Some people just have the knack for picking out the next American Idol out of a massive pool of contestants - me. From Kelley and Ruben, to Fantasia and Taylor, I nailed them as the winner right from the get-go - along with millions of other viewers, right? Recently, I came across a new singer discovered by Yang Hyun Suk and I knew exactly why the renowned producer had given this young girl a shot at her own music.

Her name is Kang Chae E which bears the meaning of "two colors", or even "diverse colors". Incidentally, her musical talent is just that - multi-faceted. (A reminder to all would-be-parents: put some careful thoughts into naming your child). Filled with down-to-earth folk ballads but reserving its own aesthetics and idiosyncrasies, her pulsing debut album Addicted To Love is like a refreshing mint drop after a big greasy meal. Kang casts an intoxicating spell with her thin nasal intonations, similar to Jaurim's Kim Yoon Ah. Like a flicking candlelight, her voice fluctuates, stretching and thinning at various pitches. It's this infectious, inimitable sound that puts her style in its own category. With her album containing eleven gems that explore the many faces of love, the singer goes the extra mile, penning, composing and arranging her music. Addicted To Love features four of Kang's self-written songs. Though her music tends to be quite eccentric, hard to swallow at instant listen, with each spin, the beauty of its uniqueness manifests itself.

Full of pathos and nostalgia, the album's titular track, Jerjeun Sohnsoogun ("A Wet Handkerchief" - Track 2), is peppered with crisp guitar riffs and beautiful string arrangement. Kang's effeminate, whispery voice mutters lyrics that speak of hard times following a painful breakup. This earthy folk song opens with a slower mid-tempo pace, but picks up speed for the chorus, maximizing the emotional appeal.

Simply intoxicating is how I would describe Saranghe Baboya ("Love You, Fool" - Track 5). This mid-tempo duet featuring Yoon Do Hyun drips with jazzy smoky atmosphere backed by the classic sound of vintage vinyl. The hazy tune drifts on Yoon's smoldering, downright sexy huskiness, which plays well against Kang's silvery, delicate tone.

Kicking off with old-style violin arrangement, the classic melody of Noonmuleul Shikherseo ("Tears" - Track 6) makes a strong impression. Exercising moderation and restraint throughout the cut, Kang grinds out the pain of a broken love with her tremulous vocals which stroll in and out of every verse, adding extra flavor to its sentimental lyrics.

Jip Chak ("Obsession" - Track 9), one of the four featured songs penned and composed by Kang, shows the creativity and potential of a young budding songwriter. Hypnotic and almost psychopathic, this unique harmonious cacophony consists of lush string arrangement and background crowd noise that likens to a Broadway musical. Kang churns out her haunting, hair-raising vocals, evoking vibes of looming danger and urgency.

As Kang refines her skills and forges ahead in an industry ridden with carbon copies, I hope she can continue to march to the beat of her own drum as long as possible. That said, my vote goes out for her.