K-Pop Group 'Idle' Makes Waves with Experimental Track 'Mono'

《Songwriter's Insight by Min-Kyung Lee》
Min-Kyung Lee, a current singer-songwriter, shares her perspective on music, analyzing hidden meanings and behind-the-scenes stories.

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The K-pop group 'Idle' is stirring mixed reactions both domestically and internationally with their comeback track 'Mono (Feat. skaiwater)'. The song, which challenges traditional genres, is making a bold statement with its lyrics that emphasize inclusivity regardless of political or sexual orientation, aiming to capture the global market.

On October 8th, 'Idle' clinched the top spot on SBS's 'Inkigayo', marking their third music show win with 'Mono'. They previously secured first place on Mnet's 'M Countdown' and KBS2's 'Music Bank'.

The success of 'Mono' on music shows is attributed to its impressive music video views and performance on the Melon HOT 100 chart. As of October 9th, 12 days post-release, the music video has surpassed 15.4 million views and is ranked third on YouTube's 'Trending Music' chart in Korea. By 3 PM on the same day, the track was at number 15 on Melon's HOT 100 chart.

Despite these achievements, 'Mono' struggles to break into the main TOP100 chart on Melon. Industry experts suggest that the experimental approach aimed at international audiences may not align with the general taste of the domestic audience. The message of enjoying life without judgment, regardless of one's identity, is seen as premature for acceptance in Korean society.

The track's genre, a dreamy house, diverges from the bright and intense sound typically favored in Korea. 'Mono' features subtle synth pad sounds that create a mellow vibe, contrasting with the more vibrant house tracks popular domestically.

'Idle' is clearly targeting the international market, where there is a steady demand for music that amplifies the voices of social minorities. An example of success in this area is Chappell Roan, who combined pop with queer themes and achieved mainstream success, even earning a Grammy nomination for 'Album of the Year'.

Prior to 'Mono', 'Idle' has consistently celebrated self-love and individuality. In 'TOMBOY', they challenged gender stereotypes, while 'Qweencard' critiqued beauty standards to emphasize self-esteem. 'Super Lady' empowered women and marginalized groups, and 'Oh my god' featured lyrics and visuals open to queer interpretation.

Some argue that aiming for the international market is a natural progression for 'Idle' to express their unique philosophy more directly. One fan commented on the platform 'X', "I saw a post questioning why 'Mono' is entirely in English. Perhaps it's because the message resonates more with international audiences." Another noted, "While the lyrics are considered straightforward overseas, they are seen as radical in Korea. The fact that such lyrics passed domestic music show censorship is significant."

Min-Kyung Lee, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr