Category: KPOP

[Album Review] ECHO (2nd Mini Album) – JIN (BTS)

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JIN’s 2nd mini-album, ECHO, is next up for an album review. Released in May 2025, ECHO features 7 songs, including the title track Don’t Say You Love Me. This particular mini-album comes 6 months after JIN released his first mini-album, HAPPY, which featured the title track Running Wild.

ECHO is quite adventurous, exploring multiple genres. Each song on this 7-track mini-album was different to each other. Thus, making JIN’s release exciting to listen to. There are a few 10/10 songs on here, and the rest of the mini-album was also of a similar quality. Another ‘no skippable’ mini-album. Continue reading to find out what I thought about each song.

ECHO‘s album cover

1. Don’t Say You Love Me (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Don’t Say You Love Me. (8/10)

2. Nothing Without Your Love – JIN pours his heart out in Nothing Without Your Love as he sings fondly about the missing piece in his life. The track takes on Brit-pop, which has a spacious yet atmospheric flair to it. Throw in JIN’s vocals (that just goes hand-in-hand with the genre) and that already mentioned outpour, and you have a stunning track that is hard to pass up on. (9/10)

3. Loser (ft. YENA) – JIN changes gears through Loser with a fun pop-punk track, featuring the always bubbly YENA. Both work well with this style and each other to create this awesome track that ended up being one of my favourite side tracks of 2025. Their chemistry is one of the things I remember the most about the track. I particularly liked it when they were echoing on another or alternating between each other (depending on which part of the song you were at). Loser’s energy was fabulous and super addictive, and I really liked how catchy the track was. (10/10)

4. Rope It – JIN delves into the country genre with Rope It. This was another fun song and a definite blast to listen to, especially since it wasn’t expected of JIN. I liked how infectious the energy is, which always makes me want to boogie when the song appears on my playlist. (8/10)

5. With The Clouds (구름과 떠나는 여행) – With The Clouds sounds like 2 songs stitched into one. The first is a vibrant up-tempo rock track that has a crisp, refreshing tone. The second is another rock track of a slower melody, which brings out an emotive tone from JIN. I like the way the song melds into one, but it did require a bit of getting used to to really appreciate the track. It is different and unique (though not unheard of), so props to JIN and the producers for experimenting within With The Clouds. (8/10)

6. Background – JIN’s emotions pour out in this pop ballad. I really liked the rock/band elements in Background, which adds so much and appreciated oomph to elevate JIN’s vocals. I remember finding it easy to get lost in the melodies, emotive vocals and instrumental when it was first released. Over a year on, it still has that pull and appeal. (10/10)

7. To Me, Today – I really enjoyed the momentum that the chorus builds into alt-rock To Me, Today. It takes the song into soft head-banging, foot-tapping territory and feel-good vibes that just work really nicely with JIN’s vocals. I also liked the punchy “The One” in the background of the chorus. It adds a playfulness to the song that works nicely with where the alt-rock lands in the track. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

JIN’s teaser image for ECHO

[Review] BAD – ATEEZ

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It has only been a couple of months since Adrenaline and ATEEZ’s 13th mini album, Golden Hour: Part 4. But yesterday, ATEEZ returned with the next instalment of their Golden Hour series (Part 5) and its lead single, BAD.

BAD incorporates Brazilian Funk to infuse some fun and to pull in current trends into ATEEZ’s discography. After all, it is summer, and such energy (when done right) can make the song feel synonymous with the hot season. The start is ear-catching thanks to the Brazilian Funk. But the song then barely barely moves on from its beginning, keeping BAD‘s instrumental similar throughout its verses and choruses. As a result, BAD feels empty and dull. BAD only steps it up in the final chorus, adding more bass to make the ending feel more pronounced. While appreciated, it is too late in the song to spark much excitement. As for the chorus, the monotonous repetition of the song’s title only adds to BAD‘s dullness. There have been times where the delivery works, but with BAD‘s already empty feeling, the monotone and repetition didn’t help as much. The members’ delivery was good, overall. Their rapping was decent, and the vocal moments, when they finally appeared in the bridge, had potential. Again, it was a pity we had to wait that long to get to something appealing.

Unlike the song, I enjoyed the music video. It sees the members confront their lover, who appears to have played multiple people (including the ATEEZ members) in the past, making them fall in love with her. Her finger is full of wedding rings, and we see some members on dates with her, while other members catch on or discover her scheme. Later on, she uses her charm on other people to hypnotise them into helping defend her, rivalling the members in the courtroom. We see a great montage of everyone (including the accused lover herself) performing ATEEZ’s choreography, before walking out of the courtroom with a ‘not guilty’ verdict. But in an unexpected twist, an epilogue video uploaded after the music video dropped, shows WOOYOUNG succumbing to the hypnosis, just like everyone else who defended the accused lover. Assuming Part 5 follows the same promotional agenda as their past releases, we might get treated to a second music video for a follow-up single from the mini-album to connect to the broader Golden Hour lore.

The choreography for this comeback is on par with their other routines. There is definitely a sensual vibe in the routine, especially the chest pops at the end. There is also a subtle, powerful quality that works well with ATEEZ’s alluring performance style and makes the routine even better.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.4/10

[Review] RUN IT – Stray Kids

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In a flurry of announcements earlier this week, Stray Kids confirmed that their upcoming comeback will be in August with their 10th mini album, THIS & THAT, a new pre-release single RUN IT would be unveiled later in the week (today) and plans for a world tour that shares the same name as the mini album and starts in July. Today, I will be reviewing RUN IT, their first major release since Do It and DIVINE from the end of last year.

RUN IT sees Stray Kids focus less on the electronic sound that they have been promoting over the past couple of releases and focus more on the anthemic and melodic side of music. This anthemic side felt as if Stray Kids were rallying the troops for their next release, which is a different way of hyping up the crowd for the upcoming release. The brass elements and militaristic percussion style really complement this idea as well. The chanty aspects of the chorus pull everyone together to be as one, fitting for the ongoing World Cup. RUN IT also features a more prevalent focus on vocals. Whilst very nice sounding (FELIX and LEE KNOW’s bridge moment, as an example), I will admit that some of the vocals do feel overly soft for the broader feel of RUN IT, which holds the track back and softens the powerful potential of the track. RUN IT really feels strongest during those anthemic chants and through HAN and CHANGBIN’s rapping at the end. I really appreciate the oomph that the rappers give in the song’s final moment, and their transition from one another was quite seamless.

RUN IT appears to build on the traditional concept that DIVINE‘s music video flourished with and combines it with an army-building concept (going back to the idea of ‘rallying the troops’). The black-and-white contrast of their outfits and the dancers’ outfits probably represents differences between people, and it’s through Stray Kids’ confidence and leadership that brings everyone together as one, per the ending of the video. I also enjoyed the artistic side of the music video, which brings out a whole different vibe and pace from their usual style and concept.

Like all of their choreography, Stray Kids impresses with this one. On this occasion, they really embraced a powerful and intense side to showcase their confidence and drive that they express in RUN IT‘s lyrics. I do wonder how they will bring everything together on stage, but I am definitely hoping for each member to have a solo moment as shown in the music video. That is most likely enabled by how the music video is set up, but that would be a cool stage concept, especially for Stray Kids. I am most excited for FELIX and LEE KNOW’s solo moments during the bridge.

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

[Review] IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU – BOYNEXTDOOR

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I deeply apologise for how long (1.5 years, if you are curious) it has taken me to review what is BOYNEXTDOOR’s biggest hit to date. In my sad excuse of a defence, I was on holiday when it was released and came back to a massive backlog of reviews – one of which was this track, which ultimately got lost in my unsuccessful attempt to catch up. Released back in January 2025, IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU ended up becoming a big hit, particularly for a male KPOP group in 2025. IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU also featured as part of BOYNEXTDOOR’s NO GENRE mini-album that was released in May 2025 (led by the single I FEEL GOOD). This review also flags the incoming album review for NO GENRE, which will be released later this month.

ICYMI – BOYNEXTDOOR most recently returned with the single VIRAL and the pre-release track ddok ddok ddok from their 1st studio album, HOME.

While IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU is an upbeat dance pop song, the song lyrics focus on the bittersweet events following a breakup and the desire to confess even though it might be too late. BOYNEXTDOOR’s tone and take on such a sensitive and vulnerable time in the song is rather playful, which is why the song is so intriguing. Even without the context of the lyrics, that playfulness and brightness from the song still transcend to the audience. Another charming point of IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU is its simple and straightforward melodies and hooks. Both elements were easy on the ears and catchy, especially the chorus. But for me, after an entire year of hearing the song, the most appealing and memorable aspect of IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU is the funky electric guitars that follow the chorus. This section alone consolidates everything I have described about the song thus far and adds a touch of vibrancy to emphasise its light-heartedness. And the members’ delivery of IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU has really cemented BOYNEXTDOOR’s sound.

My theory about the music video is that TAESAN get a second chance at confessing his love to his crush. But only after he mistakes another person for his crush and gets knocked out by a snowball. In between being knocked out and waking up from the incident, we see what life looks like without his partner, aligning with the lyrics. He becomes secluded from the world, staying at home and trying to keep himself busy. Throughout the video, he (and the members, who aren’t physically there with him – they appear to be part of his personality) is reminded of the love and memories with this crush. From there, he wakes back up in the snowfields and seizes the opportunity to confess to his crush (correctly) this time.

The performance was fittingly playful and bright to match the upbeat tone of the song. I liked the energy the members put behind both their live performance and choreography. It wasn’t enough to earn a nomination in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards, but it was still a worthwhile watch.

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

[Album Review] DUH! (8th Mini Album) – P1Harmony

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The next album up for review is P1Harmony’s 8th mini-album, DUH!, released in May 2025. It features 6 tracks, including the title track that shares the same title as the mini-album. To me, this is a no-skip album release. Every song on the mini-album was, and still is, satisfying to listen to and enjoy (even over a year since its release). A definite recommendation from me. Continue reading to find out what I thought about each song.

ICYMI – P1Harmony recently made their comeback with the title track UNIQUE and their 9th mini-album of the same name.

DUH! Album Cover

1. DUH! (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of DUH!. (9/10)

2. Pretty Boy – Opening with Latin-influenced beats and some cool bass, Pretty Boy follows on nicely from the title track. This combination in the instrumental made for a very fun and exciting piece, with a catchy chorus to really make it appealing. I also enjoyed the band flair that comes in during the bridge. I also liked how P1Harmony’s style is infused into the track. Their vocals and rapping throughout Pretty Boy felt very crisp and fresh. (9/10)

3. Murmur – Bass is retained with Murmur delving into more of a funky old-school hip-hop motif. The beat in this one was cool and a total vibe. I really liked the rapping in this one. The rappers are in their element in Murmur. The same can be said about the vocalists. (8/10)

4. Flashy – P1Harmony takes into upbeat rock territory for Flashy. The rock elements make this a very electrifying song, while the ‘I’m feeling flashy, flashy, flashy” line in the chorus was very addictive. I also enjoyed the rapping and vocal lines that follow that hook in the chorus. It packs some grit in the centrepiece, which helps make the entire chorus memorable. (9/10)  

5. Over and Over – The brass in Over and Over makes this hip-hop track fun and exciting. To me, Over and Over is the quintessential P1Harmony. All the members sound natural throughout Over and Over, and this song really reminds me of their best past title tracks. While the chorus is chanty of the shouty variety, it actually has a neat ring to it, to the point that the chant keeps playing in my head ‘over and over’ again. That pun was fully intended. (10/10)

6. Work – Everywhere I turn for this album, everyone is raving about Work. And I can see why. The instrumental for this track is super interesting and fun, leaning into groovy club territory, house beats and intriguing synths. There is also an experimental edge to Work that keeps us on our toes. The vocal and rapping delivery was super unique in this track, with the autotune and slightness working in the song’s favour. It was a wild ride, and I am on board with everyone else about this song. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.2/10

P1Harmony’s teaser image for DUH!

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 3 of June 2026

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Welcome to the latest Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of June 2026, covering 14 to 20 June 2026. Not much to update you on again, so let’s get right to the usual segments!

What else have I been listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to. This week was a SPICA-filled week, so I have to link my favourite SPICA song from their discography, Tonight.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song from the past week is JACOB’s (from THE BOYZ) SLOW DANCING.

The Chart

ONF’s Open The Door claimed the top spot on the charts this past week. Congratulations to ONF!

Pos.TitleArtistStatus
1Open The DoorONF(NEW)
24 FlowersMAMAMOO(▼ 1)
3DDI RO RIMEOVV(RE-ENTER)
4Do Your DanceRIIZE(NEW)
5ddok ddok ddokBOYNEXTDOOR(▲ 25)
6Baby FlowertripleS(RE-ENTER)
7SuddenlyI.O.I(RE-ENTER)
8AtmosSHINee(▼ 2)
9BOOMPALALE SSERAFIM(▼ 2)
102 LOVESTAYC(NEW)
11Crowi-dle(NEW)
12TOP 5ZEROBASEONE(▲ 7)
13VIRALBOYNEXTDOOR(▼ 11)
14In Between SeasonsN.Flying(NEW)
15SLOW DANCINGJACOB (THE BOYZ)(▼ 1)
16PERMISSIONTAEMIN (SHINee)(RE-ENTER)
17LaybackJAY B (GOT7)(NEW)
18Dream With UsTWS(NEW)
19EVERLOVEPark Jinyoung (GOT7)(▲ 4)
20BUMPABIBI(RE-ENTER)
21FLY!IDID(RE-ENTER)
22WDA (Whole Different Animal)aespa ft. G-DRAGON (BIGBANG)(RE-ENTER)
23CPRB1A4(RE-ENTER)
24MmchkNEXZ(RE-ENTER)
25GirlSOYOU(RE-ENTER)
26AuroraPARK HYUN KYU(NEW)
27DON’T HOLD ITJUNGHOON(NEW)
28Run To WinDRAGON PONY(NEW)
29TNTCORTIS(RE-ENTER)
30MOYAKay Park & LNGSHOT(RE-ENTER)

[Review] DDI RO RI – MEOVV

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As promised in MEOVV’s album review for MY EYES OPEN VVIDE, here is my review for MEOVV’s latest comeback single, DDI RO RI. This song, along with their 2nd mini-album titled BITE NOW, was released at the start of the month. This release follows BURNING UP from October 2025 and is yet another MEOVV release that I have not gotten around to reviewing (but will do soon).

I am in two minds about the new track. I actually liked the idea of sampling Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. MEOVV really captured the sinister and suspenseful aspects of the classical piece well in other elements of the comeback. However, I don’t think the same can be said about its presence in DDI RO RI. Its presence at the start and throughout the song serves to attract attention. But its continued use is just lacklustre and unexciting. I thought the hip-hop-centric verses were boring. But the pre-choruses were very much the opposite, amping up the song and creating nice momentum towards DDI RO RI‘s chorus. The vocals here were really nice. Unfortunately, the chorus opts not to continue the momentum, repeating the sample in a repetitive loop and revisiting the bland hip-hop motif from the verses. As for the bridge, I liked NARIN’s vocals here, but the part felt unnecessarily rushed. It leads into the outro chant, which is my favourite part of DDI RO RI. The instrumental seems to layer the vocals over the repetitive loop of the sample and trap elements. It isn’t bad, but I wish there was a bit more hype and oomph to the outro. A lot of DDI RO RI was missing sparks to do the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor sample justice.

I am very impressed with the music video. The visuals look as if you had front row seats when they were filming the video. The ‘vampire in the attic/basement’ medieval concept goes nicely with the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor sample, which is commonly associated with Dracula. It also shows their rise from being hidden figures to the public eye quite well. There is also an unnerving side to the video that makes it quite intriguing to watch. I am mainly talking about the parts where the members appear with very plastic-looking makeup and silver hair, which definitely adds to that whole attracting attention aspect of the comeback. The same can be said about that whole montage at the end alongside the outro’s chant, where the silver hair look also makes an appearance.

On the stage, the group’s serious and charismatic visuals work really well alongside DDI RO RI. They also encapsulate those sinister and suspenseful elements from the song’s sample quite nicely to showcase their intensity and confidence in the routine.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.3/10

[Review] Open The Door – ONF

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Back in February 2025, ONF made their comeback with Part 1 of their second studio album, ONF: MY IDENTITY, led by the single The Stranger. Pitching a Part 1 usually means there would be a subsequent part. But when it came to their November 2025 comeback, ONF return with a completely different sound to usual in Put It Back, and with their 9th mini-album, UNBROKEN, confusing everyone as we were expecting Part 2 of their second studio album. The sound change was due to ONF’s long-term producer, Hwang Hyun, being absent from production. But upon departing WM Entertainment earlier this year, the group has rejoined forces with Hwang Hyun under KI Entertainment to release Part 2 of ONF: My Identity and the title track Open The Door.

With ONF working with Monotree (Hwang Hyun) again, you know that they are in safe hands. And this is evident in their new song, particularly when it comes to its chorus, melodies and the familiarity of the members’ vocals. It all feels perfect for ONF and feels like a solid addition to their discography. Open The Door sees ONF bring in some rock intensity into the fold and the producers cleverly use it to their advantage to intensify parts of the track (like in the intro, outro and chorus). If I wanted anything more to Open The Door, it would to just hit it harder with the rock sound. The use of the “Door Door Door” echo as part of the instrumental in the intro and outro was quite interesting. I also enjoyed the simplicity of the “Open the Door” hook, which was quite memorable for me. The Latin in the bridge was a surprise, but served as a nice vocal interlude from all the members. And talking about vocals, we have to acknowledge the amazing outro, which literally ends with a high note from the members. Open The Door was a definite return to form for ONF, and like most ONF songs, I liked this one, as well.

The video makes perfect sense in the context of the song and its lyrics, and I also liked the encouraging messages it seeks to convey. The lyrics of Open The Door encourages listeners to ‘open the door’ and embrace the unknown beyond the door in our minds, particularly when you are in a dark place. The music video sees the members suffering from their inner demons and being confined by their own minds, before seeking to open the door to discover what sits on the other side. In the process, they escape and are able to destroy their inner demons.

The intense rock moments in Open The Door lends well for the performance, with the members able to show off with some intense choreography in the intro, pre-choruses, choruses and outro. I really liked the domino effect at the start of the routine and there are subtle door references to look out for in the routine, such as knocking and turning the door knob moves. Very relevant!

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

[Review] Do Your Dance –  RIIZE

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RIIZE kicks off the week with their new single Do Your Dance and their 2nd mini-album, II. It has been over 6 months since their last release, Fame, and over a year since their studio album Odyssey (featuring the title track Fly Up). An album review is coming up for that album, but first, my thoughts on the new single.

Unfortunately, Do Your Dance doesn’t garner a positive reaction from me. Production-wise, I think the electronic background is the song’s strongest (and only) asset. There was so much potential to it. And yet, the opportunity was not seized. Amongst the dynamic and intense synth work, you can hear the hip-hop influence throughout the song, with the instrumental break really concentrating that influence in a straight-forward manner. The buildup during the pre-chorus was amazing and created some heightened suspense that just didn’t go anywhere. Beyond Do Your Dance‘s instrumental, I don’t like the rest of the song. The lack of melodies, the monotonous and repetitive “Heads, Hips, Shoulders, Toes” chant that is intended to be the song’s primary hook yet sparks nothing, and the fact that the members are stripped of any individual character to all sound the same. There is some potential for the chorus to catch on, but the way I have described it in this review makes it looks bleak. I am honestly not sure what the producers were thinking for Do Your Dance.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the music video for Do Your Dance looks really cool. In case you didn’t notice, here were some impressive moments from the video that I noticed: the ‘hallway’ set folded out to become the stage for the first chorus; the spinning transition between the first chorus and second verse (flawless); the wavy platform during the second verse (innovative); the lead-up to and the transition between ANTON and SOHEE between the second verse and chorus; the jump transition into the dance break and the pyrotechnic waterfall at the end (which contrasted nicely with the rest of the set and the members still standing out during this sequence).

Another thing RIIZE nailed in this comeback is the choreography. There was sharpness, intensity, synchronisation and chemistry between one another, all of which made this routine really worth checking out. Alongside the song’s disappointing chorus, I liked how the moves were paced with the chant and still somehow made sure that it remained balance with intensity. The hip-hop dance break was also awesome. Once again, RIIZE really killed it with their choreography.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Album Review] MY EYES OPEN VVIDE (1st Mini Album) – MEOVV

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Before I get to reviewing their latest title track this week, let’s have a closer look at MEOVV’s 1st mini album since their debut – MY EYES OPEN VVIDE. Released in May 2025, the mini-album is led by the title track, DROP TOP. In addition to the title track, the 6-track mini-album features the pre-release single HANDS UP, as well as past tracks such as their debut single MEOW and later comeback tracks TOXIC and BODY. All music videos and links to their pre-existing reviews are down below.

ICYMI: MEOVV most recently returned with their 2nd mini-album, BITE NOW, and the title track, DDI RO RI. It will be up for review sometime this week (as mentioned earlier).

MY EYES OPEN VVIDE Album Cover

1. HANDS UP (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of HANDS UP. (6.5/10)

2. DROP TOP – Click here for my full review of DROP TOP. (8/10)

3. MEOW – Click here for my full review of MEOW. (6.5/10)

4. BODY – Released alongside the single TOXIC in November 2024, BODY is an energetic hip-hop track that expresses the message of confidence. It features a catchy chorus and cool percussive elements in the instrumental, making the track quite attractive. I did like some of the vocal moments in the second verse, but I remember the chanty delivery elsewhere in the song quickly dried up its appeal. The instrumental break that closes out BODY features really cool choreography that I suggest you check out. (7.5/10)

5. TOXIC – Click here for my full review of TOXIC. (8/10)

6. LIT RIGHT NOW – The only other new song on the mini-album, other than DROP TOP, is LIT RIGHT NOW. At first, I thought the song was a bit weak, but repeated listens really warmed me up to it. LIT RIGHT NOW delves more into R&B territory, and there is an ear-worminess to that that makes it an appealing listen. It is a nice track to ease us out of the mini-album, and I enjoyed the slow groove it produced. That saxophone synth at the end was also super cool, and I liked how it reflected the song’s hooky melody, which further extends its appeal. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.4/10

MEOVV’s teaser image for MY EYES OPEN VVIDE

[Album Review] We Are (8th Mini Album) – i-dle

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Ahead of their upcoming comeback next month, it is time to review i-dle’s (formerly (G)I-DLE) 8th mini-album, We Are. This particular mini-album dropped back in May last year and was the first release since their rebrand as i-dle. It features a total of 6 tracks, including the pre-release single, Girlfriend, and the title track, Good Thing.

ICYMI: i-dle returned earlier this year with the single “Mono” (ft. skaiwater).

We Are Album Cover

1. Good Thing (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Good Thing. (7.5/10)

2. Girlfriend – Click here for my full review of Girlfriend. (9/10)

3. Love Tease – Love Tease is a favourite of mine from this mini-album. The retro/disco synth work was super fun and ear-catching, while the members’ delivery of the all-English song was quite sharp. Props to YUQI, one of the song’s co-composers. The ‘Love Tease’ repetition was super simple, yet also such a memorable aspect of the song. This ‘simplicity’ factor in Love Tease runs throughout the song, and I think it could have done so much more. But this doesn’t change the fact that what we got was quite addictive and a gem on the mini-album. (9/10)

4. Chain – Dark and sultry vibes come off the all-English, R&B-leaning Chain. This changes up the tone of the mini-album, which I really appreciated. I particularly enjoyed how mature the members sound and the sensual hints in the lyrics (co-written by MINNIE). Again, Chain is another song where more could have been explored to make it more interesting. (8.5/10)

5. Unstoppable – i-dle takes us deeper into R&B territory, with Unstoppable also leaning into mid-tempo pop territory. I enjoyed the warmth and cosiness this track offers. Written by MIYEON, this song really highlights her vocals. All the other members also sound amazing throughout the song, but MIYEON elevates Unstoppable in a way that feels impressive and noteworthy. Her ad-libs were also awesome. (8.5/10)

6. If You Want (그래도 돼요) – We Are ends with a beautiful and soothing ballad. If You Want has that sway that I like when it comes to ballads, and I also enjoyed the way it developed. The vocal work was really nice, and the song’s progression felt extremely gratifying. Written by SHUHUA (her first song!), If You Want was a lovely way to end the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

i-dle’s teaser image for We Are.

[Review] IF I – TREASURE

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With each release that TREASURE puts out, I become more convinced that their company, the famous YG Entertainment, has no clue what to do with them. Their releases are consistent: they average 1-2 comebacks a year, but their sound profile changes frequently. After some strong performances exploring pop and retro-pop releases with LAST NIGHT, YELLOW, and PARADISE in 2024 and 2025, the group has made their first comeback of the year with a sound change (or reversion) with the title track, IF I, and their new mini-album, NEW WAV.

TREASURE hails from YG Entertainment, which is known in KPOP for its more hip-hop-leaning releases. And they did start off with some of that sound in their initial releases. Hence why I described this as a sound reversion. But at least the music back then had some meat to it. IF I perplexes me, however. It is very clear that the new song has mature and edgy vibes, intense production, and powerful delivery from the members throughout. But none of it lands. The production feels very generic and bland, and there isn’t a memorable aspect to the song. There isn’t much of a hook I can grab onto for the song to grow on me. IF I simply blur by with little recognition. To the point where I didn’t even get a chance to realise that the entirety of IF I was in English. Beyond that, I don’t have much else to say about the song, unfortunately.

The music video did fair a lot better than the song. I liked how IF I‘s edgy vibes translated into the music video’s visuals. The members looked cool and bold throughout the video, particularly in their styling. The monochromatic nature of the video helps build intensity and also makes it look old-school. Some of the reverse shots and the off-centring of some solo parts also make it feel modern and trendy.

Again, the members do a good job of showcasing the edgy vibes and their stage presence in IF I‘s performance. But what I remember the most from the entire performance was the penguin dance (not sure how else to call it) and the subsequent body vibration bit that occurs during the “IF I, IF I, IF I” part of the song/chorus.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Review] VIRAL – BOYNEXTDOOR

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After pre-releasing ddok ddok ddok a couple of weeks ago, BOYNEXTDOOR has finally returned with their first studio album, HOME, and its title track, VIRAL. This comeback marks BOYNEXTDOOR’s first release since last October’s mini-album, The Action, and single, Hollywood Action.

At first, VIRAL didn’t register as a BOYNEXTDOOR song to me. The new song sees the members adopt a more serious, emotional tone, which is very different from their usual vibrant, energetic hip-hop sound. But as the song progresses and the members start showing more of themselves, BOYNEXTDOOR maintains their usual sound in their delivery of VIRAL, so it registers as a BOYNEXTDOOR song. Anyhow, VIRAL features ‘intense guitar work’, which brought on a cool and classy vibe. But alongside the guitar work, the beat and percussive elements of the instrumentation give VIRAL some rhythmic flair. I really liked the chorus’s smoothness (thanks to the melodies and the members’ delivery), while the synths in the chorus just prick it at the right timing. WOOHAK and JAEHYUN’s rapping in the second verse also had the right level of punch. The same can be said as VIRAL goes through its tonal shifts, allowing for more intensity and delicate moments within the song, making it more interesting and dynamic. I also appreciate that VIRAL lasts more than 3 minutes, which allows the song to shift its tone and explore itself a bit more.

The hope in VIRAL‘s lyrics is that the song they created reaches their former lover, with whom they hope to rekindle their love with. But while the song does that, we see the members go through intense moments at home, at a factory, alone in a field, and during a weather event throughout the music video. These most likely represent the tribulations they are going through without their lover, as they desire to return to their former lover for a better future. I really liked the moody tone and colour of the music video. This is just my take on the music video, however, so I am open to hearing other theories if you have them.

This performance really showcases BOYNEXTDOOR’s capabilities on stage. I liked how the routine captured the smoothness of the chorus’s opening line, the delicacy of the stripped-back moments, and the song’s more intense moments. It all created a dynamic and cool performance to watch and enjoy.

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

[Review] 4 Flowers – MAMAMOO

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Welcome back to MAMAMOO! It has been four years since MAMAMOO’s last group comeback with ILLELLA. Since then, the members have been focused on unit and extensive solo careers. But as confirmed late last year, the group will return with new music and embark on a world tour. The first of the two events occurred last week with the release of the special single album 4WARD and its title track, 4 Flowers. The second of the two events (i.e., the world tour) will start later this month.

Given we have been deprived of MAMAMOO material for the last four years, it wasn’t going to take much for me to like the new song. I did have some concerns that the release could have been similar to some of the later songs in their career, which I agree aren’t among MAMAMOO’s best tracks. But upon hearing 4 Flowers, I am reassured that the track focuses on MAMAMOO’s greatest asset – their vocals. Their vocals just elevate the track, giving it some really stunning, enjoyable melodies to sink into. I enjoyed how graceful everything sounded, and then, when it came to the bridge, the members added some punch to the song through their delivery. I also liked how they sneaked some of their powerful vocals through ad-libs, and the shared harmonies between the four members at the end brought the track to a wonderful and touching close. On the instrumental side, 4 Flowers is more of a pleasant mid-tempo pop song, with beautiful piano and classical elements, lovely guitar work and nice drumming. Altogether, MAMAMOO’s grand return after four years, through the track 4 Flowers, is a nice reflection of what MAMAMOO does best.

It is very clear from its lyrics that 4 Flowers expresses their strong bond as a group over time. With lyrics such as “Even scattered, we share the same root“, “Flowers bloom, and flowers wilt away again,” and “After parting, we love even more“, you can definitely hear and see the everlasting bond that connects them together. In the music video, we see solo shots of the members in the sterile set, feeling empty and isolated. When they come together in the group shot, as in the featured image above, and as they hand outside in nature, the set becomes less empty and the colour in their world returns. Also, with the lyrics centred on flowers, the nature scenes felt logical and natural.

I used the word graceful earlier to describe their vocals, but I feel I must extend this out to their performance as well. I liked how they included choreography to embrace the more upbeat moments of the routine while maintaining their vocal focus, which is a nice throwback to their earlier stages that always did the same.

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

[Review] Atmos – SHINee

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It has been over a year since SHINee’s last release as a group, Poet | Artist, which featured the late JONGHYUN and celebrated their 17th anniversary. Since then, the members have been busy focusing on solo careers and activities. Earlier this week, the quartet regrouped to release Atmos, the name of both their 6th mini-album and latest title track.

No matter how many times I have listened to Atmos, I have found myself getting lost in the track. It doesn’t mess around, doesn’t let up and gets right to sounding like a SHINee track. Atmos sees SHINee revisit the house sound they have explored before. However, it is refreshing thanks to its tighter, fuller arrangement and glitchier, more percussive synth work. The bass also gives it so much depth and tone. From the instrumental alone, Atmos has so much energy and momentum that it shows great promise. SHINee’s vocals bring the familiarity and nostalgia to the song. I really liked how the instrumental moulds around the vocals to create such a captivating track. The twists and turns in the pre-choruses keep Atmos interesting, while the stripped-back approach at the start of the first and second choruses was a memorable moment in the song.

The music video depicts the members, despite being in different locations, as all connected in some way. It relates well to the lyrics, which describe experiencing a “perfect love” through each of the five senses, comparing the sensation to floating in the air. Essentially, the video relates the members to the five senses, which are all interconnected. I really liked how the various images and shots were crafted together to match the fast-paced tempo of the song and glitchiness of the synths. The animation sequence and the fireworks at the end were also super cool, with the latter ending the music video in spectacular fashion.

While the group has yet to promote the track on music shows, they have already performed at their latest concert. Even after 18 years, SHINee still manages to dazzle on stage. I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the routine and the fact that they don’t hold back. I really liked the slight movements and lean that kick off the first and second choruses, as well. Along with that moment in the song, it has become a very memorable moment of the choreography for me.

Song – 9.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10

[Review] LEMONADE – aespa

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After briefly teasing us with their WDA (Whole Different Animal) (featuring G-DRAGON) pre-release a month ago, aespa officially dropped their second studio album and title track at the end of May. Both the album and the title track are titled Lemonade, marking their first comeback since Rich Man.

Even though LEMONADE has had the benefit of multiple listens since its release to grow on me, I just can’t get over how much it sounds like a rehash of their hit Whiplash. There are some differences between the songs, such as LEMONADE having a fuller club-beat instrumentation and a different hook to remember it by. The instrumentation feels attitude-heavy and sassy, just like the former song. I also enjoyed the drive and momentum behind the song. There is a lot of potential in LEMONADE‘s production – it just wasn’t used well. On the other hand, the song’s primary hook has become especially grating as I relistened to LEMONADE in search of something good on the track. The “I’ll make it lemonade, no way, no way, I’ve got no ETA-TA-TA” makes very little sense, and using it as the main feature of LEMONADE was a bit silly, in my opinion. But don’t fret, my search for something decent within LEMONADE did yield the bridge. I enjoyed both the vocals and the rapping in this part of LEMONADE, which was a nice relief from the intensity of the instrumental’s club beats without losing the song’s drive. It would have been better if the bridge had not been sandwiched between the choruses.

My guess, based on the lyrics and what is shown in the video, is that both are exploring the saying “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Throughout the video, the members are nonchalant and don’t worry about much, even as lemons are being hurled at them from the ground or as the giant hole forms in front of them. The members appear to also be taunting someone or something by pouring lemonade onto the ground. The production in the music video was very cool, and the members look amazing throughout, in both retro and modern outfits.

It looks like there were parts of the choreography where the members seemed to be having a blast. We often see aespa in a more serious, stoic light, but this routine manages to embrace both the serious and the lighthearted sides of the group. However, I don’t see anything defining in this routine to be the comeback’s killer move, which is slightly disappointing.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10