Keeping up with K-Pop

Graphic by — Rachel Fratt

System override: A “glitch” has taken over K-Pop

Each month, K-Pop stans are given a wide variety of new songs to listen to, varying in different styles. Everyone picks and chooses their favorites, but there is always a silent hit that stans seem to sleep on each month.

April was a huge month for K-Pop, with IVE, Itzy, and Red Velvet all having a comeback moment. 

While those releases were all fine, they were not memorable. This month it seems that K-Pop stans have almost forgotten soloist KWON EUN-BI — a former member of the now-disbanded IZ*One — and the music that she released in April.

It is a shame that her new music is being overshadowed by these big artists. Her latest release is a new sound for K-Pop, and more people should give it the listens that it deserves.

On April 4, KWON EUN-BI released her second EP “Color.” This EP stands out, as it is a shift into a new style of music. “OPEN,” her first EP, followed a jazz sound, indicative of the music IZ*One released. 

However her latest EP, “Color,” takes on a more hyper-pop sound.

The title track, “Glitch,” is reminiscent of a video game. The song starts with nostalgic synth beats like an 8-Bit start up, welcoming listeners into the new journey of this song. There is an eerie feel at the start, with some of the synth beats dragging with each new note.

These beats stay consistent throughout, with some drums and snapping added. Exploring this new-found world is calm; however, there comes a moment of tension as if something is following the player. 

The song emulates this tension with the build-up in the pre-chorus, by using a wide combination of synth sounds that makes it feel like one is being chased by the villain. 

This tension is also present in the music video. KWON EUN-BI is seen running around with a distressed look on her face. What has happened to her remains a mystery and the scenes switch sporadically as if something has taken over her. 

This entire build leads us to an anti-drop chorus, the listener is safe from danger for now. The chorus is simple, with one ongoing beat and added background vocals to help support the lead verse. 

True fans would know this is not the KWON EUN-BI that we fell in love with during her time in IZ*One. Something has happened to our beloved player and it is our job to fight this glitch that has taken over.

The lyrics of the chorus help listeners learn more about who they are playing as. With the translation of the lyrics being “I come and go, like a glitch. Stealin’ and gettin’ people crazy, I’m that snitch, and move it like a glitch.”

If there is one thing K-Pop listeners know, if there is an anti-drop chorus, prepare for some voguing. KWON EUN-BI does a more relaxed style; however, there is particular emphasis on the hand movements. 

It is easy for viewers to cringe at voguing present in K-Pop choreography, but this voguing shows the time taken to learn the art in full and to do it justice. 

This same pattern of verse build-up to the anti-drop chorus is present in the second half of the song, but it isn’t until after the bridge that a new sound is introduced. 

The boss battle — the penultimate part of the song — is filled with different synths almost glitching into the next. Something has taken over our player, and there is a fight within themself to escape the evil that is the villain, the glitch.

KWON EUN-BI elevates this feeling of tension by adding ad-libs that sound like cries for help. A synthesizer is added to the vocals to showcase a difference in the tone during this section.

The lyrics emulate the glitch that has taken over, warning listeners of the control it has. The lyrics translate to, “I’ll appear anywhere, and just under that radar I’ll disappear without a trace.” 

At the end of this fight, there is a small victory. The glitch has disappeared for now, and listeners are welcomed by chimes, signaling the ending credits to a video game. The music video shows us this change, by placing the focus on KWON EUN-BI where she began, this time with her knowing exactly where she is and remaining still.

While the glitch may not be gone, but our player is safe for now, left to remember the feeling of this unwelcome takeover. 

Hopefully, KWON EUN-BI follows this sound more, as it works well for her. While her past single “Door,” was enjoyable, it got old fast. “Glitch,” is fresh and captivating. Not many songs in K-Pop go for this hyper-pop route, especially soloists, so it was nice to hear this new sound and enjoy it.