Throwback Thursday: Healing K-Pop
There’s something almost magical in music’s ability to heal pain. If you’re going through a breakup, experiencing challenging times, or simply having a rough day, music can act as the perfect remedy to any suffering. Whether your struggles are big or small, this week’s Throwback Thursday is dedicated to anyone who needs to hear these words.
“Hug” - SEVENTEEN
Off their You Made My Dawn EP earlier this year, SEVENTEEN’s vocal team gave fans the perfect song to listen to after a hard day. One of the group’s more simplistic tracks, the five vocalists are accompanied by a single soft electric guitar as they sing much-needed words of encouragement: “I want to tell you, who probably had a tough day // That I’m here // That you did well/ / That I love you // That I’ll hug you.”
“To My Youth” - Bolbbalgan4
Bolbbalgan4’s “To My Youth” is a heartfelt track from the duo’s 2017 EP, Red Diary Page.1. A message to one’s past self, the lyrics are bare in their depiction of overcoming the pain and dealing with the emotional scars. Though the track was only a B-side on the album, it grew quite popular. Numerous idols covered this song, and the track was even featured on PRODUCE X 101 earlier this year.
“Beautiful” - Amber
In 2015, Amber gifted fans with her self-written and self-composed, emotionally raw track “Beautiful” off her first mini-album of the same name. Showcasing both her beautiful vocals and hard-hitting raps, the song is an autobiographical take on self-acceptance. The song even has a corresponding specially released music video filled with Amber’s own childhood photos and a comforting declaration in the final frame of the video that promises “You are beautiful no matter how different you are.”
“2! 3! 둘! 셋! (그래도 좋은 날이 더 많기를)” - BTS
Released as the group’s first official fan song on 2016 album WINGS, BTS’s “2! 3!” is an ode to the hard times shared between the group and their fans (according to Wikipedia, the Korean title translates to “Still Wishing For Better Days”). Despite being filled with love, the song is a poignantly sad one. Amidst the autobiographical rap verses sits an emotionally-ridden chorus where the vocalists promise fans that no matter how bad things get, good times are still ahead as long as they’re together.