The challenge that idols face as they release their first solo songs is how to assert their individual identities. TXT have explored a variety of genres throughout their career, though much of their music feels whimsical or wistful. Yeonjun’s “Ggum”, the featured track from his forthcoming mixtape, certainly veers from these qualities, favoring a edgy hip-hop sound with electronic beats and modulated vocals.
The announcement that Yeonjun was releasing a mixtape, rather than a digital single or album, sets up expectations for his solo work as a personal project with freedom of artistic expression. Does “Ggum” convey who Yeonjun wants to be as an artist? It certainly shows his considerable charisma as a performer, as well as his audaciousness. However, his musical risks do not fully land, nor are his full capabilities as a singer, rapper, or songwriter showcased.
The MV highlights some strengths that Yeonjun has always had, such as his stage presence and expressiveness. In the MV, Yeonjun crashes a studio during a radio talk show. The manic rebelliousness of his character recalls notable previous performances in TXT releases, such as tearing up the Hybe offices in “Lo$er=Lover” or cosplaying Harley Quinn in “0x1=Lovesong” on Music Bank. In “Ggum,” Yeonjun irreverently takes over the microphone and flips the middle finger to the camera, convincingly pulling off the bad boy persona in his acting.
Yeonjun’s charisma also makes “Ggum” work well as a performance piece. He not only executes his dance moves, but also exudes confidence in his facial expressions and body lines. His ability to inhabit a character in every aspect of performance makes him magnetic. The choreography, which he helped develop, is particularly intense during the second chorus, when Yeonjun falls in a half split, then jumps back up to standing position. In moments like these, he earns lines like “No need to be humble when I’m on the floor.”
The song itself, however, contains multiple polarizing elements, from an empty drop chorus to the heavy use of vocal distortion. While vocal effects are understandable as a stylistic choice, the distortion appears too frequently. The verses and pre-chorus feel too brief, making the warped, artificially high-pitched vocals of the refrain more prominent. “Ggum” might feel more dynamic with a length over three minutes and a bridge and/or outro to make the song feel more like some kind of journey. As it stands, “Ggum” cycles through its chorus and refrain with little sense of progression — it creates a strong impression, but ends up going nowhere.
Yeonjun would disregard these criticisms. Even with its flaws, the song is an earworm with a memorable (though repetitive) hook, and a compelling piano, bass, and synth instrumental. As he asserts in the second verse:
Every minute, second
Blow and spit out a banger
This song’s now stuck in your head
Like venom, you can’t get it off
The lyrics play on chewing gum, boasting that Yeonjun can spit songs that stick in one’s memory. In the MV, Yeonjun is depicted blowing a bubble so enormous that it fills the broadcast studio and eventually pops, exploding gum over nearby skyscrapers. Essentially, regardless of whether one likes it or not, one cannot escape the “bangers” that he releases.
“Ggum” is a catchy flex song that is an appropriately bold choice for a pre-release single, accompanied by Yeonjun’s striking performance. However, just as chewing gum lacks the substance of an actual meal, “Ggum” gives listeners a quick taste of what he can do, but is not a fully satisfying experience. Yeonjun may claim that his flavor will never get stale, but the longevity of “Ggum” remains to be seen.
(YouTube [1][2][3]. Lyrics via Genius. Images via BigHit/Hybe).
