Another day, another girl group debuting with a confusing acronym. When I read “UDTT,” my mind goes immediately to “UTI,” which is probably not the reaction the agency is looking for. In reality, the acronym stands for “Uddang Tangtang Girls,” which… doesn’t make things any more clear. At any rate, their debut single Really Really places them exactly where I expected it to. It’s a slightly more sprightly version of modern K-pop’s beloved “beigepop” trend.
To be fair, the girls are singing in a more robust fashion than most songs of this nature allow and the production has a bit of bounce to it. A fun second verse rap also breaks us free from beigepop’s airy pacification. A climactic refrain provides a welcome shot of harmony before we reach Really Really‘s finale. This segment repeats as a post-chorus and hints at more exciting things to come from this group. However, the song’s actual chorus is mired in the kind of sedated sing-song approach that goes in one ear and out the other. Fortunately, Really Really benefits from comparisons to its many musical peers, which makes me want to grade it on a curve.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
at this point beigepop is just your way of bunching music you don’t like together.
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I agree. Plus, not all light and easy-listening music deserves to be labelled as beigepop; it feels a bit reductive. To me, any music that is super overdone and unoriginal would be “beige” rather than just any music that is calm and pleasant. For example, I would consider TWS’s latest release far more beige than this song lol.
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I think we’re using the (invented) term differently. When I say “beigepop,” I don’t mean songs that sound like other songs or feel unoriginal. To me, “beige” is like a colorless color, and it’s the best way I can think to describe music that feels as if it’s been stripped of its color/energy. I would actually call most “easy-listening” music beige, and that’s by design. If it was colorful and punchy it wouldn’t be an “easy” listen.
So, “beigepop” isn’t automatically a bad thing — especially if that’s what the song is trying to do. But you’re right that most of the time it carries a negative connotation on this blog. That’s just down to personal taste (and the fact that every group seems to be peddling it at the moment). I’ve never loved easy-listening music. It frustrates me because I just want to poke it with a stick and tell it to do something. Then again, I’ve never been the type to use music as a background or backdrop either, so I tend to have very little function for “beige” styled pop music in my life. I guess that’s where the “bias” part of this website comes in.
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I don’t think anyone minds you writing and reviewing from your own perspective according to your own bias and tastes. The mission statement is clear and fair.
But the original argument of the guys you replied to still seems valid: The beigepop label seems to have become a reductive shorthand for an astounding variety of music and as such has lost a fair bit of acuity. In a way, the reviews have become more mushy than the music they’re about. Maybe this crutch has become a burden.
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I shall pronounce it “Uddity”.
wait, what, this is a different group from the one I just listened to? The Identikit kpop machine must be found and destroyed.
I wish these girls the best of luck.
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I feel the reviews are more predictable and uninspired than the songs Nick is writing about. They’re undistinguishable from ChatGPT slop, cf.:
Song Review: Lumine – “Vanilla Twilight”
(Single Review)
7.25
Beigepop continues its gentle chokehold on K-pop this year, and Lumine’s new single “Vanilla Twilight” feels like a poster child for this sound. It’s pleasant—undeniably so—but also unambitious, leaning hard into pastel aesthetics and airy melodies that vanish the moment the track ends. There’s no bite here, but I doubt that was ever the intention.
“Vanilla Twilight” opens with a gauzy synth loop and whispered ad libs, slowly layering a glistening, mid-tempo beat that sounds like it was engineered for a skincare commercial. The verses are fine—competent but safe. The group sings with breathy precision, and while the melody is serviceable, it lacks any real direction. There’s a featherweight pre-chorus that threatens to lift off into something exciting… only to glide into a chorus that’s all vibe, no payoff.
The drop—if we can call it that—is pure beigepop. A gauzy repetition of the title phrase, bolstered by an overly polite instrumental that’s so clean it borders on sterile. It’s all very inoffensive, but I can’t help but wish the production had taken a few risks. There’s a synth arpeggio buried in the mix that hints at a more energetic alternate version of the song—a version I’d rather be listening to.
Still, there are some redeeming qualities. The bridge gives us a brief lift, adding a touch of vocal layering and emotional heft that could have elevated the whole track if it had arrived earlier. And I do appreciate the clarity of the mix—everything sounds pristine, if a little clinical.
Ultimately, “Vanilla Twilight” is the kind of track that will pad Lumine’s discography without making waves. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s hard to imagine it becoming anyone’s favorite, either. Another one for the beige bin.
Hooks 7
Production 7.5
Longevity 7
Bias 7.5
RATING: 7.25
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Thank goodness no one’s forcing you to visit this horrible site!
As a personal challenge, I recommend writing 250+ words about multiple (often very similar) songs every day for nine years straight and see how fresh you can keep it 🙂
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This is so weird and mean especially from someone who is apparently an avid reader. What’s your damage lol
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Skip, just….why?
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Hey Nick! I was wondering, are you going to review Jang Hyunseung’s new single Orbit? It’s so funny, tomorrow will be Hyuna’s digital release too, it’s like a an old Cube family release
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Not planning on it, though it is funny that all of these acts are returning this week. I wish the music was better!
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Tình, I think that the pre-released is better than the debut song
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*tbh
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I shall pronounce it “Uddity”.
wait, what, this is a different group from the one I just listened to? The Identikit kpop machine must be found and destroyed.
I wish these girls the best of luck.
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i’ve been exploring energy’s discography ever since you mentioned them on this blog and here’s a fantastic song you missed reviewing on the global roundup last year, it sounds like early 2010s on steroids
friday night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPv0-d3NbE
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The way I knew what this was before even looking at the title! Yeah, it’s a fun pastiche.
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Their pre debut song Retry is really good and i was hoping for something more along those lines but i knew th
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..that would be too good to be true. didn’t realise there was an email word limit lol
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First verse like RV’s Butterflies, pre-chorus sounds like Yerin’s The Dance. Actually, a lot of this song is like The Dance.
I don’t hate it, but there’s not a lot to make me come back. The harmonics in the chorus are cool but too short and then they don’t really do anything with them after that.
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the verses are whatever, but the chorus is a fun bit of chromaticism and presence! Wish this was developed more, it’s still unfortunately underbaked, but im keen to check out more music from them
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I like Retry and Really, Really. Nothing too groundbreaking, but enough to stand out a little. I like them more than I should probably because the vocal layering reminds of Nmixx, especially Retry. I’ll watch optimistically…
Retry 8,9,8,9 = 8.5
Really, Really 8,8,8,9 = 8.25
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