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  • Take a Breath and Cross the Borderline

    Take a Breath and Cross the Borderline

    Kihyun is back with killer vocals and genres that explore his true self. Photo credits to Kihyun and Starship Entertainment.

    “The K in K-Pop is back!”, Monbebe around the world have been exclaiming since the moment Borderline by Yoo Kihyun was released. The powerhouse Lead Vocalist of third gen boy group, Monsta X, has dropped his third solo endeavor with the sole purpose of challenging those listening to “cross that line.” The line holding them back– the finish line. The line they never thought they could approach but have always wanted to. The line that will lead them to greatness. 

    The seven track album with a run time of twenty two minutes spends its entirety piercing the veil of normality, supported by a live band sound that Kihyun’s solo work is known for. In true Rockstar fashion, Kihyun lets loose and shows the listener that Voyager and youth–his prior two albums, were just him dipping his toes in. 

    Kihyun expressed his desire to break through a boundary he had seemingly placed on himself before his military enlistment. He desired a truth that needed to be expressed with his greatest of gifts–his voice and magnetic live performances. This album needed to be the carrier for this challenge and it was only fitting to lead off the album with the track “Borderline”. The lyrics express all that has been previously mentioned– pushing through the hesitation and reaching your potential but still striving for more. He does this with pure fun pop/rock vibes and well trained vocals.

    “So Good” is the title track that Kihyun stated he took a risk on. He waited until he had one final day left to choose a lead single before finally choosing it. This is not a typical K-Pop single, it is not a Tiktok trending song and it will not add views because of a catchy dance, but it is the song that challenged him and pushed him to a new limit. “So Good” is precisely that. Even his group members promptly posted on “Berriz” that the song is just ….. “So Good”. The emotional ballad is not an easy one to sing and the message will bring tears to your eyes–listener beware. 

    The next track on the album is “Stealin’ Air”. It is a little bit of a departure style for Kihyun. It is reminiscent of his group mate Hyungwon, with an extra serving of sensual and toned down instrumentals. The listener is gifted with Kihyun’s lower registers and tonal changes that come with years of vocal training and the vibe of a dimly lit R&B club.

    Just when you have settled into the realization that you have felt three different emotions in the last twelve minutes, “Domino” reminds you to breathe again. The foot stomping, hand clapping song of the summer takes you for a ride down the coastline and reminds you to enjoy your life–every moment of it. 

    “Lazy Day” is the perfect companion song to Bruno Mars’ classic “The Lazy Song” and brother to WooSung’s, “Lazy”. This track is complete with a tempo to sway your body to and groove in your onesie. Trumpets then come into play and remind you that we are having a party with Mr. Yoo. Now is your reminder to create a “Lazy Playlist” for the days we want to do nothing. 

    One of the most anticipated songs was the Ye-Yo! sound produced track, “Late Night Drive”. Ye-Yo! is known for writing and composing alongside Kihyun’s fellow group mate JooHoney, and their partnership has never failed to produce the exact color that is Honey. The song is a classic “stadium ballad” infused with jazz. Just when you think you are okay, there is piano and saxophone with a happy snare and high hat to remind the pacing of your heartbeat. 

    Taking the closing spot is “Howling”, Kihyun’s previously performed solo stage track. He had already stunned Monbebe with the live performances during the Nexus tour stops and fans could not get enough of the canine calls. Adding the official recording to the album was a brilliant way to gift Monbebe, especially Kikibebe, with pure Yoo Kihyun Rockstar energy. 

    Kihyun dived into many different genres and stories throughout this album, giving Monbebe a little taste of everything. Fans across the globe are anticipating a solo from him during Monsta X’s upcoming fall tour, THE X: NEXUS.

  • Music Without Apology; i-dle

    Music Without Apology; i-dle

    i-dle have returned with a brand new five track EP full of unique sounds for everyone. Photo credits to i-dle and Cube Entertainment.

    With the release of their ninth mini album We made, i-dle has re-entered the ring. Known for their unique themes, glass ceiling breaking lyrics and messages intended to make the listener question the world around them, the five member girl group has come back stronger than ever.

    Neverland, the group’s fandom, have long been awaiting the sister tracks to the previously released digital single “Mono” ft. Skaiwater, with the intriguing alter ego of leader SoYeon; Ice Blue Rabbit, at the helm. 

    “Mono”, in true i-dle form, stood ten toes down on their pro LGBTQIA+ stance and that “Love is Love” no matter what any community may think. With lyrics like “You’re from the right, or from the left. Whether East or West, whether straight or gay” and “You know you’re born to love,” there is no mistaking the groups’ stance on the matter. This track has graced fans with a “get up and move” style dance track that could never be mistaken for any group but i-dle.

    Despite “Mono” only being a pre-release, it was the perfect beginning to their newly released album. On June 6th, the complete album was released and their lead single, “Gimme Dat Love”, did not disappoint. The energy is that of a sensual adult summer, no regrets and no holding back. Ice Blue Rabbit is again credited as the lyricist, letting us know that she does not want this track to be labeled before it is heard, as another “SoYeon” track.  

    “Gimme Dat Love” may bring the audience back to their debut days as it can be related to their core sound and raw talents while also showing how they have grown and are making music for everyone. The members voices are a tad deeper than previous releases which aid in giving the song a sultry and sensual vibe that screams “hot beach days, hot beach nights.”

    The next track on the record is a pop/dance track calling back to “Nxde” days. If you are looking for something to get up and dance to and feel good while doing it, “Morning” is the one. These women never fail to make sure you will have a good time dancing, even in between heavier topics and mood setting melodies. 

    Following “Morning” is another pre release single, “Crow.” This track is unique to the group as the song opens with a sample imitating a crow. As the song continues, it features hip-hop sounds paired with heavy guitar riffs and lyrics that encapsulate the opposite of a crow. Crows are often times painted as a bad omen, but the group reclaims the meaning and flips it to tell a story of a “crow” that regains their crown. The song explains that no matter what, these ladies will keep fighting, keep working and no one can stop that. Not money, not media and not other’s opinions.

    Finally, the album is closed out with “Love is Pain”, which is written by Yuqi and is their second all English track on the album. Each member’s strong vocals are once again featured on this pop ballad. This song is a bit slower and serves as the perfect ending to the album.

    Each member of i-dle were able to show their unique colors throughout this album, showcasing that there are either a track, message, beat or dance for everyone. This is a new direction for i-dle, and Neverland around the world are excited to see what the future holds for the group.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Attending An Inkigayo Live Show

    The Ultimate Guide to Attending An Inkigayo Live Show

    Inkigayo is one of the biggest music shows in Korea, airing live every Sunday at 3:40PM. Photo credits to SBS Inkigayo.

    Whenever visiting Korea, K-Pop fans often dream of participating in activities that aren’t easily accessible- including fansigns, fanmeetings, and music shows. It can be pretty overwhelming when trying to fit those experiences in, as there are a lot of rules and regulations, and some aren’t even available to foreigners without finding a few loopholes. While it can be thrilling to sign up for lotteries or try for ticketing, sometimes simplicity is best. There is an easier way to experience at least one music show.

    SBS Inkigayo is one of the most well-known music shows within the K-Pop industry. Since 2013, the Inkigayo as we see it today airs live each Sunday. With a mixture of popular and nugu groups, the show is an opportunity to see your ults as well as discover new artists. Typically there are three MC’s for the show, all of whom are idols. There are two main sections for fans to enjoy the show: the floor in front of the stage, or seats further back. The floor area is typically reserved for fan club members for promoting groups, as many of them witness the pre-recordings before the show begins. It is also important to note that in order to be in the floor section, you have to be under a specific height requirement to avoid being hit by the moving cameras. However, it can be a complex process and isn’t even guaranteed. That’s where seating comes in. The seating area is located behind all the cameras and equipment, with tiered rows along the rear wall. The staggered levels allow for clear views for all fans.

    KoreaTravelEasy offers a bundled ticket that allows you to take a tour around Seoul and join the live airing of Inkigayo. Tickets for this experience can be pricey, typically running between $150-200, but with the ease and enjoyment, it is worth the price. When planning for the KoreaTravelEasy tour, you can expect to spend the entire day on the tour. While optional, the tour is a great chance to experience new things, especially if it’s your first time in Seoul! They offer three different tours depending on the time of year, all including walking through scenery, seeing museums, as well as a free bus ride to the SBS Broadcasting Building.

    During the day, you will walk through many sites and receive multiple breaks. Ahead of your tour, you will receive a complete, detailed schedule, which is also visible on their website. During free time, you can shop or eat lunch. Around 2:00PM, the tour guide will bring everyone to the broadcasting building to begin lining them up for entry.

    The SBS Inkigayo building is located in the Deungchon-dong neighborhood of the Gangseo District in Seoul. Photo credits to Niko.

    During the entry process, they will have you line up by the numbers on your lanyards. You will be required to show your passport as proof of identity, and it can oftentimes be a lengthy process. It’s wisest to do anything necessary–like snack or bathroom breaks– before lining up, as you may not have the time during or after. While standing in line, you have a great opportunity to get to know the people around you. I once met a girl who flew in from Japan just to see Shotaro from RIIZE! Talk about dedication! You can also prepare for who you might see, as Inkigayo posts their lineup on X (formerly known as Twitter) a few days before the show.

    As you head inside, pay attention to the second floor balcony by the entrance, as sometimes the artists will be on the stairs. When I went, Hanjin from TWS was heading up the stairs with a manager. While the manager tried to usher him away, he walked up to the railing to wave and greet fans.

    An important rule to remember is that they are strict with cell phones. Once you walk into those doors, you cannot take photos or videos. It is best to keep your phone stored in a bag or pocket, or placed on your lap. They will also stop you from holding up large signs or iPads with messages, as it blocks the view for other fans and can be distracting for the artists on camera. Once seated, feel free to gawk at the stage. It’s a lot closer than you realize. To the far right, there is a smaller stage for the MC’s, who usually come out early for makeup touchups and rehearsal. You can wave and cheer for them, as they will respond, but try not to get too rowdy once they start practicing.

    When the show starts, be sure to cheer on each artist, as some groups may not have fans in the audience and could feel neglected. When I saw Inkigayo the first time, I fell in love with EVNNE and TWS. Groups from smaller companies will be performing live for the broadcast. Once you get into larger groups with more elaborate stage setups or debut stages, they will prerecord the performance and come on stage to dance while it airs. These larger groups also usually leave the stage early, so be prepared for that. 

    During the interview portions, many of the artists will be walking in from the right stairwell entrance. If you keep an eye out, you might even get a wave or finger heart in return. The artists love interacting with fans while off-camera, so don’t be shy!

    Once the show nears its end, all the artists present will stand on stage while waiting for the winner announcement. A lot of the idols that stand to the side, and aren’t on camera, will wave and interact with fans. Try not to be loud during the announcement or acceptance speech or else you might get you a few mean looks. The Encore is also such a fun part of the event, even the winning group isn’t a group that you stan. Performed completely live, you get to watch the idols run around the stage and have a fun time. The original airing of encores do not do justice to how raw the artists sound.

    As you exit the broadcasting building, don’t leave immediately! You’ll notice other fans will start to gather around the sidewalks, waiting. Around 15 minutes after the show concludes, many artists begin to leave the building and get into their designated vans. As they leave, the artists tend to roll the windows down and wave to fans and interact with the fans. Less typically, some artists will come out and greet fans personally. When I went to my first music show, I got to meet Wumuti (a member of XLOV) outside the venue. He just had his solo debut stage and wanted to greet fans. I got to stand near him as he thanked us for our support, and it was pretty unreal.

    At the end of the day, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in all the rules and expectations, but as long as you act respectfully, you can make new friends through this experience and create memories that will last you a lifetime!