Thoughts on current comebacks or albums I'm currently listening to! May include other misc kpop thought. Think of it has a kpop containment zone. Also, I don't know shit about music.
A brief history of me and kpop. I believe the first kpop group/album I listened to was The Wonder Girls EP that was released in Justice(the tween girl store lmao I still have it too!!!). I also have memories of listening to Girl's Generation Mr. Taxi, Gee, and vague memories of I got a Boy comeback. I also remember listening to F(X) Rum Pum Pum, Electric Shock, Red Light, and 4 Walls. In high school a girl lent me some kpop albums, one was Day6, but I don't remember the others. Fast forword to 2023 New Jeans' OMG plagues my fyp on TikTok, a vlogger I watched plugged them, and one of my friends recommended me to them. So, I fell into the kpop rabbit hole. The first real kpop album I bought was the New Jeans Blue Book, Twice Ready to Be, and Tomorrow X Together Temptation. I think Twice was technically my first real kpop album, but I bought those 3 around the same time. Now I have an overflowing bookshelf of albums, photocard binders, a lightstick, and god only knows what else I'll add to the pile.
I have a kpop tumblr for more current musings, drama thoughts, and whatever else that falls under the Kpop sphere. Also, my askbox and dms are open on there if ya ever wanna chat!
StrayKids - ATE
Stray Kids have redeemed themselves and made a rival to 5-STAR. I think Stray Kids are their best making shitty noise music. I hate their ballards/non-noise mess lmao. I also find them a lil corny, but that is when they are at their best lmao. Really wish RockStar was more rock + noise music not the 2 good songs and rest :p.
I do hope they continue in this direction. I know they say they are making the music they want to make, but I dunno lmao. I feel I’m always mean to Stray Kids, but I do like the boys and hope the best for them. Sadly their fanbase base turns me off, not their fault, but, anytime I see a bad opinion its usually a Stay, an ARMY, or a Blink. I don’t hate or anti any groups, but some fans really turn me off.
Also, the lyric “I know, we know, Lee Know” or whatever is so cute.
(G)-IDLE - I SWAY
Yet again... I’m a lil disappointed. Why is it only 4 songs? This is not a mini album its a double single album at this rate.
Aside from that I do enjoy the songs. I am a Klaxon lover. It’s so fun and perfect for summer. Honk Honk Hit the Klaxon. I don’t think it's as catchy as Queencard, but def a lil sister song. The masses want fun kpop, but when fun kpop slaps them in the face they hate it.
This album feels like a cute summer B-movie feel (positive). Like Aquamarine kinda vibe. It makes me sad it feels like each comeback they take a step forward then a step or two back. I feel the girls are putting their best forward, but I can tell they are tired of Cube and will be sad if they go their separate ways. I hope even if they do go their separate ways they will still interact with each other or support each other. Some said this felt like a disbandment album. Which I kinda get, but I feel like, hope, they will go out on a full album or a repackage at least.
Nayeon - NA
Cashing in on the 2000’s nostalgia I see...Not that its a bad thing! I do think they played it a lil safe with the throwback sound, but still good.
I do like the more mature sound for Nayeon. Though I could also see Jihyo killing ABCD/NA. I also listened to this video which makes me think a lil differently to Nayeon’s solos. Like IM NAYEON pays homage to more classic bubblegum pop kpop with Pop, while, NA pays homage to Lee Hyori and Kpop’s roots. I do wonder what Nayeon’s third solo would sound like then.
Really makes me with for a subunit of Twice with Nayeon, Jihyo, and Jeongyeon with the sound of NA or Jihyo’s solo Zone.
AESPA - ARMAGEDDON
AESPA’s first full album!! I loved just as everyone else the pre-release Supernova. But, just as their last album they change the vibe halfway through the album. Which I don’t hate, but with it labeled as ARMAGEDDON I was hoping for something more. Like I don’t hate BAHAMA or Long Chat(#❤️), but, I was expecting more like Armageddon, Set the Tone, y’know. I think Supernova is a good balance between the two.
I almost wish BAHAMA down was a summer mini album. I also wish they would use the same animator for the Better Things AE ver for BAHAMA. The other tracks could stay with Armageddon. Tbh Armageddon and Drama could switch some of the songs around and make the more noisey industrial sound and then the real world more sweet sound as 2 different full albums. Like BAHAMA, Better Things, Long Chat(#❤️), Hot Air Balloon you see were I’m going. That could be a cute lil real world summer album! Then Drama, Armageddon, Trick or Treat, Supernova, etc could be a mini album.
I don’t hate if the tone isn’t the same throughout the album and I feel it fits their concept, but I want something a lil more noisey.
ILLIT - SUPER REAL ME
I did not watch R U Next? So I won’t add to that discourse, but while disappointing all of these reality shows are rigged girlies.
Anyways! I think they are cute. My World feels like an opening to an early 2000ish show about a group of girls going thru life or some girly cartoon with a doll line that would have been taken too soon. The title Magnetic is cute though it boards on being overplayed and on repeat for me. I haven’t listened to the other two tracks as much, but I enjoy them too! I am looking forward to seeing what they put out. I also enjoy the dreamy nostalgic 2000ish vibe/concept they have.
At first I didn’t want to talk about the current “drama” going around them, but I did it with LE SSERAFIM, so, fair game I guess. SO, I do feel like Illit and New Jeans have a similar concept full stop. Both are 5 member girl group with a nostalgic 2000ish vibe and fun pop music. Some of the shoots are similar BUT, I don’t think it's exactly copying. They are similar but they are also both newer groups with similar concepts. Like with boy groups there have been a wave of loser cutesy boy groups debuting, but I don’t see as many people up and arms. I get that people are usually harder on girl groups which is disappointing. Again I do find them similar, but Illit is more dreamy and girly while New Jeans is more tomboy Y2k. I enjoy both groups and hope for the best for them. I wish they could be cute sister groups especially being under HYBE, but alas the shit with ADOR CEO ruined that. Not to keep ranting about that, but.... I wish there was more women at the head of these companies, but she seems to be a fucking creep and needs to get away from those girls. I don’t know her full history, but just the song Cookie shouldn’t have been given to New Jeans or at least at their current ages. I hope that the girls are okay on all fronts, but this situation is so messy. Like the bits of her sabotaging other groups of HYBE, calling for a shaman, New Jeans copying a jpop group (some I agree with some is a fucking stretch), and probs other shit that is coming out. Again, I hope for both the safety of New Jeans and ILLIT and hope they are able to be successful in whatever course they choose.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER - Minisode 3: Tomorrow
This mini album def grew on me! I really enjoyed it and had it on repeat for a bit. I loved the dancey See You There Tomorrow. Quarter Life crisis def hitting me since I’ll be turning 25 in a week so. Def lets me relive listening to cringeyass sad shit as a teen. Also, I just feel like I’m at a crossroad right now, and there isn’t a clear answer so its just ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡ QUARTER LIFE CRISIS in my car. I also enjoy the title track of Deja Vu. Since I listened to this front to back mostly, Miracle and The Killa (I Belong to You) blend together as one song somehow. Obvs I enjoy both since I don’t skip them.
Now I don’t really follow their lore and haven’t watched any of the mvs, yet, still, but I am excited to see what the boys bring next. Though I am a lil worried since there is word that they are currently working on their next album. I hope they are able to get rest since the album came out literally the month I’m writing this and news they are onto their next one. I know mini albums are “easier” to work on due to being shorter so shorter turnaround, but they don’t need to become fast fashion. Which kpop already is. This is a bigger convo that is affecting kpop as a whole I could rant about later and not hyped up on cold meds lol.
Not gonna lie my thoughts on this mini album was a rollercoaster lmao. At first hype, since, new TXT and the concept of The Lil Prince is cute. But then I saw the tracklist included a remix, which, I feel is just a filler for an album and they could have used more time to make another track. I haven’t listened to it yet(i ended up liking it FYI). Then more negativity, when it released and saw that one track was a few seconds of morsecode AND it had a remix track. I ended up liking the album as you can see, but I hate how mini albums are getting shorter and short with tracklists and actual content, the music.
TWICE - With You-th
I love Twice. I love how springy/summery this album is. I can feel the sunshine through this album. This entire EP also made it onto my daily playlist so I love it. I think NEW NEW and YOU GET ME are my top two tracks, but again I love this album. Very sweet girl kpop which I need to listen to more. I wish I had more to say its just cute girly pop music that I love.
I still like NMIXX’s EP more but this is a close 2nd. Also I really like all three photobook concepts. I love the cutesy forest fairy vibes, the nightlife party is also great and the dreamy vibes in the last book is so good. Also, the digipak photoshoot looks great. I do want to collect at least one ver of each since they are sooo good.
LE SSERAFIM - EASY
Another disappointment not gonna lie. When the trailers dropped I thought we’d get a more rock focused album. We did not get that. Tho I do like Easy and Smart. I think Swan Song is okay, but def Smart and Easy. Good Bones isn’t even a song. I know they had them on their last albums, but I feel they best fit full albums as in between songs or bridging the vibe or just cool for TikTok edits. We got so much sucks fuckin’ ass though. I wish they had a bit more time to cook. I feel like smart would fit a summer album instead of February lmao. I also feel if they keep want to doing the talking over a track, they should make full albums. I know in kpop that’s not going to happen, but I’d love a yearly full album than 2 mini albums and half the songs are a podcast. I mean overall I’d love more full albums like paying 20-30 bucks for 8-12 songs vs same price for like 5-6 songs.
I also feel the hate train behind LE SSERAFIM is something. They are not free of criticism, but a lot of this is soooo forced. I never understood how dancing in a church is on the same level as domestic abusers is fucking NUTS. I know a lot are going after Yunjin since she has the quote of “wanting to change the industry” which what the fuck do they expect her to do. Do they think overnight we will have fat idols or openly gay idols or whatever else. I know people are talking about the pics of her drinking Starbucks which I do think is fair to call her out. Yunjin seems to be chronically online and tried to make a statement about calling for a ceasefire in a live. Though I still always feel 50/50, since I don’t know how much the company is buying them that stuff, but again she could refuse too. Especially since most of the pics seem to be candid(?), if they were at an event I feel slightly different. I don’t want to go further about it here I think she is open to criticism, but some of the “gotchas” are so weak.
Another talking point is Sakura’s singing. I feel like every other live performance it bounces between good, not so good, and bad. I know the Japanese Idol industry is different than the Korean Idol industry which people don’t take into account too much. To be real I wish all Idols could sing live and dance, but let’s be real some of these dances are HARD. Like it varies from song to song and group to group, but I don’t mind if they are lipsyncing or backtrack overuse from time to time. I do think Idols should be able to sing not 100% like the studio since that also has tons of editing and what not. Of course they should be closer when they are just standing there singing. I do think she at least is able to sing. I mean she was in, what, 3 different groups so she has to have at least something. I know now Idols do have more of a focus on looks/visuals, but I hope they can at least carry a tune. Everyone has off dances and even though they are Idols they can get nervous or anxious for whatever reason. Esp with how online these Idols are I could not imagine the levels of hate they get shoved into their face esp with how disgusting kpop fans can be. Like yes her joke is to sing, but like Wendy, RV, who has killer vocals even has her off days. Hell, I love TWICE and they have had some bad encores. I also feel a lil more bias toward girl groups due to their killing diets and I could not imagine being awake at ass o’clock, performing under hot lights maybe even several times, then getting stressed about encore or no on very lil or worse an empty stomach. I’m not even a Sakura stan, but man some of the shit I’ve seen is out of pocket. Like I think Idols should be able to sing, but kpop has a big focus on visual now for better and for worse(probs more for worse ngl).
Damn this turned more into current group thoughts than actual thoughts on the music lol. Tl:dr: Album kinda a disappointed, I feel like some of the drama and criticism is out of pocket, but not all of it is.
P1Harmony - Killin' It
I was thinking “man...when is p1h gonna drop a full album” and they did! My top tracks are Countdown to Love, Killin’ It, Everybody Clap, Emergency, and Street Star. I really like p1h sound. Def a “western” sound but also still has that kpop sound yknow. Though I don’t hate western sounding kpop I just love pop music. ALSO, super happy they got their first win too! They worked hard and glad to see them getting some praise!
Okay dumbest nitpick, but the album packaging. Overall the packaging is great a sturdy box, etc. The album itself isn’t the problem, I just hate that they changed style again. Like their first 3 mini albums have the same style, then the next set also had the same style. Now for the full album they have a different packaging style. I don’t care too much about each album changing packaging as long as the photobook and inclusions are safe. I don't care too much. BUT when they have a set style it does bum me out when there are big oddballs.
(G)I-DLE - 2
Not gonna lie a lil disappointed :/. I LOVE Wife. Such a fun song like Queencard. Super Lady has grown on me but it does feel like its missing something. Like it needs to be a lil bit longer or a bit more UMPH. The other songs didn’t really stick out to me. I’m also sad they dropped their album naming convention of starting with I. I think I need another listen through and my opinion might change. Even with Queencard, I at first only listened to Queencard, Allnight, and Allergy then I eventually would listen to the whole album. I also need to listen to more of their past work esp the stuff with Soojin.
Lil update on thoughts I do have a more fonder look at the album. I might have just been in a bad mood when it came out. Like Fate is cute.
TWS - Sparkling Blue
A good debut! I love the cutesy boy group concept. Like I said with their debut song Oh My:7s it did end up ear worming its way in. I love unplugged boy and first hooky. I don’t know what to say other than it’s cute! I haven’t really followed the boys themselves or really much related to them. I have a feeling I’ll follow them a lil more than ZB1 since their albums will be at Target. I wonder how they will change out of the cutesy concept like Seventeen and TXT have.
NMIXX - Fe3O4: Break
Bold of NMIXX to drop album of the year in January. No joke, I LOVE this album. I LOVE the mixpop concept. It scratches my brain. I loved DICE and O.O so much I wish they were able to keep the more jarring mix, but this album still does a great job! When this dropped it was on loop for WEEKS. I still have to get my weekly dose of DASH and BOOM. Really I love this album like its perfect. It has mixpop and some of the songs feel a lil dated in the right way. Like how ITZY’s Bet on Me feeling like 2010’s pop. Of course I’m biased since I grew up with 2010’s pop and shit. BOOM, DASH, and Run for Roses are my top 3 tracks, but I love all the songs. This ep made it onto my daily playlist saur I love them.
ALSO! Super happy they finally got a win!!! These girls are so talented they deserve it. I really hope NMIXX gets the praise they deserve and super fucking excited for their next comeback!
ITZY - BORN TO BE
IIIIIITZY. God, I feel bad for these girls. I feel like they get the short end of the A LOT. Well, a lot of JYP groups seem to go through a shitty period. Like seeing Lia on break(good for her tho!) and then at an event seeming have another member absent its just sad. I hope for their next comeback things get better or their next group/future endeavors.
Onto the album! I liked it! I really liked Mr. Vampire, Born to Be and Untouchable. For Solo songs I really liked Lia, but overall they all are pretty good. I did think it was interesting that most of the songs are solo songs. I know it isn't uncommon, but still interesting. I liked they still included Lia by giving her a solo song. I wish she was included more in the photobooks, BUT I understand that her schedule is part of her reason for being on break. I hope the best for Lia and the rest of Itzy.
DXMON, TWS, Baby Monster debut tingz
Uuuuuh until I relayout this page I’ll put this here. Also, I lied only one like debuted lmao. So DXMON had their predebut song Burn Up and I fucking LOVE IT. It makes me thinjk a bit of Gen 2ish song. I mean it does suffer a big from it being yup-thius-is-a-boy-group-song syndrome, but if it works it works. I also love the more punky/hard aesthetic too. I mean Ateez and Straykids also were black and dress punky but a lot of newer groups have a cutesy boy next door vibe like ZB1, RIIZE, BND, TWS(we’ll get back to you). I also like that vibe, but I want some variety. I really hope this group does well I love this so much.
TWS or 24/7 With Us is Hybe’s new boy group and I think they are OKAY. They are also suffering from yup-thius-is-a-boy-group-song syndrome just in a different way. Like they make me think of RIIZE a lot. Which again isn’t bad but I wasn’t blown away with their predebut some Oh Mymy: 7s. Like I’m sure its gonna earworm its way in. It sounds like older Seventeen and TXT which I love so I’ll probs end up enjoying this group. They have been hit with some controversy which suchs since its all higher up shit not the actual idols themselves. I dunno I feel like they are either gonna blow the fuck up or be forgotten. I mean they come from a big company so they will be fine, but y’know.
SO Baby Monster finally debuted I guess with Batter Up. This is def Black Pink for babies or Black Pink Kidsbop. I know there is a lot of shit going on with this group behind the scenes, saying words they shouldn’t, and even a member left the group. The song itself is kinda lame like the only “good parts” being an empty chorus and the rap is very sad. Esp since usually the rap of a kpop song is the worse part lmao. I dunno it will be interesting seeing where this group goes.
Ateez - The World EP. Fin: Will
First off I’m not an Atiny, but I did join the Bouncy train lol. That song was on loop for my from their previous EP. I haven’t listened to much of Ateez outside of that and Guerilla. Despite that I still picked up The World EP. Fim: Will. Partly due to the Target exclusive pcs of them holding a pc of themselves holding a pc of themselves. Tho I did think some of the boys were cute, I don't know them past a few memes I’ve seen on TikTok. Anyways! I think this was fun. I did listen fully thru the album when It cam out, but some only listen to my favs on my kpop hell playlist. My top tracks being Crazy Form, We Know, and ARRIBA. Tho if I were to relisten to them I think I’d be adding more to my playlist. I wouldn’t mind listening to more of Ateez’s backlog. I really like the sound from this album.
Jungkook - Golden
Okay to start this off I'm not an army. The only BTS song that I knew was BTS was Butter that I would hear in like Walmart. I've just avoided them since armys scare me a lil bit not gonna lie. I also thought they only had like 4 members not 7 and that Jin and Jimin were the same dude that one was just a nickname(like Hoshi vs his govenment name). To be honset I wasn't thinking of picking up this album, but i started getting TikTok when he had longer hair and thought he was cute. I miss longer haired JK he was so much cuter.
Anyways! I liked this album! I was surprised it was all in English. I also picked up V's solo and his was in Korean. I'm also assuming the others also had at leaast Korean songs on their solos I don't know I haven't listened to them. Back to Golden, I really like how nostalgic(?) or timeless(?) it is. It sounds familar in a good way. Like Yes or No sounds like something I heard on the radio in the 2000's. I know he has some big names working on this album, but that means nothing to be lmao. With the more timeless/nostalgic vibes I get why they called it Golden. I usully saw more goofy clips of JK and hearing Seven/3D, I didn't get the classy look of the album. Looking at the solo of the other members it just seemed so different. I think the only song I skipped was Shot Glass of Tears its just not my taste. I loved Seven when it released. I think my top tracks are Standing Next to You and Yes or No. Closer to You is also good, but Standing Next to You is soooooooooooo gud.
At the current moment I don't plan doing a deep dive into BTS or the other member's solo projects. I know I like TXT which my friend who got me back into kpop, kinda described their music being similar, but again armys scare me lol. I know I shouldn't let fans ruin my enjoyment, but oh well. Even tho I have V's solo I don't plan on typing up too much or its own sections. It was okay I like the vibes, but as you can probs tell I like more upbeat stuff. I do wonder when members go solo while in a group if they will have another solo album. Like Jihyo and Nayeon have the 1st solo subtitle so I wonder if JK will release a follow up(or if they will ever have another album). Tho not anytime soon since he's enlisting it seems lmao. A good album to leave on at least.
aespa - Drama
Gonna be honestv listening to this I can't help but feel like these are two partial albums smashed together. Like Drama, Trick or Treat, and Don't Blink(maybe I could also see it grouped with the other songs) I can see together, then, Hot Air Balloon, Yolo, You, and Better Things together. I guess Don't Blink makes a decent transition since I could see it on either "album". Other than feeling like two different albums I do like all the songs! I know its suppose to be the girl's acting demo reel, but I haven't watched that yet lmao. I loved Better Things and Hot Air Balloon is def a fun lil summer vibe too. Singing about YOLO in 2023 is fucking crazy, but she is cute. TBH this is a no skip album for me. I really like it
I have been collecting all of Aespa albums since I got the first two at Half Price Books lmao. I really liked Girls, Black Mamba, and Illusion. I've listened to their first two mini albums a bit. My World came out and I got it, but I've only listened to Spicy I think or I don't remember. I think Aespa's concept is interesting, but also interest how much they have strayed from it. I don't think its a bad thing changing concept or doing different concepts just interesting. I need to go back and listen to My World. I am excited to hear what they have up next. I heard they have a full English album in the works. Tbh I hope they just release a full album. I mean their mini are the same size as some full albums. Even tho I like Aespa I don't really follow them so I don't have a bias but theres also like four of them. They all seem cute. I also really want those fucking crocsand the croc pcs. Having a pretty girl post with uglyass crocs is so fucking funny and I need them so bad.
Stray Kids - Rock-Star
Gonna be honest she is a bit of a disappointment. I was excepting a full ROCK(ish) album. like what the fuck is Blind Spot, Cover Me, and Leave. and the fact Rock Star(LALALALA) has to have a rock ver get the fuck out of here.The rock ver also seems a lil underwhelming like the mixing sounds weird. Megaverse and Rock Star(LALALALA) are my faves. I'm not counting Social Path(even tho I love her) since it was a JP single/track/whatever first. I do not care for SKZ' slower songs at all. I don't know they sound so whiney most of the time. I feel it doesn't fit them or at least some of their voices, and having that be a chunk of this album is disappointing to me. Def did not dethrone 5-STAR for me, but Megaverse and Rock Star are fun. Maybe they should have let this one cook a lil bit longer to have more ROCK in ROCK-Star.
Part of me wants to bitch a lil bit about their packaging too, but I haven't seen all of the photobooks yet and don't want to look like a total ass. Tho the SKZ PC situation seems a lil shitty. I think Stays have been complaining that they are dropping the amount of pcs in albums which is shitty since they are getting bigger you'd think they would put more per album. I mean Twice is also under JYP and they get so many cards. Both have similar amount of members too. I don't really collect SKZ, but already with the short preorder notice and release seems a lil sus or something.
(G)I-DLE - HEAT
I finally got around to listening to HEAT and its okay overall. I really like I Want That and Eyes Roll. I think a few more listens I DO might be added. Flip It is something... It's so fucking corny and try hard. Listening as I type this, it is def bad, but fun. I'd put this on with Sticker or other memey kpop songs. Tall Tress is okay I'm not the biggest fan of slower songs and i have to warm up to them.
Also this is a lil bitching about packaging, but I didn't like that it lacked a photobook. I get the large mini posters(?) are nice to hang up, but I like the traditional photobook more to flip thru. I don't hang up posters so it seems kinda meh to me. I also hate albums have that clear plastic cover since it shows scratches so much. This is minor at least compared to some albums like it could be an envelope. Sometimes its a sign to me I should start collecting only digipacks for some groups.
I started listening to (G)I-DLE after Soojin left(congratz on solo queen), so, I only know of the current 5. I liked My Bag, Tomboy, and Nude. I only really heard their title track snippets until I Feel. I fucking LOVE Queencard. Comparing HEAT and I Feel I def like I Feel more overall. Queencard, Allergy, and All Night are soo good. Peter Pan is also cute. I just really love the y2k vibes from Quencard and Allergy. Life I could imagine Allergy is some 2000/10s movie. Yuqi and Shuahua are my GORLS.
SEVENTEEN - SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN
Man I was super excited for this comback. Hearing it was festival theme it made me think of the sector 17 repack and I love that album and photobook. My top tracks are God of Music, Diamond Days, and Monster. It's still pretty new so my thoughts might change, but a fun lil album. Tho I'm not an og carat(only getting into them after FML) them sampling themselves in Diamond Days is so cute. This album really does feel like a lil love letter to carats before they go into service lmao. I wish they would ship them all at once and leave the 3 that don't have to for a unit or something. It would be really funny. I really love Monster how fun and Halloweenie it is. At first I thought I liked FML more, but relistening I dunno. I like both for different reasons. I'm still Da-rum-da-rim-daing.
Like I said I'm a recent carat joining after FML. I think Sector 17 is my fav album it was my driving CD for a WHILE. I need to go back and listen to more of their older stuff esp all the album I have already lol. I also love BSS Fighting! They are one of the few group I've watched a bit of their vlogs(like going to their youtube channel and watching. Clips on Tiktok don't count. The only other group being P1Harmony at the moment) My Bias is Hoshi, but I really love all the members. Like really my top boys go on rotation tho Hoshi is always part of top 3 lmao. Like tbh I love list each of the member and why I like them. Seventeen is the group I def go the hardest for. I've bought the same album several times(for the photobook and sometimes photocards otz). The only other groups I have are TXT and New Jeans(because I wanted the bag ver after all). I could ramble about them for a while and i know I'm gonna be sad when military service time roles around and disbandment :').
NCT U - Golden Age
Baggy Jeans. I love unserious music esp kpop and hearing Baggy Jean I knew I needed this album. My other top tracks on the album was Call D, Interlude: Oasis, The BAT, and Alley Oop. This album has been living in my car since it came out dethroning 5-STAR sooo.
I recently got into NCT. I remember the sticker memes and being overwhelmed with all of their subgroups and units. Like I thought they only made meme music like sticker and 2baddies. I still need to go back and listen to older album and more of the subunits. It is nice with them being pretty popular in the state and older that Half Price Books is always stocked with their older albums. I got a decent sice their NCT universe from th3ere and for pretty cheap. Tho I don't think I could afford NCT U, NCT Dream, NCT 127, NCT DoJaeJung, WayV, and NCT New Team. I still haven't fully listened to Fact Check(tho the title track is great) since I'm still stuck on Golden Age lol. I don't really have a bia for NCT Universe tho Mark is a cutie and I love that Taeyong bleeds NCT.
Tomorrow X Together - The Name Chapter: Free Fall
Super excited for this release! My top tracks are Back for More, Growing Pains, Chasing That Feeling, and Happily Ever After(I'd like it more if Gyu had any lines). I do like all of the tracks on the album tho. I feel like Do It Like That is a lil out of place, but I guess its kinda like Happyily Eve After in tone. I thought it was weird that Back For More on the album was the TXT ver. I'm not complaining cause I love that ver, but I would think the Anitta ver would be on the album. TBH I wish both ver were on the album since I dont want to buy a single CD if I want it physically. Also, to circle back on the lines. Usually I feel that they are just weird stan culture shit, but seeing him be down on lives and talking about his lack of lines is so disappointing. I hope they give him more lines along with Soobin since it does feel like yeonjun/Taehyun feat. TXT. I love all members, but when a group of 13 members has pretty equal distribution its fucking pathetic. Of course unless that member prefers having less lines. This is a bigger discussion, but this is in the back of my mind when listening.
I only recently started listening to TXT during temptation era. I can actually remember the tiktok that got me into them was an interview and Yeonjun was dancing to Tell Me by the Wonder Girls. Since then I've collected every one of their comebacks and I'm only missing one of their jpn releases. My bias bounces between Beomgyu, Yeonjun, and Soobin(and Kai lmao sorry Terry. Tho I love all the boys.
Stray Kids - 5-STAR
Tbh I only got this album since the week it came out it was half off at Half Priced Books and still had a photocard in it. Despite that I love this album. Since it's been out it was in my car's player pretty much until Golden Age came out. I mean I would switch it out, but she was almost always put back in. Really I love all tracks other than Youitful I want the fun upbeat more party shit not some cornyass shit lmao. In isolation I do like having my lil shoujo amv, but I skip her (just like FEARNOT(Between you, me and the lamppost)).
Stray kids was one of the groups tiktok would push to be of their interviews/interactions/vlogs/whatever. So, I really liked the boys, but I guess I listened to all of their more noise music(and assumed it was all like that) and hated it. I liked a few random songs like Maniac and Case 143. I've slowly been listening to some of their back catalog but def 5-STAR is my fav. I'm excited for their new comeback tho. My bias is Changbin I love my short lil beef cake. Tho I also like Felix (along with the rest of the boys) and I feel for him and his lil gay moments.
