If there’s one overriding trend in K-pop marketing this year, it’s double title tracks and pre-releases. It seems like every major idol group has several promoted tracks from their newest album. IVE released HEYA several weeks ago to great success, but we all knew Accendio was lurking just around the corner to satisfy fans who enjoy a more melodic-focused sound from the group.
Accendio has been described as a more developed Love Dive and I do hear some similarities. Both share a prickly attitude, meant to be admired from a distance. Accendio literally tells us not to touch the artists (something that, unfortunately, needs to be said to some overzealous fans). The song also climaxes in a ready-made catchphrase chorus, serving an easy soundbite that compliments the group’s image.
But while these similarities are apt, I’m not sure I hear the “more developed” part. IVE’s best work has been all-killer, no filler. Every single moment, from verse to chorus to bridge, stands as its own highlight. Accendio, just like HEYA, plays like a few standout moments stitched together by less interesting segments. I like the chorus (and especially the post-chorus), but the verses clang and clatter without much purpose. The song starts at a snail’s pace, relying on a breezy pre-chorus to pick up the energy, while verse two falls into overly familiar phrasing that feels too generic for what Accendio is trying to do. This hit-or-miss approaches results in a fine song that could have been spectacular given a few edits.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Happy birthday! (to you as well to ‘the chaser’)
LikeLiked by 5 people
Aw, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Love Dive” is my favorite k-pop song of all time therefore I had huge expectations for this comeback, but I feel like chorus and certain verses feel too generic (almost like a nugu song)
“Watch me, don’t touch me, love me, don’t hurt me” mehh it’s too simple and too repetitive
The post-chorus feels too spectacular and it’s kind of hard for me to vibe with it (like it’s too in-your-face)
Giving it 8,5/10, still a solid song! (that dancebreak uhhhh)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Btw Nick, what’s your final ranking of “Love Dive”? In your review you gave it 8,5 (back in 2022) so I’m wondering what’s your current ranking of this song. For me it went from 8/10 to 11/10 after maybe 5 listens, at one point it literally became a drug (my most overplayed k-pop song to this date)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I waffle between an 8.75 and a 9. I don’t think I love it as much as most do (I much prefer After Like and I Am), but the fact that it became so iconic certainly gives it an edge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like IVE’s music was made specifically for me because 13 songs 9/10+ holy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine goes like this (out of 10)
IVE’s discography truly eats.
LikeLike
I love the music video. reminded me of the Oh! & Run Devil Run music videos with light and dark versions of the groups LOL.
initially it was an 8 for me, but now it’s a 9. they really suit this darker sound that started with LOVE DIVE, and followed by My Satisfaction, Blue Blood and Classic. Ice Queen is great as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Classic is just THAT girl (their japanese EP better than i’ve mine/i’ve switch)
LikeLike
there’s two original songs 😭 I don’t really listen to different language versions, I’d rather listen to the original
LikeLike
yeah bruh I mean WAVE & Classic outdid every single song on i’ve mine/i’ve switch album
LikeLike
What the f was that mv… I have never seen something like this in kpop tbh. In terms of the song, it felt kinda simple. Honestly even more simple than HEYA. Heya’s climax was honestly crazy good compared to this song, wish it had much more of an impact by the end but still such a decent song.
LikeLike
The MV has that little extra I’m lacking from the song.
The chorus is strong enough to pull this up to a 9. Everything lands with me, and I appreciate every part.
But it’s still an Ive song grounded in hip-hop and without the oomph that I really miss.
I’m not entirely sure what SSE’s strategy is. They’re giving Leeseo so much in both Heya and Accendio. Neither song’s landing with the GP, and fanbase engagement is at an all time low…
LikeLike
HEYA is doing well in Korea at least.
LikeLike
not compared to their previous songs
LikeLike
Not quite sold on this one, it lacks that extra IVE oomph. In particular, I find the transition from each of the section to be a bit jarring. And now onto this section. And now on to the next section. It is less song composition, more song construction – rearrange the post-its notes of ideas into and order and call it good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You hit the nail on the head. That “song construction vs. song composition” is one of my biggest peeves about current pop music.
Probably has something to do with laptops and pro tools being an alternative to sitting down with a guitar/piano and crafting a song that way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chorus is too repetitive. Get tired of the song by second listen. Glad that they chose Heya over this for the main title track
LikeLike
Definitely better than heya. The best song on the album actually. 9.5/10
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t have the energy of previous IVE hits but it’s memorable and in this desert of KPOP misses, every drop counts. The video was a little cartoonish and kooky but I’m sure their young fans will lap it up!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think we should just stop with the pre-releases and double title tracks. I just want to enjoy everything all at once without having to choose one or the other as my main title. That being said, I enjoyed the song.
LikeLike
The chorus reminds me of Picky Picky. Why does songs have nice prechorus and boring chorus now?
LikeLike
I liked heya (even watched some of the stages) but i think i like this one more.
LikeLike
This whole EP and comeback feels very rushed, and given their grueling schedule (the timing of their comeback was more or less announced almost 6 months ago, since it was the only break in their touring schedule lo no enough to allow it) I imagine it was. I’ve noticed that with IVE, member input has played a fairly important role in choosing what gets promoted or suggested. While IVE’s musical output is still above average for me, I do find it concerning that they are exclusively working with one producer now. Sure, he crafted the fantastic After Like and I Am along with many other good IVE songs, but it’s starting to get, dare I say, about stale, especially in the idea department?
I think working with foreign producers and some of their song acquisitions really helped IVE early on in terms of the sonic diversity in their releases. Now I feel like I am listening to a lot of different takes on what are more or less the same foundational ideas. For example, while I don’t think this fits the “more developed Love Dive” moniker, I do hear it as being Ryan S. Jhun’s personal take on Love Dive. I’m just hoping IVE adds a little more diversity back into the picture with their producers and songwriters. Their discography needs it, and as always, there are only so many great song ideas a person can have in any given amount of time. Dreamcatcher, one of the groups I have a huge soft spot for, has also fallen into this pitfall lately, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t happen to both of my favorite active groups.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How well Ryan Jhun does typically depends on his co-producers.
The Norwegian and Swedish production team made some amazing work. Many fans have spoken to them, and Starship/Jhun chose to end their partnership.
Dem Jointz, evidently, is a terrible match for Ryan Jhun. They botched songs for Got The Beat and have now hastened Ive’s fade from the public eye D:
Accendio and Heya are good songs. But 8/10 is nothing compare to Eleven-LoveDive-AfterLike and I am.
LikeLiked by 1 person