What makes Popping by ONF notable?

The EP debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart, reflecting ONF's growing popularity. Its title track, Popping, received significant airplay and contributed to their expanding international fanbase, further solidifying their place in the K-pop scene. Popping marks ONF's return after a year-long hiatus following their previous EP, GO LIVE. Released in August 2021, this project showcases their evolving sound as they continue to establish themselves within the competitive K-pop landscape.

Popping works well if you're into vibrant summer celebration energy, steady groove for dancing and catchy sing-along moments.

How many songs are on Popping?

Popping has 5 tracks, running approximately 17 minutes.

Popping

ONF · 2021

17 min · 5 tracks · K-pop

Energetic beats and vibrant melodies collide with playful lyrics, embodying the essence of summer fun and youthful exuberance.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Popping — As the title track, Popping encapsulates the album's vibrant energy and serves as a perfect introduction to their upbeat style with catchy hooks and danceable rhythms.
→
Summer Poem — This track balances playful lyrics with a more reflective tone, showcasing the group's versatility while still embodying the carefree spirit of summer.
→
Dry Ice — With its infectious chorus and dynamic production, Dry Ice stands out as a highlight that represents the energetic dance-pop sound ONF is known for.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases energetic compositions and engaging production but remains within familiar K-pop territory.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo with vibrant instrumentation, while the last two tracks gradually slow down, creating a contrasting dynamic.
Each track features layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response sections that engage listeners and encourage participation.
The lyrics across the EP consistently evoke themes of summer and youth, enhancing the overall playful atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

vibrant summer celebration energy
steady groove for dancing
catchy sing-along moments
short bursts of joy

Maybe skip if you

prefer long, immersive albums
seek deep introspective themes

Where this album fits

Career context: Popping marks ONF's return after a year-long hiatus following their previous EP, GO LIVE. Released in August 2021, this project showcases their evolving sound as they continue to establish themselves within the competitive K-pop landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Ateez· Stray Kids· NCT 127