YumCha!
»
Editor Picks - Korean Music
Browse
- ycec Editor's Picks By Category
- esid Editor's Picks - By Editor
- yca Feature Articles
- ycpc Professional Reviews
- Awards & Festivals
- ppid Music Pop Chart
- yceb Entertainment News
- About YumCha!
-
fromis_9 Single Album Vol. 1 - FUN FACTORY (Random Version)
fromis_9
A unique, eye-catching music video helps bring a better understanding of the song's concept and, possibly, a better result on music charts. The music video of fromis_9's FUN! recently caught my attention for its vividly colored visuals and amusing parody of various brand ads. The single album Fun Factory has surely constructed an immensely vibrant and lively image of the group. fromis_9 merrily chants "We just wanna have some fun!" in the uptempo dance lead single FUN! which blends a groovy rhythm and synth sounds. Love Bomb composer Sean Alexander produced the house and disco rhythm-based song along with Melodesign and Drew Ryan Scott, who co-penned Monsta X's DRAMARAMA and Xiu Min and... [read more]
-
-
Cherry Bullet Single Album Vol. 2 - Love Adventure
Cherry Bullet
Cherry Bullet first caught my attention with their unique 8-bit game concept in Let's Play Cherry Bullet. Perhaps you may have noticed the group because of Produce 48 finalist Hae Yoon or their Into the New World cover. Beyond that, their songs are actually quite nice and addictive. For a Cherry Bullet starter pack, I truly recommend their R&B song Violet and new song "Really Really." This time, the girls not only explore AR and VR worlds in their MV, but also take on a Love Adventure in their new album! Tropical house pop song "Really Really" (Track 1) is produced by Erik Lidbom, who composed hits like BoA's Hurricane Venus, Girls' Generation's Catch Me If You Can and AOA's Excuse Me. It... [read more]
-
-
Super Junior: Kyu Hyun Single Album - The Day We Meet Again (Random Version)
Kyu Hyun (Super Junior)
Kyu Hyun has long been considered as an all-round artist for his outstanding performance as a singer, a host and an entertainer. You might have seen him on New Journey to the West or Radio Star, but most importantly, he's a member of Super Junior. Apart from promoting in the group and subunit Super Junior K.R.Y, the ballad singer debuted solo in 2014 with his breakout single "At Gwanghwamun." Following his military discharge, Kyu Hyun finally makes a grand return with his new single album The Day We Meet Again! What's more surprising than his swift return is that he actually came back with a self-produced ballad title track! Kyu Hyun is the main writer and composer of Aewol-ri (Track 1),... [read more]
-
-
2018 Seventeen Concert 'Ideal Cut' in Seoul (DVD) (3-Disc + Photobook) (Korea Version)
Seventeen
As a group, Seventeen is not only talented in songwriting and dancing, but also in bringing the party to life when it comes to live stages – and the boys rock out again in their latest concert Ideal Cut in Seoul! Vernon was unfortunately unable to dance with his bandmates because of his leg injury, but he definitely does his best in singing and rapping on stage! Seventeen's 2018 Ideal Cut concert mainly contains performances of their Director's Cut album tracks, including the well-known single "Thanks," the rockish "Run To You" and the sweet tune Thinkin' About You. To warm up the crowd, they begin the show with the full member version of Highlight. As always, they nail it with their smash... [read more]
-
-
N.Flying Mini Album Vol. 5
N.Flying
FNC's rock band N.Flying recently shot up the music charts with their last single "Rooftop." Swiftly after their rise, they keep up the success with the third release of their Fly High Project. As usual, leader Seung Hyub serves as the primary producer of their fifth mini-album Spring Memories and wrote most of the tracks. Beginning with whistles and acoustic guitar sounds, the sublime rock ballad "Spring Memories" (Track 1) heals with the warmth of springtime and Seung Hyub and Hwe Seung's fairly strong vocals. Honestly, I never thought they would make a comeback with a lead track that is rather different from their previous sounds. It's fresh and ethereal, yet not too off-track from their... [read more]
-
-
EXO: Chen Mini Album Vol. 1 - April, and a flower (April Version)
Chen (EXO)
When thinking about Chen, people tend to connect him with words like "warm," "sweet" and "healing." On top of his cute look, he possesses a lovable personality and tender voice that gives everyone a comforting feeling. After a seven-year wait, the EXO member finally gets the chance to show his vocals thoroughly with a solo album! Like the majority of K-ballads, the six love stories in April, and a flower mainly revolve around relationships, breakup and memories. Title song "Beautiful goodbye" (Track 2) does not have a grand or complex tune but a simple acoustic melody that best delivers Chen's refined voice. Contrary to the heart-wrenching lead single, the singer's self-written track... [read more]
-
-
PENTAGON Mini Album Vol. 8 - Genie:us
Pentagon
Though Cube Entertainment is often criticized for their management skills, the label certainly has the ability to train and debut many musically talented singers. Pentagon proves this again with their six-track mini-album Genie:us. Dance off your stress on Saturdays with Pentagon's future house track "SHA LA LA" (Track 1)! The song is titled Shintoburi in Korean, which is originally a Buddhist term, but the band has humorously changed its meaning to an abbreviation of "Happy Saturday Night." This plug has an unexpectedly different vibe from their previous two hits, but it's still an addictive one! The song intro particularly reminds me of Wanna One's Energetic, which is also written by Hui.... [read more]
-
-
Jannabi Vol. 2 - LEGEND
Jannabi
How would you describe your youth? The brightest days of your life, or the most painful and rebellious time you've ever had? "Youth" is for sure one of the most popular themes in Korean music, but indie band Jannabi has a rather different interpretation of the word. Jannabi leader and lyricist Jung Hoon describes their new album LEGEND as such: "It revolves around youth, a miserable time that eventually disappears someday and becomes a legend in our lives." Rather than just chattering about romance, the band talks about this and that, the tiny happenings of their youthful days. Jannabi is best known for the tracks "Summer," She, Good Boy Twist and recent hit "Take My Hand" from Romance is a... [read more]
-
-
TREI Mini Album Vol. 1 - BORN
TREI
It's only March but do you realize that nine K-pop groups have already debuted so far in 2019! A number of strong and talented teams have made their first step to stardom this year, and it's no wonder that everybody's crazily jamming to ITZY's Dalla Dalla, TXT's "Crown" and VERIVERY's "Ring Ring Ring." Among all the debut releases in the first quarter of the year, my personal favorite is TREI's first mini-album Born, especially their lead single "Gravity"! You might notice some familiar faces in TREI as members Jae Jun and Chang Hyun promoted with C-Clown a few years ago and took part in MIXNINE. Along with new member Jun Tae, TREI officially debuted in late February with their first... [read more]
-
-
Minseo Mini Album Vol. 1 - The Diary of Youth
Minseo
You might not recognize Minseo's name and face, but you've probably heard her voice through some programs or releases – she was one of the Top 8 contestants in Superstar K7, took part in the soundtracks of The Handmaiden and Jugglers, and even covered GFriend's "Rough" on The King of Masked Singer! She also participated in her boss's Weekly Yoon Jong Shin project with "Yes," the reply song to the megahit "Like It." Different from her quirky personality, Minseo owns a pleasant, comforting voice that sounds really charming. Minseo's ambitious debut tetralogy The Diary of Youth finally comes to an end after a year. She sings the romantic duet 2cm (Track 4), the lead single of this album, with... [read more]
-
-
CLC Mini Album Vol. 8 - No.1
CLC
In 2017, CLC made a switch in their concept to a fierce, edgy girl crush style with "Hobgoblin." Though "Hobgoblin" was a hit among international K-pop fans, sadly, it didn’t bring them a rise to stardom locally. Their next comeback was retro R&B soul track Where are you now?, a song that I personally really love, but they probably should have continued with a powerful concept. Following last year's Black Dress, the girls are finally back with stylish music in new album No.1! "Red lip? No. Earrings? No. High heels? No. Handbag? No." Their synth-bass dance number No starts in quite an impactful way by addressing the theme straight on; don't ever limit them to a certain preconception – they... [read more]
-
-
Seventeen Mini Album Vol. 6 - YOU MADE MY DAWN (Random Version)
Seventeen
Following You Make My Day in July, Seventeen returns in half a year with another "YMMD" album – You Made My Dawn. Unlike the funky and joyful tunes in the summer album, this new album presents six songs that are more sentimental. If you haven't noticed, the last track of You Make My Day is actually called Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day, creating a fun correlation between the two records. Seventeen comes back with the urban future R&B title track Home (Track 2) to tell their loved ones to lean on them "cause I'm your home, home, home, home." Every verse starts with a tranquilizing ambience, and then gradually turns to a contrasting powerful sound. The constant change of beats and highs and lows... [read more]
-
-
ONEUS Mini Album Vol. 1 - Light Us
ONEUS
Founded by renowned composer Kim Do Hoon, the RBW label is known for launching talented vocal groups like Mamamoo and Vromance. Though RBW's new group ONEUS officially debuted a week ago, they didn't appear out of the blue – the members previously took part in Produce 101 Season 2, MIXNINE and the debut project We Will Debut along with their brother group ONEWE. Among the six members, perhaps the most familiar one would be Keon Hee, who made a name for himself after singing BoA's Amazing Kiss on Produce 101. Hip-hop has been a major part of the Korean music scene over the past few years, and more and more idol groups are digging into the genre. Among the great amount of swaggy music... [read more]
-
-
The Third Charm OST (2CD) (JTBC TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
| So You
| Yang Dong Geun
| Kim Yeon Ji
The soundtrack always takes up an important role in a successful Korean drama. A nice and catchy OST definitely helps to boost the popularity of a K-Drama, and those iconic theme songs – for example, Stay With Me, My Destiny, "That Man" and Almost Paradise – remain popular and recognizable even many years later. Starring Seo Kang Joon and Esom, JTBC's romantic comedy series The Third Charm started off with a compelling storyline and good word of mouth that led to a gradual climb in ratings during the first half of the drama. However, the drama eventually ended with mixed reviews from the audience as some found the latter part to be way too melodramatic. Beyond the drama itself, I am totally... [read more]
-
-
BTOB Special Album - HOUR MOMENT (HOUR Version)
BTOB
Since their 2015 hit song "It's Okay," BTOB has been known for autumn ballads in their honey sweet voices and beautiful harmonies. Last year, their "Missing You" took over the music charts when it was released. In October 2018, the song still ranked in the top 100 on digital music charts, and BTOB has become the fifth male idol group to surpass 100 million streams for one song on the Gaon Chart. This November, they return with the special album Hour Moment to give you comfort in these breezy autumn days. Following "Pray (I'll Be Your Man)," "Missing You" and "Only One for Me," Hyun Sik teamed up with producer EDEN again for Hour Moment's title track "Beautiful Pain" (Track 5). The... [read more]
-
-
fromis_9 Special Single Album - FROM.9
fromis_9
Survival programs have been so popular in Korea over the past three years. If you have watched either Idol School or Produce 48, rookie girl group fromis_9 may sound familiar to you. fromis_9 consists of the top nine winners of Idol School. And a few months ago, member Jang Gyu Ri joined as a trainee contestant of Produce 48. After she got eliminated, she returned to her original group to release the new single album FROM.9. The album's title track Love Bomb (Track 1) is co-written by producer David Amber, who also composed Twice's Heart Shaker, GFRIEND's Love Bug and NCT Dream's La La Love. When I first watched the comeback teaser, I thought the title track was going to be similar to Red... [read more]
-
-
DAY6 - EVERY DAY6 FINALE CONCERT - THE BEST MOMENTS (3DVD + Out Sleeve + Photobook + Photo Card) (Korea Version)
DAY6
A pleasing wrap-up to the Every DAY6 projectIn 2017, JYP's first band DAY6 launched new songs and concerts monthly for their Every DAY6 Project. The ambitious year-long project is undoubtedly a successful one that showcases the band's talent in songwriting. Known since debut for songs about breakups and heartbroken sentiments, DAY6 caught the public's attention with hits like "I Like You" and "You Were Beautiful." Though they recently made a transformation with the wild rock song Shoot Me, let's go back in time to appreciate the band's softer pop rock and alternative rock sounds in the Every DAY6 Finale Concert, the final wrap-up concert of the Every DAY6 Project. DAY6 kicks off the concert with the very first song released for the... [read more]
October 19, 2018 Picked By Violet See all this editor's picks
-
-
Super Junior Special Album - One More Time (Normal Edition)
Super Junior
Despite going through different obstacles throughout the past 13 years, Super Junior is still going strong as the Hallyu King. Their last hit Lo Siento featuring Latin singer Leslie Grace was their first attempt in a brand new genre, and it affirmed both their musical talent and impressive popularity. Half a year after Lo Siento, Super Junior brings another wave of Latin sound with the album One More Time! This time, the SuJu members collaborate with Mexican band Reik for the reggaeton Latin pop number One More Time (Otra Vez) (Feat. REIK) (Track 1). Andreas Stone Johansson (the composer of Super Junior's Island, EXO's "Miracles in December" and NCT Dream's JOY) and Denniz Jamm (the... [read more]
-
-
Lim Chang Jung Vol. 14
Lim Chang Jung
Autumn is just around the corner – it's finally the season of ballad! Looking through the Korea digital music sites, the top two songs are currently without exception Roy Kim's "The Hardest Part" and Lim Chang Jung's "There Has Never Been A Day I Haven't Loved You." All-round artist Lim Chang Jung's sensational 2016 song "The Love I Committed" hit 200,000 likes on Melon, Korea's biggest music streaming site. This fall, he returns with some new hit-songs-to-be and remakes of his two classics! Following his megahits "The Love I Committed" and "Love Again," Lim Chang Jung partners up with producer Wild Pig again for the title track "There Has Never Been A Day I Haven't Loved You" (Track 3).... [read more]
-
-
NCT DREAM Mini Album Vol. 2 - We Go Up
NCT Dream
Time flies. It's hard to believe that NCT Dream is already two years old. I still remember how I was all excited while waiting for Chewing Gum to be released, and the young and adorable boys in the music video just seem like yesterday to me. Go from NCT 2018 Empathy marked the beginning of the group's transformation from the cute and energetic boys in We Young to chic and swaggy teens. Now the teenage subunit returns with the brand new hip-hop-style record We Go Up! Written by Kenzie and Mark, urban hip-hop track We Go Up (Track 1) serves as the title track for this album. The tempo, hooks and roaring and bell sounds make the whole song more addictive. The song's lyrics, in short, say "Let... [read more]
-
Bookmark & Share