BLACKPINK's 'Jump' claimed its first terrestrial broadcast No. 1, recording five wins in music shows.
On the 2nd, MBC's 'Show! Music Core' saw BLACKPINK (BLACKPINK)'s 'Jump' take the top spot for the first week of August, surpassing ALLDAY PROJECT's 'FAMOUS' and TOMORROW X TOGETHER's 'Beautiful Strangers'.
That day, Dragon Pony took the stage with their new song 'Earth Boy,' marking their comeback. 'Earth Boy' is a self-composed song written by the members during their trainee days, expressing the feelings of being lost and shaken, likened to an airship that has lost its signal and veered off course. Dragon Pony sincerely captured the anxiety and loneliness of a time when it was unclear where they were and where they were going, offering comfort to listeners through 'Earth Boy,' which deals with complex emotions like sadness and anxiety.
SAY MY NAME made a comeback with the refreshing 'iLy.' 'iLy' gently approaches like the beginning of summer and captures the trajectory of the emotion of burning love in our own language. Returning as their first summer song, SAY MY NAME portrayed every moment of love with a sensory and elegant melody, presenting an auditory freshness through its cool energy chorus and addictive refrain.
Seunghan's solo debut stage followed. Debuting as XngHan&Xoul, Seunghan expressed, "I have prepared really hard for this moment you have waited for, so I will show you more diverse sides of myself going forward," and explained, "XngHan&Xoul means a crew form of creators in various fields including music, performance, styling, and artwork under an artist brand. I hope you look forward to seeing more diverse sides from us in the future."
Continuing on, Seunghan introduced the album, calling it "an album that honestly captures my story, as I have completed all my preparations for the moment I step on stage." He presented two performances: the title track 'Waste No Time' and the included track 'Heavenly Blue,' marking his debut in the music world. Seunghan shared, "'Waste No Time' is an electronic dance song that embodies the determination of youth to move forward without hesitation, not missing the current moment, at a new starting point." He added, "'Heavenly Blue' is a song that I participated in writing the lyrics and producing the performance. It is a song for everyone who has supported me, so I hope you will definitely check it out." He marked the beginning of his full-fledged debut project through 'XngHan&Xoul,' raising expectations for his future activities.
ICHILLIN' made a comeback with 'XL (Extra Love).' 'XL (Extra Love)' is an R&B dance-pop song that likens sweet and addictive feelings of love to the XL size of 'Extra Love,' woven over a groovy rhythm, expressively uncovering the depth and excitement of emotions that one can't escape from once ensnared. ICHILLIN' boldly portrayed their growing hearts while showcasing their increasingly mature stage presence and charm.
EPEX took the stage with 'Thank You for Making Me Cry.' 'Thank You for Making Me Cry' is a song about adopting a mature attitude toward accepting a breakup. Based on a pop sound accented by acoustic elements, it delivers delicate yet profound echoes with subtle rock touches. EPEX completed an immersive stage by embodying lyrical melodies and escalating emotions within their performance.
Shin Soo-hyun returned with 'Starlit Night' filled with a more defined color. 'Starlit Night' is a song that evokes thoughts of someone you want to leave with when a day that begins under a hot sun transitions into a cool night. Based on a fast rock sound with a tempo of 174, intense guitar riffs and smooth drums flow outward, while Shin Soo-hyun's refreshing voice adds an exciting energy to the entire piece. Through 'Starlit Night,' she evoked feelings of moments when simply being by someone's side was enough, leaving a deep resonance.
YENA presented a more powerful 'Yena Core' with 'I Hate Being Called Nice.' Choi Yena introduced this album as "an album that reinterprets the process of all love, from the emotions of first love blossoming with a pure heart like an angel's wings to the moments of first heartbreak experienced in a rainy alley."
Regarding the title track 'I Hate Being Called Nice,' she explained, "It encapsulates the pain following a breakup, as well as all the emotions felt while in love, in a single phrase, which evokes resonance and empathy." Yena showcased a matured sensitivity through bright yet wistful vibes, expressing an escalating emotional line with her unique vocals.
JAY (Kim Jin-hwan), who has completed his military service, returned to the music scene as a solo artist with 'OBEY.' 'OBEY' is a pop dance track imbued with a deep and dark charm, containing a provocative message that captivates and dominates the other person. Kim Jin-hwan perfectly delivered a performance of 'OBEY,' enchanting viewers with his irresistible mysterious charisma.
THE BOYZ made a comeback stage with the title track 'Stylish' and included track 'AURA.' THE BOYZ described this album as "an album containing our aspirations to create waves in the music industry with a strong influence," stating, "The title track 'Stylish' shows an attitude of forging one's own path, even if their outfit looks like an unintended combination, or their choices are unpredictable; it encapsulates our free and honest style."
'Stylish' is a minimal hip-hop-based pop track that stands out with its addictive hook and distinctive sound. Following the stage of 'AURA,' which describes the presence given by others with the brilliant light of a season, THE BOYZ also showcased 'Stylish,' displaying a sense of freedom and confidence, heralding the new chapter ahead while building anticipation for the second act of THE BOYZ.
On the 9th anniversary of his solo debut, Nam Woo-hyun made a comeback with the new song 'Only Go Straight.' 'Only Go Straight' delivers explosive and refreshing coolness, showcasing that the strongest feelings are the hottest ones. The song conveys the message of choosing to go straight toward just one person. Nam Woo-hyun presented a powerful vocal, reminiscent of the racing scenes from a youth film, with intense ROCK&ROLL guitar sounds and an escalating atmosphere, providing listeners with a hot yet cool energy on a hot summer day.
Meanwhile, that day on 'Show! Music Core,' Shin Soo-hyun, Nam Woo-hyun, JAY (Kim Jin-hwan), THE BOYZ, YENA (Choi Yena), TOMORROW X TOGETHER, STAYC, EPEX, ICHILLIN', SAY MY NAME, Dragon Pony, XngHan&Xoul, ASC2NT, ARrC, cosmosy, and Ryu Yeon-joo appeared.
[Photo] MBC
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