Category: KPOP

[Album Review] SOAR (2nd Studio Album) – DOYOUNG (NCT)

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One of DOYOUNG’s last activities prior to enlisting in the military was releasing his second studio album, SOAR. Released in June 2025, it follows on from his first studio album, YOUTH, released in 2024. That album already set a high bar (in my opinion, one of the best of 2024), and SOAR has a tough job ahead indeed. But trust DOYOUNG and this 10-track album (led by the strong 10/10 title track, Memory). The album has plenty of hidden gems, and SOAR has already been recognised as one of the best albums of 2025, with my nomination for it in the Best Album category of the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards.

Following SOAR and a day after his military enlistment. DOYOUNG also released the single Promise.

SOAR album cover

1. Wake From The Dark (깊은 잠) – DOYOUNG starts off the album with such a formidable track. Wake From The Dark showcases DOYOUNG’s powerhouse vocals over a powerful band instrumental. Fitting for an album titled SOAR, DOYOUNG himself does just that with his vocals, and I really enjoyed how the instrumental developed and built itself up. A definite strong start for the album. (10/10)

2. Memory (안녕, 우주) (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Memory. (10/10)

3. Be My Light (쏟아져오는 바람처럼 눈부시게 너란 빛이 비추더라) – Following the title track is the upbeat and bright Be My Light. It has a very addictive, feel-good vibe and bounce that made it a standout single. I actually find it hard to move on Be My Light when it does come on. What I particularly love is the orchestral-pop-rock blend and DOYOUNG’s energy and tone. (10/10)

4. First Step (자전거) – Bossa nova takes the reins in First Step. This made the instrumental feel fun and relatively energetic, especially as it builds. I also liked how light DOYOUNG’s vocals were in the track. The verses were a little forgettable; thus, it didn’t have the same captivating power as the 3 tracks before it. But First Step still holds its ground well. (8.5/10)

5. Just Friends (편한 사람) – Just Friends takes us back into ballad territory. The simple combination of DOYOUNG’s rich vocals and acoustic guitar instrumentation was so stunningly beautiful. I enjoyed the melodies in the track, especially the choruses. I highly recommend putting this track on, sitting back, and closing your eyes to listen. It’s easy to get lost in it. (9/10)

6. Luminous (동경) – In another ballad that I found so easy to get lost to, Luminous shows us what DOYOUNG does best. And while he is effortlessly captivating in Luminous through his vocals, DOYOUNG is only one reason the song earned a 10/10. The primary reason is the heavenly string sequence midway into the song. I tend to do small tasks while I listen to a song to gather my thoughts for these album reviews. Very little usually makes me stop mid-task, but that string section took my breath away and made me tune back into Luminous to fully appreciate it. (10/10)

7. Still (고요) – Continuing the emotional ballad run on this album is Still. This one features beautiful melodies, and I like DOYOUNG’s airy elongations at the end of the chorus lines. Meanwhile, the instrumental is a beautiful mix of orchestral and band instrumentation. Together, they make a spectacular showing from DOYOUNG, especially as everything soars and then comes back down to earth at the end. (9/10)

8. Sonnet (소네트) – DOYOUNG changes gears with a dynamic pop rock instrumental, yet retains the emotional touch with really light and soft vocals. This one is straightforward, but I liked how DOYOUNG and the pop-rock instrumental worked together. I love the peak, with the consecutive drumming and DOYOUNG’s high note. (9/10)

9. Sand Box – Sand Box is produced by Kim Dong Wan, who hails from NELL (a South Korean alternative rock band). If you are familiar with their work, you can definitely feel his and NELL’s influence on the track, from the light, bubbly, atmospheric synths to the alternative rock. I particularly commend the hollow drumming that appears here and there, and the electric guitar in the bridge. They served as punchy moments in the song that I really enjoyed. DOYOUNG did a stunning, captivating job in Sand Box as well. (10/10)

10. Eternity (미래에서 기다릴게) – DOYOUNG ends the album with the rock number, Eternity. It’s a strong track to end the album on, and it is pulled off really well. DOYOUNG sounds so good on the track, and the rock instrumental’s energy is phenomenal. I loved how DOYOUNG channelled this energy into his delivery, giving us a stunning, vibrant performance throughout the track. Towards the end of the track (after the choral bridge), his vocals soar, and his control is impeccable throughout. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.6/10

DOYOUNG’s teaser image for SOAR

[Album Review] bomb (3rd Mini Album) – ILLIT

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Next up for an album review is ILLIT’s bomb, their 3rd mini-album, which dropped in June last year. It features 5 songs, including the title track Do The Dance and the follow-up single Jellyous. This mini-album follows on from their 2nd mini-album, I’LL LIKE YOU, which was released in October 2024 and precedes the release of their successful NOT CUTE ANYMORE single in November 2025.

bomb is a consistent album, with all the songs on par with one another. One thing I really appreciated about bomb is that it goes full circle. The first and last songs on the mini-album felt similar, while the middle three had an energetic vibe. Read on to learn more about the individual songs below.

bomb album cover

1. Little Monster – bomb begins strongly with a light synth-pop trackl that feels appropriately ILLIT. This light synth-pop backing creates a soft, dreamy atmosphere that also eases us into the mini-album. The vocals in Little Monster were stunning. The English lines in the verse were delivered crisply, while the airy, higher-pitched delivery of the “I don’t want to know” hook complements the light instrumentation and is so catchy. (9/10)

2. Do The Dance (Title Track) – Since reviewing the track, Do The Dance has grown immensely on me, thanks to it being so catchy. I think my original song rating was a little harsh, so I bumped Do The Dance to 9/10, but my thoughts in the original review still stand. Click here for my review of Do The Dance. (9/10)

3. Jellyous – The follow-up promotional single for bomb was Jellyous, receiving a music video and promoted on the weekly music shows. Jellyous is a cute number, featuring a bouncy beat and synths that are reminiscent of retro 8-bit games. The members sound great as they sing through the track, but Iroha’s rap-speak line in the second verse comes in at the right time to stand out and leave an impression on me. (8/10)

4. Oops – ILLIT enters groovier disco-like territory with Oops. It’s super fun and energetic. I like the earwormy, flute-like sound that follows the choruses, and the downward-spiral synth motif in the bridge was unexpected but so playful. Playful is also how I would best describe ILLIT in Oops. (8/10)

5. 밤소풍 – Bamsopoong (or Night Picnic; literal English translation) returns us to where bomb started. The album’s final song features retro lo-fi instrumental that creates a dreamy atmosphere similar to the first song. The vintage tinge to their vocals was a nice touch. It was a lovely way to end the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating –

ILLIT’s teaser image for bomb

[Review] I SPY – NCT WISH

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NCT WISH is back this week with their new single and mini-album, I SPY. It is their first release since Ode To Love (and the studio album of the same name) from earlier this year.

I ended the song portion of my Ode To Love review with the comment that I prefer NCT WISH’s youthful, energetic tracks. Well, it seems NCT WISH and their producers listened somewhat. There is a bit more to I SPY than just that. The melodies in I SPY still carry some of that pleasantness from their former song. The I SPY references tap into that youthful energy, though the game referenced does bring a childish feel. But the producers and NCT WISH did a good job of not venturing too far down that path. Instead, they turn it into an edgy element, which came to full realisation in I SPY’s final moments. I quite liked it, though I wish it had been more pronounced earlier on. I also like the combination of the vocalisation and the edgy “I spy I spy I spy, with my little eye” in the bridge. On the flip side, I have to put the instrumental and delivery down as the weaker aspects of I SPY. The dance-pop instrumental was pretty ordinary, and while the vocals and rapping had a refreshing tone, most of the delivery (aside from the edgy “I spy I spy I spy, with my little eye” part) just didn’t have the energy we know the group can bring.

The song captures the excitement of being attracted to someone and wanting to grow closer. The use of the I SPY references is a way of noticing and showing curiosity toward that person. One thing I noticed about the music video, and thought was a clever way to portray this attraction, was the close-ups, in particular the ‘look at me’ moments during the choreography shots. It fits the concept well. The view from inside the PC was also a neat shot, though less unique. Elsewhere in the video, there were some really cool Y2K and glitchy post-production effects.

NCT WISH does a great job with their synchronisation and sharp movements on stage. The performance looks great, with my favourite choreography moments being at the opening of the final chorus and the edgy final moments.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] BORN DIRE – ALPHA DRIVE ONE

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Back in August, ALPHA DRIVE ONE made their comeback with their second mini-album, Unbreakable: 少年Beast, led by the single BORN DIRE. I haven’t reviewed the comeback single yet, so I am finally posting my thoughts on their latest single today. ICYMI – ALPHA DRIVE ONE is the group formed from the winning trainees from BOYS II PLANET, and they made their debut quite early in the year with FREAK ALARM. They later returned in May with OMG! (I also haven’t reviewed it, but I’ll try to by the end of the year!)

Also, you might have noticed the lack of reviews for rookie groups this year. Don’t fret, because there will be another Rookie Week in November!

Anyhow, BORN DIRE is an intense dance track that throws you straight into British Rave and punk rock blend from the start. I remember my ears perking up within the first few seconds at the intensity and dynamic energy when I first checked out the song. That was a good sign for BORN DIRE, with the first few seconds capturing the essence of what would be a memorable aspect of the song. I really liked the focus on punk elements in the instrumental break, as well as the concentration in BORN DIRE‘s final moments. Beyond the production, the members’ delivery was also strong. I liked that you could consistently hear them clearly amid the instrumentation, and their execution was compelling. If anything, I felt their verse parts could have been bolstered to add more depth to the track. My biggest issue with BORN DIRE was the lack of a memorable hook. What we got was decent, but it didn’t match the bar the instrumentation set.

Whoever did the visual effects for this music video needs a pay raise yesterday. I was blown away (and still am) by all of the post-production in this music video. BORN DIRE conveys the message of not stopping and continuing to race even amid the chaos of control. In the music video, we see society trying to track and potentially control the members, who are seen as beasts (cue the gargoyle and wing imagery). While dodging cameras and the people literally holding them back, the members climb to the top to embrace what society fears about them. This concept has been done before, but it feels perfectly suited to today.

The word intensity is getting its work out today, and the performance definitely captures that aspect of the song well. On top of that, the synchronisation between the members looked insane and made the performance super cool. XINLONG’s slight b-boy moves in the first pre-chorus and the dance break by SANGWON, ANXIN, XINLONG, and ARNO also add to that coolness factor.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.1/10


[Review] GO HARD – MEOVV

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MEOVV has made a speedy comeback with GO HARD, just four months after their BITE NOW mini-album release featuring the title track DDI DO RI.

GO HARD is a rather interesting song. It starts off like a ballad, and it sounds really soothing and pleasant. The pre-chorus melodies were extremely nice. I wouldn’t mind MEOVV exploring this sound profile in the future. It would have been better without the vocal processing, though. Once GO HARD hits the chorus, the beat unexpectedly drops, and the song ends up… well… going hard with an up-tempo club beat. The contrast between the opening verse and chorus is definitely memorable and grabs your attention. But I will also admit, the two side by side were quite jarring. After the first chorus, the club beat remains, setting up NARIN and ANNA’s rapping. I felt this was the weakest segment of GO HARD, with the verse feeling plain and ordinary, both instrumentally and vocally. At least the pre-chorus returns. After another run of the chorus, the bridge is probably the best example of the two sides of GO HARD coming together. As for the ending, I wish it went harder to round out the song. A final push (stronger than the choruses) would have been ideal to make GO HARD end on a strong note.

The music video shows the group in two very different styles. Accompanying the softer ballad sound, the members were seen in more refined, traditional schoolgirl uniforms. During the club-beat chorus, the members appear in more casual, outgoing club attire. Definitely a strong contrast between attires. I also liked how they used lighting and pyrotechnics to amplify the chorus’s energy. The one thing I wish the producers had focused more on was the schoolgirl concept. I get that the song loses that influence after the first chorus, but it would have been nice to see more of that contrast throughout the video.

While the contrast between the ballad start and club-beat chorus felt jarring musically, I liked how the contrast came off in the performance. I liked the delicate moves that accompany the ballad start versus the intensity and energy of the choruses. I also liked how the members didn’t hold back, which ups the contrast.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] UNDEAD – SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE)

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SUNG HANBIN was one of the members to stay on as part of ZEROBASEONE following the conclusion of the initial 3-year period after the survival show, BOYS PLANET. We saw him earlier this year promoting as part of the reformed 5-member lineup with the release of TOP 5. For his solo work, SUNG HANBIN returned to one of his original companies, THE L1VE. Today, he officially debuted as a solo artist with the single UNDEAD and the mini-album DEAD:ALIVE.

Both SUNG HANBIN and UNDEAD don’t hold back, making a strong impression from the get-go. The instrumental is powerful alternative pop-rock that definitely gets the adrenaline pumping. From the guitar riffs to the dramatic drumming to the calculated pauses, the backing was intense and robust throughout UNDEAD. SUNG HANBIN’s vocals were on par with the instrumental, powerful enough to cut through the backing. This kept his delivery clear and not drowned out, unlike some songs where the balance between the powerful instrumentation and vocals wasn’t right. I also liked the clever use of the choral backing to amplify the song’s most intense moments. This only added to the dramatic, powerful flair SUNG HANBIN was already bringing to UNDEAD and concentrated everything into a memorable piece. On memorability, the only thing UNDEAD could have done better was feature a meatier hook. It definitely got the melodies down right, but the hook just wasn’t addictive enough. That would have made UNDEAD a hook-line-sinker song.

Based on media articles, UNDEAD ‘conveys a strong determination to willingly accept any pain and hardship, both for the sake of others and for his own.’ Throughout the music video, we see SUNG HANBIN on the run. In some parts, it looks like he is running away from someone or something. But most of the video shows him facing it all as everyone else runs away. We see him running head-on through walls, falling off buildings and taking high risks to escape the someone or something chasing him (most likely the pain and hardship mentioned above). In the end, he climbs back to the top of the building, having gone through it all to claim his success and glory. SUNG HANBIN’s visuals were on full display, too. He looked good doing anything, even falling from the building.

The choreography captured the intensity, power, and dramatic flair I mentioned earlier. And it was amazing to watch. The performance really highlights SUNG HANBIN’s talent and skill as a dancer. The synchronisation with his dancers was also perfect. His charisma and stage presence really shone through. If you are still unconvinced, I highly recommend checking out his intro performance during the live curating session for DEAD:ALIVE. You won’t regret it!

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.9/10

[Album Review] Girls Will Be Girls (10th Mini Album) – ITZY

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ITZY’s Girls Will Be Girls is next up for an album review. Released in June 2025, the mini-album is a short one, with just 5 tracks (spanning less than 15 minutes), one of which is the title track of the same name. Personally, I found the mini-album consistent and ranked in the mid-range of albums I have reviewed over time. It wasn’t ITZY’s best work, but it wasn’t boring or bad enough to skip. My thoughts on each song are below, and per usual, let me know what you think of ITZY’s Girls Will Be Girls.

But before we get to the actual review bits, here is a recap of everything that happened around Girls Will Be Girls (because I am so behind schedule). Before this mini-album, ITZY released their 9th mini-album GOLD (featuring the title track of the same name and the single Imaginary Friend). After Girls Will Be Girls, the group renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment, embarked on their 3rd world tour, and released their second Japanese studio album (Collector) and their 11th mini-album, TUNNEL VISION (also with a title track of the same name).

Girls Will Be Girls Digital Album Cover

1. Girls Will Be Girls (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Girls Will Be Girls. (8/10)

2. Kiss & Tell – Kiss & Tell features a really cool, clubbing electronic instrumental. Its relentless pace made the track very appealing. I also liked how the vocals blended cohesively into the song with some autotune. However, my biggest issue is that the song feels compressed. While I found the fast tempo an asset, it was also a double-edged sword, as it prevented a strong hook from developing or settling in. (8/10)

3. Locked N Loaded – ITZY fuses some rock into the background of Locked N Loaded, which is a neat mix with the synths. I liked the guitars toward the end of the track, which give Locked N Loaded some subtle oomph. Both LIA and YUNA’s rapping in the second verse were also good. But aside from those aspects, I didn’t find much of a hook, no matter how many times I repeat the song. (7/10)

4. Promise – Promise is a mid-tempo pop song dedicated to fans, with a pleasant melody line, beautiful piano in the background and soft, airy vocals that create an inviting and warm atmosphere. As a sucker for ballad-leaning tracks, I enjoyed this track and ITZY’s execution of Promise, even if it doesn’t stand out as much as their earlier tracks. (8/10)

5. Walk – ITZY ends the mini-album with the attitude- and confidence-loaded Walk. The EDM in this track is super cool and sleek, and the members’ rap-speak delivery is, too. The part of Walk that I am least sure about is the bridge. I wish the producers used the bridge to give Walk a peak of some sort, rather than dragging out some vocals. I get that its low-key nature fits the bigger picture, but Walk needed more to elevate to a higher ranking. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.6/10

ITZY’s teaser image for Girls Will Be Girls

[Review] Guitarist – Doh Kyung Soo (D.O – EXO)

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A month ago, Doh Kyung Soo (or D.O from EXO) made his solo comeback with his 4th mini-album, Dopamine. The lead single from the new mini-album, and the focus of this review, is Guitarist. This is Doh Kyung Soo’s first solo release since Bliss and SING ALONG!, and his first release since EXO’s long-awaited Crown comeback earlier this year.

It makes sense that, with the song titled Guitarist, a prominent feature of the instrumental is the guitar. As we all know, the instrument is versatile, and in Guitarist, the guitar (alongside other band instruments) delivers a bright, upbeat, funky tune. It is an extremely nice listen from the outset and has me boogieing in my seat each time it comes on. Alongside the instrumental, Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals are equally bright and effortlessly warm. The riffs and his crisp tone add to Guitarist‘s ‘extremely nice’ appeal. The “Da-ra-da” hook was super pleasant, as were the melodies.

As for the music video, we can view it as two halves. The first half shows Doh Kyung Soo coolly playing guitar in a striking red leather jacket and driving his friends to a party or hangout. The second half shows Doh Kyung Soo meeting up with a girl on the side of the road, where they vibe and dance together in a cute yet light-hearted way. I much prefer the second half, as this is what I know of Doh Kyung Soo, and the whole montage just makes you want to smile.

This comeback includes a performance with dancers. It is a super easy-going routine for Doh Kyung Soo to focus on his live vocals, but he does execute the moves well (alongside the dancers to give the stage some oomph) when it comes to the “Da-Ra-Da” hook. He also sneaks a bit of that fun, light-hearted dancing from the music video into the routine.

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

[Review] Kick Off The Wall – KickFlip ft. iann dorr

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Making their return this week is KickFlip, who returns with their 5th mini-album, Kick Off The Wall Pt. 1. This mini-album features the title track of the same name (sans the Pt. 1 bit and features rapper iann dorr) and the pre-release single Puzzle Piece. This review will focus on the title track. It’s the group’s second comeback of the year, following their earlier My First Kick and Eye-Poppin’ era.

Kick Off The Wall continues KickFlip’s pop-rock sound and blends it with electronic elements to create a super cool, dynamic track. It is one of the elements that really sold me on this track on first listen. Everything melds together so well (the chorus is a great example of how the pop-rock and synths come together cohesively), and the synth-dominant instrumental break is a textural wonderland. The members are very lively and punchy throughout Kick Off The Wall. I enjoyed how they channelled the instrumental’s dynamic nature. The song’s hooks also add to that punchiness. This definitely gives Kick Off The Wall its catchy, addictive quality. It was pretty hard to put the song down. iann dorr is given the bridge to rap in, and I liked how it doesn’t shortchange Minje’s rap sequence. Both sounded great! Actually, I also like how his bit fits into Kick Off The Wall and sounds just as lively and dynamic as the members.

My biggest issue with this comeback was the music video. Not the whole video, but where they used a specific post-production technique (green screens). The opening scene to the first chorus looked so bad and cheapened the video. Similarly, the pre-chorus sequence before the second chorus, where the members broke down walls and kicked up dust, felt the same way. Those scenes could have been refined a lot more. JYP Entertainment is a big company; surely they could have done better. Though it was nice to see the featuring artist in the music video and alongside the members at the end.

The performance aspect was really good. The best parts are the choruses, where the energy is highest, and the members embody it well. The dance break was also super cool. On the flip side, the dance moves during the verses could have been more interesting

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] Death of Me – EVAN

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EVAN only just made his solo debut with Ride or Die in June this year. But he returned quickly, two and a half months later, releasing his first solo mini-album and title track, both titled Death of Me. This review focuses only on the title track.

Death of Me‘s production is one of the song’s real strengths. The groovy, crunchy synth work that dominates the chorus background was so driven and sharp. It had so much vigour and energy that it really stood out. EVAN translated this so well into his delivery and execution of the chorus. It was a promising start and a strong centrepiece. However, beyond the choruses, Death of Me falters. The verses were a snooze, largely forgettable, and just didn’t resonate as much as the choruses did. Some of his vocals were decent, but it sounded like he was held back from reaching his full potential. A prime example is how his singing in the second verse felt overly processed. Similarly, Death of Me also felt held back. Some ad-libs during the final chorus to build Death of Me toward a peak would have been appreciated, but instead we got a repeat of the same chorus, which ultimately flattened the song toward the end. The instrumental break outro was a nice touch and tried to add some oomph in the last seconds, but it was too late and not enough to get us to that peak.

This music video would have worked really well in the lead-up to Halloween, as it shows EVAN being haunted by a mysterious figure throughout. My theory is that the mysterious figure represents his past self, as he sings about starting afresh and his unwillingness to let his past limitations or fears control him. Out of EVAN’s looks throughout the video, I really like when he was in a suit on stage. It would have been nice for his other looks to be more on that side of the spectrum, and not super casual, loose, crop-top T-shirts. While he looked cool, I couldn’t help feeling like the video felt refined, but it ended up cheapening itself by the end.

You can tell EVAN put a lot of energy into the choreography, and it paid off. There is a strong MJ influence throughout the routine, and the dance break at the end was my favourite bit of the entire routine. The extra push he gives in the final moments just makes that part so much more impactful. His facial expressions and charisma were also executed perfectly, adding so much more to the performance.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] I’m Gonna TOESA – SOYEON (i-dle)

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Currently topping the charts in South Korea is SOYEON’s I’m Gonna TOESA (which translates to I’m Quitting in English). It is her lead single from her first solo studio album, What a Wonderful Life, which dropped in early September. Since then. SOYEON’s new song has since been extremely successful on the charts, where it is currently earning multiple perfect all-kills (where the song simultaneously ranks number one on multiple real-time, daily, and weekly charts). I’m Gonna TOESA is also SOYEON’s first major solo release since 2021’s Beam Beam.

I’m Gonna TOESA is about the fantasy and romance of quitting a stressful job. Most of the song is in Korean, but I am sure it feels relatable and speaks to Korean audiences, as it is currently dominating the charts in South Korea. For a non-Korean speaker like me, the song doesn’t have as strong an effect. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. The first thing that sticks out to me is that I’m Gonna TOESA isn’t the release you’d expect from SOYEON. We all know from i-dle works what SOYEON can pull out – something strong, empowering and bold. Whereas I’m Gonna TOESA is cutesy, retro, laid-back, and whimsical. This contrast is already quite intriguing and pulls me further into the song. I enjoyed the song’s vocal-forward nature, with moments that highlight SOYEON’s raspy, nasal vocals. The band instrumentation is quite simple but has an appealing feel-good vibe. The melodies, and the song overall, are easy on the ears, which helps it stand out in the current KPOP climate.

Watching the music video made me smile. I might be slightly envious that SOYEON quits her office job in the video, but I love how she curtsies as she leaves, only to flip the bird the next moment. That takes confidence on so many levels. From there, she portrays her newfound free schedule, which includes going on dates (even though she literally just waltzes up to a table and tries to woo the guy, who is already in a relationship), going to the karaoke bar (I feel like this is normal) and daydreaming about being an old lady.

Watching the performances also made me smile – even more than the music video. Each comeback stage felt different and refreshing, and you could tell SOYEON had a blast performing each one. The trip at the start kept things interesting and playful, while the aggressive twerking at the end of the first two choruses contrasts with the light and joyful “La La La” that follows is my favourite part of the entire routine.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] HAPPY BURSTDAY (5th Studio Album) – SEVENTEEN

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It has been over a month since I last posted an album review. But with this post now published, I can confirm they are still coming, just ever so slowly and very much a year overdue. Anyhow, this blog post is about SEVENTEEN’s HAPPY BURSTDAY, released in May 2025 to commemorate their 10th anniversary. And despite some of the members having already enlisted, all members participated in the album (though for those who enlisted – JEONGHAN and WONWOO – their participation was to varying degrees). HAPPY BURSTDAY features 16 songs, including the title track THUNDER and 13 solo tracks from each member. This was one heck of a way to celebrate their 10th year together as a group!

HAPPY BURSTDAY has a lot of really good songs, but the two standouts are ballads to me. If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you probably know I am a sucker for them!). And if ballads are not your thing, I am sure one of the other 14 songs will be your jam. Keep reading to hear my thoughts on each one, and let me know what you think of the album or certain songs (there is a lot of ground to cover).

HAPPY BURSTDAY Album Cover

1. HBD – Kicking off the album is HBD, an appropriately titled track to open up the album, celebrating their 10th year as a group. HBD is an energetic rock dance track that also features EDM elements. It is a thrilling mix that easily hypes me up for the title track and the rest of the album. Of all the members who feature in the song (JEONGHAN doesn’t have a part due to his military enlistment), WONWOO’s rap sequence in the second verse was the best part of the song. (9/10)

2. THUNDER (Title Track) – Upon reconsideration and the fact that the song has grown on me, I am bumping my original rating of THUNDER by half a point to 9/10. My review of the title track still stands, however. Click here for my full review of THUNDER. (9/10)

3. Bad Influence – Click here for my full review of Bad Influence. (7.5/10)

4. Skyfall (THE8 Solo) – Kicking off the solo tracks on the album is THE8 with Skyfall. It is a dreamy, artistic EDM track, with hefty beats and synths coming into play down the line. But what stands out to me is that synth that sounds like something dropping. It works wonders and is such a bold statement piece in Skyfall. THE8 has some really strong vocal moments in the song, too. A very strong start for the solo tracks on HAPPY BURSTDAY. (10/10)

5. Fortunate Change (JOSHUA Solo) – I enjoyed how blissful and calming Fortunate Change sounded. JOSHUA tends to have this effect on you, and Fortunate Change encapsulated this well. The tropical sound at the start adds to the song’s warmth, and I liked how it maintains a summery vibe throughout the track. The brass was a nice touch, and the guitar work really grounds the track. (8/10)

6. 99.9% (WONWOO Solo) – This one was quite unexpected. Who would have thought WONWOO’s solo track would be so bright, upbeat, and peppy? The brass elements in this track were so fun and good, while the piano just gives it that peppy vibe. I also enjoyed how vocal-forward 99.9% was. I just wish there was more of that electric guitar detailing in the background, like in the second verse. (9/10)

7. Raindrops (SEUNGKWAN Solo) – Raindrops is an exceptionally beautiful rock ballad that brings the best out of SEUNGKWAN’s vocals. The slight raspiness in his vocals, the swaying effect I love when it comes to ballads, a soothing melody and an instrumental that develops and builds alongside SEUNGKWAN, Raindrops had it all. It was so easy to get lost in the song, and it’s one I return to often. (10/10)

8. DAMAGE (HOSHI ft. Timbaland) – Seeing a collab between a SEVENTEEN member (in this case HOSHI) and Timbaland on the tracklist is quite exciting and sets high expectations. DAMAGE lives up to that expectation. It’s funky in a smooth, understated way, with fresh vocals from HOSHI and clear Timbaland influence on the production. The catchy chorus makes it a strong, enjoyable track. (8.5/10)

9. Shake It Off (MINGYU Solo) –MINGYU’s Shake It Off has been one of the most memorable for me. And it shouldn’t take you much to realise why. Shake It Off is pretty super cool, like the trendy club/house beats, the raspy/deep rap tone, the pre-chorus keyboard and the well-placed censorship beeps. Even the squeaky, higher-pitched vocals add nice contrast. While slightly repetitive, all of the above, plus its catchiness, make it a highly effective track. (9/10)

10. Happy Virus (DK Solo) – DK goes for a bright pop ballad for Happy Virus, which features a slight country twang in my mind. I enjoyed this one too – the melodies and lyrics are such an easy listen. And like what the title suggests, Happy Virus brings a smile to my face. A major driver here is DK’s effortless vocals. (9/10)

11. Destiny (운명) (WOOZI Solo) – WOOZI’s Destiny is a beautiful ballad that highlights his vocals over grand band instrumentation. It is the longest song on the album, but it honestly never feels long because it is so immersive. His airy, light vocals contrast well with the rich instrumentals, and the guitar solo at the end is a standout moment. For me, this is another 10/10 track, for me. (10/10)

12. Shining Star (VERNON solo) – Shining Star has a very refreshing and energetic pop-punk influence in its instrumental, while VERNON’s autotuned vocals brought a really nice crisp texture to the song. The combination made for a captivating track that was hard to skip when it appeared on my queues. I just wish the song had more of a peak. (8/10)

13. Gemini (쌍둥이자리) (JUN solo) – I loved how atmospheric and dreamy Gemini’s electro-pop instrumentation sounded. This, along with JUN’s delicate vocals, made for an alluring, captivating dance track. So much so, you knew I had to check out the fancams for his performance of the song at SEVENTEEN’s world tour. And I loved how his performance emphasised all the descriptor words I mentioned for Gemini. (9/10)

14. Trigger (DINO Solo) – Both DINO and Trigger bring me back to early 2000s pop R&B. I quite liked the dramatic beats in the background; the nostalgic R&B and DINO sound so good and clear throughout Trigger. While his solo work in the first half of 2026 has been fun and upbeat, DINO also suits this style, and I hope to hear more of the genre from him in the future. (8/10)

15. Coincidence (우연) (JEONGHAN solo) – While not part of the promotional material for HAPPY BURSTDAY, it is definitely nice to have a JEONGHAN solo track on the album as well. JEONGHAN follows the standard route of having a ballad for his solo track (given he is part of SEVENTEEN’s vocal unit), and it sounds nice. The instrumental had a warm feel, and I liked how soft his vocals and tone stayed throughout Coincidence. (8/10)

16. Jungle (S.COUPS solo) – S.COUPS is left, and presents us with JUNGLE. You can definitely feel the tension behind the hard-hitting instrumental, which felt immersed in the wild. The beat was definitely foot-tapping inducing. While S.COUPS sounds good throughout Jungle, I found his rapping more on the lighter, subtler side. I wish there was a moment for S.COUPS to become explosive in the track. This would have made Jungle more memorable and impactful for me. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] Coward – PENTAGON

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Over the years, I have grown fond of PENTAGON. I quite liked their music, and they had some strong singles – Daisy is still my favourite. However, as the members did not renew their contract with Cube Entertainment, there have been zero group activities since their last official comeback, Feelin’ Like, 4 years ago. But to celebrate their 10th anniversary, PENTAGON has finally returned as a 7-member group (both Yan An and Yuto have confirmed they left the group) with a special single titled Coward.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Coward was released, but don’t assume I didn’t like the song. I had a fair bit going on when Coward was released. If anything, I regret not reviewing PENTAGON’s new song sooner. Coward is a vibrant mid-tempo pop song done right. The piano at the start feels dreamy, and I liked how the synths and beat picked up the song. That squirly synth that comes through the instrumental from time to time and plays a prominent part of the instrumental break actually has a memorable ring. What I particularly like the most about Coward is that it shows off PENTAGON’s solid vocals. The hooks and melodies really let this aspect of the group and the song shine, and I find myself getting lost in them quite easily. On the flip side, I find Coward a little safe compared to some current releases, but ‘safe’ done right goes a long way, as this release shows.

It is definitely nice to see the group together again. The song has this wholesome vibe, with the members singing about their desire to get back with a former lover but also their hesitation to do so. Shooting the video at a train station was a clever idea. At the start, we see the members hesitate and linger on the platform, as if they are afraid to face their past partner or move on (hence the “coward” descriptor and the song title). But once they are outside and without that choice on their mind, they are happier and appear more vibrant (which works well with the song’s energy and tone). Though I don’t think they necessarily chose between facing their past and moving on.

Being off-stage for 4 years deprived the group of performance opportunities, and they are really making up for it in the choreography. They made sure the beat drops and similar moments hit hard throughout the routine. The chorus and dance break were strong parts of the routine that show off their dancing, synchronisation, and energy. I like it all!

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

[Review] ANIMAL – BOYNEXTDOOR

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BOYNEXTDOOR has returned, re-releasing their 1st studio album, HOME, from earlier in the year as HOME: DELUXE. The new release adds 5 new songs to the original tracklist (led by VIRAL and ddok ddok ddok). One of these new singles is the title track ANIMAL.

ANIMAL sees BOYNEXTDOOR opt for a harder sound, with an intense production that unleashes a wilder side of the group. I really enjoyed was the electro-funk synths in the instrumental and a head-banging beat that makes me want to do just that during the choruses (more on that in a second). The beginning gives us a slight taste of what is to come later on in the song, but more importantly, it grabbed my attention straight away. I personally don’t care much for the verses. Some of it was good, but most of it was pretty forgettable. ANIMAL‘s strongest moment is, without a doubt, its chorus. The amplification of both instrumentation and intensity, the rush from the tempo and the simple repetition of the song’s title were super effective and addictive. While I tend to umm and uhh about repetition, the rest of the chorus makes it interesting enough and makes the chorus package more enticing and appealing. I guess the biggest issue I have with ANIMAL is that it strips a lot of the members’ style and blurs all of their delivery together, which I don’t tend to like. It would have been nice to hear more of the members’ individualistic style in ANIMAL.

The members portrayed uncontrollable people who wreak havoc everywhere they go. They show their animalistic side. They cause destruction in the neighbourhood, at worksites, public places, and even crash a wedding. Animal rescuers track them down and tranquillize them at the wedding to stop the chaos, and I liked the abstract way they show them being subdued with the computer/data visual effects. I would have liked it if the video explored more of that underground lair situation that we see after they get subdued – it looked intriguing. Overall, it was a fun and wild video to watch.

The members really put all their energy into making the performance dynamic. This effort alone really strengthens the performance aspect of the comeback. In the choreography, we see animal poses and movements, which suits the song literally. It was also wild and busy (with the use of dancers to enhance this quite clever), which suited the music and intensity of ANIMAL.

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

[Review] CRASH – ALLDAY PROJECT

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Last week, ALLDAY PROJECT pre-released two singles, TALK and DO IT LIKE THIS, ahead of their newly released CRASH mini-album. I reviewed the former and promised to review the latter over the weekend (which I have delayed slightly). With the mini-album now out, the group has unveiled its official title track, CRASH, which will be the focus of this post.

In the recent flurry of ALLDAY PROJECT’s releases, CRASH is the most palatable. For me, it reminds me of ONE MORE TIME from last year, which is practically one of the two tracks from ALLDAY PROJECT that I enjoy. However, CRASH doesn’t exceed the standard they set for themselves with ONE MORE TIME. The new song feels weaker in both energy and impact, as if it is being held back. From the melodies to the delivery, everything felt safe and didn’t hit as hard as what we know ALLDAY PROJECT is capable of. Though, I am digging ANNIE’s first pre-chorus and BAILEY’s rapping in the bridge. While I liked CRASH‘s chorus for its simplicity and catchiness, I wish they’d gone with something with a little more impact at the end so the song didn’t feel too repetitive. Something that works with the party vibe of CRASH but akin to the ending of ONE MORE TIME would have enhanced CRASH to a whole new level. Overall, I would have appreciated more (in multiple regards) in this song.

The music video features different forms of crashes as the group sings/raps about being confident enough to not be limited by rules (based on Soompi’s interpretation of the song). We are talking about car crashes, party crashes, smashing glass, side mirrors and fire hydrants, crushing lemons and explosions. The most impactful scene of the video has to be when YOUNGSEO serves as a boulder, and the speeding car coming at her wraps itself around her as it impacts her (or tries to).

The performance was good, though I wished the moves were stronger in the second half of the chorus. The energy the members put into the “La La La Love” hook didn’t feel on par with the rest of the sequence and lacked oomph. Elsewhere, the routine was strong, and I liked the sassiness and attitude that came through alongside the verses.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Say Yes! – ONEUS

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The song I am obsessed with this week is ONEUS’ comeback single, Say Yes!. It’s their first single under their new company, B-WAVE, and their first in a while to feature SEOHO, who enlisted in early 2025. Say Yes! is also the lead single off their latest mini-album, First Light: 井, which dropped earlier this week alongside the new single.

Among the beige, low-key trends currently dominating KPOP, Say Yes! stands out for its dynamic instrumentation and delivery. It is truly refreshing to listen to, and I’ve revisited the track quite a lot since its release on Wednesday. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll stop any time soon. Say Yes! features impactful rhythmic guitars and punchy, groovy synths. I particularly enjoyed the extra energy and oomph that kicks in during the pre-chorus – it is such an exhilarating rush that adds so much to the song. Totally my favourite part of the entire song. And while these amp up Say Yes!, the refreshingness mentioned before gives the track a breeziness and lightness. The members themselves hold their ground throughout the track, with solid vocals and catchy melodies that add to that breeziness and dynamic flair. Overall, ONEUS impresses with Say Yes!.

Say Yes! comes right at the end of the summer song season. The song already ticks the boxes of being a summer track (i.e., dynamic, energetic, refreshing, breezy), so it makes sense for the music video to follow suit. The video features the members overcoming the darkness by sticking together and continuing to do so in the light as well. In the lighter scenes, everything feels more casual and relaxed compared with the mystery and intensity of the darker scenes.

I continue to rave on about the post-chorus sequence of Say Yes!, this time on the choreography front. The intensity and punch the members brought to the post-chorus execution were super cool and a highlight of the performance. The pre-choruses also get a shout-out, as the moves fit the music so well. A strong routine from ONEUS.

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