ME:I, the girl group formed through Produce 101 Japan The Girls, recently performed a live cover of “Golden,” with members MiU, Ayane, and Tsuzumi taking center stage.

Since its release, “Golden” has earned a reputation among fans for its demanding vocal range, difficult transitions, and powerful climactic high notes. Even experienced vocalists have noted the song’s technical difficulty, making it one of the more challenging tracks to perform live.

As a result, expectations were high when ME:I chose to cover the song in front of a live audience.

Shortly after the stage aired, clips began circulating across social media platforms and Korean online forums. On May 30, a post discussing the performance gained significant traction on the popular community site theqoo, drawing thousands of views and comments.

Many netizens focused on moments where the members appeared to struggle with pitch accuracy and vocal stability during the song’s most demanding sections. However, the criticism was not directed solely at the singers themselves.

Instead, a large portion of the discussion centered on the decision to perform “Golden” live in the first place.

One viral social media post described the performance as a mismatch between the song’s vocal requirements and the performers’ natural ranges, fueling further debate among viewers.

Among the most common reactions was the belief that the members may have been set up with a song that did not suit their voices.

Many commenters noted that while the performance had noticeable flaws, they did not necessarily view the members as weak singers. Rather, they felt that “Golden” requires an exceptional vocal range that few idols can comfortably execute live.

Comments included:

  • Why did they choose ‘Golden’? They seem capable of singing, but the key doesn’t fit them at all.
  • I don’t think they’re bad singers. The song choice was simply a miss.
  • Choosing a song that suits your vocal range is a skill in itself.
  • This isn’t an easy song for anyone to perform live.

Others expressed sympathy for the members, particularly Tsuzumi, who is often recognized by fans for handling high notes well in ME:I’s own discography.

Some viewers suggested that nerves may have also played a role, pointing to moments where her voice appeared to shake during key sections of the performance.

Despite the wave of criticism, many netizens came to the group’s defense.

Several commenters pointed out that “Golden” is widely regarded as one of the most vocally demanding songs currently trending online. Some even noted that performers associated with the original version have adjusted the key for certain live stages, highlighting the difficulty of reproducing the song exactly as recorded.

Others praised ME:I for singing live rather than relying heavily on backing tracks, arguing that taking risks should not automatically be met with harsh criticism.

For these viewers, the performance demonstrated courage and ambition, even if the final result fell short of expectations.

As clips continue to spread across Korean social media, reactions remain divided.

For now, one thing appears clear: ME:I’s rendition of “Golden” has become one of the most talked-about idol performances among Korean netizens this week.

Sources: Theqoo