HANDONG of Dreamcatcher Makes Her Haunting Solo Debut With “Gray Zone”

Photo: Catfish Entertainment

When you think of Dreamcatcher, you definitely think of a certain sound up front, but that expectation was turned on its head with the debut of UAU in May this year. DAMI also made her solo debut just last month with a different feel, so there was a lot of expectation for HANDONG’s solo debut to take a different route as well. I don’t know if it’s because HANDONG has a softer face and demeanor, but I’ll admit I did not expect her first solo release to be as dark as the core concepts of Dreamcatcher. I’ve been on a heavy metal kick lately, so I was pleasantly surprised immediately upon listening to this track. 

“Gray Zone” has a very haunting melody at the base of the pop track, almost like a light hyperpop feel. Hyperpop in general is very in-your-face (think “Gnarly” from KATSEYE), but it’s very subtle in “Gray Zone” while still hooking you in. The track blends English and Mandarin lyrics, as expected, and while it can be a little clunky, it’s not particularly bothersome and doesn’t overshadow the evocatively dark feel of the melody. HANDONG’s vocals have a chance to really shine here, which isn’t always the case in group comebacks, considering Dreamcatcher is full of some of the most talented vocalists of their generation. I found her vocal tone to fit very well with the concept and to be quite powerful when paired with the melody.

The music video is rife with gothic, witchy elements, complete with tarot cards and an abandoned setting. A lot of the visual elements, including the outfits on the backup dancers, are very reminiscent of Dreamcatcher’s earliest concepts. While the video is not the most impressive work showcased, I love the vibe driving home the darker concept showcased in the song itself and tying it all back together.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the direction HANDONG went with her debut, and she did a good job of showcasing her strengths as an artist in her first release. Check out the music video for “Gray Zone” below!

Edited by Sandy Ou