Every once and awhile, K-pop agencies make smart decisions. On a purely aesthetic level, Dongkiz’s upgrade to “DKZ” is very welcome. The industry has far too many idol groups with three-letter acronym names, but anything is better than “Dongkiz”! But, this rebranding goes beyond the name. DKZ has a new line-up, with former member Wondae leaving the group and three new members joining. Cupid (사랑도둑) is their first comeback after Jaechan’s success in the popular Semantic Error drama, which has given DKZ a needed boost of attention.

I’m happy to see that Cupid maintains the bright energy the group debuted with. They’ve released a truly underrated string of singles, highlighted by irresistible pop tracks like BlockBuster and Fever. I’ve been less impressed with their post-2019 material, and Cupid doesn’t do much to change that feeling. I want to love this song, and the bubbly chorus urges that sentiment along. At its best, Cupid is breezy summertime fun, floating on good vibes and a rollicking, brass-kissed beat.

Unfortunately, you have to wade through some underwhelming verses to get to the good stuff. I’m not a fan of these segments. They combine so many personal peeves – plonky percussion, whistling, shouty affectations – and don’t really go anywhere. They also pull the energy down just as Cupid should be bounding forward. DKZ offer plenty of personality, but the production here feels undercooked. This is especially evident each time Cupid crests into its catchy chorus. The beat here is fun and lively and adds fullness to the track. If only I could put this part on a loop and call it a comeback.