What makes The Awakening by GFriend notable?

'The Awakening' debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart, highlighting GFriend's strong commercial appeal. The lead single 'FINGERTIP' received significant acclaim for its innovative production and choreography, further establishing the group as key players in the K-pop scene during this period. When 'The Awakening' was released in March 2017, GFriend was solidifying their place in the K-pop landscape following their breakthrough with 'Rough' in 2016. This EP served as a follow-up to their successful album 'LOL', demonstrating their growth as artists and reinforcing their reputation for delivering polished, emotional performances.

Who is The Awakening for?

The Awakening works well if you're into bright melodies for sunny days, steady flow for easy listening and youthful exuberance and warmth.

How many songs are on The Awakening?

The Awakening has 6 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

The Awakening

GFriend · 2017

20 min · 6 tracks · K-pop

A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and intricate harmonies, showcasing GFriend's signature lush pop sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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FINGERTIP — This track combines an addictive hook with a dynamic arrangement, showcasing GFriend's evolution toward a more mature sound while retaining their signature charm.
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비행운:飛行雲 (Contrail) — With its dreamy instrumentation and ethereal vocal delivery, this song captures the essence of longing and hope, reflective of the EP's thematic depth.
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바람의 노래 (Hear the Wind Sing) — Opening the EP, this track sets an uplifting tone with its breezy melody and harmonies that encapsulate GFriend's youthful spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong melodies and production but remains within familiar K-pop structures.

What we noticed

The first track features a gradual build-up with layered vocals and instrumentation, setting an uplifting tone for the EP.
Each song incorporates intricate vocal harmonies, often featuring call-and-response sections that enhance the group's dynamic.
The final track closes with a soft piano outro, contrasting the energetic nature of the preceding songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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

bright melodies for sunny days
steady flow for easy listening
youthful exuberance and warmth
short bursts of uplifting energy

Maybe skip if you

prefer lengthy immersive experiences
seek dark or heavy themes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Follow-up to their breakthrough hit 'Rough', solidifying GFriend's reputation.
Career context: When 'The Awakening' was released in March 2017, GFriend was solidifying their place in the K-pop landscape following their breakthrough with 'Rough' in 2016. This EP served as a follow-up to their successful album 'LOL', demonstrating their growth as artists and reinforcing their reputation for delivering polished, emotional performances.
Stylistic neighbors: Lovelyz· Oh My Girl· Red Velvet