As the K-pop industry continues to welcome new girl groups, rookie duo dodree is quietly carving out a unique identity of its own. Rather than following the popular girl crush or teen-pop formula, the pair has captivated listeners with an elegant blend of Korean traditional music and contemporary pop earning praise for both their enchanting visuals and hypnotic sound.

On June 24, dodree released their second single album, HAWWAH, featuring three tracks: HAWWAH (title track), Lilac and Seasonal Love Letters.

The title track, HAWWAH, which translates to “summer whirlwind,” uses the image of a swirling vortex to symbolize hidden desires and the difficult choices buried deep within one’s heart. Built upon the duo’s signature K-rossover Pop style, the song introduces more dance-oriented rhythms while seamlessly blending the traditional Korean gayageum with modern synthesizers, creating a captivating balance between heritage and contemporary music.

dodree’s use of traditional elements extends beyond instrumentation. Both members incorporate vocal techniques inspired by Korean folk music, including delicate ornamentation and expressive phrasing layered over modern production. This distinctive vocal style has become one of the group’s defining characteristics, setting them apart from many fourth- and fifth-generation rookie girl groups.

The accompanying music video embraces the same artistic vision. Wearing outfits inspired by hanbok alongside modern styling, the members perform in dreamlike settings filled with water imagery, rippling waves, and swirling visual motifs that reinforce the concept of a “summer whirlwind.” The result is a mystical atmosphere that has resonated with viewers across social media.

Since its release, HAWWAH has steadily gained attention online thanks to its refreshing concept and distinctive musical identity. Many fans have been captivated by the duo’s elegant visuals, describing the members as looking like aristocratic heroines stepping out of a fantasy novel. Others praised the song’s mysterious atmosphere, saying its haunting melodies and unique production create an almost hypnotic listening experience.

Across online communities, many believe dodree deserves far more recognition, arguing that the group possesses both exceptional artistry and a clearly defined identity that is rare among rookie acts.

dodree is a two-member girl group under INNIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of JYP Entertainment. The group consists of Na Yeongjoo (born in 2001) and Lee Songhyun (born in 2004). They officially debuted on January 21, 2026, with the digital single Just Like A Dream.

Even from their debut, dodree established their musical direction by incorporating Korean traditional sounds into modern pop arrangements instead of chasing prevailing industry trends. Following Just Like A Dream and Born, the duo released Lilac on June 17 as a pre-release track leading into HAWWAH.

One reason dodree’s concept feels especially authentic is the members’ artistic backgrounds.

  • Na Yeongjoo: Na Yeongjoo specializes in pansori, Korea’s traditional narrative singing art form, which demands exceptional vocal technique and emotional expression. She comes from a family deeply rooted in Korean traditional music, representing the third generation after both her grandmother and mother. Remarkably, she began learning pansori at just three years old.
  • Lee Songhyun: Lee Songhyun was professionally trained in traditional Korean dance, bringing graceful movements and refined stage presence to the group’s performances. Before debuting, both members competed on KBS2’s audition program The Ddanddara, where Lee Songhyun finished fourth and Na Yeongjoo placed fifth, helping them gain recognition before officially debuting.

While many rookie girl groups opt for powerful concepts or highly commercial pop sounds, dodree has chosen a different path. Through releases such as Just Like A Dream, Born, Lilac, and now HAWWAH, the duo continues to develop a musical universe where Korean traditional culture naturally coexists with contemporary pop production. Their willingness to experiment without sacrificing accessibility has led many listeners to call them one of K-pop’s most underrated rookie acts.

If dodree continues refining this distinctive identity, many fans believe the duo has the potential to become one of the industry’s most unique success stories.

Sources: K14