Momoland are back! I repeat: Momoland are back! This is not a drill. After their disbandment in 2023, the group have proven that nothing is ever really dead in K-pop and have made a return with new single Rodeo. This is their first new music in nearly four years — a time period that represents a complete generational shift in K-pop. So while some corners of the internet will be charmed by their return, younger audiences might be scratching their heads and asking: “who?”
Momoland had a brief period of ubiquity in the late-2010s with fluffy, upbeat material like Bboom Bboom and BAAM. Yes, the group enjoys onomatopoeia. The word “rodeo” may not be a sound effect itself, but it’s treated as one here. The song is bright and exuberant, and while it’s far from the best example of this sound it’s so refreshing to hear unbridled joy bursting from a new girl group track. Rodeo feels tailor made for karaoke parties, slotting nicely alongside Korea’s popular trot hits.
Your enjoyment for Rodeo will hinge upon how you feel about high pitched vocal chants. Rather than let a sticky instrumental hook do the talking, the song’s “Row-day-oh! EE ryah! EE ryah! EE ryah!” becomes an incessant calling card. if you let down your guard and go with the flow, it’s easy to get lost in the silly charm. After all, Momoland is all about silly charm. Thankfully, Rodeo moves at such a brisk pace that it hardly gives you time to think critically. I’m sure the live stages will be a total blast.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s silly fun, but the shouting hooks really grind my gears. I fear it affects the longevity of the song, but hey, at least Momoland are back! And back with a silly (but actually good!) song!
7.25 (6, 8, 7, 8) for me.
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So nice to see Momoland do not lose their classic fun energy & signature sound after disbandment.
While the Row-day-oh! EE ryah! EE ryah! EE ryah! catchphrase might not sound that original or catchy, the silly deliverance & the song productions keep the energy high till the end. The song’s three minutes length does not feel overextended at all.
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So nice to see Momoland do not lose their classic fun energy & signature sound after disbandment.
While the Row-day-oh! EE ryah! EE ryah! EE ryah! catchphrase might not sound that original or catchy, the silly deliverance & the song productions keep the energy high till the end. The song’s three minutes length does not feel overextended at all.
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Momoland?! Momoland are still around, they haven’t disbanded, JooE is still there and still looks like JooE?!!!! Well, hurray for all that and more.
The kitsch is strong in this song, though I don’t think they meant to be kitschy. Or maybe they did. What makes it fun is that the song doesn’t take itself too seriously, at all. It knows it is the dumb silly pop song that it is.
I keep hearing “Round Down” instead of “Rodeo” in the chorus, so maybe they are secretly teaching us a lesson in statistics too.
OK look, its all good fun, and I am not going to overthink it. Ye for me, big eLL Like, rating is about right. Add to the secret stupid guilty pleasure list.
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When I saw Momoland release something I hoped so hard they didn’t lose their Momo-ness and praise the gods of kpop their sound is as ridiculous and fun as ever.
While not quite as good as their best, it’s so them and I’m so here for it!
8,8,8,9 = 8.25 as well
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Nick – this might just be me but this sounds a LOT like ALICE – Show Down but not executed as well lol
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I’m definitely enjoying the exuberant energy of this 😀
Speaking of unexpected returns, seems like Loona’s Hyunjin was part of a project group for Korea’s 80th liberation day celebrations. The song was released back in August, but got an official MV a few days ago. I don’t know if the song fits your tastes, but I found it unexpectedly enjoyable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaY0GST877o
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I’m glad to hear brass again. Not really a Momoland fan, but this is nice to listen to.
If I felt like thinking harder, I could come up with what this sounds like. Just gonna leave it alone for now haha.
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At first, I was happy to see Momoland reunite under a new company.
Unfortunately, so many opportunities were missed from beginning to end.
Many fans, myself included, have been disappointed by Yeonwoo’s absence — she was always the one who stood out to me visually the most. And let’s not forget Daisy and Taeha, who harmonized wonderfully with her, and whose departure marked the start of a steady decline. With enough will and budget, that could have been managed.
Even if that might have been forgivable had the song and styling been on point, the wrong path was taken yet again. The song is mediocre and very flat. The new company had the perfect chance to finally give Momoland some real identity, but instead delivered something musically and lyrically trivial and shallow. This feels just as insignificant as MLD Entertainment’s old compositions.
Visually, too, the chance was wasted. The simple and effortlessly sexy concept that worked so well in “Boom Boom” and “BAAM” — earning millions of views — is missing, replaced by the chaotic look that already failed with “Ready Or Not.”
It also doesn’t reflect current trends, like the relaxed and casual vibe of NewJeans.
With so many missteps, I don’t see this lasting long.
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The song’s fine, this definitely fits Momoland well. I’m just happy to see them again after so long.
Now if only we can get Golden Child back together…
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Now wait a damn minute… Golcha disbanded ???
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Wow what a blast from the past! Sort of, the 2010s were not that long ago…but it feels like ages in kpop time.
I just really like that they say Ro-DAY-o (which is also the way I pronounce it) and not RO-dee-o.
Also love some good energetic shouting. Giddy up!
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