It is a wild hybrid of EDM and trot. A familiar trot melody slides right over an intense beat that hits your ears. It feels nostalgic yet sophisticated, carrying that signature Choi Yena flavor. Once you hear it, you can’t help but get addicted, humming “DA DA RA DA DA” all day long.
Soloist Choi Yena is on a roll! Her title track “Catch catch” from her 5th mini album, released on March 11, climbed to #6 on the Melon TOP100 as of May 10. This isn’t just a quick hit based on a one-time meme; it is a steady climb driven by the song’s unique charm, drawing in more listeners over time. After a two-month journey, it has finally reached the top of the charts.
The secret to its success lies in the mysterious yet powerful quality of “Catch catch.” This track blends the tension of a “cat-and-mouse” chase into a cheerful electro-pop sound, instantly capturing listeners with its primal and addictive chorus, “DA DA RA DA DA.”
Specifically, it perfectly reinterprets the retro vibes and melodies characteristic of 2nd generation K-pop, such as T-ara and Orange Caramel, into a sophisticated 2026 EDM style. As a result, it is sparking excitement across all generations.
This is the victory of “Yena Core,” a brand Choi Yena has steadily built since her debut. Having overcome childhood cancer, Choi Yena infused her music with her signature positive energy. Since successfully going solo with “Smiley,” she has consistently showcased elements optimized for her, such as a fresh image and a cartoonish sensibility. Rather than blindly following trends, she dove deep into what she does best, turning the name “Choi Yena” into a unique genre of its own.
Solid music was paired with a bit of luck. A video of actor Lee Jun, known for his muscular physique, dancing to the song as a one-day professional baseball cheerleader became a huge hit. The contrast between Choi Yena’s vitamin-like image and Lee Jun’s rugged muscles and serious expression provided a fresh twist, accelerating the song’s popularity.
The hype has even crossed borders. The “Catch catch” music video became the first K-pop song released this year to surpass 5 million views on the Chinese video platform Bilibili. On the music platform QQ Music, it dominated the weekly Korean charts, ranking #3 (Chinese version) and #6 (Korean version), while the challenge on the short-form platform Douyin surpassed a staggering 900 million views.
Lately, the K-pop scene has been hit by intense, ear-splitting techno sounds, mainly from large agencies. Amidst this fierce and heavy trend, Choi Yena is delivering the ultimate dopamine rush using her light yet firm identity as her weapon. The evolution of “Yena Core,” crafted through the power of music and persistence, is just getting started.
