NewJeans How Sweet: The Hidden Story Behind Their Sweetest Hit Yet

NewJeans "How Sweet" sent shockwaves through the music industry when it debuted on May 24, 2024, boosting the group's market capitalization by nearly ₩1 trillion in a single day. Released as the title track for their second single album, the song quickly claimed the number one spot in South Korea and Hong Kong while garnering international acclaim. With over 37,000 unique listeners on Melon—the highest number for any song in 2024—"How Sweet" established itself as a commercial powerhouse.

The success of this release builds on NewJeans' impressive track record, following their previous "Get Up" EP that sold over two million copies and topped the US Billboard 200. Notably, "How Sweet" sold 1,085,355 copies by the end of May 2024 alone. The newjeans how sweet lyrics, focusing on themes of self-love and independence, resonated with fans worldwide, while the newjeans how sweet mv showcased the group's signature style. Additionally, the song's Miami bass and electropop production created a vibrant sound with nostalgic elements that helped the track maintain its presence on Billboard's Global charts for 11 consecutive weeks and collect five music show wins.

The rise of NewJeans and the road to 'How Sweet'

In less than two years, NewJeans has rewritten K-pop's global playbook with their distinctive sound and authentic approach. The quintet—comprising Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—burst onto the music scene in July 2022 with their debut single "Attention," which immediately topped South Korea's Circle Digital Chart.

From debut to Billboard: A quick timeline

The group's unconventional debut strategy skipped the traditional drawn-out promotional cycle, instead releasing multiple songs in quick succession. Their rapid ascent continued with the January 2023 release of their first single album "OMG," which featured the tracks "Ditto" and "OMG." These songs marked NewJeans' first entries on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at #96 and #91 respectively. Furthermore, they became the fastest K-pop group in history to chart multiple entries on the Hot 100, achieving this feat just six months after their debut.

The impact of 'Get Up' and global recognition

July 2023 proved transformative as NewJeans released their second EP "Get Up," which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 126,500 units sold in its first week. This milestone made them only the second K-pop girl group after Blackpink to top the chart. The EP's success was propelled by three simultaneously charting singles on the Hot 100—"Super Shy" (#48), "ETA" (#81), and "Cool With You" (#93)—making NewJeans the first K-pop female act to achieve this feat.

Their global impact was further solidified in November 2023 when they won the inaugural Top Global K-Pop Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards, outperforming established acts like BTS' Jimin and Stray Kids. By year's end, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked NewJeans as the 8th biggest global recording artist of 2023, positioning them as the second highest-ranked female act that year.

Setting the stage for a pivotal release

After "Get Up," NewJeans entered a 10-month music hiatus, creating significant anticipation for their next move. The drought ended with the April 2024 pre-release of "Bubble Gum," followed by "How Sweet" on May 24. This release came at a strategically important moment—preceding their Japanese debut scheduled for June 21, 2024 with the tracks "Supernatural" and "Right Now".

The newjeans how sweet album arrived during a period of ambitious expansion plans, including a full-length album slated for late 2024 and their debut world tour announced for 2025. The timing positioned the newjeans how sweet mv and the accompanying EP as crucial stepping stones in their accelerating global journey.

The controversy that shaped the moment

Behind the catchy beats of "newjeans how sweet" lies a dramatic industry battle that unfolded just as the song was released. The tension between NewJeans, their label ADOR, and parent company HYBE created a backdrop that made this comeback particularly significant.

Hybe vs. ADOR: What really happened

The conflict erupted in April 2024 when HYBE launched an internal audit of ADOR, alleging that CEO Min Hee-jin was attempting a hostile takeover. Min countered that the investigation was retaliation after she complained about HYBE's new girl group ILLIT allegedly copying NewJeans' concept. As tensions escalated, HYBE requested a shareholders' meeting in May to remove Min from her position. Although Min initially won an injunction to prevent her dismissal, she was eventually replaced as CEO in August 2024, though she remained as an internal director until November 2024 when she officially resigned from both HYBE and ADOR.

Min Hee-jin's role and the group's loyalty

Min wasn't just an executive—she was considered the creative force behind NewJeans, often describing the members as "like her children." The group demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Min, with members publicly thanking her during their "How Sweet" acceptance speech on Music Bank. In September 2024, all five members held a surprise livestream demanding Min's reinstatement as CEO within two weeks, calling her "integral to NewJeans's identity" and "irreplaceable." When HYBE didn't comply, NewJeans took the extraordinary step of announcing in November 2024 that they were terminating their contracts with ADOR, citing workplace harassment and a complete breakdown of trust.

How the conflict influenced public perception

The controversy created unprecedented public interest in "newjeans how sweet mv," with fans rallying behind the group. This loyalty translated into commercial success despite—or perhaps because of—the behind-the-scenes drama. Nevertheless, the legal battle continued into 2025, with a South Korean court ruling in March that NewJeans could not operate independently from ADOR. Subsequently, the group added 13 lawyers to their legal team ahead of the June 2025 hearing to determine the validity of their contract. Throughout this turbulent period, the "newjeans how sweet album" became not just a musical release but a symbol of artistic independence in an industry known for strict corporate control.

Inside the music: What makes 'How Sweet' stand out

The musical architecture of "How Sweet" reveals why this track stands as one of NewJeans' most distinctive offerings. Released as part of the newjeans how sweet album, the song embraces a refreshing sonic direction while maintaining the group's signature identity.

Miami bass and Y2K revival in sound

"How Sweet" builds its foundation on Miami bass, a hip-hop subgenre characterized by punchy percussion and vibrant electronic elements. ADOR officially described the track as "a vibrant hip-hop track with a distinctive Miami Bass influence" that creates "a fresh and sparkling feel". Moreover, the production features stimulating electro sounds and laser effects that run throughout the composition, giving it a unique character that distinguishes it from most other songs. This musical approach continues NewJeans' trademark of reimagining Y2K sounds and transforming them into their own "enchanting spells".

Themes of self-love and independence

Lyrically, "newjeans how sweet lyrics" explore the emotional journey of breaking free from a toxic relationship. Unlike their previous releases that focused on yearning for love, this track celebrates liberation and self-confidence. The song captures the painful realization of toxicity and the strength required to break free, with repeated refrains reinforcing the joy of independence. As described in the lyrics, the group addresses their former partner as a "little demon in my storyline".

Notable lyrics and fan interpretations

The most impactful line in the chorus—"Don't you know how sweet it tastes? / Now that I'm without you"—serves as the emotional core of the song. Fans have particularly resonated with Danielle and Hanni's analogue-sounding refrain: "You little demon in my storyline" / "Don't knock on my door, I'll see you out," alongside Haerin's falsetto "Changing my mind". Essentially, these lyrics have been interpreted as a metaphorical reference to the sweetness of freedom, symbolized by biting into an apple.

How it compares to past NewJeans hits

Compared to their breakthrough hits like "Hype Boy" and "Ditto," "newjeans how sweet mv" represents both evolution and continuity. Critics note that the song has "a consistency and confidence" in its production, yet some find it plays safer than their earlier work. The 3:39 running time makes it NewJeans' longest title track to date, providing more space for musical development. In contrast to previous releases, the track emphasizes a breezy, summery vibe that becomes "more charming with each play".

The release, the fans, and the aftermath

The promotional journey for "How Sweet" began with strategic anticipation-building that culminated in both triumph and challenge for NewJeans. Their approach to this comeback demonstrated their evolving promotional strategy in the midst of industry turbulence.

Teasers, visuals, and the 'Bubble Gum' pre-release

ADOR released the first teaser images for "newjeans how sweet" on April 26, 2024, showcasing the members with diverse hairstyles, accessories, and styling that highlighted their natural charm. The physical album design—an LP-sized standard outer box—evoked analog nostalgia, continuing NewJeans' tradition of unique album packaging after their previous round bag and beach bag concepts.

"Bubble Gum" served as the perfect appetizer, pre-released on April 27 with a music video that captured a carefree day at the beach. The refreshing track featured flute sounds and synth elements that created a cool atmosphere, perfectly setting the stage for summer. The pre-release strategy proved effective as "Bubble Gum" topped YouTube's weekly popular music video and song charts in Korea, ranking second and fifth globally.

Hyein's absence and fan reactions

In April 2024, Hyein sustained a microfracture on the top of her foot during practice. Consequently, ADOR announced on May 8 that she would not participate in official promotions for "How Sweet". The agency stated that medical professionals advised minimizing movements that could strain her foot, thus Hyein would focus on rest and recovery. Fans expressed support online, with many commenting they hoped she would "take all the time she needs" and "stay positive" during recovery.

Music show wins and variety show appearances

Despite being one member short, NewJeans secured their first music show trophy for "How Sweet" on May 29 on "Show Champion". This victory began a successful run that included wins on Music Bank (May 31) and three consecutive wins on Show! Music Core (June 8, 15, and 22), bringing their total to five music show wins for the song.

The group also made their debut appearance on a terrestrial variety show when four members (minus Hyein) guested on KBS 2TV's "2 Days & 1 Night". Filmed in Cheorwon County, the episode showcased their variety skills as they participated in games and challenges against the show's regular cast.

Sales milestones and global charting

"How Sweet" sold 884,717 copies in its first week and reached 1.03 million by June 5. Although impressive, these figures were nearly half of their previous mini-album "Get Up," which sold 1.65 million copies in its first week. Music critics attributed this to several factors, including the recent HYBE-ADOR dispute and NewJeans' fanbase composition of "many casual fans who are not strongly encouraged to buy new albums".

Nevertheless, "newjeans how sweet album" became the group's fourth consecutive million-seller, reaching 1.08 million copies on Circle Chart by the end of May. The title track climbed to No. 7 on Billboard's Global (excluding U.S.) chart and No. 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, solidifying NewJeans' position as a formidable force in K-pop despite the surrounding controversy.