Seven days into the year and we have our first notable debut of 2025 (KickFlip’s song earlier this week was a pre-release). Three of the four XLOV members were contestants on 2023’s Boys Planet, ensuring a certain level of notoriety even before the release of I’mma Be. The group also has a “genderless” concept, which feels quite new for a Korean idol act. With all this promise, it’s unfortunate that the music itself comes across as a bunch of recycled tropes stitched together.
XLOV are intriguing for everything but this song. I’mma Be acts as a decent showcase for their skill, but as an actual piece of music it leaves much to be desired. The production is slinky and measured, tiptoeing when it could offer a more commanding stomp. During the first verse, this works well enough, but as soon as we hit the chorus my interest has flatlined. An irritating spoken-word hook unfolds as the instrumental takes an ugly turn toward more abrasive tones that feel borrowed from too many other boy group tracks.
From here, I’mma Be simply spins its wheels, delivering fragments of melody that fail to forge into something larger. I get the sense that the track’s message and execution were prioritized over the underlying songwriting. That’s a shame, because there is clearly talent in this group. The vocals during the bridge are very confident and ear-catching and deserve much stronger material.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
ew… boys, you need more than just a sexy concept to stand out in the K-pop industry. It’s funny that I say that, isn’t it? After all, Britney’s sexy atmosphere concept was culminated last year for girl groups. The problem is that this is different. Looks like another version of Lola Blanc
7 (7, 7, 7, 7) for now – i’m being generous
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It sounds very Taemin-esque. The melodies in the second part of the chorus are great, though sadly got marred by the spoken hook, sucks cause it could have been developed into something stronger. The production also could use more bite to it. But I liked its mysterious vibes. Just need some better arrangement and XLOV could have a gem in their hands.
7.5 (7, 7, 8, 8) for me.
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when they started speaking at me i was so thrown off and not in a good way…. so thuddingly slow, too…. boring and bad lol, 5.5 for me
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I feel the exact same way! Rui was one of my top picks and the concept seem perfect for him (and overall very unique!) But to my surprise, the chorus was… something. The verses are very nice and remind me of a Taemin song, but the speaking chorus was a big no-no.
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It does sound and look like Taemin but make it group. Song is okay except for the 8 bars of chanted chorus. I feel like they could have leaned more into it, like make it OnlyOneOf but make it mainstream.
What I really want to know is why only one guy got a cool hairstyle while the others are stuck with the standard haircut every other boy band has.
I find it intriguing enough to look forward to the next release.
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the chorus could use some work, but Im really interested in this group’s upcoming ventures now.
8/10 (7, 8, 8, 9) for me
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The chorus is off-putting, but they actually grabbed my interest. The song is nothing new but isn’t so bad either, and has a Taemin-esque quality like many pointed out already. The post chorus is pretty catchy too. Idk what the genderless concept thing is about though, looking forward to something bolder if that’s going to be their marketing approach.
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Color me interested. That chanting was really off-putting, but the rest makes me curious.
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Everything except for the chanting sounds fine to me. But the sudden chanting threw me off everytime it happens ._. I like the concept and visuals of the MV, so here’s hoping that they get a song that’s a little more pleasant and interesting next comeback
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Definitely getting taemin and onlyoneof (feel like I haven’t heard from them in a while) like others. This feels like it’s in a similar sonic arena as that of Minnie’s recent track. However, I find this much more engaging. The first chorus keeps throwing me off guard every time I listen to it, how that ages will matter a lot in how I view this track. It’s somewhere in the sevens right now. All that said, they’re very intriguing in every way outside of their music
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Not feeling this as well
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i didnt like that one chanted part in the chorus but overall its ok! definitely at least a 7. but i have to say they devoured the mv/choreo and i’m mostly glad that kuanjui finally got his well-deserved debut!!
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Like everyone else is saying, the chanting was terrible. Real shame cause I liked everything around it, especially the vocal talent. I still put it on my playlist, and I’ll hope the chant gets less annoying over time.
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Yet nother promising song let down by a spoken, uninteresting chorus. The boys are obviously talented but they need better songs than this.
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Interesting. Imma keep my eye on them. Chorus was very off putting but the vocal at the end of the bridge was promising.
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i feel like I may be the only one who actually really likes the chorus. It made me listen to the song in the first place. Maybe I’m the target audience for them because I listen to a lot of Taemin and OnlyOneOf.
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I lowkey threw my headphones as soon as I heard the chorus,because I was trying to gaslight myself into thinking this was gonna be different
But I knew deep down,this was just another one of those songs😶
(5;7;7;5)5.75
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I…may be the only one that doesnt have a single problem with the song😂😅. I do believe it does dwell in the shadows from other groups’ tracks. And im seeing a TON of OOO and Taemin comparisons. My only hope is this group develops thier own style/sound. CAUSE THIS WITH THE CHOREO? ART😤✨️✨️
Great start 8.5/10
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I think I went a bit too harsh here.
The guys have talent and the song is pretty good actually(other than that chorus that I still can’t grow fond of)
It’s a 7.5(6;8;8;8) for me now
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My god these english lyrics are so bad its making my blood boil.
“Walking in the hall like a cat
But I can hear for that
The gun for my head
Is that the philosophical, huh, ha”
like wtaf does this mean.
/
“Ooh, I’m blooming on the rain
And I’m dancing on the pain, yeah
Ooh, I can take it if, I want it
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh“
and this is just lazy ass rhymes that sound cringe asf.
/
The chorus is actually somewhat the best part of the song for me.
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