It is not possible to keep up with every single release to happen in a year as it comes out, so sometimes I find gems months later. So in honor of that, I’m giving my quick takes on songs I didn’t catch at their release.
Don’t Teach Me by Ailee
I like it but I don’t love it. The jazzy style has been becoming more popular this year, and I think there are some other songs in this style that I like more.
Run Run Run by F.able
I really like the song and had found it earlier in the year, but a while after their debut. So going into watching the video I knew I enjoyed the song already. As for the video, it is pretty straightforward. It’s more about the settings than a story so I’m neutral about it. It won’t be memorable visually, but it’s fine.
Fly Up High by SKYLE
Another one where I know I like the song before watching the video. The visuals in the video are impressive. The choreography leaves something to be desired. I am impressed that it seems like all of the girls both sing and rap. For a debut, it’s not bad but I look forward to improvement.
Excuse me by BXK
It’s fine. I like the song but it’s not super unique from what a lot of boy groups release. And the video isn’t going to be the most memorable. What the song and video have to do with each other, I don’t know. And seeing the same three sets over and over got boring.
BEAM BEAM by Jeon Soyeon
I like the song, but the video is just too ridiculous for me. It’s ultimately just a fun summer song so taking it seriously is a wasted effort.
Bonnie & Clyde by YUQI
I love this song and binged listened to it a lot when I found it. The video fits well with the mood of it and Yuqi sounds so good.
I’m Not Cool by HyunA
I have learned that HyunA’s videos are going to be bizarre. And that her videos aren’t going to make me love a song. So it’s a good thing I heard the song before watching the video. I like the song and am indifferent to the video since I know it’s going to be crazy and won’t make sense.
My Turn by Cravity
This is so fitting for Cravity and was a solid comeback for them. This is probably my favorite comeback of theirs thus far.
Never Let You Go by AleXa
I remember when this came out early in the year and it was such a surprise for AleXa who had previously always had her girl crush concepts. But the song is really beautiful and the video’s simplicity and styling are really nice.
Odd Eye by Dreamcatcher
I am always interested in what Dreamcatcher will do since they have such an interesting concept and their videos are always so visually stunning. And Odd Eye is no different. It’s a great comeback for them and has a world that I’d want to see more of.
HWAA by (G)I-DLE
I really love what (G)I-DLE does and HWAA is no different. The video is gorgeous and fits the themes and lyrics of the song so well. I kind of wish the video didn’t have any choreography in it, which is weird for me to say since I love dance, but I liked the scenes without it more.
ASURABABALTA by T1419
Song wise it is very similar to what most boy groups debut with which I do enjoy. As for the video, I like how they focused on showing off the choreography. I do wish they didn’t include the forest scenery because it doesn’t fit with the tone in my opinion.
My Treasure by Treasure
It’s good, just not what I gravitate towards. And it wasn’t what I expected from Treasure, which also isn’t a bad thing. Just not for me that much.
Crush by MCND
The first time I listened to this song, I was very torn on whether I liked it because I found the chorus kind of obnoxious. It grew on me so I like it more although the chorus is still a little much for me.
Love So Sweet by Cherry Bullet
I actually really like it and I’m surprised. It balances being a girly concept but also has some modernity and maturity to it. And I like the video focusing on the choreography and moving between the room.
Burn It by Golden Child
The song is right up my alley musically. Now what does a zombie apocalypse have to do with any of this, I don’t know. They just inserted a drama in the middle of this video for whatever reason. And it fits somehow and I can’t explain why. I wonder if it’s part of a longer storyline throughout more videos.
Cinema by CIX
CIX is an underrated favorite of mine so I’m a little biased, but this track is really good. The video is fitting, but the song is really the highlight.
YOU by CHECKMATE
Both the song and the video are really cool. First time I watched the video I loved it instantly. And this might be one of my favorite songs of the year.
Bicycle by CHUNG HA
I like it but I don’t think it is Chung Ha’s best. The video also comes across as extravagant for extravagance’s sake. Not a lot of substance really.
DOOM DOOM TA by TRI.BE
The song and the choreography are what I like most about their debut. Most of their video is excessive which I don’t usually mind, but I just don’t know why they had to include them holding guns so frequently.
Excalibur by KINGDOM
Was Kingdom’s debut dramatic? Yes. But when your concept is all about kings of course it will be. For a debut, they really made a statement with Excalibur. Also, the video is a combination of two songs, not solely Excalibur so if the video seemed like too much, give just the song a listen.
Don’t Call Me by SHINee
First time watching, I was way too distracted by whatever that feather wig thing they put on Key is. And I didn’t, and still don’t, like the song very much. I have found other SHINee comebacks to be better in my opinion.
God Damn by I.M
God Damn is right. I’m not surprised that I.M, who is from Monsta X, would go very sensual but I still didn’t see this coming. It is very fitting for him though and deviates from Monsta X’s sound enough to make it unique for him as a soloist.
Wings by PIXY
This was a very strong debut and really set the tone for what to expect from PIXY. I just hope that in the future they don’t become one-note with the darker concept.
All or Nothing by WEi
This comeback was such a switch from their debut, so it was a surprise. I prefer this concept personally so I enjoy the video and track.
Lose by WONHO
Wonho has yet to disappoint honestly. I already knew I liked the song since I heard it before the video and the video works well with the tone.
Firework (I’m The One) by ATEEZ
It’s not my favorite ATEEZ comeback personally, but it is still good. I like the chorus the most and the video is fitting. I just like other tracks more.
Get Away by VERIVERY
I really like the song and I think it is one of VERIVERY’s better comebacks. I have no idea what is happening in the video though. I’m guessing there is an overarching storyline to the group and this plays a part, but I’m not familiar enough with the group to know.
Blood Night by G-reyish
Vampires are en vogue in K-Pop lately. It’s not bad, but also not the most unique or interesting of songs. And they didn’t do much with the vampire/horror concept. They basically just existed in the scenes and that’s it. It’s not bad and they have promise, it just could be better.
Kick Back by WayV
Not a big fan of this comeback from WayV. I just don’t like the song that much compared to other music they have.
SEOUL by GHOST9
I really like the chorus. It was unexpected based on what Ghost9 has done before and what the opening verse sounded like. It was a tone shift that works really well. I also like the video which showed off Seoul in a very interesting way.
On The Ground by Rosé
I expected better. It’s kind of bland and one-note. I think Rosé is a better performer than this song allowed her to show. The money isn’t going into the music and we can tell. I will say that her solo debut was better than Lisa’s.
DO or NOT by PENTAGON
It’s fine, but I’m not a fan. I always find it weird when in a video a whole group is hitting on one person. It’s just weird to me to be honest.
I like you by Ciipher
I remember when I first watched their debut and I was really surprised because this brighter concept is not what I expected at all. And I’m not the biggest fan of this sound and look so I wasn’t a big fan of it. It’s not bad, just not my taste.
*DAZZLE by MY.st
What I like most about the video is the location because it isn’t what I expected after hearing the song and it’s not an overused place in a ton of other videos. I think the choreography could be improved, or at least how they filmed it made some things look like mistakes. But this group has a lot of promise so I’m interested to see what they will come back with.
No Diggity by ONEUS
The song and video are cool, but the video has nothing to do with the song at least based on the lyrics. Which if you aren’t one to dig into the lyrics, that’s okay. I just noticed it and found it interesting. I do think this is one of the better songs of this genre this year.
UNNATURAL by WJSN
Prior to this song, I wasn’t much of a WJSN fan. Their music style just wasn’t my preference. But I really like Unnatural. It has a maturity that I prefer with girl groups.
Loved You by BAE173
I get TxT meets Enhypen vibes from the video, which is not a bad thing at all. But we have seen it before so it’ll be nice to see what unique concepts they can do in the future. As for the song, it’s okay. I don’t have any strong feelings. The beat and melody are kind of flat so it gets monotonous easily.
water color by Whee In
Watching the video, I couldn’t help but feel like I’ve heard this melody before. The beat is familiar and not from having heard the song before. So that’s kind of disappointing since it’s not super unique. Also, I don’t fully understand what the song is about. I have the lyrics in captions and it seems to contradict itself. I don’t know this just wasn’t what I expected from the Mamamoo member.
Breathe Again by BLITZERS
I like the song. It’s right in what I enjoy most sound-wise. It’s a good debut with room for growth and I look forward to seeing what else comes.
SPIN OFF by UP10TION
I like the song and the video works with it. I just wish the choreography at the chorus was more energetic or maybe just quicker. It needed a boost of some kind since musically the tempo feels like it increases.
Moonlight by BDC
Out of all of the videos I’ve watched for this post, this might be one of the more interesting ones. It’s much more artistic-focused. And the subtle 80’s touches in the song itself also makes it stand out. I think I’d have to listen to it a few more times to really solidify an opinion.
Got Chu by PoshGirls
Girls wearing white in a woodsy area is in no way unique or interesting. And the song is fine. It’s also not very unique.
Hola by PRITTI-G
It’s cute and I imagine younger listeners would enjoy it a lot. I don’t think I’m their demographic, which is fine.
DUMB DUMB by Somi
I didn’t expect to like the song as much as I did when I first heard it. The chorus and the choreography are definitely the best parts of the whole thing. Is it genius? No. But it’s catchy and enjoyable.
LOCO by Itzy
I have had such a hard time enjoying Itzy. But after hearing snippets of Loco I decided to give them yet another try.
The song I like and the video I wish I didn’t watch. Not because it is bad, but because it sways my view on the song and I think I’d enjoy it more without being paired to the video. It’s just too visually excessive for me. So I’d say the song is a four, but the video brings it down.
Come Get It Now by AR3NA
They have potential which is a good thing to show in a debut. I think the song could have been improved so it didn’t sound so generic. The anti-drop is interesting, but following it there needs an extra boost to get hyped again.
Well, that was a lot of takes. What are your thoughts on this year’s debuts and comebacks? Let me know with a comment!