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BTS Melts Hearts In “Butter”
It doesn’t matter what your calendar says, summer is officially here and BTS brought it! BTS jumped up to the top once again with their latest full-English single “Butter”. Following up their success of last year’s “Dynamite”, the group doubled-down on their international retro-style song of the summer approach. Comparisons between the two English tracks are inevitable, and if I had to choose (which I don’t, but I will anyway) “Butter” would edge-out the other. Whereas “Dynamite” was arguably easier to get into your head with the first listen, “Butter” fixes a lot of the issues that some fans had with last year’s release. Although the autotune effects were definitely still present, they were a lot less jarring and allowed for us to hear more of the individual members’ vocal color. Speaking of individual members, many fans were disappointed about Jin’s lack of lines in “Dynamite”, but there is a much better distribution of parts and turns taking center position this time around. The lyrics are not trying to be overly serious (what are we getting? why are we letting it roll? The people need answers!), but they are a lot more cohesive and show more care and member involvement (though I doubt most of the younger audience will understand that Usher reference in V’s part). The choreography fits the song perfectly, easy to learn and dance along while leaving a lot of room for variations and energy during live performances (*shakes anger fist at TicketMaster, who still has my BTS tickets from last year*). Not to mention they look amazing (V’s suit! Jungkook’s purple hair and (fake?) eyebrow piercing! Did I mention V’s suit?) I love that the styling was able to show a variety of ranges, from the group’s cool and seductive side with their suits, to the playful and flirty side in their bling-ed out tracksuits. In fact, for new listeners of the group, I’d probably reccomend this song over “Dynamite” because it shows more of BTS just being BTS. Overall, the track did a great job of being a catchy summer anthem, balanced with giving each member some time to shine. The real question is: How did j-hope keep a straight face while eating an entire forkful of butter???
Overview: Is anyone else really craving pancakes right now?
Comebacks & Releases
- SM rookies aespa released their latest single “Next Level” and it left many fans feeling…. very confused. The song is actually a remake of a track of the same name by A$ton Wyld which featured on one of the Fast & Furious films. SM has done this before with a lot of their groups, buying a demo version even of an already fairly popular song and remaking it for their groups. I think that many fans were displeased because although being from one of the biggest agencies, aespa seems to not be getting as much resources as fans expected. Compared to other rookie girl groups that debuted around the same time, they haven’t released any albums or mini-albums and only have three singles, two of which are remakes or covers. And although the members are extremely talented, this comeback just seemed a bit messy. As soon as you start vibing to the dubstep ‘next level’ part, there comes the cutesy ‘la la la’s, then back to the dubstep, and then suddenly the main vocalists start belting in the bridge… it felt more like an album highlight melody than a comeback track. While the mishmash of styles didn’t go as successfully as it could have (see also: SNSD’s “I Got A Boy”), I guess they were trying to highlight each members’ talents in vocal abilities and rapping more than they showed in their debut “Black Mamba”. I’m just hoping that they figure out what direction they want to take this group and maybe skip a few more levels for the next comeback.
- Taemin playing the piano. Taemin doing his iconic pose. Taemin in a crop top. Honestly, what more could you want in a comeback? SHINee‘s Taemin released his third mini-album “ADVICE” with the title track of the same name. With a runtime just over 15 minutes, Taemin shows how large his stylistic range is with the intense “Advice”, to the sexy “Strings”, and the calming ballad “If I Could Tell You” featuring Taeyeon.
- Rookies Bling Bling released their first mini album “Contrast” with the title track “Oh Mama”. I absolutely love their vocals. The music video is a little telling of a lower budget, but the chorus is catchy and I like the idea of including the outfits in the choreography. And for those who prefer a less girl-crush vibe for their girl groups, check out the track “Milkshake”.
- OST Queen Heize released her seventh EP album “Happen” with the title track of the same name. Not only are the words beautiful with her haunting voice, the music video (which features
Vincenzocorn saladSong Joong Ki) is so aesthetic and calming, with references to famous works of art. My favorite on the album is “From The Rain” laced with traditional elements and featuring Ahn Ye Eun (who I remember from way back in her K-pop Star 5 days).
- Rocket Punch released their first single album “Ring Ring” with the same-named title track. Bring on the 80’s synthesizer!
- Girl group rookies PIXY made their first comeback with the mini album “Fairy Forest: Bravery”. I was not prepared for the bead drop in the chorus of the title track “Let Me Know“, but it’s so good!
- fromis_9 released their second single album “9 Way Ticket” with the title track “We Go”. The MV looks exactly like how I end up dancing to K-pop and making edits when I’m supposed to be focusing on a staff meeting on Zoom.
- B.I released a live clip and performance video for “Waterfall”, the intro off his upcoming solo album of the same name. If the rest of the album is as good as this, then I’m already obsessed.
- Rookies TRI.BE (created by producer Shinsadong Tiger and EXID’s LE) released their second single album “Conmigo” with the title track “Rub-A-Dum”.
- E’LAST debuted their first sub-unit, E’LAST U, with the single album “Remember” featuring the track “The beginning of spring”.
- Newly re-named TO1 (formerly TOO, before the managing rights arguments) released the aptly named EP “RE:BORN” with the title track “Son of Beast”.
- AleXa released her Spotify RADAR collaboration track “Is It On” with Arabic pop star Baer AlShuaibi.
- Eric Nam released “Echo”, a collab with Indian pop star Armaan Malik and producer KSHMR.
Top Headlines
Lizzy 
BTOB’s Ilhoon 
JYP/PSY’s LOUD 
GFRIEND
- I’m not ready to say goodbye! In an unexpected announcement, it was revealed that Source Music’s popular girl group GFRIEND is disbanding after the expiration of the members’ contracts. The members confirmed the news with handwritten letters written to their friends, and both the members and the agency apologized for the sudden news. The group’s last comeback was in November of last year with the track “MAGO“. This news was super abrupt, but I wish the members success with their future plans.
- B.A.P.‘s Bang Yong Guk was officially discharged from his mandatory military service on May 18. Welcome back!
- Former After School member and actress Lizzy was booked for driving under the influence on May 18 after running into a taxi in the Gangnam area (no injuries occurred).
- The prosecutor in the case of former BTOB member Ilhoon asked for a fine (approximately $117,400) and a 4-year prison sentence for the singer’s marijuana charges. Ilhoon was brought to trial for buying and smoking marijuana for three years starting in 2016. The singer is currently serving in the military, and the court will decide his sentence in June.
- I don’t know how to feel about this, but either way I feel old. JYP and PSY’s upcoming show LOUD released a teaser and revealed the names and ages of all 75 contestants. The SBS show will form two boy groups, one for each agency. The youngest one is only 12 years old (by Korean aging)! LOUD will premiere on Saturday, June 5 on SBS.
- The Shiny Foundation, founded by the mother of SHINee‘s Jonghyun after his passing, will be holding it’s third Shiny Arts Festival with a star line-up. Participants include SHINee, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, Red Velvet’s Wendy, Super Junior’s Yesung, Highlight’s Yang Yoseob, Go Young Bae, Rooftop Moonlight, Yoo Seung Woo, and others. The foundation’s goal is to support artists and youths artistic growth and mental health, and year’s theme is ““U & I, I’m always waiting for your stories”, based on Jonghyun’s song “U & I”. The festival will be held virtually this year on May 30 through the Shiny Foundation official YouTube channel.
- BTS announced this year’s muster celebrating their eighth anniversary titled “SOWOOZOO” (Mikrocosmos’ title in Korean). The second day of the virtual event will be a “World Tour” with a different setlist featuring their international tracks. “Sowoozoo” will be streamed June 13 and 14 and tickets are on sale now via Weverse.
- In a celebrity interaction you didn’t know you needed, Stray Kid‘s member Bang Chan has been
collecting fanboysgoing back and forth on Twitter with actor Ryan Reynolds and fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman. It all started when Reynolds reacted to a Deadpool inspired performance from the group on Mnet’s competition show Kingdom. After the two were done swapping autographs and apologizing for taking the new title as the actor’s ‘new favorite Australian’, Hugh Jackman also joined in and humorously made fun of Reynolds and gave the group’s other Australian member Felix a shout out. It’s always fun to see celebrities get starstruck by other celebrities.
K-Drama Corner
Taecyeon; Kim Hye Yoon 
Lee Seung Gi; Lee Da In 
Red Velvet’s Joy 
Hwang In Yeop
- Upcoming tvN drama The Secret Royal Inspector and Jo Yi confirmed it’s two leads. 2PM‘s Taecyeon (Vincenzo; The Game: Towards Zero) will play a reluctant and lazy undercover government corruption inspector who stars solving cases with Kim Hye Yoon‘s (Extraordinary You; SKY Castle) character, who is finishing up divorce proceedings with her gambling in mama’s boy of a husband. The drama will air later this year.
- Upcoming JTBC romance drama Just One Person confirmed its main cast: Ahn Eun Jin (Hospital Playlist; More Than Friends), Park Sung Hoon (Into The Ring; Psychopath’s Diary), Red Velvet’s Joy (Tempted; The Liar and His Lover), and veteran actress Go Doo Shim (When The Camellia Blooms; Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter). Ahn Eun Jin plays a woman with a hard to deal with personality that finds out she doesn’t have long left to live. She meets Park Sung Hoon’s character, who plays a police officer. The show is described as a romance, but also says that the two somehow get involved in a murder case? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Just One Person will premiere in December.
- The second season of last year’s heartwarming slice-of-life drama Hospital Playlist released a new poster. The poster features the five doctor friends Jo Jung Suk (Nokdu Flower; Two Cops), Jung Kyung Ho (When the Devil Calls Your Name; Prison Playbook), Yoo Yeon Seok (Mr. Sunshine; Dr. Romantic), Jeon Mi Do (Mother), and Kim Dae Myung (The Sound of Your Heart; Misaeng). The second season premieres June 17 on tvN.
- Don’t you just love love? Lee Seung Gi (Mouse; Vagabond) and actress Lee Da In (Alice; Hwarang) confirmed they were dating (yay) after reporters revealed the relationship (not yay) and Dispatch released pictures shortly after. The couple has reportedly been together since the end of last year. It was also revealed recently that Lee Seung Gi is parting ways with his agency after 17 years and will start his own company, reportedly with his father (not confirmed). Best wishes for the couple!
- True Beauty‘s breakout star Hwang In Yeop is in talks to star in upcoming drama Why Oh Soo Jae. Seo Hyun Jin (Dr. Romantic; The Beauty Inside) will play a woman living for the wrong reasons who changes after being reunited with a man who has served time after being wrongly accused of a crime. While I liked True Beauty, I’m glad to see Hwang In Yeop being offered meatier roles. Why Oh Soo Jae is planned to release later this year.
- Upcoming drama The Devil Judge released its first poster featuring Ji Sung (Doctor John; Kill Me, Heal Me) as the title role. Set in a dystopian Korea, Ji Sung turns his courtroom into a live stream in front of the entire nation. But with a secret of his own, the viewers are left to wonder whether his punishments are on the side of justice or something much more sinister. Also starring Kim Min Jung (My Fellow Citizens; Mr. Sunshine), GOT7‘s Jinyoung (When My Love Blooms; He Is Psychometric), and Park Gyu Young (It’s Okay To Not Be Okay; Sweet Home), the drama airs in July on tvN.
Currently Watching
- Doom At Your Service: I am so in love with this couple. You can literally see them slowly falling for each other, while at the same time fighting against it in every glance and lingering touch they give each other. The pacing is amazing so far, but I’m always worried that these fantasy dramas will run out of steam towards the end. I also like the sub-plot love triangle more than I thought I would, even though Kang Tae Oh is playing a very similar character to his role in Run On. It’s an interesting dynamic, as one couple is stuck in the past while our leads are forced to think about their future, which seems to get lightyears shorter every second. It’s still a bit early, but I’m totally invested. Perhaps a bit too invested. Show, what was with that cliffhanger!?!?!?!?!
- Kingdom: I’m so behind with this so I’m not voting or anything, but I don’t really care who wins at this point. I was already a fan of most of the groups involved, but I’ve learned a lot more about the ones who I am a casual listener. Win or lose, I’m just here for the epic performances and watching the members make adorable friendships with other teams.
What were your favorite releases/headlines this week? Let us know in the comments!