GFRIEND - the discography rate ☾ #31

junglefish

junglefish

he/him
So... Should we get rid of another extra?





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All day long I can't focus on anything
I'm only thinking about you

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6.913

Buddies: 10x1 (@Music Is Death) 9x1 (@thommyh) 8.5x3 (@Slice of Life, @aux, @savilizabeths)
Antis: 4x1 (@Wills) 5x2 (@eatyourself, @boombazookajoe) 5.5x1 (@nikkysan)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8
@savilizabeths: 8.5
5 voters: 92
10 voters: 94
15 voters: 95
20 voters: 93
26 voters: 93

We are now saying goodbye to 'Wanna Be', one of only a few OST songs GFRIEND released as a full group. It was released as Part. 3 of the official soundtrack to What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, a multi-award winning drama starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young.

You wanna know what's wrong with secretary Kim? She's mad that you guys eliminated this cute bop already! No but seriously, I really love this. It's catchy, sweet and yeah, sure it sounds like a b-side on some no-name idol group from 2005 but hey, that's part of the appeal! Or I'm sure that's what Zigzag Note, the team responsible for 'Wanna Be' will tell you. A team we'll meet again in the rate, as they've also worked on 'Neverland', 'Compass' and 'You are my star'.

What I love the most about 'Wanna Be' is how bubblegum it is. It's not trying to be anything and shines just being a nice little pop ditty. Or, judging from its position, doesn't shine that much. I also think it does its job as an OST song perfectly. I don't watch Korean dramas but you can picture this track as the ending of one so easily: the characters of the show being silly gooses while our girls go 'dudududu' in the background. I see the fantasy!

On another note, it's also one of the rare tracks where Eunha and Yuju don't share the most lines. While Yuju is still at the top, she's followed by Umji and SinB, then Eunha. Sowon also sings a little more than usual here and she sounds decent! Good for her!

@eatyourself (5) : Boring!

@M24 (6.5) : Hey, this bops a little? I can't resist repeated syllables. I wish I didn't like the rest of their discography so much to give this a little bit of a higher score, but that wouldn't be fair lol.

@Wills (4) : Normally when someone says something sounds like a KARA song, it’s a good thing – but then I guess they probably aren’t referring to a Rock U b-side either


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junglefish

junglefish

he/him
@eatyourself you're safe... for now.





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On sunny days, even on cloudy days
I’ll always be on your side

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7.028

Buddies: 9x1 (@Music Is Death) 8.5x1 (@junglefish) 8.25x1 (@savilizabeths)
Antis: 4.5x1 (@eatyourself) 5x1 (@Attis) 5.75x1 (@thommyh)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.5
@savilizabeths: 8.25
5 voters: 94
10 voters: 90
15 voters: 92
20 voters: 92
26 voters: 92

Alrighty Buddies, this one is gonna be short and sweet, just like 'Cheers (ZZAN)', another OST song this time for the web drama Just One Bite 2. Let's see what this drama is about, shall we?

When three hungry girls meet, sharing love lives is a must! If it tastes good, 0 calories, if you gossip about romance while you eat, -999999 calories

Ok!

As far as OST songs go, 'Cheers (ZZAN)', just like 'Wanna Be' is on the poppier side. No dreary ballads for GFRIEND! Well, not for the full group at least... And in this case too, I actually really enjoy the song. Composed once again by No Joo-hwan, this time accompanied by stainboys (not gonna say anything about that name) and Jeina Choi, 'Cheers (ZZAN)' is an upbeat song about friendship! The lyrics are all about staying up all night with your girlfriends, talking about your bad dates and, you know, just being besties. The whole thing is super cute and fits the drama perfectly. At least I think it does, I've never seen one episode of it!

Trying to find something more to say about this elimination. Hmm. It reached #84 on Gaon's BGM chart, so that's something! Oh and I really like Yuju's almost acappella moment in the bridge, yes very nice! Lovely. Hmmm some of you left commentary so maybe we should move on to those!

@eatyourself (4.5) : incredulous_brigitte_nielsen.gif

@M24 (7) : Another bop in the extras, damn! I love the instrumental, and the post-chorus is super catchy.

@Attis (5) : The canned laugh track lmaoo

@Wills (6.5) : Not bad as far as OSTs go, but feels like a limp copy of their best moments

@thommyh (5.75) : nn the way it starts out alright but that baby voice part is so...???


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savilizabeths

savilizabeths

she/her
Thank you for your patience over the weekend. Let's see what's on the chopping block today, hm?







boombazookajoe said:
Got to work, pulled up the playlist, pressed Shuffle to get ready to bop and it starts with fucking Distance.
Click to expand...










Rate cancelled. I hate you all.










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Whisper the magic words in my ear
Heart pounding at this distance

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7.173

Buddies: 10x1 (@eatyourself) 9.75x1 (@savilizabeths) 9.5x1 (@Music Is Death) 8.5x5 (@junglefish, @Slice of Life, @Wills, @Serg., @nikkysan)
Antis: 1.5x1 (@boombazookajoe) 3.5x1 (@Monado) 5.25x1 (@BEST FICTION)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.5
@savilizabeths: 9.75
5 voters: 74
10 voters: 93
15 voters: 90
20 voters: 90
26 voters: 91

Okay girls. We need to talk.

Leaving us today at the far too early placement of #91 is 'Distance', found on the groups first full length album 'LOL'. The polarizing track was written and composed by Iggy & Seo Young-bae, the duo frequently referred to as Iggy Youngbae and the driving force behind GFriend's early material. Without them we wouldn't have 'Rough', 'Navillera', 'Me Gustas Tu' ...and this is how you choose to repay them?

As I'm sure you can already tell, I love 'Distance'. When subforum members started voicing their distaste for the song in the 3rd Gen Girls rate back in 2020, I was kinda surprised. I didn't realise anybody could find it in their heart to hate such a breezy, chill bop. Is it the just the harmonica?? Do some of you have harmonica related trauma I am not aware of??? In fact, the instrument makes the song stand out even more for me, but in a good way. It adds something unique to the reggae sound, a cute twist! I mean, how many songs use harmonica in Kpop? GFriend, queens of innovation!

According to my Facebook memories that my Aunt keeps sharing, apparently I was in Fiji this time seven years ago and this song is definitely making me feel nostaglic for that trip. I close my eyes and I can hear the waves, feel the warm sun and just get an intense rush of seratonin. Not to mention, reggae music is strongly represented in New Zealand as well, so I can't help but feel some type of way when I hear it. My partner also likened the sound to "Animal Crossing music" so clearly the vibes are good all around.

Lyrically, 'Distance' is about growing closer to someone you have feelings for. Closing the dstance between you. It feels very summer love-esque and giddy with nervousness and anticipation. The girls sell the sweet innocence of it well, while not leaning into aegyo vocal delivery (though my adoration for certain other songs in this rate will tell you I love myself a cutesy moment). And look at that line distribution! SinB and Umji getting a chance to shine is always welcome, and they're given a lot of time to do so here. I love Yerin's voice on this song too. Something about her vocal tone fits so nicely in this sound.

As far as I'm concerned, the GFriend girls understood the assignment and truly delivered. You lot just don't get it. Let's hear what you have to say for yourselves.

@eatyourself (10) : One of my favorite K-pop songs ever and another conteder for my 11. Growing up in the sunny coast of Brazil will eventually lead one to appreciate reggae music, and it's always a nice surprise when a gringo act releases something inspired by it. The harmonica here is such a nice touch that I don't see in other reggae-inspired songs, it feels essential and fitting for the situation. Even if it's K-pop this song has such a world-music quality to it, the melody is so chill and they aren't trying to act cute. Like, I could literally see Björk bopping to this in the 90s while producing Debut. Gfriend members = dream blunt rotation.

@Attis (7.5) : Pretty cute, little reggae moment

@M24 (7) : I'll never get why this is so polarizing? I neither love it or hate it. Even when I don't actively seek it out to listen to, I appreciate the song more in the context of the whole album, as it changes up the sound a little bit and this style of music seems to fit the "sea/ship boarding" theme they were going for.

@ysev (6) : Perhaps the worst song in their discography. Pleek go out first!

@boombazookajoe (1.5) : This was my least favorite song from the album during @Serg. 3rd gen debut rate, and it's honestly only gotten worse for me on repeat listens. I can't think of any reasonable explanation for why they thought a mashup of Reggae-lite and harmonica was a good idea, but I'd like to speak to the manager of K-Pop about this abomination. I also think the harmonica line is reminding me too much of Donkey Kong 64 instrumental music.

@Wills (8.5) - Yknow what this is essential to the album and quietly a serve, everyone who tanked this without commentary needs to get out of the house and see our beautiful planet once in awhile!

@Monado (3.5) : What can I say, I can't stand the sound of the harmonica dd

@thommyh (7) - I forgot how much I hate that cursed instrument.

Now you owe it to me and the other tasteful people high scorers to listen to the song again and think about what you've done.

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savilizabeths

savilizabeths

she/her
A double elimination today!







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In the same place, just us two
I hope we'll dream one dream

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7.192

Buddies: 9x1 (@Music Is Death) 8.5x2 (@boombazookajoe, @Crisp X) 8.25x2 (@savilizabeths, @RUNAWAY)
Antis: 5x1 (@Monado) 5.5x1 (@Wills) 6x2 (@M24, @Attis)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 7.75
@savilizabeths: 8.25
5 voters: 87
10 voters: 85
15 voters: 89
20 voters: 89
26 voters: 90

The early albums take another hit today as we lose 'One', a b-side from GFriend's second mini album 'Flower Bud'. This is also another Iggy Youngbae composed track, so that's two losses in a row for them. Let's give them a breather for awhile, yeah?

God, 'One' is a cute song! It gives me such warm fluttery feelings when I listen to it. As far as subject matter goes, it isn't exactly treading any new territory from previously eliminated tracks. It's yet another wholesome love song. I do think the lyrics here are extremely pretty though!

I want a miracle tonight
The small stars in the night sky
When they fell one by one
I gathered my hands and prayed

How sweet! And I adore the hook. Tattoo "Ooh ooh ooh, dugeundugeundugeun one love" on my heart please! It's an earworm truly!

It's quite a relaxing song, very delicate and light in places. But then you have Yuju's euphoric ending to the chorus and SinB's(!!!) high note to add a bit of power into the mix. That SinB moment is a blessing! Her voice sounds so crisp and effortless. Any time we get a non-Yuju belting moment another year gets added to my lifespan. Yuju does sound absolutely angelic at the end of the song though, doesn't she? She'll never let us forget who the main vocalist is!

Barely any of you had anything to say about this song I see.

@M24 (6) : Cute, but unremarkable. Maybe the closest they have to a filler song. At least Yuju's vocals in the last part of the song give it some charm!

@Crisp X (8.5) - Sometimes I wish this would’ve been released in the late 00s so it would’ve appeared in one of those High School Musical movies.


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junglefish

junglefish

he/him
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Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful tears
If we laugh together, all this will become our memories

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7.25

Buddies: 9.5x2 (@boombazookajoe, @eliminathan) 9x3 (@Slice of Life, @aux, @Music Is Death) 8.75x1 (@RUNAWAY)
Antis: 4.5x1 (@Wills) 4.75x1 (@codecat) 5x1 (@Attis)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 7.5
@savilizabeths: 8.25
5 voters: 93
10 voters: 86
15 voters: 87
20 voters: 88
26 voters: 89

'Fallin' Light', GFRIEND's first and only Japanese album, loses its first track and it's none other than 'Beautiful'. Composed by Carlos K. (Miliyah Kato, NMB48, Nogizaka46...) and with lyrics written by Kanata Okajima (Namie Amuro, Crystal Kay, BoA, E-Girls...) 'Beautiful' first appeared as the b-side of the group's third Japanese single, 'FLOWER'.

I... am a bit shocked this track did so badly! Not a single 10, not even from @Music Is Death?! Shambles. No but seriously, 'Beautiful' is such a pretty song, the instrumental is so delicate and pleasant to listen to, I adore it. On the other hand, some of the girls sound, hm, not like themselves here ff. I guess this is what prevented me for giving it a higher score, Yerin and Umji in particular sound very, very bad and it gets downright annoying after a while nn. I don't know who told them it was a good idea to sing in the way they do on this song, but fire them! Actually, no, light them on fire!

Other than that, like I said, I enjoy 'Beautiful'. It sounds like a GFRIEND b-side but you can also clearly hear it was made for the Japanese market as it has, in my opinion, this classic J-Pop feel to it. The guitar in the chorus is a nice touch and gives the song some kind of hispanic flair fjfdhjf I'm just saying what comes to my mind while listening to it, don't come for me!

Lyrically, it's once again very pretty. If you ignore the word beautiful repeated 49 times (I counted it!), you can interpret the song as being about friendship or love, either way a relationship that makes you believe in your place in the world and in smiling even through the tears. Sweet!

@M24 (6.5) : I need this on Spotify, it's such a feel good song and their voices sound so soothing. Compared to the other japanese songs, I think it's among my least favorites though.

@Attis (5) : Hmm not this, not this Youtube vlog channel backdrop.

@Wills (4.5) : The intro sounded like it was gonna get really good, right? That wasn’t just me? Guys?


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