BABYMONSTER 'WE GO UP': Inside the Making of K-pop's Newest Anthem

BABYMONSTER - WE GO UP recently made waves in the K-pop scene as the group's second mini album, released on October 10, 2025. Under YG Entertainment and distributed by YG PLUS, this much-anticipated comeback showcases the group's evolution while maintaining their signature sound.

The mini album features the title track "We Go Up" as its opening song, notably described as a "bombastic, brassy" hip-hop banger that highlights the group's confident attitude. Despite member Rami's absence due to health-related hiatus, the album still delivers powerful performances from the remaining members. Furthermore, fans can collect the physical album in an impressive 11 versions: We, Go, Up, Postcard, Beam Keyring (QR), and six member-specific Pattern versions, making this release particularly special for collectors.

The journey to BABYMONSTER's second mini album

The anticipation for BABYMONSTER's second mini album began building when Yang Hyun-suk first hinted at the group's second-half plans. Following this, YG Entertainment officially posted about "BABYMONSTER 2nd MINI ALBUM [WE GO UP]" on their blog on September 12.

Early teasers and pre-release buzz

Initial excitement sparked with the release of a striking teaser poster featuring a black-and-white cityscape background with neon green font. The aerial view perspective cleverly connected with the album's theme of reaching higher places. Additionally, some fans noted the unusual promotion strategy, as D-1 approached with fewer teasers than typical K-pop comebacks.

Official release date and announcement

Pre-orders for the babymonster we go up album opened on September 12, running until October 9. YG confirmed the official babymonster we go up release date as October 10, 2025, with release time set for 1:00 PM KST. The babymonster we go up tracklist would include four songs: the title track "WE GO UP," "PSYCHO," "SUPA DUPA LUV," and "WILD".

Rami's hiatus and its impact on the album

Perhaps the most significant development was the confirmation that babymonster mini album we go up would proceed with only six members. Since May 2025, main vocalist Rami had been on health-related hiatus. YG stated, "This decision prioritizes the artist's health, so we kindly ask for your understanding". Consequently, this marked the group's first album without Rami's participation.

Breaking down the 'We Go Up' tracklist

BABYMONSTER's four-track mini album showcases their versatility through distinctive musical styles and themes. Each song reveals a different facet of their artistic identity, balancing vocal and rap elements throughout the project.

1. We Go Up – The title track

As the lead single, "We Go Up" delivers a bombastic hip-hop experience with dramatic brass instrumentation that commands attention from the introduction. This high-energy track features unstoppable rapping and charismatic vocals that create powerful synergy. Lyrically, it expresses the group's confident aspiration to become a "game-changer" that will shake the world and soar to greater heights. Indeed, the song represents the best blend of BABYMONSTER's vocal and rap skills to date, though critics note stronger melodies could have better showcased their vocal line's capabilities.

2. Psycho – Genre fusion and message

"Psycho" stood as a strong title track candidate, harmoniously blending elements of hip-hop, dance, and rock with a unique addictive quality. The track is characterized by a powerful bass line and memorable melody that seamlessly fuses these diverse genres. Essentially, the lyrics reinterpret the term "psycho" through a positive lens, portraying someone with a unique vision of changing the world. The song's strong beat and distinctive hook showcase the group's rougher charm and performance capabilities.

3. Supa Dupa Luv – English lyrics and R&B vibes

This R&B hip-hop track features predominantly English lyrics that intuitively express the heart-pounding emotions of love. "Supa Dupa Luv" pairs minimalist production with lyrical melodies, creating a melancholic and atmospheric vibe that draws listeners deeper with each play. The members' mature expressiveness and sweet vocals shine throughout, with lines like "No, I ain't never felt a feeling like this/Never had a feeling this big" capturing the song's emotional intensity. Pharita noted this track has a distinctively different mood compared to others on the album.

4. Wild – Country-pop twist and self-expression

Concluding the mini-album, "Wild" surprises with its country pop-based dance sound characterized by emotional guitar riffs and sophisticated beats. This unexpected genre experiment marks BABYMONSTER's first venture into country-influenced music. The track balances the members' refreshing vocals with swaggering rap sections, creating an engaging contrast. Moreover, the lyrics carry a meaningful message of self-acceptance and breaking free from societal expectations, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves.

Inside the sound: Composition and production

Behind BABYMONSTER - WE GO UP stands an impressive team of YG's core production powerhouses. The album credits reveal a collaborative effort between seasoned producers and fresh talents working in harmony to craft the group's distinctive sound.

Producers and songwriters behind the album

A cabal of YG's elite producers shaped this mini album, including CHOICE37, DEE.P, P.K, Kang Wook-jin, AiRPLAY, Diggy, LIL G, LP, and Sonny. In addition to these in-house talents, several international collaborators who previously worked on [BABYMONS7ER] and [DRIP] returned to enhance the project's musical completeness. According to official credits, the songwriting team included Lauren Aquilina, Sandra Wikström, and WHERE THE NOISE, creating powerful synergy across all tracks.

Musical influences and genre blending

The production team emphasized genre-bending throughout the album. In fact, "We Go Up" incorporates dramatic rock elements that fire on all cylinders, enhancing its hip-hop foundation. Meanwhile, "Psycho" seamlessly fuses hip-hop, dance, and rock, whereas "Supa Dupa Luv" presents a 2000s-inspired sound blending minimalist tracks with R&B influences. Finally, "Wild" introduces emotional guitar riffs with sophisticated beats, demonstrating the producers' versatility.

How the group's vocals and rap were balanced

Firstly, the title track presents the best blend of BABYMONSTER's vocal and rap skills to date. Each side receives opportunities to shine, although some critics note stronger melodies could better showcase the group's solid vocal line. Nevertheless, members like Asa deliver exceptionally clean rap performances alongside Ruka's surprisingly prominent vocal parts, suggesting a deliberate production choice to highlight member equality and balanced skills.

Visuals, merch, and fan experience

For devoted fans, BABYMONSTER - WE GO UP offers much more than just music. YG Entertainment has created an immersive experience surrounding the album release that extends beyond digital platforms.

Pop-up stores and global promotions

Immediately following the album's release, YG announced a special "BABYMONSTER 2nd MINI ALBUM [WE GO UP] POP-UP STORE" running from October 11-19 at Shinsegae Department Store's Gangnam branch. This interactive space features exhibition zones and photo opportunities inspired by the album's free-spirited energy. Concurrently, international fans can visit pop-up stores at hello82 locations across six US cities—Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Diego, Chicago, and Dallas—from October 12-14.

Concept photos and MV behind-the-scenes

Exclusive babymonster we go up content includes behind-the-scenes photos from the music video shoot released through MelOn Magazine on October 10. These visuals showcase the members' professionalism during filming. Official concept photos released through Buffz the same day reveal a striking visual theme featuring gritty asphalt backdrops, edgy black leather styling, and fierce, intense gazes from the members.

Album versions and collectible editions

The physical babymonster we go up album comes in an impressive 11 versions: WE, GO, UP, Postcard, Beam Keyring (QR), and six member-specific Pattern versions. Each version contains unique components—the WE version features a 72-page photobook (150×210mm), yet the UP version includes a larger 220×285mm photobook. All versions contain selfie photocards, posters, and logo stickers, alongside version-specific items like bookmarks or postcards.