REVIEW Album Review: Rocket Girls 101 - “Hello・Goodbye”

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ALBUM REVIEW: ROCKET GIRLS 101– HELLO ・ GOODBYE
Written by: Polaris_Tae
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Rocket Girls 101 was a Chinese girl group formed through the 1st season of Produce101 China. The group contained 11 members: Yamy, Xu Mengjie, Yang Chaoyue, Wu Xuanyi, Fujing, Zhang Zining, Sunnee, Meng Meiqi, Lai Meiyun, Li Ziting & Duan Aojuan. Two of which — Meng Meiqi and Wu Xuanyi — previously debuted as members of WJSN in 2016 but competed in the survival show regardless, eventually gaining the top two positions during the conclusion of the show. The 23rd of June marked the disbandment of Rocket Girls 101. That same day marked the release of the group's final EP, "Hello·Goodbye", which was released digitally as a final goodbye to all the fans — known as Chaofens — who had been supporting the group up until now. The EP consists of four tracks, three of which ("11 Heartbeats", "Shh! I'm Telling You" & "Hard Candy") were released as digital singles during the weeks leading up to the group's eventual disbandment.



'11 Heartbeats'


Read the lyrics here (translated by Vanilla Cupcake for Hallyu+)

"11 Heartbeats" (11次心跳) is the first single from "Hello·Goodbye" and was released on May 25th, 2020 after initially being teased in the ending credits of an episode of the second season of their reality show, "Rampaging 20's", the previous week. The song acts as the opening to their final farewell, not just in the sense that it is the introduction to the album, but also because the song was released within days after the group confirmed a disbandment date. "11 Heartbeats" is an upbeat pop song about how the girls went from closed off and shy during their initial debut, to living their best lives together. The lyric "Transforming from unfamiliar to passionate / to become someone special for one another", explains how they have come to love and care for each other like family during these two years as a group, and supports the assumption that even when disbanded they will still love each other— just as they did when with one another. They reflect on the two great years that they had spent together as a group, while at the same time promising to cheer each other on from the sidelines and wish each other the best for the future— as they now are tasked with going their separate ways from the label of Rocket Girls 101. I found that "11 Heartbeat" was a great opening to the album. Despite it touching on a sensitive subject for many fans of the group, it did so in an upbeat manner that assured the fans regardless of the fact that Rocket Girls 101 is disbanding, they'll forever be in the hearts of the fans and of each other. The group even made a promise to each other that they would meet every year on the date they officially disbanded (23rd of June), and if a member cannot make it, they will have to post a public apology on Weibo for missing out on the reunion.

8/10

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'Shh! I'm Telling You'


Read the lyrics here (translated by Vanilla Cupcake for Hallyu+)

"Shh! I'm Telling You" is a sentimental ballad that represents both Rocket Girls 101's feelings towards each other and their — at the time of its release — upcoming disbandment. It is a song that is an attempt to console their fans — Chaofens — who have supported the group throughout their journey together for two years, and even before while they were individual trainees on Produce 101 China. They console each and every one of their fans and supporters by telling them not to be upset during their final goodbye, as even if they are not together as a group, they will always support each other. Chaofens are reassured they will never forget the great memories, and Rocket Girls 101's time spent together as a group will never fade away. This song is the absolute opposite of "11 Heartbeats", despite carrying a similar message, as rather than focusing on the promise that they'll always be together in each other's hearts, it focuses on the unease and weariness that they feel as the clock slowly ticks down to their final disbandment (which has since passed) and their unknown future as individuals. Now that the group has since disbanded, and each of the members has since graduated into solo careers of their own, it's obvious that they all have a shot at an individual solo career within China — some more than others of course — and that there was nothing to worry over as we can only wish them the best.

9.3/10



'Hard Candy'


Read the lyrics here (translated by Vanilla Cupcake for Hallyu+)

"Hard Candy" is the title track from "Hello·Goodbye", and is, in all honesty, Rocket Girls 101's best promoted single to date. The song is an upbeat show tune inspired track that, just like a lot of other singles from Rocket Girls 101, sends a powerful message refusing to be defined by other people. Its lyrics proclaim to the world that no one but themselves can tell them how to dress or criticize the way they look, and that if there's anyone that will define themselves it will be them alone. This is quite relevant right now considering that Yamy has just recently suffered discrimination and objectification for her looks at the hands of her boss. The group declares themselves as shining "Hard Candy" that will shine even on the darkest days for the entire world to see, placing themselves on the top of the pedestal— where, in my opinion, they rightfully belong. The only complaint that I have regarding the song is that it sounds more monotonous than it could be— the vocals are quite toned down despite the group being full of talented vocalists with amazing range such as Li Ziting and Duan Aojuan. The instrumental to the song, however, is one of its best qualities as it helps to emphasize the best qualities that each vocalist expresses in their presentation, especially that of Duan Aojuan and Lai Meiyun. The music video for "Hard Candy", while not having the highest budget, (TX likely wasted it all on R1SE's comeback) it still carries a powerful message of the group's career through the video, representing how the group entered the industry as young and inexperienced trainees only to come out the other side as fully-fledged artists. Going from relatively unknown trainees — even WJSN were not anywhere near their current status in 2018 — to stunning performers that can each hold their own as vocalists, (or actresses when talking about Yang Chaoyue) thus making this the perfect song to go out on!

10/10

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'5452830'


Read the lyrics here (translated by Vanilla Cupcake for Hallyu+)

"5452830" is probably the most emotional and heartwrenching song on "Hello·Goodbye". The song is an emotional ballad that serves as the final goodbye, both due to it being the final song on the album and its lyrical content. The girls wish to express that just like us, they have been nervously counting down the days to their farewell and don't want to let go of the group any time soon, as seen in the following lyric "To my girl, listening to the ticking of the countdown / This letter will be mailed to tomorrow’s you / Don’t cry, use {your} eyes that love to smile / To look back at the movie about the summer we met " Nevertheless, they are required to, but that doesn't mean that it won't be as painful. The feelings of sadness towards disbandment are expressed through the way that each of the members sing the lyrics. In Meng Meiqi's last line of the song — "To cherish youth / / the summer that pick me up" — this factor is especially evident, as you can hear her on the verge of tears while she sings those final lines. Which, if you've seen the behind-the-scenes recording of the song that is shown in the compilation music video, you'll know that she had to take a moment to pick herself up again whilst in the middle of recording the song. The song is, in essence, a fantastic emotional ballad that is a literal step away from being a trap song due to the percussion that is used throughout the instrumental. "5452830" will likely leave you — just like the members — on the verge of tears wishing that they didn't have to go so soon.

9.5/10


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In conclusion, "Hello·Goodbye" is a solid album that expresses the groups desire to remain in the memories of the fans and in the memories of each other for a long time. It was through this album that we said goodbye to what is likely the most successful female Chinese idol group in recent history, who will forever remain as Rule-Breaking Girls (战狼女团) in all the hearts of those that adore them for years to come.




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Artistic Creativity: 810
Vocal Quality: 10/10
Music: 9.2/10


9/10
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PROOFREAD BY: @lex.
GRAPHICS BY: @yerm
 
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