fromis_9 'White Memories': Why This Winter Ballad Hits Different in 2025

fromis_9 has delivered a winter ballad that stands out in the crowded K-pop landscape of late 2025.

Released on December 2, 2025, 'White Memories' arrives as a special digital single clocking in at just over three minutes. The track features emotional lyrics about snowfall bringing painful memories and walking a lonely path while everyone else seems happy. Notably, the song showcases the collaborative work of composer Hwang Se-jun with lyrics by Kim Tae-hoon, while Hwang Hyun from MonoTree and Tomy handled the arrangement. From 박지원 fromis_9's standout vocal moments to the visually striking concept MV, this winter release perfectly captures the feeling of longing through both its lyrics and presentation.

What makes this ballad particularly compelling in 2025's music scene? Continue reading to discover why 'White Memories' hits differently than other seasonal releases this year.

The Story Behind 'White Memories' by fromis_9

Behind every winter ballad lies a story, and fromis_9's latest release carries a rich history that resonates with multiple generations of K-pop fans.

Release Date and Label Details

After much anticipation, fromis_9 released "White Memories" on December 2, 2025, through their agency ASND (also referred to as Ascend in some communications). This winter single marks their first release in six months, following their sixth EP "From Our 20's" which dropped in June 2025. The project was first teased on November 5, when local news outlet Xportsnews reported the group was preparing a December comeback, later confirmed by ASND as a "carol-style song fit for the winter season".

A Modern Take on Kim Min Jong's Classic

"White Memories" reimagines singer-actor Kim Min Jong's beloved 2001 hit "White Longing". Despite being a follow-up to his seventh album "Your My Life," the original track gained immense popularity, becoming an essential winter soundtrack across Korea. Remarkably, this marks the first official remake of the song in its 24-year history. The chorus featuring the lyrics "White Snow/The whole world is white" has become so iconic that it serves as a staple background music at ski resorts and skating rinks throughout Korea.

Why a Winter Ballad in 2025?

In Korean musical tradition, snow often symbolizes memory—especially painful memories. Unlike many winter masterpieces that have been reinterpreted yearly by various artists, "White Longing" had retained its original essence until now. The 2025 version strategically bridges generations—offering nostalgic comfort to those familiar with the original song, furthermore introducing a fresh interpretation to newer K-pop fans. The remake maintains the "winter sensibility" of Kim Min Jong's version yet adds sophisticated modern arrangements that showcase fromis_9's unique vocal colors and emotional delivery.

Musical Composition and Arrangement

The sonic architecture of "White Memories" creates an instantly recognizable winter atmosphere through carefully layered instrumentation and thoughtful production choices.

Synth and Guitar Layers: Creating a Winter Soundscape

"White Memories" builds its distinctive winter feeling through a delicate balance of airy synths and bright guitar elements. These instrumental choices weren't arbitrary—the soft synth riffs capture the gentle fall of snow, whereas the clear guitar tones evoke a crisp winter morning. This careful layering establishes both the emotional and physical landscape of the song, creating a soundscape that feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh. The production team effectively translates the visual experience of winter into auditory form.

Medium Tempo Pop with Emotional Depth

Rather than opting for an extremely slow ballad, fromis_9 maintains a mid-tempo pop pulse throughout the track. This rhythmic choice serves the emotional narrative perfectly—it mirrors the steady pace of someone walking through snow-covered streets, lost in thought. The carol-like chorus lift became an immediate standout element, consequently trending on Korean platforms shortly after release. Nevertheless, some listeners described it as a "safe remake", suggesting the arrangement strikes a comfortable balance between honoring the original and offering something new.

How the Instrumentals Support the Theme

The production successfully captures both winter's crispness and emotional warmth through its instrumental arrangement. Rhythmic drums provide a steady foundation that grounds the more ethereal synth elements, thereby creating tension between structure and emotion. Additionally, the instrumentation gradually builds throughout the song, mirroring the intensifying feelings described in the lyrics. Indeed, this thoughtful arrangement transforms what could have been merely a seasonal track into something that resonates on a deeper emotional level.

Vocal Performance and Group Dynamics

The five-member configuration of fromis_9 brings distinctive vocal dynamics to "White Memories," each singer contributing unique emotional textures throughout the track.

박지원 fromis_9 and Her Standout Moments

Park Ji-won emerges as a vocal centerpiece, handling the emotionally charged pre-chorus with remarkable depth. Her delivery of "I was happy, I felt warm in that dreamlike winter" establishes the nostalgic tone. Subsequently, her standout moment comes during the chorus section where she expresses, "The whole world turns white, everyone looks happy, so happy," creating powerful contrast between external joy and internal loneliness.

Harmonies That Build Through the Song

The vocal arrangement strategically layers member contributions, starting with individual verses before building into richer harmonic sections. Through this structure, Chaeyoung and Hayoung establish the narrative foundation before Jiheon and Nagyung introduce harmonic complexity. These carefully orchestrated harmonies intensify the emotional impact as the song progresses, reflecting the group's "unique sensibility and vocal color".

Emotional Delivery Across Verses and Chorus

Each member's delivery captures different emotional aspects of winter longing. Chaeyoung conveys wistful remembrance through softer tones, yet Nagyung brings poignant intensity with lines about scattering tears. Jiheon and Hayoung complete this emotional spectrum with their complementary vocal approaches. Their collective performance transforms technical vocals into authentic emotional storytelling, therefore making listeners genuinely feel the heartache behind the lyrics.

Visual Storytelling in the Concept MV

The music video for "White Memories" captivates viewers through carefully crafted visuals that complement the song's emotional depth.

Winter Imagery and Color Palette

The concept MV utilizes a predominantly white and cool-toned color palette to evoke winter's emotional essence. This strategic color choice creates psychological impact that aligns with the song's themes of longing and memory. The Santa outfits worn by fromis_9 members provide a striking contrast against the winter backdrop, drawing viewer attention while maintaining the seasonal theme. Throughout the video, soft lighting enhances the dreamlike quality of snow scenes, effectively blurring the line between memory and present reality.

How the MV Enhances the Feeling of Longing

Visual elements in the MV amplify the emotional weight of lyrics like "White snow is falling down / It hurts my heart and makes me struggle". The inclusion of Kim Min Jong at both the beginning and end of the video serves as a thoughtful homage that connects generations through shared emotional experience. As stated in cultural notes about the song, "In Korean songs, snow often symbolizes memory — especially painful memory. When the snow returns, so do the feelings". This cultural context gives deeper meaning to each snowflake captured on camera.

Symbolism in Snow and Streets

Snow operates as both literal setting and metaphorical device throughout the MV. Empty streets covered in white represent the protagonist's loneliness amid others' happiness. This imagery perfectly visualizes the lyric "Everyone becomes happy, but without you I am wrapped in white memories, walking this road alone". Significantly, the video transforms everyday winter scenes into powerful symbols of absence, creating visual poetry that enriches the song's narrative beyond its musical composition.