[MUSIC ALBUM REVIEW] Blackpink - Kill This Love (2019)

Blackpink is the standout girl groups in 2018. The success of Ddu-du Ddu-du gains them more international recognition from being an endorser of Shopee e-commerce brand, holding tours in various countries, becoming cover of Bilboard magazine to having performance invitation in Coachella 2019. It is amazing to see another girl group making a massive success in the third generation of K-Pop groups.

With all of their achievements, no wonder people have great anticipation on Blackpink next comeback. The girls just released their newest album called Kill This Love on Thursday, April 4^th 2019. It is another mini album with five tracks from Blackpink, which actually sucks because we want a  full album for the girls! But, hey it’s better rather than a single like two years ago ;)

Despite having few discographies, Blackpink actually manages to release catchy and addictive songs. Will Kill This Love continue this tendency? Check out my review for Blackpink new mini album below……………

Blackpink follows Ddu-du Ddu-du direction with Kill This Love. Both songs have unique verses and electronic music breakdown during the refrain part. However, Kill This Love has stronger sound due to horn domination and strong beat. It sounds epic and manages to pump up the spirit as the opening song. It also relates to the song theme that talks about how Blackpink wants to end the relationship with their boyfriend.

The horn sound in Kill This Love might create a strong impression, but it sounds less engaging when appearing during refrain part. There is no other instrumental to accompany the horn sound, which makes Kill This Love sounds empty. There is no catchy hook and beat like Ddu-du Ddu-du too that could grab people’s attention. Similar problems happen during verses, which the first one does not sound convincing. Blackpink only manages to shine at second verses because the song has more exciting build up.

Fortunately, Kill This Love music video saves Blackpink. It sticks to YG Entertainment’s style of dystopian future with its various settings and bold tone. I love how the contrast between Jennie who sits in front of swans, Lisa who roams around the supermarket, Jisoo who plays archery, and Rose who cries in the car. It makes each of them stands out with their own character. Blackpink screen presence also improves although I still think the girls embody fun yet elegant vibe more than fierce. Despite its different settings, Kill This Love music video does not look messy because it sticks with red and orange tone throughout each scene.

Don’t Know What To Do continues Blackpink tradition to have a sub-title on their mini album. This is another breakup song from the girls, which they pretend to be fine after separated from their loved ones. The electronic guitar riff during verses seems fitting with the whole theme while also manages to give uniqueness to Blackpink sound. The girls explore a bit of rock music! It is a pity that they do not stick with rock sound throughout the song because the electronic music breakdown at refrain part becomes cliché. There is no climax in Don’t Know What To Do.

Blackpink takes rock sound again with Kick It and the result is much better than Don’t Know What To Do. This is because Kick It has an actual melody from verses, refrain to chanting part at the end. Kick It starts with the combination of an electronic guitar riff, strong bass sound, and drum beat, which creates interesting verses. It also emphasizes girls’ vocal and their tone sounds nice in this song that talks about forgetting a boy.  Blackpink tries to add an electronic beat during the refrain part, but it only appears in a minimal form that makes the song still sounds cohesive yet unique at the same time.

Hope Not is the ballad of this album, which surprisingly becomes my most favorite tracks of Kill This Love. It is another rock inspired track since strong guitar riff accompanies Blackpink singing. The girls put their vocal in front throughout Hope Not and they do a great job. Their unique tone stands out while their emotions, especially Jisoo, feel raw, which is good for a song that talks about how it is better for them to break up with their lover.

Blackpink brings back Ddu-du Ddu-du craze with its remix version, which is the last track of Kill This Love album. It is another surprise from this album because the remix flows well. The song opens stronger than the original version with an electronic guitar and bass riff. Then it follows the usual verses, but there is another electronic music breakdown at the refrain that maintains a similar theme with its opening. It is shocking to see Blackpink ditch the catchy beat of Ddu-du Ddu-du original version. However, their decision achieves great results because this shows a wild take on Ddu-du Ddu-du. If only the song does not end in an abrupt way, it would be more climactic.

Kill This Love is a continuation of Blackpink fierce side after Ddu-du Ddu-du success with the whole break up theme and rock inspired music. I appreciate this combination, however, the execution does not always work well since some tracks have some issues with its disjointed production. I also think that this album lacks catchy factors compare to last year’s Square Up.

Overall, Kill This Love is not Blackpink the best attempt in music. The girls are capable of doing so much more. Plus, can we get a fun rather than fierce Blackpink for the next comeback? Because the girls shine more when they are having fun.  

Rating:                        2.5/5

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[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] Blackpink - As If It's Your Last (2017)

Blackpink is back in your area! On Thursday June 22^nd 2017, Blackpink released their newest single called As If It’s Your Last. It has different format from their previous hits. Blackpink launched As If It’s Your Last as a stand-alone single without album companion.

Bar rose high prior to Blackpink comeback in 2017. This is because all of their previous singles became success since debuting last year. Moreover, people also eager to see another girlband create summer anthem. This year’s summer scene is a bit dull after SISTAR, 2NE1, 4minute, and Wonder Girls disbandment.

With As If It’s Your Last, does Blackpink manage to provide summer anthem that everyone has been waiting for? Check out my review below………

Blackpink makes it clear that As If It’s Your Last is a fast paced song since the beginning. It opens with a glimpse of synthesizer sound followed by strong percussion. Then verses kick in where Jennie and Jisoo’s unique tone mixed with moombahton inspired instruments.

Verses are the strongest part of As If It’s Your Last. It has high energy and manages to grab people attention at the first place. Beside that, the instrumental adapts well with the current tropical house trend in international music scene.

The moombahton music changes during the bridge. Electronic dance music along with strong guitar riff companion comes in. It’s nice to see Blackpink keep YG Entertainment electronic music signature. However, it does not work well here.

The transition between moombahton and electronic dance music sounds jarring. It sounds like several songs combined into one. Aside from disjointed transition, As If It’s Your Last chorus falls flat. It cannot finish the strong build up in earlier part. How I wish they kept the moombahton element throughout the song.

Still, As If It’s Your Last is a nice track to sing and dance along. You will easily remember the lyrics while enjoy it together with your friends. It once again shows how YG Entertainment capability to produce banger compared to other agencies.

Surprisingly, As If It’s Your Last music video does not have the same problem like the song. It manages to combine different type of elements while makes it pleasing for viewers’ eye. The colorful visualization captures people attention since the first time.

The usage of bright colors with various setting such as station and parking lot successfully makes music video interesting. It does not make us dizzy since Blackpink tries to maintain same color tone. I love how black and pink tone dominates the whole music video.

Blackpink appearance is another plus point for As If It’s Your Last music video. Their makeup, styling, and costumes are on point this time. Their gorgeous appearance was emphasized with fast editing and close up shot. It makes all Blackpink members able to shine on their own.

As If It’s Your Last music video also shows Blackpink great screen presence. Each members command attention in different way, especially Jennie. Compared to their previous edgy release, the girls look more comfortable in cheerful song. They constantly smile while sing about fall in love. It successfully maintain the high energy atmosphere of As If It’s Your Last.

As If It’s Your Last is a safe attempt for Blackpink during summer season. This song is catchy enough although it needs many rooms for improvement. Meanwhile, the music video showcases bright element that fits summer theme.

So is As If It’s Your Last our answer for K-Pop girlband summer anthem? It’s still far from iconic title, but Blackpink potential shows that they are on the way there.

Rating:            3/5

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Second Male Lead Syndrome in K-Dramas: Top 10 Favorites (Part 2)

Hello everyone, I'm back with my favorite Second Male Lead in K-Dramas list! I started this list several weeks ago, but it hasn't finished yet. That's why today I decided to continue my list. 

For those of you who just read this blog, I will try to give brief explanation about this list. It was inspired by second male lead syndrome among K-Drama viewers. Just like its name, this list referred to our tendencies rooting for the other guy in K-Dramas aside from the male lead. We deeply wanted him to win the girl's heart and got his own happy ending because of various reasons. Unfortunately, our wishes did not came true and our heart crushed at the end.

In order to appreciate those charming second male leads, I decided to make special list. Today's list consisted of my other five favorite second male lead in K-Dramas. They are top tiers because of their strong characteristic which made them shine among others. So, who are they? Here are my top five favorites second male lead in K-Dramas...

5. Lee Hwi Kyung (Park Hae Jin) – You Who Came From Another Star (2013)

Before Park Hae Jin went all cold and dark (Bad Guys and Cheese in the Trap), he was a goofball in You Who Came From Another Star. Park Hae Jin acted as Lee Hwi Kyung, a naïve guy with rich background. He became Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) best friend since childhood and slowly fell in love with her.

Lee Hwi Kyung has a pure love for Cheon Song Yi. He would do anything to make her happy although his way of showing things often turned hilarious. His actions provided laugh for viewers while also became his main charming point. Park Hae Jin delivered solid performance and cute chemistry with Jun Ji Hyun in this drama. Lee Hwi Kyung was my favourite character of him to date and how I wish Park Hae Jin would comeback to this route...

Best Moments: All Lee Hwi Kyung clueless reactions towards everything about Cheon Song Yi

4. Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin) – The Heirs (2013)

Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin) was not your typical second male lead. He fitted into bad boy type which usually the archetype of male lead in K-Dramas. Choi Young Do has strong personality with his aggressive and loud behavior towards Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye). In the beginning, it was hard watching his actions because he has tendency to bully Cha Eun Sang.

Fortunately, everything started to change towards the end of drama. Choi Young Do behavior turned in 180 degree after Cha Eun Sang rejected his love. He became softer and protective towards Cha Eun Sang, even made him became her reliable friend. As the drama went along, viewers also learned about Choi Young Do rough past. He grew up without unconditional love from parents.

The journey of Choi Young Do was one of the main things that hooked viewers watching The Heirs. His character got proper development and closure, things that other characters including the main one did not get. Choi Young Do character also worked well because of Kim Woo Bin acting. He put enough balance of charisma, wit, and vulnerability to this character. No wonder Kim Woo Bin career took off greatly after The Heirs.

Best Moments: Choi Young Do simple confession to Cha Eun Sang

3. Seo Ha Joon (Ji Soo) – Sassy Go Go (2016)

Seo Ha Joon (Ji Soo) characteristics were quite similar to Choi Young Do. Both were rough guy who raised without parents' love. They always appeared tough eventhough their heart was wounded.

However, there was huge difference that made Seo Ha Joon more likeable than Choi Young Do. It was his sincerity. Seo Ha Joon was a loyal bestfriend for Lee Yeol (Lee Won Geun) and guardian for Kang Yeon Doo (Jung Eun Ji). I love how he just turned naive and adorable whenever interacted with them, especially Kang Yeon Doo. We could feel how much he treasured them.

That characteristic provided a solid storyline to Seo Ha Joon. We saw him developed his character throughout the drama and got proper closure without losing his roots. Still Seo Ha Joon strong character could work because of Ji Soo layered portrayal.

Best Moments: When Seo Ha Joon found Kang Yeon Doo after she got lost. His relieved and hug was heartbreaking to watch

2. Cha Gwan Woo (Yoon Sang Hyun) – I Hear Your Voice (2013)

 

I Hear Your Voice was one of few dramas where its four lead have strong characteristic and different from each other. This included Cha Gwan Woo (Yoon Sang Hyun). He was a high-spirited rookie lawyer that always wanted to do the right thing. However, he did not find it easy to achieve it.

There were often false accusation or corruption among criminal cases. Plus, Cha Gwan Woo had trouble with social interaction because he’s so geeky and awkward. This was where female lead Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young) came. She was a stubborn public defender that has opposite way of thinking from Cha Gwan Woo. Because of their differences, these two kept bantering. Their interaction was delightful to watch and their chemistry was strong.

I like how Yoon Sang Hyun put enough heart to Cha Gwan Woo character. It made viewers easy to root for him because of his strong principal. That was why we felt relieve to see him able to fight for justice in the end despite did not end up with Jang Hye Sung.

Best Moments: Every single time Cha Gwan Woo banters with Jang Hye Sung

1. Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol) – Reply 1988 (2016)

When you thought Reply series had it enough to break viewers heart, they did it again! We met Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol) in their next installment Reply 1988. At first, Kim Jung Hwan seemed not belong to second lead male category. He was not that handsome and he has prickly yet cold personality. But behind that not so nice exterior, he was a softie on the inside.

Kim Jung Hwan cared deeply about his surroundings. He did not hesitate doing embarrassing and game changing things as long as his family members happy. He willed to stand up from his friends when they encountered bad things too. Then let’s not forget, he always protect the female lead Sung Deok Sun (Girl’s Day Hyeri). Kim Jung Hwan did all of these things silently, without expect anything in return.

His actions made Kim Jung Hwan basically a perfect character. However, Ryu Jun Yeol able to give rawness to Kim Jung Hwan character which made him relatable and did not out of reach. He did an amazing job despite Reply 1988 being his debut in K-Drama scene.

Best Moments: When Kim Jung Hwan covered Sung Deok Sun from crowded passengers in bus…that was the first moment viewers fell in love with him.

So, that was the end of my top 10 favorites second male lead in K-Dramas list. Hope you guys enjoyed it eventhough it was painful to remember their sacrifice for the female lead L Do share your personal thoughts about these charming second leads or maybe tell me if you have other favorites beside them ;)

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