Prior to their comeback at the end of the month, One Pact released an EP of solo songs from each of the members. I won’t be writing about most of them since I don’t have much to say, but Jong Woo’s solo Passout instantly caught my ear and now it has a special video to add a visual element.
I’ve mentioned before that I have two goals for K-pop in 2025. First, I’d like a huge spike in energy — upbeat instrumentals and an end to this muted phase we find ourselves in. Second, (and even more important) is a return to robust melodies. So far, it seems that these two qualities can’t coexist. When we get the melodies, they’re often fused to a soft, melancholic sound. When we get the blazing dance beats, idols simply talk over them rather than sing. Passout falls into this latter category, but the rap is catchy enough to stick.
The song’s thumping beat is exactly what I’d love to hear more of. It’s fun and exciting and could easily support some wonderfully theatrical second-gen melodies. Instead, Passout acts as a rap spotlight as Jong Woo and Tag trade blows. Its briskness makes for a fun series of flows and the chorus is addictive if slight. At just over two minutes, the song feels more like a diversion than a full-fledged moment, but I’d love if One Pact borrowed some of this intensity for their group comeback.
Hooks
7
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8