OH MY GIRL's "Oh My": The Untold Story Behind Their 10th Anniversary Comeback

K-pop group Oh My Girl marked a significant milestone with their special single "Oh My!" released on April 9, 2025, just before their official 10th anniversary. The track serves as a celebration of their decade-long journey in the competitive K-pop industry.

Since their debut date on April 20, 2015, with the single "Cupid," Oh My Girl has evolved significantly. The six-member group, consisting of Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Yubin, and Arin, experienced their breakthrough in 2020 with "Dolphin," which peaked at second on the Gaon Digital Chart. Additionally, they strengthened their bond with their fans, affectionately known as Miracle, through consistent musical growth and meaningful interactions.

The journey from debut to 10th anniversary

Oh My Girl debut date and early image

WM Entertainment introduced Oh My Girl to the K-pop scene on April 20, 2015, with their self-titled EP featuring the lead track "Cupid". Initially debuting as an eight-member group, they entered the industry with a straightforward concept reflected in their name: "To become 'My Girl' of the public". Early in their career, they became known for their ethereal concepts and melodious tracks, earning them the nickname "Dream Doll".

Despite having talented members and quality songs, Oh My Girl struggled to gain significant traction during their first few years. They released several singles including "Closer" (2015), "Liar Liar" (2016), and "Windy Day" (2016), gradually building their musical identity. Notably, their first solo concert "Summer Fairy Tales" in August 2016 saw tickets sell out within three minutes, breaking the record for fastest sold-out concert by a rookie group.

Key turning points: Secret Garden and Dolphin

A major milestone occurred on January 9, 2018, when Oh My Girl released their fifth EP "Secret Garden". This dreamy, orchestral-influenced track marked their first music show win on January 23, 2018, on "The Show," followed by a second win on "Show Champion" the next day. According to Hyojung, this success literally saved the group from disbandment.

However, their true breakthrough came after participating in Mnet's survival show "Queendom" in 2019, where they finished as runners-up. This exposure catalyzed their subsequent success with "Nonstop" and "Dolphin" in April 2020. Both songs became the group's highest-charting releases, with "Nonstop" peaking at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart. Consequently, they collected numerous accolades including a TOP 10 at the 2020 Melon Music Awards and digital song awards at the Golden Disc Awards.

Member changes and group evolution

Throughout their journey, Oh My Girl experienced lineup changes that shaped their development. JinE departed in October 2017 due to health issues, reducing the group to seven members. Later, in May 2022, Jiho decided not to renew her contract, leaving Oh My Girl as the current six-member ensemble.

The group's musical approach has matured over their decade-long career. Hyojung noted how they evolved from "just busy trying to pull it off" to truly understanding their songs and effectively communicating emotions to listeners. This growth in confidence and artistic expression has been crucial to their longevity in the fast-paced K-pop industry.

Inside the making of 'Oh My'

Musical style and production choices

For their milestone 10th anniversary release, Oh My Girl crafted a sound that would instantly resonate with longtime fans yet still appeal to new listeners. "Oh My" blends groovy bass lines, choppy synths, and future electronic sounds, resulting in a playful, high-energy package. The track's beat-heavy chorus appears to echo the same vibe that made their 2020 hit "Dolphin" go viral, though some music critics note this newest release has a distinctly unique structure.

WM Entertainment describes the single as radiating "the group's signature cheerful and positive energy". Yet beneath the bright surface lies a carefully constructed musical arrangement that balances nostalgic elements with contemporary production techniques. The strategic use of catchy hooks and engaging rap verses creates a track that fans can easily sing along to. First and foremost, this production approach ensures "Oh My" serves as both a celebration and a continuation of their established sonic identity.

Lyric themes and emotional tone

Not merely a catchy tune, "Oh My" carries deeper meaning through its thoughtfully crafted lyrics. Primarily, the song functions as a "musical love letter" to their fanbase, Miracle. Throughout the lyrics, Oh My Girl metaphorically compares their bond with fans to a deep ocean – suggesting both depth and permanence in this relationship.

Besides expressing gratitude, the lyrics cleverly incorporate nods to several of the group's most iconic hits across their decade-long career. This lyrical technique creates layers of meaning where casual listeners enjoy the surface narrative, whereas dedicated fans discover thoughtful callbacks to their shared history with the group. Essentially, the entire composition reflects their journey together over the past decade.

Mimi's role as rapper and co-writer

Mimi, Oh My Girl's main rapper since their 2015 debut, played an especially significant role in creating "Oh My." Rather than simply performing her parts, she actively contributed as a co-writer alongside the group's longtime collaborator Seo Ji-eum. This collaboration ensured the song carried a personal touch reflecting their shared experiences in the industry.

Throughout her career with Oh My Girl, Mimi has built an impressive portfolio of writing credits:

Beginning with tracks like "Hot Summer Nights" and "Closer" in 2015
Expanding to numerous contributions including "Remember Me" and "Bungee (Fall in Love)"
Most recently adding her distinctive voice to "Oh My"

Mimi's growth as a rapper has been particularly notable, with fans recognizing her distinctive husky voice and technical improvements over the years. Interestingly, her versatility allows her to both rap and sing when appropriate for the song, adding another dimension to Oh My Girl's musical palette.

How 'Oh My' connects with fans

Nods to past hits and visual callbacks

"Oh My!" isn't just a celebration of longevity—it's a carefully crafted tribute filled with references that longtime Miracles can appreciate. The track strategically incorporates musical elements reminiscent of their viral 2020 hit "Dolphin," creating an instant sense of familiarity. In fact, the beat-heavy chorus specifically aims to capture that same engaging energy that connected with listeners previously.

Visually, the music video presents an ocean-themed party set in a vibrant seafood market, filled with underwater-inspired elements. These visual choices intentionally recall the dreamlike, ethereal quality fans have loved since early hits like "Closer" and "Windy Day". Through these thoughtful design elements, Oh My Girl effectively connects their past and present artistic identities.

Lyrics as a tribute to Miracle

Primarily, the lyrics of "Oh My!" function as a heartfelt love letter to their fanbase. Throughout the song, the group poetically compares their relationship with Miracle to a deep ocean—suggesting both profound connection and endurance.

Lines like "You're my only miracle" and "My heart already is for only you" directly address fans as the group's source of strength and inspiration. This tribute gains additional meaning considering the group's decade-long journey, wherein fan support has been instrumental to their survival and success in the competitive K-pop landscape.

Fan reactions and social media buzz

Certainly, the release generated substantial buzz among Miracles, who quickly identified the numerous references to past hits embedded within the song. Online communities filled with excited discussions about the callbacks and nods to the group's history.

Longtime fans especially appreciated how "Oh My!" acknowledged their shared journey, with many noting they'd waited years for a proper 10th anniversary celebration. For international fans who sometimes felt overlooked, this release proved especially meaningful as the group acknowledged the global community that has supported them throughout their career.

What this comeback means for K-pop in 2025

Longevity in a fast-changing industry

Reaching the 10-year mark in K-pop represents a remarkable accomplishment that few groups achieve. As Oh My Girl's leader Hyojung aptly stated, staying together for a decade in the cutthroat K-pop world is "no easy feat". Their endurance becomes even more impressive considering many bands struggle to stay together after the standard seven-year contracts end.

The group attributes their longevity to being "fans of each other", highlighting how interpersonal dynamics affect sustainability in an industry where rapid member changes often occur. Oh My Girl's consistency stands out in 2025's landscape where newer groups frequently debut with shorter promotional cycles between "comebacks" - a term that in K-pop signifies new releases rather than returning after absence.

Comparison with other anniversary releases

Oh My Girl's celebration coincides with several major anniversary events shaping the 2025 K-pop calendar. Most notably, BTS members are concluding their military service this year, with industry insiders suggesting they might release a full album and embark on a world tour to mark the 10th anniversary of their "Most Beautiful Moment in Life" series. Similarly, BLACKPINK has teased a new world tour, their first since concluding the Born Pink World Tour in 2023.

Comparatively, Oh My Girl's anniversary approach focuses on intimate fan connection through their "Milky Way" concert and the release of "Oh My" as a dedicated tribute to Miracle. This strategy differs from larger groups' global-scale celebrations, yet follows the industry tradition of marking milestones with special releases.

Oh My Girl's place in the current K-pop scene

Despite not commanding the massive global audiences of some contemporaries, Oh My Girl occupies a respected position as industry veterans who have "carved out their niche within the ever-evolving K-pop landscape". Their durability demonstrates how groups can maintain relevance through consistent reinvention while honoring their artistic roots.

Their anniversary arrives at a time when the K-pop industry continues absorbing worldwide influences at unprecedented rates. Groups now regularly secure opportunities that "seemed inconceivable just a decade ago", from international festival headlining spots to high-profile Western collaborations. Within this rapidly evolving ecosystem, Oh My Girl represents the successful navigation of K-pop's shifting demands while maintaining artistic integrity.