Typically, when people think of K-Pop, they think of one of multiple popular girl groups or boy groups(artists like BlackPink, Twice, BTS, or TXT immediately come to mind). For the most part, there are not a lot of Co-Ed(i.e. groups that have members of both genders) or solo artists that are popular in the world of K-Pop, especially outside of Korea. This seems to be because the international fandom of K-Pop tends to enjoy the groups more than the solo artists, making labels more inclined to focus on promoting groups. Typically, when a K-Pop group disbands, the members will try to get into other groups instead of making music on their own. Artists like BTS, Blackpink, and TWICE have let some of their members make solo projects while still in the group, but this is not super common. There are a few notable exceptions, though. One of the most notable examples is Hyuna; she was a part of the group 4Minute in the late 2000s, but she ended up having an extremely successful solo career after she left the group. One solo K-Pop artist that has had a lot of success in recent years after leaving a group is Jeon Somi. After competing on the survival program Sixteen(which was the show that found the members for TWICE) and losing in the final round, Jeon Somi got first place on the survival program Produce 101, securing her a role in the project group I.O.I. This group was together for a very short amount of time, disbanding after less than a year in January 2017. Over the next two years, Jeon Somi participated in multiple Korean reality shows, proving her talents as a singer and writer. Jeon Somi signed with YG Entertainment in late 2018, and over the next two years released multiple singles that performed well on Korean music charts. Jeon Somi released her debut album XOXO in 2021 to much acclaim and success. Two years after her debut record, Jeon Somi is back with her next project; her new EP, GAME PLAN, has been supported by its viral single, which is called ‘Fast Forward.’ With all of that being said, here is how I feel about Jeon Somi’s GAME PLAN. Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite songs are from this project, and also comment on how you feel about GAME PLAN as a whole.
Jeon Somi gets GAME PLAN started with ‘Gold Gold Gold,’ which is a Hip Hop-infused Pop Track that is very inspired by the early 2000s. When I hear this song, I think of a lot of the music produced by Timbaland from that era. It sort of meshes the Pop music and Hip Hop music that he produced during that era. This instrumental has elements of artists like Nelly Furtado and elements of Missy Elliott at the same time. I love the glitchy nature that the beat has, as it makes the song so bouncy and mechanical, which makes it stand out. A bright and pleasant melody comes in and out of the track, giving the song a light feeling at times. Jeon Somi raps most of the lyrics on this song with an even-keeled flow, which makes her deep tone stand out when she does sing. ‘Gold Gold Gold’ is a bold song with a lot of attitude, and it is an exciting way to start the project. ‘Fast Forward’ has a completely different sound than the first track. The aforementioned single has an Electro-Pop sound that immediately brings to mind the music of artists like Lady Gaga or Carly Rae Jepsen, specifically songs like Lady Gaga’s ‘Rain On Me’ or Carly Rae’s ‘Run Away With Me.’ This track has a melancholy yet spirited melody that is put over a downtempo House music beat; it has the kind of instrumental that I would expect to hear at a club in London in the early 2010s. Every time this song comes on, it immediately makes me want to dance because of how addicting the beat is. Jeon Somi’s vocals on this song are so full and heavy, giving the song an all-encompassing feeling. ‘Fast Forward’ is a stylish and retro-sounding House track that has been stuck in my head since it came out, and I can not get enough of it. ‘Fxxked Up’ starts slow, tricking the listener at the beginning into thinking it’s going to be a calmer R&B Pop song. When the chorus hits, the beat picks up, and the song divulges into fast-paced Electro-Pop that stands out. This song has elements of so much popular music from the early 2010s. Once again, I can hear the influence of artists like Lady Gaga, but I can also hear the influence of artists like The Pussycat Dolls. I love how complex the instrumental for this track is, as it keeps the listener on their toes. It is constantly speeding up and slowing down, and you never know what is coming next. There are so many glitchy and robotic sound effects on this track, giving it a futuristic feeling. This is ironic since it seems so inspired by early 2010s ElectroPop. This song contains my favorite vocal performance of the project so far. Jeon Somi shows off her range, and the animated way in which she sings gives the song so much life. ‘Fxxked Up’ is a high-energy track that is unique and cool.
‘Pisces’ has a calmer and sunnier feeling than any of the songs on the project to this point. It is an upbeat R&B Pop sound that reminds me a lot of Ariana Grande. The melody for this track is so cozy, and the beat is so zestful and entertaining. Because the instrumental is a bit more lowkey than the rest of the project, it makes Jeon Somi’s vocals pop. I love how warm and sparkling her vocals are, as it gives the song such an inviting element. ‘Pisces’ may not be the most complex song on the record, but it does have a delightful sound and it lets Jeon Somi shine as a vocalist. Jeon Somi closes out this project with ‘The Way,’ which takes on a sound that is very popular in the current Pop music landscape. This song has an 80s New Wave-esque Synth Pop sound that is reminiscent of some of the newer music from artists like The Weeknd or Dua Lipa. The synths that drive the instrumental are so vivid and profound, which makes the song sound so immersive. It has a quick beat that fits the energy of the instrumental so well, making me want to jump out of my seat and move my feet immediately when it comes on. I enjoy the vocal performance on this song even more than I did on ‘Fxxked Up.’ The summery tone that the melody has pronounces Jeon Somi’s vocals on this song a ton, making the song feel so charming. ‘The Way’ is not the most riveting song you will ever hear, but it is still a solid track that lets Jeon Somi shine as a vocalist.
The discourse online about GAME PLAN by fans and critics alike has been mixed. Some people think it is uninventive and cookie-cutter and that Jeon Somi’s talents are being wasted on this one, and there are others who think it is entertaining and who appreciate its diversity in sound. I would have to say that I lean towards the latter opinion. It is obvious that this project does not reinvent the wheel in any way. In fact, every song on this project is very comparable to other singular artists. It is almost as if Jeon Somi took throw-away instrumentals from these artists and put her own lyrics on them. In my opinion, though, this is okay. There is nothing wrong with being heavily inspired by your peers and wearing your influences on your sleeve as long as you make quality art. GAME PLAN is full of enjoyable and satisfying music, and that is what matters. It also contains one of my favorite songs of the summer in ‘Fast Forward,’ so the project automatically gets a bump up in quality overall. Overall, GAME PLAN is not the most fascinating or distinctive EP, but it contains appealing music that puts me in a good mood when I hear it, and that is enough for me.
EAST SIDE VIBES 