Category: Reviews

[Review] UNDEAD – SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE)

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SUNG HANBIN was one of the members to stay on as part of ZEROBASEONE following the conclusion of the initial 3-year period after the survival show, BOYS PLANET. We saw him earlier this year promoting as part of the reformed 5-member lineup with the release of TOP 5. For his solo work, SUNG HANBIN returned to one of his original companies, THE L1VE. Today, he officially debuted as a solo artist with the single UNDEAD and the mini-album DEAD:ALIVE.

Both SUNG HANBIN and UNDEAD don’t hold back, making a strong impression from the get-go. The instrumental is powerful alternative pop-rock that definitely gets the adrenaline pumping. From the guitar riffs to the dramatic drumming to the calculated pauses, the backing was intense and robust throughout UNDEAD. SUNG HANBIN’s vocals were on par with the instrumental, powerful enough to cut through the backing. This kept his delivery clear and not drowned out, unlike some songs where the balance between the powerful instrumentation and vocals wasn’t right. I also liked the clever use of the choral backing to amplify the song’s most intense moments. This only added to the dramatic, powerful flair SUNG HANBIN was already bringing to UNDEAD and concentrated everything into a memorable piece. On memorability, the only thing UNDEAD could have done better was feature a meatier hook. It definitely got the melodies down right, but the hook just wasn’t addictive enough. That would have made UNDEAD a hook-line-sinker song.

Based on media articles, UNDEAD ‘conveys a strong determination to willingly accept any pain and hardship, both for the sake of others and for his own.’ Throughout the music video, we see SUNG HANBIN on the run. In some parts, it looks like he is running away from someone or something. But most of the video shows him facing it all as everyone else runs away. We see him running head-on through walls, falling off buildings and taking high risks to escape the someone or something chasing him (most likely the pain and hardship mentioned above). In the end, he climbs back to the top of the building, having gone through it all to claim his success and glory. SUNG HANBIN’s visuals were on full display, too. He looked good doing anything, even falling from the building.

The choreography captured the intensity, power, and dramatic flair I mentioned earlier. And it was amazing to watch. The performance really highlights SUNG HANBIN’s talent and skill as a dancer. The synchronisation with his dancers was also perfect. His charisma and stage presence really shone through. If you are still unconvinced, I highly recommend checking out his intro performance during the live curating session for DEAD:ALIVE. You won’t regret it!

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.9/10

[Review] Guitarist – Doh Kyung Soo (D.O – EXO)

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A month ago, Doh Kyung Soo (or D.O from EXO) made his solo comeback with his 4th mini-album, Dopamine. The lead single from the new mini-album, and the focus of this review, is Guitarist. This is Doh Kyung Soo’s first solo release since Bliss and SING ALONG!, and his first release since EXO’s long-awaited Crown comeback earlier this year.

It makes sense that, with the song titled Guitarist, a prominent feature of the instrumental is the guitar. As we all know, the instrument is versatile, and in Guitarist, the guitar (alongside other band instruments) delivers a bright, upbeat, funky tune. It is an extremely nice listen from the outset and has me boogieing in my seat each time it comes on. Alongside the instrumental, Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals are equally bright and effortlessly warm. The riffs and his crisp tone add to Guitarist‘s ‘extremely nice’ appeal. The “Da-ra-da” hook was super pleasant, as were the melodies.

As for the music video, we can view it as two halves. The first half shows Doh Kyung Soo coolly playing guitar in a striking red leather jacket and driving his friends to a party or hangout. The second half shows Doh Kyung Soo meeting up with a girl on the side of the road, where they vibe and dance together in a cute yet light-hearted way. I much prefer the second half, as this is what I know of Doh Kyung Soo, and the whole montage just makes you want to smile.

This comeback includes a performance with dancers. It is a super easy-going routine for Doh Kyung Soo to focus on his live vocals, but he does execute the moves well (alongside the dancers to give the stage some oomph) when it comes to the “Da-Ra-Da” hook. He also sneaks a bit of that fun, light-hearted dancing from the music video into the routine.

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

[Review] Kick Off The Wall – KickFlip ft. iann dorr

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Making their return this week is KickFlip, who returns with their 5th mini-album, Kick Off The Wall Pt. 1. This mini-album features the title track of the same name (sans the Pt. 1 bit and features rapper iann dorr) and the pre-release single Puzzle Piece. This review will focus on the title track. It’s the group’s second comeback of the year, following their earlier My First Kick and Eye-Poppin’ era.

Kick Off The Wall continues KickFlip’s pop-rock sound and blends it with electronic elements to create a super cool, dynamic track. It is one of the elements that really sold me on this track on first listen. Everything melds together so well (the chorus is a great example of how the pop-rock and synths come together cohesively), and the synth-dominant instrumental break is a textural wonderland. The members are very lively and punchy throughout Kick Off The Wall. I enjoyed how they channelled the instrumental’s dynamic nature. The song’s hooks also add to that punchiness. This definitely gives Kick Off The Wall its catchy, addictive quality. It was pretty hard to put the song down. iann dorr is given the bridge to rap in, and I liked how it doesn’t shortchange Minje’s rap sequence. Both sounded great! Actually, I also like how his bit fits into Kick Off The Wall and sounds just as lively and dynamic as the members.

My biggest issue with this comeback was the music video. Not the whole video, but where they used a specific post-production technique (green screens). The opening scene to the first chorus looked so bad and cheapened the video. Similarly, the pre-chorus sequence before the second chorus, where the members broke down walls and kicked up dust, felt the same way. Those scenes could have been refined a lot more. JYP Entertainment is a big company; surely they could have done better. Though it was nice to see the featuring artist in the music video and alongside the members at the end.

The performance aspect was really good. The best parts are the choruses, where the energy is highest, and the members embody it well. The dance break was also super cool. On the flip side, the dance moves during the verses could have been more interesting

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

[Review] Death of Me – EVAN

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EVAN only just made his solo debut with Ride or Die in June this year. But he returned quickly, two and a half months later, releasing his first solo mini-album and title track, both titled Death of Me. This review focuses only on the title track.

Death of Me‘s production is one of the song’s real strengths. The groovy, crunchy synth work that dominates the chorus background was so driven and sharp. It had so much vigour and energy that it really stood out. EVAN translated this so well into his delivery and execution of the chorus. It was a promising start and a strong centrepiece. However, beyond the choruses, Death of Me falters. The verses were a snooze, largely forgettable, and just didn’t resonate as much as the choruses did. Some of his vocals were decent, but it sounded like he was held back from reaching his full potential. A prime example is how his singing in the second verse felt overly processed. Similarly, Death of Me also felt held back. Some ad-libs during the final chorus to build Death of Me toward a peak would have been appreciated, but instead we got a repeat of the same chorus, which ultimately flattened the song toward the end. The instrumental break outro was a nice touch and tried to add some oomph in the last seconds, but it was too late and not enough to get us to that peak.

This music video would have worked really well in the lead-up to Halloween, as it shows EVAN being haunted by a mysterious figure throughout. My theory is that the mysterious figure represents his past self, as he sings about starting afresh and his unwillingness to let his past limitations or fears control him. Out of EVAN’s looks throughout the video, I really like when he was in a suit on stage. It would have been nice for his other looks to be more on that side of the spectrum, and not super casual, loose, crop-top T-shirts. While he looked cool, I couldn’t help feeling like the video felt refined, but it ended up cheapening itself by the end.

You can tell EVAN put a lot of energy into the choreography, and it paid off. There is a strong MJ influence throughout the routine, and the dance break at the end was my favourite bit of the entire routine. The extra push he gives in the final moments just makes that part so much more impactful. His facial expressions and charisma were also executed perfectly, adding so much more to the performance.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] I’m Gonna TOESA – SOYEON (i-dle)

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Currently topping the charts in South Korea is SOYEON’s I’m Gonna TOESA (which translates to I’m Quitting in English). It is her lead single from her first solo studio album, What a Wonderful Life, which dropped in early September. Since then. SOYEON’s new song has since been extremely successful on the charts, where it is currently earning multiple perfect all-kills (where the song simultaneously ranks number one on multiple real-time, daily, and weekly charts). I’m Gonna TOESA is also SOYEON’s first major solo release since 2021’s Beam Beam.

I’m Gonna TOESA is about the fantasy and romance of quitting a stressful job. Most of the song is in Korean, but I am sure it feels relatable and speaks to Korean audiences, as it is currently dominating the charts in South Korea. For a non-Korean speaker like me, the song doesn’t have as strong an effect. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. The first thing that sticks out to me is that I’m Gonna TOESA isn’t the release you’d expect from SOYEON. We all know from i-dle works what SOYEON can pull out – something strong, empowering and bold. Whereas I’m Gonna TOESA is cutesy, retro, laid-back, and whimsical. This contrast is already quite intriguing and pulls me further into the song. I enjoyed the song’s vocal-forward nature, with moments that highlight SOYEON’s raspy, nasal vocals. The band instrumentation is quite simple but has an appealing feel-good vibe. The melodies, and the song overall, are easy on the ears, which helps it stand out in the current KPOP climate.

Watching the music video made me smile. I might be slightly envious that SOYEON quits her office job in the video, but I love how she curtsies as she leaves, only to flip the bird the next moment. That takes confidence on so many levels. From there, she portrays her newfound free schedule, which includes going on dates (even though she literally just waltzes up to a table and tries to woo the guy, who is already in a relationship), going to the karaoke bar (I feel like this is normal) and daydreaming about being an old lady.

Watching the performances also made me smile – even more than the music video. Each comeback stage felt different and refreshing, and you could tell SOYEON had a blast performing each one. The trip at the start kept things interesting and playful, while the aggressive twerking at the end of the first two choruses contrasts with the light and joyful “La La La” that follows is my favourite part of the entire routine.

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

[Review] Coward – PENTAGON

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Over the years, I have grown fond of PENTAGON. I quite liked their music, and they had some strong singles – Daisy is still my favourite. However, as the members did not renew their contract with Cube Entertainment, there have been zero group activities since their last official comeback, Feelin’ Like, 4 years ago. But to celebrate their 10th anniversary, PENTAGON has finally returned as a 7-member group (both Yan An and Yuto have confirmed they left the group) with a special single titled Coward.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Coward was released, but don’t assume I didn’t like the song. I had a fair bit going on when Coward was released. If anything, I regret not reviewing PENTAGON’s new song sooner. Coward is a vibrant mid-tempo pop song done right. The piano at the start feels dreamy, and I liked how the synths and beat picked up the song. That squirly synth that comes through the instrumental from time to time and plays a prominent part of the instrumental break actually has a memorable ring. What I particularly like the most about Coward is that it shows off PENTAGON’s solid vocals. The hooks and melodies really let this aspect of the group and the song shine, and I find myself getting lost in them quite easily. On the flip side, I find Coward a little safe compared to some current releases, but ‘safe’ done right goes a long way, as this release shows.

It is definitely nice to see the group together again. The song has this wholesome vibe, with the members singing about their desire to get back with a former lover but also their hesitation to do so. Shooting the video at a train station was a clever idea. At the start, we see the members hesitate and linger on the platform, as if they are afraid to face their past partner or move on (hence the “coward” descriptor and the song title). But once they are outside and without that choice on their mind, they are happier and appear more vibrant (which works well with the song’s energy and tone). Though I don’t think they necessarily chose between facing their past and moving on.

Being off-stage for 4 years deprived the group of performance opportunities, and they are really making up for it in the choreography. They made sure the beat drops and similar moments hit hard throughout the routine. The chorus and dance break were strong parts of the routine that show off their dancing, synchronisation, and energy. I like it all!

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

[Review] ANIMAL – BOYNEXTDOOR

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BOYNEXTDOOR has returned, re-releasing their 1st studio album, HOME, from earlier in the year as HOME: DELUXE. The new release adds 5 new songs to the original tracklist (led by VIRAL and ddok ddok ddok). One of these new singles is the title track ANIMAL.

ANIMAL sees BOYNEXTDOOR opt for a harder sound, with an intense production that unleashes a wilder side of the group. I really enjoyed was the electro-funk synths in the instrumental and a head-banging beat that makes me want to do just that during the choruses (more on that in a second). The beginning gives us a slight taste of what is to come later on in the song, but more importantly, it grabbed my attention straight away. I personally don’t care much for the verses. Some of it was good, but most of it was pretty forgettable. ANIMAL‘s strongest moment is, without a doubt, its chorus. The amplification of both instrumentation and intensity, the rush from the tempo and the simple repetition of the song’s title were super effective and addictive. While I tend to umm and uhh about repetition, the rest of the chorus makes it interesting enough and makes the chorus package more enticing and appealing. I guess the biggest issue I have with ANIMAL is that it strips a lot of the members’ style and blurs all of their delivery together, which I don’t tend to like. It would have been nice to hear more of the members’ individualistic style in ANIMAL.

The members portrayed uncontrollable people who wreak havoc everywhere they go. They show their animalistic side. They cause destruction in the neighbourhood, at worksites, public places, and even crash a wedding. Animal rescuers track them down and tranquillize them at the wedding to stop the chaos, and I liked the abstract way they show them being subdued with the computer/data visual effects. I would have liked it if the video explored more of that underground lair situation that we see after they get subdued – it looked intriguing. Overall, it was a fun and wild video to watch.

The members really put all their energy into making the performance dynamic. This effort alone really strengthens the performance aspect of the comeback. In the choreography, we see animal poses and movements, which suits the song literally. It was also wild and busy (with the use of dancers to enhance this quite clever), which suited the music and intensity of ANIMAL.

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

[Review] CRASH – ALLDAY PROJECT

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Last week, ALLDAY PROJECT pre-released two singles, TALK and DO IT LIKE THIS, ahead of their newly released CRASH mini-album. I reviewed the former and promised to review the latter over the weekend (which I have delayed slightly). With the mini-album now out, the group has unveiled its official title track, CRASH, which will be the focus of this post.

In the recent flurry of ALLDAY PROJECT’s releases, CRASH is the most palatable. For me, it reminds me of ONE MORE TIME from last year, which is practically one of the two tracks from ALLDAY PROJECT that I enjoy. However, CRASH doesn’t exceed the standard they set for themselves with ONE MORE TIME. The new song feels weaker in both energy and impact, as if it is being held back. From the melodies to the delivery, everything felt safe and didn’t hit as hard as what we know ALLDAY PROJECT is capable of. Though, I am digging ANNIE’s first pre-chorus and BAILEY’s rapping in the bridge. While I liked CRASH‘s chorus for its simplicity and catchiness, I wish they’d gone with something with a little more impact at the end so the song didn’t feel too repetitive. Something that works with the party vibe of CRASH but akin to the ending of ONE MORE TIME would have enhanced CRASH to a whole new level. Overall, I would have appreciated more (in multiple regards) in this song.

The music video features different forms of crashes as the group sings/raps about being confident enough to not be limited by rules (based on Soompi’s interpretation of the song). We are talking about car crashes, party crashes, smashing glass, side mirrors and fire hydrants, crushing lemons and explosions. The most impactful scene of the video has to be when YOUNGSEO serves as a boulder, and the speeding car coming at her wraps itself around her as it impacts her (or tries to).

The performance was good, though I wished the moves were stronger in the second half of the chorus. The energy the members put into the “La La La Love” hook didn’t feel on par with the rest of the sequence and lacked oomph. Elsewhere, the routine was strong, and I liked the sassiness and attitude that came through alongside the verses.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Say Yes! – ONEUS

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The song I am obsessed with this week is ONEUS’ comeback single, Say Yes!. It’s their first single under their new company, B-WAVE, and their first in a while to feature SEOHO, who enlisted in early 2025. Say Yes! is also the lead single off their latest mini-album, First Light: 井, which dropped earlier this week alongside the new single.

Among the beige, low-key trends currently dominating KPOP, Say Yes! stands out for its dynamic instrumentation and delivery. It is truly refreshing to listen to, and I’ve revisited the track quite a lot since its release on Wednesday. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll stop any time soon. Say Yes! features impactful rhythmic guitars and punchy, groovy synths. I particularly enjoyed the extra energy and oomph that kicks in during the pre-chorus – it is such an exhilarating rush that adds so much to the song. Totally my favourite part of the entire song. And while these amp up Say Yes!, the refreshingness mentioned before gives the track a breeziness and lightness. The members themselves hold their ground throughout the track, with solid vocals and catchy melodies that add to that breeziness and dynamic flair. Overall, ONEUS impresses with Say Yes!.

Say Yes! comes right at the end of the summer song season. The song already ticks the boxes of being a summer track (i.e., dynamic, energetic, refreshing, breezy), so it makes sense for the music video to follow suit. The video features the members overcoming the darkness by sticking together and continuing to do so in the light as well. In the lighter scenes, everything feels more casual and relaxed compared with the mystery and intensity of the darker scenes.

I continue to rave on about the post-chorus sequence of Say Yes!, this time on the choreography front. The intensity and punch the members brought to the post-chorus execution were super cool and a highlight of the performance. The pre-choruses also get a shout-out, as the moves fit the music so well. A strong routine from ONEUS.

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

[Review] TALK – ALLDAY PROJECT

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ALLDAY PROJECT is officially returning with their 2nd mini-album, CRASH, 9 months after their 1st mini-album LOOK AT ME (featuring the lead single of the same name). Ahead of its official release next week, the co-ed group has dropped 2 music videos – TALK and DO IT LIKE THIS. This review focuses on the former track, and I’ll review the latter over the weekend.

TALK is a heavy-handed hip-hop track all about clapping back at their haters. There is some good rapping and vocals from the members, and I liked how everyone had their own distinct section. But even though the track has been out for a couple of days now, I just can’t bring myself back to TALK. There are a few reasons for this. First, the instrumental feels pretty ordinary, and I don’t think anything distinguishes the song from the rest of the pack. TALK definitely has oomph, but I also found the garbled beats and synth work to be a miss. The second reason is TALK‘s hook. Put simply, it was plain and boring. I totally understand the angle as to why the delivery of the “Talk, Talk, Talk” hook is lifeless – the haters’ comments are boring and blah blah blah. But it is also a double-edged sword, where the repetition bleeds any potential appeal and makes me want to come back.

It is no surprise that the heavy-handed hip-hop track is paired with a pretty edgy, dark video. In the video, we see the members crash into the haters’ headquarters, fight them in the boxing ring, exude confidence everywhere they go, and control the crowd by the end. However, the best part of the video has to be the sass and attitude Bailey brings to her moves in the dance break. That first part of the dance break sequence was so captivating and alluring to watch that I recommend you pay attention to it.

As for the rest of the performance, it was decent to watch. It is lowkey mocking the haters, which goes hand-in-hand with the comeback’s message.

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

[Review] Made My Night – LE SSERAFIM

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It’s been 3 years since LE SSERAFIM released their single Perfect Night – their first English single, a promotional single for Overwatch 2 that became a massive hit in Korea. Last week, LE SSERAFIM and Overwatch joined forces once again for another English single to promote the game: Made My Night. This is the group’s third release of the year following their Pureflow Pt. 1 studio album (led by the singles CELEBRATION and BOOMPALA) and their ICONIC BY MISTAKE collaboration single with KATSEYE and ILLIT.

Made My Night features a solid dance beat, made groovy with the choppy brass. This combination has so much potential to be potent and addictive. It’s energetic and dynamic. LE SSERAFIM also brings fresh vocals (albeit autotuned) to the track. Made My Night should have been a winner. But unfortunately, the biggest issue is its short length. Made My Night‘s base doesn’t have enough time to stew and develop. Once again, the producers prioritised the song being short over pretty much everything else, which dulls the song’s potential and overall sound. I wish Made My Night had more length and development, so it could realise its banger potential.

I just want to clarify that I don’t game whatsoever, so my knowledge of Overwatch is practically zero. This means my interpretation of the music video will be extremely elementary at best. Essentially, in the music video, LE SSERAFIM goes missing ahead of a concert after being kidnapped by some evil robots. Two Overwatch characters (I presume), eager to attend the upcoming concert (they have their tickets ready to go), save them by defeating the evil robots. LE SSERAFIM are released in time for their comeback, and the selfie the 2 Overwatch characters take at the start of the video becomes a promotional element for LE SSERAFIM’s concert.

I enjoyed the choreography. The moves fit that energetic dance beat quite nicely. I liked the high kicks during the chorus, and the ending montage has a club-beat atmosphere that captures the song’s banger potential well.

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

[Review] Without Wings – SF9

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SF9 celebrates their 10th year as a group this year. To mark the occasion, the group has released 2 albums this year. The first is a special album titled About Love, which was released in March 2026, led by the single Love Comes Slowly (which I missed and did not review). More recently, the group (sans Yoo Taeyang and Zuho due to military enlistment) released their 2nd studio album, Tenacity, led by the title track Without Wings. My last review of an SF9 release was for their LOVE RACE era (title track and mini-album review).

Without Wings has a nice rhythm (when you really pay attention to the instrumentation) and showcases some really good R&B vocals from the group. I do appreciate the sensual vibes the song gives off, which suits SF9’s style. The Afrobeats also give it a somewhat refreshing, breezy tone that works well with the current summer heat. But when I listen to the song casually (i.e., it appears on my queue), I don’t register it at all. Despite all that has been mentioned, Without Wings feels incredibly dull and largely forgettable. The hooks and melodies are pretty light and don’t really amp up or give the song any oomph. I still can’t remember much of the chorus, even after a couple of listens when I wrote this review. Similarly, the same goes for the rapping. Without Wings also feels incredibly tight, wisping away into a blur rather than a song. There’s no time between the verse and chorus, or vice versa, to appreciate or process the song.

I feel like my comments about the music being dull also apply to the music video. The music video’s atmosphere feels mature and sensual, which works well with Without Wings‘ R&B style. But beyond that, I don’t find anything that draws me back to this music video in particular.

SF9 did a good job bringing those sensual, mature vibes to the forefront of the choreography without making it too obvious. The routine, alongside the “W, W” hook, had some intensity, which helped beef up the chorus on stage. I also enjoyed how delicate Jaeyoon’s part in the bridge looked.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Review] MAGIC – MONSTA X

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It has been half a year since we last heard from MONSTA X. They released their third English-language album, Unfold, earlier this year, and it was a nice listen. Their last comeback that I covered on the blog was their The X and N the Front era, which was released around the same time last year. Today, the group returns (sans I.M, who is currently enlisted in the military) with their 14th mini-album, The Phase, and the title track MAGIC.

What will probably have me coming back to MAGIC more and more is its chorus. I really like its soaring, rock nature and how it contrasts sharply with the plain, dull opening verse. The opening verses and pretty much the other vocal parts of MAGIC, sans the chorus, felt unnecessarily brief and just didn’t have enough substance. I am left unsure what to focus on with what we do get, and end up wanting so much more from these parts. The lack of build and development to get the most out of MAGIC‘s engaging chorus is also quite confusing. But in addition to MAGIC‘s centrepiece, JOOHONEY’s rap in the second verse had a good rhythm and was another standout part of the song. The harmonies at the end were also a neat way to wrap up the song. The rest of MAGIC is just lacking and is miles away from the better parts of the song.

MAGIC compares the intense moment of being drawn to each other to magic, portraying uncontrollable emotions and a fateful encounter (from Sportal Korea). The music video portrays this through the people around MONSTA X. While it looks like they become uncontrollable and enter a trance because of the group, I have a theory that someone else is the cause of the change in behaviour. At one point, you see the people around the group pass MONSTA X and continue towards someone else. If the group was the centre of attention, the people would have stopped/stayed behind the members or surrounded them. This theory would explain why MONSTA X is looking in that direction. This whole concept looked really cool and became even more epic towards the end, when the music video is set on the overpass.

The performance looked good. The mix of smoothness and matching up with the beats created a nice mix during the verses, while I really like the ‘coming at you’ motif against the soaring chorus. It just felt right and expected for the chorus. Those thrusts for the final chorus were unexpected, though I am sure fans are enjoying it.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Pop Off Pop Off – KiiiKiii

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After their successful 404 (New Era) comeback earlier this year, KiiiKiii returned earlier this month with their 3rd mini-album, WhyKiiiKiii, and the lead single Pop Off Pop Off.

Pop Off Pop Off‘s opening takes me right back to some of the guilty pleasures of my youth, with the autotune approach reminding me of some 2010 dance-pop tracks. Kesha’s Tik Tok comes to mind. Like those songs, Pop Off Pop Off is a lot of fun, whimsical, and a blast to have on. The verses give us an opportunity to hear the members without the autotune, and I liked this contrast with the centrepiece. When you least expect it, the chorus doubles down on the EDM and breaks it down even further with a hard-hitting club take on the EDM. I liked how it turned out, and the unexpected nature does make Pop Off Pop Off more exhilarating. The English does trouble me a bit, especially the official translation. It looks like a jumble of words – some of it is okay and passable, but others just don’t make sense to me. What does “Flash, flip that V” and “Hot sticky phone” even mean?

One thing I didn’t mention above is that Pop Off Pop Off is full of energy. And this is translated well into the music video. The music video sees KiiiKiii plan and take a vacation to a very sunny, stunning coastline. Being both unwell and in Winter in Australia, I am very envious. KiiiKiii see the sights and also have house parties whilst on holiday, but more important enjoying time with one another. Very fun! Full of energy also means colour, and the music video really makes this element super vibrant. It is truly a summer video.

The choreography looked great! Like the song, it was quite packed, with the performance striking a balance between lightheartedness and intensity. KiiiKiii also looked like they were having fun performing Pop Off Pop Off.

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

[Review] Achilles – NOWZ

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KPOP is a very populous and busy industry, which unfortunately means I cannot always keep up with new releases and groups. One of the groups I know I am missing from the blog’s coverage is NOWZ. But that changes today! NOWZ debuted back in 2024 under the name NOWADAYS with a 5-member lineup (HYEONBIN, YOON, YEONWOO, JINHYUK and SIYUN) under CUBE Entertainment. They rebranded as NOWZ a year later and most recently returned with the single Achilles. I do plan to return to more of NOWZ’s discography in the future.

What I liked about Achilles (enough to actually set aside and review it this time) is its simplicity and straightforwardness. Achilles is a groovy disco dance track, which, if you know me, is actually a favourite sound of mine in KPOP. The synths in this track felt quite classy, which I found charming. But what I like most is that the groove is relatively soft and not “in your face”. This refined approach gives the track a more sophisticated feel, adding a fresh appeal and dimension to the funky sound. I also find this approach allows NOWZ’s vocals to really shine, which is another appealing aspect for Achilles. Their vocals previously caught my attention with Fly To The Youth (featuring i-dle’s YUQI). In Achilles, the vocals make the song smoother. I am particularly drawn to YOON’s line just before the choruses and YEONBIN’s line in the bridge – both parts are what I return to each time I play Achilles. Overall, Achilles is definitely a really nice track that I highly recommend. I am happy that it is my first NOWZ review.

My take on the music video is that NOWZ, with their captivating looks and charisma, is seen as an influence on society, given how they are plastered everywhere in the media (on late-night shows and in commercials) in the video. Some (i.e., parents) don’t approve of NOWZ (based on the way they covered the little girl’s eyes and took her away from the TV screen at the end). But even as a strong influence, the group sings about their weakness – their lover. No matter how confident and charismatic they look on TV, they are only human and can be vulnerable at times. Whilst limited, the video does show the members in very different environments – classy and sophisticated for the perfume advertisement, sexy and modern for the jeans advertisement, and fittingly retro to match up with the song’s primary disco influence.

The performance was definitely nice to watch. I particularly liked the smooth moves during the second chorus. The arm movements and body twists just glided so nicely. I also liked the ending, with the delayed keyboard synth and associated move giving the song and performance just a little extra something to finish it off.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] Blingy – NCT 127

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It has been over 2 years since NCT 127’s last release, WALK (the title of NCT 127’s lead single from their 6th studio album). A lot has happened since then, including military enlistments and members’ departures for various reasons. Currently active in the group are TAEYONG, JOHNNY, JAEHYUN, YUTA, and HAECHAN. This current lineup returned earlier this week with their 7th studio album and its title track, Blingy.

Blingy is loud and intense, thanks to the electronic hip-hop and its shouty chorus. It definitely sounds like something we would expect from NCT 127. But I find it interesting that Blingy somehow also feels monotonous and plain. No matter how many times I have listened to the song since its release, it just doesn’t stick. This leaves me disappointed, especially considering the energy the 5 members put into Blingy‘s chorus and how much it comes across. Blingy‘s shouty delivery in the chorus does nothing to grab your attention or make the song memorable. This leaves the verses as the more interesting parts of the song, but there just isn’t enough in them to save the song. The most promising aspects of the song are HAECHAN and YUTA’s vocals during the verses and the amped-up background towards the end. But they are not enough to keep Blingy from falling into lacklustre territory.

The music video sees NCT 127 searching for blingy items and going after old men with gold statues, amid some cool, serious choreography shots you would definitely associate with NCT 127. The plotline of tracking down these blingy items adds a bit of humour to the video, giving it a lighthearted tinge and contrasting with the intense sound. HAECHAN stood out in particular for shining during these humorous moments, like when the gold ball hits him in the chest (ouch) and he questions a young girl about the blingy items.

The choreography is intense and features the members confidently showing off a cool side in the routine. It was nice to see TAEYONG back with the group, with the focus on him at the end during the dance break being a very prime example of this. But all their chemistry with the camera is on point. I also really liked the very start of the routine, with each member becoming the centre as they wave from side to side.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.1/10