daebakwhovian/ May 18, 2021/ ICYMI/ 0 comments

Dreams do come true! NCT DREAM made their first comeback with all seven members with the release of their first full album “Hot Sauce” and the title track of the same name. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I wasn’t the biggest fan of the sub-unit’s latest release “Ridin'”, and I have to be in the right mood to listen to NCT’s brand of so-called ‘noise music’. Fortunately, ‘Hot Sauce’ hits most of the right flavor notes. The beat-drop in the chorus, whether you love it or hate it, is insanely catchy. I also like how it carries through the rest of the song in the background, tying all of the different sections together. In fact, my least favorite part of the track is the bridge/dance break, which seems a bit out of place with the rest of the song, almost as if it was a stock section found in the SM basement that could be used in any other song. I appreciate that they’re sticking with the original concept of being the young, energetic unit but still maturing their style as the years go on (30-year-olds releasing songs like “Chewing Gum” would be a bit of a stretch). Speaking of which, although I’m not totally against anti-chorus tracks that feature chanting instead of a traditionally sung chorus, something about the high-pitch of the final mix in certain parts makes it sound a little like they made a new sub-unit with Alvin and the Chipmunks (which I’m sure Mark would also be a part of if that ever happened).

This is another case of the best song to be the title track on the album isn’t necessarily the actual best song on the album. “Hot Sauce” is super addictive, but quality-wise I enjoyed B-sides like “Dive Into You” (even with the missing mic incident) and “Countdown (3,2,1)” a bit more. The R&B flavored “Irreplaceable” also gave a nice opportunity to showcase the group’s vocals without some of the added effects that feature in the other tracks on the album.

Overall: ‘Hot Sauce’ hits most of the right flavor notes with a nice variety on the album. But if it’s too spicy for you, try cooling off with some Ice Cream Cake.

Comebacks & Releases

• Cosmic Girls new track is out of this world! WJSN (aka Cosmic Girls) debuted their newest sub-unit WJSN The Black with members SeolA, Bona, EXY, and Eunseo on the single album “My Attitude”. I love absolutely everything about this debut, from the sexy choreo, the easy groove of the track, the concept, the styling… I guess you could say they make it look easy? The B-side on the album “Kiss Your Lips” is also worth a listen (and if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking out the full group’s latest release “Unnatural“).

• Were you finally able to get “Dolphin” and STAYC’s “ASAP” out of your head? Congrats, now there’s a new track to play on loop in your brain! Oh My Girl released their eight mini album “Dear Oh My Girl” with the lead track “Dun Dun Dance”. Last year was a great year in terms of OMG’s popularity (partially with help from TXT Soobin’s self-titled ‘Dolphin cult‘) and it looks like they’ll continue their streak with the ridiculously catchy chorus of “Dun Dun Dance”. Surprisingly, the rest of the tracks on the album are actually a lot more chill; kind of reminding me of some of IU’s discography. The easy to memorize choreography and bright colors of the MV have perfect timing for the Spring-into-Summer season (though the giant teddy bears in all their videos still kinda creep me out, but I’ll get over it eventually. Maybe.) I have a feeling that most people will be playing this song “Nonstop“. *cues laugh track*

• ONEUS released their fifth mini album “BINARY CODE” with the lead track “Black Mirror”. I have to admit, I was a little concerned with their last release “No Diggity”, which kind of felt like that one friend who half-heartedly goes through an emo phase and buys a lot of black lipstick but doesn’t really commit to it. “Black Mirror” seems to be much more their style. I love that the MV features their slick choreography because one of the group’s biggest strengths is their stage presence and energy when dancing. My only issue is that the track itself is that it might be a bit too trendy, meaning that it kinda sounds like you may have heard it before. Still, it’s fun and the guys look great. While I appreciate that their company is trying to experiment with different sounds (perhaps they are still learning how to make a successful boy group since RBW’s biggest act is girl group MAMAMOO?), I hope they continue to lean more in this direction for future releases. In other words:

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• Vocal powerhouse VAV released a special digital single “Always” to commemorate member Ace enlisting into the military.
• EXO‘s recently enlisted Baekhyun released the rock collaboration track “Hurt” with singer SeoMoon Tak.
• (G)-IDLE‘s Yuqi made her solo debut with the digital single “A Page” and the title track “Giant“. I didn’t know it, but 6 minutes and 23 seconds straight of Yuqi’s rich and husky voice are exactly what everyone needed.
• B.I. released the collaboration track (which I guess is technically a pre-release single for his upcoming album) “Got It Like That” with Destiny Rogers and Tyla Yaweh.
• ITZY released a lyric video for the English version of their track “In The Morning” (Mafia). But I much rather have that iconic opening “Guess who/ loves you/ Na Ya Na…”
• Kang Daniel released “Outer Space” featuring rapper Loco. The full music video was released exclusively on the UNIVERSE fan platform (which is super annoying, but that’s a rant for another day).

Top K-pop Headlines

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• Speaking of UNIVERSE, comeback queens Brave Girls and rookies DRIPPIN have joined the new fandom platform. Although I’m happy that both groups are gaining enough traction to have a fandom connection, the last time I tried to use the app it had so many glitches that it made me want to pull out my hair until I looked like BTOB’s Peniel. I’ll stay on my current planet for now.
• GOT7‘s leader Jay B (JB) has officially signed with Jay Park‘s agency H1GHR MUSIC and released the digital single “Switch It Up” feat. sokodomo.
• I’m stopping myself from making fruit puns since this is sad news: girl group Berry Good announced their official disbandment after their agency went through a merger and following the departure of several members when their contracts ended. Berry Good debuted in 2014 and their latest comeback was “Undying Love” in January of this year.
• KCON:TACT 4 U announced their first lineup for the virtual KCON event:  BTOB, Golden Child, Highlight, iKON, ONEUS, ONF, SF9, and Weki Meki.
• Another queen is free: 2NE1‘s Sandara Park announced her departure from YG Entertainment after 17 years with the agency.

K-Drama Corner

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• Can you feel my Heartbeat? 2PM‘s Junho (Wok of Love; Just Between Lovers) has been confirmed to star alongside actress Lee Se Young (Kairos; The Crowned Clown) in the upcoming saeguk The Red Sleeve Cuff. The historical drama will tell the love story between the ambitious court lady Ui Sung and the dutiful (future king) Jeongjo, who starts to display a previously unseen romantic side. The Red Sleeve Cuff is planned to air later this year on MBC.
• Talk about crash landings: Kim Jung Hyun (Crash Landing On You; Mr. Queen) and his former agency O& Entertainment released a statement announcing that their contract disputes have finally been settled.
  • In case you’ve missed this ongoing drama, the dispute occurred surrounding the actor’s 2018 drama Time, during which he received criticism for his rude behavior and later dropped out of due to health reasons. The agency claimed that his hiatus during that time would push back the date of his contract expiration, while his side said the original date should be upheld and also accused the agency of spreading false information. Meanwhile, reports came out from Dispatch claiming that former girlfriend Seo Ye Ji was behind the actor’s unprofessionalism with snippets of private text conversations between the couple allegedly proving her manipulation. (Seo Ye Ji’s agency later denied the accusations, stating that the texts were taken out of context and did not show the full version of events.) Kim Jung Hyun apologized for the situation, and also released medical records showing that he was being treated for several health issues during his hiatus.
  • Seo Ye Ji has dropped out of talks for the upcoming drama Drama and has not made any public appearances since the controversy including sitting out of this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards, where she won the Tik Tok Popularity Award and was nominated for Best Actress for her role in It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.
• Ok, this looks hilarious! Upcoming tvN drama My Roommate Is A Gumiho released a new trailer featuring Jang Ki Young (Born Again; Search:WWW) and Girl’s Day Hyeri (Reply 1988; Miss Lee). Based on the popular web comic, the plot centers around a 999 year-old Gumiho (Korean mythological nine-tailed fox) who is this close to cultivating his fox bead in order to turn human when it accidentally gets swallowed by a single-since-birth college student. (Moral of the story? If you get drunk, there is apparently a very high chance that you or your friend will get involved in a contractual obligated fairy-tale romance.) The pair decide to live together to find the best way to get the fox bead back, and of course, K-drama co-habitation hijinks will ensue. The web comic has recently been made available in English on Naver’s Webtoon, so if the drama is half as good as the source material, we’re in for a fun ride. My Roommate Is A Gumiho premiers May 26 on tvN.

• Speaking of comics, Wanna One‘s Ong Seong Woo (Moment At Eighteen; More Than Friends) is in talks to lead upcoming manhwa-based drama How About A Cup Of Coffee, about a rookie barista who learns important lessons about life and, well, coffee I guess. Coffee will premiere later this year on KakaoTV.
• I already love this couple! JTBC’s upcoming drama Nevertheless released its first teaser starring Song Kang (Love Alarm; Navirella) and Han So Hee (World Of The Married; 100 Days My Prince). Ballerino Song Kang plays a flirty university student who’s not interested in love and Han So Hee plays a woman who is guarded after a failed relationship with her cheating first love. Song Kang seems to be on a roll for picking hit dramas, and I am so here for it. Nevertheless premieres June 19 on JTBC. In the meantime, you can read the English translation of the web comic here.

• Han Ye Seul (20th Century Boy and Girl; Birth Of A Beauty) has been confirmed to star in the upcoming drama Goodbye Romance, about longtime friends becoming lovers. Contrary to the title, the actress recently adorably introduced her boyfriend on Instagram, showing the couple on a date.
• I was super late to the hype train, but now I’m firmly on board and super excited. Hit drama Hospital Playlist has released a teaser for season 2, focusing on the same heartfelt situations and characters we’ve come to love. The first season was like a hot cup of tea on a cold day, so expect the upcoming season to be just as warm and comforting. Season 2 premieres June 17 on tvN.

Currently Watching

• Navirella: This drama stole my heart, broke it into a million pieces, and then wrapped it up again using a leotard and lots of tulle fabric. This goes into my instant favorites. From the consistent growth of each of our characters, the carefully cultivated relationships fostered between them, and the subtly but perfectly acted emotions throughout I have a hard time finding any significant flaws with this masterpiece. Now please, someone talk me out of learning ballet before I remember I can’t dance and break every bone in my body…
• Vincenzo: Don’t judge me, but I still have several episodes before I finish this and I’m desperately trying to avoid being exposed to too many spoilers about the ending. In the meantime, I save this for moments when I want a good laugh and to vicariously get revenge on my enemies via pigeon.
• Doom At Your Service: I have set a rule for myself to not get too attached to a drama in the first week or set my standard too high so I don’t get disappointed, but I frequently find myself forgetting that rule much like a K-drama female lead conveniently forgets her umbrella on a rainy day. Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young are slaying their roles and their chemistry is almost palpable even through the screen. I can’t think of Park Bo Young with thinking of her hit drama Strong Woman Do Bong Soon which was a comedy; but man can that girl make me cry. Myul Mang/Doom is such a complex character, and I already find myself rewinding to watch any subtle emotions and facial expressions that I may have missed. Honestly, I’m a bit confused about how this contract works and exactly what the deal is with our mysterious ‘patient’ that seems to either be captain of our ship or the iceberg that tries to sink it. But so far I am pleasantly confused and have a reason to look forward to Mondays and Tuesdays. (Don’t disappoint me Show! I’m already in too deep!)

What were your favorite releases/headlines this week? Let us know in the comments!