Secret are one of those second-gen groups whose output completely pre-dates this blog. Over the years, I’ve reviewed exactly one of their songs through a retrospective feature, and to be honest their discography has never done much for me. Today, two of the group’s members (Hyosung and Jung Hana) have reunited alongside new member Yebin for the group’s first new music since 2014.
Second-gen reunions are very exciting, but the music is often a mixed bag. Either the music gets compared unfavorably to past triumphs or the sound has changed so much that it hardly feels like the group at all. Ice Cream (아이스크림) does not try to replicate the retro pastiche that Secret made their name on. In fact, it doesn’t try to do much at all.
The most notable aspect of this song is its prominent sample. Those familiar strings from Vivaldi’s Spring forge much of the instrumental, set against a very beigepop sound that’s more wistful than exciting. For a moment towards the end of the track, the producers throw in a funky synth melody that adds interest, but more than anything Ice Cream is a peaceful romp through summer fields. It’s pleasant and never degrades Secret’s legacy in any way, but it also feels pretty extraneous to their discography.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
what a shame honestly, after releasing that Madonna rehearsal video (an amazing energetic song), then this is what they come back with… it’s not bad, just very safe. I really was waiting for their comeback after their abrupt “disbandment” but I don’t think anyone at their current company cares about their legacy at all.
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I’ll never understand how companies see a reunion of this magnitude and don’t try to make a moment out of it. It’d be one thing if the group’s sound was these rather pleasant tracks, but that has ( I dare to say) never been the case. I would love to hear how they arrived at this being the new title track
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it’s all about profit for them lol, but what they don’t realize is they’re not going to earn profit when this sounds like it could be sung by any girl group today
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Between the strain of JiEun and Hyosung trying to get out of their contacts and the equally chaotic way Sunhwa left the group determined to burn their legacy to the ground for seemingly no reason (and a one sided vendetta against Hana/Zinger) it truly does feel miraculous that Secret has a new anything in the 2020s.
I don’t mind them leaning on their softer work/side vs. their powerful and sexy one but admittedly this feels more like a pre-release. Everyone here can sing – the new member especially blends JiEun and Sunhwa’s voices beautifully while still having her own – so this feels not as up to their potential but here’s hoping this is just a stepping stone to more. Welcome back girls!
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I thought it was weird to add a new member especially for a reunion, but Yebin was really easy to digest, she makes a good fit and sings well
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I loved secret, but not really their cute side. Talk that, madonna, and I’m in love are my favorite titles from them. Would’ve loved them to do an updated version on one of those sounds
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Actually I’m really digging the sample. I’ve never listened to Secret before, so I have no frame of reference, but I like this.
That being said, it’s really weird how much this song sounds like APink’s Love me more and also Ariana’s Positions
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The new member wasn’t needed honestly but the song was nice 7/10
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