'Secret Garden': Oh My Girl's magnum opus

[Block-Busted]

No, this is not part of those rants that I write about girl groups. Rather, this is what I thought of the song itself along with the music video.

 

In any case, we all remember Oh My Girl's last comeback, 'Coloring Book'. It was... one risk too much. While this was not one of the worst K-Pop girl group title songs of last year (seriously, it wasn't even close at all), it was an incredibly fast song, making it particularly difficult to follow while giving a very little room to breathe (yes, I know that 'Dunkirk' did it successfully, but that's a film, not a 3-minute K-Pop song). Oh My Girl was going to make a comeback last November, but decided to delay the comeback to January 2018 to avoid competition and improve the album quality.

 

Did it work? Oh yes, it did:

 

 

I know that I bragged about how Oh My Girl nails almost EVERY SINGLE SONGS they release, but this one takes the cake big time. First of all, while I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of synth-instrumentals, in here, it has been used to a near-perfection. It somehow manages to elevate the ethereal level to the maximum degree that I didn't even see coming. Second, this song perhaps has the most beautiful lyrics I've ever came across in K-Pop history. For one thing, I have my doubts that this is a love song. Sure, you might here some words/phrases that you usually find in a love song, but other than that, this song sounds like it's about growing up. And yes, that's also a common theme in K-Pop world, but this one makes it feel like Oh My Girl members are looking back at the past and looking forward for the future. Third, this song's lyric distribution is a near-perfection. Obviously, not all members get the equal amount of lyrics, but every part they get stick(s) big time. No part of lyrics in this song sounds misplaced and manages to harmonize all 7 members' different vocal styles.

 

As for the music video... WOW!!! I knew that Oh My Girl basically trumps other K-Pop girl groups in terms of aesthetics, but this song's music video even outdid other Oh My Girl music videos that came before. The CGI looks great, colors are incredibly well-utilized, and all sorts of elements from previous music videos are all added up to portray the theme of the accompanying song. Oh yes, let's talk about those and I would like to give credits to other interpretators on YouTube for this. Remember that 'Windy Day' birdcage that had a baby bird that Binnie released into the wild or that deer that we've been seeing in 'Closer' and 'Windy Day' music videos? Well, if these are connected, both bird and deer have grown up, which adds to another elements of growing up to the song. Also, you might remember Hyojung being underwater in 'Liar Liar'. If that was supposed to be an empty ocean, it is now filled with vast aquatic life. These elements represent past and/or present, but what about the future? Well, towards the end of the music video, we see a vast universe in the background, which I'm assuming that represents looking forward for the future. Folks, if you wonder why some would call Oh My Girl "art students" (with Lovelyz being literature students and GFriends being P.E. students), now you know.

 

To summarize, this is without doubt one of my favorite K-Pop songs of all time (and that's probably because I'm stupid ) and one of the best in recent years. I always said that Oh My Girl is one of the very few K-Pop girl groups that are building their own musical world (the other being Lovelyz) and this one is the first culmination of unofficial Oh My Girl Musical Universe (seriously, that's such a dreadful name even by my standard). I even think that this song would fit well with utopian sci-fi series such as 'Aria' by Kozue Amano (okay, that's a massive stretch, but you get the idea). Now, I can see some people possibly debating on which song is better between this and 'Closer' from 2015, and to prepare for a potential debate, I'll put a poll here and you can state why you like one song better than the other. Personally, I don't know if it's better than 'Closer' or not, but even if it's not, it's certainly not far off (is it better than 'Into the New World' by Girls' Generation though? Umm... no, probably not ). And of course, I'm giving 'Secret Garden' a well-deserved A+.

 

That's pretty much it, I guess. Feel free to comment on what you agree or disagree with and you can even share your opinion on 'Secret Garden' or Oh My Girl songs in general.

 

P.S. If Lovelyz is literature, GFriend is P.E., and Oh My Girl is art, what's Cosmic Girls (WJSN)?

 

P.P.S. Speaking of Lovelyz, how do you think it compares with Oh My Girl in terms of musical world they've created?

 

Be respectful!

[Green Tea Is Green]

Secret Garden is my fave title track from them 

[GetRapper]

Closer is still the best, Secret Garden is a close second though.

[UMJI MOODS]

Closer#1. Secret Garden#1.1 .

[Seunghee's eyebrows]

Closer is still THAT song.

[Velveteer]

i still prefer closer, but secret garden has become my second favourite song from them

 

i love your review by the way, very insightful :o

[foo]

Hyojung singing the chorus is pure heaven. 

[Aletheia]

The tricky thing about OMG will be their versatility in the long run. Everyone prefers the dreamy concept from them--and sonically that is pretty limiting. As opposed to like Lovelyz who have carved a sound niche without necessarily having to stick to one specific aesthetic (either musically or visually). I think OMG is capable of a lot, I just don't know if people will be interested in them if they're not doing Closer/Secret Garden type songs. There are so many groups already doing bold, quirky, or hip hop concepts, OMG are one of very few doing the ethereal concept. It's what works for them.

[Ghosty]

wjsn is astronomy, ofc!

 

this has topped windy day as my favorite oh my girl song and their album is definitely one of their best. the delay was so worth it

[Block-Busted]

The tricky thing about OMG will be their versatility in the long run. Everyone prefers the dreamy concept from them--and sonically that is pretty limiting. As opposed to like Lovelyz who have carved a sound niche without necessarily having to stick to one specific aesthetic (either musically or visually). I think OMG is capable of a lot, I just don't know if people will be interested in them if they're not doing Closer/Secret Garden type songs. There are so many groups already doing bold, quirky, or hip hop concepts, OMG are one of very few doing the ethereal concept. It's what works for them.

Well... they also did ‘Liar Liar’ and ‘Windy Day’...

[Block-Busted]

Closer is still THAT song.

Well, what do you think about what I wrote?

[MicrowavedTeaforYourSoul]

I place Secret Garden #4. Closer #1. Windy Day #2 and... Cupid #3 (Yes, i know people don't like Cupid but i think it's catchy and energetic).

Coloring Book, sadly, is my least favorite song of them. And TBH i hate Coloring Book.

And i think it's OK for OMG to stick to European myth fairytale concept (While WJSN doing fantasy anime concept)

[Weed-nim]

I'd still say Closer is top notch without needing much CGI. The setting gives off that eerie and majestic-esque ambiance which contradicts the pure innocent countenance that of Oh My Girl's, which is fascinating to watch as a spectator. And how they delivered the message to their audiences, giving them a feel of connection. Not that Secret Garden hasn't given us that --- I think the song was just as great if not better, lyrical wise. Apart from growth I feel as if SG's message was something akin to that of hopes and dreams that soon will be fulfilled over time, if one waits patiently. I feel as if they are telling us their story, that even if they haven't reached that point yet --- they'll never give up or lose that seed of hope they planted from the start. And wanted us, their Miracles, to watch them grow as they walk on the path of success although in a pace one would consider as slow. 

 

Still...  I think both have given us that connection. Making us a part of their journey and I like it even more (hence why I deemed them as my favourite gg group of all time).

 

Now, while writing this, I think I may have contradicted myself and could no longer pick between the two lmao 

 

Closer, visually and musical wise is by far my favourite. I'm a sucker for vintage and mysterious etherial ambiances in which Secret Garden lacks, because it had the modern feminine touch that Closer never showcased. (if anything, Closer gives off graceful innocent vibe which is perfect for the theme that they were aiming for) but lyrical wise, I think Secret Garden is far more meaningful -- as a fan that is. Although the MV is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, Windy Day and Closer (this especially) gives us that raw elements that perfectly fits the ethereal concept more than SG. Probably because on how they heavily focused on CGI (But I do like that they include their past releases as a reference so I'm greatly pleased). 

 

So I guess mine goes like this, 

music and mv >>> Closer. 

lyrics & connection >> SG

 

But if I were to rank, granted both are their best releases:

1. Closer

2. Secret Garden

3. Windy Day

the rest are good but my least fave would be CB. Although the beat is catchy, it just didn't sit well with me. 

Secret Garden may have not given us that WOW factor, I would still rank it above Windy Day. 

 

Windy Day is beautifully structured, yes. The arabic influence gave the song that flavor, that certain 'wow' factor but it didn't give me much connection as it did the former two releases. So I've ranked it below SG.   

 

Also, I think they've claimed the ethereal concept more than the other gg who went on the same path. it fits them more, like it was made solely for them. But then again, this is just my opinion. As much as I like seeing them trying out different concepts, this genre is where their strength lies. It made them unique and one of a kind.

(If anything, I want to see them try out a tad bit darker side of this concept -- ala dream catcher but slightly different. I think they can pull it off quite well. Jiho specifically has the visuals for it alongside Yooa and Binnie. Girl crush/Badass is not bad, would want to see them doing this too)

 

edit: also please excuse the lack of proper grammar and jumbled repetitive words. I'm writing this whilst being sleepy so mind couldn't think properly. lmao

[Block-Busted]

I place Secret Garden #4. Closer #1. Windy Day #2 and... Cupid #3 (Yes, i know people don't like Cupid but i think it's catchy and energetic).

Coloring Book, sadly, is my least favorite song of them. And TBH i hate Coloring Book.

And i think it's OK for OMG to stick to European myth fairytale concept (While WJSN doing fantasy anime concept)

I don’t think ‘Cupid’ was THAT hated though...

[OzMyGirl]

Closer has always been my fav song... until Secret Garden was released.

 

Closer has a better MV and song but the song is so auto tuned whereas I can clearly hear the vocals in Secret Garden. To me a song is about listening to the voices and not just the beat.

 

If OMG were to re-release Closer with no auto tune it would be the best song once more. I hear it so clearly when they replace JinE verse with Jiho vocals.

[Block-Busted]

Closer has always been my fav song... until Secret Garden was released.

 

Closer has a better MV and song but the song is so auto tuned whereas I can clearly hear the vocals in Secret Garden. To me a song is about listening to the voices and not just the beat.

 

If OMG were to re-release Closer with no auto tune it would be the best song once more. I hear it so clearly when they replace JinE verse with Jiho vocals.

 

Which part of 'Closer' do you think was particularly autotuned?

[Oh My Girl Trash]

I think everyone know Closer was THAT song.   

[OzMyGirl]

For me I find the girls are being tuned to sing in the same octave (not sure how to explain exactly) which makes Seunghee's "Can you hear my cry?" and Mimi's rap really stand out.