A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Based on Wendy’s past solo work, I wasn’t exactly rushing to listen to her new mini album. However, the project turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Rather than serve up a suite of ballads, she’s opted for a collection of upbeat, late-90s coded pop/rock. While the genre itself isn’t anything revolutionary, we don’t often hear this in K-pop — especially from someone of Wendy’s vocal caliber.
Existential Crisis is the album’s shortest song at two minutes and twenty-three seconds. Usually, I’d complain about this truncated length, but this style of track is the rare exception that benefits from brevity. From start to finish, it’s a burst of energy that moves at a clip. I love the bounding percussion and the variety of ways Wendy uses her voice to lend diversity to each segment. You could easily imagine Existential Crisis becoming a country singalong, but thankfully that characteristic twang is replaced with a more unique delivery during the standout chorus.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Strong Olivia Rodrigo vibes I really adore the chugging guitar and lush vocals!
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To the beat of Power UP. ba banana ba ba banana nana I’m just having I’m just having-ah
Solid song. I am also hearing Kelly Clarkson styling in here too.
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Wow! I really like the chugging guitar and how the lush vocals lace these rock elements, it’s almost as if I was listening to the female version of ‘Without You’ by NCT U, but less sentimental. Plus, I can feel Olivia Rodrigo’s vibes pulsate throughout the entire track.
Unfortunately, Charlie Skirk has tragically passed away earlier today due to an assassination. It came as a shock, honestly. I’ve seen him everywhere on social media platforms before this incident happened but I’m pretty sure he won many hearts and minds (I’m Singaporean so I don’t really know much). May he rest in peace.
You probably know this already, but, Gavy NJ – Happiness was released today and I was lowkey bowled over by its sheer amount of nostalgia it brought upon first listen. It’s truly emotional balladry at its finest!
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Ignore the previous comment by me, please. I thought it wasn’t registered when I tried to upload my comment….
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Don’t worry, Kirk won’t be missed by most of us.
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Let’s just keep this about the music. What did you think of the song? I personally thought it was a good song despite it being short.
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Yes; you’re right, apologies. I really loved it. I dismissed Wendy’s earlier solo works due to the majority of them being ballad-type songs, but I think she will have more creative freedom outside of SM that only seemed to want to give her EPs to showcase her main vocalist abilities.
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I actually prefer this sound compared to her previous works! Hope she explores this sound even further
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Yes, I agree!
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This song is so fun!
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How close or not close were you to having Adrenaline from Haechan’s album as a buried treasure? No idea if that’s even a highlight for you but it was for me haha
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It’s one of the songs I like on the album, but not enough to consider writing about it.
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This album was surprisingly great, and I’m not normally a big fan of solo work, but for Wendy you gotta listen to it simply because she’s like… Wendy.
I’d agree this track was the best of the album.
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