The Bias List is currently churning out new “A Career in Song Ratings” posts, where I rank established artists’ singles runs against each other. When I eventually get to B1A4, they’ll be one of the few groups I split into two entities. For me, there’s such a difference between the five-member version of B1A4 and the current three-member iteration. They might as well be different acts entirely.
The three-member B1A4 (A3?) has been active since 2020, with member CNU taking up most of the production work. Their sound has varied, often taking a retro approach. Such is the case with new single Rock Paper Scissors, which blends elements of retro hip-hop with modern touches. Like so many current K-pop tracks, it’s overly chanty and melodically aimless, centering around a chorus that throws a ton of ideas at you without ever amounting to much. The guys attempt a grab bag of hooks rather than finding just one fantastic one. The result is a bit of a mess.
In another world, we’d have a streamlined version of this song that doesn’t frame itself around the tired “rock paper scissors” gimmick. I wish the group would have opted for a solid, polished new jack swing track rather than this pick-and-mix approach. At its worst, Rock Paper Scissors is actively annoying. At its best, it’s simply forgettable.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
B1A4 represents the average member count. They played the long game.
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It is a mess but it’s pleasant enough for me. 7.5
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my BNoneA3!! this is my least favorite of their ot3 titles but i thought the album was consistently nice even if there were no knockout songs. i’ll give it an 8 because cnu had long hair and glasses in the mv
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Dear Kpop, Please retire “Kawi Bawi Bo” / “Rock Paper Scissors” from the lexicon. It gets used so often that I even know the translation, easily.
That said, there is actually lots of interesting things going on in the chromaticism, especially in parts of the chorus. The worst part is obscuring the good parts with the old school hip hop samples.
Which leads to another Dear Kpop, please get other sets of samples. All of you’s. The KSHMR packs need to be retired pronto.
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Hey Nick, will you be doing a review of CPR now that B1A4 released a music video for it? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
It’s a pleasant track, although in my opinion, the subdued production style of the song is really holding it back. Rather than building towards a euphoric climax like B1A4 did in their best work (What’s Happening, Tried to Walk, etc) the song just wafts through the verses without any sense of payoff.
I also think it was a missed opportunity to showcase Sandeul’s outstanding vocal talent. The vibe of the song reminds me of Night Drive by Red Velvet, but in Night Drive, Wendy’s adlibs in the final prechorus/chorus deliver the sense of climax that is missing from CPR. Sandeul’s one of the best 2nd vocalists, let him go all out!
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