The Boyz have pulled off a feat that once seemed impossible in K-pop: changing agencies with their entire roster, group name and music catalog intact. Now, they’re back with their first work under label One Hundred, presumably with greater creative control than ever. It’s interesting to learn what a group thinks their biggest strengths are, and if new single VVV is any indication The Boyz know themselves well. It’s an absolute knockout of a return.
Even before pressing play, I was struck by VVV‘s length. At nearly four minutes, this stands as one of K-pop’s longest title tracks in years and this space allows the song to fully develop its ideas. The song makes room for all those important, forgotten elements of music like a bridge, dance break, intro and outro. These pieces add such important context to pop music, painting a scene for the song to race through. And boy, does VVV race! The track never lets up during its four minutes, careening from one piece of aural candy to the next.
While VVV‘s chorus is a ton of fun, every element surrounding it is actually stronger. Its second verse is pitch-perfect — everything a second verse should be. The rhythm deepens, the pace strengthens and the song ratchets up another level, upping the stakes. Ditto for the extended bridge/dance break, which adds extra character to an already bombastic arrangement. Additional synth strings come in for the final chorus, ensuring the song never stays stagnant or becomes repetitive. It’s as if the producers have been reading this blog and addressing every criticism I’ve had about K-pop over the past few years. I’m honestly shocked a song like this has been released in 2025. Maybe we’re finally turning a corner. I estimate my rating will only grow with time, but for now I’m kind of bowled over by the sheer existence of this track.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I saw the rating from a mile away LOL. I like it as well, great production and writing, the duration is perfect (Mr.Mr. by SNSD is the same length and that was 11 years ago). it is surreal to have an almost 4-minute song in the current state of k-pop.
I didn’t like the album though, only Miss Demeanor really stood out to me on first listen.
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Gosh im so incredibly happy for them! i started following them since Kingdom and was so worried whether they would be able to pull off this agency change and keep their musical identity…this song is literally everything i love about kpop and more packed into a wonderful 3:56..the album name Unexpected is very fitting im excited to check out the bsides
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Yep, this is song of the day. I was really down with NMIXX’s new EP (especially production wise), and I didn’t know there were other releases. But wow, this is GOOD. I especially like that it doesn’t hang too much on a “retro” production style besides some synths and strings. I feel like a lot of music utilizing that tend to hinge on it rather than add to it. This is just some hard hitting dance pop. Hell yeah.
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This is K-Pop at its absolute best! The production never falters, the energy remains high from the beginning till the end, and the hook has that celebratory punch to it, which is quite fitting given ALL the 11 guys managed to transfer to one agencies without much difficulties (I mean, 5-7 people can barely move to one agency all together, forget 11). I’m just in awe with what an euphoric blast this song is.
With almost 4 minutes (quite a privilege in the current music scene!), the song takes its time with basically every element missing in most songs nowadays (bridge, outro, a post-bridge breakdown, you know the type), developing them into their own little highlights and leaves me beaming like an idiot with the result in the end.
9.5 (9, 10, 9, 10) for me.
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Feels so vindicating to see them return to an upbeat sound like this, honestly better than ever too. They pulled off slower concepts just alright, but I’ve loved all of their more energetic stuff so I hope they continue down this path.
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it’s a lot of fun. A perfect (temporary) farewell to Sangyeon
9.5 (10, 9, 9, 10) /10 for me
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I had really high hopes for this song after hearing a snippet of it from the album medley, and it did not disappoint! I feel like there’s some 2nd gen sounds in there but modern production, it doesn’t sound like anything currently out there or in fact any title track The Boyz have ever done. For me it’s the first really great bg song of the year. And possibly the second best song referring to Veni Vidi Vici (after Cravity).
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It mixes modern production in mostly he verses with a full on late 2nd gen/early 3rd gen dance pop anthem chorus. You just don’t get songs like this now. You get some hints and dabbles at it but I just feel that this full goes there but manages to also have the modern elements too. If this was released in 2017 or around that time it would be one of them songs considered iconic now. Love it. And nearly 4 minutes? You gotta be joking. The fact that this song not only exists but has been made a title track is a big win and pretty brave for them to do in a world where kpop is all about current trends, being a hit on tik tok and/or sounding as western as possible.
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While it is refreshing to see song structure respected once again, I wish all 4 minutes of it didn’t sound so similar. Verse/bridge/chorus all flow into each other too well maybe, I’m craving a little bit more difference in the soundscape. Verse 2 is definitely a highlight, and i very much like each part independently, but the builds are maybe too subtle for my taste so they seem wanting.
All in all, I’d still give it a quite favorable rating (9,8,8,7) = 8
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A full-fledged and upbeat k-pop song that is almost four minutes long?!?! Sign me up!
What a great song to open a new chapter for The Boyz. I wish them well on their future endeavors with One Hundred.
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Man, its the same problem I had with Blue by ZB1. The hooks arent catchy and they come off as shout-y, sure the production is pretty good although too constant with not many great changes or developments. The chorus is just okay? The melodies just dont seem to be incredible when being paired with this type of beat. I really wish I saw what apparently most of you do in this🫤
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Boring. Nothing memorable from this song. Chorus is not catchy at all. Any group could release this. While most of the people in the comment praise for the length of the song, instead I wish it could end faster due to the lack of catchy part where I could sing/hum along. Nice try but not for me
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I LOVE it and I’m so happy for them!
9/20 for now
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9/10 sheesh
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my god this is great! we need more of this in kpop right now!
any producers reading this blog, show yourself!
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It’s been a while since I’ve commented here but this comeback has been on REPEAT ever since it came out. It’s so damn good skdgfajgh. I’m so happy they were given a proper song and not just a performance track.
Honestly a 10/10 for me, maybe even 11/10
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A kpop song that isn’t a ballad being FOUR minutes long, plus there’s a BRIDGE, DANCE BREAK AND PROPER LAST CHORUS??? AND AND AAAAND it touches the soft spot of 2nd gen lovers like myself??!!
Are… are these tears that I feel welling up in my eyes? I haven’t liked a song from them since 2021 and by the time they actually do release something I like, it’s a shiny unicorn-esque title in an endless field of short and safe songs.
Brava The Boyz. Brava 👏🏾👏🏾
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It’s like an actual song!
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Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that being a rarity…
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The hook & longevity is a 6 for me because the chorus is quite empty lyrically (non-stop woo woo), and the post-chorus is just chanting on some repetitive phrases.
Production is a 10/10, no doubt. I like how the instrument go all out, constant building and releasing tension just in a right time. An intro and outro in this economy is just a chef kissed.
Bias = 8, I’m still new this good but have a good impression.
7.5
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This is such a triumph for not only The Boyz turning a new page but for K-pop as well and just confirms (bgs, at least) are here to deliver absolute bops. We’re so back!
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This is how to kpop. Set a pace, keep it up for a ridiculously long time, with great vocals too. Evvvveryone gets a turn in this, overlapping often so there is scarcely a breath. Its like Infinite “The Chaser” 13 years on. Well done, Boyz!
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Now that’s a comeback! I’ve been tuned out of their releases ever since Maverick but am glad they came back with a punch! 4 minutes of high energy and it pays off. My only gripe is the post chorus “woo woo” could’ve been replaced with something a tad bit stickier/catchier.
8.75 for me.
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Gave this a listen because the A rating piqued my curiosity. My word, what a snoozefest from start to finish. The melodies are really flat and the whole thing is just so repetitive.
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This is what a killer instrumental can do. The chorus and verses are nothing special on their own (still fun) but this instrumental is just too good. 9,5 for me!
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the way u mentioned how the producers used this blogpost as reference to their works is so real HAHA?!! (kinda wish every song is like this….)
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the way u mentioned how the producers used this blogpost as reference to their works is so real HAHA?!! (kinda wish every song is like this….)
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Its sad and happy both at the same time, how we are celebrating a 4 minute kpop song.
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Must be my soty, 9.5, (10, 9, 10, 9)
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It’s a shame this is the last comeback I will ever enjoy from the Boyz because I’m not listening to their new comeback that was officially announced today.
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