Described as a dance-pop song, "If I Say, I Love You" revolves around the emotion of "patheticness", narrating the aftermath of a breakup in a self-deprecating fashion.

Although critical reception was lukewarm, "If I Say, I Love You" received awards during its promotion in the music programs of South Korea.

BoyNextDoor released their third extended play (EP) 19.99 in September 2024, which focused on self-expression and introspection, drawing from the group's experiences in their transition to adulthood.

[7] Member Riwoo noted that given the lyrical themes, the upbeat production commanded a vocal performance that balanced excitement and depression.

[6][7] Writing a 1.5-star review for the online magazine IZM, So Seung-geun opined that the track shares similarities with Choi Ye-na's 2024 single "Nemonemo".