Bunni Pop's July faves: Featuring Kiss of Life, KATSEYE, thuy, keshi and Stray Kids
A month of venturing into different territory
July was a month of branching out, rediscovering some music by Asian American artists that I have grown to love during the pandemic. It’s no secret to readers of this newsletter that it can be dizzying and overwhelming to dive into the K-pop industry. And as someone who is pretty plugged in most of the time, I did feel a bit of burn out in July. So, I unplugged from this newsletter a bit, went to Chicago to see IU and focused on some other projects I’m looking forward to unveiling in the coming months.
Still, I did find some time to listen to some new music. So without further ado, here’s what I’ve been listening to!
KISS OF LIFE - Sticky
Although this song came out at the end of June, I still consider this track a July release. KISS OF LIFE’s performance at Waterbomb was quite literally all over my social media feeds for weeks. And soon enough, I was singing “sticky, sticky, sticky” without a second thought. This track is an earworm!
KISS OF LIFE is from a small label called S2 Entertainment, so it’s amazing to see how this group has been able to rise through the ranks quickly. The band’s sexy and sassy image adds a level of freshness to the K-pop sphere, and “Sticky” plays to the group’s strengths and schtick perfectly. This song is definitely a contender for song of the summer.
KATSEYE - Touch
Following the completion of The Dream Academy earlier this year, KATSEYE’s debut has been highly anticipated. Formed by HYBE and Geffen, this act aims to take the K-pop trainee formula to create the ultimate girl group. The six members that make up KATSEYE were chosen after hundreds of girls applied and auditioned for a chance to be part of the group.
Given the popularity of K-pop, KATSEYE has a unique challenge presented in front of them. They can’t really be labelled as K-pop. And yet, they’re being promoted at K-pop events like KCON and the upcoming Krazy Super Concert in September.
“Touch” serves as the band’s second single. And although it is criminally short, it seems as though the strategy here is to create an earworm for the TikTok era. It’s fun, cute and breezy. Not to mention, catchy enough to listen to while running. I don’t think it’s necessarily groundbreaking. But “Touch” has really grown on me because the band truly looks like they’re having a ton of fun performing it live. They seem so confident and really sell the choreography. I can’t wait to see more.
My only hope is that KATSEYE will start releasing more songs that can really let the members’ vocals shine…because as many of us have seen on The Dream Academy, all of them can SING. This song just doesn’t do them justice.
thuy featuring CHUNG HA - Hair Down
I interviewed thuy this year, who gave me insights on how she made her viral hit “girls like me don’t cry.” The singer uses social media trends to her advantage, at times even poking fun at herself. And along the way, she’s managed to garner a solid fan community and made history at this year’s Coachella as its first Vietnamese American female performer.
With that momentum, thuy has since been promoting her new single “hair down” heavily on TikTok. But this time, manifesting a K-pop feature for a remix version of the track. After weeks of teasing, she finally revealed she would be working with CHUNG HA. And let me say, this pairing feels perfect. The easy-listening R&B track embodies the message of letting loose. What better way than have these two do it? Each of their vocal tones also blend really well together, and it really seems like the pair found a lot of joy collaborating with each other.
“I've been such a fan of CHUNG HA, so when I learned that CHUNG HA was equally excited about hopping on the “hair down” remix, I immediately screamed!” thuy said in a press release.
“Having her voice on the record gave it such a nice texture and I’m so excited for the fans to get to re-experience the song.”
keshi - Say
Two years since releasing his debut album GABRIEL, keshi has been keeping a low profile. Sure, he toured his album twice, selling out shows around the world. But other than that, his social media presence has been elusive, adding even more anticipation for his dedicated fans about the singer’s next move.
Now in 2024, keshi is back for his new era. In September, he’ll release his second album Requiem, then he’ll head on an ambitious arena tour across North America, Asia and Europe. “Say” is the first single of his upcoming album. And while he has long been known for his lo-fi, mellow R&B style, the single is also the most mainstream and pop he’s ever sounded. While some of his fans, have lamented over the fact that “Say” is sonically different from his older tracks, I’m excited to see him diversifying his sound. keshi’s iconic runs and harmonies remain his trademark, and the vocal production of this song also sold it for me.
Slow, heartbreak jams have always been key to keshi’s musical identity. But not all artists want to be known for one thing. I am curious to know what the rest of Requiem will sound like. And if his latest single “Dream” is any indication, there will be a lot of sadder songs in there too for his OG fans too.
Stray Kids - Chk Chk Boom
From showing up in Deadpool & Wolverine promos to headlining Lollapalooza, Stray Kids has been having a packed couple of weeks.
One of the things I have always appreciated about this band is the way it stays true to its style. I can always tell a Stray Kids song apart from the others. They’re not afraid to go hard, gearing more towards hip hop, rap and a more EDM-focused sound. Stray Kids has found a sound that works for them, even if at times their sound is a bit formulaic.
Admittedly, I haven’t always connected with Stray Kids’ later tracks post “God’s Menu”. But, I find “Chk Chk Boom” a lot of fun! The song is energetic from the get-go, the dance break goes hard, and Han’s rap verse and flow is the highlight of this track. I also feel like chanting “Chk Chk Boom” at a show will be an experience. Jealous of all the STAYs that got to see them at Lollapalooza.
Seventeen’s JEONGHAN to enlist in the military in the second half of 2024, while JUN will focus more on acting projects
Following the announcement of Seventeen’s upcoming U.S. tour in the fall, there is an update on plans for two of the band’s members.
In the second half of 2024, JEONGHAN will enlist for his mandatory military service, as per South Korean law. That will mean he won’t be able to participate in the upcoming U.S. tour scheduled to start in October, along with promotions for the band’s 12th mini album. However, he will still be expected to perform at Lollapalooza Berlin in early September.
Meanwhile, JUN will also be taking a step back for a few months as he pursues acting opportunities in China. And due to scheduling conflicts, he won’t be at Lollapalooza Berlin and the upcoming U.S. tour either.
“We ask for your kind understanding and support for JEONGHAN’s healthy completion of his military service and JUN’s upcoming projects. Please continue to show your love for Seventeen and stay tuned for [the band’s] upcoming activities this year,” Seventeen’s label PLEDIS Entertainment said in a statement.
BTS member Suga to be questioned by police in drunk driving case
Another story I have been following lately is the developments revolving around BTS member Suga and his DUI case.
On August 7, Suga issued an apology after his license was revoked for operating an electric scooter while under the influence. No one was injured in the incident.
“Hi, this is Suga. Due to a disappointing event, I come to you all with a heavy and sorry heart,” he said in a statement posted on the app Weverse.
“Last night after having had a few drinks at dinner, I rode an electric scooter home. By rationalizing the short distance home and not realizing while in an inebriated state of mind that riding an electric scooter after drinking is not allowed, I ended up violating road traffic laws.”
Suga was subsequently fined for his actions. The BTS member has currently been on hiatus from promotional activities as he completes his duties as a social service agent.
BIG HIT MUSIC, BTS’s label, said that the singer would accept any “disciplinary action” for his actions.
Now according to The Korea Times, the rapper will soon be questioned for whether he violated the Road Traffic Act.
OG readers of bunni pop may remember an early feature I did on this newsletter on the Canadian singer-songwriter JUNNY. After penning hits for the likes of EXO’s KAI and IU, he’s now making a name for himself as an artist.
I spoke with him for The RepresentASIAN Project. Click to read the interview.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Accountability is important to me, so please address corrections and concerns by sending me an email at bunnipopnewsletter@gmail.com. Continue the conversation by following bunni pop on Instagram and Threads.
Kiss of Life is really doing it for me these past few weeks. I'll admit I haven't done a deep dive the way I have with Billlie, but they're close. It really helps that I have loads of goodwill for Natty and the utterly underrated "Nineteen".
hey my name is Jasmine I love kpop I wish I want to meet some