We’ve got another new boy group today with the debut of ASC2NT. They hale from Newways Company, an agency I hadn’t heard of until today, and include three members who participated in last year’s Peak Time. Love Me Do is not a cover of the famed Beatles classic. Instead, it’s the latest K-pop track to adopt a smooth, easy-listening retro sound.
The first thing I noticed about Love Me Do was that it wasn’t afraid to showcase the members’ vocal talents. This is instantly refreshing, even if the song leaves most of its ambition at the door. There’s power behind ASC2NT’s vocal performance, and this alone elevates the track.
I also enjoy Love Me Do‘s slapping percussion. It authentically recaptures an 80’s pop sound. Rhythm guitar further teases out the groove, but the production could do with an extra kick of energy. It stays at one level throughout the song’s three minutes and feels caged in. A higher tempo would really improve things and give ASC2NT the chance to dig into the groove. As it stands, this feels like K-pop’s version of an ‘adult contemporary’ bop. It’s pleasant, but very unadventurous.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Yanno, its alright. For me it reminds me of Super Junior “Magic” from 2015. Why a young group would also want to sound like this on their debut, I don’t know, but I wish them the best of luck.
(The punk in me always hears Leeteuk’s line at 1:02 as “naked naked naked are the two of us”.)
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They are adults in their mid-20s to early 30s so maybe they wanted to go for more mature sounding pop.
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This is nice, I just wish they let them really belt out their lyrics since we’ve seen them sing, like really sing. The members killed it on Peak Time and it sucked they had to leave the show early. I’m always excited about groups who have older and more veteran members, they don’t seem awkward and know how to work a stage.
I had to look up the 2 younger members and it’s interesting how both of them already completed their military service. Hopefully this group does well and brings singing back to kpop.
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