All Day Project's Anni and Woochan showcased covers of 90s tracks, while Kickflip revived Turbo's stage.
Kiki reinterpreted Freestyle's 'Y' with fresh sensibilities, continuing the retro trend.
During the 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, the golden hits of the 90s rekindled excitement. The stage featured various K-pop artists, where All Day Project's Anni and Woochan delivered an energetic dance cover of famous dance tracks from the 90s. Kickflip captivated the crowd with a vibrant dance performance to Turbo's song, while Kiki creatively reinterpreted Freestyle's 'Y', blending nostalgia with a contemporary flair. This trend reflects the rising idols' commitment to embracing retro styles, showcasing the enduring appeal of these classics in 2025.
The music of the 90s holds a significant place in Korean pop culture. The trend of various artists reinterpreting tracks from that era and infusing them with modern sensibilities does not simply invoke nostalgia; it showcases innovative musical attempts that stand out. Audiences experience a different touch through familiar melodies and fresh interpretations, which can provide important inspiration for artists' creations.
Emerging artists like All Day Project and Kickflip, stepping onto the public stage at this moment, have an excellent opportunity to contribute their unique personalities and styles to the music market. This allows for retro content to be appropriately staged in line with contemporary trends, creating a space where both older and younger generations can resonate together. Such musical exchanges between different generations enrich the diversity of the Korean music industry.
Moreover, the retro trend is not merely about recalling the past; it provides a platform to reinterpret the sentiments of that era in a modern context. Through this lens, fans can re-experience songs they cherish, while artists can convey deeper musical messages based on their heritage. This phenomenon is likely to have a positive impact on the continuous evolution of Korean popular music in the future.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily