For the first time, I'm going to share with you my favourite K-pop singles released in 2022, which were mainly digitally released.
This is in no particular order, they're just the songs I loved the most.
Kino - Pose
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Obviously paying more attention to PENTAGON, meant I had to check out Kino's official solo debut, this song also got a physical release, and for me it gives me Taemin vibes, which gives me high hopes for his solo music in the future.
The song is extremely catchy and from the first listen I was singling along.
While I don't own any BIGBANG albums, I still like and listen to some of their tracks, especially title tracks, so seeing them return with a new song after their military enlistment, made me happy and excited.
What I was not ready for, was how emotional it made me, this song had me in tears, it's such a beautiful and emotional song, if this was to be their swan song, I think it would be the perfect song to say farewell with.
Back when they debuted TRCNG were one of my favourite rookies, so seeing them eventually disband was heartbreaking because they truly were an underrated group.
Saying I was ecstatic was an understatement when I saw that Jihun, Hyunwoo, Siwoo and Kangmin (now under the stage name Hamin) were going to be redebuting together, part of me hopes the rest of TRCNG will join them but I read that while the 4-members wanted to all redebut together, they understood that the others wanted to branch out and do other things. I still have hope that we will see some familiar TRCNG faces when APR Project make their official debut.
As soon as I heard their voices in this track, it hit home just how much I've missed TRCNG, this song is just stunning and I can't wait to see what their future holds.
I've loved every track that Hyunjun has released, I feel that if he had remained with THE BOYZ then his talents would have gone remaining hidden and he wouldn't really be able to grow musically and creatively.
I love the melody for this song and his voice is perfect, I think his voice would be perfect with a rock style song, I hope that we one day get a mini album or even a full album of songs, as he's clearly talented.
I've actually known of DKZ (Formelly Dongkiz) since 2019, when they were promoting Blockbuster, as I remember their Simply K-pop stages, but I've never really payed much attention to them till member Jaechan starred in the BL drama Semantic Error based on the webtoon of the same name (which I read), and my respect for him shot up when I read that he ignored his companies suggestion of not being in the drama.
I absolutely loved this song and it really stood out for me and has made me want to keep and eye on the group and their future releases.
We saw Wanna One return this year with a special song and expected it's stunning with the melody and vocals being perfect. It's nice to hear their voices as one again, especially for the fans that have been their since they were formed.
Wanna One were a South Korean boy band formed by CJ E&M through the 2nd season of Produce 101, they debuted under Swing Entertainment and CJ E&M. Their contract came to an end on the 31st of December 2018, and they officially disbanded in January 2020. Many of the members have now branched out since disbandment with members making their solo debuts, returning to groups and creating new groups.
Wanna One is composed of 11 members: Kang Daniel, Park Jihoon, Lee Daehwi, Kim Jaehwan, Ong Seongwu, Park Woojin, Lai Kuanlin, Yoon Jisung, Hwang Minhyun, Bae Jinyoung and Ha Sungwoon.
1X1=1 (To Be One) is Wanna One's debut mini album. On the 16th of June 2017, the Produce 101 season 2 finalists were revealed and the group immediately started preparations for their debut, starting with recording their own version of the songs "It's Me (Pick Me)", "Always" and "Never". On the 4th of August 2017, the M/V teaser was released for title track 에너제틱 (Energetic).
On the 7th of August 2017, the M/V for 에너제틱 (Energetic) was released, along with the physical and digital release of their debut mini album 1X1=1 (To Be One).
Wanna One held their debut showcase and a small concert on the 7th of August 2017, at Gocheok Sky Dome, and had their debut music show performance on the 10th of August 2017, with promotions being completed on the 30th of August 2017.
1X1=1 (To Be One) reached 600,000 pre-orders prior to it's release, making it the debut K-pop album with the highest No. of pre-orders.
에너제틱 (Energetic) won Wanna One 15 music show trophies, taking 2 wins on The Show, 3 wins on Show Champion, 3 wins on Music Core, 2 wins on Inkigayo, 3 wins on M Countdown and 2 wins on Music Bank.
1X1=1 (To Be One) peaked at No. 1 on the Gaon Albums Chart, No.4 on the Oricon Albums Chart and No.3 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.
*Sales are combined sales with their repacked album*
Gaon Sales:
1,463,978+
Oricon Sales:
81,010+
Chinese Sales:
226,801+
US Sales:
3,000+
Giving the album a total of 1,774,789+ in sales.
*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*
The M/V for 에너제틱 (Energetic) has so far gained 136,222,889 million views, with the views still continuing to rise on a daily basis.
1X1=1 (To Be One) was released in 2 versions: Pink & Sky.
Both versions are set out in a box case and come with the Cd, photo book, flip book, golden ticket, random cover card, a group photo card and a random member photo card. The photo books are the same for both versions.
The Pink version has a pink case and Cd plate, while the Sky version has a blue case and Cd plate.
The album covers and flip books are different.
Track List:
To Be One (Intro)
활활 (Burn It Up)
에너제틱 (Energetic)
Wanna Be (My Baby)
이 자리에 (Always(Acoustic Ver.))
나야 나 (It's Me (Pick Me)) (Wanna One Ver.) *Cd Only*
Never (Wanna One Ver.) *Cd Only*
I'm late to the game when it comes to Wanna One, I knew of them, I knew some of their songs, but I was never really a fan, I listen to way too many boy bands, so I didn't want to get it another one, especially one with 11 members and also knowing they would eventually disband. I watched their final comeback stages and seeing them get emotional definitely made me shed a few tears for them. Throughout their promotional period I only ever really knew 3 of the members and they were Kang Daniel, Lee Daehwi and Ong Seongwu. I knew Minhyun from the group NU'EST was in the group, but because I don't really follow them, I didn't know which one he was.
I think the layout of the album is really cute, as you may have guessed I have the Sky version. I thought the photo book was really cool with it being reversible, so you get both of the versions photo's. I have to say the Pink version photo book has to be my favourite just because they seem a lot more colourful and stand out more than the Sky version. I think the flip book idea is really cute, I've never seen or had a an album that has one.
The main thing I will say about this album is that I was actually blown away, I feel guilty that I turned my nose up at them when they debuted.
I think To Be One (Intro) is the perfect song to start the album with as I think it really sets the mood on what the album will sound like, and really gets you hyped up. I definitely get the vibe also that even though they're 11 individuals and were put together by a survival show, they will be one unit.
I think 활활 (Burn It Up) could have easily been their title track, for me I think groups from survival shows as well as it's members need to be versatile, and I think this track shows that Wanna One would be a versatile group. For me this was one of those songs that I had to listen to a few times to come to like it, it also gives me BIGBANG feels.
에너제틱 (Energetic) is one of the main reasons I decided to buy this album, I was in love with this song when it was released, but because I didn't want to "stan" another 11 guys and another male group, I kept telling myself I didn't like it. This song is really upbeat and no pun intended energetic, it's such a colourful song. No matter how many times this song came on I couldn't help but sing a long with the chorus. It was also this song, M/V and performances that made Ong Seongwu catch my eye.
For me Wanna Be (My Baby) is a pure boy band track and it makes me think of the early 00's boy band tracks. This is one of those songs that if you're in a bad mood or feeling down, it can really lift your spirits and mood, I feel it's really uplifting.
The first time I listened to 이 자리에 (Always(Acoustic Ver.)) was when I bought this album and I listened to it all, and I can honestly say I was brought to tears. This song for me is breath taking, and every time I listen to it, it never fails to make me feel emotional, it also made me feel guilty about how I decided not to pay attention to Wanna One, better late than never right? This song also makes me think about the hardships they probably faced as trainees as well as on Produce 101, I think I sympothise with this more as I watch I-Land and watching their struggles makes me think about Wanna One and the things they've overcome to not only be chosen for the group but for the roads their careers take now.
나야 나 (It's Me (Pick Me)) (Wanna One Ver.) is another reason why I bought this album, I loved this song as soon as I checked it out when the 2nd season of Produce 101 was airing, I was gutted I couldn't find it anywhere to listen to it without using YouTube. I'm thankful the Produce 101 version is on Spotify but gutted that the Wanna One version is a Cd only track. I think it definitely has a different feel and vibe being sung by the Wanna One members.
I think it's songs like Never (Wanna One Ver.) that really shows how versatile and talented Wanna One is. I love this song, it gives me a summer vibe and I think it's the perfect song to close the album with.
I'm definitely going to check out more of Wanna One's b-sides, just because they're no longer promoting as a group, doesn't mean we can't still enjoy their music. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for the members, I'm already aware of the things some of the members are doing, so I look forward to see where their new careers take them.
