We’ve officially reached the point where numerous Boys II Planet contestants start to release their first post-show music. Just this week, we’ve had the pre-debut of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, a long-awaited comeback for participants VERIVERY and the solo debut of Chuei Li Yu, who came in tenth place during the series’ finale. My only questions remains: will Woollim Entertainment suddenly remember they’re an idol agency and join the party to give DRIPPIN a comeback?
Chuei Li Yu is a Taiwanese singer, but makes his Korean debut today. Right off the bat, the title “UxYOUxU” got a chuckle out of me. It’s so nonsensical yet completely over-the-top. In other words, it’s prime K-pop. Sadly, the song itself is far less memorable. Solo material can be difficult unless you’re an established idol branching out from your group. More often than not, agencies offer their solo male artists a slinky, Taemin-lite track but UxYOUxU doesn’t even go that far.
Instead, Li Yu is saddled with a plonky beat, irritating whistled post-chorus hook and melodies that vacillate between airy nothingness and excitable chanting. UxYOUxU develops a few nice moments of build during its pre-choruses, but otherwise this feels like placeholder product released to extend momentum rather than make any artistic statement. So far, the Boys II Planet machine is striking out — at least on a musical level.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
