Manga and Anime Maniac

I am an A.R.M.Y and so what

Face-Off

Owned by Big Hit Music

Jaeguchi

NO.18

Google Images

Coming in at No.18, we have Purple Kiss and their 5th mini album Cabin Fever.

I've pretty much liked Purple Kiss since their debut, but they've never succeeded in getting into my top albums list, until 2023. This album is such a good album, I loved each track. There were some tracks that really blew me away as I forgot who I was listening to.

Sweet Juice

Owned by RBW

PURPLE KISS

Autopilot

Owned by RBW

Chaemin

NO.17

Google Images

Coming in at No.17, we have THE BOYZ with their 2nd full album Phantasy Pt.2: Sixth Sense.

I love when THE BOYZ do bright concepts but for me it's their darker concepts that pull me in more. Watch It definitely has to be one of my favourite title tracks and it really sets the whole album.

Watch It

Owned by IST Entertainment

THE BOYZ

Honey

Owned by IST Entertainment

Chaemin

NO.16

Google Images

Coming in at No.16, we have Dreamcatcher and their 9th mini album VillainS.

Dreamcatcher have not appeared on top albums chart since 2020. They never fail to surprise me and while I love their rocky sounding title tracks, OOTD has definitely peaked and become my favourite title track from them.

OOTD

Owned by Dreamcatcher Company

Dreamcatcher official

Rising

Owned by Dreamcatcher Company

Chaereve

NO.15

Google Images

Coming in at No.15, is Xdinary Heroes and their 4th mini album Livelock.

I was pleasantly surprised with this album, while I've liked their releases in the past, this one is definitely my favourite release of theirs.

Break the Brake

Owned by JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment

Freddy

Owned by JYP Entertainment

ShadowByYoongi

NO.14

Google Images

Coming in at No.14, we have The Rose with their 2nd full length album Dual.

This is the first time I've sat and listened to a The Rose album, and I've been missing out. This album is amazing, I loved each of the tracks, they're really catchy and I always find myself singing along.

Back To Me

Owned by Windfall

The Rose

Nauseous

Owned by Windfall

NO.13

Google Images

Coming in at No.13, we have ATEEZ with their 11th mini album The World Ep.2: Outlaw.

This album was definitely my favourite release if theirs in 2023. From start to finish this album is amazing, each track fits perfectly and really showcases ATEEZ at their best.

Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)

Owned by KQ Entertainment

KQ ENTERTAINMENT

This World

Owned by KQ Entertainment

NO.12

Google Images

Coming in at No.12, we have Lee Chaeyeon and her 2nd mini album Over The Moon.

Chaeyeon was one of my favourite debuts in 2022, so I knew I'd be keeping an eye on her in 2023 and I'm glad I did. I loved this mini album each track stands out and shows she's good at what she does.

Knock

Owned by WM Entertainment

LEE CHAE YEON

I Don't Wanna Know

Owned by WM Enterainment

Chaereve

NO.11

Google Images

Coming in at No.11 and just missing out on my Top 10, we have KINGDOM and their 7th mini album, History of Kingdom: Part VII. Jahan.

This album was the perfect way to conclude their History of Kingdom album series, I loved how the title track connected their past releases. They really are such an underrated group and each album proves that.

쿠데타 (COUP D’ETAT)

Owned by GF Entertainment

KINGDOM (킹덤)

On My Way

Owned by GF Entertainment

foolmeg

NO.10

Google Images

Coming in at No.10, we have Kim Woojin and his 2nd mini album The Moment: Bounce.

We waited just over 2 years for this release and it was definitely worth it, and I have to say it's better than his debut mini album.

On My Way

Owned by 10x Entertainment

Song of Icarus

Owned by 10x Entertainment

WONNIE

NO.9

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Coming in at No.9, with their debut mini album is ZEROBASEONE and Youth In The Shade.

I only ever saw snippets of Boys Planet, after I-Land, I don't think I could get attached to the participants again. But I decided to check out their debut mini album and was in love from the first listen. They're definitely one of my favourite debuts of 2023.

In Bloom

Owned by WakeOne

ZEROBASEONE

New Kidz On The Block

Owned by WakeOne

Puno Autopop

NO.8

Google Images

Coming in at No.8, we have Tomorrow X Together and their 3rd full length album The Name Chapter: Freefall.

This is definitely my favourite release of theirs so far, their vocals on this album are so good, they blew me away.

Chasing That Feeling

Owned by Big Hit Music

Skipping Stones

Owned by Big Hit Music

ShadowByYoongi

NO.7

Google Images

Coming in at No.7, we have Moonbin & Sanha with their 3rd mini album Incense.

For 2023, Moobin and Sanha, have jumped up 5 spots from 2022, showing each release got better and better. I love this album, each track is different and showcases their talents perfectly. I'm just heartbroken that this is to be their final release as a unit.

Madness

Owned by Fantagio

fantagio 판타지오

Perfumer

Owned by Fantagio

Chaereve

NO.6

Google Images

Coming in at No.6, we have Seventeen and their 11th mini album Seventeenth Heaven.

There's so many different aspects and emotions to this album, you can tell it's their last full group release before they start their military enlistments. You can tell they really put their all into this album and it seems it's more like a gift to fans than a typical album release.

음악의 신 (God of Music)

Owned by Pledis Entertainment

Diamond Days

Owned by Pledis Entertainment

NO.5

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Coming in at No.5, we have ENHYPEN and their 5th mini album Orange Blood.

While I loved both album releases in 2023, for me Orange Blood just beat out Dark Blood, as much as I love Bite Me, overall I preferred all the tracks on Orange Blood more.

Sweet Venom

Owned by Be:Lift

Blind

Owned by Be:Lift

NO.4

Google Images

Coming in at No.4 and just missing out on my top 3, is Stray Kids and their 8th mini album Rock-Star.

Each year they make their way up my album list, back in 2019, they peaked at No.8 and have been slowly rising higher. While I always love their albums, someone always tends to just pass them. So far 2023 is the highest they've been in my top album list. Rock-Star is definitely my favourite release from them and hopefully they come to the UK on tour so I can see them perform in live.

락 (樂) (LALALALA)

Owned by JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment

Blind Spot

Owned by JYP Entertainment

ShadowByYoongi

Normally at this point I carry on my chart but, I'm going to change it up this time and I'll share with you the Honourable Mentions that just missed out on making my list but deserve a mention because they're just amazing albums. So before I get into the albums that made my Top 3, here are my honourable mentions.

Eric Nam - House On A Hill

Owned by Eric Nam

Eric Nam 에릭남

VIXX - Continuum

Owned by Jellyfish Entertainment

RealVIXX

ILY:1 - A Dream of ILY:1

Owned by FC ENM

ILY:1

BXB - Chapter 1. Our Youth

Owned by Wolfburn

BXB

NO.3

Google Images

Coming in at No.3, we have Seventeen with their 10th mini album FML.

I try to only have one album per artist in my list but this year has been Seventeen's year for music, this album is perfect. I also present to you MAMA 2023's Album of the Year. I cried so much when they won, Seventeen always have such amazing albums.

손오공 (Super)

Owned by Pledis Entertainment

(G)I-DLE (여자)아이들 (Official YouTube Channel)

I Don't Understand But I Luv U

Owned by Pledis Entertainment

seventeenlyrics

NO.2

Google Images

Coming in at No.2 we have Forestella with their 3rd mini album Unfinished.

I have such a soft spot for Forestella, I'm not normally into a more classical sound, but there's something about this group that I fall in love with them with each song. I could listen to this album on repeat all day. If you haven't I highly recommend checking them out.

Snow Globe

Owned by Beat Interactive

포레스텔라 Forestella

White Night (Remaster Ver.)

Owned by Beat Interactive

포레스텔라 Forestella

It's time.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

NO.1

Google Images

Coming in at No.1, we have (G)I-DLE with their 6th mini album I Feel.

With how many times I listened to this album, it was obvious that this needed to be my No.1 album of 2023. Each track is amazing and I was lucky enough to get to go see them play the Wembley Arena in London, which made me love this album even more. I would say if you've never listened to (G)I-DLE, then this album is a good place to start.

퀸카 (Queencard)

Owned by Cube Entertainment

Allergy

Owned by Cube Entertainment

(G)I-DLE (여자)아이들 (Official YouTube Channel)

All Night

Owned by Cube Entertainment

So there you have it, that's my Top 20 K-pop Albums of 2023. I'm looking forward to what 2024 brings to the K-pop world. I'm looking forward to all the comebacks and debuts we may have.

I'm hoping that I finally have K-pop concerts to go to this year, sadly 2023, didn't work for K-pop concerts last year, the only one we had was (G)I-DLE, so thankfully that was amazing. I've never been to a show where the group are drowned out by the audience singing along. We even got to upgrade and go into the soundcheck, which I've never done before.

We;re off to see Eric Nam in March and I can't wait, and both ATEEZ and Stray Kids have announced upcoming world tours so hopefully the UK is one of the stops.

2024 let's get it!

Who had the No.1 spot for you?

Which albums were your favourite in 2023?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Monday, 22 November 2021

Kim Woojin - The Moment: 未成年, A Minor

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

Kim Woojin is a South Korean soloist that debuted in 2018, as a member of the boy group Stray Kids, on the 28th of October 2019, it was announced that for personal reasons, Woojin had left both JYP Entertainment and Stray Kids.

The Moment: 未成年, A Minor is Woojin's debut solo mini album.

On the 28th of June 2021, Woojin's pre-debut single Still Dream was announced.

On the 2nd of July 2021, Concept Photo 1 was released.

On the 3rd of July 2021, Concept Photo 2 was released.

On the 4th of July 2021, the Lyrics Photos were released.

On the 5th of July 2021, the Still Dream M/V Teaser 1 was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 6th of July 2021, the Still Dream M/V Teaser 2 was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 8th of July 2021, the Still Dream M/V was released, along with the track being released digitally.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 12th of July 2021, the Still Dream Dance Practice video was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 18th of July 2021, Woojin's debut mini album was announced.

On the 19th of July, another album image was released.

On the 22nd of July 2021, Concept photo 1 was released.

On the 23rd of July 2021, Concept Photo 2 was released.

On the 24th of July 2021, Concept Photo 3 was released.

On the 25th of July 2021, the My Growing Pains Audio Teaser was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 26th of July 2021, the In My Space Audio Teaser was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 27th of July 2021, the Purple Sky Audio Teaser was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 28th of July 2021, the Track List was released.

On the 29th of July 2021, the Album Teasing Photos were released.

On the 30th of July 2021, the Ready Now M/V Teaser 1 was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 3rd of August 2021, the Ready Now M/V Teaser 2 was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 4th of August 2021, the Highlight Medley was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 5th of August 2021, the Ready Now M/V was released, along with the physical and digital release of his debut mini album The Moment: 未成年, A Minor.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 11th of August 2021, the Ready Now Dance Practice video was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 18th of August 2021, the Ready Now M/V (Stage Ver.) was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 15th of September 2021, the My Growing Pains M/V Teaser was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 16th of September 2021, the My Growing Pains M/V was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 28th of September 2021, the In My Space M/V Teaser was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

On the 29th of September 2021, the In My Space M/V was released.

Owned by 10x Entertainment

Woojin co-wore on the lyrics for Intro: Alea iacta est, My Growing Pains, Still Dream, In My Space, Purple Sky and title track Ready Now.

The Moment: 未成年, A Minor peaked at No.7 on the Gaon Albums Chart.

Gaon Sales = 15,448+

*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*

The M/V for Still Dream has so far gained 1,883,500 million views through his official channel and gained 1,175,667 million views through the Stone Music Entertainment channel, giving the M/V a combined view count of 3,059,167 so far.

The M/V for Ready Now has so far gained 1,357,925 through his official channel and gained 120,035 views through the Stone Music Entertainment channel, giving the M/V a combined view count of 1,477,960 million so far.

The Moment: 未成年, A Minor was released in 3 version: A, B and C.

The album is set out in a box case and comes with the Cd, photo book, folded poster, postcard, sticker sheet, random film photo card and a random photo card.

All 3 versions have different album covers and different photo books.

Track List:

Intro: Alea iacta est.

Ready Now

My Growing Pains

Still Dream

In My Space

Purple Sky

I have Version C of the album, I think the layout is simple, but I think the album covers look more artistic than the usual K-pop album cover. I really like the photo book, it's really basic and simple, I think it definitely shows off a lower budget, it makes me think of a normal photo shoot in a studio, makes me wonder if it's down to the budget or if Woojin is trying to remind people he's like everyone else, he's just seen as an idol. It does look like he had fun though creating the pictures for the photo books, it's bright and colourful, which is why I think I was more pulled towards this version.

The tracks on the album, for me are breath taking, I loved each track, the more I listen and the more I look into the songs and lyrics, I can see he is trying to tell his story, makes me wonder more about his past and his journey. Each track is different and showcase his vocals perfectly.

I love Intro: Alea iacta est, I think it really describes an idols life, they're put so high on a pedestal and it's easy for them to fall from that great height. A lot of them have to put on a front and be someone they're not to be able to have their music and talent heard. For me this shows Woojin isn't here to play, he wants to prove that no matter what abuse people throw his way he will overcome it and keeping walking his own path. This intro to me not only brings up Woojin's past as a member of Stray Kids, but also the allegations and hate received.

Intro: Alea iacta est.

I absolutely love the melody for Ready Now, I fell in love with song on my very first listen. I love how Woojin's vocals sound against the melody I personally think this is a perfect solo debut song for him as well as a perfect title track. He's starting from scratch, but not only that he's starting from the bottom with a smaller company, with more judging eyes, some of which are sadly waiting for him to fall. I think this song is a perfect message to both his supporters and haters.

Ready Now

The K-POP

When I read what My Growing Pains was about, it made me think more about his time in Stray Kids and made me wonder if he was being forced to be someone he's not, which made me think more about why he left. For me it seems more that he wanted to go in a completely different direction to what the group was going and wanted to be more open about who he is and what music he wanted to use to tell his story. I absolutely love this song, I love the simple melody, that allows his vocals to shine through, listening to this song for the first time, it actually made me emotional, and the more I listen to it, the more I fall in love with this song and Woojin's voice.

My Growing Pains

Arirang Radio K-Pop

The melody for Still Dream is stunning and Woojin's vocals make it perfect, I think this is a perfect song to remind people to never give up on their dreams, no matter what they are. For me this song sounds empowering and doesn't discriminate, you can hear and sense his drive and emotion in his voice. This was a perfect choice for a pre-debut single, I think it showed that he was no longer scared to fight back, and prove that people were wrong about him.

Still Dream

MBCkpop

I don't think any album from Woojin would be complete without a track like In My Space, Woojin's voice can really stand out with the most simplistic melodies. This song is stunning, no matter how many times I listen to it, I always stop what I'm doing and really listen. For me this track makes me wonder just how much he'd been held back vocally. I've said in past Stray Kids posts that I loved his voice, but for me this song, puts his voice on another level.

In My Space

I think the melody for Purple Sky is really bright, uplifting and refreshing, it may sound weird, but to me the way Woojin sings this song and with the melody, it's like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, he sounds relieved.

Purple Sky