Surprise of the Week: I Ranked Every Dean Song & Feature
We’ve had plenty of time to kill while waiting for DEAN to drop his long-awaited second full-length album, tentatively titled 130 Mood: RVNG. I’m not here to rush an artist’s creative process. Instead, while we—patiently—wait for new music, it’s never a bad idea to look back at older music and remember how good DEAN’s entire discography is.
Here are all 52 of DEAN’s songs and features, ranked from “worst” to best. Disclaimer: No song is objectively bad on this list. They are ranked in terms of different factors: DEAN’s overall participation on the track; the quality of the song itself; and its message, meaning, and delivery. Your list may be different than mine; hopefully, I did your favorite justice. In the least, you may find a song you haven’t heard yet. That’s about the closest thing you’ll get to a new song at the moment.
52. “Cold Fire” - PREP feat. DEAN
This is, by no means, a bad song. It’s arguably better than some of the higher-ranked songs on the list. The problem is: it’s hard for me to believe that this wasn’t an example of attaching a big name to a project without adding any substance. DEAN’s runs and harmonies are buttery bliss on this groovy electronic track, but that’s it. He doesn’t have a verse; it’s barely even a feature.
51. “247(일주일)” - Junggigo feat. Zion.T, Crush, DEAN
All of these names attached to “247”—this was a lethal combination, even in 2015. Imagine how excited this would get people today? I can only imagine, because this song underutilized the talent here. Not only DEAN, but Crush and Zion.T all get about two lines respectively in the whole song. They nailed it, of course; it would be a bit hard not to. “247” captures adjusting to a monotonous day-to-day routine post-breakup and brings its sleepy tempo to match. If you thought you missed a powerhouse collaboration, don’t worry. You didn’t miss much.
50. “bestdriverZ” - Hangzoo feat. Zion. T & DEAN
“bestdriverZ” is an upbeat reimagining of Hangzoo’s 2015 track “BestDriver'' featuring Dynamic Duo’s Gaeko, with DEAN’s producing credits all over this fun, light-hearted track. DEAN’s bridge appearance and Zion.T’s choruses add a smooth R&B charisma to Hangzoo’s choppy verses. The only qualm is DEAN’s presence is short-lived. If it was a bit longer and more dynamic, it might have left a lasting impression.
49. “Yozm Gang” - Hash Swan, Young B, Killagramz, Hangzoo feat. ZICO & DEAN
“Yozm Gang/Kids These Days” breathes some much needed life into this list thus far. DEAN’s actual chorus feature is brief, but this is one of the times his attitude slithers into his runs. An address to all of the “children” these days that think they’re superior, his chorus complements the rappers’ vicious verses. This combination would go on to birth big names in K-hip-hop, and it’s no doubt supported by ZICO and DEAN’s producing skills.
48. “B.O.S.S.” - Yammo feat. DEAN & Dok2
“B.O.S.S” ranks slightly higher than “Yozm Gang” only because DEAN’s chorus plays a more crucial role in adding dimension to the song. Otherwise, “B.O.S.S.” would be fairly stagnant. Yammo’s verses are solid, but Dok2’s feature spills a bit clumsily over the beat. DEAN explores his vocals, flirting with the ceiling of his range and dribbling through lower notes.
47. “No Thx” - Yuk Jidam feat. DEAN & Suran
From Unpretty Rapstar, “No Thx” strays closer to the genre DEAN flirts with, the line between R&B and hip-hop. The subtle production highlights Yuk Jidam’s punchy delivery and Suran’s thick tone. The instrumental clears and the tempo slows for DEAN’s feature, opening up the floor for his smooth, albeit brief appearance. You can hear the similarities between this and “Shut Up & Groove” with HEIZE, also produced by DEAN.
46. “How you doin’?” - Dynamic Duo feat. DEAN
“How you doin’?” most resembles old school American hip-hop on this list. This can attract a different audience than the previously mentioned tracks, meaning DEAN has new territory in which to prove himself. This time, he closes the song, starting out with a sing-rap until the beat pulls out and he’s left with the piano and the ubiquitous quacking-esque soundbite. Effortlessly riffing “I don’t give a f**k” is the cherry on top and a top ten highlight on this list.
45. “Fancy” - Paloalto feat. DEAN & Sway D
We’ve graduated from “I don’t give a f**ck” to “We up all night, f**k all night,” and I’m not mad about it. DEAN is all over this song—from the opening melodies to the high note he hits after demolishing his bridge. “Fancy” dropped a week before his debut album 130 Mood: TRBL; at this time, he was still fighting to prove himself in the Korean R&B sphere, and you can hear it in his note choices and lyrical jumps between Korean and English.
44. “Jon Snow” - Swings feat. DEAN
This chiller hip-hop track resembles the cool-kid attitude of “Yozm Gang,” but with the attitude of a cocky 2018 DEAN. It’s not as vocally athletic as his previous futures, but this feature comes during a post-130 Mood: TRBL drought, and we’re here for any scraps we can get. What amuses me is the fact that he is—to put it bluntly—talking sh*t. And he can do that. He can talk about how stuffy it is to have all of these labels attached to him because at that point, he’d achieved a decent amount of success; he has the track record to back his trash talk.
43. “Bermuda Triangle” - ZICO feat. Crush & DEAN
I’ll admit: DEAN has the smallest role in this song. But when “Bermuda Triangle” dropped in late November 2016, everyone and their moms were talking about it. The collaboration created a huge buzz around Korean hip-hop and R&B, and arguably catapulted it to the popularity it reaches today. DEAN stuck his foot in that, with assistance of ZICO’s assaulting raps and Crush’s growling chorus.
42. “under the ground” - nafla feat. DEAN
“under the ground” is DEAN’s latest feature, released back in February. In it, DEAN adopts more of a savior role, as the song is more vanilla without him. His feature hopscotches between an actual rap verse and his signature falsettos and runs. The low-key track embodies his more lax post-success attitude, but collaborating with underground artists gives listeners a nostalgic taste of when he was in their position.
41. “Ain’t Got Nobody” - Miryo feat. DEAN
This song speaks to DEAN’s ability to cater his productions to the artist in question. Miryo’s verses are accompanied by airy beats and husky horn loops—a popular trope in that era of K-Pop—that let her rip. Then the instrumental twinkles into a softer piano to complement DEAN’s voice. The switch-up in the chorus elevates the song from a song for a competition show into a tune that could contend on the charts.
40. “PARADISE” MILLIC feat. FANXY CHILD
We take for granted that stretch of 2016 and 2017 when FANXY CHILD and CLUBESKIMO artists were collaborating with each other every other day. This and the following ranking go hand-in-hand in terms of quality. VIDA gave us nine tracks that are some of the best in the entire genre. I only rank this lower than “IGLOO” as I believe the music video adds to the appeal of the track, whereas “IGLOO” blows me away as track sans video. Either way, DEAN’s appearance opens the second half of the track and adds a rich tone that contrasts but complements the other FANXY CHILD members.
39. “IGLOO” - MILLIC feat. CLUBESKIMO
“IGLOO” takes you on a trip. On paper, the song is divided into two sections, but I argue there are four. MISO’s voice lures you in, handing the baton to Rad Museum who introduces two different tempo switches. The first time I heard the beat drop to bring in Colde’s verse, I literally thought my mind was going to explode. DEAN’s verse is instrumental and glues the two parts together until Jusen comes in with the jazz section of the song. Crush adds his two cents and punchnello closes it out. Between this track and the previous, DEAN plays a more pivotal role in “IGLOO.”
38. “Bad Vibes Lonely” - Dok2 feat. DEAN
If you’re looking for a West Coast, L.A. vibe, this will probably satisfy you. “Bad Vibes Lonely” is nothing but good vibes, and DEAN’s voice is the honey drizzle on top. He pushes some really strong runs in the background on this one and caps it with his high note and stacked harmonies. Also, this song is my guilty pleasure—GRAY produced the beat, so it’s the closest thing I have right now to a GRAY and DEAN collaboration.
37. “dance with the devil (춤)” - Ja Mezz feat. DEAN & Jinbo
Sometimes, people sleep on really good songs; this is one of them. Guilty as charged, I only found out about this as I was researching this article, but I’m glad I found it. DEAN’s natural tone complements Ja Mezz’s autotuned rap. “dance with the devil” switches tempo a few times throughout, which keeps the song exciting. The piano is the standout. Heading into DEAN’s verse, we get submerged into a muffled instrumental and out emerges his familiar rapid-fire delivery that skips around the beat.
36. “Wake Up” - Crush feat. DEAN
When Crush released this stacked tracklist . . . it’s really all the fans could’ve asked for: DEAN, DPR Live, and Zion.T. The windows swing open to birds chirping and a mellow piano with Crush serenading as if we’d just woken up next to him. Then DEAN comes in primarily in his falsetto, sounding like the curtains opening to let in the sunshine. “Wake Up” taps into DEAN’s softer side; he adds the R&B twinge to Crush’s jazzier approach. There aren’t any special whistles or theatrics—until the orchestral ending where the melody warps until it concludes with the bird chirping reprise.
35. “FLOWER POWER” - DEAN for KOLON SPORT
Sportswear brand KOLON SPORT recruited DEAN to promote its project supporting environmental efforts on Jeju Island. At a less than 2-minute run, “Flower Power” could’ve easily been a B-side on 130 Mood: TRBL. While it’s not unusual for celebrities to perform songs for popular brands, it was a real treat to see DEAN being recognized for his talent when he didn’t fit the cookie-cutter K-Pop image. The beautiful music video also features globally respected Korean actress, Bae Doona.
34. “I Love It” - DEAN feat. Dok2
The first song on this list off of 130 Mood: TRBL, “I Love It” is the most prone to being skipped on that tracklist. It’s a standard R&B song that will get your body rolling and sweating, but its longevity isn’t as strong. “I Love It” is representative of that 2015/2016 era of Korean R&B that is nostalgic but doesn’t translate as strongly as some of DEAN’s other work into the current musical landscape. There’s nothing wrong with the song per se, but it’s not my first choice if I were to listen to the album today.
33. “RUN THE STREETS” - DEAN for PUMA
“Run The Streets” also emulates DEAN’s sound in 2016/2017. “Flower Power” is a bit more formulaic, whereas “Run The Streets” more so captures the fast-paced nightlife vibe of a city lifestyle like Seoul’s. DEAN was chosen because he sets his own trends rather than follows them, according to PUMA. DEAN’s sound appeals to South Koreans who may not listen to mainstream K-Pop; therefore, companies realized that his music could help purchasing power with this demographic that “Run The Streets” speaks to: young city dwellers who aren’t afraid to venture off the mainstream.
32. “Get the Feeling” - DEAN for kakaopay
Don’t be mistaken; he can do mainstream, too! A jazzy pop song with the feel-good syrupy goodness of a Coca Cola commercial theme song, “Get the Feeling” is the most mellow of his three commercial campaigns, making it the most widely appealing. This chill track supports DEAN’s reputation for his dexterous producing and songwriting skills. He’s carved his own lane in mainstream music, maintaining his individuality with the jazzy touch.
31. “Y” - FANXY CHILD
So, when will we get a FANXY CHILD album? Back on the dark side, DEAN opens this contemplative hip-hop track that wrestles with the unwanted feelings that come with the troubles of real life. His voice has a haunting element when he flutters into his falsetto, but the standout is his low note that sets the mood, even if it lasts for half a second.
30. “1 Missed Call” - ROMderful feat. DEAN & Tabber
Once again, DEAN sneaks in a subtler use of autotune to accentuate this chiller track. “1 Missed Call” is another English project for DEAN, and he’s at the forefront of this one, too. The guitar riffs ripple into an almost bossa nova rhythm with his soothing harmonies in the back. Tabber supplies a verse that adds to the rumination over missing an important phone call that has left feelings of anxiety. This collaboration seemingly sprung out of nowhere, but shows how many artists respect DEAN outside of the Korean music sphere.
29. “Howlin’ 404” - DEAN
Speak about haunted. The message is diluted by DEAN’s (rare) use of autotune and the weak hip-hop beat. The acoustic live version more poignantly delivers the lyrics, which paint a darkness clouding his mind as he crumbles over the person left in his memories. The studio version adopts a menacing brokenness similar to The Weeknd, but the live performance softens it to a woeful melancholy. So, preference can switch depending on what you’re going through.
28. “Starlight” - Taeyeon feat. DEAN
This summery sweet goodness continues to make my heart melt four years after its release. Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon is obviously a superstar force, so when this collaboration was announced, it was like the best of both worlds. DEAN’s vocal contribution isn’t as dynamic as the other features on this list, but it doesn’t always have to be. Sometimes, we want a simpler summer track with some of the best Korean singers. The infectious chorus begs everyone to join and sing along; it’s impossible not to have a smile on your face when listening to “Starlight.”
27. “Too Much” Loco feat. DEAN
I think about “You’re too much, but I like it” often. The back-and-forth between DEAN and Loco is a fun twist to the usual structure of features, and it plays out well in “Too Much.” The beat dropping the second time DEAN comes in sprinkles in a little spice to the already spicy lyrics. It’s also one of the few collaborations DEAN has done with any AOMG artist; we have to pay respect where it’s due.
26. “Francesca” - Hash Swan feat. DEAN
Borrowing from the Latin inspiration that has taken over in America and trickled into South Korea, “Francesca” once again challenges DEAN to tackle a different musical area. Surely, Hash Swan had access to DEAN after participating on ZICO and DEAN’s team on the hip-hop reality show Show Me the Money 6. Therefore, it’s not surprising that DEAN once again wears his sing-rapping hat. He spits for almost a full minute on this track.
25. “Piss On Me” - 2xxx! feat. DEAN & punchnello
Unlike its title, “Piss On Me” is actually a pleasantly chill hip-hop track that is perfect for your walking playlist or for long car rides. The lyrics are a bit more aggressive, but the song overall deters haters from ruining your vibe. Since 2xxx! produced the beat, this is more like DEAN featuring punchnello, who complements the attitude with his one-tone delivery. Whether you’re feeling good about yourself or having a bad day, it always feels good to echo DEAN’s sentiment: “f*ck your opinion.”
24. “Tiny Little Boy” - Rad Museum feat. DEAN
Rad Museum and DEAN is an unbeatable combination, and their closeness as friends reflects in their music. Rad Museum’s borderline eerie voice floats along the uptempo rhythm and the thin guitar. In contrast, the space in the instrumental allows DEAN to come in and annihilate his verse. When it comes full circle with Rad Museum’s stacked, breathy harmonies, you can’t help but to bop your head. The only problem with this song is its short runtime.
23. Dante’s Creek (deantrbl Remix) - THEY.
This collaboration seemingly came out of nowhere, but we’re not mad at it. DEAN worked with Los Angeles duo THEY. to release this remix-slash-cover of their original song, “Dante’s Creek.” However, he ramped up the production by utilizing autotune and vocal muffled distortions. It adds to the dark dreariness—a semblance of the “Howlin’ 404” loneliness. It could’ve easily been released as his own, and is probably why he wanted to rework the track; he saw parts of himself in it.
22. “1+1=0” - Suran feat. DEAN
“1+1= 0” as such because the word for “one” in Korean is the same as “work.” It’s a clever way to capture the song’s message: sometimes you need to give yourself a break! The lyrics are telling you to chill, but Suran and DEAN’s perky delivery gives you an energy boost that bolsters the feeling of getting up and wanting to dance at your office desk. I adore this combination and the contrast in their tones; they perfectly complement each other’s vocal personalities.
21. “I’m Not Sorry” - DEAN
A song you have to roll your windows down to and blast in your car. For DEAN to have worked with Eric Bellinger—who has won a Grammy and has written for names like Brandy and Justin Bieber—at the beginning of his career and to have sung the whole song in English is a feat in itself. “I’m Not Sorry” is the ultimate “IDGAF about you anymore” anthem for anyone who has ever been brutally heartbroken but emerged a better person because of it. It’s a crisp R&B track with killer production and vocals.
20. “FANXY CHILD” - ZICO feat. FANXY CHILD
I have a confession to make: Most of the time I listen to “FANXY CHILD,” I only listen to ZICO’s and DEAN’s verses. DEAN’s became a defining part of his concert sets because of how popular his verse was on the hip-hop track (and it was just as hyped for all three performances I watched live). It isn’t even his track, but it’s one of his most recognizable verses of his whole discography. No disrespect to penemeco and Crush; it’s always fun to watch these guys perform it together.
19. “The Unknown Guest” - DEAN
Let’s talk about what I think is DEAN’s most underrated song. Short and sweet, this sleepy ballad almost evokes a feeling of déjà vu—like listening to a jazz ballad on a 1960s radio. “The Unknown Guest” feels like DEAN woke up in the middle of the night, reminisced on a bittersweet memory, dreamt this song, and went back to sleep. It’s an intimate love letter that evokes a sort of emptiness whenever it comes on; a different side of his loneliness.
18. “Shut Up & Groove” - Heize feat. DEAN
We circle back to DEAN’s signature sound with “Shut Up & Groove.” Both of these artists are guaranteed to be good featured on any other artist’s work. “Shut Up & Groove” fits more of the R&B cliché between their two collaborations, with its highly stylized production and uptempo rhythm. There’s nothing wrong with just wanting to groove every now and then. No complaints about this duo.
17. “dayfly” - DEAN feat. Sulli & Rad Museum
It’s hard to listen to this song in the light of Sulli’s passing, but it doesn’t retract by how refined DEAN’s choice was for who to feature on “dayfly.” He reached out to Sulli despite receiving criticism for working with someone perceived negatively in the media. “I have thought and still believe that Sulli’s image and singing voice fit the song’s lyrics, melody and sad mood the most,” he wrote in an Instagram story. And he was right. Her voice adds another haunting layer to the gloomy track. I will say, when it was rumored that Daniel Caesar was also attached, it was sort of a lead-on that he was only included as a muffled background vocal. But that doesn’t detract from the exciting news that the two artists have expressed interest in working together.
16. “And you? (Outro)” - DEAN
The outro is not to be taken literally (since it’s the first track on 130 Mood: TRBL). “And you? (Outro)” is more of a shout-out to an ex that sounds like he’s moving on but is really drowning in alcohol and putting on his “I don’t care” face. It’s another short track that doesn’t get a lot of recognition, probably because it’s not typically structured. But it sets the mood for the attitude that DEAN is about to have for the rest of the album, giving us insight on his state of mind. “And you? (Outro)” is essentially the first phase in the breaking up and moving on, and you shouldn’t skip a crucial element of the plot.
15. “21” - DEAN
We come full circle to the end of 130 Mood: TRBL’s tracklist with “21.” It’s a step into a new adventure, with DEAN flattering and flirting with a new romantic prospect, who seems to be dealing with all of the usual problems a 21-year-old faces. Instead of concluding the album on a dramatic note, he ends it with the lightest (and grooviest) note; a sort of optimism after the roller coaster of emotions from the rest of the tracklist.
14. “Put My Hands On You” - Anderson .Paak
Seeing that title is crazy now, considering how much Anderson .Paak has blown up in the past four years. But in 2016, this duo most likely came about due to their similar tastes in music (and it probably helped that the latter is half Korean). DEAN was really emerging into the Korean music scene with multiple English singles, but that was a smart move that contributed to his popularity overseas. “Put My Hands On You” is a perfect compromise between the two respective artists’ musical styles. It’s arguable that .Paak even outshined DEAN on his own song. Now, imagine if .Paak featured DEAN on one of his projects today . . .
13. “Here & Now” - DEAN feat. Mila J
Only the real ones remember this one! Released only on SoundCloud, the reason I ranked this so highly was because this could’ve easily been on the album as a single—it could’ve been released today. And yet, this was one of DEAN’s first tracks ever released. It speaks to how much he understood the direction of R&B and what was and would be popular. And Mila J (who is Jhene Aiko’s sister) adds the female point of view that provides a fun back and forth of perspectives, a popular trope in American 2000s R&B especially.
12. “And July” - Heize feat. DEAN & DJ Friz
We love Mila J, but Heize and DEAN might just be the ultimate tag team. Heize’s style resonates with those in their 20s and 30s, but her popularity with K-Pop idols and as a frequent OST artist attracts fans across the entire spectrum. DEAN is the male version of her, essentially. “And July” speaks the closest to that safe middle that can be appealing to pop, R&B, and chill hip-hop fans. That could explain how the video has accumulated almost 50 million views. A charismatic pairing makes for good music.
11. “Foreign Remix” - DEAN
I had to include this, because it makes me feel many emotions. Before DEAN was DEAN, he released this remix of the original by Trey Songz. It was a smart move on his part, as it flexed his determination to use English although he is not fluent, and it attracted an international audience. Five years later, and I am still overwhelmed by the lyrics. He knew what he was doing with this one, and I’m not mad at him for it. I’m just sad it wasn’t about me, to be honest.
10. “Where u at” - Killagramz feat. DEAN & ZICO
This is my absolute go-to turn-up song. This was supposed to highlight Killagramz’s rapping for Show Me The Money 6, but DEAN just had to go and drag himself all over the song. Killagramz’s verse sets the tone and ZICO follows up with his own signature stamp on it. But it’s DEAN’s rap that rounds out the whole song. He performs his verse often in live performances, and it looks like it’s because it’s fun to do so. At one point, he’s spitting at 80 miles per hour, so it’s always a flex when he gets through the whole thing without stuttering. You have to get up and go crazy when this one comes on.
9. “Come Over” - DEAN feat. Yerin Baek
“Come Over” brings back my favorite side of DEAN. This duet beautifully portrays the internal conflict of head versus heart—taking the risk to follow the attraction towards each other even though it’d be easier to go back when things were normal. I wish these two had more collaborations with each other, especially now that Baek Yerin has branched out from JYP Entertainment and expressed herself more. This tenderness and innocence is one of the most beautiful parts of falling in love, and they capture that so realistically.
8. “Pour Up” - DEAN feat. ZICO
I say this as the highest of compliments: the bass on this song is stupid. Everyone and their mom knows that when “drink, smoke, pour up” comes on, it’s time to get into it. The second phase in the album’s tracklist, “Pour Up” very accurately describes drinking to forget someone, but seeing them in everyone and everywhere. Released in 2015, “Pour Up” was how a lot of the fanbase was introduced to DEAN, but it was co-signed by ZICO, who we all know was already popular with Block B. However, compared to ZICO’s discography and DEAN’s earlier releases (“Here & Now,” “Foreign Remix,” etc.), the song was the first in a series of projects that would demonstrate the artists’ musical fluidity.
7. “gold” - offonoff feat. DEAN
“gold” might just sneak right under your nose if you weren’t looking for it. It’s not the type of song that would play on the radio or get streamed—more like something you’d hear at a café or bookstore. Like the title, “gold” feels like the hazy summer sun as it sets. There aren’t any bells and whistles; just the lazy reassurance that “we’ll be alright.” It makes me wish for more collaborations with DEAN and Colde, who represent that same corner in chill R&B and hip-hop.
6. “Know Me” - DPR Live feat. DEAN
What ZICO did for DEAN is what DEAN then went on to do for DPR Live. Both artists brought something fresh to K-hip-hop: Live as an upcoming artist and DEAN at the height of his popularity. Even though DEAN went off for his verse, the song’s excellence is due to both of the artists putting 100% into their respective verses with something to prove. Live’s deeper voice assists in a blunt, hungry rap whereas DEAN’s cockiness swims through his vocal ability and cleaner tone.
5. “What 2 Do” - DEAN feat. Crush & Jeff Bernat
Come wintertime, this is played on loop, 24/7. Just kidding, the lyrics are too heartbreaking for that. The structure is what makes this song so special. Rather than DEAN starting out, Crush sets the scene of a relationship nearing its end with a somberness, and then DEAN follows with the frustration of doing everything and it still not being enough. Jeff Bernat is the stable foundation throughout the chorus, while the aforementioned two battle it out in a series of colorful riffs. I know it’s a sad song, but it’s so emotional that I can’t help but get excited and sing along. It hits differently though when you’re actually going through a heartbreak.
4. “love” - DEAN feat. Syd
The quality of this song speaks through the names attached to it: MISO, 2xxx!, and Zak Abel. You know when K-Pop fans say things like, “What would it sound like if this American artist worked with this Korean artist?” Well, “love” is exactly what I would’ve expected from DEAN and Syd, of R&B group, The Internet. If you’re a fan of both or either of the artists, you know that this an authentic blend of their sounds. They both ooze charisma. The switch-up in the last quarter of the song adds a jazzy goodness just caps the whole track off, like icing on the top. And the live performance on the famous COLORS YouTube channel set the Internet ablaze. Someone tattoo “I’ll f*ck you if you let me, babe” on my forehead, please.
3. “instagram” - DEAN
“instagram” was a moment for DEAN. The song is full of paradoxes. He’s drowning in the meaningless void of social media, but it still dictates the tiniest of his actions (“Your short hair looks pretty / but I didn’t press ‘like’ / ‘cause it just seems a bit funny”). He’s singing about some of the most relatable experiences yet does so through obscure references on the track and in the music video. And the video rounds out the listening experience with a visual supplement that is just as intriguing. When it first came out, fans scurried to figure out what each detail symbolized. That vulnerability in the lyrics speaks to a lot of people, and the song’s easy demeanor makes it approachable to all audiences. “instagram” is addicting—a double entendre, if you will.
2. “D (Half Moon)” - DEAN feat. Gaeko
“On a night without you / Even when the moon is up / I can’t see it / It’s hidden by thoughts of you.” I could just end this right there as my argument. Of all of DEAN’s songs, I believe “D (Half Moon)” does the best in eliciting a physical reaction from the body; this gloomy yearning for connection lives somewhere within all of us. The half-moon imagery is a clever way to reframe one’s thoughts. Whether you can see its entire surface or not, the moon is a constant, and we can project our feelings to make sense of what we see. Therefore, it makes it the perfect vehicle to convey your feelings to someone else. Even Gaeko’s rap is poetic, carrying on the metaphor of communicating through the moon as if it was a product of their love. Many, myself included, have found solace through this song. If someone is going through a situation similar to the lyrics, sometimes all one may want is comfort.
DEAN chose his stage name as an homage to James Dean. He’s a symbol of living life on the edge, speeding into danger despite its potential consequences. He was suave, good-looking, and a bit mysterious. “Bonnie & Clyde” personified what DEAN wanted to represent, at least in the era of 130 Mood: TRBL. It was the full package. The third installment of the album closes out the first half of the tracklist, as if he’s fallen into a toxic, undefined relationship with the girl in “21” and encouraged her to put her on the gas towards their unstable future. The song has the signature switch-up ending that increases the tempo, like the stakes have gotten higher—”Baby I want you to know how much I love you / How much I need you” chanted seemingly more out of necessity than sincerity. The accompanying music video perfectly executed that toxicity of a real-life getaway. “Bonnie & Clyde” solidified DEAN’s public image. It is the face of the album’s identity. The other tracks could’ve been standalone singles, but you can’t have 130 Mood: TRBL without “Bonnie & Clyde.” If DEAN wanted the world to become aware of his bad-boy persona, he did it with this song. He may have strayed away from that image and into something different, but this era isn’t only defining for DEAN; it is a standout moment in the entirety of Korean R&B.