Chungha has enjoyed sustained success since her post-IOI solo debut in 2017. With each and every single, I’m surprised by just how long her music stays on the charts. But, there’s definitely been a hole in the K-pop market for a female soloist — an heir to BoA’s throne, if you will. With the early 2000’s-esque Snapping, Chungha veers closer to BoA territory than ever before. The results are pretty solid.
Snapping is as straightforward a K-pop release as you’re likely to find this year. While it isn’t stuck in another era, it never kowtows to current trends either. The slick r&b/pop beat feels relatively generic, but sparks enough groove to keep heads nodding. I like the playful synth work that opens the track and carries through much of its verses and chorus. It adds a sense of frenzy to an otherwise laidback instrumental. Better yet is the 90’s hip-hop synth that supports the post-chorus hook. Moments like this draw from a pop era I’m very familiar with, and imbue Snapping with instant nostalgia.
I’ve had issues in the past with how Chungha’s vocals have been arranged — pitched at a level that seems to strain her voice. Snapping does a better job utilizing her talents. Chungha dominates both the song and video with undeniable presence, and elevates what is otherwise a rather forgettable track. Snapping’s main issue, then, is its bland melody. I’m thankful that the song isn’t yet another beat-drop-chorus dance track, but the hooks we do get are too subdued to land a punch. She’s had stronger choruses before (Roller Coaster, Love U), and it’s a shame that Snapping’s appealing vibe couldn’t have been paired with a similarly knockout hook.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The word “Snapping” is repeating a few too many times. I don’t even know what it means – is she defining some dating term the kids are using? Trying to start one of the same?
On the visual front, there is the shadow screen dancing, which isn’t a new thing in theater at all, but I believe is first-ish for kpop.
Otherwise, basic kpop.
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Yeah, “snapping” is an odd choice. Something about it feels so old-fashioned — like “grandpa’s in his chair snapping away to the oldies”
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Upon immediate first listen I was brought back to the early 2000s sound like you said. Feels like it could be a bit of a genie in a bottle esque vibe. I’m not mad about it. Wish there was a chorus. For some reason I feel like Chica would have fit a summer release more than Snapping. That being said I am still enjoying the entire EP a bit partial to Young In Love but I am still waiting on something blockbuster to hit me as we’re half way into this kpop year and everything feels easily forgettable by the following month.
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Maybe it’s because spanish is my first language but I just couldn’t get through “chica”, the melody and instrumental is pretty good, but when she repeats “chica” in the chorus it just sounds so cheesy and weird idk. I agree with you that it would’ve been a better summer release though, “Snapping” feels like something that would be released in the last quarter of the year.
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The English/Spanish in Chica is definitely cheesy, and there’s too much of it. That was probably one of the reasons it wasn’t selected as the title track. Still, I find it stronger (and more melodic) than Snapping.
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Upon first listen, I sensed something.. ..familiar with the music; then it hit me. The music sounds very close to Imogen Heap, circa “Speak for Yourself” (2005).
Reference:
Chungha – Snapping (Instrumental):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7c6sc0cjEE&t=30s
Imogen Heap – Goodnight and Go (Instrumental):
Now, as far as my opinion on this release, Chungha instantly had me on the hook with her debut title release “Why Don’t You Know”. I was already familiar with her (Produce 101, I.O.I) and her debut song was a fun toe-tapper. The problem is, everything since then (Roller Coaster, Gotta Go, Love U) has been.. ..meh.. for me. But “Snapping”, yeah.. ..this one has me back on track.
“Snapping” is my ticket back to Chungha Town. All aboard!
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Broadly speaking, yes. But its as if they truncated the initial idea to say 16 bars and looped it for three and a half minutes for Chungha, but Imogen actually varies and builds on the theme.
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I wasn’t suggesting ‘Snapping’ was a carbon copy; just that it’s tonally similar. At least, that’s how I perceived it. I’ve been listening to music from many different genres my whole life. I’m at a point where every song I listen to reminds me of.. ..something.
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You sound like me here!
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Not entirely sure how I feel about this come back.
On one side, I like the chorus and had it stuck in my head after the first listen.
On the other side, I don’t get what she means by snapping, the word itself goes well with the instrumental but it feels like the lyricists picked a random word to have as the chorus/title. Also, I was expecting her to release a more “summery” song given the time of the year, since there’s been very few songs with summer vibes released this month. I guess we’ll be bombarded by songs full of tropical trends and deep house next month… yay…
Regarding the album, none of the side tracks have sparked my attention except for “Chica”, but, except for Gfriend’s “Me gustas tu”, I find kpop songs with Spanish titles really cheesy and silly.
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You mean like Mamacita? (I love that song)
How about Lo Siento or Otra Vez …
nope nope nope
my absolute favorite Spanish cheese fest: the shot by shot remake of Ahora Te Puedes Marchar. (aka Dusty Springfield I only want to be with you)
This was a gift! A gift to us Elves! Of course there are side by side comparisons also on YouTube and they are spot on.
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Lmao I forgot about Lo siento and Otra vez. I found none of Super Junior Spanish titled songs cringey aside from Mamacita but the word itself is inherently cringey. Ahora te puedes marchar was gem!! I’m still not over the blonde wig.
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I’m simultaneously gobsmacked and bewildered; and I’m not sure if that is good, bad, or very, very, very, very, wrong.
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