Category: KPOP

[Review] Cool With You – NewJeans

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As mentioned in last week’s review for Super Shy, NewJeans will be making their official comeback this week. The group has earmarked Friday as the official release of their second mini-album Get Up and a third lead single for said album. But earlier today, NewJeans have unveiled their second lead single from the mini-album, Cool With You. As part of the teasers leading up to the release, ADOR announced that two global stars would be featuring in the music video for Cool With You. Continue reading to find out who featured in this music video!

Just as simple as Cool With You is, my thoughts about the song is just as simple. This could either be a good or a bad thing, but I am not speechless over the song because I am amazed by it. Instead, I find that I more so lack words to describe Cool With You as I found to be an empty vessel and boring. There are some things to appreciate in Cool With You, such as the more mature sound profile that the group brings to the KPOP landscape (a complete change to Super Shy), the instrumental’s chill and atmospheric vibe to it, and the nicely soft and flowy vocals. But somehow when these elements come together, Cool With You doesn’t come off as memorable piece. It also didn’t help that the song was very quick to end, lasting less than 2.5 minutes. Instead, I find myself skipping through the song, particularly when I watching the music video as there isn’t much within Cool With You to focus on. The song does have one primary hook – the repetition of the title with the elongated “Cool“. But as we get to the end of the song, I felt like I heard the primary hook one too many times. Overall, I think Cool With You is a miss and a disappointment following the likes of Super Shy. Hopefully, tomorrow’s release of ETA is more promising.

As mentioned above, two global stars feature in the music video Cool With You. Furthermore, there are two versions of the music video! In the Side A version of the video, Jung Ho Yeon (who rose to fame in Squid Game) features as the main character. She plays the role of a ghost who becomes infatuated over a guy she sees in the art gallery. I am not entirely sure what happens exactly, but I think her character becomes tired of being unseen and her embracing the rain at the end of the video is her way of wanting to be seen and interact with the world around her. NewJeans, for some reason (maybe it is because they are angels), are the only people to notice her (which Jung Ho Yeon’s chraacter is aware of). In Side B of the music video, we are treated to choreography scenes with NewJeans (it looks artistic, but I don’t think I can say much else towards the choreography aspect of this comeback – hence no choreography section of this review) and Jung Ho Yeon is granted the chance to be seen and interact with the world (I assume NewJeans granted her wish, given they are angels). The first thing she does is become friends with the guy she was infatuated with. However, that opportunity is cut short when she disappears once again from the world (and her guy friend forgets about her) following the appearance of Tony Leung (who is the second global star to appear in the videos). Again, not entirely sure what his role is, but he has the ability to revert Jung Ho Yeon’s wish. At the end of Side B, we hear a bit of Get Up (the single) and Jung Ho Yeon sees NewJeans. But she smiles as she turns around, which might represent a subtle thank you to NewJeans for granting her wish. I personally would love to read alternative theories, as I am sure there are a few flying about at the moment.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Review] ISTJ – NCT DREAM

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Making their explosive comeback yesterday was NCT DREAM, who returns with their 3rd studio album ISTJ. This new album is lead by the title track of the same name as the album and the pre-release single Broken Melodies released a couple of weeks back. As mentioned in the pre-releases’ review, a fair bit has kept the subunit busy since their last Korean comeback with Candy, such as releasing their 1st original Japanese single Best Friend Ever (still yet to be reviewed) and the continuation of their first world tour.

I could potentially see ISTJ rivalling the likes of BOOM (which has grown and remained my pick for most favourite NCT DREAM track ever) had it not flip back and forth between melodic vocals and intense raps/hip-hop moments. I wished the sections were more cohesive and blended into one another, rather than be fragments (which is more or less the trend nowadays particularly with NCT to fit in multiple styles into one song). Such an example is the calmer and ‘introverted’ vocal focused pre-choruses. I personally felt this was too much of a slowdown and it really cut the amazing flow the verses/choruses had going on. That being said, however, ISTJ still manages to pack a massive punch in one way or another. The start of ISTJ‘s verses really kicks the song into gear, especially the starting combination of Mark and Jaemin’s rapping, and the instantaneous fast pace instrumentation that literally launchpads right into the song. As for the choruses, they can be described as ‘extroverted’ sections of the song. The choruses are very much the concentrated moments of intensity that makes ISTJ super memorable, with the rap-singing in first part, followed up by some powerful vocals from the vocalists and finally the ‘Let’s Get Down‘ refrain at the end of each chorus. The bridge mixes in a dreamy-like sequence that doesn’t really fit into the bigger picture of ISTJ, especially with the choruses serving as bookends on either side of the bridge. it does raise the same issue about cutting the flow of the song and needing to be more cohesive with the rest of the song. But I thought it was an impressive display of vocals from the entire vocal line, the rapping was a lot more soothing to a degree and I appreciated the dreamier instrumentation that accompanied it. In other words, I appreciated the blissful moment that was the bridge amongst the high-energy packed choruses. Overall, ISTJ is a strong track and it does work in terms of appeal. However, I wished the issues I touched on were improved upon to make ISTJ a better listening experience.

I am not entirely sure what is going on in this video. Supposedly, the lyrics depicts an ENFP type person trying to understand an ISTJ type person in their own way, thus breaking the stereotypes of the MBTI indicator personalities. And I think we see that in some capacity in the video, with the group hanging around ISTJ people, being conditioned to become ISTJ types after kidnapping a doctor, trying to teach themselves of the trait etc. But based on the scene in which the members are walking around the maze (which is later shown to be the brain), not all the members are ENFP types. Personality aside, the video had some really cool styling and sets, and I liked how the lighting made things chaotic and erratic during the more intense moments of the song.

With the calmer and more intense parts of the song, there is a good mix of moves to represent either side of the song. My favourite has to be the more intense parts, simply because NCT DREAM really thrives in these moments. And the synchronisation and execution are on point! I particularly enjoyed Renjun’s solo moves in the final chorus, which appear to be moonwalk-like.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Album Review] Truth or Lie (1st Mini Album) – HWANG MINHYUN

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Today’s album review focuses on Truth or Lie, HWANG MINHYUN’s first solo mini-album since his debut as part of NU’EST 11 years ago. Leading the charge on this min-album is the single Hidden Side, and it stands alongside 5 other side tracks. The mini-album is a mixed bag for me. We have one half of the mini-album that features the more mediocre songs, while the other half features smashing songs. To me, you have a better chance of telling which half is which, rather than what is the truth or the lie. Continue reading the review to find out which half is which!

Truth or Lie Album Cover

1. Honest – Honest opens up the mini-album with a balladry number. The instrumental predominately features piano, but we do get some soft guitar work in the mix as well. Together, it creates a calming piece. As with most ballads, there is a nice flowy momentum brought to life by MINHYUN’s vocals. However, it would have been nice for the song to be more memorable in some way (such as, via a more soothing melody) as a way to bring the audience back to the song after Honest finishes. (7/10)

2. Hidden Side (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hidden Side. (7//10)

3. Crossword – Crossword is a more unique track, with its drum percussion and jazzy tinged guitar work. This combination makes the track feel upbeat and it helps make it stand out for me. I did like MINHYUN’s breathier vocals, however, I wished there was a more riveting melody and hook to the acoustically upbeat song. (7.5/10)

4. Perfect Type – Vocally, Perfect Type fairs much better than the side-tracks before it. MINHYUN brings his breathy vocals back into play in this song, but also combine it with falsettos and oomph (which allows it to go along way). This enables a sensual energy to come through. The rapping and speak-sing portions of the song were also cool moments in the song. The instrumental has a subtle groove to it and a fun retro vibe. (9/10)

5. Smile – We remain in upbeat territory with Smile, but it feels a lot more loaded with the brass elements and thumping beat combination that we can hear in the background. The strings gave the song an elegant touch. Everything altogether makes the entire instrumental package feels grand. MINHYUN’s vocals are a lot more vibrant (which makes sense, given the song’s title is Smile) and has more character, which does wonder for appeal. I do feel like the instrumental does drown out the vocals a bit, but not to the extent where it hurts the song. (9/10)

6. CUBE – CUBE begins in R&B territory. But as we get to the first chorus, the track unexpectedly reverts to epic synths that really wakes you up. From there, the song maintains the momentum. But despite all of that, CUBE sees MINHYUN maintains a R&B vocal approach. His vocals, again, have character and we also hear him draw on his breathy tones and falsettos in this track. The way song eases out at the end allows CUBE to serve as a strong and bold ender to the album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

Truth or Lie Teaser Image

[Review] Small Talk – Kim Sung Kyu (INFINITE)

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The countdown to INFINITE’s long awaited comeback is officially underway. But prior to the group’s comeback, INFINITE’s leader (Kim Sung Kyu) has managed to slide in a solo comeback with his latest single Small Talk and his fifth mini-album, 2023 S/S Collection. Last week, Kim Sung Kyu and Small Talk topped my Weekly KPOP Chart for the 1st Week of July 2023. And in that post, I promised to review Small Talk during the week – so, here we are! We last heard from Kim Sung Kyu through his Savior comeback from mid-2022.

If I am being honest, I personally do not have much to say about Small Talk. This shouldn’t be taken as a criticism, however. To me, Small Talk is straight forward song with some groovy and fun appeal. The mid-tempo upbeat nature of Small Talk does make it stand out in Kim Sung Kyu’s discography, given that Kim Sung Kyu hasn’t really venture down the more upbeat nature of music with his solo work. Even though this is new territory for himself, Kim Sung Kyu does keep true to his roots in Small Talk by having band instrumentation make up the entirety of the song’s background. The guitar work was charming and made the song likeable. I particularly really enjoyed how they were utilised in the instrumental break, bringing a funkier groove to the song and consolidating the already mentioned funky and fun appeal that the song had consistently going on. Small Talk also serves as a nice refresher for Kim Sung Kyu’s vocals, as it has been a while since we heard from the artist. And the melodies and hooks in Small Talk were catchy and had a nice ring to them. Overall, Small Talk is a really nice yet different addition to his solo repertoire. And given how it is lined up right before INFINITE’s comeback, it serves as a nice way to ease back into my Inspirit (INFINITE’s fanclub name) mindset.

The music video sees Kim Sung Kyu’s desire to communicate with the people around him (even if it is just some small talk), despite being in a society where people are more isolated due to technology, social norms and the active decision to not participate in conversations (me, every time I find myself in some sort of training at work). The video captures all of this in a slight comedic manner, with the people around Kim Sung Kyu refusing to acknowledge him even as he is pushed around or as he has a breakdown (i.e. the train scenes), actively seeking ways to avoid communicating with him (i.e. the office scenes), or just decide to film him whilst he is doing something wild (i.e. him sitting on an utility pole, and everyone just filming him instead of trying to get him down or talk him out of the dangerous stunt). At one point, someone does listen to him, but ends up bleeding from the ear. Yikes! Apart from the concept, the video features a nice pastel brightness that fits in with the song and a small amount of choreography that adds a bit of more fun to the video (but not enough to warrant a separate section for this review).

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

[Review] Super Shy – NewJeans

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Ahead of their upcoming comeback next Friday, NewJeans made their return with their pre-release single Super Shy last week. Since its release, the song has risen to the top of the charts, proving once again NewJeans’ power and popularity in the industry. We last heard from NewJeans through their very successful Ditto/OMG comeback at the very end and start of this year.

Whoever is choosing the songs for NewJeans’ comebacks is doing a fantastic job. Their releases thus far have been top notch, consistent and super catchy. And Super Shy is no different to the small yet impactful discography that NewJeans boasts thus far. Super Shy‘s instrumental is just like the song title and lyrics – super shy. For the most part, the song features atmospheric synths that can just be barely heard and staccato drumming that feels quite prominent and brings good rhythm to the song. Both the synths and drumming weren’t bold or spontaneous, but rather they stay in their lane and is quite consistent. Towards the end of the short song. Super Shy bring in a light sprinkling of electronic synths that gives the song a very subtle funky/groovy undertone, which keeps the song from feeling too consistent for its 2.5 minute run. The members adopt a very consistent lighter and innocent sounding tone in Super Shy that gives off the impression of the members being shy, which reflects well with the title and lyrics of the song (which is about finding the courage to confess to a first love). The combination of this lighter and more innocent sound from the members also brings a very appreciative level of brightness to the song that just fits super well into that summery vibe the industry is going through at the moment. And it helps that Super Shy has super easy and enjoyable melodies to tie everything up together with. Overall, a strong pre-release that promises great things for the actual title tracks (yes, double title track situation once again) that will be released in a weeks time.

The music video for Super Shy was quite bright and vibrant, in terms of both energy and visuals. Both regards suits the song quite well. The idea of flashmobs feels refreshing (however, it isn’t the first time we see a music video use flashmobs in KPOP) and the place in which they shot the music video feels lively. It is my understanding, from the Wikipedia article, that the video was shot in Lisborn, Portugal. I also like how the world is still going around them.

The choreography was quite cool and was an interesting watch. There were moments in the song where there wasn’t a prominent beat, and to see the members still pull off choreography during these moments was quite the aesthetic. The up-tempo and speed of the choreography makes it a difficult routine, particularly during those non-beat moments. Definitely a worthwhile performance to watch.

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

[Review] In Bloom – ZEROBASEONE

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Officially making their debut yesterday was ZEROBASEONE, the new male group formed via the Boys Planet survival show that aired earlier this year. The final lineup of the group consist of Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin. It has also been confirmed that the group will be active for 2.5 years. But for now, let’s focus on their debut with In Bloom and their first mini-album, Youth In The Shade. ZEROBASEONE is already setting records with this first mini-album, which earns the group the title of million-album seller already within one day of its release and sets a new record for the most pre-ordered and sold debut album in Korea.

In Bloom is a pleasant dance track to debut with. And for the most part, I think it is a strong effort from the group. The instrumental for In Bloom earns a big tick of approval from me. The recognisable and iconic synth line of Take On Me by a-ha adds such a bright pop to the song, while the beat and other instrumentation of In Bloom mordernises the song towards the 2020s trends It also enables a fast paced atmosphere that in turns allows for an upbeat choreography (more on this in the last part of the review). Altogether, In Bloom feels quite fresh (even though the song does feel safe) and is quite vibrant without doing too much. It helps that the vocals and melodies keeps the song from going overboard, with the aforementioned pleasant side of In Bloom coming through these elements. The members do infuse a youthfulness to the song and I do like the flow of both vocals and rapping. This creates an harmonious approach with the instrumentation, which in turn gives off that bright and energetic atmosphere that I found to be enjoyable. I did think more could have been done to make the song more memorable and potentially punchy like the song it pays homage to, such as stronger hooks and melodies that really stay with you after the song finishes. At the moment, In Bloom doesn’t really pull me back in via this department when the song ends. And as already mentioned, there is also a relatively feeling of safeness to In Bloom which I cannot seem to shake despite the couple of listens I have given the song so far. But as a debut track, I think the new group has done a great job as putting In Bloom as a foot forward into the industry, which they will undoubtedly soar in.

For the music video, I quite enjoyed their concept. The song is about the group’s “determination to sprint toward “you” as they take their first meaningful step toward an inevitable end”, and I quite liked how the producers introduced a gaming concept to bring that to life. The members are searching for flowers individually that are required for them to progress onto the next stage of the game. We see the members work together to clear the first stage, while the second stage is a bit harder given they have to work alone. In the end. all the members arrive at the final door, completing the second stage of the game. There was also a brief moment in which the members “left the game”. Not sure what the significance of this part of the video is, but I guess it could be that the members had the option to explore a different world, but chose to go back towards that “inevitable end” with “you”. Overall, a well concepted video that works nicely with the pleasant side of the song.

As for the choreography, it feels energetic and youthful – all of which suits ZEROBASEONE at this stage of their careers. The group has good chemistry with one another and there was a vibrant element to the choreography that made it enjoyable to watch.

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

[Review] Cream Soda – EXO

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After two pre-releases over the last month (Let Me In and Hear Me Out – the latter I have yet to review) and a bit of uncertainty with EXO long awaited comeback due EXO-CBX’s threat of withdrawal from SM Entertainment (which has since been resolved), we have finally arrived at the release day EXO’s 7th studio album, EXIST. The title track off the album is Cream Soda, which music video also drops today with the rest of the album. While this is the group’s first comeback in two years (their last being Don’t Fight The Feeling), it does not feature KAI and LAY, who are sitting out of the comeback due to military enlistment and solo promotions in Japan respectively. KAI’s vocals, however, is featured on the album and the pre-releases’ music videos.

Cream Soda revisits the sensual and mature sound profile with this dance pop track, a sound profile which the group previously visited most infamously in Love Shot. However, while the former song really went for the some very concentrated sensual energy, Cream Soda‘s dance pop side gives the newer song some bounce and liveliness. This helps give an upbeat and refreshing tinge that feels right for EXO’s trajectory given their vast repertoire of past releases, and also keeps the group’s new song trendy and relevant. The brass and drum beats gives Cream Soda fanfare and some intensity (which in turn allows for some strong choreography – more on this later). Cream Soda is also described to have an exotic rhythm, which I can totally hear and this adds to that refreshing vibe. The vocals are amazing and showstopping in this comeback, with the members slipping into falsettos effortlessly for the chorus. The rapping was punchy as it is presented to us, with Chanyeol and Sehun giving as a dynamic and energy-packed rap sequence which goes super well with the verses’ instrumentation. The melodies and hooks in Cream Soda are slowly catching on, and I can definitely see Cream Soda growing on me in the near future (if it has not reached its max appeal yet). Overall, both Cream Soda and EXO served and delivered in this long-awaited comeback.

I found Cream Soda‘s music video quite good and alluring to watch. I liked the moody lighting, which goes well with the sensual lyrics and meaning behind the song. The members gave off a luxurious vibe for their dinner party, even though they ended up trashing the place. Elsewhere in the video, the members looked super good and amazing. Out of all the members, D.O stole my attention in this comeback. The more concrete looking dance set was super cool and minimalist, though the choreography set with the building front as the background felt like it has been done one too many times. It reminded me of the background of their 2023 Love Shot performance at the SMCU Palace show and brought nothing new to the table for EXO. I liked that the video still acknowledged KAI with a name card at the table. But I didn’t notice anything for LAY, which was odd. I know he left SM Entertainment, but he still an EXO member at the end of the day and deserves to be acknowledged in some form.

It doesn’t feel right that KAI is missing from this choreography. This routine would have been within his wheelhouse. But the remaining seven members did a really good job. The music video, which is what I am basing the choreography aspect of this review on, fails to really highlight a key move in my opinion, which disappoints me a bit. However, I liked the subtle sensual moves in the routine, and that there were moments where the members did reflect the intensity in the relevant sections to give off a strong performance.

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

[Album Review] BE AWAKE (8th Mini Album) – THE BOYZ

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The next album to be reviewed on the blog is THE BOYZ’s BE AWAKE, the group’s 8th mini-album, which was released back in February of this year. The mini-album features the title track ROAR and five additional side tracks. This comeback is the first comeback from the group since BE AWARE / WHISPER in 2022 and also marks the return of Eric, who had taken a hiatus due to health reasons in early 2022.

If there was one aspect that was showcased in most (if not all) songs on BE AWAKE, it was THE BOYZ’s vocals and rapping. I particularly enjoyed their deep and raspy vocal tones featured in the first half of the mini-album, and how well fitted (and sometimes unexpectedly good) the rap sequences were on this mini-album. This consistent showcase of the members really helped make BE AWAKE a captivating mini-album and is a definite improvement from BE AWARE (which got a fair reaction from me). Check out the mini-album below to see if you agree with me (and my overall rating of the mini-album)!

BE AWAKE Album Cover

1. Awake – Kevin’s narration at the start, the group’s vocals and rapping were bone-chilling and so riveting to listen to. The R&B and EDM instrumentation for Awake came together to create a paced and sensual atmosphere, with the members really showing the latter through their deep and raspy tones. The song also features elements from the title track, which makes it an ideal track to kick off the mini-album and lead into the title track that follows. (9/10)

2. ROAR (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for ROAR. (7.5/10)

3. Blah Blah – Blah Blah changes up the mini-album, diverting to a brighter territory (compared to the opening and title track). The producers of Blah Blah do maintain the deep tones from the earlier in the songs, allowing the track to still fit into the mini-album. But they offset this with some subtle groove in its melodies and hooks. However, I did think there was room for Blah Blah to do a bit more on these fronts, just to make the track more appealing. That being said, though, Blah Blah’s central piece was smooth and velvety to listen to. (8/10)

4. Savior – The 4-minute track on this album has a lot of great moments/elements. Some of my favourite include the hard-hitting and dynamic rap that changes up Savior out of nowhere; the groovy EDM that without a doubt enables THE BOYZ to show off some create choreography; and the sensual energy from the R&B motif at the start of the song, showcasing the members’ vocals. Savior pulled me back a few times when the mini-album was released, and it continues to do so months after its release. Definitely a sign of a great song. (10/10)

5. Horizon (숨) – Horizon is the BE AWAKE’s answer to a ballad piece. The instrumentation is made up of a range of balladry regulars, such as acoustic guitar, piano and orchestral strings. I liked that the track builds as it progresses, ending with some dramatic drumming. This helps makes the ballad more riveting, yet also maintaining a peaceful exterior. In addition to that, the vocals and rapping in the track are so captivating to listen to. A strong ballad, overall. (8/10)

6. Diamond Life – Ending the mini-album is Diamond Life, which has a lot more crunch thanks to its electronic synths. I vividly remember when I first checked out the album months ago, this track caught me off guard (more so scared me) as it a dynamic and bolder track following on from a calm and peaceful ballad. There are catchy bits in the song, and the vocals and rapping were solid works from the group. I would have liked Diamond Life to have a bit more of a zing to it, just to close out the mini-album on a lesser consistent note (as the song does feel a bit repetitive after listening to it a couple of times. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

ERIC’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
YOUNGHOON’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
SUNWOO’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
SANGYEON’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
Q’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
NEW’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
KEVIN’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
JUYEON’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
JU HAKYEON’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
JACOB’s teaser image for BE AWAKE
HYUNJAE’s teaser image for BE AWAKE

[Review] HWEEK – TEEN TOP

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TEEN TOP is one of the growing number of second generation KPOP groups that have recently announced their return to the KPOP scene for the first time in years. And earlier this week, TEEN TOP officially returned with the single HWEEK and their 7th single album 4SHO. Since their last comeback in 2020 with the 2020 version of their hit single To You, the group went on hiatus due to the member’s military enlistment requirements. All the members have since returned from the military, but leader C.A.P departed from the group earlier this year following some controversy. As a result for this HWEEK and 4SHO comeback, the group reformed into a four member male group.

My thoughts on HWEEK are my actual initial thoughts of the song, as I have only gotten around to listening to the song for the first time today (it has been a busy week back at work, so I hadn’t had a chance to listen to new releases in the background). But I can already tell you just after one listen that HWEEK garners a positive review in my mind. What I really like about HWEEK right off the bat was its fun, lively, foot-tapping energy that I can definitely see being super infectious and catching on (if it hasn’t already). Based on the group’s more recent outputs in the late 2010s, I kind of expected a darker and more mature sound from the group. But HWEEK‘s brighter and upbeat appeal was much appreciated, given the summery season Korea is now in (and my yearning for such weather). The retro vibe of the rock instrumentation is quite refreshing take on both the rock and retro genres in KPOP, and I like how consistently upbeat and energetic the instrumentation was. I also liked the shorty snappy lines and melodies of the chorus, which helps build on the catchiness of HWEEK. They also made it easy to get into the song. I found the pre-choruses, handled by Changjo, to be an intriguing part of the song (but in a good way). It infuses a bit of a hip-hop vibe to the song, which changes up the momentum and direction of HWEEK momentarily. But it doesn’t feel too out there and works. The members did a solid job in the track with their vocals, as well. Overall, I think it is needlessly to say that I found HWEEK a very likeable song with strong potential to grow on me over the coming weeks.

The music video was alright. The video nails embracing the summery and upbeat vibes of the song, particularly when it came to the outdoor scenes (i.e. the beach and the road trip). I also liked the energy the members brought to the video. However, when it came to the use of the green screen, I wished the editors/post-production team made the background felt a bit more natural. The use of the green screen cheapens the video in my opinion, especially when it came to focusing on their footwork in the video.

The choreography was indeed a fun aspect of the comeback. I liked how there was a slight bounce to the routine and that it felt lighthearted, and not as intense as their usual choreography. This allows the members and dancers to bring a likeable level of energy to the performance. Their consistent live vocals made it enjoyable to watch, as well. I also liked how they threw in a Rocking dance reference to the end of the choreography. Obviously not as intense as the usual Rocking choreography, but a nice homage to one of their iconic dance routines.

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

[Special] Personal Favourite Songs from the 1st Half of 2023 & more

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As already mentioned prior to my break, one of the first posts after posting the outstanding Weekly KPOP Charts will be the annual ‘Personal Favourite’ post. Each year, to help round out the first half of the year, I post a list of my personal favourite songs from the 1st half of the year in July of each year. As we are now in July 2023, it is time to post my personal favourite songs from the 1st half of 2023 (with a few extra tidbits).

For this year’s post, I am following what I did last year, as I quite liked how that turned out. This means in addition to the usual list of 10 songs (which are in no particular order and not related to my reviews as songs do grow immensely on me) for the first half of 2023, I will also be posting two songs from the November – December 2022 period. And I will be posting 3 non-Korean songs (i.e. English, Japanese etc.) by Korean artists that caught my attention so far this year. So without further delays, here are the list of my personal favourite songs of the year thus far (in no particular order, of course).

From November – December 2022

Personal favourite non-Korean songs of 2023 thus far

Personal favourite KPOP songs of the year so far (January – June 2023)

[Review] HARD – SHINee

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Here I am with my first review since returning from my week off. You know I have to start with the biggest comeback from last week – SHINee’s grand return to the KPOP scene with their 8th studio album and title track, both titled HARD. The group previously pre-released The Feeling a few weeks back, raising the excitement for this comeback. HARD also celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary since their debut back in 2008 with Replay, one of the most iconic and legendary KPOP debut songs that have stood the test of time. Unfortunately, only three members (Key, Minho & Taemin) promoted the comeback on stage, with Onew sitting out due to health issues.

My first impression of HARD was that it felt too hip-hop oriented for SHINee. It actually sounded more like a NCT release than a SHINee release, and I wasn’t exactly sure what I honestly thought about that. But as usual, the power of multiple listens since its release has helped HARD grow on for me. I still don’t see the SHINee influence, but I find HARD to be strongly executed (as one expects when it comes to a SHINee comeback) and its production and energy to be one of the strongest points of the track. I really liked how ‘hard’ the track ended up going in the hip-hop direction, especially when it came to the choruses. The choruses kick off with an anti-drop and whispery vocal approach, which help builds anticipation to the second half, which is where the energy peaks and HARD feels very hype, 90s and punchy. There is also a catchy appeal to the chorus here. KEY’s take on the whispery half of the chorus was the best version in the song, while Minho’s execution of the second half during the second run at the central piece was my standout. As for the verses, they were not as memorable. They contain a bit of the hip-hop influence in its backing, with the first verse pairing it off with piano flourishes and the second verse doesn’t do too much else than electronic elements. The piano flourishes gives HARD a trendy dynamic and allows the song to dip into a melodic mode for the pre-choruses and bridge. Vocally, the group doesn’t miss a beat and delivery another strong track. Unsurprisingly, they do branch out into a rap-like territory, which allows them to fit more neatly into the hip-hop driven HARD. While this hip-hop side of SHINee is a bit foreign to me still, HARD has grown immensely on me.

As for the music video, I felt like the video had that SHINee artistic flair, which fits it neatly into the SHINee videography. The sets look quite cool, such as the twisty piano keys structure and the broken/smashed piano set. The stylists did an amazing job with their outfits for this comeback. It had a modern flair, but felt very appropriate for the 90s hip-hop music influence. It is also nice to see ONEW make an appearance in the video alongside the other three members, albeit not as much in the choreography side of the video. I do hope he is doing okay.

A strong performance rounds out this comeback. They really embraced the hip-hop influence of the song in the choreography. I really liked the routine for the choruses, starting off with small and softer movements to fit with the whispery vocal approach and then stepping it up with a bouncy on-the-spot bop in the second half where the music was livelier and hype-like.

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

[Album Review] Cabin Fever (5th Mini Album) – PURPLE KISS

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Today’s album review post focuses on PURPLE KISS’ fifth mini-album, Cabin Fever, which was released back in February of this year. Alongside the title track Sweet Juice are five additional side tracks. PURPLE KISS hails from RBW, which is home to artists whom I have written albums reviews for constantly in the past such as MAMAMOO, ONEUS and ONEWE. And with two albums (memeM and Geekyland) already reviewed – both of which shows promise behind PURPLE KISS, it makes perfect sense for me to revisit PURPLE KISS under this segment of the blog and to review their latest mini-album.

And like in the previous album reviews, Cabin Fever is another indication of the talent and promise behind the female group. Unfortunately, the title track Sweet Juice happens to be the weakest song on the mini-album in my opinion. But the rest of the mini-album is very strong, so do check out the other tracks below!

Cabin Fever Album Cover

1. Intro: Save Me – Save Me is a spine-tingling introduction to the mini-album, and is probably their best introductory track to date. I really liked the mysterious and eerie atmosphere that both the music and vocals contribute to. Save Me is also all in English and also has a performance video associated to it. Just like the track, it is worth a watch, as well. (8/10)

2. Sweet Juice (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Sweet Juice. (7.5/10)

3. T4ke – T4ke changes the atmosphere of the mini-album, diverting the release down a more sinister route. It is still eerie listen just like the above tracks. But to me, it feels more driven by a main character than just imposing that feeling on the listener. The instrumentation does a really good job of bringing that all of time and is also feels textural loaded. Yuki’s rapping is very gripping, while the harmonies at the end between Goeun and Chaein were amazing. (9/10)

4. Autopilot – Retro synths open and stay a constant in Autopilot. It reminds me of EVERGLOW’s music and easily could have rivalled the likes of LA DI DA (which to me is still their best song to date). Autopilot is more refined and less punchy, but still has that similar tinge. Back to PURPLE KISS, their vocals in Autopilot were so crisp and clear, and this is one of the best elements of the song. They just brought such a vibrant feel to the retro number. The acoustic finish (courtesy of Swan) was a very nice yet unexpected twist to the song. As much as the change is a complete 180° from the rest of Autopilot, it is such a well-executed moment that it is hard to dislike. (10/10)

5. agit (아지트) – I think the biggest problem is that agit wasn’t released closer to the summer season. It is just a bright and upbeat pop number, perfect for the summery season. The instrumentation felt refreshing and super fun. If anything, the vocals could have been a little chirpier and buoyant, but the group still pulled off a solid effort nonetheless. Yuki’s rapping was just perfection and just gave such a nice pop vibe to the song. (9/10)

6. So Far So Good – So Far So Good is a pop ballad that highlights the group’s sweet and pleasant vocals. Once again, the crisp and clear vocals just make this song. The instrumentation is pretty basic and simple, but yet it provides a nice backing to this melodic number. Together, the song has this calming and comforting presence, ending the mini-album on a more loveable and brighter note than the dark and eerie likes of the opening and title tracks of the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

Cabin Fever Teaser Image

[Album Review] Killer (2nd Studio Album Repackaged) – KEY (SHINee)

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Following on from the release and promotion of KEY’s second studio album GASOLINE in August 2022, KEY made his solo comeback earlier in February 2023 with the repackaged album of the second studio album, retitled as KILLER. The repackaged album features all the songs from the GASOLINE studio album (including the original title track of the same name) and three new singles, one of which serves as the title track and is also titled KILLER. Today’s review obviously focuses on the new additions to KEY’s second studio album. However, if you want to view the original album review for KEY’s second studio album (there are a few amazing nuggets on there), do check it out via the links above.

The new singles featured on KILLER are consistently great, each earning the same rating based on my scales. But each single just does not feel right with a perfect rating, hence the consistent ratings of and average of 9/10 for the new songs. When considering the entirety of the GASOLINE and KILLER era, the consistent 9/10 ratings for the new songs actually help bring the overall album rating (of 14 songs) to 8.7/10, which is still ‘great’ territory.

KILLER Album Cover

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

2. Heartless – Heartless incorporates a serious bout of rock into the album, but does so in a playful manner that feels nostalgic. I do like how the song goes between seriousness and fun, creating a unique range that we don’t see that much in the confines of a particular song. The seriousness comes through most intensely during the moments when KEY is rapping, while the playful comes through the most during the song’s most melodic sections like the pre-choruses and choruses. In terms of execution, Heartless is a successful song and a highlight of the repackaged album. (9/10)

6. Easy – The third and final new song on the repackaged album is Easy. This track is a lot moodier, compared to the previous song. The track is a mid-tempo pop song a consistent atmospheric instrumentation, accented by dramatic thumping beats. Both these combined to create an alluring piece. KEY’s vocals complement this instrumental piece quite well, creating a captivating listen. I also really liked how his vocals soars in the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating (including the songs from the GASOLINE album) – 8.7/10

KILLER Teaser Image

[Review] F*ck My Life – SEVENTEEN

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Alongside Super, F*ck My Life was also a title track for SEVENTEEN’s 10th mini-album, FML, which was released back in April of this year. A music video for F*ck My Life dropped two weeks after the album’s official release, hence why I did not review F*ck My Life on the same day (or there abouts) as Super. And I was unable to fit it into my schedule for review at the time of the music video’s release. But today, I will finally get around to reviewing to F*ck My Life.

Despite having a very bold title, F*ck My Life is surprisingly subdued and mid-tempo. While the title does make sense in the context of the lyrics (more on this in the music video section of the review), there is still a certain boldness that I wished was reflected in some way in the song. I felt like this boldness and its potential was pretty much swept under the rug. But based on what we got as the final product for F*ck My Life, I would describe this song as pleasant (for its overall sound) and thought-evoking (for its lyrics). But what this pleasant means is a bit iffy, even after two months. F*ck My Life is vocally centric, which isn’t unheard for SEVENTEEN. While I do agree with the notion that SEVENTEEN did well in making the track pleasant and flowy with their vocals, I personally felt the vocals gave off a neutral energy, which in turn doesn’t hold its ground after the song finishes. One of the things I did like was how the song felt like a conversation, rather than an overly emotional piece. This helps the thought-evoking impression come to life upon considering the lyrics. The instrumentation was also nice, but it isn’t wasn’t memorable. The only element of the instrumentation to leave an impression were those electronically modified vocals that feature at the start and end of the song, even after the song ended. This does raise the concerns that the vocals didn’t do as much in the song. Personally, I did think there was room for some rapping in the song, which I think would have made their pleasant track a bit more impactful. But, altogether F*ck My Life was a nice song, overall.

The lyrics of the song speak about wanting to “fight for your life” amidst all the dispiriting hardships life throws your way (taken from Soompi). In the video, the members fight for their lives after realizing the life around them is staged. A lot of the music video appears to be inspired by the Truman Show. Moments where the members had the realization of their staged life occurred after key turning points that occurred in the actual Truman Show movie, like the fallen stage light, the rain falling in one spot away from the character, the background people appearing to “block” members on what felt like command, a controlled sky, the appearance of cameras and the feeling of being watched etc. Even the departure of a friend was written into the music video, who dropped a “Fight for you life” badge behind for Joshua to find. In the end, all the members escape from their staged lives on a boat.  Overall, it is a nice callback to a great movie and works well with the lyrics of the song.  

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

[Review] One & Only – BOYNEXTDOOR

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New group alert! BOYNEXTDOOR made their debut back in May with a triple title track situation – But I Live You, One and Only & Serenade. All the tracks come off the group’s first single album, Who!. Good question. BOYNEXTDOOR is a six-member male group from KOZ Entertainment (a subsidiary company of HYBE LABELS) and is produced by famous KPOP producer and Block B member ZICO. The group consists of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak. This review will focus on their highest charting and what I think is their more recognisable title track, One & Only. But I do have intentions to return to review But I Love You and Serenade in the near future.

I found One & Only to be a cute number. I think it has been a while since I have described a male artist’s release like that, but it does take me back to the cringy days of KPOP when cuteness was the only thing male groups were putting out. One & Only appears to be more refined, without it going into obnoxious territory. I am very appreciative of that. The chorus was a fun little jingle that I cannot get out of my head. It was also playful vibe and suits the youthfulness that BOYNEXTDOOR clearly brings to KPOP. That being said, One & Only is not the perfect KPOP release, let alone a debut release. I don’t remember much from the song other than the chorus jingle, and the members don’t have much opportunity to really showcase their individualistic talents or skills in the song. This is particularly a major problem given that this is one of their first releases, and I don’t see anything that helps differentiate the team from their competition (which I believe will be heating up later this year). Thankfully, the other title tracks do provide this opportunity. But overall, One & Only does enough to attract attention to the group, and serves as a good starting point of the newly debut male group.

Given that the group’s name is BOYNEXTDOOR, I thought it was clever to make a door a recurring element in their music videos. Hopefully, the producers keep this up in future music videos, as this could be a trademark element for the group and it would be intriguing to see how this would be interwoven into future concepts that are not as casual as this one. As for One & Only specifically, the music video feels refreshing and has an exciting energy coming through it. The cuteness comes through as well, and it also isn’t obnoxious from a visual sense. The members look like they are having a fun time, which works well with the joyful and bright energy the group exudes from the song.

While the song doesn’t showcase the members as it should, the performance does a good job of showcasing their cohesiveness. And just like the rest of the comeback, there is a fun and playful vibe coming from the choreography that instantly makes me smile. I like how the door was incorporated into the performance, especially as it helps introduces the members and hides the members throughout the performance. The best part, however, was when one of the members shakes the door to make the others “fall” out.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Review] Rose Blossom – H1-KEY

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Today, I will finally get around to reviewing one of the earliest releases of 2023 – Rose Blossom by H1-KEY. For those who might not recognise the group’s name, H1-KEY is a four-member female group (currently consisting of Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo, and Yel) who made their debut in 2022 with ATHELTIC GIRL. I did review their debut song, but did not review their later release of RUN, which dropped in July 2022.

Honestly, I didn’t know if I was ever going to return to review Rose Blossom. It has been five months (nearing six months) since its release and all I can remember was passing on it when I had a chance to review the song. I don’t even remember my first impression of the song. But a few repeat listens recently of the song caught my attention and traction to review Rose Blossom has snowballed from there. There are a few reasons to why Rose Blossom has caught my attention now. Firstly, there is a nostalgic factor to the song. Rose Blossom reminds me of past 2NE1 releases, which is one of the groups that I grew up on. Secondly, the members did a really good job with their vocals and rapping. Rose Blossom really benefited when the members had definition behind their vocals (i.e., during the chorus), which gives off a strong impression. Furthermore, the nasally approach to their vocals felt unique. Thirdly, the chorus has a neat ring to it. Nothing amazing or ground-breaking here, but it added to the appeal of the song. Fourthly (and finally) was how chilled and easy-going the instrumentation ended up being. The synths and trap beats combination in Rose Blossom isn’t the catchiest, powerful or innovative piece ever. But with everything else, it was surprisingly pleasant and complementary to the rest of the elements of Rose Blossom. More could have been done with Rose Blossom. But as it stands, it is a satisfying listen that I recently got into.

I feel like the music video is a literal take on the lyrics. In Rose Blossom’s chorus, there are lines that say “I’m a rose among the concrete, until this bleak city becomes filled with colour, I’ll keep my head up, stand my ground until the very end…”. For the most part, the entire music video can be described as bleak. There isn’t too much colour going on in the video, until the members stumble upon the hallway that is spewing roses onto the outside. The red colour that comes from this scene is quite bold, in comparison to everything else in the video. We did have a tinge of red throughout the video, which probably hinted at the fact the members are red roses waiting to blossom, but it was fairly muted and fitted into the bleakness of the video. Following that red rose hallway, the members returning to the current bleak world, waiting for their time to blossom. I kind of wished there was a heavier red presence, just to represent that realization for aesthetic and completeness purposes.  

I liked their all-smile approach to their performance, which gives this comeback a more uplifting presence. Choreography-wise, it was fairly standard. But it was enjoyable to watch.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.3/10