FOCUS on Ha Sungwoon’s New EP, Strange World

Ha Sungwoon fans have been desperately awaiting this comeback and it has finally arrived. The former HOTSHOT and WANNA ONE member released his most recent EP, Strange World, on August 24. The mini-album contains five songs including a duet with soloist JAMIE and title track “FOCUS.” 

The music video for “FOCUS” is already a hit with netizens because of its dark, moody atmosphere. Combining a black and red color palette with the occasional burning flame, the video is both luxurious and haunting. Special shout out to the diamond-studded western-style outfit Ha Sungwoon wears through a majority of the dance breaks! Piece by piece, “FOCUS” hypnotizes watchers and listeners. The groove bass and the singer’s passionate vocals give emphasis to the lyrics about being caught in the dangerous trap of love. 

The song that follows “FOCUS” on the EP could not be more different. “Say Yes” is a bubbly, piano-forward song that gives a nod to old school ‘90s R&B. It is definitely the kind of song where you can tell the artist had fun making it. There is a sudden change when “Say Yes” ends and “Baby Blue” begins. A lofi vibe, the third song of Strange World is smooth and sultry, with a flow just like the ocean Ha Sungwoon uses as a motif throughout the song. 

“Too little too late” starts out like it's going to be a fun, light-hearted, bossa nova style song…until the lyrics come in. A strong collaboration between Sungwoon and JAMIE, this song is all about being totally done with someone to the point where even “the regrets gathered” are too little too late. It’s the unapologetic breakup diss track that we didn’t know we needed.

The final song on the mini-album is sunshine incarnate. “Daylight” is an acoustic ballad that has all the emotion of a sweet and warm love. Compared to the rest of the EP, the final song feels the most like one of the OST tracks that Ha Sungwoon is famous for.

This EP is a little all over the place in both genre and mood, but not in a way that is off-putting. No matter how you feel about love or what stage of a relationship you’re in, Strange World has a song that fits. With this, Ha Sungwoon shows us once again that he is a brilliant artist.

Check out the music video for “FOCUS” below!

Edited by Cara Musashi