IZ*ONE Dreams Big With Flashy “Secret Story of the Swan”
Produce 48-created temporary girl group IZ*ONE released their third EP “Oneric Diary” with the lead track “Secret Story of the Swan” (literal title: “Fantasy Fairytale). This is the first release after the “Flower Trilogy”.
Review (daebakwhovian): I might be one of the few people who never fully boarded the IZ*ONE hype-train. I think that they are very talented and totally deserve their popularity… but I still never fell in love with their songs and concepts. (*dodges rocks thrown by Wiz*ones*) That being said, they really know how to make a hit. The lead track of this album is no different. “Secret Story of the Swan” (I actually prefer the literal title better, but I don’t make the rules) is fun, upbeat, and perfect for summer. I was interested in how different this album would be from their previous releases. It’s a different concept and songwriter than the ‘Flower trilogy’ (consisting of title tracks “La Vie en Rose”, “Violeta”, and “Fiesta”). I do think that there is a bit of a style change in this EP, but I don’t think it ventures to far from their signature sounds. The girls have been making headlines with scandals-not of their own making- that could have been disastrous despite their popularity. First the producing director (PD Ahn Joon Young) admitted to vote manipulation in multiple seasons of the Produce series, leading to the disbandment of the group X1 and postponement of IZ*ONE’s comeback. Then Pledis Entertainment CEO Han Sung Soo was discovered to be unfairly collecting songwriting royalties through his wife’s name for the group’s hits (he gave them back– after getting caught). Fortunately the group has survived all of this. While “La Vie en Rose” is still the gold standard for me, “Swan” is unbelievably catchy and I like it more every time I listen to it. The music video is mesmerizing and fits the album concept perfectly (‘oneiric’ means ‘relating to dreams or dreaming’). And while I would have liked the electro-brass backing to be a little less jarring, it fits perfectly with the goddess-in-the-water dance break of the MV. The only other stand-out song for me on the release is “Merry-Go-Round” with its disco at the skating rink vibe. Overall: A solid summer song that carries the rest of the album.
Lee Sun Hee Feat. EXO’s Chanyeol “Anbu”
Legendary singer-songwriter Lee Sun-hee released her 16th album and collaborated with EXO’s Chanyeol for the title track “Anbu”.
Review (daebakwhovian): Have you ever had a friend or family member ask you “How can you like that music if you can’t understand what they’re saying?” I think most K-pop listeners can relate. Whether you’re in it for the amazing concepts, the stylish outfits, the synchronized choreography, or the vocal talent, there’s something about K-pop that transcends the language barrier. And there are some songs that just convince you of the universal power of music. This is one of those songs. When this collab was first announced, I’m sure I wasn’t the only international fan that had never heard of Lee Sun-hee. When I say she’s legendary, that’s not an overstatement. A veteran singer with a rich and varied career, she was the fourth South Korean singer to perform at Carnegie Hall and one of the few ever to perform in North Korea. You may have heard her on OSTs for My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho and Legend of the Blue Sea, and she’s been an award winner since her debut in 1984. From the first soft refrains of the track, you can see why. Her voice is so clear, yet rich with warmth and meaning. The music video is equally meaningful, filled with beautiful painted canvases of scenes between families and friends, communicating through various means including video phones and Braille. Further emphasizing how music is for everyone, the chorus features animation of Korean Sign Language. The instrumental is kept simple, featuring traditional Korean elements and percussion. Chanyeol’s self-written half-song/rap flows seamlessly between the melody. And if you’re a lyric junkie like me, they only enhance the track. “Anbu” translates to ‘regards’, the lyrics ask about your well-being and contain positive assurances like “I don’t know how you feel… But I am always with you” and “Even if I’m busy, I can always listen to you”. This song resonated the most for me, but the rest of the album is amazing as well. Overall: Like receiving a warm hug on a bad day.
Other Headlines:
- In sad news, Yohan from group TST (Top Secret) passed away as reported on June 16. The cause of death has not been immediately revealed, and his family has asked for privacy at this time. Yohan was 28.
- Stray Kids have made a comeback with their first full album, and the lead track has a… cooking concept?! A thumping bass line, cooking metaphors in the lyrics, a hard hitting chorus- there’s a lot going on in “God’s Menu” but I think I like it? This is one of those songs that hit even harder with the music video and performances (they are doing synchronized cooking choreo and there is a race track somewhere in there?). It’s like “Double Knot” went to compete in the show Hell’s Kitchen. I don’t know which is more entertaining- the actual music video or Stray Kids reacting to the music video. Other standouts on the album include the calm “Another Day”, the upbeat “Airplane”, and the stadium-pop anthem “Haven”.
- BTS released the single “Stay Gold” from their 4th Japanese album “Map of the Soul: 7 The Journey”. While it has a mainstream pop structure, it is boosted by the rap line’s smooth verses and the vocal line’s impressive ad-libs. I will probably listen to this an unhealthy amount of times until their next release. You can read the uplifting lyrics here and stream the track for good grades and clear skin! (*only effective if you have a good study and skin routine)
- Mnet competition show Road to Kingdom aired its finale with live performances from The Boyz, ONEUS, ONF, PENTAGON, and VERIVERY. The final winner of both cumulative and live voting results was The Boyz, making them the only team to continue on to the main show, “Kingdom”. I loved The Boyz performances on the show, but I’m bummed for PENTAGON, who in my opinion has done more than enough to gain more popularity and yet doesn’t have a single music show win. That being said, hopefully the show will give a boost to all the teams, as they all are extremely talented.
- In other Mnet reality show news, upcoming competition series I-LAND, a joint venture between CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment, reported unsafe working conditions that led to injuries of a staff member and a trainee fracturing his arm- meaning that the show will continue with only 23 of the planned 24 participants. A source states that the injuries were preventable, as safety concerns were raised numerous times and a staff member fell from the movable stage previously, but no action was taken. (Have they learned nothing from the SBS and Red Velvet’s Wendy incident?!!!!) Mnet has said that they have implemented more safety measures and are discussing compensation and recovery steps for the injured trainee. My thought is that they had all of this money to build practically a city for this show and yet they cut corners on installing, I don’t know, a fence? *serious side eye*
- Weki Meki released their third mini-album “HIDE and SEEK” with the addictive title song “OOPSY.”
- Girl group LOONA has revealed its official lightstick, and it’s beautiful! Not only is it insanely longer than most lightsticks, it lights up in 12 different colors. Orbits (fandom name) can access the pre-sale starting June 29.
- A drama based on the BTS Universe has begun production. “Blue Sky” (literal title) will feature rookie actors, not actual members, and the names will be different as well. (Source)
- D1CE released mini album “DRAW YOU: REMEMBER ME” and a music video for the track “Draw You.”
- Chinese NCT unit WayV released a Korean version of their title track “Turn Back Time” to show that the song is a bop in any language.
- Solo R&B artist Lee Hi will make her first variety show appearance since leaving YG Entertainment last year on JTBC’s “Begin Again Korea”, where artists hold busking events around the country. She will appear starting on episode 4, joining former label mate AKMU’s Lee Soo-Hyun, Crush, Jung Seung-hwan, Henry, Lee So-ra, and others.
- Baek A Yeon released her first song since leaving JYP Entertainment with the chill and brassy track “Looking For Love.”
- Girl group NATURE made a comeback with the haunting “Girls (어린애)” on their single album “NATURE World: Code M.” The nine-member group is promoting with only seven members; member Loha is sitting out to due to health reasons, Sunshine is recovering from a leg injury, and Aurora couldn’t get back in time after participating in Chinese competition show Youth With You.
- Kim Soo Hyun’s (Moon Embracing the Sun, My Love From the Star) new tvn drama “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” will premiere on June 20. Described as a ‘healing drama’, it will tell the storybook romance between a community health worker at a psychiatric ward and a children’s book author who has antisocial personality disorder (played by Seo Ye Ji; Save Me, Lawless Lawyer).
- Ballad singer Jung Seung Hwan (he probably sang that OST you like) released “Whenever Wherever.”
- EXO’s maknae Sehun is set to appear in the upcoming movie Pirates 2. For his film debut, Sehun will play a handsome archer alongside actors such as Kang Ha Neul, Lee Kwang Soo, and Chae Soo Bin.
- KCON:TACT 2020 SUMMER, the virtual alternative to the canceled KCON expo, started its week of programming this weekend with events featuring Kim Jaehwan (Wanna One), LOONA, MONSTA X, and The Boyz. Find out how to purchase access to live events and schedule details at KCON’s official website.
- Mamamoo celebrated their sixth anniversary this week! You can watch the celebrations on their VLive channel. Youngest member Hwasa is set to release her first solo mini-album “María” on June 29. Watch the intro/teaser here.
What was your favorite headline this week? Let us know in the comments!