kpopreviewed

[Album Review] NA (2nd Mini Album) – NAYEON (TWICE)

January 25, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NAYEON (TWICE), TWICE2 Comments

NAYEON is nominated for Best Female Soloist and Best Dance Performance – Female Solo for ABCD in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support NAYEON and ABCD by clicking here to vote today.

Next up on the album review front of the blog is the review for NAYEON’s second mini-album – NA. This was released back in June 2024, headlined by the single ABCD. Six other songs feature on the mini-album. In my view, NA is a strong mini-album, even though it did weaken towards the end. But this mini-album consolidates NAYEON’s potential as a solo artist. Read on and let me know if you agree with me.

1. ABCD (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for ABCD. (9/10)

2. Butterflies – Butterflies is an all-English track, tapping into R&B pop territory with a trap-based instrumental. It is an excellent track with a solid beat and vocals from NAYEON. The only thing I wish for in Butterflies is for the instrumental volume to be toned down in the chorus. This will allow us to appreciate NAYEON in Butterflies more. I felt the trap elements, particularly during the follow-through, were a tad overwhelming to my liking. (8.5/10)

3. Heaven (ft. Sam Kim) – Heaven is a mature yet contemporary R&B track. Both NAYEON and Sam Kim work extremely well with one another on the track. It would have been nice for Sam Kim to have a larger feature in this track because he really rocked his part. Between the vocal blending between the two in the choruses, their solo moments and Sam Kim’s backing vocals, Heaven is quite a heavenly track. (9/10)

4. Magic (ft. Julie of KISS OF LIFE) – NAYEON turns to a funkier motif in Magic. The track is a fun and bright upbeat pop song, thanks to the brass, pan flutes and bold beats. It definitely feels summery, and I can’t help but have a boogie when Magic appears on my queue. Julie (from KISS OF LIFE) features in Magic, serving us some really cool raps. Magic is also quite catchy, thanks to the hooks and the all-English lyrics. (9/10)

5. HalliGalli – Produced by AKMU’s LEE CHANHYUK, HalliGalli is the first song since the title track to feature Korean lyrics. It is another song I can’t help but dance to when it appears in my queue. The house beat and squeaky synths make it a fun track, which makes sense since the song is based on a card game of the same name. The entire chorus (the main portion and the follow-through) is super addictive, and NAYEON’s high note just pops. Because of this edge, HalliGalli is a 10/10 in my books. (10/10)

6. Something – For me, Something was a blur. I don’t remember much of it. Even when writing this review, I had to sit down and really pay attention to Something to write about it. It features a fast-paced garage beat, and I liked the guitar work in the background. The bridge provided some good reprieve from the fast-paced nature of the song. I also appreciate the ear-wormy hooks that Something featured. (8.5/10)

7. Count It – NAYEON taps back into R&B for the final song on the album. Her vocals, Count It’s melodies and parts of the instrumental opt for a dreamier vibe, which I enjoyed. But it would have been a successful song had it not been for the clangy and clunky percussion. This disrupted the song’s dreaminess and potential ‘smooth’ nature. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] RIIZING/RIIZING: Epilogue (1st Mini Album/1st Repackaged Mini Album) – RIIZE

January 24, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged RIIZE2 Comments

RIIZE is nominated for Best Male Group, Best Dance Performance – Male Group for Boom Boom Bass, Best Remixed Track for the Darius remix of Impossible and Best Rock or Band Song for Combo. Support RIIZE and their 2024 releases today by clicking here to vote for them today.

RIIZE debuted in 2023. But it took them almost a year to release their first mini-album, RIIZING, in June 2024. Yup, this review is most definitely long overdue. Amongst some new songs, the mini-album was led by their hit Boom Boom Bass and the pre-release single Impossible. The mini-album also featured the singles Love 119 (an early 2024 release) and Talk Saxy and the full version of Siren (both of which are 2023 releases). The group followed up RIIZING with a repackaged mini-album titled RIIZING: Epilogue and the addition of the single Combo. As this review should have been posted months ago, let’s get right into it!

RIIZING mini-album

1. Boom Boom Bass (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Boom Boom Bass. (9/10)

2. Siren – Siren was originally revealed in a performance video introducing the world to RIIZE in 2023. At the time, the song was only about 1 minute and 17 seconds long. A full version of Siren is included in this mini-album, expanding to about 2.5 minutes. It is a 90s hip-hop style with boom-bap-style drums and strong bass riffs. All of this makes Siren quite upbeat – a constantly on-the-toes feeling and serves as a good introduction to RIIZE’s style and performance skills. Constant appearances on my playlists and recommendations have also made Siren a catchy number. (9/10)

3. Impossible (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for the full review for Impossible. (9/10)

4. 9 Days – What I liked in 9 Days is the bright dance-pop energy in the choruses. This was a memorable aspect of the song – it was super catchy and addictive. The verses and other parts of 9 Days were good, with solid vocals and rapping from the members. But they were not as compelling as compared to the chorus. (8/10)

5. Honestly – We get a smooth R&B pop track in Honestly. It is nice to hear a softer side of the group, and I appreciate the warm vocals that RIIZE bring to the song. However, between the dreamy synths and the trap beats, the instrumental is plain for my liking. (7/10)

6. One Kiss – One Kiss is a mid-tempo pop track with a really pleasant instrumental. It is described as having “majestic strings” and “powerful drums” (according to the article that the Wikipedia page of the album had sourced). The pleasantness can be extended to the song’s melodies and hooks, which exude a comforting feeling and are easy on the ears. One Kiss is a very approachable single overall. (8/10)

7. Talk Saxy – Click here for the review for Talk Saxy. (6/10)

8. Love 119 – Click here for the review for Love 119. (8/10)

Riizing: Epilogue Mini-Album

1. Combo (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Combo. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] ZOMBIE (5th Single Album) – EVERGLOW

January 3, 2025January 3, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVERGLOW2 Comments

Support your favourite KPOP artists, songs and performances in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

Welcome to the new year! Happy 2025 to all! I am still on my break and will be back at the end of the month to post some new reviews. But for the time being, I have pre-written some album and song reviews that should be scheduled for release. But I ran out of time and have been trying to get them ready when I have a strong internet connection. EVERGLOW’s 5th single album, ZOMBIE, led by the title track of the same name are one of those album reviews I wrote ahead of time. This single album was released back in June 2024.

PS. Sorry if this post looks a little awkward. I am also posting this from my phone and not my laptop.

1. ZOMBIE (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for ZOMBIE. (7/10)

2. Colourz – Colourz brings an explosion of colour and energy to the single album. If you have being reading my blog for some time, you can probably guess (from afar) that Colourz was going to be my favourite, particularly since this was the style of EVERGLOW I was looking for. The energy didn’t need to be as bright as it was for me to like it, but I do appreciate it in Colourz. I love the combination of the brass and hip-hop influences in Colourz. The shouty delivery of some lyrics was also well-suited for the song. (10/10)

3. BACK 2 LUV – Toning it back is BACK 2 LUV, which goes for softer tone instrumentally. There is still a heavy beat to the song, but BACK 2 LUV is incredibly subdued in comparison to the previous song. The song features good vocals from the members. I liked the cutesier tone the chorus has, but there are some other moments in BACK 2 LUV that give the members a chance to show off some of their own vocal colour. SIHYEON and MIA’s vocals in the bridge was amazingly blissful, and I might revisit BACK 2 LUV a few more times after this review just for this bridge. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] Kep1going On (1st Studio Album) – Kep1er

December 28, 2024December 25, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Kep1er2 Comments

Kep1er’s Shooting Star is nominated for Best Pop Song in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support Kep1er and Shooting Star by clicking here to vote for them today.

Kep1er’s first studio album, Kep1going On, is up for a review today. It is their first Korean studio album release since their debut in 2022. It features the title track Shooting Star, as well as the Korean versions of their Japanese title tracks Grand Prix and Straight Line. Kep1going On is also the last album release from Kep1er to feature Kang Yeseo and Sakamoto Mashiro, who did not renew their contracts to continue as part of Kep1er and subsequently made their quick debut under the new group MADEIN.

Kep1going On is not the most amazing release ever, but it is honestly what I had expected Kep1er to release. They did blow me away with Shooting Star and one other side track on the album (continue reading to find out which song that is). Following Kep1going On, the group returned as a seven-member ensemble with Tipi-Tap (which I have yet to review).

1. Last Carnival – I wished Last Carnival was a full track and not an intro track. The atmospheric tone and soft EDM instrumentation were amazing. Kep1er’s vocals were stunning throughout, and the pop melodies were a fantastic lead into the title track that follows. (9/10)

2. Shooting Star – Click here for the full review for Shooting Star. (9.5/10)

3. Curious – Curious is a decent R&B pop song. I liked the energy that most of the track featured and the vocal work in this one. It feels very lovable and cute-sounding, without going overboard in that department. My only gripe is that the chorus should have built on the momentum that came before it. The chorus could have been a little brighter, as well. This would have made Curious more appealing. (8/10)

4. Flowers, Flutter, Your Heart – Kep1er leans more into the R&B territory with Flowers, Flutter, Your Heart. I will admit that the song is more typical. But I really liked the violins in this one. I also enjoyed how engaging both the members and melodies were in the song. Still, Flowers, Flutter, Your Heart is a good example of how doing something really well speaks more volume. (8.5/10)

5. Double Up! – Double Up! changes up the momentum of the mini-album by featuring a groovy deep house instrumentation. And I am digging the instrumentation! I can’t help but have a mini dance when Double Up! comes on. It just has a great party energy that is hard to deny. The trap moments also work well in this song. A stronger hook and melodies could have really boosted the song to 10/10 territory. What we do get is catchy enough, but I think Double Up! could been perfect had these been fleshed out more. (9/10)

6. PUSH BUTTON – I can see PUSH BUTTON being an addition to Kep1er’s lineup of Japanese singles. It has potential to outperform their previous singles, especially if there are improvements to the song. PUSH BUTTON has the mature vibe heard in their Japanese tracks, is more approachable and has a decent ring. It is a bit more elementary and noticeably lacks oomph, but these are the improvements that could see PUSH BUTTON exceed expectations sets by their previous Japanese singles. (8/10)

7. PROBLEM – The 90s retro vibe in PROBLEM sells me this track. Since the album’s release in June, PROBLEM has become my favourite. I enjoyed all aspects of it – vocals, rapping, instrumentation, melodies and hooks. I particularly thought Huening Bahiyyih and Xiaoting’s lines in the verses were amazing. I also enjoyed the R&B turn in the bridge by Chaehyun and Mashiro. A definite recommendation. (10/10)

8. Dear Diary – Given its position on the album and the fact it is titled Dear Diary, I am not surprised that the track is of a slower motif and is dedicated to their fans. The track has a nice, overall. The R&B instrumentation is touching and soothing, while the vocals were appreciatively delicate. Even the rapping was well-thought out and incorporated into the fan-dedicated song. (8/10)

9. Grand Prix (Korean Version) – Click here for the review of the Japanese version for Grand Prix. (5/10)

10. Straight Line (Korean Version) – I made promises to review Straight Line before, but never got around to it until today. I personally liked Straight Line as a track. But there is a lot going on, and I can see why many people may think the song is overwhelming. It is a blend of genres and influences – Latin-influences, hip-hop, R&B and probably a few more. While the track attempts to hold itself back from being overwhelming by keeping the vocals and melodies ‘consistent’, the sheer number of changes the song go through doesn’t help. That being said, there are some good moments in Straight Line. So, perhaps the producers should have stuck to a just a few style (or each separately) to help Kep1er shine. (7.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] IZNA – izna

December 26, 2024December 21, 2024Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged IZNALeave a comment

Support your favourite KPOP artists, songs and performances in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

As we draw to the end to 2024, I do find myself in a reflective mode. An area of the blog I personally felt I did not do a good job delivering on are rookie reviews. So many good rookies made their debut and I just didn’t get around to reviewing them. But I keen on ensuring I cover more rookies in 2025. And while we are not in the new year yet, it is always nice to get a head start. Today, I have picked IZNA’s self-titled debut track. The group hails from the survival show, I-Land 2: N/a, where the 7 top ranking members (Mai, Jeemin, Jiyoon, Koko, Sarang, Jungeun and Saeb) would form a new KPOP group. The first season of the show created ENHYPEN.

izna’s IZNA (this is not going to be confusing whatsoever) is a mixture of R&B and hip hop, but is all kept very minimalistic. For the most part, IZNA features a heavy beat and trap-like percussion. It is an okay production, but it does get flat and dull with repeat listens. Some other synths come into play during the bridge, but they are not pivotal or become the defining sound of IZNA. I just wished the song developed a little as it progressed to cut through the flatness to become more engaging. For example, IZNA potentially could have concentrated itself or give itself a climax of some kind. After all, those repeat listens made IZNA feel very much like a loop. In term of the members, their flat delivery (more on this in a second) was most definitely intentional. And to a degree, I do admit that it did sound intriguing and catchy. Their rapping was on show in IZNA, but the same can’t be said about their vocals, unfortunately.

While the quality of the music video is great, I feel the colour palette and odd dulling filter was a let-down. I don’t know about you, but these contributed to making everything feel opaque and boring. The video also attempted to do pull off a minimalistic concept in some regards. But instead of something striking or aesthetic, I felt even more bored and uninterested in the final product. I am not saying the music video had to be colourful or lively. What the final product did work well with the song. But some refinement would have been made the video better.

If there was anything to take away from this debut, it is that izna has charisma. Their intense facial expressions give the routine some added depth. And the routine itself is the better aspect of their debut. It was powerful and well-synchronised.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 6/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 6.4/10

[Album Review] 1 to 3 (3rd Mini Album) – SUHO (EXO)

December 24, 2024December 21, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EXO, Suho (EXO)Leave a comment

SUHO’s 1 to 3 is nominated for Best Music Video in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support SUHO’s 1 to 3 music video in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

SUHO’s 1 to 3 is the next album on the reviewing block. He returned with the mini-album in May this year with the title track of the same name. It also features the pre-release of Cheese (which featured label mate WENDY from Red Velvet) and 5 other side tracks.

One of the things I realised upon reviewing SUHO’s album is how rock-focused it is. We are not just speaking of the more traditional forms of rock we often hear in KPOP, like pop rock. Instead, SUHO ventures into alternative and indie territory throughout the album, which is always intriguing and exciting. SUHO does such a good job that I recommended 1 to 3 to those looking to satisfy their rock cravings.

1. Mayday – Mayday softly opens the mini-album, speaking to the idea of looking for someone you thought was on the same path as you. The song taps into the alternative rock genre, with the official description describing it as a ‘dreamy psychedelic’. I liked how approachable Mayday is with its soft aesthetic, easing us into the mini-album. The song’s soft nature also applies to SUHO’s vocals, which are so delicate. But this delicateness gives us that emotion the song’s message wants to convey. (8/10)

2. 1 to 3 (점선면) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for 1 to 3. (9/10)

3. Cheese (치즈) (ft. WENDY from Red Velvet) (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for the full review for Cheese. (8/10)

4. Wishful Thinking – Wishful Thinking is an intriguing song. The verses feature some groovy yet hushed vocals that appeal to me instantly. But then comes brief and harsh guitar work that shocks the system and breaks up those hushed vocals. The second time it shows up, it generates momentum towards the chorus. But when the choruses comes, SUHO returns to hushed vocals but also makes sure to give it a beautiful twist by smoothing out the melodies. The song doesn’t maintain any particular momentum until after the second chorus, where Wishful Thinking starts to wrap up and ends abruptly (which you may know is not my ideal way to finish a song). (9/10)

5. Moonlight – SUHO continues his exploration of rock with an indie number. Moonlight is a refreshing song for a few reasons. His vocal delivery is very different yet fun, compared to the other songs. The melodies and energy are more cheerful, which had me vibing along. He opts for a ukulele as the primary instrument, which is a unique choice. Moonlight isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I liked it nonetheless. (8/10)

6. Alright Alright (ft. Giriboy) – Alright Alright brings funky rock to the mini-album. And the funkiness and catchiness of Alright Alright makes it a hard song to turn away from. The instrumental gives me surfer vibes, ideal for someone looking to kick it back at a beach this Summer (like me). SUHO’s light yet fulfilling vocals are amazing, and GIRIBOY’s rap fits in perfectly. (10/10)

7. Zero Gravity (무중력) – Wrapping up this seven-song mini-album is Zero Gravity, another alternative rock song. The first verse had me thinking the song was leaning into the balladry side. Beautiful instrumentation and vocal work here. But Zero Gravity picks itself up once it gets to the chorus and maintains that energy into the second verse. Both the instrumentation and SUHO’s vocals remain beautiful and approachable. I really liked the flow of the chorus, which felt like an OST to me, and the passion the bridge exudes. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

[Review] hey! hey! – TWS

December 23, 2024December 25, 2024Posted in KPOPTagged TWSLeave a comment

TWS is nominated for multiple awards in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. These include Best New Male Artist, Rising Star, and Best Dance Performance – Male Group (for plot twist). Support TWS by clicking here to vote for TWS today.

TWS made their first comeback with their second mini-album, SUMMER BEAT! back in June. I reviewed the lead single, If I’m S, Can You Be My N?, at its release and will shortly post my album review for SUMMER BEAT! soon. But before I do that, I will review the pre-release single, hey! hey! in this post.

It has been a while since hey! hey!‘s release. But I still remember its bright and summery vibes. And that is why I am keen to write a separate review for hey! hey! and flagged my intention to do so in If I’m S, Can You Be My N?‘s review. This rock-influenced dance track gives off that energetic and dynamic feel you look for in a summery track. I like the slight roughness some of the rock elements give the song, which adds to that dynamism. TWS’ vocals and the energy the members give hey! hey! is vibrant and infectious, which makes me smile when I listen to it. hey! hey!’s hooks and melodies were catchy and addictive. Now that it is summer where I am (and I am writing this during a heatwave), hey! hey!‘s is a refreshing summer track that I greatly appreciate.

The music video shows the members hanging out and having a fun time with one another after school. They do so much, including playing basketball and going to the beach. Definitely not the fun that I had with my friends after school, but this is a summer video. I like how they keep their coming-of-age/high-schooler concept going in this video. I also enjoyed how bright everything in the video felt and how dynamic the camerawork was, complementing the song well.

The performance really kept the energy flowing throughout and never really stopped. Additionally, it also embodied the youthfulness of both the members and the concept of the release. It is a very satisfying and fulfilling performance to watch. Highly recommend this one!

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

[Review] TASTE – YOUNITE

December 19, 2024Posted in KPOPLeave a comment

Support your favourite KPOP artists, songs and performances in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

YOUNITE is a KPOP male group that you don’t see much on my blog. But they debuted in 2022 with 1 of 9. Since then, I have completely dropped the ball when it comes to YOUNITE. I have not written a single review about their music over the last two years. To any YOUNIZ (YOUNITE’s fandom), I apologise for that. Recently, the group returned with the single TASTE, and I thought I would pick it up for review.

Honestly, I don’t remember much of YOUNITE’s music. I have been listening to their music, but nothing really stuck out. Otherwise, I would have written a review for YOUNITE sooner. As such, I don’t have a baseline to refer to and can only rely on my first impression of TASTE. The first thing that jumped at me was that TASTE is a fine song. It falls into the hip-hop realm, with a funky instrumental and appealing upbeatness. There were these nice yet faint flute sounds in the background. They helped polish the song by giving TASTE a subtle and sophisticated feel amongst the rest of the instrumentation. That being said, the flute sounds were faint and barely audible. I wished they were a little more prolific, as there is opportunity for these flutes to become more of a drawing point for TASTE. As for the vocals, I wished they were more fleshed out in TASTE. The melodies and hooks were just plain and flat, which didn’t help showcase their vocals. They have a good set of vocals to rely on (the bridge is a good indicator of this). But TASTE just wasn’t the material to draw my attention towards the group. However, I did like the whispery lines that followed the first and final choruses.

There isn’t much to the video apart from the members hanging out with one another. I did like the home video concept the music video has. It makes the video feel laid back and casual, complementing TASTE‘s hip-hop influence. It also adds some trendy retro touches to the video, which helped keep the video from being consistent.

The choreography was good, but it could have been better. Nothing stands out to me. The choreography leaned too much into the casual and laid-back side of the song. It should have embraced that upbeatness more. A little more sharpness and dynamic flair would have done wonders to this routine.

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

[Review] Love In My Heart – BABYMONSTER

December 18, 2024February 22, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged BABYMONSTER1 Comment

BABYMONSTER is nominated for Best New Female Group in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support BABYMONSTER in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

BABYMONSTER continues their promotions for their first studio album, DRIP, with the music video release for Love In My Heart on Monday. This release follows the pre-release of FOREVER midyear and the release of the entire album and title tracks CLIK CLAK and DRIP in November.

Love In My Heart is a relatively mellow and heartfelt release from the group compared to the title tracks from the studio album. That being said, the producers of Love In My Heart keep the song contemporary by incorporating EDM backing and club beats together. This combination reminds me of the music I enjoyed from the late 2000s to the early 2010s. And with a mellow and heartfelt descriptor, Love In My Heart is vocal-focused, allowing BABYMONSTER to showcase more of that side of themselves. Rami surprised me with her high note. But despite recognising the group’s opportunity to shine vocally and the nostalgia the instrumental brings, I can’t help but also feel a generic vibe coming off Love In My Heart. And this impacts other aspects of the song that I usually look towards. Love In My Heart‘s melodies were not memorable, and the song’s hook (‘Give you ay ay ay‘) was awkwardly flat. The same can be said about their vocals. They were decent but lacked any shine to them. Overall, Love In My Heart is a decent track. But it could have been better executed.

The music video begins with commentary over the radio and news that the weather hasn’t been so great. This has affected the members’ mood, leading to fighting between two members. But despite that, the song expresses the idea that their love for one another is a strong bond. So soon after their fight, we see the members rejoin and run off together to enjoy the post-rain weather and go on a road trip together (just without a vehicle, at first).

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.4/10 [Updated on 22/02/2025 due to calculation error]

[Review] Rupert’s Drop – ONEUS

December 17, 2024December 21, 2024Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged ONEUSLeave a comment

Support your favourite KPOP artists, songs and performances in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards by clicking here to vote today!

ONEUS is back? I missed the news of their return with the digital single, Rupert’s Drop, which dropped last Monday. It’s not surprising though, since the official announcement of the release didn’t happen until mid-way last week. Still, keep your eyes out for the special album release dropping early next year. We last saw ONEUS through their Now comeback earlier this year and on Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace.

Compared to their earlier releases (which have been of the dance variety), Rupert’s Drop is a change of pace for ONEUS. It is a mellow and soothing ballad track, with an acoustic-like pop-leaning instrumental and pleasant, straightfoward and easy-going melodies. It isn’t the most mind-blowing track ever, but it is still a really nice listen. The guitars riff in Rupert’s Drop reminds me of the guitar riffs in IU’s Blueming. This evokes a nostalgic feeling for me, which works in Rupert’s Drop‘s favour. I like how the instrumental builds as it progresses, peaking when the electric guitar comes into play in the bridge. Mellow material like Rupert’s Drop allows the song to focus on the vocals. And in Rupert’s Drop, ONEUS executes the track quite well. All the members sound so good in Rupert’s Drop and I particularly like the oomph they give during the choruses. ONEUS also bring a comforting tone to Rupert’s Drop. This makes the track feel warmer and fitting for the colder season in Korea. Overall, a hearty and likable song from ONEUS.

I am unsure if the music video is relevant to the song. The video only features the members singing amongst some flowers. Aesthetic-wise, it is pretty and works well with the likableness of the song. But my understanding of Rupert’s Drop lyrics is it depicts the idea that a connection is formed between two people when they cry. The tears and associated feelings are likened to Rupert Drop’s, the tadpole-like shaped drop that dripped molten glass solidifieds into when its cooled. Apart from falling snowflakes, which is the closest thing in the video we get to ‘drops’ in this video, I can’t see how else the video is relevant to the song.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] 2nd Week of December 2024

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged TWICE3 Comments

Welcome back to another Weekly KPOP Chart post! You may have noticed that I am posting this a day later than usual. It has been a busy weekend as I have been preparing to get the voting lines up and running for the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. I have also been drafting and scheduling some posts for the upcoming Summer break.

My final ‘fresh’ post for the year will be this week’s Weekly KPOP Charts, to be published next Sunday per the usual schedule. From there, scheduled posts (song reviews for ‘older’ songs that I missed from earlier in the year or albums I have yet to review) will begin to drop from Monday next week. I aim to have a post out every two days until 1 February 2025 (which is when I will be back). Any major comeback in the last few days of the year or during January 2025 will be reviewed upon my return.

But I am still posting ‘fresh-off-the-press’ song reviews for new (or new-ish) releases this week! So until next week, it is the usual transmission.

Voting Now Open – 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards

Voting for the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards has officially begun!

I announced the nominations last week and launched the voting page just yesterday. You have until 31 January 2025 to vote for your favourite KPOP artist, song and performance of 2024.

Check back on 31 December 2024 to find out who my pick of the winner for each category in the annual KPOPREVIEWED Choice post. But remember, your votes will decide the winner. Happy voting!

Non-Korean Song of the Week

I draw attention to a top-ranking non-Korean song of the week in this part of the Weekly KPOP Chart post each week. This week’s highest-ranking non-Korean song is ROSÉ’s toxic till the end, which ranks in the 9th position.

The Charts

TWICE’s Strategy, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, ranks in the top spot for the 2nd Week of December 2024’s Weekly KPOP Charts. Congratulations TWICE and Megan!

Position	Song Title	Artist	Change
1	Strategy	TWICE ft. Megan Thee Stallion	(▲ 13)
2	Walkin On Water	Stray Kids	(NEW)
3	Now or Never	CRAVITY	(▲ 38)
4	No Doubt	ENHYPEN	(▲ 2)
5	LOVE, MONEY & FAME	SEVENTEEN ft. DJ Khaled	(▲ 43)
6	CALL BACK	MINHO (SHINee)	(▼ 4)
7	Ice On My Teeth	ATEEZ	(▲ 44)
8	Last Festival	TWS	(▲ 2)
9	toxic till the end	ROSÉ (BLACKPINK)	(▲ 20)
10	IGLOO	KISS OF LIFE	(▼ 2)
11	Whiplash	aespa	(▼ 10)
12	When I’m With You	NCT DREAM	(▼ 8)
13	APT.	ROSÉ (BLACKPINK) & Bruno Mars	(▲ 12)
14	LAST NIGHT	TREASURE	(▼ 9)
15	Christmas Love	Stray Kids	(▲ 53)
16	Rupert’s Drop	ONEUS	(NEW)
17	Daydream	ENHYPEN	(▼ 1)
18	IZNA	izna	(▲ 31)
19	Viola	Yves (LOONA)	(▲ 26)
20	PINATA	A.C.E	(▼ 9)
21	Like A Flower	IRENE (Red Velvet)	(▼ 6)
22	number one girl	ROSÉ (BLACKPINK)	(▲ 44)
23	Unconditional	JAEHYUN (NCT)	(▼ 11)
24	Over The Moon	TXT	(▼ 17)
25	FREQUENCY	WayV	(▼ 7)
26	Check Pattern	SUNGJIN (DAY6)	(▲ 42)
27	GPT	STAYC	(▲ 41)
28	Derre	BIBI	(▲ 40)
29	ON MY BIKE	PURPLE KISS	(▲ 39)
30	Psycho and Beautiful	CLASS:y	(▲ 38)

[Album Review] Armageddon (1st Studio Album) – aespa

December 15, 2024December 15, 2024Posted in KPOPLeave a comment

aespa is nominated for several categories in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. This includes Best Female Group, Best Dance Performance (Female Group), Best Music Video (for Whiplash) and Best Electronic Song (for Supernova) and more. Support aespa by clicking here to vote today!

After successfully debuting in 2021 and having many hits, aespa released their first studio-length album, Armageddon. This album features 10 songs, including their massive pre-release hit Supernova, and the title track of the same name as the album. ICYMI – Supernova was recently crowned the Song of the Year at the MAMA Awards and the Melon Music Awards. I suspect they will get more of those at the upcoming awards ceremonies. Totally well-deserving!

But obviously, we are here to check out the full Armageddon album. Alongside Supernova, this album has a few great songs. They are concentrated towards the end of the album, while the first part got a lukewarm response from me. Find out which songs fell into which category down below.

1. Supernova (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Supernova. (9/10)

2. Armageddon (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Armageddon. (6/10)

3. Set The Tone – Set The Tone sees the group venture down the hip-hop route alongside their usual electronic style. The group embraces the hip-hop influence well in their delivery, giving them an edgier vibe than usual. Set The Tone also features a thumping beat, making the song more pronounced. I particularly like the outro of the track. This section really concentrates their own style and tone in the song. (8/10)

4. Mine – Mine feels like Set The Tone thanks to the similar influences in the two songs (i.e., the hip-hop influence with their electronic style, which translates to an edgy vibe). However, there are differences between the two that set them apart. Mine is a lot more paced and features a greater emphasis on vocals, as well as rap-speak. I like the wavy note that appears twice at the start of each chorus. But Mine also lacks anything memorable and was a skippable track in my eyes. (6/10)

5. Licorice – aespa ventures into rock-influence territory with Licorice. Electric guitars are a dominant feature of the instrumentation, alongside a trap backing. If you have been reading this blog for a while, I like songs with a rock influence. However, Licorice feels underwhelming. I was hoping the instrumental would pick up towards the end to break the overly consistent trajectory Licorice has in its current form. There is potential with the rock influence, but it was not realised. There were some good lines in Licorice, enough to make it catchy. But like the instrumental, the vocal work was underwhelming for similar reasons. (7/10)

6. BAHAMA – I am honestly surprised that aespa did not promote BAHAMA. Listening to this song, I see it being a hit this past summer. It is a nice summery pop change that is both chill and fitting for the current ‘beige’ trend. The song has catchy hooks and soothing melodies, delivered with dreamy vocals from the members. Both the bridge and rapping in the bridge were great highlights that pushed this song into upbeat territory. (9/10)

7. Long Chat (#♥) – Long Chat is loaded with an abundance of textures thanks to its use of abrasive synths. It might be overwhelming for some, but I thought it made for a fun dance song. I liked how likeable the pop melodies and vocals (thanks to the members) made Long Chat feel, particularly between the more texturally loaded moments. NINGNING’s high notes were really well done and a highlight for me. (10/10)

8. Prologue – The pop genre continues into Prologue. It a vocal-forward track, with the members sound very clear and nice throughout the length of the track. Prologue also features a warm and comforting melody, which goes nicely with the song’s message of being comfortable with oneself, no matter what others say or who they compare you to. (8/10)

9. Live My Life – aespa turns to pop-punk in Live My Life and I just love reliving the choruses each time I replay the song. The band instrumentation was straightforward but effectively impactful. The members’ vocal work and harmonies were consistently amazing throughout the track. I am blown away by how captivating they made the song sound. An easy 10/10 to me. (10/10)

10. Melody (목소리) – Like all KPOP albums, the final song is usually reserved for a softer number. For aespa’s Armageddon album, that song is Melody, a song dedicated to their fans. The piano, string elements and passionate electric guitar in the background give Melody its softer appeal. Further, Melody is another song with great vocals from the members. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Special] 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards – Voting Now Open

December 15, 2024February 1, 2025Posted in KPOPREVIEWED Awards, SpecialLeave a comment

Welcome back to the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards.

On 10 December 2024, I announced the nominees for the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. If you have not yet checked out the nominees, you can do so here.

From today to 11:59 PM AEDT 31 January 2025, you will be able to vote for your favourite KPOP artist, song or performance of 2024 via the voting form below! Remember, your votes will help determine the best artists, songs and performances of 2024, so make sure you vote and spread the word to your friends and other KPOP listeners!

To vote, click here to be taken to the voting form.

In case the link above doesn’t work, you can copy the following URL into your web browser: https://forms.gle/BWaqWXYFBsreQJ1FA

Happy voting! Check back on the blog on 31 December 2024 to find out who my picks are and late February for the official announcement of the winners!

[Review] Walkin On Water – Stray Kids

December 14, 2024Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Stray Kids2 Comments

Yesterday, Stray Kids made their return to the Korean music scene with the single Walkin on Water and their mixtape album Hop. It is their first Korean release since ATE (led by the single Chk Chk Boom) and their Japanese release GIANT last month.

Unsuprisingly, the track Walkin On Water is a hip-hop centric number. You can hear that within an instant. Personally, I quite like the choruses. I felt they were are good embodiment of old-school hip-hop in terms of the members delivery and instrumental-wise. I do find the members’ “Brrkt Brrkt” to be cringy, but the rest of the choruses were fine. I do like the infusion of rock elements in the end, which freshens up Walkin On Water and intensifies the song as it hurtles towards its finish. The verses containing the more interesting material, with CHANGBIN, HAN, HYUNJIN rapping and vocals from SEUNGMIN and I.N. BANGCHAN and LEE KNOW feature more in the choruses, while FELIX’s deep vocals make a presence during the bridge and the end of the choruses. Given that this is a mixtape, I wished they could have experimented a bit more with FELIX, who I think needs to be better utlisied (i.e., more than his deep vocals) and have his own rap sequence. And no offense to HYUNJIN, but I prefer his vocal work in the first chorus compared to his rapping in the song. Overall, Walkin On Water is a good track from Stray Kids.

Despite Walkin On Water is a different song than usual for Stray Kids, I liked how their music video doesn’t really differ. There are a lot more solo moments between each member, but the misplaced background people (which is a recurring element to Stray Kids videos) feature in the music video once again. We have motorcyclists and jet-skiers at the traditional Korean building. We also have horses eating out of the car engine and a basketball court at the same location. I also liked the arrow surrounded dance locations for this music video. The music video set at the traditional Korean buildings and FELIX’s solo moment in the bridge also gives off Thunderous vibes.

The footwork in the performance is a highlight. They add the bounce and embodies that hip-hop energy quite well. The synchonisation of their upper bodies must also be commended. Altogether, a very cool routine.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10

[Review] Now or Never – CRAVITY

December 13, 2024Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged CRAVITY2 Comments

CRAVITY returned just over a week ago with their new single, Now or Never, their first single since their EVERSHINE comeback (led by the single Love or Die) and their win on Road To Kingdom: Ace of Ace.

Listening to Now or Never over the last week, I consistently thought that the song could have gone further with its rock influence. Now or Never felt like a song that could have been a powerful song that blows you away, especially after the ticking pre-choruses. But that powerful feeling isn’t realised when we reach Now or Never‘s choruses. Now or Never definitely heads in that direction, but a more electrifying or grungy feeling would have made the song more enticing and exciting in my books. We get closer to that realisation at certain points in Now or Never, such as the first half of the bridge. But it wasn’t enough to tip Now or Never over the line into ‘awesome territory’ for me. Similar comments regarding the choruses can be said about the vocals. While they were good and solid throughout (again, the autotuned vocals during the first part of the pre-choruses were great), I think there were some constraints on the members, which probably contributed to the dampening of the choruses. Stronger melodies and hooks would have helped, as well. I did feel the raps were the more promising aspect of Now or Never, as it helped add some extra power and suspense to the song in their own way. Overall, Now or Never was a decent follow-up to their Love or Die comeback from earlier in the year.

My biggest issue with the music video was the pause in the music. The purpose was to give off suspense, but the subsequent launch back into the music should have been more explosive. What ended up happening was a weak return, which just doesn’t do the music video or song justice. But aside from that, I really enjoyed the aesthetics of the video. Now or Never is about ‘boldly seizing opportunities, reflecting [their] ambition and unwavering determination to take on the world’s challenges fearlessly’. In the video, the challenge is an asteroid that comes crashing into Earth, but the members are able to embrace it and live through the impact with one another. I also really liked the clock (I think this is what it is) set in the video. It looked cool and very futuristic.

I liked the powerful vibe from the choreography and the energy the members put into the chorus sections of the routine. It made it feel jam-packed and very intense. The pre-chorus moves and the outro routine were also highlights. CRAVITY did an awesome job with this part of the comeback.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10

[Review] JJAM – Stray Kids

December 12, 2024Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Stray Kids3 Comments

As part of their ATE album (led by the title track Chk Chk Boom) released earlier this year, Stray Kids released some videos to accompany some of the side tracks on the mini-album (making them eligible for a separate review). Thus far, I have reviewed the side tracks MOUNTAINS and Stray Kids. Today, I am focusing on the final song with a video, JJAM.

JJAM features a strong EDM backing that really defines the song. The EDM, accompanied by the thumping beat, gives JJAM character and personality, similar to how EDM defined and made DOMINO (another Stray Kids track from their NOEASY era). The tight back-and-forth synth in the chorus (which, when paired with the choreography, became the critical point of JJAM) was quite memorable, as was the rest of the chorus. What made JJAM more special was how it features the three units of the group. Following the first chorus, we get solid and refreshing vocals from VOCALRACHA (SEUNGMIN & I.N). This is followed by an instrumental break that allows DANCERACHA (LEE KNOW, HYUNJIN & FELIX) to execute a dance break on stage, while fast-paced EDM that keeps me on my toes each time I listen to JJAM backs 3RACHA’s rap sequence (CHANGBIN & HAN). Leader BANGCHAN gets his own section, bridging the units’ section back to the rest of JJAM. Their delivery elsewhere in JJAM is top-notch. It is an exciting way to present Stray Kids that keeps true to their style and sound.

The music video shows Stray Kids going underground to make some “sticky and attractive” jam, which is probably the code for their music. I did like the killer vibes Stray Kids were giving off, either through vampirism (based on the red substance in the corner of HAN’s mouth or SEUNGMIN/I.N’s scene where they are smashing something up to source the red substance). However, they should have better vetted the place to avoid the ghostly presence that gets them. It is a hodge-podge of a video, but it was a fun and cool concept.

The accompanying choreography proves why Stray Kids’ performances are always something to look forward to. As mentioned above, the vibrating move accompanying the synth in the chorus was the key point of the song. It was such a cool move that it needs to be mentioned again. DANCERACHA’s dance break, as well as the all-member dance break towards the end, was also another highlight in the routine.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10