My chosen song for this week is “LMN” by Hwa Sa. Ahn Hye-jin, popularly known as Hwa Sa, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper born on July 23rd, 1995. She is also a member of the girl group Mamamoo that is currently managed by RBW. Hwa Sa made her solo debut on February 13th, 2019, with the digital single – “Twit” and then released her first EP – Maria on June 29th of this year. “LMN” is one of the songs on this new EP.
This is one of the most brilliant songs I have heard in a long while. Even the word ‘beautiful’ does not do this song justice. Hwa Sa’s voice gave me chills throughout. Plus, the lyrics are very poetic. Overall, the music video and production for “LMN” gets a 10/10 as pure art. I have been replaying this song, and I just can’t get enough of it. So I hope you all enjoy listening to it as well.
(Please note โ This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to each song.)
“1 Billion Views” by EXO-SC (Feat. MOON)
Reaction to Official MV:
I love their drip and outfits. They both be looking good.
Chanyeol’s voice at the beginning tho, It’s so deep and sexy ๐๐คญ.
I appreciate the vocal layering on this track. It feels like an eargasm๐.
As the two rappers in EXO, I was expecting them to take the hardcore rap route, but they are giving us smooth retro vocals.
My favourite outfits are the blazer looks.
I love the music video’s visuals and the arcade concept.
This line ๐๐ผ”I cry I cry, I cry…” is so catchy. The entire chorus makes me want to sing along.
Oh, I forgot that this song has a featured artist until she came in. I love her voice; it blends well with Chanyeol and Sehun.
Finger clicking in any song instantly captures my attention, and this one makes me want to dance.
I don’t need to say much, I LOVE “1 Billion Views” from EXO-SC.
It gets a 10/10 rating from me.
Reaction to pre-release single “Telephone” –
Love how this started right away, and the instrumental is bouncy.
Honestly, the vocal layering on both songs is so seamless.
It’s also lovely to hear how well Changyeol and Sehum harmonize.
The animation for this music video is charming.
I live for when Chenyeol goes into his lower register. It’s so sensual.๐ฅฐ
I want Sehum’s colourful sweater.
“Telephone” is the perfect head-bopping song.
Okay, that black sweater look on Sehun is a grand mood, and let’s not even talk about how fine he looks with his hair slicked back.
WHAT??? I was not expecting the featured artist once again. 10cm just blessed me with his high pitched voice.
It is such a sweet background vocal to Chanyeol and Sehun’s harmonies.
I enjoyed every minute of this song; therefore, it gets a 10/10.
Now let’s check out their album.
Album Review: The album is also titled1 Billion Views and has nine songs. Here is a preview –
1 Billion Views (Feat. MOON)
Say It (Feat. PENOMECO) – This also follows the same upbeat flow and singing style. “Say It” is a BOP, and I am already grooving. Since this is a compiled post, I don’t want to write much, so I will just end on the fact that I enjoyed this song.
Rodeo Station – I love the melody, and the background vocals are soothing. The beat also follows the same retro influence. The production on all four tracks I have heard so far is excellent, most notable with the vocal layering. It is so fascinating to me. “Rodeo Station” is another great track on this record.
Telephone (Feat. 10cm)
Jet Lag – Now, this has a slower tempo compared to the rest. I can’t stop ranting about the vocal quality of this album. “Jet Lag” might just be my favourite so far. The chorus is captivating. I appreciate the smooth and chill vibe.
Fly Away (Feat> Gaeko) – The start for this is quite enchanting. I love the rap-talking style on this track and vocals…WOW. Gaeko is blessing my ears. No song on this album has disappointed. It keeps getting better as expected from EXO members. All I need now is a light stick to fully jam out. THE PRODUCTION!!!… I feel like I’m actually flying.
Nothin’ – The instrumental for this one stands out a lot from the rest, but it still fits the album concept. Already, I LOVE IT. The guitar on this track goes off, and I am here for all that energy. I honestly don’t want to analyze these songs so much because I might write too much since they are all equally amazing. Chanyeol and Sehun deserve an A+++++++ for this album.
On Me – OH JUST FROM THE INTRO, I KNOW THIS IS ABOUT TO BE ๐ฅ. This one is the hardcore rap track on a classic trap instrumental. I am in cloud nine right now, all I need is a speaker because it is party time ๐๐ผ. It’s not heavy EDM, but it just makes me want to turn up.
1 Billion Views – Instrumental
1 Billion Views by EXO-SC is an excellent album from start to finish, and I will be going back to it a lot. I do have my favourites, but I enjoyed every single song on here, so my rating is a solid 10/10.
“OHIO” by Crush –
Reaction to Official MV:
Oh, I wasn’t expecting an upbeat start. I thought this was going to be a slow song because I didn’t check out any of the teasers.
I love the beat, and I feel this is about to be a good one.
His voice is fantastic, as always.
That little dance Crush did, in the beginning, was so adorable.
So this is about him going all out on partying to forget his heartbreak?
The melody for this song is catchy and very bouncy. It makes me want to pull out some weird dance moves.
Fun fact, Tablo from Epik High wrote the lyrics for this track.
I love that little breakdown clapping section. The rhythm is so good.
The pianist is also going off in the background. I am enjoying the jazz influence we have going on with the instrumental.
Okay, Crush is going off vocally. He isn’t doing anything too crazy, but his flow and smooth vocal runs are such a vibe.
“OHIO” is, for sure, going on my playlist. It is such a groovy song, and I already want to sing along.
Plus, Crush’s crazy dancing in the video is a delightful visual feast. ๐๐๐
“OHIO” gets a 10/10 from me.
Review of B-side – “Let Me (Feat. Dean Morrison)”
Oh, I guess this is the softer track.
It seems to be entirely in English.
This song is so delicate, and I already love it.
I approve of the instrumental mix with the keyboard and shallow drum beats.
“Let Me” is a romantic track, and I am here for this kind of energy.
It reminds me so much of songs I would hear from the 90s American boy groups.
Wow, whoever is doing the backing vocals has a rich deep voice. Is that Dean Morrison, or is he just the producer? Kindly let me know in the comment section.
Crush’s voice on this track feels like butter melting into my ears.
“Let Me” really follows the classic 90s/early 2000s R&B style.
I LOVE IT. My rating is 10/10.
“AWay” by JEONG EUN JI –
Reaction to Official MV:
I’m sad.๐ฅ There are no English captions on this video.
All the same, I am here for this summery vibe.
Her voice is so beautiful, and I love how the instrumental brings high energy into the song.
The chorus didn’t drop as I expected, but that makes things more interesting.
Plus, I think the melody is catchy and easy to sing along.
The cinematography for this music video is stunning. The colours pop with a soft glow effect.
I am enjoying the overall vibe, and I wish I could go on a road trip while jamming to this.
Jeong Eun Ji’s make-up is pretty. Her make-up artist went in.
Vocal wise, her high notes are effortless. I also hear some lovely whistle notes in the background.
Eun Ji is very talented and blessed with a powerful voice.
“AWay” gets a 10/10 from me.
Now let’s check the full album she dropped.
Album Review: This EP is titled Simple and has six songs. Here is a preview –
Simple is the best – I adore the soft vibe of this one. The piano is on it is brilliant. I could listen to just the instrumental on its own and still enjoy every second because it’s that fascinating. I love how the tempo switched up throughout the song but came together as a perfect mix. Jeong Eun Ji also sounds breathtaking on this track, and the overall production is excellent.
AWay
Whoo – This is way more chill compared to the previous tracks. I love Eun Ji’s vocal tone. It almost sounds like a neo-soul style to me. It’s like a breath of fresh air that hits you in at the right moments. I’m swaying from side to side while listening to this track because it’s that soothing with the shallow vocals and soft guitar instrumental. “Whoo” is my favourite song so far.
Stay – This is a full-on ballad with the classic piano entry and entrancing vocals. I think this might be my second favourite. It feels like a lullaby that could quickly put me to sleep, and I live for this kind of relaxing songs. I’m just going to stop typing and enjoy every second of this one.
Moisturising – Another soft track but with a guitar entry. The progression of this is intriguing. It’s not too upbeat but not very slow like “Stay”. The guitar and drums give it a more cheerful essence. I feel like it was too short, or maybe the 3 minutes and 25 seconds just went by too fast for me.
A Slow Child – Oh, this is about to be a whole mood just from the first few seconds. I love the deep rhythmic drums, and the way Eun Ji came in was elegant. This track makes me feel light, almost like I’m floating. Also, the inclusion of classical instruments took the song to a grand lev. “A Slow Child” is my third favourite song from this record.
Jeong Eun Ji truly impressed. The EP – Simple is sold, and it will be on repeat for a while. My rating is a definite 10/10.
(Please note โ This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to each song.)
“Villain” by AleXa – Reaction to Official MV:
This marks my first time hearing any song from her, so I have my fingers crossed.
Alright, we don’t have any English captions, but I can check for them later.
I love the intense instrumental, and she has a beautiful voice.
The choreography is also good. AleXa and the dancers are synchronized.
I love how they used the two outfits to represent her different sides. There must be a theory for that, but of course, I have no idea.
The beat goes hard and actually makes me want to move, but I’m not fully vibing with the song.
I’m going to listen to it again before making up my mind.
I absolutely adore her vocal tone. It sounds unique to me, and the production on the track is quite okay.
Overall, “Villian” is a great song, but since I’m not too invested it right now, it gets an 8/10.
“I’m good at goodbyes” by BIBI –Reaction to Official MV:
I absolutely loved her previous single – “KAZINO”, and if you haven’t read my review for that song, use this link ๐๐ผย BIBI โ KAZINO: Music Review.
Now let’s see how this one goes.
Wow, the visuals for this video are stunning. Most notably that scene with BIBI lying in the grass.
I need that red dress, it’s gorgeous.
Already this shows her versatility because it’s completely different from “KAZINO”
BIBI is so cute and weird. Talent just overflows from her.
This music video… DAMN. Who came up with the concept? The visuals are incredible but surprisingly simple.
I just noticed that I do not have English captions, but it’s okay.
I love the drum beats and piano instrumental for this song. They are soft, groovy and complement BIBI’s singing style really well.
Her voice is calming and always draws me in. Honestly, she is too underrated.
Her vocal runs and range are very intriguing.ย I also love the falsetto runs she throws in once in a while.
This is such a chill song, and I cannot wait to read the English lyrics.
There’s nothing more to say, I LOVE IT.
“I’m good at goodbyes” gives off a very serene and trancelike vibe. The music video is also well thought out.
A definite playlist worthy track.
BIBI never disappoints. This song gets a solid 10/10 from me.
Another comeback I was looking forward to. On July 22nd, Hyoyeon released her new single titled “DESSERT”, and I am ready to hear what this song sounds like. Kim Hyo-yeon, popularly known as Hyoyeon or DJ HYO, is a South Korean singer and DJ born on September 22nd, 1989. She is also a member of the popular girl group – Girls’ Generation and is currently managed by SM Entertainment.
(Please note โ This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to this song.)
Reaction to Official MV:
SOYEON always comes in fierce, and she is already serving it hot on this song.
I am happy with all the videos today because they all have English subs.
The beat goes hard, and I am here for all this energy.
I love the raspy tone of Hyoyeon’s voice. She sounds great, and I like how she came into the mix smoothly.
I was so focused on the visuals that I forgot to pay attention to the lyrics.
The music video set is quite impressive.
OKAY!!! ALRIGHT!!! THIS IS LIT!!!๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
“You know what I deserve (What?)… DESSERT! DESSERT! DESSERT!”ย
The chorus goes hard๐๐ผ.
I love that red outfit. Hyoyeon looks so good, I can’t deal.
How can someone be this gorgeous and slay effortlessly?
She is a full truckload of talent, and I love seeing her win.
The choreography is solid, and the way Loopy came has me grooving hard.
“DESSERT” is a certified BOP and a half.
This was made for my playlist, and it must go on there for constant replays.
It is such a simple track but well produced with the right artists on it.
The beat switch up for the bridge got me hollering. This is a perfect EDM track that will feel right on every listen.
I don’t care what anyone says, but I am giving my rating even before the song ends.
“DESSERT”ย by HYO (Feat. Loopy, SOYEON of (G)I-DLE) gets a bulletproof 10/10 from me.
The ๐ did not come to play with you all. So kindly put some accolades on Hyoyeon’s name because she served.
On July 22nd, SOMI released her second single titled “What You Waiting For”. The teaser images she dropped hinted at a more matured concept compared to her previous song, so let’s check it out.ย
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Ennik Somi Douma, known by the stage name SOMI is a Canadian-Dutch-Korean singer active in South Korea. Her Korean name is Jeon So-mi. She participated in the audition program – Produce 101 and finished first. This led her to debut in the resulting girl group known as I.O.I. After the contract for I.O.I ended, all members went back to their respective groups and solo careers. SOMI made her debut as a solo act on June 13th, 2019, with the single “BIRTHDAY” and she is currently managed by The Black Label.
(Please note โ This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to this song.)
Reaction to Official MV:
Already this gives off a more grown-up vibe than “BIRTHDAY” Don’t get me wrong, I love that song, but I like to see growth as well.
SOMI looks stunning with blonde hair.
I hope she starts putting out music consistently, and maybe we can get an EP soon.
Thankfully, I have English captions, so let’s continue.
The instrumental for this song is quite intriguing. I think I hear a xylophone?
The set design and her outfits are stunning.
The ocean scene reminded me so much of AKMU – “How can I love the heartbreak, you’re the one I love.”
The build-up towards the chorus is excellent.
This song is upbeat, but it still gives off a mellow vibe. I like the tempo variation.
Is so cute how she said, “Ring the alarm.”
I feel SOMI got to showcase her vocals better in this song, but there’s still some room for her to fill with future releases.
“What You Waiting For” is a great song but not something I see myself listening to a lot.
I might come to enjoy it more after a few replays, but for now, it gets a 9/10 from me.
I will keep following SOMI’s career in hopes of her releasing something that completely blows me away.
Just yesterday, LEE HI released her new single “HOLO”, and I am here to support my vocal queen. I am excited to hear this song because her voice never disappoints. Lee Ha-yi, popularly known as LEE HI, is a South Korean singer-songwriter born on September 23rd, 1996. She garnered fame after participating in the audition program – K-pop Star Season 1 and finishing as the runner-up. Her official debut was on October 8th of 2012 with the single – “1, 2, 3, 4.” Lee Hi was managed by YG Entertainment up until December 31st, 2019. She is now signed to AOMG, and this new single marks her first release after parting ways with YG.
(Please note โ This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to this song.)
Reaction to Official MV:
Yes! I have English captions.
Oh, no girl, you better not jump. Suicide is not the answer, my love.
I feel this is about to be a very heartfelt track.
I really missed LEE HI’s voice. YG definitely did not give us enough of her, so I am very excited about this fresh start with a new company.
She is stunning and black hair always flatters her features.
Back to the song, The lyrics are absolutely beautiful.
The piano on this track is soothing and very comforting.
Exactly. Sing it LEE HI – “One day, it will stop.” I genuinely believe that no matter what we’re going through, it will pass away, and our happy moments will last for a longer time.
Fun fact – LEE HI and I are born in the same year, but I’m a December baby. I just felt the need to share that.๐
Her voice always gives me chills because it’s so soulful, and this song is really touching.
I love how the instrumental went up in tempo for the chorus. Also, nice touch with choir backing for that section, It created an uplifting aura.
Basically, she is the little girl’s guiding angel. Giving her strength to continue living, but I think the little girl also represents LEE HI.
This means “HOLO” is a letter to herself to continue fighting the sadness, loneliness, depression, and sad feelings because one day, it will all go away.
“HOLO” is, for sure, going on my playlist. It is a lovely song with an important message.
It gets a solid 10/10 from me. Good job LEE HI๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
(Please Note: none of these images are mine. I got them from official magazine websites and social media sites.)
MOJO.S.PHINE’s new ad campaign features Park Shin Hye in their #20AUTOMNE collection titled ‘Signet a fleurs’. As always, she looks stunning in every outfit.๐
My next feature, Vanda Margraf, recently posed for the cover of InStyle China. This is my first time seeing this actress, and she is gorgeous. I did my research, and she has only acted in two movies – ‘Ip Man 4’ and ‘Cry of the Birds’
Throughout this week, I have been going back to “Hate Everything” by Golden, so it had to be featured.
Kim Ji Hyun is a South Korean singer-songwriter born on June 16th, 1988. He debuted as an R&B/Soul soloist in 2015 with the EP – Coming Home. At that time, he was signed to JYP Entertainment and known as G.Soul. After leaving JYP in 2017, he signed with H1ghr Music and later changed his stage name to Golden in 2019.
“Hate Everything” is actually the title track of his first EP under the name Golden. This song has two versions – English and Korean. I listen to the English variant more.
His voice on this song is pure bliss. Honestly, Golden is one of the most beautiful/powerful voices in the K-r&b scene. Plus, the emotion he pours into each song is just incredible. I absolutely love the lyrics for “Hate Everything” because they are very relatable and touching. Thankfully with the English version, international listeners can understand everything at once, and the Korean one is basically a direct translation.
I hope you all enjoy listening to this song. If anyone wants something more lively from Golden, try listening to the full EP, which is also titled Hate Everything. You all are bound to enjoy at least two or more tracks on it. Apart from the Korean version of “Hate Everything”, all other songs are in English. If I was to describe this EP, I would call it a ‘Soul Healer’ and rating wise, it gets a solid 10/10 from me.
On June 6th, CHUNG HA dropped her second pre-release single titled “PLAY”. I already reviewed the first pre-release single – “Stay Tonight” ๐๐ผ CHUNG HA โ Stay Tonight: Music Review. The teaser images for “PLAY” are very colourful, so I really want to know what the song sounds like.
(Please note – This is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exact thoughts while listening to this song.)
Reaction to Official MV:
I love the instrumental intro, and I feel it has some sort of Spanish music influence.
I wish every artist could include English captions in their music videos. I want to watch and understand everything at once.
Anyways, here is a link to a website with the English, Korean and Romanized lyrics of this song ๐๐ผ Color Coded Lyrics
Some scenes in this music video have a vintage filter over them, and I like the effect.
Chung Ha sounds beautiful, as always. I love her vocal runs and soft falsetto notes.
My favourite outfit so far is the one where she’s wearing a flower crown.
The build-up towards the chorus section is excellent. I also love the variations with the beat switch during the chorus.
Okay, Changmo’s rap came in at the right moment, and I am enjoying his flow.
He took the song to the next level, and once again, the instrumental progression/ variation for his part is on point.
The choreography is also perfect, as expected from Chung Ha. She and the dancers always nail every move with ease.
Another beautiful outfit is the red dress for the bull, or should I say car fight scene.
I was right about this song having some Spanish music influence because they even included some of their dance steps.
They did a lovely job slowing things down for the bridge section. I love how Chung Ha entered the closing with a perfect high note.
Hello, beautiful people. I hope you all are doing great and staying safe.
For the past two weeks, I haven’t been very active, but I’m officially back. Although my absence led to a lack of music reviews for recent comebacks, I did listen to all the new songs and albums on my own. As you all can tell from this post’s title, I’ll be checking out Red Velvet’s subunit – IRENE & SEULGI. They released their 1st mini album – Monster on June 6th, and I had to show up for this one because their teaser images were absolutely stunning. Both ladies were serving me goddess looks –
(Please note – this is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exacts thoughts while listening to each song.)
Reaction to Title Track/Official MV:
A weird intro, but okay.
The set for the music video’s is gorgeous and really colourful.
The bass on this song is quite intense.
I’m also enjoying how sultry their voices sound on the track.
I appreciate the interactive choreography. Both Irene and Seulgi are killing it.
The contoured outfits are such a good look for both ladies.
Also, excellent progression with the use of a rap-singing style for the verse, and then moving on to full singing from the pre-chorus section.
However, I’m not too sure about the pre-chorus, but let’s continue.
I love the switch up for the instrumental during Irene’s second verse. I don’t know the technical name for what happened there, so I’ll just call it an electric fart.๐
The visuals and lighting for this music video are beautiful.
Okay, the part that starts with – “I’m a little monster, be scared of me…” slightly threw me off at first, but it does sound perfect after hearing it three times.
I have to replay this song before giving my final thoughts.
Honestly, I acknowledge the good qualities of “Monster” because both Irene and Seulgi sound amazing on the track. The instrumental is quite intriguing, but unfortunately, the overall tone and vibe aren’t doing much for me.
Album Review:
Here is the album on Spotify –
Monster – Third time listening to this track, and I still can’t get into it. I think it is because I enjoy some parts while the rest are just there for me.
Diamond – Okay, I love the instrumental intro for this one. It’s quite bouncy and makes me move a little. Both ladies are serving beautiful and smooth vocals. This song, to me, is way better than the title track. From the soft melody to the overall production, “Diamond” is a whole vibe. I am genuinely enjoying their voices on this track, and the instrumental with the soft finger-clicks is sitting well with my spirit.
Feel Good – Another intriguing start, and this song seems more hunting than the previous two. I love the short pauses between each sentence as they sing. Also, excellent instrumental progression, most notably with the way they introduced the drumbeat. Oh, are we getting an EDM build-up? I was not expecting the song to take this route. The production on this track is intriguing. “Feel Good” is a great song, but it still feels slightly odd to me. Maybe I just need more time with it. All the same, vocally, both Irene and Seulgi sound incredible.
Jelly – This is more bubbly than the rest. It is giving me classic Red Velvet vibes. Irene is solidifying herself as a vocalist with this album because both ladies have given nothing but clean and beautiful vocals with all four songs. I am really enjoying this track. I can see myself coming back to “Jelly” a few times because it makes me feel good. The drumline style instrumental for the bridge is giving me life. Plus, the subtle falsetto notes are blessing my ears. This is my second favourite on this album after “Diamond”
Uncover (Sung by SEULGI): Bonus Track – This is very R&B styled, and Seulgi’s voice is perfect for this type of song. She has the classic soft and mesmerizing tone for R&B music. “Uncover” is another good one, but I don’t see myself coming back to it a lot. All the same, it is a perfect way to close the album.
Final Thoughts:
This is their 1st mini-album, hence why I’m cutting them some slack. IRENE & SEULGI sounded terrific together, and the production on the album was kind of okay. I genuinely enjoyed “Diamond” and “Jelly” out of the five songs. Overall, I was not blown away by this record, so my rating for Monster is 6/10.
As already mentioned earlier this week, I am sharing pictures of celebrities that naturally have an air of elegance and poise. From the way they carry themselves to how they speak and dress, they continuously keep things classy. This is my last roll call.
(Please Note: none of these images are mine. I got them from official magazine websites and social media sites.)
My first lady on this list is Seo Ye Ji. These are recent shots from her new management – Gold Medalist Agency and NETFLIX for her new drama –
Up next is Sun Yi on the cover of CHC Magazine – June 2020 Issue –
The third lady on my list is Zhang Yuxi on the cover of Beijing Walker – June 2020 Issue –
Next is Cecilia Liu on the cover of COSMOPOLITAN China – July 2020 Issue –
To round up, I have DAVICHI’s Kang Min Kyung for 1st Look Magazine –
As already mentioned earlier this week, I am sharing pictures of celebrities that naturally have an air of elegance and poise. From the way they carry themselves to how they speak and dress, they continuously keep things classy. This is my last roll call for the men.
(Please Note: none of these images are mine. I got them from official magazine websites and social media sites.)
First on this list is Song Weilong’s cover spread for ELLE Men Fresh – Fall 2020 Issue. I don’t get why they are rushing fall because we clearly haven’t enjoyed summer yet but oh well –
Up next is Zhang Han for Hunan TV’s recent 6. 18 gala –
The third on this list is Hu Yi Tian. These are recent photos that were shared by his studio on Weibo –
Next is Leon Zhang. These are recent shots forย MOOKI Magazine and Avene x Taobao live-stream –
To wrap up is the one and only Kim Woo Bin for Esquire Magazine – July 2020 Issue –
As already explained in my previous post, throughout this week, I’ll be sharing pictures of celebrities that naturally have an air of elegance and poise. From the way they carry themselves to how they speak and dress, they continuously keep things classy.
(Please Note: none of these images are mine. I got them from official magazine websites and social media sites.)
First on today’s list is BLACKPINK’s Rose for ELLE Korea –
Up next is the Chinese actress Cecilia Boey for Marie Claire China –
Third on this list is the Korean actress Kim Ji Won for Harper’s BAZAAR Korea –
To close this post, I have the Chinese actress Tong Yao for Bobosnap China –ย
I have always admired celebrities that naturally have an air of elegance and poise. From the way they carry themselves to how they speak and dress, they continuously keep things classy. So throughout this week, I will be sharing a few pictures of such stars with you all.
(Please Note: none of these images are mine. I got them from official magazine websites and social media sites.)
First off is the Chinese actress Huang Shengyi on the cover of Beijing Youth Weeklyย –ย
Up next is Korean actress Park Min Young for CeCi China Magazine – June 2020 Issue –
Last on this list is Chinese actress Qi Wei for ELLE China – July 2020 Issue –
I’m doing my best to catch up, so I’ll probably be posting one episode of this show every day.
I hope this episode gets even better than the previous one.
It looks like the new girl is moving into the signal house soon.
I wonder who she will go for.
Wow, Im Han Gyeol said that he is no longer curious about Park Ji Hyun and also complemented Min Jae.
I can see that Seo Min Jae is really into him, but I don’t think he’s is super invested yet. All the same, they have time to grow and know each other better.
Why are all the housemates in beige or cream clothes? Did they code before coming on camera?
Oh, I didn’t know that Ga Heun was going on a date with Kang Yeol. I am slightly excited to see how this turns out.
So far, their conversation is flowing well enough like casual friends, but I can tell that Ga Heun’s heart isn’t there, and that’s okay.
Lmao Kang Yeol said he came to the signal house to be around the girls, not guys. I just vibe with his straightforward personality.
Are they about to play the guys like they did the ladies when Kim Kang Yeol first arrived? They just received a text message telling them to welcome the fourth female housemate.
I guess she is coming straight to the house, and the guys have to prepare a small event for her.
LMAO, these men are adorable. The way they all put on the face mask and took a selfie before laying down to chill was too cute.
I can’t deal with them right now.๐๐๐
And here comes the random cat on the roof shots again. Lol
The girls are finally outside spending some alone time, and I love how observant Ga Heun is of everyone in the house.
Ga Heun and Min Jae are expressing how they deal with not getting the attention of the person they like.
Basically, they either give them space or take action. Then if the response is not favourable, don’t beat yourself too much about it. Let go, sit back and watch things play out naturally.
Finally, the new lady – Cheon An Na, is here.
Kim Kang Yeol is a clown. He’s telling Cheon An Na that he was also shy when he first arrived. All the guys stared at him funny because Kang Yeol was very comfortable on his first day. ๐๐๐
The girls are finally back. Now let’s see how this goes.
Cheon An Na is 27 years old, and she works as a personal assistant.
I don’t really understand the set up for the upcoming date, but I think the girls chose a movie and who they want to see it with?
Now the guys have to pick one of the movies? Anyways, let me continue because I’ll figure it out as I watch.
So the panel has to predict which two guys each lady chose for her date and what movie was theirs. Here are their guesses –
– Park Ji Hyun ๐๐ผ ‘The Notebook’ to Cheon In Woo and Kim Kang Yeol.
– Cheon An Na ๐๐ผ ‘About Time’ to Jun Eui Dong and Kim Kang Yeol.
– The panel was equally divided on which of the two remaining movies belonged to Seo Min Jae or Lee Ga Heun.
– They also guessed that both Lee Ga Huen and Seo Min Jae chose Cheon In Woo and Im Han Gyeol.
Now here are the actual results –ย
The panel guessed right, and I am so happy that someone finally noticed my dear Eui Dong.
Now we get to see one of the dates. I personally want to see Cheon An Na and Eui Dong first, but I also want them to have enough screen time, so maybe they should wait till the next episode.
Of course, I had a feeling. The first date is Cheon An Na and Eui Dong.
They seem very comfortable with each other, and Eui Dong is proactive.
I think I finally found my ship for this season. I am excited about Jun Eui Dong and Cheon An Na, fingers-crossed, I hope it works out.
Overall this episode was not too bad. The ending date made me happy, and I can’t wait to see the continuation tomorrow. As always, here is a link to the English subbed version of this program: Heart Signal (Korean Version) on Viki
My chosen song for this week is “WAYO” by TREASURE’s BANG YE DAM. Bang Ye-dam is a South Korean singer and member of the soon to be debuted boy group – TREASURE. The group is signed to YG Entertainment. Bang Ye-dam was born on May 7th, 2002, which makes him 18 this year. He gained popularity after appearing on the second season of K-pop Starย in 2012. After finishing as the runner-up, he joined YG Entertainment. This digital single – “WAYO” marks his solo debut, and TREASURE will be debuting in July.
I initially wanted to write a review for this song, but since I didn’t have enough time, I had to save it for my future song of the week. I love how the song starts out with a guitar that ushers Ye-dam’s soft vocals into the mix. The way he sings “wayo, wayo, wayo” is so catchy and soothing. That part completely sold this song for me. Overall the progression of this song is relaxing and truly showcases Ban Ye-dam’s beautiful voice. I remember watching him on K-pop Star, and he was way younger then. I’m glad that he was able to train and maintain his voice. I can’t wait to hear more from him.
With concerns to his group – TREASURE, I have only heard “Going Crazy”, and it wasn’t exactly my style. But I will still keep an eye out for their official debut.
I hope you enjoy listening to “WAYO” by BANG YE DAM. Continue to have a lovely week, everyone.๐๐๐
Alright, I really do not know how the love lines are going to play out at this point but let’s just continue –
At this point, I feel like I am watching a Korean drama that focuses only on the main couple, and shows the side characters once in a while.
It’s frustrating that the tempo of the season has been very stagnant. Therefore I am not too intrigued to continue.
In the previous episode, Park Ji Hyun asked Cheon In Woo to drive her to work, but Im Han Gyeol just asked In Woo to let him drive her instead.
I personally think that he should have asked Ji Hyun first before making impromptu interruption to her plans.
I don’t foresee this carpool change ending well because she intended to spend more time with Cheon In Woo.
Oh well, she rejected the change. I kind of saw it coming.
I feel like Im Han Gyeol does not really have a chance with her because she’s already too invested in Cheon In Woo. I kind of feel sad about it tho.
Finally, Seo Min Jae is getting some screen time, and she’s with the person she likes, Im Han Gyeol.
They both look stylish in their long coats.
Sorry I could not get a very clear screenshot.
Another thing I want to point out is that I’m not too sure if the non-popular housemates are not proactive or catchy enough for the producers because the editing and time allocation on this show is quite crappy.
I can’t seem to get into the vibe of this season at all. I’m literally lost.
Lol Kim Kang Yeol is so odd, the way he asked Park Ji Hyun out in front of everyone was kind of funny.
Does Cheon In Woo feel threatened because Kim Kang Yeol asked Park Ji Hyun out on a date?
Boy!!!! you better make up your damn mind.๐
Oh, we’re getting to see more Im Han Gyeol and Seo Min Jae. Nice.
I love that their matching black coats and I want one.
Korea has a lot of unique restaurants. I love their set up and interior designs. Their food also looks delicious.
Lee Ga Heun is such a lovely person. She actually gave Seo Min Jae some advice on her to get closer to Im Han Gyeol.
I love how the conversation is flowing between Han Gyeol and Min Jae. They are just talking about random things, and there’s no heavy, awkward energy.
Now it is time for Kim Kang Yeol and Park Ji Hyun’s date.
I’m surprised that Ji Hyun is actually carrying a conversation without being too reserved, shy or awkward. She has gotten better. Good job, girl.
Jun Eui Dong is always third-wheeling. My poor baby.
Cheon In Woo made it too obvious that he was sad and uneasy because Park Ji Hyun was out on a date with someone else.
Lee Ga Heun, my dear girl. She seems done with his ‘situationship.’
It’s interesting to see how everyone is airing out their feelings without being straightforward. At the same time, they all understand what each person is saying.
Alright time for the love-line predictions, and just like the previous episode, I don’t have any guesses.
Here’s the final result –
– Cheon In Woo and Kim Kang Yeol both sent text messages to Park Ji Hyun, but only Kang Hyeol got a text back.
– Im Han Gyeol and Seo Min Jae texted each other.
– LMAO, this one killed me. Lee Ga Heun sent a text to Jun Eui Dong. I knew she was over In Woo’s mess๐๐๐๐๐๐. I LOVE HER.
– Oh, finally, everyone wants to move on from focusing on just one girl. Jun Eui Dong sent a text message to Seo Min Jae.
I’m glad that this show has finally displayed a slight change in tempo, but I’ll keep watching to see how everything wraps up.
Alright, it’s been a while, but at least now, almost all the episodes are out. Continuing from where I left off, it is time to see how awkward the first meeting between the new guy and the girls is going to be –
I feel like the panellists are slighting too focused on Park Ji Hyun. They don’t analyze the actions of the other ladies as much.
A good example was when Kim Kang Yeaol cross-checked with the waiter about the fried rice, they quickly assumed that he did so because it was Ji Hyun’s order. However, I bet the guy was simply making sure they got all their orders correct.
I don’t think Kim Kang Yeol has shown interest in any of the girls yet.
Oooh, the other guys just arrived. This is about to get more awkward.
Cheon In Woo’s face of disbelief while walking towards the table is killing me๐. Mans is really in shock.
Kim Kang Yeol is 26 years old. He is into branding business, like clothes and eyeglasses. So basically, his department should be luxury fashion, right?
They all have exciting jobs.
Alright, they’re back in the Signal House. Now let’s see how the dynamics change.
I love that Kim Kang Yeol doesn’t stress with all the minor decisions. He readily said whoever wakes up first can cook.
I know It would have taken much longer if left to the other housemates to decide.
I love that Kang Yeol adapted to the house quickly. Even the other guys are amazed.
I’m really into his casual and outgoing personality, but at the same time, I hope he doesn’t overstep personal space.
How can Cheon In Woo and Park Ji Hyun be on a date without saying a word to each other for more than three minutes? They’re not even eating yet, so what’s up with all the awkward silence?
I can’t deal with them, and I’m over this ‘situationship.’
When she asked who among the housemates he felt most awkward with? I already knew the answer would be her. This is not something entirely negative, but it has to be worked on.
Okay, at least Park Ji Hyun is finally speaking up. She admits that she was upset when In Woo took Lee Ga Heun out for coffee even though she asked him first.
I genuinely applaud her effort and hope she continues to speak up.
Currently, I don’t support any of the ships. All I want is for everyone to have a shot at who they like before letting go if need be.
From what I’m seeing, Cheon In Woo seems more open when he’s with Lee Ga Heun, but honestly, you never know with this kind of shows.
Lee Ga Heun is a full-on flirting queen. Outside of all the situationship, I love her.
Okay, it is time for the love-line predictions.
I don’t have any guesses this time around because I didn’t see much interaction between most housemates.
Texting Results –
– Park Ji Hyun and Lee Ga Heun both sent text messages to Cheon In Woo, but only Ga Heun received a text back.
– Seo Min Jae sent a text to Im Han Gyeol.
– Im Han Gyeol, Jun Eui Dong and Kim Kang Yeol all sent text messages to Park Ji Hyun, but of course,ย no replies.
Honestly, I thought by now that I would be used to the momentum of this season, but it really lacks in many aspects. I will reserve all my comments for the final episode because I want to see if things get better.
On June 10th, N.Flying released their 7th mini-album titled So, ้ (COMMUNICATION). The album has six songs, including the title track “Oh really.”N.Flying, which is short for New Flying,ย is a South Korean rap rock band managed by FNC Entertainment. This band was formed in 2013, and they released their first Japanese single – Basket that same year. Later on May 20th of 2015, they officially debuted in Korea. Although the group currently consists of five members, there have been a few changes over the years. N.Flying initially started out with four members – Kwon Kwangjin, Kim Jaehyun, Cha Hun and Lee Seunghyub. The fifth member, Yoo Hweseung, was added in 2017. However, in 2018, Kwon Kwangjin left the band, so he had to replaced by Dongsung earlier this year.
The only song I have heard from this group is “Rooftop”, and since they aren’t like the regular rock bands I listen to, I never had the zeal to check them out. All the same, I am finally here. Now let’s see what they have to offer.
(Please note โ this is a real-time review, meaning I am typing down my exacts thoughts while listening to each song.)
Reaction to Title Track/Official MV:
Thankfully I have English captions.
I love the strumming guitar intro, and whoever is singing lead sounds fantastic.
The boys all look great.
I really love the first singer’s tone. He has a sweet lower register.
The music video is cute, and the instrumental is beautiful.
I love how the second singer came in with a softer tone and just melted me.
The vocals and instruments get a checkmark from me.
The set with the phone booth is lovely.
I love the chorus as well. It’s quite catchy, and the fact that N.Flying is singing that section in unison makes me want to sing along.
So they have three instrument players, and the other two are vocalists?
I love the rap-singing style they used for the second verse.
They also gave a nice flow when the actual rap came in.
Maybe after listening to more songs from them, N.Flying will be added to my list of favourite Korean bands.
I noticed that instrumental isn’t too heavy on this song, hence why the vocals really stand out for me.
I gave all my attention to the music that I forgot to read the captions.๐
I just rewatched it, and they are singing about relationship issues. Something along the lines of how hard it is to say goodbye and not wanting to let go. I think they also said something about their partner pretending not to care.
Okay, I love this song. Now let’s move on to the album.
Album Review: Here is the album preview –
Oh really. – I absolutely love this song, so I am going to enjoy my 3 minutes and 16 seconds here.
FLOWER FANTASY – Wow, this starts right away, and I love the vocal intro. N.Flying’s vocalists are incredible, and the instrumental for this song is more in your face compared to the title track. The guitar riff for this is insane. Honestly, they came hard with the instrumentalization, and I am completely in love with “FLOWER FANTASY” It sounds like something I could hear during an emotional scene of an anime. The lower register of the lead vocalist gets me every time. He is too good, and my ears are getting blessed. Their drummer is also giving me life, but the guitar players are A++++++++ on this track. LIKE WHAT???… this is insane. It’s a soft song but still hits in the right places…a whole mood.
YOUTH – I love how this song came in right away. I will say this has a similar vibe to the title track, but “YOUTH” has more rhythmic drumming. Once again, fantastic instrumentalization, vocals and beautiful runs. The melody for this song is lovely and really catchy. I like how they included some finger snaps to the instrumental, it adds a sweet spice to the mix. I don’t know why but the vocalization on this track sounds very indie to me. That’s the only way I can explain the style I’m hearing. One thing I love about bands is that they give the best of both worlds in concerns to vocals and instruments. A good rock band is always pure eargasm. It’s a good sign that I am enjoying every song.
I’M GONNA – The beginning is giving me a slight touch of jazz. This also has some hip-hop influence. I am enjoying the beat and vibe of this track. The chorus is excellent. I definitely expected some rapping once this started, and I got good flows. I love the adlibs because they hit beautifully out of nowhere, and I am here for the energy from N.Flying on this track. What??… I was not expecting that high note at the end. It was too perfect. Alright, this is another excellent song on the album.
Last Song – It looks like we have reached the slow track of this album. Oh damn, their voices give me chills, and I absolutely adore the blend between the two different vocal tones. The guitar riff on this is a blessing to hear. Rock ballads are supreme and deserve to be heard on every album. I want to say this is my favourite, but I have equally enjoyed every song so far. Oooh, I love how they sang in unison towards the end, while the main singer powered on top with insane vocal runs and high notes. The ending is so full and beautiful. THANK YOU, N.Flying.๐๐๐๐๐๐
E-YO – The last song already๐ฅ. I love that every song on this album starts right away. I love the rhythm for this one, it is groovy. Okay, at this point, the vocalists are disrespectful. They just slapped me with some crazy falsetto notes. The drummer deserves a round of applause for his skills. The chorus is perfect, and I feel the need to sing along. This song would be amazing live, I can already picture it. The instrumental progression is terrific. I have nothing more to say because “E-YO” is a well-produced BOP. N.Flying has really impressed me with this album. I am happy that I gave them a chance.
Final Thoughts:ย
This album was a beautiful mood all through. I genuinely enjoyed all six songs, and I cannot even pick a fave. I was utterly blown away by their vocalists, and the instrument players also brought their A-game to this record. I have nothing to criticize, and I am officially a fan. I will be looking forward to future projects from them because I am impressed. Great job, boys.
My rating for N.Flying’s 7th mini-album So, ้ (COMMUNICATION), is a solid 10/10.
Ahn Hye-jin, popularly known as Hwa Sa, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper born on July 23rd, 1995. She is also a member of the girl group Mamamoo that is currently managed by RBW. Hwa Sa made her solo debut on February 13th, 2019, with the digital single – “Twit” and then released her first EP – Maria on June 29th of this year. “LMN” is one of the songs on this new EP.
Reaction to Official MV: 
Reaction to Official Lyric Video: 
Kim Hyo-yeon, popularly known as Hyoyeon or DJ HYO, is a South Korean singer and DJ born on September 22nd, 1989. She is also a member of the popular girl group – Girls’ Generation and is currently managed by SM Entertainment.
Lee Ha-yi, popularly known as LEE HI, is a South Korean singer-songwriter born on September 23rd, 1996. She garnered fame after participating in the audition program – K-pop Star Season 1 and finishing as the runner-up. Her official debut was on October 8th of 2012 with the single – “1, 2, 3, 4.” Lee Hi was managed by YG Entertainment up until December 31st, 2019. She is now signed to AOMG, and this new single marks her first release after parting ways with YG.
Bang Ye-dam is a South Korean singer and member of the soon to be debuted boy group – TREASURE. The group is signed to YG Entertainment. Bang Ye-dam was born on May 7th, 2002, which makes him 18 this year. He gained popularity after appearing on the second season of K-pop Starย in 2012. After finishing as the runner-up, he joined YG Entertainment. This digital single – “WAYO” marks his solo debut, and TREASURE will be debuting in July.
N.Flying, which is short for New Flying,ย is a South Korean rap rock band managed by FNC Entertainment. This band was formed in 2013, and they released their first Japanese single – Basket that same year. Later on May 20th of 2015, they officially debuted in Korea. Although the group currently consists of five members, there have been a few changes over the years. N.Flying initially started out with four members – Kwon Kwangjin, Kim Jaehyun, Cha Hun and Lee Seunghyub. The fifth member, Yoo Hweseung, was added in 2017. However, in 2018, Kwon Kwangjin left the band, so he had to replaced by Dongsung earlier this year.
Here is the album preview – 