Fresh off the massive chart success of I.O.I’s reunion, former member Choi Yoojung is back with her first new single since 2022. This time, she’s taking influence from another 2026 chart behemoth. Perfect Target (비장의 무기) feels like a natural successor to the second-gen nostalgia of Yena’s Catch Catch.

I’m all for second-gen nostalgia, though ideally these tracks would work as more than simple retreads. Perfect Target has one foot firmly in the Orange Caramel side of quirky K-pop, bopping along a catchy vocal riff and delivered in a hyper-affected style that’s further assisted by effects warping Yoojung’s voice. The overall vibe is fun and colorful, but this isn’t nearly as hooky as Catch Catch or the older songs it aspires to.

Coming away from Perfect Target, you’ll likely have the rhythmic “tangtangtarang” hook rattling around in your brain, but it’s more difficult to recall the rest of the song. This is due to a lack of focus, best represented by the weird rap break that fractures the track during verse two. Still, Perfect Target earns bonus points for its willingness to stand proudly as silly bubblegum pop that does more than repeat a single catchphrase over and over again. It’s a low bar, but I’ll take it.

Grade: C+