Author: kpopreviewed

Hi, my name is Tony and I am the man behind the site, kpopreviewed. Currently an university student who wants to introduce people to KPOP and if you are already into KPOP, different groups and bands.

[Review] Spicy – aespa

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aespa is one of the few artists that kicks off this new week, returning with their third mini-album My World and the title track Spicy. This comeback follows the group’s pre-release single Welcome to My World, which dropped last week and is a song that I will review separately in the near future. Spicy also follows the group’s 2022 comeback Girls.

Spicy is quite a change to their last comeback and even aespa’s wider discography thus far. Their main title tracks have been of more of an EDM base thus far, but Spicy manages to spice it up with a more pop-leaning comeback. Despite that however, Spicy still manages to conform to aespa’s roots, featuring textural form of EDM, dynamic bass and heavy beats – all of which still manages to make an intense statement. Not once did I feel the instrumental was overwhelming, which easily could have taken over hadn’t it been for the members (more on this in just a second). I liked the more vibrant and brighter tone the synths take on, while the dynamic profile of the instrumentation felt very suitable for the upcoming Summer season that I keep mentioning about. The pop side of the song comes through via the melodies choruses, which by far is my favourite part of Spicy. I am surprised that Spicy managed to still incorporate such pleasantly executed melodic flourishes in such an intense piece. This is mainly achieved by the members and their powerful vocals, which Spicy undoubtedly puts on full display. Upon reflection, the hooks are a bit cringy in my opinion, but I have managed to overlook this during each listen I have given Spicy so far. The rapping is more contained in the verses of the song. But while they pretty much were on par with the intensity of the song in the verses as well, I personally felt that the verses just weren’t as memorable. Hence I can’t justify giving Spicy a perfect rating. But they were so so close to earning it had it not been for the lesser memorable verses.

For once, aespa is not in their virtual world or a built set. I was prepared to see their a virtual landscape and some super cool graphics. But seeing them in actual sunshine and the real world feels very refreshing. That being said, we do get a virtual reference via the glitchy background. A nice subtle nod to their concept as a group. I really liked the confidence that the members instill on the viewers throughout the video. The music video also features some fun moments, such as a car falling from the sky into a reserved parking spot at the start of the video and the frozen-in-time party (which actually looks quite cool).

From what I can see in the music video, it appears the choreography aspect of the comeback is the weakest. None of the moves that featured in the video highlights their performance skills that the members have shown in the past. The most promising moment in the routine was during the bridge of the song (which kind of serves as the instrumental/dance break). The moves here were sharp and showed potential. But I just feel the rest was a bit plain.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 6.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] Still Life – RM (BTS) with Anderson .Paak

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Apologies with how long it has taken me to review this particular song. Still Life was released as part of RM’s debut studio album that was released in December last year. The single Wild Flower, which I did review at the time of release, was the main title track. But Still Life was released as a second single a week after the album’s release. Today, I will finally review Still Life. Also, with this song review soon to be out of the way, this does mean I will finally be posting a review for RM’s studio length album Indigo this coming weekend. Indigo’s album review will also be the final 2022 album review, which will mean that I will finally start tackling the 2023 albums! That will be coming out later this week. But until then, here is my review for Still Life.

Still Life has such a groovy flair that makes it one damn good expressive song. I remember constantly listening to the track when it was first released, just because it was such a fun number and was quite an attractive track from the album. The positive vibes exuded from Still Life were notable, and the upbeat energy throughout makes me want to have a bit of a boogie. The instrumental had some great percussion and subtle brass that gives life to that groovy flair that I already mentioned. As for the artists, RM’s rapping had really good flow and was very captivating during the verses. Anderson .Paak comes through primarily during the choruses alongside RM, and gives off a really great texture via his raspy voice. His “I’m still life” line throughout the song was very punchy and memorable, and this adds more to that expressive profile of Still Life. There is such a catchy ring to the choruses as well. I also found it clever how Anderson .Paak is able to manipulate the pronunciation of “I’m still life” to make it sound like ‘I’m still alive‘, which adds further meaning to the song (which I will touch on later). Together, the pair had great chemistry, as evident by that sequence just prior to the final chorus, and this helped make Still Life a fantastic song. Altogether, I found Still Life is be suitably selected as a second single and a highlight from the Indigo album.

The video plays on the concept of still art. Whilst everything around him is frozen, RM is still able to move about freely, grooving to the song as it plays. With everything around him frozen, he is showing how something still can continue to be alive. The lyrics also speak about moving forward. And the concept of a train was a great way to show this, as the train is a vehicle that constantly moves forward to reach its destination. A well thought out video.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.4/10

[Album Review] Code Name: Arrow (11th Mini Album) – UP10TION

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There might be a reason to why I pushed out a review for UP10TION’s What If Love despite it being released half a year ago. That is because I made a decision to review the Code Name: Arrow mini-album in which the single was present on, given the massive changes the group underwent earlier this year. While the group has reassured us that they have not disbanded and wish to continue UP10TION into the future, the lack of news (such as signing on with a company) since their departure from TOP Media does make me slightly concerned about their future. However, given the group is at the stage of their career involving military enlistments, this might be slowing things down in terms of future activities and relevant news. Regardless, I will be looking out for news of UP10TION’s future and hope that it comes soon. But for now, here is my thoughts on Code Name: Arrow.

Code Name: Arrow Album Cover

1. Angel – Starting off the mini-album is Angel, which was a solid EDM track. I did like the rush of energy that the instrumental following the first chorus. I also liked how the presence of guitar throughout the song peeking through the EDM, with my favourite being the brief yet funky guitar riffs detailing we hear in that same instrumental break just mentioned. The rapping and its flow in the song added a nice flair to the song, while the vocals were a good showing, particularly the falsetto in the choruses. Though I think a stronger hook would have really taken Angel up a notch. (8/10)

2. What If Love (Title Track) – Click here to read the review for What If Love. (7/10)

3. Bloom – For me, Bloom’s chorus was its highlight. The thumping EDM/dance instrumental that opens the centerpiece of the song was quite a showstopper and I liked how it wasn’t just a one-trick moment. The second and final chorus are also the same, with the latter incorporating an extra set of beats to just give the final chorus that just that little bit more. The vocals here was really well done. Elsewhere in Bloom, we have a pop ballad-like first verse (which helps make the first run at the chorus that bit more shocking – but in a good way). The deeper toned rapping was also well used, just to give the song more depth. Hook-wise and melody-wise, I find Bloom to be particularly strong in these areas, as well. (10/10)

4. Flash – Guitar riffs and casual energy takes the helm in Flash. It is an enjoyable track, with a slight retro tinge to the instrumental. The vocals take the win in this one, with the vocal line doing a splendid job of showcasing that bright and cheerful tone that the song has. (7.5/10)

5. Starlight – I quite enjoyed the blast of energy we get in the choruses. It isn’t as iconic as Bloom’s choruses were, but it did make the chorus for Starlight to be strong. I also enjoyed the affectionate tone that comes from the song, which is what the lyrics depict. I actually would not be surprised if this is a song for their fans. Powerful vocals were also needed to stand out over the instrumentation, and UP10TION definitely delivered in this aspect. (8/10)

6. Rewind – The final song on the album is also some of UP10TION members’ favourite. Rewind is a rock ballad that showcases the members in a more emotive state with their vocal and rapping delivery. I personally thought they executed this well, and I can see why the members’ said this was their favourite song on the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

Code Name: Arrow Teaser Image

[Weekly KPOP Chart] 1st Week of May 2023

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Honestly, how is it already May? The year is moving too fast already! Welcome to the Weekly KPOP Charts post for the 1st Week of May 2023. Per usual, I am going to keep the intro short. I am going to write up the final 2022 album reviews today and have them posted sometime in the new week. This hopefully will mean I will be making a start on the 2023 album reviews soon, possibly even next weekend. More song reviews – both songs that I have yet to review that were released this year and new releases – are also expected. But first, the Weekly KPOP Charts!

Recap & New releases of the Week

So this past week featured reviews for three new releases – LE SSERAFIM’s UNFORGIVEN, BTOB’s Wind And Wish and iKON’s U. I also posted a review for UP10TION’s What If Love and album reviews for a number of 2022 album reviews – Ha Sung Woon’s Strange World, Xdinary Heroes’ Overload and NCT DREAM’s Candy.

Other releases from the week includes:

  • Welcome To My World – aespa (ft. nævis)
  • Ride or Die – Bang Yong Guk
  • Star In The Sky – Roa & Ahri (Rocking Doll)
  • Purple Sky – WE US
  • Wonder – ASH ISLAND
  • Last Moments – ASH ISLAND
  • NUGU – Villain
  • Cherry Talk – +(KR)ystal Eyes (tripleS)
  • Heartbreak Club – Colde ft. Lee Chan Hyuk (AKMU)
  • Don’t Ever Say Love Me – Colde ft. RM (BTS)
  • HYBRID – MAX Changmin (TVXQ!), Ha Hyun Woo (Guckkasten)
  • My Love – CLASS:y

Throwback Corner

This week’s throwback song is HIGHLIGHT’s Not The End. Its message of a new beginning (rather than the end) popped into my head this week and drew me to the song.

Non-Korean Release of the Week

This week’s non-Korean release of the week is Golden Child’s 3rd Japanese single, Crayon, which was released mid-last month. It ranks in the 18th position this week.

The Charts

Congratulations to NCT DOJAEJUNG for rising to the top spot on KPOPREVIEWED’s Weekly KPOP Chart this past week with their debut single, Perfume. For more of the charts, keep on scrolling down.

1st Week of May 202330th Apr – 6th May 2023
Pos.SongArtistStatus
1PerfumeNCT DOJAEJUNG(▲ 1)
2UNFORGIVENLE SSERAFIM (ft. Nile Rogers)(NEW)
3Wind And WishBTOB(NEW)
4UiKON(NEW)
5SuperSEVENTEEN(▼ 4)
6I AMIVE(▼ 2)
7F*CK MY LIFESEVENTEEN(▲ 6)
8KNOCKLEE CHAE YEON(▲ 47)
9SEVEN SINSDRIPPIN(▲ 47)
10D N DAPINK(▲ 7)
11TantaraiKON(▼ 6)
12I Miss YouVROMANCE(▲28)
13Light UpQ.IX(▲ 57)
14When I Close My EyesKangta & Lee Ahreum(▲ 56)
15KitschIVE(▼ 6)
16SET ME FREETWICE(▲ 54)
17FLOWERJISOO (BLACKPINK)(▲ 11)
18CrayonGolden Child(▲ 16)
19I AM SHAMPOOBIBI(▲51)
20Full Of YouYoon Seobin(▲ 50)
21Grabby GirlRyu Sujeong(▲ 49)
22Chico MaloMAMAMOO+(▲ 48)
23Coupon ManW24(▲ 13)
24Blank EffectPark Ji Hoon(▲ 46)
25JourneyWOODZ(▼ 11)
26PredatorLee Gikwang (HIGHLIGHT)(▲ 44)
27LimitlessATEEZ(▼ 4)
28TIME MACHINE (2100)GIUK (ONEWE)(▲ 3)
29Who?XIUMIN (EXO) & Eunha (VIVIZ)(▲ 41)
30NUGUDOMCRAXY(▲ 40)

Songs leaving the charts

The following songs have wrapped up their nine week run in the charts system, and will no longer be on the charts from next week:

[Review] What If Love – UP10TION

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I completely apologise for how long it has taken me to review What If Love. The single was released as part of their 11th mini-album Code Name: Arrow in November 2022. This comeback ended up shaping to be a big one for what happened after its release. What If Love now serves as the group’s last release under TOP Media. The current 7 member lineup of UP10TION (including Hwanhee and Xiao who participated in the recent Boys Planet survival series) chose not to renew their contract with TOP Media (thus leaving the agency they have been with since debut). They aren’t disbanding, confirming their intention to stay as a group. It also been confirmed that Jinhoo (who went on hiatus back in 2020) and long term absent members Kim Woo Seok and Lee Jin Hyuk have left the group. And it has been announced that Kuhn and Kogyeol were to enlist into the military. Quite an eventful 2023 already for UP10TION, who usually flies under the radar.

To me, What If Love is a decent dance pop track. The bass gives an alluring appeal, while the rest of the instrumentation has groovy influences that comes together to give off a darker and classier atmosphere. Both the bass and wider instrumentation contribute to a sleek profile. However, I wanted something more to the instrumentation to spark some interest. Aside from what I mentioned, it is pretty lackluster and plays it safe for majority of the song. We do hear some detailing in the instrumental (like the whistle), but it wasn’t anything strong. What If Love does benefits from some nice vocals and rapping. I felt the vocal line in this song worked with the mature vibes and brought an appreciable smoothness to the song. The breathiness the vocals brings during certain moments of What If Love also adds to the maturity profile of the song. This adds to the sleekness of the track. The deeper tones that the rappers brought to What If Love is a nice textural change and gives us a bit of a reprieve from ultra smoothness that What If Love pushes on the listener. I also feel like the deeper tone emphasise the funky undertones of the song. While there were some nice melodic moments throughout What If Love, I did think the hooks were weak. We do get breathy “What If Love” repetition as part of the choruses, but due to its deliver it isn’t much of a prominent hook. Had What If Love had stronger hooks and something that gives the instrumental a bit more zing, maybe I would have reviewed What If Love sooner.

What If Love is about “the temptation to win the heart of one’s love of fate while aiming for the one and only chance, which can be missed in a fleeting moment” (taken from SOOMPI). When you watch the video, it has a bit of a spy/detective concept to it. Personally, I am not exactly sure of the connection between the meaning and what we see. But my best guess is that the members are searching for that “fleeting moment”. Aside from that, I did like the darker aesthetic present in this video, which matches with the mature profile of the song. The members also look fantastic throughout the video in their outfits.

I feel like the choreography hits the mark in some parts, but completely misses it in others. The song calls for a sleek routine, but I felt it was a touch too powerful during the choruses. We do get some “slow” moments, which were the most fitting.  If they somehow softened the energy behind some of the other moves, we would see something that is aligned with the choreography.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 6/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Review] U – iKON

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Last week, iKON pre-released the single Tantara from their 3rd studio album, Take Off – the first post-YG Entertainment release since the group decided to not renew their contracts with the company in December 2022. Since December, the entire group (yes, all current 6 members of iKON) signed on with 143 Entertainment, announcing plans for an April comeback. Well, the group is now officially back with the unvielling of the entire Take Off studio album and the title track U – both dropping on Thursday of this week.

U shows a completely different side of iKON. Most of their past singles have been heavily influenced and centred around the hip-hop genre. It was only until recently (i.e., Why Why Why and BUT YOU) did the group put something else out that was not primarily hip-hop centric. U continues exploring other genres, this time opting for a fun and vibrant disco party number that I am totally digging. The energy is fantastic and the rhythmic funky guitar riffs are super infectious, bringing a smile to my face (at the very least) each time I have heard the song since its release on Thursday. It is also highly suitable for the Summer season that is fast approaching for Korea. If there is one thing I want to be critical about in terms of the instrumental, U needed more electric guitar riffs at the end to drive up the energy. Cliché as it sounds, but it will give the ending some additional flair. Bobby’s raspy vocals stands out quite a bit, which made the pre-choruses feel the most memorable part of the song. JAY’s first verse was also a nice standout. Unfortunately, the rest of U wasn’t as compelling and the other members didn’t have their moment to shine, They all sounded great, but no other parts struck me as memorable or stood out to me. It might have been that the super bright and upbeat energy just took over as the most striking aspect of the song, following the parts that I have pointed out. Still, I am glad that iKON has managed to push out new music and that U is fun and enjoyable.

The music video shows the members getting ready and going on a road trip to their next concert/live performance destination. Whilst getting ready and along the way, the members experience some hiccups. Given the bright and vibrant tone of the song, the members approach these moments with their sense of humour and fun energy – i.e., JAY riding his bicycle whilst the other members are trying to push their out-of-petrol van along and unknowingly leaving JUNE behind who has to run after them. In the end, all the members arrive at the final destination just fine and put on an amazing performance to close out the video. I liked their casual and light-hearted approach, no doubt fitting in well with the song.

As for the choreography, it is upbeat and light – just as you would have expected it to be. I really liked the “Only For U” circle the members formed in the first half of the post-chorus hook. It was a fun formation.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Review] Wind and Wish – BTOB

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BTOB made their long awaited comeback earlier this week with their 12th mini-album and their newest single, both sharing the same title Wind And Wish. For BTOB, this is their first release since The Song and Be Together in February 2022. For certain members, they had more recent releases, such as HUTA’s (otherwise known as Lee Minhyuk) BOOM and Lee Changsub’s SURRENDER (which I have yet to review – apologies).

For the most part, Wind And Wish is designed to be a pleasant track. And that is exactly the impression I get from Wind And Wish. It is a mid-tempo pop ballad track that is nicely instrumented with tropical touches and a breezy atmosphere that feels appropriate for the Spring season that Korea is currently in. I liked that the mid-tempo side of the instrumental gives the members a chance to show something other than a ballad, which is ultimately what they are known for. Per the standard with BTOB’s track and given Wind And Wish has some balladry roots, the song does manage to incorporate the usual well-known vocals of the group. We get a few really nice high notes throughout the song and strong vocals across the board. The harmony between Eunkwang, Sungjae and Hyunsik in the bridge was super well done. However, nothing is riveting as it could have been, given that pleasant effect of Wind and Wish. Similar comments can be said about the rapping in Wind And Wish. They feel pretty much toned down and don’t have much of a bite to them. We all know what Peniel and Minhyuk can bring to the table. And whilst this create balance, it does feel lacking. If the raps had a bit more of a punch to them, this would have made Wind And Wish a bit trendier. There were some promising hooks and I did like how the song took it up a notch with the chanty and lively choruses. This felt this was pretty refreshing, and a nice breather from the pleasanter side of the song, without overdoing it and disrupting the song. Overall, I feel that Wind And Wish plays it safe. In some parts of the song, this worked, while it lacked substance in other areas.

The music video for Wind And Wish pretty much has a similar Spring time and breezy atmosphere, going hand-in-hand with what the song sounded like. The flowery field scenes, the warmer lighting and the looser casual outfits feels ideal for the concept that they were going for. Even the rising sun and the red glow from this was an indication that the weather is heating up – but not to the extent of a Summer release. A nicely done video.

The mid-tempo pop nature of the song allows for some light choreography, which works really well with the song, to occur. It is enjoyable to watch, and allows a bit more for an expressive style to show (rather than melancholy vibe, which BTOB has excelled with through their more balladry releases). The latter means BTOB can show a bit more of a playful nature, which they also delivered.

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

[Album Review] Candy (6th Mini Album) – NCT DREAM

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NCT DREAM’s Candy (the mini-album) was one of the last major releases of 2022. Featuring the remake of H.O.T’s Candy as the title track, Candy also featured 5 additional side tracks for the festive season. For me, this mini-album never had a dull moment and rounded out their super successful and massive year which featured the releases of Glitch Mode and Beatbox. Due to my personal lag with publishing album reviews in 2022, I ended up posting a singular album review for the entire album featuring both title tracks.

As a quick side note, despite how I started off this review above, this is not the final album review for a 2022 release which I will be posting. The final three album reviews for 2022 releases will be posted next weekend and into next week. This will mean that I will be starting album reviews for 2023 releases some time later this month.

Candy Album Cover

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

2. Graduation – Graduation sparked concerns of the group disbanding, as the song is all about graduating to the next stage of one’s life. And I can completely understand where the concerns were coming when I read the English translation of the lyrics. However, there is no disbandment news in sight and I think NCT DREAM was gearing up for a comeback later this year. Anyhow, Graduation is a beautiful song of lovely vocals and nice rapping to express the message aforementioned. I liked how it wasn’t strictly a ballad (instead, it falls into the R&B genre), with the rapping taking over a decent portion of the song. But it doesn’t undermine the vocals, which each member contributed towards. Even some of the rappers dabbled with falsettos in the song. Overall, Graduation is the song that sticks in your mind thanks to its message and is hard to get out thanks to its execution. (10/10)

3. Tangerine Love (Favorite) – Tangerine Love (Favorite) returns to upbeat and funky vibes with its retro synthpop sound. I really like the super catchy chorus in this song, and the rapping was definitely a highlight. But again, the vocals excelled, with Haechan to member that we need to commend thanks to his high note. The synthesizer at the end was a really cool touch. (9/10)

4. Take My Breath (입김) – The choruses for Take My Breath were super striking thanks to the pounding effect of the instrumental. Similarly, I thought the way the rapping started off the song and how cool the rapping was throughout the song was another striking element of the song. Other than that, the other parts of Take My Breath made for a standard yet pleasant pop track. (8/10)

5. Moon (문) – We arrive at the ballad of this mini-album. Given that this is a Christmas theme album, this ballad is the first song to truly elicit the dreamy side of the festive scene through its instrumentation. The piano melody makes for a stunning background, while the vocals are both superb and captivating (as expected). The harmonies are amazing, as are the ad-libs. (8/10)

6. Walk With You (발자국) – We end the special mini-album on a very upbeat note. I liked the textures in this dance track and the brightness that the members bring to the song. I like how the production stayed fun and enjoyable. NCT DREAM nails the song with their usual high-quality delivery in both the vocal/rapping styles. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

Candy Teaser Image

[Album Review] Overload (2nd Mini Album) – Xdinary Heroes

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Another mini-album I reviewed over the weekend was Xdinary Heroes’ second mini-album, Overload. This one features the title track Hair Cut and five other side tracks, with each track exploring the rock genre in a unique and different manner from what other Korean bands have been putting out. With their discography thus far, it is definitely looks and sounds like Xdinary Heroes is carving a niche for themselves. Released in November 2022, this is the second album review I have written for the band, the first being Hello, World (which was released in July 2022 and features the title track Test Me). And as of this week, Xdinary Heroes released their third mini-album Deadlock and the title track Freakin’ Bad. But before I review the new single, here is my take on Overload.

Overload Album Cover

1. Zzz.. (잠꼬대) – Zzz.. starts off the mini-album, with a track that goes in multiple directions (more so than the title track). But the multiple directions all give Zzz.. an intriguingness to it. There is a mix of pop rock, electronic synths and groovy undertones to this track that somehow gets glued together to create an interesting track. Xdinary Heroes delivers some pleasant and others colourful and playful vocals, which I find to be super cool and characteristic. We do finish with the same laugh that is present in the title track, bridging the first and main track on the album together. (8.5/10)

2. Hair Cut (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hair Cut. (6/10)

3. LUNATIC – Playful eerie vibes begin the track, before LUNATIC goes down the powerful rock route. There is head nodding potential behind this track. What I appreciate with LUNATIC is that it doesn’t go in different directions, keeping a consistency that feels refreshing following the first two songs on the mini-album. I also appreciate the charisma that the members bring to the song via their vocals, which makes LUNATIC a great listen. (8/10)

4. Crack In The Mirror – The drumming in Crack in the Mirror was amazing and definitely was my favourite element of the song. For me, it took the song places that the other instrumentation just couldn’t. Aside from that, more head nodding potential and some great vocals moments round out this song. (8/10)

5. Ghost – I found the vocals in Ghost to be really interesting. The way they dragged out the ending of each line in the chorus was quite unique and gives Ghost so much creepy character. There was also some decent rapping in this song, which I enjoyed. The instrumentals were good, but were toned down to give off a more creepy vibe, complimenting the vocal style chosen. (7/10)

6. X-MAS – X-MAS is not Christmas carol or jingle. With Xdinary Heroes at the helm, powerful rock takes over pretty quickly. The pre-choruses and bridge was a bit dreamy, and I think the band plays into the idea of a music box at the end of the choruses. But apart from that, Xdinary Heroes completely smash out the song in a non-festive way. Parts of the song felt more so like a hype song, while the guitar work stands out. Catchy melodies and hooks make the song memorable, though I wished they were a bit more colouful with their delivery, as they have been in their other songs. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.6/10

[Review] UNFORGIVEN – LE SSERAFIM (ft. Nile Rodgers)

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Kicking off the week is LE SSERAFIM, who returns to the stage with their shared titled latest single and 1st studio album – UNFORGIVEN. It is the group’s comeback since the release of ANTIFRAGILE (also a shared title between their single and mini-album release) in October of last year. This release also marks the return of LE SSERAFIM in the very intense competition of female groups from last year, joining the likes of NewJeans and IVE who have already made successful comebacks this year.

UNFORGIVEN felt very LE SSERAFIM to me, but there was a major sequence in the song that I am not exactly keen on. I will explore this a bit more later on. But let’s focus on the strongest and most characteristic aspects of UNFORGIVEN. The first has to be the instrumentation, which samples the theme of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. While I don’t think this is the first time we heard this particular piece of iconic music in KPOP, I did like how it aids in making UNFORGIVEN appealing and fun. The iconic western cowboy whistle also features in the song, adding to the western theme of the song. There are also additional guitar work and a few extra twangs added into the instrumental, which I take is Nile Rodgers’ contribution to UNFORGIVEN. These felt cool, and builds on the concept the producers of UNFORGIVEN have forged. The second characteristic element of UNFORGIVEN is its repetitive hook. I liked the simple yet subtly expressive delivery of the song’s main hook, and how addictive it has become in the subsequent listens I have given UNFORGIVEN. Now, while it is all very solid, the part that I am most unsure about in UNFORGIVEN is the chorus itself. While I do like the melodic touches to the song and the ring it gives UNFORGIVEN, I did think that the main chorus felt a bit juvenile and felt a bit cutesy. The sing-song delivery doesn’t go well with the rest of the UNFORGIVEN, which felt sassy and attitude-heavy. I think there was a miss opportunity to do something more fitting. But at the same time, I guess the producers didn’t want a continuous churn of the same style for the 3 and a half minute length of the song. But apart from that, UNFORGIVEN is another strong and empowering song from the group, who is unafraid of showing a more confident side of themselves.

The song was all about being themselves whilst also breaking away from social norms. And the video shows this quite well. For me, the most impactful scene was the angel Kahuza, who probably represents the innocent and pure social norm, ripping off her other damaged wing and throwing it aside. Similarly, Yunjin’s scene with her pink dress tearing in the elevator was probably the second most impactful and memorable scene. There are a few other references such as dancing on tables and bright coloured wigs. In addition to all of that, LE SSERAFIM’s visual game is very strong in this comeback, showing off a very confident side to themselves. I also liked how the western theme of the song is also carried through into the music video. It makes the most sense after all.

This entire routine was super cool, and I really enjoyed it all. I liked how there was still an element of fun and a nice bounce to the choreography. The “horns” (I am assuming that is the concept behind the choreography’s main dance move) was an interesting yet easy to follow point of the choreography, while a nice mature side to the choreography works hand-in-hand with the confident vibes that the members put out.

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

[Album Review] Strange World (7th Mini Album) – Ha Sung Woon

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Ha Sung Woon made his comeback in August 2022 with the mini-album Strange World and the title track FOCUS (my personal pick for Best Solo Choreography (Male) of 2022 in the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards). 8 months on, I am finally reviewing the album. It was on the list of albums that I wanted to review from 2022, but was forgotten on my list (until this past weekend when I finally sat down and took another listen to write the review). Strange World and FOCUS is also Ha Sung Woon’s last comeback prior to his mandatory enlistment in the South Korean military, which he will finish up in 2024. This does mean it is unlikely we will be hearing new music from the soloist soon, so let’s have another listen to the album in the meanwhile.

Strange World Album Cover

1. FOCUS (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of FOCUS. (8/10)

2. Say Yes (어떻게 생각해?) – Say Yes is a cheerfully bright pop track that brings a smile to your face. I liked the subtle piano in the background, which helps adds a peppy vibe Say Yes. I also really liked how Ha Sung Woon presented himself in this track, especially following the more mature tone of the title track. It is no doubt that the contrast between this song and the title track is literally day and night. Maybe if it wasn’t placed behind the title track, the contrast wouldn’t be such a major thought whilst listening to the track. (8/10)

3. Baby Blue (바다) – We enter R&B territory for Baby Blue. It is a smooth track and Ha Sung Woon’s falsettos are really captivating in this track. Unfortunately, I don’t really see much else to Baby Blue that is worth commenting on. But it is still a decent listen, overall. (7/10)

4. Too Little Too Late (with JAMIE) – Too Little Too Late is another R&B track, and this one has more to talk about. The talk is all good news, as I quite enjoyed this track. The instrumental had some great character. There is also a vibrancy coming both Ha Sung Woon and JAMIE’s vocals (who both sound wonderful together and throughout the song). Their harmonies are also quite great and definitely strengthen the song. The brass in the background also helps out with making the song extra vibrant, as well. (9/10)

5. Daylight – The final song on the mini-album is Daylight, which is a really nice and pleasant ballad track. The acoustic guitar centric instrumental brings a wholesome vibe, which Ha Sung Woon reflects really well throughout the vocals. Interestingly, Ha Sung Woon employs a low and huskier tone during certain parts of the song. An interesting delivery choice, but it works tremendously well to bring that wholesome effect to life. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

Strange World Teaser Image

[Weekly KPOP Chart] 4th Week of April 2023

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Welcome to the end of 4th Week of April 2023. Per usual, it is time to look back on this week with a Weekly KPOP Chart post. I won’t be posting any more today as I got some chores to do (adult responsibilities). But you can expect more song reviews later this week. And I have a few mini-album reviews coming out during the week, which I will be busy scheduling later today for publishing later this week. So with a far bit to do today, it is time to proceed with the rest of the Weekly KPOP Charts!

Recap & New releases of the Week

I had a much busier week this past week per usual. On the reviewing plate this week was SEVENTEEN’s Super, TAEYANG’s Seed, CSR’s Shining Bright, WOODZ’s Journey and iKON’s Tantara. I also posted an International Song Review post covering Japanese 2022 releases from Stray Kids, WEi and OMEGA X. And finally, an album review for DRIPPIN’s first studio album, Villain: The One.

In addition to the new releases that I reviewed this past week, the following songs were also released during the week and have been entered into the Weekly KPOP Charts system:

  • Sunny Road – NCT 127
  • Macerena – BLITZERS
  • Harmony – DKZ
  • Cheetah – Jackson Wang
  • Sunday Night Driver – Jay Park
  • Dream – OMEGA X
  • F*ck My Life – SEVENTEEN
  • SHOONG! – Taeyang (BIGBANG) ft. LISA (BLACKPINK)
  • I Miss You – VROMANCE
  • THROW A DICE – XODIAC
  • SUNSHOWER – EPEX
  • Rule Breaker – GRAY ft. Coogie
  • everland – Issac Hong & Chin Sooyoung
  • her – Issac Hong & Chin Sooyoung
  • Freakin’ Bad – Xdinary Heroes
  • Easy Breezy – Jueun ft. Seo In Guk
  • UP – LUO
  • our first love – Kwon Jieun
  • AMYGDALA – Agust D
  • Unforgettable – ONEUS

Non-Korean Release of the Week

The Non-Korean release of the 4th Week of April 2023 is Amber Liu’s latest single, No More Sad Songs. This is the second week in a row for No More Sad Songs.

The Charts

Congratulations to SEVENTEEN for entering my KPOP charts with their new song, Super, via the top spot this week! For more of the charts, keep on reading for more of the charts.

4th Week of April 202323rd Apr – 29th Apr 2023
Pos.SongArtistStatus
1SuperSEVENTEEN(NEW)
2PerfumeNCT DOJAEJUNG(▲ 3)
3SeedTAEYANG (BIGBANG)(NEW)
4I AMIVE(▼ 3)
5TantaraiKON(NEW)
6SHOONG!TAEYANG (BIGBANG) ft. LISA (BLACKPINK)(NEW)
7Love Me Like ThisNMIXX(▲ 2)
8We Haven’t Broken Up YetVROMANCE(▲ 62)
9KitschIVE(▲ 8)
10People Pt. 2Agust-D (SUGA – BTS) ft. IU(▲54)
11EUNOIABilllie(▲ 36)
12SUNSHOWEREPEX(NEW)
13F*ck My LifeSEVENTEEN(NEW)
14JourneyWOODZ(NEW)
15CALLINGXODIAC(▲ 55)
16NOIRM.O.N.T(▲ 54)
17D N DAPINK(▼ 13)
18HaegumAgust-D (SUGA – BTS)(▲ 52)
19AMYGDALAAgust-D (SUGA – BTS)(NEW)
20Keeping The FireX:IN(▲ 50)
21No More Sad SongsAmber Liu(▼ 13)
22ROCKSTARxikers(▲ 10)
23LimitlessATEEZ(▲ 47)
24Love MeGaho(▲ 46)
25MacerenaBLITZERS(NEW)
26Floral SenseYESUNG (SUPER JUNIOR) ft. WINTER (aespa)(NEW)
27MiracleOH MY GIRL(▲ 43)
28FlowerJISOO (BLACKPINK)(▲ 12)
29TRICKY HOUSExikers(▼ 27)
30MysteriousNicole (KARA)(▲ 40)

Songs leaving the charts

The following songs have wrapped up their nine week run during the 4th Week of April 2023, and were no longer on the charts since the following week:

  • Hidden Sides – Minhyun
  • My Sun – Kim Hyun Joong
  • Top Tier – Park Woojin (AB6IX)
  • Floral Sense – YESUNG (SUPER JUNIOR) ft. Winter (aespa)
  • Hopeless Romantic – Big Naughty ft. LEE SUHYUN (AKMU)
  • On My Way – msftz
  • Love Me Crazy – Lim Kim & Jamie
  • Jungle – Ryu Sera
  • poom – HVLF (Kim Jihun – KNK)
  • Not A Friend Sorn
  • seOul drift – OnlyOneOf
  • POST IT – Yong Jun Hyung ft. Sion
  • LIKE IT LIKE IT – SECERT NUMBER
  • on the street – j-hope (BTS) ft. J. Cole
  • We Haven’t Broken Up Yet – VROMANCE
  • What If (Reimagined Ver.) – Eric Nam
  • Always With You – Kim Minseok (MeloMance)

[Album Review] Villain: The End (1st Studio Album) – DRIPPIN

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DRIPPIN just made a comeback with the single SEVEN SINS. But before I get around to reviewing that release, I thought I should quickly push out the album review for DRIPPIN’s Villain: The End, the group’s first studio length album. It was released back in November of last year and features the single The One as the title track (and 9 other side tracks). It serves as the final part of their Villain trilogy, which features their VILLAIN and ZERO eras/comebacks, also from 2022. Overall, Villain: The End is a very strong album that once again shows the potential of DRIPPIN.

Villain: The End Album Cover

1. I.N.O – I.N.O serves as the introduction to the studio-length album. To me, this track was quite eerie. It starts off stormy, building to orchestral elements. Towards the end, I.N.O becomes more electronic based, with the final moments of the track reminding me of electric guitars, hinting a rock influence, which the title track The One and other tracks on the album ends up serving to us.

2. The One – Click here to read the full review for The One. (9/10)

3. Silence –Silence was chosen as the follow-up track for promotions, and I think it was an excellent choice. There are a few elements that I really liked, which helps the track standout to me. Firstly, the pop rock gave Silence a very upbeat feel, whilst also packing a powerful punch. Secondly, there was also electronic synths mixed into Silence alongside the pop rock influences, which gave the track groovy undertones. Thirdly, the members did extremely well in the song, showcasing a vibrant tone in the song. Silence also has a memorable yet simple melody. I did wish for more memorable rapping in the song, which could have taken Silence to the next level. (9/10)

4. MONSTER – We enter grungier territory with MONSTER. The start of the track has so much character, and the rock influence in MONSTER has so much head-banging territory. The standout member in this song is without a doubt Alex, whose raspy/hoarsely shouts just prior to the choruses and brief rapping in the second verse is so impactful and leaves a strong impression. Together, this track definitely is an exceptional sidetrack that I really enjoyed. (10/10)

5. HOME – Taking down the album by a few notches is HOME, which serves as the album’s ballad. It isn’t one of those super emotional and tear-jerking ones, nor is it slow and stilling. Instead, HOME does feature a relatively strong chorus, which occurs due to the accumulation of piano, strings and vocals. Speaking about vocals, HOME definitely showcases strong delivery from the entire group and is definitely the showstopping element of the song. There were also some great harmonies. (8/10)

6. UTOPIA – I personally felt that UPTOPIA could have been more bombastic with a heavier presence of bass. This would have really upgraded the song for me. But as it is, UPTOPIA was still a solid track. I really liked the house style of the instrumental, and the vocals and rapping was displayed in a very consistent manner. There was a memorable yet simple melody to the song, that helped boost up its appeal. The zippy/high pitch whistle-like synth was also another memorable element of UPTOPIA. (8/10)

7. DEJA VU – Going for a sleeker vibe is DEJA VU, which I am totally digging. I liked the darker atmosphere that comes about from the instrumental. The bass does wonders to the song, while the beat brings that funky undertone to the song. The strings in the pre-choruses was a nice touch as well. The rapping adds to that sleekness, with the low and slow delivery also coming off as sensual. The vocals also elicit a mature energy, which goes hand-in-hand with the other elements in the song. Altogether, DEJA VU becomes my pick for the album’s hidden gem. (10/10)

8. ESCAPE – A funky beat and whistles make ESCAPE feel quite classy. The song had me unconsciously head bopping along as it progressed, and the whistles were hard to get out of head. The vocal work was a strong aspect of the track, with Hyeop’s clean high note and ad-libs being a highlight. The weakest aspect of the song, for me, was the second verse rap sequence. It didn’t fit in well and disrupted the flow of the song. I also wished the transition between the second chorus and bridge was a lot smoother. (8/10)

9. Champion – The very calming and atmospheric backing to the verses was a stunner in Champion. This ends up building into an atmospheric band piece for the choruses, while the rappers take the bridge into a heavy rock territory. It was a ride through different styles, but it feels cohesive. I liked the consistent and balanced approached the vocals took. Also, we heard the return of Alex’s deeper tone for his segment in the bridge, and Dongyun’s uptick in tempo for his rapping felt fitting. (8.5/10)

10. When I’m With You – The studio album ends with a pop track that sounds sweet and lovely. I liked the combination of guitar and synths in the choruses, coming together to create a very interesting but fun texture. The cheerful tone the members bring via their vocals makes me want to smile and this helps ends the 10-track album on a very positive note. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] Tantara – iKON

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At the end of 2022, news broke that iKON was parting ways with YG Entertainment (whom they have been with since debut for 7 years) following the conclusion of their contract with the Big 3 company. It was quickly revealed that the group, as a whole, signed with 143 Entertainment, and subsequently announced plans for a comeback later this year. Fast forward 5 months, the group is officially returning with their third studio album Take Off next month. But ahead of the official comeback, iKON has begun teasing us with their first release since BUT YOU – the pre-release single titled Tantara, which dropped on Tuesday of this week.

Tantara comes out swinging from the very first second and never lets up for the 3 minute duration it goes for. And that just makes Tantara super appealing. Past title of iKON’s that I can remember from the top of my head are more of a serious tone. However, this new song shows off a more energetic and dynamic side of the group, which is undoubtedly refreshing. The group does stick true to their roots, with Tantara falling squarely into the hip-hop genre. Bobby has the honour of kicking off Tantara, and does so with his energy-packed and attention grabbing rapping. His hoarse voice just gives his rap sequence so much character. Jay and JUNE follow up with a nice vocal centric pre-chorus. This leads into the chorus, which emphasises the hip-hop roots of the song and gears it towards a 90s influence. The hype energy that comes off this is bold, and the chant-like delivery is memorable. From there. however, I do feel like Tantara fizzles out slightly with less memorable segments. Song and DK takes the helm of the second verse, but I didn’t not find anything interesting in this section. Chanwoo makes his appearance in the bridge (alongside DK), but again, nothing stands out here. The good news is that Tantara has one more surprise in store for us – an instrumental break with a very intriguing and jarring set of synths that works quite well and drives up the dynamic factor of Tantara. There is also a textural element to the instrumental break that leans into a rock influence, which I thought was super cool. The ending brings everyone together for a final outro that reiterates who iKON are. It was decent, but I wished it was more energy packed and substantial in line with the rest of Tantara. Overall, Tantara is a strong and powerful track that shows us who iKON is. It definitely hyped me up, leaving me wanting the 5th of May to come quicker (as that is when their official comeback is scheduled for).

The music video carries the label of a “performance video”. While the performance, which I will be commenting on separately in the next paragraph, does make up a bulk of the video, the addition and presence of various different shots of the group and the members themselves makes the video for Tantara feel very much like a music video. I liked how the energy and flair of the song was carried from the song over to the video. That is thanks to both the effort of the members and dancers, who showed great dynamism in the video. Their chemistry was great with one another, creating an atmosphere that also hypes up the viewer as well.

On the topic of the performance, the same comments above can be applied here. I liked how the hip-hop energy and flair comes so easily to the performance from the song, and the members/dancers make it so dynamic and fun in the music video. The chorus looks quite good, but the iconic bit for me has to be the dance break (which occurs at the instrumental break). From the way it was set up, to the wavy arm movements, to the jerky steps that follow, all of it was a highlight.

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

[Review] Journey – WOODZ

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WOODZ made his official comeback yesterday with his new single Journey and his fifth mini-album, OO-LI. This new release comes after WOODZ teased this comeback by pre-releasing the side track ABYSS back in February (which I yet to review – will do so some time in the future). This comeback follows WOODZ’s I HATE YOU and Colorful Trauma era from last year.

WOODZ continues to explore the pop rock genre with Journey, this time opting for what felt like a ballad. While his past pop rock styled songs have been more energetic and upbeat, Journey still has a lot of appeal in its own way. My suggestion is that you do not underestimate this song. What particular draws me to Journey is the amount of passion WOODZ delivers in the song, which comes about from the combination of instrumental and vocals. The song starts off rather calm, but it slowly injects some slight punk-like energy during the pre-chorus, before leading us to a full blown realization of pop rock energy in the chorus. But we aren’t talking about upbeat and bright territory of pop rock, which is what I commonly think of when it comes to this style of music. Instead, the choruses for Journey intensifies and amplifies into that pop rock motif, yet gives us a more restrained and subdued atmosphere that still manages to pack a punch. As the choruses does all of this, WOODZ’s vocals soars, blowing me away with his strong and impactful vocals. I do want to point out that the melodies were rather simple, and a more developed melody would have raised the bar for Journey. The second verse is a lot shorter, and I wished there was a bit more to it. I liked the idea of a quite return to the chorus (which is no doubt my favourite part of Journey). But I think the second verse could have been more thrashed out. The bridge returns Journey to the calm start, but does so quite briefly, before returning us to the chorus. For the final run at Journey‘s centrepiece, backing vocals come in to create an even more melodic touch and allows WOODZ to throw in some amazing ad-libs to close out the song. Despite its minor imperfections, it does not change the fact that Journey is still a passionate and impactful song that I will continue to replay.

The music video leads on from the events of the ABYSS music video. At the end of that video, we see WOODZ open up the door, allowing the version of himself he has kept locked away in the dark confines of the building to come out. We even see the ABYSS version of WOODZ walk past briefly at the start of this video. Anyway, the Journey version of WOODZ ends up venturing out and exploring the world, taking himself on a journey and discovering oneself, which is the message behind the video. The outdoor scenery looks stunning. I would like to know more about the tree that looks like it made out of glass. I think this is another link to the ABYSS music video, as we do see the passing of glass spheres from other people to WOODZ in the earlier video, and WOODZ’s own glass spheres ends up going through the ground in this music video, presumably to build the mentioned tree as WOODZ discover himself.

As this is a more vocally centric song, WOODZ doesn’t participate as much in the choreography. Instead, he focuses his energy on performing the stage live, which was the right move and make his performance even more amazing. He does participate during the moments in which he doesn’t sing, and I quite liked the artistic touch the dancer bring to the stage, creating an interesting stage to watch.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.6/10

[Review] Shining Bright – CSR

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CSR made a splash with their debut last year with their bright Pop? Pop! single and their subsequent comeback in November 2022 with ♡Ticon (which I have yet to review – will do so in the future). Just over four months on, CSR made their return with their second comeback, Shining Bright, and second mini-album Delight.

To me, the opening of Shining Bright took me right back to their Pop? Pop! debut. The super engaging electronic thumps just had such a nostalgic feel to them, which was pretty much the major drawing point of their debut single. A nostalgic feeling also comes through again later in Shining Bright via the melodies in the choruses, as well. However, we don’t hear much more of electronic thumps in the song. Instead, Shining Bright‘s verses take on more of a pleasant pop appeal, with the occasion hints of the true form of Shining Bright, which is later revealed to be a pop rock motif in the choruses. But CSR, via their delivery of Shining Bright, gives the pop rock more of a sugary sweet vibe. The combination of the two creates a highly sweetened and upbeat tempo, which I quite enjoyed. The vocals do push the boundary a bit with how sweet they are, but never did I think CSR went overboard. We do get close, as there were times in Shining Bright where I thought it might have been a better move to tone down the cutesy energy, such as the shoutier moments of the choruses and at the end of the second verse raps. But it didn’t necessarily ruin the song for me, so I don’t feel as strongly about this compared if it had disrupted the flow or been overwhelming. Some good moves in Shining Bright include toning down the pre-choruses ever so slightly to help accentuate the choruses, the presence of electric guitars towards the end of the song to tie everything together and the piano ending (which just gave Shining Bright a pretty ending). Overall, Shining Bright works extremely well for CSR and is a great addition to their discography.

The music video for Shining Bright was a pretty one. Just like the song’s title, there was a brightness to the video, which in combination with the post-production, helped make the abundance of colours throughout quite vivid. The members’ visuals were also highlighted in the video. I did wish there was more to the music video, as I felt I have summed up the video in just the couple of lines above quite succinctly, which sometimes is a good thing. But other times, it is not such a good thing. I am unsure on where this video lies on the spectrum.

I quite enjoyed the choreography for this comeback. It looks super expressive and energetic, which matches well with the song. The members do an awesome job on stage with delivering the lively choreography and also live vocals at the same time. It is wholesome and fun routine to watch altogether.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10