Throwback Thursday: K-Pop And K-Hip-Hop From A To Z (Letter “H” Edition)
Photo: Pledis Entertainment
We are back, and it is now time to talk about the eighth letter of the alphabet. Searching for songs that begin with the letter “H” was pretty easy. It was shocking how many songs begin with the letter “H,” but it was a fun way to remember them. So, let’s take it back and talk about some fun tracks that begin with the letter “H.”
WINNER - “Hold”
On April 9, 2020, YG Entertainment boy group WINNER released their full-length album Remember. An album with 12 songs, each track is so much fun to listen to. One song on the album that stood out was the track “Hold.” An upbeat track with an uplifting instrumental, “Hold” is a song with bright energy that is immediately infectious. Throughout the song, listeners can hear the members singing with bright, buoyant vocals, and the enthusiasm in the delivery is palpable. The track's fun, vibrant energy is captured in the music video. Throughout the video, the members are seen bothering their sister, played by Akdong Musician (AKMU) member and soloist Lee Suhyun, as she tries to date a boy. The lively video showcases bright colors, smiles, and joyful energy as they try to end their sister's dates. It is such a fun song, and a joy to listen to.
n.SSign - “Happy &”
On February 15, 2024, the boy group n.SSign released their second mini-album Happy &UM ‘Happy &’. A very go-lucky mini-album, there are nine songs that are a joy to listen to. The opening track, “Happy &,” is an uplifting listen overall. True to its title, the track radiates warmth from the first bar. The pop track is upbeat and features a strong instrumental line that showcases a powerful brass band. The members also sound amazing in this song. Throughout the song, they hit notes across a wide range. For example, during the final chorus of the track, you can hear the members harmonizing with one another, performing strong falsetto runs, and ending in a communal choral harmony. The song is glorious and will be a motivational track to listen to on those down days.
SEVENTEEN - “Home”
On January 21, 2019, Pledis Entertainment mega boy group SEVENTEEN released their breathtaking mini-album YOU MADE MY DAWN. A beautiful mini-album with six songs, YOU MADE MY DAWN is a striking, no-skip release. One song on the mini-album that stood out to many is their title track “Home.” A lovely ballad with a captivating beat, “Home” is a track that not only showcases the strong vocals of the SEVENTEEN members but, of course, their phenomenal dancing skills. The song has this flawless build as the track progresses, and it all starts from the beginning. When the song starts, it is tame, but as listeners get through the first verse, chorus, and second verse, it intensifies. The bridge into the final chorus is heart-wrenching, and the emotion in the members' voices will have listeners ready to cry and sing at the same time. For this song, the members also perform choreography deliberately crafted to function as visual storytelling. Watching the members recreate a home with their arms, mimic the motion of opening a door, and convey emotion through their bodies makes this a dance that fans continue to cite as a standout piece of choreography. “Home” is a glorious track and will always be a favorite for many.