K-pop star Karina from aespa is making waves with her upcoming feature on Jannabi’s title track, In the Name of Love (사랑의이름으로!), from their fourth studio album, Sound of Music Pt. 1. Fans are buzzing with excitement over this collaboration, set to release on April 28, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about this highly awaited musical moment.
A Surprise Collaboration Announced
On April 21, 2025, Jannabi shared a teaser video on their social media, revealing that Karina will feature on the title track of their new album. The announcement sparked joy among fans of both aespa and the indie rock band.
“Karina featuring on Jannabi’s 4th album im gonna cry more Karina vocals for us 😭😭😭,” posted a fan on X.
“i’m so happy for karina and i’m genuinely so excited for this song feature. the fact that it’s with jannabi is insane, their music is beautiful,” another fan shared.
The collaboration is a big moment for Karina, who is known for her powerful vocals, dynamic dance skills, and rap versatility as aespa’s leader. Fans are eager to hear how her voice blends with Jannabi’s signature indie rock sound.
Details of Sound of Music Pt. 1
Jannabi’s fourth studio album, Sound of Music Pt. 1, is set to drop on April 28, 2025, marking the band’s 11th debut anniversary. The album promises a mix of nostalgic and fresh sounds, drawing inspiration from 1970s pop and rock influences like The Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra, and Gilbert O’Sullivan.
- Release Date: April 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM KST
- Title Track: In the Name of Love (사랑의이름으로!) featuring Karina
- Label: Peponi Music
- Themes: Love, youth, and growth, consistent with Jannabi’s lyrical style
To celebrate the album, Jannabi will go on a national concert tour, All the Boys and Girls 2025, starting with shows at Seoul’s Jamsil Arena on April 26–27 and May 3–4. Additional performances are planned in Gwangju on June 14–15 and Daegu on June 28–29.
“⚡️2025.04.28 MON 6:00PM (KST) #JANNABI #잔나비 @BandJannabi #SoundofMusic #사운드오브뮤직,” posted Jannabi’s official account.
Who Are Jannabi?
Jannabi, formed in 2012, is a South Korean indie rock band led by frontman Choi Jung-hoon and guitarist Kim Do-hyung. Known for their profound lyrics and vintage-inspired music, they’ve become one of South Korea’s most influential rock bands.
- Debut: April 28, 2014, with the single Rocket
- Notable Albums:
- Monkey Hotel (2016), featuring the hit Summer
- Legend (2019), which topped charts
- Jannabi’s Small Pieces II: Grippin’TheGreen (2022), with the chart-topping single Grippin’TheGreen
- Achievements:
- Won the grand prize at Green Plugged Rookie Green Friends 2015
- Performed at major festivals like Beautiful Mint Life and Someday Festival
- Appeared on Hidden Singer in 2022, ranking first in their time slot
Jannabi’s music often explores themes of love, life, and youth, with a sound that blends retro vibes and modern rock. Their collaboration with Karina is a bold move, bridging indie rock with K-pop.
Karina’s Rising Star Power
Karina, born Yu Ji-min on April 11, 2000, is the leader of aespa, a K-pop girl group under SM Entertainment. Since debuting in 2020 with Black Mamba, she’s earned praise for her multifaceted talents.
- Roles in aespa: Leader, dancer, rapper, vocalist
- Solo Achievements:
- Her solo track Up, released in 2024, won first place on Music Core and hit number one on Melon’s HOT100.
- Featured in Seoul Metropolitan Government’s tourism program in 2021
- Ambassador for brands like YSL Beauty, Lotte Chilsung, and Maeil Business Newspaper
- Recent Work:
- Member of the supergroup Got the Beat, debuted in 2022
- Donated ₩100 million to wildfire relief efforts in March 2025
Fans and media have lauded Karina’s versatility.
“Karina is a dynamic dancer, an attentive leader, and a sultry rapper to her group,” wrote Paper magazine.
Her feature on In the Name of Love follows her appearance on Lee Mujin Service, where her vocal skills impressed audiences, fueling excitement for this collaboration.
“after seeing karina on lee mujin service, i just know she’ll be the perfect fit for this collab,” a fan noted on X.
The pairing of Karina and Jannabi is a unique blend of K-pop and indie rock, two genres that rarely intersect. Jannabi’s soulful, nostalgic sound combined with Karina’s powerful vocals is expected to create a fresh and emotional track.
- Breaking Barriers: Fans see this as a groundbreaking moment for Karina, who is stepping into the indie scene.
“And she will feature on the title track?! So proud of Karina 😭 always breaking barriers. Jannabi is an indie band legend,” a fan posted on X.
- Musical Fusion: Jannabi’s retro influences and Karina’s modern K-pop flair could appeal to a wide audience.
- Fan Reactions: Social media is filled with praise, with fans calling the collaboration “insane” and “beautiful.”
What Fans Are Saying
The announcement has sent fans into a frenzy, with reactions flooding platforms like X. Here are some direct comments:
“karina will be featured on the song ‘사랑의이름으로!’ (In the name of love!) on jannabi’s 4th regular album <Sound of Music pt.1>,” shared a fan account.
“[Karina] posted via her Instagram story! ‘🌹’,” noted Jannabi’s official source, highlighting her excitement.
Fans are particularly thrilled about Karina’s vocals, expecting her to shine alongside Choi Jung-hoon’s emotive delivery.
The release of In the Name of Love on April 28, 2025, is poised to be a standout moment in both Karina and Jannabi’s careers. With Jannabi’s tour and aespa’s ongoing global activities, including their SYNK: Parallel Line tour, this collaboration will likely draw massive attention.
To know the latest updates about Karina, Jannabi, and Sound of Music Pt. 1, keep an eye on us.
