The Best K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop: September 2021
The Best K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop: September 2021
For more on this countdown and some honorable mentions, listen to the corresponding episode of 17 Carat K-Pop, linked to at the bottom of this article!
#20: BOY STORY, I=U=WE:U
It is hard to pinpoint the perfect EP length. The best mini-albums are long enough to send a message about what the artist’s signature sound is but short enough to hold listeners’ attention and encourage them to give the full thing a chance. BOY STORY succeeds at this balancing act through just two songs. On “Monster,” the boys perform singalong-ready choruses that follow a playful pre-chorus instrumental. The bridge takes an unexpected detour, but they manage to make it work, playing it off in a way that builds on the momentum of the song’s first half. “Be Urself” is equally fun and unexpected, sounding like several songs combined. Both songs are inventive in their own ways and catchy in their own rights, making for a short and sweet introduction to this adorable group.
#19: CHANMINA, “Harenchi”
What makes “Harenchi” so much more than just a catchy song is the person who sings it. CHANMINA changes up her voice depending on the persona she plays at that moment in the music video, and she makes corresponding changes to her appearance. She essentially becomes a one-woman band, and she manages to do so in a way that does not feel out-of-place with the mood of the song. The song is well-made too, with an earworm of an instrumental featuring galloping pianos and guitars. “Harenchi” shines thanks to both its high-quality production and its performer’s versatility.
#18: A.C.E, Changer : Dear Eris
As Wow and Donghun enter the military, Changer : Dear Eris serves as a fitting send-off before fans have to wait many months before the next full-band comeback. In some ways, this album is not just for fans, but by fans. It’s likely no coincidence that the track given an English version and a new remix is “Cactus,” a song fans have considered one of A.C.E’s best since its release in 2017. Fan input is also used in the “Changer” music video, which features a series of actual tweets from fans to A.C.E! The perfect finishing touch is a new fan-dedicated song, “Remember Us.” Opting for a dressed-down look and a super-smiley concept, A.C.E use this album and new music video to give fans the goodbye message they deserve, a message that feels like it is sent by an old friend, rather than by some untouchable celebrity. A.C.E understand they have already done extravagant concepts, and now is the perfect time to show a more laid-back and approachable image. This comeback is toned-down enough to feel appropriate as a goodbye-for-now album yet touching enough to not be dull. “Changer” and Changer : Dear Eris are made with a clear tenderness and appreciation that will leave fans with a warm and fuzzy feeling as they await the next all-member A.C.E comeback.
#17: NAUNGJAE, “Drama”
THE FAKER CLUB is an agency whose mission (to tell authentic, powerful stories) is embedded in its artists’ music, and NAUNGJAE makes no exception. With the help of a guitar-driven hook, “Drama” conveys an ode to a past relationship and a distillation of the bitterness and other feelings that arrive at its end. As labelmate from20 has done time and time again, NAUNGJAE lends distinguishable vocals and personal details to this heavy rumination on a romance. “Drama” simultaneously stands out for its individuality and for its accordance with the motto driving THE FAKER CLUB. The company’s artists continue telling stories both relatable and highly individual, both broadly applicable and individually specific. This is just the first song off of NAUNGJAE’s upcoming mini-album, so it serves as an exciting teaser. There is much more to his story, and if THE FAKER CLUB’s type of storytelling is any indication, future chapters will be well worth the wait.
#16: Coldplay and BTS, “My Universe”
“Legends supporting legends” is an overused phrase nowadays, but if there is any time that phrase can still hold meaning, it is when discussing this collaboration! Coldplay and BTS teaming up is a win-win-win situation. Both bands get to work with a band they have genuine respect and admiration for, and the fans get a reminder that music is the universal language. This message is both clear in the song itself (the lyrics address a relationship that seeks to overcome any sort of physical or metaphorical barriers) and in its music video, which is Guardians of the Galaxy meets Footloose meets something brand new. In a dystopia, the bands refuse to comply with an intergalactic “No Performing” rule, risking everything in the process. There are only so many times collaborators can make a music video remotely and keep it interesting; a video chat-themed music video quickly grows old. The creative “My Universe” video avoids that, because the members are meant to be seen not physically beside one another. They take the form of holograms projected onto the environment and controlled by a DJ/master puppeteer. BTS and Coldplay combine their artistic sensibilities, creativity, and immense belief in music as a universal language to create the magic that is “My Universe.”
#15: BIBI, “PADO”
Any viewer of BIBI’s music videos knows she loves to immerse herself in the characters she plays, and “PADO” is no exception. In this music video, BIBI plays a mermaid who daydreams about having her tail replaced with legs, so she can live happily ever after with a human with whom she falls in love. This video is no The Little Mermaid rip-off, though: BIBI constantly leaves viewers confused about which parts of the story are her daydreams and which are real. Does she really grow temporary legs? Does her crush really join her in a fish tank at one point? The song itself also diverts expectations, with an earnestness and register that rise and fall like the ocean waves from which her mermaid character comes. The mermaid concept she dives fully into is topped off with the sounds of ocean waves and a quiet layer of steel drums, taking listeners on a tropical vacation. With “PADO,” BIBI once again intrigues with a new image and a new sound that both perfectly complement a new character.
#14: ITZY, Crazy in Love
As usual, ITZY’s comeback is impossible to ignore. Checking out one of Crazy in Love’s songs is like tugging on a ribbon that undoes the entire bow on a present and makes seeing what’s inside the wrapping all the more tempting. Once someone starts listening to this album, it is hard to stop, as rocking out to one song triggers the need to rock out to the rest of them. Metaphorically unboxing this album causes a kaleidoscope of colors and themes to spill out, and connecting all of them is ITZY’s bold personality. Taken together, these tracks make for a head-spinning celebration that presents pop music at different points across the genre’s spectrum. If left unsure how to feel about Crazy in Love after one listen, it’s best to listen to it several more times. After that, it’s normal to want to replay the album one more time. And then one more. And then one more…
#13: Goopy, “Teenage”
This ode to youth is performed over a distorted bass and a bridge with call-and-response-ready chanting. In the music video, a montage of memories unfolds, each moment a snapshot in time that will bring back an old feeling or memory for adult viewers and a recent memory for teen viewers. “Teenage” is fun and lighthearted with a music video to match. It is worth watching and listening to until the very end, because the abrupt end makes for a jarring metaphor about the abrupt entrance into adulthood! “Teenage” focuses on a consistent and universal topic and mood and delivers its message in an incredibly catchy, and thus effective, way.
#12: Han Yo Han, Han Yo Han
This album is a must-listen for those who have been craving new alternative music but are not sure what kind of “alternative” they seek. Han Yo Han is the answer. He brings electronified vocals reminiscent of RAVI’s and instrumentals reminiscent of ASH ISLAND’s to hip-hop, rap, and synth pop songs. The tracklist order is perfect, with his most fast-paced rapping taking place early in (on “Akrapovic”), in the middle of (“From Today”), and at the end of the album (“You”). This ebb and flow of his fiercest raps allows the intensity of the album to remain until the very end. Han Yo Han never loses steam, and neither does this self-titled album.
#11: Woosung, “Dimples”
One of the best parts of any song from The Rose is Woosung’s trademark voice breaks. Fans can rejoice, because that signature trait is indeed present in Woosung’s solo single! This song goes from being simply a catchy pop song to a next-level one thanks to Woosung’s voice, not to mention his wardrobe. His shiny silver top and matching metallic manicure are stunning. The music video is also must-watch material for its interesting storyline. The video shows Woosung stranded on a road before he is mentally transported into a party, where he locks eyes with the girl with whom he falls in love. The video blurs the lines between what is in his head and what is really happening, meaning the actual status of their romance remains debatable. There are a million different directions Woosung’s solo story can go from here, and fans will surely be on the edge of their seats waiting to watch the next chapter unfold.
#10: LISA (from BLACKPINK), LALISA
While undergoing over a dozen costume changes, LISA parades through rooms, rides a motorcycle, pole dances, sits on a throne, and more. The video’s numerous settings, outfits, and even hair colors make the “LALISA” music video seem like a challenge, daring fans to guess which of the many concepts that LISA is dipping her toes into now will reemerge in the future. LISA is chameleonic, but she is also sure of herself. She is the epitome of unbothered and confident in her identity, incorporating sounds from her native Thailand into the Korean songs and rapping about running the show. At every turn, “LALISA” conveys the message, “Ready or not, here LISA comes.” And with the B-side, “Money,” LISA further establishes who she is as a solo act, embracing a hip-hop sound to an extent she has not been able to previously. Through both songs on this release, LISA gets to play with all kinds of styles, visually and sonically. Her fingerprints are all over this release, and she clearly has a “go big or go home” mentality when it comes to her solo debut. In this case, going big is proven to have been the right call.
#9: ATEEZ, ZERO : FEVER Part.3
First of all, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate all the nods to previous music videos the band puts into the “Deja Vu'' music video! Second, this album is both a welcome repeat of ATEEZ’s formula and something entirely new. Like their ZERO : FEVER, Pt. 2 era, ATEEZ has chosen to promote both light and dark songs as their initial singles off of the album. The contrast allows fans of both of their styles to be pleased, and it allows ATEEZ to both keep telling the same story and start writing new ones. “Deja Vu'' has tons of Easter eggs in it for ATEEZ Cinematic Universe fans to relish in, while “Eternal Sunshine” lets ATEEZ be carefree and spontaneous. ZERO : FEVER Part.3 is yet another example of ATEEZ managing to deliver both action-packed, suspenseful mini-movies and chill, cheerful tunes at the same time. ATEEZ see no need to confine their musical style into one category, and this belief is clear through the B-sides as well. The best of these is “ROCKY,” which is a rousing, mixed-genre anthem.
#8: PURPLE KISS, HIDE & SEEK
The “Zombie” music video has something in it for all kinds of K-pop fans to love. SHINee’s Odd Eye era comes to mind while watching it, as do the many recent comebacks featuring a Clueless-inspired wardrobe (namely TWICE, SUNMI, and SOMI). In other words, a second-generation K-pop concept is combined with a newer K-pop trend to make something original. The originality of “Zombie'' is further enhanced by its ambiguous ending scene and the flipping of the script. Recent zombie-themed K-pop music videos, such as Golden Child’s “Burn It” and SUNMI’s “You can’t sit with us,” feature zombies as enemies. In this case, PURPLE KISS allude to being the zombies, or at least being willing to party alongside them! This comeback is one-of-a-kind and proves PURPLE KISS is a group that deserves to shine.
#7: PANTHEPACK, The Pack
In addition to blending genres (namely hip-hop, pop, and rap), this mando-pop album seamlessly blends personalities, as all four members of PANTHEPACK get many moments to shine throughout it. The music videos similarly give each member plenty of time to shine. It is refreshing to see a group not distinguish one member as the leader, and this openness to letting each member have agency in the group’s music-making process is clear given the diverse array of sounds and styles put into each track as well.
What makes this release particularly memorable are its music videos. “Pull Up” is a FOMO-inducing celebration that takes place at the fairgrounds, and “BUZZ” has the feel of a family-friendly comedy film. In the latter, the group’s mascot, a robotic panda bear, comes alive and keeps the plot unpredictable. While watching the origin story of this robot bear unfold, it is hard not to imagine this character becoming a beloved image on merchandise, or even the star of an animated TV show in the future. “The Pack” is both a fun new team and smart marketing!
#6: HIM FAMILY, “Moonlight in the City”
The story begins with a pair of restaurant owners struggling to keep their business afloat amid the pandemic. But they manage to find moments of joy despite their worries, lovingly adjusting each other’s masks and then kissing through them. They realize their business is in dire straits but believe they can weather this storm together. But, as has happened to so many couples, COVID-19-related restrictions take a toll on their storybook romance. The couple bickers over how much faith to keep before officially resigning to the fact their restaurant cannot survive much longer. The wife’s refusal to give up on the business clashes with her husband’s pessimism. Long story short, a bitter fight ensues, and the couple decides to spend some time apart after the last straw: the husband is revealed to have removed his wedding ring. The music video serves as an emotional mini-movie, and, at the risk of giving too much away, it does have a happy, satisfying ending.
What makes this video stand out is not so much the plot as the acting behind it. Its beauty lies in its subtleties: the look of sorrow that crosses over the wife’s face when the cashier asks if she came alone or is with someone, the solitary walk past a couple who engage in the same PDA the couple used to… Even the main plot is driven by an easy-to-overlook detail: the husband removes his wedding ring not to send a message about the state of his marriage, but just to cut up and wash vegetables. His decision to not return to wearing the ring is the source of tension that is compounded by financial woes.
Through glances, body language, and their actions, the stars of this mini-movie act with such warmth towards one another in some moments and such iciness in others. HIM FAMILY delivers a wonderful performance in terms of both singing and acting, making this song and video unforgettable.
#5: DO HAN SE, BLAZE
VICTON fans, prepare to be blown away! DO HAN SE emerges as a solo star on BLAZE. He wears his newly self-assured persona like a glove, as if this rapper in him has been waiting in the wings for the perfect moment to emerge. He absolutely thrives when getting to rap uninterrupted. The single “TAKE OVER” is just as interesting visually as it is auditorily, with an androgynous wardrobe and props ranging from a sword to a white horse. Regarding BLAZE’s B-sides, he dips his toes a bit into the worlds of R&B (“Scent”) and rock (“Public Enemy,” a song that is bound to become fans’ favorite). BLAZE is a rap album the majority of the time, so these detours come across as dares. DO HAN SE dares listeners to doubt his range and threatens to prove them wrong at any moment by switching genres.
#4: LeeHi, 4 ONLY
LeeHi’s signature warble defines another gorgeous collection of songs. What is equally appealing about this release are the distinct short stories told by its singles. In “H.S.K.T.,” LeeHi stares at the camera dead-on while insisting her crush had better love her from her head to her toes. LeeHi’s frequent poker face keeps the love story unpredictable and humorous.
In “Savior,” she experiences flashbacks to times when her nose started bleeding and she was left crying and alone, until collaborator B.I would come to the rescue. In the present day, this “savior” once again tries to save the day. Without giving away too many spoilers, B.I eventually decides if his efforts to fix things keep falling short, he might as well just make things better by making his own circumstances as bad as LeeHi’s! The two learn to see the humor in their troubles and end their misadventures on a sweet and satisfying note.
In “ONLY,” LeeHi beautifully sings about finding one true love and growing old with them.
Lastly, “Red Lipstick” is a reprieve from the more emotional storylines. It is a feel-good, retro song that makes listeners want to do as LeeHi tells them: slap on some red lipstick and dance, dance, dance, wherever they are!
Overall, 4 ONLY tells a diverse array of stories, and the accompanying music videos reinforce each song’s uniqueness.
#3: KEY, BAD LOVE
BAD LOVE is a very exciting release for those who have been rooting for KEY since his debut solo album, FACE. On FACE, KEY sounds lost in hindsight, trying out a bunch of different styles, sounds, and vocal deliveries. This time, KEY has found a distinct musical lane in which he thrives. From track to track, he revives eighties pop and presents David Bowie-inspired visuals. It is delightful to watch as KEY hones his craft and learns what concepts he is best at, and he further shows this new level of self-awareness with his new music video. With aliens, clones, and so much more, the video is the ultimate superhero-meets-outer-space-adventure movie, which ties in nicely with the SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe as a whole. It is worth re-watching both to catch more Easter eggs and to process all of the action. BAD LOVE and its title track’s video are both welcome contributions to SM Entertainment’s canon and impeccable additions to KEY’s discography as a soloist.
#2: MIYAVI, Imaginary
MIYAVI has done it again, delivering a high-speed thrill ride of an album that includes surprising collaborations, bold and triumphant sounds, and an incomparable command of the electric guitar. What’s particularly sublime is his cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” It is the tallest of orders to try covering such an iconic song in a way that truly honors the original. MIYAVI manages to do that, by amplifying the best parts of the song instead of compromising them.
The original songs that stand out the most are the collaborations. Kimbra perfectly complements MIYAVI’s voice on “Imaginary,” and KANG DANIEL adds haunting vocals to the dramatic “Hush Hush.” Imaginary both has and deserves the potential to create new MIYAVI fans out of Kimbra and KANG DANIEL fans, making these songs a sign of even bigger and better things in MIYAVI’s future.
#1: NCT 127, STICKER
Read both my objective and subjective reviews of STICKER below!
Click here to listen to the corresponding podcast episode, click here for a playlist of the songs referenced here, click here for a playlist of the music videos discussed here, and click here to read about last month’s picks!