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!, Woodz, RIIZE, and Yoonmirae by members of HWAITING!, KPK’s K-pop music research accelerator.

TVXQ!, “여행기 (Travelog),” ‘07 Winter SM Town-Only Love (2007)

N Lina An

Originally a 5-member group (U-Know Yunho, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, Xiah Junsu and Max Changmin), they were known for their unique voice qualities that were able to blend well with one another. Personally, they are a group that could match up Boys II Men.

This song was released as a bonus track, Track 12 found in the album ‘07 Winter SM Town-Only Love, released on 7 December 2007. It credits composer JOHN, who also goes by the name of John Paul Lam; and lyrics by Kwon Yoon-jeong and JOHN. This album is also featured on the SM website, which published descriptions of each track, except this one. Maybe because it was released as a bonus track?

While all members were given equal opportunities to sing the melody line, the overall vocal arrangements for this song did not showcase the individual vocal skills and innate abilities of the members to harmonize with each other. They sang in unison for most parts, with some small parts that featured some vocal harmonies between U-Know, Yunho, and Xiah Junsu in the 2nd verse. The ad-libs in the last chorus where the music modulates, had all members feature the distinct characteristics of their voices. And this was the only part that made each individual voice stand out.

Apart from the audio recording from the album, the only other performances found of this song are on two occasions. The first one, which was a shorter version on SBS Inkigayo in February 2008, and the full version during the KBS Open Concert LIVE on 28 July 2008. Both performances were in front of an audience, mainly made up of their fans known as Cassiopeia.

There are 2 possible interpretations to its lyrics: The first from an artist-fan standpoint. The translated phrases could suggest that the group is grateful to their fans and appreciates their love and support from the start of their career. The other interpretation could be a classic love song between 2 people. The use of piano and strings in most parts of the song provided and effective pop-ballad style.

As a longtime fan of the group when they first debuted in 2003, I have covered their music in various WWLT volumes, about half of them! Unfortunately, this song did not do justice to the vocal arrangements, something that TVXQ! is known for.

Sources

TVXQ-Travelog+Purpleline(동방신기-여행기+퍼플라인)@SBS Inkigayo 인기가요 200802024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS07LdQ4QXU

Woodz, “Drowning”, OO-LI (2023)

Sabrina Alano

This edition of “What We’re Listening To” could be renamed “What I Can’t Stop Listening To,” as this song has been in heavy rotation since its release in April.

Known as an all-rounder who is adept at writing and performing multiple genres, Woodz (aka Cho Seungyoun) continues to explore rock sounds in his album OO-LI, as he did with his 2022 album Colorful Trauma. “Drowning,” a B-side off of OO-LI (his first album since he signed with EDAM Entertainment), features Woodz’s lyrics and is composed by Woodz, Nathan, and Hoho. The latter two also arranged the track. 

“Drowning” depicts the raw pain of the end of a relationship. The emotional impact of the song comes from Woodz’s moving vocal performance and its interplay with the instrumentation. In the pre-chorus, during the line “the pendulum of my heart holds me deeper and deeper,” there seems to be a filter on Woodz’s vocals, making them sound far-away and submerged. In the chorus, when he sings “Oh, I’m drowning, it’s raining all day,” Woodz brings rage-filled rasps to his delivery. At the same time, though, the volume and tempo of the guitar and drums also intensify, furthering the feeling that he is “drowning.” With the line “I can’t breathe,” Woodz unleashes his full power. His wailing vocal leaves the impression that he is giving a desperate gasp to fight suffocating pain. 

Other sections of the song also add to the storytelling. An instrumental interlude before the bridge introduces violins to heighten the drama. In the bridge, Woodz pleads, “I could fall deeper and die / Will you come back one more time.” The final chorus starts off with Woodz’s vocals over spare instrumentals, possibly hinting at some change. After he sings “I can’t breathe,” however, the heavy guitars return. Then the last line, “You’re taking my life from me,” drops off suddenly, punctuated by a final guitar riff. 

There might not be resolution for the heartbroken lover in “Drowning,” but the song is entirely satisfying for listeners who get to experience an artist with such talent and expressive power.

Sources

WOODZ. “Drowning Live Clip.” YouTube. 11 May 2023. https://youtu.be/tiKFuzpX-NA?si=PABUBjo5HZYoQueb. (17 September 2023).

“WOODZ – Drowning (English Translation).” Genius. 26 April 2023. https://genius.com/Genius-english-translations-woodz-drowning-english-translation-lyrics (17 September 2023).

RIIZE, “ Get a Guitar” (2023)

Mai Anna Pressley

RIIZE is SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, composed of seven members: Anton, Eunseok, Seunghan, Shotaro, Sohee, Sungchan and Wonbin. The group has a fresh, younger brother vibe, combined with Gen Z savvy that is quickly gaining them a sizable international following. They first released a performance video, Siren, and a pre-release single Memories in August, later beginning the promotion cycle with a showcase on the third and final day of KCON Los Angeles. 

There was some initial controversy around the group, particularly regarding members Shotaro and Sungchan, who were first part of NCT, though never officially debuted, which caused some dissatisfaction among fans. However, perhaps because this would be SM’s first boy group in seven years after the debut of NCT, RIIZE’s debut was greatly anticipated, with preorders breaking the record of any other SM group debut thus far.

Their official debut and first single, “Get a Guitar,” was released on September 4, 2023. The song was somewhat unexpected, both for an SM debut, and in light of the current trends for 4th generation groups, though it could be argued that RIIZE is in fact part of the 5th generation of kpop. “Get a Guitar,” described as emotional pop with retro synth and funky guitar rhythms, has a stripped down feel, seemingly having less of SM’s ubiquitous background vocal layering. It remains a steady groove throughout, aside from a funky dance break in which member Wonbin has a guitar solo. The result is a fresh and catchy song that quickly becomes an earworm, aided in part by a smart interpolation of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” 

Interestingly enough, it is precisely the deviation from more typical SM songs – no power vocal, high notes, dramatic bridge or rap- that sets the song apart, and yet also has caused a somewhat divisive reception. What to some was a smooth and funky summer jam was to others lacking and even boring in the age of high concept songs. The uptempo hip hop beat of Siren combined with the addition of members Sungchan and Shotaro seemed to have created the expectation of a more experimental vibe similar to NCT. The song (and group) also received several comparisons to senior group SHINee, in both positive and negative ways, due to the song’s retro vibes and funky pop beat. 

In light of SM experiencing somewhat of a paradigm shift, it may have been very intentional to debut a song and group with a sound that differs from the current norm, particularly after the departure of songwriting legend Yoo Youngjin, who has written and produced for pretty much every SM group up to this point. The gamble seems to have paid off – the public is responding very well, and the song is continuing to rise on the charts. 

Sources

SMTOWN. “RIIZE 라이즈 ‘Get A Guitar’”. 04 September 2023. https://youtu.be/iUw3LPM7OBU?si=5ck5qQAXkfrp_cB6  (04 October 2023).

Yoonmirae (윤미래), “Kawibawibo (가위바위보),” Gemini 2 (2018)

Nyke Parham

It would be more than fair to name Yoonmirae as the “Queen of Korean hip-hop.” Starting her career in the industry as the vocalist and rapper of the pioneering hip-hop group Uptown¹ in 1997, Yoonmirae has captivated the K-pop industry with her vocals and rap skill for almost 30 years. Although she has graced listeners in multiple groups (Tashannie in 1999-2000, MFBTY in 2013), Yoonmirae debuted as a solo artist in 2001 under the stage name, “T,” coming from her given name Natasha. Since then, she has released 5 albums and is mostly known for her many K-drama OST singles, including “I Love You (너를 사랑해)” (2014) and “Always” (2016) from the dramas It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014) and Descendants of the Sun (2016) respectively. Her entire career, though, has always highlighted her adeptness in vocals and lyricism and flow as a rapper.

“Kawibawibo” (2018) is a perfect and comprehensive example of all her skills, and her dedication to women’s representation in hip-hop. Written and produced by Yoonmirae, Big Banana (Year of the Ox, Loopy, nafla, Jessi, Dumbfoundead), Zoey Cho (Bibi, Tiger JK, MRSHLL) and Ann One (Dok2, Junoflo, Show Me the Money), the song is an ode to women’s empowerment. Although taken from the children’s game Rock, Paper, Scissors, each object has its own representation in their images and the lyrics of the song. The kawi (scissors in Korean) represents peace (as in peace sign and peace in the world), the bawi (rock in Korean) is a fist that represents power (think Black Power and other people’s/grassroots movements), and the bo (paper in Korean) represents unity in the shape that is create by the hand symbol with all the fingers side-by-side. 

The entire song, underlined with deep bass and a smooth groove, features lyrics like “healing with this boombap rap” (pointing to a particular style of hip-hop rapping and sound that usually draws in listeners), “cutting away the pain,” and “pray for everyone’s fortunes.” Although the majority of the song is rapped and sung in Korean, it is can be inferred from the visuals with an all-women dance group and Yoonmirae’s style switching from colorful braids and short curly hair that she is calling for the ladies to “awaken [their] locked up voices.” She wants to remind the women of their power within themselves and gather them to heal (themselves and others). Since “music is the medicine,” even this song can be empowering while it also promotes peace. On repeat in the chorus is “let me get a soul clap,” which also singles out a “soul” healing that needs to happen, and also a pun to find “where Seoul at.” Yoonmirae is standing tall, with her first in the air, joining other women to reclaim their souls and peace.

Sources

1theK (원더케이). “Kawibawibo (가위바위보).” YouTube. 20 April 2018. https://youtu.be/gAzdJCPdkJ4?si=FSHY6VG0rhS9uV5F (11 October 2023).

Feel Ghood Music [필굿뮤직]. “Yoonmirae (윤미래) – ‘가위바위보 (Kawi Bawi Bo)’ Official M/V Teaser.” YouTube. 25 April 2018. https://youtu.be/SddmLa8LkHc?si=zzGN5MhikEU39_rt (11 October 2023).

MBCKpop. “Uptown – Back to me, 업타운 – 다시 만나줘, MBC Top Music 19970322.” YouTube. 19 June 2012. https://youtu.be/yz2SAJG-Jek?si=2axAq9RCeWbJ5x6s (11 October 2023).

¹ Uptown is the same group that introduced fellow Korean female rapper/singer, Jessi, to the K-pop industry.

Image: Photo by Thomas Chizzali on Unsplash

WWLT Vol. 3, No. 4 is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0