SEVENTEEN’s title track, God of Music, from their latest album SEVENTEENTH Heaven, has reportedly earned the recognition of being banned for the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test). The album was released on October 23. In just a few days, the title track spread through word of mouth and became known as a highly addictive song, according to South Korean news outlet Xports News.
In the chorus for God of Music, the 13-member group plays around with sounds and cheerfully sings “Kung chi pak chi, kung kung chi pak chi, yeah.”
This catchy hook made the song earn a spot on the CSAT-banned songs list, an unofficial listing of tracks that are considered so addictive that people and companies (such as radio stations or TV programs) collectively “ban” playing them so as to not distract students from studying for their annual exams.
SEVENTEEN fans celebrate as God of Music reportedly enters the list of banned K-pop songs for CSATs
Some K-pop songs were known to be so addictive that people “banned” them from being played in public spaces for students who were to take the CSATs. SHINee’s Ring Ding Dong, Super Junior’s SORRY, SORRY, aespa’s Next Level, and EXO Kai’s Rover, among other songs, are known as some of the most catchy songs that were stuck in students’ minds.
The newest addition to this unofficial list is SEVENTEEN’s latest comeback song, God of Music, from their 11th EP, SEVENTEENTH Heaven. The music video for God of Music amassed 23 million views on YouTube in just two days of its release. The album broke all records to become the highest-stock pre-ordered album in K-pop history, with over 5.20 million pre-orders.
The success of the 13-member group’s latest album propelled not just through sales but also through public opinion. As per Xports News, the general public’s conversation about God of Music and its catchy chorus had netizens considering it as one of the CSAT-banned K-pop songs on online forums.
Xports News mentioned Korean netizens’ comments talking about the addictive song:
“I shouldn’t have listened to it.”
“I shouldn’t listen to it at all. I need to turn off the song right now.”
“I’m a senior in high school, but it keeps going around in my head and I’m going crazy.”
International K-pop fans echoed the sentiment on X. While some called the song being unofficially banned a greater metric of success than a grand prize, others celebrated the song and album’s positive result.
Meanwhile, SEVENTEENTH Heaven was the 13-member group’s second comeback in 2023. Earlier in the year, the group released their 10th EP, titled FML. It also achieved impressive success, including holding the previous record for the highest pre-ordered album in K-pop history.
SEVENTEEN has been nominated for Best Male Group, Best Dance Performance Male Group (Super), Best Collaboration (BSS’ Fighting feat. Lee Young-ji), Best Music Video (Super), Song of the Year (Fighting, Super), Artist of the Year, and Worldwide Fans’ Choice awards at the 2023 MAMA Awards ceremony. The event will be held at the Tokyo Dome, Japan, on November 28 and 29.
