What Is This Feeling? (with BANG YEDAM)

What Is This Feeling? is a nuanced exploration of the ambiguity of early attraction. The central theme revolves around the transition from platonic familiarity to romantic tension, a state often referred to in Korean culture as "some" (flirting/dating without an official label). Explicitly, the lyrics ask for a definition of these physical and emotional symptoms—racing hearts, distraction, and obsession.

Implicitly, the song suggests that the uncertainty itself is the most beautiful part of the experience. By constantly asking "What is this?", the artists highlight how love often defies logic and control. The collaboration between Suen and Bang Yedam adds a layer of duality, representing two sides of the same coin; both parties are equally confused and equally invested, validating the listener's own experiences with the terrifying vulnerability of falling for someone.

The song unfolds as a dialogue between two people who are caught in the ambiguous space between friendship and romance. It begins with the female narrator (Suen) expressing a sudden, unfamiliar sensation that hits her when she is alone in her room—a chest-tightening feeling that she cannot name. She describes finding herself smiling at her phone screen without a reason and replaying a short conversation in her head over and over. The lyrics paint a picture of her pacing around, checking the time, and wondering why her daily routine suddenly feels different.

Bang Yedam’s verse enters as a response, mirroring her confusion but from his perspective. He admits that he has been acting out of character, perhaps driving past her neighborhood or writing texts that he deletes before sending. He questions the 'gravity' that seems to be pulling him towards her, using imagery of being unable to focus on his work or music because her face keeps intruding on his thoughts. He confesses that this 'feeling' is both terrifying and exhilarating, like standing on a ledge.

In the chorus, their voices intertwine, asking the titular question repeatedly. They compare the sensation to a fever that isn't sick, or a rhythm they haven't heard before. The bridge elevates the tension as they both decide to stop analyzing the logic behind it and simply accept the wave of emotion. The song resolves not with a definitive label for the relationship, but with a mutual agreement that whatever this 'feeling' is, they want to feel it together a little longer, ending on a soft, lingering note of anticipation.

Released on February 13, 2026, "What Is This Feeling?" serves as a key track on Suen's album, In my room.. The collaboration garnered significant attention due to the pairing of Suen, a rising figure in the K-R&B scene known for her atmospheric sound, and Bang Yedam, the celebrated vocalist and former TREASURE member who had solidified his solo career as a singer-songwriter.

Industry insiders noted that the track was likely recorded during the winter of 2025, aiming for a release that coincided with the Valentine's Day season. The production credits reportedly involve Suen's regular collaborators, with Yedam contributing to the vocal arrangement, bringing his signature soulful ad-libs to complement Suen's airy tone. The song was designed to fit the "TrenChill" aesthetic, blending mainstream pop appeal with underground R&B vibes.

The song follows a smooth, mid-tempo groove (around 90-95 BPM) typical of the K-R&B genre. The vocal rhythm is highly syncopated, often lagging slightly behind the beat to create a relaxed, "laid-back" feel. The rhyme scheme is generally AABB or ABAB in the verses, utilizing Korean vowel assonance (-a, -eo sounds) to maintain a fluid sonic texture.

The chorus features a catchy, rhythmic hook where the syllables of the title phrase are staccato, contrasting with the legato flow of the verses. This rhythmic shift mimics the sudden realization or "hiccup" in one's thoughts when realizing they have feelings for someone.

Musically, the song employs a lo-fi R&B production style, characterized by a dampened snare drum, jazzy chord progressions on a Rhodes piano, and a heavy use of reverb to create a "dreamy" atmosphere. Suen uses a breathy, airy vocal technique (falsetto) to convey vulnerability, while Bang Yedam utilizes his agile vocal runs and a warmer chest voice to provide a grounding counterpoint.

Literarily, the lyrics use rhetorical questions ("Why is the air so heavy today?", "Is it just me?") to emphasize the confusion. The structure relies on call-and-response, a classic duet technique that simulates a real conversation between the two lovers, enhancing the narrative of mutual discovery.

Upon its release in early 2026, the song quickly found a home on "chill" and "study" playlists, resonating with the Gen Z audience's preference for low-stimulation, vibe-focused music. The collaboration between Suen and Bang Yedam was seen as a bridge between the K-Indie/Underground scene and the Mainstream K-Pop fandom (due to Yedam's background).

It became a popular background track for social media "Day in the Life" vlogs and romance drama edits, praised for its ability to romanticize the mundane aspects of daily life.

The lyrics utilize sensory metaphors to describe emotional states. The "room" serves as a recurring symbol of the narrator's internal world; initially, it is a safe, solitary space, but it becomes invaded by thoughts of the other person, symbolizing how love disrupts personal boundaries. The "phone screen" is used as a modern portal of connection, representing both distance and intimacy.

Another key metaphor is the "unfamiliar rhythm," which refers to both the irregular heartbeat caused by nervousness and the disruption of one's daily life rhythm. The song avoids grand, fiery metaphors of passion, opting instead for subtle, cozy imagery—like the warmth of a heater or a hazy morning—to reflect the gentle, creeping nature of this specific type of love.

The title phrase, "What is this feeling?" (or its Korean equivalent "Mwon-de i gam-jeong?"), acts as the central anchor, repeated at the end of the chorus to reset the tension. Another motif is the "sigh"—both lyrically described and audibly performed in the backing vocals—representing both frustration and relief.

Musically, a four-chord keyboard loop repeats throughout the track, serving as a hypnotic backdrop that represents the cyclical, obsessive nature of the narrators' thoughts.