There has been a pattern for the past two years where GIDLE drops a new album, AKP majority opinion is that it's a flop and Soyeon needs to let a different creative get involved in their song production, and then the title track becomes a big hit and the revisionist history begins.
But when 2(2) dropped, and the two most promoted title tracks didn't hit #1, let alone keep their PAK streak alive, it seemed like maybe the magic touch was lost for their latest comeback (even though it's absurd to consider two songs in the top 20 on all charts a flop era, not to mention their career high album sales).
I personally like both songs quite a bit, but even the biggest groups can falter in landing huge hit songs. It happens.
But to watch Fate climb from the depths with minimal promotion, and not only top the charts but help (G)I-DLE secure the longest PAK streak (4) in chart history was legitimately one of the more impressive things I've seen, given the context of how it happened.
I genuinely hope they get their flowers at at least one major award show this year, after coming up just short the last couple due to the rise of IVE and then NewJeans.
I think this is their year to finally get some daesangs. But even if they don't, I give them their respect regardless.
