Following Nayeon last summer, Twice’s leader Jihyo has become the second member of the group to embark upon a solo career. For me, her voice has always been emblematic of Twice’s sound, making solo music an interesting prospect. Would she paint within the lines of Twice’s established style or push herself in new directions?
It turns out that Killin’ Me Good is a little of both. I could easily imagine this on a modern Twice album, especially with its insistent, r&b-flavored groove. However, there’s something a little more reserved about the execution. Jihyo drives the track forward with her vocals, easily snatching attention from the percolating instrumental. But beyond her forceful performance, much of the track borrows from the understated dance influences so popular in K-pop at the moment.
This arrangement makes melody even more important. Killin’ Me Good‘s repetitive hook is instantly memorable, but spends a lot of time spinning its wheels when it could have blossomed into something even more potent. The song is a bit of a one-trick-pony in this regard, making me wonder how it will hold up in the long run. One thing’s for sure, though: Jihyo is a stone-cold star. Future solo music is an exciting prospect, even if this feels more like a (very stylish) bunt than a home run.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
She has a powerful voice and her presence really did it for me . If it wasn’t Jihyo , I would’ve been bored . I like the bridge a lot . I also like the vibe she went with in the album . Probably going to be one of my favourite soloist KPOP album .
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But I think she should work on her breathing. It feels as feels she needs a lot of air before she belts out her powerful vocals , which you do, but they felt too prominent that at some point while listening to the tracks that was the only thing I heard and it kind of didn’t make the listening experience nice because I had to ignore that to try and enjoy the songs
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The audible breathing is for authenticity.
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Wow you can really hear every breath. Dang girl, relax a bit; you could probably have one breath/three lines instead of one/one line and be fine.
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Well, audible breathing is not terrible or unheard of. I mean, my main man Kyuhyun has a lot of audible breathing and he is hardly a vocal slouch. A sharp quick intake before a line. For Jihyo here, I think it sounds more labored and more frequent than it sounds like it should be for the shortness of the lines.
qv a live live version of “At Gwanghwamun”
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Yeah like obviously they have to breathe, but hers is really sharp and really frequent, and kinda weird for a studio version at this point.
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I have not a single objective thought about this. Jihyo did so well with this project. The video and choreography are so well done. The song is really good and she elevates it so much with her voice and stage presence. Not that I’d be objective about anything anyone in Twice is doing anyways but I love this project so much.
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pretty good debut, she did an amazing job with the EP
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Finally it’s out! I really love it. I do agree with you something about the execution might feel a little reserved. This was also the case with Set Me Free. Like Set Me Free I think this is a great track but it feels like it could have been a little more I guess. However, it’s a great song nonetheless. I love the TWICE sound. It just appeals to me. What’s most important for me is the members always sound engaged in their music.
I love the song and I’ll often play it. I think I won’t grow tired of it because it sounds really pleasant, slick and groovy. The instrumentals and the hooks are just really good, especially in the second half of the song.
Her vocals are great. I’m glad she mostly didn’t go too high with the vocals. I enjoy that better. She sounds really engaged.
The “sip chomada saenggagi na, nae moseube naega nolla” part really has me hooked. It’s so good.
I already listened to the entire EP. It’s a great EP. Jihyo was heavily involved in the writing and production process which gives it that personal touch.
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How didn’t I mention the great MV and choreo? Great debut Jihyo.
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Now that it’s out for over a week I must say my initial reservations are totally gone. I really love the song. The hooks and the bass are so addictive. It’s my favorite TWICE single since Talk That Talk. I also fell in love with the EP. Room is a standout for me. Such a beautiful song.
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Would’ve liked a changeup in the last post chorus instead of an instrumental a 3rd time. 8/10
But it’s Jihyo and I’m just here for her voice so 10/10 for me due to blatant bias
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Definitely could’ve used just a touch more grit in either the production or her delivery but this is still one of my favorite Twice-related releases in quite a while. I knew she’d deliver.
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the duet track with heize is just wow beyond words
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just as expected from jihyo. The album is really good too
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Decent song.
They could’ve been a bit more ambitious I think.
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this sounds like a more fleshed out version of Kill Shot from Itzy’s album, so I love the production. Agree that the melody plays it too safe but omg Jihyo completely destroyed this one. She’s one to watch.
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The chorus and post-chorus sounds a little repetitive for me. For my first listening I was really expecting changes for every post chorus as the first post chorus lay back and forth, and thus I’m foresee a slightly change for the instrumental that brings to a non-stop-smooth transition between it. But turns out it still remain same as a whole.
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The songs are not memorable enough to be hits and beat powerhouse soloist like those from BTS and Blackpink, they just have the charisma
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There is nothing less charismatic about Jihyo than the Blackpink or BTS members and music wise I think the TWICE solo’s are far more interesting so far. Blackpink and BTS are just more popular than TWICE.
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The stereotypes that shape the mind are hard to break. Many times, when I hear someone mention Twice, I keep hearing all kinds of cute high school girls in skirts rocking their morning exercises. I don’t know if any random-casual listeners listen to every single song on Twice’s albums or bother to watch all of their year-end performances.
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I loved it!! Jihyo absolutely killed it good. Her sound is so distinct for song she does. The MV is beyond my expectations amazing.
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No hate, but I suggest you to relearn the meaning of charisma…
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Songs are not memorable enough to be hits unlike those Soloist from groups like BTS and Blackpink.They just have the charisma.
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There is nothing less charismatic about Jihyo than the Blackpink or BTS members and music wise I think the TWICE solo’s are far more interesting so far. Blackpink and BTS are just more popular than TWICE.
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I completely love it idk its such a fun dance song for me
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She’s fabulous, and geeze, I love that voice. Jihyo has always stuck out to me in a big way when I listen to Twice, and it’s nice to hear a track that is all her. The song itself is alright. Jury’s still out on whether I like it enough to add it to a playlist, but I certainly did enjoy listening to her sing it.
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As others have said the chorus are a tad repetitive for my taste, but man, does she sound good, and although I don’t know if the song itself will hold up, hearing her sing it definitely hasn’t gotten old yet. I like the choice of that slightly eerie, background falsetto melody in the final chorus and I love the use of her lower register in the prechoruses.
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nick would you consider reviewing the songs from queendom puzzle, im very underwhelmed by the songs that were produced by kenzie tbh
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Probably not, tbh. I haven’t even listened to most of them yet.
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I loved it!! Jihyo absolutely killed it good. Her sound is so distinct for song she does. The MV is beyond my expectations amazing.
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