NewJeans 'Right Now' Pre-Release: Everything You Need to Know

NewJeans pre-release single "Right Now" quickly amassed over 10 million views in just 10 days after its June 17, 2024 debut. Released as a teaser for their Japanese project "Supernatural," the track serves as a B-side to the main single officially launched on June 21, 2024.

The visually striking music video features a collaboration with renowned artist Takashi Murakami and draws inspiration from the Powerpuff Girls, with NewJeans members reimagined as characters from the animated series. Additionally, the song represents a significant evolution in their artistic expression, showcasing a blend of Japanese and Korean lyrics while incorporating drum and bass influences. Though NewJeans continues to develop their songwriting abilities, this release particularly highlights their "cool and mature charm," marking a notable shift in their musical journey since their 2022 debut.

The release timeline and what it means

The release timeline for "Right Now" follows a strategic pattern that ADOR established for NewJeans' entry into the Japanese market. This careful rollout reveals much about the group's expanding global footprint.

Pre-release date and official launch

ADOR officially announced NewJeans' upcoming plans on March 26, 2024, revealing that "Right Now" would first appear as a commercial song in both Korea and Japan in May. However, the actual pre-release date shifted to June 17, 2024, when the music video was unveiled just four days before their official Japanese debut. The song then formally launched on June 21 as part of their "Supernatural" double single package, which included both title tracks and instrumental versions. This staggered release strategy built anticipation among fans worldwide.

How it connects to 'Supernatural'

"Right Now" serves as the B-side to "Supernatural," completing NewJeans' Japanese debut double single. Notably, this pairing creates a cohesive artistic statement, with "Supernatural" featuring contributions from global pop star Pharrell Williams, who is credited on the title track. The title track samples Williams' iconic ad-libs and bridge from his 2009 collaboration with Japanese artist Manami, "Back of My Mind," reinterpreted in a new jack swing style. Together, these songs demonstrate NewJeans' ability to blend Korean and Japanese musical sensibilities.

Why this marks a new chapter for NewJeans

This release represents a significant milestone in NewJeans' career trajectory. First, it establishes their presence in the Japanese market, the world's second-largest music market. Furthermore, their Tokyo Dome fan meeting "Bunnies Camp 2024" scheduled for June 26-27 broke records as the shortest time (1 year and 11 months) for a foreign artist to enter Tokyo Dome post-debut.

Moreover, this Japanese debut serves as a stepping stone toward their planned album release in the second half of 2024 and their first world tour in 2025. The collaboration with cultural icons like Takashi Murakami and Hiroshi Fujiwara also signals NewJeans' growing artistic ambitions as they expand beyond their initial concept.

Inside the music video: Powerpuff Girls and beyond

The visually dazzling "Right Now" music video takes viewers into a triple collaboration between NewJeans, Takashi Murakami, and The Powerpuff Girls. Directed by Youngeum Lee, this animated adventure perfectly complements the song's upbeat nature while setting up anticipation for the "Supernatural" release.

Animated storyline and character roles

In the video, each NewJeans member embodies a distinct Powerpuff Girls persona with Minji appearing in blue, Hanni in pink, Danielle in yellow, Haerin in green, and Hyein in purple. The storyline begins with Hanni making a brave move by inviting her crush to watch a movie. Upon receiving only a flower emoji in response, the group collectively embarks on a mission to decipher its meaning.

Their animated counterparts trek through a forest searching for ingredients to create the perfect love potion to cure Hanni's broken heart. Along the way, they encounter one of Murakami's signature rainbow flowers that radiates psychedelic jellyfish eyes, granting them superpowers and transforming them into another animation style.

Symbolism of the flower emoji

The flower emoji central to the plot represents ambiguity in communication. In relationship contexts, floral emojis convey various emotions ranging from love and friendship to appreciation and celebration. This uncertainty drives the narrative as the members attempt to interpret what their friend's crush truly meant with this simple symbol.

The video cleverly portrays the modern communication dilemma where digital messages can be misinterpreted without clear context. This theme resonates with younger audiences navigating similar situations in their own relationships.

The cliffhanger ending and its impact

Ultimately, when Hanni's crush double-texts to clarify that the flower message was sent accidentally, the love potion experiment simultaneously fails. Just as the group appears dejected, the video ends with the dreaded three dots indicating the crush is still typing a message.

This cliffhanger brilliantly sets up possibilities for "Supernatural," creating a narrative bridge between the new jeans pre-release and their official Japanese debut single. The unresolved ending leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next, effectively driving interest toward the full release on June 21, 2024.

Breaking down the lyrics and emotional themes

"Right Now" delivers a lyrical narrative centered on emotional vulnerability, showcasing how NewJeans' songwriting has evolved into more mature thematic territory compared to their earlier releases.

Uncertainty in relationships

The lyrics primarily address the complex emotions surrounding ambiguous relationships. Lines like "With things unclear between us Right now, right now" and "In no mood to find another I'm just out looking" express the frustration of being in an undefined relationship status. This theme resonates throughout the song as the protagonist navigates uncertainty while seeking clarity. The repeated phrase "aimai na kankei no mama" (with things unclear between us) in both Japanese and English emphasizes this emotional limbo that many listeners can relate to.

The urgency of communication

Consequently, the song conveys a sense of urgency through its insistent repetition of "right now." Lines such as "What I need now I can't wait any longer I wanna hear it right now" reflect impatience for emotional resolution. This immediacy is further emphasized in phrases like "Say what's on your mind or else I might get broken" and "Don't lose time, come my way." Indeed, the drum and bass foundation of the track musically reinforces this sense of urgency, creating a breezy yet emotionally resonant soundscape.

Letting go of the past

Even though the lyrics express uncertainty, they simultaneously reveal a readiness to move forward. The line "Don't wanna close the door behind me" suggests openness to possibilities rather than dwelling on past disappointments. At the same time, "Your chance is here and now" and "Grab hold of this sweet romance" indicate a willingness to seize new opportunities despite previous hesitations. The emotional maturity displayed in these lyrics represents a significant artistic evolution, demonstrating NewJeans' growth since their 2022 debut.

Throughout the song, the seamless blend of Japanese, Korean, and English lyrics creates a universal emotional experience that transcends language barriers, making "Right Now" a compelling addition to NewJeans' growing discography.

What sets 'Right Now' apart from past NewJeans songs

"Right Now" represents a significant evolution in NewJeans' musical direction, showcasing their growth as artists since their 2022 debut. With this new jeans pre-release, the group builds upon their established sound while pushing into fresh territory that distinguishes it from their previous work.

Use of Japanese and Korean lyrics

Unlike their earlier releases that primarily featured English and Korean lyrics, "Right Now" embraces a trilingual approach by incorporating substantial Japanese content. The song seamlessly weaves between languages, with lines like "曖昧な関係のまま" (with things unclear between us) and "もう私壊れそう" (I might get broken) showcasing their linguistic versatility. This multilingual composition reflects their entry into the Japanese market while maintaining their Korean identity. Essentially, this trilingual format allows NewJeans to connect with a broader audience across East Asia and globally.

Shift in tone and emotional maturity

"Right Now" signals a more sophisticated emotional landscape compared to their earlier tracks. Whereas songs like "Attention" and "Hype Boy" explored youthful crushes, this release delves into more complex relationship dynamics. The lyrics express frustration with unclear relationships and the urgent need for communication. According to cultural critic David Tizzard, this evolution showcases their growth as artists beyond their initial concept, presenting a "cooler and mature charm" that appeals to both existing fans and new listeners.

Experimentation with drum and bass

Musically, "Right Now" continues NewJeans' exploration of electronic dance music genres, specifically drum and bass. Although they previously incorporated elements of UK garage and Jersey club in tracks like "New Jeans" from their "Get Up" EP, this release leans more heavily into the drum and bass territory. As noted by music critics, the song features "sleek" production that's "closer to something from DJ Marky or the Sambass subgenre" rather than traditional drum and bass. Therefore, this stylistic choice positions NewJeans as trendsetters in the K-pop industry, bridging underground electronic music with mainstream pop sensibilities.