Throwback Thursday: ASMR Edition
According to Dictionary.com, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, is “a calming, pleasurable feeling often accompanied by a tingling sensation,” often brought on by stimuli such as sound. Though the feeling starts in the head, the calming sensation spreads throughout the entire body. Typical triggers that produce this effect are whispering, paper tearing, or light tapping. Due to its calming effects, ASMR has taken the K-Pop world by storm, with many of the most beloved idols using ASMR to bring a sense of comfort to fans, so it’s no surprise this translates to their music as well! So sit back, relax, and put on your favorite pair of headphones as this week’s Throwback Thursday brings you a much-needed dose of ASMR.
“Drip Drop” - TAEMIN
Off his first full album Press It, TAEMIN’s “Drip Drop” is a smooth dance track that, unsurprisingly, starts off with running water effects. The light percussion at the beginning of this 2016 song mimics heavy drops of water before shifting into the slinkier melody. Though the actual ASMR effects are limited to the quiet beginning of the song, in the onomatopoeic chorus TAEMIN simply repeats “drip, drop,” further mimicking running water. But be wary: though the song may start off calm, TAEMIN certainly doesn’t let it stay that way.
“Lucky Charm” - NICHKHUN
In this 2018 sweet solo track from 2PM’s NICHKHUN, the singer serenades his love, declaring that he’d like to spend every morning and night with them. Both the song and the (very cute) video are centered around the idea of Lucky Charms cereal. The song starts with NICHKHUN apologizing for waking his loved one up in the morning after sneaking away to surprise them with their favorite breakfast. To set the scene, the track opens with the sound of cereal being poured into a bowl—a perfect start to the most romantic morning.
“Let It Go” - Dalshabet
A B-side off their 2013 mini-album Be Ambitious, Dalshabet’s “Let It Go” is an ‘80s pop-infused track. The song relies heavily on its synths and poppy beats but gets its start with a light and crisp woodblock that gives the track a surprisingly comforting tone. The woodblock carries on throughout the entirety of the song, wrapping things up nicely into a calming little package at the end.