When I first delved into J-pop nearly a decade ago, the easiest entry points were K-pop acts performing in Japanese. They had built-in familiarity, and the acts tended to take a safe approach that complimented their Korean discography. Now that I’m steeped in Japanese music from Japanese creators and performers, I find most J-pop releases from K-pop acts rather forgettable – more a product than an artistic statement.
Kep1er strike an interesting balance since they count two Japanese performers among their ranks. But like many of their peers, I Do! Do You? is designed for maximum global consumption. As pleasant and upbeat as it is, the song has been smoothed of every edge. I haven’t found its composition credits yet, but I’d be shocked if this wasn’t the work of CJ ENM’s wide net of Korean composers-for-hire. It has that sense of anonymity about it, as if everyone involved received the same rubber-stamped brief and delivered the exact recipe it requested. The song is very whelming, but that’s kind of the point.
On the plus side, I Do! Do You? has verve. The punctuation of its title should tell you that! If we must go generic, I’d rather an upbeat burst of energy than a dark slog. This style compliments Kep1er’s youthful persona and they pull it off as well as can be expected. The entire track bops along pleasantly, fueled by a buoyant rhythm and celebratory blasts of brass. I probably won’t listen to it again, but as a modern J-pop/K-pop product it’s perfectly serviceable.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
actually they only have 2 jp members (hikaru and mashiro)
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My mistake. Corrected!
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There are only two Japanese members in Kep1er, Mashiro and Hikaru? They have three non Korean members, Xiaoting is Chinese.
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There are only two Japanese members in Kep1er, Mashiro and Hikaru? They have three non Korean members, Xiaoting is Chinese.
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Sounded very safe. This actually sounded like a weaker version of Twice’s ‘The Feels’. Still its the best among their jp releases.
Wished they further develop the groove at the intro with more bass guitars.
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More like Scientist to me (which was a weaker Umpah Umpah)
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I really like it. Its safe. It sounds like a weaker Twice song. Its cute and fun. Sometimes that’s all you need.
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And you got a bingo with the composers!
Composed by Jonatan Gusmark & Ludvig Evers / Arranged by MOONSHINE
(the composition credits are individualized members of MOONSHINE it seems)
The b-side for this single is composed by Glory Face & Jinri of Full8loom (aka they did their title track Up!), so that might be something good.
I am curious to know – would you listen to this or the latter IZ*ONE Japanese discography? I’d assume, since this song (and imo Wing Wing) has the verve and all, and the AKB mixing quirk is bothersome…you’d choose the former.
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Ah, thank you! I forgot they had that highlight medley with the composers listed. The Full8loom song sounds like a banger, btw…
And yeah, the latter IZ*ONE J-pop efforts are difficult to listen to at times, so I’d choose this generic mush instead. Still, Suki to Iwasetai reigns supreme.
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Oh My Lord. Full8loom back at it again. ‘Together Forever’ sounds INCREDIBLE.
I NEED IT RIGHT NOWW
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I really like this one! If this song is made to appeal to the masses, then I am the masses. What can I say?
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I think it’s a very successful mass appeal! It’s a fun song.
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I like it! M says it sounds like Twice’s “The Feels.” My first thought, especially with that pre-chorus, was “Scientist.” Both are songs I really enjoy to this day.
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Acutally the first Kep1er release in a while where i thought during listening “I like it”. They definitly had worse comeback songs. Also i agree on it being designed for mass appeal.
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It is not the most original thing ever but it doesn’t need to be for me.
It’s cute and groovy, so I like it!
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Well, this is a Moonshine-Sunshine product, and (most of the time) they can do no wrong. I like it, not the most original thing to come out of their repertoire, but appropriate for Kep1er, since they actually match to this sort of sound – I even won’t complain if WAKEONE would get Moonshine-Sunshine to produce Kep1er’s upocming Korean comebacks.
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