I don’t throw around the term “mature” easily. Why? Because it’s hackneyed to the point of being cliché. Sometimes, however, whether it’s a song or an album, there’s simply no other word that will do justice. Which is exactly the case for Sailing, the third studio album by AKMU, previously known as Akdong Musician.

Every track on Sailing is proof of how far the brother-sister duo has come since their early years. It was with this album that Akdong Musician ditched the “dong (童)” in their name, which stands for “child,” and officially adopted AKMU as their new moniker. Even in today’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it world, this is an album that will stand the test of time. These tracks are still strong on the charts. Sailing is truly a bona fide modern-day classic.

Who doesn’t remember the debut of AKMU? First bursting onto the scene winning K-Pop Star 2, the duo released their highly anticipated first album, Play, in 2014. Commercial success was a given. The group swiftly shot to the top of the charts with hits like 200% and Melted. Since then, AKMU has continued to thrive, virtually dominating the charts every time they release new music. So. While hardly cut and dried, I do believe that Sailing represents a definitive junction in AKMU’s musical journey so far. Pre-Sailing, AKMU’s music was playful and spontaneous. The level of skill they demonstrated on each track was nothing short of prodigious, but more than that, their natural gift shone through.

The music that came out of this period was just downright catchy. It was impossible not to be beguiled by their talent. Starting with Don’t Cross Your Legs (2012) and Is It Ramen? (2013) that they sung on K-Pop Star 2, songs like How People Move (2016) and Re-Bye from their first mini album, Spring (2016), all fall under this period.

Sailing is different. A richer, multifaceted sound takes the place of the lighthearted brightness of yore. Musically speaking, it is hardly a stretch to say that the pair have graduated from enfants terribles to full-fledged artists. How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love is only the beginning. From the hauntingly poignant Chantey to the swingy rock number Should’ve Loved You More to the country-inspired Fish In The Water, I could fill this space just describing each track.

But if I had to pick just one, it would be Whale. Combining the sound of an acoustic guitar, clapping and whistling, its vibe could be described as “effortless cool.” Frankly, I gasped in awe the first time I heard it. Songs like HAPPENING and the IU collaboration Nakka (2021) also fall under this description. On tracks like these, AKMU doesn’t necessarily work toward a climax. They just casually draw the listener in with plain old songcraft that cuts straight to the chase. Any way you look at it, their music is extraordinary.

Let’s now take a look at their lyrics. How about this line from Moon? “Gazing at the night sky without subtitles, listening to the wind without translation.” Then there’s this part from Chantey: “How many more waves must I climb? The salt wind caresses my lips. You can tie my hands, but I’ll set me free.” Indeed, if there were an art to poetic license, this would be it. None of this is to say that AKMU has lost any of their signature wit. Their songs are as full of affirmation as ever, just in a more well-rounded way. Tracks like Fry’s Dream will always leave the listener in an upbeat mood. The kids are all grown up now, and they deserve to be called young masters who have perfected their own particular sound.

• Bae Soontak is a music critic and a writer for Bae Chulsoo’s Music Camp. He is the author of Legend: 20 Years of Bae Chulsoo’s Music Camp and 100 Albums.

• These songs are available in the “Korean Music” section of the in-flight entertainment content.

Dinosaur (2017)

What I love about this song is its specificity. Summoning up memories straight from the artists’ childhood, the lyrics build up to the climactic chorus in a masterpiece of a song. Descriptions as explicit as these, even if they may be fictional, cannot help but give a song a ring of truth. Dinosaur is a case in point.

Time and Fallen Leaves (2014)

It’s been a good 10 years since this song came out, but the comments under this song on streaming websites are perennial: “Who’s still here in 2025?” Like so many of AKMU’s songs, it’s recognizable by a striking line. In this case: “Walking barefoot in my mind (…) I build a dam of my memories.” It’s not everyone who can come up with lyrics like that.

Freedom (2019)

They had me at the intro. The rhythmic touch is flawless, as is the relentlessly efficient progression of the song. This is why I love AKMU. These guys know their music. Not a single beat is wasted. We don’t tend to think of accuracy and moving songwriting in the same breath. This track blows that assumption out of the water.

Will Last Forever (2017)

The ideal graduation song for today’s generation would be Will Last Forever. I recommend listening to the lyrics with care. The piano-and-vocals-only intro instantly hooks you in. The addition of strings later on builds up nicely to the climax.

IVE, IVE Empathy

The K-pop group’s signature bravado has been key to its distinctive charm. But the latest album shifts gears from self-indulgence to sympathy with a panoply of perspectives. The title track Rebel Heart resounds with soaring vocals and a heart-pounding chorus with lyrics that underline camaraderie, consolation and empathy.

PLAVE, Caligo Pt. 1

Virtual boy group Plave always has something up its sleeve, and the five members’ prodigious talents are on display in their album Caligo Pt. 1. Title track Dash, an infectious song with a driving rock rhythm, showcases the members’ metamorphosis into rock stars. The new album shows that they aren’t just virtual idols, but artists in their own right.

Song Gain, Gain; Dal

Song Gain, dubbed the “Empress of Trot”, unveils a musical transformation in her fourth album Gain; Dal. The album features a total of nine tracks that represent not just traditional trot music but diverse genres such as ballads and modern pop.

The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow

This is the third and final installment in the trilogy that began with After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022). The album injects a smart dose of funk and hip-hop into the genres of R&B, synth-pop and trap, rounding out a dynamic finale for The Weeknd.

Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)

The sixth studio album by Sabrina Carpenter, one of today’s hottest pop stars, offers a generous helping of humor and candor. The songs neatly voice Carpenter’s personal love life, as well as the “short n’ sweet” emotions typical of romantic relationships in the present day.

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