Song Review: ONEUS – Rupert’s Drop

Today in K-pop has been devoted to seasonal songs and Road To Kingdom comebacks. ONEUS check off both boxes with their new single Rupert’s Drop (루퍼트의 눈물), offering a stately winter ballad weeks after concluding their activities on Road To Kingdom. The group won second place on the series, just behind CRAVITY (who also released new material the other day).

I was not aware what a Rupert’s Drop was, but apparently they’re tadpole shaped drops of glass that are simultaneously strong and fragile. This sounds like an apt (if obscure) metaphor for a pop song. I suppose the musical version of Rupert’s Drop has a similar duality. Its sparse, fragile arrangement ultimately gives way to a strong finale. ONEUS don’t receive enough attention for their excellent vocals. Even their rapper can carry a tune. With this in mind, I’m glad the song exists.

For the first half of its running time, Rupert’s Drop doesn’t do much for me. It goes through the expected motions of an idol ballad, buoyed by a few robust spikes of vocal firepower. However, the track gains weight as it goes on. A flourish of electric guitar signals this transformation, heralding a final minute that sparks with drama. ONEUS have better ballads in their arsenal, but this is a nice taste of what they’re capable of.

Grade: B-