Tag: SEVENTEEN

[Album Review] HAPPY BURSTDAY (5th Studio Album) – SEVENTEEN

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It has been over a month since I last posted an album review. But with this post now published, I can confirm they are still coming, just ever so slowly and very much a year overdue. Anyhow, this blog post is about SEVENTEEN’s HAPPY BURSTDAY, released in May 2025 to commemorate their 10th anniversary. And despite some of the members having already enlisted, all members participated in the album (though for those who enlisted – JEONGHAN and WONWOO – their participation was to varying degrees). HAPPY BURSTDAY features 16 songs, including the title track THUNDER and 13 solo tracks from each member. This was one heck of a way to celebrate their 10th year together as a group!

HAPPY BURSTDAY has a lot of really good songs, but the two standouts are ballads to me. If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you probably know I am a sucker for them!). And if ballads are not your thing, I am sure one of the other 14 songs will be your jam. Keep reading to hear my thoughts on each one, and let me know what you think of the album or certain songs (there is a lot of ground to cover).

HAPPY BURSTDAY Album Cover

1. HBD – Kicking off the album is HBD, an appropriately titled track to open up the album, celebrating their 10th year as a group. HBD is an energetic rock dance track that also features EDM elements. It is a thrilling mix that easily hypes me up for the title track and the rest of the album. Of all the members who feature in the song (JEONGHAN doesn’t have a part due to his military enlistment), WONWOO’s rap sequence in the second verse was the best part of the song. (9/10)

2. THUNDER (Title Track) – Upon reconsideration and the fact that the song has grown on me, I am bumping my original rating of THUNDER by half a point to 9/10. My review of the title track still stands, however. Click here for my full review of THUNDER. (9/10)

3. Bad Influence – Click here for my full review of Bad Influence. (7.5/10)

4. Skyfall (THE8 Solo) – Kicking off the solo tracks on the album is THE8 with Skyfall. It is a dreamy, artistic EDM track, with hefty beats and synths coming into play down the line. But what stands out to me is that synth that sounds like something dropping. It works wonders and is such a bold statement piece in Skyfall. THE8 has some really strong vocal moments in the song, too. A very strong start for the solo tracks on HAPPY BURSTDAY. (10/10)

5. Fortunate Change (JOSHUA Solo) – I enjoyed how blissful and calming Fortunate Change sounded. JOSHUA tends to have this effect on you, and Fortunate Change encapsulated this well. The tropical sound at the start adds to the song’s warmth, and I liked how it maintains a summery vibe throughout the track. The brass was a nice touch, and the guitar work really grounds the track. (8/10)

6. 99.9% (WONWOO Solo) – This one was quite unexpected. Who would have thought WONWOO’s solo track would be so bright, upbeat, and peppy? The brass elements in this track were so fun and good, while the piano just gives it that peppy vibe. I also enjoyed how vocal-forward 99.9% was. I just wish there was more of that electric guitar detailing in the background, like in the second verse. (9/10)

7. Raindrops (SEUNGKWAN Solo) – Raindrops is an exceptionally beautiful rock ballad that brings the best out of SEUNGKWAN’s vocals. The slight raspiness in his vocals, the swaying effect I love when it comes to ballads, a soothing melody and an instrumental that develops and builds alongside SEUNGKWAN, Raindrops had it all. It was so easy to get lost in the song, and it’s one I return to often. (10/10)

8. DAMAGE (HOSHI ft. Timbaland) – Seeing a collab between a SEVENTEEN member (in this case HOSHI) and Timbaland on the tracklist is quite exciting and sets high expectations. DAMAGE lives up to that expectation. It’s funky in a smooth, understated way, with fresh vocals from HOSHI and clear Timbaland influence on the production. The catchy chorus makes it a strong, enjoyable track. (8.5/10)

9. Shake It Off (MINGYU Solo) –MINGYU’s Shake It Off has been one of the most memorable for me. And it shouldn’t take you much to realise why. Shake It Off is pretty super cool, like the trendy club/house beats, the raspy/deep rap tone, the pre-chorus keyboard and the well-placed censorship beeps. Even the squeaky, higher-pitched vocals add nice contrast. While slightly repetitive, all of the above, plus its catchiness, make it a highly effective track. (9/10)

10. Happy Virus (DK Solo) – DK goes for a bright pop ballad for Happy Virus, which features a slight country twang in my mind. I enjoyed this one too – the melodies and lyrics are such an easy listen. And like what the title suggests, Happy Virus brings a smile to my face. A major driver here is DK’s effortless vocals. (9/10)

11. Destiny (운명) (WOOZI Solo) – WOOZI’s Destiny is a beautiful ballad that highlights his vocals over grand band instrumentation. It is the longest song on the album, but it honestly never feels long because it is so immersive. His airy, light vocals contrast well with the rich instrumentals, and the guitar solo at the end is a standout moment. For me, this is another 10/10 track, for me. (10/10)

12. Shining Star (VERNON solo) – Shining Star has a very refreshing and energetic pop-punk influence in its instrumental, while VERNON’s autotuned vocals brought a really nice crisp texture to the song. The combination made for a captivating track that was hard to skip when it appeared on my queues. I just wish the song had more of a peak. (8/10)

13. Gemini (쌍둥이자리) (JUN solo) – I loved how atmospheric and dreamy Gemini’s electro-pop instrumentation sounded. This, along with JUN’s delicate vocals, made for an alluring, captivating dance track. So much so, you knew I had to check out the fancams for his performance of the song at SEVENTEEN’s world tour. And I loved how his performance emphasised all the descriptor words I mentioned for Gemini. (9/10)

14. Trigger (DINO Solo) – Both DINO and Trigger bring me back to early 2000s pop R&B. I quite liked the dramatic beats in the background; the nostalgic R&B and DINO sound so good and clear throughout Trigger. While his solo work in the first half of 2026 has been fun and upbeat, DINO also suits this style, and I hope to hear more of the genre from him in the future. (8/10)

15. Coincidence (우연) (JEONGHAN solo) – While not part of the promotional material for HAPPY BURSTDAY, it is definitely nice to have a JEONGHAN solo track on the album as well. JEONGHAN follows the standard route of having a ballad for his solo track (given he is part of SEVENTEEN’s vocal unit), and it sounds nice. The instrumental had a warm feel, and I liked how soft his vocals and tone stayed throughout Coincidence. (8/10)

16. Jungle (S.COUPS solo) – S.COUPS is left, and presents us with JUNGLE. You can definitely feel the tension behind the hard-hitting instrumental, which felt immersed in the wild. The beat was definitely foot-tapping inducing. While S.COUPS sounds good throughout Jungle, I found his rapping more on the lighter, subtler side. I wish there was a moment for S.COUPS to become explosive in the track. This would have made Jungle more memorable and impactful for me. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] Bad Influence – SEVENTEEN

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Album review incoming! But before I post my thoughts on HAPPY BURSTDAY next week, there is another song from the album that got the music video treatment alongside the title track, THUNDER, which means it is eligible for its own song review. I have always meant to review Bad Influence, but my poor time management has gotten in the way. Better late than never, I guess.

Produced by Pharrell Williams, Bad Influence showcased SEVENTEEN in a mature, moody and edgy light. It is quite the departure from their usual sounds and tones we get from SEVENTEEN. Not just that, but there is also whole heap of expletives in the lyrics that aren’t usually what SEVENTEEN sings in other songs! Anyhow, Bad Influence brings forth an early-2000s R&B influence mixed in with the instrumental’s sparse, funky trap elements. It is a nice blend of styles, and I enjoyed that SEVENTEEN is still stepping out of their comfort zone with this different sound. However, over time, I came to realise that the song was restrained, holding itself back and lacking oomph. This unfortunately meant Bad Influence dried up its appeal. Occasionally, when it comes up through random shuffle, I would listen to it. But I am not one to seek out Bad Influence on my own.

Interestingly, the song only features 9 of the 13 members (S.COUPS, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, THE8, DK, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON, and DINO). The music video does feature the remaining 3 members (JOSHUA, JUN and MINGYU), while WONWOO and JEONGHAN aren’t seen (most likely filmed after the pair enlisted in the military). The entire music video is a very moody yet alluring display of visuals from the members. I don’t remember seeing any member singing along to the song in the video, with their stoic and charisma being employed to bring forth the mature and edginess from the song to the music video.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.1/10

[Review] singasong – V8 (SEVENTEEN)

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SEVENTEEN is at the point in their careers where some members need to enlist in the military. So the number of members currently actively promoting is dwindling, making it hard to promote as a group. Thus, SEVENTEEN have been focusing on unit activities more recently. SEVENTEEN have successfully launched BSS (which is now inactive, given HOSHI has enlisted), JxW (made up of JEONGHAN and WONWOO, also currently inactive), HxW (HOSHI and WOOZI, also inactive), CxM (S.COUPS and MINGYU) and DxS (DK and SEUNGKWAN). Yesterday, SEVENTEEN debuted their latest unit, V8 (VERNON and THE8), with the single singasong and their eponymous mini-album, V8.

singasong delves into electronic and hyperpop. I thought it was a pretty decent track and enjoyed it on my first listen yesterday. singasong had a catchy and very hummable hook and a fun video game vibe from its background to remember it by. I also feel like there was enough of a club beat to give singasong some much-appreciated oomph. But the new song isn’t perfect – singasong is repetitive, which places it in a neutral state of flow. I also wish VERNON and THE8’s vocals were not as low-key as they were. It was an interesting choice, and I do realise that they played to their strengths by keeping themselves low-key and processing their vocals the way they have. But the song needed some variety, and the pair are overpowered by the background many times throughout the song. But overall, I think the stronger aspects of singasong help overcome the weaker aspects, which is why I enjoyed the song nonetheless.

The music video sees VERNON and THE8 being carefree and hanging out with their peers and each other. This reflects well with the lyrics, which are about ‘charging forward without hesitation, embodying the spirit of youth breaking free from rules and limitations’. From the start, we see the pair break away from the idea of Korean music at that club and the karaoke set. Things get wild and unexpected from there, with the pair embracing it all to represent the lyrics visually.

Shuffling is back! Personally, to me, this dance style feels rather dated, given that it was big whilst I was growing up. But certain trends will re-emerge (for better or worse – shuffling has already made a few comebacks since then), and I can see V8 bringing it back again by simply promoting this routine. Their movements across the stage, whilst shuffling, made the routine look very cool.

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

[Review] Blue – DxS (SEVENTEEN)

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SEVENTEEN is nominated for Best Male Group, while THUNDER is nominated for Best Dance Performance (Male Group) in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. CxM, HxW and BSS are also nominated for Best Unit. Support SEVENTEEN, THUNDER and your favourite SEVENTEEN unit by clicking here to cast your vote today before it closes on 17 January 2026.

Just yesterday, SEVENTEEN debuted their fifth unit, DxS (DK and SEUNGKWAN), who released their first mini-album, Serenade, and the title track Blue. Both DK and SEUNGKWAN are familiar with the unit aspect of the group, as the pair formed part of SEVENTEEN’s first unit, BSS, alongside HOSHI, who is currently serving his military enlistment. Following that, SEVENTEEN also debuted JxW (JEONGHAN & WONWOO), HxW (HOSHI & WOOZI), and CxM (S.COUPS & MINGYU).

Unsurprisingly, pairing up two of the main vocalists in SEVENTEEN equates to a ballad. A beautiful one, for that matter. I understand that there is only so much you can say about the genre. And in terms of longevity, ballads don’t really have much to them unless they are a hit on the domestic market (for example, HWASA’s Good Goodbye – another song I have yet to review). But this shouldn’t deter you from enjoying a ballad, even though you have to really pay attention to it to get the most out of it. I don’t think I would be praising Blue as much if I just casually listened to the song. Anyhow, Blue brings together a classical instrumental as a background and the pair’s emotional vocals to produce a captivating, stunning track. I liked how both gradually harmoniously built together. Once Blue peaks, the classical instrumental becomes somewhat dramatic, and the feelings poured into the song by both DK and SEUNGKWAN pour out in full force. The lines “Still I love you, without you” and “Fallin’ in blue… Fallin’ in your blue” have some memorable power behind them, and I enjoyed how they just carry you along. Overall, Blue is a really nice and emotional listen.

The music video does not feature either DK or SEUNGKWAN. Instead, it features actor Noh Sang Hyun and actress Lee Yoo Mi, who play a couple in the music video. While looking for an interpretation of the music video that makes sense, I found one YouTube comment that explains the theory quite well. I have screenshot the theory below, with a few additional details. At the start of the video, we see the character played by Noh Sang Hyun survive a car crash, but he also witnesses the car explode, which kills the person who remained in the car. A little later on, we see him struggle with his PSTD when an ambulance drives by with its lights on. As for the character played by Lee Yoo Mi, the two phone calls that she received from him and the fact that he didn’t pick up her calls, causing her to become alarmed and scared that something happened to him signifies that she has to constantly put her life on hold for him (i.e., she can’t get the job or a promotion, which is a way to show progression in life). I suspect that this isn’t the first time. The breakup scene at the end is particularly heartbreaking, especially since no words were said between the pair. But yet, you could understand that she still loves him (through her turning back), and he finally realises that if he loves her, he should let her go.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.4/10

[Album Review] SPILL THE FEELS (12th Mini Album) – SEVENTEEN

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Next up on the album reviews front is SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini-album, SPILL THE FEELS, released in October last year. Actually, it is almost to the day the mini-album dropped! The mini-album is led by the single LOVE, MONEY, FAME, featuring DJ Khaled. In addition to LOVE, MONEY, FAME, the mini-album also features 5 additional side tracks, including Eyes On You (which also has a music video, which I completely forgot about) and 3 unit tracks. Overall, SPILL THE FEELS is another fairly strong SEVENTEEN mini-album. The title track is the mini-album’s weakest track, but the rest of the mini-album makes up for this.

Since SPILL THE FEELS, SEVENTEEN saw the debut of 2 new subunits, HxW (with 96ers) and CxM (with 5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman)) and the group comeback with the studio album HAPPY BURSTDAY (yet to be reviewed) and the title track THUNDER.

SPILL THE FEELS Album Cover

1. Eyes On You – The mini-album opens up with Eyes On You, a groovy house track. I quite like the club energy that this song exudes, as well as the freshness that the members bring to the music. S.COUPS and VERNON’s rapping really stood out, thanks to the way it contrasted with everything else in the song. As mentioned above, there is a music video for Eyes On You, and the video shows off their strong bond and friendship, no matter the circumstances they are in. (8.5/10)

2. LOVE, MONEY, FAME (ft. DJ Khaled) – Click here for LOVE, MONEY, FAME’s full review. (7/10)

3. 1 TO 13 – The next track is a wholesome one from the group, whose lyrics showcase their love for each other as a group and to their fans. It is a straightforward pop number, and the members make 1 TO 13 very comfortable and familiar. I’m just not a fan of the consistently tapping in the background, which sounds like it is coming from a laptop’s keyboard or trackpad. It was a tad distracting from that wholesome nature of the song. (8/10)  

4. Candy (사탕) – The first unit track on the mini-album is by the Vocal team (JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, WOOZI, DK and SEUNGKWAN). Candy is a ballad, featuring a beautiful, jazzy piano background (that bridge was amazing!) and stunning vocals from the team (as always). It is on the shorter side. However, the way it is executed and presented is literally short and sweet, so I have no complaints about Candy whatsoever. (10/10)

5. Rain – The Performance unit (JUN, HOSHI, THE8 and DINO) is up next with Rain, my favourite track from this mini-album. I really enjoyed the disco vibes that are exuded from Rain, and I love how it propels the song forward. I also enjoyed the charisma and seductive nature of the track, as well as the members’ delivery, which allows the unit to put their best foot forward on stage (which they do!). (10/10)

6. Water – The Hip-Hop unit (S.COUPS, WONWOO, MINGYU & VERNON) is all that remains, and they give us Water. It is a synth-heavy instrumental, and the members’ delivery of Water is shrouded in autotune. Both work well together to create a dark and edgy hip-hop track. However, I personally am not a fan of the autotune. But I can get behind the hype that the members infuse into the number. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

  • S.COUPS’ teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JEONGHAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JOSHUA’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JUN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • HOSHI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • WONWOO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • WOOZI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • DK’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • MINGYU’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • THE8’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • SEUNGKWAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • VERNON’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • DINO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS

[Review] 5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman) – CxM (SEVENTEEN) ft. Lay Bankz

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Earlier this week, SEVENTEEN debuted their latest subunit duo CxM, becoming the fourth subunit of the 13-member group after BSS (HOSHI, DK and SEUNGKWAN), JxW (JEONGHAN & WONWOO) and HxW (HOSHI & WOOZI). Following a similar naming pattern, CxM is made up of SEVENTEEN’s leader S.COUPS and fellow member MINGYU. Their debut single, 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman), dropped on Monday, along with the mini-album Hype Vibes.

For me, 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) is a fun debut single. S.COUPS and MINGYU takes the primary hook of Roy Orbison’s Oh, Pretty Woman (lyrics and music), turning it into an energetically funky and groovy hip-hop number. The guitar riffs is a stronghold of the song and its consistency throughout keeps the momentum of 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) going. Said energy of 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) definitely suits summery season. However, I think an earlier release date of 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman), say in the middle of Summer, would have allowed the song to hit harder. Interestingly, the entire second verse (a large portion of the song) was handed over to Lay Bankz. There is no question that she is a strong artist – her part in 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) absolutely hits hard. But that does mean we didn’t get to hear as much of either S.COUPS and MINGYU. What we do hear is good (I am loving the pre-choruses), but I don’t think 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) particularly used their talents and abilities as well as it could have. Overall, a well executed and crafted song that builds on a classic’s hook. But I would have loved to hear something more distinct from the pair.

The music video sees S.COUPS and MINGYU hanging out in LA, getting ready, partying it up and turning heads wherever they go. It is honestly rather simple, but it works well in the context of the lyrics and vibes. I liked how each time the chorus come on, the video turns into a little party. The bright sun and settings were also well selected. I also liked that the video featured Lay Bankz, as well, particularly given the large bite of the song she has. Given how short the song is, it did feel a bit odd to have a minute worth of ending credits, but the outtakes make up for it.

The choreography incorporates the groovy and hip-hop vibes of 5, 3, 4 (Pretty Woman) in a manner that is simple, laidback and cool. Their charisma and playfulness also makes sure to emphasise the coolness and easygoing nature of the routine.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 4 of May 2025

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Welcome to the next edition of the Weekly KPOP Chart posts. This is for Week 4 of May 2025, which spans 25 to 31 May 2025.

Like last week, I will get right to it.

What else am I listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I have been listening to last week. This week, the song in question is SECRET’s I Do I Do.

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, once again, LE SSERAFIM’s Come Over.

The Chart

SEVENTEEN’s THUNDER ranks in the top spot this past week! Congratulations to SEVENTEEN!

Pos.TitleArtistStatus
1ThunderSEVENTEEN(NEW)
2DROP TOPMEOVV(▲ 5)
3TILTRed Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI(NEW)
4Poet | ArtistSHINee(NEW)
5Never Ending StoryIU(NEW)
6HANDS UPMEOVV(▲ 17)
7Fly UpRIIZE(▼ 6)
8Good Thingi-dle(▼ 6)
9Love LanguageTXT(▲ 3)
10Maybe TomorrowDAY6(▲ 5)
11Countdown!TWS(RE-ENTER)
12Wait On MeKAI (EXO)(▲ 4)
13Don’t Say You Love MeJIN (BTS)(▼ 4)
14Are You Alive?tripleS(RE-ENTER)
15Adult SwimKAI (EXO)(RE-ENTER)
16FREEZEKickFlip(NEW)
17LOOSEENHYPEN(▲ 1)
18Broken PartyCHEN (EXO)(RE-ENTER)
19Girlfriendi-dle(▼ 5)
20Come OverLE SSERAFIM(▼ 17)
211999MARK (NCT)(▼ 16)
22I Feel GoodBOYNEXTDOOR(▲ 3)
23poppopNCT WISH(▼ 15)
24GNARLYKATSEYE(RE-ENTER)
25Hello StrangerKWON EUN BI(RE-ENTER)
26MoonASTRO with Various Artists(RE-ENTER)
27ElevatorBAEKHYUN (EXO)(▼ 23)
28Bag Bad BackRIIZE(▼ 1)
29Goodbye & HelloVANNER(RE-ENTER)
30Ember to SolarRIIZE(NEW)

[Review] THUNDER – SEVENTEEN

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It has been 10 years to the day since SEVENTEEN kicked off their careers with Adore U. Since then, the group has embarked on a very fruitful career, with multiple album releases (some of which in recent years have been million-album sellers), world tours, and performances on world stages (like Lollapalooza Berlin Glastonbury Festival in 2024). To coincide with their 10th anniversary, the group has released their 5th studio album, HAPPY BURSTDAY, and the title track, THUNDER, today. It is their first release as a group since LOVE, MONEY & FAME (ft. DJ Khaled), the return of BSS with CBZ (Prime Time), the debut of their new subunit HxW (HOSHI x WOOZI) with 96ers, and WONWOO’s military enlistment last month. However, WONWOO and JEONGHAN (who enlisted last year) are also featured in this comeback.

THUNDER is an EDM-based club dance track. From the first second, THUNDER aims to deliver with its bold and dynamic instrumentation. And I can say, they were successful at doing just that. Without a doubt, THUNDER is one of the tracks that will hype up the crowd and maintain that energy to the song’s end. While I am pretty satisfied with how the song turned out, I can’t help but think about what THUNDER could have been like had it been longer. The song officially clocks in at 2:44 minutes, which isn’t bad. But because of its high energy, you can feel the shortness of the song more vividly. As for the members, I was impressed with their vocals and rapping for most of THUNDER. The pre-choruses were well done, while the rapping gave the song an extra kick. The first part of the chorus was catchy and quickly became addictive, thanks to S.COUPS, VERNON, HOSHI and JUN’s delivery of the hook. But I am just not convinced by ending with DK’s softer vocals. Faltering at the end didn’t feel right for such an energy-packed, robust song like THUNDER. I wish they had gone out with a bang (of some kind) instead.

I am not entirely sure what the video’s concept is, but I am glad they are partying throughout the music video. This matches up with the song quite well. There is also a psychedelic theme going on. The underground concept they went with for this comeback looks very urban and cool. Also, every member looked amazing throughout the video. I guess the ending with DK on the gurney shows how explosive SEVENTEEN can be, with the heart monitor showing the line blowing up.

Even after 10 years, SEVENTEEN’s synchronisation has never let up, and their performances have consistently impressed. In THUNDER‘s routine, they do it again by showcasing their impeccable synchronisation and impressing me with their dynamic and energetic flair. I like that the routine has a little wild side, which makes the choreography refreshing. The opening to the chorus (the ‘ALO, ALO‘) part was super cool and is definitely my pick for the highlight of the entire dance.

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

[Review] 96ers – Hoshi x Woozi (SEVENTEEN)

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A new SEVENTEEN unit is one of the many comebacks that kicked off this week. HOSHI and WOOZI join forces in the new single 96ers (동갑내기). This is the third official unit from SEVENTEEN, the first being BSS, who recently returned with CBZ (Prime Time), and JxW (Jeonghan x Wonwoo).

If I had to judge the 96ers based on the first few seconds, it wouldn’t look good for the song. Those repetitive horns that open the song (the first major element of 96ers) were quite jarring, and the fact that it recurred throughout the song was not great. The next major element of 96ers is the interpolation of the ‘Red Light, Green Light‘ nursery rhyme, which we have heard before in KPOP. Plus, it was done multiple times in 96ers in both the pre-choruses and choruses. This pretty much got a yawn from me. The final major element is essentially the rest of the song, like the duo’s delivery and the hip-hop motif. The instrumental was playful, and the pair did a good job of relaying that vibe in their delivery. There were also a few references to past songs, like Mansae, Super and Cheers. There was just no standout moment for me to highlight. I commend the pair for working outside their box with the hip-hop sound, given that WOOZI is the vocal team leader and HOSHI was a possible vocal team member before switching to the performance team. Altogether, I wished 96ers yielded more positive thoughts than negative ones.

The music video taps into that playful side of 96ers I mentioned above, showing the pair as art pieces in a gallery or museum. In my mind, to be a piece of art in a gallery or museum means you are quite established, hinting at their current status. This complements the lyrics which speak about their own personal journey to get to where they are now. The photocopier scenes might represent their releases, videos, etc. that got to where they are (i.e., there are many copies of themselves out there in the world in different mediums). The treadmills are a little harder to guess what they represent. Perhaps the journey, but treadmills are devices you use to walk long distances whilst remaining in one place – maybe this is a hint that they are always art pieces since their early days, til now.

The choreography is precisely how I expected it. It encompasses that hip-hop motif, whilst also showcasing a more carefree and loose style. I also like how their presence commanded the stage, making this an incredible performance.

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

[Review] CBZ (Prime Time) – BSS (SEVENTEEN)

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Another song released while I was on vacation was BSS’ (SEVENTEEN’s Boo Seungkwan, DK and HOSHI) CBZ (Prime Time). It is the title track from the unit’s second single album, Teleparty, which dropped in early January. CBZ (Prime Time) is BSS’ first comeback since their massive hit Fighting (ft. Lee Young Ji) from 2023 and their unit debut, Just Do It, in 2018.

All of BSS’ title tracks have been fun and always contain a positive message. CBZ (Prime Time) continues that tone and messaging. This time, the fun side of CBZ (Prime Time) comes from the instrumental’s jazzy elements. It made for quite a dynamic and funky piece. As for the positive message, CBZ (Prime Time) speaks to the idea that youth is not an age, but rather a mindset. The Korean title of the song is also a ‘Cheers’ acronym in Korean. The Korean title also means ‘jeans’, which is an element that the music video features (more on that in the next section). As for the other elements that make up CBZ (Prime Time), there is much to like in the song. I really enjoyed the expressive nature of the members’ vocals. A fun instrumental doesn’t necessarily guarantee a fun song. The vocals are a definite factor in helping bring life to the song, and CBZ (Prime Time) features an engaging delivery from the trio. The hooks were fantastic and got the song stuck in my mind after several listens. My only concern for the song is its longevity. Based on what I have seen, CBZ (Prime Time) doesn’t have the same pull on the Korean charts and social media as Fighting did. Regardless, it is another fantastic song by BSS.

As mentioned earlier, the music video visually conveys a few of the messages. With the youth mindset, this is done via the choruses, where the members have fun. They take the office workers to the pub while also partying it up at the end. The members also hand out jeans to bring that alternative meaning to the Korean title into the choreography. They make it the uniform of having fun, which makes sense, given jeans are more casual than office wear or school uniforms. The music video also features cameos from some Korean actors like Uhm Jung Hwa, Gal So Won, Jung Young Joo and Moon Sang Hoon.

Hands down, the best part of the choreography is when they launch into the final chorus. The dance challenge for this comeback may have played a part in this, but it was the most memorable section. Elsewhere in the performance, a fair bit is going on. I like how jumpy the dancing was – it probably feels like a workout. I also enjoyed how they integrated the idea of youth being a mindset and showed off their jeans in the routine.

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

[Album Review] This Man (1st Single Album) – JEONGHAN x WONWOO (SEVENTEEN)

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JEONGHAN x WONWOO are nominated Best Subunit and their song Last Night is nominated for Best R&B Song in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support JEONGHAN x WONWOO and Last Night by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025.

SEVENTEEN launched their second official subunit in 2024, consisting of members JEONGHAN and WONWOO. JEONGHAN has since enlisted in the military, while WONWOO is busy on tour with the rest of SEVENTEEN. The pair dropped their first single album This Man (the focus of this review) and the title track Last Night mid-June 2024. The single album also consist solo tracks from the pair. Overall, a definite strong single album. I hope to hear more from JEONGHAN x WONWOO (otherwise known as JxW) in the future, though this might not happen for a while.

This Man Album Cover

1. Last Night (어젯밤) (Guitar by Park Ju Won) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Last Night. (9/10)

2. Beautiful Monster – JEONGHAN’s solo song is Beautiful Monster, which is a mid-tempo R&B number. JEONGHAN’s honey-like and velvety vocals describing himself as a monster is quite ironic to me. But aesthetic wise, it was an intriguing choice. JEONGHAN makes this number engaging. He brings a delicate feeling to the mix that emphasises the ‘beautiful’ aspect of the song’s title. (8/10)  

3. Leftover (휴지통) – Leftover is WONWOO’s solo song and it is a stunning yet heart-wrenching ballad. I will admit that I have always had a soft spot for WONWOO’s singing. Leftover is good evidence why (if I ever needed to prove why). The emotions he poured into Leftover makes the entirety of the song captivating to listen to. His raspy vocals are amazing in this song and I really liked the moments where he puts some oomph behind his vocals. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

This Man Teaser Image

[Weekly KPOP Chart] 5th Week of October 2024

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Welcome back to another Weekly KPOP Chart post! This time, it is for the fifth Week of October, which bridges the months of October and November. Yes, we are in November now, and it is full steam ahead to the end of the year!

Just a heads up about next weekend. I won’t be around to post the upcoming week’s Weekly KPOP Chart on Sunday next week per the usual schedule or any new post from next Saturday to Tuesday of the following week. I am taking a short break to spend time with my family, but I will try to have posts scheduled through this time. I will post the Weekly KPOP Chart post once I am back.

Until then, here is the Weekly KPOP Chart post for the 5th week of October 2024.

What else am I listening to?

Replacing the ‘Throwback Song’ segment of the weekly KPOP chart posts is a ‘What else am I listening to?‘ segment in the world of KPOP. It is the same thing, but framed in a way that should eliminate the idea that a more recent song (say released in the last year) is a ‘throwback song’. This week’s song is SISTAR’s Give It To Me.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

As this blog focuses primarily on KPOP songs, I want to draw attention to a particular song that isn’t in Korean in this part of the Weekly KPOP Chart post. That song will be the top-ranking non-Korean song on each Weekly KPOP Chart post. The highest-ranking non-Korean song this week is JENNIE’s (from BLACKPINK) Mantra, which ranks in the 6th position.

The Charts

SEVENTEEN’s LOVE, MONEY & FAME ranks in the top spot on the 5th Week of October 2024’s Weekly KPOP Charts. Congratulations to SEVENTEEN!

PositionSong TitleArtistChange
1LOVE, MONEY & FAMESEVENTEEN ft. DJ Khaled(▲ 5)
2I’ll Be ThereJIN (BTS)(▲ 9)
3TRIGGERTHE BOYZ(NEW)
4Cherish (My Love)ILLIT(▲ 13)
5Whiplashaespa(▼ 4)
6MantraJENNIE (BLACKPINK)(▼ 2)
7POWERG-DRAGON(NEW)
8APT.ROSÉ (BLACKPINK) & Bruno Mars(▼ 5)
9CLIK CLAKBABYMONSTER(NEW)
10GGUMYEONJUN (TXT)(=)
11Hit The FloorVisionary Vision (tripleS)(▲ 46)
12NAHWASA (MAMAMOO)(▲ 42)
13Pleasure ShopKEY (SHINee)(▲ 17)
14GOLDITZY(▼ 12)
15NEMONEMOYENA(▲ 30)
16GPTSTAYC(NEW)
17ON MY BIKEPURPLE KISS(▼ 4)
18NVKEDAB6IX(▼ 6)
19Eyes On YouSEVENTEEN(▲ 2)
20UnconditionalJAEHYUN (NCT)(▲ 2)
21Pineapple SliceBAEKHYUN (EXO)(▲ 34)
22Electric ShockKANG DANIEL(▲ 9)
23Please StayBTOB(NEW)
24DRIPBABYMONSTER(NEW)
25DESERVEDONE PACT(▲ 42)
26SAD SONGP1Harmony(▲ 41)
27Run AwayTYUZU (TWICE)(▲ 29)
28Get LoudKISS OF LIFE(▼ 23)
29Melt DownDAY6(▼ 14)
30Night Before The EndXdinary Heroes(▲ 2)

[Review] LOVE, MONEY & FAME – SEVENTEEN ft. DJ Khaled

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Kicking off the week was SEVENTEEN, who returns with their 13th mini-album SPILL THE FEELS and the title track LOVE, MONEY & FAME (ft. DJ Khaled). We last heard from SEVENTEEN through their 17 IS RIGHT HERE compilation album, led by the single MAESTRO and supplemented by the unit tracks LALALI (Hip-Hop team), Spell (Performance team) and Cheers To Youth (Vocal team). While the mini-album features JEONGHAN and JUN, both are sitting out of promotions of LOVE, MONEY & FAME and their upcoming world tour due to their military enlistment and acting career in China, respectively.

Pleasant was the first impression I had when I listened to LOVE, MONEY & FAME. And since its release two days ago, that impression has barely shifted. It definitely sounds nice and is an easy listen. The song is more vocal-focused than most of their other title tracks, with only VERNON delivering LOVE, MONEY & FAME‘s lone rap sequence. The melodies are enjoyable. The R&B and hip-hop-styled instrumental feels streamlined and sometimes feels dry. Beyond that, I don’t have much to say about LOVE, MONEY & FAME. This is the first time I have been left with little to say about a SEVENTEEN comeback, which feels disappointing. We all know that SEVENTEEN can do so much more, so LOVE, MONEY & FAME feels underwhelming. As you can tell from the song title, LOVE, MONEY & FAME also features DJ Khaled. It has been a while since I have heard his music. While he did come together with SEVENTEEN to make a pleasant song, his line at the start and end of the song was harsh relative to the rest of LOVE, MONEY & FAME, which truthfully started LOVE, MONEY, & FAME on a not-so-good note for me. I wished it wasn’t as full-on in the final product so that it goes with the rest of the song.

LOVE, MONEY & FAME conveys that love comes first, no matter the other options (like money and fame). The video depicts the members putting love first, no matter the circumstance. It could be a car crash or pile-up, an evacuation on a plane, a daytime robbery, or even bouts of fame as depicted in THE8’s heroic scene, WOOZI’s phone call on an interview show, or by JUN walking away from the glamorous lifestyle. All the members choose love in the end. I quite like the montage at the end of the staircase – it gives off maturity in a way that doesn’t overdo it. The members also look quite good in those scenes.

The choreography was good. I liked how the routine captured the easy-going nature of the song and the R&B and hip-hop influence. It also had a nice bounce. It does feel simpler and more casual than usual, but I think these are inherent characteristics that the routine had to lean into due to the music. But it was still a good performance nonetheless.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] Cheers To Youth – SEVENTEEN’s Vocal Team

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I am finally finishing reviewing the newer songs from SEVENTEEN’s 17 is Right Here compilation album. Last up on the list is SEVENTEEN’s vocal team’s Cheers To Youth. Previously, I reviewed the album’s main title track MAESTRO, the Hip-Hop team’s LALALI and the Performance team’s Spell singles. As it is a compilation album, the rest of the two-disc album consists of the Korean versions of all their Japanese singles and every Korean title track released over their careers thus far. And finally, getting around to reviewing the new songs off the album is timely since the group is gearing up for their next comeback ON MONDAY! So more SEVENTEEN to come!

Cheers To Youth delves into the J-Rock genre with a wholesome message that everything will be okay. I really enjoyed this single a lot. There are a few great moments in Cheers To Youth that I must point out. The upbeat instrumentation is definitely the song’s strongest asset. Still, I particularly love the funky direction that bridges the soft piano opening of the song and the launch into the J-Rock genre. It was an entertaining sequence and really lifted up the song. JOSHUA’s part in the second verse when the electric guitar steps up was another moment I found myself gravitating towards repeatedly. The “My, my, my” that follows the second chorus (noting the first chorus occurred during the intro) was also another moment that I found so soothing and peaceful. Elsewhere in Cheers To Youth, I found the vocals, melodies and choruses to be extremely comforting and uplifting, which suits the song’s message mentioned earlier. Overall, Cheers To Youth is a lovely song with a positive message to reflect on.

The video features the five members facing their own internal struggles with themselves. WOOZI has social anxiety that prevents him from going outside, DK is a student in a pressurised education system who is worried about underperforming, JOSHUA is an office worker who is constantly on the lookout, SEUNGKWAN struggles with loneliness, and JEONGHAN worries that he isn’t enough and that there is always something wrong with him that needs fixing (taken from ichsanjulian-ed4so’s YouTube comment). But together, they join the Tiny Issue club, where they can speak to their internal struggles and help each other through them. With each other, WOOZI goes outside, DK is awarded for his academic successes, JOSHUA is praised by his co-workers, JEONGHAN feels better about himself, and SEUNGKWAN (along with the rest of the team) gains life-long friendships with one another. At the end of the video, the club invites a sixth member, a tiger, representative of fellow member HOSHI, whom the song was inspired by.

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

[Review] Spell – SEVENTEEN’s Performance Team

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Two weeks ago, I started reviewing SEVENTEEN’s unit singles from their compilation album, 17 is RIGHT HERE, released in April of this year. I reviewed the Hip-Hop Team’s LALALI first. Today, I will review the Performance Team’s Spell. I will be back to review the Vocal Team’s Cheers of Youth later this week to be ready to review SEVENTEEN’s next comeback, which is happening in just over a week.

Spell is a sophisticated and elegant dreamy number. It is an interesting sound for the Performance Team, whom I associate with more intricate beats and heavier sounds that lend well to becoming a dance-centric performance track. But I am all for exploring different sounds, and Spell is a successful venture for the unit. The instrumental is soft, uniquely utilising percussion and Afrobeats to help create that dreamy aesthetic that we all feel from Spell. Also soft were the quartet’s vocals, which were superbly hazy and tranquil throughout Spell. Catchy hooks also help make the song even more appealing, even if some of it (the “Adila kiya akiya shurapoeh“) was a made-up language for the song. While listening to the song previously, there were times when I felt the members’ vocals took me away, just like you expect a good dream would do. But while the dreamy motif was a constant throughout Spell, I liked it when their vocals tapped into their lower and deeper registers. It was a good and subtle move from the producers to ensure Spell didn’t stay consistent, which could have been a real danger for this song. From how I heard it, they managed to just do enough to stop Spell from feeling dull and like it didn’t go anywhere. But I do think there is room in the song to do more. Nonetheless, Spell is a very different and unexpected direction for the Performance Team. But one that does pay off.

That dreamy aesthetic is carried over into the music video. The video features a tarot card concept, with the members each being a character on a card (see the featured image for this post)—THE8 being The Heart, HOSHI being The Wings, DINO being The Arrow, and JUN being The Apollo. The outdoor scenes, the sets, the outfits, and the makeup donned by the four members all have this dreaminess that puts you in awe and captivates your attention, just like the song does. Definitely a stunning video and one I recommend you check out down below.

As this is a Performance Team track, a choreography is attached. To match the song, it is smooth and features many soft movements. The Performance Team also adds sexiness to the routine, which just works wonderfully with the song. You can hear the fans go wild during these moments in the stage performance SEVENTEEN has uploaded for our viewing pleasure. But the choreography isn’t the only element to take away from the performance. Their smouldering looks and alluring vibe must also be mentioned and highlighted. It is a big part of the routine and highlights the members’ charisma and charm.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.1/10

[Review] LALALI – SEVENTEEN’s Hip Hop Team

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As part of SEVENTEEN’s compilation album, 17 is RIGHT HERE, which dropped in April of this year. The album consisted of the title track MAESTRO, 3 unit tracks (which I will finally start reviewing today) per the group’s hip-hop, performance, and vocal units, Korean versions of all their Japanese singles, and all their title tracks since their debut. The first unit track I will focus on is the Hip-Hop Team’s LALALI.

I will say it now – the Hip-Hop Team’s track is the best of the 3 unit tracks featured on 17 is RIGHT HERE. Maybe I am finally warming up to hip-hop tracks, as there have been some outstanding releases this year. But that might be a discussion for another day. Back to LALALI. I can’t remember if there has been a track from the Hip-Hop Team where each member exuded so much confidence, and their respective deliveries were packed with so much energy. Each member was super engaging in LALALI, and I find myself trying very hard to resist joining the team in a little impromptu concert wherever I am listening to LALALI. If I had to pick a particular unit member who really surprised me, it has to be WONWOO, who went super hard in the second verse. In addition to the members themselves, LALALI wouldn’t be as successful if it hadn’t been for the instrumentation. It was definitely super energetic and loud, but in a fun and dynamic way. The chorus was also super catchy and addictive. I found the more simmering-like sound to be an interesting centrepiece in LALALI. It was suspenseful and created some tension in its own way, but it also made the members stand out when they amped it right back by shouting the song’s title. Honestly, LALALI is a very smashing and memorable track in my books.

LALALI expresses the message that you can do anything you want. They depict this in the music video through the Hip-Hop Team being rebellious and carefree. The quartet breaks the rules and social norms and gets wild throughout the video. I loved how VERNON had the old senior ladies vibing with him, while WONWOO won an arm wrestling contest against a digger. MINGYU was butting into the game that the old men were playing (but earning praise for making the right move), while S.COUPS was busy not sweltering in the sauna with the other men. They are energetic and hyper when they are together, reflecting the energy of the song’s choruses super well.

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