Greatest Hits compilations are rare in K-pop. In fact, I think Japan is the only music market where they’re still commonly released. Nevertheless, SNSD’s Taeyeon has just released a twenty-three track anthology (including a not-as-good 2025 mix of her best song Time Lapse). To celebrate this album, she’s also unveiled new song Panorama (인사).

Taeyeon can always be counted on for a great performance, but I haven’t connected to her music since 2022’s INVU. As with so many veteran soloists, the songs have grown smaller and quieter as her career has gone on. Panorama takes us back to the wide-open soundscapes of her debut era, unfolding as a satisfying rock singalong. This style has always suited her voice well, taking advantage of her ability to both emote and rattle off a string of power notes. In other words, Panorama feels comforting and familiar — exactly what you’d hope for as the lead to a Greatest Hits campaign.

However, when stacking Panorama against past hits within this same genre, the song lacks the punch needed to stand out. It plays more like a b-side than a single, taking elements of past glories without standing as its own highlight. The track does a nice job employing a slow build to give the chorus maximum impact. I just wish the melodies were working as hard. The chorus is serviceable but a little dull, helped along by the insistent production that gives it a larger-than-life appeal. Still, Panorama makes for a nice marker on Taeyeon’s strong discography, hinting at better things for new listeners to uncover.

Grade: B-