Kpop songs keep getting shorter (2 Viewers)

[lexus]

This is something I've noticed in kpop lately. A decent chunk of new releases aren't even hitting the 3 minute mark anymore. I just watched Namjoo's new MV and saw that it was only 2 minutes and 45 seconds. I really expected it to be longer.

Another thing I noticed is the Le Sserafim's new album has songs that are all less than 3 minutes. The whole album is 13 minutes long. That's it.
(Just using these are examples btw)

Has anyone else noticed it?

 

[Yerichu]

Now I'm anticipating the MV teasers to be the official MVs

 

[Nina]

Yeah, been noticing it for so many artists and groups everywhere.
They also cut out bridges sometimes.

 

[Yerichu]

Yeah, been noticing it for so many artists and groups everywhere.
They also cut out bridges sometimes.

Yet those are the most beautiful vocals we get before the song ends
It's like entering a new phase

 

[catonkatonk]

It's true, but I don't agree with most people that the reason is because of streaming numbers necessarily.

The current trend in k-pop is to make songs that are very steady, that lack dynamic shifts. There's a desire to sort of, "vibe", consistently.
Consider that, for example, a bridge is traditionally an intentional disruption to the established flow, and you can see how songwriters prefer to avoid them now.

The upshot, obviously, is shorter songs, and indeed, they SHOULD be shorter, because there isn't enough variation to keep them interesting for longer than they already are. I'd argue that many of the sort songs people complain about are already too long for my tastes.

But also, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about short songs. Or even monotonous, vibey songs. I've always thought making a pop song under three minutes makes it "moreish", addictive.

 

[motorp77]

i hate it. I love long songs

 

[DaisySkies]

I feel like the creativity is running out

 

[Ahsoka]

I feel like I’ve heard this complaint for years now, it seems to be something that’s been going on for a long time now. I never pay much attention to length, outside of super super obvious examples (not kpop, but Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day is notably long).

 

[athenaaa]

Yeah I’ve been noticing that too

 

[Selfmate]

I think the issue is shorter songs are more easily streamed so I differ to caton above in that regards
whether they are done deliberately because of that or because of other reasons I'm not sure

obviously we as fans prefer longer songs but I don't mind as long as there are new songs...