I didn’t think I’d be adding another K-Pop group so soon to my roster after Omega X, but my friend had me way too intrigued to check out OnlyOneOf.
I think it helps that, similar to Omega X, all six member of OnlyOneOf were involved in a KBL called Bump Up Business. This is like two of my new favorite things crossing over! Maybe foolishly, I checked out the drama first. Thanks to the internet and my friend I had a general idea about the group. The show, Bump Up Business kind of parallels what the group itself is doing with its music, but I’ll get into the music a little later. In the show, Eden is about to be a new debut idol when the company decides to pair him up with Jihoon, a fifth year trainee who had actually already debuted in the past. In order to make both of them more appealing to a wider audience their manager and CEO tell them to utilize the “Business Gay Performance” model.
Of course, just like the BL industry as it is, it’s a huge success for them. Jihoon, older and protective, really is looking out for Eden and you can tell he definitely caught feelings pretty quickly. Eden on the other hand, is very naïve about the debut process and what traps lay ahead, and he also seems reluctant with their approach to success even though it’s clear he’s also starting to catch feelings. Their biggest hurdle as a group and as a potential couple are two people from their past. One is a nosy former idol and show host who had a previous relationship with Jihoon, while the other is a worldwide famous piano player and former first crush of Eden. Of course these two cause all sorts of miscommunication problems.
I think my biggest gripe with the show is that there was not enough time spent on the story in general. There were only eight episodes clocking in at fifteen minutes each and there was far too much time spent with the antagonists. Time also made Jihoon and Eden’s group timeline seem ridiculous. They debut to great success and then all of a sudden their management is like “I think you guys should take a break.” Obviously this is a work of fiction, but there just seemed to be no realism to that situation. Given that the main characters have been in a group together since 2019, the chemistry was there, but it was just the speed and trajectory of the story that hindered them.
Strangely, if you want to see a much more developed storyline involving all the members, though officially paired off, I recommend checking out their Underground Idol series of songs and music videos. They were so engaging I felt like I wanted to scream! I would love to see those storylines get fleshed out more and have all of the storylines get woven together somehow. Who knows, maybe something is in the works! Anyway, I’m now talking about OnlyOneOf’s music and there is much to discuss! While I haven’t gotten too deep into their discography yet, I have checked out all of the songs that have accompanying music videos. There are plenty of catchy songs, but I am not sure how much I would have liked them on a first listen without the visuals to go with them.
It’s clear that they are talented from the smattering of live performances I’ve also checked out, but what really sets them apart is how they are willing to push the envelope when it comes to sexuality. Especially in an queer capacity. From what I read, they first broke the mold with their song, “Libido.” You guys, this video is sexy. At the time, there was a seventh member, so we even got some threesome suggestions. Even though there are definitive pairs now, and even a little bit back then, all of the members flirt fluidly with each other. And outside of the professionally shot work, they all seem genuinely excited about what they’re putting out there. I have no idea if any of them are actually queer, but from what I can tell, the queer community are thrilled to be seeing some more bold representation in an industry that doesn’t want to touch it with a ten-foot pole typically.
While out the gate their music isn’t hitting me as hard as all the others I’ve spent time with this year, I also haven’t given them enough time yet. It’s only been a week. I need to sit down with the albums that are on their way and give them some undivided time and attention. What I do like is that like Omega X, they are a smaller group in terms of fans and just general popularity. For what they represent I’m kind of surprised by that, but maybe the world just isn’t as aware of them yet. I know I’m certainly late to the party! Anyway, I’m sure there is more to come.