SuperM Can’t Slow Down In ‘100’
SM Entertainment’s ‘Avengers of K-pop’ handpicked group SuperM released the first single from their upcoming full album “Super One”.
Review: It seems like anything that SuperM does is instantly divisive among fans. It would be hard to please everyone when they are drawing from fanbases of SHINee, EXO, NCT, WayV, not to mention the international approach SM seems to be pushing for them. It seems to be getting even more hate than their debut song “Jopping” but… I actually kind of like this song? Is it their best track? No. Does it make the most out of the rare collaboration of legendary artists they have? No way. Does it at least have a real word as it’s title instead of a mashup of ‘jumping’ and ‘popping’? Well, it’s a number so that’s kinda cheating. I think if this was from another group with less hype, it wouldn’t be hated as much. But for a group with so much potential, I admit that it’s a tad underwhelming. Some of the lyrics are a bit awkward, and although there is nothing subtle about SuperM’s concept, perhaps they could have held back with some of the effects. Fans want to hear more of their favorites, not a overpowering arrangement. And they all look amazing (Taemin as a glam space cowboy? I don’t even need an explanation. And look at Ten! Just look!) But for fans who want a solid concept or storyline in their music videos, it may come off looking more like a Target commercial than an iconic super-group. All that being said, Baekhyun and Taemin’s vocals absolutely carried this song. I loved the pre-chorus build up, and Taemin’s bridge part paired with Baekhyun’s climatic high note was amazing…. I just know that the group as a whole can deliver a lot more, so I’ll keep anticipating it. Overall: If you’re looking for fun, stream this. If you’re looking for deep content… maybe wait for the next release.
ONF Dives In On Mini Album “Spin Off”
https://youtu.be/6d33R5QPIXI
ONF (short for ‘On N Off’) released their fifth mini album with the title track “Sukhumvit Swimming”. This is the group’s first comeback since placing second on the group competition show Road To Kingdom. Members MK and Wyatt contributed to the lyrics and composing in 4 of the 7 tracks on the album.
Review: Competition shows can be a risky gamble for groups/members to appear on. But for some, especially newer or less popular groups, it can be totally worth it. That was the case with groups like NU’EST, The Boyz (who placed first in Road To Kingdom), and now runner-up ONF. That series is the main reason this lesser known group is on my radar, even though they debuted back in 2017. I’m glad I found out about them in time, because this album is so interesting and has a different sound than most of the trends I’ve heard in K-pop this year. The title track, “Sukhumvit Swimming” (Sukhumvit is a major highway and district in Thailand) is refreshing and unique, starting off with a electronic saxophone riff that lends a fun and beach-y vibe to the song (and will be stuck in your head all day). I don’t exactly understand what the plot of the music video is about (I recognized The Little Prince reference and something to do with time), but it’s a nice reference to the diversity of what you could see in Sukhumvit (as one of the members acts an ‘time-space Tuk-Tuk driver’) and adds to the laid-back feel of the lyrics. (Seriously though, what’s up with all the Western-themed K-pop concepts this year?) My favorite B-side on the album has the total opposite energy, the clumsy first-love themed ballad “Cactus”. I’ll definitely be keeping up with this group from now on. Overall: No one said it was going to be easy to stan an underrated group, but someone’s got to do it *rolls up sleeves* (Just don’t be like these toxic so-called ‘fans’.)
Other Headlines:
- ~”When we D-I-S-C-O”~ I will never get tired of JYP being thrown out in music videos or SUNMI being absolutely stunning in retro concepts. Brings me back to this legendary K-pop song. *whispers JYP*
- Solo artist Rothy released the single “Ocean View” feat. EXO’s Chanyeol. This track is so breezy and calming and matches the 21-year-old Rothy’s voice so well. I love that Chanyeol is doing so many collabs this year, and also hope that his feature will bring some more fans to this hidden gem of an artist.
- Although co-ed group KARD is more well-known for their party-bangers sound; I love the more relaxed tropical vibe of this track, “Medication”. The member-produced track came as a surprise to fans, but I’m guessing it’s to hype up their upcoming official comeback with the single “Way With Words” on August 26.
- Get your tissues ready. Former Monsta X member Wonho made his solo debut with the single “Losing You”. It’s been a rough year for Monbebe (Monsta X fandom), but this tearjerker English single reads like a love letter for all of his fans and supporters (including a scene in the MV where he is surrounded by white lights that fans speculate represent Monsta X lightsticks). Where many seem to just disappear after a scandal, Wonho is talented enough and has a dedicated fanbase that will allow him to flourish (despite a questionable fandom name choice). Wonho’s first mini alum “Love Synonym #1: Right For Me” will be released on September 4.
- As if you needed another reason to fall in love with Park Bo Gum: The actor gifted fans with his new song produced by Sam Kim, “All My Love”. He will be enlisting on August 31 and his upcoming drama Record of Youth premieres on September 7.
- Brave Girls made their first comeback in two years with the city pop single “We Ride”.
- SISTAR’s Hyolyn released a powerful music video for “9 Lives” from the Mnet competition show Good Girl.
- VICTON’s Han Seung Woo released his first mini album and an MV with the title track “Sacrifice”.
- Interested in learning Korean? Big Hit Edu (an independent educational company under the industry giant) is releasing a book package for their series “Learn! Korean with BTS”. Their Weverse app has been releasing short weekly videos, and universities around the world will be using the books in their curriculum. And my mom said K-pop wasn’t educational. (Source).
- YG Entertainment is going to be busy. In an official statement, they announced that sibling duo AKMU will be releasing three new songs and music videos starting in September until the end of the year. I wonder if this gradual release of new music instead of one big comeback is going to continue to be a YG trend or will it catch on? YG also announced WINNER’s Song Mino will be releasing a full-length album in October.
- IZ*ONE will be holding an online concert “Oneiric Theater” on September 13. Tickets are available now through Interpark.
- OUI Entertainment announced that temporary project group 1THE9’s Yoo Yongha and Kim Junseo will be joining their upcoming rookie group WEi. You can watch the first episode of their currently airing pre-debut reality show here.
- Rookie girl group woo!ah! announced that youngest members Songyee would be leaving the group due to ‘personal reasons’. It’s pretty soon for a member change up since they just debuted in May, but their official statement said it was an amicable departure and the discussion involved her parents. Here’s hoping for the best for the group and Songyee. Watch the group’s debut MV here.
- After announcing his departure from VIXX, Hongbin will be enlisting in the military on August 18.
K-drama Corner:
- Kakao M has confirmed it’s cast for Not Yet 30, its upcoming drama based on the webtoon “Born in 1985”. Main leads Jung In Sun and CNBLUE’s Kang Min Hyuk will join Song Jae Rim and EXID’s Hani in this rom-com about first love.
- tvN’s adaptation of the popular webtoon True Beauty confirmed its main cast. Moon Ga Young (Find Me In Your Memory), ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo (My ID Is Gangnam Beauty), and newbie Hwang In Yeob (The Tale of Nokdu) will star in the drama about an a girl who is insecure without her makeup that meets two male visuals who seem to have it all. But of course there is hidden sides, backstories, and secrets, because this is a K-drama we’re talking about. I like this webtoon, the cast and director (who also directed the amazing Extraordinary You), so I’m cautiously optimistic.
- Upcoming dramas:
- August 22: Playlist Studio’s Wednesday/Saturday web drama Twenty Twenty starring UP10TION’s Kim Woo Seok, Han Sung Min, Park Sang Nam, and A.C.E.’s Chan dealing with new experiences as they enter their 20s. The drama will be available on Playlist’s YouTube channel.
- August 26: KBS’ Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol starring Go Ara (Reply 1994; Haechi) and Lee Jae Wook (When the Weather Is Fine; Extraordinary You) as two opposite personalities that meet at a piano academy in a small village after the female lead loses everything (because…. K-drama.)
- August 31: SBS’ Do You Like Brahms starring Park Eun Bin (Hello My Twenties) and Kim Min Jae (Doctor Romantic) as classical music students stuck in unrequited love.
- September 4: Channel A’s Lie After Lie starring Lee Yoo Ri as a woman who finds herself imprisoned for her husband’s murder and Byeon Jeong Hun (Mask, Possessed) as the cold adoptive father of her daughter. Lee Il Hwa (Her Private Life) stars as her mother-in-law who is devastated after losing her son.
- September 7: Record of Youth, Park Bo Gum (Encounter; Reply 1988) and Park So Dam’s (Parasite) tvN drama about the model industry.
- September 16: JTBC’s con-artist drama Private Life starring Girl’s Generation’s Seohyun (Time), Go Kyung Pyo (Reply 1988; Strongest Deliveryman), movie actress Kim Hyo Jin and Kim Young Min (World of the Married; Crash Landing On You) about a group of swindlers who have to take on a large company. Is this going to be a heist drama? I love heist dramas! Watch the teaser here.
- September: JTBC’s More Than Friends starring Shin Ye Eun (Meow: The Secret Boy) and WannaOne’s Ong Seong Wu (Moment at 18) as friends who never get the timing right to progress into more… until now?
- October 26: MBC’s time–travel thriller Kairos starring Shin Sung Rok (Perfume; The Last Empress) as a man desperate to find his kidnapped daughter and Lee Se Young (Memorist; The Crowned Clown) as a woman searching for her missing mother and living one month in the past. It will also star boy group member WINNER’s Kang Seung Yoon.
- October (after Flower of Evil): Fantasy tvN drama Tale of the Nine Tailed released pictures from it’s first script reading. Lee Dong Wook (Strangers From Hell; Goblin) stars as a mythical male gumiho (nine-tailed fox in Korean folklore) living in the city and Jo Bo Ah (Forest; My Strange Hero) as a producer determined to hunt him down. Check out pictures from its first script reading here.
What was your favorite headline this week? Let us know in the comments!