NCT Goes Old School In “90s Love”
The full 23 members of NCT released part 2 of the album “RESONANCE” with MVs for the title track “90s Love” and “Work It“.
Review: Holy nostalgia Batman! From the second I heard the opening effects, I had an unexplainable urge to put on baggy pants and a glittery crop top while blasting “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It“. I’m a strong believer that if you’re going to go for a concept, you should commit. From the hockey-themed music video (Canadian Mark Lee, was this your idea?) interspersed with throwback graphics to the 90s swag during the live stages, this was a great fusion of old-school effects mixed with new-school style. I often criticize NCT songs for their experimental yet not engaging song structures, but this was well-paced and built up to a memorable chorus and bridge. The dance break in the middle was a bit unexpected, but felt like it belonged instead of being an add-in. And we have to take a minute to appreciate Ten and Haechan carrying the bridge with those high note harmonies. “RESONANCE” Part 2 is essentially a repackaged album, so there’s only 5 new songs (not counting the Interludes/Outro). Standouts include “Work It” (which is the cutest MV for a thirst song that I’ve ever seen), and the other slightly throwback sounding ballad “I.O.U.” Overall: The 90s are back baby! (Except frosted tips, those were never a good idea.)
New Releases & Top Headlines
- GOT7 took my breath away (hehe) with the pre-release single “Breath”. Not only does this song sound effortlessly cool, this is one of my favorite music videos of this year, if not ever. The directing! The outfits! The staging! The little head nods that they do at the chorus! These transitions are so pleasing to watch that even the most experienced TikTok-er would be left crying with envy. This makes me anticipate their album even more. In the meantime, I’ll have to have someone teach me how to whistle because this song is stuck in my head. (And while we’re at it, can someone please buy me Jackson’s sweater? Just Kidding. Kind of.)
- Chungha released the collaboration single “Dream of You” with Dutch-Moroccan DJ/Producer R3HAB. The description points out that this song features her mid-to-low ranging vocals which pairs nicely with the heavy baseline in the track. The real prize here though is Chungha’s magnetic performance. Also Chungha in a pinstriped suit. Also just Chungha doing literally anything.
- Rookie girl group woo!ah made their first comeback with the single album “QURIOUS” and the title track “Bad Girl.” There were some good parts, but for some reason I still felt like something was missing that would make this song more memorable. Memorable for the right reasons, that it. I seriously question the decision to go for a literal cat-and-mouse game in the MV. I know I said earlier that you should be fully committed to a concept… but perhaps the kitten choreography and giant animatronic mouse is taking it too far. It’s a bit hard to take the ‘bad girl’ chorus seriously when you have on giant cat paws…
- Speaking of rookie girl groups, NiziU, the group formed by JYP’s Nizi Project released their debut single “Step and a step”. This is the kind of song that you have to be in the right mood to listen, otherwise the neon-barbie vibe might be a bit too much for you. That being said, there are some serious vocals in this group and the choreography is cute and (in typical JYP fashion) matches the lyrics well.
- RBW’s (home to MAMAMOO and ONEUS) newest rookies PURPLE KISS released their pre-debut single “My Heart Skip A Beat”. This might as well have been a full debut- the choreography, vocals, and charisma are all there. I had high expectations since MAMAMOO is one of my favorite girl groups, but I was a little worried that the company would try to make Mamamoo 2.0. Fortunately, this feels totally different, and the rock genre is not something that we get a lot of in K-pop. The 7-member group (member Swan is currently on hiatus due to health issues, which is why the latest content only has 6 members) is set to officially debut early next year. Their other pre-debut content already shows that they can handle a variety of genres, so I’m expecting a lot of different styles and experimenting. (Check out their cover of BTS’ “Danger” here!)
- DPR LIVE (Dream Perfect Regime’s Hong Da Bin) released “Jam & Butterfly”, a collaboration with Crush and eaJ (Jae from Day6‘s solo work alter-ego). I’m a fan of all three, but I didn’t expect their voices to blend together so smoothly. It’s like bread and butter. Or bread and jelly. Or bread and… well you get the idea.
- Soloist and frequent OST singer CHEEZE released the calming single “Good Night”.
- BTS is going to the Grammys! (again. Like, for real this time). The group’s record-breaking song “Dynamite” has been nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (and they filmed this hilarious key-smash reaction to the news). Though many are proud and happy that they received their first nod (the group has previously mentioned it in their goals even before last year’s performance at the award show), some protest that they should have received nominations in other categories for their non-English based tracks (like on the record-breaking album Map of the Soul:7). But before we get into what artists were robbed by the Recording Academy (*cough* The Weeknd*cough*), BTS has already won in life because Paul McCartney (from the Beatles) said he thinks they’re good.
- Their album “BE” also debuted #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. This makes them the first group this year to top the chart with 2 different album, and the only Korean artist to top the chart with 5 different albums (starting in 2018 with “Love Yourself: Tear”).
- Stray Kids made it onto TIME magazine’s “The 10 Best Songs Of 2020” with their track “Back Door” ranking at #8, the only K-pop group to on the list.
- Enlistment updates:
- UP10TION‘s Jinhoo enlisted in the military on November 23.
- TEEN TOP‘s Ricky announced plans to enlist in the military band early next year.
- EXO‘s eldest member Xiumin is on his final leave, and will be able to be discharged from the military without returning to base. When he officially gets out on December 6, he will be the first member to complete his mandatory service (with D.O. returning in January). *sets countdown timer*
- RIP to multistan’s phone memory: Star Interactive is launching a JYP version of their bubble app, a paid platform where fans can message the artists and artists can share content. The app originally started with SM artists, and later made FNC and Jellyfish Entertainment versions. JYP’s 2PM and Stray Kids will be their first artists to join the platform.
- I never thought a show about running could be a thing, but here we are. Mnet released new teasers for their upcoming variety show Running Girls, about female K-pop idols joining up to, you guessed it, run. The star line-up includes Sunmi, Oh My Girl‘s YooA, LOONA‘s Chuu, EXID‘s Hani, and Chungha. Running Girls premieres on December 9.
- Girl’s Generation‘s YoonA launched her own YouTube channel. Based on SNSD’s fandom name SONE (pronounced ‘so-one’ in Korean), she named her channel “YoonA’s So Wonderful Day”. She also launched her official Instagram account (separate from her personal one).
- COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Korea, and many celebrities have had to get tested this week:
- TXT tested negative and will resume activities after a performer on a show they appeared on was diagnosed this week.
- MOMOLAND‘s Nancy tested negative after the agency thought she had crossed paths with a positive case.
- PENTAGON‘s Yeo One tested negative after crossing paths with a confirmed case. However, due to COVID-19 guidelines the group’s online concert “WE L:VE” (originally scheduled for November 29) had to be postponed. All members will be in self-quarantine and will be tested.
- B.A.P.‘s Youngjae tested negative after background actors in his upcoming drama Mr. Queen tested positive for the virus.
- VICTON and their agency staff have tested negative after an outside worker tested positive. The company announced that due to complications and following guidelines, their comeback album “VOICE: The Future Is Now” (originally scheduled to be released December 1) will be postponed.
- UP10TION‘s company just announced that member Bitto has tested positive for COVID-19 after coming into contact with a confirmed case the day before. The group’s activities have been cancelled and all of TOP Media’s employees are following self-quarantine guidelines and getting tested. Additionally, since the group recently appeared on Music Core and Inkigayo the shows are checking to see if anyone came in contact. Best wishes and speedy recovery for all involved!
K-Drama Corner:
- Several dramas have also been affected by the virus:
- All of the actors in upcoming drama Hush, including leads Yoona and Hwang Jung Min, have tested negative and resumed filming.
- Sisyphus: The Myth starring Park Shin Hye and Cho Seung Woo has resumed filming after the cast received negative test results.
- City Couple’s Way of Love (starring Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won) and Snowdrop (starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo) were also able to resume filming.
- Mr. Queen has paused filming while they wait for results from everyone in the crew. Leads Kim Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun have already tested negative.
- tvN’s upcoming mystery drama Mouse confirmed its lineup. The drama, set in a world where DNA tests can identify psychopaths before they are even born, will star Lee Seung Gi (Vagabond; Hwayugi) as a rookie police officer who goes after a serial killer, Lee Hee Joon (Legend of the Blue Sea; The Most Beautiful Goodbye) as a hardened detective, Kyung Soo Jin (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo; Train), Park Ju Hyun (Zombie Detective; Extracurricular), Ahn Jae Wook (Five Enough), Kim Jung Nan (Tale of the Nine Tailed; Crash Landing On You), and Block B‘s P.O. (More Than Friends; Hotel del Luna). The drama is set to premiere early next year.
- JTBC’s upcoming drama Run On released a Casablanca-inspired teaser starring its main leads. Im Siwan (Misaeng; Strangers From Hell) plays a retired track and field athlete who meets a film translator played by Shin Se Kyung (Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung; Bride of the Water God). Run On premieres December 16.
- Sunbae, Don’t Put On That Lipstick has released its first poster. The drama stars Won Jin Ah (Just Between Lovers; Melting Me Softly) as an ambitious marketer for a cosmetic brand and her younger colleague played by SF9‘s Rowoon (Extraordinary You). She rejects his advances because she doesn’t see younger guys as dating partners (but I mean, it’s Rowoon so she has to make an exception, right?) The drama premieres in January on JTBC.
What were your favorite releases/headlines this week? Let us know in the comments!