Category: Tune of the Week

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: Why Do I Have To Pick Just ONE???

You know, I wasn’t even planning on writing a TOTW post this week, but when I saw Moonbin and Sanha’s new MV, just waiting for me on my YouTube homepage first thing Monday morning, I just couldn’t help myself!

Once again, the imminent change in the season has inspired a darker, more serious concept, and I, for one, am loving it. I will forever be a fan of the broody side of K-Pop and its ability to combine darker images with the catchy beats. It’s one of the many undeniable charms of K-Pop and this “Bad Idea” MV has pulled it off swimmingly!

But while I was squealing over my little ASTRO babies, I saw that Stray Kids had released the MV for “Back Door” and wouldn’t you know, I fell just as in love with this video as I did “Bad Idea”. For some unimaginable reason, I just can’t help but smile, every time I watch both of these darn MVs. So then I thought, why the heck to do I have to pick just one tune to squeal over? Why can’t I just mention all the videos that have made me smile this week?

So that’s what I’m doing. Because let’s face it, life is all kinds of messed up right now and it doesn’t hurt to have more than one reason to smile. And boy, oh boy! This MV certainly makes me smile! The boys themselves are as cute as ever, the choreo is freaking fantastic, and the bass-line is so dang catchy, you’d have to be a corpse to not feel it inspire even the tiniest bit of a smile.

But K-Pop hasn’t been the only source of joy for me this week. Oh no! J-Rock is doing what it does best: giving me ample reasons to smile as it simultaneously makes my heart skip a beat. While ONE OK ROCK has been busy teasing the crap out of their upcoming live-streamed concert, and Crossfaith has been promoting the crap of the live-streamed concert they held last weekend, MIYAVI has released this little gem of a video and you know, I just couldn’t let a chance to squeal over one of my favorite guitar playing rock stars go by!

In all honesty, it really wouldn’t matter to me what MIYAVI played. It’d love it regardless. But there’s just something about this version of “Over the Rainbow” that has me smiling. Maybe it’s just the simple reminder that no matter how gray things might be now, there’s always the hope that they’ll brighten again… Someday… That’s what I’m hoping for anyway.

Until that day comes, I hope this week’s “Tunes” have brought a little sunshine your way and have given you as many reason to smile as they have given me.

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: TAEMIN’s “Criminal”

Earlier this week, Taemin made his comeback with the release of his third solo album and wouldn’t you know it, the title track is so freaking fantastic, it has inspired me to crawl out of my pandemic-y hole of solitude long enough to share my squeals of delight with the world. (With a mask on, of course.)

It comes as no surprise that “Criminal” meets every single one of my expectations for solo track from SHINEE’s maknae. The combination of Taemin’s sultry, yet slightly haunting vocals, mixed with that slightly dark, yet still somehow poppy beat that makes you want to move your feet, is exactly what I love about Taemin’s music. It’s a brilliant combination of light and dark, emotional pop, that makes my little fangirl heart so happy! And I haven’t even started talking about the MV yet!

To say I love this music video feels like such an understatement. The concept is as strong as any other Taemin comeback. The visuals are gorgeous on every level and I love that there’s this not-so-hidden feel of sinister intent that’s been glossed over by that beautiful K-Pop shine. In short, it’s the perfect concept for this time of year, when the bright neon obnoxiousness of summer gives way to the more muted and somewhat spooky tones of autumn.

Of course, as much as I love the concept of the video, it’s the choreography that has really moved me. As always, I’m mesmerized by the fluidity of Taemin’s choreo. I find myself perpetually in awe of the way this man moves. It is art in motion and I cannot even begin to express the feelings that this beauty invokes. It really is nothing short of perfection and all I can say is, well done, my dude. Well done indeed!

Honestly, the same could be said for the entirety of Taemin’s third album. I’ve been listening to “Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1” on repeat this week and I can’t get over how much I love it. The vibe of the entire album is so very, very Taemin, which might seem like a dumb thing to say but hear me out. Every once in a while, an artist will try branching out into new sounds. Sometimes it works, other times, not so much. It makes me happy that Taemin has found a sound that works for him and is sticking with it. Because this sound really, REALLY, works for him.

As far as tracks go, I found the collaboration with Kid milli on “Black Rose” to be an unexpected and rather fabulous treat. But it’s “2 KIDS” that really stands out to me. I think it’s because the lyrics just hit on a much more personal note than most. To be honest, it’s a bit of an unexpected surprise, which might be why I like it so much.

If you’re looking for a new album to add to your K-Pop collection, I would highly recommend Taemin’s third solo offering. I might even go so far as to promise that it won’t disappoint. But maybe that’s just my inner fangirl talking…

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: DAY6 “If We Meet Again”

Last week DAY6 dropped a stellar MV on the world as they prepare for their official Japanese debut and quite honestly, I’ve been shaken to my very core. This single has become life and death and everything in between. It’s absolutely everything I ever could have hoped for and so much more! Which is why, even though more than a week has passed since it’s release, I’ve decided to feature “If We Meet Again” as this week’s “Tune.” Continue reading “TUNE OF THE WEEK: DAY6 “If We Meet Again””

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: iKON “Love Scenario”

I’m pretty sure this week’s “Tune” comes as a HUGE surprise to… absolutely no one! Yeah… I know. I should probably work on keeping my biases more in check. But really, where’s the fun in that? Besides, with a song as flipping fantastic as “Love Scenario” well… There’s every reason in the world to be freaking out right now. So here. I. Goooooooooooo… Continue reading “TUNE OF THE WEEK: iKON “Love Scenario””

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: JBJ “My Flower”

Okay, so I know it’s been about a million years since I last let my inner fangirl out to squeal over a new K-Pop release; mostly because my head is stupid and looking at a computer screen for any amount of time kinda makes me want to rip it off. Despite all that head-ripping off, I feel it’s time to let my long-contained fangirl run free, at least long enough to squeal her little heart out over JBJ’s newest MV release, “My Flower.” Continue reading “TUNE OF THE WEEK: JBJ “My Flower””

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: Yong Jun Hyung “Wonder If”

I have a feeling this week’s “Tune” selection is coming as a surprise to pretty much no one, seeing as how I’ve been singing the praises of Jun Hyung’s new single to anyone who would stop long enough to listen, since it was released on Tuesday. Still, I feel it’s my duty to sing those praises in as many ways as I can so here I go… Again. Continue reading “TUNE OF THE WEEK: Yong Jun Hyung “Wonder If””

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TUNE OF THE WEEK: WINNER “Really Really”

It’s been 3 days since Winner dropped their EP, Fate Number For, and I’ve spent every moment since trying to decide which of the two pieces of musical genius I love more. I have to say, it’s been really (really) hard for me to decide on a favorite. So hard, in fact, that the only reason I’ve picked one over the other is because I’ve been going around singing “really really really really” since Tuesday. Apparently when a song gets stuck in my head, it means I need to write about it so here I am! Continue reading “TUNE OF THE WEEK: WINNER “Really Really””