Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
What a way we get to start off the new year, as one of the most anticipated reunions in K-pop took place when GFRIEND had an eight-minute performance at the 2025 Golden Disc Awards, debuting their new song “Season Of Memories” in front of the crowd. I’ve been waiting for this comeback since I was issued my refund of my Buddy membership back in 2020, and they did not disappoint, turning in the best performance of the entire award show.
Unfortunately, as of the time of this writing, no official release is available for the performance. It actually feels like I’m back in 2015, looking up blurry fancams to catch the live from any angle possible, trying to see the nuance of their knife-like choreography and all the easter eggs the background dancers are performing throughout the new song.
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Update
Here is official video of the performance:
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Opening with a trip down memory lane with their previous title tracks, snapshots of their first win, and prior Golden Disc Awards wins, they already knew what they were doing. They then kicked the melody off with the iconic bell ring of “Glass Bead” before quickly shifting into the iconic intro of “Rough“. Next, we switch to “Time For The Moon Night“, which we know is a favorite of the girls, and this performance looks like no time has passed at all, with their synchronization and bubbly personalities showing through the cute crowd interaction thrown in.
Finally, as time stops at 5:22 (the day their contracts were terminated) and slowly forwards itself to 1:06, the background dancers rush the stage. GFRIEND then finally debut new single “Season Of Memories”, and right off the rip this struck me as something you’d hear in the credits to a Persona game. While it has a warm comfort to it, the song still struck me with a slight melancholic feeling, thinking of the times past with GFRIEND. I couldn’t help but smile, as that soft guitar that instantly felt like a core GFRIEND track we didn’t get.
The hallmarks are there, with an addicting chorus that’s complimented with intricate choreography that GFRIEND make look smooth and simple. I can’t get over how this sounds like something off the Labyrinth EP, carrying a somewhat J-pop feel but with a sound that’s distinctly GFRIEND. One of my favorite touches that you might not notice at first viewing is the background dancers doing “Me Gustas Tu” and “Rough” choreo while the song crescendos to its strong finish. GFRIEND end their showing with the iconic “Rough” step out of their formation, as every member impersonates the Yakuza 3 cover art.
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I always have high expectations GFRIEND and they absolutely shattered them with this performance. I thought the Killing Voice video for Dingo Music made me emotional on first viewing, but seeing them be given the recognition they deserve — after having their contracts terminated and on a stage like the Golden Disc Awards — warmed my heart. GFRIEND have always gone above and beyond in their performances, and their debut performance of “Season of Memories” was no exception, as it showcases GFRIEND’s new mature look and gives us a song that would fit snuggly in the middle of their discography. As Lil Uzi Vert said about GFRIEND, the streets remember; I’m glad the K-pop world hasn’t forgotten about that girl group slaving away in that small practice room with the drive to be what they’re today.
