Recently, fromis_9 have made their bid for K-pop’s beloved “summer queens” title, releasing their past few albums during this season. That title used to come along with a killer Duble Sidekick, Brave Brothers or Black Eyed Pilseung track, but in the era of song camps we just don’t get those idiosyncratic sounds any more. However, the group did conquer last summer with the bounding Like You Better.
Almost any track is going to feel like a comedown after that one, and Vitamin ME‘s more reserved nature is almost designed as such. The song is still aiming for “summer bop” status, but takes a more relaxed approach. Instead of the banger you blast full volume on your drive to the beach, this is the one you play at a lower volume as you lay on a towel soaking in the sunshine.
For me, Vitamin ME is a tale of two parts. I’m not a fan of the verses at all. They pass by with no real presence, lacking the dynamic melodies needed to make their coffeehouse-esque sound work. On the other hand, the chorus punches with more engaging hooks and pleasant instrumental touches. It’s still nowhere near the best summer track I’ve heard, but manages to cast a shimmering vibe that suits the season well. These contrasting sections even out to a score just above a “meh,” making me wonder who (if anyone!) will finally release that big mid-summer highlight I’ve been craving.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
it’s a little messy. I’m gonna give my streams to LIKE YOU BETTER instead.
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how much did LIKE YOU BETTER grow on you if it did at all?
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Coming in hot to say I liked this song, but it may only be my 4th or 5th favorite on the album. This album is absolute summer gold in my opinion.
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This is my shit 😍
As someone who’s fav song of all time is alcohol free by twice, I love this 😍
8.75/10❤️🧡💛🩷
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1. Eternal
Analysis: I absolutely love the vocal layering and the satisfying heft of the production here. It is so genuinely pleasing to listen to!
2. Vitamin Me
Analysis: They teased the chorus a couple of days before the release, so I went into this expecting an 8.5 or 8.75 rating. And yep, it’s about how I expected to be. I was hoping for a pleasant surprise, and while it delivered on that front, it also had a few minor shortcomings. The production was lovely and wavy, but it felt like it could have been even grander. I really enjoyed the layering and that final chorus section where all the voices come together—it carries the feel of a full OT8 title track, and the members handled it remarkably well.
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of “Like You Better” (which is still going strong on my playlist—I need another track like that so badly!), it is easily one of the best K-pop releases I’ve heard all summer, even though this summer’s releases have been questionable. “Vitamin Me” just needed a bit more scale to become a truly SISTAR-esque summer anthem. Imagine layered vocal harmonies, big brassy production, and a sweeping sense of ease throughout! Still, I will happily take it—I was craving something exciting for the season, and this captures that refreshing summer energy so well.
3. Pocket Treat
Analysis: Another wonderful addition to my growing collection to my playlist of playful, Mario-style tracks!
4. Blue Heart
Analysis: This track definitely has that “walkaway” runway energy to it, though it could have been given just a bit more of a silky-smooth, confident strut.
5. Screen Time
Analysis: The production feels wonderfully open and airy, and the vocals complement the atmosphere so nicely.
6. Teacher
Analysis: This offers a K-pop interpretation of Afrobeats. While the production can feel a bit repetitive, the members’ vocals really breathe life into the track, and the rhythmic claps are a lovely touch.
7. Cold Blood (Chaeyoung, Nagyung & Jiheon)
Analysis: This feels like a modern iteration of a classic 9Muses song or something LE SSERAFIM might release. The heavy trap/hip-hop flow holds the song back a bit for me, but it definitely has immense potential if given a cleaner arrangement away from modern production tropes.
8. Why Do I Cry? (Hayoung & Jiwon)
Analysis: The production doesn’t hold back at all and feels incredibly refreshing—it’s the exact type of song you’d want to play with the windows down while driving through Santa Monica. Their vocal chemistry together is fantastic; my only wish is that the song were just a little bit longer!
9. Day 1
Analysis: An instrumental like this would have made a phenomenal choice for a title track: an open, powerful, vocal-focused rock song with a breathtaking finale. They have proven time and time again how capable they are as vocalists, and I know they can handle a sound like this with ease. Hopefully, ASCNT continues to let them shine and doesn’t hold them back. While the song structure feels a bit standard overall, I can definitely see this track growing on me over time.
10. Wonderland
Analysis: This track leans heavily into a trap style. The production isn’t quite my personal taste, as it relies on a few too many modern tropes that I’m generally not as drawn to.
Final Thoughts and Album Rating
Conclusion: fromis_9 is such an underrated group. People sometimes overlook them when discussing 4th generation groups, but they consistently release quality music and boast truly amazing vocals. While this project wasn’t quite as standout as “Like You Better,” it is still a solid addition to their discography. I still find myself asking: where have all the powerful, bright, sing-along summer anthems gone? Thankfully, this release still feels like summer and acts as a very pleasant breeze.
With how heavily trends control K-pop agencies nowadays, it can be difficult to find groups and songs maintaining a clear, distinct sonic identity. Let’s see if any upcoming releases can satisfy that craving before the school calendar restarts! But seriously—”Eternal” is awesome!
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The verses were pleasant and the production was summer classic, but the song relied a bit too much on the chorus hook. The best song in the album is without doubt the intro track ETERNAL, but the rest of the album was solid too. One of the best cohesive album this year, there were barely any skip among the ten songs.
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This lowkey sounds like a lesser version of Happy by HITGS. Like if that song went in the direction of Alcohol Free by TWICE.
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I hope this album gets a Buried Treasure post – there’s a lot of good stuff here. Eternal, Pocket Treat, Blue Heart, Cold Blood are all bangers.
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