ATEEZ Has Fever Dream In New Album “ZERO: FEVER Part 1”
Eight-member should-have-been-rookie-of-the-year group ATEEZ released their fifth mini album “ZERO: FEVER Part 1” with the fan-voted title track “Inception”.
Review: Although a relatively newer group (debuting late 2018), ATEEZ already has an impressive discography and following. With an online release performance, a preview short film, and inviting celebrities and international fans to vote for the first promoted track on the album, there was a lot of build-up for this comeback. This is their first album after closing up the “Treasure” series, so I was curious to see the next step. I think that ATEEZ has done a good job of establishing their style while still having a variety of songs. It seems like many rookie groups have a hard time figuring out exactly what they want to do, or they try to keep things exciting and new but change concepts so suddenly or drastically that it either obscures their strengths or alienates their fans. In contrast, this album just felt right for what you would expect for an ATEEZ album. Tracks “THANXX” and “To The Beat” are made for dance and performances, “Good Lil Boy” spotlights the rap line, and “FEVER” and “Inception” remind me of the dreamy vocal highlights in their previous tracks such as “Utopia”. As for the title track, I think fans made a good choice (no offense for anyone who voted for “THANXX”). The music video is interesting, the choreography is perfectly in sync as always, and the hook “I’m in loooove” has been stuck in my head all week. I don’t get much into ‘lore’ (the music video story / alternate universe) but I do like the concepts and themes that ATEEZ uses. The ‘Treasure’ series was all about the journey and trials that one faces in order to even get to the starting line. From ‘All to Zero’ we’re now at the start of the journey with this album “Zero: Fever”, which is about discovering your dream and the lost feeling that comes from either not having a dream or being scared to lose it. I’m excited to see what comes next in our journey. Overall: Another solid ATEEZ release, but I hope the next album allows them to explore even more styles and genres.
Other Headlines:
- Singer-songwriter / boy next door Eric Nam released his fourth mini album “The Other Side”. Eric has a way of making his albums sound as down to earth as he is. For me this is a perfect summer release. The tracks sound like what you’d play on a sunny day as you watch the clouds drift by or when you start driving with the window down with no real destination in mind. I really like the theme of the music video; sometimes we get so caught up in trying to be someone or something that we (or others) think we should be instead of focusing on what’s right in front of us. The journey of self-discovery ends with the phrase “vis ta vie”- Live Your Life- the way you want to live it. You can hear more of Eric and his behind the scenes perspective and encounters with other celebrities in his K-pop Daebak podcast.
- Rapper and hip-hop singer Jessi released her third mini-album NUNA. With her explosive personality, I was expecting a certain type of sound in this release but instead got a mix of dance and more sentimental tracks. The title track and music video for “Nunu Nana” feat. the legendary Lee Hyori is definitely a hype anthem that matches Jessi’s refusal to follow anyone’s standard but her own (for better or for worse in some fan’s eyes). But my favorite track was the slower “Star” which highlights her vocals and lyric talents.
- Former Produce winner and Wanna One member Kang Daniel dropped a pre-release music video for “Waves” feat. Simon Dominic and Jamie. I was pleasantly surprised because 1) usually features only get a couple of lines, but this almost felt like the trio was in an official group and 2) it’s a totally different style from what I was expecting, but I like to see him exploring his range. Kang Daniel’s second mini album “Magenta” release on August 3rd.
- Girl group APRIL released a ‘summer special album’ “Hello Summer” and a music video for ‘Now or Never’.
- Highlight’s (anyone else remember when they were still BEAST?) Yoon Doo Joon released the solo album “Daybreak” and a music video for the title track “Lonely Night”.
- Former SISTAR member Soyou released the single “Gotta Go”.
- ONEUS released a music video for “Come Back Home”, which was first performed on Road to Kingdom. They are currently preparing for their comeback on August 19 with the mini album “Lived”.
- Speaking of Kingdom, Mnet confirmed that the group competition show would not air this year. The winners of Road to Kingdom, The Boyz will continue on to compete in the follow-up series but a full lineup has yet to be announced.
- Super Junior- K.R.Y. will sing from their latest album at their online concert “When We Were Us (The Moment With Us) via the SM-supported Beyond LIVE platform on August 23.
- MBC confirmed that they are working on a documentary about Sulli, who passed away last October, and will include interviews with family, friends, and employees. I just hope it is done respectfully and that the family has the final say on what premieres.
K-Drama Corner
- Upcoming drama Can’t Be Bothered to Date, But Don’t Want to Be Lonely released new stills featuring Kim So Eun as a woman who’s avoided dating for years but suddenly finds herself in a love triangle between her friend (played by Kang Hyun Jin) and housemate (Ji Hyun Woo).
- 2PM’s Taecyeon will be taking on the role of a villain in the upcoming tvN drama Vincenzo. If confirmed, he will star along with Song Joong Ki (Descendants of the Sun, Arthdal Chronicles) and Jeon Yeo Bin (Be Melodramatic).
- SBS released posters for the upcoming time-travel drama Alice, starring Joo Won and Kim Hee Sun. Alice premieres August 28.
- This sounds cute: JTBC released a humorous teaser for the drama 18 Again, based on the American movie 17 Again. The drama stars Kim Ha Neul as a working mom preparing to divorce her husband Yoon Sang Hyun, who suddenly transforms into his 18-year-old self played by Lee Do Hyun. 18 Again premieres September 7.
- Actor Sung Joon (I need Romance 3, High Society) returned from the military this week. Earlier this year he revealed he had married a non-celebrity before enlisting and welcomed a child, so he would spend the rest of his service as a full-time reserve to better support his family. I can’t wait to see him on-screen again!
- Currently Watching:
- It’s Okay To Not Be Okay: I didn’t expect the revealed identity of Go Moon Young’s mother, but it is a K-drama and I feel like I should have known better than to want no last minute plot twists. I just hope that we still get to see all of the character arcs closed in a satisfying way. I better get my fairy-tale happy ending Show! *shakes fists in the air threateningly*
- Was It Love?: Listen guys, you can’t call dibs on a person’s love. You especially can’t call dibs, never tell anyone you had dibs, and then break a friendship because ‘you liked her first’. Or call dibs because you think you’re more noble than the other guys and insert yourself into her family uninvited. The female lead owes the male leads absolutely nothing (at least, emotionally speaking), but her lack of communication (especially with her daughter) and indecisive actions are starting to get a bit frustrating. At this point, I wouldn’t be upset if she rejected all of the men and lived happily ever after making movies and bonding with her kid and her cute puppy.
- Flower of Evil: From the show’s synopsis, I knew this wasn’t going to be a cozy drama, but wow does Lee Joon Ki play a good creepy villain. I thought there was going to be some ambiguity as to whether he was actually a bad guy or not, but the first episode basically confirms it. I like how his wife’s character is being deceived by him, but she’s not stupid. She sees the best in people, but she expertly follows the evidence as well. And their family life is incredibly adorable, which is going to make it all the more heartbreaking to watch her discover who her husband truly is. I’m not sure if I’ll continue to keep up with this drama (because I’m
a coward*ahem* busy), but it’s definitely a strong premiere.