"Dumb Dumb" (stylized in all caps) is a song recorded by Canadian-Dutch-Korean singer and songwriter Jeon Somi. It was released by The Black Label and Interscope Records on August 2, 2021, as a pre-release single from the singer's debut studio album XOXO. The song peaked at number 8 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number 9 on the K-pop Hot 100, becoming Somi's first top-ten single on both charts.
"Dumb Dumb" is a song about a girl who has developed a crush. The track begins with a cutesy melody and lyrics accompanied by a whistle riff throughout. Jeon was credited as a co-lyricist.[1]
On July 14, 2021, The Black Label confirmed that Jeon Somi would make a comeback, though it was unclear whether in what format the comeback would be.[2] Then, they released first promotional poster on July 23, that revealed the format as a single, it also included the song's release date and the title of the single "Dumb Dumb".[3] The following day the second promotional poster was released.[4] On July 26, the third promotional poster was released.[5] On July 28, the fourth promotional poster was released.[6] On the next day, they released the fifth promotional poster.[7] On August 1, a credits poster was unveiled revealing the Somi was involved in the songs's writing.[8] On August 2, "Dumb Dumb" was released digitally at 18:00 (KST).[9]
The original lyrics to the hook of the song were "Imma say it like it is/ cut the bullsh*t/ you dumb dumb"; in the official version, they have been translated to Korean.[10] Jeon attributed the longer wait between comebacks to this recording process and vouched it makes the result good.[11]
NME's Rhian Daly gave the song a two-star rating calling it "frustrating and underwhelming." She commented how "Dumb Dumb" could be stronger if it was given time to develop "but at two minutes and 30 seconds, it's over before it really gets going." Although reviewing the song negatively she called the "chorus' dirty bass" and "Somi's accompanying shift into her lower register alluring and arresting."[13] Yeom Dong-gyo of IZM gave "Dumb Dumb" a two and half star rating and said the song "blends the boldness of "What You Waiting For" and the freshness of "Birthday".[12]
Music video
On July 30, the music video teaser was released.[14] On August 2, the official music video was released. It features Somi, who appeared as a high school student that falls in love with one of the most handsome members of the sports team at lunchtime, and then goes into operation to get a confession. Turned out, both of them were pretending to play "dumb" so they can approached with each other. At the end of the video, Somi looks happy after receiving the man's confession.[15] With some eye-catching animations inserted in the middle, the music video felt like a teen movie.[16] It gained ten million views in just a day.[17]
Promotion
On the same day as the song release, an online media showcase was held for Somi to celebrate the release with JooE from Momoland as the MC.[18] Somi also held a comeback live stream on her official TikTok account.[19][20]
^Hong, Hye-min (July 14, 2021). "전소미, 8월 컴백 대전 합류" [Jeon So-mi joined the comeback battle in August.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Jeong, Hye-yeon (July 23, 2021). "전소미, 신곡 '덤덤' 첫 티저 공개..물오른 역대급 미모" [Jeon So-mi unveils first teaser for new song "Dumb Dumb". The greatest all-time beauty.]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Yang, Seung-nam (July 24, 2021). "전소미 '덤덤' 티저 '인간 하이틴' 정석" [Jeon So-mi, 'Human High-teen' standard "Dumb Dumb" teaser.]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Lee, Seul (July 26, 2021). "비비드 키치vs시크 아우라…전소미, 온도차 확실한 '덤덤' 티저 이미지" [Vivid kitsch vs chic aura. Jeon So-mi, "Dumb Dumb" teaser images with a clear temperature difference.]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Hong, Hye-min (July 28, 2021). "'덤덤' 전소미, 비주얼 미쳤다" ["Dumb Dumb" Jeon So-mi, her visuals are crazy.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Kim, Hye-jeong (July 29, 2021). "전소미, 팔색조 말괄량이" [Jeon So-mi, a tomboy with eight colors.]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Kim, Yu-jin (August 1, 2021). "'컴백 D-1' 전소미, '덤덤' 크레딧 포스터 공개...테디와 막강 시너지" ['Comeback D-1' Jeon So-mi, "Dumb Dumb" credit poster released. Strong synergy with Teddy.]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Park, Seo-yeon (August 2, 2021). "전소미, 오늘(2일) 신곡 '덤덤' 발표..키치한 반전 매력" [Jeon So-mi released her new song "Dumb Dumb" today (2nd)...]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Lee, Mi-ji (July 31, 2021). "전소미, '덤덤' 뮤비 티저영상 공개..컴백 카운트다운 돌입" [Jeon So-mi, the teaser for "Dumb Dumb" music video released. Comeback countdown starts.]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Hwang, Jee-young (August 2, 2021). "하이틴에 무조건 나오는 장면…전소미 '덤덤' 편" [A scene that appears unconditionally in high-teen. Jeon So-mi's "Dumb Dumb" side.]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Ji, Min-kyoung (August 2, 2021). ""네 머리 꼭대기에서 춤춰" 전소미, 러블리+핫 반전 하이틴 감성 '덤덤'" ["Dance on top of your head." Jeon So-mi, lovely + hot twist high-teen sentiment "Dumb Dumb".]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Lee, Seul (August 4, 2021). "전소미, '덤덤' MV 공개 하루 만에 1000만뷰 돌파…글로벌 인기 증명" [Jeon So-mi, "Dumb Dumb" MV surpassed 10 million views in just a day after release. Proof of global popularity.]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Jo, Hye-jin (August 2, 2021). "테디와 부지런히 곡 작업한 전소미, 다음 앨범엔 자이언티?" [Jeon Somi who worked hard with Teddy. Zion.T for the next album?]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Kim, Ji-hye (July 30, 2021). "전소미, 8월 2일 온라인 컴백 라이브 개최..글로벌 소통+비하인드 예고" [Jeon So-mi, online comeback live on August 2nd.. Global communication + behind-the-scenes preview.]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Jeong, Hye-yeon (August 3, 2021). "전소미, 신곡 '덤덤' 발매 기념 라이브 진행.."무더위 날리셨으면"" [Jeon So-mi, hosting a live to commemorate the release of new song "Dumb Dumb". "I wish you'd blown away the heat."]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^"【APMA 2021】亚洲流行音乐大奖2021年度入围名单" [[APMA 2021] Asian Pop Music Awards 2021 shortlist]. Weibo (in Chinese). November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
^Im, Mi-ji (August 12, 2021). '엠카' 전소미, '덤덤'으로 컴백 동시 1위 "1년만인데 많은 사랑 감사해"(종합) ['M Countdown' Jeon So-mi, comeback with 'Dumb Dumb' wins 1st place at the same time 'It's been 1 year but thank you for all the love and support' [Comprehensive]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^"2021년 36주차 Digital Chart" [Week 36 of 2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. August 29 – September 4, 2021. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021 – via Gaon Chart.
^"2021년 09월 Digital Chart" [September 2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Gaon Chart.
