DAY6 celebrates their 10th anniversary through the release of their fourth studio-length album, THE DECADE. Leading the album are the single INSIDE OUT and Dream Bus (focus of this post). The album follows the release of the digital single Maybe Tomorrow from earlier this year and the news that the band has re-signed with JYP Entertainment. Yay to more years with DAY6. But for now, let’s celebrate with my review of Dream Bus.
Dream Bus also tickles the DAY6 nostalgia, just like INSIDE OUT. But where INSIDE OUT felt relatively more mellow and emotionally driven, Dream Bus is more uplifting and positive in both sound and message. The song itself has been described as “a pop punk track with melodic chords”. I enjoyed the upbeat and energetic nature of the chorus, which pairs so nicely with the band’s warm vocals. You don’t need to know Korean to know that Dream Bus speaks to an encouraging and (as mentioned earlier) uplifting message. The instrumental and vocals just give off this exact feeling. I liked how the drumming and keyboard feel so pronounced in Dream Bus. The synths chosen for Dream Bus just give it such a well-rounded feeling. If you have been reading the blog for a while, it is obvious that I prefer more upbeat material. So it should be no surprise that I prefer Dream Bus over INSIDE OUT. But I love that both songs feel nostalgically DAY6.
The lyrics of Dream Bus likens the path to our dreams to a bus ride. Some of the lyrics make reference to holding onto bus handles, with the motions of the bus that causes us to sway on the bus whilst holding onto handles representing our the challenges or hurdles to get us to those dreams. In the music video, the bus is actually a caravan and the DAY6 members plays ordinary people – SUNGJIN as the carefree character, YOUNG K as the office worker, WONPIL as the curious minded and DOWOON as the young kid at heart who believes he has telekinesis superpowers (the dream). They all live and travel together, and we see pretty ordinary day-to-day interactions with one another. In the end, they stop in the midst of a meteor storm (which only WONPIL recognises). Some time after, we see DOWOON back in the caravan, successfully blowing up a pile of trash, showing us that his dreams came true. I really liked his smugness about it at the end, giving us a little comedic touch to the video.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8.6/10
Welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of September 2025, which spans from September 7 to 13, 2025.
I managed to find some time this past week to review some songs, returning to the usual average of 4 posts a week. There were a couple of days when I was just too busy after work to sit down and write some posts, but I think this means we are getting back on track. It is going to be a quick Weekly KPOP Chart post this week, as I have a boatload of chores to do today. So, here are the Weekly KPOP Charts for Week 2 of September 2025.
What else am I listening to?
Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to over the past week. This week’s song is Nine Muses’ Dolls.
Non-Korean Song of the Week
Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song of the past week is JEON SOMI’s CLOSER.
The Chart
DAY6’s comeback track, INSIDE OUT, ranked in the top spot this past week. Congratulations to DAY6!
DAY6 celebrates their 10th anniversary through the release of their fourth studio-length album, THE DECADE. Leading the album are the singles INSIDE OUT (focus of this review) and Dream Bus. The album follows the release of the digital single Maybe Tomorrow from earlier this year and the news that the band has re-signed with JYP Entertainment. Yay to more years with DAY6, but for now, let’s celebrate with my review of INSIDE OUT.
I personally found INSIDE OUT to be a great song, as it tickles the DAY6 nostalgia within me. It revisits pop-rock territory and has the right elements to make it feel like familiar to me. But there is still a bit of freshness to the song, which comes mainly in the form of the groovy, thumping first half of the chorus. I found this part of INSIDE OUT to be very unique, and I liked how the second verse briefly revisits this in the first instance. The second half of the chorus brings a rush of upbeat energy that makes the song exciting and there is a comforting feeling to thanks to DAY6’s vocals. INSIDE OUT‘s melodies are fine and pleasant, though I think they could have done more in this department. It felt a little too ordinary, but this shouldn’t deter you from listening to INSIDE OUT at all.
INSIDE OUT speaks to how someone cannot keep their feelings for another person hidden any longer, leading them to a love confession. In the music video, we see DAY6’s lives at a standstill due to keeping these emotions bottled up. We see nerves, sickness and even the idea of their relationship (and perhaps their friendship) not working out, as represented by the dancers dressed up as crash test dummies and the messaging of ‘failure’ in the pool scenes. As the video progresses, the members build up the courage to confess, leading the finale where the test dummies explode, which suggests that the fear from earlier probably did not eventuate. It is a bit of an abstract concept, but I think it works well in telling the story that the members were once worried that their confession could lead to the breakdown of their friendship with their crush.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
DAY6 made a comeback in September last year with their 9th mini-album, Band Aid, and the title track Melt Down. I am finally getting around to reviewing the 8-track mini-album, which is definitely on the lengthier side of the average mini-album. Band Aid is definitely a strong album release, with a few songs earning a 10/10 rating from me. The mini-album does fizzle out towards the end, but it is still a recommended release nonetheless. Check out which songs got that rating, as well as my thoughts on all 8 tracks.
Before Band Aid, DAY6 released FOUREVER in March last year, which was led by the single Welcome To The Show. More recently, DAY6 released the digital single Maybe Tomorrow in May this year.
Band Aid Album Cover
1. Monster (괴물) – Band Aid starts off with a song that gives me what I am always craving for – a powerful rock number from DAY6. Monster speaks to how loneliness and isolation can make someone feel like a monster. I love the grungy chorus and the textural processing within the centrepiece. I liked how the drumming and guitar work is prolific throughout the track, while the members bring emotion to Monster to give it a life of its own. A clear standout from the get-go. (10/10)
3. She Smiled (그녀가 웃었다) – Next up is a bright pop-rock track. She Smiled sees DAY6 capture the excitement of a confession to their lover and the feeling when they see the subsequent smile on their lover’s face. I like the upbeatness of the track, which I attribute to the constant guitar work in the background. Even from afar, you can tell the members have big, gleaming smiles as they deliver the song. (8/10)
4. Shxtty Game (망겜) – Another favourite of mine on the album. I love DOWOON’s drumming in this one, driving Shxtty Game’s fast-paced energy. Every time I listen to the song, I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, which pairs extremely well with the song’s lyrics that liken life to the tribulations of a video game. All of DAY6’s vocals have this uplifting tone, which makes the track extremely likeable. In particular, I really liked the raspiness and texture that SUNGJIN’s vocals bring to the song. (10/10)
5. Help Me Rock&Roll (도와줘요 Rock&Roll) – Continuing on with the fun vibes is Help Me Rock&Roll, which again, is full of energy. Help Me Rock&Roll draws on influences from the ’60s that are just so lively. I really liked how prolific and intense the rock sound gets during the chorus, keeping the track super enticing and exciting. On the flip side, I also liked the soft ‘shoobidoobaa’ in the bridge as well as the heavily processed ‘I really really wanna’ that was embedded in the instrumental. The latter is also another fun little element in this amazing song. (10/10)
6. COUNTER – Personally, I feel like there is a mismatch when it comes to COUNTER. It is a fine song, but I’m not sure if the execution is right. The song’s lyrics liken life’s ups and downs to a boxing match. But interestingly, I don’t get an impression of something intense like a boxing match from most of the song. COUNTER felt quite soft to me. The most intense COUNTER gets is during a brief part of the chorus, where most of the instrumental is stripped away, leaving behind the successive and pronounced drumming. But again, it is short, and so COUNTER returns quickly to its softer vibes. (6.5/10)
7. I’m Fine – DAY6 reassures us that they are fine in I’m Fine. While the song sounds nice and solid in all aspects, no matter how many times I have listened to I’m Fine, I just cannot get as excited for it as some of the earlier tracks. It is unfortunate, as the guitar work and keyboard are quite decent. (7/10)
8. Still There (아직 거기 살아) – Emotions are poured into and out of Still There. The final track on the album is a ballad, and it vividly tells us of the heartbreak of a failing relationship. You can definitely feel the heartbreak and pain through the members’ vocals. I have to give a shout-out to how YOUNG K ends Still There – he remembers the past but realises what is happening in the present. Musically, I liked how this ballad builds up as it progresses, developing into a stunning number. Altogether, it is an unforgettable number. (10/10)
DAY6 returned yesterday with the digital single, Maybe Tomorrow. The new release follows their 9th mini-album, Band-Aid and the title track Melt Down from last September.
I find Maybe Tomorrow quite captivating. It took me a few tries to realise that (I was distracted by some other things), but once I settled and focused, I found myself being whisked away by the song. The new single is a rock ballad that sounds very DAY6. I liked Maybe Tomorrow‘s wispiness and gentle nature, whilst the guitar and drums ground the song so that it doesn’t feel overly light to the point that it just breezes by, and I can’t remember it. I particularly enjoyed the drumming in the song, which gives it a bit of a punch and beat. The keyboard work was also lovely, and I liked the little buffer at the song’s end. Maybe Tomorrow also carries emotions, and I felt the members did a fantastic job relaying those emotions to the audience. They didn’t go down the heartfelt or powerful routes, but you definitely get a reflective and pensive tone from them. The melodies are soothing, and the chorus is pleasantly catchy. Altogether, Maybe Tomorrow is a beautiful yet safe ballad from DAY6 that I am sure everyone will enjoy.
Maybe Tomorrow‘s lyrics comfort those who are down, sad, or struggling and wish that tomorrow is a better day. Here is my interpretation of the beautiful accompanying music video. DAY6 portrays those emotions of feeling down, sad or struggling. The mood then is dark and heavy. Then, the room around them shakes, sending them flying out the door and falling through the sky. The members slowly open their eyes, representing that the “new day” is better and comforting. But each member opens their eyes at various times, suggesting everyone has something to make tomorrow better for them. For YOUNG K, it was the music (he had his eyes open way before falling), but he needed the bright light from the sun to make him realise maybe tomorrow is better. For SUNGJIN, it was his guitar that made him open his eyes, and for DOWOON, the colours of the confetti brought him comfort and opened his eyes. The ending shows WONPIL falling back into his bed and waking up, only to realise that there is a hole in his room to show him the light that the new day is better. It also suggests that maybe parts of their dreams did occur (i.e., the music, the light, the guitar and the colours).
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
Due to my poor time management, I have yet to review a few 2024 releases. One of them is SUNGJIN’s (from DAY6) solo debut with Check Pattern and the studio album 30. Today, I am finally reviewing Check Pattern, which will make things much easier when reviewing 30.
Check Pattern is a stunning rock ballad. I remember it being so captivating when I first checked it out upon its release, and it remains captivating even to this day. There are a few reasons for this. The flow of the song is one of these reasons. I love a song that can really hold my attention, and Check Pattern does it well. The moment I find myself captivated by the rest of the song, the flow pulls me along. I love how the pre-choruses deliberately still the song slightly before returning to the chorus. This gives Check Pattern some natural rhythm that helps it become a neutral piece. Another reason for Check Pattern’s captivating appeal is SUNGJIN himself. The hoarseness of his vocals just gives Check Pattern some emotional impact and tone. There is also a warmth to his vocals that I find very comforting. But the main reason I am so captivated by Check Pattern is its lyrics. It speaks to the emotions of meeting and separating from the person we are meant to be with for various reasons in life and the hope of meeting each other again one day. This was very thought-provoking, as it made me think about my experiences.
This is my attempt to explain the music video, as the idea is a little abstract and hard to explain in words. I might not have it 100% right, so I do recommend you watch this equally stunning and captivating music video to make sense of it. It shows SUNGJIN as a director, bringing a play that depicts the song’s lyrics to life. The play shows the audience (including us) the abovementioned emotions from many walks of life. Essentially, one person is in one season/location and the other in a different season/location. There is an idea that both know each other and want to meet but just can’t because they are in different times, places, or circumstances. They come close to meeting on some occasions (depicted by the hands reaching out). But they just can’t get there (as shown by the hands close to touching). However, like how the song speaks to the wish or idea of meeting the other person again, the play shows a happy ending where the individuals meet and be with one another. I love how this story was drawn from people’s experiences that they wrote down for SUNGJIN (as shown at the start of the video).
Song – 10/10 Music Video – 10/10 Overall Rating – 10/10
Back in March, DAY6 made their long-awaited comeback since April 2021 with Welcome To The Show. This single leads the band’s 8th mini-album, FOUREVER. It also marks the first album release since the departure of former member JAE. FOUREVER consists of seven songs in total, including Welcome To the Show (as mentioned above) and the more recent chart-topping hit HAPPY. The rest of the mini-album also deserves the same glory, becoming one of the highest-rated album releases on my blog for the year. I also highly recommend you check out the entire mini-album, as well. More recently, DAY6 returned with their 9th mini-album, Band Aid, led by the title track Melt Down.
2. HAPPY – HAPPY is a late bloomer, topping the charts almost 6 months after its release. Congratulations to the band!! HAPPY is a heavier rock track that has a bright melody. But don’t let the brightness fool you. DAY6 sings about their desire to be happy one day, implying that they are not in that current state. Despite not conveying the happiest message, I enjoyed how fulsome the vocals were, which I think is what is currently resonating with listeners. (9/10)
3. The Power of Love – Retro is the name of the game for The Power of Love. While the band has done retro before, it has been a while since we have heard something like this from them. So, it comes off as quite refreshing. Similarly, their vocals also add to that refreshing vibe. I can also see The Power of Love in a parallel universe becoming one of their earlier title tracks. (8/10)
4. Get The Hell Out (널 제외한 나의 뇌) – Get The Hell Out leans into a more punkish vibe, which I really liked. The powerful and energetic tone Get The Hell Out exudes also makes it memorable on this mini-album. The drumming was a highlight in the song (great job to DOWOON!), which I can’t help but foot tap along. I also liked the synthesizer keyboard in the background. SUNGJIN’s rougher texture suits the song so well, while the ‘Get The Hell Out’ refrain is also quite memorable. (9/10)
5. Sad Ending (나만 슬픈 엔딩) – Sad Ending gets my vote for best song on the mini-album. I loved how each member stood out in their own way in the song. The instrumentation for this track was super cool. Particular shout out to WONPIL on the keyboard in Sad Ending, which was very striking and bold. DOWOON on the drums also deserves a shout-out, as he goes into the track hard. YOUNG K and SUNGJIN’s guitar work and vocals round out Sad Ending, creating a track you should simply not skip. (10/10)
6. Let Me Love You (사랑하게 해주라) – When I listen to Let Me Love You, people like Celine Dion flash in my mind. I mean this as a compliment for DAY6. If they release songs that remind me of the Queen of Power ballads, then they are doing something right. While they don’t necessarily hit the wow factor with Let Me Love You, relative to other power ballads, DAY6’s “Let me give you all my love” opening line for the choruses is still quite emotive and heartfelt. The same can be said about the rest of their vocals and melodies in this rock ballad. (9/10)
7. didn’t know (그게 너의 사랑인지 몰랐어) – Closing out the mini-album is didn’t know, a stunning modern rock track. Alongside the rock and band instrumentation are these beautiful strings that create a blissful and atmospheric combination that captivates. The vocals were superb and felt very emotional, which made complete sense since didn’t know is a song about the regret of not knowing the person you were interested in was also interested in you. This one, aesthetically, earns a 10/10 from me. (10/10)
Kicking off the week was DAY6, which dropped its 9th mini-album, Band Aid, led by the single Melt Down. This release comes almost six months after the band’s first return since 2020 with Fourever (their 8th mini-album) and the title track, Welcome To The Show.
Like everyone (based on what I am reading online), Melt Down also reminds me of DAY6’s very own Time Of Our Life era from 2019, which has steadily risen on the charts over the last few months. Melt Down‘s rock-leaning, super energetic and forward-propelling instrumental that makes you want to bang your head or, at the very least, tap your foot along is one of the highlights for me. Like his performance in Time Of Our Life, DOWOON shines the brightest in Melt Down thanks to his prolific drumming, a constant factor in the new song. I also liked how they gave the first verse its own peaks and troughs regarding rock intensity. This instantly gave Melt Down some initial punch, depth and made the song more interesting (which made me inclined to listen to more of the song). I wished something similar was done in the second verse, as that portion didn’t feel like a substantial follow-through. While I did think DAY6’s vocals were strong in Melt Down, I did find the song less memorable. None of the hooks and melodies jumped out at me as ear-catching as Time of Our Life‘s hooks and melodies did. Melt Down‘s melodies and hooks are growing on me, but I don’t think it is the same calibre. Despite its weaker moments, Melt Down proves to me why DAY6 are at their best when it comes to their energetic and upbeat tracks.
Melt Down is about the appreciative feelings one feels toward those who have supported them. In the video, the fact there is an audience part through the video tells me the members are appreciative of their fanbase, MY DAYs. As the video progresses, we see their different locations have colourful explosions. These explosions take us from the cold start of the video (where a snowman can exist, and you can see ice crystals on the members) to a more vibrant and warmer feel. The idea of explosions reflects the energetic bursts and rock intensity that the song features quite well. It isn’t one of those videos that simply (or subtly) infuses a warmer hue as the video progresses.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8/10
One of the first posts after 30 June each year is my ‘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. As we are now in July 2024, it is time to post my personal favourite songs from the 1st half of 2024 (with a few extra tidbits).
For this year’s post, I am following what I did last (and the year before that) year, as I quite liked how that turned out. 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 I personally liked and 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 2023
Personal favourite non-Korean songs of 2024 thus far
Personal favourite KPOP songs of the year so far (January – June 2024)
Welcome back for the Weekly KPOP Charts segment. Once again, I am hoping to draft up and post some new reviews – this time, for the Easter long weekend, which I will be on break for between Wednesday this week through to Tuesday the week after for the weekend. During this time, you will be seeing some scheduled reviews, with a primary focus on the recent debuts which I haven’t yet covered on the blog. So, I am going to make this a short introduction to get right to the charts and for me to move onto the drafting those reviews for you! And I have more than one already scheduled! So without further ado, here are the Weekly KPOP Chart for the 3rd Week of March 2024.
Throwback Song of the Week
Each week I pick a song from the past to feature in this segment. It is recognition for the fact I listen to more than just the currently charting songs. And revisiting these songs are truly a blast from the past. Plus, I am hoping that this segment introduces new listeners to some great songs that I have enjoyed from my many years of listening to KPOP. The throwback song is actually a compilation, courtesy of DINGO MUSIC, who featured DAY6 on the latest edition of Killing Voice. The main singles from DAY6’s discography were covered in this video, and it was a great trip down memory lane. Highly recommend that you check the video out.
Non-Korean Song of the Week
As my focus on this blog is primarily on KPOP songs, I draw attention to a particular song that isn’t in the Korean language in this part of the Weekly KPOP Chart post. That song is the top ranking non-Korean song on each Weekly KPOP Chart post. The past week’s non-Korean song of the week is V’s FRI(END)S.
The Charts
Congratulations to DAY6 and their long-awaited comeback with Welcome To The Show for debuting in the top spot for the Weekly KPOP Charts for the 3rd Week of March 2024.
Another comeback from the day is a long awaited one. DAY6 returns for the first time since April 2021 with a new single and mini-album, titled Welcome To The Show and Fourever, respectively. Since their last comeback with You Make Me and The Book of Us: Negentropy, the band had focused on unit releases (via Even of Day); solo work for Young K, Wonpil and Dowoon; and their individual military enlistments. This is also the group’s first official release as a quartet, following the departure of Jae from the band in 2021.
To me, Welcome To The Show hits the right spots. As a return to the industry following a 3 year hiatus, Welcome To The Show is an appropriately titled single for the occasion. The lyrics, penned by Young K, is about a serenade to those who have been on one’s side on the stage that is the world (taken from SOOMPI), and I felt the lyrics themselves were quite relatable and meaningful. Welcome To The Show‘s ‘post-Britpop and progressive house elements’ (taken from SOOMPI) instrumentation was amazingly executed by the band. I liked the lively and refreshing feeling all throughout Welcome To The Show, but a really defining element of the song is that ithad impact and punch, which really sold the track to me. I also really like the exclamatory of the choruses, and how it felt like DAY6 was relaunching themselves at us – all of which felt endearing when you consider the lyrics and messaging behind the song. And this ‘relaunch’ and liveliness reminds me very much of my favourite DAY6 song of all time – Time Of Our Life. Welcome To My Show also shows off the band’s vocal work splendidly. At the start, the band starts off low and almost raspy-like. By the time the chorus kicks in, we are getting upward flicks in tone and high notes that adds more to that impact and punch mentioned earlier. The melodies are also great. I found it very hard to turn away from Welcome To The Show, and I think that will be my ongoing experience with this track.
In addition to DAY6 practicing and performing on a stage in the video, we also see a love story play out. The video features Yoo Seung Ho and Choi Hee Jin, as the main and established couple. Both are part of a stage production, with Yoo Seung Ho’s character being the tech person behind the stage and Choi Hee Jin’s character is a background stage performer. At the end of a rehearsal, Choi Hee Jin stays behind to feel what it is like to be the main character of the play, and Yoo Seung Ho notices this. He stays back to help make that feeling come alive with his technical expertise with the lights and joins her on stage. As part of this main character moment, the couple sees their happy and loving future flash before their eyes, before (and back in reality) Yoo Seung Ho gets down on one knee to propose to Choi Hee Jin. The shots and focus on the characters reminded me a lot of DAY6’s past music videos, and I thought the ending was quite cute.
Song – 10/10 Music Video – 10/10 Overall Rating – 10/10
Young K’s let it be summer is nominated for Best Rock Song in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support let it be summer and your other favourite acts by clicking here to vote today.
If you haven’t seen yet, I have posted the song reviews for Young K’s 2023 releases, nothing but and let it be summer (links below), over the last two weeks. And with that, I am ready to post my thoughts on Young K’s album that features these two tracks – Letter with Notes. This is Young K’s first comeback since his military enlistment and his first studio album. It dropped on 4 September 2023. Personally, I really like the variety that Young K offers in this album – there is a bit of rock, jazz, ballads etc. I kind of had the mindset that the entire album will just be variations of rock (given that Young K does come from a band) or just the more typical vocals/band formula. But there is a lot more to Letters with Notes as you dig further into the album. I highly recommend this release, especially if you are missing your DAY6 dose lately.
Letters With Notes Album Cover
1. waited(오늘만을너만을이날을) – Starting off the album is waited. To me, this 90s-like rock track is one of a few that I feel DAY6 easily could have executed together. It just had that whole band vibe that DAY6 has built for them. Well, of course, Young K does a really good job himself with his passionate vocals. I also enjoyed the upbeat and bright energy from the band instrumentation, the pairing making waited a lovely opener, and the glitchy-like echo of following the first chorus was a memorable and unique element of the song. (9/10)
4. Dreamer (꿈꿈) – Dreamer is a British rock track, with feel-good vibes at the forefront of the track. I really like the grungy guitar work in this track, which gives Dreamer a bit of grit, and the splash of brass in the background that emphasises and concentrates those feel-good vibes. Those same vibes are also exuded through Young K’s vocals – the best showing of his vocals is during the bridge, when the melodies curls up. The way he sings those ‘curls’ is impeccable. I find myself getting lost in all of the above often when I hear Dreamer on my queue, and that is definitely a solid indicator to how good the song is. (10/10)
5. Bungee Jumping – Bungee Jumping moves us into slightly softer territory, with a more mellow and pleasant vibe to its instrumentation (despite remaining upbeat). But before you think this translates a softer or mellow approach to Young K’s vocals, think again. I find Young K still puts some oomph behind his vocals during certain parts of the song (such as the opener to the chorus), which brings forth a bungee jumping-like effect to his vocals, which I find complements the title of the song well. Apart from that, everything (melodies, delivery etc.) feels pretty standard. (8/10)
6. natural – The instrumentation to natural evokes a foot-tapping reaction from me, which is another sign of a good song. I like how straight forwardly simple and pure the instrumentation, which complements the title (again) and the romantic intent of the song. Young K’s vocals are really nice in natural, with the soloist going down a more heartfelt and soft approach. I love how delicate he gets in this song, which contrasts nicely with the instrumentation. (9/10)
7. STRANGE – STRANGE reinvigorates the album with the infusion of synths alongside the band instrumentation. It ends up giving off a different dynamic to the rest of the traditional band approaches on the album, serving us with a playful vibe. You can also feel the refreshing energy coming from the soloist’s vocals. Throw in some catchy moments and you have a strong side track in STRANGE. (9/10)
8. SOUL (ft. COILB) – We revisit brass and band instrumentation in SOUL. This time around, the brass is more in the forefront and we also get a nice mellow touch via the presence of piano. Together, with the band instrumentation, we get a jazzy-like atmosphere. Young K himself brings so much soul and passion during the chorus, captivating and engaging me. So much so that I feel SOUL is his best effort vocally on this album. COILB’s rapping also complements SOUL quite well, with his delivery also giving passionate and soulful vibes. (10/10)
9. playground – The playful vibes come back to play in playground, with a funkier sound profile in this rock track. There also appears to be a touch of blues in playground. Young K’s vocals also play around, with his delivery throughout and the quirks in the vocals giving off confident, lively and cheeky undertones. I really like the dynamics of playground and just wished it had gone on and on. (9/10)
10. babo – Despite the song’s title being the Korean word for ‘fool’, babo is an all-English track. The instrumentation makes babo an interesting track, with the various detailing, pauses and changes that unexpectedly arises as the song progresses. Despite listening to the song a few times since its release, I do find that I still get caught off guard with some of it, such as when the song turns acoustic out of nowhere and fades away. But despite that, babo is still a decent listen. (8/10)
11. what is.. – The final track on the album is (no surprises) a ballad. I really like the atmospheric instrumentation of what is.. and how it further emphasises the emotional heft that ultimately comes from Young K’s vocals. In addition to the emotions, his vocals are stunningly beautiful, captivating and engaging us once again. It also made for a nice closer to this album. (9/10)
Young K’s let it be summer is nominated for Best Rock Song in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support let it be summer and your other favourite acts by clicking here to vote today.
Young K from DAY6 made his solo debut back in 2021 with the single Guard You. Following that, he carried out his military enlistment until April of this year. In September, he returned as a solo artist, bringing his first studio album Letters with Notes, the pre-release single let it be summer (which I have already reviewed) and the title track nothing but (the latter being the focus of this review).
While let it be summer was an energetic rock track, nothing but goes down the balladry path. The rock/band elements do remain in the instrumentation and the backing is also rather simplistic. These elements and its simplistic approach tones down the energy quite a bit to fit that balladry approach. But it is obvious to me that the execution of the backing remained passionate to enable nothing but to be an effective carrier of Young K’s vocals, which is so damn emotive. You can feel the heartbreak and pain behind his voice, which made the song so impactful to me when I first heard it. And it still remains that way every time I play the song again and again. Aside from that, I found the jerky piano at the start made for a stilling opening and a good beginning. But I would have liked more striking piano work elsewhere in nothing but to complement the beginning somehow. As it is, nothing but is still an emotive rock ballad that serves as a strong addition to Young K’s solo work.
The music video features both Young K and DAHYUN from TWICE, who we see are going through a break up. From Young K’s perspective (based on the lyrics of nothing but), he could feel that the breakup was coming. But he tries to hold onto what is left, as much as he can. We see him lose the ring in a car that is going to be dropped from up high. But no matter way, he tries to find it. DAHYUN drinks all of the water in the glass, and he goes to fill it back up as a way to keep her at the table. We see her hand back the presents that he once bought her – later shown to be frozen in ice (a metaphor for their relationship). But he still smashes his way through the ice to free the items. But no matter what he does, the video shows ultimately ends in their breakup. It is a really abstract yet interesting music video to watch. I also thought the acting of both Young K and DAHYUN was exceptional in this video.
Song – 8.5/10 Music Video – 9/10 Overall Rating – 8.7/10
Young K’s let it be summer is nominated for Best Rock Song in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support let it be summer and your other favourite acts by clicking here to vote today.
In September of this year, Young K from DAY6 marked his return to the solo stage with his first studio album, Letters with Note. The first song from the album released was let it be summer, which dropped at the end of August as pre-release single. Following this track was the official release of the studio album and the title track nothing but (which I will be posting a review for in the coming days).
For me, I found let it be summer to be a very straight forward track. It is a lively and energetic rock track that never stops, with the rock energy continually pushing the song forward. The atmosphere of let it be summer can easily be described as feel-good, and has always evoked a foot-tapping or head-banging reaction from me (depending on the day). It also always puts a smile on my face for its celebration of summer. Young K’s vocals in let it be summer are just as dynamic as the instrumentation and I really like the extra oomph his singing gives the chorus. While my thoughts and impression on let it be summer is short and brief, I found the track to be super effective and a highlight on my playlist (and Young K’s album). As such, I nominated let it be summer as one of the contenders for ‘Best Rock Song of 2023’ in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards.
The music video also does not fluff around, showing two things – the first is Young K rocking about in the country side and the second is a younger actor (presumably playing the role of a younger Young K) hanging out and having fun with his friends. I really like the part of the video where the two words combine, with Young K and his younger self playing the guitar alongside one another. But while the song is energetic and dynamic, I wished the camera work wasn’t much so. There was a bit too much movement and it made it extremely hard to focus.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 7.5/10 Overall Rating – 8.4/10
At the start of February this year, Wonpil made his solo debut with Pilmography, two months prior to his military enlistment. This release comes in the form of a studio album (which is a rare form of a debut, though it has been done before), which is lead by the single Voiceless. In addition to Voiceless, there are nine other addition tracks on the album – some of which have been performed live by Wonpil in some form following the album’s release. Today, I will finally be reviewing the album (almost five months after its release).
Going into the album, I thought we would be getting ballad after ballad for some reason. I guess Wonpil looks like a ballad type of guy. But I was genuinely surprised that ballads only make up a small portion of the album. Instead, we got different song styles coming through. It is all in the realm of music that can be performed by a band, but it isn’t all rock (as one might think when it comes to band music) or ballads. I highly recommend you check out this album, as some of the songs are stunning. Others are surprising or just plain old pleasant. But all are very good songs.
2. Sincerity (지우게) – At first, I thought Sincerity was a straight forward ballad with striking piano, which I totally enjoyed. But as the song continues, it unexpectedly changes momentum via the insertion of synths during the choruses. It isn’t a complete shakeup though, as the beat is maintained and the song reverts between the two as its progresses along. I also found it to be quite cohesive, as a result. I enjoyed the way Wonpil’s vocals climbed to match the intensity that the synths bring and how he brought an airiness of the verses to give it some colour. (9/10)
3. A Writer in a Love Story (소설 속의 작가가 되어) – You can tell that A Writer in a Love Story is a lot more cheerful compared to some of the other song, thanks to its upbeat and jazzy tone. I feel that this brought a warm feel to the album as a result. And since it is cold where I am, I was really feeling it. I also like how Wonpil’s vocals compliments different genres, with his vocals sounding splendid in this enjoyable and pleasant song. (8/10)
4. Walk With Me (우리 더 걸을까) – The acoustic nature of Walk With Me feels very fitting for the Springtime in which the album was released in. It felt like a song that easily could have risen in the charts had it been standalone and well promoted, just like how some other Spring songs tend to rise out of nowhere during the Spring season on the Korean charts. Wonpil sounds sweet and warm touch to the song, complimenting the lyrics and overall feel of the song, which highlights the loving nature of the song. (8/10)
5. Stranded (외딴섬의 외톨이) – One of my picks for best song on Pilmography is Stranded, simply because I don’t mind having this song on repeat. It brings back synths, bringing forth a jazzy city pop vibe, and an upbeat tempo. Both are appealing aspects on a vocal centric album like this. I find Wonpil’s voice to be the best in Stranded, as he pulled out a few different techniques to make the song more interesting on his part. I particularly enjoyed his interaction with the backing vocals in the pre-chorus for this song. (10/10)
6. Someday, Spring Will Come (언젠가 봄은 찾아올 거야) – If you are looking for a softer and an ‘easy on the ear’ song, Someday, Spring Will Come is the song for you. It is, however, a more bittersweet song, reminding us that there is always good news down the track or ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ (for this song, the good news or light is likened to be Spring). The instrumental is interesting, bringing in horns and flutes into the mix. Not unheard of, but it a bit different set of instruments commonly heard. I enjoyed the percussion in this song, which made the song extremely pleasant. Wonpil’s vocals are good, but they felt a bit flat in this song. (7/10)
7. Pieces (휴지조각) – Another favourite of mine from this album. Pieces takes on a pop profile and explores Wonpil’s lower registers, both of which hasn’t really been touched upon on this album in great detail yet. I really like the pulsing melody in the verses and throughout instrumental. It creates an intriguing and different dynamic that is quite cool. I also enjoyed the building momentum towards the lyric-less chorus. It’s a bit abstract, but that makes the track unique and individualistic, which I am always for. (10/10)
8. Last Goodbye (늦은 끝) – We re-enter ballad territory with Last Goodbye, with features a piano only instrumental that is quite beautiful. It actually didn’t occur to me at first (only as I was typing this review) that the instrumental was just piano, as the piano compensated for what usual is present (i.e. some form of percussion, strings etc.). With such an instrumental, the focus is squarely on Wonpil. And as indicated throughout this album, he shows off his vocals in a manner that is extremely pure and untouched. (9/10)
9. Unpainted Canvas (그리다 보면) – Unpainted Canvas is an uplifting pop rock song that is so captivating to listen to. While I try hard not to think of DAY6 whilst writing this album review since this is Wonpil’s own work, I felt that Unpainted Canvas is the most DAY6-like track thanks to the rock band feel that the instrumental brings. I also enjoyed the lyrics, conveying one’s journey from young to present via the idea of painting or drawing a future. I also liked Wonpil’s vocals throughout this track, as well. (8.5/10)
10. A Journey (행운을 빌어 줘) – Final song on this stunning album is A Journey. Wonpil saves one of the best to the very end. It closes out with the message that he will be back as a better person and to wish him luck for what is to come next in his journey. It is also the most surprising track on the album thanks to its synth/band instrumental that drives the song forward. The chorus is just so vibrant and cheerful, and I like how Wonpil matches this energy with his vocals. (10/10)
Over the last year or so, we have gotten solo releases from each of the DAY6 members (aside from Sungjin, who was the first member to enlist into the military and prompted the band to focus on solo promotions for the time being). Jae has collaborated with other artists (but more recently left JYP Entertainment and is currently on a break from DAY6). Young.K made his solo debut with Guard You, and Dowoon also debuted with a collaborative single, Out of the Blue, with Song Heejin, before both enlisted into the military. This leaves Wonpil as the remaining member of DAY6. He has also flagged his intention to enlisting to minimise DAY6’s hiatus. But before that, he made his solo debut (like his fellow members) today with his first solo single, Voiceless, and studio length album, Pilmography.
Voiceless comes in the form of a stunning ballad. It is an interesting ballad, as it is not your typical emotional ballad style that is heavy on the emotions within its music or dramatically orchestrated as we have come across before. Instead, the instrumental behind Voiceless was striking, prance-like, folksy-like and upbeat in an unusual manner but a fitting way. This can be attributed to the waltz element that Soompi has pointed out to be in the song, alongside some bluesy elements. It makes Voiceless dynamic for me and kept me captivated. The instrumental also ticks that swaying motion that I find myself doing while listening to really great ballads. Even though Voiceless has such an instrumental, this does not shortchange the emotion impact of the song, as Wonpil sings about a ‘heartbreaking story of ending a relationship in order to lessen pain for the other person’ (taken from Soompi). And you can tell that Wonpil pours his emotions into the song as he sings. Talking about vocals, I really enjoyed how pronounced his vocals got, building as the ballad progressed. It helps make Voiceless more striking (as already mentioned) and it is hard to tear your attention away from the song. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of his softer moments, mainly because he went with a nasally effect which I wasn’t a personal fan of. I feel that the nasally approach this time around made the lyrics sound a little unclear. But apart from that, Voiceless is a fantastic ballad and title track that definitely makes me want to dive into the rest of the album.
My understanding of the music video is that Wonpil is in love with this mermaid. So in love that he writes a story about her. At the start of the video, he see him read the story he wrote about the mermaid. But over time, we see him pick up another story and another story, suggesting that he is tired of the mermaid story (and hence mermaid). As he does this, the water in the apartment rises. Once the apartment is completely filled with water, the mermaid appears in front of him to deliver the breakup news. The water drains and we can see the events preceding upsets him. We see him slip further into sadness (i.e. the water), whilst reminiscing of the days when they would swim together (I believe this is all in his mind however). We are then treated to a mini reunion on the beach, where she joins him above water (much to his surprise) and they have a nice stroll along the beach before he confess his love. But she lets go, and leaves his life, as the lyrics states. We get a emphasis on the fact that she leaves his life when she turns to sand, whilst Wonpil in on that small golden island. At the end, however, we see Wonpil sitting along the beach in a completely different outfit (something that makes him look more mature and possibly suggests a time jump). From afar the mermaid looks at him, knowing that while the breakup did hurt him, he emerged as a better person from it. A very aesthetic, well executed music video and heartbreaking story.
Song – 9/10 Music Video -10/10 Overall Rating – 9.4/10
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