I ran out of time this month. But isn’t that the norm now?
Music
FML, Seventeen
I am, once again, here to remind everyone that I am a big fan of K-pop group, Seventeen. My interests always end up becoming a personality trait, I’m sorry!!!
Seventeen dropped their 10th mini album this past week, and I think that this album is a great showcase of the group’s versatility. In Seventeen’s last album, Face the Sun, their closing track, “Ash,” alludes to rising up anew: “Drop it, drop it now to me, new world / Towards the next world, higher.” FML feels like a new chapter, accomplishing this goal of bringing a new sound that fans haven’t heard before, while still staying true to their style.
The album plays with different genres and sounds, and for their title track, “Super,” Seventeen embarks on a different style of music video as well—no CGI, no exhaustive sets, just one backdrop, 200 dancers, and the group itself. The scale of it is impressive and it’s just so mesmerizing to watch everyone move as a unit.
My favorites off the album are “Super” and “Fire,” but I do not have it in me to rank all the songs. I love them all!
“Zero” by NewJeans
This song is an ad for Coke Zero. It’s a bit unreal how good it is.
A hyperpop earworm with jersey club beats, it’s just sooo addictive. Unfortunately a win for capitalism!!
Perfume, NCT Dojaejung
If you love R&B and want to venture into K-pop, this is such a great intro. Formed by three members of the group NCT, this album delivers on amazing vocals with interesting music production. The harmonies are unreal, and the members are such a satisfying trio to watch.
My favorite song is “Can We Go Back.” Also, listen to “Perfume” with headphones on.
“strawberry ice cream” by MXFRUIT
Listening to this song reminds me of why, at the end of the day, I will always be a Pop Girl™. The debut song from a Thai girl group, it’s upbeat, fun, and has the carefreeness that only hanging out with friends in the summer brings.
Eats
Soba Noodles
I’ve been really into soba noodles lately for a quick lunch. I usually make a soy-sauce-sesame-oil-honey-sriracha dressing and serve it cold. Sometimes, I’ll roast some kale chips to add for a nice crunch. A staple!
Experiences
Agust D/Suga’s D-Day Tour
I’ve always been a person who looks up the setlist before a concert. I can’t help it, I just like knowing what to expect!
But for this Agust D show, it was the first stop of his first ever solo tour, and with that, there was nothing to look up. We didn’t know which songs he was going to bring out and what the overall vibe was going to be. Anything could happen!
And honestly, I will hold with gratitude the fact that I watched the show with no expectations and no idea of what was coming up ahead. My mind was blown away with each track and the entire staging of the performance—as the show went on, the stage slowly broke apart until he was on the ground, on the same level as the audience.
It was such a deeply intimate show about existentialism and self-criticism, and I still can’t get over how unreal it was to witness. It feels lucky to watch an artist who truly loves his craft perform, and to be an audience member who has the opportunity to show appreciation for the art they’re giving to the world.
Sitting On a Bench By Myself and Eating Food
There have been multiple times this month I’ve sat outside on public property and ate by myself (not sad, just hyper independent and enjoying the nice weather).
Every single time I do this, I think of the scene from Parks and Rec, where Ben Wyatt is sitting on a bench by himself eating soup. It’s kinda funny.
Some recs:
FML, Seventeen
“Zero” by NewJeans
Perfume, NCT Dojaejung
“strawberry ice cream” by MXFRUIT
“Trivia: Seesaw” by Suga
Thank you for reading! You can read my previous post about “Black Eye” by Vernon here: “Black Eye” by Vernon.
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