{"id":8971,"date":"2025-09-30T12:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T16:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/?p=8971"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:06:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:06:16","slug":"kep1er-bubble-gum-album-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/2025\/09\/30\/kep1er-bubble-gum-album-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Kep1er BUBBLE GUM Album Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Kep1er\u2019s seventh mini-album &#8220;BUBBLE GUM&#8221; was released August 19, 2025. This is their second Korean comeback as a seven member group. Unfortunately, Youngeun is on a temporary hiatus due to health reasons. So this album is down to six members only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-765c4724 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-spotify  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/3pKcgDJmV3GZwgElcupVrg?si=ajXILzu7TtCt6jpkLHX2Kw\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,2C6.477,2,2,6.477,2,12c0,5.523,4.477,10,10,10c5.523,0,10-4.477,10-10C22,6.477,17.523,2,12,2 M16.586,16.424 c-0.18,0.295-0.563,0.387-0.857,0.207c-2.348-1.435-5.304-1.76-8.785-0.964c-0.335,0.077-0.67-0.133-0.746-0.469 c-0.077-0.335,0.132-0.67,0.469-0.746c3.809-0.871,7.077-0.496,9.713,1.115C16.673,15.746,16.766,16.13,16.586,16.424 M17.81,13.7 c-0.226,0.367-0.706,0.482-1.072,0.257c-2.687-1.652-6.785-2.131-9.965-1.166C6.36,12.917,5.925,12.684,5.8,12.273 C5.675,11.86,5.908,11.425,6.32,11.3c3.632-1.102,8.147-0.568,11.234,1.328C17.92,12.854,18.035,13.335,17.81,13.7 M17.915,10.865 c-3.223-1.914-8.54-2.09-11.618-1.156C5.804,9.859,5.281,9.58,5.131,9.086C4.982,8.591,5.26,8.069,5.755,7.919 c3.532-1.072,9.404-0.865,13.115,1.338c0.445,0.264,0.59,0.838,0.327,1.282C18.933,10.983,18.359,11.129,17.915,10.865\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Spotify<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mORo6W1jYdPYqZL2fp64qTokTw4tfdQ8o&#038;si=000nMfbq_acqEBTb\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M21.8,8.001c0,0-0.195-1.378-0.795-1.985c-0.76-0.797-1.613-0.801-2.004-0.847c-2.799-0.202-6.997-0.202-6.997-0.202 h-0.009c0,0-4.198,0-6.997,0.202C4.608,5.216,3.756,5.22,2.995,6.016C2.395,6.623,2.2,8.001,2.2,8.001S2,9.62,2,11.238v1.517 c0,1.618,0.2,3.237,0.2,3.237s0.195,1.378,0.795,1.985c0.761,0.797,1.76,0.771,2.205,0.855c1.6,0.153,6.8,0.201,6.8,0.201 s4.203-0.006,7.001-0.209c0.391-0.047,1.243-0.051,2.004-0.847c0.6-0.607,0.795-1.985,0.795-1.985s0.2-1.618,0.2-3.237v-1.517 C22,9.62,21.8,8.001,21.8,8.001z M9.935,14.594l-0.001-5.62l5.404,2.82L9.935,14.594z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: BUBBLE GUM\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/3pKcgDJmV3GZwgElcupVrg?si=ajXILzu7TtCt6jpkLHX2Kw&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\">1. <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/2ffEAjSMtJrQYN5EiUgVpB?si=06b3bc86ead0420f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Taste Better<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>&#8220;Taste Better&#8221; is a simple and sweet introduction into the album. It\u2019s a minute-long interlude with no lyrics, and is the first interlude they\u2019ve ever included in a release. Even though it\u2019s not a full song, I think it was a decent inclusion and worth a spot on the album.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/3pKcgDJmV3GZwgElcupVrg?si=ajXILzu7TtCt6jpkLHX2Kw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Kep1er's 7th mini-album, &quot;BUBBLE GUM&quot; (2025)\" class=\"wp-image-8562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/Kep1er-BUBBLE-GUM-album-art.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kep1er&#8217;s 7th mini-album, &#8220;BUBBLE GUM&#8221; (2025)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\">2. <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/3IUtLSW5FWB0K4RdkvOamG?si=79cef370be7540c5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BUBBLE GUM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;BUBBLE GUM&#8221; is a solid summer bop. It\u2019s a song with the perfect balance of toughness and cuteness, and is catchy too. It\u2019s about having confidence, and ignoring the judgy looks of others. The lyrics translate to \u201cswallowing up all the uncomfortable stares aimed at me in one bite\u201d. It\u2019s a really playful and rebellious song. Title tracks always have so much hype to be a hit and not a skip, and although not my favorite song from them, it\u2019s not the worst by any means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kep1er \ucf00\ud50c\ub7ec l &#039;BUBBLE GUM&#039; M\/V\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MZm4qcvbvbQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kep1er instrumentals never disappoint, I love the use of cowbells in the verses. I also enjoyed the harmonies they put in the post chorus. That&#8217;s one thing I really like about this group, is that they can do the simplest concepts without ever coming off basic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\">3. <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/1lyBiDdPPYkH0Lzo5WProF?si=1a436202f19a4d7b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Don&#8217;t Be Dumb<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>&#8220;Don\u2019t Be Dumb&#8221; is probably my favorite song on the album. I love fast-paced pop songs, and this song goes hard. There\u2019s a bit of an emotional tinge in the prechorus, which softens the song in the best way. This is their choreographed b-side song of the album, which they\u2019ve been performing on their \u201cKep1asia\u201d tour. This could have easily been the title track, and I would have accepted it just as much. It reminds me so much of BLACKPINK\u2019s new song, \u201cJump\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/xiaoting-bubble-gum-concept-photo.jpeg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Xiaoting of Kep1er (2025)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\">4. <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/0rlSe8kRGA7AtOo8Y2auBc?si=20dc2e429f9e49a9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ice Tea<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Ice Tea&#8221; is a bit more toned down than the other songs on the album. It\u2019s a great poppy song, that picks up in some areas and slows down in others. For a summer release, the theme is perfect. It actually reminds me of BLACKPINK\u2019s song &#8220;Ice Cream&#8221;, but this one\u2019s a bit more my style. The prechorus and bridge have this slightly emotional vibe to them, that sort of brings out this &#8220;summer blues&#8221; feeling. It&#8217;s the perfect addition to the song, keeping it from being overwhelmingly happy and lacking depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\">5. <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/7q56SoPfEKyIN5LUEstMqO?si=9a845fd7e29846db\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yum (KOR ver.)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>&#8220;Yum&#8221; is Kep1er\u2019s latest Japanese track they released in April. It was a great J-pop release, but it fits them just as well in Korean too. The Korean version actually has a bit of an instrumental break that was never in the original. They performed this at KCON LA and it didn\u2019t disappoint. It\u2019s unfortunate that since they recorded this during Youngeun\u2019s hiatus, she isn\u2019t in the official Korean release.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8978\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/huening-bahiyyih-bubble-gum-concept-photo.jpeg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Huening Bahiyyih of Kep1er (2025)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This EP is their smallest release for a Korean album. They\u2019ve done five-song albums before, but this one is essentially three new songs, an interlude, and a Korean version of a song they\u2019ve already done. It\u2019s impossible for every release to be a good one.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8980\" style=\"width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-2.jpeg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019d give &#8220;BUBBLE GUM&#8221; 4\/5 stars. It\u2019s a solid summer EP, with some chill, refreshing, and energetic songs. I wish they released this a bit earlier so we could have had the summer to listen to it. But regardless, I\u2019m so excited to see what else Kep1er has in store, with hopefully all seven of them together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kep1er\u2019s seventh mini-album &#8220;BUBBLE GUM&#8221; was released August 19, 2025. This is their second Korean comeback as a seven member group. Unfortunately, Youngeun is on a temporary hiatus due to health reasons. So this album is down to six members only. 1. Taste Better &#8220;Taste Better&#8221; is a simple and sweet introduction into the album. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":8973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[39,16,17],"class_list":{"0":"post-8971","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-opinions","8":"tag-album-review","9":"tag-kpop","10":"tag-music","11":"entry"},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-3-e1759197527557.jpeg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2025\/09\/kep1er-bubble-gum-concept-art-3-e1759197527557.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Kevin Daly","author_link":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/author\/kevin-daly06\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}