Bunni Pop's July faves: Featuring NewJeans, MiSaMo, Jungkook and TXT

Just one more month of summer left...how did we even get here?

Aug 02, 2023

August is here, and July was a jam-packed month. Apart from concerts and new releases, life has been busy for me. New projects and a transition at work has kept me preoccupied. Newsletter posts will hopefully continue to be weekly, though they may come a little later than usual. However, I am SO excited to bring you more interviews and features in the weeks to come!

Nevertheless, I’m excited to break down some of the content I’ve been consuming over the last four weeks.

Jun - 'Psycho'

July has been a big month for Seventeen’s Jun. From fan meetings, concerts and the release of his new Chinese drama (more on that later…), Jun also came out with a new digital single called ‘Psycho.’

Dark and sultry, ‘Psycho’ follows a similar theme to Jun’s single ‘Limbo’ from last year. Utilizing synths, downbeats and a textured piano instrumental, the song is impeccably produced and builds to an exhilarating climax towards the end. The choreography also plays into the theme of the Joker, with Jun laughing maniacally in a plastic red outfit I just KNOW I would be sweating in (he looks good though!) My only issue with this track is it’s just too short, with a runtime of 2:17.

Now onto other Jun-related content, the singer also released his Chinese drama Exclusive Fairytale, which follows the love story of two childhood sweethearts as they go through sadness and joy together throughout the years. This all sounds very romantic, sweet and pure. But social media has been having a field day making memes from the show’s kissing and intimate scenes! I have yet to watch this drama, but I feel like I have seen everything I need. And yet, I still feel the need to watch it.

TXT feat. Jonas Brothers - ‘Do It Like That’

This song has Ryan Tedder written all over it! It's groovy, it's funky and the perfect summer song. Sure, it's not groundbreaking by any means. But the song is perfectly harmless fluff. In fact, my favourite part of TXT's collaboration with the Jonas Brothers is actually all the promotions around it. From concept photos to TikTok videos, I love seeing the Jonas Brothers finding their inner aeygo and playing along to K-pop culture and fandom. It looks like TXT are loving their hyungs as well!

NewJeans - Get Up (EP)

It’s only been a year since NewJeans debuted, but the group has already become global superstars in their own right. Get Up is NewJeans's second EP. And while its runtime is only 12 minutes long, I have not stopped playing it on loop since the project dropped.

The six-track EP explores a range of emotions and stories from teen love and crushes to unrequited feelings. Known for their minimalistic and understated sound, Get Up is a treat to listen to. Songs like ‘New Jeans’ and ‘Super Shy’ experiment with elements of the jersey club scene, synths and UK garage.

Meanwhile, the single ‘Cool With You’ is quieter in theme, but really lets NewJeans’s vocals shine through individual runs and gorgeously layered harmonies. The single’s music video also tells the story of Cupid (played by Squid Game’s HoYeon Jung), who falls in love with a human. NewJeans act as angels who watch this forbidden love story play out. But in a heartbreaking moment, Aphrodite (played by THE Tony Leung!), puts an end to Cupid’s relationship.

Through storytelling and music, NewJeans is truly one of the most exciting musical acts right now. With members between the ages of 15 to 19, NewJeans is a group that has always portrayed what it’s like to be a young person growing up today. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.

I am also about to see the girls perform at Lollapalooza later this week. Come say hi if you’re also there?

Jungkook ft. Latto - ‘Seven’

Back when Jungkook announced the title of his upcoming solo single, ARMY were quick to go “Awww! He’s dedicating it to his BTS members!” How wrong so many of us were. ‘Seven’ is sexy, flirty, explicit and unhinged in the best way possible. I expect nothing less from BTS’s maknae as he carves out a path for himself as a solo artist.

The catchy pop song uses elements of UK garage and features a continuous acoustic guitar loop throughout. Using the days of the week, Jungkook sings about wanting to spend every moment with his lover. The single is giving Craig David’s ‘7 Days’, and I have to thank Jungkook for bringing me back to that banger of a track.

Now back to the topic of ‘Seven’…Jungkook also released an explicit version. It is obviously all about having sex. And while I was clutching my pearls, I can honestly say that I support it! This man is all grown up. Let him talk about his …AHEM… escapades all he wants.

MiSaMo - Masterpiece (EP)

MiSaMo is the first sub-unit of Twice, featuring the group’s Japanese members Momo, Sana and Mina. The trio’s debut has been a long time coming. But boy, has the wait been worth it.

MiSaMo’s debut EP is called Masterpiece, and it certainly is a work of art. MiSaMo’s lead track ‘Do Not Touch’ is undoubtedly the standout of the project, with the girls singing about the importance of consent and respecting boundaries. The music video also has the girls playing with Greek mythology themes and acting as subjects in various paintings. Mina, Momo and Sana all look stunning!

As someone who has always wanted to see Momo’s artistic skills shine, I also love getting to hear her lower register throughout Masterpiece. Her rapping skills on the B-side ‘Marshmallow’ really blew me way in particular. WHO KNEW?!

And while Momo is rarely one to pick up a pen, she also co-composed the track ‘Funny Valentine’, which also served as a standout song for me on this album. It is very well produced, and the piano instrumental on the track adds a level of grandeur to it all.

Odd Eye Circle - ‘AIR FORCE ONE’

Loona has been in the headlines lately, after the group’s longstanding dispute with their former company Blockberry Creative over the terms of their contracts. Though in mid-June, it was revealed that all 12 members of the girl group have since terminated their contracts with Blockberry Creative.

The future of Loona remains unclear as the group is unable to use its name freely. But, members have been able to perform as sub-units and release new music.

Odd Eye Circle consists of members Kim Lip, JinSoul and Choerry. Since successfully terminating their contracts with Blockberry Creative, they have signed with the label Modhaus. Version Up marks the sub-unit’s first project since Loona’s legal dispute.

As for the music itself, Odd Eye Circle’s ‘Air Force One’ makes for a sonically fun and infectious listen. The pop song plays with elements of jersey club (something I’ve noticed is a bit of a trend in K-pop these days), pop and electronic dance music. And while the chorus is not groundbreaking by any means, I will absolutely sing along to “Da-ra, da-ra, da-da-da, da-da, da-da” any time I hear this song.

Listen to Bunni Pop’s faves wherever you go:

Twice

While June was a relatively quiet month, July was actually a lot of fun! I kicked off Canada Day weekend to watch Twice back to back. Yes, you could say I loved them so much I had to do it TWICE!!!!

Puns aside, these ladies are one of the top girl groups right now for a reason. They are charismatic, funny and are such amazing singers and performers. You can really tell how much the girls love their jobs!

This also marked Twice’s very first concert in Canada ever, and it looks like the girls really fed off our energy. As Dahyun told the crowd at the end of the show, “Canada ONCE! We will come back!” Check out my concert review here.

P1Harmony

Even though I dislike the venue P1Harmony performed in, I decided to make the trek to REBEL one Wednesday night to see leader Keeho get his full circle moment.

Keeho was born and raised around Toronto, and REBEL was where he saw his very first concert in. While Keeho is not one to get emotional (usually, he’d just be poking fun of his members), being there for his group’s headlining show was enough to make him cry onstage. :’)

Beyond Keeho’s 360 moment, P1Harmony were a blast to watch. With boundless energy, humour and charisma, the boys performed all their hits ranging from ‘Back Down’, ‘Do It Like This’, ‘Jump’ and ‘BFF.’

I highly recommend P1Harmony! But perhaps next time, they can pick a better venue…

Seventeen’s ‘Follow’ concert in Seoul

(Photo credit: PLEDIS Entertainment)

Every now and then, I rewatch my Seventeen concert videos and go through a bout of withdrawal. I need these boys to come back to North America!

Nevertheless, Carats were able to watch two concerts earlier this month when the group performed their ‘Follow’ concert.

The show itself featured Seventeen’s newer tracks including ‘Super’, ‘April Shower’ and sub-unit performances including ‘Fire’ and ‘I Don’t Understand But I Luv U’. However, the concert was also a bit of a retrospective of the group’s eight years together.

The setlist was packed with all of my favourite songs from over the years, including ‘Kidult’, ‘Don’t Wanna Cry’ and ‘Adore U.’

If Seventeen ever decides to do a bigger tour, I need them to keep this setlist. It is perfection.

KCON LA to be hosted by IVE’s Wonyoung, Stray Kids’s Bang Chan and Rain

KCON LA, which will take place from August 18 to 20, will be hosted by IVE’s Wonyoung, Stray Kids’s Bang Chan and Rain.

The event also revealed its line-up of performances throughout the weekend. Day one will see groups like Cravity, NMIXX, MONSTA X, Taemin, WayV and NCT’s Taeyong taking the stage.

Meanwhile, Day 2 will feature acts like ATEEZ, Kep1er, Rain, xikers, J-pop group INI and Boys Planet boy band ZEROBASEONE.

On the third and final day, the event will end off with performances by ATEEZ, EVERGLOW, (G)I-DLE, ITZY, Lapillus, Stray Kids, THE BOYZ and the J-pop group JO1.

This seems like one of the biggest lineups in a while. Jealous of those who will be able to make it!

Rina Sawayama teams up with LE SSERAFIM on new remix of ‘Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife’

While I am usually not a big fan of remixes, I really dug Rina Sawayama’s take on LE SSERAFIM’s ‘Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife.’ Adding her signature electro-pop flair and a reworked instrumental backdrop, Sawayama also delivered a brand new verse for the track. I expect nothing less from Ms. Sawayama, who has always delivered very fun and sonically unique tracks!

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