Category: KPOP

[Review] CBZ (Prime Time) – BSS (SEVENTEEN)

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Another song released while I was on vacation was BSS’ (SEVENTEEN’s Boo Seungkwan, DK and HOSHI) CBZ (Prime Time). It is the title track from the unit’s second single album, Teleparty, which dropped in early January. CBZ (Prime Time) is BSS’ first comeback since their massive hit Fighting (ft. Lee Young Ji) from 2023 and their unit debut, Just Do It, in 2018.

All of BSS’ title tracks have been fun and always contain a positive message. CBZ (Prime Time) continues that tone and messaging. This time, the fun side of CBZ (Prime Time) comes from the instrumental’s jazzy elements. It made for quite a dynamic and funky piece. As for the positive message, CBZ (Prime Time) speaks to the idea that youth is not an age, but rather a mindset. The Korean title of the song is also a ‘Cheers’ acronym in Korean. The Korean title also means ‘jeans’, which is an element that the music video features (more on that in the next section). As for the other elements that make up CBZ (Prime Time), there is much to like in the song. I really enjoyed the expressive nature of the members’ vocals. A fun instrumental doesn’t necessarily guarantee a fun song. The vocals are a definite factor in helping bring life to the song, and CBZ (Prime Time) features an engaging delivery from the trio. The hooks were fantastic and got the song stuck in my mind after several listens. My only concern for the song is its longevity. Based on what I have seen, CBZ (Prime Time) doesn’t have the same pull on the Korean charts and social media as Fighting did. Regardless, it is another fantastic song by BSS.

As mentioned earlier, the music video visually conveys a few of the messages. With the youth mindset, this is done via the choruses, where the members have fun. They take the office workers to the pub while also partying it up at the end. The members also hand out jeans to bring that alternative meaning to the Korean title into the choreography. They make it the uniform of having fun, which makes sense, given jeans are more casual than office wear or school uniforms. The music video also features cameos from some Korean actors like Uhm Jung Hwa, Gal So Won, Jung Young Joo and Moon Sang Hoon.

Hands down, the best part of the choreography is when they launch into the final chorus. The dance challenge for this comeback may have played a part in this, but it was the most memorable section. Elsewhere in the performance, a fair bit is going on. I like how jumpy the dancing was – it probably feels like a workout. I also enjoyed how they integrated the idea of youth being a mindset and showed off their jeans in the routine.

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

[Review] ATTITUDE – IVE

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In my review for REBEL HEART, I mentioned my plan to review the second title track from their 3rd mini-album (IVE EMPATHY) soon. Well, ‘soon’ has arrived. The second song is titled ATTITUDE, and it dropped with the rest of the mini-album on Monday this week.

My first impression of ATTITUDE was that it could have used a little more sass or attitude. There are definitely moments in ATTITUDE that give off this tone and energy, like the song’s main hook (sampled from Suzanne Vega and DNA’s Tom’s Diner and the rapping in the second verse. But I wished ATTITUDE went further, as it would have given the song more oomph and further impact. Elsewhere in the song, I enjoyed the instrumental’s dance beat and funky disco undertones. I liked the idea of the ascending notes in the final lines of the pre-choruses – breaking the note was a good idea. I also appreciated them in the choruses, even if it did get slightly unpleasant. On the topic of the choruses, they had good flow and melodies, but the vocals were plain to me. The most questionable element of ATTITUDE was the bridge. I agree ATTITUDE needed a change-up, but I wonder if a relatively toneless shouty delivery was the best way to go about it. Overall, ATTITUDE was a decent song. It is not as strong as their best tracks, but still worth a listen.

Based on the lyrics, the music video shows the members as inhabitants of the ‘Loveless society’. But they know that their time in this location is short. I like the confidence they exude, particularly in contrast to the other inhabitants of the society. Their outfits and styling were very pretty, showcasing their beautiful looks. I also like how the members do their own thing rather than following the norm. Overall, a great video to watch.

Like the song, I felt the choreography could have used more sass and attitude. There were a lot of bright smiles and moves, which was all great. I wished there was more balance with some other sides of the group they have shown before in the routine. For example, when YUJIN stood on top of those desks in the music video. That would have taken the choreography to the next level and worked well with the message behind ATTITUDE.

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

[Review] REBEL HEART – IVE

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Apologies for the lack of reviews this week. Jet lag caught up with me and work got me tired.

One of the releases that came out while I was on vacation was IVE’s single REBEL HEART. It serves as one of the title tracks for their (at the time) upcoming 3rd mini-album IVE Empathy. As of Monday this week, the second title track, ATTITUDE, and the mini-album itself were released. A review for ATTITUDE will be posted soon. IVE Empathy follows from their IVE SWITCH mini-album and HEYA/Accendio comeback in April last year.

I remember listening to REBEL HEART while on vacation and thinking it was a great song, minus one part. REBEL HEART begins with a rock tinge instrumental that develops into a bombastic sound that reminds me of their I AM single from 2 years ago. I like how the members channel and complement the rock sound, sometimes almost turning the song into an anthem. I do acknowledge the chorus is repetitive, but it is also very simple and catchy. The “So you can love me, You will never be never be never me…” definitely makes for an addictive hook. REBEL HEART does falter when it comes to the “Na Na Na” part in the bridge. This moment turned a strong and empowering song into something childish. At least, WONYOUNG and LIZ’s vocal follow-up picked REBEL HEART back up and made the song slightly mature again. Overall, REBEL HEART is a strong first release from IVE Empathy. This makes me excited for their now-released second track, ATTITUDE.

The music video for REBEL HEART features the members rebelling against society but staying true to themselves. After all, they are ‘rebels in their hearts’, and the song’s lyrics express solidarity with those who rebel. The group and ‘friends supporting friends’ scenes reflected the latter message. GAEUL and LIZ were probably the easiest rebels to spot in the video. GAEUL opted for activities like graffiti and hanging out in abandoned buildings. LIZ didn’t attend school on school days and was seen walking in the opposite direction of her peers. The other members’ portrayal of rebels was a little more subtle. REI wore an outfit that made her standout in public. WONYOUNG was an unhappy bride, while YUJIN took part in activities that did not fit the stereotype for her gender. The hardest to make out was LIZ’s portrayal of a rebel, who I guess is representing those who want to make a living through social media rather than other ‘typical’ jobs.

The choreography for REBEL HEART was good. I don’t mind the routine we got. But it could have gone for something punchier, as some moves didn’t fit the song’s rock vibe. It felt more focused on being youthful and pretty than taking advantage of that rock sound.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] Fraktsiya – MARK (NCT) ft. LEE YOUNG JI

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MARK was originally due to make his solo comeback with his first album this month. But the long-awaited solo return of MARK was unfortunately delayed to April instead. To keep those waiting in anticipation for his solo release, MARK released the single titled Fraktsiya. It features LEE YOUNG JI, who had a successful run this year. This single release follows MARK’s other solo singles, which include Child, Golden Hour and 200.

MARK is well known for his rapping skills, which he has displayed through the abundance of songs he raps in. His rapping in SuperM’s Jopping springs straight to mind. But we have yet to come across a solo song from MARK that really showcases his rapping skills to the same degree. That is until Fraktsiya. It is a rap-based hip-hop track featuring a fast-paced and pulsing instrumental that exudes a dynamic yet lowkey energy. The details in the instrumental give off a prickly feeling, heightening the song’s excitement. MARK and LEE YOUNG JI were super punchy with their delivery through Fraktsiya, which I thought should be commended. Further, MARK’s flow throughout Fraktsiya does not let up and has me vibing along to the song. The same can be said about LEE YOUNG JI. But her style and rapping also bring a brighter-like tone element to Fraktsiya. But the song’s best part is when the pair rounds out with the shoutier “I’m so curious“. That was a great peak to accumulate towards and to end Fraktsiya with. Overall, this track excites me for what will come from MARK in April.

According to Google’s AI, Fraktsiya is the romanisation of the Korean word 쁘락지 (meaning ‘spy’). MARK and LEE YOUNG JI essentially rap about being spies in their respective ‘worlds’ – MARK being KPOP and LEE YOUNG JI being K-Hip-Hop. The video takes on a darker concept than usual for MARK. We see him as a spy in the first part. We then see him in the KPOP world, out of place and calm in the chaos as the staff prepares for a photoshoot. When LEE YOUNG JI appears, she appears out-of-place, as well. She wears a jacket with a touch of green on a green carpet, while everyone else is dressed in black suits on the white background. It was a cool video overall.

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

[Album Review] ATE (9th Mini Album) – Stray Kids

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Stray Kids made their comeback in July 2024 with their 9th mini-album ATE. While I have reviewed the tracks that had a music video a while back before I took my break, I have yet to review the full mini-album until today. ATE features the title track Chk Chk Boom and 7 side tracks (including a remix of the title track). It follows on from their 2nd studio album, ROCK-STAR, and the lead single LALALALA.

Once again, Stray Kids pulled off another strong mini-album release, with most tracks being unskippable. ATE is undoubtedly another highly recommended mini-album of the group. Read on to see if you agree with me!

ATE Album Cover

1. MOUNTAINS – Click here for the review for MOUNTAINS. (10/10)

2. Chk Chk Boom (Title Track) – Recognising how much the song has grown on me, I have decided to bump up the rating for Chk Chk Boom by a full point. Click here for the original review for Chk Chk Boom. (8.5/10)

3. JJAM – Click here for the review for JJAM. (9/10)

4. I Like It – I Like It raises a few red flags within its lyrics. It expresses the idea of liking someone but not wanting to fall in love with them. Despite the red flags, I Like It comes off as catchy and cute thanks to its pop roots. The “Ooh, I like it, ooh, ooh, I like it, like it” hooks are super addictive. The combination of the trap outro and HYUNJIN and FELIX’s spoken version of the hook adds a sexy flair to the song. (9/10)

5. Runners – Runners is an epic all-English track. It starts off with SEUNGMIN’s heavenly vocals over what I think is soft traditional instrumentation before FELIX’s deep vocals and beat grounds the track. This opening combination is memorable and makes me look forward to the song each time. The other members do an equally amazing job and ends up captivating me each time. The drill, drum and bass elements in Runners create some really nice textures in the background, while the choruses bring in a cyberpunk-esque energy into play. (9/10)

6. Twilight (또 다시 밤) – No matter how many times Twilight plays, I don’t remember much of it. Maybe it is because I am very used to Stray Kids with their loud and bold music nowadays and not through a mid-tempo ballad. That being said, it is still a good song with a beautiful piano instrumentation. Each member delivers the track splendidly, and the song has some good melodies. It just wasn’t a compelling listen from Stray Kids for me. (7/10)

7. Stray Kids – Click here for the review for Stray Kids. (9/10)

8. Chk Chk Boom (Festival Version) – See above for my review for Chk Chk Boom.

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

ATE Teaser Image

[Album Review] ROMANCE: UNTOLD / ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- (2nd Studio Album / Repackaged Studio Album) – ENHYPEN

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ENHYPEN is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Pop Song for Sweet Venom, among other categories, in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support ENHYPEN and Sweet Venom by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes later at 11:59 PM AEDT 31 January 2025 (today!!).

It is time to review ENHYPEN’s 2024 album releases – ROMANCE: UNTOLD and ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-. The former was released in July 2024 and features the title track XO (Only If You Say Yes), the secondary promotional track Brought The Heat Back, the English version of the title track (featuring JVKE) and 6 side tracks. The album was then re-released as the latter in November 2024, featuring 2 new tracks, including the title track No Doubt. This series follows their ORANGE BLOOD album release in November 2023.

Altogether, the ROMANCE: UNTOLD series is a very strong showing from ENHYPEN. Both title tracks are great, and the side tracks have been fantastic to listen to. Most tracks were unskippable in my books, and this has helped make the albums standout releases of the past year. The rating wasn’t high enough to be eligible for Best Album in my KPOPREVIEWED Awards, but definitely notable enough. Continue reading below to see if you agree with me.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD Tracks

Romance: Untold Album Cover

1. Moonstruck – Kicking off the studio album is Moonstruck. This is a R&B number that features a sensual vibe from the members. I remember thinking this opening track was sluggish, but Moonstruck has grown on me since. I enjoy it quite a lot now. The “Just the two of us, moonstruck” line in the chorus is memorable. I also like the infusion of rock towards the song’s end. (9/10)

2. XO (Only If You Say Yes) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for XO (Only If You Say Yes). (8/10)

3. Your Eyes Only –The mid-tempo beat reduces the appeal of Your Eyes Only. But its the members that win me over. HEESEUNG’s “You & me, yeah” in the first verse and JUNGWON’s equivalent line in the second verse (in its entirety) were memorable moments. The other members brought solid vocals to the song, particularly JAKE and SUNOO, who shared the choruses. The “Ya Ya … Ya Sugar talk” hook and the “Read more” refrains were also quite catchy. (9/10)

4. Hundred Broken Hearts – We move into upbeat R&B territory in Hundred Broken Hearts. The synths and the autotune vocal processing used in the song give off old-school vibes that make this song attractive. I did wish there were more memorable elements apart from the instrumentation and nostalgia the song brings. (8/10)

5. Brought The Heat Back – Click here for the full review for Brought The Heat Back. (8.5/10)

6. Paranormal – Paranormal introduces drum ‘n’ bass into the album. While this brings some refreshing notes to the R&B heavy album, I wished the song tapped more into the grungy guitars-like synths (?) that it uses in the background. It is a missed opportunity to have them in Paranormal, but not used effectively. The members’ vocals are good in this track but would better suit a grungy or more substantial rock-influenced song. (7.5/10)

7. Royalty – Royalty sees the guitars as the instrumental’s forefront. The guitar riffs opt for a contemporary vibe. And in combination with the rest of the instrumentation, Royalty feels summery and beachy. SUNOO is the standout member in this song, particularly with how he starts the song. The choruses opt for a shoutier motif, the loudest we have heard from the members in the album. But as a mechanism to get your attention, it works effectively and I find myself vibing with Royalty. (10/10)  

8. Highway 1009 – Highway 1009 is another pleasant track that hits the right spot. The track features a pop instrumentation that sounds clear and crisp. The same thing can be said about the vocal work that ENHYPEN outputs. The best part of Highway 1009 is the chorus, which has a stunning melody that makes the track standout and brings a smile to my face. (9/10)

9. XO (Only If Your Say Yes) (ft. JVKE) (English Version) – Refer to my review for the Korean version of XO (Only If You Say Yes) above.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Tracks

ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Album Cover

1. Daydream – Daydream does have a separate track video (embedded below), but it features three-quarters of the song. The actual song is only 2 minutes long, so I am unsure why the video limits the song further. Anyhow, Daydream is definitely an intriguing song. A prominent presence of whispery raps makes the track engaging and complements the lowkey minimalistic bass instrumental. The track does build on these whispery vocals to fuller volume vocals, but those are definitely not the main star. I liked the balance Daydream finds in all of this while maintaining that alluring uniqueness. (9/10)

2. No Doubt (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for No Doubt. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating (Romance: Untold) – 8.6/10
Overall Album Rating (Romance: Untold -Daydream-) – 8.5/10
Overall Album Rating (Combined) – 8.6/10

  • ROMANCE: UNTOLD Teaser Image
  • ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Teaser Image

[Album Review] RIDE or DIE (3rd Mini Album) – EVNNE

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Support your favourite KPOP artists, performances and songs by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025 (i.e., tomorrow), so make sure you vote today to make it count!

EVNNE’s 3rd mini-album, RIDE or DIE, is the next album chosen for review on the blog. In case you missed it, it was released in June 2024 and follows their 2nd mini-album from earlier in the year (Un: SEEN, led by the title track UGLY). This mini-album features a total of 6 songs, including the title track Badder Love, the English version of the title track and 4 side tracks. Overall, it was a decent release, but it didn’t surpass their debut mini-album. Continue reading to find out if you agree with my thoughts.

RIDE or DIE Album Cover

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

2. I ❤ U (I Love U) – I ❤ U is a light-hearted and fun track that brings out EVNNE’s youthfulness. I like the R&B motif the song featured, which contributed to a refreshing tone. The delicate vocals and melodies were nice and wispy. The rapping helped ground the song and give it a fun side. (8/10)

3. XO – The guitars in the background kept XO tangy, while the fast-paced beat propelled the song forward. But this fast-paced beat felt unnecessarily rushed, and I wished the producers had toned this down. It literally felt like someone had accidentally pressed fast-forward on the song. But aside from that, XO has one of the mini-album’s most memorable lines – “Tell me, yes, no, choose, XO”. The way it delivered and came off was bold and impactful. (8.5/10)

4. 2X (2배속) – Completely changing pace is 2X, which slows down the mini-album considerably. The R&B instrumental is more acoustic and is just a stunningly beautiful backdrop. The melodies in 2X have that swaying effect that I love in ballad-like songs, while EVNNE’s vocals were dreamy and lovely. (8/10)

5. Boom Bari – We go down a soft hip-hop direction for Boom Bari. The presence of the baby sound was odd, to say the least. The song brings back that light-hearted tone from the second track. But it makes the song more carefree and lazier, creating another fun vibe. The simple shouty hook emphasises that fun nature and is quite catchy. The last “Boom Boom” in the hook is attached to some bolder beats, which I thought was intriguing and is my highlight of the track. (8.5/10)

6. Badder Love (English Version) – Refer to my review of the Korean version of Badder Love above.

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

RIDE or DIE Teaser Image

[Album Review] I SWAY (7th Mini Album) – (G)I-DLE

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(G)I-DLE is nominated for Best Female Group, Best Stage Presence, Best Vocal Performance for FATE and Best Pop Song for Super Lady. Support (G)I-DLE’s by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025.

(G)I-DLE made their comeback back in July 2024 with their 7th mini-album, I SWAY, and the title track KLAXON. This could have been their final comeback, as they were in the midst of renewing their contracts with CUBE Entertainment at the time of the mini-album’s release. And in the past, the group has been open about their displeasure with their company. So there was a possibility of not renewing with their company. But as good news, (G)I-DLE confirmed they had renewed their contracts with the company at the 2024 Melon Music Awards. Thus, there will be more (G)I-DLE music coming our way in the future!

Back to I SWAY, the mini-album is on the shorter side, with just four songs (including the title track). These side tracks made for a strong mini-album release, whereas the title track was forgettable. I SWAY follows the release of 2 (their second studio album) and their Super Lady comeback from January 2024.

I SWAY Album Cover

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

2. Last Forever – I really like how pleasant Last Forever is. This pop song features touching vocals and hearty melodies from the members. It is super easy on the ears, straight forward and simple. And while the song is the shortest track on the album, it always feels satisfying and fulfilling. (9/10)

3. Bloom – The first thing I notice in Bloom is its dreamy motif, which makes Bloom sound so heavenly. If that wasn’t enough, then the instrumentation’s retro touch and pleasant upbeatness would have won me over. And if that weren’t enough, the amazingly perfect and airy vocals from (G)I-DLE would have. I don’t see how I could have avoided the attractiveness of Bloom. (10/10)

4. Neverland – Neverland falls into the realm of a ballad. Again, I like how straightforward and unfiltered their vocals and rapping felt in this track. The acoustic instrumentation is just stunningly beautiful. As mentioned above, had (G)I-DLE chosen to not renew their contracts with Cube Entertainment, Neverland (titled after their fanclub) could have been the group’s final track. And that would have made the song bittersweet. Just a food for thought for a moment. But as also mentioned above, the group has renewed their contracts and will be continuing forth together to bring us new music. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

I SWAY Teaser Image

[Album Review] This Man (1st Single Album) – JEONGHAN x WONWOO (SEVENTEEN)

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JEONGHAN x WONWOO are nominated Best Subunit and their song Last Night is nominated for Best R&B Song in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support JEONGHAN x WONWOO and Last Night by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025.

SEVENTEEN launched their second official subunit in 2024, consisting of members JEONGHAN and WONWOO. JEONGHAN has since enlisted in the military, while WONWOO is busy on tour with the rest of SEVENTEEN. The pair dropped their first single album This Man (the focus of this review) and the title track Last Night mid-June 2024. The single album also consist solo tracks from the pair. Overall, a definite strong single album. I hope to hear more from JEONGHAN x WONWOO (otherwise known as JxW) in the future, though this might not happen for a while.

This Man Album Cover

1. Last Night (어젯밤) (Guitar by Park Ju Won) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Last Night. (9/10)

2. Beautiful Monster – JEONGHAN’s solo song is Beautiful Monster, which is a mid-tempo R&B number. JEONGHAN’s honey-like and velvety vocals describing himself as a monster is quite ironic to me. But aesthetic wise, it was an intriguing choice. JEONGHAN makes this number engaging. He brings a delicate feeling to the mix that emphasises the ‘beautiful’ aspect of the song’s title. (8/10)  

3. Leftover (휴지통) – Leftover is WONWOO’s solo song and it is a stunning yet heart-wrenching ballad. I will admit that I have always had a soft spot for WONWOO’s singing. Leftover is good evidence why (if I ever needed to prove why). The emotions he poured into Leftover makes the entirety of the song captivating to listen to. His raspy vocals are amazing in this song and I really liked the moments where he puts some oomph behind his vocals. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

This Man Teaser Image

[Album Review] Cosmic (7th Mini Album) – Red Velvet

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Red Velvet’s Chill Kill is nominated for Best Music Video and their Midsommar concept in Cosmic’s music video is nominated for Best Concept in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support Red Velvet’s music videos by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025.

Red Velvet returned in June 2024 with their 7th mini-album, Cosmic, after a 7-month hiatus from their previous comeback (Chill Kill in November 2023). The mini-album features the title track of the same name as the mini-album and five additional side tracks. The mini-album was re-released in September 2024 to include the special single, Sweet Dream, to commemorate their 10th year together. Today, I am finally getting around to reviewing the full mini-album. Overall, Cosmic was a strong mini-album, fitting for both Red Velvet’s style and discography. Continue reading to see if you agree with my thoughts on both the Cosmic mini-album and its individual songs.

Cosmic (June 2024) Album Cover
Cosmic (September 2024) Album Cover

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

2. Sunflower – Red Velvet kills it in Sunflower. It is dance pop track, which boasts stunning vocals from the members and awesome EDM instrumental that gives the song so much oomph. The melodies and hooks make Sunflower so addictive and vibrant. I found it very hard to pass this track. (10/10)

3. Last Drop – Last Drop revisits Red Velvet’s velvet side. I enjoyed the smooth R&B pop instrumentation, which helped make Last Drop feel drifty. The all-member vocals in the chorus make Last Drop stunning, while everyone holds their ground extremely well. The spoken words that form part of the bridge were also a nice addition. (8/10)

4. Love Arcade – We return to the ‘red’ side of Red Velvet in Love Arcade. They turn the bright and cuteness dial a fair bit. The instrumental is fun, sometimes feeling like a cute arcade game and music box. The vocals were lovely and added a very youthful energy to the song. The bridge concentrates the cute instrumental detailing – a great direction for the song. Though, I think there is opportunity for the bridge to be more prolonged and intense to give some extra oomph. (9/10)

5. Bubble – Bubble is a nice song. The track features a mid-tempo synth-pop instrumentation. While I find everything likeable, I notice Bubble just doesn’t get as much attention as the other songs on the mini-album from me. I put this down to the melodies, which feel typical and standard compared to the rest of the mini-album. (7/10)

6. Night Drive – Night Drive is also another nice song. But there is a difference between Night Drive and Bubble. What ultimately wins me over are vocals – I think Red Velvet sounds better in Night Drive. WENDY’s high note and ad-libs are stunning, and the members just sound wholesome when they sing together in the choruses. The R&B instrumental is quite atmospheric and dreamy. Night Drive felt like you were lying on the ground and looking up at the night sky filled with stars. (9/10)

7. Sweet Dreams – Click here for the full review for Sweet Dreams. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

Cosmic Teaser Image

[Album Review] Summer Beat! (2nd Mini Album) – TWS:

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TWS is nominated for Best New Male Group, Rising Star and Best Dance Performance – Male Group for plot twist in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support TWS: by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025.

TWS:’ Summer Beat! is next up for an album review. This is the rookie group’s first comeback and second mini-album since their debut in January 2024 with plot twist. Summer Beat! was released back in June and features the title track If I’m S, Can You Be My N?, the pre-release single hey! hey!, and four other side tracks. Like my comments on yesterday’s album review, the start of Summer Beat! was strong and promising, while the mini-album gets slightly weaker towards the end. Had this part of the mini-album been better, I would have definitely recommended Summer Beat!. Continue reading to see if you agree with me.

Summer Beat! Album Cover

1. You+Me=7942 (너+나=7942) – Opening up their second mini-album is a short yet dynamic single. You+Me=7942 has a sing-song melody in its chorus that reminds me of a nursery rhyme. While commonly seen as childish, the robustness of the synth instrumentation ensures the song is everything but that. The instrumentation is fun in its own right, and the combination with that melody comes off as playful. The upbeatness and vocals/rapping make sure You+Me=7942 is a solid opener for the mini-album. (9/10)

2. If I’m S, Can You Be My N? (내가 S면 넌 나의 N이 되어줘) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for If I’m S, Can You Be My N?. (9/10)

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

4. Double Take – It appears I missed the brief promotion of Double Take, which has its own performance video. It shows a completely different side to TWS, opting for more of a hip-hop motif. It is a funky track, and I have a boogie whilst listening to the song for this review. The “Double Double” hook is very catchy. The only problem I have with the song is that it doesn’t fit the rest of the mini-album. It sticks out (but not necessarily in a positive way). (7/10)

5. KEEP ON (내가 태양이라면) – Pleasant guitars mellows out the synth-pop KEEP ON. I quite enjoyed the light-hearted nature of the song, as well as the nice vocals from TWS. I don’t have much to say about the song other than it is pleasant. For KEEP ON, I mean this positively. (8/10)

6. Fire Confetti – The final song on the mini-album is Fire Confetti. It continues the mellow sound that was visited in the last song. Once again, Fire Confetti has some nice and pleasant vocals from the group. But it features an upbeat mid-tempo instrumentation that feels easy-going and relaxing. Fire Confetti is a nice song to ease out the mini-album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Summer Beat! Teaser Image

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

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

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

NA Album Cover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

NA Teaser Image

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

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

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

RIIZING mini-album

RIIZING Album Cover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riizing: Epilogue Mini-Album

RIIZING: Epilogue Album Cover

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

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

RIIZING Teaser Image

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

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

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

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

ZOMBIE Album Cover

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

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

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

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

ZOMBIE mini-album teaser image

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

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

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

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

Kep1going On Album Cover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

Kep1going On Teaser Image

[Review] IZNA – izna

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

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

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

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

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

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