September Favorites

Music

Favorite Song: “Helicopter” - CLC

It’s no secret that we don’t get enough CLC comebacks, so anytime one comes around it’s bound to be a good month. “Helicopter” is an awesome power anthem with an infectious beat that makes an impression even upon first listen, which is something CLC has delivered since the release of “Hobgoblin” back in 2017. The song itself is a huge power move, apparent almost immediately in the opening shot of the video with the statement “we won’t be lonely at the top” shown across the screen.

Favorite Album: Love Synonym #1: Right For Me - Wonho

Wonho leaving MONSTA X was a difficult pill to swallow for a long time, but it was comforting to know he wouldn’t fully lose his career and would return to the K-Pop scene as a soloist. What is so charming about Love Synonym #1: Right For Me is that Wonho had significant creative freedom for it, so the release would be somewhat of a surprise. Our favorite thing about the album is that it feels made for more mature fans, with lots of sexy R&B rhythms that seem to fit Wonho’s voice perfectly well. It definitely shows a different side to the singer that we didn’t get to see in MONSTA X and it’s quite refreshing. He’s already announced that he’s working on a new album, so it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here!

Favorite Music Video: “Light” - UP10TION

UP10TION definitely has the underrated status, but we are always excited for new releases from them. Though members Wooseok, Jinhyuk, and Jinhoo are missed as they take time off to care for themselves, the remaining members do a good job of filling their voids. “Light” is definitely a groovy track, but it’s the music video for this comeback that truly helps the song shine. There are a lot of bright colors that are often contrasted with black and white outfits from the boys, which make for a pleasing visual experience rather than total overload. The styling is impeccable, especially Xiao’s tasteful crop top that covers just enough, yet still shows enough skin to be intriguing. We can’t forget to mention the pastel suits with bedazzled stones to match each suit color, which mesh well with the bright background. The air of the music video is light and upbeat as well, which makes for a lovely experience, especially on a bad day.

Favorite Music Show Performance: “THANXX” - ATEEZ on M!COUNTDOWN

Look, it’s impossible to ignore ATEEZ’s talents, and the double promotion of “INCEPTION” and “THANXX” only made that more obvious. While we chose “INCEPTION” last month for best performance, “THANXX” managed to steal our hearts this month even though it is drastically different. “THANXX” has an unapologetic tone and powerful aura behind it that ATEEZ nails in every performance with a surprising amount of precision. The black and purple camo outfits are particularly eye-catching and only enhance the strong atmosphere of the performance. It’s also nice to see some female backup dancers featured alongside the boys.

Entertainment

Favorite Drama: Record of Youth

We have been anxiously waiting for Park Bogum’s latest drama to premiere, and thank god that was this September! Record of Youth is a contemporary drama that stars Park Bogum and Park Sodam, her first major drama role after the groundbreaking success of the movie Parasite. The story centers around Sa Hyejoon (Park Bogum), a struggling professional model who dreams of being an actor and is pushing up against his military enlistment and risks losing his entire career due to lack of popularity if he leaves. Ahn Jeongha (Park Sodam) is a makeup artist in the fashion industry that happens to be a huge fan of Hyejoon. She ends up working for a fashion show that Hyejoon and his much more successful celebrity childhood friend Won Haehyo (Byun Wooseok) are a part of and quickly bonds with both, but particularly Hyejoon. As the two grow close, she vows to give up her fangirling ways for him since they know each other on a personal level. The drama follows the differing struggles of Hyejoon and Haehyo’s families, along with Jeongha’s problems at work. Those who are fans of the friends-to-lovers trope will adore Hyejoo and Jeongha’s genuine friendship, a prime example of playful banter, honest discussions, and genuine support. The drama isn’t even halfway completed yet, so it’s hard to say exactly what direction it will go in, but so far it’s been a great story of innocent love and big dreams while presenting the realities of daily struggles in life. 

Beauty

Favorite Product: AprilSkin Calendula Peel Mask

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve featured a beauty product on monthly favorites, but that’s because changing up a beauty routine in general is a nerve-wracking thing. I decided to try AprilSkin’s Calendula Peel Mask after seeing it around for quite some time, and so far it definitely hasn’t disappointed. Rather than the previous generic brand that was used, my face has been clearing up much better with a few treatments a week alongside a normal skincare routine, and overall my face feels smoother than it has before. AprilSkin often has discounts active on their website, so if your usual skincare routine is getting dull, it’s worth trying out some of the products they have to offer.