With last year’s NEMONEMO, Choi Yena took on the mantle of quirky K-pop performer formerly held by groups like Orange Caramel and Crayon Pop. With so many acts proclaiming their badassery in the most serious way possible, a little irreverence is more important than ever. She’s also got a rocker-girl aesthetic, and new single Being A Good Girl Hurts (착하다는 말이 제일 싫어) melds both of these approaches together.
Fans of popular rock group QWER should have this song next on their playlist, as the songwriting style feels quite similar. However, the production has a poppier sheen, borrowing from bright bubblegum tones of K-pop’s past. In fact, Being A Good Girl Hurts wouldn’t sound entirely out of place on an early Lovelyz album.
With all of these comparisons, you might be asking what Yena herself brings to the equation. Her star power is undeniable and she injects plenty of personality into the track, even if it’s one of her less idiosyncratic songs. I appreciate the orchestral heft of the instrumental, which gives it the air of a great drama theme. A less busy structure might help shine focus on the strengths of the production, but Being A Good Girl Hurts still wafts by as a pleasant K-pop curio.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Lee Do-hyun is my number 1 favorite Korean actor, so I was ecstatic to see him in this MV. That was the only good part about it. The song is a bit boring, but I guess it suits Yena voice very well? That’s the only compliment I can give. 🥹 It might grow on me tho.
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nice song, but i enjoy the b-side anyone but you. it’s more on the quirky side. https://open.spotify.com/track/2Sprbw65iHnDNsmgbSoH7C?si=wDxQoVdDQY2TR5ZsrzC8BQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6gXzhQ5MYvl2Fvept2LjhP what are your thoughts on it?
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i also appreciate the quirky rock of 364
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As K-Pop groups like Blackpink and Twice perform more and more in English, it’s nice to have this style as a counterbalance. This and the songs by QWER (maybe I’d throw TWS in there too) feel so reliant on Korean. They’re wordy and clearly telling a story, without one big hook word or much to help non-Korean speakers follow along. I can’t say I’m downloading these songs, but I appreciate them. And this video is really fun.
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I think it is adorable. Clever, perhaps. Its like Yena does some long lost IU song. She hits the high high notes though in a super breathy breath instead of that whine that some would do.
It also a wee bit too baby talk timbre to listen to too often. I mean, how old is she? And she is singing like a twelve year old?
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I adore songs like that, anything anime OP and it’s an instant hit for me!
I feel like she can’t hit high notes very well, which is disappointing, I think on those high notes there’s a need to have more strength and timbre to them than hitting them softly. I appreciate her releasing such vocally challenging voice, I miss when kpop had songs with more challenging melodies I could sing along to.
I think she needs more training in the high notes/layering them with harmonies to give it more richness and emotions.
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Yena’s song reminds me quite a bit of IU’s Summer Time !! but with a baby voice lol
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*The Red Shoes 😭
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Good song!
Any takes on the MV’s story?
Is he rewriting his past? Making it all up?
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Yena is so awesome, one of my favorite soloists in K-Pop. Glad I found Nemo Nemo and started listening to her discography.
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Solid effort but not my favorite. It will go on the MP3 player, though
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i love Yena’s songs but everytime I listen to her singing I feel that my throat is going to explode 😭😭😭
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