NewJeans, a South Korean idol group popular among Gen Z, has teamed up with renowned artist Takashi Murakami for an unprecedented collaboration, featuring their upcoming Japanese debut single ‘Supernatural,’ set for release on June 21.
On May 1, at midnight, NewJeans (comprising of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) released a teaser for their upcoming music video ‘Right Now’ on HYBE Labels’ YouTube channel. ‘Right Now’ is one of the tracks featured on their highly anticipated Japanese debut single, ‘Supernatural,’ which is set to be released on June 21.
The teaser begins with the NewJeans members portrayed as the Powerpuff Girls characters already shown in their last album ‘Get Up.’
The teaser shows the five members’ search for a love potion, leading them to discover a ‘rainbow flower’ and gain supernatural powers. However, an unknown event causes two worlds to collide, and a new character named ‘NewJeansXMurakami’ appears.
This character is a blend of NewJeans’ adorable charm and Takashi Murakami’s iconic ‘rainbow flower.’ Although the character only appears briefly at the end of the teaser, it leaves a strong impact.
Takashi Murakami is a popular contemporary and pop artist from Japan, famous for his innovative works and signature flower characters. He has collaborated with fashion brands and renowned pop stars such as Billie Eilish, making him a well-known figure to the general public.
There’s been much anticipation for the partnership between NewJeans, one of the innovative K-pop idols that have broken the conventional mold of K-pop, and the ever-evolving Murakami. Of particular significance is Murakami’s involvement in NewJeans’ Japanese debut album, as he has expressed his fandom for NewJeans openly in past interviews.
Fans from all over the world have responded positively to the MV teaser. They have left comments such as “the teaser looks like a piece of pop art,” “The idea of collaborating with a famous Japanese artist for a Japanese album track is excellent,” “NewJeans is not just an idol group but a genre in itself,” and “How can the teaser music already be this good?”
NewJeans has proven to be cultural icons, leading trends that appeal to Gen Z. They had previously collaborated with the famous American animation ‘Powerpuff Girls.’ Through their collaboration with Murakami, they have once again shown their ability to stay ahead of the curve.
The upcoming Japanese debut single by NewJeans, ‘Supernatural’, consists of four tracks - the title track ‘Supernatural’, the song ‘Right Now’, and their instrumentals.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see how it will be different from their Korean releases. The instrumental of ‘Right Now’ played in the teaser suggests that the sophisticated vibe unique to NewJeans will continue. The album pre-sales will begin on May. 10 at 11 AM.
NewJeans is has recently partnered with the Shibuya 109 shopping mall, which is a popular destination in Tokyo. A pop-up store was opened last month as a part of this collaboration.
On Apr. 30, a huge photo of NewJeans was displayed on the exterior wall of the Shibuya 109 building, attracting a lot of attention. After the release of their first Japanese single on Jun. 21, NewJeans has planned a grand fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome on Jun. 26 and 27 to celebrate their debut and interact with their fans.
