Rookie group POW burst out of the gate with the solid pop/rock of Favorite last year, but have struggled to find songs as equally strong since then. So rather than reinvent the wheel, they’ve embraced a proven hit with their remake of Avril Lavigne’s 2007 smash Girlfriend.
The guys have K-popped the whole thing, cribbing Girlfriend‘s chorus but dragging it down with limp verses. This combination is not very successful. The chorus is everything we’d expect without bringing anything new to the mix. It simply makes me want to listen to the original. Meanwhile, the verses interrupt the energy with boring melodies and dated trap production. The discrepancy between these two ingredients makes for an awkward listen, equal parts punchy and despondent.
Boyfriend is at its best when it leans into the punky energy of the original, but that precedent sets up another roadblock. When covering past hits, I strongly believe artists should stick to songs that are a bit unknown or underappreciated. Girlfriend‘s chorus is so memorable and specific to Avril that it’s impossible not to hear it while trying to enjoy Boyfriend on its own merits. This sets up an unwelcome comparison that doesn’t work in POW’s favor. Sadly, this comeback was just one ill-conceived idea after another.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I agree with everything you wrote but I’d still give this an 8. Maybe because even though I remember when this song came out I didn’t pay too much attention to music, so it actually feels refreshing to hear this version. I can’t help to feel a little disappointed because it’s basically a cover. I wish they would have spin it off differently.
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Why is this a full comeback and not just a fun cover, as an extra or something…? Also they somehow took allll the edge off of the song. It sounds weirdly clean.
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they really went the exact opposite direction they should have. The original song is charming because of how bratty and silly it is, but instead of leaning into it and making them a bunch of naughty boys who talk shit about their rival and how obviously they’re hotter and she’s down bad for them, they just made the boys too sweet and trying to convince the girl they’d TREAT her better like they’re fucking Shawn Mendes or something. They should have given War of Hormones but they gave us My First and Last instead ugh.
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Ha, that’ s a great point, and War of Hormones is a great example of how to make it work. Now I want a bratty bg concept!
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It’s not terrible, but it’s also just worse than the original. Which is almost inevitably what happens when you cover an iconic and beloved song. I think this style of song and concept might work well for them with an original song instead of a cover.
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