Here’s my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
NCT DREAM – Boogie Woogie The Vibe: Disco First Impression: As a fan of the group, this song is actually the same vibe as one of their B-sides, Better Than Gold – disco pop that makes you want to bust out your Flashdance moves. It also feels very celebratory – something you would want to bring out during New Year or graduation. Watching the MV, with the translated lyrics, it has the Life Is Still Going On vibe because it’s telling people that even if life is a mess, it is fine – celebrate who you are.
CHAERYEONG – Lovesick The Vibe: Summer love First Impression: If you’ve heard Boogie Woogie from NCT Dream above and Blue Hour from TOMORROW X TOGETHER, you would probably get the idea of the vibe. It gives me the summer first crush/love feeling though. Watching the MV, I get the whole song – it’s how this one person engulfed your whole life as they are the only one you think about day and night. I was waiting for the tree man to become a human so that ending was cute.
A20 SOUL – Dancing in the Dark The Vibe: Disco, synth pop First Impression: At first few seconds, it gives me The Weeknd’s vibe like Blinding Lights, maybe? Or The Hills? And at some point, it gives me Jessie J’s Domino kinda sound. So, if you mix The Weeknd with Jessie J’s Domino, you’ll probably get this. As for the MV, like I’ve said in another post for another boy group’s debut last week, the boys in school uniform trying to get the high school girls’ heart a-fluttering. But, with a sorta Halloween twist.
Here’s my immediate first-listen vibe check for today’s K-Pop release:
P1Harmony – BLOW UP The Vibe: Energetic hip-hop First Impression: This is such an addictive song. I’m not sure I’m understanding the MV but it seems there’s some superhero narrative and this release would wrap up that lore. Anyways, this is a good song and I’m surprised I’m not seeing it hyped enough.
Today has more major releases than the days before with a debut of a new boy group from FCENM Entertainment.
May I just add before my reviews that doing such reviews allows me to find out groups and artistes I was unfamiliar before, which is so cool.
Anyways, here are my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
ADAP – BUFFERING The Vibe: Refreshing pop First Impression: I think most boy groups’ debut would be youthful refreshing pop wearing high school outfit to get those fangirls’ heart fluttering. It’s kind of expected. It’s cute.
Dragon Pony – Calling back The Vibe: Indie rock ballad First Impression: I feel like this is the kind of song that will be so popular in Japan. It reminds me of those Japanese live action animes and the end credits will have this kind of music.
UNCHILD – TiNG TiNG The Vibe: Electro pop First Impression: Watching the MV fits the vibe of the song to a T. It’s giving video game superheroines.
HEART OF WOMAN – LIT IT The Vibe: Girl crush fierce energy First Impression: This song is a banger. It reminds me of CLC and 4MINUTE. I’m generally not familiar with 5th gen groups, particularly the girl groups. I hope they make it far and hopefully this song could especially for those who are a little bit nostalgic like me who wants the vibe of CLC and 4MINUTE back.
HITGS – BRB The Vibe: Dreamy youthful pop First Impression: When I just listened to the song itself, it’s giving dreamy youthfulness. But when I watched the MV with the translated lyrics, this is the song that would speak for the youths of today. Social media, peer pressure can be really chaotic and so this song is telling the youths that it’s okay to switch off.
Here are my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
ZEROBASEONE EMP – RUN (feat. Dynamic Duo) The Vibe: Heavy rap collab First Impression: I know of ZEROBASEONE but I wasn’t aware of their hip-hop unit. I would have to say that they may just be one of the strongest hip-hop unit from 5th gen. And collaborating with the legendary Korean hip-hop duo, Dynamic Duo? That’s easily an approval from the hip-hop community, I’m sure.
Ji Suyeon – Pile of Paper The Vibe: Soft pop acoustic ballad First Impression: I can see why she was the main vocalist of Weki Meki. She has a nice tone in her voice fit for soft pop acoustic ballads like this one. I can also see why she had starred in various musicals. In my honest opinion, you can’t star in musicals if you don’t have strong vocals.
Yoon Seobin – Slow Motion The Vibe: Sensual First Impression: Sexy, sensual vibe and I do like it. To me, it’s like in the same category is UN Village from Baekhyun. So, that kind of vibe. I’m not familiar with him but I googled and saw that he is an actor who had starred in a few BL dramas that I have not watched and also a solo artist. This is the first song I heard of him and it’s good.
Another set of three major K-pop releases today. Also, very different so no comparison at all.
Here are my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
RESCENE – With The Vibe: Atmospheric pop First Impression: I’m not very familiar with RESCENE and this may be one of the first songs I listened of them and honestly, it was good. The MV gave me a fall kinda vibe. I’m not sure what the white half-bear-half-reindeer is supposed to be but that’s possibly why it gave me that pre-Christmas vibe with all that glitters.
DINO (SEVENTEEN) – AUTOMATIC The Vibe: Feel-good, groovy pop First Impression: If RESCENE’s gave me the fall vibe, DINO’s AUTOMATIC gave me the summer vibe. I’m not a Carat so while I’m familiar with SEVENTEEN, I’m not privy to the details of the group so it actually surprises me that he’s the main dancer. From the MV, I could see that clearly and he sings really well he could pass off as the main vocalist. And to top it off, this is a self-written song. Wow!
Lee Hyuk – DON’T CRY The Vibe: Rock ballad powerhouse First Impression: This is a remake and it’s a very good remake of the classic rock ballad hit from The Cross. Now, I’m going to be honest, I’m not familiar until I heard the song. I did not know the title of the song but I’ve heard this song so many times and it seems that this is a karaoke favourite among Koreans. The MV is simple and purely showing off Lee Hyuk’s vocals. That high note, woah!
Three very different K-pop releases dropped today. Honestly? I won’t be comparing one to the other – it’s like comparing apples to oranges to durians. That’s how different they are.
Here are my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
TREASURE – Shock The Vibe: Rap-heavy, hip-hop First Impression: I expect no less from a YG Entertainment group – very strong rap. Is it just me, though, that a scene from the MV looked a bit like BANG BANG BANG by BIGBANG? Is that a nod to the legendary YG group or unintentionally done so? Not that it matters – just looks familiar to me and brought a bit of a smile from me.
TWS – Call My Name The Vibe: Refreshing, feel-good pop First Impression: It’s refreshing and makes you feel good. I didn’t have a look at the lyrics but looking at the MV, I feel like it’s meant to uplift the youths. Some parts seemed to me like it’s made for fans to screenshot to make aesthetic wallpaper or Pinterest for daily reminders and to give them some positive energy, which is cute and sweet, if I get the intention right.
xikers – DIENAMITE The Vibe: Very high rock energy First Impression: While I’m a little bit familiar with TREASURE and TWS, I’m not so familiar with xikers’ game so as someone who has a high preference to rock music, I do really like the vibe at first listen. Watching the MV, I feel like it’s timed so right with Halloween that’s just passed. And I did see a cameo from a legendary frontman and vocalist of a Korean rock band called NoBrain, Lee Seong Woo. It fits with the whole vibe of the song.
What songs made this noona go “Aju NICE!” this week!
Welcome to the third episode of Noona Siti’s K-Radar 👏 I’m formatting this similar to a Korean music show, where I will list the Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥, The Special Stage 💎, The Top 3 Nominees 🔢 and The Final Winner 🏆There may also be a Special Global Stage 🌏
Before we hit down to the songs that caught my K-radar, a disclaimer that this is totally based on my own taste of music. There may be new music out there, which are good but did not make it to my list. It does not mean that those are bad songs. It’s not one I would listen to 🙇♀️
On to our third episode! (I know where did #2 go? I did post it on Substack but this week, I decided to post #3 here.)
Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥
GO WITH THE FLOW by Anandelight
Journey of Dreaming by Lee Jin Ah
Focus on Me by Shannon Bae
Twist by Jooyoung
엄청나! by whtvs, Shane
The Top 3 Nominees 🔢
Afterlove by Ourealgoat
Milky Way by UNIS
Say Yes! by ONEUS
Noona Score Breakdown
Criteria
Afterlove Ourealgoat
Milky Way UNIS
Say Yes! ONEUS
Noona Digital Score
3,000 pts (I listened to all three nominees for the first time but this song is more my vibe)
2,500 pts
2,000 pts
Aju NICE! Factor
2,500 pts
2,000 pts
2,000 pts
Visual / MV Score
0 pts (No MV guys)
500 pts (Reminds me of G-friend)
1,000 pts
Vibe Score
1,000 pts
500 pts
1,000 pts
TOTAL SCORE
6,500 pts
5,500 pts
6,000 pts
The Final Winner 🏆
Afterlove by Ourealgoat: The song is really my kind of vibe and colour me surprised when I found out that he’s a rapper. He’s a rapper? The song does not have a hip-hop vibe at all, guys! To me, it’s more rock so I’m surprised when I found out. It gives me the kind of song you listen to while the rain was pitter-pattering on the window or when you’re walking in the rain while the world is going fast by you.
Originally published on my Substack newsletter, Noona’s K-Radar. Subscribe there to get weekly music recs straight to your inbox!
Welcome to the first episode of Noona Siti’s K-Radar 👏 I’m formatting this similar to a Korean music show, where I will list the Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥, The Special Stage 💎, The Top 3 Nominees 🔢 and The Final Winner 🏆There may also be a Special Global Stage 🌏
Before we hit down to the songs that caught my K-radar, a disclaimer that this is totally based on my own taste of music. There may be new music out there, which are good but did not make it to my list. It does not mean that those are bad songs. It’s not one I would listen to 🙇♀️
On to our first episode!
Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥
If I Die Tomorrow by ASC2NT
Foot by O.O.O
If It Is You by Paul Blanco
Freewill by BUMKEY, BewhY
Stardust by KyoungSeo
SAUCIN’ by NEXZ
Love Again by LEECHANGSUB
MONEYMONEYMONEY by CORTIS
Mexico by CHUNG HA
Slow It Down by Felix
anime by TABLO, BANG YEDAM
Sunburst by RIIZE
Skibidi by Girls’ Generation-HRS
I Still Remember by Infinite
Home by YEONJUN
This & That by Stray Kids
The Special Stage 💎
BiiG by BIGBANG: Trust G-Dragon to create a song that’s different from their past releases. I’m not sure how to describe this except imagine current K-pop songs you listen to and it got touched by the golden hands of G-Dragon. They released this on August 19 to mark their 20th anniversary so it’s a gift to their fans who have waited for them for so long. Of course, it’s just three of them without T.O.P and he who must not be named. Nonetheless, three of them can still carry BIGBANG’s name to the top as it reached No. 1 on Korea’s Melon Top100 chart in a matter of an hour!
The Top 3 Nominees 🔢
Blingy by NCT 127
Bloody Paradise by ENHYPEN
SaWaDiKa by LISA
Noona Score Breakdown
Criteria
Blingy NCT 127
Bloody Paradise ENHYPEN
SaWaDiKa LISA
Noona Digital Score
2,500 pts (I’m an NCTzen but I listened to this less than Bloody Paradise sobs)
5,000 pts (I listened to this on repeat for a whole day, I’m not kidding!)
2,000 pts (It’s so new I listened to this just twice but it’s already a song I vibed to)
Aju NICE! Factor
2,500 pts
2,500 pts
2,500 pts
Visual / MV Score
1,000 pts
500 pts
1,500 pts (The way she embraced her culture. I love it! And her dancers are Thai. She’s so good!)
Vibe Score
1,000 pts
1,000 pts
1,000 pts
TOTAL SCORE
7,000 pts
9,000 pts
7,000 pts
The Final Winner 🏆
Bloody Paradise by ENHYPEN: That Digital Score. I’m actually concerned that in September, my top Spotify track will be this song instead of a song by TOMORROW X TOGETHER 😱
Special Global Stage 🌏
Setsuna Hanabi by TOMORROW X TOGETHER: This song and Bloody Paradise has similar vibes. Thankfully for ENHYPEN, this is TXT’s Japanese release or else… this song would have been Noona’s #1 choice. Anyways… the song aside, the MV is just chef’s kiss. And truly, as a corporate girlie, I felt Kai’s role deep within me 😭
It’s a long weekend here in Singapore. I ended up watching one movie, finished Agent Kim Reactivated, and caught an episode of TXT Parenting Diary along with its behind-the-scenes clip. A very productive week indeed!
🤩 The Highlights
Once We Were Us: 🥀 – Oh, what a bittersweet slice of life. Read my full review here.
Agent Kim Reactivated (Ep 8–10): ⚡ – I had no idea it was only a 10-episode series, so I powered through the rest in a single day. That’s a real feat for me! Read my full review here.
TXT Parenting Diary (Ep 7 + Behind-the-Scenes): ☁️ – Soobin is going to have a whole queue of ladies lining up – and mothers practically offering their daughters in marriage – because, hello, absolute father material! How is this man so full of love?
💖 The Midnight Mood
😋: Enjoying a classic local dessert my mom made: grass jelly with longans and attap seeds. Nothing fancy, and you can easily find it at hawker centers across Singapore, but it hits the spot every time.
🎶: • I need to plug a new song from Tomorrow X Together called “Nice To Meet Ya” – it’s been on repeat!
👀 Looking Ahead
Since it’s a long weekend, I might try to figure out how to watch A Bonafide Killer right after posting this. It looks so intriguing!
Mr. Kim is a widowed single dad working at a bank and doing his best to raise his teenage daughter. After she gets bullied at school by the daughter of a wealthy construction tycoon, Mr. Kim steps in to apologize on her behalf – leaving his daughter mortified. Hurt and embarrassed, she runs away on her birthday. When she fails to return home and stops answering his calls, Mr. Kim starts searching, only to uncover a terrifying reality: she’s in grave danger, or worse.
What no one knows is that Mr. Kim was once a top North Korean secret agent who was captured during a failed undercover operation in the South. Forced to complete covert missions for South Korea, he eventually chose to leave his dark past behind the moment his daughter was born. But with his daughter’s life now on the line, he has to reactivate his dormant skills – with a little help from his fellow former agents.
🪝 The Hook
A badass father stopping at nothing to save his daughter, flanked by two equally lethal (and deliciously quirky) friends? That’s pure fatherly devotion right there. Sign me up!
I’m usually the type of viewer who can predict every plot twist miles away, but this drama genuinely kept me guessing. Every time I thought, “Ah, that person is definitely the mole!”, the very next episode proved me wrong. Though to be fair, that one specific character was playing mind games with the audience the entire time, so I don’t blame myself for flipping back and forth!
As for the action sequences, I expected nothing less from So Ji-sub. Watching him on screen, you’d never guess he’s 48. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here at 42 making an embarrassing groan just getting up from my chair after sitting for too long! Yet here is a man pushing 50, jumping over high walls and executing flawless high kicks.
🧪 Character Chemistry
The three dads are easily one of the best trios in K-drama history. Sure, they’re lethal uncles, but their comedic timing is top-tier. Their friendship is surprisingly heartwarming – they operate on an unspoken bond where no words, phone calls, or secret distress signals are even necessary. They just instinctively know when and where to show up for each other.
🚶➡️ Pacing Check
I was genuinely surprised to learn this was only a 10-episode series. I hadn’t checked the total episode count before diving in, and suddenly I found myself at the finale earlier today! Wrapping up the entire narrative arc neatly in 10 episodes felt crisp and refreshing. Did I wish it were longer? Not at all. It hit the sweet spot without unnecessary filler.
💤 Final Sleepy Rating
⚡ – I actually paused my binge midway because I assumed it was 12 episodes and wanted to stretch it out. Turns out my self-pacing wasn’t even needed, but finishing 3 episodes in a single sitting speaks for itself!
🧐 Status
Completed
✍️ Notable mention
Idol Spotting: The moment the daughter’s crush appeared on screen, I immediately thought, “There is no way this guy isn’t an idol.” A quick Google search confirmed it – he’s Chael from the boy group LUN8!
Soundtrack Pick: Shoutout to the OST track “Go! Go!” by ALPHA DRIVE ONE. One of the members actually starred in one of my favorite BL dramas, Secret Relationships!
