Consistent artist/producer pairings are not nearly as common as they used to be in K-pop, but fans are so used to see ONF and composer Hwang Hyun work together that there was mass outrage when last November’s mini album didn’t feature him at all. But now that the group has moved to a new agency, they’re back with their usual team to finally deliver part two of the full album they began in early 2025.
As ecstatic as I am to have Hwang Hyun back in the fold, this also sets up lofty expectations. This is the guy that’s given us classics like Complete, Beautiful Beautiful and New World, after all! I expect the impossible from him because I know he can do it, so it’s a bit disappointing that Open The Door settles for being a solid — but very safe — rock track. Rock has had a moment in K-pop this year, so I’m not surprised ONF would journey down this route, but for such an important comeback I had hoped for a real throwing down of the gauntlet.
Instead, Open The Door is a very pleasant mid-tempo with a strong chorus. I’m not one hundred percent sold on the “open the door” hook, but the first half of the chorus has a welcome sense of drama. Even better is the song’s ornate bridge, which pulses with the kind of out-of-the-box arrangement I expect from ONF and Hwang Hyun. Still, stacked against the group’s many triumphs Open The Door is relentlessly “nice.” And in this K-pop economy, I’m yearning for much more than “nice.”
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.25