Bunni Pop's October faves: Featuring Tomorrow X Together, Seventeen, JINI, Taemin and LE SSERAFIM
Goodbye to the spooky season.
The spooky season is officially over. So without further ado, here’s what I’ve been digesting in the month of October!
Tomorrow X Together - The Name Chapter: Freefall (Album)
Carrying on with the theme of growing up, TXT returned with its third studio album The Name Chapter: Freefall on Oct. 13. According to Big Hit Music, the project explores themes around “delaying adulthood and escaping from the world”, but coming to accept reality in the end. Compared to the youthful and bubbly concepts TXT first came onto the scene with (think ‘Crown’ and ‘Blue Orangeade’), Freefall has the boys exploring genres like punk and heavy rock. ‘Growing Pain’ is a headbanger, reminding me of the metal and emo tracks from my high school years. Meanwhile, the more commercial-sounding track ‘Chasing That Feeling’ is the perfect dance pop tune. I might be biased though…because it’s exactly the song that started playing in the middle of my half marathon recently.
The other highlight from this album is ‘Blue Spring’, which is a song TXT debuted during their recent world tour as an ode to fans. It’s a moving ballad that ultimately packs a punch in an audience full of thousands of MOAs. It’s true that I may be a bit too old to appreciate the experience of being a young Gen Z today (which is what TXT’s music has always made me feel). But timelines are dark right now, and TXT’s messages of hope and angst is something that’s needed for many young people going through tough times.
JINI - An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove (EP)
JINI surprised many fans last December when she announced she would be leaving the group NMIXX due to “personal circumstances.” Now nearly a year since her departure, she’s debuting as a solo artist. Her EP An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove gives listeners a taste of the type of music she wants to release.
There was quite a lot of promo ahead of JINI’s debut, which made it seem like she was shedding away the colourful, musical theatre-like concepts of NMIXX for something more mature and edgier. After all, it was a pretty big deal for her to leave JYP Entertainment and NMIXX in the first place, especially as the group is seen as one of the most popular new K-pop groups to come onto the scene in recent years.
An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but it’s a pretty solid debut. The title track ‘C’mon’ notably features American rapper Aminé, marking the push for JINI to be a global artist beyond the K-pop genre. However, the track is actually my least favourite of the EP. While it starts strong with a groovy baseline, fun vocal filtering and layering, the chorus itself feels kind of generic to me.
Instead, I find b-sides like ‘Dancing With the Devil’ and ‘Here We Go Again’ much more fun to listen to. Both tracks feature some really interesting vocal mixing choices that make it quite pleasant to the ears. Of course, there’s nothing lyrically mind-blowing here. But these are catchy dance tracks that I find myself gravitating more towards.
LE SSERAFIM - ‘Perfect Night’
It didn’t take long for ‘Perfect Night’ to completely win me over. It’s breezy and ethereal. And it’s also super girly! I say the latter not in a bad way. The song just simply reminds me of good times spent with my best girlfriends during a night out.
What makes the song work so well for me is just how the LE SSERAFIM members’ vocals blend so well together, along with the fun choreography. I am also obsessed with all the outfits the LE SSERAFIM girls have been wearing to promote the song. From pink dresses with ribbons to ‘80s-inspired fitness athleisure, I need it ALL.
Taemin - Guilty
Taemin really said he wasn’t going to let the spooky season go by without making a comeback. And oh my goodness, did he SERVE. The track is sultry and sensual. It’s dramatic. And the theatrical string ensemble that features through the track adds even more intrigue and mystery to Taemin’s persona.
What makes Taemin a particularly special idol is how he often isn’t afraid to fall into gender stereotypes when it comes to his image. In ‘Guilty’, he dons a maxi denim skirt — something I admit is also a staple in my closet currently (HA!). Thanks for the outfit inspo, Taemin.
Seventeen - Seventeenth Heaven (Mini Album)
Seventeen really answered my wishes for another comeback because Seventeenth Heaven arrived just in time.
Personally, I enjoyed the band’s last mini-album FML more because it played to Seventeen’s strengths when it comes to performance, production, vocals and rapping. That project further solidified Seventeen’s growth and status as veterans of K-pop. After all, Vernon raps in ‘Fire’, Been touring domes now, haven't you heard now, stadium tours now.
That said, I did mostly enjoy Seventeenth Heaven, especially as it serves as a palette cleanser to the tough news timeline we’re experiencing right now. The album is modelled around the theme of a festival, something Seventeen concerts often feel like. It’s about having fun and celebrating the healing power of music — a theme that’s explored in the exuberant title track ‘God of Music’.
Resilience and longevity as a group is another theme that runs through Seventeenth Heaven, and the track ‘Diamond Days’ even makes a callback to their 2015 track ‘Shining Diamond’ with the lyrics “Slip into the diamond life.”
The highlight of the album though is ‘Headliner’, which packs an emotional punch as a song for fans. This kind of track was definitely made for a concert setting, with waving Carat lightsticks in the background. It’s not as impactful as a song like ‘Circles’, which makes me cry every time. But I’m sure if I heard ‘Headliner’ in a stadium, I’ll probably be bawling my eyes out.
ONE PACT - G.O.A.T.
While this group hasn’t officially made its debut, One Pact has certainly made an impact (pun intended) on me.
One Pact is the latest idol group to come out after the reality competition series Boys Planet, featuring contestants Yoon Jong Woo, former TO1 member Oh Seong Min (Jerome), former Ciipher member Tag, Lee Ye Dam, and Jay Chang. (However, Tag left Boys Planet as a contestant before it started airing).
G.O.A.T. is a pre-debut track by the new group. One of the things that struck me about One Pact is how each member seems to play to each other’s strengths as a team. No one person sticks out, and that makes them seem so solid right off the bat. Their vocals and rapping just works well together.
And considering that One Pact is with a relatively small company right now, the production, choreography and rapping skills are truly impressive!
I’m really excited to see how far One Pact goes! Their official debut is Nov. 30.
Listen to Bunni Pop’s faves wherever you go:
Keena remains the sole member of FIFTY FIFTY. Agency ATTRAKT says group will be ‘reorganized’
After months of legal troubles, the K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY will be “reorganized”, according to the band’s agency ATTRAKT.
Earlier this year, the four members of FIFTY FIFTY — Keena, Saena, Siu and Aran — filed a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT, citing the violation of contractual obligations, lack of transparency in financial settlements and medical negligence during the group’s promotions. However in mid-October, Keena dropped her lawsuit against the agency and returned to the label.
In a press release sent on October 28, ATTRAKT announced it has terminated the exclusive contracts of members Aran, Siu and Saena.
"Considering the three members' contract violations, dissemination of false facts, and defamation of the agency, this was inevitable," it stated.
Meanwhile, FIFTY FIFTY has been nominated for two Billboard Awards this year: Top Duo/Group and Top Global K-Pop Song for their viral hit ‘Cupid.’
As the remaining member of FIFTY FIFTY, Keena will attend the Billboard Music Awards on November 19.
Eric Nam cancels Malaysia tour stop, citing ‘threats’ for liking post about Israel-Gaza conflict
Eric Nam is responding to backlash he has received over liking a post about the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
In mid-October, he liked an Instagram post made by political strategist Jordan C. Brown. Many of Nam’s supporters took issue with the post, calling it “insensitive” for its stance.
On October 30, Nam posted a statement addressing the pushback he’s received.
“Hi everyone - following the horrific events of October 7th, I liked a post that I believed expressed a position of anti-violence, anti-hate and was against intolerance,” he wrote.
“My liking of that post was a reaction to waking up to devastating news, as someone who has always been pro-human, pro-peace, and for love and equality for all.”
Nam then stated that he and his team have removed a tour stop in Kuala Lumpur “out of an abundance of caution for my team and my fans” after receiving “threats”.
“My heart is broken for the Palestinian and Israeli families that have been ripped apart by violence and are facing unimaginable loss. Nothing I say can be enough when there is so much pain and suffering, but I am praying every day that there is peace and safety for everyone soon,” he wrote.
G-Dragon to attend police questioning and take drug test next week, following ongoing investigations into alleged drug use
Police have imposed an overseas travel ban on Big Bang member G-Dragon, in connection to an ongoing drug investigation. G-Dragon is currently being investigated on charges for using illegal drugs. The singer has since denied the claims.
According to G-Dragon’s lawyer, the singer will take part in a police questioning and take a drug test next week.
“We urge the media and press to report with responsibility to prevent Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon’s real name), a K-pop artist representing South Korea, from being inflicted any irrevocable damage from the spread of false information,” a statement issued by G-Dragon’s legal counsel read.
G-Dragon was first booked by the Incheon Metropolitan Police on October 26. He is currently under probe without detention for his alleged breach of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act.
Meanwhile, G-Dragon is not the only star facing drug allegations. Lee Sun-kyun, an actor known for his roles in Parasite and My Mister, is also currently being investigated for illegal drug use.
Epik High and Seventeen’s Hoshi collaborate on new track ‘Screen Time’
In one of my favourite crossovers in a while, Epik High has collaborated with Seventeen member Hoshi on a new track called ‘Screen Time.’
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.
On a happier note, Epik High recently unveiled a new lightstick, shaped as a hand pointing the middle finger.
Epik High leader Tablo has previously mentioned why the group doesn’t have a lightstick, even though their old agency YG Entertainment had offered to make them one.
“True story: when Epik High was at YG, they offered to make us a lightstick and we asked for one that looks like a middle finger. And that, my friends, is why we don’t have one,” he tweeted back in April.
But due to popular demand, Epik High recently unveiled the Park Kyu Bong, which can now be pre-ordered.
This is a lightstick I absolutely need to have on my shelf. Beyond K-pop concerts, it can have multiple uses. And that my friends…is what I call K-pop MATH!
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Lots of new music this month! I think Perfect Night might be one of my favorite English track releases by a group. I think it fits the girls perfectly and it's just such feel good vibes!
LOL at "k-pop math." Not us trying to justify any and all purchases. Honestly, I'm not mad about it. More power to us practicing to become super genius mathematicians haha!