Category: FEATURES

After more than two weeks since Blackpink’s Lisa dropped her debut single album, it may now be safe to assess its merits. There are currently two schools of thought when it comes to Lisa’s solo effort – those arguing that it was a resounding success and those claiming that it was a downright flop. So, which is which? To view things objectively, we need to weigh all the points of both sides.

LALISA special stage

Spelling success with L-A-L-I-S-A

Arguing that Lisa’s debut was a hit would definitely bank on the achievements it has claimed. Let’s count them up:

• Broke the record for 24-hour YouTube views for a soloist previously held by Adele;
• Broke the record for 24-hour YouTube likes for a soloist;
• Only female K-Pop artist ever to be number 1 on iTunes in 71 countries;
• Biggest streaming week by a K-Pop soloist on Spotify;
• Biggest first-week sales for a female act on Hanteo (quick cheat sheet: Hanteo tracks real-time sales while Gaon tracks shipments and pre-orders);
• First foreign soloist to get a win on a Korean music show (Music Bank on September 17);
• Number one on Gaon album charts.

With achievements on Spotify, YouTube, Hanteo, Gaon, iTunes, and physical sales of over 700K, you can argue that Lalisa is an unqualified hit. Or is it?

LALISA on SBS Inkigayo

The rest of Korea hasn’t been loving Lalisa

On the flip side, many also argue that Lisa’s debut isn’t as successful as her fandoms, the Lilies and the Blinks, make it appear.

One facet in this entire scenario where Lisa has been severely underperforming is in the digital charts. On Gaon, while she has proven her dominance in the album charts, she has been struggling with her single Lalisa, where she is currently #88 in the streaming chart, #10 in the download chart (falling six places from last week), and #64 in the digital chart.

This is further emphasized by her absence in the instiz chart, a compendium chart that combines the charts that South Korea uses to rank music sales (MelOn, Genie, Bugs, Flo, and Naver’s Vibe). It is also what fans use to determine an “All-Kill” (a song that charts at #1 on all real-time charts) and “PAK” or “perfect all-kill” (a song that charts at #1 on all real-time and daily charts).

Lisa bowed out of the instiz charts three days after Lalisa was released on the 10th. As of press time, the song is out of MelOn’s Top 100. MelOn is Korea’s largest online music store and streaming service.

In contrast, both Jennie and Rose stayed on the instiz charts for months, with Jennie topping the charts in November 2018 and Rose only getting blocked by digital monsters IU and Brave Girls. In fact, Jennie even achieved a certified all-kill on November 14.

That Lisa is underperforming in Korean song charts despite having huge album sales is indicative of one thing: Koreans outside the Lily-BLINK fandom are not supporting her songs. In fact, they do not like the song at all.

The digital charts are more informed by what the general public likes, which makes Lisa’s success more or less fandom-driven. Considering that not 100% of BLINKs are supportive of Lisa, that she has been breaking records means that her own personal fandom is massive enough. This is why the album and streaming figures are mind-blowing. But for digital sales and downloads that restrict every single account to be counted as one download, the two fandoms can be limited in taking their idols’ singles to the top to as far as the number of multiple accounts one member of the fandom can handle.

The song has been dismissed by several of its listeners as overtly repetitive and dependent on its hoo that just lets Lisa her name countless times. And to top it off, YG is very selective of its artists’ promotional activities, it’s highly doubtful that a substantial number of people outside the bubble of Lisa’s fandom will be converted

To answer the question in the title, it can be argued that Lalisa as a debut song has its limitations, but it cannot be denied that Lisa is currently one of the most popular musical artists in the world.

Featured image: BLACKPINK LALISA special stage. Photo: BLACKPINK/YouTube

As someone who has followed MAMAMOO since their 2014 release Peppermint Chocolate with one of my favorite make singers, K.Will, I have dreaded the day the group releases a “greatest hits” album. After all, it is a common perception that a “greatest hits” or “the best” album would usually be for artists who are already riding their careers off the sunset. But then, I am game for any MAMAMOO release, so might as well give this one a listen.

I have divided the tracks into the must-listens, the good, and the negligible. Without further ado, here are my no-holds-barred, thoroughly honest thoughts of the 23 songs included in the I Say Mamamoo: The Best album:

The Crème de la Crème

Gogobebe (Rock Version)
Something I could listen to regularly. The original song is already one of my favorites; the rock arrangement only enhanced my listening experience.

Egoistic (Blistering Sun Version)
Something very concert-worthy, like listening to the girls in one of their concerts or live performances. The arrangement gives the song a tad more oomph, and who doesn’t like MAMAMOO with more oomph?

Hip (Remix Version)
This is one version you’d wish was the original version. Earworm alert.

Décalcomanie 2021
This reminds me of the rearranged version the group performed in awards shows and end-of-year concerts the year the song was released. Just outstanding.

You’re the Best 2021
I was too busy listening to the girls to note the changes to the song’s original arrangements. But then, this is THE quintessential MMM song, so unless they did something overly drastic (which they didn’t really), You’re the Best continues to be… the best.

Yes I Am (Funk Boost Version)
Funk boost, indeed. Versions of the group’s songs done like this remind us why we love MAMAMOO and why they are the queens of power vocals in K-pop.

Starry Night (Orchestra Version)
Better orchestral rendition compared to Paint Me. Starry Night is one of those songs that are dramatic from the onslaught, so any added drama to this one is always welcome.

The Good Calls

Destiny (Extended Version)
Very reminiscent of their Queendom victory. Best listened to live.

Aya (Traditional Version)
Reminds me of the ballsy move Oh My Girl did to the Lovelyz track Destiny in the reality show Queendom, which MAMAMOO won. Another great reinterpretation of their song, although I wished for the traditional elements to have been pushed just a bit more.

I Miss You 2021
The rearranged version has additional musical breaks, which allowed the girls to display their prowess – vocal runs galore.

Piano Man 2021
That this bordered on being overly produced suits the song to a tee. It’s exactly what the song needs: a pinch of camp and an overamplification of its jazzy elements.

Mr. Ambiguous 2021
This harkens back to the classic MAMAMOO of their debut. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Um Oh Ah Yeh 2021
This sounded more of a polished version to me. But then, I’ve always liked this song, so a streamlined-cum-live arrangement doesn’t change my love for this song.

Peppermint Chocolate (MMM Version)
I remember liking the original version of this song with K.Will. The new version still reeks of MAMAMOO excellence, except that I would have loved a little more energy in the choruses like some harmonies, perhaps?

Wind Flower (Dramatic Version)
Not really a dramatic version, more of a loungy, lazy Sunday afternoon track with a weird tempo change towards the last 3rd of the song. I was so ready to add it to my favorites until the tempo change, which was jarring to me.

Paint Me (Orchestra Version)
Too many orchestral breaks, it felt like they just added orchestral elements (and quite a lot at that) to the original song.

Mumumumuch
This feels like a pre-release, like Star Wind Flower Sun or Midnight Summer Dream. Beautiful song but not particularly as strong as their other title tracks.

The Negligible Ones

Don’t be Happy 2021
If there is a template for a MAMAMOO song, this would be it. It’s just fine.

Happier Than Ever
It was okay; not something that pops out on the first listen.

Heeheehaheho Part 2
The original version features Louie and Lil Boi of Geeks, so this new version had some huge shoes to fill. Unfortunately, not as effective as Part 1.

Ahh Oop! 2021
The song sounded rushed and also didn’t do much to change my thoughts about the original version.

Words Don’t Come Easy 2021
A bit redundant; reminded me of why this was a B-track. The update didn’t do much to make the original version.

A Little Bit 2021
Filler. You’ve been warned; this is a thoroughly honest review.

So, with this conspicuous release and Wheein’s move to THE L1VE, say it with me: MAMAMOO MUST NOT DISBAND!

Featured image: Mamamoo performs mumumumuch. Photo: RBW_MAMAMOO/Twitter

The year 2021 was supposed to be scary for MooMoos. It’s MAMAMOO’s seventh year in the industry, and, coincidentally the dreaded time when the quartet must decide about contract renewal. We all know what that means: the 7-year curse.

No one could have predicted what’s to come for the group. No matter what decision, though, MAMAMOO’s success is undeniable. Despite being from a relatively smaller company than the likes of the Big 4, MAMAMOO steadily rose to fame throughout the years and carved their own unique space in K-pop.

https://twitter.com/RBW_MAMAMOO/status/1438065396045672448

Mamamoo is known for serving some of the best vocals in the industry. You can hear the harmonies as early as in their group intro. The group also got more popular after their win in the idol survival show, Queendom. They also broke barriers in KPOP by bravely taking on sexier and more mature concepts. Not to mention their push for body positivity, women empowerment, and feminism among their fans.

Meanwhile, their solo careers are never a miss. Every member carries hits, OST singles, and mini-albums under their arms—Hwasa’s TWIT and Maria, Solar with Spit It Out, Moonbyul’s Selfish and Eclipse, and most recently, Wheein with‘water color. Everything’s going well for the ladies, right? But then again, success and constant activity can’t really determine the group’s fate. (Missing GFriend and IZ*ONE!)

News about each member’s contracts didn’t come in one go: Solar and Moonbyul acted fast and renewed with RBW Entertainment back in January 2021. Then, Hwasa followed them last March. As for Wheein, though, she decided to leave the company last June. Wheein then signed with VIXX Ravi’s label, THE L1VE.

Luckily, this didn’t trasnlate to bad news for Moomoos. Wheein’s exit wasn’t the end for MAMAMOO’s OT4. Despite leaving the company, Wheein agreed to stay in the group and to promote with the girls ‘til 2023.

MAMAMOO breaks the 7-year curse

Back in June, they gave fans a full-group comeback with the mini-album WAW. And the group didn’t stop there! On September 15, they celebrated their seven years together with the release of their I SAY MAMAMOO: THE BEST album.

Named after their group intro, MAMAMOO’s 23-track compilation album is made of new songs, genre-shifting renditions of fan favorites, and 2021 versions of their hits. With the combination of reimagined tracks and fresh, new ones, it feels like every song brought something new, each standing out in their own ways. Both old and new Moomoos would also be able to listen through the evolution of the group’s music through this album.

The album starts with the new mumumuch, a chill track that’s full of funky beats, smooth runs, and fun parts that feels like their onstage adlibs. This is followed by the mellow and sentimental Happier Than Ever, another new song with lyrics that looks back at the good days of a newly ended relationship.

MAMAMOO did genre exploration for their songs, which felt reminiscent of their Queendom performances. Paint Me and Starry Night were accompanied by an orchestra, gogobebe felt like a rock concert, HIP went with a hipper remix, and AYA had traditional instruments in the background.

And those are just a few of the tracks! Unsurprisingly, every version showcased the group’s amazing vocals in different ways.

It’s amazing for a group this young to release a jampacked compilation album. Usually, Western artists would wait decades to compile golden tracks to put on their “Best of” albums. But then again, if we look at Mamamoo’s discography, they already gave us 3 studio albums and 11 mini-albums, which can be considered as enough material for a “Best of” compilation.

With every album run-through, it felt like hearing details that you didn’t notice last time. The compilation also veered away from merely being a group of old songs strewn together. MAMAMOO rearranged and rerecorded everything to create a diverse addition to their discography, giving Moomoos a familiar yet refreshing plunge.

Featured image: I SAY MAMAMOO: THE BEST album, out now. Photo: RBW_MAMAMOO/Twitter