Fresh off the members’ participation in Boys II Planet (none of them made the final group), VERIVERY are hoping to pull a Nu’est and re-emerge with new material and a vaulted level of success. Time will tell if that will happen. K-pop is fickle and the guys have been away since 2023. However, Jellyfish Entertainment seems all-in on the promotion with new single Red (Beggin’).
K-pop doesn’t often directly interpolate popular Western tracks, but Red builds much of its chorus around an interpolation of The Four Seasons’ 1967 hit Beggin’. This is an ultra-familiar melody, utilized in mega-hits by Madcon and Måneskin, among others. So for listeners who follow pop music closely (ie: me), its inclusion is a little eye-roll inducing. I mean, if you must interpolate, at least choose something a little less obvious.
Thankfully, this hook is used pretty sparingly and fits well within Red‘s energetic drum-and-bass percussion. The guys bring plenty of power to the track, imbuing errant melodies with a sense of flair and conviction. Apart from the chorus, much of the song flies by without leaving much melodic impact. Sing-talk/sing-shout strikes again, but a cavalcade of sonic goodies (strings! electric guitar!) help make Red feel bigger and bolder than it is. Overall, this could be better, but could be much worse. I hope it does well for them because I always like to see an underdog succeed.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
