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  • 5 Of Our Favorite Songs Out Of SUNMI’s HEART MAID

    SUNMI is an icon in every sense of the word. Since the 2nd gen of K-Pop, SUNMI has blessed us with her voice and talent, going from one of the most iconic girl groups to dominating the scene as a soloist. After giving us many unforgettable hits, her first full-length album as a soloist is finally here, and her talents as a songwriter and producer are shining brighter than ever before. From the influence of dance music to rock sounds, HEART MAID explores the entirety of SUNMI’s artistry, making every song a gem. But there are those that no one should miss out on!

    ‘BLUE!’

    Before we got the entirety of HEART MAID, SUNMI dropped two singles, and they remain among the best songs on the album. While ‘Balloon In Love‘ was released last summer, ‘BLUE!’ was released earlier this year as the official first taste of HEART MAID. It’s a soft, magical, encapsulating song about unconditional love that feels bittersweet yet youthful, influenced by both synth-pop and band music. Everything about this song is better, and what made it even better was the aesthetic SUNMI accompanied it with – the ideas behind the song, the short blond hair, and, of course, she was back on the bass. Even with the entirety of HEART MAID, ‘BLUE!’ remains one of the main highlights in the release.

    ‘DDU DDU’

    One of the most fun sides of HEART MAID is when SUNMI dips her toes completely in dance tracks, and ‘DDU DDU’ is the best example of this. She’s always been amazing at this type of music, and ‘DDU DDU’ is fun, carefree, and one of her best dance tracks yet. If there’s one b-side from HEART MAID that could be a title track, it’s ‘DDU DDU.’ It’s catchy and infectious, all while saving that side of SUNMI that makes everything seem intricate and dark. It’s not a coincidence that this is the fan favorite.

    ‘Bath’

    While HEART MAID offers fun tracks, towards the end of the album, SUNMI also gets more vulnerable, offering us sweeter, comforting tracks. The best one? ‘Bath.’ The second-to-last track in HEART MAID is the perfect blend of the influence of band music in SUNMI’s discography, her sweet, enveloping voice, and her ability to build an atmosphere and a story in only a few minutes. ‘Bath’ is that ballad that sticks, with an atmosphere perfect for the fall and the winter.

    ‘Tuberose’

    ‘Tuberose’ is the highlight of HEART MAID, with its sultry, enticing, mysterious sound. Not only is the guitar solo in the post-chorus exquisite, but SUNMI’s mixing of soft and powerful vocals gives this song a rich texture and a big personality. ‘Tuberose’ is SUNMI excellence only like she can do. And having it followed by the bass solo in the interlude with ‘Bass(ad)’ makes it even better. If there’s one b-side to remember among all these gems, it’s ‘Tuberose.’

    ‘CYNICAL’

    While every single b-side in HEART MAID is worth all the attention, the star of the show for this release is, of course: ‘CYNICAL.’ SUNMI has always excelled at giving us strange, weird, spooky, and cheeky songs, and ‘CYNICAL’ is one of the best examples of this kind of music, so props to her. With its electronic sound, ‘CYNICAL’ is full of irony, giving it an even more unsettling yet fun energy. Even when you’re done listening to the entire album, it’s the song that will never leave your mind.

    What’s your top five in SUNMI’s HEART MAID? What was your favorite single from the album? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • Pentagon’s Jinho Brings Us Comfort and Serves Vocals In CHO:RD

    Pentagon’s Jinho Brings Us Comfort and Serves Vocals In CHO:RD

    Pentagon’s Jinho has been taking over our playlist for almost a month now. Jinho made his solo debut first in Japan at the end of August, and now he’s making his solo debut in Korea. And these songs are everything to us. It’s never been a secret that Jinho is one of the best vocalists in the industry, so we were expecting to be blown away when the day of his solo debut finally arrived. And that’s exactly what Jinho did with the release of CHO:RD, both in Japanese and Korean. CHO:RD explores the many sides of his artistry and showcases his voice in the most gorgeous way to remind us–not that we needed a reminder–how incredible he is.

    ‘Teddy Bear’

    Jinho explored different sides of his talent with this mini-album. Each song is special in its own way, showcasing his versatility as an artist and singer. Jinho has always radiated an energy of care and reassurance, and somehow he managed to capture that feeling with the title track, ‘Teddy Bear.’ The song is a jazz-inspired, lowkey song that will comfort you at your lowest. For this song, Jinho plays with the softest side of his voice. Building off of such a cute concept as the teddy bear that comforts you when you have nightmares and is there with you every step of the way, Jinho found a way to make a soft yet sophisticated song that seems to embody everything he’s about. The music video encapsulates this unique concept in such a fun and sweet way, almost resembling a fairy tale.

    Apart from being such an amazing song, ‘Teddy Bear’ feels like a warm hug on a cold day. And just like Jinho, this song is extremely precious to us.

    CHO:RD

    But CHO:RD is about much more than just ‘Teddy Bear.’ ‘Goodbye With You’ is the perfect opening track. It has a soft start, and the instrumental and Jinho’s voice slowly build the song to hit right in the feelings. The message makes it all the more powerful as Jinho sings about the process of letting go of someone and moving on. ‘Goodbye With You’ is a perfect song to showcase the control Jinho has over his voice and how he conveys emotions so beautifully. ‘Dear Precious One, Our Shimmering Days,’ on the other hand, is a song that sounds right out of an anime with its J-Rock energy. It’s bright and a boost of serotonin and energy; it’s that good. And just like ‘Teddy Bear,’ if we were to be asked which version of these songs is better, we wouldn’t be able to pick.

    More B-Sides!

    ‘OVER’ is an instant highlight and the only song to be the same in both releases, as it is an all-English song. While the rest of the songs tend to be more subtle and have a slower build-up, ‘OVER’ does not hold back when it comes to giving us Jinho belting and outsinging everyone. It’s a striking, impactful, and frankly addictive pop-rock banger that never ceases to blow us away with how powerful Jinho sounds. The other b-sides are full of love, while this one is full of hurt and resentment, yet power and confidence. ‘OVER’ is really that b-side in CHO:RD.

    Closing Tracks

    Jinho released CHO:RD in both Japanese and Korean. Apart from the language, there is another difference between the two mini-albums, and that is the closing track. ‘merry-go-round’ is a Japanese exclusive b-side. It emanates happiness in the cutest way. While it is not explicitly a Christmas song, it would fit perfectly for the season with its bright, jazzy sound and its lovely message. And on the Korean side, we got ‘Bad Criminal,’ a much different song from its counterpart. The song explores a complicated relationship and carries a sensual energy with its rhythm, lyrics, and melodies. That’s the extent of Jinho‘s versatility.

    Whether it’s in Japanese or in Korean, CHO:RD is a perfect solo mini-album for Jinho. He poured everything in the lyrics, composition, and vocals. Jinho will forever be one of our favorite vocalists. And to have CHO:RD in our hands is a dream come true.

    You can listen the Japanese version here. And you can also check out the Korean version here.

    Was ‘Teddy Bear’ what you expected from Jinho’s solo debut? What’s your favorite song out of CHO:RD? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • 5 Of Our Favorite Stray Kids’ Seungmin Solo Songs

    5 Of Our Favorite Stray Kids’ Seungmin Solo Songs

    Stray Kids‘ Seungmin’s voice has a unique tone to it. He conveys every emotion in such a beautiful and unforgettable way. Seungmin has always been amazing at what he does, but he has grown to not only be an incredible vocalist but also a mind-blowing songwriter. Between OSTs, solo stages during tours, SKZ-REPLAY, and SKZ-Player, Seungmin has never stopped giving us masterpieces as his solo songs. All his songs feel extremely precious, given how much care and love they are treated and how they showcase his vocals in the most beautiful way. Here are our favorites!

    ‘Here Always’ (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha OST, 2020)

    If we’re talking about Seungmin‘s solo songs, ‘Here Always’ can’t be missed. This 2020 OST was not only his first OST but also his first-ever solo song. Seungmin has the perfect voice for an OST; it’s soft, melodic, distinguishable, and unique. And it was confirmed by the release of ‘Here Always.’ This ballad is subtle yet full of emotions and comfort. ‘Here Always’ is a perfect song, and it makes it even more perfect that Seungmin sings it. It will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

    ‘Stars and Raindrops’ (SKZ-REPLAY, 2022)

    And talking about songs that will always remain special… Before the release of SKZ-REPLAY, Seungmin‘s SKZ-Players were always covers that were already incredibly special to us and a fantastic way to showcase his vocals – no wonder that evolved into SONG by. ‘Stars and Raindrops’ was indeed the first solo song by Seungmin that he had writing credits on. That’s enough to make it special. The truth is that words cannot describe how magical ‘Stars and Raindrops’ is. Seungmin created a unique, luring atmosphere with gorgeous, catchy melodies that make us ascend every single time. There is no getting tired of ‘Stars and Raindrops,’ it is simply too good.

    ‘Phobia’ (I’m the Queen in This Life OST, 2024)

    ‘Phobia’ instantly sets itself apart from the rest of Seungmin’s OSTs. ‘Here Always,’ ‘Close To You,’ and ‘Destiny’ are all absolute masterpieces with their own merit. All three songs have that beautiful soft ballad feel to them that we love and fit Seungmin wonderfully. ‘Phobia,’ on the other hand, gives Seungmin the opportunity to explore his vocals in a different genre: pop-rock. His voice is soothing and comforting, but it also carries so much power, and Seungmin fits a more hard-hitting pop-rock to perfection. The mixture between softness and power encapsulates exactly how versatile Seungmin is and his incredible vocal technique.

    ‘As we are’ (2024)

    Stray Kids gave us unforgettable solo stages in both the 5-STAR Dome Tour and dominATE World Tour. In the case of Seungmin, he performed first ‘Perfume,’ and while that deserves all the praises in the world, we do need to talk about the beauty that is ‘As we are.’ Not only was the song a beautiful way to showcase his vocals, but the stage itself was beyond stunning. On top of that, Seungmin took this opportunity to perform while playing the guitar, making it even more special. ‘As we are’ embodies everything we love about Seungmin‘s solo music. The day ‘As we are,’ and ‘Perfume’ too, get released on streaming platforms, it’s over for all other songs.

    ‘Hold On’ (2023)

    Add Seungmin’s voice to Han‘s lyrics, and you get one of the best songs ever to see the light of day. ‘Hold On’ is the perfect display of all the emotions Seungmin can convey with his voice. ‘Hold On‘ is an unforgettable song for its lyrics and the way Seungmin sings it, tugging at our heartstrings in a way only he can. It’s a unique song that showcases Seungmin‘s incredible vocals and that unique tone that makes every song so pleasant and magical to listen to.

    What is your absolute favorite Seungmin solo song? What type of song would you love to see him do? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • Let’s ‘Dive’ Into ASTRO Yoon Sanha’s Solo Debut

    Let’s ‘Dive’ Into ASTRO Yoon Sanha’s Solo Debut

    It seemed like it was only a matter of time before we got to see ASTRO‘s Yoon Sanha debut as a soloist. And our days of waiting are finally behind us! Sanha just debuted as a soloist with ‘Dive’ and his first mini-album DUSK, giving us everything we expected, everything we wanted, and so much more. DUSK is personal, vulnerable, intense, and a perfect encapsulation of how far Sanha’s talent can go as an artist, singer, and idol.

    ‘Dive’

    ‘Dive’ feels different and refreshing right from the beginning. It starts all stripped down with only a guitar and Sanha‘s distinctive voice, and it’s enough to establish a vibe and so many different emotions. ‘Dive’ has one of the most satisfactory builds up: the chorus is absolute pop excellence with the way it explodes and explores the push and pull of emotions between love and hate. ‘Dive’ truly has so many layers to it and ends up hitting in the perfect way. All this gloomy, angsty energy is perfectly translated into the music video as we see Sanha walk down the streets of London, seemingly lost and directionless. The aesthetic really made ‘Dive’ go even harder. It’s dark, angsty, infectious, and a song we can’t see ourselves getting tired of any time soon.

    DUSK

    While ‘Dive’ is a definite highlight of this release, Sanha truly put all of him in DUSK. And we simply cannot talk about this amazing title track without talking about its b-sides. DUSK opens with probably the most important song in the album. Opening the album with a ballad might feel strange, but this had to be the opening song. ‘Yeowoobyul’ is just a guitar, some drums, Sanha‘s soft voice, and some of the most gorgeous and heartfelt lyrics he wrote for his members, specifically Moonbin. It sets Sanha’s mini-album as something personal, vulnerable, and extremely real to him. This vulnerability is also shown through other b-sides, like ‘Losing My Mind,’ a beautiful piano ballad that showcases even more of the power and emotion in Sanha’s voice.

    More B-Sides

    ‘BITTERSWEET MISTAKE’ switches the tone of DUSK with its R&B vibe, but it remains equally vulnerable through a more mysterious and dark sound. It builds right into ‘Dive’ and the track ‘BLEEDING’ keeps that intensity and energy. If you love some of the most iconic songs from Moonbin and Sanha‘s sub-unit like ‘WHO,’ then ‘BLEEDING’ will be the one for you. It’s dark, enticing, and addictive – truly a highlight in DUSK. Meanwhile, the closing track, ‘Rain Down On Me,’ brings something entirely new for the album. The vibey, slowed-down, sexy R&B style is not something we’ve seen Sanha do before, but it’s excellent proof that he’s always open to new things and can fit everything.

    DUSK shows us not only what we already knew Sanha was all about, but it’s also about him exploring new things and putting himself out there. And it paid off because DUSK is already an unforgettable mini-album and solo debut.

    Was Sanha’s solo debut what you expected? What’s your favorite song in DUSK? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • Feel The ‘Strawberry Rush’ With Chuu’s Second Mini-Album

    Feel The ‘Strawberry Rush’ With Chuu’s Second Mini-Album

    Chuu’s first mini-album was a perfect release to introduce the world to who she really is as an artist. While we still haven’t gotten tired of those incredible songs, Chuu isn’t wasting any time, and she’s back with her first solo comeback, Strawberry Rush! And yes, it’s just as good as (if not better than) Howl…

    The Title Track

    After ‘Howl,’ Chuu taps into retro and city pop for her new title track, ‘Strawberry Rush.’ The song is energetic and fun but still has undertones full of hope and emotions. The surprising rap parts are a cute highlight of this song. ‘Strawberry Rush’ is all about support, love and reassurance. It embodies Chuu’s positive side perfectly – it’s sweet, full of flavor, and full of love. Overall, it’s such a fresh and addictive song, perfect for the summer.

    Right from her debut, Chuu created a visual world of her own with her music videos, and the music video for ‘Strawberry Rush’ continues in that world. In ‘Howl,’ Chuu comes out of the dark and embraces the idea that life comes with uncertainty but also beauty. With ‘Strawberry Rush,’ we’re thrown into a world full of color, fun animations, and creativity. If ‘Strawberry Rush’ didn’t give you the serotonin boost you needed by itself, its music video will do it.

    The B-sides

    Chuu stuck to the style and energy she had displayed on her first mini-album and we love that. But she still manages to give us fresh and unique songs in Strawberry Rush that expand her range. ‘Honeybee’ is a sweet, summery track clearly inspired by bossa nova. It showcases the softer, more lowkey side of her vocals, and the play on words all throughout the song makes it even better.

    Chuu has been known for always bringing happiness and spreading positivity. And that’s precisely what she does with her music, but even more so with ‘Daydreamer.’ In this b-side, Chuu sings about romanticizing everyday life, seeing the bright side of things, and daydreaming about a beautiful world. ‘Daydreamer’ captures the magic of creativity and finding beauty in everything, both in the lyrics and the instrumental.

    ‘Lucid Dream’ has to be one of the main highlights of Strawberry Rush. In this beautiful song, Chuu sings about embracing her dreams and believing in herself against all odds. ‘Lucid Dream’ has a certain vulnerability to it, both with its vocals and melodies, all while remaining optimistic. It’s a true celebration of Chuu’s path, dream, talent and art.

    Strawberry Rush closes with ‘Chocolate’ and its English version, a special single Chuu released for Valentine’s Day earlier this year. It’s a cute, addictiv,e and upbeat love song. Even months after its release, we’re still obsessed with this one. With the video game motifs, ‘Chocolate’ fits perfectly into Strawberry Rush, making it an even brighter release.

    Chuu continues to brighten our lives with her music and expands her world through her music, music videos, and artistic vision. Strawberry Rush is a perfect mini-album for the summertime and a killer first comeback. Chuu is a solo artist everyone should have in their playlist right now.

    Are you loving ‘Strawberry Rush’ as much as we are? What’s your favorite b-side on Chuu’s new mini-album? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • We’re Playing Yves’ Solo Debut On LOOP

    We’re Playing Yves’ Solo Debut On LOOP

    Since her reveal as the ninth LOONA member, we’ve come to know and fall in love with Yves’ charm and overflowing talent. And we’ve known for a while that she would come out with a solo debut like no other – and the day is finally here!

    Yves delivered LOOP as her first mini-album and her official re-debut as a solo artist, and it was everything we expected and so much more. Working with artists from within her label, Yves was able to bring to life her vision of the artist that she wants to be and deliver incredible music in the process. LOOP shows who Yves truly is as an artist, and let us tell you: everyone should have their eyes on her.

    Image Source: PAIX PER MIL

    The Title Track

    The title track, ‘LOOP,’ can only be described as an absolute banger. ‘LOOP’ is the perfect mixture of a nostalgic and refreshing sound. This song is simply excellent. With ‘LOOP,’ Yves served us the perfect club track with heavy house influence and a fun and dynamic chorus that will not leave your mind. The feature of the Korean-American rapper Lil Cherry really adds an extra spark to the track to an already perfect song.

    And, of course, Yves served with the music video. We didn’t expect anything less from her. The looks, the atmosphere, everything about this music video add even more to ‘LOOP.’ Yves is known for many things: one of those things is just how much of an amazing dancer she is. To see her back at it, better than ever, makes this even more satisfying. ‘LOOP’ is truly a gem in every way you look at it.

    The B-Sides

    It’s not only the title track that is a gem, though. LOOP expresses every side of Yves’ artistry. The four tracks explore different influences and styles, giving us a perfect look into Yves’ mind and art.

    ‘DIORAMA’ serves as a perfect opening track with its dreamy energy. Yves truly taps on R&B influence with this track and gives us perfection. Meanwhile, ‘Afterglow’ truly sets itself apart with its pop-rock influence. The instrumental, especially with how raw the guitar sounds, mixed with her most vulnerable and powerful moments vocally make this track an easy highlight. ‘Afterglow’ hits in all the right ways.

    Finally, ‘Goldfish’ serves as closure to this gem of a first mini-album. The track slows down as it’s an acoustic ballad full of emotion. It’s the only track in LOOP entirely in Korean, giving it an extra-personal feel. ‘Goldfish’ is a beautiful moment in LOOP that brings so much comfort through the lyrics and melodies. It’s the perfect way to end this gem.

    Yves’ aim with this release was to express her authentic self and explore all the sides of her artistry, and we can assure you that LOOP does just that and so much more. Yves is a unique artist, and this is clearly only the beginning.

    Was ‘LOOP’ what you expected for Yves’ solo debut? What’s your favorite song out of LOOP? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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