Fresh off her role in season two of Squid Game, it feels like the perfect time for Jo Yuri to remind us that she’s also a singer. Her last title track was released almost two years ago, which feels like a century. The glossy Taxi remains one of her best, but judging by new single Farewell For Now! (이제 안녕!) she’s eager to move on to a new sound.

As with so many K-pop idols this year, Jo Yuri has picked up the guitar for a rock reinvention. Farewell For Now sees her pushing further toward an indie sound, though its sentimental flavor could also work well as a soundtrack. In another world this song would be arranged as the kind of strings-laden ballad that backdrops so many dramas. It’s given extra heft thanks to that aforementioned guitar and anthemic percussion, but regardless of its arrangement the song isn’t doing much for me.

File this under: pleasant but unmemorable. Jo Yuri’s vocal is crystal clear and suits this genre well. The production pulls all the moves you’d expect from this style. There are climaxes and moments of sing-to-the-rafters catharsis. Yet, the melodies aren’t very interesting. I feel like I’ve heard this song a dozen times before and this is simply the newest packaging. I hope it does well for Jo Yuri, but I can’t see myself returning to it.

Grade: C