Fate ((G)I-dle song)

"Fate", in South Korea sometimes referred to as "Ah.Ttak.Jil" , is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their second studio album, 2, released simultaneously with the album on January 29, 2024, as the sixth track, written and produced by Soyeon, with additional composition and arrangement credits from Pop Time, Dailly, and Likey.

"Fate" is a pop-punk and funk hybrid song with 2000s J-pop influences, led by a minimal yet vibrant production. It features guitars and "jaunty" piano sounds. The song emerged as a sleeper hit on South Korean music charts without any promotional efforts, reaching number one on the Circle Digital Chart and other South Korean streaming platforms. It gained attention following the release of a stage video on Lee Hyori's Red Carpet and It's Live YouTube channel, accumulating over one million views. Music critics praised its lyricism, funky production, and the nostalgic appeal reminiscent of 2000s J-pop. Later, on March 19, a month after the release, (G)I-dle has decided to promote the song on South Korean music shows, starting with M Countdown on March 21.

Music and lyrics
"Fate" is a blend of pop-punk and funk, featuring minimal yet vibrant production, guitars, and "jaunty" piano. NME noted that these elements give the song the bittersweet energy reminiscent of an end credits track from a slice-of-life anime series. Initially, Soyeon envisioned "Fate" as the lead single for the album. During an appearance on Lee Eun-ji's Song Plaza on January 30, 2024, she revealed, "I originally used 'Fate' as the title. It's a song with an animation feel." Soyeon crafted the song with a cartoon-like scene in mind, giving it a "band-like sound" instead of a typical dance track. Reporter Lee Deok-haeng of IZE magazine compares "Fate" to past song like "Allergy" (2023) and "Never Stop Me" (2022), highlighting (G)I-dle's consistent fusion of J-pop and band elements.

The track revolves around the theme of an "unexpected yet fateful encounter," which captures the sudden heartbreak that follows a chance meeting with a stranger''. The Fact reporter Choi Soo-bin noted that the track incorporated J-pop influences and "resonates with listeners through relatable lyrics" like 'This morning again, with bread in my mouth/Starting the day the same/Iced Americano in one hand all day long/I'm so tired.' Jang Jun-hwan of IZM'' praised Soyeon's skillful lyricism, which adeptly portrays various situations and emotions using relatable metaphors. Additionally, Jun-hwan highlights the intuitive plot twists in the song.

Live video
Following the song's unexpected success, (G)I-dle had announced the release of a live video on March 13, 2024. The poster, which prominently features members Minnie and Yuqi, evokes a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of a youth movie. This nostalgic vibe has generated attention among netizens. The video emphasized their "bright visuals" in school uniforms, while they were surrounded by "fluttering flower petals added warmth, reminiscent of a scene from a youth movie, leaving a deep lingering impression." Following its release, "Fate" secured the top spot in South Korea's YouTube chart with 3,6 million views. The song has remained on the charts for five consecutive weeks.

Reception
"Fate" saw a revival on multiple South Korean music charts, achieving notable success without any promotional backing from the agency. Securing iChart's "Perfect all-kill", it dominated the top spot on major South Korean music streaming service charts, marking their fourth consecutive success after "Tomboy," "Nxde," and "Queencard". Its popularity surged following the release of a stage video on the late-night music talk show Lee Hyori's Red Carpet and It's Live YouTube channel. These videos garnered over 1 million views, with shortened versions reaching 7 million views. The song also received positive reviews from South Korean music critics. In his album review, Jang Jun-hwan of IZM lauds "Fate" as a standout track, praising the lyricism, the funky guitar melodies and intuitive plot twists, likening the track's atmosphere to a youth cartoon, evoking sympathy and comfort in listeners. Reporter Lee Deok-haeng of IZE magazine praises "Fate" for its unique funk-based, minimal band sound and witty lyrics, evoking comparisons to J-pop or "Japanese animation OST material," and Miyeon's vocals. Additionally, he noted listener fatigue with (G)I-dle's conceptual title tracks like "Nxde" and "Super Lady," emphasizing "Fate's" departure from such artistic direction and reflecting a broader trend towards easy-listening tracks in the K-pop industry. Reporter Seung-gil Lee of My Daily praised (G)I-dle for departure from their usual style. Unlike their previous tracks known for their strong stage presence, he noted that "Fate" resonated with audiences through its light band sound and nostalgic melody reminiscent of youth movies. The song's airy atmosphere and poetic lyrics left a "lasting impression," contributing to its chart success. Renowned music critic Jeong Min-jae praised the song, describing its melody as fluid "like water" and its lyrics as narrative-driven. He noted its resurgence through spontaneous social media virality, marking it as a prime example of fan-driven rediscovery. Additionally, some online users speculate that the song's nostalgic appeal stems from its resemblance to 2000s J-pop, attributing its allure to its unique melody and storytelling elements.

Accolades
(G)I-dle has decided to promote the song on South Korean music shows, starting with M Countdown on March 21. This decision resulted in an Inkigayo Triple Crown despite not appearing on said show.

Credits and personnel

 * (G)I-dle – vocals
 * Soyeon – producer, lyrics, composition, arrangement
 * Kako – background vocals
 * Pop Time – keyboard, composition, arrangement
 * Daily – keyboard, composition, arrangement
 * Ryo – guitar
 * Choi Ye-ji – recording engineer
 * Jeong Eun-kyung – digital editing
 * Kang Sun-young – engineer
 * Gu Jong-pil – mixing engineer
 * Kwon Nam-woo – mastering engineer
 * Yoo Eun-jin – assistant mastering engineer