (2019)

Three and a half years into their careers, TWICE we’re no longer the innocent, shy girls from "Cheer Up." In 2019’s "Fancy," they knew exactly what (and who) they wanted, and weren’t afraid to get it. The single is a synth-frenzy ride, exploring the members’ rich vocals and slightly sultry delivery as they acknowledge: "It's dangerous / it pricks, you are like a rose / It's okay, I am not afraid at all."

The plotless music video also marked a departure from previous TWICE hits, with neon CGI backgrounds and a darker, more dramatic color palette for their outfits. Through all these conceptual and visual changes, the group gracefully showed how much they had grown. While they still held plenty of their natural quirks, their path was shaping up to be an intriguing one.

"Feel Special" (2019)

If "Fancy" was TWICE’s first foray into a mature concept, "Feel Special" plunged into this new chapter. While they were still singing about love, "Feel Special" focused on the love they hold for each other as friends, and how they find support in one another. Park Jin-young, who wrote the lyrics, said in an interview that he was inspired after seeing Sana go through a difficult time and watching how the other members supported her.

"You make me feel special / No matter how the world brings me down / Even when hurtful words stab me / I smile again because you’re there / That’s what you do," they sing in the chorus. "Feel Special" is both sad and happy, serious and celebratory, wearing  life’s highs and lows on its sleeve. With sparkling synths and a hopeful atmosphere, it is one of TWICE’s most emotionally honest and resonant tracks to date.

"I Can’t Stop Me" (2020)

Hopping on 2020’s revival of 80s’ music, "I Can’t Stop Me" is one of the most striking in TWICE's catalog: deep bass lines, bright arpeggios, and a sleek, disco-synthwave beat that converges into pure bliss. As the members grapple with the tension between desire and self-control ("I can't escape it / You're my weakness and you're my vice," they sing), the frantic production signals there’s no time to lose, and keeps its breathtaking speed until the end.

"I Can’t Stop Me" was a definite step in TWICE’s evolution, portraying them as confident women and daring artists. Unafraid to push beyond their comfort zone, TWICE set aside their sweet sound for a while, and prove they can handle any other genre with the same mastery.

"The Feels" (2021)

Much is said about K-pop acts aiming to cross over into the U.S. market. One of the biggest concerns among fans is that their favorite group might lose its identity in order to appeal to Western audiences, but that’s not something ONCE (TWICE's fandom) need to worry about. With 2021’s "The Feels," TWICE made the transition look effortless.

Although they had recorded songs in English before, "The Feels" was TWICE’s first original single in the language. Charging forward with glistening disco vibes and impossibly catchy hooks ("Boy, I, boy, I, boy, I know / I know I got the feels," anyone?), it encapsulates both the group’s bubbly beginnings and their newfound confidence. The mix was tailored for global ears, but "The Feels" is an unmistakable, unforgettable TWICE song.

"Strategy" feat. Megan Thee Stallion (2024)

The apex of TWICE’s international baddie era arrived with "Strategy," the title track of their 2024 EP. Featuring resident hot girl Megan Thee Stallion and fully sung in English, the single is filled with a retro R&B flow and some of the group’s most straightforward, sassy lines. "You're feeling things now, and you're confused / Watching my body getting loose / You don't know what you're gonna do / You're mine," Jihyo dares.

Of course, it’s much more tame than Megan’s "Do you like that? (Huh?) / When I smack it and you watch it bounce it right back?" for example. But just the fact that these lines coexist in a song from the same group who released "Cheer Up" is a fascinating testament to their growth.

"Me+You" (2025)

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, TWICE released the soft R&B single "Me+You." As the title suggests, the song is a gift to each other, one that cherishes their friendship and the memories made as a group.

"Me+You" flows like a peaceful river, always in movement but never in a rush. It’s a reflection of the safe haven they created, and while not the most exciting song in their discography, it offers a sense of comfort that only years of familiarity can bring. What makes this release truly essential, though, is its music video. Full of references to their early hits such as "Like Ooh-Ahh" and "What Is Love," along with nods to memes and other fan-favorite content from their archives, it plays like a nostalgic, visual documentary of how far they have come.

"All I need is you / Just you / For everything that we’ve been through / I’m grateful that you’re my best friends / Until the end, I’ll stick by your side like glue," they sing, reinforcing their bond. Hopefully, these lyrics offer a glimpse of the future.