100% Would Cross the “Grand Bleu” for You

As we are slowly wrapping up summer, a few more comebacks themed with the season are left to release, including one from the group 100%. The digital single is titled “Grand Bleu” (meaning “a deep blue ocean”), and listening to it sums up the feeling of a chill summer day.

The song is a happy and bright love song with a catchy melody and lyrics. The group sings about wanting to be close with the one they like and waiting for them to be together. With an all-English chorus, it is easy for international fans to sing along. It starts slow and builds up slightly before the pre-chorus, but keeps a steady melody throughout the song. After the first chorus, we get a slow rap part by Chanyoung and then soft vocals from the rest of the members, which flow well with the melody. The lyrics together with the melody make the whole song sound very laid back and at the same time comforting to the listener.  

Rather than having a high production music video, the video is more charming and cute as we get to see the members enjoying a day on the beach together and just being playful. There are also shots that are put together as a behind-the-scenes video that looks like it could be a photo shoot. We see the members being happy, walking around, writing in the sand, and drinking tropical drinks together. As expected from a music video filmed by the ocean, the main colors in the music video are blue, white, and yellow (maybe representing the ocean, clouds, waves, and the sun). Everything in the music video fits the chill vibes of the song very well.

As someone who has listened to this group before, I was, like other fans of the group, shaken by the news regarding Minwoo’s passing earlier this year. I am glad that the group came back with a comforting sound like this, showing fans a happy side of the group in memory of Minwoo.