Review

Song Review: Kim Wan Sun & Seulgi (Red Velvet) – Lucky

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Intergenerational K-pop collaborations are usually reserved for special events like year-end festivals. But sometimes, these team-ups make their way into a recording studio so we can enjoy the music for longer. Pop legend Kim Wan Sun pre-dates the idea of “K-pop generations,” known as the Korean Madonna even before Seo Taiji & Boys came around to usher in the idea of K-pop’s “First Gen.” Since then, she’s been active in every decade and has undoubtedly been an inspiration for Red Velvet’s Seulgi. The two join forces on the retro, JYP-penned synth track Lucky.

Every element here is in harmony, from Wan Sun’s iconic status to JYP’s penchant for an 80’s hook to Seulgi’s new-gen star power. And make no mistake, the track is solid. It’s probably not as good as it could (or should) have been given the talent involved, but I’ll never say no to a fun retro bop like this.

Lucky makes all the expected moves for a song of this nature, built upon spiky synth that feels a bit chintzy (but in a fun way!). It’s not as developed as a song like Wonder Girls’ Reboot, but its heart is in a similar place. I’m a big fan of the way the chorus splits into two contrasting parts. The production switches up here, offering rhythmic variation that keeps the track fresh. Both ladies’ vocals fit seamlessly together, making the track sound like the work of an established girl group. Hopefully, its wide-reaching appeal has the power to unite generations of music fans.

Hooks 8
 Production 8
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 8.5

Grade: B

14 thoughts on “Song Review: Kim Wan Sun & Seulgi (Red Velvet) – Lucky”

  1. it’s very solid. Towards the end, I couldn’t help but hope the song would flourish and throw everything at the wall for a finale. Though, I realize that’s just me being greedy

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  2. Solid pop song by the bones. But for once I think it is underproduced. It sounds city pop chill revival, emphasis on chill.

    Did JYP produce it or just write it, because usually when he copies an era, he makes a perfect copy. Viz JYP + Rain spot on New Jack Swing “original song”.

    This child of the MTV generation wants more punch. It could use more bells and whistles. There needs to be another heavier bass line under the dottering boppity bass sounds. A counterpoint hook variation, not jus the one. During the chorus, it is crowded, too many lines all right in the same A to A range cluttering up the sound scape. 80’s synth masters knew how to layer so every line was important and heard and had its spot.

    The “Baby I’m lucky I’m lucky I’m lucky” lines just lie there doing nothing and that is half the chorus. If you are so lucky, why do you sound so sad? Because the whole song is in the about the A to A range, to shift that line up an octave from E4 D4 C4 to E5 D5 C5 would be too high, so maybe a key change? A high descant harmony? An extra growl to the voice? More cowbell? Something.

    OK I’m done. I’ll end with an example. ok … hmmm … mmm oh yes this one! A oldie from SAW. It has their classic chug-a-lug rhythm. Listen, she sings about being lucky and she sounds lucky too. And the songs lifts itself up inside of going down.

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  3. Hi Nick, I sent you my mix of that new BBGirls tune over Facebook messenger; i added a key change, and tried to make the chorus a bit more epic (and also got rid of that momentum-killing ending). I think it’s an improvement, if still not quite at a 9 level:)

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