As the first act to spawn from MNET’s new era of survival series, I.O.I made their debut the same year The Bias List was founded. For as much discourse as they drove, the group really didn’t last for long. Back then, this whole process was new — including contract negotiations. I.O.I released music for just under a year before going their separate ways. Now, ten (!) years later the ladies are back for a reunion.
Since the group’s initial dissolution, many of the members have gone on to become stars in their own right, making Suddenly (갑자기) a meeting of big name talent. With this in mind, the group deserves a big, momentous song. Suddenly doesn’t hit that mark, even if it’s pleasant enough on its own. Rather than retread sounds from I.O.I’s 2016 era, the producers opt for a shimmering synthpop track. It feels suitably mature in sound and draws upon the members’ individual tones well. However, it’s missing that extra spark that forges a truly unforgettable pop track.
Much of this is due to the chorus, which is oddly flat compared to the surging instrumental arrangement. The melody has an understated appeal, descending rather than building to the celebratory peaks you might expect. I suppose this is a more realistic depiction of reunion, but who wants realism in K-pop? If I.O.I’s intention was to return with a safe, enjoyable track that won’t rock the boat in any direction, they’ve succeeded with Suddenly. But rather than an exciting new era, the music feels like a final stamp on an all-too-short legacy.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Meh, it’s okay, executed well but forgettable.
7.75 (8, 8, 8, 7) for me
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Have you heard/gonna review Trisha paytas new song saranghae that’s fully in Korean! (it’s giving my idol x:in)🥰😻
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lol yes I’ve heard it. No I won’t review it. It’s… a choice.
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Aww😞🥀
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I’m giving a 4 for that lol. Glad that she make it shorter than the current trend (just pass 2 minutes) so that my ear don’t have to suffer. Biased +1 mark for a full Korean song.
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it’s certainly good but doesn’t quit go anywhere. I wish they let Yeonjung and Sejeong do more! literally two of the best vocalists of their generation and they don’t even get adlibs.
the album is also unfortunately boring. I surprisingly liked the ballads more than anything else.
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wow an 8? I thought this would be way less. Do you guys really enjoy slow and boring songs ? Other more fun songs are rated way lower. I just DON’T GET IT. I’d rather take experimental over safe
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did you mean to post this as a separate comment or
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no chung ha chorus = dissapointed
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have been quietly reading ur reviews whether i agree w u or not.. i initially thought u might rate this well for being a song of proper length that suits their voices .. and u did rate it well , and yet, ur comments on the underwhelmingness of it make a lot of sense.. the music “descending.. to the peaks”, describes the song in a way i wouldnt have realised. appreciate ur writing.
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This song really is whatever, lol.
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i liked most of the album a lot more than the title track. IOI (Where My Girls At) served as a nice intro (i also just love hype songs like that), and the production was great. then SPF 100+ was a really nice summer song.
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I really hate to say that I was immediately underwhelmed when the choreography was first teased. Like, this is their one time only comeback and the chorus just felt so… watery thin with little dynamic in that melody.
If you want a better experience, listen at 1.1x speed, it actually helps the chorus loads. I don’t know why they didn’t go with that speed, because at the original pace, it’s an absolute slog. Compared to the score below, everything would get a point boost if there was some energy injected into it. That’s just with kicking the tempo up a bit.
6.25 (6,7,6,6) The production crew really played this one too safe. Like being worried about undercooking the steak to the point you’ve ensured it’s cooked dry and chewy.
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It’s quite disappointing. I mean I’m happy to see them together again so I’ll keep drinking that garbage but I did have my vision for their comeback and this wasn’t it. As others have said, I knew I’d be disappointed from the teasers already.
I like the self-titled intro track though. Somi has a writing credit and it’s got her vibes all over it.
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This is such a boring song for a reunion comeback… Produced by TBL and it definitely sounds like an IZNA song. This song just made me realize that IOI has a pretty weak vocal line – like yes, you have amazing Sejeong, Yeonjung, and Chungha, but the rest of the group is kinda average or below average in singing. They can’t carry a vocal-focused song like this.
Also they overproduced their vocals across all the songs, like Yeonjung doesn’t sound like herself. Oh well… I only liked like 3 IOI songs in the first place and didn’t have great expectations for this when they released the original teaser. But it might be a hit on Korean charts.
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The songwriters Kush and VVN is such a weird duo. How could you create bangers like IZNA’s Racecar and BIGBANG’s 봄여름가을겨울, while making lacklustre songs like 조현아’s 줄게, Jisoo’s 꽃, and this.
Many Koreans were ecstatic (to say the least) about an IOI reunion and had high hopes for them, and this is honestly a huge blow. Also, there was a lot of discourse about using them as producers, and they were even called 주사위형 작곡가 (dice-like producers). Guess that being a YG/THEBLACKLABEL affiliate has those perks, but I digress.
Anyway, beautiful gowns, beautiful gowns. Beautiful song, I guess, but only the pre-chorus seems to do something. And yes, the chorus was anticlimactic. I like the instrumentation, but it feels very redundant. Maybe it’s VVN’s style or just the style of the synthwave genre, but it’s just good, not great.
I also agree this is kinda realistic, not every reunion needs a truckload of confetti, but IOI? For a foundational group for various acts like Wanna One and IZONE, they deserve better.
I think Korean IOI fans are more forgiving, based on the comments in their MV, because they were starved for IOI content. But not me, I want a better song, better everything.
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Oh I was trying to comment, not reply.
Sorry
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I wonder if Somi played a heavy hand in making this reunion happen. She wrote 2 songs and co-produced 1, and TBL producers made the title track. Chungha and Yeonjung participated in lyrics too but it’s kinda 👀 that they chose this super slow underwhelming song as a comeback. And like you said, reunion songs don’t need to be bombastic but this is such a… nothing song that doesn’t capture the essence or excitement of what an IOI 10th anniversary comeback should be. In comparison, WJSN’s much awaited 10th anniversary song, which was also just as rushed, AT LEAST had some kind of energy to it. This IOI comeback was technically a year or so in the making, it just took a while before they could all get together to choose the music or film or whatever. But WJSN? They had like 2-3 months and a dream and their song feels more fun, albeit also not their best. Idk if maybe it’s because they had more years together building a discography and developing their artistic identity vs. IOI’s short stint…
It’s actually kinda funny because IOI’s first comeback with Very Very Very was also “sponsored” by Somi’s agency too.. JYP 😂
This song would simply be better if it wasn’t just an IZNA reject…
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Like 허윤진 says, nepotism. At least Very Very Very is a fun song. This is just meh.
I agree with the other comments in the video, it’s very Korean trot-esque.
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From what I’ve heard, Chungha seems to have been the one at the helm of getting the girls back together actually
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According to Knowing Bros, Chungha encountered a lot of the group’s fan during her solo activities. They bring out all their goods (and probs tell her they’re still out there waiting for the group returning). This seems to be the spark that allowed her to organize this.
From the same show, the girls mentioned that were struggling to find a suitable single/title track for their 10th year comeback plan, so Somi pitched the songs. After hearing this song, everyone seemed to agree that this song is the way to go. Nayoung in particular remarks she keeps humming the song while it’s being pitched to them.
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their vocal line isn’t any different from their peers or old k-pop groups for that matter. Yoojung, Doyeon and Kyulkung are/were decent lead vocalists. they objectively have stronger vocalists than BLACKPINK and TWICE, and they certainly are better than today’s average k-pop group.
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I also think it’s a little unfair to judge their overall vocal ability based on a song that flattens out their tones like this.
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If they were planning to do more releases in the future and then tour, I could see this being a really good concert closer
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U’re so wrong on this one this time. This song is really good. No bullshit modern kpop sound. Good vocals , good music. Simple stuff. But it works. Guess what? Korean eat this song! It’s currently number 1 on all charts. 9.5/10 for me.
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song is an all time grower
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no strong feelings on the song, but I do love the palette and vibe of the MV, it’s very fun and has a quirky performing vibe w the girls seeming to have fun, almost like from a new group. shame the song isnt as good tho
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