Everybody Loves Apink

Eunji goes big with that “Oh, baby” and I experience something novel in my six years of K-pop fandom: nostalgia? Is that even possible? Their 2026 single “Love Me More” technically falls on the year of their 15th anniversary, but unlike with 2nd-gen contemporaries Girls’ Generation and Kara, Apink never really went away. I will admit that my interest lapsed around the time of Naeun’s departure in 2022, and I later assumed that they were simply nearing their end alongside 3rd-gen contemporaries Mamamoo, Red Velvet, and Oh My Girl. “Love Me More” and its EP Re: Love feels like a grand comeback, then, maybe because it’s so classical? Not only like it could’ve come from the middle of the catalog but because it’s got that throwback feel of the second generation, like ’90s American R&B. To clarify, people who were around and listening to K-pop in the 2010s would’ve known Apink as 2nd gen, but from my perspective, I can’t square Bomi and the gang as colleagues of Taeyeon and Tiffany. We’ve got a couple of liners here, with Chorong and Solar, and then Hayoung, Joy, and Yerin.

Anyway, if the comments on “Love Me More” are any indication, this song is a return to form for K-pop itself. Maybe because they rode that line between generations, debuting in 2011, they’ve always felt old-fashioned, an almost stereotypical “idol group” with bright, cute music. My sense of the current state of K-pop is that there’s a bit of an identity crisis, so something completely self-confident and more about the vocals than the production is probably a shot in the arm.

For proof of Apink’s beloved nature, we can look at their promotional tour. They hit up the usual venues, like radio programs and YouTube channels (including Daesung), and one very clever appearance with “Jaykeeout.” Here, they sneak into a lively bar/restaurant in Gangnam, and from a back room, sing a couple of their hits — “LUV” and “Mr. Chu” — as if they’re the recordings playing over speakers, before walking out mid-performance to shocked reactions.

Great reactions, by the way, with a few big-time fans losing their minds. That one girl, seriously. I mean, I’d probably cry in this scenario, and would have to live with that for the rest of my life. Namjoo, Hayoung, and Eunji are so great interacting with the crowd, getting selfies — while singing. And God, I missed Eunji’s voice. They’re all so impressive live, but of course, Eunji is a once-in-a-generation talent. Which generation?

This was really, really great. I love how Hayoung keeps missing cues, how energetic everyone is, and even that weird phone ad in the middle is the icing on the cake for something “Only in Korea.” This would never happen in America (I was almost anxious with all the potential liabilities), but the way the music industry is set up over there, idols are so accessible, for good and bad.

Either way, it heartens me. Some things don’t change. Eunji is still the lovable loudmouth, calling the crowd “Liars!” when they indicate that Apink is better than the money being won as part of the cell phone ad, and Chorong is still the quiet introvert pushing herself to interact with the crowd. I will say that Bomi seems quieter than she used to be, consistent with a group activity from October. Given that she and I are the exact same age, I get it, even if Eunji’s still bouncing off the ceiling. Of course, her life is changing dramatically despite this shot of Apink nostalgia, as she recently announced her engagement to singer-producer Rado, whom she’s been dating since 2017. My God, from Eunjung to Bomi to Tiffany, it’s starting to happen with all these K-stars in their 30s.

Anyway, it’s great to see everyone together. I’ve been following Hayoung and Namjoo’s YouTube channels for a few years now, and there’s occasional crossover, but nothing quite like this. A great new song (and mini-album), and this cell phone ad video was a reminder of their lasting resonance.