At midnight on February 1 (Korean time), YG released the MV for BABYMONSTER’s “Stuck in the Middle.”
This marks the girl group’s first “comeback” since their debut in November 2023. Previously, the lackluster promotional activities for BABYMONSTER had drawn criticism from fans, and now, this seems to continue as “Stuck in the Middle” still receives no promotion due to it being a “preparation” for the group’s mini-album set to be released in April.
Contrary to the lively hip-hop arrangement of their debut song “Batter Up”, BABYMONSTER’s “Stuck in the Middle” is a soft ballad, bringing a completely new musical color to the group. However, this remains a safe and somewhat unimpressive choice, though the choice of full English lyrics is a risky venture.
Additionally, the highlight of this comeback, however, seems to be the vocals of six members. Their hard training and inherent talent shine through in the gentle arrangement that puts their vocals at the center.
Surprisingly, member Asa, who belongs to the group’s rap line, stands out the most. Despite being a rapper, Asa is praised for her vocal strength and smooth handling of emotionally charged segments.
Boasting a fairytale-like and feminine atmosphere, the “Stuck in the Middle” MV is an effort to refresh the image of YG’s new girl group. The beauty of the six members shines in every frame, complementing their delicate and elegant appearances. However, there are still echoes of BLACKPINK, as hardcore “YG stans” easily notice similarities between “Stuck in the Middle” and iconic scenes from BLACKPINK’s MVs.
… of Rosé’s “On The Ground”?
…seem to be inspired by Jisoo in “Lovesick Girls”
In addition, the concept posters of BABYMONSTER previously drew criticisms, as netizens slammed YG for not investing enough in the girl group, from poor promotion to outdated aesthetics.
Some also commented that YG is failing to create a distinct color for BABYMONSTER, and the agency’s continuous application of BLACKPINK’s successful image onto its latest group is making it challenging for BABYMONSTER to leave a lasting impression.
Below are some comments from Korean netizens:
- The MV feels like Disney a little bit
- The entire aesthetics of this era is a bit outdated…
- Everything feels like things we watched 10 years ago for some reason
- The song is good, but there’s nothing special about it. The most notable aspect is probably the members’ vocals.
- The MV just takes elements from BLACKPINK here and there
- This kind of music is a bit strange for YG but still good. It reminds me of Disney, the kids did very well.
- The members actually sing very well. I feel like they fit ballads
- The song itself is safe, but the MV *sigh”…
- BABYMONSTER is not “Stuck in the Middle”; it’s YG that’s “stuck in the middle.”
Source: Pann Nate, K14
