Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-born singer Gretchene Quirina has released her latest single Aku Bodoh, a melancholic pop ballad about unreciprocated love, regret, and the quiet strength of letting go.

The song traces the emotional arc of a young woman who once believed in the sincerity of love, only to realise that the affection she received was not genuine.

Upon facing the painful truth, the protagonist chooses to walk away despite her emotional wounds, capturing the bittersweet process of release and renewal.

Aku Bodoh resonates deeply with listeners who have been through heartbreak and betrayal, offering a voice to those quietly piecing their hearts back together.

The emotionally charged lyrics and haunting melody reflect vulnerability and resilience, delivered with Gretchene’s signature vocal style that blends power with fragility.

The song was penned by lyricists Ryenald Guntabid, Melakaboy, and Sa.tugram, while the arrangement and musical production were handled by respected regional producer Irwan Simanjuntak.

The music video, directed by Elvin Romeo with assistance from Ivan Hiew and edited by Al Hanafi Juhar, presents intimate visual storytelling set in domestic spaces once filled with promise but now tinged with sorrow.

Each scene visually conveys the emotional aftermath of broken trust, from bedrooms that once offered comfort to living rooms filled with echoes of forgotten promises.

Adding star power to the music video is Indonesian TikTok influencer Juansen, who plays the male lead and brings over 7.5 million followers into Gretchene’s expanding audience reach.

The launch of Aku Bodoh was accompanied by a special performance during Malam Galau Kinabalu: Gretchene & Friends, held on June 14 here.

She shared the stage with fellow Sabahan artists Elica Paujin and Ryenald, as well as Indonesian ballad singer Mytha Lestari.

Gretchene is also set to perform at the Hologram Glenn Fredly Concert in Kuala Lumpur on 18 July and will open for the renowned Indonesian band Nidji during their concert here in October.

Her latest release is now available on all major digital streaming platforms and is poised to attract listeners both in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Known to her fans as Chene, Gretchene has been active in music since 2018, though her love for singing began long before her first official appearance.

She brings a unique blend of Sabahan heritage and contemporary ballad-pop to the Malaysian music landscape, making her a distinctive voice in the industry.

Among her achievements are winning the Sugandoi Inanam in 2018, Sugandoi DBKK in 2022, and Sugandoi Penampang in 2024, where she also placed third nationally.

Balancing academic commitments with her artistic pursuits, Gretchene remains dedicated to her musical journey and to sharing stories through song.

She is signed under XIOKK Entertainment, a Sabah-based label that operates as a subsidiary of XENO Entertainment and was launched in 2024.

XIOKK aims to develop local talent without requiring artists to relocate to the peninsula, nurturing homegrown singers like Gretchene, Ryenald, and the girl group SMDX.

Aside from music production, XIOKK also functions as a talent agency representing Sabah-based influencers such as Calby Floresa, Clerice Olvia, and Andrea Roulin.

With Aku Bodoh, XIOKK continues to showcase its commitment to producing compelling local talent for regional and international audiences.