After a very long wait since their July pre-release Step It Up, Starship Entertainment’s new boy group IDID make their debut today. Step It Up grew on me immensely and I’ve since gotten to know the group through their pre-debut variety content. Now all that’s left to deliver is a great title track. Does CHAN-RAN (제멋대로 찬란하게) live up to their potential?
Before getting into the song itself, allow me a moment to gripe about how K-pop songs dumb down their titles for English audiences. The Korean title of CHAN-RAN translates to something like “Brilliantly, and in my own way,” which is a really evocative and cool title. Instead, we get the nonsense “CHAN-RAN” that doesn’t tell me anything about the song’s meaning or vibe.
Okay, rant over.
As a song, CHAN-RAN is enjoyable. It’s got a fun, freewheeling rock sound, melded to hip-hop samples and buoyed by a strong chorus. I’m never going to be a fan of the percussion and arrangements that come along with producer Dem Jointz (I’d also be happy never to hear another obnoxious “incoooommmmming!” or “and now… the breakdown” again), but the song is boppy enough to (mostly) overcome these issues.
CHAN-RAN starts slow, unveiling a forgettable verse when it should simply hit out of the gate. Things improve from here as verse two generates greater energy that better matches the chorus. At three minutes, the track has time to build toward a climactic finale that fully cements its memorable hook. I firmly believe IDID have greater music to come (maybe with a different producer), but this is a solid debut.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
i mean say what u want abt dem jointz but he did give us supernova so
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The first 45 seconds are completely forgettable. Then the chorus kicks in and all is great. Until it isn’t great. Wait a few more ticks and then we are back again!
By the end it is clear that the writers and producers have no idea how to stitch together all the elements and instead just put in jumps and samples to plaster over the seams. Because the chorus is so lovely and bright, we think we are having a good time. But really it is like a boring entree with a great side dish and garnish that distracts us enough to think it is all great or at least good, I suppose.
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Dem Jointz gave us Supernova AND Sticker so I will NOT tolerate his slander lol
But this song I’d give like a 7.75 or an 8 for me tbh. The chorus doesnt feel sticky enough so far……..but the rap is very fun. It’s a bit too Disney-ish and not energetic enough for that work in its favor (Fly Up)……but we’ll see how this ages.
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I watched Debut’s Plan, and got a lot of the members I wanted in the final lineup, so I’ve been excited for IDID’s debut. When Wonbin and Semin started rapping in verse two I was like, oh? Are they the rappers and not Seonghyeon?? But I liked that they saved Seonghyeon as their secret weapon and gave him two rap parts. He’s such a good rapper.
All that to say, I’m happy with this one.
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on initial listen this did nothing for me unfortunately and i have to say revisiting a few hours later i’m still not feeling it. the chorus had good ideas but i agree with other comments that the song lacks energy overall and just doesn’t have great bones. haven’t finished the album yet but so far i like slow tide – i was listening to unis’ see you in my dream earlier (which reminds me of another song i can’t think of, maybe izone) and OMG did i get whiplash, they are so similar its crazy that i heard both in the same day
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