Oh My Girl’s voice is severely missed in the modern K-pop landscape. And to be clear, I’m talking about pre-2020 Oh My Girl, back when the group sang gorgeous melodies over ornate, fantastical instrumentals. That’s a strain of girl group music we just don’t hear anymore and as far as I’m concerned it’s a vital part of K-pop’s musical ecosystem. Here today to ease that burden is the group’s leader Hyojung, making her solo debut with digital single Purple Note (나의 작은 청춘에게).
Those expecting some spacey synth-driven pop crystal will likely be disappointed by Purple Note, as she’s gone a different route for her solo work. The song sounds more like the OST of a youth drama. It’s one of those bombastic rock tracks designed to soundtrack teens reaching for their dreams. That’s a pretty solid approach as far as my personal taste is concerned, but Purple Note doesn’t work nearly as well as it should. For one, the mixing makes the instrumental feel too muted. I assume they were going for more of a “live band” sound, but all this does is rob the track of its character. Hyojung’s voice is put front and center, which is great, but the balance feels off to me.
Secondly, Purple Note just isn’t that melodically interesting. It’s not as punchy as a song like this should be and the chorus doesn’t hit with a memorable hook. It really leans into its OST schtick, coming across as background music rather than delivering undeniable presence that stops you in your tracks and forces you to listen.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This is so OST-coded.
If I have a complaint, it is that kpop culture still insists on infantilizing grown women. Hyojung is now 31 years old, and they have her running around in teenage school girl clothes in a school yard, again, still.
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To be fair, the songs/MVs whole concept is about her past self during (high)school years sending a message to her current self on her radio show where she often gives her listeners advice. So it’s playing a role, not meant to infantilize her, and might even have been her own idea and not an outside decision “forced” on her.
I generally view that issue in k-pop critically as well, but I have a hard time seeing it apply here.
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That did not come across at all to the non-Korean speakers. (tbh most lengthy intros I skip anyway to get to the music)
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Yeah that’s fair, that’s why I wanted to explain it. Iirc it doesn’t even have subtitles, which doesn’t help either…
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Song’s alright. OST/band concept fits her perfectly, and is a good pick for her solo debut. I also love hearing her voice, but the song itself could’ve had a bit more depth, and, as you said, a more memorable hook. Gonna be interesting how it’ll develop for me.
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As a huge Oh My Girl fan I’m just happy to have music from them, this song did grow on me after a while, especially the chorus~ hopefully she experiments more in future comebacks
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