The Arrival of “GFRIEND Disco,” A Dance Like No Other

Myungseok Kang : GFRIEND chose disco dance for the performance of “MAGO,” the title song of their newest album “回:Walpurgis Night.” From the first dance formation where the members stand with their backs turned, their hands on their hips, to the final pose where one of their hands rests on their hips, and the other is outstretched, the song incorporates diverse choreographies common in disco dance. However, while the members perform the disco in sync when they sing “I’ll fly away on a broom,” more dynamic moves resembling those from their previous songs have also been added, as can be seen from the parts where YUJU does a turn or SOWON gives a kick, charging forward, singing the chorus, “My heart is beating for you.” The choreography for the lyrics “Tic tak tic tak Ring my heart” consists of short and fun moves that seem fit for a short TikTok video, but the ones that continue until GFRIEND sings, “Mago Mago Go on and judge me now I won’t ever waver'' create a more steady flow. For example, in between the disco elements, the members evoke the viewers’ curiosity by doing a hand-gesture that makes it look as if they are making horns on top of their head, and their hands come back down as the chorus concludes. The members who were standing side by side, doing the disco finger jab, line up seamlessly as YUJU steps forward and continue the disco moves, singing, “Don’t be afraid, I won’t get hurt.” This creates a whole new moment in performance as the close-knit choreographies often staged by GFRIEND blend with the high-spirited disco through the sequence and continuation of moves. “Crossroads,” “APPLE,” and “MAGO'' of the “回” series have redefined the image of GFRIEND as a modern witch or a career woman, proudly walking down the night city streets with their shoulders high. Now, they present easier and more upbeat disco music, the most trending genre in today’s global music industry, and add their unique strengths to it, creating an irreplaceable style of their own. In the latter part of the song, as GFRIEND sings, “In the midnight,” the members line up and build up the emotional tension by shadowing each other’s moves as they have often done in previous performances, and ultimately, the ensuing disco moves serve as a climax where the emotions run high. The members look cheerful while they dance, but as the lyrics “a dance for me” suggest, this is the moment where the witch depicted in the song liberates herself. Together with disco, GFRIEND has entered the world of witches or the world of adulthood. They are now an idol group, but one that has now taken a step forward as a pop group that can undergo endless changes, no matter which trend comes their way.

The Beginning of “My” Life as a “Modern Witch”

Minji Oh : The concept photos of GFRIEND’s new album, “回:Walpurgis Night,” all bear the title that begins with the word “My.” By definition, the word “my” refers to things “relating to or belonging to me,” but it is also commonly used to “call someone with affection.” The three concept photo series themed “My Way,” “My Room,” and “My Girls” demonstrate the things that GFRIEND loves and deliver the message about the kind of life they want to pursue. “My Way” emphasizes the intellectual image of career women with black and white suits, bold gold accessories, and single color nail polish. The photo that captured the members walking down the night street reminds us of the performance of “Apple,” a track from the previous EP, as it portrays the image of women leading a strong and purposeful life. Meanwhile, the members do not hesitate to reveal their interests, aspirations, and desires for self-development in “My Room” through glam rock, tattoos, pole dance, and the Venus statue. The retro dress that SOWON is holding, in particular, brings to mind the iconic finger-points, turns, and kicks of disco choreographies that begin when SOWON appears in the music video of the title song, “MAGO.” Finally, in “My Girls,” the members are wearing matching outfits in pastel colors with similar facial expressions and poses. They are standing close to each other and casually touching, highlighting their desire for friendship and solidarity described in the lyrics of “Secret Diary,” which goes, “Another you and me turning into me/ Hold these hands tight and be with me always.” The concept photos have successfully captured the image of women that many women strive for: occupying an influential position in society, fulfilling their honest desires, and having fun with friends. Captured from various perspectives, the images go perfectly with the atmosphere created by the “night of festival” named “Walpurgis Night” in the album. While GFRIEND underwent a dramatic change by putting on the concept of the witch in the previous EP, “回:Song of the Sirens,” this time, they host a festival of witches through “MAGO,” the title song of “回:Walpurgis Night,” and usher in the climax of the “回” trilogy. The disco moves from “MAGO,” as well as GFRIEND’s exciting dances, complete the festival, bringing joy and solidarity to women along with their positive dreams and desires depicted in the concept photos. And so, the “witch” transforms itself from a symbol of “the evil woman” to a symbol of the modern woman. The festival of witches that was once considered ominous or sacrilegious sheds its negative image and instead takes on a fun and delightful feel. There were times when GFRIEND hesitated over choices (“回:Labyrinth”) and felt tempted and lost (“回:Song of the Siren”). But nevertheless, the “回” series continues on with the festival of “回:Walpurgis Night,” and concludes the transformation of “GFRIEND” who has now entered a brand new era. Despite being shaken with temptations, they achieved their dreams as both “girls” and “friends” while enjoying the festival to the fullest. This is the moment they begin to “Write it down just for me/ the first page” in “MAGO”.

An Invitation from GFRIEND: A Festival for All “Friends”

Yejin Lee : GFRIEND’s new album “回:Walpurgis Night” is all about the festival they have put together. The festival’s curtain-raiser is the title song “MAGO,” which goes, “The blossoming night begins / Raise a glass to me Now.” While dancing “a dance for me” to the beats of the song, GFRIEND reminisces about the past and talks about the thoughts they used to have (“Love Spell”). They clink the glasses together in excitement, singing, “Let’s set this white hot night ablaze,” and share their optimistic expectations for the future they will shape anew (“GRWM”). The highlight of the festival is none other than the unit tracks including YERIN and SINB’s “Secret Diary,” SOWON and UMJI’s “Better Me” and EUNHA and YUJU’s “Night Drive.” Through these songs, the members express their gratitude for everyone who has stood by them throughout their trial and error, declare their satisfaction for their new selves with confidence, and longing for past memories that come back from time to time. These are the honest thoughts each member set aside throughout their busy lives. At this point in time, GFRIEND encounters “Apple,” “Crossroads,” and “Labyrinth” once again and reflects on the meaning of their journey so far. Passing through the growth phase when love was all that mattered in the world, they navigated the world as complicated as “Labyrinth” and encountered a “Crossroads.” After numerous struggles, they shattered the existing paradigm and placed “me” at the center of the world to finally pursue happiness. The journey that extends from the beginning of the festival to the recollection of the past, embodies the questions that not only GFRIEND but all grown women have in mind, and GFRIEND takes on the role of the host of the festival, rather than being its main guests. This is a message of encouragement and comfort for all of their peers in today’s world, who are still growing up in their own way just like GFRIEND. The festival reassures everyone that each person’s narrative is headed in the same direction, but in their own pace and way. This is why we must stop to check the “Wheel of the Year,” the grand finale of the festival. “ Our joined hearts are not different / Let’s run One way Together in the same direction.” The festival will end soon, but there is no end to the “dream road,” we will run on. “Let’s not stop anymore,” “Let’s keep on going.”