daebakwhovian/ December 6, 2020/ ICYMI/ 0 comments

KAI Powers Up In Solo Debut

EXO‘s KAI made his long awaited solo debut with his eponymous mini album and title track “Mmmh”.

Review: With Kai being the first EXO member to catch my attention and make me learn more about the group (even before this infamous red suit performance), I was equally pumped for his solo debut and annoyed that SM kept teasing us while delaying it. This release was more or less exactly what I expected, but not necessarily in a negative way. In fact, this first solo album avoided many of the cliches and traps that it could have made. Often I find that debut solo works from artists that come from groups try to push the limit on the extremes of the artist’s vocal range and experiment in an effort to sound different at the expense of sounding good. But all of the tracks focused on Kai’s strengths, his mid-to low range vocals, choreography, and ability to fit within the ‘groove’ of a song. I really like the title track, though I admit I was a bit cautious when I heard the monosyllabic name. But, it was catchy and allows plenty of time for him to show off his abs cowboy hat dance skills. As for the music video…. I’m still not sure how I feel about it. Questionable head wear aside, Kai is gifted at charming the camera and that definitely came through here. I also liked the references to the EXO storyline and their superpowers, especially with D.O.’s rock/strength and Xiumin’s frost abilities appearing at the end to reveal the soon-to-be discharged from the military member’s symbols. And the CGI of using Kai’s superpower of teleportation during his dance breaks is one of my favorite effects used in a MV all year. Yet, I found many of the other choices regarding the styling and the background concepts to be a bit confusing, and they were distracting enough to take me out of the music video at times. I think I’m also being a bit hard on the MV since the pre-released “FILM:KAI” had better execution and tighter thematic elements presented. Still, this album is easy to listen to over and over again and if you don’t have your head nodding to every song, you’re listening to it wrong. Overall: Honestly, we’re all Baekhyun here.

New Releases & Top Headlines:

I really don’t understand JYP’s lack of promotion for this comeback, because this entire album is filled with bops. GOT7 released their self-produced studio album “Breath of Love: Last Piece” and a MV for the second title track “Last Piece”. Although the pre-release “Breath” (co-composed by member Youngjae) is still my favorite track on the album, I loved that “Last Piece” (co-composed by member JB) incorporated some rock elements in the chorus. I appreciate that nearly seven years in, GOT7 continues to experiment with different genres in their title tracks. “Last Piece” included rock, “You Calling My Name” included funk/pop fusion, “Not By The Moon” included…um… Shakespeare? The music video is well done, does a great job of showing the key points in the choreo, and the fact that it’s filmed on the same set as “Breath” gives it a strong thematic connection that is not often seen between pre-releases and the actual album. Each member took part in composing, writing, and arranging the tracks on the album, so perhaps their agency felt that they should also be responsible for MARKeting as well (get it? ‘cuz there’s a member named Mark and he – you know what, just go listen to the album).

• Big Hit Labels new rookie group formed from the trainee survival observation show I-LAND, ENHYPEN made their debut with the mini album “BORDER: DAY ONE” and the title track “Given-Taken”. I’m sure fellow watchers of the show were excited to see what concept this group would debut with and after all the anticipation they went with… vampires? I’m honesty stumped why they chose this horror concept for their first MV, no offense to the very ruffled shirts. Not that the scary-movie theme can’t work (in fact, this feels like TXT meets VIXX), but it seems to come out of nowhere. We’ve seen on the show that their performances are captivating and impressive (and I love that leg lift move they do in this choreo), so I wish the official MV had highlighted that. All of the tracks on the album are great, but it does make me wonder if the producers knew what kind of sound they wanted this new group to have from the start and focused more camera time on the trainees they thought would match it. In general, I’m really impressed with this debut, especially after watching where they started from on the show. And I laugh thinking about how much they must have cringed practicing this cute concept (except for Sunoo, he’s absolutely in his element). I’m all for well-done storytelling, but for now maybe I’ll just stick to watching their amazing performance versions instead of the MV.

• The Queen, the Legend: BoA released her 10th Korean studio album “Better” and a MV for the title track of the same name. This is her 20th year since her debut and at this point I’m wondering if all the water used in SM music videos contain some sort of fountain of youth potion. It feels very much like a SM soloist album, not in a cliche way but in a “I set the standard” kind of way. This album is full of dance-pop tracks that make you feel nostalgic and upbeat. I especially love the mysterious feel of the B-side “Temptations” and the contrast when she slows down for the ballad “Gravity“.

• I… honestly don’t know what I just watched, but at least it was colorful? ONEUS released an MV for the digital single “BBUSYEO” (loosely translates to ‘break it’, which explains all of those hammers). The music video is comical and all over the place, but I appreciate this random cute concept which is a total 180 from their last comeback.

• K-pop Star 4 winner KATIE (Katie Kim) released her new EP “Our Time is Blue” and it is wonderfully soulful. You can hear all of her soul and R&B influences come to the fore here and I hope she can get more recognition because she is such an underrated vocalist. Check out her album notes on her Instagram page!

“I personally don’t have the time or interest in teaching a man anything.”

KATIE explanation on the track “Teach A Man”

• NCT released the track “RESONANCE” featuring all 23 members and combines the title songs “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)”and “90s Love”, with B-sides “Work It” and “Raise the Roof”. While I liked these songs as individual tracks, together…. it kind of doesn’t work. Not every SM medley can recapture the magic of SHINee’s “Sherlock (Clue + Note)“.

• BTS‘s Jin gifted fans on his birthday with the beautiful original song “Abyss”. *sobs uncontrollably*

• eaJ (Jae from Day6) released a haunting music video from his collab with keshi called “Pillows”.

• CL released a live recording of her single “5 Star” with an added rap part. How is it possible for her to sound better live than in the studio recording?

• Unfortunately, this week’s K-pop headlines have been focused on COVID-19. As the number of cases rise, perhaps it was inevitable to have the virus affect the idol industry (especially with award season in full swing). Here are some of the updates on groups/artists who have been tested/affected:
  • MNH Entertainment confirmed that Chungha has contracted the virus. The singer voluntarily went to get tested after being informed of a positive case at a injury rehabilitation she was treated at. Chungha had been releasing teasers for her first full album “QUERENCIA” scheduled for January, but has now halted all actives and is following quarantine guidelines.
    • Idols who were in close contact with Chungha also received testing including TWICE’s Sana, gugudan’s Mina, WJSN’s Yeonjung, and DIA’s Jung Chaeyeon who celebrated Mina’s birthday together. All of TWICE and Jung Chaeyeon tested negative for the virus. At the time of writing Mina and Yeonjung are still awaiting results.
  • EVERGLOW‘s Yiren and Sihyeon have both tested positive. The other members tested negative, but will be self-quarantining as a precaution. Since the group recently appeared on Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook, staff and other artists also received testing. Many, including Yoo Hee Yeol, Gummy, and Day6’s unit Even of Day have already shared negative results.
  • TOP Media announced that UP10TION‘s Bitto and Kogyeol have both tested positive; staff members tested negative.
  • A staff member at FNC Entertainment (home to SF9, Cherry Bullet, AOA, CNBLUE, N.Flying, FTISLAND) tested positive on December 5. Most employees are working from home, and all who came in contact with the employee tested negative.
  • Girl group Berry Good have tested negative but will remain in self-quarantine after a staff member tested positive.
  • PENTAGON‘s Hui has postponed his enlistment date, originally set for December 3, after recording an episode of Music Core with Bitto and Kogyeol. All members of PENTAGON have tested negative for the virus, but have paused activities including their online concert.
  • Trot singer Lee Chan Won has tested positive for COVID-19 and has started self-quarantine.
• Well wishes and a speedy recovery to all affected!

• SBS messed up again: an Inkigayo fancam of aespa‘s Ningning went viral after fans noticed a staff member audibly say “It’s #### uncoordinated” (actually, that’s the cleaned up version, but we’ll keep this blog PG). Netizens debated whether the comment was directed at aespa or a completely different issue until SBS issued an official statement apologizing for missing the phrase when editing, which they said was in regard to an unrelated matter.

• How is a multistan supposed to deal with this? Mnet confirmed that The Boyz, Stray Kids, and ATEEZ will all be appearing on the upcoming competition show Kingdom. A spin-off of last years’s successful Queendom, the show was originally planned for this year but was postponed. The Boyz won this year’s Road To Kingdom, securing their spot in the final lineup for Kingdom. Mnet teased the competition with a dance off style collaboration stage at the Mnet Asian Music Awards featuring Juyeon from The Boyz, Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, and ATEEZ’s San.
• Speaking of the MAMAs, BTS swept up all four Daesang awards (top awards) for Album, Artist, Song, and Icon of the year. Some other winners include IU for best female artist, EXO‘s Baekhyun for best male artist, BLACKPINK for best female group, TREASURE and Weeekly for best new artists, and more. See the full list of winners here. Or be like me and don’t worry about who wins/loses and just enjoy the epic stages.
• EXO‘s Xiumin was officially discharged from the military, making him the first member to finish his mandatory service. Welcome back! *impatiently waits for D.O., Suho, and Chen*
• BLACKPINK will be holding their first online concert called “YG Palm Stage – 2020 BLACKPINK: The Show”. The concert will be live-streamed on BLACKPINK’s YouTube channel (access to the concert and replay is available with membership purchase) and launches YG Entertainment’s ‘Palm Stage’ concert brand. Find more information and teasers on their official website here.
• South Korea’s National Assembly has passed a law that gives accomplished artists a chance to postpone their military enlistment until the age of 30 (previously 28). Although deferment was already possible for accomplished athletes and classical musicians, this bill (nicknamed the ‘BTS military service amendment’ for how it affects the eldest BTS member Jin) would allow artists who receive the recommendation of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for having made significant achievements in enhancing the nation’s image to apply.

K-Drama Corner:

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• Ji Chang Wook (Healer; Suspicious Partner) and Kim Ji Won‘s (Fight For My Way) upcoming drama Lovestruck In the City (previously titled City Couple’s Way of Love) postponed its premiere date to December 22 as a precaution after a background actor tested positive for COVID-19. The drama has since resumed filming after all other staff and actors tested negative.
  • The drama will aim to tell the story of people falling in love while dealing with the hectic pace of living in the city. The first season, “My Lovely Camera Thief”, features Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won as people with opposing views when it comes to love. Watch the teaser here! And check out the main character posters here!
  • SHINee‘s Minho will make a special appearance as a police officer who is often at the other end of the complaints made by Ji Chang Wook’s character, who is after his stolen camera. This will be his first drama appearance since his returning from the military.
• Ji Chang Wook is already in talks to star in another drama, Netflix’s Annarasumanara, based on the popular Naver Webtoon of the same name. If accepted he would play the main lead, a mysterious magician that lives in an abandoned theme park and meets a female high school student who has given up her dream of becoming a magician.
• tvN confirmed its cast for the upcoming fantasy drama Frightening Cohabitation. The webtoon-based drama will star Jang Ki Young(Search:WWW; Born Again) as a gumiho (mythical 9-tailed fox) trying to become human and Girl’s Day Hyeri (Reply 1988; Miss Lee) as an always single university student whose fate gets unexpectedly intertwined with the gumiho. Bring on the cohabitation hijinks! And please Show, no tragic endings. Please? *side eyes a certain not-to-be-named gumiho drama that recently ended* The drama will be penned by the same writer as the similarly webtoon-based hit What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim and is set to air next year.

• JTBC released a poster and a new teaser for its upcoming drama Run On starring Im Siwan (Misaeng; Strangers From Hell), Shin Se Kyung (Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung; Bride of the Water God), Girls Generation‘s Sooyoung (Tell Me What You Saw; Squad 38), and Kang Tae Oh (Tale of Nokdu; My First First Love). Im Siwan plays a recently retired track athlete and Shin Se Kyung plays a film translator who feels like the two were destined to meet (although with the way he’s staring into her eyes in the poster, who can blame her?) Run On premieres December 16.

• JTBC’s upcoming web novel- based drama Sunbae, Don’t Put on That Lipstick released a new teaser featuring its leads. Won Jin Ah (Just Between Lovers; Life) plays a perfectionist marketer at a cosmetic company who dreams of starting her own brand and SF9‘s Rowoon plays her younger colleague who wants to pursue a romantic relationship with her (and hopefully it won’t take 15 episodes to win her over). The drama will air in January.

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• KBS released character posters for the main cast of upcoming historical drama Secret Royal Inspector starring Kim Myung Soo (Welcome;Angel’s Last Mission: Love), Kwon Nara (Itaewon Class; My Mister), and Lee Yi Kyung (Welcome to Waikiki; Suits). Set in the Joseon dynasty, the drama follows undercover inspectors who work to rid corruption. Secret Royal Inspector premieres December 21.
• Currently Watching:
  • Private Lives: Finally caught up with this series and overall I’m satisfied. Was it sometimes trying to appear more slick and cool than it actually was? Yes. Was the plot and explanations somewhat convoluted? Definitely. But I have to admit the plot twists kept me guessing and engaged until the end. The chemistry between the main leads was adorable (seriously, look up any of their behind-the-scenes and you’ll get a toothache from all the sweetness.) The real star of the show was Jeong Bok Gi aka Jung Yoon Kyung aka Sophia Chung aka- you get the point. Her storyline felt the most relatable and well-developed, while the actual female lead ended up needing saving a lot and didn’t really grow over the course of the series (seriously, the girl needs to take up some self-defense classes or get a guard dog or something). I wish they had taken more time for the finale. Episode 15 had a lot of set up, but that left episode 16 to hurriedly wrap up (only some of) the loose ends leaving it feeling rushed. Our bad guys that made the lives of our good guys terrible were written out within a few seconds, with very little closure. I leave this drama having learned the keys to success are to have a wardrobe like Seohyun’s, cover up my webcam, make sure nobody is tailing me, and to trust no one.

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

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