(G)I-DLE’s Tomboy has become an enduring 2022 hit, and I just don’t get the hype. But, the same could be said about the group as a whole. I try to be as objective as I can on a blog called “The Bias List,” but there are some acts that test that objectivity. (G)I-DLE aren’t for me, and that’s an understatement. I find much of their music actively obnoxious and self-indulgent, so if you’re a fan I’ll spare you the drama and recommend you skip my unbiased thoughts entirely! This ain’t gonna be pretty.
As their career has progressed, (G)I-DLE have become masters of concept. Their comeback tracks almost always hinge on evocative ideas, but those ideas are expressed in the most juvenile, broad way. It’s gotten to the point where the concept trumps the actual music, and new single Nxde may be the pinnacle of that problem. The underlying idea is sound: Broadway-friendly vaudeville act turned K-pop song. But, there’s nothing here. No real chorus, no memorable melody in the verses and plenty of unnecessary mugging for the camera. To be honest, if I didn’t run a K-pop blog that covered every new release, I would have turned Nxde off after its first few seconds. That intro is a challenge to get through.
I wrote similar thoughts about Stray Kids’ recent release – how sometimes music can feel too pleased with its own cleverness. I’ve always found this to be an off-putting energy, and maybe that explains why I have such difficulty with (G)I-DLE’s discography. Whatever the case, there are few redeeming qualities here. I never want to hear Nxde again, but the group’s popularity almost ensures I will.
| Hooks | 5 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 6 |
| Bias | 3 |
| RATING | 5.25 |
Grade: F
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The song really is not bad and the concept is great. How is them talking about how women are sexualizas in the entertainment industry corny or self indulgent? It’s an ongoing issue and the Marilyn, burlesque, and naked statues motif makes perfect sense for it. It is a feminist message in a beautiful package ( as in each one of them looks absolutely stunning in the mv) the Melodie’s are not that memorable on the first listen I agree. I think everyone’s vocals sound great but I wish Motrin got more lines. I think Soyeon had a great flow for her raps I’m guessing you guys here just don’t like hip hop…
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Well I definitely needed a Motrin after listening to this one again
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Also, we like hip-hop enough when it’s good. This is pop music trying and failing to integrate hip-hop influences
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like many have stated, the themes and lyrics of the song are out of the question. nick only comments on the technical aspects of the song (hooks, production, etc.). theres no need for the lyrics or theme, as it doesn’t affect the score
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Good god, is everyone still commenting on this song? It is neither good enough nor bad enough to warrant this amount of attention.
=just saying=
shoo, go somewhere else, go find a kpop board for this.
moving on …
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I’m sorry, flaming these idiots is too much fun
(also, as a Cheshire, I am petty as fuck)
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I’m suprised by the amount of buzz this still has too
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To everyone trying to deflect criticism of the musical aspects of the song by insisting on the concept/lyrical themes: We listen to music for the musical aspects, not just to be preached to. Of course that’s what Nick is commenting on! How about y’all? Is it only the message you’re after? Do y’all actually need your idols to tell you not to be creeps? Are y’all that pathetic? Go touch grass, lol.
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they haven’t touched grass.
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I agree with your sentiment but let’s not talk down
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I am not crazy about this song. I also admit to being more of a 4Minute and CLC fan when it comes to Cube Entertainment groups, but at least there is some sense of originality and unpredictability to this song, and it was self-written and produced, unlike the blatant “bias” shown to a manufactured song that is worse like Shutdown, which to me sounds like a classical snippet run on a treadmill with a bunch of degrading bad boss bitch appropriated ghetto rapping from State side and money raining form the sky to degrade the peasants blessed with their brand ambassador status during an economic crises. Even as someone who is not a fan of GiDle it is obvious the bias the bias list has for BlackPink and the lower bar that they have set for them.
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Have you not seen Nick’s other recent BLACKPINK reviews? Specifically his ratings for How You Like That and Pink Venom? Jesus, this site isn’t hard to search. Do your homework before making asinine assertions like this!
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I got carried away with my last reply in the heat of moment and didn’t see a means of editing it. I do like G-Idle’s Nxude quite a bit more than Shut Down and was surprised to see this site rate Shut Down higher, but I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion and the opinions on this site are well reasoned even if I strongly disagree with the comparative ratings on these singles. I wish members G-IDLE and BlackPink the best. I have said kind of things about BlackPink before, they just have a way of creating contrasting feelings.
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I mean, I like the message but not the delivery or execution of it. Though, I can’t exactly say I had high expectations for that coming from (G)I-DLE.
Never really thought about how boring it must be sometimes, having to review every single mainstream k-pop release including ones you don’t care for and wouldn’t give any attention to otherwise.
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This seems more like a performance art piece than a song. G-idle are hit or miss for me. I loved Oh God and even like Tomboy. This has its moments. Maybe I’ll end up liking it more than I do now. Tomboy really grew on me.
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I don’t even believe that who wrote this really listened the song. Or at least did so with the subtitles. There is an obvious reference to people like that in the rap part. The song is not made to have an immediate impact like tomboy, but it’s deeper in meaning, delivered by the sounds, music, lyrics and video as the K-pop as genre do. So my question is: why our an incompetent to humiliate himself speaking to something that clearly doesn’t understand?
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Let me flip that question back onto you: Did you actually read and understand Nick’s review, or was it too hard with your nose glued to Soyeon’s asshole?
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i see what you’re saying but no need to be crass about it.
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I do and this review is dumb. He admit he didn’t like the artist at first place. Clearly he is incompetent in kpop. It’s like read someone who dislike Luis Armstrong comment one of his song showing ingnorance about Jazz. That’s self humiliating. Sorry but it’s a fact.
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It’s as if you selectively took *that* part and ignored every other thing he pointed out as to why this song sucks–the lack of memorable hooks (which is enough to sink everything) and the concept trumping actual composition (which y’alls comments are reinforcing–you all comment only on the concept/lyrics because musically there’s nothing).
Plus, even with his “dislike” of an artist he admits he tries his best to find the positives. He was successful with some of their less offensive material, as you can see in older reviews, but this one was just too much of a trainwreck for that. Plus, it’s clearly not personal–it’s really easy to see that he adores Yuqi’s solo career. And he was pretty positive about their debut-year material and “Lion”. All of this information is easy enough to find on this site.
Also, lmao, comparing (G)I-DLE to Louis Armstrong? Really? Delusional. More than half a century after its release, people are still singing along to “What A Wonderful World”. That same timeframe after this year, no one is gonna remember this amelodic mess of sounds (calling it a “song” is generous). No wonder your fandom are called Neverland, y’all engage in this collective fantasy that your faves’ music, if we can call it that, is any good.
Anyway, there’s a patch of brown just under your right nostril, a bit more to the right. You’re welcome.
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ahahhahahahhahah what a childish comment. Sorry but you are keep showing your functional illiteracy. In pop, and in follow, kpop, the song, mv and concept are connect. So just take the song is already wrong. But, ok, give that, talk just about the song… How much knowledge he got to talk about a specific material? Clearly (not an opinion) he is showing absolutly ingnorance about song composition in kpop. Quote; “No real chorus, no memorable melody in the verses and plenty of unnecessary mugging for the camera.” This is not an opinion, it’s technically wrong, you can ask to any music expert with a minimun of knowleadge of the genre. And… wait is he just talking about music? Or the way they mugging at the camera? See? No opinion, just fact. As is a fact the mine was an example about Jazz, not a comparison. Even a 4 years old baby can get that. Sorry again. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_illiteracy
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If there’s one thing everyone seems to agree on is that each individual is entitled to their own opinion. This is a personal blog. Nick, as the owner of this site, gave his personal opinion. You, as a visitor, gave your opinion of the song.
Personally, I didn’t like this particular song from them but I have liked some of their songs in the past. However, if you are representative of what the average (G)I-DLE fan is, then I don’t want to have anything further to do with them in the future.
So, see, you are capable of changing at least one persons thinking. Just not in the direction you were probably going for. Congratulations. You win.
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oh, god, so sad,… however…the song is in top chart everywhere, 45 mln views on youtube. Not like success is mean quality, but you did put yourself as number… so see… it’s just patetic
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when you cant come up with an argument so you have to say “HAHA MY FAVE IS SUCCESSFUL AND CHARTED #1 😡😡😡😡😡😡”
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sorry, but it was his argument, not mine, to put the question of popularity spreading. With him no needs to add more, everything came natural.
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have you SEEN his other reviews of G-Idle projects (they get 7.5-8.75 on average)
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Let me flip that question back onto you: Did you actually read and understand that I’m saying, or was it too hard with your nose glued to Nick’s asshole?
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cope + ratio
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This site has only ever reviewed based on the sound/music itself. Nick doesn’t take lyrics/concept/video into account when he calculates his score, but might mention them in his written explanation.
Honestly, I’m the same and I thought this song was okay. Sound design was kinda nice, but this isn’t a song I’ll come back to often if at all.
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Because his review wasn’t about the “message” of this song, it was about the song, itself. Think of it this way, I could make the most delicious soup in the world, but if I presented it to you inside the belly of a rotted fish, you wouldn’t find it appetizing.
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… yest, except that he doesn’t know what is a fish. Technically crealy he doesn’t know anything about kpop. Or pop in general. We are in freedom of speach, so he can say what he want, I’m free to say how stupid is what he is saying. Here technically is obvius that he doesn’t know what he is talking about
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you make absolutely no sense please shut up.
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You can give your aguments, but you may have the authority to shut up your dog… maybe.
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troll you can go shut up, get off, and touch grass.
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We dont talk about lyrics here.
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I am not a massive fan of G-Idle honestly; initially I thought Tomboy was OK but then it grew massively on me. With this one the chorus gives me the same effects – however it’s growing on me reallllly quickly. The melody is very very memorable, and it’s stolen from Carmen “Hebanera”, which is a classic and instantly recognizable. Pop Time and Soyeon KILLED the production. Yes, it’s a bit more “arty” than pure k-poptastic bliss, but there’s not one moment in the song that I feel bored or that feels “contrived” and boy, most kpop releases nowadays feel like 12 people sat at the table throwing ideas and the executive made a patchy compilation of those ideas == BORING and PREDICTABLE.
This song gives me the feeling there is a motif, there is a mind and a feeling behind it. I don’t agree that the blend of classical, retro and hip hop doesn’t work. To me it works really well. Of course this is just my 2 cents and we all have our own taste, but the song is now at it 32th all-kill on the charts, after only 2 days, so it’s outdoing Tomboy. I guess Cube and G-Idle don’t give a hoot whatever each of us think, in good or in bad 🙂
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The way this comment section turned into a battlefield of opinions lol.
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It’s like BTS’s PTD all over again.
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* passes WordStar626 the popcorn * 🍿🍿🍿
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Ok, here is my Switzerland flag
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As an ARMY for 4 years, I can confidently say PTD is the worst song BTS has ever released (besides ON ft. Sia). I’d rather become deaf than listen to that garbage again.
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LETS GO 200 COMMENTS
I used to really like (G)I-DLE, then soojin was kicked and I stopped following them since she was far and away my favorite. Even now I feel like she would fit really well with this concept… that being said the song is just so bad. That intro made me wince.
On the bright side though, Antifragile bangs so hard. It’s up against Girls and After Like as my favorite GG release of the year.
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im still here waiting for more nerds to come here so we can roast them
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me too
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Me coming here just for the tea lol
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Coming from a woman…
The point of a song isn’t the lyrics, it’s the music and music video
Music video? It’s beautiful
Music? Not so much. I can only describe it as grating. The violin sounds like it was cranked up about 5 octaves and the intro was just too much to bear. The lyrics are great and empowering and stuff, but I’m not paying attention to the lyrics if the music is making me want to poke Soyeon with a cactus.
The album is okay, but maybe pick a better title. I love? More like I barely tolerate
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some y’all on here are hilarious lmao
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Oh wow, this comment section blew UP.
So after barely containing my nausea in my first listen-through, I took another stab at Nxde today. I can definitely say that this song is not good. As others have stated, it is akin to performance art masquerading as a melodically and compositionally incoherent mess. I liked Tomboy for the first week and then it dropped off considerably; this song dropped off in the first five seconds and never recovered. The verses are devoid of any compelling melody and Soyeon’s rapping, once considered endearing to me, is now unbearably annoying. The only redeeming element of Nxde is the pre-chorus, which seems to have been unjustly swiped from a song that could be conceivably good. I actually like it, but then we get a chorus that is so grating on my ears that my eardrums started oozing shredded cheese.
And DON’T get me started on the bridge with the NOOOOOOOOOOOOD. Please, Soyeon. I’m begging you.
The B-sides on this album are largely forgettable but not as offensive to me as Nxde. 5.25/10 is a generous rating for this song. I’d give it a BLECH/10.
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Eh, different strokes for different folks. I loved this song. Not as much as Tomboy but it’s still good. If I were to rate it I’d give it a high B. Tomboy is an A+ masterpiece if you ignore that dumbass rap.
Nxde was a bit messy, but the opening is strong and catchy to me. I don’t like the chorus, but the rest of the song is memorable and I just love the vocals and MV. I wish the chorus was better, it just feels so lazy.
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I see few people dislike this song, which is perfectly fine. But obviously we can tell now that it’s a huge success. The second this year from the girl group from a small company. Actually one the worst in Korea. The music it’s actually excellent, try the instrumental version. The production is not really tipical of K-pop, or pop in general nowadays. It’s remind at the 90′ when they get inspired to even older music’s, even from classic music. More you are listening, more you will catch details. From the singing parts and melody parts. It’s not a song with immediate impact, either had the longevity of Tomboy. But immediately you get the feeling that it’s art, and the artist is telling you something. Free rate just the music, but this song is much more. Lyrics, MV, concept and song are created together. And the massage is deep. If you don’t like it, it’s fine. But many people love it. Much more just for popolarity.
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I listened to it and it aged POORLY. and we don’t take lyrics, concepts, etc when reviewing these songs.
I am suspecting that is this a troll
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I think this reviewer is much more a troll than me instead. The song, per se, out of the concept and lyrics (even how is ridiculus think in this way, with the r/v crearly talking about it) is objectivly good. Than You can like it or not. You are not the only one talking about this song, since is one of the most popular song this year, with 100 mln view on YT in 2 weeks. Toping first for all the time all the charts in korea, and top 10 in all Asia. Even people quite competent in terms of composition and produnction placed Soyeon for the song. So, sorry for you, it’s a lost battle.
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Lemme ask you this:
Do charts and views matter when reviewing a song.
Because to me, it’s overrated.
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Easy question. Per sé? Not at all. A successful song be for a viral empty catchy melody. Like Latinos summer hits, Or pumped buy a powerful promotion by a big label. It this the case? The song was placed by many experts, bloggers like you, songwriters, producers. People don’t like this song does exist. But in extreme minorities. Are the others all wrong?
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you are just repeating the same arguments here.
I’m not gonna respond to this again
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That’s because you don’t have any argoment. Don’t lie to yourself, the argument it’s changed, U ask if popularity it’s mean quality. Get your point, it’s true, but in specific conditions. Is Nxde fitting with theese conditions? It’s promoted by a big label? It’s targeting hormone blinded teens? Please, don’t be equivant of the novax in music.
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lol get fucked
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See? No argument. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adIGjcm1g6o This is the instrumental version. It’s one of the best production this year. The chorus is an anti drop plus a singing part done every times with a different member with different style. The longevity… well, 30 days on top of charts, still counting. The best in Korea so far this year. So you can be stunborn as you want, insult as you want and say whatever you want, but still this song is good, enjoyed, succesfull, meanfull all around the planet. It’s pity only to yourself not able to like it. Not my problem. Just showing facts.
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As someone who barely survived a rightwing populist presidency and is facing the prospect of several more of these in the coming years: If you think popularity is any measure of merit you should go play in traffic.
Also there is nothing impressive about this pure instrumental. But even if the instrumental were good the vocal melodies and deliveries ruin it completely. It’s like vanilla ice cream topped with bird shit.
Now fuck right off.
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See? Again. No argument or answers to my question. Don’t lie in ridiculous way like that. You can produce trash and be successful, but never as underdog. As Cube ent is. Plus, again, the song was placed my basically all experts. U are absolutely free to dislike it, no problem, but that’s not objectivity. The prove it’s indeed your own comments. Have a nice day 😉
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Cube underdog? An agency that was talked about as almost at part with the Big 3 at one point, with a rich history and still getting attention for all their moves? You have got to be fucking kidding me. Go home, you’re drunk.
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Ahhahahhahahaha talking about ignorance, are Tring to say that Nxde is successful thank to cube? Really? After Hyuna controversy they almost faced bankruptcy. G idle saved the company as only successful group successful, 70% of the company income is from these girls. But they been in debit until 2022. They are so crap that the dance room been with brocken aircon and fridge since summer, miss managed all their groups. So again. More you are talking more you are embarrassing yourself.
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its not really that good. The vocals are awful and the instrumental is trash.
You know, I never really hated (g)-idle title tracks until now. But this is so disappointing for me.
“The best in Korea so far this year.” I like TAN’s Walking On The Moon better, and that one never charted.
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to Mei Li:
Shut the fuck up and touch grass.
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Waiting for MEI LIN to come and stir the pot again
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true
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Wow ok. I couldnt disagree more with this score. Really liked the song on release and i liked it even more now. And thats before even going into its themes. Im guessing you just dont like G-idle music in general since your ratings are quite harsh on them. I dont understand how you can rate Hyuna’s recent music so high but this so low. Giving Good Girl an 8 but this a 5? Yikes
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