Following BABYMONSTER's comeback with "Stuck in the Middle," the group's line distribution for the song has sparked an intense debate. Keep on reading for the details.
BABYMONSTER 'Stuck in the Middle' Fails to Capture Attention of General Public
On February 1, 2024, BABYMONSTER made a comeback with their ballad song "Stuck in the Middle." This release is seen as a lead up to their upcoming mini-album, set to be released in April. Their mini-album will coincide with the return of "ace" Ahyeon to the lineup.
Despite offering a total genre shift from their first release, "Batter Up," "Stuck in the Middle" has struggled to leave a strong impression on the public.
The group has been notably absent from music charts, and although their music video on YouTube has amassed a relatively high number of views, garnerning 34 million videos in just seven days, many speculate that a significant portion of these views may have come from the fact the music video was promoted as an ad.
YG Entertainment has not been actively promoting "Stuck in the Middle," contributing to its lackluster reception. Recently, BABYMONSTER released a performance version of the new song in an effort to attract more attention. Despite that, the song is still not being picked up by the general public.
BABYMONSTER 'Stuck in the Middle' Line Distribution Draws Backlash
On Korean social media platforms, the most mentioned topics regarding this comeback are the dreamy and feminine image the group donned, as well as the unequal distribution of lines among the BABYMONSTER members.
Similar to the situation faced by BLACKPINK, BABYMONSTER has encountered criticism due to YG Entertainment's uneven distribution of parts, sparking controversy over perceived favoritism.
According to reports, member Rami received the most singing time with 28.9 seconds, followed by Chiquita with 22.2 seconds. In contrast, Rora, a member praised for her singing abilities, received only 11.2 seconds of singing time, ranking last behind the Japanese rap duo Asa and Ruka, who received 9.4 and 8.7 seconds respectively.
Read also: BABYMONSTER 'Stuck in the Middle' MV Draws Divided Reactions - Are They 'Copying' BLACKPINK?
The distribution of lines between the BABYMONSTER members has sparked anger among K-netizens. While it's understandable that Rami, who is considered the main vocalist, would have the most singing time, there are mixed opinions regarding Chiquita, who is known for her dancing rather than her vocals.
Despite the fact that "Stuck in the Middle" is a vocal heavy song, Chiquita received 22.2 seconds of singing time, which is nearly a quarter of the whole song.
Meanwhile, Rora, who has garnered praise for her voice, received barely any singing time. This had lead to controversy and accusations that YG Entertainment is favoring Chiquita for being a "Lisa copy."
Aditionally, many also cannot believe that YG Entertainment has wasted the talent of the Japanese members, Asa and Ruka.
These two members garnered significant attention from international fans during "Batter Up." Despite "Stuck in the Middle" being a purely vocal song, the rap duo handled their parts smoothly and gained popularity on social media platforms. Many are upser over the fact that they did not receive as much time to show their voices.
What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lopez
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