Over five years since STAYC’s debut, High Up Entertainment has debuted a new girl group. UNCHILD have one of those K-pop names that sounds ridiculous at first but will likely become common parlance as the group establishes themselves. However, it’s not a name built to last. Can you imagine a bunch of forty or fifty year olds promoting under “UNCHILD”? It’ll go from cheeky to literal real quick.
UNCHILD are also one of those groups whose debut single is an exercise in name branding. They exclaim “We are UNCHILD!” more times than I can count in this song, making it feel more like an album intro (or advertising campaign) than a fully-fledged single. Its main hook is a spoken repetition of that phrase, delivered with a seriousness that borders on camp — especially when the “we” gains high-pitched, breezy emphasis during the song’s finale.
Supporting this repetitive nonsense is a rather fantastic instrumental that stomps forward with colorful rock textures. I can’t overstate how important this production is to the overall experience. Without it, I’m not sure we have a song at all. Of course, this only makes me wonder how fantastic this instrumental could be if supporting a more developed series of melodies. The instrumental breakdown toward the end is especially thrilling. Why can’t producers build an entire song around that?!? If UNCHILD further explore this sound with stronger material, they could be an interesting new voice in a girl group landscape that badly needs a shake-up.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s camp, I like it. Do I wish for melodies? Obviously, but the production is thrilling and really amps up the song, like if you’re gonna do a silly campy song, make sure the instrumental is a banger. I also wish we got a third chorus, but alas, it’s 2026
Rating’s the same and ngl, seeing their name get shortened to UNC AND their fandom name being Chacha makes me laugh cause Chacha means uncle in Hindi 😭😭
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heart’s in the right place but unfortunately it’s a no for me
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Not sure about this one. I find it cute and clever, but I’m not sure I’ll be returning to it much.
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wait… This doesn’t sound like an abortion song
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The instrumental is SO GOOD, but Nick is spot on in that this sounds more like an album opener than a complete idea.
7,10,7,8 = 8
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i really like the instrumental breakdown at the end.
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To my mind, the most interesting thing about this group is that their youngest member is Na Haeun, the extremely talented dance prodigy whom a lot of us have probably seen perform at award ceremonies when she was still in elementary school. She’s basically been in the industry since she was in diapers. We will watch her career with great interest.
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Father? There was none. Na Haeun was conceived by The Dance. Her mini-choreo counts are off the charts.
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I can’t with this name TT
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Wasn’t expecting the rock elements, so I’m pleasantly surprised. It really added to the song. I loved the chorus and especially, that dance break. And idk if it’s just me, but the song is giving late 3rd gen-early 4th gen energy. It specifically reminds me of We Like by Pristin. Overall, it’s a solid debut and a nice change from the chill sound that’s become typical of most 5th gen ggs. I just wish it was longer.
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I hear We Like, although I like this a lot more. Much easier to take.
I also here Paralyzer by Finger Eleven.
Also, unfortunately, at the end, the Eagles song Mac, Dennis, and Charlie sing when they become wrestlers.
And then the little tune they play during the credits is very similar to Troye Sivan’s One of Your Girls.
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I’m meh on it, but I know I would have eaten this up if I was 14, lol
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Best abortion ad ever( pro choice)❤️
8/10💕
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yesss queen ❤️
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Don’t love the group name, but I love how spunky and colorful this entire concept is. It’s giving Itzy’s younger, brattier, cousins. I really hope they keep this concept!
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Exactly!
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This is a pretty good starting point, there’s a lot happening in the production that I like.
Also, love the MV, like yes bring colour back! Be saturated!
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It’s refreshing to have bright colors back in Kpop MVs! Idk if it’s just me whose been out of the loop or if we haven’t seen an MV as bright as this in a whiiiiiile
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It hasn’t been just you. I’ve barely been watching recent MVs cause of the desaturation, it’s such a nice change to see!
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Build ups bored me, but payed off. Nice zingy melody, fun bridge. Solid debut.
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we are gleefully stomping to the clinics with this one!
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Interesting. Well, at least their production team has a point of view that is new to kpop, even if it isn’t in the broader pop landscape. I have a new pair of “best earbuds” so the bass is super bassy and wayyyy forward in the mix.
The name should have been workshopped more, try other variations of __child, because the current one is just not working already. A boring three letter acronym would have been better. “Unchild” to me would have fitted an actual anarchist punk band.
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That is the new High Up gg? Rado did this? 8.25/10? I feel like an old fruit rn. Will stay with my STAYC albums if you don’t mind – humming “So Bad” as if it’s already from another time. Call me when they drop a proper debut.
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