daebakwhovian/ October 11, 2020/ ICYMI/ 0 comments

WEi Shines In Debut Track “Twilight”

Oui Entertainment’s highly anticipated rookie group WEi (pronounced ‘we-eye’) finally made their debut with “Twilight” from their first mini album “Identity: First Sight.”

Review: This group already had a lot of pre-debut buzz since it has members with experience being solo/unit artists, former contestants from competition shows like MIXNINE, YG Treasure Box, Produce, and former X1 center Kim Yo Han. After Yo Han released his solo debut single, I was a bit worried that they would fall into the trap like other groups with competition show winners and really promote some members at the expense of the rest of the group. But it seems that they avoided that and the parts and screen time are pretty fairly split between the group members. And despite being a relatively smaller company, the music video is colorful and well done, even though there seemed to be some random elements and concepts thrown in (maybe they’ll connect better with later music videos in the series?). I’m not sure if it’s because I listen to way too much K-pop or if my musical sense is just getting better (I’m going to go with the second option), but as soon as the song started I got this feeling that it reminded me of something. When I replayed it, I realized it sounded like a PENTAGON song (“Shine” is the one I was thinking of). Turns out, “Twilight” was co-written and composed by PENATAGON leader Hui, which explains the similar vibe. This kind of sound works really well for the group members, but it runs the risk of being too similar to another group in a debut track that should give a strong first impression of your identity. Still, I think that the talent in this group was worth all the hype and I’m excited to see what they do next. Overall: A strong debut, but still some room to show off what makes them unique.

New Releases & Top Headlines:

• In a market saturated with darker concepts, sometimes a well done cheerful music video like Golden Child‘s “Pump It Up” from their second single album of the same name is just what you need.

• Former PENTAGON member DAWN (던) released his first mini album “DAWNDIDIDAWN” and a MV for the title track of the same name. And in case you forget who you’re listening to, he says his name like 30 times. I don’t think this track is for everyone, but it’s filled with humorous meta-references and (I hope) doesn’t take itself too seriously. Jokes aside, the other tracks like “Tantara” are solid and it’s like a P Nation family reunion with features from Crush and Jessi (Come On, Jessi!).

• Vocal queen Ailee is back with her fifth mini album “I’m” and the title track “When We Were In Love”. You might only know her from your favorite OST, but long-time fans may know about the behind-the-scenes drama with her former agency that prevented her from releasing/promoting as much as someone with her vocals and popularity should. I usually don’t listen to a lot of ballads, but for Ailee, I make an exception. Her voice is so strong, and when she belts out her high notes it sounds effortless. The music video for ” When We Were In Love” drops October 12.

• Woah, is this the same group? I wasn’t exactly expecting this classy girl-crush concept, but I like it! Weki Meki released their fourth mini album “New Rules” with the title track “COOL”. I’m still trying to process all of the things going on in the background, and it does sound a bit disjointed at first. But I think all of the elements fit together well enough, and it’s interesting even if it’s not instantly catchy like some of their other songs. In other Weki Meki news, member Choi Yoojung and Kim Doyeon‘s new web drama Single & Ready To Mingle about two college students with no dating experience will be released this week on KT Seezn and October 20 on KOK TV’s YouTube channel.

• SF9 released the special album “Special History Book” and a music video for “Shine Together” to celebrate their fourth anniversary. The song was written by the members and the music video includes letters and art from their fan club.

• Soloist Hayeon made her debut with the single “Eyes on you”. She also happens to be the sister of Girls Generation‘s Taeyeon, so I guess talent must run in the family.

• Cosmic Girls (WJSN) sub-unit WJSN Chocome (including members Luda, Soobin, Dayoung and Yeoreum) made their debut with the single album “Hmph!” and the title track of the same name. I probably won’t be replaying this one a lot, but it’s a nice throwback to some of the quirky and fun concepts we’ve seen in the genre (anyone remember this one from Orange Caramel?)

• Monsta X‘s Joohoney (Jooheon) released his new mixtape “Psyche” which is the perfect soundtrack for that 3:00 in the morning existential crisis you have scheduled (wait- you don’t?). The entire mixtape is filled with angsty rap and solid collabs, but the standout track for me is definitely “Smoky”. With meaningful lyrics like “I’m trying to start again… I’m trying to smile again” and a beautiful children’s choir in the bridge, the track is the perfect intersection between emotional and hopeful.
• NU’EST released their second Japanese album “Drive” and a music video for the Japanese version of the song.
• IZ*ONE released a music video for lead single “Beware” from their upcoming Japanese album dropping October 21.
• ITZY released a special music video for the track “Be In Love”, a B-side from their mini album “Not Shy”. The video features appearances from MIDZY (ITZY’s fandom) and fan art.
• ENHYPEN, the pre-debut group formed by the show I-LAND, announced its official fandom name: ENGENE. It’s supposed to represent that fans are the ‘engines’ that keep them going, and that the group and their fans have the same DNA ‘gene’ to connect them together. There are a lot of group/fandom names that supposedly have these deep meaning, and sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t (don’t get me started on my love-hate relationship with the group/fandom names Cravity/Luvity).
• *takes another deep breath* CHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXO‘S Chen announced that he will be releasing a new digital single “안냥 (Hello)” on October 15. While I hope he’s had lots of time to spend with his wife and newborn daughter, I’ll admit I’ve missed his voice. Chen’s last solo release was last year’s mini album “Dear my dear” and an OST for the drama Do You Like Brahms?
• Mnet’s upcoming audition program CAP-TEEN announced it’s newest judge. Monsta X‘s Shownu will join Lee Seung Chul, Jessi, and Soyou in the search for the next teen K-pop star. The show starts on November 19.
• This is interesting: YG Entertainment edited out scenes in BLACKPINK‘s newest MV for “Lovesick Girls” that featured Jennie in a nurse-inspired uniform after the Korean Health and Medical Worker’s Union criticized the video for contributing to the over-sexualization and stereotypes surrounding nurses, especially in the current situation where nurses are working at the front-lines against the pandemic. YG released a statement about their decision to edit out the scenes, saying they “feel greatly responsible for this and will consider it an opportunity to deeply learn.” My problem with this is that the agency publicly apologized this time, but they quietly edited out a prop used in the MV for “How You Like That” that was seen as culturally degrading to desi fans and others. It makes you wonder why they feel ‘responsible’ and want to ‘learn’ for some issues but won’t address others…
• Speaking of issues, Rain‘s agency released a warning to sasaengs (obsessive, stalker ‘fans’) against harassing the artist and his family. Apparently some of these so-called ‘fans’ have been going to his house, ringing his doorbell and yelling. Not only is this a huge invasion of privacy, but he has a wife and young kids who now feel anxious even in their own home. Fortunately, the agency is willing to take ‘all possible legal measures’ against the sasaengs.
• It seems that former iKon leader B.I. (Kim Han Bin) is making a return to the industry. IOK Company released a statement after fans discovered the artist was recently appointed as the youngest executive director of the agency. Although they admit that “some people remain critical about B.I’s past controversy… our company plans to support him so that he can be active again… and help him cultivate his talent so that he can demonstrate his abilities.” Although there are no talks for solo work for now, he plans to be active as a producer.
• Enlistment news:
  • The Rose‘s drummer Hajoon announced he would be enlisting in the Air Force on October 12. I think some contracts are paused during military enlistment but if that’s not the case, it would be nice if the members could come back from the military with no time left on their contract and finally be allowed to leave. Either way, I’m willing to wait until they’re all together again and can continue creating the music they love.
  • They’re back!: SHINee‘s Key, VIXX‘s N, and 2AM‘s Jeong Jinwoon returned from their mandatory military service this week.

K-Drama Corner:

• Lee Soo Hyuk (Born Again; Scholar Who Walks the Night) and Seo In Guk (Shopping King Lois; Reply 1997) are in talks to reunite in the upcoming drama Ruin, about people who only start to really live when they are faced with death and a mysterious being who brings destruction to the lives of those around him. The pair also worked together on the film Pipeline and the drama King of High School. Ruin‘s team will include the writer from The Beauty Inside and the director behind Search:WWW.
• Apink‘s Yoon Bomi has been casted in upcoming drama Please Don’t Meet Him. The drama stars Song Ha Yoon (Fight For My Way) as a woman who creates an AI to analyze people’s personalities so she doesn’t fall in love with the wrong person and U-KISS‘ Jun as the one person that her program can’t analyze (because K-drama magic defies all scientific advances. I don’t write the rules). The drama is scheduled to premiere later this year.
• Gong Myung (Be Melodramatic (Melo Is My Nature); Bride of the Water God) and Kim Yoo Jung (Backstreet Rookie; Moonlight Drawn By The Clouds) are in talks for upcoming SBS drama Hong Chun Gi. The historical fantasy drama, based on a novel (the same author as Sungkyunkwan Scandal and The Moon Embracing the Sun), revolves on Joseon’s only female painter.
• OCN’s upcoming sci-fi thriller Dark Hole confirmed its cast. Kim Ok Bin (Arthdal Chronicles) and Lee Joon Hyuk (Stranger; 365: Repeat the Year) will star as a police detective and former officer who team up to fight mutants who have been transformed into monsters after breathing in a mysterious dark smoke from a sink hole. With that plot and the fact that it has the same writer behind Strangers From Hell and Save Me, I’m sure it will be perfect for watching right before going to bed at night. Dark Hole will premiere in 2021.
• Not to overhype a drama before it even starts, but I’m totally hyped for this drama before it even starts. JTBC’s upcoming drama Snowdrop, from the team behind hit drama SKY Castle, confirmed the rest of its lineup. BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo, Kim Hye Yoon (SKY Castle; Extraordinary You) will be joined by Jung Hae In (While You Were Sleeping; One Spring Night), Jang Seung Jo (Chocolate; The Good Detective), Yoon Se Ah (SKY Castle; Just Between Lovers), and Jung Yoo Jin (Catch the Ghost; Romance Is A Bonus Book). Set in 1987, the story starts off when Jung Hae In’s graduate student character, covered in blood, suddenly has to hide in the women’s dorm. An amazing cast, college romance, throwback charm, and NIS agents- who can resist? Snowdrop is scheduled to premiere in 2021.
• Kim So Hyun (Love Alarm; Tale of Nokdu) is coming back to drama world! The actress was recently confirmed to star in the historical drama River Where the Moon Rises as an ambitious Princess Pyeonggang who wants to be the first female to lead the nation. The drama will premiere in the fist half of next year.
• tvN’s upcoming drama Night and Day confirmed its cast of Namgoong Min (Hot Stove League; Chief Kim), AOA‘s Seolhyun, and Lee Chung Ah (Beautiful World; VIP) as a group of officers/agents who come together to solve mysterious incidents related to an incident that happened 28 years ago. Despite an interesting plot and a good team behind it, rating expectations are low due to the casting of an AOA member prior to the recent bullying scandal revealed by former member Mina, ultimately leading to the group leader Jimin to quit the agency (*content warning if you choose to click on the link*). Some accuse Seolhyun of being a bystander, though none of the other members of the group have officially given a statement on the incident (FNC kinda implied in their official statement that the members were instructed not to do so). The drama previously released a brief statement regarding their decision to continue with the current lineup. Night and Day premieres on November 30.
• JTBC revealed the cast for upcoming drama Monthly House, which is about um, houses. Jung So Min (Because This Is My First Life; Fix You) plays a woman who rents her home but cares for it like it’s her own and Kim Ji Suk (My Unfamiliar Family; When The Camellia Blooms) stars as her landowner who only views houses as a way to make money. The two previously played the lead roles on the KBS Drama Special Came to Me and Became a Star (which I didn’t watch because I’m a wimp and it looked too sad). Monthly House will air in 2021.
• Currently Watching:
  • Do You Like Brahms?: Oof. Sometimes this drama hits a bit too close to home for me. I know we’re still hoping for Song Ah to have a major confidence boost, but I’ve had a very similar conversation to the one she had with Joon Young’s manager and it’s very hard to gain confidence when everyone around you says it’s too late to succeed. Still, I like how her presence is slowly making Joon Young open up bit by (very small) bit. And then we had to go and have the classic K-drama MISUNDERSTANDING as our cliffhanger. So far our leads have done a pretty good job of communicating and trying to understand each other (which is pretty rare in the K-drama world), so maybe we’ll be able to avoid all the cliche angst. Maybe.
  • Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol: Tuned in for Lee Jae Wook, stayed for the cute puppy.

What was your favorite headline this week? Let us know in the comments!