Bunni Pop's November faves: Featuring WayV, Epik High, Enhypen, P1Harmony, Red Velvet and Dino

2023 isn't over just yet!

Wow! What a year it’s been. It was just more than a year ago when I started Bunni Pop. Now there are more than 300 of you subscribed to my updates. Thank you so much for all of your support! I am sure that I will have much more to say when 2023 officially ends, BUT we still have a month left to enjoy it all. So without further ado, here’s what I’ve been digging into in November.

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WayV - On My Youth (album)

While I haven’t always loved NCT releases due to the sheer size of the group, WayV is the sub-unit that I have gravitated to most. After all, the song ‘Love Talk’ continues to have a chokehold on me years after its release. It’s timeless. It’s sexy! It’s perfect!

WayV is the China-based sub-group from NCT, featuring members Ten, Kun, Winwin, Hendery, Yangyang and Xiaojun. And in November, they released their second studio album On My Youth.

One of the songs from the project that I’ve come to enjoy is the catchy dance track ‘Poppin Love’. The concept is giving me Y2K *NSYNC and B2K down to the set design, costumes and music production. The WayV boys look hot! The only issue is this track is criminally short, which seems to be a trend for songs these days.

Epik High featuring Hoshi - ‘Screen Time’

Seventeen’s Hoshi might possibly be the most successful fanboy of all time. In 2021, Hoshi went viral for mistakenly mixing up “apple pie” for the rap group “Epik High.” That moment caught the attention of Epik High. And years later, the group invited Hoshi to collaborate on a new track called ‘Screen Time.’ We love a full circle moment for our Tiger lover boy Hoshi!

Featuring Epik High’s signature lo-fi beats and moody lyrics, ‘Screen Time’ is commentary on the depression and collective loneliness we feel after looking on our phones and computer screens for excessive amounts of time. That dilemma is perfectly highlighted in the accompanying music video, which features both Epik High members and Hoshi having a hard time paying attention to what’s in front of them because they’re too busy looking at their phones.

Hoshi is actually a great actor, and I love that he gets to exercise those chops through this comeback. And while the song itself is a bit gloomy, the promotions from Epik High around the single have been full of jokes. That includes the unveiling of a new lightstick shaped as a hand pointing the middle finger.

Is it too much to put this on my Christmas wishlist just weeks away from the big day?

Red Velvet - Chill Kill (Album)

Early teasers for Red Velvet’s third studio album Chill Kill had me feeling a little spooked, with the members sitting in dimly lit rooms that look straight out of a horror movie. Thankfully their title track ‘Chill Kill’ though, is a fun dance pop song. I loved the theatrical and dramatic production of the single paired with the girls’ powerful vocals.

Nearly a decade since they came onto the scene, what I love about Red Velvet is they never fail to surprise me with their comeback singles — even if they’re not always my cup of tea. (Case in point: ‘Birthday’ was too disjointed for my liking, but I appreciated its quirkiness).

The highlight of this new album though, is the song ‘Underwater’, which is a throwback to the sexy and sensual R&B girl group tracks of the 2000s. Red Velvet has always been praised for their harmonies and vocals. And as one of the best vocalists in 3rd generation K-pop, Ms. Wendy has never sounded BETTER!

Not that you need more proof of the latter point…but I highly recommend you all to watch Red Velvet’s most recent ‘Killing Voice’ episode.

Enhypen - Orange Blood (EP)

When they first debuted, Enhypen was referred to as “monster rookies.” But now two years into their career, the group is really coming into their own when it comes to sound, style and confidence.

While May’s ‘Bite Me’ played with a darker vampire concept, Enhypen’s latest single ‘Sweet Venom’ instead has the members giving their best Michael Jackson moves and tapping into a groovy disco pop theme. The boys’ falsetto harmonies and catchy hooks are also something to be admired here. I have been vibing to this song all month!

Another highlight of Enhypen’s EP Orange Blood is the b-side ‘Still Monster’, which is also worthy of repeat listens. While the “noise genre” has dominated recent K-pop male idol comebacks (Enhypen also explored this in their song ‘Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)’), ‘Still Monster’ is a sensual R&B/pop track whose melody and harmonies feels like a throwback to something you’d hear in second gen K-pop releases. There is just a really nostalgic vibe to the song.

P1Harmony - ‘Fall In Love Again’

One of the biggest charms of P1Harmony is their ability to make feel good songs for any occasion. Their latest offering ‘Fall In Love Again’ has the group teaming up with multi-Grammy award winning producer Tricky Stewart (who has worked with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Justin Bieber) and Believve (who has worked with Tyla and Usher).

The accompanying music video for the song also plays with the storyline of two furry creatures exploring the idea of falling in love, with the encouragement of the P1Harmony members by their sides. It is simply adorable!

‘Fall in Love Again’ is charming and upbeat, and reminds me a lot of something Lauv might release. It’s also the type of song I can picture playing in a classic high school romcom, where the nerdy guy is trying to woo the popular girl.

And while I have never doubted Keeho to deliver gorgeous vocals, I have to say he is the standout of this track for me. His vocal runs and higher register is simply to die for. I would really love to hear him do more R&B-style songs down the line.

Dino - Wait

Talk about giving major pop star energy! ‘Wait’ is the latest comeback from Seventeen’s Dino, who delivers a thumping energetic track filled with jazzy piano instrumentals throughout.

Dino, who has played a key role in creating Seventeen’s choreography, looks completely in his territory in the song’s accompanying music video. The Canadian tuxedo has never looked better on an idol!

But I have to say that what impressed me most on ‘Wait’ is Dino’s singing voice. On Seventeen tracks, Dino has often taken on rap roles and focused more on his dancing. That’s why I was expecting more of a rap/hip hop heavy song for his comeback. Instead, he flexes his vocal skills and also plays a hand at producing the track alongside fellow Seventeen member and lead producer Woozi.

“This was my time working with Woozi by myself, just the two of us,” Dino said in a recent interview with Consequence.

“It was a great opportunity to learn so much from him. The process itself was full of positive energy and we had a lot of fun.”

Listen to Bunni Pop’s faves wherever you go:

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Blackpink renew group contracts with YG Entertainment, still negotiating individual contracts

All four members of Blackpink have renewed their contracts to continue group activities with YG Entertainment, but are still discussing their individual contracts.

“After careful discussions with Blackpink, we signed exclusive contracts for group activities based on deep trust,” said a statement from YG Entertainment.

There has been much speculation about the future of the group over the last few months, as members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé entered into contract negotiations with YG.

Since news broke of Blackpink’s decision to stay with YG as a group, the company’s stock has spiked as much as 29 per cent.

“We are happy to be able to continue our relationship with Blackpink,” said YG Entertainment’s executive producer Yang Hyun Suk.

“Blackpink will continue to do their best to shine even brighter in the global music market as artists representing not only our agency but also K-pop, and we send our unwavering support and faith for their future steps.”

ATEEZ tease 2024 world tour ‘Towards the Light: Will to Power’

After touring for what seems like forever throughout 2022 and 2023, ATEEZ are about to do it all over again in the new year.

On December 8, the eight-piece group dropped a coming soon poster for their next world tour, which is titled “Towards the Light: Will to Power”. Dates and cities have yet to be announced. The new tour will also support ATEEZ’s latest album The World EP.FINE: Will.

Speaking of which, the title track ‘Crazy Form’ from the project is quite the banger. And the dance break toward the track’s end is absolutely meant for a concert setting.

Having had the chance to see ATEEZ perform just a little over a year ago, I can say with 100 per cent confidence that these boys are meant to perform and will absolutely give their all.

What I’m listening to: XG - ‘Winter Without You’

Girl group XG are dialling things back for the holiday season, releasing a melancholic song called ‘Winter Without You.’

Set in a wintry setting, the R&B track has the girls flexing their gorgeous melodies and harmonies as they reminisce about loved ones who are far away during the Christmas season.

MAJOR PROPS to my vocal queens Hinata, Chisa, Juria and Maya. They really popped off in this track, and I can’t wait to see what kind of year XG has in the coming year.

The girls recently teased a world tour, so anticipation is already building for what we might get to see in 2024.

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