2026 KPOP

Ten years after starting out at a tiny club in the Hongdae region, DAY6 hasn’t let stardom erase their humble beginnings, and this fourth studio album—aptly titled <i>The DECADE</i>—is a celebration of those precious early days. Each of its 10 songs features contributions from all four members, making it a truly personal project. While their signature pop-punk sound is to the fore, the group also eyes the dance floor with disco-inspired grooves. What’s more, the choice to name two lead singles (hybrid bop “INSIDE OUT” and the soaring “Dream Bus”) signals their growing confidence—this is a band who knows exactly what they’re about. And below, they share with Apple Music their thoughts on the album’s tracks.

<b>“Dream Bus”</b>
SUNGJIN: “A typical DAY6 tune. Though it’s not mandatory, wouldn’t it be better to have dreams while going through life? We’d like to cheer on everyone and their dreams.”

<b>“INSIDE OUT”</b>
Young K: “The tune’s moods shift like a roller-coaster ride. DAY6 is back with a fresh new sound.”

<b>“Sun, Stay Asleep”</b>
WONPIL: “This tune will lift your mood from the get-go. It’s got a catchy rhythm that will get you nodding along before you know it.”

<b>“Disco Day”</b>
DOWOON: “It’s a disco party, with bouncy bass and drums. I think it’s another song that’s great for driving.”

<b>“My Way”</b>
SUNGJIN: “There’s a bit of punk rock here. We all have to live life the way we want to, no matter what anyone says―though it’s important to be influenced by others to some extent, and consider what they’ve got to say.”

<b>“Before the Stars”</b>
Young K: “We first played this at a fan meeting. We pictured ourselves singing in front of all our My Day fans, as if they were countless stars.”

<b>“Take All My Heart”</b>
WONPIL: “This is our unique take on retro-influenced sounds. It’s got perky melodies that carry the warm lyrics nicely.”

<b>“Dream Rider”</b>
DOWOON: “Here’s a genre DAY6 tried for the first time. The peculiar timing of the snare and kick drums suggests an almost jungle-like rhythm, but in the chorus the drums go back to a straight beat in a satisfying way.”

<b>“So It’s the End”</b>
SUNGJIN: “Everything’s bound to come to an end. So why not take extra care to wrap things up thoroughly before moving on to the next step?”

<b>“Our Season”</b>
Young K: “For sure, we’ve been through days that were heartwarming, burning with passion, cool and relaxed, or tense and challenging. There will be more such days in the future. But no matter how many years pass, even after hundreds of days, our season will be flowing eternally.”

<i>WISHLIST</i>, the first Japanese mini album from Tokyo-based NCT subgroup NCT Wish, is a continuation of the six-piece’s feel-good foundation. As with other fifth-generation K-pop acts, NCT Wish leans into the retro synths of yesteryear, infusing their bubblegum pop with a sweet, fun nostalgia for a time its young members (Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, Sakuya) never experienced themselves. Lead single “Hello Mellow” is a groovy pop insistence that even clumsy youthful times will be looked back on with fondness, while “ZONE” and “SOMEDAY” incorporate chiptune-esque flourishes into their vibrant soundscapes. NCT Wish is at their most NCT-esque on “BUBBLE GUM,” which not only brings elements of hip-hop into their dance-pop formula, but also calls to mind NCT Dream’s 2016 debut, “Chewing Gum,” tying the final NCT subgroup more tightly into the broader NCT project.

优美旋律点缀90年代合成器底色，纪念出道15年间与粉丝共度的光阴。