September is at its end so I’m giving my quick takes on all of the debuts and comebacks we got from K-Pop!
I’m only sharing the debuts and comebacks I actually paid attention to and not every single one that happened in the month. So if a favorite artist of yours isn’t in here, tell me about them in a comment and I’ll check them out! Also going to reiterate that these are my opinions and we can disagree and that is fine.
Debuts
Ping Pong by HYUNA&DAWN
Both HyunA and Dawn are existing solo artists and formerly members in groups and this debut is of them as a duo. The song is catchy and fun and their voices go well together. As for the video, I don’t know what the hell I was watching. It was visually obnoxious honestly.
Lalisa by Lisa
It’s very Lisa visually, which is great. And I love how she incorporated her Thai heritage. I wish we got more dancing and more interesting choreography because she can definitely do it. But my biggest drawback is that the beat lacked depth and was so one note. The breakdown was the best part and I wish the whole song had that sound and energy. For a member of the “biggest girl group in the world”, I expect more.
Got Ya by ICHILLIN‘
I think it is becoming a trend to mix concepts in a track lately and I’m not a big fan of it personally, but at least with Got Ya it still fits together enough to not feel disjointed. I like the verses better than the chorus, because the verse had more girl crush energy and the chorus much more bubbly pop. Overall it’s a decent debut.
RUN by Luminous
They have a lot of potential for sure and I look forward to what else they will bring. Musically, I’m pleasantly surprised they didn’t go full high energy loud and fast beats. It makes them stand out to me compared to other boy group debuts happening. They have some refining to do on the dancing and since they are four members, they need choreography fit for that so nothing seems off like it did here to me.
Painted÷LOVE: by MEGAMAX
I give them kudos for doing something different compared to what many boy group debuts are like as of late. But it was a bit lackluster and safe in other aspects like choreography.
Call My Name by Ferry Blue
This is another one where the chorus and verses don’t line up. The first time the chorus came I was confused because it was an abrupt shift. And I like everything but the chorus, which is bland and uninteresting. I will say for a group that doesn’t have the resources of an entertainment company (they are students from Paekche Institute of Arts), they did a decent job,
Santa Monica by NIK
The Korean/Japanese groups debut kind of popped out of nowhere on my radar. And I think it is good. The song is fun and catchy for sure. I found it interesting they had so many moment where the group was split, so not everyone was in that part.
Comebacks
What’s Goin’ On by Omega X
The song fits them really well. At first I thought that it could have been any group with a tough guy concept could do it, but by the end I decided that no this is really an Omega X song. And it’s one of the better ones I’ve heard in the early half of the month.
Stereotype by StayC
I like it more than their debut for sure and I like that it isn’t solely bubble gum pop that it easily could have been looking at the video visuals.
Talk & Talk by fromis_9
It’s cute. That’s the extend of my thoughts on it.
Zombie by Purple Kiss
When the title of the track is Zombie you have a certain mental picture of what it could be, right? Well this isn’t that. The video is so colorful and quirky and the song is very fun. It’s also very different compared to their debut, which shows versatility. Purple Kiss is full of surprises which is enjoyable.
Deja Vu by Ateez
It took me more than one watch to form an opinion on this one. I liked it more on the second listen, but I like other Ateez tracks more. It has grown on me on subsequent listens though.
Sticker by NCT 127
It’s very NCT, fits them well and they perform it well. Taeyong stole the show in my opinion but he is my bias so I am biased. Overall it meets my expectations for them.
One Day by Monsta X
Monsta X’s English songs are always so good. I already love this one after a single lesson. Also, Shownu is in it and he’s currently doing his service so it’s nice to see.
mumumumuch by MAMAMOO
Something just felt off to me, specifically with Moonbyul in choreography segments. Maybe because the choreography was simple and the song isn’t super high energy they all just came across as bored. Scenes where they were goofing off with each other and solo shots were much better, so I’m thinking it’s a choreography issue. Either way, I don’t have a strong affinity to the song nor do I dislike it.
Blue by Wonho
I don’t care for the American football motif and elements of the video, but the song is sweet and lovely. Musically it fits with his previous music well and still has a uniqueness to make it special.
Blind by Ciipher
I definitely like this more than their debut. The song is fitting for what seems to be trending in K-Pop lately. They look like they’re having fun throughout the video which helps get past some of the cheesiness of it.
ICONS by Hot Issue
Like Cippher, I like this more than their debut. I’m mostly happy that they song is coherent all the way through so it all sounds like one song, unlike their debut. This comeback makes me more of a fan of them and more willing to follow them.
Cherry by AB6IX
Conceptually, this is so vastly different from the first time I listened to AB6IX, which was Salute. I like the song, but I am not a fan of the school concept personally. The parts that didn’t explicitly portray them as high schoolers I liked more and I feel like they could have kept it in the roller rink and it would have been perfect.
BTS x Coldplay
My Universe was an immediate like on first listen. It’s positive and such a nice vibe and easy to enjoy. The video is okay, but I wish it had more color so it matched the lyrics video and the marketing more. But this is an excellent collab.
mOnO by OnlyOneOf
I’m not a ballad person, so I don’t adore the song. But their vocal prowess really shines in it. There also isn’t a formal music video for it which I find interesting.
What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!
