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[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 4 of August 2025

August 31, 2025Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged Stray KidsLeave a comment

Featured image for KPOPREVIEWED's Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 4 of August 2025, featuring Stray Kids, IVE and VIVIZ.

Hey there, welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 4 of August 2025, which spans from August 24 to 30, 2025.

Once again, tiredness from another week of unexpected work wore me out each day this week. This prevented me from writing any new reviews this week until yesterday. Again, no clue if it will persist this week. I genuinely hope not. However, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see how the week unfolds.

Anyhow, here are the Weekly KPOP Charts for Week 4 of August 2025.

What else am I listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to over the past week. This week’s song is MONSTA X’s Beautiful. I guess I am getting ready for their long-awaited comeback this week.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song of the past week is MAX and JAY’s (from ENHYPEN) collaboration, LOVE INSANE.

The Chart

Stray Kids’ latest title track, CEREMONY, ranked in the top spot this past week. Congratulations to Stray Kids!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	CEREMONY	Stray Kids	(▲ 1)
2	XOXZ	IVE	(NEW)
3	La La Love Me	VIVZ	(▲ 17)
4	DANCING ALONE	KiiiKiii	(▲ 7)
5	Electric Heart	8TURN	(NEW)
6	STUPID	AB6IX	(NEW)
7	Cherry Pie	TEEN TOP	(NEW)
8	XL (Extra Love)	ICHILLIN’	(NEW)
9	Do What I Want	MONSTA X	(▼ 8)
10	Goodbye and Sad Eyes	MOON BYUL (MAMAMOO)	(NEW)
11	BLUE!	SUNMI	(NEW)
12	HUNTER	KEY (SHINee)	(▼ 9)
13	LOVE INSANE	MAX ft. JAY (ENHYPEN)	(RE-ENTER)
14	Being a Good Girl Hurts	YENA	(▼ 9)
15	Upside Down	CHANYEOL (EXO)	(NEW)
16	The Answer	Lim Hyunsik (BTOB)	(NEW)
17	Happy Accident	CHANYEOL (EXO) ft. SOLE	(NEW)
18	Too Late	JUSTB	(NEW)
19	In Your Fantasy	ATEEZ	(▲ 8)
20	r u ok?	ifeye	(RE-ENTER)
21	I WANT IT	STAYC	(RE-ENTER)
22	CLOSER	JEON SOMI	(▼ 10)
23	Love Splash!	JOY (Red Velvet)	(▼ 15)
24	White Cat	YVES	(RE-ENTER)
25	Grateful To Tears	EPEX	(▼ 10)
26	That’s That	AMPERS&ONE	(▼ 17)
27	FREESTYLE	YOUNG POSSE	(NEW)
28	THIS IS FOR	TWICE	(▼ 5)
29	How Can I Do	EVNNE	(▼ 16)
30	GO!	CORTIS	(NEW)

[Album Review] SAD SONG (7th Mini-Album) – P1Harmony

August 31, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged P1Harmony1 Comment

Next up for an album review is P1Harmony’s SAD SONG, their 7th mini-album since their debut. The mini-album features a total of 7 songs, including the title track, which shares the same name, as well as its English version. For the side tracks on this mini-album, P1Harmony explores a diverse range of genres and successfully interprets them in their own style. I do encourage you to check the rest of the SAD SONG mini-album, especially if you are just discovering or getting into P1Harmony.

SAD SONG follows on from P1Harmony’s 1st studio album, Killin’ It, which was released last year alongside the title track of the same name. More recently, P1Harmony returned with their 8th mini-album and title track of the same name, DUH!, which I have yet to review (but will).

1. SAD SONG (Title Track) – Click here for SAD SONG’s full review. (8/10)

2. It’s Alright – It’s Alright brings a reggae influence to the mini-album. Also featured prominently are some funky-tinged electric guitar and really awesome vocals. The former helps reinforce the reggae influence, while the latter is on full display from THEO, KEEHO and JIUNG. Both THEO and JIUNG suit this song’s style so well, while JIUNG’s high note blows me away each time I listen to It’s Alright. “It’s Alright” is very much an understatement for It’s Alright. (9/10)

3. Last Call – Pop rock is next up on the mini-album through the single Last Call. The energy for this track is a definite selling point, and this encapsulates the desire to continue celebrating and partying that is expressed in the lyrics. Compared to the last song, Last Call is a well-balanced track that showcases the best of P1Harmony, with some members (KEEHO and INTAK, namely) pulling double duties. The rappers really give it their all in Last Call, and they all sound awesome. The vocalists continue to display their good vocals from the previous song, making the pop-rock feel familiar. (10/10)

4. Welcome To – The rock elements continue onwards in Welcome To, but in a grungier manner. I really liked the head-banging potential behind the rock instrumental, as well as the melodies during the chorus. I did wish the instrumental was a little more energetic, as this would have taken the song to the next level. And since I have been naming the key players in each song, I should continue this theme throughout the video by pointing out that SOUL really shines throughout Welcome To. (8/10)

5. All You – All You presents us with feel-good vibes with a jazzy introduction and an easy-going instrumental with brass elements. It is an extremely pleasant sound for the group, and they do a decent job with it. I do prefer P1Harmony in their more upbeat dance numbers, but this was still a good number from them. (7/10)

6. WASP – WASP serves as P1Harmony’s first subunit track, featuring the main rappers of the group – INTAK and JONGSEOB. I really liked the rough voices the pairs bring to the song. But JONGSEOB’s softer tone rap takes the cake for me. There is also something catchy about the “Wiung Wiung” hook in this hip-hop track. While WASP isn’t my go-to track for the usual reasons, it was still a decent number on the mini-album. Hope there are more unit tracks in P1Harmony’s future. (7.5/10)

7. SAD SONG (English Version) – See SAD SONG’s full review above.

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] XOXZ – IVE

August 30, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged IVE1 Comment

IVE made their return at the start of the week with their 4th mini-album, IVE SECRET, and the lead single XOXZ. It is their first overall release since their July Japanese comeback with Be Alright and their first Korean comeback since their 3rd mini-album IVE Empathy, which featured singles REBEL HEART and ATTITUDE.

Except for last year’s Accendio and TKO from their previous mini-album, whenever IVE has promoted a song with an edgier and darker style, it has been a miss for me. The new single XOXZ appears to follow that trend. The choruses were the biggest miss in the entire song, in my opinion. It was very dry and lacklustre. There was some good to be found in the chorus, such as the dramatic flair in the instrumental and the whispery delivery of the XOXZ title. However, somehow, putting all of that together just didn’t have the desired impact and created a fizzler of a centrepiece. The fast-spoken lines should have been an intriguing component, but the execution just didn’t stick with me and was easily overlooked. A similar comment can be applied to most of the song. However, it isn’t all bad news for XOXZ. I really liked the ethereal pre-choruses. It is just a pity that the follow-through (i.e., the chorus) was a let-down.

The music video for XOXZ unfolds as a dream, starting with a truck crashing through the window of a high-rise apartment. This is then followed by the dream version of IVE taking the sleeping member on a journey of her dreams. I really liked IVE’s edgy looks throughout the music video, and I feel elements of the video call back to IVE’s Accendio‘s music video (i.e., the goat horns). The only aspect of the video I didn’t like was the dings that start to appear during the bridge portion and in the ending card. It just made the video feel overly cheesy.

The performance aspect of the comeback was pretty good. Nothing stood out on its own, but rather the choreography (as a whole) did a decent job of encapsulating those edgy tones from the song. I also enjoyed the balance between the members’ cuteness and power in the routine.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7/10

[Album Review] 19.99 (3rd Mini Album) – BOYNEXTDOOR

August 27, 2025August 24, 2025Posted in KPOPLeave a comment

Last September saw BOYNEXTDOOR make a comeback with their 3rd mini-album, 19.99, and the lead single Nice Guy. Today, I am finally getting around to reviewing the mini-album, which sees the members explore all sides of almost reaching their 20s. Upon realising this theme, it is a bit confronting to figure out how much older I am in comparison to the group. 19.99 also features the pre-release single Dangerous, the English version of Nice Guy, a skit and 3 additional side tracks.

More recently, the group returned with their fourth mini-album No Genre, led by the single I Feel Good. The group have also released their first original Japanese single, Count To Love, in the last week or so. More on the newer releases in the near future. For now, my thoughts on 19.99.

1. Dangerous (부모님 관람불가 – Pre-release Track) – Click here for Dangerous’s full review. (8/10)

2. Gonna Be A Rock (돌멩이) – Gonna Be A Rock falls into melodic pop-rock territory. It explores a more delicate yet resolute side of the group. I liked the touch of strings in the instrumental and how the rappers delivered their raps melodically to fit into Gonna Be A Rock. I also liked how the pop-rock instrumental really comes in during the chorus and gives some angsty energy to the song. (9/10)

3. Skit – The third track on the mini-album is a radio skit. It is a short audio piece, but it shows off their chaotic energy and playful vibes, which fit in nicely with their image and in this mini-album. No rating has been assigned to this track, but it was a fun interlude to introduce the second part of the mini-album.

4. Nice Guy (Title Track) – I can confirm Nice Guy did grow on me slightly since I reviewed it last year. As such, I have decided to bump up my original rating by a whole point. The key part of the original review I would change is that the Nice Guy’s hook did become memorable. Alongside the funky and groovy instrumental, it helped me warm up to Nice Guy. Click here for my original thoughts on Nice Guy in its full review. (7.5/10)

5. 20 (스물) – The guitar-centric instrumental for 20 delves into mid-tempo pop territory. At the same time, the group shows vulnerability whilst reflecting on their journey that sees them reach the young age of 20. I have to say I am consistently drawn to WOONHAK’s smooth vocals in 20 each time I listen to the song. A nice song, overall. (8/10)

6. Call Me – Call Me takes us further into soft mid-tempo pop territory. The chorus for this track was catchy, thanks to the melodies. These same melodies bring a flowy and swayable motif, which makes Call Me pleasant. The vocals and raps balance each other out, and their tone bring a certain youthful and comforting energy to the song. (8/10)

7. Nice Guy (English Version) – Refer to the Nice Guy’s review above.

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Review] HER – MINNIE (i-dle)

August 25, 2025August 24, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged i-dle, Minnie ((G)I-DLE)Leave a comment

I made a promise on the blog a while back to review MINNIE’s solo single ‘soon’. Well, ‘soon’ has come as I am finally getting around to reviewing MINNIE’s official solo debut single HER, which is featured as the lead single off her debut mini-album of the same name. An album review for this mini-album will follow, after I’ve reviewed some of the other singles with accompanying music videos. I haven’t decided whether to review all of them separately before the album review, but you will find out soon enough. (Note: ‘soon’ has been used this time around to mean soon, and not a couple of months away.)

HER leans into the groovy and upbeat pop music trend that we have been hearing a lot in KPOP (now and back when HER was released). I find the instrumental to be pretty simplistic, with a hefty beat and those groovy tropes serving as the main elements of HER‘s background. MINNIE’s vocals throughout the song are light and delicate, which I find to be well-balanced with the instrumentation. I did wish MINNIE had been given material that made her sound stronger to give HER some additional oomph and dimension. Yet, somewhere along the way, both vocals and backing come together to make HER sound sophisticated, which suits the concept the debut went for (more on that in a second). What I have always liked about the song is how catchy it is. The chorus plays the repetitive card, but it was effective and has allowed the song to stay strong in my books. Overall, a strong solo debut track from MINNIE.

The music video sees MINNIE play 3 versions of herself. The first version we see, MINNIE dressed in white, is actually MINNIE herself. She goes on a drive at the start of the video, but returns home later on presumably to deal with the other two versions of herself. Left behind at the mansion are playful MINNIE (dressed in pink) and serious MINNIE (dressed in red). They are polar opposites, representing two distinct halves of MINNIE’s mind and personality. I like how they are continuously clashing, though I wish it were more physical than verbal clashing. I also like MINNIE’s final expression in the entire video, clearly fed up with her alter-egos.

I liked how MINNIE embraces her sensual and seductive sides for their accompanying performance. I liked how sassy the chorus felt, both on stage and within the music. It was definitely worth checking out.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 3 of August 2025

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged MONSTA XLeave a comment

Hey there, welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 3 of August 2025, which spans from 17 to 23 August 2025.

Tiredness got the better of me this week. I am looking right at that unexpected workload that continued unexpectedly, which wore me out by day’s end. No clue if it will persist into the new week, but I have some reviews already scheduled and ready to go for the weekend ahead.

Anyhow, here are the Weekly KPOP Charts for Week 3 of August 2025.

What else am I listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to over the past week. This week’s song is VIXX’s Dynamite.

In the midst of the unexpected workload and crazy deadlines, Dynamite appeared, hit hard and pushed me forward. It was so amazing in the moment that I had to repeat Dynamite to get multiple doses to replicate the same effect.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

The Chart

MONSTA X’s pre-release single for their THE X mini-album, which will drop the week after, Do What I Want, ranks in the top spot this past week. Congratulations to MONSTA X and welcome back!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	Do What I Want	MONSTA X	(NEW)
2	CEREMONY	Stray Kids	(NEW)
3	HUNTER	KEY (SHINee)	(▼ 1)
4	Surf	NCT WISH	(▲ 2)
5	Being A Good Girl Hurts	YENA	(▲ 20)
6	What You Want	CORTIS	(NEW)
7	EXTRA	JEON SOMI	(▼ 3)
8	Love Splash!	JOY (Red Velvet)	(NEW)
9	That’s That	AMPERS&ONE	(▲ 13)
10	X	ONEUS	(RE-ENTER)
11	DANCING ALONE	KiiiKiii	(▼ 10)
12	CLOSER	JEON SOMI	(▼ 9)
13	LIKE YOU BETTER	fromis_9	(▲ 11)
14	SLAM DUNK	ZEROBASEONE	(▲ 6)
15	Grateful To Tears	EPEX	(NEW)
16	BORA	HUTA (Lee Minhyuk – BTOB)	(NEW)
17	BIG BANDS	WayV	(RE-ENTER)
18	BTTF	NCT DREAM	(RE-ENTER)
19	Outside	ENHYPEN	(RE-ENTER)
20	La La Love Me	VIVIZ	(RE-ENTER)
21	Waste No Time	XngHan&Xoul	(RE-ENTER)
22	BUBBLE GUM	Kep1er	(NEW)
23	THIS IS FOR	TWICE	(▼ 9)
24	Crazier	BOA	(RE-ENTER)
25	AURA	THE BOYZ	(RE-ENTER)
26	Count To Love	BOYNEXTDOOR	(NEW)
27	In Your Fantasy	ATEEZ	(▼ 17)
28	CHILLER	NCT DREAM	(▲ 1)
29	Snowy Summer	CLOSE YOUR EYES	(NEW)
30	Escape To Me	YOUNGJAE (GOT7)	(NEW)

[Album Review] abouTZU (1st Mini Album) – TZUYU (TWICE)

August 24, 2025August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TWICE, TZUYU (TWICE)Leave a comment

If you don’t remember from last year, TZUYU made her solo debut last year with the single Run Away and her debut mini-album aboutTZU in September. She was the third member of the group to embark on solo promotions, following NAYEON and JIHYO. While the title track didn’t really hit the same as her other members’ title tracks have, the rest of TZUYU’s debut mini-album does. I highly encourage you to check out the mini-album if you haven’t yet.

Also, keep your eyes out for an upcoming song review for fellow member CHAEYOUNG, who will be the fourth member of the group to officially go solo with her debut studio album, Lil Fantasy Vol. 1, dropping next month.

In the meantime, here are my thoughts on each song that featured on abouTZU.

1. Run Away (Title Track) – Click here for Run Away’s full review. (7/10)

2. Heartbreak in Heaven (ft. Peniel of BTOB) – Heartbreak in Heaven is an unexpected all-English pop song. It sounds quite pleasant and enjoyable in the moment. Although it sounds nice, I would have enjoyed Heartbreak in Heaven more if it had a bit more substance. It is a rather light song, which doesn’t bode all that well in the memorable department. The instrumental feels a little bare. TZUYU’s vocals were rather linear in terms of trajectory (though we did get some range from TZUYU), and Peniel’s featuring felt too constrained in the bridge. (7/10)

3. Lazy Baby (ft. pH-1) – If the previous song and Lazy Baby were battling for best collaboration on this mini-album, Lazy Baby will take the win. And it takes the win as best track on this mini-album. It has so much more character and energy that makes it super enjoyable in the moment and remains vividly in your mind even after the song wraps. The funky old-school vibes make Lazy Baby super fun. The same can be said for TZUYU’s vocals, which have a significant impact and oomph. pH-1 follows through with dynamic rapping, and I love when the pair come together in the song. (10/10)

4. Losing Sleep – At first, I didn’t think much of Losing Sleep. But repeating the song for writing this review was quite interesting. I actually quite like the single. Losing Sleep brings on the summery vibes that reflect the season in which the mini-album was released. TZUYU sounds quite mature in the song, and I liked this side of the TWICE member. The bouncy synth, featured consistently throughout the song’s tropical instrumental, doubled as a great textural element. The “Losing sleep over you” is very catchy and memorable, as well. And the high-pitched autotune vocals in the bridge brought interesting flair. (8/10)

5. One Love – I would have liked One Love more if it leaned slightly more into the pop-rock sub-genre. I really liked the direction of the song, especially the fun, light-hearted vibes in the verses, and the extent to which it went down the pop-rock path. But I keep on wondering what if it had gone bolder or pronounced with the pop-rock. I think it would have sounded awesome. TZUYU sounds heavenly in the track, especially in the chorus. She really suits the sound, which makes me wish there was more of it in the song and mini-album for TZUYU to really explore. (9/10)

6. Fly – TZUYU ends her debut mini-album with the pop-ballad Fly. I feel like this could have been on the soundtrack of a Disney movie. It just sounds beautiful. From the dreamy piano, strings and orchestral touches in the instrumentation to TZUYU’s vocals, everything was stunning and breathtaking. I love Fly so much that I’m giving it a 10/10, which is definitely the definition of ending on a high note in review land. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] AMORTAGE (1st Mini Album) – JISOO (BLACKPINK)

August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BLACKPINK, JISOO (BLACKPINK)Leave a comment

Next album up for a review is JISOO’s debut mini-album, AMORTAGE, which was released in February 2025. Led by the single earthquake, the mini-album features a total of four songs. All songs on this mini-album are definitely a great addition to JISOO’s small yet growing discography.

AMORTAGE and earthquake serve as her first solo release since her Me single album and lead single Flower from 2023.

1. earthquake (Title track) – Click here for earthquake’s full review. (9/10)

2. Your Love – Despite being released back in February (which is Winter in South Korea), Your Love radiates summer energy. To this day, Your Love has remained my favourite side track on this mini-album. It starts off soft with atmospheric synths and delicate vocals from JISOO, before building to a really nice drop which helps the pop melodies of Your Love shine. I love how simple and pure JISOO sounds in the song, and the energy just hits all the right spots for me. (10/10)

3. TEARS – TEARS goes down the pop-rock direction. The deep beats during the verses were very riveting and commanding, while the rock instrumentation gives TEARS some appreciated texture. I also like how dramatic the bridge got and how JISOO’s vocals are solid throughout. However, compared to the other songs on the mini-album, TEARS is just a little too plain for my liking. (8/10)

4. Hugs & Kisses – Bringing the short mini-album to a close is Hugs & Kisses, a powerful EDM song that definitely leaves an impression. The autotune placed over JISOO’s vocals in certain moments (like the very end) reminds me of some ‘00s pop diva songs. The chorus is actually quite catchy thanks to the pop melodies. The pre-choruses are dramatic, and the progression of Hugs & Kisses adds to the memorable factor. I liked how strong her vocals got to remain on top of the boastful EDM, and in some moments, she definitely soars. The bridge is a little awkward for me, but I liked how JISOO’s high note connects the bridge and final chorus. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Review] CEREMONY – Stray Kids

August 23, 2025Posted in ReviewsTagged Stray Kids7 Comments

The biggest release of the day is Stray Kids’ fourth studio album, KARMA, led by their newest single CEREMONY. This is their latest release since April’s Mixtape: Dominate (which features the Korean version of GIANT) and their Japanese comeback single Hollow. I am in the process of reviewing their solo tracks from their mixtape mini-album, Hop, which featured the single Walkin’ On Water.

CEREMONY is probably the first Stray Kids title track in a while to get a lukewarm first impression from me. Each time I have listened to the song since its release a couple of hours ago, I’ve consistently felt like a lot was held back in CEREMONY. The usual bombastic energy common to their title tracks was missing, and none of the members really stood out for me. I am surprised that you have to wait for the end of the song for the chorus to really give some impact in CEREMONY. And finally, the song just ends in such an abrupt and unsatisfying manner. Had the song been more robust and stronger in these areas, CEREMONY would have been much more appealing. That being said, I did like some elements in CEREMONY. The “Hip hip” by BANGCHAN, followed by the crowd’s “Hooray” that started off the first and second choruses, definitely had the engaging energy intended to get a crowd to join in. And I liked the hip-hop twist they gave the subsequent “Hip Hip … Hooray” in the chorus. The instrumental was rather intriguing, and I liked how it showcased that some hip-hop flair. The bombastic energy I mentioned as being missing could have been delivered by sharper beats, but I did appreciate the percussive and detailing synths. Overall, CEREMONY could have been better.

What I really enjoyed about this comeback so far is the sports concept in the music video. The intensity, especially from their focused/serious looks, as well as their competitiveness with one another, in the music video was definitely very pronounced and delivered very well by all members. I liked how the balls somehow connected all sports in the music video, even if the sports were all very different. And of course, the music video would not feel complete without some sort of celebration scene, which is precisely what the group gave to us towards the end. The music video closes off with a surprise cameo from professional gamer FAKER (If you didn’t see the group’s reaction to the music video, they were also shocked by his cameo.) Definitely very cool, and it adds e-sport to the mix of sports referenced in the music video.

The accompanying performance for this comeback shares similar intensity to the music video. I also get the impression that the members are excited for this comeback, based on their enthusiasm and the energy they put into their moves. I really liked the footwork, bouciness and the hip-hop motif in the routine.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] Do What I Want – MONSTA X

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged MONSTA X2 Comments

It has been over two years since we last heard from MONSTA X as a group through their 2023 release of Beautiful Liar, the title track from their 12th mini-album REASON. Since then, the group has been on hiatus due to military enlistments, while those who finished their enlistment (Shownu) and those who had not enlisted yet (I.M) focused on solo activities. Now that all members are available, they will be celebrating their 10th anniversary as a group with the release of their 13th mini-album THE X on 1 September 2023. In anticipation of the album release, MONSTA X has dropped the single Do What I Want.

The new single is quite different to what I remember of MONSTA X pre-2023. While the track does sit within the hip-hop realm, like most of their past title tracks, Do What I Want distinctively draws upon Brazilian funk, which is very unique and different for the group, but also KPOP in general. And the final result is definitely something fun, energetic and lively. There is also a club beat in Do What I Want, which I appreciate for keeping the single grounded and giving it some bite. But at the same time, it is quite generic and so does zap some of the fun and energy from those livelier and funkier moments. Do What I Want also lacks a strong hook. The song’s spoken hook in the song’s centre does have a catchiness to it, but it felt underbaked and does not necessarily reflect the song’s energy. It does create some contrast (i.e., between the low and high tones), but it wasn’t enough to be the song’s main selling point. The group’s delivery (i.e., rap and vocals) is sound, but without that strong hook, I don’t really remember much of the delivery. Overall, Do What I Want is refreshing and different, but I miss the old MONSTA X edgy hip-hop dance sound that we heard previously from the group.

I do appreciate the group doing something utterly different music-wise. And to match the completely different music, the group has gone for a very wild and chaotic visual to accompany the new song. The members are horned and sharp-eared creatures in the music video, which is very unusual. I am not entirely sure what these horns represent, but it’s possible they’re connected to the upcoming music video for THE X‘s title track. Regardless, the members are seen vibing along and being very free with the music and each other in a home video-style video in a summery fashion. This seems pretty normal. But while being perplexed isn’t the way I expected MONSTA X’s first music video in a while to go, I will admit it is very memorable for obvious reasons.

There might also be some choreography to the release, with the routine being shown slightly alongside the second and final choruses. However, I don’t think there is enough for me to comment on it. If it is the accompanying choreography, it does share that wildness that I mentioned earlier with the flailing arms and such. So, I won’t include it in the ‘Overall Rating’ for the time being.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] Unfair – FELIX (Stray Kids)

August 18, 2025November 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Felix (Stray Kids), Stray Kids7 Comments

With news that Stray Kids will be making a comeback soon with their fourth studio album, KARMA, I thought I would start on the many reviews I have not posted for Stray Kids – the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. Next up is FELIX’s solo single from Hop, Unfair. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

It is interesting to hear a more vocal-centric track from FELIX, who is known for his deeper voice, which tends to lend well towards rapping. Unfair combines FELIX’s vocals with a cool hip-hop beat, giving it a semblance to the style he is more known for. Within the verses of Unfair, we also get some delicate piano accompanying the hip-hop beat. These two elements come together quite well, creating an emotive and heavenly atmosphere that allows FELIX to liken his journey to the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. Unfair speaks to the insecurity he feels (references to feeling like a ‘beast’ in the lyrics) and how love (references to Belle in the lyrics) can help him overcome his insecurities. As for FELIX’s vocals, I am a bit torn. I very much prefer his usual deep style, as he showcases in the raps and the choruses, even in a melodic manner. It feels natural and allows Unfair to be associated with him. However, in the verses, the autotune strips away his characteristic deep voice, leaving behind an artificial-sounding voice that I cannot connect with. I wished FELIX and the producers had fully embraced his deeper voice and utilised it in the verses, as this would have felt fitting with what he is conveying in Unfair.

The music video draws upon the Beauty and the Beast storyline that I mentioned earlier. We see FELIX portray a winged beast, like a fallen angel, wandering alone in the dark forest. In the presence of the rose, he is reminded of his love (the flashback scenes earlier show him in the presence of Belle, dressed in white to represent innocence and purity). He comes to terms with his beastly appearance, which briefly reappears and then disappears, showing the audience that there is hope for one to overcome their insecurities. The visual aspects of the music video are amazing, particularly those underwater scenes.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 2 of August 2025

August 17, 2025Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged KiiiKiiiLeave a comment

Hey there, welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of August 2025, which spans from 10 to 17 August 2025.

Due to illness and an unexpected heavy workload at work, I was unable to write reviews this week. Honestly, each day literally involved me crashing on the couch right after dinner or as soon as I logged off. I am feeling better now, and I hope the heavy workload has eased, so I should have more time to review releases this week.

Anyhow, here is the Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of August 2025. Just a heads up, the songs that have been dominating my charts over the last couple of weeks are no longer doing so this past week. Keep on reading to find out more!

What else am I listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to over the past week. This week’s song is Stray Kids’ MANIAC. I guess I am preparing for their comeback later this week.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

The Chart

KiiiKiii’s DANCING ALONG takes over the charts this week and ranks in the top spot this past week. Congratulations to KiiiKiii!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	DANCING ALONE	KiiiKiii	(▲ 21)
2	HUNTER	KEY (SHINee)	(NEW)
3	CLOSER	JEON SOMI	(NEW)
4	EXTRA	JEON SOMI	(▲ 25)
5	FAMOUS	ALLDAY PROJECT	(▼ 1)
6	SURF	NCT WISH	(NEW)
7	I WANT IT	STAYC	(▲ 1)
8	White Cat	Yves	(RE-ENTER)
9	Gameboy	KATSEYE	(▲ 15)
10	In Your Fantasy	ATEEZ	(▼ 7)
11	Beautiful Strangers	TXT	(▼ 10)
12	Do The Dance	ILLIT	(RE-ENTER)
13	LIKE YOU BETTER	fromis_9	(RE-ENTER)
14	THIS IS FOR	TWICE	(▼ 5)
15	Express Mode	SUPER JUNIOR	(RE-ENTER)
16	Gabriela	KATSEYE	(▲ 4)
17	Touch	KARD	(▲ 4)
18	STYLE	Hearts2Hearts	(RE-ENTER)
19	JUMP	BLACKPINK	(▲ 4)
20	SLAM DUNK	ZEROBASEONE	(▼ 10)
21	Stylish	THE BOYZ	(RE-ENTER)
22	That’s That	AMPERS&ONE	(NEW)
23	ANIMALS	ONEW (SHINee)	(NEW)
24	How Can I Do	EVNNE	(▼ 22)
25	Being A Good Girl Hurts	YENA	(▼ 7)
26	Dance With You	HEUNINGKAI (TXT)	(▼ 15)
27	Jellyous	ILLIT	(▼ 21)
28	Some Things Never Change	ZOONIZINI	(NEW)
29	CHILLER	NCT DREAM	(▼ 22)
30	Renedezvous	AHOF	(RE-ENTER)

[Album Review] HOT MESS (4th Mini Album) – EVNNE

August 16, 2025August 16, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVNNELeave a comment

Next album up for a review is EVNNE’s 4th mini-album from earlier this year, titled HOT MESS. It features 6 tracks, including the lead single that shares the same name as the title of the mini-album. HOT MESS (the mini-album) is their brightest and most vibrant release to date. For a group that excels with a powerful dance sound (like their debut single TROUBLE), they delivered HOT MESS with great strength and earned a super high rating from me (I think it is one of the first in a while to go above a 9).

More recently, EVNNE released their 5th mini-album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S), and its lead single How Can I Do. Do check it out (after you check out HOT MESS down below).

1. HOT MESS (Title Track) – Click here for HOT MESS’s full review. (8/10)

2. Birthday – Birthday sees EVNNE in a softer pop motif. The instrumental has an enjoyable and fun groove, and I liked the lighthearted vibes that come from the song. The vocals and rapping were nicely executed, with pleasantly catchy melodies to make the song appealing to listen to. (8/10)

3. Love Like That – Love Like That features pop-rock guitar riffs and upbeat vibes that make this track an instant favourite in my books. I enjoyed the delicate and comforting approach EVNNE goes for in the chorus. The combination with the pop-rock sound makes for a feel-good number that brings a smile to my face every time I listen to Love Like That. And with that effect being consistently delivered, even on bad days, I don’t think it is fair to give it any other rating. (10/10)

4. CROWN – The first impression I always get from CROWN is that it is like their past singles. While the mini-album has consisted of light and bright tracks so far, CROWN is the first with a powerful instrumental and fiercer vocals/raps from the members. The rappers definitely had an opportunity to shine with the hefty and powerful instrumental. That high note at the end and the incline in energy from everything else were perfect. CROWN honestly could have been the title track, and I would have been fine with that. (10/10)

5. Youth – Youth stick out for two reasons. Firstly, that powerful electric guitar riff in the background definitely leaves an impression. And the rest of the instrumental definitely follows similarly, becoming slightly grungy during the bridge for impact and effect. Secondly, right off the bat, the members show more emotion and sentiment in Youth. The fact that I can feel that without digging into the lyrics tells me that the members are doing a great job vocally. I really liked how powerful their vocals were consistently throughout Youth. I did wish there were some powerful rapping in the track. This would have really fit, particularly with the emotions being explored in Youth. (9/10)

6. KESHIKI (Korean Version) – KESHIKI was originally released 9 months ago by EVNNE as an original Japanese single. I never got around to reviewing it then, but I am excited to review it now. KESHIKI reminds me of an anime OST. The fast-paced nature and brass elements amongst the rock elements were super unique and fun. I also love the powerful vocals throughout the track, which keep the members over the top of the vibrant and energetic instrumentation. I honestly can’t find anything critical to say about the single, so it ends off the mini-album on a super high note. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.2/10

[Review] HUNTER – KEY (SHINee)

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Key (SHINee), SHINee1 Comment

Returning at the start of this week was KEY with his 3rd studio album and lead single, both titled HUNTER. It is his first solo release in almost a year, with the last being his 3rd mini-album Pleasure Shop (album review coming soon) and single of the same name.

HUNTER sees KEY make another return with the electropop genre. And like his other endeavours with this style, he simply does not miss. HUNTER immediately grabs my attention from the first second with its groovy synth bass. As the song progresses, cooler synth choices come into play to make HUNTER even more impactful. I really enjoyed how the chorus concentrates the bass, synth, and energy, developing into a very grungy and bolstered number that has me coming back for more. The chorus also has a super catchy melody that helps greatly in that department, as well. KEY himself commands your attention with his powerful vocals and whispery raps in the HUNTER. He definitely gave the song extra impact and oomph, which matches the intensity of the synths in the background and those grungy vibes I mentioned earlier. My only major criticism is simply that HUNTER felt too short. It is a fast-paced dance track, so being just over 3 minutes doesn’t seem enough. And if that is the only thing HUNTER missed, then HUNTER definitely left an impression on me.

The music video might not be suitable for everyone. There is some violence throughout the video that might not be your cup of tea, so proceed with caution. I will admit that I find HUNTER’s music video to have quite a striking concept. The lyrics speak of a toxic relationship where the pair struggle between being in love or obsessed with one another. However, in the music video, the toxicity is depicted with two versions of KEY (one with red hair, another with black hair). One is being hunted, while the other is the hunter – we just never know which version of KEY is which, since both are involved in hunting the other, depicting the toxicity the lyrics touch on. In the choreography scenes at the end of the video, it is confirmed we are seeing two sides of one person with the two hair colours appearing at once.

KEY delivers a bold performance for HUNTER. I really enjoyed the MJ Thriller-esque inspiration and vibe that is going on, and I liked how the sharpness matches up with the fast-paced and dynamic nature of HUNTER. KEY definitely shone on stage and pulled off a live performance quite impressively.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.5/10

[Album Review] Hello, World (4th Mini-Album) – BAEKHYUN (EXO)

August 13, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Baekhyun (EXO), EXOLeave a comment

2024’s Hello, World was BAEKHYUN’s first solo release since completing his military enlistment in 2023 and creating his own label INB100 for solo promotions. It is also his fourth mini-album, featuring a total of 6 songs, one of which is the title track, Pineapple Slice. The mini-album itself sees BAEKHYUN return with another R&B-centric release, following on from his highly successful 2021 Bambi mini-album and single. It is familiar territory for BAEKHYUN, as he knows what he does best and excels at.

1. Good Morning – Starting off the mini-album is the R&B Good Morning. It eases us into the mini-album, exactly how the phrase ‘Good morning’ is intended to greet you. I really enjoyed the soft and mellowness of Good Morning, though there is some deep bass in the instrumental that contrasts so well with that soft/mellow descriptor and give a subtle grooviness to the song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals are so rich and decadent in this song, making Good Morning so good. (8.5/10)

2. Pineapple Slice (Title Track) – Click here for Pineapple Slice’s full review. (9/10)

3. Rendez-Vous – Rendez-Vous was first performed at the encore concerts for BAEKHYUN’s first Asia tour last year, ahead of this mini-album’s release. The track is described as a bossa-nova inspired single. I enjoyed the influence in the instrumentation, as well as the jazzy elements in the background. BAEKHYUN’s stunning falsettos amongst his signature R&B vocals are a definite highlight of Rendez-Vous. (8/10)

4. Cold Heart – For me, it is the instrumental of Cold Heart that grabs my attention. BAEKHYUN does so well in the song (as expected), but the instrumental’s dramatic and haunting vibe just speaks volumes to me. The soft pronounced beats, the trap elements and the electric guitar come together to create a very fulfilling backdrop. As for the soloist’s vocals, I really liked the emotion you can feel from him, as well as the slight autotune that makes the instrumental and vocals come together so nicely. (10/10)

5. Woo – My first impression of Woo was that the song was glitchy (I keep notes, in case you are wondering how I can remember my first impressions to a song released almost a year ago), particularly at the onset. The trap elements in the R&B instrumental help aid this. But I have since learn that this was just how Woo is presented to us. Woo’s development was something I enjoyed, particular how the song changes slightly after a little while. His vocals here are just as good as on the other songs on the mini-album, though I did think the autotune for his background vocals were a bit of a miss here. (8/10)

6. Truth Be Told – The final song on the mini-album sees BAEKHYUN leans into the sensual side of R&B. The synths in the instrumental makes Truth Be Told feel intimate and atmospheric. It is quite a combination and it works beautifully in this song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals make Truth Be Told feel smooth and sensual. I enjoyed the fact that he plays around with different textures and deliveries in the song, but never compromising on the quality of his vocals and their fit for the genre. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

BAEKHYUN’s teaser image for *Hello, World*

[Review] DANCING ALONE – KiiiKiii

August 11, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged KiiiKiii1 Comment

Last week, KiiiKiii made their first ever comeback with the single DANCING ALONE. This followed their debut with I Do Me and the mini-album Uncut Gem. I have yet to review both, but I did review KiiiKiii’s follow up single BTG.

DANCING ALONE is KiiiKiii’s answer to a summer single. I enjoyed the feel-good vibes that this pop dance track exudes. DANCING ALONE is relatively straightforward in all aspects (vocals, melodies, instrumentation, etc.), so the single comes together well enough so that it doesn’t somehow trip over itself. Consistency can be a problem, but I think DANCING ALONG had enough upbeat energy and development to it, whilst also bringing on other positive feel-good thoughts, so that consistency doesn’t cross my mind. For example, the synth-pop instrumentation evokes a nostalgic vibe, transporting us back to the ’80s. It is also key in making DANCING ALONE upbeat and fun. The smooth melodies are catchy, and I find myself occasionally humming along to them. KiiiKiii’s vocals are perfectly light throughout the song, which is solid for this song. To be a bit critical, a ‘safe’ argument can be made for DANCING ALONE. But the more I listen to DANCING ALONE, the more I fall into the single.

Just like the song, the music video for DANCING ALONE opts for a feel-good vibe. It sees the group hang out with one another whilst at and after school, dancing around, having fun and enjoying each other’s company. I really enjoyed the nostalgia the video brings, as it makes me think about my memories of having fun with friends whilst at school. Oh, life was much simpler back in those days. These memories paint a very big smile on my face, on par with the smiles and energy that the members showcase in the video. But it is the scenes where the members are alone that are probably the most important. DANCING ALONE also redefines the idea of being alone. Instead of being isolated, the music video shows each member dancing by themselves to represent the idea of exploring freedom, confidence and self-assurance.

The choreography for this comeback just hits the spot for me. Everything that the song exudes (those feel-good vibes I keep on mentioning, youthfulness, upbeat energy etc.) is embodied and showcased perfectly. The routine has some sharpness to it, which makes the routine so much more fun and exciting. I also liked the ending, where we see them dancing alone by pulling off different moves but together in close proximity. It is a good way to reflect the comeback’s message, even whilst on stage.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.5/10