Known as SM Entertainment's experimental girl group, f(x) returns with their latest album entitled "Pink Tape" with the title song "첫 사랑니 (Rum Pum Pum Pum)" after one whole year since "Electric Shock" (2012). The music video itself has reached and surpassed a million views in just 18 hours, still securing themselves well for their known electro genre amidst the many comebacks this month alone.
As usual, their music videos do not really portray what they are singing about so let me try to sum it up nicely for you all. The given title "첫 사랑니 (cheos sarangni)" which means "first wisdom tooth" is as such because they are trying to compare themselves to it. It is also a play-on-word since "니 첫사랑 (ni cheossarang)" is a phrase they keep repeating throughout the song which actually means "your first love." What they are trying to say is that similar to a wisdom tooth, you might know these girls well but until you actually have personal experience with them, you would not have the slightest idea about who they truly are. They will give you so much pain (in the head) and you will not be able to fall asleep - just like when your wisdom tooth is growing. To be honest it really is a weird metaphor but you know, it works.
Let's move on to the transformation of each member: Amber who is now back to blonde is killing the different-coloured-eyes look although it came out a little strong but it fits her somehow. Krystal who had recently dyed her hair to extremely red is garnering a lot of attention and not only from f(x) stans alone. How did that work out for her though? It suits her, in my opinion. I believe it made her look a lot more bold and it helps with her image as a cold female idol. Victoria, our precious leader, is now back to dirty brown but I have to admit I prefer the blonde her. She looked a lot more stunning then but nonetheless, she still looks beautiful here. Luna is finally back with jet-black hair and I believe she has never looked this fresh and gorgeous since "Chu" - here's hoping that she would keep it that way. Who actually caught my eyes though, was Sulli. There is just something about how she was dressed in the video paired with her crazy slick hairstyles and the darker tone of red just completes the look for her.
I love these girls to death but if I have to be brutally honest, I would have to admit that this song is nowhere as catchy as "Electric Shock." Granted though with "첫 사랑니 (Rum Pum Pum Pum)," they are bringing a different vibe altogether but it feels like the girls are holding back a lot this time round. It is almost as if the girls are telling you in the face that they can do better but are not given the chance to. The saddest part yet is that they are going to celebrate their 4th year as a group soon but still they have not been given their official fandom name. I have listened to the previews of all the songs in the album though and I really hope the rest of the songs will bring them justice and a lot more appreciation. Biased feelings aside, it is still a quite decent comeback although I know my girls can do a lot better so congratulations and good luck, girls!
By Nani Azlan