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10 Must-Watch K-pop Idol Variety Shows Online

BTS/VLIVE

Content is king, and idols know it! 

Nowadays, K-pop idols don’t just guest at variety shows, they also star on their own! Having their own programs lets idols share more about themselves to fans, as well as give the fans an inside look at their daily lives. 

Here are some of your favorite idols’ online variety shows you can binge on: 

Run BTS (2015 – present) 
Starring: All BTS members 

What it’s about: The world’s biggest K-pop boy group has their own weekly variety show where they take on missions and play games to win prizes or avoid punishments. In the program, the boys unleash their fun, goofy, and cheeky selves on camera, much to the delight of all ARMYs around the world. With almost 150 episodes as of August 2021, there is more than enough BTS content for fans to watch! 

Where to watch: VLive, Weverse 

24/365 with Blackpink (2020 – present) 
Starring: All Blackpink members 

What it’s about: 24/365 lets Blinks into the lives of Blackpink. The show features the members as they chill in their dorm, shoot their music videos, play games, attend group and individual schedules, learn new skills, and more. The program is currently in its first season and has 16 uploaded episodes. 

Where to watch: Blackpink’s YouTube channel  

NCT Life (2016 – present) 
Starring: All NCT members 

What it’s about: It’s hard to keep up with a massive 23-member group, but NCT Life will help you get to know all the members better! Throughout its 10-season run, the show follows the lives of all members as they travel to different cities and countries. Several seasons also featured the NCT members acting as tour guides for their fellow members.  

Where to watch: NCT’s VLive channel 

Red Velvet Level Up! Project (2017 – 2020) 
Starring: All Red Velvet members (seasons 1 – 3), Irene and Seulgi (season 4)

What it’s about: The girls of Red Velvet take Reveluvs on a trip around the world with them in Level Up! Project. The show currently has four seasons; however, only the most recent one featuring Irene and Seulgi can be viewed outside of South Korea. 

Where to watch: SM C&C YouTube channel

SuperM M-Topia (2021)
Starring: All SuperM members 

What it’s about: SM Entertainment’s supergroup, SuperM, is made up of EXO’s Baekhyun and Kai, Shinee’s Taemin, and NCT’s Taeyong, Ten, Lucas, and Mark. In 2020, they starred in their own variety show, M-Topia, where they go on a special vacation to relax and bond. During the trip, they also try different missions and avoid booby traps in the games to build their teamwork.

Where to watch: SM C&C YouTube channel

EXO Ladder (2018 – 2019)
Starring: EXO-CBX (Season 1), All EXO members except Lay (Season 2)

What it’s about: Officially titled “Travel the world on EXO’s ladder,” the show features the members as they go on a trip, and what they will do on their journey is determined by the ladder game (used to help choose something at random). In the first season, the EXO-CBX sub-unit (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) went to Japan; in the second season, all members (except Lay) took a trip to Taiwan. 

Where to watch: SM C&C YouTube channel

EXO Arcade (Season 1 2018 – 2019; Season 2 2021) 
Starring: All EXO members except Lay (Season 1); Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun (Season 2) 

What it’s about: On this show, EXO-Ls get to watch their favorite boys compete against one another in various games—from shouting in silence to the Mafia game. Winners get prizes such as snack foods, while losers receive a penalty from the winners. 

Where to watch: VLive, SM C&C YouTube channel

Time to Twice (2020 – present) 
Starring: All Twice members

What it’s about: Twice members bring on the laughs and their competitive streaks with Time to Twice! Each short season (around 5-6 episodes long) takes on a different concept, such as a noraebang (karaoke) battle, healing camping trip, high school, crime scene—and even chocolate factory! 

Where to watch: Twice’s YouTube channel

Twice TV (2015 – present)
Starring: All Twice members 

What it’s about: Twice TV follows the Twice members as they go about their daily lives—album recording, music video shooting, and more. There’s more than 200 episodes to watch, so you won’t run out of vids to binge! 

Where to watch: Twice’s YouTube channel

Going Seventeen (2017 – present) 
Starring: All Seventeen members 

What it’s about: Going Seventeen is an ongoing web series featuring the 13-member boy group Seventeen. The show began in 2017 as a vlog-style program featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the group’s activities. In 2019, it transitioned into a variety/game show series, which saw the boys take on different challenges such as bungee jumping, going to escape rooms, completing an inflatable obstacle course race, and more. 

Where to watch: Seventeen’s YouTube channel, VLive

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Red Velvet’s Queendom: A Reveluv’s Honest Review

Red Velvet 레드벨벳 'Queendom' MV. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube

Red Velvet, current queens of the K-pop world—SM Entertainment Chapter at least—has been dormant for 602 days. That’s more than a year and 7 months, which is equivalent to an eternity in the K-idolverse. During what seemed like forever, even non-Reveluvs have to admit that the group’s absence has left a noticeable hole in the K-pop release calendar, with their bids to succeed SISTAR as the queens of summer experiencing considerable success and their velvet releases in December or January also topping various charts.

But like the rest of the world who had plans before the pandemic struck, Red Velvet’s supposed 2020 return came to a ground halt when two days after the release of Psycho, their December 23 comeback, Wendy had an accident while rehearsing for their SBS Gayo Daejun performance. Imagine falling from a 2-meter platform, fracturing your pelvis and wrist on CHRISTMAS DAY! Months later, leader Irene figured in an “attitude” scandal where a make-up artist complained about her alleged primadonna attitude. So, it felt for a time that RV may go the f(x) route of French exits. 

That was, until August 16, when Red Velvet came back to our lives with Queendom. Expectations were high and they were met—in a qualified fashion. To be honest, I, along with the rest of the ReVe Festival attendees, expected a more aggressive track, as it is the trend. However, we have been presented with something more melodic and lighter. The title track, Queendom, does feel like a cross between a women’s empowerment theme and a bright summer track. Not that I’m complaining; in fact, I think it’s a welcome shift of pace for the ladies.

However, there is a part of me that feels like there’s something amiss. I had to listen to the b-tracks, as I have in the past Red Velvet releases, to check if what I am feeling as something missing can be found on them. Alas, compared to b-tracks in previous releases, the ones included in Queendom can be best described as “conservative”. No sensual perfection like Rookie’s Body Talk, no balancing Red Flavor with Zoo, no Wendy in a green fringe dress as seen in the Zimzalabim music video. What we get with all the songs are all solid, all safe, but no out-of-the-box quirkiness as heard in Rookie, Power Up, and even Umpah Umpah.  But make no mistake: The Ladida-do Ba-badida hook is still quite effective for everyone, whether you’re a fan or not.

Red Velvet is one group whose discography never fails because it just ages so well. During the times when the group goes on hiatus, and especially during their 20-month absence, their songs have great sustaining power. For the Queendom EP, there aren’t a lot of songs that sound like they’ll age well or have staying power. Some tracks like Hello, Sunset almost feel like fillers just to add to the track count. Sounds harsh, but I feel like as a while, Queendom is definitely a welcome move for the loyal Reveluv fandom, but unfortunately, it doesn’t substantially contribute to the group’s already strong musical catalog.

Out of the highest possible 5 stars, I’ll give Queendom a very enjoyable 3.5 stars.

Feature image: Red Velvet 레드벨벳 ‘Queendom’ MV. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube
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5 Scene Stealing Gentlemen in K-Dramas to Look For

Kim Soo Hyun cameo in Hotel del Luna. Photo: tvN D ENT/YouTube

Admit it: You may be patiently waiting for a drama with your bias actor playing the lead, but the level of anticipation grows millionfold when you receive news that another actor will be making a cameo appearance in the same drama. But then, there’s nothing worse than your friends talking about so-and-so’s cameo in a show and all you can think of is, “Really? Why don’t I remember that?” So, here are some high-profile cameos so you can look for them and confidently add to the conversation the next time.   

1. Lee Jong Suk in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo

With his heart-fluttering performances in dramas such as Pinocchio, W, and While You Were Sleeping, Lee Jong Suk has captured the hearts of k-drama fans everywhere who won’t pass the chance at every opportunity to see him. Thus, it was a beautiful surprise when the Nation’s Boyfriend was seen in the second episode of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. This was a chance for fans to see LJS reunite with W castmate Kang Ki Young, who played the uncle of the titular character in Weightlifting. As the show was also Lee Sung Kyung’s first leading role, Lee Jong Suk also decided to lend his support to his friend who he has known since their modeling days in 2010. 

2. Lee Kwang Soo in Descendants of the Sun

Not only is Lee Kwang Soo a constant mainstay in so many of Korean TV’s most popular reality shows, he is also a popular friend to so many Korean celebrities. Thus, when Song Joong Ki cast him to appear in a cameo for his 2015 drama Descendants of the Sun, the all-around entertainer said yes at a drop of a hat. Appearing in the first episode of the Song-Song drama, Running Man’s forever cast member and resident Giraffe played a gaming arcade worker dressed as a soldier who lectures the Special Forces captain and sergeant on military knowledge after the two used the shop’s toy guns to catch a motorcycle thief. 

3. Kim Soo Hyun in Crash Landing on You and Hotel del Luna 

From king to alien, what can Kim Soo Hyun not do?

Even before he was Moon Gang Tae taking care of Moon Sang Tae in 2020’s It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Kim Soo Hyun has been one heck of a scene-stealer. For a time, after his military service ended in 2019, he was absent from the small screen save for two brief but quite memorable appearances in two hit shows: Crash Landing on You and Hotel del Luna. In CLOY, he played a much-fabled North Korean soldier who apparently has taken a cover as a restaurant delivery rider, while he appeared to be the new owner of the hotel for ghosts after Jang Manwol (played by his Dream High co-star IU) has given up ownership of the hotel. The HdL was a short but sweet reunion shippers of Samdong and Pilsook appreciated. 

4. Yeo Jin Goo in Start-Up

Fresh from the heels of the success of Hotel del Luna, Yeo Jin Goo was set to headline a JTBC show Beyond Evil. But not before appearing as a voice talent who sort of came to life in late 2020’s Start-Up. In the show, angel tech investor Han Jip Yeong (Good Boy, played by Kim Seon Ho in a breakout performance) has this pet project that is, however, buggy—a Siri of sorts, with the virtual assistant’s voice named Jang Young Sil. Jipyeong later had to meet this start-up business owner Hong Ji Seok, who he planned on seeing just for formality and will have to decline. However, when Mr. Hong started speaking, Jipyeong somehow instantly recognized the voice as he remembered his Young Sil, so he personally offered to invest in Hong Jiseok’s venture. 

5. Park Seo Joon in Record of Youth

Another actor who has made a killing on both cameo appearances and lead roles is Park Seo Joon. The Itaewon Class star previously made a cameo in the Oscar-winning Parasite before appearing in the Park Bogum-headlined Record of Youth. In the drama, PSJ essayed the role of Park Min Su, an actor who handed an award to Sa Hye Joon (Bogum), with the two knowing each other for years as they both started off as fashion models.

With so many dramas yet to be released this year, we can all look forward to more appearances by familiar faces, hopefully as soon as possible.

Feature image: Kim Soo Hyun cameo in Hotel del Luna. Photo: tvN D ENT/YouTube

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Six Third Gen Korean Idol-Actresses For Your Viewing Pleasure

Red Velvet's Joy in The Liar and His Lover. Photo: Stone Music Entertainment/YouTube

After listing the gentlemen, it’s time to list down the ladies from third generation groups who have displayed some serious acting chops. But before we start, a few points on who are not included on the list:

  1. Idols who have fully transitioned into acting and haven’t released new music for two years. Since this category is mostly applicable to the members of the iconic group IOI, it may be best to have a separate article for the IOI fandom, yes? Yes, I love it!
  2. Idols who have only acted on one feature (movie, TV series, or web series) in a leading or supporting role (cameos not counted) or are slated to debut in a feature that has yet to be released. These include:
    • Oh My Girl’s Arin, who appeared only on tvN D’s The World of My 17 last year, although she is set to star in tvN’s Return later this year and the Netflix film Ghost Story, which doesn’t have a release date yet. 
    • Lovelyz’s Mijoo, who although has been establishing herself as a variety ace, has only appeared in Naver TV’s I‘m a Job Seeker five years ago.
    • Blackpink’s Jisoo, who has had numerous cameo appearances in television series and is set to be the main female lead in the controversial JTBC drama Snowdrop.

So, get your Netflix, Dramafever, Viki, OnDemandKorea, or KACAWA accounts ready and prepare for hours and hours of great performances from these third generation idol-actresses:

Red Velvet’s Joy

From a cameo in Descendants in the Sun, actress Park Soo-young‘s acting career has been on a steady rise with lead roles on The Liar and His Lover in 2017 and The Tempted (the reason Joy wasn’t able to join Red Velvet in a historic concert in North Korea – scheduling conflicts) in 2018. Next stop for Joy is Only One Person on JTBC with Ahn Eunjin of Hospital Playlist fame, scheduled for release before the year ends. 

AOA’s Seolhyun

AOA’s main visual has been on TV shows since 2012, but her film appearances are the stuff that can make anyone go wow. She has shared the big screen with some acting heavyweights, e.g., Lee Minho (in 2015’s Gangnam Blues), Sol Kyunggu and Oh Dalsu (in 2017’s Memoir of a Murderer), and Jo Insung and Nam Joohyuk (in 2018’s The Great Battle). Her involvement in ex-groupmate Mina’s bullying revelations may hurt both her singing and acting careers, and that would be such a shame considering she has had a solid run on both so far. 

Laboum’s Solbin

Thanks to national MC Yoo Jaesuk and his summer 2021 project group MSG Wannabe, the song Journey to Atlantis has returned to public consciousness, which has also reaped benefits for the song’s original artists, the much-underrated group Laboum. For the group’s face and visual Soblin, popularity has been easier though, thanks to her appearances in various movies and TV series since 2016. Best remembered for playing Kim Yoojung’s sister who wanted to be an… drumroll… girl group member in the romcom Backstreet Rookie and Last seen in a cameo appearance in MBC’s Oh! Master, Solbin is due to appear in Idol: the Coop later this year with the next idol-actress on this list.

EXID’s Hani 

Out of the iconic group EXID’s five members, two have made a comfortable transition into acting – Hani and Jeonghwa. While the group is still officially active in Japan and has not officially disbanded in Korea, the two visuals have also managed to slowly but surely establish their acting portfolio. For her part, Hani has proven to be a triple, if not quadruple threat: singer – reality show genius (remember the controversial Hani crying outbursts in Crime Scene 2 that divided the country?) – MC (with an unabashed bias for Oh My Girl’s maknae, Arin as declared in Weekly Idol where she displayed perfect chemistry with SuJu’s Heechul) – and finally, actress, with appearances in an episode of SF8 (Korea’s answer to Black Mirror), three web series (XX, How to be Thirty, and You Raise Me Up), and is set to star in the show mentioned above, Idol: The Coop on JTBC.

CLC’s Eunbin 

The Produce 101 alumna and late addition to Cube Entertainment’s second girl group CLC has been slowly but surely building her acting credentials with supporting and guest roles in drama series since 2018. Last seen in the first episode of the contemporary historical drama Youth of May and teen period drama At a Distance, Spring is Green, Eubin will be next seen in yet another teen drama Dear.M.

Cosmic Girls’ Bona 

Bona is one of those idols-turned-actresses who didn’t need to wait for years to snatch a leading role in a TV series. After playing a secondary role in the 2017 KBS drama Hit the Top, she went on to play Lee Junghee, the lead character in the coming-of-age drama Girls’ Generation 1979 released months after. She has since then been part of two other KBS dramas, Your House Helper with Ha Seokjin and Homemade Love Story with an ensemble cast. Next up for WJN’s visual is tvN’s Twenty-Five Twenty-One, where she will be sharing the spotlight with Nam Joohyuk and Kim Taeri.

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list, although the most accessible titles and idols have been listed for your reference. For the meantime, the only thing to do aside from searching for all those dramas would be to join the world’s Blinks in prayer for the immediate release of the Jisoo-Jung Haein drama.

Feature image: Red Velvet’s Joy in The Liar and His Lover. Photo: Stone Music Entertainment/YouTube
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Six Third Gen Idol-Actors For Your Viewing Pleasure

EXO’s D.O. Photo: D.O. EXO Argentina/Creative Commons/CC PDM 1.0

These days, a lot of members of third generation boy groups (groups that debuted from 2012 to 2016) have either started or about to start their military enlistment. This means that for the idols of this generation who moonlight as actors, their filmographies are currently on hold, and for those who still have a few years before they turn the big 3-0, Korean age, there’s still some time left for them to work on more entries to add to their portfolio. 

In the meantime, here are six third-generation idols who have established quite a filmography; one already finished with his enlistment, two currently serving their time, and three still having a few more years to go before the military beckons:  

ASTRO’s Cha Eun-woo

For someone known as the “Face Genius” (IKR? Who knew a face can be a genius?),” it is inevitable for Cha Eun-woo to be an actor-idol. True, many critics rushed to ask that necessary question, “But can he act,” and for a time, Eun-woo had his birthing pains (read: awkward performances) at the start of his acting career. That he has been conveniently typecasted in pretty boy roles (in dramas entitled True Beauty and My ID is Gangnam Beauty at that) may not really help him establish his acting cred, but it is great to note that since his acting debut in the 2015 web series To Be Continued, netizens and the general public have agreed that there has been a remarkable improvement in the thespian skills of the generally accepted owner of the “most symmetrical face in Korea.”   

Acting debut: a cameo in the movie My Brilliant Life in 2014

Latest release: tvN’s True Beauty, which ended earlier this year

Where to catch him next: Decibel, a military action thriller that will mark his first major role in a film. No release date for the film yet.

EXO’s Doh Kyung-soo

A list of idol-actors will not be complete without EXO’s D.O. The thing about D.O is that, unlike most idols who have ventured into acting, any doubt of his acting skills were immediately quashed in his TV drama debut as Jo In-sung’s high school-aged fan in It’s Okay, That’s Love and his first major movie role in Cart, both released on the same year. From the get-go, actor Doh Kyung-soo has displayed versatility, sensitivity, and depth in his varied performances. He is such a great actor that he actually has some acting awards to show for his solid talents.    

Latest release: 2018’s Swing Kids, released while he was already in military service 

Where to watch him next: The Moon, a sci-fi thriller directed by Kim Young-hwa, who D.O has also worked with in the two Along With the Gods movies.

Got7’s Park Jin-young

By the time Jinyoung debuted as a vocalist in JYP Entertainment’s Got7 in January 2014, he already had two acting credits under his belt. As Ui-bong in Dream High 2 and Ddol-yi in When a Man Falls in Love (where he appeared with his fellow JYP trainee and future groupmate JB), he has a penchant for portraying characters that viewers can’t help but fall for. Since then, he has proven his acting chops with a film and numerous TV roles. 

Where else you can watch him: A Stray Goat, his film debut and He Is Psychometric, When My Love Blooms, The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love Eun Dong, The Devil Judge, and Yumi’s Cells.

Future releases: Jin-young is set to star in two movies, Yaksha and High Five. 

SF9’s Rowoon (Kim Seok-woo)

In the group SF9, Chani may be the more established actor, having appeared in numerous TV series as a child actor. But this hasn’t stopped bandmate Rowoon from also establishing himself as another member with serious acting chops. Since debuting in MBC Every1’s Click Your Heart, RonVely has consistently delivered with “good boy” performances in series such as School 2017, About Time, and Where Stars Land. Here’s hoping we can see all 190.5 cm of him on the big screen soon. 

Where else you can watch him: Extraordinary You, She Would Never Know, and Yeonmo.

EXO’s Suho (Kim Jun-myeon)

Suho is one of those idols whose acting credentials, unlike D.O, have unfortunately been questioned from the start. From speculations of his getting roles solely because of his looks and his established fanbase to mediocre reviews of his performance, Kim Jun-myeon’s acting trajectory has been uneven. But then, with his two most recent roles as as haughty CEO in Rich Man, Poor Woman and as a pastry chef in the magic-infused How Are You Bread, Suho has found a niche in playing dazzlingly handsome characters. Exo’s leader is currently completing his military enlistment, so let’s see what the future holds for his acting career!

Where else you can watch him: the movies One Way Trip and Middle School Girl and 2017’s The Universe’s Star. 

BtoB’s Yook Sung-jae

BtoB’s maknae brings the quirkiness and excellence his group is renowned for in his acting performances. To hold your own against acting giants Gong Yoo and Lee Dongwook in the legendary Goblin is quite an achievement. He continued his pitch-perfect delivery in Mystic Pop-up Bar, where he played the innocent and simply adorable Han Kang-bae. The thing with Sung-jae is that his performances are so precise for the roles – any other actor with lesser skills can render the characters flat. 

Where else can you watch him: Reply 1994 and Who Are You: School 2015.

We know, you may be looking for some idols excluded from this list (read: V, Joshua, Jun), but then V and Joshua have acted in only one TV show so far and Jun has only been acting in Chinese projects. The good news is V still has a few years before his mandatory enlistment, which means he still has time to add some film and TV credits, while Chinese Jun and American Joshua won’t have to enlist at all. Besides, I’m still waiting for the day Mr. Kim Seok-jin gets bitten by the acting bug. Until then, we have a lot of catching up to do with all those movies and series listed above.

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Smashing stereotypes: Female idols in Korean variety shows  

Male idols do not have a monopoly on variety shows. Female idols are just as goofy and witty on many K-entertainment programs too! 

Ready to see a different side to your favorite female idols? Watch these four variety shows that feature female idols (fixed cast):

1. Amazing Saturday (Do Re Mi Market): Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon 

Each episode features three representative foods from a market in South Korea. The fixed cast and the guests need to play games such as writing down the correct lyrics to various songs to win and be able to enjoy the food. Second generation K-pop group Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon joined the program as a permanent cast member in 2020. 

Amazing Saturday also has a spin-off show titled Idol Dictation Contest. The show includes the following female idols in the cast: Lovelyz’s Mijoo and former IZ*ONE’s Yena.  

Where to watch: Amazing Saturday channel on YouTube 

2. I Live Alone: Mamamoo’s Hwasa 

I Live Alone features Korean celebrities who live on their own. The program gives audiences a peek into the daily lives of actors, idols, models, and more. The hosts watch footage of themselves, as well as of invited guests. Third gen K-pop group Mamamoo’s Hwasa joined as a fixed host after previously guesting in the show.  

Where to watch: Viu

3. Sixth Sense: Jessi and Lovelyz’s Mijoo

In Sixth Sense, celebrities visit various places or people considered as “hot topics” in South Korea. However, one of these places or people are completely made up by the production staff. The celebrities must then use their wits and deduction skills to figure out which of the choices is fake. 

The show stars veteran comedian and television personality Yoo Jae-suk, actress Oh Nara, actress Jeon Somin, rapper Jessi, also third gen K-pop group Lovelyz’s Mijoo, and actor Lee Sangyeob. 

Where to watch: Viu

4. Busted: Kim Sejeong

Busted was a whodunit variety show where the cast members were brought together to form a detective team. In every episode, the team got involved in a murder mystery that they needed to solve.

The show starred Yoo Jaesuk, actor Ahn Jaewook, singer-comedian Kim Jongmin, actor Lee Kwangsoo, actress Park Minyoung, EXO’s Sehun, former I.O.I and Gugudan’s (both third generation K-pop groups) Kim Sejeong, and actor-singer Lee Seunggi. Busted also featured idols and other celebrities as guests. The program ran for three seasons. 

Where to watch: Netflix

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Red Velvet in Seven Songs

Red Velvet. Photo: 봄이왔서현/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Is this the end of the road for Red Velvet? 

The group’s lack of activities for close to two years now has caused huge amounts of anxiety for the Reveluv fandom. Yes, Queendom, the group’s first comeback since December 2019’s The ReVe Festival: Finale will be out on August 16, but many can’t help but wonder if Queendom will be Red Velvet’s version of 4 Walls, f(x)’s last proper release before they disappeared into SM obscurity. Besides, aespa has finally had their breakout hit with Next Level. Really quite reminiscent of f(x)’s 4 Walls coming out months after Red Velvet’s breakout hit, Ice Cream Cake. So, the question is, will RV be shoved aside to make way for aespa? 

Let’s not dwell on such scary thoughts and instead name seven of the strongest Red Velvet title tracks. The list is arranged chronologically, for the purposes of fairness. 

2015: Automatic

Smooth, sensual, and elegant, Automatic is the perfect representative of the group’s “velvet” concept that counters the “red” side reflected in Ice Cream Cake, the title track that shares its title with the EP. Up until Automatic, Be Natural was the group’s leading “velvet” track, but with the inclusion of Yeri in the Ice Cream Cake EP, the group’s sound somehow became even richer, making Automatic a notch more refined than Be Natural. The stylish choreography displayed in the music video further cemented Red Velvet as a group perfect for those with a preference for more sophisticated sounds. It should also be noted that the Automatic music video was the first time the public saw Yeri with the group, as it was released two days before Ice Cream Cake. 

2015: Ice Cream Cake

If Automatic is polished and refined, Ice Cream Cake is unapologetically quirky, bright, and bubbly. The tinny beats and the airy “la-la-la” at the start of the song, coupled with the soft pastel filter used in the music video would eventually be a trademark of the group’s “red” tracks. Considering that the “purist” public was iffy with the inclusion of a new member starting with this EP, it is interesting to note that Ice Cream Cake eventually became the group’s breakout hit. Not bad for a group that, until that song’s release, had been considered SM Entertainment’s first failure. 

2015: Dumb Dumb

If you’re going to search for the term “earworm” in a K-pop dictionary, chances are you’ll find a screencap of the music video of Red Velvet’s Dumb Dumb. After all, the song starts off with the girls singing the line “Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb” eight times, which means the word “dumb” is drilled to the listener’s head 48 times, all in the song’s first 13 seconds. And the song just doesn’t let up. The lines keep coming one after another, the ladies managing to sneak a couple more “Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumbs” throughout the rest of song, and a rap portion with Michael Jackson references are all bound to overwhelm. I still remember watching the Dumb Dumb’s music video for the first time and wondering what hit me when I was done. 

2016: Russian Roulette

Here’s Red Velvet in full irony: The song boasts of such lines as “Aiming for your heart now, this place is the color of a dark night” and “I’m your sweet Russian Roulette.” Now, how are you supposed to aim for someone’s heart when you’re somewhere dark as night? And how can Russian roulette be sweet? Then, there’s this video in standard bright and pastel Red Velvet fashion with the girls on full deadpan, executing plots of killing each other a la Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. It is Red Velvet in full effect, the effect being it always makes the listener wonder, “What on earth did I just listen to?”

2017: Rookie

By 2017, Red Velvet had cemented a reputation for producing…confusing, if not altogether polarizing music. If you don’t understand the songs and their accompanying videos, chances are you’re going to be on the “not into it” spectrum of the Red Velvet world. Prior to the 2019 track Zimzalabim, Rookie took the cake as the ultimate “love it or hate it, no in-betweens” Red Velvet title track. The song is just so out there, so wild, almost like a cheering chant of a girl for a guy to pursue her. The video is an explosion of color, featuring the girls and some colorful creature that looks like Monsters Inc’s Sully covered in flowers. It’s incomprehensible, which may be the reason Koreans initially dismissed it, though die-hard Reveluvs pushed the song back to the charts.  The Korea Herald puts it perfectly when they opined that the song, like most eccentric Red Velvet “red” releases, is “weird at first, but addictive later”. 

2017: Red Flavor

With queens of summer SISTAR releasing their final song in the first weeks of summer in 2017,  girl groups were in a mad dash, releasing their own sun-inspired anthems with the aim of taking over the vacancy Hyolyn and company will be leaving. Red Velvet threw their hats in the race with Red Flavor, and with great success. The song eventually topped Korea’s Gaon chart and eventually became the group’s signature song. The song was so successful, it was one of the two songs the group performed in North Korea. That there were some smiles seen despite the generally stoic Pyongyang audience is a testament to this song’s power.

2018: Bad Boy

Red Velvet was not playing when they released Bad Boy in 2018. Coming at the heels of Peek-a-Boo, the group reminded everyone how masterful they are not just in their sugary pop “red” summer releases, but they are equally good, if not better, when displaying their “velvet” side. The moment Irene sang, “Who dat who dat who dat boy,” there was no doubt we would be listening to an iconic song in Red Velvet’s discography. 

2019: Psycho

The release of Psycho was perhaps one of the scarier moments of a Reveluv’s life. The group’s three previous releases, RBB out of the RBB EP and Zimzalabim and Umpah Umpah out of the first two parts of The ReVe Festival EPs, tanked, for lack of a better term. The last Red Velvet title track that charted in double digits was 2010’s One of These Nights, which was iconic anyway since it is believed to be a lovely tribute to the victims of the Sewol Ferry incident. By late 2019, the group seriously needed a hit. Prayers were answered with Psycho, as it brought the five to one of their strongest suits – mid-tempo R&B. Dark and sinister and haunting and elegant all at once, Psycho was a highlight to the group’s career before inauspicious events happened.

So, a few days after the welcome success of Psycho, Wendy fell from a platform into a shaft a few centimeters shy of 2 meters while rehearsing for SBS’s Gayo Daejun on CHRISTMAS DAY. Ten months later, Irene figured in a bullying scandal where she allegedly exhibited poor behavior with stylists and staff. The issue has since slowly died, with other makeup and fashion professionals vouching for Irene. Thus, the comeback on August 16. 

In the aftermath of these unfortunate events, Reveluvs can only hope for two things: That the girl’s close to two-year absence has made the public’s hearts grow fonder of Red Velvet, translating to success for the comeback and that Irene, Joy, Wendy, Seulgi, and Yeri will renew their contracts with SM Entertainment for the group’s continuation.

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Beyond the Stage: Male K-pop Idols in Korean Variety Shows  

Super Junior’s Kyuhyun. Photo: Raichanxd/Creative Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

K-Pop idols are not just insanely talented in singing and dancing; they also have sharp wits and perfect comedic timing, which make them perfect for variety shows! 

In need of a good laugh? Here are five Korean variety shows you can watch that feature male idols as fixed cast members: 

1. Knowing Brothers (Ask Us Anything): Super Junior’s Heechul 

Knowing Brothers is one of the most popular variety shows in South Korea today. This hilarious show is set in a classroom, and the fixed cast—TV show host and former ssireum (Korean wrestling) athlete Kang Hodong, comedians Lee Sugeun and Kim Youngchul, former basketball player Seo Janghoon, and singers Lee Sangmin, Kim Heechul, and Min Kyunghoon—are the students. Every week, “transfer students” guest on the show and are interviewed by the cast. The guests also participate in activities such as games and skits. 

Where to watch: Netflix 

2. New Journey to the West: Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, Block B’s P.O., and Winner’s Mino 

Travel-reality show New Journey to the West is inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West, and stars Kang Hodong, Lee Sugeun, singer Eun Jiwon, actor Ahn Jaehyun, and Kyuhyun, Mino, and P.O. For each season, the cast members dress up as different characters, go on a trip, and complete various missions to receive dragon balls that will grant their wishes.

Where to watch: Viu, TvN D ENT channel on YouTube

3. 2 Days and 1 Night: VIXX’s Ravi 

2 Days and 1 Night is one of South Korea’s longest-running travel reality-variety shows. In the program, the cast members go on an overnight trip around the country and play creative games to earn rewards (ex. food and indoor sleeping accommodation) and avoid punishment (ex. going into the water in winter). The show is currently on its fourth season, and stars singer-comedian Kim Jongmin, actor Yoon Junghoon, comedian Moon Seyoon, actor Kim Seonho, rapper Dindin, and VIXX’s Ravi. 

Where to watch: KBS World channel on YouTube 

4. Weekly Idol: Super Junior’s Eunhyuk and Hwang Kwanghee 

K-pop idols get to showcase their unique talents, play games, and share interesting facts about themselves in Weekly Idol. The show is popular for its classic “Random Play Dance” and “2x Speed Dance” segments. The current season is hosted by Super Junior’s Eunhyuk and ZE:A’s Kwanghee—two idols who have also made a name for themselves as excellent TV show MCs. 

Where to watch: Viki, All the K-Pop channel on YouTube

5. Amazing Saturday (Do Re Mi Market): SHINee’s Key and Block B’s P.O. 

Each episode features a market from South Korea and its representative food. In the show, the fixed cast and the guests need to write down the correct lyrics to various songs to win and be able to enjoy the food. 

Amazing Saturday also has a spin-off show titled Idol Dictation Contest. The show includes the following male idols in the cast: Eunhyuk, Ravi, EXO’s Kai, Golden Child’s Lee Jangjun, and Seventeen’s Seungkwan. 

Where to watch: Amazing Saturday channel on YouTube 

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SEVENTEEN in Six Songs

SEVENTEEN. Photo: seventeen/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

It has been six years since Pledis Entertainment debuted the group SEVENTEEN, but their discography can rival groups that have been in the business longer. It may be because of their unique configuration of vocal, hip-hop, and performance units within the larger group that has provided them with more opportunities to release more songs, or it may be because the group is essentially a self-producing unit – most, if not all of their songs have been composed and produced by the members themselves. Finally, the group has released really solid songs originally in Japanese, which adds to their already-established catalog. Not bad at all for a 6-year old group. 

But whatever the reason is for their substantial musical output, we Carats are surely spoiled for choices, especially when it comes to picking out favorites. But then, it’s also a bit challenging when you are handed out one banger after another, so much so that Carats are often in a dilemma as to whether they should stay loyal to the group’s last release or move on to the latest track. Obviously, it also doesn’t help that the accompanying music videos of the title tracks are also works of art. A personal example: This writer easily dismissed Don’t Wanna Cry as one of those typical songs that heavily rely on the beat drop. Ten, I watched the music video. Those overhead shots of the group dancing in what looked like the middle of a desert silenced me. I was converted in 3 minutes, 26 seconds later (Disclosure: It helped that the first line was sung by my bias breaker Wonwoo.)

So, for their 6th anniversary this year, here are six essential SEVENTEEN title tracks. The temptation to do a list of 17 songs is strong, but I don’t intend to be overwhelmed, so six it is. This is in no particular order, because trimming them down to six has already broken me and I do not wish to further shatter my Carat heart into a million pieces by ranking my chosen six. 

1. Home 

AT the start, the title track of the band‘s sixth mini-album, “You Make My Dawn” may sound like this warm and cozy song about declaring that you are home to the person you’re singing the song to, vice versa. But after listening to the entire song, one couldn’t help but notice an overwhelming helplessness in the verses. With lines (translated) such as “What do I do? Without you, my heart has no home” and “You’ll struggle just as much, so what can we do?”, you can’t help but wonder if the repeated assurances of “Cause I’m your home home home home” in the chorus answers the uncertainties in the verses. The open-endedness of the song is quintessential Woozi, which means it is quintessentially heartbreaking.  

2. Very Nice

“Very Nice” is a high-energy track and therefore is textbook SEVENTEEN. From Vernon’s multilingual countdown at the start to Mr. Boo’s stratospheric high notes, this song is a sure mood improver guaranteed to perk you up when you’re in a sluggish mood. This song unfortunately did not win any number 1’s in music shows. That’s okay, because Wonwoo wasn’t able to join the promotions anyway due to acute gastric problems. A curiosity in the music video: The featured girl moves closer to only one member – Mingyu, on the swing. The other members either get ignored (poor Jeonghan even had to spin her around in a shopping cart) or get stared at as almost all of them burst into confetti, including Mingyu.      

3. Pretty U

Pretty U is one of those songs that maximized Carat’s anticipation for the group’s live stages because the music video did not feature any choreography and only showed the group goofing around in the video’s entirety. Of course, the 13 did not disappoint come music show promotions, as the choreography showed the group in their quirky and entertaining best. From Jun introducing his members sitting on a couch, some book from Wonwoo being passed around, The8 air typing in the aforementioned couch, to Seungkwan delivering a 4-note, 8-second explosion, the live stages were an absolute treat.

As for the mysterious book, it was last seen with Woozi at the second repetition of the chorus, who passed it to its seeming owner, Wonwoo. 

4. Don’t Wanna Cry

As mentioned earlier, I was not a fan of this song when I first heard it. That was until I saw the music video. That Hoshi had to study contemporary dance to choreograph this masterpiece is mind-boggling. Basically, the choreography sold me to the song, which otherwise I had dismissed as just another Chainsmokers sound-alike. We can’t really blame Woozi and the boys for taking this direction that time; those heavily “drop the beat”-reliant songs were all the rage in 2017. But those drone shots of the boys in perfect synchrony on the music video coupled with the balletic movements make this song a thoroughly satisfying experience.

5. Adore U

As SEVENTEEN’s debut song, Adore U is a testament to the huge potential the group had. After all, not just any group can boast of such a strong debut single. Come to think of it, Adore U didn’t (and still doesn’t) sound like a debut song at all. That Wozzi, Vernon, and S.Coups wrote the lyrics to their first song also set a precedent to the group’s future as self-producing idols. Quite memorable as well during this era were Jeonghan’s long hair and a lot of members getting carried or lifted in their live stage choreo – Dino fainting and carried by Joshua; Jeonghan, The8, and Seungkwan carrying Vernon off to the side; and DK getting lifted by the leader while singing “Baby you’re my angel.” As the song that would preempt a lot of things about the group, this also presented maknae Dino as the group’s multiple threat – dancer, vocalist, and rapper. 

6. Thanks

The lead track off of the special album, “Director’s Cut,” is special and memorable indeed. The song is also a first of sorts for SEVENTEEN – Thanks is their first melancholic-sounding track, a departure from their usual bright and upbeat songs. The message of thanks to people who showed them love and helped them grow may sound uplifting at first, but since the recipient of the song’s gratitude appears to be no longer around, both the song and the music video take a darker turn. Referring to the choreography as intense may also be an understatement. 

One thing Carats can take comfort with: All 13 members have re-signed their contracts with Pledis Entertainment a full year before their expiration. This means the group has already officially avoided the 7-year disbandment curse that has afflicted even the most iconic of k-pop groups in the past. Therefore, we are assured of at least a couple more title tracks from SEVENTEEN in the coming years.

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EXO: The Essential Playlist

EXO at the KBS Song Festival red carpet, December 29, 2016. Photo: 티비텐/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

As one of third-generation K-Pop’s top groups, EXO boasts of an impressive discography—from sweet ballads to aggressive dance tracks—that will never be boring. Are you ready to dive into their universe? Here are 10 songs that are well-loved by EXO-Ls that even casual K-Pop fans can truly enjoy.

Top 10 EXO songs

1. Growl (2013)

Growl is EXO’s representative song—and is essential in any EXO playlist. This dance track won many year-end awards, including the Disk Daesang at the 2013 Golden Disk Awards and Song of the Year at the MelOn Music Awards.

2. Miracles in December (2013)

This ballad song is from the group’s second EP of the same name. The Korean version features main vocalists Baekhyun, Chen, and D.O. The track has a beautiful, flawless melody, accompanied by smooth vocals on piano and strings.

3. Overdose (2014)

Overdose is that strong, loud, and fast dance number that cannot be left out of your EXO playlist. This song is perfect for going all out on your last five minutes on the treadmill. Also, this is EXO’s last release as a 12-member group.

4. Call Me Baby (2015)

Exo’s got dance tracks down to a fine art. Call Me Baby, the lead single from the album Exodus, is a fun, charismatic, energetic, and addictive tune that only gets better with every listen.

5. Love Me Right (2015)

Love Me Right is equal parts funky, sweet, and smooth. This gem from 2015 is a well-produced single with catchy lyrics that showcase each of the members’ vocal colors.

6. Monster (2016)

Monster is one of two lead singles off the EX’ACT album. Its heavy, intense sound is accompanied by powerful choreography that is a delight both for your ears and eyes. It was also a big hit both in Korea and internationally and was even named one of the best K-Pop songs of 2016.

7. Ko Ko Bop (2017)

With its chill, reggae-inspired sound, Ko Ko Bop is the group’s signature summer track. It’s the perfect song to listen to on a road trip or a beach outing with friends. Plus, Ko Ko Bop was so popular in 2017, it inspired a viral dance challenge.

8. Tempo (2018)

Tempo is the lead single in the group’s Don’t Mess Up My Tempo (DMUMT) album. It’s a dynamic track that can hype you up even on a gloomy day. And that a capella bridge…*chef’s kiss*

9. Love Shot (2018)

Love Shot will make you attempt to copy Kai’s body rolls. But more than that, it’s a slick dance track with just the right amount of sexiness. This is also EXO’s first music video to hit 400 million views on YouTube.

10. Don’t Fight the Feeling (2021)

The group might be on hiatus at the moment as most members are currently enlisted in the military, but they haven’t forgotten EXO-Ls. This special album—the first to feature Lay since 2018’s DMUMT—is a gift from the boys to all fans. Don’t Fight the Feeling is a cheerful and exciting song that will remind you why EXO is one of the best K-Pop acts around.

EXO Songs – Honorable Mentions

Lucky One (2016) 

Lucky One is the other lead single from the group’s third studio album EX’ACT. It’s a great, energetic pop song that will automatically make you move to the beat.

Artificial Love (2016) 

EXO has tons of B-sides that deserve equal billing on every fan’s playlist, and Artificial Love is one of those tracks. The hard-hitting beats can get you up off the couch and busting out your club moves in no time.

Power (2017) 

Want a shot of confidence to help you through the day? Put on this song for an instant energy boost! Fun fact: EXO performed this upbeat track at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. It was also featured at the Dubai Fountain Show.

Gravity (2018)

This song is a B-side from Don’t Mess Up My Tempo that would’ve done well in promotions. The sound has a retro electro-pop feel that, coupled with the group’s vocals, you won’t get tired of hearing.

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