I’ve written about NCT Wish nearly every week in September. Their first mini album has been preceded by two pre-releases and now we’re finally hearing the official title track. Steady is co-written by longtime SM Entertainment talent Kenzie and sees the group tackling their trendiest material yet.
Both UK garage and Jersey Club have become favorites of 2023-24 K-pop and are at the point of feeling overused. However, a strong song can make even the most passé trends feel fresh. Steady has its moments, but doesn’t quite hit the highs necessary to make its muted production work. The song spends too much time slowed to a crawl, with verses that often feel like they’re trudging through syrup.
Meanwhile, the chorus harnesses a bouncy energy that fits the group much more snugly. The problem here is a repetitive hook that quickly exhausts itself. “Let’s go steady” is an odd reversion to 1950’s slang but works as cute nonsense in the context of NCT Wish’s performance. Despite some interesting twists of rhythm and phrasing, the chorus is ultimately too one-note and sickly sweet to be satisfying. It’s catchy, but not in a way that begs for repeat plays. Dunk Shot remains the strongest track to come out of these promotions.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
As someone who is fed up with all the garage songs lately, I did not expect to like this very much. I love the melody in the verses. Chorus could’ve been better but I don’t mind it.
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“co-written but longtime SM Entertainment talent Kenzie“. Do you mean written by?
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lol yes. It’s early… 😅
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Find the “let’s go steady” hook cute and catchy, wish the production and the rest of the song was stronger.
Rating’s the same.
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I think I have a soft spot for wholesome youth concepts where these young kiddos arent made to posture and swagger. ‘ Let’ s go steady’ is a quirky line, but it’ s used correctly and fits that youthful innocence. Like a boy who asked his gentleman grandpa how to woo the girl he likes at school.
‘Take it slow, let it grow, I’ m talking about that old school love’ is also pretty wellwritten, flows well and rhymes!
I wish they had taken the retro concept all the way and went for a different sort of production. I don’t love the garage influences in kpop, but when it’s done well it can give a sort of detached, laidback modern vibe. That doesn’t suit the concept of this song in my opinion! I appreciate it for what it is, I suppose.
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This is really cute! very familiar, on trend but feels fresh. The hook was def overused but I enjoyed the journey so I’m adding it to the playlist. NCT Wish channels early Dream but the execution feels more developed for some reason. I like the direction SM is taking with them.
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