Music

Favorite Song: “Not By The Moon” - GOT7

It’s pretty well-known that I’m a big fan of GOT7, so any comeback is going to be anticipated. But somehow, I feel like this is the first time in a long time that I immediately connected with the title track release. “Not By The Moon” has so many musical elements interwoven in the melody and rhythm that make it immediately stick in the deep recesses of your brain. I’m not even sure I can properly articulate just how much I love the song itself. I come from a time when these boys faced a lot of backlash and criticism for “not being talented enough,” and it’s just very rewarding to see them grow and explore different types of music and thrive despite all of that. “Not By The Moon” has such a sweet yet haunting appeal that makes it unforgettable. They really outdid themselves with this comeback.

Favorite Album: Up To The Sky - NOIR

NOIR is a group that’s been capturing my attention quite a bit recently, so I was very excited to hear the news about a new comeback. In a saturated market, talent is often overlooked because it’s difficult to get to all of it, and that is definitely the case for this group. The title track “Lucifer” is extremely catchy and the visual aesthetics are out of this world, but what really makes them stick out is that the B-sides on Up To The Sky are just as good. The intro perfectly sets the tone and builds up into the title, while the first B-side “오늘만 (只有今天)” offers a softer, R&B feel that’s new territory for the group. Up To The Sky is exceptional for its ability to remain cohesive while presenting different genres, and it’s truly an underrated gem among all of the releases this month.

Favorite Music Video: “Oh My God” - (G)I-DLE

I really loved (G)I-DLE’s latest return, but I think that the cinematography behind the music video is what really gave this track the most impact. The contrasting worlds between heaven and hell are so obviously portrayed, with three girls as pure angels and three as corrupted demons. The storyline of Minnie facing judgement as a fallen angel, Soyeon falling in love with the devil that is Soojin, and Soojin’s forbidden affection for archangel Shuhua is extremely poetic and particularly bold, especially given Korea’s cultural norms (which contrasts all of this). It tells such a daring story in such an artistic way that I can’t help but be completely captivated by the concept.

Entertainment

Favorite Drama: I’ll Go To You When The Weather Is Nice

Things are difficult these days, so it’s a perfect time to escape to a better reality in a K-Drama. I’ll Go To You When The Weather Is Nice doesn’t have the most action in the world, nor does it have a heavy dose of melodrama, but that’s what gives it so much charm. The drama starts off with a lot of unanswered questions regarding the main characters, Haewon and Eunseob, along with their families. From the beginning, it’s particularly heartwarming as Eunseob clearly harbors deep feelings for Haewon that have lasted for many years. His affection for her is very pure, and is the initial allure of the drama itself. As Haewon and Eunseob’s pasts begin to unfold, we watch them navigate the difficult situations together and grow as people in a very wholesome and healthy romance. There are some difficult themes and intense scenarios, but overall it is a very realistic story that gets the viewer emotionally invested in the characters. Lead actors Seo Kangjoon and Park Minyoung have excellent chemistry and portray their emotionally distant characters with such talent, especially considering how different these roles are from what they have done previously (think Cheese in the Trap Kangjoon and Her Private Life Minyoung). Overall, I’ll Go To You When The Weather Is Nice is a cozy drama that brings warmth into your heart, something we could all use these days.

Favorite Extra: ATEEZ Random Dance on KBS K-Pop

When your favorite group isn’t actively promoting, it’s easy to miss the loads of content you get daily from them. It’s no secret that ATEEZ has skyrocketed up my group bias list, and as a newer group, there’s tons of content that’s pumped out so they can keep in touch with their fanbase. ATEEZ is the perfect happy virus in these trying times, so having new content of them doing cover dances is the perfect medicine for a difficult day.