Incorporating a mix of Western influences such as hip-hop, new jack swing, and guitars, the song became a pivotal moment in Korean music history and is widely regarded as the pioneering work for the beginning of the modern K-pop market.
It was a major commercial hit domestically, breaking the record for the longest charting song at number-one for 17 consecutive weeks.
[3][4][5][6] The song's success was attributed to its new jack swing-inspired beats and memorable chorus, as well as innovative lyrics which dealt with the problems of Korean society.
Their footsteps were followed by a wave of successful hip hop and R&B artists like Yoo Seung-jun, Jinusean, Solid, Deux, 1TYM and Drunken Tiger.
[27][28] NPR wrote that "For many South Korean youths, the track was their first exposure to hip-hop and New Jack Swing and a welcome alternative to traditional styles of music".
[22] In 2021, online portal Melon and newspaper Seoul Shinmun ranked it as the 21st best K-pop song of all time, with music critic Minjae Jeong writing that "After 'I Know', everything changed.