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[Album Review] 19.99 (3rd Mini Album) – BOYNEXTDOOR

August 27, 2025August 24, 2025Posted in KPOPLeave a comment

Last September saw BOYNEXTDOOR make a comeback with their 3rd mini-album, 19.99, and the lead single Nice Guy. Today, I am finally getting around to reviewing the mini-album, which sees the members explore all sides of almost reaching their 20s. Upon realising this theme, it is a bit confronting to figure out how much older I am in comparison to the group. 19.99 also features the pre-release single Dangerous, the English version of Nice Guy, a skit and 3 additional side tracks.

More recently, the group returned with their fourth mini-album No Genre, led by the single I Feel Good. The group have also released their first original Japanese single, Count To Love, in the last week or so. More on the newer releases in the near future. For now, my thoughts on 19.99.

1. Dangerous (부모님 관람불가 – Pre-release Track) – Click here for Dangerous’s full review. (8/10)

2. Gonna Be A Rock (돌멩이) – Gonna Be A Rock falls into melodic pop-rock territory. It explores a more delicate yet resolute side of the group. I liked the touch of strings in the instrumental and how the rappers delivered their raps melodically to fit into Gonna Be A Rock. I also liked how the pop-rock instrumental really comes in during the chorus and gives some angsty energy to the song. (9/10)

3. Skit – The third track on the mini-album is a radio skit. It is a short audio piece, but it shows off their chaotic energy and playful vibes, which fit in nicely with their image and in this mini-album. No rating has been assigned to this track, but it was a fun interlude to introduce the second part of the mini-album.

4. Nice Guy (Title Track) – I can confirm Nice Guy did grow on me slightly since I reviewed it last year. As such, I have decided to bump up my original rating by a whole point. The key part of the original review I would change is that the Nice Guy’s hook did become memorable. Alongside the funky and groovy instrumental, it helped me warm up to Nice Guy. Click here for my original thoughts on Nice Guy in its full review. (7.5/10)

5. 20 (스물) – The guitar-centric instrumental for 20 delves into mid-tempo pop territory. At the same time, the group shows vulnerability whilst reflecting on their journey that sees them reach the young age of 20. I have to say I am consistently drawn to WOONHAK’s smooth vocals in 20 each time I listen to the song. A nice song, overall. (8/10)

6. Call Me – Call Me takes us further into soft mid-tempo pop territory. The chorus for this track was catchy, thanks to the melodies. These same melodies bring a flowy and swayable motif, which makes Call Me pleasant. The vocals and raps balance each other out, and their tone bring a certain youthful and comforting energy to the song. (8/10)

7. Nice Guy (English Version) – Refer to the Nice Guy’s review above.

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Review] HER – MINNIE (i-dle)

August 25, 2025August 24, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged i-dle, Minnie ((G)I-DLE)Leave a comment

I made a promise on the blog a while back to review MINNIE’s solo single ‘soon’. Well, ‘soon’ has come as I am finally getting around to reviewing MINNIE’s official solo debut single HER, which is featured as the lead single off her debut mini-album of the same name. An album review for this mini-album will follow, after I’ve reviewed some of the other singles with accompanying music videos. I haven’t decided whether to review all of them separately before the album review, but you will find out soon enough. (Note: ‘soon’ has been used this time around to mean soon, and not a couple of months away.)

HER leans into the groovy and upbeat pop music trend that we have been hearing a lot in KPOP (now and back when HER was released). I find the instrumental to be pretty simplistic, with a hefty beat and those groovy tropes serving as the main elements of HER‘s background. MINNIE’s vocals throughout the song are light and delicate, which I find to be well-balanced with the instrumentation. I did wish MINNIE had been given material that made her sound stronger to give HER some additional oomph and dimension. Yet, somewhere along the way, both vocals and backing come together to make HER sound sophisticated, which suits the concept the debut went for (more on that in a second). What I have always liked about the song is how catchy it is. The chorus plays the repetitive card, but it was effective and has allowed the song to stay strong in my books. Overall, a strong solo debut track from MINNIE.

The music video sees MINNIE play 3 versions of herself. The first version we see, MINNIE dressed in white, is actually MINNIE herself. She goes on a drive at the start of the video, but returns home later on presumably to deal with the other two versions of herself. Left behind at the mansion are playful MINNIE (dressed in pink) and serious MINNIE (dressed in red). They are polar opposites, representing two distinct halves of MINNIE’s mind and personality. I like how they are continuously clashing, though I wish it were more physical than verbal clashing. I also like MINNIE’s final expression in the entire video, clearly fed up with her alter-egos.

I liked how MINNIE embraces her sensual and seductive sides for their accompanying performance. I liked how sassy the chorus felt, both on stage and within the music. It was definitely worth checking out.

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

[Album Review] abouTZU (1st Mini Album) – TZUYU (TWICE)

August 24, 2025August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TWICE, TZUYU (TWICE)Leave a comment

If you don’t remember from last year, TZUYU made her solo debut last year with the single Run Away and her debut mini-album aboutTZU in September. She was the third member of the group to embark on solo promotions, following NAYEON and JIHYO. While the title track didn’t really hit the same as her other members’ title tracks have, the rest of TZUYU’s debut mini-album does. I highly encourage you to check out the mini-album if you haven’t yet.

Also, keep your eyes out for an upcoming song review for fellow member CHAEYOUNG, who will be the fourth member of the group to officially go solo with her debut studio album, Lil Fantasy Vol. 1, dropping next month.

In the meantime, here are my thoughts on each song that featured on abouTZU.

1. Run Away (Title Track) – Click here for Run Away’s full review. (7/10)

2. Heartbreak in Heaven (ft. Peniel of BTOB) – Heartbreak in Heaven is an unexpected all-English pop song. It sounds quite pleasant and enjoyable in the moment. Although it sounds nice, I would have enjoyed Heartbreak in Heaven more if it had a bit more substance. It is a rather light song, which doesn’t bode all that well in the memorable department. The instrumental feels a little bare. TZUYU’s vocals were rather linear in terms of trajectory (though we did get some range from TZUYU), and Peniel’s featuring felt too constrained in the bridge. (7/10)

3. Lazy Baby (ft. pH-1) – If the previous song and Lazy Baby were battling for best collaboration on this mini-album, Lazy Baby will take the win. And it takes the win as best track on this mini-album. It has so much more character and energy that makes it super enjoyable in the moment and remains vividly in your mind even after the song wraps. The funky old-school vibes make Lazy Baby super fun. The same can be said for TZUYU’s vocals, which have a significant impact and oomph. pH-1 follows through with dynamic rapping, and I love when the pair come together in the song. (10/10)

4. Losing Sleep – At first, I didn’t think much of Losing Sleep. But repeating the song for writing this review was quite interesting. I actually quite like the single. Losing Sleep brings on the summery vibes that reflect the season in which the mini-album was released. TZUYU sounds quite mature in the song, and I liked this side of the TWICE member. The bouncy synth, featured consistently throughout the song’s tropical instrumental, doubled as a great textural element. The “Losing sleep over you” is very catchy and memorable, as well. And the high-pitched autotune vocals in the bridge brought interesting flair. (8/10)

5. One Love – I would have liked One Love more if it leaned slightly more into the pop-rock sub-genre. I really liked the direction of the song, especially the fun, light-hearted vibes in the verses, and the extent to which it went down the pop-rock path. But I keep on wondering what if it had gone bolder or pronounced with the pop-rock. I think it would have sounded awesome. TZUYU sounds heavenly in the track, especially in the chorus. She really suits the sound, which makes me wish there was more of it in the song and mini-album for TZUYU to really explore. (9/10)

6. Fly – TZUYU ends her debut mini-album with the pop-ballad Fly. I feel like this could have been on the soundtrack of a Disney movie. It just sounds beautiful. From the dreamy piano, strings and orchestral touches in the instrumentation to TZUYU’s vocals, everything was stunning and breathtaking. I love Fly so much that I’m giving it a 10/10, which is definitely the definition of ending on a high note in review land. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] AMORTAGE (1st Mini Album) – JISOO (BLACKPINK)

August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BLACKPINK, JISOO (BLACKPINK)Leave a comment

Next album up for a review is JISOO’s debut mini-album, AMORTAGE, which was released in February 2025. Led by the single earthquake, the mini-album features a total of four songs. All songs on this mini-album are definitely a great addition to JISOO’s small yet growing discography.

AMORTAGE and earthquake serve as her first solo release since her Me single album and lead single Flower from 2023.

1. earthquake (Title track) – Click here for earthquake’s full review. (9/10)

2. Your Love – Despite being released back in February (which is Winter in South Korea), Your Love radiates summer energy. To this day, Your Love has remained my favourite side track on this mini-album. It starts off soft with atmospheric synths and delicate vocals from JISOO, before building to a really nice drop which helps the pop melodies of Your Love shine. I love how simple and pure JISOO sounds in the song, and the energy just hits all the right spots for me. (10/10)

3. TEARS – TEARS goes down the pop-rock direction. The deep beats during the verses were very riveting and commanding, while the rock instrumentation gives TEARS some appreciated texture. I also like how dramatic the bridge got and how JISOO’s vocals are solid throughout. However, compared to the other songs on the mini-album, TEARS is just a little too plain for my liking. (8/10)

4. Hugs & Kisses – Bringing the short mini-album to a close is Hugs & Kisses, a powerful EDM song that definitely leaves an impression. The autotune placed over JISOO’s vocals in certain moments (like the very end) reminds me of some ‘00s pop diva songs. The chorus is actually quite catchy thanks to the pop melodies. The pre-choruses are dramatic, and the progression of Hugs & Kisses adds to the memorable factor. I liked how strong her vocals got to remain on top of the boastful EDM, and in some moments, she definitely soars. The bridge is a little awkward for me, but I liked how JISOO’s high note connects the bridge and final chorus. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Review] Do What I Want – MONSTA X

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged MONSTA X2 Comments

It has been over two years since we last heard from MONSTA X as a group through their 2023 release of Beautiful Liar, the title track from their 12th mini-album REASON. Since then, the group has been on hiatus due to military enlistments, while those who finished their enlistment (Shownu) and those who had not enlisted yet (I.M) focused on solo activities. Now that all members are available, they will be celebrating their 10th anniversary as a group with the release of their 13th mini-album THE X on 1 September 2023. In anticipation of the album release, MONSTA X has dropped the single Do What I Want.

The new single is quite different to what I remember of MONSTA X pre-2023. While the track does sit within the hip-hop realm, like most of their past title tracks, Do What I Want distinctively draws upon Brazilian funk, which is very unique and different for the group, but also KPOP in general. And the final result is definitely something fun, energetic and lively. There is also a club beat in Do What I Want, which I appreciate for keeping the single grounded and giving it some bite. But at the same time, it is quite generic and so does zap some of the fun and energy from those livelier and funkier moments. Do What I Want also lacks a strong hook. The song’s spoken hook in the song’s centre does have a catchiness to it, but it felt underbaked and does not necessarily reflect the song’s energy. It does create some contrast (i.e., between the low and high tones), but it wasn’t enough to be the song’s main selling point. The group’s delivery (i.e., rap and vocals) is sound, but without that strong hook, I don’t really remember much of the delivery. Overall, Do What I Want is refreshing and different, but I miss the old MONSTA X edgy hip-hop dance sound that we heard previously from the group.

I do appreciate the group doing something utterly different music-wise. And to match the completely different music, the group has gone for a very wild and chaotic visual to accompany the new song. The members are horned and sharp-eared creatures in the music video, which is very unusual. I am not entirely sure what these horns represent, but it’s possible they’re connected to the upcoming music video for THE X‘s title track. Regardless, the members are seen vibing along and being very free with the music and each other in a home video-style video in a summery fashion. This seems pretty normal. But while being perplexed isn’t the way I expected MONSTA X’s first music video in a while to go, I will admit it is very memorable for obvious reasons.

There might also be some choreography to the release, with the routine being shown slightly alongside the second and final choruses. However, I don’t think there is enough for me to comment on it. If it is the accompanying choreography, it does share that wildness that I mentioned earlier with the flailing arms and such. So, I won’t include it in the ‘Overall Rating’ for the time being.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] Unfair – FELIX (Stray Kids)

August 18, 2025November 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Felix (Stray Kids), Stray Kids7 Comments

With news that Stray Kids will be making a comeback soon with their fourth studio album, KARMA, I thought I would start on the many reviews I have not posted for Stray Kids – the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. Next up is FELIX’s solo single from Hop, Unfair. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

It is interesting to hear a more vocal-centric track from FELIX, who is known for his deeper voice, which tends to lend well towards rapping. Unfair combines FELIX’s vocals with a cool hip-hop beat, giving it a semblance to the style he is more known for. Within the verses of Unfair, we also get some delicate piano accompanying the hip-hop beat. These two elements come together quite well, creating an emotive and heavenly atmosphere that allows FELIX to liken his journey to the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. Unfair speaks to the insecurity he feels (references to feeling like a ‘beast’ in the lyrics) and how love (references to Belle in the lyrics) can help him overcome his insecurities. As for FELIX’s vocals, I am a bit torn. I very much prefer his usual deep style, as he showcases in the raps and the choruses, even in a melodic manner. It feels natural and allows Unfair to be associated with him. However, in the verses, the autotune strips away his characteristic deep voice, leaving behind an artificial-sounding voice that I cannot connect with. I wished FELIX and the producers had fully embraced his deeper voice and utilised it in the verses, as this would have felt fitting with what he is conveying in Unfair.

The music video draws upon the Beauty and the Beast storyline that I mentioned earlier. We see FELIX portray a winged beast, like a fallen angel, wandering alone in the dark forest. In the presence of the rose, he is reminded of his love (the flashback scenes earlier show him in the presence of Belle, dressed in white to represent innocence and purity). He comes to terms with his beastly appearance, which briefly reappears and then disappears, showing the audience that there is hope for one to overcome their insecurities. The visual aspects of the music video are amazing, particularly those underwater scenes.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Album Review] HOT MESS (4th Mini Album) – EVNNE

August 16, 2025August 16, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVNNELeave a comment

Next album up for a review is EVNNE’s 4th mini-album from earlier this year, titled HOT MESS. It features 6 tracks, including the lead single that shares the same name as the title of the mini-album. HOT MESS (the mini-album) is their brightest and most vibrant release to date. For a group that excels with a powerful dance sound (like their debut single TROUBLE), they delivered HOT MESS with great strength and earned a super high rating from me (I think it is one of the first in a while to go above a 9).

More recently, EVNNE released their 5th mini-album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S), and its lead single How Can I Do. Do check it out (after you check out HOT MESS down below).

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

2. Birthday – Birthday sees EVNNE in a softer pop motif. The instrumental has an enjoyable and fun groove, and I liked the lighthearted vibes that come from the song. The vocals and rapping were nicely executed, with pleasantly catchy melodies to make the song appealing to listen to. (8/10)

3. Love Like That – Love Like That features pop-rock guitar riffs and upbeat vibes that make this track an instant favourite in my books. I enjoyed the delicate and comforting approach EVNNE goes for in the chorus. The combination with the pop-rock sound makes for a feel-good number that brings a smile to my face every time I listen to Love Like That. And with that effect being consistently delivered, even on bad days, I don’t think it is fair to give it any other rating. (10/10)

4. CROWN – The first impression I always get from CROWN is that it is like their past singles. While the mini-album has consisted of light and bright tracks so far, CROWN is the first with a powerful instrumental and fiercer vocals/raps from the members. The rappers definitely had an opportunity to shine with the hefty and powerful instrumental. That high note at the end and the incline in energy from everything else were perfect. CROWN honestly could have been the title track, and I would have been fine with that. (10/10)

5. Youth – Youth stick out for two reasons. Firstly, that powerful electric guitar riff in the background definitely leaves an impression. And the rest of the instrumental definitely follows similarly, becoming slightly grungy during the bridge for impact and effect. Secondly, right off the bat, the members show more emotion and sentiment in Youth. The fact that I can feel that without digging into the lyrics tells me that the members are doing a great job vocally. I really liked how powerful their vocals were consistently throughout Youth. I did wish there were some powerful rapping in the track. This would have really fit, particularly with the emotions being explored in Youth. (9/10)

6. KESHIKI (Korean Version) – KESHIKI was originally released 9 months ago by EVNNE as an original Japanese single. I never got around to reviewing it then, but I am excited to review it now. KESHIKI reminds me of an anime OST. The fast-paced nature and brass elements amongst the rock elements were super unique and fun. I also love the powerful vocals throughout the track, which keep the members over the top of the vibrant and energetic instrumentation. I honestly can’t find anything critical to say about the single, so it ends off the mini-album on a super high note. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.2/10

[Review] HUNTER – KEY (SHINee)

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Key (SHINee), SHINee1 Comment

Returning at the start of this week was KEY with his 3rd studio album and lead single, both titled HUNTER. It is his first solo release in almost a year, with the last being his 3rd mini-album Pleasure Shop (album review coming soon) and single of the same name.

HUNTER sees KEY make another return with the electropop genre. And like his other endeavours with this style, he simply does not miss. HUNTER immediately grabs my attention from the first second with its groovy synth bass. As the song progresses, cooler synth choices come into play to make HUNTER even more impactful. I really enjoyed how the chorus concentrates the bass, synth, and energy, developing into a very grungy and bolstered number that has me coming back for more. The chorus also has a super catchy melody that helps greatly in that department, as well. KEY himself commands your attention with his powerful vocals and whispery raps in the HUNTER. He definitely gave the song extra impact and oomph, which matches the intensity of the synths in the background and those grungy vibes I mentioned earlier. My only major criticism is simply that HUNTER felt too short. It is a fast-paced dance track, so being just over 3 minutes doesn’t seem enough. And if that is the only thing HUNTER missed, then HUNTER definitely left an impression on me.

The music video might not be suitable for everyone. There is some violence throughout the video that might not be your cup of tea, so proceed with caution. I will admit that I find HUNTER’s music video to have quite a striking concept. The lyrics speak of a toxic relationship where the pair struggle between being in love or obsessed with one another. However, in the music video, the toxicity is depicted with two versions of KEY (one with red hair, another with black hair). One is being hunted, while the other is the hunter – we just never know which version of KEY is which, since both are involved in hunting the other, depicting the toxicity the lyrics touch on. In the choreography scenes at the end of the video, it is confirmed we are seeing two sides of one person with the two hair colours appearing at once.

KEY delivers a bold performance for HUNTER. I really enjoyed the MJ Thriller-esque inspiration and vibe that is going on, and I liked how the sharpness matches up with the fast-paced and dynamic nature of HUNTER. KEY definitely shone on stage and pulled off a live performance quite impressively.

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

[Album Review] Hello, World (4th Mini-Album) – BAEKHYUN (EXO)

August 13, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Baekhyun (EXO), EXOLeave a comment

2024’s Hello, World was BAEKHYUN’s first solo release since completing his military enlistment in 2023 and creating his own label INB100 for solo promotions. It is also his fourth mini-album, featuring a total of 6 songs, one of which is the title track, Pineapple Slice. The mini-album itself sees BAEKHYUN return with another R&B-centric release, following on from his highly successful 2021 Bambi mini-album and single. It is familiar territory for BAEKHYUN, as he knows what he does best and excels at.

1. Good Morning – Starting off the mini-album is the R&B Good Morning. It eases us into the mini-album, exactly how the phrase ‘Good morning’ is intended to greet you. I really enjoyed the soft and mellowness of Good Morning, though there is some deep bass in the instrumental that contrasts so well with that soft/mellow descriptor and give a subtle grooviness to the song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals are so rich and decadent in this song, making Good Morning so good. (8.5/10)

2. Pineapple Slice (Title Track) – Click here for Pineapple Slice’s full review. (9/10)

3. Rendez-Vous – Rendez-Vous was first performed at the encore concerts for BAEKHYUN’s first Asia tour last year, ahead of this mini-album’s release. The track is described as a bossa-nova inspired single. I enjoyed the influence in the instrumentation, as well as the jazzy elements in the background. BAEKHYUN’s stunning falsettos amongst his signature R&B vocals are a definite highlight of Rendez-Vous. (8/10)

4. Cold Heart – For me, it is the instrumental of Cold Heart that grabs my attention. BAEKHYUN does so well in the song (as expected), but the instrumental’s dramatic and haunting vibe just speaks volumes to me. The soft pronounced beats, the trap elements and the electric guitar come together to create a very fulfilling backdrop. As for the soloist’s vocals, I really liked the emotion you can feel from him, as well as the slight autotune that makes the instrumental and vocals come together so nicely. (10/10)

5. Woo – My first impression of Woo was that the song was glitchy (I keep notes, in case you are wondering how I can remember my first impressions to a song released almost a year ago), particularly at the onset. The trap elements in the R&B instrumental help aid this. But I have since learn that this was just how Woo is presented to us. Woo’s development was something I enjoyed, particular how the song changes slightly after a little while. His vocals here are just as good as on the other songs on the mini-album, though I did think the autotune for his background vocals were a bit of a miss here. (8/10)

6. Truth Be Told – The final song on the mini-album sees BAEKHYUN leans into the sensual side of R&B. The synths in the instrumental makes Truth Be Told feel intimate and atmospheric. It is quite a combination and it works beautifully in this song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals make Truth Be Told feel smooth and sensual. I enjoyed the fact that he plays around with different textures and deliveries in the song, but never compromising on the quality of his vocals and their fit for the genre. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

BAEKHYUN’s teaser image for *Hello, World*

[Review] DANCING ALONE – KiiiKiii

August 11, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged KiiiKiii1 Comment

Last week, KiiiKiii made their first ever comeback with the single DANCING ALONE. This followed their debut with I Do Me and the mini-album Uncut Gem. I have yet to review both, but I did review KiiiKiii’s follow up single BTG.

DANCING ALONE is KiiiKiii’s answer to a summer single. I enjoyed the feel-good vibes that this pop dance track exudes. DANCING ALONE is relatively straightforward in all aspects (vocals, melodies, instrumentation, etc.), so the single comes together well enough so that it doesn’t somehow trip over itself. Consistency can be a problem, but I think DANCING ALONG had enough upbeat energy and development to it, whilst also bringing on other positive feel-good thoughts, so that consistency doesn’t cross my mind. For example, the synth-pop instrumentation evokes a nostalgic vibe, transporting us back to the ’80s. It is also key in making DANCING ALONE upbeat and fun. The smooth melodies are catchy, and I find myself occasionally humming along to them. KiiiKiii’s vocals are perfectly light throughout the song, which is solid for this song. To be a bit critical, a ‘safe’ argument can be made for DANCING ALONE. But the more I listen to DANCING ALONE, the more I fall into the single.

Just like the song, the music video for DANCING ALONE opts for a feel-good vibe. It sees the group hang out with one another whilst at and after school, dancing around, having fun and enjoying each other’s company. I really enjoyed the nostalgia the video brings, as it makes me think about my memories of having fun with friends whilst at school. Oh, life was much simpler back in those days. These memories paint a very big smile on my face, on par with the smiles and energy that the members showcase in the video. But it is the scenes where the members are alone that are probably the most important. DANCING ALONE also redefines the idea of being alone. Instead of being isolated, the music video shows each member dancing by themselves to represent the idea of exploring freedom, confidence and self-assurance.

The choreography for this comeback just hits the spot for me. Everything that the song exudes (those feel-good vibes I keep on mentioning, youthfulness, upbeat energy etc.) is embodied and showcased perfectly. The routine has some sharpness to it, which makes the routine so much more fun and exciting. I also liked the ending, where we see them dancing alone by pulling off different moves but together in close proximity. It is a good way to reflect the comeback’s message, even whilst on stage.

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

[Album Review] IVE Empathy (3rd Mini Album) – IVE

August 9, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged IVE1 Comment

IVE has announced a comeback for later this month. So, it is nice timing to slide in an album review for their previous comeback from earlier in the year. IVE Empathy, their 3rd mini-album, was released in February, with REBEL HEART and ATTITUDE leading the mini-album. There are four other songs on the mini-album. The best word I can use to describe IVE Empathy is ‘pleasant’. All but one had this initial impression on me. I tried to be more descriptive with some of the songs, but it was the perfect word to use for certain tracks on the album. More of my thoughts on the mini-album down below.

Their last release was April 2024’s IVE SWITCH, led by the singles HEYA and Accendio. More recently, the group released their 3rd Japanese mini-album, Be Alright, which features the single of the same name.

1. REBEL HEART (Pre-release track) – Click here for REBEL HEART’s full review. (8/10)

2. FLU – FLU is a cute pop song that likens falling in love to becoming ill. While the flu itself is not something you want to catch, I did like how IVE and the producers made this pop song sound comforting. It’s the chorus melodies that give FLU that comfort factor. Combined with the strumming guitar in the background, the pleasant bouncy beat, and solid vocals from the members, FLU was indeed a nice listen. (9/10)

3. You Wanna Cry – You Wanna Cry might sound familiar to some– the chorus samples Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. IVE’s You Wanna Cry is about supporting those having a hard time, lending a shoulder to those who need to cry. I liked the amped up chorus, which is thanks to the rock sound that the chorus adopts. IVE sound very sweet in this song, and the simple and straightforward melodies make it sound very pure. Overall, another nice song from the group. (8/10)

4. Thank U – Thank U is a message to their past selves, thanking them for their own growth and the maturity that they have developed since their debut. It is another nice listen from the group, with the instrumentation taking on a simple yet plain pop ballad-like sound this time around. The melodies and the vocals from all members are quite enjoyable. LIZ’s final line, “Hope you’ll cherish the six of us forever. All thanks to you“, changes Thank U slightly to address the fans, who have been part of their journey. This emphasises Thank U’s touching message even further. (7.5/10)

5. ATTITUDE (Title Track) – Click here for ATTITUDE’s full review. (8.5/10)

6. TKO – The mini-album ends with the release’s boldest and best number. TKO finds itself exploring more of a hip-hop sound profile. There is a heavier dose of raps in TKO, but I also love how charismatic the vocals sound throughout the song. The instrumental features heavy and bolstered beats (but more so in a classical sense), Latin-influenced guitars, and cowbells, creating a more serious sound. You might think the cowbells don’t lend well to a serious sound, but IVE pulls it off effortlessly. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Review] How Can I Do – EVNNE

August 8, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged EVNNE1 Comment

EVNNE made their comeback earlier this week with their 5th mini-album, Love Anecdote(s), and the lead single How Can I Do. This comeback follows their 4th mini-album release from earlier in the year, HOT MESS (yet to be reviewed), which was led by the single of the same name.

How Can I Do mixes groovy elements with hip-hop to create EVNNE’s new title track. It makes for a fascinating and sleek instrumental. I enjoyed the direction this track was going in, especially with that jazzy piano in the background of the pre-chorus and the funky bass in the chorus and bridge. As for EVNNE’s vocals and raps, I enjoyed their gritty and deep vocals in parts of the verses and dynamic rapping throughout How Can I Do. The pre-choruses and choruses feature really smooth vocals that add to the song’s sleekness mentioned earlier. Although there is some good in How Can I Do, I notice that the song doesn’t really go anywhere. There is a pronounced stagnant feeling that leaves me somewhat unsatisfied. It also doesn’t help that How Can I Do is fairly weak in the hook department. There is some melodic material that sounds nice in the chorus, but it isn’t enough to reel me in.

While it wasn’t the most profound or amazing music video out there, I did like the balance the producers struck when it came to the jazzy and the hip-hop heavy moments. You get a smoother aesthetic during the scenes that coincide with the pre-chorus, where the jazzy piano is in play. The music video moves into edgy territory during the second verse, where the hip-hop influences are strongest in the song. The rest of the video doesn’t overdo either style, which speaks to the balance mentioned earlier. The colour palette of the video and outfits also contributes to this.

There were two standouts choreographically for How Can I Do. I was rather impressed by the footwork and synchronisation. In particular, the bridge was the coolest aspect of the entire routine.

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

[Review] As We Are – SEUNGMIN (Stray Kids)

August 4, 2025November 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Seungmin (Stray Kids), Stray Kids8 Comments

With news that Stray Kids will be making a comeback soon with their fourth studio album, KARMA, I thought I would start on the many reviews I have not posted for Stray Kids – the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. Next up is SEUNGMIN’s solo single from Hop, As We Are. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

If I were ranking the solo tracks by how much they stood out to me, the uplifting As We Are would follow I.N’s HALLUCINATION very closely. The chorus melodies and SEUNGMIN’s vocals are what really spoke to me the most in As We Are. There is just something so familiar and inviting about these melodies. I also loved the way SEUNGMIN builds up his vocals alongside the acoustic band instrumentation. His first run at the chorus was so soft and beautiful. By the time we get to the final chorus, you can feel the oomph and emotions behind his vocals. That brief pause just before the bridge helped give the SEUNGMIN and the final chorus a relatively intense rush, closing out As We Are strongly. The only reason why As We Are follows I.N’s HALLUCINATION is that SEUNGMIN’s solo felt expected for SEUNGMIN, and so it didn’t have that unexpected edge.

The music video shows SEUNGMIN playing baseball and music, which were two of his passions whilst growing up. Both come naturally to him. But in the end, we see him make the decision to go with music, running away in the opposite direction from his teammates. I think part of the video depicts that the road to music was going to be lonely for him, as none of his friends share the same passion. But his friends from baseball respected his decision and continued to support him, as shown through the scene where they lie down next to him. The decision to go with music and not baseball, as well as the support from his friends regardless, goes hand-in-hand with the lyrics, which speak to sharing the personal struggle with a companion and the unwavering support they provided during this time.

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

[Album Review] WINTER HEPTAGON (13th Mini Album) – GOT7

August 2, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged GOT7Leave a comment

It’s amusing that the plan was to start reviewing 2025 albums in July, and all I ended up reviewing was just a single album in July. Well, hopefully that all changes, as this particular album review is for an album released this year (and I can keep the momentum going from here on out). The album in question is GOT7’s long-awaited release of WINTER HEPATGON, their 13th mini-album, which features the lead single PYTHON and 8 side tracks.

Overall, WINTER HEPTAGON showcases a lot of the group through a variety of styles and sounds, which comes from the fact that each member penned and produced a side-track for the group to perform. SMOOTH was written by JACKSON, Our Youth by YOUNGJAE, REMEMBER by YUGYEOM, Darling by JAY B, TIDAL WAVE by BAMBAM, OUT THE DOOR by MARK, and her by JINYOUNG. BAMBAM also contributed towards the title track, while GOT7 together wrote the final track. It is a strong mini-album (though I think it could have passed off as a studio album) from a group that hasn’t come together as a group since the release of 2022’s GOT7, led by the single NANANA.

1. PYTHON (Title Track) – Click here for PYTHON’s full review. (8.5/10)

2. SMOOTH – SMOOTH brings a livelier and upbeat presence to the mini-album through its funky instrumentation. I appreciate its straightforwardness and pure sound, as well. The title sums up the vocals quite well, particularly thanks to the falsettos throughout the song. I just wished the song was a little longer, as SMOOTH wrapped up fairly quickly as soon as it started. (8/10)

3. Our Youth (춘드라마) – We remain in upbeat territory with Our Youth, this time delving into the pop genre. I liked how this track sounded quintessential GOT7. Despite being upbeat, I liked how the instrumental felt paced. To me, this made me feel like the group could have done something cool with a developmental aspect for its performance, especially in a period where KPOP songs are short and also fast-paced. I also liked the chants in the background during the chorus, which just felt like such a pleasant backing for the song. (8/10)

4. REMEMBER (기억할거야 말은) – Only going for 2:18 minutes is REMEMBER. You can bet that by pointing out its short length, I imply that I want this track to be longer. There is a lot of potential that isn’t capitalised by its short length. That being said, I enjoyed the EDM and UK-garage mix in the instrumental. This mix concurrently gave REMEMBER dynamism and depth, driving it forward. The vocals brought an R&B element, which to me made the track appealing. The chorus was neatly catchy. (9/10)

5. Darling – The EDM and R&B carry over from the previous song into Darling. And these elements come together to create a lovely and romantic number. Paired with GOT7’s amazing vocals, this is a track that should not be missed. I loved the use of the deeper tones, alongside the falsettos, by some of the members, and Darling’s overall smoothness. (9/10)

6. TIDAL WAVE – TIDAL WAVE is one of the best tracks on this mini-album. We have BAMBAM to thank for this song. I love how stunning the softer piano-driven moments during the pre-choruses are, with YOUNGJAE and YUGYEOM at the helm during these segments. But it is the club vibe that the EDM has me coming back for more. It is so good. The vocals throughout TIDAL WAVE are beautiful (amazing harmonies in this one), and this contrasts so well with the harsher aspects commonly associated with EDM. Any easy 10/10 for me. (10/10)

7. OUT THE DOOR – OUT THE DOOR is probably the mini-album’s boldest sound. It features one thing that most other songs on this mini-album just don’t have – some oomph. In addition to that, there are other elements I liked in OUT THE DOOR, including the early ‘00s vibe the upbeat instrumentation gives off, the bright vocal tones throughout the song, the elongated notes during the pre-choruses, and the touch of EDM during the second verse to give the song some added texture and an additional side. Overall, the track is refreshingly summery, perfect for a drive with the windows down. (9/10)

8. her – her features an acoustic indie folk influence that takes us into pop-rock balladry territory. I really liked how the song starts off soft and slowly develops as it progresses. It just makes the pop-rock aspects more impactful and effective. The vocals from all members are stunningly breathtaking. It is really hard to pick a highlight in her, so I am going to say the entire length of the track is the highlight. (10/10)

9. Yours, Truly (우리가 할수있는 말은) – Finally, the end of the mini-album is upon us, and it closes out with Yours, Truly. It is a touching ballad dedicated to their fans, AGAHSE, who have been patiently awaiting new music from the group for what felt like forever. Like the rest of the mini-album, Yours, Truly features some gorgeous vocals, and the melodies evoke a swaying motion from me that I like to find in ballads. The organ in the background was a nice touch, just to give Yours, Truly a little something different from other ballads. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

GOT7’s teaser image for *WINTER HEPTAGON*

[Review] HALLUCINATION – I.N (Stray Kids)

August 1, 2025November 20, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged I.N (Stray Kids), Stray Kids7 Comments

With news that Stray Kids will be making a comeback soon with their fourth studio album, KARMA, I thought I would start on the many reviews I have not posted for Stray Kids – the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. First up is I.N’s solo single from Hop, HALLUNCINATION. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

HALLUCINATION ended up being the solo track that stood out the most to me. It was just an unexpected track from the youngest member of Stray Kids, or any member of Stray Kids for that matter. But the unexpected can be intriguing at times, and that is what I felt about HALLUCINATION. The more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it. There is an abundance of percussive textures throughout the track that just give HALLUCINATION so much character and style. This, alongside the hooks, made HALLUCINATION catchy, as well. The song makes good use of I.N’s vocals, which brought maturity and sensual energy to the song. I was particularly impressed with the way he launched back into the song following the instrumental break. There was so much oomph behind that note. However, the song’s main weakness was the vocal processing. It brought texture to the song, complementing the instrumentation well. But it was so thick, and this became a constant distracting thought each time I listened to the song. I wish that HALLUCINATION let up at certain moments to give us reprieve. I’m sure it wouldn’t have compromised the quality and final result of HALLUCINATION.

For this review, I will be combining the music video and performance aspects of my review together. HALLUCINATION, as a mature and sensual sounding song, gave I.N a unique opportunity to do something different. He took full advantage of the opportunity, making it a key asset (and drawing point) of the release and adding to the intrigue of this particular solo release that I mentioned earlier. What came about is a sensual and bold image of I.N. From the wet look, to the stylish skirts and cropped outfit, and to the body waves in the performance, I.N definitely showed a whole new side to himself in this release.

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

[Review] La La Love Me – VIVIZ

July 31, 2025Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged VIVIZ1 Comment

Look, if I am being honest, I missed the news that VIVIZ would be making a comeback. It wasn’t until I saw La La Love Me on Spotify two weeks ago that I realised that VIVIZ had made a comeback with the album, A Montage of (). It is their first studio-length album since their re-debut in 2022. This new release follows their fifth mini-album, Voyage (yet to be reviewed), and the lead single Shhh!.

La La Love Me is a dance-pop song with a killer chorus. It starts off with and features some decent verses with nice vocals across the board from VIVIZ. It would have been nice to hear stronger melodies from the get-go, as the verses do pale in comparison to La La Love Me‘s killer chorus. The buildup through the verses, with added beats, creates momentum, but is interrupted by a soft pre-chorus that feels out of place there (though it works better as a bridge). La La Love Me rebounds thanks to that killer chorus I mentioned earlier. After all, it is where La La Love Me shines the most. The funky, heavy club beats inject energy and make a powerful impact, especially on first listen. VIVIZ’s vocals sound impressively commanding here, contrasting with their usual softer tone. Catchy hooks and dynamic melodies layered over the production elevate the chorus into the song’s clear highlight. Even though the “You got to la la… La La Love Me” line appears earlier in the pre-chorus, its return in the chorus feels much more impactful. Overall, the track thrives on its explosive, energetic chorus.

La La Love Me is about the excitement and intensity of falling in love. The music video depicts this through the soft images of the members in dresses accompanied by butterflies (representation of innocence before falling in love), and then the stronger and bolder image of the group with fire and spiders (a representation of the intensity of falling in love). The butterfly imagery we see in the bridge is a reminder that the members are precisely the same person, just at different stages of their relationship.

Like the song, the choreography is definitely strongest during the choruses. I particularly liked the boldness and intensity of the final chorus. It really encapsulated the exact point of the song (i.e., La La Love Me‘s peak) really well. It also helped that the crowd was also feeling it during that moment. The routine in the other choruses also shared a similar style, but it just didn’t have the ‘last hurrah’ type of feel that the routine during the final chorus had.

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