Popular Girl Group Hit With Major Backlash From Music Critics After Showcase
On May 12, girl group tripleS held a showcase for their new album ASSEMBLE25.
While the girls successfully finished the event, the showcase received a negative response from music critics.
Music critic Jung Min Jae, who attended the showcase, revealed that he felt a fundamental doubt regarding what a showcase is in K-Pop.
24인조 걸그룹 트리플에스(tripleS)의 새 앨범 <ASSEMBLE25> 쇼케이스에 다녀왔다. 약 90분간 진행된 행사를 보며, ‘케이팝에서 쇼케이스란 무엇인가’에 대한 근본적인 회의가 들었다. pic.twitter.com/kgPEfo97gI
— 정민재 (@minjae_jung) May 12, 2025
이들은 타이틀곡 ‘깨어’를 비롯한 신곡 3곡의 무대와 다양한 예능 코너를 선보였다. 팬 서비스를 위해 다른 가수의 챌린지를 추는 등의 재미 요소는 아무래도 괜찮다. 놀랍게도 신곡 3곡의 무대가 전부 립싱크였다. 최소한 한 곡쯤은 라이브로 부를 줄 알았다. pic.twitter.com/LVb3lrkVKi
— 정민재 (@minjae_jung) May 12, 2025
They performed three songs, including the title track, ‘Are You Alive’, and various entertainment categories. The challenges and fan service were fun, but surprisingly, all three songs were lip-synced. I thought they would at least sing one song live.
— Jung Minjae
마지막 무대였던 타이틀곡마저 립싱크였을 땐 부아가 치밀었다. 제대로 된 라이브 무대 하나 없이 평론가를 뭐하러 초대한 건가. 만약 라이브였는데 내가 착각한 거라면 기꺼이 사과하겠다. 그러나 내 귀에는 멤버들의 라이브가 들리지 않았고, 동행한 다른 평론가들도 마찬가지 의견이었다. pic.twitter.com/EXP5qkjaqm
— 정민재 (@minjae_jung) May 12, 2025
I was furious when even the title song was lip-synced. Why did they invite critics to the show without a proper live stage? I apologize if it was a live performance and I was mistaken. However, I couldn’t hear the live performance, and other critics near me had the same opinion.
— Jung Minjae
오늘 정도의 구성이라면, 그냥 팬들끼리 즐겁게 즐기는 자리로 충분하다. 다만 음악적 평가를 기대하며 관계자나 평론가를 초대한다면, 최소한 한 곡 정도는 라이브 무대를 준비하는 성의를 보였으면 한다. pic.twitter.com/f0WWwNRQ8b
— 정민재 (@minjae_jung) May 12, 2025
With today’s arrangement, it would have been enough for just the fans. But if you invite music critics expecting a musical evaluation, I hope you show sincerity by preparing at least one live song on stage.
— Jung Minjae
Music critic Kim Do Heon, who also attended the showcase, reacted similarly.
제이든정의 기획 아래 움직이는 트리플에스는 구성과 타이틀을 넘어 모든 방향에서 서사를 보존하는데 힘써야 한다. 그런 의미에서 안일한 쇼케이스였다. 합창이 강점인 팀이 라이브를 하지 않고, 하나된 팀보다 따로 또 같이의 인상을 주고. 믿음이 사라진 세계는 그저 꿈이 아닌 현실의 데자뷰일뿐. pic.twitter.com/7gI1uyUjVc
— 김도헌 | Kim Do Heon (@zenerkscd) May 12, 2025
Although the group operates under CEO Jaden Jeong’s plan, they need to strive to preserve the narrative in all areas beyond composition and the title track. With this, it was a complacent showcase. The team, who is strong in singing together, did not perform live, and gave the impression of being separate yet togther rather than one team. The world where trust has disappeared is not just a dream, but a deja vu of reality.
— Kim Do Heon
With this, most netizens were in disbelief that they would invite critics to a show with no live performances.
- “What idol does live performances during a showcase?”
- “What music critic wouldn’t be mad at a showcase that’s 90 minutes long with tons of games and challenges and just three songs lip-synced?”
- “Is there no one who can sing live out of 24 people? If showcases are usually not live, why did they invite critics…”
- “If they are going to lip-sync, then what’s the point of inviting them?”
- “Why did they bring them there then?”
- “If they can’t sing live..why are they singers?
