Welcome to WWLT, or What We’re Listening To, which features mini music analyses that provide context and introduce readers to K-pop music that may be new-to-them.
This issue features analyses of tracks by TVXQ!, Standing Egg, Kai, Agust D, NCT DoJaeJung, and Elo by members of HWAITING!, KPK’s K-pop music research accelerator.
TVXQ (featuring Ryeowook and Kyuhyun of Super Junior), “Wish (소원)” (2008)
N Lina An
2nd generation K-pop label mates, TVXQ! and Super Junior collaborated on various songs. Wish is one of the 4 additional tracks in TVXQ!’s repackaged album, MIROTIC – The 4th Album Special Edition. This song features Super Junior members Ryeowook and Kyuhyun together with Xiah Junsu and Max Changmin as a quartet. In a previous WWLT issue, I had covered “이별… 넌 쉽니 Heartquake” which had TVXQ! members U-Know Yunho and Micky Yoochun as featured guests in Super Junior’s Sorry Sorry album released in 2009, which now seems like a reciprocation to Wish.
Released in 2008 by SM Entertainment, the song credits Park Joon-ha for music and lyrics, and Hong Seok for arrangements. This powerful ballad features 2 vocalists from each group who have either main or lead vocals positions. The verse starts off with the piano only, followed by an acoustic guitar as it develops. The bare minimum of instrumentation allows listeners to take note of the individual vocal textures of all 4 tenors in this vocal arrangement. The drum beats are added in the chorus. Verse 2 features harmonization and ad-libs that alternate between members of the 2 groups, but to a new listener, the balance in the mix could render the voices indistinguishable from one another. As a guide, the vocal textures of Xiah Junsu and Ryeowook are whispery, while Max Changmin and Kyuhyun are defined. Nevertheless, all 4 of them had their individual moments in the climax of the song. In the last chorus where a key modulation is heard, strings have also been added to give a grander effect.
There is very little information on this collaboration; whether reviews or interviews. This song was also never promoted and there is no trace of a live performance. Fortunately or not, it was a track in TVXQ!’s final studio album as a vocal quintet before the departure of members Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu in the later part of 2009.
Sources
Mirotic. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirotic (5 Apr 2023)
TVXQ! 소원 Wish. YouTube. 2 August 2019 https://youtu.be/iUOa162i_uw (5 Apr 2023)
N Lina An. WWLT Vol. 2 No. 3. 이별… 넌 쉽니 Heartquake. 4 April 2022. https://kpopkollective.com/2022/04/04/wwlt-vol-2-no-3/ (5 Apr 2023)
Standing Egg, “Little Star,” lucky (2011)
Nyke Parham
My introduction to K-pop came by way of two entities: Rain’s (비) dancing and K-dramas. If you’ve watched a K-drama, there is no way to avoid the main theme song of any drama. By the end of episode three or four, you’re probably humming along with the song that has been played at least five times in an episode. You know what the chorus is supposed to sound like; you know the artist even if you haven’t Shazammed it. This is how many artists such as Baek Ji Young and Kim Bum Soo become heralded as Kings and Queens of the OST (official soundtrack).
I was introduced to the indie band Standing Egg (stylized as STANDING EGG) while watching the 2020 family drama series, Once Again, when the character Jae Seok (played by Lee Sang Yi) sang the song “Little Star” acapella to his girlfriend. Debuting in 2010 under Von Entertainment as an acoustic pop band with little to no promotions, the three member co-ed group has been featured on many popular drama OSTs including Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016), Strong Girl Bong Soon (2017), and Feel Good to Die (2018). Although the group has won Best Indie Musician at the Melon Music Awards and Golden Ticket Awards multiple times, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the group as none of the members have been revealed and are all referenced as “egg” with a number 1-3. Often, there are guest members that provide the vocals, particularly during live performances. The group’s concept is to keep their identities secret so that the audience can focus exclusively on the music.
Despite the mystery, their ballads are simply amazing and addicting. “Little Star,” probably the most recognized and covered song of all their ballads, was written and composed by the “eggs.” As an acoustic track, fitting with the entire album lucky (2011), there is only one vocal and sounds of the acoustic guitar. The focus, even in the live and covers, is on the vocal and guitar performance. Neither overpowers the other and the song has a sway element that is perfect for nighttime performances and perhaps even a campfire, as seen in the live performance.The ballad is a love song to the singer’s “little star,” a promise that the singer will protect the star all night and forever. It is also the ending song on an album that began with “Juliette” and seemed to go through different moments in a romantic relationship but ending with a promise of protection and love. Their music continues to be featured in dramas and covered, and has made them one of the most underrated (and under publicized) indie acts in K-pop.
Sources
STANDING EGG. “Standing EGG – Little Star.” YouTube. 6 July 2011. https://youtu.be/dI8NZsjRyGk (3 May 2023).
STANDING EGG. “STANDING EGG – Little Star (LIVE).” YouTube. 16 March 2022. https://youtu.be/8XxxWhe5J_M (3 May 2023).
Astro 아스트로. “YOON SANHA | ‘Little Star(스탠딩 에그) Cover by 산하.” YouTube. 28 May 2019. https://youtu.be/lnZoQOCJCcM (3 May 2023).
써브라임 (SUBLIME). “[Cover] 윤서빈(Yoon Seobin)- Little Star by 스탠딩 에그 (Standing Egg).” YouTube. 14 October 2020. https://youtu.be/3X2fDEIbxhU (3 May 2023).
Cravity. “[C-Plus+] MINHEE 민희 ‘Little Star’ Cover | CRAVITY (크래비티).” YouTube. 9 May 2021. https://youtu.be/iH0vmT_lxmI (3 May 2023).
KAI, “Rover,” Rover (2023)
Vitória Ferreira Doretto
There is catnip in this song. I am sure there is. This song was released a month ago, and I could not stop listening to it. Truth be told, the whole album is great. As an EXO-L (an EXO fan), there is no mystery to my preference for songs by both the group and the members as soloists, but I am still amazed by each release as they mature vocally so splendidly.
After KAI (开) (2020) and Peaches (2021), Kai presented Rover as his third mini-album, composed of the title track and five other songs -”Black Mirror,” “Slidin’,” “Bomba,” “Say You Love Me,” and “Sinner.” The theme revolves around our relationship with social media and explores different musical genres, turning the musical experience even more colorful. “Rover” is a dancehall song with heavy bass, marimba, bells, and several percussions. It was written by Park Tae Won, Monoir, DARA (BGR), Valentina Nikova, YNGA, YoungChance, and Gabriel Brandes, with lyrics by Park Tae Won and arrangement by Monoir and IMLAY. Also, it interpolates the single by the same name released by Bulgarian artist DARA, but its lyrics are different from the previous version since it describes the experience of breaking free of the constraints of society. In an interview with Tássia Assis (2023), Kai said the song “has a story about a wanderer and a message of wanting to be free, and since I want to be free on stage, and as an artist in general, Mr. Rover is me.”
This desire to be a wanderer is also expressed in the music video full of references to the singer’s favorite movie, where we observe Kai in different personas as he pursues his dream of becoming a performer. The sets and choreography also express the song and match perfectly. It is art. And as Assis (2023) remarks, “There are no boundaries to KAI’s artistry, after all.”
Sources
Assis, T. K-Pop Veteran KAI Feels Freer Than Ever On ‘Rover’: “It’s Going To Be A Very Memorable Period For Me.” Grammy.com, March 13, 2023.
https://www.grammy.com/news/kai-rover-new-mini-album-ep-exo-singer-superm-interview-black-mirror-slidin-bomba-say-you-love-me-sinner (April 11, 2023)
SMTOWN. KAI 카이 ‘Rover’ MV. YouTube, 13 March 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlTIextYnyQ (April 11, 2023)
Agust D (feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto, 김우성 of The Rose), “Snooze,” D-Day (2023)
Sabrina Alano
Agust D, the rap alias of BTS’ Suga, released his first official solo album D-Day, after previously putting out two mixtapes, Agust D and D-2. The B-side “Snooze” is a collaboration with the legendary late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and Woosung, lead singer of The Rose (all of them have writing and composition credits). It is produced by EL CAPITXN, an in-house BigHit Music producer and Suga’s frequent partner in music production.
In an interview on IU’s “Palette”, Suga explained that he intended “Snooze” as a message to aspiring artists, because BTS “had nowhere to get advice.” In the song, he offers thoughts about fans and supporters, the judgment and criticism idols face, and other insights into idol life. The title “Snooze” refers to young idols who may be “surviving on snoozes” to achieve their dreams. It also refers to Suga’s reassurance that it is more than okay to pause and rest, physically and mentally. He repeats “It’s all gonna be alright” 16 times over the course of the song. Meanwhile, Woosung’s hauntingly beautiful vocals provide a tender counterpoint to Suga’s intense rap verses.
In providing advice and comfort to younger artists, he calls back to his own work, with his rap cadence, as well as Sakamoto’s keyboard, reminiscent of Suga’s solo song “First Love” from BTS’ Wings album. That song reflects on the piano as Suga’s coping mechanism and, at times, his only companion. Similarly, the bridge of “Snooze” poignantly takes lines from “So Far Away (feat. Suran),” the final song on his 2016 Agust D mixtape:
Dream, I hope it to be there with you at your creation and at the end of your life
Dream, I hope it to be generous to you wherever you stand
Dream, I hope it to be in full bloom eventually at the end of hardships
Dream, the beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will the future be
Dream
In “So Far Away,” Suga repeatedly asks himself the question, “Why am I here alone when everyone else is running?” His lines about dreams reflect desperation, willing himself to keep striving. In “Snooze,” he recontextualizes the lines, giving to his juniors encouragement and strength that he had once struggled to give himself.
Sources
SUGA – Topic. “Snooze (feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto and 김우성 of The Rose). YouTube. 21 April 2023. https://youtu.be/okfdIIUQOik (30 April 2023).
이지금 (IU Official). “IU x SUGA Palette, Ep. 19.” YouTube. 10 April 2023. https://youtu.be/OP9I2w7UMDc (30 April 2023).
Doolset Lyrics. “Snooze (feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto, WOOSUNG of The Rose).” 30 April 2023 https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2023/04/30/snooze/ (6 May 2023).
NCT DOJAEJUNG, “Perfume,” Perfume (2023)
Mathieu Berbiguier
After giving fans a glimpse of their potential during NCT127’s THE LINK+ concert in Seoul, where they performed “Can We Go Back” in October 2022, NCT DOJAEJUNG (Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo) have finally made their debut with their first EP “Perfume.” Although this new unit adds another layer to the already complex NCT dynamic, NCTzens have no complaints as the trio delivers a powerful release.
“Perfume” is an electro-pop R&B track produced by a team of talented producers, including Brandon Arreaga from the group PrettyMuch, Colin Magalong, Landon Sears, Kaelyn Behr, and MZMC (Paul Thompson). From the beginning, the three members create a captivating atmosphere with their harmonious “perfume” opening. The energetic intro takes listeners on a two-minute and forty-seven-second journey into a universe of scents. The song, music video, and choreography all blend together seamlessly, creating an aesthetic that perfectly fits the theme. Over time, it has been fascinating to see how the “Killing Part” (the most impactful part) of the song has changed several times, even three weeks after its release. This ongoing debate about which part is the most impactful shows how successful the trio was in showcasing their individual strengths. The other songs of the EP are in the same vein, with an honorable mention for the studio version of “Can We Go Back” that was longly awaited.
NCT DOJAEJUNG’s debut with “Perfume” is a scent-sational start for the trio, leaving fans wanting more. As part of NCT’s ever-evolving dynamic, this new unit adds a unique fragrance to the group’s already diverse mix.
Sources
SMTOWN. “NCT DOJAEJUNG 엔시티 도재정 ‘Perfume’ MV” YouTube. 17 May 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nRiE4sLLxE&ab_channel=SMTOWN (10 May 2023).
Elo, “ ROSE,” Eight Femmes (2016)
Mai Anna Pressley
Elo is an R&B singer and part of the VV:D crew, which consists of Elo, Gray, Crush, Loco and leader Zion T. Made up of popular R&B and hip hop artists, the crew is seen as some of the foremost representatives of “black music” in South Korea. He later signed to Jay Park’s label, AOMG. He released his debut album, 8 Femmes, August 16, 2016, with the concept being “eight songs for eight femmes”, with each song telling a love story of a different woman. The album was produced by Gray, Cha Cha Malone, and Elo himself.
Track 3, “Rose,” was released as the title track. The song begins with Gray’s signature trademark – the eponymous name drop. In true Gray fashion, the song is electronic R&B, but mixed uniquely with muted elements of funk and even disco. The lyrics make reference to the third “femme”, a rose that has pricked Elo. The metaphor continues throughout the song as he compares her to countless other flowers, and begs her to drink the morning dew and kiss him. In contrast with later tracks, which focus on heartbreak, Rose represents the innocence of the beginning of romance.
While certainly a product of industry trends in 2016, it maintains a timeless element that keeps it sounding fresh even seven years later. With the weather warming up, “Rose” is quintessentially a perfect summertime song.
Sources
AOMGOFFICIAL. “ELO – ROSE”. 25 August 2016. https://youtu.be/ZJxODkO4Pmw (09 May 2023).
WWLT, Vol. 3, No. 2 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
KPK: Kpop Kollective 