(Featuring Choi Minho, Taeyong, B.I., Kai, and Ten)
This time, I thought I would try something different on the blog. Instead of doing a deep dive into one group, I’m doing shallow dives into a bunch of soloists and their first mini albums, then comparing and contrasting. This time is male soloists, from SHINee to NCT. For each, I watched an interview if I could find one, to get to know them better. So, let’s get into it!
Artist #1: Minho of SHINee
Minho of SHINee is actually the least prolific soloist from his group, with fellow members Jonghyun and Taemin especially being very well recognized. However, despite being a ShaWol, I haven’t had the chance to give his EP a listen, so that’s what I’ll be doing today.
Chase, like many k-pop songs, deals with the end of a relationship, and grieving it accordingly. It very much sticks in a midtempo, minimalistic field, which, while it works well for his voice and more sing-talk-heavy style, isn’t really my thing. Minho is an engaging singer, but the song seems more like it’s holding him back. I knew before this that Minho was an actor (I watched him in Yumi’s Cells; go check it out) but I think that this MV is his directorial debut, and it was very good! I actually liked the video more than the song.
From the EP, Chase, I enjoyed the gentle vocalizing in Waterfall and the smooth, pulsing beat of Heartbreak. I’ll give this EP a 7.75; good, but not really my style.
Artist #2: Taeyong of NCT
Taeyong of NCT has been in the news a lot lately, having both just released his 2nd EP and enlisted in his mandatory military service, but his first EP actually came out in 2021, so that’s the one I’ll be covering here.
Shalala, as makes sense for an idol most defined by his rapping, is very sing-talk heavy, albeit in a much more grating way than Minho’s gentle Chase. I have a confession to make: I don’t like Taeyong’s voice. And I feel genuinely bad about it, because he seems like a lovely person and I honestly don’t know why this is; I’ve heard him talk before and that doesn’t bother me at all. But back to the song: I hate it. I’m sorry. I think it’s the worst kind of screechy, painful noise music and I couldn’t even make it through the second verse without taking my headphones out.
From the EP, Shalala, I enjoyed the bouncier beat of Move Mood Mode (and plus, Wendy!! This website is basically a Wendy appreciation post at this point). But seriously, I also enjoyed the acoustic guitar in Gwando, and the really powerful emotion in his voice in 404 File Not Found. I’ll give Taeyong a 7.
Artist #3: B.I. of iKon
B.I. of iKon has also been in the news lately, since his leaving of the group was due to a controversy surrounding drugs, and he’s still in touch with his group members. Nevertheless, having recently done a deep dive of iKon, I wanted to give his solo work a try.
Illa Illa (said to be onomatopoeia for the sound of the waves) at first seems like it’s going to be a downtempo, sad song, but while it’s definitely a bit sad at the start, it’s ultimately uplifting. As its percussion thunders on and the beat continues rising, adding in some tropical effects, it goes from melancholy to soothing to cathartic. I especially liked the lyric “at the edge of my sleeves is a beach”, which is so descriptive.
From the album, Waterfall, I enjoyed Lee Hi’s feature in Daydream, the rousing guitar in angsty Numb, the coughing sound effects in Flow Away, and the powerful emotion in Help Me. I’ll give this album an 8.5, because I really enjoyed it.
A side note: I understand that maybe including B.I. on this list is controversial, since he did admit to using drugs, but I don’t think that that’s the kind of thing that someone should lose their career over. Addiction is an illness, and I don’t think it’s my or any other fan’s place to condemn him for that. So, I wish him the best and hope his recovery is going well, because he seems very talented and I really enjoyed the interview I saw of him on the Get Real podcast.
Artist #4: Kai of EXO
Kai of EXO is a pretty established soloist in the industry, having released (I think) 3 EPs by now, since EXO, as a 2nd gen group, comeback less frequently. I’ve heard a couple of his songs, but I’m looking forward to giving it a deeper look.
Mmmh is set in some kind of post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world, and a lot of its stylistic choices and dances reminded me of Taemin, which I suppose does make sense since they’re friends. Personally, I think this track is a bit too meandering; Kai is an engaging performer and there are parts that I like—such as the hook in isolation, or the bridge—but something about it just doesn’t come together.
From the EP, also called Mmmh, I enjoyed the ethereal buildup in synthy, powerful Nothing On Me (my hidden gem!), the peppy distortion in Reason, and the clashy percussion in Ride Or Die. I’ll give Kai an 8.
Artist #5: TEN of WayV
Ten of WayV is the most recent soloist on this list, having just debuted with his first EP earlier this year. He’s also a member of more than one group: WayV, NCT U, and NCT as a whole.
I’ve heard Nightwalker before, but I didn’t have a chance to watch the MV until now, and I was delighted by its completely unhinged energy. The best part was absolutely the near-gospel in the pre-chorus, and I even didn’t mind the somewhat anti-drop afterward, since the distortion and the catchy hook worked so well in the song. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, but Ten is a captivating performer, and this kind of style goes very well with his voice. Someone should cast him in an adaptation of a horror manga.
From the EP, just called Ten, I enjoyed the smooth Spanish guitar of Water, the synthy Dangerous, and the crying-on-the-dancefloor-vibes of Lie With You. I’ll give this EP an 8.75. It’s remarkably solid, and several of the songs are going on my roller skating playlist.
Verdict: TL;DR
My top EP was Ten’s TEN, with B.I.’s Waterfall as the runner-up, which wasn’t what I expected. Both are fantastic performers who I’d never really given the time of day before, but I’m glad I did.
Next time, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming. Tschüss!
Let me know your thoughts!