Teddy’s reputation isn’t what it once was. The renowned hitmaker seems to have lost some momentum, and expectations for the rookie girl groups dubbed “Teddy’s daughters” are also diminishing.

Teddy rose to fame by producing hit songs for major groups like Big Bang, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. This year, he took on the challenge of supporting two girl groups: MEOVV, the first girl group from his agency THE BLACK LABEL, and Izna, a group formed through the audition program 'I-LAND 2.' Given his history of producing numerous hit tracks, anticipation was high for the music these girl groups would bring under his guidance.

Despite public expectations, Teddy has had a lackluster year. MEOVV, who debuted in September, made a quiet comeback on November 18 after two months. Despite Teddy's star power, public interest in the group has been low, attributed to an underwhelming debut track that failed to generate buzz. Analysts suggest that the group needed a bold, attention-grabbing song, but both “TOXIC” and “BODY,” while polished, felt too bland to make an impact.

Among these, “TOXIC,” where Teddy had relatively higher involvement, is a lyrical track that deviates from the powerful style many expected from a “Teddy girl group.” In the composition credits, Teddy is listed third, after 24, and Kush. For “BODY,” Teddy appears seventh in the credits. Meanwhile, on Izna’s debut track, Teddy’s name is listed first.

This has led to speculation that MEOVV was sidelined in favor of Izna’s production. Nonetheless, the group is still marketed as a "Teddy girl group," likely due to the prestige of his name. While Teddy’s direct contribution may not have been significant, as the head of the agency, his influence likely shaped the overall direction and style of the album.

Izna heavily promoted "Produced by Teddy" as their key selling point even before their debut. Ahead of releasing their debut album, the group unveiled their first stage at the '2024 MAMA Awards.' While the survival show group showcased outstanding talent and visuals, the song itself received mixed reviews for being underwhelming. 

Critics found the track too bland overall. Though the lyrics, which reflect the team name and identity of "Izna," were well-received, the song was deemed too weak to stand as a title track. In contrast, some argued that the B-side track "TIME BOMB" was a better fit for the members and would have been more effective in establishing Izna's identity. Additionally, as it shares similarities with "IWALY (I Will Always Love You)," a mission song from 'I-LAND 2,' it likely catered to the preferences of their existing core fanbase who had been eagerly awaiting their debut.

Despite expectations that "produced by Teddy" would be a strong advantage, it ended up overshadowing the members rather than highlighting them. In comparison, MEOVV gained attention even before their debut, thanks to Ella, known as the "Little Jennie." Izna, on the other hand, built a strong core fandom early on due to their survival program roots, which makes expanding their fanbase relatively easier. However, for a singer to capture the public’s attention, they first need to captivate listeners with compelling music.

On November 18 and 25, MEOVV and Izna released new tracks, respectively, but their names are nowhere to be found on major music charts—an underwhelming performance. Critics suggest that Teddy’s simultaneous production of two groups, a first for him, may have resulted in a decline in song quality, given his traditionally long gaps between releases.

Teddy’s previous hits were known for combining his signature polished style with YG’s distinctive hip-hop influence. Now, however, the tracks retain only the polished aesthetic, which many find lackluster. It may be time for Teddy to reassess what the public expects from him as a producer and determine what kind of musical vibe suits each group best.

With MEOVV’s five members and Izna’s seven, Teddy now shoulders the responsibility of guiding the futures of a total of 12 "daughters," making the stakes higher than ever.

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