Quick Takes: December 2021 Debuts and Comebacks

December and 2021 are over so I’m giving my quick takes on all of the debuts and comebacks we got from K-Pop the past month!

I’m only sharing the debuts and comebacks I actually paid attention to and not every single one that happened in the month. So if a favorite artist of yours isn’t in here, tell me about them in a comment and I’ll check them out!

Debuts

Eleven by IVE

I like the song but I hate the video. The song is unique and the video is just messy. They could have done something really elegant and ethereal based on the music but it’s just a bunch of cuts around different scenes with no relation to one another.

Happy Death Day by Xdinary Heroes

I don’t usually listen to rock bands but I gave them a try. I found that I didn’t like the chorus but the verses and bridge were great. I also found it a little weird that this video started at a birthday party and then fully deviated and never connected back to it. I get that they probably wanted to world-build for the group’s concept but honestly was not a fan of that choice.

Comebacks

Pirate by EVERGLOW

There are parts I like and parts I don’t. I think Everglow has better music than this, but Pirate isn’t terrible. It has grown on me actually, but Everglow has better songs still.

Turbulence by ATEEZ

I am used to Ateez’s concepts being more kickass and energetic. But there is something so powerful and meaningful with this track that, by the time the video ended, I really loved it.

Pick Me Up by Kiara

I do find it nice to see her try a different style and concept, but I was bored. It was mainly the video that bored me and she seemed kind of awkward without choreography.

Beautiful Night by Hi-L

This is my first impression of Hi-L and I’ll say that concept-wise, it’s not my go-to. I’m not a fan of cute concepts much. As for the song, I feel like the chorus was missing something to really elevate it from the verses. And It doesn’t really show off their vocal talent. They all sounded the same to me.

Universe (Let’s Play Ball) by NCT U

I don’t like the baseball part of this concept. It doesn’t need to be there at all and it just feels like a cheesy gimmick. Otherwise, I like it, which is probably why the baseball and “let’s play ball” annoy me so much.

You Problem by Monsta X

Eh, I’m not a fan. Compared to all of their other English releases, this isn’t great. It’s not a terrible song, but I’m not going to listen to it again likely.

Dreams Come True by aespa

I like it! It still feels very aespa while also going with a different sound. It’s their least experimental or “noisy” track since the ballad, and I think it succeeds as a track well.

A-Ha by Hyolyn

This 50’s, do-wop style is not my cup of tea. It was popular a few years ago, but not now. Also, for Hyolyn, this is not at all what I expect. It reminds me of “Stupid Cupid” from The Princess Diaries actually. And I’m not sure we’re back to early 2000s in music yet. Or at least not for me.

Anymore by Jeon Somi

This following XOXO is aesthetically very fitting. I definitely like this song more than XOXO though. And I like the continuation line from her past few comebacks. We went from being in love with Dumb Dumb, and then revenge break-up with XOXO, and now that aftermath heartbreak with Anymore. And this last one is my favorite.

Adonis by BF

So BF is actually Boyfriend who originally disbanded in 2019 but has returned under a new company. I’m not super familiar with Boyfriend since they disbanded prior to me getting into K-Pop. For a song titled Adonis, this is not what I expected sound wise. But it is a solid concept with a fitting song and video.

What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!

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