Midweek New Music Roundup :: January 15th - 22nd

[hitokage]

I really meant to get this posted, like, eight hours ago, but THINGS kept happening and we had an appliance delivery window and yeah. We're going to pretend it's still mid-week, though, okay? Otherwise, I might have to shank a bitch.

That aside, we have an extensive list of releases again this week, between the much-anticipated comebacks of GOT7 and BBGirls, a bunch of OSTs, some more live performances, and the actual debut of JYPE's new boy group, KickFlip! Plus a special collaboration by Kim Wansun and Seulgi of Red Velvet, a set of remake releases in honor of MAMAMOO's 10th anniversary, performance stages from Universe League, and so much more. From dance pop to hiphop, R&B to trot, even jazz and blues again this week, so whatever your preferred genre, there's something new to give a listen.

Banner artist slot this week goes to GOT7, with additional picks from me going to NIve, Doh Kyungsoo (EXO), and ALL(H)OURS.

Releases for the week of January 15th - 22nd:
HYNN - Unspoken Goodbye *
BBGIRLS - LOVE 2 *
Wei - NOT ENOUGH *
Dynamicduo, GUMMY - Take Care *
BTOB - Hi Beautiful *
VVUP - 4 Life
mellow button - What I love and what I don't love (audio only)
ULUV - Winter Love *
Vanilla Unity - Winter
LINEN - Play the Game
Zenho - Fate (with SOHOGET) *
Jung Hyunjun - Take It All Back *
21univ. - Lean On Me
Heo Hoykyung - Both-sided Heart (Who Is She OST) *
Kim Wansun, Seulgi (Red Velvet) - Lucky
Hwang Inwook - Maybe +
U_Chae - Winter (audio only)
BABYMONSTER - Really Like You (pre-release) *
LOVELIESBABY - whiteout (audio only)
Shin Yoonseung - Isanghae
Seiren - Late Night Calls * ❌
Only Child Kim - Oi (audio only)
Gogiminn - Tomorrow (audio only)
iamnot - Come Back *
iamnot - Up All Night (audio only)
NIve - A Bitter Letter to Myself
Doh Kyungsoo - Snowfall at Night
Kim Woojin - 5am *
ALL(H)OURS - Graffiti *
Lydia - I took it all for granted then (audio only)
UPGRADE MOUNTAINS - We will be okay +
Lim Heonil - Too hurt *
Lim Heonil - falling in love
Universe League - Roller Coaster * 🌟
Universe League - ON&ON * 🌟
Universe League - Only U * 🌟
Universe League - Don't Hit the Brakes * 🌟
Universe League - Butterfly * 🌟
Universe League - My, My, My * 🌟
강아솔 - How Can I Forget You (Motel California OST) *
Jinjoo park, Ailee, Mijoo, Haewon (NMIXX) - Is it still beautiful
LeSon - if you'll ever listen to this song +
Dept - Eleven's Winter (feat. Yel) ❌ 🚩
Lee Duckkoo - Romantic is a luxury (audio only)
Kim gaeun - Miss You (audio only)
Lim Jaehyun - Half of my life *
Sion - Life Is Tricky (When the Stars Gossip OST) *
Shim Junseok - After You Left (Namib OST) *
daehan - Conversation (feat. Haeyoung)
daehan - Can you call me? (feat. woOnim)
Kim Hyunwoo - Messier45
GOT7 - Python *
ZEROBASEONE - Doctor! Doctor! *
KickFlip - Mama Said (debut) *
SoulCry, ONEB - Still in love
Namgyuwon - Joke
YUWOO - Digital wave (audio only)
Yangwooseok, Kim Changmo - Like Snow *
D2ear - Um Oh Ah Yeh (SKYBLUE mix)
Vanilla Mousse - HIP (IVORY mix)
Sarah Chung - Starry Night (MAUVE mix)
Co.To - Rainy Season (CHILLBLUE mix)
MINNIE ((G)-IDLE) - HER *
Paul Kim - I Remember (yours)
Lee Seul - a windy day (audio only)
Hiding Day - Tell me how to forget you
CATCH THE YOUNG - You, Always (2025) *
KAYA - Rockstar
Starart - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2025


key:
* content warning - see item below for specific warnings
+ comes with "disappearing" hardcoded subs
❌ I was unable to finish watching this video (see item below for more information)
🌟 see special note
🚩 other flag - see item below for specifics


The Mea Culpa Section:
… remains empty yet again! Amazing!


🌟 ok, a quick note about Universe League: this is the name of the show these boys are on (were on? I forgot entirely that I was going to watch it and now I think these were their final stages). Given they're a bunch of pre-debut trainees, I get putting the show's name on them instead of the teams, but at the same time, it would be nice to know the teams. On the other hand, if/when any of them make it to debut, they'll be under different team names, so… ;)


HYNN - Unspoken Goodbye https://youtu.be/0gVmznrekNg
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
cw: supernatural elements (magic), lens flares
note: If Korea wasn't so Christianized, I'd think that deer was meant to be a god


BBGIRLS - LOVE 2 https://youtu.be/a_0oh_RoGcw
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flare, water glare


Wei - NOT ENOUGH https://youtu.be/GsDuah__YuQ
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flare, fireworks
note: rbgyublavtf no! do not put your shoes on the bed!! bad!! no biscuits!!!!


Dynamicduo, GUMMY - Take Care https://youtu.be/8y5RFHR1hhQ
genre: hiphop
cw: lens flare, camera motion
note: a breakup song that, despite being set in a bar, includes no drinking


BTOB - Hi Beautiful https://youtu.be/dDSLeKdQ7YU
genre: R&B
cw: flashing concert lights
note: Between Eunkwang and Minhyuk, I am having severe fluffy sweater jealousy over here XD


VVUP - 4 Life https://youtu.be/6hN01iMdjdM
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flare


mellow button - What I love and what I don't love (audio only) https://youtu.be/6L3OpSeYcbk
genre: neoclassical instrumental
note: getting an instrumental break early in the lineup this week


ULUV - Winter Love https://youtu.be/A-d3_u1Yhcw
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flare
note: ... guys, it's most of the way through January now, you can stop with the Christmas visuals, I promise... /grumbling in pagan


Vanilla Unity - Winter https://youtu.be/95w9Dt_7ShI
genre: rock (ballad)


LINEN - Play the Game https://youtu.be/KrtGUPL4WC0
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
note: potential hanky warning?


Zenho - Fate (with SOHOGET) https://youtu.be/WsDJFOMtqHo
genre: R&B
cw: {eye strain?}
note: there's some added text that sometimes matches the lyrics, but it's hard to read sometimes. And then there's the blur section that I don't know how to adequately describe other than if it had lasted one second longer, I would've had to nope out entirely for the way it was hurting my eyes


Jung Hyunjun - Take It All Back https://youtu.be/thlSqdg82oU
genre: R&B
cw: flashing video "artifact" effects (various)
note: oh look, with the dominant aspect ratio, the hardcoded subs stay distinct with little effort! And even when the video changes aspect radio, they stay distinct cuz they're yellow over B&W! Amazing!


21univ. - Lean On Me https://youtu.be/gXNG3qkJOw0
genre: folk rock


Heo Hoykyung - Both-sided Heart (Who Is She OST) https://youtu.be/xn8hbgemQG8
genre: R&B
cw: lens flare
note: video is clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


Kim Wansun, Seulgi (Red Velvet) - Lucky https://youtu.be/YzBDrq1KBCM
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing
note: the strong vintage 80 vibes is giving me a complex. XD


Hwang Inwook - Maybe https://youtu.be/ax3j-DPhaBE
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
note: and right back to putting white text over white video with a one pixel drop shadow, sigh.


U_Chae - Winter (audio only) https://youtu.be/ygSXdq9k-ew
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)


BABYMONSTER - Really Like You (pre-release) https://youtu.be/XShaIZs7J7M
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares


LOVELIESBABY - whiteout (audio only) https://youtu.be/N099sL9F1Mg
genre: rock
note: is it noise? is it psychedelic? There's a fun stereo effect in the middle of the track that I picked up with headphones that I wouldn't've noticed on my speakers, so there's that.


Shin Yoonseung - Isanghae https://youtu.be/OOAIgj70EaQ
genre: comedy/trot
note: This is really more spoken word than anything and oh lort, the camp


Seiren - Late Night Calls ❌ https://youtu.be/dU01B_uYAcI
genre: R&B
cw: flashing effects, strobing lights, "smoking"
note: the interweaving of "snow" screens makes this unwatchable - I got maybe halfway and had to scroll down to give my eyes a rest. Which is unfortunate, cuz I like the song, but yeah.


Only Child Kim - Oi (audio only) https://youtu.be/m43TZ3Z34us
genre: R&B
note: I have questions about this cover art, but that's neither here nor there.


Gogiminn - Tomorrow (audio only) https://youtu.be/kmNLqZdHmBk
genre: soft rock


iamnot - Come Back https://youtu.be/_pdC7IwU7rM
genre: soft rock
cw: flashing
note: the flashing here is relatively soft/low contrast, but after some of the earlier videos, my eyes were not happy. The way the environment seems shaped at least somewhat by the bass line, this video feels like a hybrid of a lyric video and a visualizer.

iamnot - Up All Night (audio only) https://youtu.be/t7E5BvT2JWs
genre: pop rock
note: a nice bit of fun


NIve - A Bitter Letter to Myself https://youtu.be/JL0BblE0qKc
genre: pop rock
note: video has been formatted/optimized for smaller/mobile screens.


Doh Kyungsoo - Snowfall at Night https://youtu.be/KM-YzSbGT4s
genre: R&B
note: potential hanky warning (it's the color of Kyungsoo's voice, gets me every time)


Kim Woojin - 5am https://youtu.be/WJf4FC5SaQk
genre: R&B
cw: speed flash
note: obvious timelapse is obvious, but I'm still in awe


ALL(H)OURS - Graffiti https://youtu.be/fCtLbCjsVrY
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing lights
note: not me having to continually remind myself that the title is "graffiti" not "gravity" 😅


Lydia - I took it all for granted then (audio only) https://youtu.be/v05ovmgwwCM
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)


UPGRADE MOUNTAINS - We will be okay https://youtu.be/xwQhuH2k88c
genre: rock
note: for something marked as a lyric video, you would think they'd make any effort at all to make sure the lyrics, you know, are actually visible. IDK, maybe they're more visible if you're watching this on your phone (since this seems to have been optimized for mobile screens).


Lim Heonil - Too hurt https://youtu.be/E1TLZUf17gY
genre: soft rock
cw: implied depression/mental illness
note: yeah, I could be reading too much into it again, but....

Lim Heonil - falling in love https://youtu.be/mPXQMsenRl0
genre: R&B
note: if there had been any other warning, I would've tossed "brutalist architecture" in there as well, but there wasn't and it would feel wrong to flag over my personal hatred of Brutalism, soooo XD


Universe League - Roller Coaster 🌟 https://youtu.be/2B566PcXWfQ
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights
note: I know I've seen groups do this kind of look before so I don't know why this time it feels chaotic/sloppy?

Universe League - ON&ON 🌟 https://youtu.be/5Y7d5ZSd5c8
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights - standard, laser, background kaleidoscope
note: very aggressive stage lighting design, sigh. Yeah, it matches with the more aggressive nature of the song, but ow, my eyes

Universe League - Only U 🌟 https://youtu.be/LoWrhCxiaCM
genre: dance pop (ballad)
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights
note: ok, the heart in the palm was adorable, but this staging feels like a distraction from the song.

Universe League - Don't Hit the Brakes 🌟 https://youtu.be/bqbLlyLyL1o
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights - standard + lasers

Universe League - Butterfly 🌟 https://youtu.be/eHtMkLorfNQ
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights
note: another cute stage, though at least this one the dance fits better

Universe League - My, My, My 🌟 https://youtu.be/mNt59sqNGKU
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing/strobing stage lights
note: given this is a pre-debut show and the average age at pre-debut, I am... having Thoughts. 😅


강아솔 - How Can I Forget You (Motel California OST) https://youtu.be/QjULYLgnVNc
genre: R&B
cw: flashing, drinking
note: video is clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


Jinjoo park, Ailee, Mijoo, Haewon (NMIXX) - Is it still beautiful https://youtu.be/y4T4bHBVrXM
genre: R&B


LeSon - if you'll ever listen to this song https://youtu.be/5vVsb6U0h2Q
genre: R&B
note: every time a singer breaks a word to take a very obvious breath, another piece of my soul dies. The hard subs were A Choice all right.


Dept - Eleven's Winter (feat. Yel) ❌ 🚩 https://open.spotify.com/track/47LSnUjulWAZ3CmCMZwmLR
genre: pop rock
cw: suspected genslop
note: oh...oh I think the animation loop on this is genAI (it's the artifacting), so that's a nope from me and a Spotify link instead


Lee Duckkoo - Romantic is a luxury (audio only) https://youtu.be/xQwmA_KNp5g
genre: trot
note: cover art is supposed to be beer, but if you know about food photography, you know that's not beer. 😉


Kim gaeun - Miss You (audio only) https://youtu.be/FvqwDx933vw
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)


Lim Jaehyun - Half of my life https://youtu.be/aJFEPNhXvbY
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares
note: another Jaehyun who looks like he could hug me hard enough to possibly squeeze my broken soul back into my body please and thank you. Hard subs are easily overlooked, but less bad than some we've seen


Sion - Life Is Tricky (When the Stars Gossip OST) https://youtu.be/lCMdg_n4Tnw
genre: R&B
cw: flashing lights, police, blood/injury, gun, space violence
note: video is clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


Shim Junseok - After You Left (Namib OST) https://youtu.be/-YJCUOWmPew
genre: blues
cw: lens flares
note: video is clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers. Ah, I'm such a sucker for nylon-string guitar...


daehan - Conversation (feat. Haeyoung) https://youtu.be/GeuC5T2IlWc
genre: R&B
note: there's a background inverse bar EQ animation under the lyrics, but neither it nor the lyric jerk feel enough to trip warnings.

daehan - Can you call me? (feat. woOnim) https://youtu.be/HQAK5W8IM8Q
genre: R&B
note: same note as above


Kim Hyunwoo - Messier45 https://youtu.be/seCHWj5_VmI
genre: jazz
cw: flashing/strobing lights (time effect)
note: who doesn't enjoy a night sky in winter time lapse? And look at that, a lyric video where the lyrics are prominent and distinct!


GOT7 - Python https://youtu.be/4d5C_PQl8Tg
genre: dance pop
cw: aggressive flashing, blood/injury
note: *incoherent happy noises* I don't have enough words to explain how much I'm rooting for them with this comeback


ZEROBASEONE - Doctor! Doctor! https://youtu.be/9BXF8gSpEwY
genre: dance pop
cw: medical/hospital, blood/injury
note: I have some... concerns about this hospital XD


KickFlip - Mama Said (debut) https://youtu.be/JY0UTOgh8M8
genre: dance pop
cw: surrealism, destructive boy chaos, aggressive flashing lights
note: these boys are too young to be copping this much attitude XD To be fair, put that many boys together and chaos is what you're going to get


SoulCry, ONEB - Still in love https://youtu.be/Sy62jaq9o8k
genre: R&B
note: potential hanky warning?


Namgyuwon - Joke https://youtu.be/-jB-LAKBBxo
genre: soft rock
note: have I mentioned how I'm a complete sucker for acoustic guitar?


YUWOO - Digital wave (audio only) https://youtu.be/YJ8nG5AZn3Y
genre: EDM


Yangwooseok, Kim Changmo - Like Snow https://youtu.be/ozrgVKsHMuI
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares
note: ... well now I miss being able to go to the ocean again....


D2ear - Um Oh Ah Yeh (SKYBLUE mix) https://youtu.be/-0_T9jqoYRI
genre: dance pop
note: first of four authorized MAMAMOO remakes for the group's 10th anniversary


Vanilla Mousse - HIP (IVORY mix) https://youtu.be/-nLQw-I7SiU
genre: jazz
note: slight genre slide ... which is my favorite kind of remake.


Sarah Chung - Starry Night (MAUVE mix) https://youtu.be/2fMu4pyrN78
genre: dance pop


Co.To - Rainy Season (CHILLBLUE mix) https://youtu.be/Eams-dBhXlY
genre: dance pop
note: no idea what connection the colors could possibly have to each mix, but maybe I'm not supposed to ask :p


MINNIE ((G)-IDLE) - HER https://youtu.be/UTHqh7Vpa64
genre: dance pop
cw: flashes, gun, blood/injury
note: Freud would have a field day with this.


Paul Kim - I Remember (yours) https://youtu.be/t20DdLZ8I7I
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
note: potential hanky warning


Lee Seul - a windy day (audio only) https://youtu.be/a2K8O8IndFU
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)


Hiding Day - Tell me how to forget you https://youtu.be/k3SJemv8vZ4
genre: R&B


CATCH THE YOUNG - You, Always (2025) https://youtu.be/tURnf-GE2qU
genre: rock
cw: camera flash, lens flare
note: ok but if you put your whole finger over the flash, you defeat the entire purpose, sweetie XD


KAYA - Rockstar https://youtu.be/9Zrt94Tu2gU
genre: pop rock
cw: flashing
note: maybe it's a good thing for her that search engines are more or less completely broken now, between bad architecture and the proliferation of paid slop...


Starart - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2025 https://youtu.be/DNw_4Qj6D60
genre: jazz instrumental
note: yes, this is exactly the song you think it is, done as jazz variations on a theme. Which one way to end the week all right, so I'm keeping it in. XD


Congrats, you've made it through the whole list! Who were your favorites this week? Any surprises? Let's chat about it!




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