I went on such a strange ride with STAYC’s winter hit Teddy Bear. I liked the song right off the bat, and that quickly grew into love as it became one of my most played songs of the year. But after a month or so, I’ve barely returned to the track and don’t have much desire to do so. I’m not sure why this is, but it makes me curious how the newly-released Bubble will fare in the long run.
Bubble continues to develop the group’s poppy, “teen fresh” side. Elevated once again by the strong production of Black Eyed Pilseung, the song is a sugar rush right to its core. In this way, it feels like a nostalgic 2nd/3rd-gen K-pop pastiche. This happens to by a sweet spot for me, and I love Bubble‘s effusive energy. I’m particularly taken with the shots of laser beam synth and filtered chants that round out each chorus. The featherlight strings intro is also fun, and the song’s arrangement manages to make K-pop’s requisite second verse rap break work thanks to a well-chosen drumline.
The melodies are also strong. The only hook that isn’t working for me is the “bubble bubble bubble” repetition. It’s just too cutesy, and on an already saccharine track it threatens to turn Bubble into an advertisement for kid’s shampoo. Choices like this make me concerned about the song’s longevity. But for now, it’s an enjoyable romp through playgrounds of K-pop’s past, buoyed by excellent production and STAYC’s spirited performance.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I fully expected Nick to rate this 9 or higher. Bubble sounds like a smash hit and a new classic.
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It’s much better than Teddy Bear and Poppy, for me anyway. I miss BEP’s more mature and sophisticated sound, but there seems to be a concerted effort to move away from that sound they do so well.
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too saccharine for my liking, but objectively well executed for what it is. personally have never been too fond of upbeat / cutesy songs
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im thinking if they used the strings instrumental in the intro for the bridge as well it would easily elevate this to a higher rating
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As someone who really liked their previous “cuter” title tracks, I’m a bit neutral on this song at first listen. I think the instrumental is great, but I don’t know if the repetitive “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble” with the sound of a bubble popping is really clicking for me. I also wonder if three versions of the same song on a 6 track project is too much (I skipped the Sped Up version when I listed to the mini album the first time).
I don’t hate it, but I don’t know if I will end up loving it. I prefer the other three non-Bubble songs better, but I see why BEP didn’t choose any of them as the title track.
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I really loved Poppy as it gave STAYC a sexier edge somehow.
BUBBLE to me embraces the energy pop trends rooted in early Katy Perry (think Last Friday Night). It think it would have been more suited for YENA as a follow up to Smiley than STAYC.
Totally agree with Nick on the sugar rush effect : it picks then crashed hard…
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peaks!
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Pretty neutral to this, I haven’t been much of a fan post Beautiful Monster with Poppy only listened due to sheer repetitive ear wormness of the hook. I do like this more than Teddy Bear, but overall not a fan of cutesy Disney channel pop songs at my age
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I really love this! It was adorable and bubbly and had the energy throughout! I really liked the music too! Honestly it has such a Winx Club vibe for me and any song that gives mew Winx Club vibes is an automatic win 😂❤ Anyhow I think I really like this sound more from StayC – I still love Teddy Bear and this too has such a good vibe that will grow on me over time!
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I am going to say yes.
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this is what I want on kpop, fun, just pure, harmless fun.
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Love the bubble gum/ disco bounce, it’s K-POP
and it rocks my world
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This song is the best. Its so good. The rest of the EP is really good too. I’m going to play a million times.
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In terms of this half of the year, this is SOTY
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I dont dislike cute songs, but it seems Im not hearing the same song as everyone. The chorus is terrible, the bubble, bubble, bubble, repetition isnt even cute.
Is this supposed to be energetic? I dont know 2nd Kpop songs and I dont follow BEP, so I cant draw parallels between this song and whatever song/era it is referencing.
For a cute energetic song executed perfectly, I would listen to CSR-Shining Bright
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Like @Kyoko says, it’s pretty close to a Winx Club song.
Or like, that one Oh My Girl song for the kid’s show with the penguin?
Or like, something made for a mid-2000s Disney channel show as either the theme song or the song the main character sings when she gets discovered by the industry for exactly one episode.
Easy listening and fun, too, but by and large I think it’s too young.
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Also the opening strings are reminiscent of the chorus to “Fox” (most recently made popular by Joy.)
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I think STACY’s label saw a great opportunity to brand the group as a cutesy teen group when Weeekly’s label lost their mind and did a 180 from their earlier releases. I think it fits STACY well.
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STAYC is a gift that keeps on giving.
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There’s no end to the Stayc-train.
Expected Nick to rate this into the 9s, it sure is for me.
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my prediction is this song is going to be the grower I wish “teddybear” was. I do love “teddybear” tho!
couple thoughts – one I like where STAYC has situated themselves in a post-New Jeans dominant world. I could easily a path where STAYC’s concept could be shifted try to chase that trend. but instead they are going much more giddy and sugar, and the music is strong to match. I’m glad they are sticking out with their own individual color.
Also some of the vocals here remind me of Girls Generation. I don’t know where it’s coming from necessarily, but I really hear it. I also feel like STAYC is at a point where I really hear the member’s performances. I know they pretty much exclusively work with BEP/Rado but I feel they carry the song just as much as the writing or instrument.
Great one!
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Another straightforward, upbeat bop!
I really like it, takes me back to the uncomplicated bouncy pop songs of the early 2010s. I have no idea how it’ ll grow on me though. StayC at this point have really established themselves for me as a group that delivers consistent quality.
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Something about the prechorus hits me so hard. Overall, the song kinda gives me early hello Venus vibes
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“early hello venus vibes” stayc wish!
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This is beautiful and I can sing the chorus right after the bat, having heard the song once. I like teddy bear a lot – this doesn’t have quite as strong a chorus as that but in a more consistent, sophisticated package.
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I absolutely ADORE both this one and “Teddy Bear” and they’re among my favourites this year. Whatever happened to good classic hooks? I honestly can’t warm up to Le Sserafim as much as I try; the girls are awesome, and the productions are also really good, but the songs sound so average to me… they really sound like commercials you put in the background. Catchy beats and just non memorable melodies or hooks. Just my 2 cents of course; I know Le Sserafim are in fact super super popular, so clearly I’m not their audience. I think the entire StayC album is one of my favourites this year. But let’s see how it ages! 😀
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