Lee Jinhyuk Debuts with a Bang
UP10TION’s Lee Jinhyuk caused quite a stir during his time in Produce X 101—namely, many fans were bewildered to learn that he hadn’t made it into the final X1 team, and that fact spurred the ongoing investigation of voting manipulation in the show. Yes, this is one of the men that put things into motion! Not long after the conclusion of the show, it was announced that he would make his solo debut in the near future. After months passed with little information and numerous delayed release dates, Jinhyuk has finally come onto the scene as a solo artist, and has proven that he has the talent to turn heads.
The Title: “I Like That”
From the first few seconds of this song, even at first listen, it’s clear that “I Like That” is going to be a banger. The modern hip-hop beat hits just right, and Jinhyuk’s ability to juggle both vocals and rapping is just icing on the cake. His vocal timbre fits perfectly with this style, something he isn’t normally able to showcase in UP10TION releases. While it may not be the most complex of songs, “I Like That” has a viral charm to it that will certainly bring the release a good amount of attention.
As for the video, the extensive use of foreground shadow and bright, intense backlighting complements the melody, helping to showcase the intensity of the sound. Jinhyuk is also able to showcase his dancing abilities throughout the video, with the lighting helping to highlight the intricacies of the choreography itself. The clear contrast between the dark, neutral backgrounds and bright lights focused on Jinhyuk bring him even more into the spotlight. The polar opposite visual effect is used to emphasize the power behind the melody, as well. There’s not really much of anything to analyze metaphorically like in many popular K-Pop music videos, but the simplicity of the video allows viewers to focus on the song.
The Album
Debut single album S.O.L features three tracks in total. After opening with the title, the beat immediately drives in “VILLEIN,” a pure hip-hop based banger that goes off even harder than “I Like That.” Jinhyuk is a rapper by trade, so it’s no surprise that the album begins with this trend. With a driving tempo that never slows down and a catchy drop at the chorus, “VILLEIN” is bound to turn some heads upon first listen. Jinhyuk’s vocal tone lends itself perfectly to this track, as well.
Finally we have “Follow Me & You,” a brighter track with a melody closer to traditional pop than the hard driving hip-hop of the previous two tracks. The final song presents another side to Jinhyuk’s musical ability, and is somewhat unexpected given the other songs on the album. While it’s not a personal favorite of mine, it’s a decent track that’ll leave you feeling a bit sunnier.
It’s likely that this solo debut is so good because Jinhyuk is already a seasoned artist in the industry. Even still, not every artist is able to stand on their own, let alone provide a such a well put together album. I wasn’t sure what to expect from his solo debut, but it’s safe to say that I was blown away. Hopefully Jinhyuk will get the attention he deserves with this debut!