K-pop is something that I’ve always been exposed to growing up, mostly big bang, 4minute, and girls generation. It wasn’t until around 2012-2013 that I really got into it and discovered a lot of new groups. The k-pop world is extremely competitive especially since everyone is so talented and are always releasing amazing albums. My personal favorite albums are 9801, XOXO, Undivided, Summer Nights, and Square Up. All of these albums largely vary from each other in terms of style, but they all have really great songs that can either make me very hype or get in my feels. The artist who sing these songs are also part of what make their songs so amazing to me, all of their voices fit very well with each of their songs whether it’s an upbeat song or a slow ballad. There are so many other albums that I really love to listen to but I really especially loved these 5 albums not just for the music but also I was drawn in by the unique concepts and how well everything goes together.
Number 1: 9801 (Wooseok X Kuanlin)
9801 is a collaboration between Lai Kuanlin, a former member of Wanna one, and Jung Wooseok, a current member of Pentagon. The mini album was released on March 11th, 2019, about a month after Wanna One’s last concert and disbandment. The album consist of 5 tracks, the title track being i’m a star which is sung by both Wooseok and Kuanlin, the rest being solo tracks by each. I really love how every song in this album has such a deep message and it can be a big motivation to everyone who listens to it. The songs explain various feelings of keeping your head high in life despite the difficult times and doing your best and showing people who you are.
Every album typically contains a CD with all of the songs, a photo book, stickers/bookmarks, and a photo card.
Processed with VSCO with c1 preset
Number 2: XOXO (Exo)
XOXO is Exo’s first album which instantly became a hit and made them one of the most popular boy groups. It’s title track “growl” became a national anthem in Korea, with almost everyone in the country knowing it. It contains 14 tracks ranging from dance-pop songs to slow ballads. This album has a lot of “innocence” in it that you would expect from a newly debuted group. It’s really refreshing to listen to.
Number 3: 1/1=1 Undivided (Wanna One)
Undivided is an album by Wanna One, a popular boy group that was formed through a show called Produce 101. The album undivided consist of 5 tracks, the title track being “Light” which is sung by every member. The other 4 tracks were created by sub-units of the Wanna One members through a show called “Wanna One X-Con.” Every track in the album is very very different especially since they were all produced by extremely different people with their own unique styles but they all somehow still go together well with the concept undivided.
Number 4: Summer Nights (Twice)
Summer Nights is an album sung by Twice, one of the most popular girl groups. It’s a really fun song with sweet vocals that is meant for summer. This album is a more feminine and mature song which I really enjoy from them. It has 9 tracks, all of which are really good and relaxing to listen to.
Number 5: Square Up (Blackpink)
Square Up is one of Blackpink’s most successful albums, it’s title track “ddu ddu” was also widely popular and became a hit song as soon as it was released. The album contains 4 tracks which all relate to love. I find their songs really nice to jam to at parties and to get hyped up.
Discography
Blackpink. Square Up. YG Entertainment, 2018 https://youtu.be/pWNg20NH4Hs
EXO. XOXO. SM Entertainment, 2013. https://youtu.be/jdvK7ND75dY
Twice. Summer Nights. JYP Entertainment, 2018. https://youtu.be/5ebTkiPncOE
Wanna One. 1/1=1 Undivided. Stone Music Entertainment, 2018. https://youtu.be/5ebTkiPncOE
Wooseok X Kuanlin. 9801. Cube Entertainment, 2019 https://youtu.be/bOKZy-XH_8Y
Ashley's Blog 