Category: Reviews

[Review] NERDY – ifeye

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ifeye is nominated for Best New Female Group and Most Underrated Artist in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Their track, r u ok?, is also nominated for Most Underrated Song. Support ifeye and r u ok? by clicking here to cast your vote today before it closes on 17 January 2026.

Another group that debuted in 2025 is ifeye, a six-member female group consisting of Won Hwa-yeon, Taerin, Rahee, Kasia, Meu, and Sasha, signed to Hi-Hat Entertainment. In April 2025, the group released their debut mini-album, ERLU BLUE, and the title track NERDY (the focus of this post). Since then, the group made one comeback with the underrated hit r u ok?. That will hopefully be the focus of another review in the future.

NERDY is a nice take on the dreamy pop atmosphere that has been on trend in KPOP recently. I enjoyed the song’s subdued yet bouncy instrumental and the smooth synth textures. The latter is further emphasised by the group’s smooth vocals and song’s melodies, both of which glide us through the song. NERDY‘s main hook, the “N-E-R-D-Y Catch the nerdy sign, N-E-R-D-Y it’s a nerdy vibe,” actually had a nice ring to it, even if it is an interesting lyric choice. But like most songs with a similar ‘dreaminess’ profile, this style comes with its own flaws, which evenuate in NERDY. One of these flaws is that some elements can be forgotten, and for NERDY, that came in the form of the verses. Rapping usually does not fit in well with this style, as evidenced in NERDY‘s rapping sequences. I was also not a big fan of NERDY‘s bridge, which brings a slight change-up to the instrumentation. But the execution ended up muddling the vocals for me. Overall, NERDY is a fair effort and a decent debut track. It just has the same problems as similar songs with the same profile.

The music video for NERDY is pretty, especially when it comes to the scenes in the forest and in the school in the final chorus, where trees sprout everywhere. There was something about these scenes that felt aesthetic, and I liked the contrast to the school concept that most groups and artists tackle at one point in their careers. NERDY‘s lyrics are about wanting to confess to someone, and we see the anxiety that this creates in the members throughout the video. But once the confession is made, their lives change for the better (i.e, the trees bloom and make everything feel pretty).

Like the music video, NERDY’s performance is also pretty. I would also throw in ‘cute’, as well. Nothing stands out on its own, but the whole routine was a nice one to watch.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] What You Want – CORTIS

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CORTIS is nominated for Best New Male Group and Best Looks (for FaSHioN) in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support CORTIS by clicking here to cast your vote today before it closes on 17 January 2026.

Next up on the rookie fortnight is CORTIS, one of the biggest rookies of 2025 and a highly requested group that I should review. Consisting of five members (James, Juhoon, Martin, Seonghyeon, and Keonho), CORTIS made their official debut in August 2025 with the single What You Want, which was later featured on their first mini-album, Colour Outside the Lines, which dropped in September 2025. Also featured on the mini-album are the pre-release single GO! and the follow-up promotional single FaSHioN (which I will try to return to review).

I will confess straight up that I wasn’t a fan of What You Want (which is partly why I kind of delayed my review of the song). A couple of months on and a fair number of repeats (Spotify and the award season did not want me to forget this song), and I have warmed up a bit to What You Want. The shoutiness of What You Want, particularly the ‘echo’ of the song’s title that follows the chorus lines and the chorus’s punctuated shouty delivery, became a recognisable element of the song. I found myself following along to these moments when the song comes on. For a debut song, this is a good outcome. Pity that it didn’t come to me earlier. Unfortunately, the vocal processing and delivery in some parts of What You Want made the song feel exhausted and hard to get into. And while I did appreciate the indie rock and hip-hop instrumental, there was very little momentum or drive to it.

The music video shows the members conveying the message of freedom after their van breaks down, leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere. Their holiday becomes quite wacky throughout the video as the group hitchhikes back to the city. They encounter a monstrous butterfly (and, in trying to escape, one member is left behind and eaten by it). They eat at a chaotic restaurant and have to make a Squid Game-like choice at an underground station. But it appears to be all a dream, as KEONHO wakes up and witnesses another version of himself and the rest of the group make the alternate choice at the station. It is a fun and humorous video that was enjoyable to watch.

What stood out most in this debut was the innovative choreography, which features the group performing on treadmills. Not all of the routine is performed on the treadmill, though, which requires members to get on and off the moving treadmills throughout. That adds further complexity to the choreography. I also enjoyed the free spirit and hip-hop flair the performance had.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Review] Blue – DxS (SEVENTEEN)

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SEVENTEEN is nominated for Best Male Group, while THUNDER is nominated for Best Dance Performance (Male Group) in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. CxM, HxW and BSS are also nominated for Best Unit. Support SEVENTEEN, THUNDER and your favourite SEVENTEEN unit by clicking here to cast your vote today before it closes on 17 January 2026.

Just yesterday, SEVENTEEN debuted their fifth unit, DxS (DK and SEUNGKWAN), who released their first mini-album, Serenade, and the title track Blue. Both DK and SEUNGKWAN are familiar with the unit aspect of the group, as the pair formed part of SEVENTEEN’s first unit, BSS, alongside HOSHI, who is currently serving his military enlistment. Following that, SEVENTEEN also debuted JxW (JEONGHAN & WONWOO), HxW (HOSHI & WOOZI), and CxM (S.COUPS & MINGYU).

Unsurprisingly, pairing up two of the main vocalists in SEVENTEEN equates to a ballad. A beautiful one, for that matter. I understand that there is only so much you can say about the genre. And in terms of longevity, ballads don’t really have much to them unless they are a hit on the domestic market (for example, HWASA’s Good Goodbye – another song I have yet to review). But this shouldn’t deter you from enjoying a ballad, even though you have to really pay attention to it to get the most out of it. I don’t think I would be praising Blue as much if I just casually listened to the song. Anyhow, Blue brings together a classical instrumental as a background and the pair’s emotional vocals to produce a captivating, stunning track. I liked how both gradually harmoniously built together. Once Blue peaks, the classical instrumental becomes somewhat dramatic, and the feelings poured into the song by both DK and SEUNGKWAN pour out in full force. The lines “Still I love you, without you” and “Fallin’ in blue… Fallin’ in your blue” have some memorable power behind them, and I enjoyed how they just carry you along. Overall, Blue is a really nice and emotional listen.

The music video does not feature either DK or SEUNGKWAN. Instead, it features actor Noh Sang Hyun and actress Lee Yoo Mi, who play a couple in the music video. While looking for an interpretation of the music video that makes sense, I found one YouTube comment that explains the theory quite well. I have screenshot the theory below, with a few additional details. At the start of the video, we see the character played by Noh Sang Hyun survive a car crash, but he also witnesses the car explode, which kills the person who remained in the car. A little later on, we see him struggle with his PSTD when an ambulance drives by with its lights on. As for the character played by Lee Yoo Mi, the two phone calls that she received from him and the fact that he didn’t pick up her calls, causing her to become alarmed and scared that something happened to him signifies that she has to constantly put her life on hold for him (i.e., she can’t get the job or a promotion, which is a way to show progression in life). I suspect that this isn’t the first time. The breakup scene at the end is particularly heartbreaking, especially since no words were said between the pair. But yet, you could understand that she still loves him (through her turning back), and he finally realises that if he loves her, he should let her go.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.4/10

[Review] F Girl – Baby DONT Cry

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Baby DONT Cry is nominated for Best New Female Group in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support Baby DONT Cry by voting via the link today.

Next up on rookie fortnight is Baby DONT Cry, who made their debut back in June 2025 with the single F Girl. The group consists of four members (Yihun, Kumi, Mia and Beni) and is managed by P Nation (the home of HWASA, PSY, Crush, Heize and TNX). More recently, the group made their first comeback with I Dont Care, which will be the subject of a different post. For now, here are my thoughts on F Girl.

I can hear a lot of potential in Baby DONT Cry through F Girl, an edgy rock-influenced dance track. However, the spoken rap verses fall flat and do little to elevate the song or distinguish the group from its peers, as the instrumental remains repetitive and underdeveloped. The song improves in the pre-chorus and bridge, where the vocals are clean and the momentum builds. As for the chorus, it was cringy at first. But repeated listens have helped the central piece ofF Girl grow on me. That being said, I wish there were more to the instrumentation and that there were proper lines in the chorus. While the hook is catchy (thanks to repetition), the chorus feels a little elementary and one-dimensional. The track is strongest toward the end, where the heavier rock elements and “La La La” hook add attitude and energy. This is the energy that the track needed throughout, and this could have enhanced F Girl quite a bit. Overall, F Girl is a mixed effort, but it shows enough promise to warrant interest in the group.

As mentioned above, the release has a lot of attitude, and I find this a prominent aspect of the music video. And I thought the locations chosen for the music video helped infuse it with a bit of light-heartedness. Other than that, the members looked absolutely stunning, becoming the second strong aspect of the video.

The same goes for the choreography – it has attitude, particularly towards the end when the song amps up. Parts did feel a little elementary, like in the song, but it was still a good watch. I think having dancers really elevated the ending (like in the music video), and I wish they had incorporated some at the end of the performance.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] All My Poetry – CLOSE YOUR EYES

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CLOSE YOUR EYES is nominated for Best New Male Group in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support CLOSE YOUR EYES by casting your vote via the link here.

Welcome to rookie week fortnight. Over the next two weeks, I will be covering rookie groups from 2025 that I did not get a chance to review during the year. The once-a-day reviews will be in addition to the usual reviews of new songs released over the next two weeks. First up is CLOSE YOUR EYES, who debuted back in April 2025 with the mini-album ETERNALT. The lead single from ETERNALT is All My Poetry (내 안의 모든 시와 소설은). CLOSE YOUR EYES was formed through the survival show Project 7, which aired in 2024, and the group is expected to be active for 3 years.

All My Poetry is an R&B track, quite an unexpected choice for a debut track. Many groups, particularly males, would go with something powerful or energetic to kick off their careers. R&B standalone doesn’t give a newly debuted group much of a chance to make their mark. This is probably why I haven’t reviewed this song (which then delayed me reviewing any of their more recent comebacks – they have had two since their debut). That being said (and retrospectively), being an unexpected choice does help in some ways. It is admittedly refreshing and chill, which is quite nice in such a competitive landscape. Their vocals and rapping, whilst not groundbreaking, do sound pleasant, and the melodies in All My Poetry are smooth (which is synonymous with the R&B genre). Pleasant also comes to mind when I think of All My Poetry‘s instrumental. Altogether, it is a simple R&B track, done well.

The music video sees the CLOSE MY EYES members come together. And the group has Kenshin to thank for coordinating everything. The video starts with Kenshin alone on stage. He returns home and begins writing letters to the other members to bring them together. While doing so, he discovers his ability to manipulate time. This comes in handy later, as he uses this power to rewind and help the members meet up and come together. For example, he places obstacles or distractions (i.e., the deer and lollipop) in the path of one member so that they can be picked up by, or run into, another member. In the end, all the members meet up at Kenshin’s home to form friendly bonds to become CLOSE YOUR EYES to perform on stage. It is a nice video to showcase the group’s beginnings.

The choreography is quite pleasant, matching neatly with the R&B influences of the song. I also appreciated how it didn’t feel stereotypically youthful (i.e. cutesy), yet you still get a sense of youthfulness from the members and the routine. Their chemistry is also nicely portrayed throughout the routine.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] Killer Joy – CNBLUE

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It’s been a while since we’ve heard from CNBLUE, so it’s great to see them come back to the KPOP scene. The veteran second-generation band’s last comeback was with A Sleepless Night in 2024, the lead track from their 10th mini-album, X. Earlier this week, the band returned with their third studio album, 3LOGY, and the lead single Killer Joy.

While Killer Joy is no I’m A Loner (for those who don’t know, this is one of CNBLUE’s biggest hits ever), I enjoyed the track for its lively, upbeat pop-rock. This is quite refreshing for CNBLUE as far as I can remember. I like how electrifying the guitar work is in Killer Joy, while the drums help bolster the track. JUNG YONGHWA’s vocals are solid, as always. I also liked the chanted bits of the song, which work well in the pop-rock environment. It was great to also hear the other members, KANG MINHYUK and LEE JUNGSHIN, during the performance of Killer Joy. While the melodies were great, I thought they could have been a bit sharper. But honestly, that is only a minor thing to work on in Killer Joy. I emerged from the song extremely satisfied and have been going back for more of Killer Joy.

In the description box on YouTube, FNC Entertainment has provided this summary of the music video: Beginning in the intimate setting of a rehearsal room, the music video for ‘Killer Joy’ depicts the gradual expansion of CNBLUE’s music, eventually connecting with the audience and transforming into a single, shared stage. Their powerful energy and immersive band performance create an intense sense of liberation. It doesn’t get more straightforward than that. I liked the montage of the members performing their songs and instruments in leather jackets between the first chorus and the second verse. It was brief, but a cool montage.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] Sting – JOOHONEY (MONSTA X) ft. Muhammad Ali

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MONSTA X is nominated for Best ‘Return to Stage’ in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support MONSTA X by voting for them today via the link here.

JOOHONEY (aka JOOHEON) of MONSTA X kicks off the year with his first solo comeback since his 2023 debut with Freedom and the mini-album Lights. And he comes in swinging with his new single Sting featuring legendary boxer Muhammad Ali (through an infamous audio clip at the start of the song). In the lead-up to the release of his second solo mini-album, 光 (Insanity), he also pre-released the single Push, featuring labelmate REI from IVE.

Hip-hop tracks aren’t my usual preference in KPOP, and STING leans heavily into the genre, which works against it for me. That said, I appreciated the intensity that JOOHONEY aims to exude in the song. His rapping, though shouty at times, had good flow and convincingly delivers STING‘s aggressive tone, supported by abrasive synth work in the instrumental. Ultimately, though, my issue with STING goes beyond genre bias. I expected more from STING‘s chorus. The centrepiece, meant to be the hookiest part of a song, relies on a flute-like synth that doesn’t fill out the background as well as it should have, and JOOHONEY’s repetition of Muhammad Ali’s infamous line “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee“. As such, I felt the chorus was uneventful and unimaginative. especially since others have been doing a similar thing with their chorus (though better). Elsewhere, the verses and bridge flew by, leaving little impression beyond the aggressiveness mentioned earlier.

The music video sees JOOHONEY channel the aggressive, intense nature of STING into the visual media of the comeback. We see JOOHONEY deliver the song with some head nodding, feeling the song’s vibes. We see him perform some choreography with the dancers. Honestly, it isn’t bad. But the most impressive parts of the video don’t involve him. Rather, it involves the bee that is the subject of the song – the CGI butterfly turning into a bee, the massive bee that sits behind the rapper at one point, and the bee that JOOHONEY spits out at high speed, enough to break the lens.

The choreography for this comeback is exactly how you imagine in it. Just as the music video does, the performance for STING portrays an aggressive, fierce side of JOOHONEY. I don’t think it is the moves, though. I actually put it down to his stage presence, which really leaves an impression as he performs the song, with the dancers helping fill any gaps along the way.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Review] Love Me More – APINK

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Support your favourite artists, songs and performances of 2025 in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards today by casting your vote via this link.

I am officially back reviewing new music releases, and there is no better way to start the year than with APINK’s latest comeback, Love Me More, which celebrates their 15th anniversary. The single is featured on their 11th mini-album, RE: LOVE, which officially dropped today (5 January 2026). This is their first comeback in almost 2 years, following D N D and the mini-album SELF in 2023.

Love Me More is a pleasant dance-pop track that evokes nostalgia. My first impression of the song was that it felt very much quintessential APINK – sweet and soft, whilst also mature and fitting for a group that has been around for 15 years! Instrumentally, Love Me More was quite nice. I appreciated that the new jack swing elements in the background offset the song’s delicate side. I also really liked the concentration in the bridge, which added a little edge to the track without completely changing the song or messing with the nostalgia of the music. As for APINK’s vocals, I enjoyed how they carried the chorus’s melodies and hooks. There is something about EUNJI, NAMJOO and BOMI’s vocals in the choruses that just elevates the song. Said melodies and hooks were also dreamy and catchy, and this has had me coming back for more. Overall, Love Me More is a nice release that shows that APINK still has it, even after 15 years. Congratulations to the group for reaching such a significant and rare milestone.

Similar to the song, the music video for this comeback is pleasant and inviting to watch. The video opens up with EUNJI digging a hole in the ground and sowing a seed. From there, cold days have developed and the land where the hole was dug been covered with snow. However, over time, that seed had grown into a tree, and by the end of the video, cherry blossoms had appeared, signalling brighter and warmer days ahead. If you are unaware, cherry blossoms are a hallmark of Spring in South Korea. The tree might also have a double meaning, as it can represent their careers: the members put in the hard work initially to grow, and they are now at a stage where they can comfortably enjoy the fruits of their labour. One thing I enjoyed about the video is that, regardless of the season or conditions APINK find themselves in, their presence is warm and comforting enough to make whatever feel the same.

The dance during the post-chorus hook (i.e., the choreography alongside the ‘Love Me More’ repetition) is also reminiscent of APINK’s past choreographies. I liked how this nostalgic theme continues throughout the entire comeback. As for the rest of the routine, it looks charming and graceful. The bridge routine also looks very cool, whilst also fitting APINK’s aesthetics.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Review] Season of Memories – GFriend

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GFRIEND is nominated for Best ‘Return To Stage’ in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support GFRIEND by voting today!

January is supposed to be a celebratory month for GFriend, as it serves as the anniversary of their debut. And while GFriend was strong enough to continue celebrating this for years to come, Source Music unexpectedly announced that the group would be disbanded in May 2021. Since then, Eunha, SinB, and Umji have redebuted as VIVIZ, YUJU and YERIN have debuted as solo artists, and SOWON has transitioned into acting. However, earlier this year, the former female group banded together to bring us Season of Memories to celebrate their 10th anniversary. It is also GFriend’s first release since MAGO in November 2020, which also (unknowingly at the time) served as their farewell song.

To me, Season of Memories doesn’t offer that GFriend sound, which I remember being disappointed about. There would have been a significant benefit in revitalising GFriend’s signature sound, particularly for a single meant to celebrate their 10th anniversary. This would have helped keep the song in listeners’ minds longer (such as mine), and is probably why I have not written a review for it sooner. That being said, re-listening to Season of Memories for this review, it is a pretty release from the group. I really enjoyed the combination of the guitar and piano in the background. It felt very clean and is reminiscent of a soft pop JPOP release. I appreciated the subtle upbeatness, grooviness and brightness it brought to the song. As for the members, they sounded very pleasant throughout the track. I particularly enjoyed the harmonies that form part of Season of Memories‘ leading hook, and the crispness of SinB’s vocal-only sequence in the bridge. The melodies also had a pleasant quality, and I really appreciated the warmth in the member’s tone.

The music video sees GFRIEND aboard a train as time slows down, with all the members running into one another, running alongside and supporting each other – just like old times. And just like old times, we see the members regroup on stage. It would have been nice to see them back on a real stage, rather than some that appears AI-generated or added in post-production, as this would have better conveyed the nostalgia and symbolism of such a moment. But overall, it was a nice, pleasant music video that brought GFRIEND back to us in one video.

Just like the song and music video, the performance offers us the chance to see GFRIEND back on stage, and I am completely content with just that idea. It was a good performance, but lacked the distinct GFRIEND factor that they had in previous performances (though this can probably be put down to the song). I am sure, however, that fans are appreciative of the final part of the dance, which is a homage back to their Rough days.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] Promise – DOYOUNG (NCT)

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Similar to JUNGWOO with SUGAR the other week, DOYOUNG also made a comeback the day after beginning his military service on 8 December 2025. The new single, titled Promise, follows his second studio album, SOAR, led by the single Memory.

Unsurprisingly, DOYOUNG offers Promise as a ballad, a parting gift for his fans while he goes on hiatus to express his gratitude for the love and support he has received. Given his past work, I trust DOYOUNG to deliver an engaging ballad. And he does just that in Promise. The vocal performance in this one is spectacular. DOYOUNG is a formidable vocalist, and so such a performance is definitely within expectation. I particularly liked how his vocals build in Promise, helping create the engaging song as hoped. The melodies were charming, and I liked how they gave Promise some variety, avoiding becoming an overly consistent ballad that just repeats the same elements a couple of times and then calls it a day. As for the instrumentation, the backing is more typical of a ballad, with piano, strings, and percussion. But it complements DOYOUNG by building alongside his vocals. Overall, Promise is a beautiful ballad which I am sure fans and listeners will find comforting.

The music video centres on DOYOUNG returning home (presumably after an extended absence), rediscovering an old houseplant, setting it aside, and then going on with his life. One rainy day, he hears something fall to the ground outside and discovers the houseplant there. He takes it back inside, realising that he has taken it for granted, and begins to look after and care for it. That includes drawing some eyes on the pot (cute) and bringing it around with him as he goes on about his daily life. When it comes time for him to leave again, he realises the conditions will be harsh for the plant, so he builds a contraption to control the plant’s climate. The plant gifts him a flower, which he puts on a ring and takes on his adventures outside the house. At the end, he returns home with the plant, and another flower is in bloom. I think the parallels between the houseplant and his fans throughout the video are apparent, particularly at the end, when his fans will be waiting for him upon his return from military enlistment.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] RED (Beggin’) – VERIVERY

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At the beginning of the month, VERIVERY made their first comeback in 2 years with their new single, RED (Beggin’). Their last comeback was in 2023 with Crazy Like That. Since then, one member (DONGHEON) completed his military service, 3 members (DONGHEON, GYEHYEON and KANGMIN) participated in Boys II Planet, and it was announced that most of the group re-signed with their current company (Jellyfish Entertainment) until the end of 2026.

VERIVERY’s comeback is fierce, aiming to make a strong impression after being absent from the industry. I wouldn’t be surprised if many fans and casual listeners had thought the group disappeared into the abyss, given that a 2-year hiatus period doesn’t bode well in the KPOP industry. Personally, I think VERIVERY has done well in this comeback. RED (Beggin’) is a fast-paced and robust drum-and-bass song, which features a familiar, yet memorable, interpolation of The Four Seasons’ Beggin’ in its chorus. I think this was a clever move from the producers, with something familiar in the mix that many people can latch onto. The vocal work was very clean and polished, while the rapping gives RED (Beggin’) a really nice kick. Altogether, these elements left quite an impression on me when I first checked out the song, and I have been digging it ever since. Perhaps more bass or possibly having the current bass feel a little fuller in RED (Beggin’) would have rounded out this song nicely.

According to the blurb in the YouTube description box, the music video opens with the group celebrating in the past, only for an alert to warn them of unidentified avian creatures approaching Earth. The music video then takes us to the present day, where VERIVERY find themselves stuck in the city, targeted by the avian creatures and unable to escape. Despite being on the run, VERIVERY do try to make the most of the situation by continuing filming ‘their youth’ as the final title card states. In the end, they board an elevator, which the blurb states ‘symboliz[es] a new future that awaits VERIVERY’. In addition to this storyline, I think we also see scenes where the avian creatures get to them, creating an alternative ‘what if’ scenario for the video to explore.

As for the performance, I thought it was good. I liked how they conveyed the fierceness of the song I mentioned earlier in their routine.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10

[Review] NOT CUTE ANYMORE – ILLIT

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Two weeks ago, ILLIT made their surprise comeback with NOT CUTE ANYMORE. Well, it was a surprise, for me at least, because I didn’t see any pre-comeback promotions for this release. NOT CUTE ANYMORE is ILLIT’s first Korean comeback since Do The Dance earlier this year.

NOT CUTE ANYMORE takes on reggae-pop, but in a very beige manner. For a group that has been dependent on a cute sound since their debut, the reggae-pop could have been a very unique direction for them and/or their discography. Considering the intent of the song, making NOT CUTE ANYMORE sound beige was intentional (more on this in the music video section). But this ‘beige-ness’ ends up being so thick in NOT CUTE ANYMORE that it makes it challenging to engage with the song, even for the purposes of this review. It extends from the minimalist instrumentation to the small vocals the members deliver in this song (which, in the end, make them sound cute). One thing that did come out of this, though I am not sure it is a positive, is that the beige is so prevalent that it does become a memorable part of the song. On a more light-hearted note, the combination does give NOT CUTE ANYMORE the catchy line “I’m not cute anymore” from the chorus, but that doesn’t do enough to make up for the rest of the song.

Despite trying to leave behind their cute image in the music video for a more edgy and mature look, the video for NOT CUTE ANYMORE portrays their attempt as a cute act and shows us that ILLIT cannot simply shake this cute image off. This was the whole point of the song, and so what we see in the music video is a strong portrayal of this concept. I just wish the song did this more engagingly. I liked how colour-wise, the music video is very toned down, complementing the beige sound, but also the notion that looking edgy and mature is not a colourful thing.

Watching the performance, I find myself smiling at their failed attempt at being edgy and mature. I liked how some of the members smile in one moment and, the next, are expressionless and serious. It brings the concept into the performance quite well.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.3/10

[Review] Put It Back – ONF

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Another mid-November comeback that I have yet to review (until today) is ONF’s Put It Back, the lead single off their 9th mini-album, UNBROKEN. Put It Back follows the release of the first part of their 2nd studio album, ONF: My Identity, and its title track, The Stranger.

Put It Back is good, but not great compared to ONF’s past hits. There are some elements that I really like that have me coming back to Put It Back. The super funky instrumental was the first thing that really jumped out at me. The concentration of prolific guitar twang and plucks makes Put It Back super cool and groovy. The hip-hop elements were also nicely handled throughout the song. Clear vocals and rapping are also present. The biggest problem I have with Put It Back is the lack of that really memorable hook and/or melody that becomes a defining feature of the song, as per their past hits. The “Put It Back” line that opens the chorus and its repetition as the post-chorus hook just doesn’t have that same ONF feel and boldness to stick with you, even after the song ends. This is most likely the result of decoupling ONF from Hwang Hyun, a long-term collaborator with ONF who has been behind many of ONF’s past songs.

The music video for this comeback was fairly straightforward, which I suspect is because budgets were cut back. For the most part, it featured close-up shots of the members, with the camera very close to them, as well as choreography shots around the stadium. The former offers what felt like a direct, unfiltered view of the members, which is a cool aesthetic. At the same time, with the latter, I appreciated how the production team used lighting, post-production and the outfits to give off different vibes and make it seem like entirely different locations.

ONF’s synchronisation and the smoothness of the ‘Put It Back‘ moves at the start of the chorus were the standout elements of their performance. Both were very cool to watch and appreciate.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] LOOK AT ME – ALLDAY PROJECT

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Making their comeback yesterday was ALLDAY PROJECT, with their self-titled debut mini-album. The mini-album does feature their recent single release ONE MORE TIME, but it is led by the single LOOK AT ME, which also dropped yesterday.

After a successful debut with FAMOUS and a comeback with ONE MORE TIME, I am disappointed with LOOK AT ME. From the nursery rhyme-based chant in the chorus (which makes the song sound childish) to the plain instrumental elsewhere in the song, everything pretty much felt a downgrade in comparison to their previous singles. LOOK AT ME is also relatively short in length, and that hindered its ability to actually develop into something decent. On the flip side, I did find some aspects of LOOK AT ME to be decent, so it isn’t all bad news for the song. The bass was appreciated, as was the rapping by ANNIE, BAILEY and TARZZAN in the second verse. TARZZAN also does well in the bridge. But overall, I very much prefer their more recent single ONE MORE TIME over LOOK AT ME any day.

From what I can gather from the music video, ALLDAY PROJECT is the centre of attention, breaking free from the rest of the world and garnering attention in the process. Some trampoline bounces, cool-looking close-ups, and nice editing/post-production make for a decent video. I felt the song limited the video’s potential. For example, the brown tones of the video complemented the music, but felt so boring and dull.

While the performance has been a strong point for ALLDAY PROJECT, I don’t necessarily think it was much of a highlight in this comeback. While we have not seen a performance for LOOK AT ME yet, the music video usually steps in to highlight the key points of the choreography. But aside from the ADP signage, I don’t remember much of the choreography from the video. I might return once we see a performance, in case there is more to it.

Song – 5.5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.3/10

[Review] Lemonade Fever – CRAVITY

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Despite CRAVITY’s Lemonade Fever being out for a month now, I am actually excited to finally get a chance to review the new single. Lemonade Fever is the title track of CRAVITY’s Dare to Crave: Epilogue, the repackaged version of their 3rd studio album, Dare to Crave, that was released in June this year. Alongside that album, CRAVITY released Set Net G0?! as the title track.

Lemonade Fever stands out of the pack with its energetic groove and funky underlay, pushing forward a dynamic and upbeat dance profile. Great rapping and vocals feature throughout Lemonade Fever, with easy-on-the-ear pop melodies that help make the song approachable. Lemonade Fever is very much an underrated track and should have received more attention. Needless to say, CRAVITY did well with the song, but it wasn’t any of the already mentioned aspects of Lemonade Fever that grabbed my attention. That came down to the second half of the chorus, with the distorted guitar. The deepness, the harshness and abrupt nature of this second half was such an unexpected change up and contrasting element to the rest of Lemonade Fever. Yet, it works extremely well as a centrepiece to the song. Overall, I enjoy repeating Lemonade Fever, but there is something about that second half of the chorus that just manages to tickle my brain, particularly when it comes out of the blue.

The music video and lyrics to Lemonade Fever sees the members liken the attraction and pull towards a lover to the sweet taste of lemonade. The music video features the members enjoying the sweet taste of the beverage and shares this enjoyment with the people around them. Though, I think it gets out of hand at a certain point, with lemonade leaking all around the station, and it turning people exposed to a zombie. Slightly confusing, but still a fun and lighthearted video to enjoy.

The performance for Lemonade Fever encapsulates the funky and groovy elements of the song for majority of the choreography. But when it comes to the contrasting sequence of the song, the members turn serious (to complement the deepness and harshness) and give off more mature vibes. I did enjoy the entire performance, but particularly that same part in the routine.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10

[Review] Panorama – TAEYEON (SNSD)

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Earlier this week, TAEYEON made her comeback with her first Korean compilation album, Panorama: The Best of TAEYEON, to celebrate 10 years as a solo singer. That was 2015 with the I (ft. Verbal Jint), though this album only features a solo version of her solo debut track. Leading the 23-track album of TAEYEON’s past hits and title tracks is the new single, Panorama. This comeback comes 1 year after her Letter To Myself comeback in November 2024.

Panorama starts off with soft piano and guitar in a ballad-like intro. It slowly builds towards the first chorus, which adds in the presence of drums before slowly building up again and bursting into the proper form of Panorama – a pop-rock single. From there, Panorama maintains the same momentum and energy before easing out at the end. The second chorus, however, launches right into the pop-rock sound and doesn’t feature a build-up in its first half. As with any of her solo songs, each section features her stunning vocals, keeping you engaged and entranced. While I quite enjoyed the choruses’ melodies, I wished the verses had something similar. The chorus really takes away a lot of the focus, and while the verses were good, they just didn’t have the same impact as the chorus. Overall, it is rare for any of TAEYEON’s songs to go wrong, and Panorama is another song that proves it.

The music video opens with a young female entering TAEYEON’s bookstore. The latter hands the younger a book and proceeds to stare at the younger customer whilst she reads it. Not creepy, but this sparks a smile from the younger customer and a friendship blooms from there. As they go on a road trip, it becomes clear that the pair share common interests and care for one another (particularly TAEYEON). As the video goes on, it is revealed that the younger girl is, in fact, the younger version of TAEYEON, taking possession of TAEYEON’s red umbrella that we see TAEYEON use at the start and throughout the video. While this felt very apparent from the onset of the video, I did quite like the reveal. I also like the scene where TAEYEON holds a battered version of the umbrella as she watches the younger girl, symbolising the hardships she endured on her journey to where she is today.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10