K-Music Week In Review: Wanna One, Monsta X, Honey Popcorn & More

K-Music Week In Review: Wanna One, Monsta X, Honey Popcorn & More

0 comments 📅22 March 2018, 17:25

With so many releases happening each week, we have split our weekly review into two articles to make things more convenient. Our Weekly K-music Review posts are here to give you a helping hand and a quick look back to the notable releases from Korean artists in a weekly format. This article looks at releases and comebacks from March 19-21 2018.

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Wanna One – Boomerang
Released: March 19

With a much-anticipated comeback, Wanna One have graced our ears with a fast-paced EDM track. The music is similar to that of many other Korean EDM songs, but the vocals give the song its own feeling. The music video feels stylishly industrial and has a great light show. A nice touch to the production is the highlighting of each of the members during the musical break. Although we don’t feel this is the boys’ strongest song, we do feel it’s one not to be missed.

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Monsta X – The Connect: D
Released: March 19

As with many of the releases from modern-day K-pop groups, deep and meaningful themes to their music videos are a huge thing – even going as far as calling some groups Concept-dols. Monsta X is one of the groups as part of the trend, with their past music videos telling a multitude of different stories which all seem to fit together with the release of The Connect: D. The members each have their own part within the music video and within the song itself, and even though this is just a glimpse of their comeback, there is enough emotion and hype with the song and music video that even we are excited to see what else they have up their sleeves.

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Los – Gyopo Rap (FEAT. Jay Park, Jessi, G2)
Released: March 19

Representing the K-hip-hop scene with a new flow is Los, along with regulars on the weekly reviews, Jay Park , G2 and Jessi. We were promised some amazing collabs within the K-hip-hop scene, and so far everyone has been delivering some amazing work. Although this isn’t the heaviest of raps, it definitely leaves a mark on the memory with lyrics that slay with the brush offs. We wouldn’t say it is a diss track, but there are some lyrical choices there that definitely separate these performers from the rest.

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Jane Jang – Sangsu Station Exit 2
Released: March 19

Jane Jang is the Korean Amy Winehouse. Her vocals are so smooth yet she has personality and emotion which truly shines through. Sangsu Station Exit 2 is a playful and upbeat song with hints of blues and jazz, it’s fun and carefree which will leave you tapping and humming along even when the song is finished. Jane Jang’s vocals have truly grown and refined to a level where she can compete with some of the big names in the K-music industry – and its great to see. We predict some big things from this artist in the future.

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Hailey Rose – Masks (Steve Wu remix)
Released: March 19

To bring in the spring feels, Hailey Rose has released a remix of her song Masks by Steve Wu. The track is fresh, upbeat and a definite springtime dance song, though keeping with the theme of the music video, it could very well be used as a cruising song. Having a completely different feel to the music we have seen so far from the K-music world, the song instantly hooked us (it also reminded us of the soundtrack and visually of the game Outrun). The music video isn’t elaborate and is more focussed on the audio, but we enjoyed the song so much we thought we would add it in and let our readers make their own mind up.

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Sunwoo Jun A – Fine (FEAT. Lim Heon Il)
Released: March 20

If James Blunt and Sia combined themselves into a Korean solo singer, they would be Sunwoo Jun A. Her looks and style, along with amazing vocal control, are like that of Sia, whereas her actual vocals and music sound similar to that of James Blunt. If that sounds like a strange concoction, don’t be fooled; in fact it works really well. Full of emotion, the song is a stand-alone classic and one that we hope to see win awards. The premise of the song is very simple – a couple of guitars, some amazing vocals and a collaboration with Lim Heon Il from iamnot. But the song really resonate with the emotions of the listener, and even without the lyrics or a fancy music video, you understand the feelings. A truly beautiful song.

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CaptainRock – It’s My Treat
Released: March 20

It’s time to take things up a notch, that’s right, we have now hit the rock part of Korean music. With a ska beat and a rock background beat, the song is fun, fast and slightly mental in places. With amazing guitar riffs and some crazy drum works, the band certainly shows that Korean can rock too. Halfway through the song we suddenly hit a section that is reminiscent of reggae with some amazing backing vocals, and just as we near the end it suddenly turns into something from the Beatles – But alas, it wasn’t the end and we finally end up where we began. The video is raw, fun, and innocent in its ways – A true depiction of what the indie scene looks like in Korea.

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BSS (Seventeen) – Just Do It
Released: March 21

A new unit to their full group Seventeen, BSS (Boo Seok Soon) consists of Seungkwan, Hoshi and DK. The song was composed by their group member Woozi and the lyrics were even written by the members themselves. Now whenever there has been sub-units of other groups, there is a high percentage that the group would release a song that’s gonna be a huge hit, but they also seem to have some tongue and cheek fun with it as well – And BSS are not different. Keeping their playful and cheeky personalities right at the forefront of the sub-unit promotion, the three guys create a fun and party-like atmosphere. The song is upbeat, loud, addictive and just a real feel-good song, and the video features their fan base going crazy and having just as much fun as the guys up on the stage. It has a personal feeling, and we like that.

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Honey Popcorn – Bibidi Babidi Boo
Released: March 21

We have been waiting for this new girl group to debut since we first heard about them. The group is made up of the Japanese girls – Yua Mikami, Sakura Moko, and Matsuda Miko. The reason the group has made a ripple within the K-pop world is the fact they used to be Japanese Adult Video stars (Also known as JAV or Japanese porn stars). Member Yua Mikami was also part of Japanese SKE48 girl group but left to follow a career in adult films. As with most girl group debuts, the song has a very sweet and cutesy feeling, it feels extra feminine and fun – Just like K-pop girl groups used to be 10+ years ago. The video is colourful and bright, and the song is memorable for its catchy chorus. We hope the girls find success and look forward to seeing what they have to planned for the future.

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Crazy Music – We’ll always Love (Feat. YEJOON.E)
Released: March 21

There has been a lack of ballads this week, so to bring things down a notch, we thought we should introduce Crazy Music with soft vocals, beautiful lyrics, and a music video to bring out all the emotions. A mixture of Korean and English lyrics, the song has the ability to cross language barriers – There is a moment where no music plays and all we are left with are the beautiful vocals from Yejoon.E. There is a real nostalgic feeling to the song, and with the video telling a story of love but keeping it all very simple, the song shines out more. The use of a single piano, which moves onto an orchestral collection, it compliments the entire feeling of the production. Absolutely stunning and beautiful.

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Once again this week has had some amazing releases, and sadly we couldn’t add them all to the list. So a few special mentions go to DJ Haru with his club night release of Boom Bba. The party animals and gym attendees will want to give this song a listen to, it’s highly addictive and no matter where you are, as soon as you hear this song you will be tapping and dancing along. There was also a  sweet release from Robin, Gasinaedul and their song HaHa HoHo. The music video is cute and simple, but the song itself is upbeat, fun and refreshing. With strong vocals that are well controlled and a general fun feeling, the song really resounded with us – We also think the sound and feel of the song reminds us of Sophie Ellis Bextor. What are your thoughts?

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the first article for this week’s K-music Review and be sure to join us in the future for more K-music Week In reviews.

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