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"Call You Bae" is a part of Jimin's "#OOTD" project, a cleverly planned and promoted song that she teased for over a week before the actual release. The song was bound to cause a commotion especially since Jimin is in one of the trendiest groups in K-Pop. Of course, that commotion doubled when it was revealed that Xiumin will be featuring! Though at first it wasn't certain whether he'd be just making an appearance in the MV or actually get to sing. Thank goodness for us that it was the latter not the former.

The song itself is pretty generic, a frivolous, easy melody with a piano based tune, guitar, and bass that all burst suddenly into a energetic, synthesized dance chorus. The abrupt transition could have been jarring but the song progresses from the verse to the refrain in a natural enough manner that is impeccably smooth. The jovial synths continue to tickle our ears throughout the chorus, and juxtaposed with Xiumin and Jimin's harmonizations, it's a match made in heaven. 

Speaking of Xiumin's vocals...WHY ISN'T HE GIVEN MORE PARTS AGAIN?? His voice is not the most spectacular nor impressive, and it sounds a bit overly strained in some parts of the song--especially the chorus--but it's clean and not a line is out of pitch. Of course, Jimin serves perfectly as the yin to Xiumin's yang, dropping those verses like hot fire yet somehow managing to sound coy. If I have to make a minor complaint, it is that I don't personally like Jimin's style of rapping. Yes, she raps well and her flow is also good but her nasally, whiny voice grates my nerves. But that's not really Jimin's fault. 

All in all, the song is nice and easy to listen to. But I don't see it dominating charts or lasting in my brain matter for longer than a couple hours. To be frank, the melody was a little forgettable. I was a little disappointed because I had high hopes for this collaboration, especially because FNC had hyped it up so much. But unfortunately those high hopes were quickly crushed with this generically produced track. If I may also add, Xiumin was the one who really salvaged this mediocre track. Though the song was generic and Jimin's voice failed to touch me in the right places, that was not so with Xiumin's voice.  

MV REVIEW:

Sexual innuendoooosss. Sexual innuendos everywhere. Okay, maybe just two. The MV seems pure and chaste on the outside, but peer deeper inside and you'll notice the subtle, underlying 'sexy' theme. The Korean title of the song has the double meaning of Jimin wanting to be more sexually appealing to Xiumin, and also wanting to address him informally (without the proper honorifics) in order to feel closer to him. There was also the scene of Jimin trying to seduce him into her home for some 'chicken.' However, Xiuimin manages to restrain himself, and he entreats her through the lyrics, "Why are you like this today, lady? You're making me so excited. You seem different and you look especially pretty today. Why, oh why are you like this, baby? My heart feels about to burst but what am I to do when you're making me smile so?" 

The video is innocent enough and also pretty generic, showing the cute, flirtatious back and forth between two people who are in the stages of infatuation and wanting to get to know each other. Though Jimin wants so desperately to bring Xiumin into her lair, he unceremoniously shoves her inside and tries to leave--unsuccessfully. He is pulled back and the two stare dopily into each other's eyes across a dining table. It's a cute video but also nothing to rave about, much like the lackluster song. The production value is good, the pastel color scheme adds to the cheery, fluttery feeling of love that is clearly in the air. You just feel happy watching the video, but the overall story is nothing original and one that is such a hoary, overplayed theme in K-Pop.

I guess to sum up my long drivel, no, I wasn't really feeling the song or the video; yes, Xiumin work those pipes, and please Jimin, I love ya girl, but that rapping needs to be toned down.