Though my playlist is filled with children and punk songs, I’m still listening to K-Pop :)) Just to, you know, catch up.
K-Pop used to be so creative and its music videos were so eye-candy. But recently, I can’t find it anymore. I love how Min Hee Jin directed New Jeans. I like how they sound, how they look, their merchandise, everything. But yeah sometimes, you cannot mix the creative position with the leadership position.
So, this is me, randomly dropping songs I’ve watched recently.
G-Dragon
The king of K-pop is back with his album this year. Giving us track after track with a lot of exploration of himself. From a poppy bright song, to a ballad with deep voices. From Power to Too Bad, G-Dragon is giving what fans’ missing in K-Pop: freedom to create. The song aren’t the best and GD is aging (he doesn’t sing live anymore?), but still worth the time.
IVE
Last year was AESPA’s and this year might be IVE’s. Their songs are so good. Rebel Heart sounds like our inner misfits’ anthem and it delivers! On Attitude, they use Suzanne Vega’s Tom’s Diner which was previously also sampled by Fall Out Boys in Centuries.
KiiKii
The newly debuted KiiKii from Starships Entertainment steals the spotlight ahead of SM Entertainment’s Hearts2Hearts debut. Unlike their big sister IVE who has a heavy concept every comeback, KiiKii seems more relaxed with a down-to-earth persona. Their music video Debut Song sounds unserious, but somehow, fun in its way.
Hearts2Hearts
It’s hard not to mention the fresh newbie, Hearts2Hearts, and it’s hard not to mention Carmen, the only member from Indonesia. Is this the same feeling when the Thai sees Lisa from Blackpink? Their MV and song are not the best, fans have been also questioning their mild concept (SM Entertainment used to be so bold on their group’s concepts. Groups like SNSD, f(x), Red Velvet, NCT, and Aespa are always a proof that SM Entertainment is the forefront of K-pop). Nonetheless, their performances on music shows are such a delight!