K-Pop debuts can be tricky things. At times, they’re the best song a group delivers. Sometimes, they’re the only song a group delivers!
But, debuts can also be huge wtf moments in an artist’s career. In this feature, I’ll be looking back at debut songs through the prism of time, re-evaluating how well they hold up and how representative they are of an artist’s eventual singles run.
Debut Date: April 7, 2011
Review:
With Brave Girls’ unprecedented resurgence this year, it seems like the perfect time to flashback an entire decade and look at their debut. For me, the group’s music never truly reached its potential until 2016’s Deepened – despite these early singles being Brave Brothers productions. It doesn’t help that the group has endured a revolving door of members. This debut-era iteration includes none of the four members who are currently promoting, making them an entirely different act who just happen to share the Brave Girls name. No wonder they couldn’t get a foothold in the industry until this year!
Because of this, it’s best to look at Do You Know (아나요) as the debut of the Brave Girls brand rather than a lasting idol group. Compared to what we hear from them these days, the track isn’t a bad introduction. Brave Brothers’ familiar melodies tie everything together, giving the song a sound that’s distinctly K-pop. However, it’s surprising to hear how subdued this song is — especially for a debut. Do You Know isn’t flashy at all, sounding more like a 2NE1 b-side than a “throw down the gauntlet” entrance to the industry.
Throughout the entire track, I’m reminded of other 2011-era songs that share this style. Do You Know doesn’t benefit from these comparisons, coming off as a copy rather than a trendsetter. The hooks are comfortable but dull, and apart from the occasional touch of brass, the instrumental is pretty forgettable. The girls give a competent performance, but the song doesn’t allow for any flourishes that might set them apart from their peers. Things would get more upbeat with their follow-up So Sexy, but this is a pretty inauspicious debut.
Does the song hold up?
Not really. It’s very of its era, but not always in a good way.
Is the song stronger or weaker than most of the artist’s title tracks?
It’s definitely one of their weaker title tracks.
Does the song represent the artist’s music going forward?
Not really. The Brave Brothers sound is there, but the group would go on to develop a much more energetic discography.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
~
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
hmm, first time a debut on this site didn’t hold up to now.
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“This debut-era iteration includes none of the four members who are currently promoting, making them an entirely different act who just happen to share the Brave Girls name.”
I saw from a Korean wiki that they call this iteration of Brave Girls the 1st generation and the 2016 iteration (the one that built today’s line-up) the 2nd generation. I find it handy for me who never wants to bother about this line-up haha.
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Its another one of those cases where if it isn’t even the same girls, is it the same group? When they rebuild an old temple exactly as it was, is it is the same temple?
Anyway, yes, it is pleasing but not very memorable. Right about now is when Xeno should be here to let us know what the best song of the best lineup was, and which girl he has the hots for.
Unrelated: I saw Nick’s tweet about the latest idol competition show crossed with a survival show. “Extreme Debut”. Since it is a slow day in kpop, I went exploring.
1) The teaser. What the hell is this, this mysterious glowing futuristic temple?! ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcALM314Lqo It almost beats the giant Enhypen Egg, almost, except the Enhypen I-Land Egg building had the extra ridiculous production budget which puts it over the top.
2) The state of the the kpop industry, alas. The vast oversupply of idols from all the smaller companies. All these young men so full of hope who are still trying to “make it” in this industry. I know most of these disbanded or struggling groups, but not all. It is so sad that even as a regular follower of kpop, even I don’t know all of their groups and can perhaps recall a song or two from each but not much more. ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2zaYXb7SyE
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In this aspect, Brave Girls seem like a sports team than a singing group. LIke, say the Milwaukee Bucks have so many players that have never played with the legend Kareem Al-Jabbar, , but they can all call themselves Bucks and it’s valid. Kpop has a real sportsball aspect to it, and it’s not just the football uniforms they trot out from time to time.
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My favorite early brave girls track is Easily. “Do you know” being their debut was definitely a mistake. They had Brave brothers attached to their name a strong song would’ve done them some good
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I like this song a lot, but I can see it was just not energetic enough for a debut song. The 1st and 2nd generations did overlap for a bit, since two members stayed on through Deepened/High Heels/Yoo Hoo
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This week is going to be so slow in kpop with the Chuseok holiday …
Way off topic: this gem popped up in my youtube suggestions this morning, *sigh*, a little noodling around an a guitar. It reminds me of my teenage crush on the guy in high school who could play guitar really well.
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How would you rate Rollin in retrospect? I think it’s one of the most insanely catchy kpop songs ever made
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Deepened
High Heels
Rollin
We Ride
Chi Mat Ba Ram
Pool Party
After We Ride
That’s a hell of a singles run for the current Brave Girls!
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In this aspect, Brave Girls seem like a sports team than a singing group. LIke, say the Milwaukee Bucks have so many players that have never played with the legend Kareem Al-Jabbar, , but they can all call themselves Bucks and it’s valid. Kpop has a real sportsball aspect to it, and it’s not just the football uniforms they trot out from time to time.
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ignore this, it posted twice. I wasn’t that eager to get my point across.
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Wait I remember this was released as a double sided single there’s a full blown music video for so sexy at the time. It was very 2011 as well, reminds me of old EXID with there first lineup.
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