Hope, healing & headphones: ARrC’s new album is a love letter to youth and self-esteem

August 1, 2025 - 1:27 PM IST

K-pop’s rising quartet ARrC—formed in 2024 and celebrated for their genre-bending sound and honest lyricism—are stepping into the spotlight with vulnerability, vision, and a whole lot of musical ambition. With members Andy, Choi Han, Doha, Hyunmin, Jibeen, Kien, and Rioto the band has quickly amassed a devoted following of “ARrCers” thanks to their engaging performances and authentic storytelling.

Hope, healing & headphones: ARrC’s new album is a love letter to youth and self-esteem

Their new mini-album HOPE isn’t just chasing chart positions—it’s chasing something far more meaningful: emotional honesty, self-discovery, and collective healing. As Rioto explains, “We chose this album concept because we felt that we could best express the emotions and situations we’re experiencing at our current age through music. Most of our members are still minors, so we really tried to capture what we can express uniquely at this point in our lives.”

This raw sincerity is especially apparent in “dawns,” a turning point track for Hyunmin, who penned the lyrics himself. “When I wrote the lyrics for it, I tried to express the emotions and feelings during the time of dawn, like how I was afraid of the dark but not anymore because of ‘you,’” he shares. “It’s actually a very sweet song… I think I improved a lot, so ‘dawns’ was a turning point for me.”

Musically, the album experiments across R&B, drum & bass, funk, and retro hip-hop—choices guided by each song’s narrative. “Some songs can be very warm… so we would choose a soft R&B song. For others, we would choose a drum & bass genre to convey the energy of our team,” Hyunmin adds, underscoring the band’s hands-on approach in the studio.

More than a sonic journey, HOPE is a story of growth. Doha recalls an emotional high point during production, “One of the most memorable moments during recording was when we finally listened to the completed track… We gave each other feedback… It felt like we were growing together as a team.”

That spirit of togetherness powers their uplifting title track, “awesome,” which Andy says speaks directly to their audience. “Even if you miss the bus, or even if you lose one of your earbuds, you want to think positively. We’re really trying to show our positive selves to ARrCers.”

The album and its messages feel especially timely, grounded in the belief that positivity doesn’t mean ignoring the bad—it means transforming it. “All of our songs are also about self-esteem… sometimes [hope] can involve negative ways. However, maybe we can change those negative vibes into positive ones,” Hyunmin reflects. For a generation looking for optimism without sugarcoating, ARrC’s HOPE may be the sonic shelter they didn’t know they needed.

Also Read: ARrC spreads positivity with third mini-album HOPE, blending music, myth, and message