QWER presents a bold new direction as Dear introduces a heavier rock sound with emotional storytelling. The song emphasizes distorted guitar and raw vocals, marking a departure from their previous smoother style. While some listeners found the changes intense, fans appreciated the evolution and praised QWER’s musical risk.
QWER and Dear Reach 10 Million Views in Six Days
The music video of Dear has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube within only six days of its release. As the lead track from QWER’s third mini album In a million noises, I’ll be your harmony, the song captures the growth and emotional journey of the group. The video resonated strongly with viewers for its symbolic storytelling, especially the metaphorical depiction of Siyeon’s joining process. Siyeon expressed during the showcase that her debut felt like completing an important chapter in the band’s story.
QWER and Dear Highlight Continued Popularity and Artistic Identity
Dear continues QWER’s upward momentum following a series of strong releases. Their previous song My Name is Malguem, released in September 2023, entered the Melon TOP 100 within an hour and peaked at second place. Another song, T.B.H, topped YouTube Korea’s most popular songs list for 2024. These achievements helped position QWER as a promising act. Now with four consecutive successful tracks—Discord, T.B.H, My Name is Malguem, and Dear—they appear ready to shift from a rising band to a major presence in the industry.
Dear First-Week Sales Double Previous Records
The initial sales of Dear reached 79,294 copies in its first week. This marks a significant jump compared to their past albums. My Name is Malguem sold 45,400 units, while T.B.H sold 26,800 copies. Although this is a noticeable improvement, it still falls short of the 100,000 mark often seen as a success benchmark for girl groups. However, many regard QWER as a band rather than a typical girl group. From that perspective, these numbers suggest a very strong outcome.
QWER and Dear Introduce Heavier Rock Sound
According to amateur reviewers on the Korean community MLBPARK, Dear represents a significant sonic shift for QWER. Earlier songs like T.B.H and My Name is Malguem featured smooth guitar that supported the vocals gently. In contrast, Dear puts distorted guitars front and center. The distortion is much more aggressive, pushing the guitar to dominate the mix. This results in a heavier, punchier sound that defines the entire track’s atmosphere. Reviewers noted that this dramatic shift gives the song a powerful yet raw energy.
Mixing and Vocal Techniques Shape the Impact of Dear
The changes extend to the song’s mixing and frequency design. Instruments typically occupy separate ranges: bass sits in the low frequencies, while guitars span the mid to high frequencies. In Dear, the guitar takes a strong front-line position and often overlaps with vocal ranges. Instead of muting the guitar to leave room for vocals, the producers allowed both elements to coexist with force. Siyeon’s high notes, reaching a 3-octave E, lead the melody with clarity. Her vocals were mixed in a “dry” style, meaning minimal effects were used. This unpolished, raw quality, combined with the metallic distortion of the guitar, amplifies the track’s intensity. However, some listeners may find the harshness overwhelming or fatiguing.
Dear Receives Mixed Reactions from Different Listener Groups
The chorus of Dear uses a simple, familiar melodic structure that listeners may find easy to follow. However, some have pointed out weaknesses in the arrangement and mixing. Despite these concerns, many QWER fans—especially younger listeners familiar with rock music—responded positively to the band’s bold new sound. The fandom, known as Bullpeners, welcomed the change with enthusiasm. Listeners already comfortable with heavier rock found the sound exciting and refreshing. In contrast, general audiences who prefer smoother, more melodic tracks might struggle to adapt to the aggressive tone.
QWER and Dear Expand Musical Spectrum Through Risk-Taking
In conclusion, Dear showcases QWER’s bold attempt to expand their musical boundaries. The fusion of distorted guitar, raw vocal mixing, and symbolic storytelling creates a unique and dynamic result. While the song may alienate listeners who favor softer tones, it demonstrates QWER’s willingness to take creative risks. This release is more than just a new single—it’s a declaration of artistic direction. With Dear, QWER reaches out to both loyal fans and new audiences, showing they are unafraid to evolve.
Thank you so much for reading this post! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments!
Man, seems like some people in Korea aren’t feeling “Dear.” I guess it’s understandable since it’s got a heavier sound and a different vibe compared to their earlier tracks like “T.B.H” or “My Name is Malguem.” There are always people who hate change, no matter what. But honestly, since QWER is a band, I think they should be trying out heavier sounds!