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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]
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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]
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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]
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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]
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The Third Charm OST (2CD) (JTBC TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
| Stella Jang
| Kim Yeon Ji
| Jo Sung Mo
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]
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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]
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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]
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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
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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]
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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]
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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]
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Super Junior-D&E Mini Album Vol. 2 - Bout You (D&E Version)
Lee Dong Hae (Super Junior)
| Super Junior
| Eun Hyuk (Super Junior)
| Super Junior-D&E
Super Junior-D&E, formed by Dong Hae and Eun Hyuk, is certainly one of the most successful subunits in K-pop. After releasing The Beat Goes On in 2015, the duo went on a three-year hiatus due to the members' military enlistment. Unlike the usual D&E or SuJu styles, their new unit album 'Bout You brings a groovy hip-hop style. Apart from NCT, it is rare for artists under SM Entertainment to release a primarily hip-hop album. From hip-hop to R&B and even ballad, 'Bout You is packed with eight songs of various genres and styles. D&E falls in love at first sight and makes a sweet confession in title track "'Bout You" (Track 1). Produced by Dong Hae and J-dub, the trap song is enhanced by... [read more]
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Red Velvet Summer Mini Album - Summer Magic (Random Cover) (First Press Limited Edition)
Red Velvet
Red Velvet is famous for changing between "red concept" and "velvet concept" in their albums. Last year, they reached great success with their summer release Red Flavor, which achieved their best chart results since debut. Putting aside the chic style of Bad Boy and Peek-a-boo, the group returns with a charming and joyful image in Summer Magic. With 8-bit games getting popular again recently, the producers combine this element into the pop dance title track Power Up (Track 1). 8-bit sounds serve as the hook for the uptempo song, which makes it cuter and more fun. The catchy tune and addictive "ba-banana-ba-ba-banana-nana" stayed in my mind for days. Red Velvet swept the digital music charts... [read more]
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BTOB Mini Album Vol. 11 - THIS IS US (SEE Version)
BTOB
Considered one of the underrated idol groups of K-pop, BTOB always surprises the audience with their hidden composing skills and vocal talents. Starting from their debut album, the group members co-composed their album tracks and participated in rap-making and writing lyrics. Back in 2014, BTOB's Christmas release The Winter's Tale marked their first time using a self-composed song as the title track for a comeback. For their last album Brother Act, the title song Missing You was co-produced by Hyun Sik and ranked high in various music charts. This summer, BTOB put aside their usual melancholic style and returned with a unique summer vibe in This Is Us. BTOB's 11th mini album This Is Us... [read more]
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Sung Si Kyung Vol. 6 (Reissue)
Sung Si Kyung
If you are a fan of K-Dramas, you've probably heard his dulcet voice before. From Secret Garden to My Love From The Star, ballad singer Sung Si Kyung has sung numerous soundtrack songs for hit dramas and movies. Known as Korea's "King of Ballads," he expresses every song in his uniquely velvety and sweet voice. In recent years, the singer has shone as a host of various entertainment programs like Non-Summit and Battle Trip. I have been a super fangirl of Sung Si Kyung since I heard his remake of Seo Tai Ji and Boys' To You in the Reply 1994 drama OST. Among all the singles and albums he has released, his sixth full-length album Here In My Heart tops my list. Here In My Heart was the last... [read more]
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2xxx! - Life+unconsciousness
2xxx!
Surrealistic music about everyday struggles2xxx! first caught my attention with his futuristic works, such as Dean's Bonnie & Clyde and Heize's Shut Up & Groove. The producer examines the complex emotions of everyday life through his surrealistic music in his first album Life, which was released digitally in 2017. Composed of Life and the new instrumental EP unconsciousness, the album set Life+unconsciousness captures real-life emotions and serves as a guide to psychological growth. The spacey 170908myidea(intro)_3 (Track 1) leads into the heavy-hearted Girl, Interrupted (Track 2), which reveals a girl's complicated inner world. Accompanied by depressing keyboard tunes, Miso croons about the protagonist's struggles with her airy... [read more]
July 11, 2018 Picked By Pisces See all this editor's picks
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WJSN Mini Album Vol. 4 - Dream Your Dream (Blue Version)
WJSN (Cosmic Girls)
Concepts are important marketing hooks in the K-pop scene. To keep fresh, many singers try different concepts from time to time, but these one-off gimmicks can't help them establish their own styles. Cosmic Girls (WJSN) is the rare exception that has seriously developed their dreamy concept into a trademark spacey sound. Last year, the girls took on a cheerleading concept for Happy Moment but failed to maintain their original cosmic tone. Returning with their fourth mini-album Dream Your Dream, they rediscover their ethereal vibe and blend it with different genres to explore more refreshing sounds. Love has been a recurring theme in WJSN's songs, but this album's title track "Dreams Come... [read more]
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BTOB: Jung Il Hoon Mini Album - Big Wave (Random Version)
Jung Il Hoon (BTOB)
I'm not a BTOB fan but some of their songs are always on my playlist. One thing those songs hold in common is that they are all created by member Jung Il Hoon. The rapper plays a pivotal role in developing BTOB's groovy and funky side, which is especially notable in Movie, "Love Drunk" and Neverland. The young producer further explores his idiosyncratic hip-hop style in his surprise solo debut Big Wave. "Fancy Shoes" (Track 2), which was released under last year's Piece of BTOB project, is an exemplary track that displays the rapper's musical taste. The smooth-sounding yet bouncy song starts with an impressive samba-influenced electric guitar melody adorned with dreamlike vocal... [read more]
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Heize Mini Album (Normal Edition)
Heize
Last year, Heize used rain as a symbol for the successful mini-album /// (You, Clouds, Rain). The aesthetics of nature reappear in the singer-songwriter's fourth release Wish & Wind, which adopts the motif of wind to depict the sorrow of breaking up with a loved one. The excitement of Jenga games comes from the uncertainty as to when the Jenga tower will collapse. However, for Heize, Jenga is like a distressing love game. In the title track Jenga (Track 1), the narrator's anxiety over a fragile relationship is visualized by using the metaphor of a badly built Jenga tower as her wounded heart. Heavy grooves are brought to the playful jazz number, which creates a cool, swinging retro vibe for... [read more]
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BoA Mini Album Vol. 1 - ONE SHOT, TWO SHOT
BoA
Every year, numerous newcomers pop up in the K-pop scene. To survive in the music battlefield, all singers – no matter how experienced or successful they are – have to adapt to their fans' ever-changing music tastes or they will be forgotten. Well aware of this harsh reality, BoA keeps surprising fans with trendsetting music and dancing that have established her as an undefeatable pop diva. After achieving an artistic breakthrough in 2015 with her first self-produced album Kiss My Lips, the songstress invents a new sonic sphere for her music cocktail One Shot, Two Shot. The deep house jam One Shot, Two Shot (Track 1) follows the dreamy and sensual vibe of Kiss My Lips. In the muted opening,... [read more]
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