SNSD’s Sooyoung actually started her idol career in a short-lived J-pop group before eventually debuting in Korea. It’s funny, then, that it took this long for her to release a solo single in Japan. Better late than never, as Unstoppable recaptures some of the magic from SNSD’s discography while showcasing Sooyoung’s own charisma.
A song like this makes me wish she had developed a more robust solo career in music. Her focus has understandably been on acting, but she’s got everything it takes to command a solo stage. Unstoppable isn’t groundbreaking or particularly unique, but it plays to her strengths by giving her addictive production heavy on percussion. The track harnesses a punchy energy, repeatedly hitting us with sonic stabs and dynamic rhythms. In this way, it reminds me of Nayeon’s excellent ABCD earlier in the year. Unstoppable lacks hooks as strong as that track, but its exciting groove compensates. Sooyoung’s performance is polished and compelling, moving through several distinct styles without missing a beat. It’s a satisfying blend between the old and the new — exactly what someone of Sooyoung’s stature should be doing at this point in her career.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I also didn’t understand why it took so long for her to release jpop music. She was one of the more popular snsd members in Japan.
I was really excited for this release (as I was with any snsd members’ first solo ) but I think my excitement from the teasers caused me to be a bit disappointed when the song released a couple days ago. While not bad, the hooks feel a bit generic and predictable. My biggest gripe with this track is sooyoung’s high note. Not only was there no build to make it pay off (this song would benefit from a bridge but who isn’t craving bridges at this point lol) but it sounds like she’s pushing too much. I just have no doubt it could’ve been delivered better and as a result have more impact. She performed song a couple times already and whether it’s live or a pre record, it sounds better than it does on the official track which is really frustrating. I’m content with all her other vocals.
A few more listens definitely allowed me to appreciate the song. It would’ve been 7.5 before , 8 now
the video feels very japanese if you know what I mean. while I would’ve liked a new scenario introduced towards the end everything looks good and is reminiscent of mvs from the 2010s
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Add another to the list of High Notes That Will Never Be Sung Live, along with IVE’s “I am” chorus beginning notes which are in the same high G5 territory.
I watched and listened to the showcase (this one “watch?v=ulrAVKhJVC0”) and I believe it is a pre-recording. The high notes sound “better” because of the reverb on the room audio. The audio for this showcase is taken from the room. Music Shows these days typically have the vocal on one pre-recorded feed and the audience fan chant is another feed from a couple of mics in the room.
The showcase could also sound “better” because the pre-recording might not have as much autotune processing on those notes as the released version. Usually the pre-recording is a more raw vocal take sometimes done on a stage mic rather than a studio mic for “authenticity”.
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are you neurodivergent?
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lol this aged like milk
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she did the spiderman pose while saying “bring the girls and boys out” 🤭
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the transition to the credits was cool too
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funnily this gives Utada Hikaru (the vocals) meets Britney (the sound), I’m not familiar with her but this is good
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It’s funny you mention utada hikaru. Usually sooyoung has a similar vibrato to her. She’s been taking vocal lessons so I think that’s why it’s absent here
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This sounded really familiar, and then I realized that it’s because I saw a tiktok of Key (SHINee) dancing to the chorus with her, and had replayed it a million times because I thought the song was so good. I couldn’ t find it on Spotify, scrolled and forgot about it. Turns out it just wasn’t out yet!
Needless to say I think this is pretty great. I think it’ ll go on the playlist!
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I wish the second part of the chorus weren’t so breathy. I can barely hear her.
Not bad. I’ve been ready for more Sooyoung music for a long time; she’s one of my favorite members.
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