Han Seungwoo Promises to “See you again” in new mini-album Fade

In light of his upcoming military enlistment, Han Seungwoo has dropped second mini-album Fade. After his debut title "Sacrifice," we could have expected a power track similarly heavy with emotion, and that's not entirely wrong. Fade's title track, "다시 만나 (See you again)," brings exactly that, but instead sheds some light on the latter end of the experience—hope that he will be remembered once it's over.

While there's no danger of fans forgetting him when he's away, the title's promise that we will "see him again" is a valuable sentiment for the coming time apart.

"다시 만나 (See you again)"

Fade's concept photos have proven a little misleading with their bright lighting and airy composition, because title track “다시 만나 (See you again)” is a full-on emotional ballad, complete with piano accompaniment. The music video is lowly saturated and features a consistently backlit Seungwoo among clips of him in a largely empty room that's being packed up, alone in a grassy field, and somber shots of a broken clock on the wall and rain rolling down a window. It’s sobering to say the least, but Seungwoo’s vocals are just as pure as they’ve ever been.

His performance is given from mostly still positions given the nature of the song, with the exception of his piano playing, and its lyrics have the artist asking the big questions that come with a relationship's end: What if we never met? Would we be in less pain? Was it love? 

While he expresses the sorrow he feels currently, there is also worry that he might be the only one who remembers it fondly, and of course, there is a voiced desire to "see you again." Seungwoo's soft vocals communicate this longing clearly, and as such, the promise that fans will see him again is a strong message on its own.

Fade

Aside from the title track, Fade offers four new songs, with "LL (feat. SURAN)" coming next. This song has a faster paced R&B sound, and lightly contrasts the sentiments of “다시 만나 (See you again).” A less solemn experience, the lyrics talk about the difficulties of being in a relationship and the ongoing belief that, despite its trials, enduring is probably worth it when you love someone.

"On & Off" is an upbeat acoustic song about the tendency to hide one's weaknesses from the outside, actively carrying good and bad feelings within. Seungwoo urges the listener to be open with him, because he'll receive all of them without judgment. There's an overarching feeling of encouragement to embrace the way one changes as they grow, there's no right or wrong way, but the burden of pretending becomes heavier the longer it's carried.

"Fateful Love" sets a mood with its looping jazz guitar riff, leading into a song about—you guessed it—a fateful love. The lyrics tell a story from Seungwoo's perspective, of admiring someone from afar who he's unsure if he should approach or feign indifference toward. After choosing the former, he finds they're naturally drawn to him too, and there he finds an effortless connection.

Last on the album is "너를 만난 후로 참 행복했다고 (We loved each other)," whose Korean title translates to "I was so happy after meeting you" in English. With potentially the most powerful vocals on the album, Fade goes out with a bang, and it's just as emotional as the album began with. The lyrics follow suit as a word of parting, but this time Seungwoo views it with gratitude.

    "I want to tell you, who hugged me tight, that I was so happy after meeting you."

"너를 만난 후로 참 행복했다고 (We loved each other)" feels most directly like a message to fans, where Seungwoo appreciates the love he's received and expresses the love he feels for us in return, and how he’s better for it. But of course, this doesn’t mean it's over; he'll be out for only a little while, and ALICE will be waiting with open arms when he returns.