GFRIEND’s “Summer Rain” (여름비) is a beloved and iconic song in their discography, released on September 13, 2017. It served as the title track for their repackage album, Rainbow, which was a continuation of their fifth mini-album, Parallel.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the song:
1. Release and Album
- Artist: GFRIEND
- Song Title: Summer Rain (여름비)
- Album: Rainbow (Repackage Album)
- Release Date: September 13, 2017
- Genre: K-Pop, Ballad, Dance-pop (with strong orchestral and emotional elements)
2. Concept and Theme
- Sequel to “Love Whisper”: “Summer Rain” is often considered a direct narrative and emotional sequel to their previous title track, “Love Whisper” (귀를 기울이면). While “Love Whisper” captured the pure, innocent excitement of a burgeoning first love, “Summer Rain” delves into the bittersweet nostalgia and memory of that love after it has passed or faded, akin to how a summer rain shower is beautiful but fleeting.
- Bittersweet Nostalgia: The song beautifully encapsulates the feeling of looking back at precious memories with a mix of fondness and melancholy. The “summer rain” itself serves as a metaphor for these fleeting, yet impactful, moments and emotions.
- Maturity: It showcased a slightly more mature and introspective side of GFRIEND while retaining their signature “innocent power” concept.
3. Musical Style
- Signature Producers: Like many of GFRIEND’s hits, “Summer Rain” was produced by Iggy & Youngbae, who were instrumental in shaping GFRIEND’s unique sound.
- Instrumentation: The song features a prominent and beautiful piano melody as its backbone, complemented by rich string arrangements and a gentle, yet building, percussion. The orchestral elements give it a grand and emotional feel.
- Melody: It’s a highly melodic and emotionally resonant track, building from a gentle start to a more powerful, anthemic chorus, showcasing GFRIEND’s vocal strengths and harmonies.
- Emotional Depth: The music itself conveys a sense of longing and reflection, perfectly matching the lyrical themes.
4. Lyrics
- The lyrics poeticize the experience of remembering a past love, comparing it to a sudden summer rain shower – beautiful, refreshing, but also leaving behind a lingering sense of melancholy.
- Key phrases evoke vivid imagery of memories flashing back, the scent of summer, and the feeling of a love that once was.
5. Music Video
- Visual Continuation: The music video visually links to “Love Whisper,” featuring the members in similar school uniforms and settings, emphasizing the continuity of their story.
- Aesthetic: It features a soft, ethereal aesthetic with scenes of rain, often showing the members looking wistful or lost in thought. The use of umbrellas (a common motif for GFRIEND) appears, symbolizing protection and shared moments.
- Symbolism: The rain sequences are central, representing the flow of memories and emotions, washing over the past.
6. Choreography and Performances
- Elegant and Expressive: The choreography for “Summer Rain” is more graceful and restrained compared to some of their more powerful, synchronized dances. It emphasizes emotional expression through fluid movements and elegant formations.
- Focus on Emotion: The dance truly embodies the song’s bittersweet mood, with members often using softer, more intricate hand movements and facial expressions to convey the lyrics’ poignancy.
- Live Vocals: As always, GFRIEND was praised for their stable live vocals during performances, delivering the emotional nuances of the song flawlessly.
7. Reception and Impact
- “Summer Rain” was well-received by fans and critics who appreciated its beautiful melody, emotional depth, and how it solidified GFRIEND’s unique musical identity.
- It performed solidly on charts, proving GFRIEND’s consistent popularity and their ability to tackle more melancholic themes successfully.
- The song is often cited as a prime example of the “GFRIEND sound” – combining powerful orchestral arrangements, strong vocals, and emotional storytelling.
“Summer Rain” stands out as a beautiful, reflective track in GFRIEND’s impressive discography, demonstrating their growth as artists capable of conveying complex emotions through their music and performances.