June Favorites
After a few months of many companies scaling back their comebacks due to the issues with COVID, June has been chock-full of returns from groups and makes things feel like they’re returning back to normal, a welcome sign amongst the uncertainty of the current state of the world.
Favorite Song: “神메뉴 God’s Menu” - Stray Kids
Stray Kids in general go one of two ways with their title tracks: 3RACHA hip-hop influence or a pop-EDM melody. “神메뉴 God’s Menu” immediately reveals which way they’ve gone this time, with the hard-hitting melody instantly smacking the listener followed by a strong verse from rapper Changbin. The intensity that Stray Kids is capable of bringing to the table is undeniable and their talent for it is one of our favorite things. The track is definitely a flex, and with a memorable opening, it’s hard not to be enthralled by “神메뉴 God’s Menu” with every listen.
Favorite Album: EQUAL - WOODZ
Cho Seungyoun has certainly been in the spotlight recently for his stint with X1, but the soloist has been active for much longer under his K-Indie moniker WOODZ. Before his popularity skyrocketed, WOODZ had proven himself to be a genuine and incredibly talented musician with his work and that reigns true in his latest mini-album release. EQUAL has something for everyone, from the mainstream and groovy “파랗게 Love Me Harder” to the heavy hip-hop “BUCK.” On top of that, the singer has a couple of big name features in Colde and punchnello. While WOODZ made his idol debut as a rapper for UNIQ, as the years have passed he’s proven he also possesses vocal talent, writing skills, and music production prowess, all of which can be heard within this album. Seungyoun has truly blessed the Korean music industry, and even after one listen, it’s clear why this album is a favorite of the month.
Favorite Music Video: “Basquiat” - PENTAGON
As an avid fan of dark concepts, the teaser images on “Basquiat” were giving away that this would be a new favorite, but there was no way to predict how absolutely astounding the performance video would be. “Dr. Bebe” should have certainly been an indication of PENTAGON’s ability to master the most intense of concepts, but “Basquiat” takes that a step further. Showcasing the members bloodied and combat weary, the performance of each member is up to ten in their expressions, movements, and usage of props. With passion and ferocity present every second of the performance, it’s impossible to deny the strength in PENTAGON’s storytelling ability through their choreography. This is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Runner Up: “Girls” - NATURE
It was impossible not to include the latest comeback from NATURE, especially after the girls completely shifted gears in their concepts. On The Krazecast we’ve mentioned their lack of diversity in concepts and how it made it difficult for them to stand out amongst all the talent, but “Girls” is a pleasant surprise for it’s darkness and does a great job of shutting up the previous criticism that we’ve had. Kudos to you, the lovely girls of NATURE!
Favorite Music Show Performance: “Left & Right” - SEVENTEEN
There are a lot of people out there praising SEVENTEEN’s latest comeback, especially the music video, but for me, nothing can truly beat SEVENTEEN’s performance. “Left & Right” has a delightfully catchy melody and an equally fun choreography. It’s hard to imagine how thirteen boys manage to execute this entire choreography in sync, but that’s truly just the magic of SEVENTEEN at work. You can always count on these boys to deliver the best performance!
Favorite Drama: It’s Okay Not to be Okay
Welcome to the twisted world of Kim Soohyun and Seo Yeji and get ready for an unexpected and dark romance! The English translation of the title doesn’t quite convey the intensity of the Korean title: 사이코지만 괜찮아 translates more directly to “psycho but okay,” a title which becomes very clear upon viewing the first episode. Seo Yeji plays Go Mooyoung, a popular children’s book author who, we come to learn, suffers from antisocial personality disorder. Kim Soohyun takes on the role of Moon Gangtae, a quiet and distant psychiatric hospital nurse that takes care of his older brother Sangtae (Oh Jungse), who is autistic. The drama opens up with a Tim Burton style animation, telling a dark story of a girl who is painted as a monster. As the animation finishes, the girl suddenly changes into Moonyoung, conveying that it was in fact her own life story.
This drama is definitely not for the weak-hearted, with one of the first scenes showing Sangtae suffering from an intense meltdown (that may have brought tears to our eyes). Underlying darkness for Gangtae, Sangtae, and Moonyoung is slowly revealed as the story progresses, telling of some particularly sinister and traumatizing events in the past of all the main characters. Moonyoung’s growing obsession for Gangtae showcases her antisocial personality and makes for a particularly unconventional love story that is still waiting to unfold. If you’re looking for something light hearted and comedic, look elsewhere. However, if you’re intrigued by the unorthodox story, this drama is definitely worth checking out.