Favorite Song: “libidO” - OnlyOneOf

I’ll be the first to admit that for a long time, none of OnlyOneOf’s releases really caught my attention past their obvious aesthetic strengths. The music itself never captured me, so I had assumed this comeback would continue that trend. But I was very wrong. Even from first listen, there’s something in “libidO” that pulls you in, and that doesn’t even factor in the choreography or themes in the music video. The song itself has an undeniable groove that is surprisingly addictive. It’s hard to say what exactly draws you in about this track, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's the hard-hitting chorus that does the trick. 

Favorite Album: Dry Flower - penomeco

Fresh off an announcement of signing with label P NATION, penomeco released his first studio album in a number of months. Most well-known to the general public for his participation in FANXY CHILD, the soloist rarely releases more than a single or mini-album, so the prospect of a full album was exciting, and the album itself did not disappoint. Dry Flower has a retro type of vibe that is particularly nostalgic, but also explores a number of more modern sounds and just in general brings joy to the listener with the different vibes. From lofi to upbeat R&B, there’s something for everyone in this album if you’re a fan of the K-Hip-Hop and K-R&B spaces. It’s a bit of a sleeper hit for monthly favorites, but there’s no denying that penomeco absolutely hit the mark with his newest album, and more greatness is to come now that he’s joined the killer lineup in P NATION.

Favorite Music Video: “ONE” - ASTRO

It’s been an interesting transformation to see ASTRO go from debut until now. Kicking off their career as the quintessential sweet school boys, the quintet has done a complete 180 in image in the latter part of their career, and “ONE” absolutely showcases that. Still, it is a great example of ASTRO’s versatility as a group. It is admittedly a shock to see maknae Sanha, knowing him as a young boy, sporting facial piercings, though he wears them surprisingly well. Rocky’s outfit is also quite striking, mixing a bit of Korean fashion into a modern, dark concept. The video all around is very pleasing to watch, especially the use of neon colorings amidst the darker settings and heavy use of shadows.  

Favorite Performance: “The Stealer” - SF9 on Kingdom and “From The Wonderland” - ATEEZ on Kingdom

Everyone and their mother has been discussing Kingdom in the last month, and if you haven’t heard any of the rumblings about it, then you’ve definitely been deliberately avoiding it. While personally I’ve been waiting for the whole thing to drop before watching, I couldn’t help but be pulled in to some performances from my favorite groups, among some other things.

It was disheartening to hear that SF9 was struggling on the show and not getting much recognition for their performances, given how stellar I truly believe them to be. But hopefully that changes with the cover of “The Stealer,” originally by The Boyz. Quite reminiscent of the concept of “Good Guy,” this performance explores a mafia-like concept for the members of SF9, complete with stages and even fake shootings. The concept is something SF9 definitely excels in, and the staging and outfits were so on-point it was hard not to fall in love at first sight.  

But naturally, I could not ignore ATEEZ’s presence on the show either. Perhaps it is due to a long standing affection for their storyline and watching it expand from debut, but the pirate theme so beautifully showcased through “From The Wonderland” struck a chord within me. The new arrangement of “WONDERLAND” took on an interesting tone to fit with the concept; the backup dancers working as crew on the ship and even the ridiculous kraken appearance were icing on the cake. Of course Jongho’s absolutely insane high note can’t be forgotten either. Truly, these Kingdom productions are next level.