Seoulbeats Revisits the Duet With a New Mixtape
On 15 October 2026, Seoulbeats published 'The SB Mixtape, 10/15/2026: It Takes Two, Take Two', a playlist column that returns to a concept first explored in a 2020 mixtape called 'It Take Two'. The author, a long-running mixtape curator for the site, explains that duets have only increased in frequency and quality since then. The new playlist shares some artists with the original — Zico, Tablo and AKMU are named as duet masters — while also featuring newer collaborators such as Ten and Jennie.
The column's central argument is that the duet format has evolved in three noticeable ways, making this more than a simple nostalgia exercise.
The piece is framed as a personal milestone: the author notes having made SB Mixtapes for over six years, moving from 'baby K-pop fan' to 'semi-veteran' status. That history matters because it allows the column to compare two moments in Korean music rather than simply listing current favourites. The result is a rare example of fan criticism that tracks change over time, using the duet as a lens for broader shifts in collaboration, narrative and commercial appeal.
What the Original Mixtape Started
The 2020 mixtape was one of the first playlists the author researched in depth, leading to new track discoveries. Six years later, the author describes having produced dozens of playlists, not all of which stay in rotation. But the duet concept remained a favourite, and revisiting it revealed how much the format has developed. The new column is not just a list of songs; it is a snapshot of a format that has grown more varied and more commercially visible.
For readers, the value lies in the comparisons. The original 'It Take Two' was built around duets when the author was relatively new to K-pop. The new version comes after years of listening and curation, which gives the observations a longer baseline. The column mentions that research for the first mixtape led to fun discoveries, and the same spirit of exploration carries into the 2026 edition.
That makes the playlist useful both as a time capsule and as a discovery tool for listeners who want to hear how duets have changed.
Trend One: Same-Gender Duets Take Centre Stage
The first shift the column identifies is the rise of same-gender duets, especially between two male artists. In 2020, such pairings were less common in mainstream K-pop duets; now they appear more frequently. This matters because duets have historically been framed around romantic tension between a male and a female voice. Same-gender collaborations open different creative possibilities: they can explore camaraderie, competition, mentorship, or simply a shared musical vision without the default of romance.
The column does not claim this is universal, but it notes the trend as a significant change. For listeners, it means a broader emotional palette in duet tracks. For artists, it offers new ways to combine fanbases and musical identities. The rise of same-gender duets also reflects a wider willingness in Korean music to experiment with pairings that are not built on a conventional love story.
That does not make romance obsolete, but it does mean the duet format is being used for more varied artistic purposes.
Trend Two: Beyond Romance
The second trend is a drop in the share of strictly romance-focused duets. According to the column, more duets now use a wider range of narrative push-and-pull dynamics. Instead of love stories, duets may stage conversations between friends, rivals, or generations. This is a subtle but important development: it suggests that the duet is being treated as a flexible format rather than a vehicle for a single theme.
The push-and-pull can be emotional, playful, or confrontational, and it can be carried by vocal contrast rather than lyrical romance.
For K-pop, which often blends genres and personas, this widening of duet narratives reflects a maturing approach to collaboration. It also gives listeners more reasons to pay attention to the interplay between voices, not just the chorus. When a duet is not locked into romance, the performers can inhabit different roles and tensions. That can make the track feel like a short scene or a conversation, which is one reason the column sees this as a meaningful change since 2020.
Trend Three: The Smash-Hit Factor
The third observation is that many smash hits appeared on the playlist. The column concludes that 'the people evidently hunger for a good duet.' This is not a statistical claim but a listening-based one. Still, it aligns with a broader pattern in Korean music: duets can generate significant attention because they bring together two established fanbases and often showcase vocal chemistry that solo releases cannot. The playlist includes both long-standing duet masters and rising stars, suggesting that the format is not niche.
When a duet works, it can become a defining track for both artists, and the column's selection highlights that potential. The mix of familiar and newer names is important here. Established artists like Zico, Tablo and AKMU bring a track record of successful collaborations, while figures such as Ten and Jennie represent a newer generation showing a knack for duets.
That combination suggests the format is being sustained by both experience and fresh energy, which is why the column treats the hit factor as a trend rather than a coincidence.
Why Six Years of Mixtapes Matters
The author's six-year run with the SB Mixtape series provides a useful longitudinal view. The original 'It Take Two' was created when the author was relatively new to K-pop; the new version comes after years of listening and curation. That gap allows the column to trace changes that might be invisible in a single year. The result is a rare example of fan criticism that documents evolution rather than just reacting to the latest release.
For readers, it offers a way to hear the duet format historically — not as a static tradition, but as a living practice that responds to industry trends, audience tastes, and artist choices. The playlist also serves as a discovery tool: the column mentions new tracks found through research, and the mix of familiar and unfamiliar names invites listeners to explore beyond their usual rotation. The personal tone does not undermine the analysis; it grounds it in a clear timeline of fandom and curation.
What to Listen For
When approaching the new mixtape, listeners can use the three trends as a guide. Notice how same-gender duets handle vocal interplay — do they trade lines, harmonise, or build contrast? Notice which duets avoid romance and what they put in its place: tension, humour, or shared energy. And notice how many of the tracks feel like hits, even if they were not marketed as singles. The column does not provide a track-by-track breakdown, but its framing encourages active listening.
The playlist is available via Seoulbeats, and it includes artists such as Zico, Tablo, AKMU, Ten and Jennie, among others. These names represent different generations and styles, which makes the mix a useful entry point for anyone curious about duets in Korean music. Rather than presenting the songs as isolated highlights, the column asks readers to hear them as evidence of a changing format. That approach can turn a casual listen into a more focused comparison between the 2020 and 2026 moments.
The Takeaway
Seoulbeats' 'It Takes Two, Take Two' is more than a nostalgic return. It argues that the duet format has expanded in three concrete ways: more same-gender pairings, fewer romance-only narratives, and a consistent stream of hit collaborations. Those trends are based on one curator's listening and research, so they are best read as informed observations rather than industry-wide data. But they offer a clear, accessible lens for understanding why duets feel more prominent today.
The column also shows how long-running fan writing can track change over time. For anyone who loves Korean music, the playlist is a reminder that collaboration is not a side project — it is a central part of how the genre evolves. Whether you are drawn to the established duet masters or the rising stars, the mix provides a starting point for hearing what has shifted since 2020 and what might come next.
