J-Hope - Daydream
BTS’s J-Hope released his long-anticipated Hope World mixtape yesterday with a music video for his lead song, “Daydream.” The groovy track is distinctly J-Hope, bold and colorful like his energetic personality, yet also completely serious as a musician with his lyricism and understated vocals. Through “Daydream,” J-Hope reveals his thoughts and perspective on his “half and half” life as a public figure and as a private person. He talks about his many desires, some of which are perfectly attainable, while others he acknowledges will only ever be dreams.
Hope World is currently smashing the charts and breaking records for any Korean solo artist, taking the #1 spot on iTunes in at least 70 countries the last time we checked.
NCT U - Baby Don't Stop
NCT U gave us no room to breathe between the release of their last MV “Boss” and this week’s new single. The group's ambitious project this year includes releasing a total of six music videos to accompany their full NCT 2018 album scheduled for March 14 KST, which will feature tracks by all 18 members in their various sub-units.
For their second pre-release track, Ten and Taeyong pair up for a dangerously good performance in “Baby Don’t Stop.” NCT consistently brings new sounds and dance to the K-pop scene, so we’re not surprised that this production focuses mostly on vibe and dance ability. The simple instrumentals and sticky melody strategically fades in and out to underscore the intense bass throughout the song, while Ten and Taeyong match the vibe with an aggressively charismatic performance in the form of croons, whispers, and raps.
CLC - Black Dress
We've seen CLC in about every girl-group concept to exist in K-pop, but none have gotten them charting recognition as much as their fierce imagery from their 2017 "Hobgoblin." Now, CLC is revisiting their harder-edge hip-hop/edm concept in a powerfully sexy "Black Dress."
"Black Dress" wastes no time in hitting hard with the zingy instrumentals, aggressive percussion, and seductive lyrics. The best thing about the song, however, is its MV, which portrays the members in confidently sexy scenes. There's something so incredibly boss about all the women breaking it down in tailored suits and not a single black dress in sight. The scene where the women sit around a table with member Eunbin confidently dancing on a pole is some provocative imagery we've rarely seen in K-pop.