Welcome to the Weekly Update – July 9 – 15. Well, it’s not very often that we don’t have any casting news, but this week is a rare exception. But there are some more great veteran music performances; this time from BTS’ j hope, SF9 and Super Junior. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Military News
Yonghoon
ONEWE’s Yonghoon announced through his agency, RBW, that he would be enlisting for military service on July 12th. The musician will attend basic training and then serve as a active-duty soldier. As has become the norm since COVID-19 restrictions began, Yonghoon entered his service quietly, with no public attendance. But he thanked his fans for the love they have given him and promises to return as a more mature version of himself. We wish Yonghoon a safe and speedy return.
Music News
SF9
SCREAM
SF9 is down to 6 and hoping to get away in their new single “SCREAM”. This upbeat pop dance track has a fun tempo with bright layered vocals that show the diversity of SF9’s band members. The MV is colorful and celebrates all the traditional summertime vibes.
Super Junior
Mango
SF9 isn’t the only veteran group eager to soak up some sun. Super Junior is going to burn it up in their new single “Mango”. This funky pop track uses synth beats and groovy bass to to give it a rhythmic dance beat. The MV shows the band against the neon lights of a movie theater and features vibrant, bright colors.
UiU
Starlit
Rookie girl group UiU released their debut digital single “Starlit” this week. The band formed from a college reality show and are all students majoring in K-Pop. The pop track bops along pleasantly and the strong vocals give the group a fresh sound, free from over-production or loud instrumentals. The MV shows the band members alternating between white and black clothing as they dance in an old building.
CHUNG HA
Sparkling
CHUNG HA is showing her whole heart in her new single “Sparkling”. The retro synth pop track bubbles over with an energetic beat and great vocals. The MV is kind of a mermaids paradise as the singer wanders through an undersea oasis, minus the water. Bubbles and bright colors fill out the gorgeous white column backdrop and pop right off the screen.
j-hope
Arson
j hope is done in his new single “Arson”. As the first BTS member to release a solo album, he is causing quite a stir among fans who have eagerly awaited a chance to see band members express their individual styles. “Arson” is a straight-forward hip-hop track with spoken lyrics that lurch along robotically while the percussion and synths keep a steady, driving rhythm. The MV shows the artist walking slowly forward as chaos errupts around him and everything burns.
Drama News
Remarriage & Desires
The Netflix melodrama “Remarriage & Desires” dropped all 8 episodes on July 15th. The series follows a high-class matchmaking business called Rex, which specializes in helping members of the upper-class find second marriages that will help improve their social standing.