This Week in K-Music

A lot of great music came out his week. One of my favorite lady rappers dropped a solo for the first time. This is the perfect time of year for artists to release music—summer is coming, everyone is building the perfect going-on-vacation playlist, looking for fresh sounds. I love this time of year for music!

May 20:

• V.O.S—"Door"

V.O.S. = Voice of Soul... and voice of soul is just right. I've listened to this song a few times and I'm still getting chills when I listen to the chorus. There is so much emotion and power in this trio that it's to be expected. I don't understand why something this amazing has less than 100,000 views on YouTube, less than the millions it deserves. When a male voice can falsetto like you hear in this song, the world needs to hear it.

• Vincent and MANgo—"Walkin'"

Holy synth, Batman! I love EDM so much, and this is right up my alley. It has such a wonderful retro feeling to it. Even the video feels like it's from the 80's with the neon. I would love to be out clubbing with my girlfriends and this come on. It has a slower beat to grove to but that's what makes it perfect. There is such a sensuality coming from the music and the vocals that dancing to it will also feel sensual. Such a great song.

• Horim and Ami Kim— "The Cosmos"

To say I am in love with this song is a complete understatement. I was so lost in the guitar and their voices that I missed that it was completely in English my first time listening through. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful and so fitting to the sound and the video. I will be listening to this song forever. It's so beautiful, mysterious, mesmerizing all at once. I would love for it to get more attention and appreciation.

May 21:

• CROSS GENE—"Believe Me"

The song isn't new (it was released last week with the album and the title track "Fly") but the video dropped this week. It's a video for the fans, almost like a behind-the-scenes video. It's just the guys working, enjoying life, and just being themselves to a really fun, poppy song.

May 22:

• Jisook—"Edelweiss"

Jisook is a former member of RAINBOW with a voice suiting of being part of a rainbow. She has such a pure, beautiful voice. The video is simple but lovely, like the song.

May 23:

• Moonbyul (feat. Seulgi)—"Selfish"

The moment I found out that Moonbyul was doing a solo debut, I was so excited. I think that she has one of the best female voices for rapping in the industry in Korea. It's so deep and rich, so smooth and lovely. I absolutely love her (and MAMAMOO, the group she's in). The video and the lyrics match so well together, from the moment we see Moonbyul's shirt ("You have to reach the destination") to the arcade games. It's okay to do what you want regardless of what society expects of you, and it's okay to love yourself and ignore the world. Coming into my late 20s, this is something I'm learning to do as well.

• VICTION—"Time of Sorrow"

So many people were looking forward to VICTION's comeback and, boy oh boy, it has been worth the wait. It's so fresh and poppy with a nice melodic beat, so suiting to their vocals. The visuals of the video, paired with the song, is the perfect addition to a summer playlist for driving with the windows down and the radio on full blast. The choreography is lovely. I'm looking forward to a dance practice or dance version of the video.

• DAVII (feat. Heize)—"Only Me"

This song! Davii and Heize have such lovely voices that blend well together. It's such a soft, poppy, and acoustic blend that speaks to my soul. The video is funky and full of quirky visuals that will make you smile.

• KHAN—"I’m Your Girl?"

This duo reminds me so much of SISTAR that it hurts. I'm really hoping that there is a girl group that will come up as the next generation of summer bops, and I have high hopes for KHAN. This song has the beat that gets your toes tapping, your windows down, your body moving as summer breathes outside. These ladies have bright futures in the k-entertainment industry—they're talented, beautiful, and make killer music together.

• Han Yohan (feat. Kid Milli, NO:EL)—"Helicopter"

"I have a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell." This reminds me so much of Beastie Boys, and I'm not complaining. It's so different than anything I'd expect, but that's the beauty of K-Hip-Hop—it's always going to be a surprise. I'm always down for genre blends of rock and hip-hop.

Honorable mentions for May 23rd, because there is so much great music:

• HD BEATZ (Feat. The Quiett, Hash Swan, Verbal Jint)—"HD"
• Deletis (feat. Sayah)—"Love Gamble"

May 24:

• Bolbbalgan4—"Travel"and "Starlight"

"Travel" got an all-kill on the Korean music charts and I'm so proud of these ladies! They beat out BTS on all of these charts, that's how amazing this song is. It's so satisfying, guitar and pop and fresh voices from these beautiful ladies. The vocals are so lovely and unique. The visuals of the video are colorful and perfect for summer. Another group that will ring in summer every year should be Bol4.

"Starlight" is the complete opposite as their other single released—it's soft, gentle, but showcases their vocal talents. There is a lot of emotion in this song and this video, filled with color but also lovely visuals. Bol4 does not disappoint... ever.

• TheEastLight—Love Flutters (video linked at the top)

If this video doesn't make you smile at these boys' cute, pure little faces, your lips may be broken. I love Korean bands. These cuties are so talented and look so happy to be singing, playing their instruments, making music that will literally give your heart love flutters.

• Moonbyul—"In My Room"

You already read about how much I love Moonbyul (and MAMAMOO), but let's rehash it to talk about how amazing this song is. She can sing, she can rap, she can steal your heart with her smile. But this track is very personal and a lovely glimpse into how Moonbyul's musical mind works. Spoiler: IT'S WONDERFUL!

• GB9—"We’d"

I've you've been searching for an amazing ballad song, with powerful male vocals—look no farther, for I've found it for you! There are no words to explain just how emotional and moving this song is. If someone bottled their voices, I'd pay whatever I had to to have some of my own.

• Ju Kanghyeon—"Goodbye"

If the sun had a soundtrack, this would be the first and last song, and every song in between. It has such a groovy, bluesy beat that would make John Mayer shiver.

May 25

• Boyfriend—"Sunshower"

I'm not going to lie, I've been on-and-off with liking Boyfriend. I think they're talented and they have some bops, but there was always something that always kept me at a distance. However, "Sunshower" is phenomenal. It's a ballad but it's a ballad that shows how much they've grown up. It's really lovely to see these kids I've been watching since their debut grow into a song like this, showing off their voices on a title track. I always enjoy when a group or artist that I've always been kind of meh over proves me wrong. So wrong.

• Sung Sikyung—"Eternally"

Another lovely ballad. It has more of an orchestral instrumental and I am living for it. I love the sounds of string instruments accompanying gorgeous voices like Sikyung's. The video is beautiful as well, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

• 24K—"Bonnie and Clyde"

This song had to grow on me. It's a great song musically. It's heavy in hip-hop influences and really well made. It's not my cup of tea but I still appreciate the hard work and the talent in this, from the group to the lyricist to the choreographer to the producer. The video is very reminiscent of old K-Pop/K-Hip-Hop as well. I really like the concept as well.

• Blue Lamb—"Night, Star"

This video reminds me so much of a K-Drama about a normal girl in a normal life in society, something that anyone can relate to. The music fits a K-Drama OST as well. It's such a soothing, lovely song with a beautifully unique voice. K-Indie is so underappreciated and so in need of more love.

May 26

• JinJin of ASTRO (feat. SUPERBEE and myunDO)—"Like a King (Prod.Dok2)"

Jinwoo is the leader of a really precious and talented group, ASTRO. JinJin is a part of the cute, fresh image of this group. Don't be fooled by that, because this digital single project is completely different than ASTRO. The beat is infectious from the beginning. I really appreciate when K-Pop idols have a chance like this to show that they're much more than cookie-cutter mainstream artists. ASTRO is a group that is under-appreciated, so having a member step out and do something much different than expectation is always wonderful.

• YooJaeSun—"Hotel"

Oh this song, this artist. So much talent. This song is an absolute jam. You cannot help but groove, trust me.