Chungha’s “Little Sister” group BVNDIT has come onto the scene! The quintet debuted on April 10 with single album BVNDIT, BE AMBITIOUS! and title track “Hocus Pocus.” The group initially gained interest pre-debut for their agency link to the famous solo singer, but did their debut onto the K-Pop scene live up to expectations?

The Title: “Hocus Pocus”

2019 has certainly been the year of the rookies, with a number of stellar debuts that have exceeded expectations of K-Pop fans. BVNDIT is being added to this list as well, something that you can see building in the comment section of the music video.

The song itself takes inspiration from the reggae genre, a song perfectly fit for the blooming flowers of spring that lead to the warm summer. Drawing from traditional reggae, the song has an infectious beat from the opening line that draws the listener in immediately. As expected from MNH Entertainment, the vocal power of the group is incredibly strong, to the point that the track doesn’t even sound like a debut, but a seasoned group’s comeback. It’s hard to not find the song irresistible after just one listen.

The video is full of bright, pastel colors that remind the viewer of the early days of summer. With shots in a pastel pink and yellow room to the bright, sunny shots outdoors, it’s clear that this video was shot with the intention of invoking the upcoming warm seasons. The solo shots of the video are contrasted with the group dance shots by the outfits each member is wearing; group shots feature muted black and white, while solo member shots feature brighter outfits. The brightness of the video fits along perfectly to the beat of the song, making for a fully cohesive title release.

The Album

Single album BVNDIT, BE AMBITIOUS! features two additional tracks along with the title. Intro track “Be Ambitious!” is a percussion heavy song that gives off the feel of a marching band drumline. It’s a bold intro track that flows into the title, providing a mostly instrumental opening to the album.

The one true B-side on this album, “연애의 온도,” has a more mellow feel in comparison to the upbeat “Hocus Pocus.” The slower tempo “연애의 온도” gives off a more lazy weekend vibe, which is a nice complement to the title track. The vocal prowess of the members comes through more in this song with less focus on an infectious rhythm, instead allowing the melodic line to shine above all.

This debut altogether is a very strong start for BVNDIT. There’s no question that the group has a strong vocal foundation that they can build off of in the future, and the overall catchiness of both the title song and the main B-side on the album make for a surprisingly well-produced and performed comeback. I’m looking forward to what BVNDIT will be able to accomplish in the future.