Lay Proves Who’s King In Full Album ‘Lit’
EXO’s Lay (Lay Zhang/ Zhang Yixing) dropped his fourth solo album “莲(LIT)”, having previously released part 1 earlier this year.
Review(daebakwhovian): Lay is one of the relative few in the industry who have successfully transitioned from ‘idol pop star’ to a true artist. Although not always being able to promote with his group mates, he has made the most of his solo career by exploring and expanding on his strengths. The result is a well-rounded quadruple-threat: singing, rapping, dancing, producing, and even owning his own agency (and being used for the #magazinechallenge on TikTok). His improvements in are especially apparent on his latest full-length album, which feels both personal and relatable. The first part of the album is explosive and intimidating, starting off with the hard-hitting title track ‘LIT’ which includes lyrics such as ‘I am Lit (or lotus flower, which symbolizes growth despite setbacks)… I am the king in the music kingdom.” Lay explains “The first part of the album talks about the past, which is why there is an emphasis on traditional Chinese instruments and historical stories” (Source). Meanwhile, the second half feels more introspective. He says “The second part of the album focuses more on the present and things that are happening around me.” This includes standout B-side “沸 (Changsha)”, an ode to his hometown with a flute and hip-hop influenced backing track. Besides the main singles (‘Lit’, ‘Jade’, and ‘Boom’), other standouts on the album are the mellow “水 (H20)” and melancholy “唤 (Call My Name)”. Overall: Half love letter to his roots, half inspiration to look ahead, “LIT” preserves Lay’s status in the industry. (Note: Since many streaming services only have the titles in Chinese, here’s a track list of the album in English).
Lee Hi Stops Feeling Lonely In New Single “HOLO”
Soloist Lee Hi released the single “HOLO”. This is her first single since leaving YG Entertainment at the end of her contract and signing with rapper Jay Park’s agency AOMG.
Review(daebakwhovian): (Read a full review and explanation here!) Since her first appearance on the idol-making competition show K-Pop Star, Lee Hi has been an artist to keep an eye on. She has consistently hit the mark with every release. Lee Hi is unique in the way she delivers heartfelt lyrics with her soulful voice, creating a cathartic experience. She does this once again in “HOLO”, which translates to “alone” in English. The R&B/doo-wop inspired backing track mixed with a choral arrangement and Lee Hi’s husky vocals are both catchy and profound as the lyrics remind us to love all parts of ourselves and stop dwelling on negative comparisons and loneliness. Overall: If Lee Hi’s perfect voice doesn’t get you, the lyrics will make you an instant fan.
Other Headlines:
- Former Produce 101 winner and I.O.I. member Somi made her first solo comeback with the single “What You Waiting For.” I don’t really know what I think about this track. It’s not a bad song, but it also doesn’t really stand out to me either. Some fans criticized the choreography for being too simplistic (and perhaps made only for a TikTok challenge in mind), but others argue that not every song necessarily has to have a complicated choreography. And the music video was fun and trendy (and I’m all for more idols including their cute pets as cameos). To me it felt more like a B-side track than a main comeback (unpopular opinion: I actually liked “Birthday” as her debut song). I think in general, fans have already seen that she is capable of doing so much and just want her to be able to show her talents in the best way possible.
- SM Entertainment is collaborating with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to make orchestral versions of K-pop hits. So far they have released a video for Red Velvet’s “Red Flavor” and SHINee Jonghyun’s “End of a Day.” As a big K-pop fan and an even bigger band/orchestra nerd (go flutes!) this is everything. “End of a Day” is my favorite Jonghyun song, and I didn’t think it could be any more gorgeous until hearing this rendition. SM announced that all of the proceeds from this version will go to the Shiny Foundation, an organization founded by the late artist’s family to help youths in the performing arts.
- Red Velvet sub-unit Irene & Seulgi released a music video for their single “Naughty.” I honestly like this better than their title track “Monster”, but I think that’s mostly a style preference. The voguing/tutting inspired choreo (which reminds me of Chungha’s “Stay Tonight” release earlier this year) just goes to show that sometimes the phrase ‘They have more talent in their pinky finger than me’ should be taken literally. To anyone who attempts to learn this choreography: I hope you have hand insurance (yes, that’s a real thing).
- SSAK3, the variety-show How Do You Play formed group made up of the ‘nation’s MC’ Yoo Jae Suk, along with superstars Rain and Lee Hyori, made their ‘debut’ with the 90s themed “Beach Again” and cover song “In Summer.” The tracks have already topped the charts and increased music show viewership ratings. Proceeds from the tracks, physical album, and solo songs (released August 1) will be donated. With the trio being wildly popular in Korea, I’m going to laugh if these early generation K-pop stars end up winning a Rookie of the Year award.
- Day6 member Young K released the audio for his solo song “Text Me Now”, a surprise which fellow member Jae had recently kinda-sorta-definitely accidentally spoiled on his Instagram Live. This is why you don’t tell some people secrets. Spilled tea aside, the track is really interesting and uses a cool effect to imitate a vibrating phone in the chorus.
- Block B member and “Any Song” viral challenge originator Zico will be enlisting in the military on July 30. Since he’s currently a mentor on the Mnet idol competition show I-LAND, many wonder if there will be a replacement for him in part two of the show.
- Pledis Entertainment announced that SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan will be taking a hiatus from group promotions as he recovers from surgery for a ‘left ankle ligament rupture’ (source). Get well soon Seungkwan!
- *whispers JYP* JYP Entertainment confirmed that their founder Park Jin Young is gearing up for an August comeback.
- Former Monsta X member Wonho is getting ready for his solo debut this fall. Wonho is signed with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship Entertainment (Monsta X’s agency).
- RBW Entertainment (home of Mamamoo and groups Oneus and Onewe) is debuting a new girl group! The seven member girl group, PURPLE K!SS, is set to debut later this year and has released trailers for several members. Check out their profile and a list of their social media sites here!
- This is technically ‘next week’s’ news, but I’m an easily excited fan so…. Big Hit Entertainment confirmed on their Weverse app that BTS would release a single on August 21. The single will have English lyrics and comes before their next album, which they have been sharing the making-of process in their live broadcasts.
K-drama Corner:
- Record Of Youth, the upcoming tvN model industry drama starring power players Park Bo Gum (Love In the Moonlight, Encounter) and Park So Dam (Parasite, Cinderella and the Four Knights), released a new trailer. The drama premieres on September 7.
- Other upcoming dramas:
- JTBC’s unrequited love drama Chances of going From Friends to Lovers/ Number of Cases starring former Wanna One member Ong Seung Wu (Moment at Eighteen) and Shin Ye Eun (Meow: The Secret Boy, He Is Psychometric) premieres in September.
- OCN supernatural mystery drama Missing: The Other Side starts in August.
- Lee Joon Gi (Lawless Lawyer, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo) and Moon Chae Won (Criminal Minds, Good Doctor) star in tvN’s Flower of Evil, a thriller about what happens when a detective wife begins to suspect a dark secret about her husband. The drama premieres on July 29.
- The second season of tvN’s Forest of Secrets set a premier date for August 15, following It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. Check out the character posters here.
- Do You Like Brahms?, the SBS drama centering around classical music students played by Park Eun Bin and Kim Min Jae, premieres August 31. Watch the teaser here.
- SBS time travel drama Alice starring Joo Won (My Sassy Girl, Yong-Pal) and Kim Hee Seon (Room No. 9, Angry Mom) starts August 28. Watch the trailer here.
- Currently Watching:
- It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: I know this drama isn’t doing as well domestically compared to its popularity with international fans, but each episode I’m continually impressed with the writing and acting. I love how even the supporting characters are getting their own arcs, and how the main characters are willing to admit and learn from their mistakes to help themselves and have a positive effect on the people around them. I’ve been burned by unsatisfying endings before, so let’s hope the show can keep it up now that we’re getting close to the home stretch.
- Was It Love?: I still find this show entertaining, even if it’s not as addictive as others I’m watching right now (see above). That being said, the more I watch, the more I’m starting to notice more flaws and cliches. There’s the sweet but not-so-subtly-pushy side male lead, the manipulating rich potential (but unlikely) mother-in-law, the jealous wrist-grabs, the forced misunderstandings and lack of communication between the female lead and actual male lead (we can assume by now that the other 3 male leads are probably not endgame), and of course the scheming and petty second female lead. My biggest issue is that every character is inexplicably and completely stuck fourteen years in the past, which could be an okay plot device if we as the audience weren’t also stuck watching them spin their wheels repeatedly while going nowhere. I still love the mother-daughter-grandma interactions, and I will keep watching. Especially since they introduced a cute puppy sub-plot.
- I-LAND: I have many conflicting thoughts about this show. Is it entertaining TV? Yes. Is it fair? Uhh…. undecided. I’ve never been a fan of the top tier ‘I-Land’ vs. lower tier ‘Ground’ format. For one thing, I feel like throwing a bunch of impressionable teenagers (the youngest is only 14) and telling them they are basically stuck in a cement hole because of one or two performances, depriving them of resources (the ‘Ground’ group has to share one tablet to learn their dances), and making the I-Land group vote off their teammates (often with no guiding criteria), feels more like Hunger Games or Lord of the Flies than a music show. And while I know this is supposed to be an ‘observational’ type of show, I wish the trainees had more time to actually be trained by the mentors, instead of just a mid-week check-in. It’s now near the end of Part 1, meaning the global vote is open to decide their fates, but there are several kids who I’ve still barely seen on screen. Still, the level of talent of all the participants is amazing, and I’ll be excited to see future performances from whoever ends up continuing on to Part 2.
What were your favorite headlines this week? Let us know in the comments!