Other than the inherent awkwardness that comes with pairing underage Somi with 28-year-old Eric Nam for a love song, You, Who (유후) makes total sense on paper. Both artists are known for their amiable personalities. Both have international roots and enormous fan bases. And while neither is what you would call a powerhouse vocalist, both have mastered the art of injecting incredible charm into their performances.
Like Eric Nam’s 2016 duet with Red Velvet’s Wendy, Who, You floats by on that charm. The song itself is a lightweight trifle, more concerned with soundtracking a “meet cute” drama scene than flexing any real musical ambition. The airy melody floats by on top of an acoustic guitar base, given oomph from an effective sprinkling of percussion. It’s not the kind of instrumental that’s designed to go anywhere in particular, but it paints a nice springtime vibe that matches the duo’s sunny, playful vocals.
Similarly the song’s main melody doesn’t stray too far from the sing-songy pop listeners would expect from this pairing. Somi hasn’t yet released any material since I.O.I disbanded, and You, Who isn’t really a notable debut for her — especially if JYP really intends to forge a solo career out of her post-Produce 101 success. The song is much more in keeping with Nam’s own releases, which makes sense since he co-composed it. But both artists are at their best when the tempo’s high and they can harness that irresistible, star-power energy that has helped them get this far in the k-pop world. You, Who is more of a diversion. It’s pleasant enough, but there’s nothing to really sink your teeth into.
Hooks | 6 |
Production | 7 |
Longevity | 7 |
Bias | 6 |
RATING | 6.5 |
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