What makes LOL by GFriend notable?

The album debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart and was well-received by fans and critics alike, earning a nomination for Best Album at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards. It also contributed to GFriend's rise as one of the leading girl groups in K-pop during this era, influencing subsequent artists with its sound and concept. LOL is GFriend's second studio album, following their successful debut with Season of Glass in 2015. By 2016, the group was solidifying their presence in the K-pop scene, showcasing a more mature sound while maintaining their signature innocent charm.

LOL works well if you're into steady mid-tempo enjoyment, uplifting melodies for positivity and bright harmonies for group listening.

How many songs are on LOL?

LOL has 12 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

LOL

GFriend · 2016

39 min · 12 tracks · K-pop

A vibrant mix of catchy melodies and polished production that encapsulates the youthful spirit of K-pop.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
너 그리고 나 (NAVILLERA) — This track blends infectious hooks with an upbeat rhythm, showcasing GFriend's vocal harmonies and setting a benchmark for their style. Its commercial success helped cement the album's impact in the K-pop landscape.
→
물들어요 (Fall in Love) — With its dreamy instrumentation and relatable lyrics about young love, this song captures the essence of adolescence that resonates deeply with fans. The track highlights GFriend’s ability to convey emotions effectively through their music.
→
한 뼘 (Distance) — This ballad showcases a different, more introspective side of GFriend, highlighting their vocal range and emotional depth. The lyrical themes of longing and connection set it apart from the rest of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but follows familiar K-pop templates without significant innovation.

What we noticed

The album opens with an instrumental intro that sets a bright, energetic tone before transitioning into the first vocal track.
Each song features layered harmonies and a consistent use of upbeat tempos, maintaining a lively pace throughout most of the album.
Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts, such as sudden drops in instrumentation or tempo changes, creating moments of contrast within the songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo enjoyment
uplifting melodies for positivity
bright harmonies for group listening
youthful exuberance in every track

Maybe skip if you

prefer intense, fast-paced music
seek experimental or complex sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established GFriend's presence in K-pop with a strong debut on charts.
Career context: LOL is GFriend's second studio album, following their successful debut with Season of Glass in 2015. By 2016, the group was solidifying their presence in the K-pop scene, showcasing a more mature sound while maintaining their signature innocent charm.
Stylistic neighbors: Lovelyz· Oh My Girl· Red Velvet