Rolling Stone released its list of the 250 greatest songs of the 21st century, and NewJeans’ viral hit “Hype Boy” proudly claimed the 206th spot! The song dropped in 2022 as part of the quintet’s debut EP, “Attention,” and became an instant internet sensation. With its addictive melody and Y2K-inspired rhythm, the “Hype Boy” challenge took over TikTok and other social media platforms, with multiple K-pop idols making a rendition of the choreography.
Beyond its viral fame, the song made a serious mark on the charts. It spent 42 weeks on the Billboard Global 200, peaking at number 52, and stayed on the Global Excl. U.S. chart for an incredible 65 weeks. In South Korea, it peaked at number 2 and became the most-streamed track on Spotify in the country. It also reached the top 10 in Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore.
What made “Hype Boy” even more special was that Hanni, only 17 at the time, co-wrote it. The lyrics “You know I hype you boy” and “Old days gone like a dream” added an original and youthful touch to the track. In a genre where idols rarely write their debut songs, NewJeans showed that talent and authenticity can redefine the rules. With one of their very first singles, NewJeans took the K-pop industry by storm.