Jun.K Goes Pop in Latest Single “R&B ME”

Photo: JYP Entertainment

With the release of his fourth mini-album, Dear my Muse, Jun.K remains his position as a standout vocalist within the South Korean music scene–approaching songs with a unique combination of rich raspy textures and silky smooth vocal tones that become dipped in delicious layers of delicate R&B. The songs of Dear my Muse continue to display this artistic pattern by leaning into different influences of R&B music, although a subtle shift into a pop landscape is more prominent, particularly in the album's title track.

Named "R&B ME," this song contradicts the expectations held by its name as the song moves away from the R&B genre and into more of a dreamy pop essence with the name meaning “Ride with Me, Be with Me” instead of the musical term abbreviation, “rhythm and blues.” Jun.K does, however, cleverly connect the abbreviation to the song through its lyrics as he sings the lines, “Let me be your artist, be my spotlight / Singing rhythm and blues” in the chorus, showing that he hasn't strayed too far away from his roots in that genre. 

For "R&B ME," Jun.K teams up with his fellow JYP Entertainment labelmate Changbin (of Stray Kids), who unveils a softer and more gentle side to his rap charm that those who are familiar with his work may not be used to. Changbin's presence on “R&B ME” adds to the songs’s soft and melodic ambience, working beautifully alongside Jun.K's sweet vocals to create an endearing and affectionate piece of music that brings together the HOTTEST and STAY fandoms of 2PM and Stray Kids.

Like the song, the music video for “R&B ME” is also light and romantic, with it taking place within a dream or movie setting (with the last scene revealing Jun.K to be at a cinema, watching the movie credits roll, after what appears to be him waking up from a dream). The visuals feel like a K-Drama unfolding on screen with a story that follows Jun.K on a mission to find his love interest, mixed with impressive choreography sequences that emphasize Jun.K as a talented all-rounder. 

Whilst “R&B ME” leads the album as the dreamy, pop title track, the other four tracks on the album ("PRIVACY," "ALL ON YOU (feat. YOUHA)," LARGO," and "HAPPY ENDING,”) each dive into different areas of R&B and R&B-pop adding to Jun.K's expertise within this music space, making Dear my Muse the latest of his exciting album releases.