Category: Music

Waiting For Donghun ~ Day 1

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

Woah. Well, I guess this is serious. I never thought I would attempt another countdown series here on the blog after that 730 day blogging journey I took when my beloved G.O went off to complete his military duty back in 2016. When I hit the publish button back on February 16, 2018 and posted the final blog entry for The Soulful Countdown, I felt accomplished. At the same time, I wondered if I would ever be encouraged or better yet, inspired, to try something like that again. Fast forward to September 2021 and here I am ready to give it another go for the next 21 (or so) months. Seems main vocal Lee Donghun of A.C.E has worked some magic on my fangirl heart. Hmmm . . . and so begins Donghun’s first day of service to his country, and my countdown to discharge, Waiting for Donghun.

Wish me luck!!

~♥~

[Image cr. A.C.E Official Twitter]

On My Playlist ~ Changer [A.C.E]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

As I sit and contemplate the reality of 2/5 of A.C.E heading off to the military this month (Wow went in on the 10th, and Donghun will go on the 23rd), I also find myself perplexed over how this talented lot is not more of a global sensation. Then I pause and realize that I must be part of an extremely exclusive club of impeccable taste and sensibility. Ha! I know there are many of you out there who feel similarly about your respective groups that fall on the lesser known and under appreciated spectrum. And it is perfectly okay. In fact, I don’t know about you, but I rather love being part of a small fandom. I feel as if I am in on a secret. And being a Choice, well that just feels like family. Especially when the guys repeatedly include songs that uplift and comfort. A.C.E has found this incredible balance in their title tracks over years: sometimes explosive, sometimes refreshing and light. In the title track, Changer, from their latest repackaged release, Changer : Dear Eris, we get refreshing, light AND comforting which is EXACTLY what we need as we send Wow and Donghun off to the military.

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On My Screen ~ Dolphin (OnlyOneOf]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

So yeah, I have kind of been on a hiatus of sorts I guess. Taking care of family medical situations, navigating the slow return to an upcoming ‘office centric work environment’ and of course, the ever-annoying (mental and spiritual) journey through what seems to be an endless pandemic. Also, been struggling to find my writing mojo. It happens. Amid and in spite of all of that, I have managed to vacation a bit in the after hours vortex of OnlyOneOf. Mind you, this is not an illicit place. No, not at all. It is more of a mature place for mature tastes. And while I can easily choose any one of the incredible tracks that has a corresponding MV from OnlyOneOf’s fantastic discography to share, promote, and essentially gush over, I am opting to go for one that is not even their own. But, that does not mean they don’t own it. Come check out the group’s erogenous cover of Oh My Girl’s Dolphin and have a taste of OnlyOneOf’s special flavor.

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On My Playlist ~ IYAH [Kang Seung Yoon]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

After what seems to have been an eternity (because basically, it was), Winner’s leader Kang Seung Yoon released his first full solo album, Page and with it the nostalgic and heartfelt title track, IYAH. I am reeling in the wonder of it all. Thrilled, proud and excited, I am also incredibly moved by the thoughtful and honest way in which Yoon sings about his journey as an artist not only through the title track, but with every song (all written by him) on this long-awaited opus. Both his solo release and my thoughts about it are long overdue.

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Playlist Roulette ~ Fairy of Shampoo [Tomorrow x Together]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

Is there anyone else out there who enjoys interesting backstories to songs or do I ride alone with my quirks? I have to believe there are a few out there and if so, you might enjoy the backstory to this week’s Playlist Roulette pull, Tomorrow X Together’s Fairy of Shampoo from the group’s second EP, The Dream Chapter: Eternity.

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[News] SHINee’s Taemin Announces Military Enlistment Date

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

It was after all, a matter of time. But somehow it hit a little harder than I expected. Maybe it because I feel as if I have only just begun learning about and appreciating him and now, SHINee’s indelible, cheeky and ever so talented maknae Lee Taemin will soon be heading off on an 18 month military hiatus. In a 45 minute VLive broadcast Monday, April 19, an emotional and tearful Taemin announced that he would be heading to military training camp on May 31. 😢ㅠㅠㅠ…

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Playlist Roulette ~ Think About Chu [Noir]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

With so many comebacks these past few months it has been impossible for me to get up to speed with them all so I guess I will stay out of the mainstream a little while longer. Seems the Playlist Roulette gods feel the same way as they decided upon a light and breezy pop track from a group with a not so light name. Noir’s Think About Chu is a refreshing B-side (yes, more B-sides, can never have enough B-sides) from their 4th EP, Up The Sky : 飛. Initially, I was attracted by the mysterious Noir name, but it did not take me long to discover that this 9-member group is housing some serious vocal talent. The name piqued my interest and invited me in, the talent made me stay.

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Playlist Roulette ~ Empty-Handed [H&D]

~ Michele ~ 2 Comments

For someone who has never watched a single episode of any of the The Unit, Under Nineteen, or Produce 101 K-pop group survival programs, I certainly have a wealth of the shows’ alumni populating the Strictly Korean playlist. Late night Apple Music excavations are becoming a ritual fueled by findings such as this week’s Playlist Roulette pull, H&D’s Empty-Handed ~ yep, it’s a B-side from the duo’s first mini album, Soulmate. I think more people should be talking about these two. I’m ready to weigh in.

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Playlist Roulette ~ Raise Me Up [Lee Hongki]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

I think at one time or another we have all felt that if we had that one single person in our lives who was always there, and who always had our backs unconditionally without judgment, that we could do or be anything we wanted. And because of that support and belief, we could make it through even the most arduous and difficult times because in essence, that person believed in us more than we did ourselves. Have you ever felt that or am I the only whimsical weepy one? Ha..maybe it’s just me. But, this is how I feel when I listen to this week’s Playlist Roulette pull, Lee Hongki’s Raise Me Up from the Korean drama Switch OST.

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On My Playlist ~ Do or Not [Pentagon]

~ Michele ~ Leave a comment

The beauty of being part of Pentagon’s Universe is knowing that nothing  (and I mean, NOTHING) gets in the way of them releasing consistently good music, especially in the wake of hiatuses. In fact, I am not sure Pentagon even allows the word hiatus into their vocabulary. I suppose therein lies the beauty of a group with many members as, even when one or two are away, the music keeps coming. And let me point out that neither quantity, and more importantly, quality, are ever sacrificed in the wake of it. On March 15th, Pentagon dropped their 11th (yes…11th) mini album, Love or Take, with the effervescent and cheeky title track, Do or Not. And let me tell you, effervescent and cheeky is exactly what I need right now.

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