K-Pop Recap: Best of January '18

With many groups already promoting and others not-so-subtley hinting at comebacks, it appears already that 2018 will be yet another promising year for K-pop. But before we kick off the second month of the year, let's recap the tracks and albums of January you absolutely must check out while they're still new to the scene.

OH MY GIRL "Secret Garden

A personal favourite group of mine, OH MY GIRL, have started off the year on a high with their new release of "Secret Garden." The dream-like video resembles the group's past aesthetics, whilst the song itself doesn't fail to live up to their previous tracks, known for their musical complexity, showcasing the members' consistently strong vocals. To top it all off, this solid comeback has allowed the girls their first win on multiple weekly music shows! If you're new to OH MY GIRl, this era is the perfect chance to catch up on the group as they begin to gain more recognition.

MOMOLAND—"BBoom BBoom"

Now if you haven't heard this song, there is a high chance you've been sleeping under a rock. Once again, we have an example of a song that's really allowed a girl group to flourish, with MOMOLAND returning with a new, fresh sounding track which differs from the group's previous promotions. Old and new fans alike are falling in love with this adorable yet cool concept, from the catchy beat to the iconic dance moves. This song will certainly come to mind when we look back on the year of 2018 in the K-pop world.

JongHyun—"Shinin'"

The final instalment in the late SHINee member's discography certainly doesn't fail to disappoint. After SM entertainment announced that his final works would be released, I myself was nervously preparing to feel heartbreak all over again. However, the title track, "Shinin'," is a gorgeous and uplifting song worth anyone's time, fan or otherwise, with the touching hook of "always be with you" acting as a strange sense of reassurance to those in mourning. Bearing resemblance to the classic bitter-sweet SHINee sound, the song is full of emotion, with feelings of both joy and sentiment. Furthermore, SM have stated that proceeds from the album will go to the singer's relatives.

Red Velvet—"Bad Boy"

Following on from the great success of Peekaboo last year, Red Velvet have returned with a repackaged addition of their latest album, featuring new title track "Bad Boy." Already, the video has sparked up interest over the girls' stunning visuals and the overall aesthetic of the concept. As for the track itself, it's a sound that casual fans may not be familiar with, but those who know the group's full discography will feel right at home with the soft beats and unique melodic development. With many fans already claiming it be an iconic era, it's a comeback set up to go down in ReVeluv history.

VAV—"SPOTLIGHT"

A previously lesser-known group, VAV, are already breaking their own records with their new title song "SPOTLIGHT." The song has a smooth feel that comes across as more sophisticated than their previous music, but has a good beat, and when combined with the video exhibits their strength in both dance and vocals, showing the world what this group is capable of. With a strong start, and dedicated fans pushing them even further, 2018 could be an advancing year for VAV.

Amber x Luna—"Lower"

As expected, f(x) fans are ecstatic over this new collaboration through SM station featuring members Amber and Luna, cleverly embracing their two unique styles in terms of visuals and dance. The video pairs perfectly with the contemporary sounding dance track, with the use of black and white bringing out the best from the concept's aesthetic and the eye-catching choreography. Equally, the coloured city shots have a night-life vibe, matching well with the mystery the overall sound creates. This only has fans begging for more from the f(x) members in the coming year, and I doubt they'll be disappointed.