Can 'Baby Don't Cry' Find Their Unique Voice Amidst Jeon Soyeon's Influence?

《Lee Min-kyung's Songwriter's Perspective》
Lee Min-kyung, a current singer-songwriter, shares insights into the music world from a musician's perspective, analyzing hidden meanings and behind-the-scenes stories of songs.

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The newly debuted group 'Baby Don't Cry' seems overshadowed by producer Jeon Soyeon's distinct style, failing to showcase their unique vocal talents. Instead of crafting songs tailored for the newcomers, Jeon Soyeon's compositions seem to require the members to adapt to her style, reminiscent of her work with her own group, (G)I-DLE.

On October 23, 'Baby Don't Cry' released their debut single 'F Girl' at 6 PM. The track doesn't stray far from the typical (G)I-DLE sound. Listening to 'F Girl' evokes memories of (G)I-DLE's hits like 'Queencard,' 'Good Thing,' and 'Don't Stop Me.' It feels as if the new group is merely covering songs meant for (G)I-DLE.

The primary reason 'F Girl' feels like a (G)I-DLE track is due to Jeon Soyeon's vocal direction. From the ad-libs, rapping style, to the attitude on stage, everything mirrors Jeon Soyeon's signature style. The ad-libs like 'Ha!' and '1, 2, 3, ow!' are almost identical to Jeon Soyeon's stage mannerisms. Even the way certain lyrics are delivered, such as 'So what?' and 'Sorry, but I disagree,' bear her unmistakable touch.

The melody and song structure closely resemble (G)I-DLE's signature tracks. As a result, when listening to 'F Girl,' it's easy to imagine the voices of (G)I-DLE members instead of the new group's.

The first and second verses of 'F Girl' start with a low-key sing-rap style reminiscent of Minnie, followed by a melodic pre-chorus that Miyeon or Yuqi might sing. The chorus is almost a group chant, and after the second verse, it transitions into a bridge that Shuhua could perform. The final part includes a dance break not present in the earlier verses. Despite the common structure, the melody and vocal direction trap the song within (G)I-DLE's image.

Producers who are former idol members often find it challenging to break away from the strong influence of the groups they've long produced for. For instance, Zico's early work with the group BoyNextDoor bore a strong resemblance to his style with Block B, earning them the nickname 'Zico's sons.'

However, Zico is the chief producer at KOZ Entertainment, responsible for BoyNextDoor's activities, so his influence is expected. Despite this, BoyNextDoor is making efforts to step away from Zico's style.

In January, Zico's involvement in the single 'I LOVE YOU Only Today' was minimal, and his name was absent from the credits of their latest release, '123-78.'

In contrast, it's unclear how much Jeon Soyeon will be involved in future 'Baby Don't Cry' albums. During the media showcase on October 23, the members couldn't provide a clear answer to questions about her involvement.

Currently, the color 'Baby Don't Cry' presents is essentially Jeon Soyeon's creation, mimicking her unique style rather than establishing their own. Like Zico's commitment to BoyNextDoor, it's uncertain if Jeon Soyeon will consistently play a similar role. It remains to be seen if 'Baby Don't Cry' can shed Jeon Soyeon's influence and develop their independent style.

Lee Min-kyung, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr