Golden Child: Game Changer 2nd Album (Normal Edition) Review

Golden Child is back with their second full album Game Changer, making it their second comeback of 2021. Game Changer was released on August 2nd with a limited edition and 3 normal editions. I blogged about ordering my Game Changer albums here. I gave an intro to this comeback, provided my fangirl thoughts, and broke down the tracklist in my blog post about the limited edition here. In this post, I'll blog about the 3 normal editions as well as the preorder/first press bonuses (accordion postcard and posters).

Preorder / First Press Benefits

Each album comes with one accordion postcard; there is only one version of this postcard. Each comes in its own clear resealable bag with Daeyeol on the front, Jaehyun on the back.

Opening up the accordion postcard reveals hyung line on one side. All photos used are from the Version C photoshoot, and these photos were previously released as part of the members' individual photos prior to this comeback. The postcard is just under 4" by 6" and has a matte finish.

The other side contains the maknae line. I'm so relieved that this side is much softer than the hyung line's side! I've been displaying this side with pride.

This era also includes 3 first press exterior posters, one from each photoshoot. This poster is from Version A. Surprisingly these posters are back to Woollim's normal sized posters, with dimensions matching Gol-Cha! through Without You.

Here is the poster representing Version B. The images from the Version A and B posters are included as the last group photo in the photobooks of their respective normal album versions.

And here is the poster representing Version C. The image of this poster is the same as this version's album cover, with the only difference for this poster is the text in the center.

Album Packaging

Here are the front covers of the 3 normal edition albums. They came in a loose clear plastic wrap. These albums are in a photobook style and the covers have a canvas paper feel. The text is embossed in a gold color. Version A is the beige one with a resort theme, Version B is the green one with a European garden theme, and Version C is the blue one where the members had their own concept and individual photoshoots.

The spines of the photobooks are all quite similar. They are all the same shade of brown and have gold lettering.

This normal edition has about the same dimensions as the YES. album.

Here is how the normal edition compares with the limited edition, as well as Golden Child's other 2020-2021 album releases.

The backsides of the albums again have their designated version color, along with the tracklist.

Photobooks

For the first few pages and last few pages of the photobooks, I'll compare all 3 versions. The inside of the front cover has an inside pocket where the album inclusions were originally stored. The next page has this era's logo printed at the bottom.

Here are how the album inclusions looked like when I first opened my albums. The transparent postcard is in the back while the 2 photocards are faced down and spread on top of the postcard. I will blog more about the album inclusions later on in this post.

The second to last page of the photobooks has a group thanks to message. Unfortunately there are no individual member thanks to messages for either the normal edition or limited edition of Game Changer.

The very last page has the album credits. The inside of the back cover has a vertical slit for the CD.

Here are the CD designs. They all have an iridescent sheen matching their respective version colors.

Version A Photobook

I'll blog about majority of each photobook in separate sections. They all generally follow the same format, but I wanted to break down the specifics like this.

The photobook starts off with a photo from the shoot location, followed by a group photo.

Next there are 2 pages per member, with 1 photo per page.

I really like how Y's set of photos here looks like a pictorial! I also like the subtle page details, with "RII" at the top corners, "GAME CHANGER" on the sides, and page numbers at the bottom corners. This applies to all 3 photobook versions.

Daeyeol pulls off this shade of blond so well! I wish for the close-up shot they didn't have so much wasted space...

I like how they mix up the page layouts, like with how the right photo spills into the left page.

Jibeom has this naturally confident aura around him that I love! It's so nice seeing his progression throughout the eras as a model!

The next few pages contain 1 photo per member, with 1 to 2 photos per page. And how better than to open up this section with bongbeom^^

The pairings are really a bit too perfect, with baejangtaek next...

The next section contains 1 photo per member, with 1 photo per page. Starting off with jangtaek!

And daeyoon as well!

Next is another group photo along with alonger photo from the shooting location.

Next each 2-page spread contains 1 page for each song's credits and lyrics opposite of an individual member photo.

Here is a close-up of Donghyun and his trademark eye stickers of this era^^

The last track has a group photo accompanying it. This group photo is the same as the Version A external first press poster.

Version B Photobook

This version's photobook starts with a 2-page spread group photo.

Next there are 2 pages per member, with 1 photo per page.

I am in love with this photoshoot. The mix of nature, European sculptures, and Golcha in luxurious attire is beautiful.

Just like with the previous version's shoot, I can't get over Tag in this shoot either. He is seriously killing it with this hairstyle! I love how his hairstyles are usually bright colors, so this time with a natural hair color it's still a bold style with the shaved side.

Jibeom looks so angelic here with those wings behind him^^

Despite Joochan's referee style top, I really love his straight-on photos in front of the fountain.

The next section contains 1 page per member, with 1 photo per page. I really like how Tag's top matches the gate.

This is definitely my favorite version of the 3 for Jangjun!

Bomin's photo is superior...he looks like such a model here.

Next is another set of 10 pages, with 1 photo of each member per page. If you thought the Version C photoshoot was deadly...Version B is also just as deadly for Jaehyun...

Like the previous version, each 2-page spread contains 1 page for each song's credits and lyrics opposite of an individual member photo. This shot is also really pretty with the structure perfectly framing Bomin.

Donghyun's photos from this shoot are beautiful but subtle compared to the other members' more dramatic backdrops.

The last track has a group photo accompanying it. This group photo is the same as the Version B external first press poster.

Version C Photobook

This version differs from the others, where each member has his own concept and individual shooting location. Each member has 3 different outfits within their own shoot, however not all 3 outfits are shown in this version (and it seems like Seungmin only has 2 outfits overall?). I wanted to show all the outfits included in this version, so it'll be a bit photo heavy. The real warning though is that this shoot is a bit dangerous...this version starts with film strips of the various shooting locations, like the comeback poster.

Next there are 4 consecutive pages per member, with 5 photos total. I still cannot believe Jaehyun's individual concept...bubble bath in a white sleeveless top but yet he looks so pure and innocent?!

AND THEN WHAT IS THIS?! Exposed but yet so soft and pure?! And seriously Jaehyun playing with bubbles is so adorable! My heart and mind can't process...and another thing! I said there were 3 outfits per member, but some album inclusions show Jaehyun with a navy pajama top...it took me a long time to realize it's because he took his top off for this photo...I can't believe none of those pretty, fully clothed PJ photos didn't make it into either photobook!

And this is insane! Just gazing into the distance wearing just a robe on top?!

This one is much better!

Here are Jangjun's more tame outfits.

And more exposure...though honestly for this one I must say it's disappointing that they washed out his abs when Jangjun's worked so hard for them!

The exposure continues on with Daeyeol. I really love his sleeveless look!

And here is Daeyeol's other outfit.

I really didn't expect Tag to expose himself...!

Here are his other 2 looks.

Thank you for protecting Jibeom!

Here is another one of Jibeom's looks.

Here are Seungmin's 2 outfits (seriously why doesn't he have 3?). I like how soft he looks here (I purposely didn't show the photos showing more of his lacy button-down...)

I cannot get over just how cute Donghyun is here! This is one of my most favorite Donghyun shoots, with the retro feel mixed with a boyish and youthful concept. This is so different from the other members' mature concepts!

And here are Donghyun's other looks, which continue with that retro and youthful appearance.

These photos don't do them justice but this shoot probably my absolute favorite for Joochan!

I also really like the page layout here; it's simple yet elegant like this shoot.

And here are 2 of Bomin's looks.

Like the previous versions, each 2-page spread contains 1 page for each song's credits and lyrics opposite of an individual member photo. Look at how cute Donghyun is here!

Here is Jibeom's 3rd look.

And here is Y's 3rd look.

The last image is a collage of the 10 shooting locations.

Album Inclusions

Each normal version album comes with 2 random photocards out of a whopping 100. Woollim is seriously making it nearly impossible for people to collect everything without dropping a fortune, starting with the normal YES. albums containing 1 out of 50 photocards, and now 2 out of 100. I've lost my drive to collect all album inclusions as quickly as possible starting with YES. era. But the photocards this era are really colorful and pretty...anyways, there are 10 photocards per member, and they are all selcas from the 3 photoshoots.

The backsides all have the same design, but each card does have a different printed message and sign. These cards have a glossy finish.

Each normal version album also comes with 1 transparent postcard out of 10, and each version has its own set of 10. The frame is opaque while the image is translucent (despite officially being called transparent). These are made out of transparency paper and are about 5.9375" by 3.9375".

Overall, when the members' teasers started being released (starting with Jaehyun) I thought that I wouldn't like this era, but lo and behold Jaehyun solidified himself as my only bias (I thought Jibeom would stand the test of time...but I guess I thought the same about Bomin too...), I am in love with the entire tracklist ("That Feeling" has become my favorite Golden Child song after "Go Together"...), the "Fanfare" stage outfits and performances are on point, I've loved everything about this era!