There’s a specific style of J-pop performed by Korean acts (or Japanese acts fronted by Korean companies) that’s become ubiquitous over the past few years. Anything related to the Produce franchise or HYBE Corporation seems to be sucked into its orbit, and Mirae’s new Japanese single Running Up also fits within this framework. It’s characterized by ultra-smooth production and generic melodies, and lacks any sense of individuality.
To me, J-pop is all about individuality. There are so many idiosyncratic sub-genres to explore, so this glossy nothingness is pretty concerning. A song like Running Up is perfectly enjoyable. These songs are always perfectly enjoyable. However, there’s no whiff of character in the vocal performance or production, and the track simply coasts along on pleasantries without landing a punch. Running Up might as well have been performed by &TEAM, JO1, Orbit, INI or any others of their ilk, which is surprising given how laser-focused Mirae’s musical identity was upon debut.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
