It seems every big K-pop group must have their English-language single these days — or at minimum a song directly targeted toward international markets. This is an exciting development for many, but it comes with its own challenges. I don’t begrudge K-pop artists’ global success. I just hope they find it on their own terms rather than sacrifice individuality for mass appeal.
HYBE has a way of literally shaving the individuality off its artists with heavy-handed vocal mixes, but thus far Seventeen have remained mostly exempt from this assembly line processing. Their first English-language single Darl+ing is composed by the usual suspects (Woozi, Bumzu) and pulls Bias List favorite Hwang Hyun into their orbit as well. So far, so good! And… by and large, Darl+ing sounds like a Seventeen song. This is also good. However, it’s not a particularly great Seventeen song.
Hmm… not so good.
Darl+ing boasts a few stunning moments. Its pre-chorus is all sorts of dynamic, emulating the shot of drama that made tracks like Don’t Wanna Cry such durable classics. I’m willing to bet Hwang Hyun had direct influence on this section, as the theatrical synth textures feel like missing pieces of a great ONF song. It’s sad how quickly this excitement gets ripped away, replaced by one of those awful anti-drop choruses that opt for chill vibes over anything remotely compelling. At least seventy-five percent of Darl+ing succumbs to this strummy groove, resulting in an inert hook and forgettable verses. We know Seventeen can bring more to a song than this – pre-release or not.
I don’t get the sense Darl+ing is meant to kick off a massive Western push. After all, Seventeen already have tons of global appeal. It feels more like a gift to their existing fan base. Still, I can’t imagine a track this vanilla acting as an engaging entry point for anyone curious about the group. Hopefully their upcoming album delivers a bolder statement and fuller showcase of their considerable talent.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I HATE the anti-drop here. It’s so particularly unsatisfying, I almost screamed when I listened to this earlier. I mean, I kinda expected it given the song started with the chorus, but wow the build in the pre-chorus and then we get….that.
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Speaking of ‘engaging entry point for anyone curious about the group’ does actual music quality even play a role nowadays??
Seventeen is a favourite group,but I won’t be going back to this song much .
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Have you seen Korean forums nowadays? Yeah, it does lol
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As a carat, this was cute. But also wild levels of frustration.
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Agree, this is a very tame meh/it’s fine song for Seventeen. I’ve been looking forward to this as a Carat but mostly for the MV and photos, not so much the song. I do really like the chorus synths since I enjoy repetitive hook,, so I won’t skip it if it comes on shuffle (cough, Ai no Chikara…) but it’s very uninventive and it spends too much time dawdling about? The guitar shred at the end is also out of left field, though I guess it’s hinting at the title for the full comeback or something.
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*hooks, dammit
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The song’s alright, but does Seventeen need this?
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I think the problem here is that there are moments that really stand out, but it doesn’t flow as well as I’m used to hearing with Seventeen songs. The anti-drop by itself is fine, but I think it comes in way too late and doesn’t build off the momentum of that incredible pre-chorus. And a final chorus that felt grander, used that guitar from the bridge, would have wrapped this up even better. I have the same feeling here as I did with Ready to Love – that was aggressive and this is mellow, but both are lacking the sense of smooth build-up and climax that Seventeen are so good at.
That said, it’s cool that they have something that’s more just for easy listening. I agree that this doesn’t feel like it’s meant to be a big splash in a new market (anyway Seventeen have been popular with their Korean releases alone, so this does feel more like a gift for their existing fanbase – and this is exactly what the members said recently too). This is no Call Call Call! But as a b-side, I think this works as another experiment for them – this is just testing the waters, I feel. My hopes and wishes are centred around the fourth studio album that’s coming up in May, and I’m looking forward to seeing what direction they take that album in.
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In order to keep in touch with fans, they need to drop a new song.
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Very Disappointed, when i mean very, i mean VERY
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I’m really curious as to what their intentions are with this English single, as it seems pretty unfriendly to the Western gp, yet they have that deal with Apple. It sounds like them, yet underwhelming at the same time. At least no one can accuse them of using Western songwriters and producers. Not sure I’ll be listening to this a lot but I’ll definitely be rewatching the MV.
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it’s a pre-release for their upcoming comeback, i doubt they’ll even promote it. it’s just a way for them to connect to their international fans, nothing more.
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Then why make the lyrics in English, especially if they’re not so great? Oh well, probably overthinking it and should enjoy it for what it is.
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“it’s just a way for them to connect to their //international// fans” and the lyrics are co-written by woozi. i’m not a fan of the lyrics either but the sentiment is definitely there.
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it’s a pre-release, not a real comeback. in fact, i believe it’s moreso meant to introduce whatever lore rigend has made up for them. it’s a good b-side and comes with a fun music video, so i’m not mad at it.
the only thing i dislike about it are the lyrics. they’re terrible even for kpop standards.
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Well, at least the full song is better than its teasers which was largely instrumental and very very meh. The full song is just plain meh.
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I’m very curious though, how would you rate these lyrics on your English Lyrics Rating Scale? On the surface it sounds fine, but some of the lines have me going “….???”
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Ha! Oh the nostalgia is strong! Its been so long since I pulled out the scale, I had to go Way Back and find it.
As a reminder, the scale is:
Intelligible English good lyrics that rhyme
Intelligible English good lyrics
Unintelligible English of any quality lyrics
A single lyric line that is so craptastic it is great
Mispronounced but decent lyrics
Cringey but campy lyrics
Oh so bland lyrics
Really, What does that mean lyrics
A single word said over over like that will make it mean something
Well-pronounced lousy lyrics
SO
Song does not rhyme
English is Intelligible
and, well, oh bosh, it is so dull isn’t it, the whole song.
I give it an “Oh So Bland” ranking. 3 points out of 10.
(But the really funny thing, between you and me because no one else will find this. Next to the copy I copied of the ranking above was a draft of another j-hope song, which I also thought was one note on repeat just like yesterday’s j-hope song.)
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Right?? It came to my mind again when I found an old draft review of my own that had a copy of this ranking in it, haha! I can’t agree about the song being dull though – I’ve actually fallen in love with it over multiple listens. The prechorus just pulls on my heartstrings so much (and the beat drop grew on me). I can agree with most of the lyrics being bland – but a lot of them could also fall into “what does that mean” lyrics (If you know this, I want to know our problem, blood type or dna??? Friends see my feed and worry?? Is this about instagram?)
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Thank you for indulging me btw, haha : D
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Oh hello, Seventeen’s cutest song!
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as a carat, i’ve been so frustated for years, their songs just dont have proper climax, its nice but underwhelming
also i hate the anti drop here, unlike “home” the anti drop here isnt followed by a proper drop, I NEED CLOSURE:(((((
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Big eh from me, but I’m not their biggest fan. But the stylist and video crew who turned them into the living embodiment of Easter candy and rainbow sherbet needs a raise. Very pleasing video.
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Every day I wish this site would get shut down
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me when every single onewe song gets ranked a 7 on here when they’re the only 4th gen boy group actually making listenable music. oh well, this site just hates mellow songs and ballads.
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Me when Soulmate got a FIVE
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You know… nobody’s forcing you to visit. If you want the site shut down so badly, just pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s as simple as that.
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If you would like something more more in your life, why don’t you go watch the jelly cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium with relaxing ambient music.
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Love the Monterey Bay Aquarium, probably one of the best aquariums I have ever been to.
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SOMEONE SAY SHUT DOWN
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Well, the screenwriter has come here. Your task when you have a day off is making some online drama without getting paid.
REspect.
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Pretty ‘meh’ song, especially after SVT’s fantastic 2021.
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Yeah it’s extremely vanilla but at least it’s listenable. The song and MV give off lighthearted pastel vibes, which is very fitting since Easter is around the corner so I’m not 100% disappointed. At least it’s not Permission to Dance that’s the only thing I’m grateful for…
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I don’t like it cos I know Seventeen can do better. Like Home was the same kind of “healing” chill song but it is leagues ahead of this.
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The melodies are very similar to their own previous titles.
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I’m catching up on Seventeen’s discography so I’m here almost a year too late.
This song’s flaw is that it cannot decide what it wants to be. Adorable and mellow bop for fan edits or sweeping, lush love song that follows the style of Seventeens prior work? I wish they had picked one, because this song has gorgeous little moments that are undercut in a jarring way by the drop.
If frustration was a song, this would be it. That said, I still like listening to it and I’ll appreciate it for it’s different pretty moments.
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