HAN (Stray Kids) – KPOPREVIEWED

Stray Kids recently made their comeback with their fourth studio album, KARMA, led by the title track CEREMONY. But I still have a backlog of song reviews that I have yet to post relating to Stray Kids, namely the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. I have already made a start on this backlog, with HAN’s solo single from Hop, Hold My Hand, up next. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

If I were to pick an all-rounder in KPOP, HAN from Stray Kids is one of the idols I would definitely think of and perhaps even put forward as my ultimate pick. He is definitely known for his rapping, but he boasts a set of vocals that rivals the main vocalist of his group. Hold My Hand showcases both his rapping and singing spectacularly, alongside an explosive rock-based instrumental that is bound to get you out of your seat and just to ‘dance it out’ to. His rapping is energetic and has excellent flow, and adds to the dynamic flair that the electric guitar gives the song during the verses. But HAN really takes the cake with his soaring vocals in the choruses. I liked how you can tell he really pushed himself towards the end of the central piece of Hold My Hand via the way his vocals become raspy. It just gives off a nice texture in the song. Towards the end of Hold My Hand, through the line “‘Cause all I want is you, not your tears“, we hear the two forms of HAN’s delivery merge together as the vocals remind me of his rapping voice. Overall, I think my praise for Hold My Hand speaks to the fact that it is a strong contender for best song on HOP.

The lyrics of Hold My Hand speak to wanting to bring happiness (and not sadness) to the people he cares about, which some fans have theorised to be a continuation of his past SKZ-PLAYER songs – Alien and Human. In the music video (and this is just my theory), we see HAN struggle to place his own song on the jukebox machine, which causes him to feel anxious and as if he is letting down the people who depend on him. But he soon learns that his music doesn’t need to be on the jukebox. Instead, it needs to be expressed in his own way, which leads to him performing the song in the alleyway. It isn’t the easiest way, but it is a sure way to get his music out there.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10

The final side track that I will be reviewing separately from the upcoming album review for NOEASY is Gone Away. This side track is performed by the three remaining members who have yet to appear in a unit track, HAN, Seungmin and I.N.

Gone Away is a beautiful ballad. It too takes us on a different direction from the other tracks on the album, but it isn’t a new direction for Stray Kids, who have put out ta few heartfelt songs in the past. Due to the nature of ballads, the vocals of all three members were on display throughout Gone Away. Seungmin, the group’s main vocalist, takes my pick for outstanding members as his voice resonated the greatest for me. HAN and I.N did a great job themselves. HAN manages to surprise me every time he sings. Every time he sings, I forget that he is one of the rappers on their team. I.N vocals are extremely pure, and this aspect of the youngest members’ vocals are definitely highlighted in Gone Away. For the instrumentation, the piano and classical elements really helped concentrate more of that emotive side of the song. I also liked how Gone Away‘s instrumentation builds and progresses. The change up for the bridge was probably my favourite bit in the whole song, as it allowed the members to add some power behind their delivery and give the ballad the peak it needed, whilst also allowing HAN (and Seungmin to a lesser extent) to add some emotional rapping to further this peak. Overall, the trio presents with a stunning ballad that sounds so good.

The song is about letting go someone who loves someone else. In this video, the three members are all interested in the same girl (though at different points in time). I.N wants to confess to the girl by buying flowers. HAN becomes shy when she enters the store and buys the top she was looking at to gift to her. Seungmin is staring at her lovingly while on their field trip and pulls the blanket up on her while she naps away. But each realises that she is with someone else, so each member makes the decision to not pursue her. I liked how the members are shown to be older at the end, reminiscing over the memory. It is a bittersweet moment for them, but it was what felt right and ultimately a decision made with the best interest of their crush in mind. I feel the acting from the three members in this video was really good, with Seungmin standing out, particularly during his closeups around the campfire.

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