‌
embed
This is shocking. It is a revolution.
The 2D images released so far didn't just fail to capture their true essence; they were practically a fake.

A2O LITE - 'NEON'

The first 20 seconds of the duo dance intro reminds me of the shock of NewJeans' 'Attention'.
No, let me be honest. In some ways, it is even superior.
The contrast between the cute, playful breaking and the following contemporary art-style spinning kick by Ai-jing—which is breathtakingly elegant—is no exaggeration to call the most sophisticated in K-pop history.
It is so charming that I want to replay these 20 seconds all day long.
Ai-jing's bright energy, which clearly suggests she comes from a background of dance prodigies, is very similar to that of NewJeans' Hanni.

So, is the song good?

I want to ask back: "Does that even matter?" In fact, the song wasn't the most important part of NewJeans' 'Attention' either.
It is correct to view both this track and 'Attention' as self-themed anthems or manifestos, much like Boyz II Men's 'Motownphilly'. And this song shows a composition perfectly suited for that purpose.
'NEON' is so "SM" that you wouldn't even think to ask for a DNA test.
It is Lee Soo-man-esque, Yu Young-jin-esque, Girls' Generation-esque, and f(x)-esque.
If that were all, we wouldn't need to make such a fuss.
A2O LITE is simultaneously retro and futuristic.
There is a high possibility they will become the global idols that K-pop has failed to produce for a while.
So, is the song good?
Yes, it is. It's good enough to be called excellent.
In terms of artistry, Cortis's 'Red Red' was the undisputed best K-pop single of the year, but 'NEON' is the only song capable of rivaling it.

Music Video

The concept of the 'NEON' music video is 'Artificiality'.
It is a combination of extreme minimalism, futurism, and machine/tech-friendliness.
It captures the sensibility of the AI era, which is a code that generally resonates with the new generation and would be even more popular in China, where there is great pride in AI and robots. Additionally, since the producer is someone who has always loved things like stewardesses and uniform cosplay, bringing in a girl group with orderly, robot-like synchronized choreography that seems to go against the times isn't entirely unexpected.
But the thing is, it should feel tacky, yet it is strangely plausible.
No, it's incredibly captivating.
I feel a massive core strength capable of shaking up the K-pop industry that has fallen into mannerism.

14 Years Old

More than anything else, what catches the attention is, inevitably, their age.
They have cleverly set the average age at 15, but it wouldn't be wrong to call them an almost average 14-year-old girl group.
The key question is whether the world in 2026 can accept a futurism-based Lolita concept without guilt.

(I-13, a 13-member girl group created by Jeong Won-kwan of Sobangcha - average age 14)

(The 13.5-year-old legend, GP BASIC)
Looking at K-pop history, there has been a lineage of 'elementary/middle schooler girl groups,' but not all of them succeeded. I-13 focused on freshness, while GP BASIC went for a "delinquent-style" girl crush concept.
They were extreme opposite strategies to cover the weakness of their age. The former appealed to their young age, while the latter tried to erase it.
But it was in vain. Because either way, they just looked like kids.
Simply put, they were too outdated.
Their failure had nothing to do with the zeitgeist.
On the other hand, A2O takes no stance regarding their age.
It feels like the natural middle stance (Chudan-se) of a master.
They seem to have no self-censorship, inferiority complex, or arrogance regarding their age. They just seem unbothered.
Why does it feel that way?
It's simple. It's because their skills are outstanding.
Their visuals, dancing, and singing are perfect. Even their vocal colors are diverse.
So, even if people try to make an issue out of their age, it won't work well.
Even that becomes powerless in the face of overwhelming talent. It was the same for BoA.
Also, we are entering an era where an average 14-year-old girl group won't seem strange. However, not just anyone can do it. SM's capability has been proven once again.
The minor flaw of A2O is that they are so perfectly polished, like a peeled chestnut, that they feel artificial.
Like a perfect cyborg or artificial intelligence.
But that's likely because they are still unfamiliar to the public.
But it's fine. They just need to release a few hits like 'An-won-jal-bu'.

SM

The A2O showcase, which felt somewhat like a multi-level marketing presentation, was not just an introduction to the idols, but a massive display of technical wizardry, mesmerizing the audience with a technology called 4DGS as if it were their own.
SM might be the reincarnation of Bong-i Kim Seon-dal (a legendary con artist).
Or perhaps they are the incarnation of the Charites (the Three Graces) from Greek mythology, born to create girl groups and bestow charm and stardom upon humans.
Unlike anyone else who was born to destroy and degrade girl groups.