After his success on Produce X 101, UP10TION’s Kim Wooseok embarked on a solo career. So far, this has resulted in one mini album last May. Given its robust sales, I’m actually surprised that Top Media waited so long to give him a comeback. But better late than never, I suppose. He finally makes his return with the much lighter Sugar.
If I’m being honest, I’m still not sold on Wooseok the soloist. That’s not a dig on him or his skills. Not every idol group member is well-positioned for solo work. I found his 2020 debut to be pretty forgettable, and Sugar feels generic in its own way. As the title suggests, there are shades of Justin Beiber’s Yummy or Baekhyun’s Candy here. In their own way, the three songs form a sort of sugary mid-tempo trilogy.
A song like Sugar isn’t meant to be complex or dynamic. It’s a groove song, throwing down its beat and laying a chill, amiable vocal over the top. For this to work, the track requires a killer beat and a killer vocal. Sugar has a fine beat and a fine vocal, but that’s just not enough to get it over the finish line. Apart from some welcome bursts of brass during the chorus, the instrumental feels recycled from any number of tracks over the past few years, utilizing that plonky, marimba-like percussion we’ve heard so often. Wooseok offers an airy vocal, but the melody isn’t all that memorable. In the end, Sugar will likely get your head nodding, but I don’t see its charms having long-term appeal.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
“Right tasty yum yum
Ready tasty yum yum”
that was all I have to say
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My mind instantly went ‘girl you got that yuuummy yummy yuuummy yummy’ OTL
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Not yet heard the song, but you just compared it to Yummy, so I pretty much know what I will think of the song, and it is not gonna be good.
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Ya, I was right, this is dull. Thankfully not Yummy or Candy dull, yet.
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Pretty much agree. It’s one of those songs you put on in the background to just kinda vibe to. Like eating a sugary snack, it gives me a fleeting sense of mild enjoyment.
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Yeah this is just another feel good song. Which is fine and the groove is also fun, but it doesn’t stick out to me much.
However, I actually LOVED red moon as his debut. I am a sucker for that darker sound though, but I know it’s just my taste. I’d rather him go back to that darker style than this feel good vibe. I like the drama 😆
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Do you like sugar or suga more tho?
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Oh god my friend commented that lol 😂😅
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I agree with your review. I’m also curious if you are planning on making a buried treasure for a song from his album. If so, I’ve got some suggestions: Better, Holiday, and What are you up to tonight
The songs are not groundbreaking or super unique but I think they’re great songs.
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tasty tasty yum yum? = yummy 1.2
that is all
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T. to the A. to the S T E Y girl u tastey.
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T0utQ-XWGY”
yummy 1.2 is a bit too cruel for me, this song isn’t actively bad?
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No, its not that bad. But it belongs to the collection of contemporary songs that I listen to or watch once, and then never again (for a variety of reasons).
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