MEOVV's Hands Up Review: What 48 Hours of Repeat Listening Revealed

MEOVV's "Hands Up" burrows into your brain with its insistent beat and catchy chorus, despite receiving mixed reviews since its April 2025 release. After listening to this Brazilian funk-inspired track on repeat for 48 hours, I've developed a complex relationship with its 3-minute runtime.

The pre-release single from MEOVV's first EP "My Eyes Open VVide" certainly showcases the group's unique identity. While the MEOVV members deliver their trademark attitude through intense choreography packed with arm movements, critics have pointed to over-processed vocals and unimaginative verses as weak points. Nevertheless, the song has achieved notable success, winning on M Countdown twice and reaching number 9 on the US World Digital Song Sales chart.

So what happens when you spend two full days with a song that balances infectious hooks against dull sections? This deep-dive review explores exactly what makes "Hands Up" simultaneously compelling and frustrating for both casual listeners and dedicated MEOVV fans alike.

Background and Release of 'Hands Up'

After a five-month hiatus following their second single "TOXIC," MEOVV returned to the music scene with their pre-release single "Hands Up". The track hit streaming platforms on April 28, 2025, at 6 PM KST, marking an exciting milestone for the group formed under THEBLACKLABEL.

Pre-release strategy and teaser rollout

Initially, MEOVV announced "Hands Up" through a teaser posted on April 14, 2025, generating immediate buzz among fans. Following this initial announcement, the group strategically released additional content to build anticipation. On April 24, they unveiled a captivating 20-second teaser video on their official social media channels, offering the first glimpse of their new sound.

The teaser featured the MEOVV members in formation against the backdrop of a waterfall inside a traditional Korean home, creating a striking visual contrast between the static background and their intense presence. This artistic direction hinted at the group's evolution while maintaining their signature "cat worldview".

Prior to the release, THEBLACKLABEL also shared stunning concept photos showcasing the members' individual charms and trendsetting fashion, further fueling excitement for their comeback.

Connection to upcoming MEOVV album

"Hands Up" serves as the gateway to MEOVV's first EP titled "My Eyes Open VVide," scheduled for release on May 12, 2025. This strategic pre-release highlights the group's musical direction while building momentum for their debut extended play.

The single itself showcases MEOVV's "unique identity" through the Brazilian funk genre, blending fast, dazzling rhythms with distinctive synth sounds. As the third music release for the rookie group since their September 2024 debut with "Meow", "Hands Up" demonstrates their artistic growth and THEBLACKLABEL's commitment to establishing MEOVV as their premier girl group.

Furthermore, the upcoming EP represents a significant milestone as MEOVV transitions from single releases to a more substantial body of work, potentially revealing a broader range of their musical capabilities.

Composition and Sound Design

The Brazilian funk beat drives "Hands Up" forward with a distinctive flair that sets MEOVV apart in the current K-pop landscape. Unlike their debut single, this track showcases a more experimental direction while maintaining the group's signature attitude.

Genre: Brazilian Funk and Synth Elements

"Hands Up" embraces the Brazilian funk genre wholeheartedly, characterized by its fast-paced, vibrant rhythm that forms the backbone of the song. What makes this track stand out in MEOVV's discography is the unique synth sound layered throughout the composition, creating an instantly recognizable sonic identity. This combination results in a playful yet empowering anthem that pulses with energy.

The production team notably incorporated flashy rhythmic patterns that give the song its distinctive bounce. According to several Reddit users, this approach to incorporating world music elements creates a sound reminiscent of "World Cup songs" with comparisons to tracks like "Waka Waka".

Tempo, Key, and Arrangement Details

Technically speaking, "Hands Up" runs at 140 BPM in the key of A minor with a total runtime of 3 minutes and 12 seconds. The production credits include industry veterans Teddy and 24 as composers, with Vince contributing to the lyrics. Arrangement duties were handled by 24 alongside Dominsik.

The song structure follows a somewhat traditional K-pop format but stands out for its insistent beat that maintains a steady pulse throughout. This consistent energy helps elevate some of the track's less thrilling compositional elements.

Lyric Themes and Vocal Styling

Lyrically, "Hands Up" serves as an ode to confidence and resilience. The repeated chant of "put your hands up" functions as more than just a catchy hook—it's a rallying cry for empowerment and liberation. Key lines like "Provocation ain't nothing new to me" and "Burn all that fiery heart / Because I'm going to bloom anyway" directly confront criticism while celebrating personal transformation.

Member Gawon notably commented on the track's tone: "The message is lighter, more playful than the fierce and confident vibe we've shown so far". The vocal delivery throughout features rapid-fire rap verses alongside more melodic segments, though some critics note the performances contain noticeable vocal affectation, as if the members were "instructed to sing in a certain way".

Music Video and Choreography Breakdown

The visual storytelling in MEOVV's "Hands Up" music video cleverly subverts expectations, balancing intensity with playful humor. Released alongside the song on April 28, the video has quickly gained popularity, reaching No. 1 on YouTube's trending videos.

Alkkagi Game Concept and Visual Aesthetic

At the core of the music video lies a traditional Korean board game called alkkagi, which becomes the narrative framework for MEOVV's journey. The members are seen training rigorously for what initially appears to be an intense battle—complete with knife games, tug of war, and dodging projectiles. However, the true opponent is eventually revealed to be a young boy, the 'alkkagi god,' creating an unexpected twist that lightens the overall tone.

Visually, the production juxtaposes these training sequences with surreal performance shots set atop a giant, dreamlike cat eye gripped by cat claws. This imagery connects to MEOVV's signature cat-themed branding while adding a psychedelic quality that several fans described as "wild and psychedelic with silliness and cat elements".

Choreography: Hand Motions and Group Dynamics

As the title suggests, hand gestures dominate the choreography, with synchronized movements highlighting each member's presence. The choreography specifically features hand motions over the head with palms up, followed by rolling motions as the chest follows the same direction. This creates a cohesive visual effect that complements the song's empowering message.

The dance break segments are particularly noteworthy, featuring additional dancers that elevate the climactic portions of the performance. Formation work throughout the choreography showcases MEOVV's unity and group chemistry, with rapid transitions that demonstrate their enhanced technical abilities.

Standout Scenes and Member Highlights

Each member receives individual moments to shine, with fans particularly noting Sooin's distinctive sections. The choreography includes a memorable sequence where the members perform with "spirit fingers", creating visual interest that complements the song's energy.

The MEOVV members' practice videos, released through their label's YouTube channel, have received significant attention—particularly the "Moving Cam version" that captures their facial expressions during performance. These practice videos demonstrate the members in sporty outfits that accentuate the dynamic choreography, which fans have described as both "flexible and precise".

Performance, Reception, and Chart Impact

MEOVV's career trajectory shifted dramatically with "Hands Up," as the group transitioned from industry newcomers to award-winning performers. This pre-release single proved to be their breakthrough hit, earning both critical acclaim and significant chart success across multiple platforms.

Live Stage Debut and M Countdown Wins

MEOVV first performed "Hands Up" live on May 1, 2025, during Mnet's "M Countdown". The performance showcased their dynamic choreography and stage presence, immediately capturing audience attention. Their efforts paid off remarkably fast when they claimed their first-ever music show trophy just one week later on May 8.

This milestone achievement was followed by a second consecutive win on May 15, where they triumphed over Tomorrow X Together's "Love Language" with a total of 7,075 points. During their emotional acceptance speech, the members expressed gratitude to "producer TEDDY and all the producers who always cherish us, as well as our management team and everyone at THE BLACK LABEL".

Chart Rankings Across Countries

"Hands Up" demonstrated impressive international appeal, ranking #119 on Billboard Global Excl US and completing its fourth consecutive week on the chart. On streaming platforms, the track performed exceptionally well across Asia, reaching #13 in Taiwan, #22 in South Korea, and #36 in Hong Kong on Spotify.

Simultaneously, Apple Music charts showed strong performance with #5 in South Korea, #14 in Taiwan, and #26 in Malaysia. The song's popularity extended to YouTube (#14 in South Korea) and Shazam (#11 in South Korea, #17 in Malaysia), confirming MEOVV's growing international influence.

Fan and Critic Reactions

Critical reception to "Hands Up" has been notably mixed. Some reviewers praised the track's "element of intensity, attitude and sassiness", while others criticized it as "missing something" with a "driving beat [that] isn't strong enough".

Nevertheless, the song earned an overall rating of 7.8/10 from KpopReviewed, with particularly high scores for the music video (9/10) and performance (9/10). Fan response has been increasingly positive, with many noting the song "grows on you more and more". As one Reddit user observed, "It's so insane how a group's popularity can change from just one song", highlighting how "Hands Up" has become MEOVV's definitive breakout hit.