How Sweet

"How Sweet" by NewJeans is a song that explores the theme of liberation and empowerment after ending a toxic relationship. The lyrics convey a journey of realizing the harmful nature of a past connection and the subsequent joy and freedom that comes with breaking free. The central message is one of self-love and the importance of removing oneself from negative influences. The repeated phrase "how sweet it tastes now that I'm without you" encapsulates the core meaning of the song, highlighting the relief and happiness found in independence. The song can be seen as a refreshing breakup anthem with a positive and breezy feel.

The lyrics use metaphors to illustrate this transition. The act of "biting an apple" is used to symbolize the moment of realization and the irreversible decision to move on. This action represents gaining knowledge about the toxicity of the relationship and choosing a different path. The ex-partner is referred to as a "toxic lover" and a "little demon in my storyline," which explicitly points to the negative impact they had on the narrator's life. Some interpretations also suggest that the song's themes of dealing with toxicity and scrutiny could be a reflection of the group's own experiences within the K-pop industry, particularly in light of recent events involving their agency.

The song unfolds as a declaration of independence and self-realization after escaping a toxic relationship. It begins with a sense of awakening, acknowledging a past filled with confusing ups and downs. The narrator has been caught in a cycle of overthinking and changing their mind, but now sees the situation with clarity. The ex-lover's words are dismissed as nonsense, and their behavior is recognized as suspicious and predictable. The realization is described as simple and clear, like the act of biting into an apple—a moment of truth and irreversible knowledge.

The chorus serves as a triumphant and recurring anthem of freedom. The repeated question, "And don't you know how sweet it tastes now that I'm without you?" is not a genuine inquiry but a confident statement of newfound happiness and relief. It's a rhetorical taunt to the former partner, highlighting the joy and liberation that their absence has brought. The narrator emphasizes that they no longer need answers or validation from their ex, as the sweetness of their current situation is self-evident.

The verses further elaborate on the decision to move on. The narrator identifies the ex-lover as a "toxic lover" and a "little demon" in their life's story, demanding that they stop hiding and face the consequences of their actions. There's a firm resolution to no longer engage with the drama and negativity, embracing good karma instead. The ex's attempts to get back in their life are seen as predictable and old tricks. The narrator has moved past the point of being manipulated, having scrolled through the same old patterns a thousand times.

The bridge solidifies this departure, with the repeated assertion, "'Cause me and you are different, so I won't stay, I'm leaving." This highlights an fundamental incompatibility and the narrator's commitment to forging their own path. The song concludes with a final, empowering refrain, leaving no doubt about the narrator's joy and the finality of their decision. The overall narrative is one of moving from a state of confusion and emotional turmoil to one of clarity, empowerment, and the sweet taste of freedom.

"How Sweet" is the title track from NewJeans' second single album of the same name, released on May 24, 2024, by their agency ADOR, a subsidiary of Hybe Corporation. The single album also includes the B-side track "Bubble Gum". The announcement for the release of two double singles in 2024, including "How Sweet", was made on March 27, 2024. The release came amidst a widely publicized dispute between ADOR's CEO Min Hee-jin and parent company Hybe Corporation. One of the members, Hyein, did not participate in the promotional activities for the song due to an injury.

The song was produced by 250. The writing credits for "How Sweet" include NewJeans member Danielle, alongside Sarah Aarons, Oscar Scheller, Tove Burman, Elvira Anderfjard, and Stella Bennett (the artist Benee). The production team also features Keyon Kim, Heejin Min, Jungwoo Jang, and Hanna Cho who directed the vocals, and Rob Kinelski who mixed the track.

"How Sweet" is characterized by a distinctive rhythmic and rhyming structure that contributes significantly to its overall feel:

• Rhythm and Tempo: The song is built on a foundation of Miami Bass, a genre known for its upbeat and danceable rhythms. The tempo is lively, creating a sense of forward momentum and positive energy. The rhythm is driven by a prominent bassline and cheerful drum patterns, which gives the track a strong groove and makes it a "satisfying head-nodder."
• Rhyme Scheme: The song employs a mix of perfect and near rhymes, particularly in its English phrases, to create a catchy and memorable lyrical flow. For instance, in the refrain, "Toxic lover, you're no better" uses an assonant rhyme. The structure is not a strict, traditional rhyme scheme, but rather one that serves the conversational and melodic flow of the song.
• Interplay of Lyrics and Music: There's a notable interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical accompaniment. The members' vocal delivery often follows the syncopated patterns of the beat, enhancing the song's hip-hop feel. The conversational and somewhat relaxed vocal delivery contrasts with the driving rhythm of the instrumental, creating a dynamic texture. The rap-like sections, in particular, showcase a more rhythmically complex vocal performance.

"How Sweet" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that define its unique sound and message:

• Musical Style: The song is primarily rooted in the Miami Bass genre, a subgenre of hip-hop from the late 80s and 90s, which is a relatively uncommon choice in contemporary K-pop. This is blended with elements of electropop and dance-pop, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. The production features soft, bouncy synths, a heavy bassline, and cheerful drum sounds that evoke a 90s hip-hop dance feel. The instrumental is also noted for its use of laser-like sound effects.
• Vocal Delivery: NewJeans is known for their characteristic airy and somewhat aloof vocal performance, which is present in "How Sweet". This delivery style creates a sense of effortless coolness and confidence. The members' dreamy and languid vocal colors contribute to the song's comfortable and stable groove. The interplay between their harmonies is also a key feature.
• Lyrical Voice: The song is written from a first-person perspective, creating a direct and personal narrative of empowerment. The use of both English and Korean lyrics is typical for the group and helps to convey their message to a global audience.
• Rhetorical Questions: The central hook, "And don't you know how sweet it tastes?", is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the narrator's newfound happiness and serves as a confident declaration rather than a genuine inquiry.

"How Sweet" has had a significant cultural impact since its release, contributing to NewJeans' status as a leading group in the K-pop industry. The song achieved considerable commercial success both domestically and internationally. In South Korea, the single album sold over 811,000 copies on its first day and debuted at number one on the charts. It also performed strongly on major Korean music charts like Melon, Bugs, and Flo.

Internationally, "How Sweet" made a notable impact on the Billboard charts. It ranked on the 'Global 200' and 'Global (Excl. U.S.)' charts, and also appeared on the 'Bubbling Under Hot 100' chart. The song's popularity has been sustained over several weeks, indicating a long-running success. The music video and the group's styling for this comeback have also drawn attention, further popularizing Y2K fashion aesthetics, including wide-leg jeans, crop tops, and bandanas.

The song's release was also notable for occurring during a period of intense public interest in the conflict between their agency ADOR and its parent company HYBE, with some interpreting the song's lyrics as a commentary on the situation. The song was also featured in a collaboration with Coca-Cola.

The lyrics of "How Sweet" employ several symbolic elements and metaphors to enrich its meaning:

• Biting an Apple: This is a prominent metaphor in the song, symbolizing a moment of realization and a decisive, irreversible action. It can be interpreted as gaining forbidden knowledge, in this case, understanding the true toxic nature of the relationship, which leads to the decision to leave.
• Toxic Lover / Little Demon: These direct labels for the former partner are not subtle, but they powerfully convey the harmful and negative influence this person had on the narrator's life. By casting the ex as a "demon in my storyline," the lyrics suggest a malevolent presence that disrupted their personal narrative.
• Sweetness: The central metaphor of "sweetness" is used to describe the feeling of freedom and liberation after the breakup. This contrasts with any perceived sweetness of the past relationship, reframing true sweetness as independence and self-worth.
• Music Video Symbolism: The music video for "How Sweet" has been interpreted as having its own layer of symbolism. The constantly changing perspectives (from a dog's point of view, a bird's-eye view, etc.) could represent the intense public scrutiny and gossip that NewJeans faces as K-pop idols. Some fans have even suggested that these different viewpoints allude to the conflict between their agency ADOR and Hybe. The winged insects that frighten the members could symbolize "anti-fans" or "haters".

The most prominent recurring phrase in "How Sweet" is the chorus hook: "And don't you know how sweet it tastes? Now that I'm without you." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song, functioning as its central thesis and a powerful, memorable anthem of liberation. Its repetition drills home the song's core message of finding joy in newfound freedom. The parenthetical ad-lib "(How sweet it tastes)" further reinforces this central motif.

Another recurring phrase is "Toxic lover," which appears in the refrain. This direct and impactful label for the ex-partner is repeated to emphasize the reason for the breakup and to justify the narrator's celebratory tone. The phrase "You little demon in my storyline" also recurs, adding to the depiction of the ex as a negative and disruptive force.

Musically, the song features a recurring bouncy synth melody and a consistent Miami Bass-influenced beat that serves as a musical motif, creating a cohesive and recognizable soundscape.