K-pop Duets: Boy X Girl (Part II)

Here is a list of romantic duets that are perfect for the blooming season of spring! See also: Part 1

1. Taeyeon X Dean - Starlight

Taeyeon and Dean become a romantic couple in "Starlight". The Girl's Generation vocalist and Alternative R&B soloist collaborated on this 90s inspired R&B track which appeared on Taeyeon's second mini-album "Why". This was a very welcomed duet because both of the singers' voices meld together perfectly and float along the light melody! Listeners can also appreciate the feel-good vibe and the fluffy, romantic lyrics. "You are my starlight, I can’t hide it. When we’re together, it feels like my heart is dancing. You are my starlight, I’m so thankful. Your love is like a dream."

2. Jimin X Xiumin - Call You Bae

Jimin and Xiumin show the love interactions between a boy and an immature, but sincere, girl. "Call U Bae" is full of cute and silly chemistry. In the video, the pair jump from scene to scene, encouraged by people with cartoonish emoji faces. What puts "Call You Bae" apart from being completely cookie-cutter is Jimin's high pitch rap. The AOA main rapper offers a vocal tone like no other, and that can be good or bad depending on whether or not you like the sound of her voice. Either way, this duet is a thing of interest for AOA and EXO fans. It shows Jimin and Xiumin taking on a concept that they normally don't when in their respective groups!

3. Yuju X Jihoo - Heart Signal

Yuju is a rather familiar face and name - she's the main vocalist of the very popular girl-group GFriend. However, Jihoo is much lesser known - he's the lead vocal from rookie group IZ that debuted in September 2017. The two come together in this mid-tempo song about the butterflies a boy and girl feel when they meet. The song subtly incorporates jazz and swing sounds into its instrumental. Together, Yuju and Jihoo are cute, silly and sometimes a little awkward!

4. Baekhyun X Soyou - Rain

"Rain" is a ballad recorded by two especially talented vocalists: Baekhyun (from EXO) and Soyou formerly from Sistar. The lyrics detail a person who is reminded of a past relationship with the rainy weather. For them, the rain provokes pain and nostalgia. Neither Baekhyun or Soyou appear in the music video. Instead, the video show scenes of a high school student who is by herself on a rainy day.

5. Eunha X Chunji - Hold Your Hand

In Part I, I talked about the spring duet between Yuju (Gfriend) and Sunyoul (Up10tion), which was the first part of "The Best Friends Project" between TOP Media and Source Music. "Hold Your Hand" by Eunha (Gfriend) and Chunji (Teen Top) is the second part of the project and portray the pair as a lovey-dovey "campus couple". Hand in hand they walk together in the autumn breeze like two college students. And what's more, Eunha and Chunji performed "Hold Your Hand" live on MCountdown in the form of a special stage!

6. Eric Nam X Wendy - Spring Love

S.M. Station is a music project from S.M Entertainment which intends to showcase collaborations between the company's artists and artists from other labels (though they do so quite often anyway).  As the fourth single from S.M Station Season 1, "Spring Love" is sung by S.M. girl-group member Wendy and soloist Eric Nam. The duo sing the acoustic ballad while having fun at an amusement park like good friends.

7. Doyoung X Sejoung - Star Blossom

Sejong is a former member of I.O.I. and is a current member of Gugudan. However, I find it that she shines the most in projects like this, in which she is able to showcase her own vocals without a plethora other voices. "Love Blossom" is a vocal-based SM Station ballad between her and NCT's Doyoung. This romantic song opens with the sounds of a music box and moves into a jazzy, piano-based composition. The duo has an entertaining chemistry - Sejeong exudes her charming, bright personality and Doyoung is perfect boyfriend material!

8. Sungjae X Namjoo - Photograph

Sungjae and Namjoo are from BtoB and Apink, respectively, both of which are groups that boast great vocals! "Photograph" is actually produced by the same team that produced 4minute's Crazy and Cold Rain, but it quite different from those two. One verse that captures the charm of the song "Let's smile like in the photograph, your smile is as sweet as ice cream" Funny enough, Sungjae and Namjoo aren't very focused with each other- instead, they are focused on melting the hearts of viewers!

Sources

Info: 1, 5

Images:1,2,3,4,*,6,7,*
* are screencaps I made myself

Collage: a,b,c,d,e,f

March in Music

Here are my top picks from last month!

1. IKON - Rubber Band

Korean

Released: March 5th

After the impressive success of "Love Scenario", IKON quickly followed up with a special single. Like the former title, "Rubber Band" is of a similar genre: it has a hip-hop beat hidden under a variety of mellow sounds. The lyrics describe a relationship that has been pulled too tight and is about to break - like a stretched rubber band. As usual, the lyrics and composition were worked on by IKON's leader B.I. But this time, rookie YG producer Millenium and Winner's Mino took part in the creation as well!
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - N/A

2. Sojung - Crystal Clear

Korean

Released: March 5th

Ladies' Code, member Sojung made her solo debut in April 2017 and now has had her first comeback. "Crystal Clear" was revealed ahead of Sojung's single album release and it clearly has the distinct style of Ladies' Code that fans have missed very much during the group's long absence. "Crystal Clear" is an electro-pop ballad that showcases Sojung's crisp, clear voice. The music video is beautifully artistic with shots of ocean and forest landscapes.  The ethereal scenery is filmed in black and white until finally, the picture bleeds color.
Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5

3. Big Bang - Flower Road

Korean

Released: March 13th

Big Bang's last group project was in December 2016. Since then, the members have started enlisting for their mandatory military service (TOP, the oldest member was the first to start in 2017). Because of this, it was assumed that it would be years before the whole five-piece would be together again. But thankfully, Big Bang gave us a special goodbye song ahead of their long hiatus! "Flower Road" was initially intended to be a part of MADE, but was cut with a plan for later release. G-Dragon and T.O.P. wrote the lyrics with the group's enlistment in mind and the song's message conveys, "good-bye, for now, we will meet again."

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - N/A

4. BTS - Don't Leave Me

Japanese
Released: March 15th

On March 15th, BTS revealed a preview of a song from their third Japanese studio album. The song was later released in full on April 4th along with the rest of the album "Face Yourself". "Don't Leave Me" is an OST from the Japanese remake of the 2016 Korean hit drama "Signal". It's the group's first OST as an entire group and has a very intense, exciting EDM composition! I find that Japanese releases from K-pop artists tend to be much lower in quality than their Korean music, however, "Don't Leave Me" is definitely an exception. BTS sing and rap very naturally in the language, and the overall genre and style suit their voices well. 

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - N/A

5. Meng Jia - Weapon

Mandarin

Released: March 20th

Meng Jia (孟佳) surprises me again and again as a soloist. Each time she returns, she presents herself in a different way and masters each style that she chooses. In "Who's that Girl" Meng Jia was serious and self-reflecting, in "Candy" she was playful and coy, and now with "Weapon (炎)" we get to hear a pleading love song. "Weapon" opens with a memorable English line "drop your weapon please" and starts with a subdued beat. Then, the song moves into a more exciting beat and fun chorus. This is only a pre-release to Meng Jia's upcoming album and I'm very eager to hear more music from her!

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - N/A

6. Monsta X - Jealousy

Korean

Released: March 26th

Monsta X returned with a new album and its title track perfectly captures the group's unique color! "Dramarama", from their previous album, disappointed me, but "Jealousy" is pure redemption. "Jealousy" is a smooth, but upbeat R&B song with hints of hip-hop that point back to the group's roots. The entire package exudes the same manly aura that Monsta X delivered this time last year with "Beautiful".
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 2.5/5

Sources

Info: 1,3,4

Images: 1,*,3,4,5,*

* are screencaps I made myself