Three very different K-pop releases dropped today. Honestly? I wonβt be comparing one to the other β itβs like comparing apples to oranges to durians. Thatβs how different they are.
Here are my immediate first-listen vibe check for each:
TREASURE β Shock The Vibe: Rap-heavy, hip-hop First Impression: I expect no less from a YG Entertainment group β 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 β just looks familiar to me and brought a bit of a smile from me.
TWS β Call My Name The Vibe: Refreshing, feel-good pop First Impression: Itβs refreshing and makes you feel good. I didnβt have a look at the lyrics but looking at the MV, I feel like itβs meant to uplift the youths. Some parts seemed to me like itβs 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 β DIENAMITE The Vibe: Very high rock energy First Impression: While Iβm a little bit familiar with TREASURE and TWS, Iβm not so familiar with xikersβ 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 itβs timed so right with Halloween thatβs 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 βAju NICE!β this week!
Welcome to the third episode of Noona Sitiβs K-Radar π Iβm formatting this similar to a Korean music show, where I will list the Hot Comebacks & Debuts π₯, The Special Stage π, The Top 3 Nominees π’ and The Final Winner πThere may also be a Special Global Stage π
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. Itβs not one I would listen to πββοΈ
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 π₯
GO WITH THE FLOW by Anandelight
Journey of Dreaming by Lee Jin Ah
Focus on Me by Shannon Bae
Twist by Jooyoung
μμ²λ! by whtvs, Shane
The Top 3 Nominees π’
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 π
Afterlove by Ourealgoat: The song is really my kind of vibe and colour me surprised when I found out that heβs a rapper. Heβs a rapper? The song does not have a hip-hop vibe at all, guys! To me, itβs more rock so Iβm 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 youβre 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 Sitiβs K-Radar π Iβm formatting this similar to a Korean music show, where I will list the Hot Comebacks & Debuts π₯, The Special Stage π, The Top 3 Nominees π’ and The Final Winner πThere may also be a Special Global Stage π
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. Itβs not one I would listen to πββοΈ
On to our first episode!
Hot Comebacks & Debuts π₯
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
SAUCINβ 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 Girlsβ Generation-HRS
I Still Remember by Infinite
Home by YEONJUN
This & That by Stray Kids
The Special Stage π
BiiG by BIGBANG: Trust G-Dragon to create a song thatβs different from their past releases. Iβm 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 itβs a gift to their fans who have waited for them for so long. Of course, itβs just three of them without T.O.P and he who must not be named. Nonetheless, three of them can still carry BIGBANGβs name to the top as it reached No. 1 on Koreaβs Melon Top100 chart in a matter of an hour!
The Top 3 Nominees π’
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 (Iβm 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, Iβm not kidding!)
2,000 pts (Itβs so new I listened to this just twice but itβs 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. Sheβs 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 π
Bloody Paradise by ENHYPEN: That Digital Score. Iβm actually concerned that in September, my top Spotify track will be this song instead of a song by TOMORROW X TOGETHER π±
Special Global Stage π
Setsuna Hanabi by TOMORROW X TOGETHER: This song and Bloody Paradise has similar vibes. Thankfully for ENHYPEN, this is TXTβs Japanese release or elseβ¦ this song would have been Noonaβs #1 choice. Anywaysβ¦ the song aside, the MV is just chefβs kiss. And truly, as a corporate girlie, I felt Kaiβs role deep within me π
Itβs 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!
Once We Were Us: π₯ – Oh, what a bittersweet slice of life. Read my full review here.
Agent Kim Reactivated (Ep 8β10): β‘ – I had no idea it was only a 10-episode series, so I powered through the rest in a single day. Thatβs a real feat for me! Read my full review here.
TXT Parenting Diary (Ep 7 + Behind-the-Scenes): βοΈ – 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?
π The Midnight Mood
π: 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.
πΆ: β’ I need to plug a new song from Tomorrow X Together called “Nice To Meet Ya” – itβs been on repeat!
π Looking Ahead
Since itβs 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: sheβs 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 daughterβs life now on the line, he has to reactivate his dormant skills – with a little help from his fellow former agents.
πͺ The Hook
A badass father stopping at nothing to save his daughter, flanked by two equally lethal (and deliciously quirky) friends? Thatβs pure fatherly devotion right there. Sign me up!
Iβm 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, youβd never guess heβs 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.
π§ͺ Character Chemistry
The three dads are easily one of the best trios in K-drama history. Sure, theyβre 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.
πΆββ‘οΈ 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.
π€ Final Sleepy Rating
β‘ – 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!
π§ Status
Completed
βοΈ 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 – heβs 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!
Eun-ho met Jeong-won by chance while on his way to visit his father in his hometown. After losing touch following the trip, Eun-ho searched for her, and a close friendship grew between them. Though Eun-ho held feelings for Jeong-won, he didn’t act on them until the day she discovered her boyfriend was cheating on her. Afraid that dating might ruin their friendship if things went wrong, Jeong-won hesitated – until Eun-ho promised that would never happen. But as the years passed, life brought its own strain. Following a pivotal incident, Jeong-won left. Years later, their paths crossed once more.
π The Highlights
For me, this movie is a true slice-of-life. Someone enters your life right when you need them most, but as time moves on, a person who was once your entire world can become someone you no longer know – or need. Instead of desperately holding on, you learn to let go. That is what this film captures so well. It isn’t tragic; itβs just the bittersweet reality of life.
Another detail I loved was the visual color palette, which mirrored the video game Eun-ho developed: During Ianβs quest to find Kelly, his world is stark black and white, but the moment he finds her, it bursts into full color. At first, I was confused because films typically use monochrome for the past and color for the present. Flipping that convention felt refreshingly deliberate – a very good choice.
πͺ« Low Points
If you are looking for pure comfort to unwind after a brutal week at work, school, or just life in general, this isn’t it. It isn’t outright doom and gloom, but it certainly isn’t lighthearted either. While it didn’t bring me to tears, it left me sitting with a quiet, heavy heart.
π€ Final Sleepy Rating
π₯ Bittersweet. The haunting “what-ifs” and the reluctance to release something so familiar feel painfully real.
π―ββοΈ Best Watched With
Your messiest hair, comfiest PJs, favorite comfort snack, and a plushie nearby – because you might just need a hug by the end.
Well, this feels like a restart of sort. There are reasons why I’ve not been writing my weekly wrap-ups, which you can find in my Siti Wide Awake blog. Head down there if you want to know what was up with me (or is up with me). Anyways, I decided to start watching Agent Kim Reactivated because that show starts to come up on my feed rather randomly. My friend did recommend the show because I enjoyed Teach You A Lesson. Similar but not really – the characters have a different purpose. This show has a group of bad-ass ahjussis. And earlier today, I watched The Devil Wears Prada 2 because I saw that is No. 1 in Disney+ right now. I’m also re-watching earlier episodes of TXT Parenting Diary (no, I have not finished the show yet) and just started this evening, Murder Club: Liar’s Table.
Agent Kim Reactivated (Ep 1-7): β‘ – Loving it so far. I love me some bad-ass ahjussis, say the person with probably the same age group as the characters π
The Devil Wears Prada 2: β – Nostalgic. Review here.
TXT Parenting Diary (Ep 1-6): βοΈ – Comfort show and the start of me being a MOA. They came at the right time for me (both the show and TXT). Soobin looks ready to be a parent π₯°
Murder Club: Liar’s Table (Ep 1): π€- Interesting show. It’s not a new concept, I feel. I know I’ve seen it somewhere before. The reason I decided to watch was Beomgyu from TXT. But his episode(s) aren’t out yet. I’m interested to see his episode because in TXT’s contents, he’s usually the chaotic one (or the bringer of chaos).
π The Midnight Mood
π: When I was watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Murder Club, I was eating lunch and then dinner. And munching on an Asian snack called rempeyek. Google that. I’m saying Asian because I do not want to offend any country. According to Google though, it’s Indonesian-Javanese cracker. Makes sense. I’m Javanese (new info). I’m Singaporean but Javanese ancestry. Anyways, it’s crunchy. Usually made with peanuts and dried anchovies.
πΆ: If you head into Siti Wide Awake blog, there would be very obvious answer to this question but I shall select just one song from the group and that song is Chasing The Feeling.
π Looking Ahead
I don’t know… I’m not making any promises anymore π
The fashion queen is back 20 years later and… things changed a lot. Andy was an award-winning journalist with The Vanguard but was unfortunately retrenched along with her other colleagues from the newsroom at an awards gala, no less. Miranda, in the meanwhile, was under fire due to an article that was released about a brand when she was due to be promoted by the boss, Irv. Andy’s brave remarks during her speech after getting retrenched via a text message got the attention of Irv, who then hired her to be the features editor, without Miranda’s consent nor knowledge. Andy had to, once again, proved her worth.
π The Highlights
The first movie was released when I graduated and first stepped into the corporate world and it’s back now that I’m much older and experienced, just like Andy. I feel like I grew up along with her and the other characters. It’s amazing that the movie was able to portray that. And those who watched the first one 20 years ago and watching it now, we will feel nostalgic. Other than that, and the fashion, of course, the music is so good. And having Lady Gaga guest-starring and performing on a fashion show, it’s so fitting. The movie also portrays realism with what’s happening in the working world right now. I’d have thought that what I’m experiencing would be restricted within my non-fashion, non-glamourous corporate world. But I guess, even the fashion world is feeling the pinch. And it makes absolute sense. 20 years ago, I was still purchasing and reading magazines – Her World, Cleo, Harper’s Bazaar. But now? I’m not sure if these magazines still exist. We consume things online – TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube. So, magazines like Her World and Harper’s Bazaar have to also pivot digitally to still be relevant. And I’m sure, due to that, some jobs are lost.
πͺ« Low Points
The only thing that I would point out and this will be a bit of a stretch (because I almost have nothing negative to say about the movie) was the lack of Asian stars. Why I said this? We are talking 2026 here, not 2006. This is an era where BTS and Blackpink are global stars and leading the fashion world. It would be hard to not find K-pop stars being part of a fashion show. You can just name anyone – G-Dragon, the literal muse for Chanel, Lisa, Jennie, Jungkook, Mark Lee, Jeno, Felix, Soobin, Yeonjun, etc. These are the ones I can name at the top of my mind. You can just imagine how many of them. And it’s not just K-pop, even Chinese stars like Xiao Zhan, who’s the global ambassador for Tod’s. The lack of Asian stars in this movie is very obvious for someone like me.
π€ Final Sleepy Rating
β It’s a perfect movie to watch in your pajamas at home while drinking Milo on Disney+ and feeling nostalgic.
π―ββοΈ Best Watched With
A good cup of Milo or chocolate drink of your choice and popcorns or nachos or whatever chips you have at home in bed and being all comfy.
It’s been a while, isn’t it? To know why yours truly was on a hiatus, go here.
π’ Seasons/Episodes Covered
Season 1, Episode 1-8
β¨ Quick Spark
Gu Cheon was an orphan who lived in a temple up in the mountains. He, who had the ability to see spirits, was kidnapped by the King and was forced to resolve the supernatural issue that plagued The East Palace – The King’s son was haunted by the pond’s spirit. Gu Cheon, who also had the ability to travel to the spirit’s realm, and with the help of the hidden princess, Saeng-gang, who had the ability to hear spirits, defeated the pond’s spirit. But they found out that there were more secrets within the palace’s walls than just the pond’s spirit.
πͺ The Hook
I was really excited for this drama when I first saw the trailer. This may also be the fastest I’ve ever reviewed a show. It was just released on 17 July. And I was not disappointed. The show is quite similar to The Haunted Palace, if you have ever watched the show. But this is more epic. The spirit realm created reminds me so much of a video game and you know what? They should really think about creating a video game out of this. The world that the creators had created is so cinematically epic, I feel it would be such a waste to keep it only in the drama.
I also have to say this as a non-horror fan: While Netflix tags it as horror, which may make non-horror fans avoid it at all cost, it’s not as scary as I thought and I watched this at night. And that made me realize what made horror shows or movies horror – the sound effect and jump scares. This one has little to no jump scares because you know the spirits would appear anyway – you’ll get a clue in whenever the spirits whispered into Saeng-gang’s ears.
And one other plus? The ggeomeoksali. That little cutie patootie of a spirit the internetz is now calling Joseon era labubu. You would think the spirit is bad/negative but it is the one spirit that helped Gu Cheon everytime that guy was on the brink of death. Release this as a merch, Netflix! I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Look at it! It’s just a baby π₯Ή
π§ͺ Character Chemistry
The show is non-romance; it’s dark fantasy so I don’t expect romance for this. While there’s a bond between Gu Cheon and Saeng-gang, I’m not sure whether I want to call it as romance or call it as a bond created due to everything that they both experienced together. The romance, if any, is so thin, it’s as thin as a tissue paper. So thin it’s almost non-existent and it’s not the center of the plot. But that does not mean the two characters have no chemistry, they do. Very much. They knew they needed each other to survive and they were also willing to sacrifice to save the other. I’m excited to see more of them hopefully in Season 2. Yes, it looks like there may be one with that ending.
πΆπ½ββ‘οΈ Pacing Check
It’s 8 episodes so it goes fast even with plot twists every time. You would think it goes one way and then it goes the other, it makes you pull an all-nighter on this show.
π€ Final Sleepy Rating
β‘ – I kept going “Next episode” that Netflix asked if I was still watching.
π§ Status
Completed
βπΌ Notable Mention
Two notable mentions: First would be that this is the first show for Nam Joo Hyuk after a long time since he finished his military enlistment two years ago. And what a role it is ππΌ
Second notable mention: The soundtrack. The soundtrack is as epic as the show itself and how it has some Korean traditional instruments at play as well. So so good! If you’ve ever watched The Day After Tomorrow and you’ve heard the music and felt how it helped to create the apocalyptic world in the movie, the same here as well.
This week feels like a productive one for me. I have decided to watch Xiao Zhan’s works while going to work (see whether I will pull that through) while slowly watching My Royal Nemesis (since the show is still ongoing). Since the episodes are all out for Teach You A Lesson, I added that in the mix as well and reading Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. I love The Untamed so much, there’s zero hesitation for me to purchase all 5 volumes of the novel. My arms were doing a whole heavy-lifting yesterday carrying all 5 volumes plus a new book by Keigo Higashino because I cannot resist a new book from one of my fave authors even though I still have a lot of his books not read yet. Oops!
Teach You A Lesson (Ep 1-2): β‘- Guys, the satisfaction that I have watching these bullies getting whacked. Finally a drama that shows exactly what we, the audience, want to see whenever we watch such shows with heinous bullies.
The Untamed (Ep 1-4): βοΈ – I know, I know, I put Ep 34 in my last post and suddenly, it’s Ep 1-4? See, usually I skipped scenes after watching the 100th time. But I decided for this 101th rewatch to watch it properly and stop skipping even though I do not want to see Wei Wuxian getting hurt for the gazillionth time.
My Royal Nemesis (Ep 2-4): β‘ – This show is so funny. But seeing Cha Se Gye’s past life… man… I don’t want another Scarlet Heart. My heart wouldn’t be able to take this. So, I really hope it’s a happy ending.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Page 20): βοΈ – Because why not? I did read it before online but it was fan translated and it’s just a mess. So, this novel would be a properly written one. So, I’m super excited to read all 5 volumes of it
π The Midnight Mood
π: Still in my dieting era, guys! So, didn’t crave anything at midnight.
πΆ: Since I’ve been watching, somewhat, a variety show called TXT Parenting Diary on the side, let’s go with one of their songs called Deja Vu.
