Jeon Somi “EXTRA” Review

Jeon Somi’s always been an interesting figure to me…she’s a soloist with such an independent sound and vision. I admire her even more after listening to her new release, “EXTRA”…

Concept/Message: 5

Okay. I may or may not begin ranting now.

So I’m not sure if I interpreted this absolutely correctly…but it sounds like she’s singing about how she feels like she’s an “extra” in the K-pop industry.

Let me explain. Somi is definitely a very successful soloist…but she’s not…huge. She’s not one of those big-name idols that have an army of ult stans on Twitter (X?). She not a group member, but a soloist, yet K-pop tends to focus on its groups more than its soloists. Within the soloist community, she’s definitely an awesome soloist, but I can’t say she’s the most famous one…

In that sense, then, she might understandably feel like an “extra”…always there but never in the spotlight. She says this herself in her lyrics: “Familiar but out of focus, extra” (I’m using the translated version from Genius). “Tried to give my hundred to you / But you want that I.O.I”–her 100% as a soloist isn’t enough compared to the attention the center of a popular girl group gets.

Whoa. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an idol make this specific commentary about idol culture–this (understandable) desire to be in the limelight, how it hurts when you don’t receive the attention or success you want. I really appreciate Somi’s vulnerability to share something like this, even though it may not paint her in the best light. I admire her bravery and authenticity.

What’s also really, really interesting about this commentary here is how, if my interpretations are valid, the “you” she refers to is the viewer–us, those consuming her music. “Give me more, give me more, why always you / Playing the lead in the end?” she sings. “You” must refer to us–we’re the only ones who can give her more attention, as she displays a desire for. And if we’re the ones playing the lead–I think Somi’s commenting on how in the fan-artist relationship, it’s us that have the greatest power–we’re the ones that choose which idols we’ll give attention to. Idols are all attention-seekers in some way, shape, or form–they depend on our attention, our love, to lead successful careers. They have to mold their actions toward us, not the other way around. It can be easy to look up to idols as these all-powerful celebrities, but if we zoom out and look at the foundation of this relationship, ultimately, and in some ways, unfairly–we’re the ones in power, and by a long shot.

And that power can lead to dangerous consequences. I think Somi comments on this as well with the mannequin motif in her M/V: she equates herself to a mannequin and seems to be filming scenes with other dummies and mannequins. I think this motif points to the dehumanization of idols: we, the viewers, pick and choose which idols we’ll follow or listen to sort of in the same way we look through clothing stores and passively pick out which mannequins most grab our attention. We scroll through their Instagram photos with a judgmental eye, listen to their music with a critical ear. In this relationship, idols seem dangerously like business products, and unfortunately, Somi points out–aren’t recognized as full humans.

Damn. Sorry for the rant, by the way. “EXTRA” is deep–it reminds us of the alarming lack of humanity in idol culture. It reminds me, as a critic, that I can’t critique songs as if they’re just business products–I have to treat songs as art, as creations that come from the heart and soul.

Visuals: 4

When I say that I love M/Vs with distinct color palettes, “EXTRA” is exactly what I mean. The beige tones here are so memorable. The symbolism with the mannequins is also “damn”–the faceless mask that the female dummies wear is compelling, chilling, and commentary-inducing.

Lyrics: 4

“E-X-T-R-A~”

Okay, other than that obvious repetition, I liked these lyrics. I’d honestly be willing to give the line “Tried to give my hundred to you / But you want that I.O.I” a full point’s worth of value. First of all, that wordplay with I.O.I also signifying the number 101. Second of all, the commentary that this line creates–I won’t rant about it again, but I love the wit here.

Music: 4

@The entire K-pop community. Can we all collectively sign a big petition to end the 2:30 song trend?? Pls???

Other than the completely missing last chorus…I love this sound. Laid-back, undisturbed vocals. This seems to be Somi’s style, and I love it.