Over nine years since her debut with KARD, the group’s youngest Jiwoo makes her solo debut today. This comes after KARD’s popularity has softened in Korea. They’ve transitioned to a more international career and the sound of Home Sweet Home seems to play into that approach.
The song opens with a sparse beat, shining full spotlight on Jiwoo’s husky voice. From here, things get more dramatic as guitar joins the mix. We seem to be building toward a standout centerpiece, but Home Sweet Home has other ideas. As with so many ill-fated K-pop songs before it, the track collapses into an anti-drop of sorts. While the verses (and especially the pre-chorus) set up a beguiling atmosphere, the first half of the chorus does… nothing, really. The production becomes more skeletal and we’re left with a forgettable “home sweet home” refrain that feels more like an afterthought than a highlight. The second half of the chorus picks things up a bit, but it’s still too little to make Home Sweet Home worth returning to.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7