There has been a lack of songs from the big K-pop companies this week, but a lot of great quality songs from underground rappers, indie artists or members from big groups doing solo projects. 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 June 7– 10, 2018.

Jung Joon Young – HiFive
Released: June 7

With the World Cup just around the corner, football fanatic and powerful rock singer Jung Joon Young has provided his vocals for a fun, upbeat rock song to help create a buzz around the Korean national football team. The song is catchy, repetitive and has a cuteness about it. Vocally Joon Young is showing a lot of restraint, yet still giving it a rock vibe. We would have liked to see him being his usual erratic self, but this subdued Joon Young certainly allows you to concentrate on the lyrics instead.

Jay Moon – Fire
Released: June 7

Coming from the indie underground scene, Jay Moon has a charm when speak-singing his words, he has a vibe very similar to Zion.T with his smooth and chilled vocals able to relax the listener’s body, mind and soul. Featuring just a simple guitar and some white noise, the song itself relies heavily on Jay’s vocal skills, and because there’s not a lot of noise in the background there is a personal feeling, as if he is singing just for the listener. Nearer to the end the full song begins, and it’s perfection.

Raudi – Stay Up (FEAT. FLORI,Jword)
Released: June 7

Haunting music is a favourite for us, but we have never heard a haunting track mixed with sweet vocals and powerful raps. The combination of sounds seem like an eclectic mix of noise, but it works extremely well and creates an amazing R&B song. There is a key female pop vocal, hard hip-hop rapper, and a male R&B vocal with a heavy backing drum machine beat. Soft, smooth and certainly one for those lazy times.

Yoon Jong Shin – My Queen
Released: June 7

Once again Yoon Jong Shin is back with his monthly release and exploring different genres and styles with yet another completely different song to his previous songs. Upbeat, summery and cute, this is one of those songs that you find yourself nodding your head or tapping your foot to. Jong Shin has really recognisable vocals, his style changes regularly but he is always doing his own thing, which always keeps him relevant in the dog eat dog world of K-pop.

Yu Seung Woo – Slowly
Released: June 8

Being a solo artist in the Korean music industry is possibly one of the hardest as it takes a lot of time and dedication to be noticed as a great performer, but in the case of Yu Seung Woo he proved his skills with angel-like vocals and great guitar playing that creates that perfect boy next door image. Slowly is no exception to his calming lullaby vocals which certainly leave you feeling like you’re riding on a cloud. The music video is simple and really allows you to concentrate on the song rather than a backing story.

REX.D – Playlist (FEAT. Wavy)
Released: June 8

Making a strong comeback to the scene, REX.D shows style, rhythm and flow with his latest release. Featuring vocals from Wavy, REX.D is able to spit lyrics in a calm and effortless style that he is certainly known for, telling a story through lyrics yet keeping true to his own styling. It’s good to see him back and it looks like he is here to cause a ruckus in the hip-hop scene.

Doyoung (NCT) – Hard For Me
Released: June 9

Lending his vocals for the K-drama Rich Man, Poor Woman Doyoung proves why he is one of the lead singers of K-pop boy group NCT. Hauntingly soft and high pitched in range, there is a lot of emotions behind his vocals which are perfect for those tear-jerking moments within the drama. It’s always great to see a member of a K-pop group as large as NCT taking his talent to new heights and getting the spotlight away from group activities, sadly the members true talents are hidden a lot of the time.

Jae Jung Parc – Bad Dream
Released: June 10

Although he is busy with his own promotional work for the TV show It’s Dangerous Beyond The Blanket, Jae Jung Parc has released his new song Bad Dream to show love towards his fans. Jung Parcs definitely has a showman’s vocals, which remind us of Korean musicals. There is an effortless strength and power to his voice that seems to entrance and grasp you. The song is soft, emotion driven and a pure love song and we cannot wait to see more from Jung Parc in the future.

Code Kunst – Rain Bird (FEAT. Tablo, Colde)
Released: June 10

Code Kunst is a true favourite of ours, and no matter whether it’s his own song or a song he is featuring on, you can guarantee that it’s going to be one of the most chilled, and genuine feeling songs you will listen to. This new release is no different. Featuring the vocals of Epik High’s Tablo and well as Colde, they make for an absolute bomb of a collaboration. The video is artistic with its editing, the styling is USA ghetto fashionista, and the song is smooth, addictive and allows for soul searching. We would love to see more from this collaboration trio.

RM, Suga, J-hope (BTS) – DDAENG!
Released: June 10

As part of the running tradition with BTS, they hold an anniversary party titled Festa for their fans which consist of unreleased songs, covers of famous songs, a concert and lots of great fan interactions. This year is special as it celebrates their fifth year since their debut. Keeping true to their traditions, the rap line of the group have worked hard together to bring a diss track to their haters and for their fans titled Ddaeng. It’s got a great backing track with an oriental feel, the flow is different for each member and they each have their own message to share.

As there have been a lot of releases this week, be sure to check back for the second installment of K-music week in review, which will look at releases from June 11 – 13 2018

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