Midweek New Music Roundup :: May 14th - 21st

[hitokage]

Thursday counts as mid-week! Mind you, this listing still stops at 1am EDT because of reasons (my sanity being primary among them), but still. There was rather a lot to get through this week (at one point, the composite list was over 100 entries), but I got there in the end!

On the up side, that means there's a good chance you'll find something you'll like, whatever your Kpop preference. Looking for the freshest hiphop? We've got comebacks from LOGI and Byung Yongmin (again), plus the debut of girl group VVS. Feeling more in the R&B mood? Perhaps XG or Baekhyun can scratch that itch. Need to get up and dance? The Wind, Jaechan (DKZ), and X:IN are all here for you. Rock and roll more your taste? Maybe you'll like 2z or i-dle or the latest from NCT's YUTA or Kim Jaejoong. Need a therapeutic cry? Look for the hanky warnings. Need a break? We've got half a dozen instrumentals, mostly jazz, to give your ear a bit of a rest. Not sure what you want? That's fine - browse the list by genre or ask for suggestions and I'll see what I can do.

Banner artist slots this week go to NCT's YUTA and Lim Sejun, with additional picks from me going to RIIZE, Taeyong, BIBI, Heize, and Big Ocean.

Releases for the week of May 14th - 21st:
BYUNYONGMIN - Man in the Mirror *
TAEYONG (NCT) - Rose (feat. Seulgi (Red Velvet)) *
BIBI - Apocalypse *
Hwanho - Action
2Z - CrossRoad 🔤
Gizzly - An Ordinary Day 🔤
XG - Million Places *
AZITO - UYEON UI UYEON (audio only)
Khundi Panda - TRY-UMPH (Shark: The Storm OST) (audio only)
HAN SUSUNG - Are You Listening
Aneast - If With U
Jeong Sewoon - goodbye 🔤 *
The Wind - Hello Tomorrow *
Jeongsangsu & Hongga - Do You Want to Eat Ramyun (feat. Ryeongkyo) *
eunsoobro - Weh Wat SSo *
YUTA (NCT) - Twisted Paradise *
Se So Neon - Twit Winter
Uncle TK - FLY FLY
Ji Hui - Bloom with me (audio only)
Lee Taeyoon, Ten - Go get the money (audio only)
PANEB - Better Days (feat. YECHAN) *
Sophia - Remember your memories *
Hemispheres - DM me (with Yunseul)
Jin (BTS) - Don't Say You Love Me 🔤 *
JAECHAN (DKZ) - Poster Boy 🔤 *
NIve - T.L.S (Typical Love Song)
ROCOBERRY - ONLY YOU *
Lim Sejun - Summer (solo debut) 🔤 *
Son Taejin - Rebloom (The Haunted Palace OST) *
a:pomt - One of the two (feat. Yunseo) *
Paranteum - Daybreak (audio only)
Lyle - Less than ideal *
Kang Gyeoul - To Lover (audio only)
Route 1 - NAYUTA (Japanese release) *
X:IN - Attention seeker *
Yun Seong - Lost in Love
JinE - Say Yes *
Hyosang - Flower Love 🔤 + *
n o m a - The Letter from Tibet (audio only)
soopie - TABLE
Go Younjung, Shin Sia, Kang Youseok, Han Yeji - A Race (Resident Playbook OST) *
Sugar Rain - A Bite of Macaron (audio only)
holden - Love of Mine (audio only)
Ha Dongyeon, Gaseupgi - You, I
Koi Kat - Wake Up Call *
Sons of Madam - Going Down *
OuiOui - needalove
3WAY - Mm-hmm (Japanese ver) ⚠️ *
Goldilocks Club - Bubbles, Shadows, and Echoes
LOGI - Taste You (audio only)
Ahn Ye-eun - Red Fox *
RIIZE - Fly Up 🔤 *
Baekhyun (EXO) - Elevator *
i-dle - Good Thing ⚠️ *
VVS - D.I.M.M (debut) 🔤 *
Ali - Azaleas *
Kim Jaejoong - ROCK STAR *
RIIZE - Show Me Love *
RIIZE - Midnight Mirage *
RIIZE - The End of the Day *
G. Nine - She (Ain't the Love That I Wanted) (audio only)
JINS - Adventure (audio only)
D.A₩ON, I:REM - D-1 *
Finger soul - Replay (audio only)
Zanmang Loopy, Keita (EVNNE), Lee Jeonghyeon (EVNNE) - Newbie *
toyou. - Wake Me (audio only)
xooos - My Dearest (ToGetHer OST) 🔤 +
Yoon Jisung - Voyage
Tabber - Hysteric Glamour 🔤 *
#Annyeong - last night *
TEN (NCT) - Butterfly (English ver) + *
Heize - You are the one (Tastefully Yours OST) *
Big Ocean - FADE OUT
Namooboy - Monster (audio only)
Lee Jangwoo - You Are My Love (Orgel box) (Totori Cultural Center OST) *
The Secret Chord - walk on the moon (audio only)
DD! - KEEPS ON SHINING *
toyou. - Dive in (audio only)
MECHANISM (Cho Hyelyun & Peppertones) - Broken Time Machine 🔤 *
MECHANISM (Cho Hyelyun & Peppertones) - NA PI! 🔤 *


key:
* content warning - see item below for specifics
+ comes with "disappearing" hardcoded subs
🔤 posted with English CC
⚠️ elevated warning - see item below for specifics

note: despite the listing above, where an artist has multiple releases on the week, additional releases are listed under the first instance, to keep things together and thus easier to find (in theory anyway).

BYUNYONGMIN - Man in the Mirror https://youtu.be/2wj7p99jw3Y
genre: hiphop
cw: (sometimes aggressive) flashing effects
note: if I'd known there was going to be an MV, I would've skipped the audio version last week, but by the time this had popped, I wasn't going back to take it out, so here it is again.


TAEYONG (NCT) - Rose (feat. Seulgi (Red Velvet)) https://youtu.be/Bz2pbtzry5w
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares
note: a special (long-planned) gift while fans wait impatiently for the end of Taeyong's enlistment. These two are so cute together


BIBI - Apocalypse https://youtu.be/YfezCtmRS6I
genre: dance pop
cw: abusive relationship dynamics, flashing, lens flares, surrealism
note: I almost added "supernatural elements (magic)" but I remain unconvinced that would've been appropriate to the story


Hwanho - Action https://youtu.be/j4YVg0V9r4s
genre: rock
note: a plain performance with no narrative portions or funky camera actions at all


2Z - CrossRoad 🔤 https://youtu.be/eg8MQz75Eq4
genre: rock
note: another video in the long list of them that makes me feel homesick (blame the ocean scene)


Gizzly - An Ordinary Day (haru) 🔤 https://youtu.be/ylQmF45yA3c
genre: rock
cw: surrealism (mild dreamscape), fireworks
note: cute pupper alert! aww, what a fluffy good pup!


XG - Million Places 🔤 https://youtu.be/c5Fc6r4A9d8
genre: R&B
cw: flashing concert lights
note: CC has 9 tracks, including English. But...but the Golden Gate Bridge and LA are two different places oh goddess this is why non-Americans think things are way closer together than they actually are.


AZITO - UYEON UI UYEON (audio only) https://youtu.be/3-7opT5_efw
genre: techno


Khundi Panda - TRY-UMPH (Shark: The Storm OST) (audio only) https://youtu.be/HsM_YSNanew
genre: hiphop


HAN SUSUNG - Are You Listening https://youtu.be/sB_PZQB4Q7c
genre: folk rock


Aneast - If With U https://youtu.be/vtwno-_yhaQ
genre: pop rock
note: the sets in this video feel very familiar 😅


Jeong Sewoon - goodbye 🔤 https://youtu.be/WZ_GNJdIJik
genre: pop rock
cw: unsafe power cords, lens flares, flashing/strobing lights, potential hanky warning
note: there's a couple spots where the CC are suspect, but it's probably mistyping


The Wind - Hello Tomorrow https://youtu.be/VTMancSnVMU
genre: dance pop
cw: unsteady self-cam
note: so much food, so much silly "why are boys" antics, and now I'm craving seafood. But aww, they made a kitty friend!


Jeongsangsu & Hongga - Do You Want to Eat Ramyun (feat. Ryeongkyo) https://youtu.be/rD9gDCjVrHM
genre: folk rock/hiphop fusion
cw: lens flares
note: again with the food (not a surprise, but still)


eunsoobro - Weh Wat SSo https://youtu.be/y93B6ZjlOVw
genre: trot
cw: blood/injury, lens flares, older men creeping on school girls
note: at least they more or less get what they deserve?


YUTA (NCT) - Twisted Paradise (Japanese release) 🔤 https://youtu.be/REvRiHwfUqg
genre: rock
cw: aggressive flashing, paint-as-blood, implied madness
note: CC in 10 tracks, including English. Blond Yuta is possibly too powerful ... or maybe just too much like his Haido-aniue.


Se So Neon - Twit Winter https://youtu.be/GE74OGemUjs
genre: pop rock
note: all I can hear is "I've got a jar of dirt, I've got a jar of dirt" (never mind that I don't think that's dirt) (my brain is a special place, I know)


Uncle TK - FLY FLY https://youtu.be/1XIEEuguHUY
genre: trot
note: why bother growing up when you can just do this? 😅


Ji Hui - Bloom with me (audio only) https://youtu.be/Ob_PhB4JgQo
genre: folk rock


Lee Taeyoon, Ten - Go get the money (audio only) https://youtu.be/TlJfA5R8mUs
genre: hiphop


PANEB - Better Days (feat. YECHAN) https://youtu.be/UI-sFrgIgSk
genre: pop rock
cw: full-body fur suit


Sophia - Remember your memories https://youtu.be/ZtgUw2cQJ9k
genre: jazz
cw: flashing, lens flares
note: aww, lazy ginger kitties.


Hemispheres - DM me (with Yunseul) https://youtu.be/pyJRdyLMkA4
genre: pop rock


Jin (BTS) - Don't Say You Love Me 🔤 https://youtu.be/o7BcyAd6rqg
genre: pop rock
cw: lens flares, broken relationship dynamics
note: CC comes in 6 tracks, including English.


JAECHAN (DKZ) - Poster Boy 🔤 https://youtu.be/Lr3J8QTyoxc
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, background flashing/strobing lights
note: CC in 5 tracks, including English


NIve - T.L.S (Typical Love Song) https://youtu.be/AseGeVL59tk
genre: adult contemporary
note: if he keeps putting out lyric videos, then ... I've got nothing - I'm never going to actually complain about more music from NIve.


ROCOBERRY - ONLY YOU https://youtu.be/K6WJCWtyCJM
genre: adult contemporary
cw: water glare


Lim Sejun - Summer (solo debut) 🔤 https://youtu.be/Wp32TiBi64c
genre: pop rock
cw: flashing effects (various), unsteady cam, flashing lights (police?), video "artifacts"
note: CC in both English and Korean. Interesting choice for a debut, trying not to read too much into it.


Son Taejin - Rebloom (The Haunted Palace OST) https://youtu.be/o9X9hPlqPhA
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
cw: blood/injury, flashing
note: video is entirely clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


a:pomt - One of the two (feat. Yunseo) https://youtu.be/9egybXZtYrI
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
cw: water glare (background), flashing effects/video "artifacts," fireworks


Paranteum - Daybreak (audio only) https://youtu.be/JI2QXyEboms
genre: soft rock


Lyle - Less than ideal https://youtu.be/KHScfZr0m7Q
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
cw: video "artifact"ing
note: at least the lyrics stay fairly legible? The English much more than the Korean translation.


Kang Gyeoul - To Lover (audio only) https://youtu.be/QrhW4dyKBgE
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
note: yeah, I'm a sucker for acoustic guitar, we done been knowing his 😜


Route 1 - NAYUTA (Japanese release) https://youtu.be/THwV4B4TK_w
genre: EDM
cw: lens flares, flashing
note: Putting LED-powered lights in your mouth, while safer than older options, is still not necessarily a good idea. Bondage with string lights is always a bad idea for anything more than an art piece 😜


X:IN - Attention seeker 🔤 https://youtu.be/bbXDg3NhxT4
genre: dance pop
cw: background flashing (lightning), lens flares, supernatural elements (magic)
note: CC tracks in English and Korean. Translation not provided for Nova's Russian rap bridge (SIGH).


Yun Seong - Lost in Love https://youtu.be/XzWA2ZcMMkk
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
note: potential hanky warning, but otherwise no warnings, so a note instead


JinE - Say Yes https://youtu.be/_RRUqOPfAnA
genre: pop rock
cw: lens flares, flashing (mild)
note: this is so incredibly cute, oh lort have mercy and beware your teeth 🤣


Hyosang - Flower Love 🔤 https://youtu.be/n0eQyWOnuWM
genre: R&B
cw: graveyard/mourning rituals
note: CC in 6 tracks, including English. Also comes with hardcoded subs because yeah, sure, why not, I guess?


n o m a - The Letter from Tibet (audio only) https://youtu.be/Pdwc5JtWIcc
genre: rock


soopie - TABLE https://youtu.be/S4hKZ9LppAM
genre: alt/soft rock
note: the lyrics aren't as prominent as one usually expects from a lyric video, but they stay legible and even more surprising, the translated English stays the same line as the original English instead of being pushed down to a subtitle (and if that doesn't make sense, well, it will when you see it in action)


Go Younjung, Shin Sia, Kang Youseok, Han Yeji - A Race (Resident Playbook OST) https://youtu.be/RAFWKlAGVQM
genre: R&B
cw: medical/hospital, biting
note: video is about half clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers. A cast OST like this is typically a sign that a drama is close to or has just wrapped its season, so if you've been waiting to binge this one, here's your sign. 😉


Sugar Rain - A Bite of Macaron (audio only) https://youtu.be/-3ZfIxaVFOY
genre: jazz (instrumental)
note: time for an instrumental break! Or save this for a later palette cleanse, as you need.


holden - Love of Mine (audio only) https://youtu.be/9vuuJMz7jPA
genre: folk rock
note: another bit of shiny happy for those who might need it


Ha Dongyeon, Gaseupgi - You, I https://youtu.be/DQ3q3QoEDgc
genre: folk rock
note: the only motion on this video is the scroll of the lyrics


Koi Kat - Wake Up Call https://youtu.be/VIz8QwU1x74
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, background flashing/strobing lights
note: apparently I missed her solo debut back in February, oops


Sons of Madam - Going Down https://youtu.be/XZt64dtB51s
genre: pop rock
cw: full face masks, surrealism
note: I both do and don't want whatever the fsck these guys are on


OuiOui - needalove https://youtu.be/RTyC-cWyIGw
genre: R&B
note: not impressed with the lyric presentation in this lyric video ... which is a shame cuz I like the song well enough - good groove, almost calming


3WAY - Mm-hmm (Japanese ver) ⚠️ https://youtu.be/jkQ42hpyIYQ
genre: dance pop
cw: aggressive glitch effects, lens flares, aggressive flashing (dark)
note: This is pretty much the same as the Korean version, just with some reshooting for where the lip sync needs to match the Japanese lyrics instead. That said, this is really bad, visually, as far as the levels and intensity of flashes, so you may want to give this a pass.


Goldilocks Club - Bubbles, Shadows, and Echoes https://youtu.be/_rh-7npsh_I
genre: rock
note: Oh the Engrish!


LOGI - Taste You (audio only) https://youtu.be/yFlYcl8vDrQ
genre: hiphop


Ahn Ye-eun - Red Fox https://youtu.be/39tS3Km7ndU
genre: folk
cw: blood/injury, supernatural elements (magic, spirits), light flare, implied nudity/sexuality
note: entire video is animated, if that makes a difference in how you weigh the warnings.


RIIZE - Fly Up 🔤 https://youtu.be/vLUtHODdLzk
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, flying stunts
note: CC in 9 tracks, including English. What's this, gospel chorus in my Kpop? It's more likely than you'd think! 🤣 Stunts performed by Trained Professionals, do not attempt at home without proper supervision.

RIIZE - Show Me Love https://youtu.be/b5vM6MfXhVA
genre: dance pop
cw: unsteady cam
note: NO FAIR THEY GOT TREJO'S DONUTS?!?!?!?!? RUDE

RIIZE - Midnight Mirage https://youtu.be/lNmBNXR5mKk
genre: dance pop
cw: animated flashing, surrealism
note: entire video is animated and entirely too cute.

RIIZE - The End of the Day https://youtu.be/XBL44lrLvT8
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares, awkward school crushes, blood/injury, pyrotechnics, Wonbin's stupidly pretty face, potential hanky warning
note: who's cutting onions around here?!?


Baekhyun (EXO) - Elevator https://youtu.be/lg3r8-4yfDI
genre: R&B
cw: flashing, supernatural elements (magic, creature), animated flashing
note: Oh look, another gay cowboy entrant (shush). Also. That shirt at the end. Sir. What are you doing? 🤣


i-dle - Good Thing ⚠️ https://youtu.be/hAONx6nuEgI
genre: dance rock
cw: unsteady cam, aggressive flashing, violence (repeated aggravated assaults), night vision, car explosion/implied MCD
note: THEY put a sensitive content warning on this video, so there's that. It's... not as bad as some things I've watched, but still worth the elevated warning, so keeping it on


VVS - D.I.M.M (debut) 🔤 https://youtu.be/4J95Tdt9HHo
genre: hiphop
cw: flashing, dental office/teeth, lens flares, f-bombs, lens flares
note: CC in 21(!!) tracks, including English. The inconsistent lyric censoring is a thing all right. Welp, yup that's a hiphop debut. We'll see if they can deliver after this much hype.


Ali - Azaleas https://youtu.be/8MMIe5hGY4s?si=Vni8ltBAXRy8iKmB
genre: folk rock
cw: lens flares, blood/injury, video "artifacts," potential hanky warning
note: some musical whiplash if you're going straight down the list


Kim Jaejoong - ROCK STAR 🔤 https://youtu.be/UrZXzp2t91M
genre: rock
cw: false color, aggressive flashing, supernatural elements (possible demonic magic/influence), pyrotechnics, flashing/strobing lights, unsteady cam, soaking wet Jaejoong (fully clothed)
note: swear this man stopped aging a decade ago. Rude. Twenty-plus-year-career-having-asshole (we'll just ignore the part where I've been a fan of his since his start).


G. Nine - She (Ain't the Love That I Wanted) (audio only) https://youtu.be/-D6crA3qC_Q
genre: R&B


JINS - Adventure (audio only) https://youtu.be/8b7a9N_S9Rw
genre: jazz (instrumental)
note: another instrumental break/breather for those who should need it


D.A₩ON, I:REM - D-1 https://youtu.be/9VpEyNCDzhE
genre: hiphop
cw: flashing, camera motion
note: oh, do I have to add That Tunnel to the list of That Place-s?


Finger soul - Replay (audio only) https://youtu.be/Eupg4p_vWGg
genre: neoclassical instrumental
note: another break/reset/palette-cleanse track, with a typo in the upload title, oops.


Zanmang Loopy, Keita (EVNNE), Lee Jeonghyeon (EVNNE) - Newbie https://youtu.be/RGiVLRvAre8
genre: dance pop
cw: animated anthro avatars
note: once upon a time, I knew what Loopy's meant to be, but I've forgotten if she's supposed to be an otter, a beaver or something else entirely (the hiding/removal of tails doesn't help). The boys have had matching avatars made for them in this video meant to mimic a music show stage, complete with audience, push-pull camera moves, and lyrics to the bottom left.


toyou. - Wake Me (audio only) https://youtu.be/qQFiCSLussU
genre: jazz instrumental
note: I know, there's been quite a few breaks in this segment of the list. I had to turn down my audio a good bit to get the piano-synth to not sound like cheap crap (and it was just a lot louder than the last few for whatever reason) and it still poked at my headache

toyou. - Dive in (audio only) https://youtu.be/Efhn-6581p0
genre: R&B
note: yup, you guessed it, another instrumental break, this time with no other note needed


xooos - My Dearest (ToGetHer OST) 🔤 https://youtu.be/Mlg1rokvVjM
genre: R&B
note: CC available in English. Video is clips from the program, so may contain spoilers.


Yoon Jisung - Voyage https://youtu.be/3uBTOeens6Q
genre: pop rock
note: nailed again with the homesickness thanks to the ocean and a sweet/cute smile


Tabber - Hysteric Glamour 🔤 https://youtu.be/9u7wYEizkK4
genre: R&B
cw: lens flare, pyrotechnics, flashing
note: CC available in both English and Korean. Always unfortunate when the artist can't even afford a shirt for every scene. 🤣


#Annyeong - last night https://youtu.be/AZe6-mYwp3k
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares, potential hanky warning
note: a breakup song where the video reveals nothing (explicitly, at least) about why they broke up


TEN (NCT) - Butterfly (English ver) https://youtu.be/j58yo2BZ414
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares, water glare (night time), unsteady cam, flashing
note: lyrics on the screen don't entirely match what Ten's singing, but close enough? And of course there's a kitty.


Heize - You are the one (Tastefully Yours OST) https://youtu.be/boLbRoX6M3A
genre: jazz
cw: lens flares, fireworks
note: video is roughly half clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers.


Big Ocean - FADE OUT https://youtu.be/fLlU4KDYiYY
genre: dance pop
note: exposing my bias and favoritism adding this here, but it's Big Ocean, so not even a little bit sorry. 🤣


Namooboy - Monster (audio only) https://youtu.be/0HkH3hXy_og
genre: rock


Lee Jangwoo - You Are My Love (Orgel box) (Totori Cultural Center OST) https://youtu.be/3MciXlAVCA4
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)
cw: animated flashing, animated lens flare, surrealism
note: video is about half clips from the webtoon, so may contain spoilers


The Secret Chord - walk on the moon (audio only) https://youtu.be/82Bkgh7FhSo
genre: jazz


DD! - KEEPS ON SHINING https://youtu.be/5sox0WjFNpE
genre: rock
cw: surrealism
note: the stop motion animation is giving me some serious nostalgia


MECHANISM (Cho Hyelyun & Peppertones) - Broken Time Machine 🔤 https://youtu.be/YsQ38kQmhY0
genre: pop rock
cw: lens flares
note: CC available in 4 tracks, including English.

MECHANISM (Cho Hyelyun & Peppertones) - NA PI! 🔤 https://youtu.be/mtuKnz8WbJk
genre: pop rock
cw: lens flares, unsteady cam
note: CC available in 4 tracks, including English. The nerdiness is even more than the last one, oh dear... 🤣

and that's the end! What were your favorite(s) of the week? Any surprises? Let's chat about it!



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