I chose The Wind as my favorite rookie of 2023 for many reasons. One of the biggest was their willingness to let their main vocal belt. But now that main vocal is gone, making future music a dicey prospect. New single H! TEEN both confirms my worries and offers an exciting offramp toward a reconfigured sound.
The song sees the group operating as a quintet, with member Chanwon sitting out this comeback. It also marks a shift toward a new producer, with the venerated e.one taking the wheel on H! TEEN. The guys are as bubbly and bright as ever, and the track is a whirlwind of candy-coated hooks and brisk production. It bounds out of the gate with plenty of energy, highlighted by swirling strings and catchy guitar. This builds to a memorable chorus that pairs wisps of high notes with a a chanted breakdown. It’s the rare song that uses nursey-rhyme style interpolation well, employing it sparingly and just at the right moments.
The absence of Jaewon’s powerful vocals are very much missed in H! TEEN. The remaining members all share a similar airy tone, lacking the sheer brunt needed to sell a dance track this relentless. Coupled with its ultra-bubblegum melodies, parts of the song threaten to teeter dangerously close to “cloying.” Thankfully, H! TEEN never gets there, but it will be interesting to see how it ages. I could see it beginning to wear thin just as easily as I can imagine it growing into a “9.” To its advantage, the song is smartly structured to best utilize The Wind’s unflagging energy. I love the additional refrain that sweeps in during the finale. The song feels full and satisfying, offering plenty of highlights but never overplaying its hand.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
im just wishing they got the same recognition and success TWS has because theyre doing pretty much the same concept :/// the wind deserve to have that
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Whee! This one sounds like getting through Seven Dwarfs Mine Train queue and riding it twice over in record time. Hi ho hi ho hi ho, its off to fun I go, I go!
I don’t know how often I will listen to it again, but for a few minutes there I was hella entertained.
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A perfect analogy! Haha
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After all that 4th generation’s “come for your neck” thematic, I’m pretty flabbergasted by how different approach almost all the rookie groups are having now. How is NCT Dream reacting to all this, are they just being beaten at their own game😂?
Back to this song, it’s very nice, although it might have a bit too much energy for me to play too often. Then on the mini, Heart fluttering I found very pretty. Gives me even Joe Hisaishi vibes.
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It’s a very welcome change in my opinion, and TWS’s massive success with Plot Twist seems poised to keep the bright, melodic sounds coming.
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Very much welcome!
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I think this is my favorite track by them yet!
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Reminds me of Teen Teen’s song from a few years back, It’s On You, it’s got the same hauntingly upbeat feeling. It felt a little juvenile and grating at first but after a few listens I really like it.
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I like this song quite a bit but I like every b-side on their mini even more! The “male Gfriend” energy on every single track is just so refreshing and fun, listening through it is like feeling a sudden burst of sunshine. I hope they keep this sound for many albums to come.
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The Wind was my debut bias last year. I was afraid for this CB, after Shin Jaewon had to leave the group. His high power notes at the last chorus made Island and We Go. Hi Teen is missing that power that he brought and the nursery rhyme sounds childish and grating. I wish them the best though as a 5-member group.
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I love this, period.
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That chanting ruins the entire song, and I have a pretty high tolerance for chanting. It sets my teeth on edge.
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