It’s been several months since ILLIT returned with Not Cute Anymore, and since then the song has become a popular TikTok challenge. That’s not too surprising, given how the song’s whole identity was designed to become a viral challenge. Even its ultra-brief running time was well-matched to SNS. Today, the girls have surprised fans with a music video for Not Cute Anymore‘s b-side, the similarly curt Not Me.
Not Me exists in a world I’m thinking of calling “post-song pop music.” This isn’t much of a song at all, and I assume that’s the point. Apart from its constant riff on the Ting Tings’ enduring 2008 hit That’s Not My Name, Not Me is an assembly line of declarations over a bare bones beat that melds stomping percussion with trap hi-hats and squelchy synth. It kind of feels like an SNL sketch of a song, where concept takes precedence over structure and scope.
Going into Not Me with these modified expectations, it’s a fun enough diversion. However, I prefer hearing more from my pop music. This could have easily been an interlude or intro on one of K-pop’s older albums, setting the tone before we burst into a thrilling, three minute title track. But sadly, this is an intro to nothing. It is the thing. As consumers of music, I firmly believe we need to ask for more than truncated TikTok bait. I don’t hate listening to Not Me, but it’s not remotely satisfying.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
do you think it sounds promising? https://youtu.be/WXav5B0ppUo?si=fWTrMWq04FwanzNp
LikeLike
Not really. It sounds like every other “talk over a beat” song of the past year, but we’ll see…
LikeLike
I mean, nothing feels off about it, based on what we have with the teaser, I expect at least a 7.75
LikeLike
It’s just… so repetitive and threadbare… an easy skip.
6 (6, 6, 6, 6) for me.
LikeLike
I personally feel like this song is so KiiiKiii coded and I don’t think it would received the same attention as it did in this case .
I haven’t listened to it in a while but I jammed to it . I think the message captured my attention more and after watching the music video it was interesting how they depict certain issues in the Kpop industry.
LikeLike
Since today’s such a slow day (and a slow month) for K-Pop, let me bless you with one of the ghastliest, horrendous creations in today’s time. If you think I’m Real was a nightmare, this is even worse (considering it’s made by a human and not AI)
With plain generic percussions taken straight from GarageBand and 80% of the lyrics being “booze booze booze oy! Whoever doesn’t dance, (we’ll/I’ll) beat them up!” or “we’ll party all night” the true MVP is the horrendous vocal mixing and the equally horrific vocals (amplified by said horrendous mixing) that makes this even worse and an absolute terror. An easy 1.25 (2, 1, 1, 1) for me. (P.S, the lyrics sound worse when you’re a native Hindi speaker like me)
LikeLike
Well, those are certainly…. some sounds.
LikeLike
im real has some competition lol
Also I can’t wait for Nick to rate CORTIS’s comeback next week(?), based on what I’ve heard, it might get rated lower than My Idol/Joke
LikeLike
Speaking of Cortis, I heard a snippet of their OST Mention Me for something and it was the most basic beats on a song I have ever heard.
LikeLike
I don’t think it’s a comeback, just a song for the movie GOAT
LikeLike
you are correct!
not to salt Nick’s wound… but for all intents & purposes it’s still new material, compared to TWS’ Nice To Meet You Korean Version dropping this month
LikeLike
I never expected to see anything remotely related to Dhinchak Pooja on this blog of all places.
LikeLike
Man, am I tired of autotune. Young Posse would have elevated the material, but ILLIT sound bored here.
LikeLike
the rating reviews on this from Nick is kinda sus.
is this even ratable?
LikeLike
I was thinking myself that it was too short to bother to rate.
LikeLike
as a huge gliit im still pretty annoyed at this comeback, i wish hybe would stop pushing it
LikeLike
It is not even a song at the point, but I would take it for a good jingle or an intro anyday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really just a wonky send up of “That’s not me name” crossed with a kpop girl group verse circa 2019-2020. (I am hearing like a Red Velvet song or something but can’t be bothered to look it up.)
Pass.
LikeLike
This album was such a step back for Illit. All the title tracks are decent to forgettable bsides for a full album. Where is the title track?!?
LikeLike