Category: KPOP

[Review] Beautiful Strangers – TXT

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TXT returned yesterday with their 4th studio album, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER, and the lead single Beautiful Strangers. It follows their Love Language single from earlier this year, which is not included on this new album. TXT is also due to start their 4th world tour, Act: Tomorrow, from next month.

Beautiful Strangers see the group return with an emotionally charged single. I really liked the contrast between TXT’s sometimes soft, sometimes powerful vocals in Beautiful Strangers and the bold synth drops, which make for a fantastic centrepiece in the song’s background. In between all of this, we get a blend of trap and rock, which the group has attempted previously in Deja Vu. While not novel in TXT’s discography, I honestly didn’t mind this and thought it made the instrumental ‘leap’ at the correct times to gear the song towards those bold synth drops. However, despite all attempts to make Beautiful Strangers a powerful and impactful track, there was an overwhelming lack of development in the song that holds back its full potential. The contrast mentioned earlier gives Beautiful Strangers ebbs and flows, but it doesn’t really go anywhere, and this gets frustrating the more I listen to the song. I blame the lack of a climax in Beautiful Strangers, which is primarily due to its incredibly short runtime of 2:18 minutes. There simply isn’t enough time for the song to really develop.

The music video for Beautiful Strangers showcases the members’ bond as a group, conveying the message that they are more powerful together. How fitting, given that it has been confirmed the group is currently up for contract negotiations. The music video depicts the members struggling without one another, particularly during the aftermath of an accident that leaves one of the members no longer by their side. I think the member in question is SOOBIN, given that he wasn’t part of the montage of solo scenes at the start of the pause in music in the video. TXT’s acting was really good throughout the video, and I liked the moodier atmosphere that matched the music.

Those synth drops mentioned earlier lend well to the performance, which is dramatic and powerful to watch. As such, this performance is definitely one to watch, especially with TXT giving their all to reflect that same emotionally charged energy from the song in this routine. The routine itself was apparently choreographed by YEONJUN. Well done to YEONJUN for such a fantastic routine.

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

[Double Review] FAMOUS + WICKED – ALLDAY PROJECT

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I haven’t reviewed many rookies this year, but I hope to cover some of the rookies of the year as I post more reviews. One of the biggest rookies thus far this year is ALLDAY PROJECT, a five-member co-ed group (consisting of Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo) under The Black Label (the home for MEOVV, JEON SOMI, TAEYANG and ROSÉ). They made their debut last month with the single album FAMOUS, which features two songs – one that shares the same name as the album and another titled WICKED.

FAMOUS

I must admit I didn’t care for the track when it was first released. This is a track that I don’t tend to gravitate towards because of its heavy hip-hop influence. However, after sneaking onto my queue and recommendations, I can see why FAMOUS had such a strong appeal. The Latin-influenced guitar work that started off the song felt very classy. The rhythmic percussion that follows gave FAMOUS drive. It was also minimalistic in nature, which allowed the focus to be on the engaging vocals and rapping that ALLDAY PROJECT gives. The shouty ‘We ain’t even famous‘ and the melodies during YOUNGSEO’s vocal moments were super memorable, while Annie and Bailey’s choruses have grown immensely on me. At the end, we are presented with a trap-based instrumental piece that, although brief, embodies a cool persona.

FAMOUS‘s music video stands out for its superb editing. I really liked how the different scenes connected with one another. The heel turning into city streets was a definite example of this.

The performance is just what you expected, with ALLDAY PROJECT embodying the hip-hop that the song features prominently. It was a super engaging performance and a very cool one at that. The highlight has to be the intense routine by Bailey and Tarzzan’s jump at the end of the performance.

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

WICKED

Similar to FAMOUS, I didn’t really engage with WICKED as much when it was first released. But like FAMOUS, it made it onto my queues and recommendations. But it didn’t really fare the same. The catchiest element of WICKED is the ‘Wicked‘ repetition at the end of some of the choruses. The rest of the chorus was spoken words. However, while repetitive, it didn’t have the same catchiness. The Brazilian funk production was unique, but it ultimately fell short in terms of memorability. I did get a very ‘cool’ vibe from the intense rapping, which holds some potential. However, in terms of the single album, FAMOUS was by far the superior track.

We don’t have a formal music video for WICKED. However, we did manage to get two ‘performance videos’. The first is the ‘MOVIE SET’ version (embedded below) that felt like a music video. While the editing was not as creative as FAMOUS‘s music video, I really liked they did YOUNGSEO’s bridge segment of the video turned out, with different things happening in the same background each time the beat hits. The movie set elements also give off a very cool vibe. The second version is the ‘BASEMENT’ version, which felt like the actual performance video, with the members performing WICKED in the basement. Nothing else happens, and there isn’t any change between shots. This version does bring out their synchronisation and sharpness, which makes the performance feel more chic and impressive.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video/Performance (based on Version A – MOVIE SET) – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.1/10

[Album Review] TELEPARTY (2nd Single Album) – BSS (SEVENTEEN)

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With the second half of 2025 upon us, it is about time that I make a start on the albums released this year. First up is SEVENTEEN’s BSS and their 2nd single album, TELEPARTY. It was released in January 2025, alongside the title track CBZ (Prime Time). This album release follows their massive hit, Fighting, which was featured on the single album SECOND WIND. More on the songs featured on TELEPARTY below.

And don’t worry about the 2024 albums that have yet to be reviewed. I will still be reviewing them as I work my way through the 2025 albums, so don’t worry about it.

TELEPARTY Album Cover

1. CBZ (Prime Time) (청바지) – Click here for CBZ (Prime Time)’s full review. (9/10)

2. Happy Alone – Happy Alone was an instant favourite of mine. I really like how those opening synths really popped out from the instrumentation. The New Jack Swing instrumentation was super cool, while the groovy undertones kept the vibe alive in the verses. BSS’ vocals were superb, and I enjoyed how straightforward the melodies were. (10/10)  

3. Love Song (사랑 노래) – This single album ends with the R&B number Love Song. I really liked the nostalgia that this number invokes, as it takes me back to the late 90s and early 00s. It also portrays BSS in a more serious and contemplative light. The vocals are exceptionally nice, while the piano has a striking quality that contributes to the nostalgic R&B sound. (8/10)  

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

  • DK’s Teaser Image for TELEPARTY.
  • HOSHI’s Teaser Image for TELEPARTY.
  • SEUNGKWAN’s Teaser Image for TELEPARTY.

[Review] SING ALONG! – Doh Kyung Soo (D.O – EXO)

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Doh Kyung Soo made his comeback last week with his first-ever studio album, Bliss, and the title track SING ALONG!. It is his first release since last year’s BLOSSOM mini-album and singles Popcorn and Mars.

SING ALONG! gives us a different side to Doh Kyung Soo through a fun, summery pop song. I like it because of that. The upbeat instrumental is relatively simple, with tropical elements throughout the backing and featuring Afrobeat percussion during the bridge. It isn’t the most groundbreaking instrumental piece out there, but I think it does the job appealingly. Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals bring a familiar warmth and tone to the SING ALONG!, which helps enhance its appeal. The biggest problem I found with SING ALONG! is that it feels too consistent throughout, which holds the song back from reaching its full potential. Whilst already on the shorter side of song lengths (though 2:40 could very well be the average these days), I’ve found it to be one of those songs where, after just a couple of listens, it feels like you’ve heard it so many times already. However, in its first instance, I did appreciate the novelty of SING ALONG! in Doh Kyung Soo’s discography.

The music video for SING ALONG! brings a smile to my face. The main reason was Doh Kyung Soo’s bubbly and charming nature. Then, there were also the awkward moments that make the music video memorable, such as seeing him sprint down the soccer field while a game was being played, or when he was introverted at the club. Now, the entire song was about seizing the moment and making the most of the present. Doh Kyung Soo running down the soccer field was his response to a disappointing game, while the introverted club scene was the lead-in to Doh Kyung Soo enjoying the club a little while later. We also see a little homage to The Truman Show with the set of stairs along the skywall, which serves as a flashback to when Truman ‘seizes the moment’ and leaves the dome that he had called home for his entire life.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] JUMP – BLACKPINK

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The last time we heard from BLACPINK was in 2022, when they released their second studio album, BORN PINK, along with the title tracks Pink Venom and Shut Down. Since then, BLACKPINK have focused more on their successful solo careers. However, as of the start of this month, they have regrouped for their Deadline world tour, which featured the debut of their new track JUMP. An album is also on the cards, as confirmed by LISA earlier this year.

BLACKPINK’s past songs have shared a distinct structure, resulting in a similar discography. This consistency had made their releases somewhat dry and unexciting, to the point where I don’t think I was ever really drawn back to their music while they were on hiatus (except for Lovesick Girls – this one will always be my favourite BLACKPINK track). While JUMP does draw on that structure somewhat, there is a refreshingness to JUMP that makes it stand out. The beat and distinctive European techno EDM give JUMP a neat, constrained bounce that keeps it buoyant and fun. The slight country influence in the verses gives off a wild-west Western feel that adds a layer of fun. All of these influences add colour and vibrancy that we have not heard from the group in a very long time. The vocals and rapping were fine, and I did like the material the members delivered during the verses. As for the choruses, the breathy singular ‘Jump‘ in Korean was nice and gives impact. But the chanty parts could have been stronger. I also liked the final part of JUMP, with the addition of sharper yet rounded beats to accompany JUMP‘s chorus to bring the new single to an effective close in a no-fuss and straightforward way.

While I can support the music, the accompanying music video is a letdown. I understand that the producers were trying to do something different, and I did like parts of the concept of a crowd head-banging wildly during the chorus. However, the use of green screens and similar effects in the video really cheapened the music video. It really unravels the reputation that YG Entertainment has built for their music videos, particularly BLACKPINK’s videos. The montages of the members running during the second verse, and when they float into the sky in their puffy jackets, are so terrible that they have become memorable at the same time.

The choreography for the comeback is actually quite good. Unsurprisingly, small bounces and jumps make their way into the routine for the chorus, and it genuinely looks like a lot of fun. I also liked how the formations and routine take time to spotlight each member individually.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 6.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] CHILLER – NCT DREAM

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A week ago, NCT DREAM unveiled their first title track, BTTF, from their 5th studio album, Go Back To The Future. Earlier this week, they officially dropped said album and their second title track CHILLER. As mentioned previously, this new album marks NCT DREAM’s first release in 8 months, following their 4th studio album, Dreamscape (which I have yet to review).

While BTTF was bolstered and bombastic (which I liked), CHILLER is a much… well, chiller track. I suppose this is the intention of a song titled CHILLER. Despite the trap-based instrumental, this ‘chiller’ vibe of the first verse lends the instrumental a smooth glide, giving it a more pleasant sound. Still, I miss the punchier, harder beats that NCT DREAM usually brings in their past title tracks. The chorus of CHILLER does give me a bit of that intensity I was hoping for, with a more prevalent pounding beat and some piercing shouts that give CHILLER some much-needed grit and edge. I wish more of this showed up in the track. The second verse does give small punches, but nothing attention-grabbing. I also felt like there was a flow problem in the song, with certain parts feeling like they were stuck together without any glue in between. I liked the vocals in the song, particularly when harmonies were present. The rapping side of CHILLER was more hit-or-miss for me. Overall, CHILLER just didn’t satisfy me as well as BTTF did.

The music video for CHILLER continues the time-travel concept inspired by the Back To The Future franchise. The hoverboard makes another reappearance in this music video, reconnecting NCT DREAM with their past and future (whilst also having fun and enjoying the moment). I liked the small, cute robot that is seen throughout the video, filming the members and that the members used to take pictures with. I also liked the part where the members turn into video game characters. That was rather cool.

Once again, despite not performing on the usual music shows yet, the group has already performed CHILLER at the launch of their 2025 world tour. I quite liked the performance more than BTTF‘s, as there is boldness to the chorus that helps make the stage memorable. I also like how the members put extra oomph into this part. I also liked the cascading part led by JISUNG in the second verse. It is the smoother parts of the routine that didn’t feel as well incorporated as they could have been.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

Ending syllable at end of each chorus line was pierecing

[Review] THIS IS FOR – TWICE

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TWICE also made their comeback yesterday with the all-English single THIS IS FOR and their 4th Korean studio album of the same name. This follows on from December’s Strategy (which featured Megan Thee Stallion) and mini-album of the same name.

THIS IS FOR gets less than a lukewarm response from me. The sentiment was nice, and it was still listenable. But THIS IS FOR is just a very dull song. While TWICE has done R&B pop well before, the instrumental in this new single felt flat (despite the bass), and there wasn’t anything memorable during the verses or bridge. The fact that the song only lasts 2:11 minutes doesn’t give it much opportunity to develop, so I can already see its future where it will likely gloss by without much thought. The chorus does improve the song slightly with some melodies to sink into, but the chanty delivery lacks extra excitement and feels elementary. As for the members, they make the song feel familiar, but there isn’t much material for them to amaze us with in THIS IS FOR.

Despite the flatness, THIS IS FOR is an empowering and hype song that sends the simple message to exude confidence from within oneself. I like how, for the most part, it shows TWICE in a straightforward and down-to-earth manner. I also like the idea of adding those outtakes, where they had to stop the music video shoot because of a pestering AI bee and when one of the members fell over. I assume this shows us that even TWICE isn’t perfect (like past music videos have shown me), and that’s okay.

I think this is the first routine in a while where similar comments made regarding the song can be applied to the routine. THIS IS FOR‘s choreography looked nice, but there wasn’t anything memorable, worth mentioning or revisiting.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.3/10

[Review] In Your Fantasy – ATEEZ

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Just a day after confirmation that ATEEZ will continue on as a group for another 7 years and 4 weeks since their 12th mini-album GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 dropped (led by the single Lemon Drop), ATEEZ has made a quick comeback with the deluxe version of the mini-album GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition’. It is led by the single In Your Fantasy.

You might be familiar with part of the instrumental for In Your Fantasy. The groovy aspects of the new song were previously featured as the outro of Lemon Drop‘s music video, which I had hoped would hint at a future comeback. The same groove also evokes and maintains an ultra-sexy vibe throughout, reminiscent of Justin Timberlake and Timbaland’s SexyBack. And if In Your Fantasy can remind me of that prolific song, the new all-English song has the basis to go far and wide. When it comes to the vocals and rapping, ATEEZ excels at both once again. There is no doubt about it. I did like the extra punches the final raps in the song give, so it can go out on a high. However, I do think In Your Fantasy could have used stronger hooks. The melodies that are there in In You Fantasy are slowly growing on me, but I think something with a more instantaneous effect to remember the song by would have knocked it out of the park.

Building on the sexy heat that ATEEZ exuded in Lemon Drop, In Your Fantasy gives us a teasing glimpse at something darker and sleeker. After all, the lyrics were of a sensual nature and made direct references to Lucifer (the name of the Devil). Once again, the styling and smouldering looks the members give are all on point and really helped make the video feel like an indulgence and temptation. YUNHO really grabs my attention at the start and makes me constantly look out for him throughout the video. I also appreciate the classier vibe of the sets, which heightens those sexy vibes even further, in my opinion.

While the group has yet to promote the new single, I managed to find a fancam of the performance at their recent concerts. The choreography for In My Fantasy taps into both the groovy and sensual sides of the song. It also focuses on intensity, making certain parts feel even more impactful than they seem.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Review] BTTF – NCT DREAM

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NCT DREAM’s 5th studio album, Go Back To The Future, is due to drop on Monday. However, ahead of that release, NCT DREAM has unexpectedly dropped the music video for BTTF, the first of two title tracks for this comeback. The second title track, CHILLER, will be released next Monday, along with the rest of the album. This release is the group’s first in 8 months, and follows on from their 4th studio album Dreamscape (which I have yet to review).

For me, there was a lot to enjoy in BTTF. What I like most about the new song is bombastic instrumental. It makes for a lively and exciting backing piece. I haven’t had the song on full-blast just yet, but you can tell immediately that BTTF would be amazing at that volume. I enjoyed the synthwave that simmers in the background for most of the song. There is also a satisfying crunchiness to BTTF. The second pre-chorus also serves up a cool rock-inspired ramp-up to the chorus. The members themselves build upon the energy from the instrumental with powerful rapping and strong vocals that elevate BTTF to the next level. This impressed me throughout BTTF. Admittedly, some parts, such as the chorus, were of a shouty nature. But I say that the shoutiness works, as it gives the impression that the members are riding the energy from the instrumentation. While I do like the hooks that BTTF have to offer, there wasn’t one singular hook that stands out as the song’s primary hook. I think had BTTF had this prominent and singular hook, this would have elevated BTTF even further.

Inspired by the film Back To The Future, the music video sees the members travel through time to the past, where we see them interact with their past selves (i.e., HAECHAN passing on the hoverboard to his past self). Talking about hoverboards, I did like how the reporter asks them about the hoverboards from 2016 at the end of the video, which is a reference to the hoverboards the members incorporated into their debut choreography for Chewing Gum. Their debut date, July 25, is also referenced in the music video as D-DAY on the calendar. I also liked the futuristic and electrifying elements of the music video, which was all very cool post-production.

While the comeback hasn’t happened just yet, the group has already performed BTTF at the launch of their 2025 world tour. I did check out one of the fan videos uploaded to X. From my observations, the choreography looks super intense and powerful, matching the energy and dynamism of the song. I did like the slowed down moments, which coinicides with the pre-chorus vocals, and how they contrasted with the rest of the routine.

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

[Review] X – ONEUS

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ONEUS made their comeback last week with their new mini-album 5x, which features the title track X. This mini-album is their 11th Korean mini-album to date since their debut in 2019. It is also the first release the group has made as four members, following SEOHO’s enlistment in the military earlier this year. It also follows the special album Dear.M that ONEUS released earlier this year, which was led by the single IKUK, and a string of solo releases from each member (including SEOHO).

X is good. ONEUS gets right to business, opening the song directly with the track’s primary hook and delivering a fun centrepiece. The track revisits this hook a couple more times throughout its run, searing it into my mind. As a result, I find myself humming along to X‘s hook without even knowing. However, this hook isn’t the only memorable aspect of X. The bass guitar plays a dominant role in the instrumental, and this is quite refreshing. It gives X an underlying funkiness and grooviness that helps boost up its addictiveness and feels very current with today’s trend. The rest of the song, including vocals and rapping, was nice. I do think X could have done better with a little more grit and texture, just to give it some edge. There was an overwhelming polished feeling that just made everything in X (including ONEUS themselves) glide along too smoothly, and the song needed something to cut right through that. But not in a disruptive or distracting manner that detracts from the fresh and cool groove that X is built on.

I really liked the retro vibes that the start of the music video gave, with the interchanging members, the four-member framing, and the layering of the various shots of the members and choreography scenes. Their black and white outfits over the white background also definitely helped. From there, we see ONEUS in an industrial setting and then on the moon. Unsure of the relevance of these to the song, but it looks good nonetheless.

The choreography for this comeback is okay. Not ONEUS’ most impressive work, but it does the job. I did like the chorus routine, especially when it comes to LEEDO’s part. But again, not exactly amazing from ONEUS, who has had some great choreography in the past.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] Dreamy Resonance (10th Mini Album) – OH MY GIRL

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OH MY GIRL returned in August last year with their 10th mini-album, Dreamy Resonance. Almost a year on, I am getting around to reviewing it. It features a total of 6 songs, including the title track Classifed. A reasonably strong mini-album, Dreamy Resonance was consistent and had some good side-tracks on it. I recommend you check out the mini-album if you haven’t already done so in the past year.

Dreamy Resonance follows their 9th mini-album Golden Hourglass (led by the title track Summer Comes). More recently, the group celebrated their 10th anniversary with the single Oh My.

Dreamy Resonance Album Cover

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

2. Start Up – OH MY GIRL goes for feel-good vibes in Start Up. I love the bright and bubbly energy that the members exude, whilst the instrumental gives off a summery pop vibe. MIMI’s rapping adds a dynamic and punchy flair that uplifts Start Up. I do like the addition of the militaristic drumming in the bridge, which gives the song a touch of edge. The final chorus did feel a tad longer than it needed to be. But that isn’t too much of an issue. Overall, a really nice upbeat track. (8.5/10)

3. LA LA LA LA – MIMI and SEUNGHEE join hands for LA LA LA LA, a mid-tempo track that leans towards R&B territory. I like the way the two of them meld with each other for this track. Their almost-whispery vocals in the chorus were a nice middle ground, and the hooks had a nice ring to them. SEUNGHEE does well in the verses with her vocals and MIMI’s rapping adding some edge to LA LA LA LA. But on the flip side, there wasn’t much to remember the verses by, and the instrumentation behind the rapping made it feel boring. (8/10)

4. Sway (YOU & I) – YUBIN and ARIN lean more into the R&B genre with a dreamier instrumentation that incorporates strings and a touch of synths that sounds like water droplets. Both YUBIN and ARIN sound very nice throughout the track. I really liked the way they delivered the “Sway to the left, sway to the right” hook in the chorus. The rapping was unexpected, but I liked how it made Sway sound more interesting. (8/10)

5. Love Me Like You Do – HYOJUNG and YOOA bring us Love Me Like You Do, which, to me, is the best track on this mini-album. The vocals, harmonies and layering in this track are quite captivating. I like how calming and wispy the instrumental is overall, but the additional soft clashes and brief bursts of strings in the second verse just give it a little more. I don’t have much else to say about the track other than I like to sit back whilst it is playing to take it all in. (9/10)

6. Heavenly – Heavenly is a very pretty mid-tempo ballad, especially during its pre-choruses (I can have this part on repeat). I love how light and stunning the vocals are throughout the track, and the instrumental is simply beautiful. That latter comment can be applied more broadly to the entire song, where keeping everything simple and straightforward paid off. What a lovely way to end the mini-album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

Dreamy Resonance Teaser Image

[Review] Touch – KARD

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KARD made their return with their 8th mini-album, DRIFT, and the title track Touch. It is their first release since their digital single DETOX in December 2024 (which I never got around to reviewing).

It has been just over 2 days since Touch was released, and I have given it multiple listens. But I still don’t get much out of the song. I get a 2000s vibe from the track, and I appreciate the hip-hop, rap-esque sound profile from that era in Touch. SOMIN and JIWOO’s vocals in the pre-choruses were nice, and I liked how they split up the bridge amongst themselves. But it is what Touch doesn’t do well that speaks volumes to me. Touch overall lacks personality and sounds mundane. The instrumental was okay at first, but the percussive elements became too consistent, pulling the song back and making it feel plain. Touch would have benefited from some bombastic highlights or accents within its instrumental, which I felt the song was aiming for but never realised. The hooks were also lacklustre and unmemorable. In retrospect, Touch is a fair song, but not their best.

Touch‘s music video is steamy, which is very much in line with the group’s brand. I do feel like the production value isn’t there for this comeback, but they make do with some sexy scenes. Note that the keyword in the sentence is ‘some’. Some of the dancers were standing around, and weakly body-waving in the background isn’t that enticing. I do feel like the ending, with the extras disappearing and one female character remaining behind with KARD might mean something, but this wasn’t explored well in the video. I wish J.Seph and BM were better utilised in the video. They very much felt like extras until their solo scenes came on, and then they reverted to being extras as soon as we passed their solo moment.

When I watch the performance for Touch, I get two distinct vibes. For the most part, the routine feels restrained and doesn’t look that energetic. However, as soon as we land in the last chorus, the choreography kicks it up a notch, and the members round out the routine with an intense ending.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Special] KPOPREVIEWED’s Personal Favourite Songs from the 1st Half of 2025 & more

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One of the first posts after 30 June each year is my ‘Personal Favourite’ post. To help round out the first half of the year, I post a list of my personal favourite songs from the 1st half of the year.

I am following the approach I took over the last couple of years, by covering a little more than just the first half of 2025. In addition to the usual list of 10 songs (which are in no particular order and not related to my reviews as songs do grow immensely on me) for the first half of 2025, I will also be posting 2 songs from the November – December 2024 period I personally liked and 3 non-Korean songs by Korean artists that caught my attention so far this year. So without further delay, here is the list of my personal favourite songs of the year thus far (in no particular order, of course).

Favourite KPOP songs from November to December 2024

Favourite non-Korean song by a KPOP artist so far this year

Favourite KPOP songs of the year so far (January to June 2025)

[Review] Dirty Work – aespa

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At the very end of last week, aespa made their comeback with the single Dirty Work. This new single was teased since early June, after which the group dropped a short performance video for the latest track filmed on an iPhone 16 Pro. This new track follows their massive hit Whiplash.

Dirty Work gave off a similar serious vibe that Armageddon (another 2024 track from the group) started off with. However, the group makes this new track more captivating by exuding a lot of charisma and seductively speaking to the audience through their spoken delivery. It feels low-effort, but I think this delivery pays off. Admittedly, the leading hook of the song (i.e., “Real bad business, that’s Dirty Work“) is quite catchy and has a ring to it, thanks to this delivery. I do think Hot Work would have benefited from more drive from the members. We got a sense of what that might feel like when NINGNING and WINTER started to sing during the bridge, and boy, it was good. I would have liked to hear more of this. Dirty Work features an instrumental that incorporates synth-bass sounds and boasts a sleek, hip-hop vibe. Definitely captivating as it is, but the backing worked best when there was some activity going on at once, rather than when it was minimalistic (such as in the verses). Overall, it’s a decent track, but it has a long way to go to replicate the heights of 2024. And more was needed to make Dirty Work stronger.

aespa gets down and dirty in the music video, quite literally. There is a portion of the music video where the members are rolling and crawling in the mud and pipelines. The scenes, camera work, transitions and location all make for an epic and grand video. Both the industrial aesthetics and members’ outfits were super cool.

The performance for this comeback looks just as cool as the music video did. Piecing together what I saw in the music video and short performance video, I really liked how they combined the sensual energy from the song with the hip-hop vibes I mentioned earlier. In the final chorus, the members kicked it (both figuratively and literally) by giving us something charismatic and intense to match the energy of that segment.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] CINEMA PARADISE (4th Mini-Album) – ZEROBASEONE

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Next album up for review is ZEROBASEONE’s CINEMA PARADISE. This is the group’s 4th mini-album, released in August 2024. It features a total of 7 songs, including the title track GOOD SO BAD and the Korean version of YURA YURA. Overall, I thought it was another consistently solid mini-album from ZEROBASEONE.

ZEROBASEONE’s last Korean release was their 3rd mini-album, You Had Me At Hello, which featured the singles SWEAT and Feel the POP. More recently, ZEROBASEONE returned with their 5th mini-album, BLUE PARADISE (yet to be reviewed), which featured the single Doctor! Doctor! (also yet to be reviewed) and BLUE.

CINEMA PARADISE Album Cover

1. GOOD SO BAD (Title Track) – Click here for GOOD SO BAD’s full review. (9/10)

2. KILL THE ROMEO – KILL THE ROMEO is a fun and exciting track with a cool contrast in its sound. It starts off bright and upbeat, then shifts into a darker, more textured vibe for the chorus, which lends the song a great deal of depth. The catchy refrain brings back that light, clubby energy, and I really liked how fun and infectious it felt in that moment. The second verse has some of the best vocals in the song, aside from the powerful ad-libs near the end. I also want to mention the second half of the bridge, which introduces a deeper, denser club feel that smoothly transitions back into the final chorus. (9/10)

3. The Sea (바다) – The third track on the mini-album is ZEROBASEONE’s remake of The Sea, a song originally released in 1997 by UP. I liked how ZEROBASEONE maintained the original melodies of the chorus, which sound sweet and bright in the context of ZEROBASEONE’s vocals. The rapping (by JIWOONG and MATTHEW) from the original is also retained and delivered in a much cleaner manner than the original song. I also like how the song is bookended with sounds of people having fun, which helps bring out more of that summery vibe. (8/10)

4. Insomnia – The fast-paced drumming and percussion, particularly in the chorus, make Insomnia very likeable. This is over some dreamy synths, which creates a very alluring and chic contrast. I like how their vocals transition between those dreamy moments and when there’s a rush of energy through the drumming. The rapping was a nice turn and gave us a fine balance between the two ends of the spectrum in Insomnia. (8/10)

5. Road Movie – ZEROBASEONE puts on their hip-hop hats for Road Movie, showcasing their rapping skills for the majority of the song. All the members who rapped in this song did a great job, and I liked how each section had a different vibe, which allows us to really explore their rapping. However, it is the non-rapping choruses that steal the show in Road Movie. ZHANGHAO and TAERAE bring their dreamy vocals into the fold during the choruses over some atmospheric synths. These parts are beautifully stunning and is probably some of the best vocals on this mini-album. (9/10)

6. Eternity – I remember thinking the thumping at the start was the start to something dramatic. But Eternity turns out to be an R&B pop track. Their vocals make the track sound very nice and pleasant, with Eternity sounding particularly well when all the members sing together as part of the chorus. (8/10)

7. YURA YURA (Korean Version) – In case you missed it, YURA YURA was my pick for Best Japanese Song by a Korean Artist in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. I chose it for its catchy and lively chorus, which both versions of the song feature. The slight dash of rock within the pop sound adds great depth to the song. I also enjoyed the post-chorus sequence, as it leans YURA YURA into head-banging territory. The vocals are solid throughout, which really helps pull everything together. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

ZEROBASEONE’s Teaser Image for CINEMA PARADISE

[Review] LIKE YOU BETTER – fromis_9

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During their last comeback with Supersonic, fromis_9 had an 8-member lineup. However, their contracts with Pledis Entertainment expired at the end of last year, and three members (Lee Saerom, Lee Seoyeon, and Roh Jisun) chose not to continue with fromis_9. The remaining 5 members decided to continue as a fromis_9, signing on with ASND and releasing their 6th mini-album, From Our 20’s, and the single LIKE YOU BETTER.

fromis_9 comes through at the end of the first half of the year with LIKE YOU BETTER. And even though it’s only been out for a little over a day, it’s already shaping up to be a hit for me. What I like about LIKE YOU BETTER in particular is its bolder and more in-your-face sound compared to some of their past releases. I loved the explosive chorus, the pop-driven melody, those shouty vocals that really boost the energy, and the super catchy but straightforward “I like you better” hook. I do think the second half of the chorus could’ve flowed a bit more smoothly from the first, but it still works. What I also liked in LIKE YOU BETTER is the pop instrumental. It’s super upbeat and feels refreshing, making it perfect for the summery season. The vocals are another highlight, particularly the layering of the bridge and the extra oomph they give to the final part of the song. The only downside for me was the rap part, which just didn’t quite fit with the rest of LIKE YOU BETTER for me. But that’s a small thing in what’s otherwise a fantastic track.

The music video features the group’s single suitcase being stolen, and they embark on a quest to retrieve it. But they also take advantage of the situation and make the most out of the trip. It is odd that the suitcase ends up in a claw machine, of all places, and is eventually thrown out by the members (though they do retrieve it for a change of clothes). I enjoyed the fact that they were outdoors and weren’t confined to a studio (as that was the case for some of their more recent videos), and I liked how the video embraces those summery vibes.

For the performance, I liked how the routine and the members themselves complemented the energy that the song exuded. I also liked how the audience embraced the liveliness, as this is a perfect song to sing along (or shout) to the hooks. I particularly enjoyed the moves that accompanied the second half of the chorus (i.e., the “Woahs“), as well.

Song – 9.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10