So, let me lay out my credentials for Gfriend: I’ve been a Buddy since I stumbled across MAGO in a compilation in 2020 or so, and needless to say I was crushed to find out that they disbanded. I still consider myself a Buddy, and in the last few years, I’ve listened to all their title tracks and a decent amount of b-sides. So, this deep dive is less of me getting into a new band and more of me seeing…hmm what else can I discover? Obviously, a lot of bias is involved here.

(This is a re-do of one of my first ever deep dives, from September of 2023. Part One will cover their Powerful Innocent concept, Part Two their Celestial era, and Part Three the Modern Witch Trilogy).

After this, we finally reach the Modern Witch Trilogy, what I would consider their Magnum Opus, and unfortunately, the end of their time as a six-person group. Each part of the trilogy is magical in its own way: Crossroads is classical and grounded in emotion, Apple is ethereal and delightfully entrancing, and MAGO is empowering and warm at the same time.

EP #8: Labyrinth

With Crossroads we begin the Modern Witch Trilogy, which I consider to be one of the best k-pop series of all time. From the start, Crossroads feels quintessentially Gfriend, ethereal and classical yet grounded in very human emotion. It’s definitely the most melancholy of their titles, steeped in both deep nostalgia and regret, and gives the orchestra time to shine. The song’s best moment is undoubtedly the short section of a-capella before the last chorus’ soaring take-off, with the girls’ voices feeling like some sort of desperate plea to whoever is listening: “Unfurling singing star, will you hear it? Will it reach you?”. It may be a song about a breakup or a friendship ending, but it’s also a song that is very, very much about loss and the guilt of the person left behind in its wake. It’s not a song I listen to often, I admit it, but whenever I do, it never fails to take my breath away.

While I enjoyed the heartfelt vocals of Here We Are and the orchestra (plus the return of just a bit of tango!) in Eclipse, my hidden gem for this album is definitely Labyrinth, with its rich EDM-meets-dance-pop sound and that crying-on-the-dancefloor delivery. In a 2023 world, I could totally see being a pre-release with a music video; not a title track instead of Crossroads, but with it. Plus, I’m also a huge Insomnia (read about that here), so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love the song Dreamcatcher.

EP #9: Song Of The Sirens

Next in the trilogy is Apple, which, on my first listen, didn’t strike me as anything special, to be honest. It, like Time For The Moon Night, is a grower. Not only are its lyrics (and visuals) just gorgeous, but it simply oozes magic and power. Operating on a tempered classical beat that feels like a more mature version of Gfriend’s celestial songs, Apple doesn’t quite have a climax but it’s still absolutely engaging and unique. Part of that is down to the performances that lead it, but another part is that the song is just that entrancing. It’s a complete metamorphosis from the Gfriend we met in Glass Bead, youthful and naive; now, five years later, they stand tall, embracing their power and sexuality in a way that’s rare for k-pop today, let alone k-pop in 2020. And it’s a beautiful thing to witness.

This is another great EP, and it was so hard to pick a favorite. The trio of the electro Eye of The Storm, the ballroom waltz of Room of Mirrors, and the dance floor of Tarot Cards are pretty neck-and-neck. But if I had to choose, Room of Mirrors is my hidden gem. Its swirling instrumental and gentle yet affecting vocals form such a great quasi-ballad, and if it isn’t already the soundtrack to a movie, it should be.

Album #4: Walpurgis Night

And at last, at last, we reach MAGO! MAGO is, I’ll be honest, one of my all-time favorite k-pop songs (we’re talking Top 10), and I’ve loved it since I first heard it. To say everything I want to say would take forever, but this is my blog, so here we go. No matter how many times I watch it, it never loses its magic. Marrying together the many sides of Gfriend—witchy and sleek, retro and joyful, and classical and bittersweet, MAGO is the pinnacle of what a pop song can be. From the start, it knows exactly what it is, and it proclaims that through a megaphone; it explodes with confidence and self-expression, and it’s a song that stands out because that empowerment doesn’t fall flat. 

MAGO calls out to its viewer, telling them to live their lives only for themselves, uncaring of judgment and against prejudice. It’s a queer anthem for a reason, and not just because it’s set in a dance club. And that’s not even taking into consideration the incredible outfits, the way the MV is shot on film, or how fantastic the vocals are. Or Yuju’s pole dancing, which is, frankly, very impressive. In short (well, as if), it’s a slice of disco-pop excellence, and will always remain the crown jewel of Gfriend’s discography.

There are so many good songs from the album too; I enjoyed the cool-toned rock in Love Spell, the brightness in Three Of Cups, and the R&B in Secret Diary, and in any other release, any of them could easily be my hidden gem. But. My favorite without a doubt is Wheel Of The Year. Look, I’m a total sap, and it’s the exact kind of song that I adore: sad and happy, hopeful, emotional, inspiring, and all about the power of friendship. In the wake of their disbandment, it’s hard not to see this as a lovely farewell, to both the fans and each other. I’m also Wiccan, and the Wheel Of The Year is such an important thing for us that it felt like it was made just for me.

It’s hard to overstate how much I adore the Modern Witch Trilogy. All three of these titles also feel so…queer to me? Obviously, as a queer woman, everything I view is through a queer lens, but between the found family separated in Crossroads, the forbidden temptation of witches in Apple, and the all-female be-yourself disco club in MAGO, I don’t think I’m reading too much into this. But I’d love to hear other opinions on this too.

Single #1: Season Of Memories

Season Of Memories comes not only as the first Gfriend song in almost five years, but also a marker of their tenth anniversary. I’m going to tell you upfront: there’s no way I can be unbiased about it. I squealed the moment Eunha opened her pocket watch. The verses are light and twinkling, while the chorus takes that and runs with it. I’m glad to see that they didn’t sacrifice Gfriend’s sound, aesthetic, or unique dance style for a classic ballad, but instead melded them with the hallmarks of an anniversary track.

I wasn’t expecting the blend of animation and live-action either, but it was a nice surprise that I thought went really well with the song’s sense of whimsy and magic. I even got a little emotional at the final replay of all of their MVs and especially the line “A long time has passed, but I still found you in the end”. I couldn’t imagine a better song for them to reunite, and though I don’t know what the future holds, I can only hope that this isn’t the end.

Verdict: TL;DR

I’m glad I did this! Gfriend has always made music I’ve loved, but through this deep dive (both the first one I did, and this retread just now), I’ve become even more of a fan that I ever thought I could be. I feel like I watched them grow up, both literally and through their music. Gfriend will always have a special place in my heart, without fail, there to either hold my hand in the darkness or drag me onto the dancefloor. Though I knew they were reuniting, I underestimated how happy my heart was just seeing them together again.

My top 5 songs were MAGO, Wheel Of The Year, Time For The Moon Night, Crossroads, and Navillera, with Bye, My Buddy, and Room Of Mirrors as hidden gems. In my original review, I gave Gfriend a 9.5 out of 10, because it was only the fifth post I’d ever made and I wasn’t sure where this was going. But I’m very happy to say that now, Gfriend gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

I can’t really imagine a discography more suited to me personally, although I think that anyone who appreciates great voices, disco, orchestral spins, or, of course, witches would find something to love here too. I loved their whole discography, and as much as I ragged on Fever, there weren’t any songs I actually disliked, and it would be a highlight in a less incredible body of work. I admit, when I started writing about their later songs, I even got a bit emotional and even more when I found out that the members themselves helped write some of them. Gfriend was—is—something special. There will never be another group quite like them.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Next time, we’re onto an even longer one, that may have turned into a four-parter. Tschüss!