Kep1er Tries a Different Flavor of Music in “BUBBLE GUM”
Photo: Kep1er Official X
Kep1er’s appearance at KCON LA 2025 ended up foreshadowing the group’s latest musical direction. The group’s seventh EP, BUBBLE GUM, does not follow the image its name implies. The lead single shifts from the subdued but cutesy nature of their previous Korean title track, “TIPI-TAP,” to one competitive and aggressive. With member Youngeun sitting out of the comeback for health reasons, Kep1er’s temporary six-member lineup showcases the concept of assertive women. The five-track EP came out on August 18.
TRACKLIST:
“Taste Better”
“BUBBLE GUM”
“Don’t Be Dumb”
“Ice Tea”
“Yum (KOR. ver.)”
A Bold Take on “BUBBLE GUM”
When Kep1er performed a short remix of “BUBBLE GUM” at KCON LA 2025, it did not sound how I expected. A name like “BUBBLE GUM” would usually evoke sounds of bubblegum pop, but Kep1er uses the house genre instead. The concept behind “BUBBLE GUM” uses the perspective of a confident woman with the mental fortitude to chew out criticism thrown towards her. I do enjoy the dichotomy between the usual sweet image of bubblegum and this stronger concept. The music video showcases tough traits through Dayeon staring someone down intimidatingly, Hikaru and Huening Bahiyyih throwing strong boxing punches, and Chaehyun working hard as a mechanic.
While the song undoubtedly will make people pop out some dance moves, most of it fails to stick out. Much like I said in my TIPI-TAP review, this title track does not make full use of Kep1er’s rap, vocal, and dance capabilities. I do not expect groups to go all out with non-stop raps and high notes, but I seek a balance in songs. Most of “BUBBLE GUM” feels summed up by the “pop that body like bubblegum” talk-singing chorus: while the phrase sounds catchy, it lacks substance.
Continuing a Tough Image in the B-Sides
Though “BUBBLE GUM” did not suit my tastes, most of the EP will work for people fond of the direction of that song. With the exception of the short and sweet intro track “Taste Better,” the other songs carry a similar hard-hitting tone. The bassline of “Don’t Be Dumb” creates an adrenaline rush with how fast it hits. In contrast, “Ice Tea” combines the strength seen in the previous songs with a dance pop instrumental. If anyone wishes Kep1er would release a summer song in August, “Ice Tea” delivers what they want.
The BUBBLE GUM EP ends with a Korean version of their latest Japanese title track “Yum,” originally released in April. This version extends the song by 13 seconds with a trap-based dance break. Though Kep1er performed this song at KCON LA 2025, separate language releases usually do not officially include new sections. I appreciate the originality, but I stick with the Japanese version since the dance break disrupts the song for me. While BUBBLE GUM does not blow me away, this EP shows that Kep1er wants to try new concepts.
Edited by Bryn Claybourne