Comparing Fantagio Entertainment’s roll-out of Astro in 2016 and LUN8 in 2023-24 is like measuring a freight train against an old jalopy. Without frequent comebacks, robust promotion or a distinct sound, this group feels nebulous and underappreciated. And to make things worse, the music has rarely been that great. I’m sure LUN8 are very talented and work exceptionally hard, but their discography thus far isn’t really bearing that out.
New single Whip is another so-so track to throw into the market. It tethers trendy jersey club influences to more familiar K-pop hip-hop touchstones, bopping along a brisk beat. Tonally, it feels more in line with what’s happening with Korean girl groups at the moment. The song takes a catchy — but subdued — hook and drives it into the ground, sacrificing peaks and valleys for a sing-song approach that works well in the context of a twenty-second TikTok video but wears thin over the course of three minutes. The song is pleasant throughout, but has a workmanlike quality that doesn’t buoy LUN8’s chances of standing out in the crowded K-pop market.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The rating is about right, it’s inoffensive but nothing memorable. My two cents on this group, this is probably their least memorable single, up until now they had stuff like Wild Heart which for me was Jonas Brothers combined with 5sos, and 5sos to me isn’t a compliment really. Superpower has an ammount of 5sosness too, a standout track may be XX, but nothing too special either. These guys weren’t that lucky on getting a composer, Astro had Iggy Youngbae or whatever his name is, plus Jinjin’s lyrics and it was sure a combination.
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Nick, in honor of Taemin’s 10th anniversary as a soloist, what would you say are your favorite/top 10 b-sides. Also, how would Criminal rank in his top 10 title track ranking?
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Obviously not Nick here, but I couldn’t pick a favorite title song before Criminal. Criminal is his best TT imho, and I don’t know how you top that. Just totally my style as a song and the added bonus of the concept, dance, styling, mv, performance all working as well. B sides are harder but Clockwork, Strings, Identity immediately came to mind.
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Hmm… my taste definitely leans toward his earlier stuff. In no particular order:
Guess Who
Sexuality
Eclipse
What’s This Feeling
Experience
Exclusive
Holy Water
Pretty Boy
Soldier
Ace (if you count it as a b-side)
And yeah, Criminal’s probably my favorite title track so far. Danger comes close.
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Omg, I absolutely love Experience. I also have a special love for Already. Oh, have you listened to the original Sexuality by Ultraviolet Sound? I prefer Taemin’s rendition, but the original had its electro pop charms.
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Speaking of Guess Who, I wonder if it rose further to a 9.75 or that sweet 10 (but somehow not mentioned in the Inauguration Ceremony), or is still at 9.5? I’ve “discovered” the song this year thanks to your review of it and it hit the high-9s for me at first listen (now tiptoeing her way to that 10)
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like song beautiful whip nine okay funny happy will would haves very much like hot body used drop just going seen guy Tara spratt like feeling sorry you boys guys are going
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i’m not that familiar with this group, but i wish them all the best….
-KP
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So far in Lun8’s career, none of their tracks have been particularly standing out, aside from the 1st album’s XX, Buff’s Pastel(I love the song and the theming on this one). Their 1st Japanese releases were… well, ok imo they were nice to listen to ig. And so far, sadly they’ve been a group to follow the latest music trends, I don’t believe they’ve developed a sound unique to them that makes them stand out or recognizable against other groups. And I think that’s what they need. But something about them makes me come back to them every album, and Awakening might be the start of something good. Yes, the album itself follows the Jersey club trend but… I think it’s solid. It fits the group pretty well.
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