Tag: Baek Ah Yeon

Baek A Yeon is the second artist to make their comeback today. The soloist from JYP Entertainment returned with Sorry To Myself, which is the title track off her fourth mini-album, Dear Me. This is her first comeback since Sweet Lies (featuring The Barberettes), which was released at the start of last year.

Sorry To Myself, as expected from the title, is a very emotionally driven ballad. Baek Ah Yeon’s recent title tracks have been of the brighter nature, so it is nice to see something different than the usual. Honestly, I had the chose to two ballads to review today and I chose this one because I was more drawn to it. There is something about her voice that makes the song sound so heartbreaking and desperate. Maybe it is because you can hear a hint of innocence, which makes the song so much more impactful. I really like the melody in the chorus, which I believe to be the strongest peak of the song. As for the instrumentation, there isn’t anything special about it. Instead, it is rather standard. But besides that, it is a good song.

The music video shows a heartbroken girl, who is reminded of her ex-partner through many things. We are treated to a number of flashbacks during their happy memories, to make sense to why apples and a rubber duck keychain makes her sad (i.e. fond memories of her partner). We are then shown the moment they break up, which is the start of her devastation. I thought the actress’ acting was amazing, especially during the scenes where she is all alone. She took the emotion behind the vocals and portrayed it successfully in the video. From what I saw I think there was a turning point where she started to retreat in a confident manner, which went extremely well with the ‘He doesn’t deserve to be hated’ lyrics.

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

In the past few years, Baek Ah Yeon’s singles have topping charts. Shouldn’t Have and So So have become her most well-known songs. And now, the soloist is back with her third mini album, titled as Bittersweet, which features the title track, Sweet Lies. The Barberettes (who are a trio, known for their retro and barbershop music) also features on the title track.

The song sticks out in the crowd of releases for its more simple and soothing instrumental. Not once does the instrumental seem to be a loud component of the song. It rather stayed subtle in the background. There was a calming and enjoyable indie sound, which seems to be on the trend nowadays in the Korean Music Industry. At the forefront of the song are the vocals of Baek Ah Yeon, which dominate the song. However, there is still that balance between her voice and the background instrumental, which why I think it sounds so great. Overall, the style isn’t my cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean that I think the song sucks. Instead, I think it is amazing. I am a little confused about the featuring of The Barberettes. I don’t really seem to hear them except for that one part prior to the choruses. Their harmony was great, but I expected them to harmonise with Baek Ah Yeon as well. Compared to her past tracks, I don’t think there was much of a hook anywhere in the song. There was something catchy about her past songs, just this one doesn’t have that, which leaves the song feeling a little forgotten.

I haven’t watched the music video yet, so this is my first-hand experience with the music video. The video itself plays on the ’empty promises’ that Baek Ah Yeon makes references to. At the start, she sings about things that her lover has said to her, to which she agrees and waits around (hence only one Baek Ah Yeon in that room). But in the second verse, she sings “When was the last time you said it?”, to which we are shown multiple Baek Ah Yeon’s still waiting around (and clearly bored) in that same room. I am not too sure about the use of the bouncy ping pong balls. But I feel like you trying to suggest that if you replace her with them (hence it appears in places where she used to be), the guy wouldn’t notice. That’s just my theory though. I am quite sure there is another accurate and better theory out there. I wasn’t into the video as I liked to be. There was some dryness to it and it felt loaded, compared to her more soothing and calming song.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 6/10
Overall Rating – 7/10

It has been a very long time since I lasted talked about Baek Ah Yeon. Actually, I have never talked about this gem in the Korean industry. Baek Ah Yeon does not fall into your typical South Korean group. She is a solo artist who was formerly a contestant on KPOP Star, making it to the top 3. While her early days as a solo artist failed to put her out there, the previous two years have been highly successful for her. She made her comeback (in 2015) with Shouldn’t Have, which featured Young K of DAY6 and earned herself a position on the charts. With this comeback, she has gone further and topped charts with her single, So So.

Baek Ah Yeon has a pretty good discography of songs that I like. This is just another addition to the list. I am usually not into these flowery ballads, but her song is just so amazing. To me, Baek Ah Yeon has the voice that will fit this song. Probably no other artist will ever do a rendition of the song that will make me feel satisfied. There is a perfect balance between the vocals and instrumental.  None of the two overpowers the other and that is a sign that a good ballad (and song). The lyrics are easy to understand and I think make the song relatable to everyone. Those feelings of your past relationship lingering around to the point, where you don’t know what love ever felt like. That is the essence of the song. The song is also very easy on your ears, but that is expected of any ballad. Nothing felt over the top and I think that is why I liked the song a lot.

One of the ways to make an excellent video is to simply take the lyrics and form a video from it. This particular video does just that and I think that makes it an amazing video to watch. We have Baek Ah Yeon, admitting herself into the hospital because she feels “so-so”. It makes sense and is logical.  She doesn’t understand why nothing feels the same anymore, so she undergoes treatment. The hospital brings good food, but just can’t taste the goodness in it. They find (or he happened to wander to them) a handsome guy, but he failed cure her heartbreak. However, who let the dog out? She manages to focus her attention on the dog and at the end, when the dog leaves, she follows after to the owner, who we all suspect “cured” her heartbreak. This is a storyline that matches the lyrics and made the video feel right (for once). I find the scenes of her playing with the dog extremely cute. It makes me want to get a dog.

Overall, amazing song and video. I just want to continue praising it. Take all my compliments. 10/10