Welcome back for the Weekly KPOP Charts segment. It has a little while since the last one, which was posted before I went on an extended break for a holiday. But I am now back and ready to return to continue the segment!
If you remember back to the last one I posted (2nd Week of January 2024), I announced that the Weekly KPOP Charts for the remainder of January 2024 were to be cancelled and that I will bring back the segment from the 1st Week of February 2024. Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out as I hoped, so I have merged the 1st and 2nd Weeks of February 2024 together. But from here on out (until my next extended break, whenever that may be), the normal weekly transmission will occur.
Things will look a different as a result of the cancellation and merger, which I will explain down below. Let’s go!
UPDATE – 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards
If you remember a while back, I was hoping to post the winners of the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards that YOU voted for by the end of this month. While I did work on it somewhat during my break, I don’t think I will hit that deadline, and may need an extra week or so. I will confirm next week how much more time I need. Apologies for the delay and I am endeavouring to get it done as soon as possible, soI can move onto even more exciting stuff for 2024.
The Charts
Congratulations to (G)I-DLE, who’s latest comeback with Super Lady has topped the Weekly KPOP Charts for the combined 1st and 2nd Week of February 2024.
For those who are wondering, the golden (NEW) represents songs that were released whilst I away and have no been part of the chart system yet. The purple (NEW) represents the songs that were already in the chart system before I went on break (I have put them down as ‘new’, as it would not be possible to compare to charts from 5 weeks ago).
Another big release over the last few weeks is (G)I-DLE’s comeback with Super Lady, the lead single off the group’s second studio length album 2. This follows on the pre-release single, Wife, which is also featured on the same album (I’ll be back to review this single separately in the future), their previous Korean comeback with Queencardlast year and their debut with their first Western singles I Do and I Want That.
Super Lady is a grower, growing immensely on me over the last few weeks since its release. For the most part, my thoughts on Super Lady has remained the same from the beginning. But I do find myself fair more addicted to the song since my first listen. I very much liked everything in Super Lady, with the exception of the club-like breakdown we hear in the bridge and as the backing of the final sequence of Super Lady. I personally find it cuts the powerful and empowering tone that (G)I-DLE, and in particular Soyeon (who produced the song alongside Pop Time, Daily and Likey), had set up in Super Lady, and opts for a cliche breakdown that doesn’t show off the uniqueness that we know (G)I-DLE can pull off. I wished the song had better maintained that powerful/empowering tone throughout to the very end, as that had some substantial bite and would have really made the song a home run for me. Aside from that, Super Lady is a powerful track that (G)I-DLE knows how to handle extremely well. Soyeon’s introduction was commanding and kicks off Super Lady with a bold opening that practically sets the tone from the get-go. From there, the members follow up with strong vocals and rapping that highlights their skill set and talent. When it comes to the chorus, I really like the unapologetic catwalk vibe that is given off the music, while the tenacity and the ‘in-your-face’ nature of the song helps sell Super Lady‘s messaging so well.
Super Lady‘s music videois a homage to strong females we have seen in pop-culture and history. For example, each member portrays a strong female who have made a name for themselves in their respective story or chapter in history. Soyeon portrays Athena (the Greek Goddess of War), Minnie portrays Medusa, Yuqi portrays Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Shuhua portrays the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, and Miyeon portrays the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. In addition to those characters, it is theorised that the song’s lyrics also makes references to currently active female groups like IVE, LE SSERAFIM, EVERGLOW and aespa. Even the black and white palette used in the video for the background, outfits and styling reminds me of 2NE1’s I Am The Best music video (though there was a bit of colour in that video). I also really liked the stadium stage setting the video was also set on. It looked epic up close and the crowd cheering at the end really seals the deal that (GII-DLE are Super Lad[ies].
The choreography definitely reflects the song well. It is powerful, shows us who is boss and definitely showcases (G)I-DLE in their strongest mode yet. I really like the domino sequenced move in the verses, and the chorus routine looks very catchy (though I will put that towards the Super Lady dance challenge that I am seeing on my social medias).
Song – 8.5/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 8.8/10
(G)I-DLE, Jung Kook (and his fellow BTS members), JENNIE’s groupmate JISOO and NCT (and its units) are nominated in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support your favourite acts byclicking here to vote today.
It has been a couple of weeks since the last International Song Review post, so it is time for another. Last time, I focused on songs releases by Anne Marie and Minnie ((G)I-DLE), LE SSERAFIM, ITZY & CHEN (EXO). This time, I will focusing on (G)I-DLE’s I Want That, Jung Kook’s Standing Next To You, JENNIE’s You & Me and NCT NEW TEAM’s Hands Up.
I Want That – (G)I-DLE
Language: English Release Date: 5 October 2023 Release Type: Heat (1st English Mini-Album)
(G)I-DLE made their official Western debut with the single I Want That, following from their I DO pre-release earlier this year. I don’t have too much to say about the track. I do like what they have offered to us, but I think more could have been added to I WANT THAT to really enhance it. The club style and heavy bass gives this dance track some sassy and powerful energy, which is backed up by their lyrics. The chorus is super addictive, thanks to the combination of the beat drop and repetitive hook. Personally, I would have liked more character from each member, as I WANT THAT does get monotonous at certain points. A bit more sassiness and attitude from the members in I WANT THAT would have taken it to the next level
The music video begins with the members on the boat, which I presume is the aftermath of the events in the video. We are then shown the toxic relationships between the members and this guy. At points, it is sweet and romantic. Other times, he is abusive and a horrible human. In particular, we see Minnie walking down the aisle as a bride to marry this guy. But when she turns back, she only see a dark church (which alludes to her future with him). She runs away from the wedding before it gets any further. In the end, she takes matters into her own hands by walking into the guy’s workplace and points a gun to his head. We see glimpses of the other members pointing guns at the same guy, which represents the anger from his past partners and revenge they want. He taunts her, but he doesn’t realize that she was determined and shoots him point blank. To finish the job, she also brought a bomb, which causes chaos with the other workers. In the end, Minnie and the rest of the members walk out and get on the boat we see them on at the start of the video. As for the choreography, we don’t get too see much of it. But it looks okay. I just wished the choreography scenes were better incorporated into the video and featured better styling.
Overall Rating – 7.9/10
Standing Next To You – Jung Kook (BTS)
Language: English Release Date: 3 November 2023 Release Type: Golden (1st Studio Album)
Following the success of his other singles (Seven and 3D) earlier this year, the announcement of Golden and Standing Next To You became highly anticipated releases. I will be making plans to review Golden, but that might not happen until next year. But for now, I can say that my thoughts on Standing Next To You are somewhat positive. When I really focus on Standing Next To You, I really find myself appreciating the sleek vibes, retro energy and funky tones this pop track offers. I like that the track doesn’t mess with such a formula, keeping the track consistent from start to end. In the context of Standing Next To You, this is a very positive aspect of the track. Jung Kook’s delivery is charismatic and sensual in this song, which I am sure fans are enjoying. His falsettos can become quite addictive, but I particularly like the shoutier style he gives the pre-chorus, which heightens the chorus that comes after. But reflecting on the track afterwards and when I don’t focus on Standing Next To You, the track is rather forgettable and doesn’t really hold me as much as Seven and 3D did. It might be the case of being too sleek, but I boil it down to a lack of memorable hooks to really get this song into my mind and make me want to return.
In addition to the song, the music video also shows off Jung Kook’s charismatic charms that fans consistently highlight. His good looks are definitely are also on full display, which again, I think fans would be loving. The video is descried as showing Jung Kook chasing after a mysterious femme fatale. We see him catching up to her at the “light at the end of the tunnel”, which is a nice way of showing us the positive effect this femme fatale might have on Jung Kook. I did also think Jung Kook dancing in front of the big hole in a way is his way of showing how he could potentially fill that void in the femme fatale. All of this (and I am presuming the dancing also had an effect) convinced her to approach Jung Kook at the end of the music video. Talking about dancing, it is no doubt that Jung Kook’s performance skills were on full display, which I personally really enjoyed each time I have seen the music video. The sleekness and sensual nature of the song comes through really well in the choreography, and I also like the more intense parts of the routine, as well (such as the pre-chorus and the end).
Overall Rating – 8.2/10
You & Me – JENNIE (BLACKPINK)
Language: English Release Date: 6 October 2023 Release Type: You & Me (Digital Single)
You & Me was released following the conclusion of BLACKPINK’s massive Born Pink world tour. Upon first listen, I was disappointed with the track for a number of reasons, including the lack of personality, the disconnect between the different parts (particularly the verses and choruses), the lack of any memorable melodies or hooks etc. There was a lot in You & Me that just did not sit right for me. But the more I continued to listen to You & Me, the more I grew to like You & Me. After all, I am all about giving second chances when it comes to the music I listen to. The problems are still there, but they are less jarring then before. The standout parts of the song, for me personally, are the verses and the instrumental outro. The verses had a nice pleasant pop vibe to them. Sure, it isn’t anything riveting, but I felt a sense of nostalgia to those sequences. The heftier beats and electronic instrumental outro felt like a decent conclusion to the song, which was all very synth forward from the get-go. Heck, even the squeaks became charming for me. But there are some stuff in You & Me that I still feel the same way about from day 1 – the chorus instrumentation and vocal work was bland, there isn’t memorable melodies or hooks in the song to make the track memorable, the post-chorus vocal tone was not appreciable, and the rap speak sequence reiterated the song’s blandness. Overall, the good aspects were balanced out by the bad aspects in You & Me, and so I am on the fence for this one.
As for the performance video released to accompany You & Me, it is your standard high quality video that you would expect from YG Entertainment. It is more on the simpler side of the spectrum of music videos, but it still features a memorable moment or two, such as the silhouette of JENNIE and the male dancer whilst the moon in the background was brightest. JENNIE’s red dress is also pretty memorable. Performance-wise, it looks good. Nothing stands out to me, but it was a good routine nonetheless.
Overall Rating – 7/10
Hands Up – NCT NEW TEAM
Language: Japanese Release Date: 8 October 2023 Release Type: Hands Up (Digital Single)
The final song in this post is for a future group. NCT NEW TEAM is the current temporary name for NCT’s Japanese (and final) unit, who will debut next year. Beats me to why we don’t have an official name when they are already putting out Japanese songs. Hands Up is what you expect with NCT title tracks – a very synth driven dance number. There is more to the synths, but my mind keeps on coming back to describing the synth selection as “tinny”, and this I find to be pretty standard. The drumming/percussion added to the song does infuse more energy and texture to Hands Up. But I would also describe this to be quite tinny, so it doesn’t really add anything new to the song. At least, the energy and texture does provide a fun vibe, which is backed by hooks like the “Ooh Ooh“. The vocal work is a bit standard, as well. A good showing of skills, but nothing worth discussing further. And with every other NCT (or SM song for that matter), the bridge is definitely on point. As a starting point, Hands Up does a decent job of introducing us to the new unit/group. However, as they begin to pump out more songs (which I hope will be the case) and finds an actual name, I hope they can also develop a sound for themselves that is within the realm of NCT’s music.
The music video sees NCT NEW TEAM’s world become overrun with these green blobs that keeps on self-generating. The group, whom are just high school students, use their skills as baseball players and the power of the baseball to smash these green blobs. Ultimately, they kill the biggest blob with a power pitch and hit by the members, which causes all of the others to die. At the end, we see one of the members back on a train with a glowing green baseball, suggesting we might not have seen the last of the green blob monster. Overall, I quite liked how the producers showed off the group’s youthfulness and the new energy they bring to the industry. The choreography looks good, matching their synchronisation with what the other NCT units are very much known for. The energy they bring via their performance and choreography is refreshing and fun, as well. The choruses’ routine is the best bit.
Language: English Release Date: 9 March 2023 Release Type: Expectations (Digital Single)
I start off this post with Anne Marie and Minnie’s collaboration single, which I was promptly reminded of last week when they (and Expectations) were nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2023 MAMA Awards. For me, Expectations is very much on trend with the current sound of pop music in the Western world. I really like the instrumentation, which has an addictive vocal synth in the background, some really refreshing guitar work and the slight punkish pop rock sound in the chorus. Both Anne Marie and Minnie’s vocals are quite good and sound well-rounded. The bridge is probably a really good example of this. As for the chorus, the centrepiece of Expectations feels like an anthem, both easy to follow and easy to commit into our minds. I like how the instrumental makes way for the vocals at certain points within Expectations, allowing the vocals to have moments of impact. Overall a strong showing from the pair, with a song that has an impactful message telling you to go on your own way, rather than following the expectations of everyone around you.
The music video is a miss for me. I think I watched it once when the song was first released, but I definitely have not gone back since then. It is super cheap, and I think the company behind this video (Warner Music Korea) could have done a lot better. It honesty looked like two random rooms were chosen on the fly and the producers just gave a microphone to the pair to sing into. No additional styling or budget was given to give the rooms some life or identity. At least, there was some post production to the video, but even that was pretty ordinary.
Overall Rating – 7.1/10
Perfect Night – LE SSERAFIM
Language: English Release Date: 27 October 2023 Release Type: Perfect Night (Digital Single)
Perfect Night is the newest track in this post, dropping only just yesterday. I would describe Perfect Night to be a pretty track, thanks to subdued instrumentation consisting of the twinkling synths, trap beats and the rhythmic guitar. This formula unfortunately doesn’t push any boundaries and doesn’t offer the usual upbeat energy that LE SSERAFIM puts behind their title tracks (which I kind of was hoping for in this collaboration – more on this in a moment). In fact, the instrumentation remains pretty much the same through and through. On the flip side, however, I found that LE SSERAFIM’s smooth and light-on vocals went quite well with the instrumentation subdued nature. Again, this is through and through Perfect Night. I think with that comment, you can probably guess that I found Perfect World to be quite consistent. As usual, I say consistency can be a good thing. But in the case of Perfect Night, I find the consistency to be a problem, where that multiple listens to Perfect Night might wear off the current charm and prettiness that I get from the song. At the moment, I find this new song to be “just nice”, but I don’t know if that is how I would describe the song the more I listen to it.
As mentioned above, this release is actually a collaboration with the game Overwatch 2. Essentially, LE SSERAFIM are celebrities in this virtual world, and the OVERWATCH characters make their way to watch LE SSERAFIM’s performance of Perfect Night. The characters experience some problems, such as bumper to bumper traffic and forgetting the tickets. But having abilities, the characters bypass these issues quite easily. But the video ends happily with the characters enjoying the LE SSERAFIM concert. I also like the slight node to Fearlesswith the dance studio that LE SSERAFIM started in for this music video. As for the choreography for this release, it looks quite nice and matches up with the prettiness that the song embodies.
Overall Rating – 7.8/10
RINGO – ITZY
Language: Japanese Release Date: 18 October 2023 Release Type: RINGO (1st Japanese Studio Album)
RINGO is a fairly new release that I haven’t actually checked out yet. So my thoughts on RINGO here will be my first impression. RINGO is a very in-your-face type of song, kicking off with some bold beats. I like the Latin tinge and the bombastic feel that RINGO brings to the table. The chorus concentrates all of this into a singular strong central piece, which comes off as both memorable and intense. The hooks were fantastic, as is the dance club energy that comes off RINGO‘s centrepiece. However, the disappointment aspect in the chorus, for me, were the vocals. They felt very shouty and was definitely pitched higher than what it needed to be. This approach makes me nervous for the group, because it makes things more difficult for the group and creates a needless form of tension in the song. Yes, the members needed to be heard over the bombastic energy coming off the background, but surely the producers could have been a lot clever about how to approach this. On the other hand, Ryujin’s rapping, particularly, in the second verse, leaves me impressed. Overall, I do like what RINGO has to offer and there is enough in the track for me to enjoy and remember the track by. But I think better execution in terms of production would have made RINGO feel more at ease.
RINGO is about forging one’s story, rather than following a story that is already set out for them, such as in the fairytales. The word RINGO is the Japanese word for ‘apple’, and the music video begins with the infamous fairytale of Snow White (which we all know features an apple). The bitten apple in the story turns into a sword and shield, the very same sword and shield that is later held by Lia. This represents that the members don’t need a prince charming (or another ‘saviour’) to help them out. Instead, we see the members protect themselves when they are under fire and finding their own way out of situations. We also see the members pick their own apple and taking a bite out of it, regardless of if it is forbidden or poison, going against the fairytales to create one’s one story. The choreography for this release is equally as strong and powerful as the song and story behind the music video. I like the many apple biting references and also that power walk that kicks off the final chorus.
Overall Rating – 8.5/10
Light Of My Life – CHEN (EXO)
Language: Japanese Release Date: 17 August 2023 Release Type: Polaris (1st Japanese Mini Album)
In the lead up to the release of Polaris, CHEN dropped a single from the mini-album each week. This ended on 17 August 2023, when CHEN dropped the final and lead single Light Of My Life and the full mini-album. Light Of My Life is another beautifully executed and really well-done ballad to add to CHEN’s repertoire of ballads. But what I like about Light Of My Life is that it doesn’t conform to the ballad numbers that CHEN has previously released before in Korea. Instead, he opts for a mid-tempo band instrumentation and some orchestral touches in the instrumental, which is distinct from his previous tracks that were just orchestrally instrumented. The band instrumentation really helps make the track more powerful, in my opinion. It added some punchy moments that we haven’t heard in CHEN’s ballads in the past. The band instrumentation also allows CHEN to really show off his vocals and give Light Of My Life so much more oomph. When the combination of the instrumentation and his vocals peaks in Light Of My Life, you find these to be the most powerful moments in the song, and are truly breath-taking. Overall, a breath-taking number.
The music video features CHEN at two locations – the more memorable location (in my opinion) is on the moon. I thought the moon was a clever concept. The song’s lyrics features a message of finding the light, which implies that someone is in darkness. And the source of light in the night (which is when we commonly find ourselves in the dark) is the moon. So having CHEN sing on the moon, with the light shining of him is a clever way to represent light in the darkness. The second location is the city scenery, which were briefer moments in the video. CHEN doesn’t look sad in these scenes, even if the lyrics do feel emotionally charged. Instead, I think these scenes represents finding one’s way. And the only way to do that is if you get up and move about. For me, this was a super nice video to watch and works perfectly with the song.
Next up on the album review front is (G)I-DLE’s I FEEL, which is the group’s 6th mini-album to date. The mini-album is headlined by the hit Queencard, the pre-release single Allergy and four addition title track. More recently (as this mini-album dropped back in May of this year). the group has been touring the world with their successful discography and have also signaled their English debut with the single I Do and the upcoming release of their 1st English mini-album HEAT.
3. Lucid– Lucid is a club-like pop track with a consistent thumping beat and some interesting bass-organ element in the background. Quite striking, if you ask me. The members sound very sleek and mature in the song. Both styles complement that club-like nature the song immediately makes me think of. The chorus was a strong centrepiece and exudes a sensual vibe, thanks to the vocals and instrumentation working together. (8/10)
4. All Night – Kicking off All Night is a very suspenseful piano. But this is soon left behind, after the song switches up into club-banger territory and stays in that realm for the rest of the song. Groovy bass and a mixture of soft and crunchy rock guitar riffs make up the backing of All Night. Throw in a super cool and catchy chorus, in terms of both melodies and hooks, and you pretty much have the best song of the tracklist. (10/10)
5. Paradise – Paradise takes the form of a pop ballad, with the members showcasing their vocals in this track. Their vocals are beautiful and soothing to listen to, while the instrumentation features a peaceful and atmospheric set of synths. The melodies and chorus were stunning. The bridge features Soyeon’s rapping, and she does it at a paced manner that allows it to fit Paradise nicely. It is a hard song to dislike. (9/10)
6. Peter Pan (어린 어른) – Finally, Peter Pan ditches the synths and brings us back to an acoustic form of instrumentation with this pop number. We get acoustic guitars and a consistent beat in Peter Pan. The members deliver their vocals and rapping in a punchy and fun manner. Overall, it’s a light and an easy-going pop track to close out the mini-album. (7.5/10)
Prior to their Queencard comeback earlier this year, (G)I-DLE pre-released the single Allergy as a teaser for their I Feel comeback in May of this year. I had flagged that I will review Allergy some time in the future, and that is finally happening today. So, here we go!
Allergy takes on the early 00s form of pop punk rock and it comes together well. It is more on the softer and delicate side of the spectrum, but still has some good energy to it. I did wish there was a bit more oomph or a kick to the pop rock to help Allergy become a more memorable anthem or track. This would have aided the lyrics of Allergy as well, which expresses insecurity due to the pressure of social media and social norms. Also (while we are on the topic of lyrics), there are also references to Hype Boy and TOMBOY in the song, as well! To complement that softer side, the members approach Allergy with vocals. While the choruses’ melody does have a nice ring to it, I did think the extra kick to the instrumental would force the members to give a bit more power and oomph to their delivery, which would help prevent Allergy from sounding flat. Allergy wasn’t necessarily flat, but the neutral nature of the song did lead it in that direction. So, Allergy is just missing that extra something to give it a boost, which in turn would have really helped everything else.
The music video for Allergy serves as a prequel to the events in Queencard. In this video, we see the members struggle with the impacts of social media and social norms. Soyeon, an ordinary person, is deeply insecure about her looks and decide to go under the knife. The video cuts out with Soyeon going under, which the events inQueencard following immediately from this. I thought that this video did a really good job of showcasing the lyrics, and I quite liked the scrapbooking effect that we see throughout the video.
There really isn’t too much to the choreography of Allergy. It is a fairly simple routine, that features more acting that dancing. The members taking a slightly cutesy approach to show off their insecurity on stage. It isn’t as strong as the theme was in the video, but you could still feel it on stage.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 7/10 Overall Rating – 7.8/10
After a super successful year with TOMBOY and Nxde, (G)I-DLE is back with their new title track Queencard and their 6th mini-album, I Feel. It follows the pre-release of the single Allergy, which is also featured on this new mini-album. Unfortunately, once again, I have not yet reviewed the pre-release, which the accompanying music video for it actually set up the events in the music video for Queencard. I will definitely return in the future (ahead of the album review) to review the pre-release. But for now, here are my thoughts on Queencard.
To me, Queencard had the slightest essence ofTOMBOY. Drawing upon one of KPOP’s hits last year is a smart move (not whatever Nxde had attempted to do). There are some key differences between the songs that make them individualistic from each other and there are some aspects within Queencard that weakens the song from my point of view. Let’s start off with those differences, as they are also the more positive aspects of the song. Queencard is clearly more upbeat and suited for the incoming Summer season. The more melodic pre-chorus was really nice and pleasant sounding. The energy the members bring to the song and the grungy pop rock influences really gives Queencard a strong and resounding glow. Queencard‘s main hook were repetitive, but the repetition felt punchy and bouncy, which helped win me over in the end. The weaker aspects of the song come in two forms. The first are the lyrics. I get that Queencard‘s message was of self-confidence and self-love, and I do see the intention of the lyrics. But “My boob and booty is hot” and “I’m twerking on the runway” is quite cringy. The second aspect that weakens the song is whatever the second verse was. It was a poor attempt of changing up the momentum of the song, and slows down Queencard to a sluggish affair. I could totally have done without the second verse, and substituted a similar approach to the first verse with different lyrics. That would have been more interesting and exciting to my ears. Overall, Queencard doesn’t top TOMBOY or any of their other title tracks that I personally still enjoy from them. But it a neat follow-up to the 2022 hit.
As mentioned in the introductory paragraph, the music video for Queencard follows on from the Allergy music video. In case you were not caught up with Allergy, the opening to this music video has a “Previously on…” introduction which reminded us that Soyeon was not confident in her current looks and had decided to go under the knife for a new look. In this music video, the other members show us what it is like to be confident and to be the centre of attention at a party. Meanwhile Soyeon comes to the realisation that she is already a ‘queencard’ and opts out the surgery. She is immediately rewarded by the attention she gets on social media at the end of the video.
With the choreography, the literal less than a second move done by Soyeon and Yuqi that is causing it not as big of an issue as the Korean netizens make it to be. I understand that Korea is a more conservative country, but it is not as bad as other performances that already exist in KPOP and the content of Western media (which I grew up on). Overall, I thought the choreography for Queencard was fun and upbeat, just like the song.
Song – 7/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8.5/10 Overall Rating – 7.6/10
Another weekend is upon us, and you know what that means! Album reviews! First up this weekend is (G)I-DLE’s 5th mini-album, I LOVE, which was released in October of last year. Leading the mini-album is the title track, Nxde, and five side tracks. Both I LOVE and Nxde follows the group’s immensely successful hit TOMBOY and I NEVER DIE comeback from earlier on in 2020.
2. LOVE – Following the title track is LOVE. I really liked the instrumental mix to this song. For the most part, LOVE felt very pop-like in the verses. But there is a subtle guitar work in this verses that allows the song to neatly introduce a punkish-like electric guitar in the chorus. And this guitar really gave LOVE a refreshing and vibrant vibe that I really enjoyed. I also like how the instrumental, vocals and melody has a sweet component to it, despite the lyrics is about breaking free for an unhealthy relationship. If anything, I wished LOVE’s hook (and (G)I-DLE’s delivery of said hook) went in harder, just to give a bit of definition to the song. (8/10)
3. Change – The members’ deeper toned vocals stole the show for me in Change. I did like the direction of the instrumental, opting for a fast percussive beat over some slow-paced rock. But I wished there was more to the instrumental, as 3 minutes and 20 seconds of the same instrumentation was a bit of a yawn. Overall, a neat track with great potential. But more can be done. (8/10)
4. Reset – Reset is a pop ballad, and it is a very pleasant one. I really liked the acoustic guitar to the verses and bridge of the song, while the chorus features a more prolific band instrumentation. In addition to that, I really enjoyed the vocals in this song as well. It all felt very pure, there was an emotional tinge to it and nothing felt processed. Soyeon’s vocals, in particular, at the start of the song really set the tone of the track and she sounded amazing. She should definitely sing more! (9/10)
5. Sculpture (조각품) – I liked the old-timey vibes of the choruses of this track and how they followed it up with a dragged out “Sculpture~” at the end of the choruses. Quite a memorable centrepiece, and the latter technique gives off sensual vibe. As for the rest of the song, I liked the beat to the verses, which offsets the old-timey vibes by giving off a modern flair to the song. (8/10)
6. DARK (X-File) – Finishing of the mini-album is DARK (X-File), which I find to be quite an effective song. This track is really alluring and enchanting, especially when the members get breathy in the backing. It just gives off a very sensual energy, which is the song’s main theme. The paced instrumental and melody of the song also compliments this style. All of this stays with you even after the song and album finishes. (8.5/10)
As I mentioned in my last review, it is a big week of reviews. And I am namely saying that because of the many song/album reviews I am trying to prepare/post over the coming days. Last week, I completely missed the return of one of KPOP’s trendiest groups of the year. But today, I am going to knock out the review for said comeback on this blog. If you are wondering who I am talking about, it is none other than (G)I-DLE. They had a smash hit with TOMBOY earlier this year. On Monday last week, they returned with what looks like another hit – Nxde.
Let me start off by saying that TOMBOY did end up growing on me after I reviewed it (I acknowledged this in the album review I wrote for I NEVER DIE). So I am hoping that more listens to Nxde might change my perspective. I am of the opinion that it could have been a decent track, with a nice Broadway and old Hollywood influence to it. But there are some major flaws and it is because of these flaws that I hesitate with liking Nxde. Let’s start off with the positive aspects of the song. Firstly, the chorus. It can be broken down into two halves. The first half of the chorus is probably the most memorable aspect of Nxde, with the whisper utterance of the “Yes, I’m a nude” and the somewhat screechy violins. It is also one of my favourite parts of the song. The second half of the chorus fails to capture that same attention, as it opts for a pretty flat melody. But I did like the forceful vocals in this part. The pre-choruses were a nice ramp up to the chorus (though they and the vocal aspect of the verses were pretty standard for KPOP). I did like the additional touch of electric guitars during these pre-choruses, giving Nxde some extra edginess. The anthem sequence at the end was also a strong moment. The English could have been better, but I really like how the energy of Nxde peaks here. Now, with the positives listed, I turn my attention to the flaws of Nxde. I find all the flaws boil down to one particular member – Soyeon. I feel like if her parts were removed (i.e. the awkward intro, her overly energetic rapping in the first verse, her clumsy blur of a rap sequence in the second verse and the line “Now,I draw a luxury nude” in the bridge) and replaced with cleaner, clearer and toned back rap sequences, Nxde would have been much better and stronger. Her parts just attempt to jam her own individual style into the song and it just doesn’t work out. It also doesn’t help that she alone has a massive chunk of the song. On a quick side note, I am full aware that the intro shares the exact same lyrics as that anthem end of Nxde, but I felt Soyeon was trying too hard at the start. It left a poor taste in my mouth – not really the way you would want to start off the song. Overall, I wished Nxde was more refined and clever.
Concept wise, I think the video nailed the various vintage concept styles in this video. We got an amazing old Hollywood style going on with the group performing as showtime girls in the first chorus. We also see Marylin Monroe influence in some of Yuqi and Minnie’s solo scenes at the start of the video. Monroe is also acknowledged and thanked at the end of the video for being an influence. In the second chorus, we see the group don more modern/sleek outfits with a tinge of that vintage feel to it via the jewelry pieces. And then we get a bit of vintage and classical art at the end, with the members performing at an art gallery and posing as pieces of art throughout the video. Banksy was acknowledged as an influence for this part of the video, which I suppose is in reference to that “Nude” painting that is shredded. Needless to say, the visuals and outfits are the highlight of the video.
I liked that the choreography embraced that sensual undertones of the song, going with a memorable ‘pulling a zipper down’ move for the chorus and sexy hip waves. I did think when the sexy undertone was not there, the moves were a bit clumsy. I also feel the choreography is best when the members are in their showtime girls outfit.
Song – 6/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 7/10 Overall Rating – 7.1/10
I believe I mentioned that this particular album review was going to be published on Monday, but I had to postpone to the end of this week as I couldn’t complete it in time. So without further delay, here is my review for MIYEON’s solo debut mini-album, MY, released at the end of April of this year. In addition to the title track DRIVE, MY features an additional five tracks. MIYEON’s solo debut follows her group’s comeback with TOMBOY and I NEVER DIE (which I posted the album review for over the weekend).
MY is a great start to MIYEON’s solo career. There was a strong showing of her potential as a solo artist, with a number of the songs on the album ranking on the higher end of the scale. She also scores a 10/10 from me for a side track. I am glad MIYEON had the opportunity to shine herself and showcase her vocals. Hope her next solo release isn’t too far off.
MY Album Cover
1. Rose – Starting off is Rose, which also doubles as a lovely beginning to the album. Rose has an extremely pleasant instrumental, drawing on a really nice waltz pace that aids Rose’s loveable appeal. The melodies in this song are a highlight, as they really caught hold of me and I could not help sway along to both Rose’s melodies and waltz instrumental. Miyeon herself was very inviting with her vocals and they bring a smile to my face every time I listen to the song. Rose genuinely surprised me, as its style is usually not my cup of tea. But it is a strong start to the album, nonetheless. (9/10)
3. Softly – I quite enjoy the upbeat nature of Softly. It isn’t expected for a song titled Softly, but it somehow works. It might be due to Miyeon, who brings a brightness and vibrant factor to the song. There is a spring to her voice that makes Softly so enjoyable. Or it could be due to the accompaniment of that intriguing string instrument (not sure if it is some sort of metallic harp or a different type of guitar) and classical instrumentation in the background. It is relatively soft, but it definitely makes itself known. To me, it is an interesting combination and it constantly feels like it is on a forward trajectory to clash. But as stated in my second sentence – it works. I just wished the hooks were more promising and memorable. (7.5/10)
4. TE AMO – TE AMO is probably my pick for hidden gem on this mini-album. There was just so much to get out of the track and to enjoy from it. I love Miyeon’s use of her nasally vocals in this song. It is the first thing that stands out on this track. Her vocals build as the song progresses, creating a riveting piece. The strength of her vocals as the song moves along was also very impressive. I also really enjoyed the pop instrumentation of TE AMO, particularly the bolstered nature of the chorus and the acoustic guitars in the bridge. The repetition of TE AMO was so simple, but it works wonderfully as the hook. A 10/10 from me. (10/10)
5. Charging (ft. JUNNY) – Best described as a R&B ballad, Charging excelled when both Miyeon and JUNNY were singing together. Those harmonies were the best part of the song. I found the solo moments to be a drawing point. Miyeon’s solo sequences featured over the top of slow and balladry instrumentation throughout the entirety of the song. As a result, Miyeon was on the blander side, but her solo sequences get better as Charging progresses. On the other hand, JUNNY’s vocals/solo moments were accompanied by a more upbeat tinge, which made his solo section more appealing to my taste. But as mentioned at the start, it is when they are together that Charging is at its peak. (7/10)
6. Rain (소나기) – The album closes out with Rain, a ballad with an interesting guitar-led backdrop. With Rain, you can feel her emotions through her vocals more vividly. Due to this, I found her vocals to be quite captivating and stunning in this track. The instrumental had an upbeat tinge to it, and also delves slightly into rock territory. This makes for an interesting dynamic for a ballad that I actually quite enjoyed. It spins the emotional side of the song in a different light, but sounds so good at the same time. (9/10)
I jump back to mid-March for the next album review. More specifically, (G)I-DLE’s first studio length album since their debut in 2017. It is titled I NEVER DIE, and features the title track TOMBOY. Since the release of this album and TOMBOY, the group has embarked on their first world tour and Miyeon also made her solo debut with Drive. An album review for her release is coming tomorrow, so keep your eyes out for that.
I NEVER DIE features 8 tracks, which includes the title track. It is a strong album from the group, as I would recommend all of them to any new listeners. There are different genres, so I am sure everyone will find something they will enjoy. I NEVER DIE is a momentous release. Not only is this release their first studio length album, but it is also the first release since the group’s reformation as a quintet. And if this album is the basis as their future as a five member group, the group has it in the bag. That may or may not be a failed pun in reference to the trendy MY BAG single, which is featured on this album as well.
I NEVER DIE Album Cover
1. TOMBOY (Title Track) – Since the release of the TOMBOY, the song has grown on my considerably. Hence, I have decided to increase the song ranking for TOMBOY from a 6.5/10 to an 8/10. I will address this in a future post on the blog. Click here to read the original review for TOMBOY.(8/10)
2. Never Stop Me (말리지 마) – Following the title track is the awesome pop rock, Never Stop Me. It brings me back to the early 2000s when pop rock was the rage (a time that I wouldn’t mind reliving music wise, as I grew up in that era). I love the energy that is exuded from the song, especially during the blastful chorus. I did think some of the vocals could have been tweaked to be a lower register, as the higher pitched vocals just didn’t fit in. (8/10)
3. VILLAIN DIES – I just love the haunting side of this track, with the use of the bass and violins in the instrumental of this electro-pop anthem. The haunting nature extends over to the vocals as well, particularly in the pre-chorus. The anti-drop of a chorus was also very cool, and I think it would enable a great performance on stage. I also liked how the song ended, bringing that haunting vibe full circle. However, I wished there was a tidbit of instrumentation at the very to feel fully complete. (9/10)
4. ALREADY – ALREADY dials the music back a bit, dipping into R&B territory. The instrumental is sleek and refined, bubbling away in the background. At one point, the instrumental enters dramatic territory, with a militaristic drumming being the focal point for the instrumental/dance break. I quite enjoyed the consistency behind the vocals and melodies in this song. I think this helped ALREADY become so balanced and distilled. (8/10)
5. POLAROID – Also dipping into R&B territory is POLAROID, which I thought was a fantastic song. The acoustic guitar instrumental was stunningly beautiful. What this track does extremely well is that it highlights the members’ vocals. The airy tone they give to each end of each line in the chorus made the English so memorable. The melodies are stunning and so drifty to listen to. (10/10)
6. ESCAPE – (G)I-DLE bring a taste of euro-pop to the album with ESCAPE. I find the instrumental to be quite atmospheric, chill and laidback. I enjoyed the zing that the rock elements bring to ESCAPE, and I feel this song is super perfect for a breezy road trip down the coast. Again, standout vocals in this track. And the melodies and hooks are very enjoyable. I just wished the ending eased us out, rather than just ending as it did. (9/10)
7. LIAR – LIAR brings back the amped up energy and vibes with this rock centric song. ‘Amped up’ is the right phrase, as they do not mess around with this bolstered instrumental. I love the rock feel of LIAR, head banging along to the music. However, I am not too keen on the glitches in the instrumental. I think this is their way of giving the rock genre a more modern take. But it felt unneeded. I really liked the vocals, with Yuqi suiting this style of music. The hooks could have been more profound, given the domination of the instrumentation in this song. (8.5/10)
8. MY BAG – The album ends with a hip-hop song. Personally, MY BAG is not my cup of tea. But even I admit that it is a banger, and I can see why it was chosen as a secondary promotional track and why it has caught on with some listeners. Listening to this song, I feel cool, hip and on trend (sorry if I sound like a grandparent). (8/10)
Miyeon, one of (G)I-DLE’s main vocalists, made her solo debut last week with the single, Drive, and the mini-album, MY. She is the third member of (G)I-DLE to release solo music, following fellow members Soyeon and Yuqi. Miyeon’s solo debut also comes after (G)I-DLE’s latest comeback, TOMBOY, which dropped in March of this year.
Drive is a breezy pop track that I have taken a liking towards after checking it out for the first time earlier this week. The pop instrumentation takes a relatively straightforward approach, never adopting anything that complicates the song or distracts from Drive‘s main focus (i.e. Miyeon’s vocals, which I will speak more about in a brief moment). And I appreciate that a lot. The song opens up with atmospheric synths and guitar work that brought a refreshing vibe to Drive. When we get to the chorus, there is a hefty beat that kicks Drive up a notch. Similarly, I enjoyed how the synths amped up in intensity and added a lot of colour to the single, particularly that squeaky synth. Now, onto Miyeon’s vocals, which I touched on before. Drive nails at showcasing Miyeon and pushing her into the spotlight. The song’s instrumental adds definition to her vocals, allowing it to become more prominent. But her vocals were best during the bridge, when we were able to hear more of her vocals without much backing to it. I was impressed and thought she sounded heavenly. In terms of memorability, the melodies and hooks were nicely light, though I wished they had more bite to it. Overall, I would say that Drive is a successful solo debut and I am excited to here more from Miyeon’s solo work in the future.
The music video for Drive is a very pretty one. It highlights Miyeon’s visuals extremely well and the outfits we find her in are simple yet stunning to look at. I also like the refreshing nature of the outdoor scenes, which add a great visual element to the video. Unfortunately, however, there isn’t much else in the video from what I can see.
Like the music video, the choreography was a pretty element in this comeback. However, I am on the fence to whether it was necessary. Part of me did feel the routine complimented the upbeat nature neatly. But part of me also feels like the routine didn’t add much value to the comeback as it feels quite standard. I guess the routine was on the standard side to allow Miyeon to perform live, which I do appreciated and enjoyed about the performance.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 7/10 Performance – 6/10 Overall Rating – 7.8/10
Another group who made their comeback yesterday is (G)I-DLE (though sans one member, Soojin, who was permanently withdrawn for the group following past bullying accusations made against her). The group has since reformed into a five member group, and made their long awaited comeback with TOMBOY, which leads the group’s first studio album, I NEVER DIE. This is the first comeback following the release of HWAA in January 2021. It also follows the solo debut of Yuqi (who debuted with Giant and Bonnie and Clyde) and the solo comeback of Kim Soyeon (with Beam Beam).
Just like the name suggests, TOMBOY takes on an edgy appeal. This edgy sound is something that I have personally thought would fit (G)I-DLE really well and that is what I get out of TOMBOY. The instrumental has this punkish rock profile that is powerful, tough, intimidating and fierce. The electric guitars are top notch and slamming throughout. But while the instrumental gets the praises, the other elements to TOMBOY are a bit … flat. From start to end, I felt the members delivery just didn’t live up to the hype and energy created by the instrumental. You can tell what the intended effect of all the parts were (it all goes back to being edgy), but their delivery and execution was weakened by the poor lyrics of the song. Within the first few seconds of the song, we get ‘Look at my toe‘. The repetition of the line ‘Ye I’m a tomboy‘ and similar variations loses its effect every time it is repeated. And ‘Sometimes we swear without cigarettes. I like to eh on drinking whiskey‘ doesn’t show for anything. Furthermore, it was all delivered in the same manner/tone and didn’t give much opportunity for the group to show off their own character or personality. It isn’t all weak though. There were some good vocal moments, such as the pre-chorus, which I liked. But it just wasn’t enough to save the likes of TOMBOY. The ‘Man or Woman‘ sequence and the extra bit of instrumentation we get at the end was good though. But again, not enough to save the song. Overall, I liked the idea of TOMBOY and think it fits with the group. But it was just not executed in a manner that it a great enough manner.
The music video was a lot cooler than the song. It was dominated by a heavy presence of the colour red and had some edgy imagery (i.e. blending of the Ken doll for some blood). It does steer the concept towards ‘try hard’ territory. But I don’t think we get there yet. The music video contains a lot of confidence and charisma that might have just helped hold back the music video from entering that territory. What I really enjoyed was that whole doll sequence, where the members (as dolls) drug the male doll, kidnap him and hang him upside down while threatening him with a gun, whilst innocently swaying their heads from side to side. Also really enjoyed the timing of the car explosion.
The charisma and confidence I just mentioned is all over this stage. It made the performance extremely worthwhile to watch, even though the main move looked meh. The verses were also good, and the final sequence just oozed of coolness and edginess, which I am sure is exactly what the members/choreographers wanted.
Song – 6.5/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 7.3/10
It has been a while since I focused on the International releases of KPOP, so I will spend the rest of today looking into these releases. If you want to read my review from the last time I covered International Songs from KPOP artists (TWICE, ATEEZ, SHINee, Jackson Wang and Rocket Punch), you can click here for that review. In this particular, I will be covering Ten’s SM Station release, Jackson Wang’s collaboration with Internet Money, WayV’s subunit release, Yuqi’s solo debut and 2PM’s grand return to the Japanese music market.
Paint Me Naked – Ten (NCT)
Early August saw Ten release the all-English single Paint Me Naked. It is a super energetic and expressive solo track that seems to take on a mixture of pop and punk. Personally, I thought the more pop-centric moments (i.e. verses and bridge) were a bit dry, but the punk side comes through via the chorus and definitely kicks the song up a notch. I liked how the song progress, with the final chorus giving us a satisfying blast of energy that helps peaks the song in a very strong manner. This vocals were consistently good throughout Paint Me Naked, showcasing his potential for the industry. The music video was okay. It channeled some of the energy from the song, but not entirely. It also wasn’t memorable and didn’t give you much reason to return to. The performance that came along with this release was a lot better and did a much better job of channeling the energy that we got from the song. Ten sang live on his performances, so unfortunately this hindered the energy he could have put into the performance. But this didn’t mean that the performance didn’t come off as fun or had a satisfying kick to it. (7.4/10)
Drive Me Home – Jackson Wang & Internet Money
Jackson Wang has consistently pushed out new songs this year and has featured in three of the six ISRs posted by me this year (not including this one, which will be his the fourth appearance this year)! Back in July (I know, a long time ago), Jackson released the English single Drive Me Home with Internet Money (a music producer). This isn’t Jackson’s most impressive song of the year, but it definitely one of his most heartfelt and emotional releases yet. Once again, his husky and raspy vocals are on full display. I really like how he used his vocals in this song to deliver that emotional side, especially during the choruses. I liked the consistency of the instrumental. It bubbles away in the background. It isn’t special (actually more typical than anything else), but it added necessary drive and substance to the song to make it more engaging and Jackson more expressive with his vocals. The music video was an interesting story. It began with the future, with Jackson being a successful applicant in a job. I noticed his workplace felt sterile and typical. It is like whatever happened to him lead to this outcome. From then on, we see the events of his life happen in reverse. Jackson is drunk, thrown out of the club after smashing it up, all the while crying his way through the club. Then we see him in rags on the road, stopping and slowing traffic and looks quite injured. The ending showed the unfortunate events that occurred, which explained everything that happened prior in the video. Jackson had fallen in love with the girl in the picture frame. So in love that he is distracted by her while driving, causing him to crash and accidently kill his lover. It is a heartbreaking story that was creatively and uniquely told in this video, and matches the emotional side of the song. (7.8/10)
Low Low – Ten & YangYang (WayV)
After releasing and promoting Paint Me Naked, Ten returned soon after with YangYang for the release of Low Low, another all English song. Low Low is a pleasant track, with smooth melodies and a somewhat fun and upbeat dance instrumental that carries hip-hop influences. I quite liked how Ten and YangYang sounded in this song, but I wished they were more striking with their vocals. I think this could have taken the song to a whole new level and not by limited by the ‘pleasant’ descriptor. For the vocals to be more striking, the instrumental would have needed a bit of a revamp as well to support any attempt for bolding, in my opinion. I did notice the producers seem to add a bit of inclination/build towards the final chorus by adding a bit of electronic synths into the the bridge for a dance break. And I would have liked it, had the final chorus continued that momentum. For the music video, I watched it once and didn’t even bother returning to it again since its release. It was also a pleasant video, but not memorable whatsoever. Like Ten’s earlier song, Low Low faired a lot better with the choreography. It isn’t anything grand, but it was a fun choreography overall, especially that brief dance break/battle we had between the pair. (6.8/10)
Bonnie & Clyde – Yuqi ((G)I-DLE)
The oldest release on this list is Bonnie & Clyde, one of the solo debut singles from Yuqi, who hails from the female group (G)I-DLE. It was released way back in May of this year. Bonnie and Clyde is a fantastic song. I really liked the uniqueness of the instrumental here, combining the likes of trance and rock. It is of a low register and it is bounces forward continuously, which kept the song moving towards its end. It pairs with Yuqi’s vocals extremely well, who also took on a much lower tone for this release. Altogether, the elements of this song really gets me reaching for the replay button. How it took me this long to actually review it is a concern that I need to reflect on! For the music video, Yuqi goes on the run after finding some diamonds. But first. she takes the diamonds to a very risky game of chess and wins back her diamonds which she had bet with. Then the police comes and she makes a run for it. We also see another version of Yuqi. I am not too sure what the relation here, but my wild mind says she has a split personality. One side is the risk taker, while the other side of her is more proper. But both are aware what happens when the other personality takes hold. (9.2/10)
With Me Again – 2PM
I end this ISR with With Me Again, the most recent track on this list.. It also doubles as 2PM’s grand return to the Japanese industry, which they had spent a lot of time in before the group had to enlist in the military. With Me Again encapsulates all the mature and sexy vibes that they are known for into one track. It comes off as stylish, classy and trendy. I liked the vocals throughout and I quite enjoyed the higher note that the main hook is in. I also liked that subtle tango tinge to the song’s instrumentation and the funky touch from when Taecyeon raps. I wished the rest of the verses were more memorable, as I don’t remember them as much as that main hook (which is quite striking over the classiness of the instrumentation). The music video was fine to watch. I really want to say ‘Nothing was memorable’ with this music video (as for the most part, this was the case). But unfortunately, one member’s scenes just stuck out for all the wrong reasons. I am not too sure how Chansung’s bull riding scene fits in with the entire concept and thought it looked ridiculous. I would gladly like to press the erase button on that and hopefully never want to think of it ever again. Thankfully, no bulls appeared in the performance version of With Me Again. Instead, the group reverts back to that stylish and classy manner that I had already mentioned. (7.5/10)
It has felt like it has been a while since I actually sat down to write an album review. The last one for AB6IX was two weeks ago. The artist I was going to review after fast-tracking AB6IX’s repackaged release was (G)I-DLE’s I Burn, which serves as the female group’s fourth mini-album release. The mini-album was released almost a month ago on the 11th day of the first month of 2021. Since the release of the mini-album and its title track, Hwaa, the group has taken out multiple weekly music show trophies. Even a triple crown on MCoundDown! (G)I-DLE also topped my Weekly KPOP Charts with Hwaa for the 2nd Week of January 2021. But enough awards talk. It is time to have a closer listen to their mini-album.
I Burn Album Cover
1..Hann (Alone In Winter) (한(寒)) – You may recognize the title of the song through their previous title track, Hann (Alone). The songs are lyrically connected, with the earlier song being about wanting for forget an ex-lover. This new song is about being unable to forget the ex-lover. This connection further adds context to the lyrics of Hwaa, which is all about recovering from that valley of emotions. This connection is quite clever and really adds some heft to the members singing. Their singing itself is already quite powerful and definitely captivating. What makes Hann (Alone In Winter) better is that it features a really beautiful instrumentation, feeling quite fantastical and dramatic. (10/10)
3. Moon – Moon is a very interesting track, but in a good way. It is an aesthetic pop track, brought to life with really nice guitar work, captivating percussion and a bit of an electronic touch to the song. I really like the ending sequence, which is a perfect blend of these elements. It also makes for a really great start to the final moments of the song. In the body, all of these instrumental elements come together to create a solid background for the members voices. There is a lot of vocal techniques employed throughout the song. The chorus is my favourite part, with the start of the chorus being the most memorable thanks to Minnie’s vocals. (9/10)
4. Where Is Love – If Moon was a little slow for your taste, you will probably enjoy the more amped up pop energy in Where Is Love. The song tacks into the electronic side, making it a really fitting side-track for KPOP. It does have what it takes to be a title track, but I think the song tethers more on the plain side. But surely this song can be revamped into some edgier and more exciting. Nonetheless, Where Is Love is fulfilling as it is with its straightforward approach and its simplicity when it comes to employing that electronic side. The repetition of the song’s title is really catchy and I like the touch of autotune added to their voices (not much, thankfully). (9/10)
5. Lost – (G)I-DLE slows down the energy a bit with Lost. This isn’t a complaint, but rather an observation. Lost features consistent guitar work throughout the background of the song. They add other instrumentation to give it a more pop flair. But while that was enjoyable, I do feel like the song is stuck in a neutral gear. Soyeon’s rap does briefly cut the neutral nature of the song, which I appreciated. But I wanted more. (7/10)
6. Dahila – While it does sound like I have been looking down on the slower songs of the album, Dahlia is proof that a relatively slower song has the ability to impress me. While the instrumental of the song didn’t feel as special as the other songs, Dahlia’s driving force is the vocals. All the members were really good and stole to the show in the album’s final track. Soyeon’s raps give the song that little bit more of an edge, which I enjoyed. The song ends with Soojin and Minnie in an encore-type manner. I found it so haunting and riveting, making the song more appealing to me. (8/10)
Please accept my apology for drip feeding you the reviews like this. Today, we are covering another comeback that occurred on Monday of this week. (G)I-DLE made their comeback with HWAA and the mini-album, I Burn. This release follows their DUMDi DUMDi comeback that occurred back in August of 2020. Since the August comeback, the group has been busy with their Japanese comeback, their return as part of the K/DA lineup and an online fanmeet.
The first thought that popped into my head while listening to HWAA the first time was that this new song reminded me of HANN quite a bit, a previous single by the group. And I guess this was based on the atmopsheric approach that the songs share in common. But HWAA is a little different, as (to me) it has a bit of an edge thanks to the more upbeat instrumentation that the song ended up developing towards. I also find that the more intense moments of the song come during the verses, which is slightly different to HANN’s chorus approach when it came to that atmospheric vibe. And as we have that atmosphereic mindset in play, I was also slightly convinced that the group was going to pull an Oh My God styled chorus, which I personally would have been down for. I specifically note this, however, as I have recently found that I seem to be in the minority of people who actually enjoyed the Oh My God comeback. Obviously with that supposed general consenus, something similar would probably have made HWAA less palatable. I am hoping that this is more satisfying for other listeners to actually appreciate the effort that (G)I-DLE has put in for this song/comeback. I personally enjoyed the chorus, but wished there was something more than the HWAA harmonisation to give it that extra oomph. The rest of the vocal work in the song is superb, especially with Soyeon’s vocals at the start of the song and rapping in the second verse. It is however disappointing to hear that Shuhua only got four seconds of lines in the song. The biggest flaw for me with this song was the ending. Too abrupt for my liking. Overall, HWAA was a great song, though the ending was the biggest let down. And such an ending stays with you.
The music video was very aesthetic and stunning to watch. To me, this would rival any YG Entertainment music video. And this is saying a lot given how I am always amazed at the quality of their videos and the grandness of their set design. HWAA consisted for really beautiful and captivating set designs. The icy landscape with the dying tree in the background, Soyeon’s birdnest, the oriental styled walling and the moonlight garden were just so good. I also find their outfits and visuals stunning. Stealing my attention right away is Yuqi’s haristyle and those dresses with flowery patterns on them. The song doesn’t necessarily suit those dresses, but they work extremely well in that moonlight garden setting.
Hand motions and arm work heavily dominate the choreography. It is commendable how graceful they make the all those motios look during the pre-chorus vocal moments, matching with the music. And I really like how robust they make it look during the chorus, giving it energy and intensity to also match with the music at those parts. Essentially, they are doing the same thing but making it go both ways.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 10/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 8.8/10
KPOPREVIEWED 