daebakwhovian/ October 4, 2020/ ICYMI/ 0 comments

BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK released their debut full-length studio album (although they literally debuted four years ago, but who’s counting? Not YG, apparently) appropriately title “THE ALBUM” with the title track “THE TITLE SONG” “Lovesick Girls”.

Review: With so much anticipation and hype surrounding this long-awaited release, it was either going to be a big success or a big fail. For the most part, this was a win for the girls. I feel like “Lovesick Girls” is the title track I’ve been waiting for from BLACKPINK. Yes, they still slay every time with the ‘girl crush’ concept, trap-beats are their producers’ best friends, and Lisa’s rap can cover up many flaws- but it’s nice to finally hear something a little different. Switching from more familiar territories like EDM-laced bangers or upbeat electropop filled with double meaning to a bittersweet heartbreak anthem, “Lovesick Girls” still sounds like it was written for the girls. Perhaps that’s partly because members Jennie and Jisoo contributed to the songwriting process, or maybe it’s because the track shows off the members vocal strengths and ranges better than many of their previous songs. There’s something comfortingly nostalgic about this song (longtime YG fans may be reminded of 2ne1’s “Ugly“), but it still sounds new for this group. The other songs on the album are more in line with what we’re used to. Hard-hitting diss track “Pretty Savage” is the track I would most like to see performed live, and the beat drop would be a perfect opportunity for a dance break. Even though Cardi B’s feature in “Bet You Wanna” wasn’t exactly surprising (many BLINKs -BLACKPINK fandom name-had already guessed), I think this is the best collaboration that the group has done so far with Western artists (though you may be able to tell that it had the same producers as “Ice Cream”). I’m a sucker for traditional-inspired vibes fusing with modern beats, and “Crazy for You” is no exception. “Love to Hate Me” feels a bit like a filler track compared to the rest, but extra credit for the “7 Rings” vibes it gives off. After seven hip-hop/EDM influenced tracks, the R&B leaning “You Never Know” came as a pleasant surprise ending that left me wishing we got more opportunities to hear all of the girls actually sing. This album wasn’t perfect: at less than 25 minutes, it’s a bit too short after years of waiting, and there’s a risk of some songs sounding too-much alike. I still feel like I want more from each member, but perhaps that will only be solved with a few solo albums…? *hint hint nudge nudge* Overall: I’d say it was worth the wait, but I don’t want to jinx us to wait another 4 years until the next album.

Other Headlines:

• In need of an instant pick-me-up? Check out Lee Jin Ah‘s adorable music video for “Dreamy Alarm” (starring ASTRO‘s Cha Eun Woo), a track from her recent EP “Candy Pianist”. Best known as a finalist from the K-pop Star competition show, Lee Jin Ah’s jazzy piano and airy vocals are sure to bring a smile to your face. (As if staring at Mr. True Beauty himself wasn’t enough).

• TREASURE released a fun ‘selfie version’ music video for their track “B.L.T. (Bling Like This).” It makes me wonder what sort of chaos would ensue if you put all of the TREASURE members with any of the NCT members together in one room. *calls Mnet to pitch new reality show idea*

• Former AOA member Choa made a cover of BTS‘ “Dynamite” and it’s so cute. After a 3-year mental-health hiatus from the spotlight, Choa returned recently with an OST (original soundtrack) for the drama To All The Guys Who Loved Me and posted a cover of Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” on her personal YouTube channel.
• Speaking of BTS, the group’s remix of Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s TikTok earworm hit “Savage Love” was released, featuring Korean lyrics. Check out the lyric video here.
• Don’t you just love Love?
  • Label SJ (SuJu’s agency) confirmed that Super Junior’s Ryeowook and former TAHITI member Ari are dating. I just like that unlike some toxic fans (looks sideways at another SM group fandom group), ELFs (Super Junior’s fandom name) are either lovingly teasing or congratulating the couple.
  • Actress Claudia Kim (Avengers: Age of Ultron; Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) gave birth to her first child, a baby girl. Congrats!

• Former Monsta X member Wonho started his own YouTube channel called “ohhoho”. You can check out his first video here (just make sure you’re not hungry before you start!)
• Former SNSD member Jessica Jung made her book debut with the young-adult novel Shine. Centered on a Korean-American trainee trying to make it big in Seoul, Jessica admits that she drew from many of her own experiences- but she leaves it to the readers to decide which parts are true and which are fiction. So far, there are plans for a second book in the series and a screen adaptation. You can check out an interview on her process here.

K-Drama Corner:

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• F4 leader Lee Min Ho (Boys Over Flowers, City Hunter) officially became the first Korean celebrity to reach 20 million followers on both Facebook and Instagram. His Weibo account (one of the largest Chinese social media platforms) also has over 28 million followers. He most recently won over fans with Netflix’s The King: Eternal Monarch, his first drama after returning from the military.
• Upcoming OCN thriller Search released a new teaser featuring our protagonists facing off their unknown enemies. Taking place in the DMZ, the drama follows an elite search party team that is confronted with mysterious disappearances happening in the area. Search, starring f(x)’s Krystal (Prison Playbook; Bride of Habaek) and Jang Dong Yoon (Tale of Nokdu; School 2017), premieres October 17.
• Currently Watching:
  • Do You Like Brahms?: This week’s episodes felt a bit like filler for the first time since this drama started. I’m not sure if it’s because the flow was not as well-paced as earlier episodes, or simply because almost everyone except our leads annoyed me. I understand their friends being blindsided by the reveal of some hidden feelings, but there’s a difference between crushing on someone one-sidedly and acting on your infatuation. Joon Young and Song Ah never intended to act on their unrequited love, and even when they had the chance, they wouldn’t do it out of respect for their friend. Is it really worth throwing away years worth of friendship? I know we still have several episodes to go, but I’m still waiting for some major confidence boosts for both our leads. And although Jung Kyung still aggravates me, her frank conversation with Song Ah was right in some ways. If their relationship is going to have any chance of survival, they both have to start feeling more comfortable with things that make them feel uncomfortable, and spend less time trying to figure out what other people think of them. But this show has already won me over with how adorable our couple is (even the behind-the-scenes is adorable!)

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