January Favorites
It’s hard to believe that we’re already a month into 2022. January has been an unbelievable month for K-Pop, both in releases and in the return of live concerts in the U.S. Let us know some of your favorite releases this month below.
Favorite Song: “Blessed-Cursed” - ENHYPEN
First off, I have to admit that it’s been difficult for me to pay any attention to ENHYPEN. Their early releases weren’t the type of sound that was up my alley, but they did a complete 180 with their latest comeback, “Blessed-Cursed.” With a hip-hop-influenced beat as the base of the song, and the heavy electric guitar used in the melodic line, there was no way I couldn’t fall in love with this track. What makes it so intriguing is the heavy focus on vocals despite the main beat, which tends to be paired more often with rapping as the focal point. It adds an interesting contrast that makes you stop for a second and really listen to the track.
Favorite Album: Instinct Part. 2 - OnlyOneOf
If there’s one thing you can count on with OnlyOneOf, it’s experimentation in their music; and “skinz” flew somewhat under the radar, likely due to this fact along with its very different composition from their previous hit, “libidO.” We shouldn’t forget that that change and experimentation is what makes the group so intriguing and unique, though. While “skinz” does feel particularly bold in composition, the rest of the mini-album gives a different variety of sounds that may be more pleasing to a listener. “suit dance” features a light and airy track, while “gaslighting” has a bit of a harder edge and message. My personal favorite however is “ultimate bliss,” a sensual R&B track that feels worlds away from the title in terms of style. It is quite a shame that this album didn’t receive a lot of attention when it was released.
Favorite Music Video: “WA DA DA” - Kep1er
Admittedly behind on the K-Pop trends, I had sort of only heard of Kep1er’s debut in passing, but have to admit I’m thoroughly impressed. The music video concept along with title “WA DA DA” is wonderfully unique and fitting of the group’s namesake. The otherworldly elements are combined with neon colors in the set and punk-inspired outfits that look amazing. While those are my favorite, it is also interesting to see the hot pink and white pieces mixed in as well. This seems like a very promising girl group debut, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them!
Favorite Performance: “Feelin’ Like” - PENTAGON on Music Bank
It really feels like PENTAGON has switched up their formula with this comeback, along with a catchy track they present a great performance. For this particular stage, we see the boys in their black-and-white leather ensembles, which contrasts greatly with the suave concept and outfits seen as the main focal point in the music video. In particular, the footwork and sharpness of movement at the chorus really highlights PENTAGON’s prowess in performance. It’s nice to see the return of Jinho to the stage as well.