2017 Is Saved: Cosmic Girls Release "I Wish"

I did not expect to turn into a WJSN fan at all considering how indifferent I felt towards their debut, but their comeback with "Secret" last year certainly did the job. I grew to love the song and the MV was initially what pulled me in with its amazing aesthetics and space theme, and thankfully Starship realized that that direction was the right one to take. That's why with their new single "I Wish" they've created a MV with an even higher production value and an aesthetic that looks like nothing I've seen before.



There are quite a few similarities between this MV and the one for "Secret", although the two have quite different approaches. Both of them are absolutely stunning with gorgeous shooting locations, colors and effects, but "I Wish" is definitely brighter and more colorful which does suit the sweeter tone of the song. While "Secret" took its inspiration from the group's name "I Wish" doesn't have that same clear sense of direction in terms of a theme. However I do find that all the scenes are better connected to each other and the visual coherence is better as well. It makes for a more even video, so to say. As for what is actually going on in the video I really don't have a clue, but that's obviously the point and the charm of the MV.

Like with "Secret" the members are grouped up and have their own unique set and narrative, all of whom are kind of related by all these pop-up squares on a computer screen. I do find it interesting that in a video as fairy-like as this one that technology is incorporated to this extent, but I guess it's part of this other-dimension world this MV must take place in. The members' different scenes are also connected by this one single door that pops up as well as the heart-eyes emoji that appears throughout the video.

I don't know the exact symbolization of these but it's nice that there is some kind of connecting factor because everything else that happens seem to be completely random. There are unicorns, furry jackets and endless amounts of rainbows and I get definitely get behind this tumblr-esque aesthetic. It's random but with a purpose of being exactly that, which is a concept I enjoy and especially when done as beautifully as here. All of the members look gorgeous as well, but I am skeptical about the styling for this comeback. With a MV as kooky and fun as this one you'd expect clothes that match, but instead they've gone with the classic school uniforms, which is a trend that needs to go. I don't think it matches the song nor the concept and I feel like they could've done something a bit more exciting.

The choreography is also a slight let-down, as it seems the quality and complexity of their dance routines has decreased constantly since debut. Although "MoMoMo" was a dull song the choreography was fun and energetic with interesting formations, and while "Secret" wasn't as complicated it still had some pretty moves and definitely great formations. Being 13 members there are definitely a lot of things you can do to make it interesting, but this choreography is frankly quite boring. I know they can do a lot better in that department, in order to make the performances more enjoyable. Especially since the song, which is by all means good, doesn't hold quite the same power as their previous one.


Overall I've enjoyed this comeback as well, but perhaps not as much as their last one. "I Wish" is a cute song with a good melody and chorus and the MV is an amazing creation that has to be watched many times in order to take everything in. Sure, the choreography and styling could've been better but I'd still say it's a successful comeback for the girls.

Song: 3,7/5
MV: 4,2/5

Glorious Photoshoots - December

Kai for Dazed & Confused.



Yubin for W. 



Astro for High Cut.



Sejeong for Céci.



NCT 127 for W. 



Nana for Elle.



Xia Junsu for Harper's Bazaar.




SHINee for Singles. 



Park Bo Gum for Elle.



BTS for Singles.



Go Ara for Grazia.



Ji Soo for Marie Claire.



Twice for Elle.



Han Ga In for Marie Claire.



Seo Kang Joon for Arena Homme+.



Byun Yo Han for Grazia.



Hani for Arena Homme+.



Key for Céci.

Eunwoo for Grazia. 



Cheng Xiao for Esquire. 

15 Favorite Title Tracks Of 2016

It dawned on me as I was making this list just how many good songs were released this year. I never had the thought that 2016 would be such a good year musically as the year was passing, however in hindsight I can definitely say there's been many great releases. Additionally I did notice that compared to my "K-pop 2015" playlist there are many more tracks on this years', which also tells me that 2016 did deliver in that aspect. Like last year I'm going to make a separate post for title tracks and b-sides, just because it would be too difficult to cram the two into one ranking, as well as expanding the list to 15 tracks instead of 10. I listen to way too much music, basically. Let's go!


Red Velvet - Russian Roulette

Funnily enough I wasn't much into the song at all when I first listened to it, but after hearing it a few times I couldn't get it out of my head. I love the electronica-infused bubblegum-pop sound and the chorus is incredibly infectious.

NCT U - Without You

Every once in a while a song comes along that at first listen has an impact big enough for you to feel your life slightly changing. That was what happened with this track as it from the beginning made me feel something completely new and different, truly feeling every note deep inside my heart.

Produce 101 - In The Same Place

Out of all the songs B1A4's Jinyoung has produced for girl groups this year (and you will see many more, I promise) this one is my absolute favorite. It's sweet and feminine but at the same time mature, heartfelt and absolutely stunning.

Luna - Free Somebody

When a group member goes solo you always wonder what direction they will go musically, and boy am I happy that Luna didn't go down the ballad route but instead chose to show off her vocals in this dance track. Such a good song.

Taeyeon - Why

I didn't exactly love this at first either but after a while it did become my favorite song of the summer, with it's EDM-influences and dance-friendly sound. It's a new genre for Taeyeon and she pulls it off just as flawlessly as one would expect.

Block B - Toy

Another song that might have flown slightly under the radar this year is Block B's "Toy", and it almost did to me too had I not heard it live at Kcon. It's a really chill track with great rapping (as one would expect), great lyrics and heartfelt vocals sung to a beautiful melody.

BTS - Blood, Sweat & Tears

You wouldn't expect a BTS song not to be here, right? It's almost as if everything they touch turn to gold, which was proven once again with their comeback this past October. It does have a different sound from their past work but they pull it off amazingly.

I.O.I - Whatta Man

I know that this song was sampled and thus isn't exactly a new, original song, but the arrangement of "Whatta Man" did kind of blow me out of the water. The power, attitude and fierceness is real with this track and I love every bit of it.

GFriend - Rough

It was difficult to chose between this song and "Navillera" as both were great tracks, but I think that at first listen I liked "Rough" a tiny bit better. It's a song that's very "GFriend-esque" but showcased a slightly more mature sound to round up their successful schoolgirl trilogy.

B.A.P - Skydive

"Skydive" provided me with the kind of content I've been wanting to see from B.A.P since like 2013, and that's not an exaggeration. I absolutely love the song and its raw power and force, with great rapping, vocals and a chorus that gets to me every listen.

EXO - Monster

Here as well I found it hard to pick between "Monster" and their other fantastic title track "Lucky One". However this one came out on top due to it being slightly more powerful, with a chorus that hits so hard it's impossible to forget.

Monsta X - Fighter

With Monsta X I once again had to choose between the two great title tracks they've released this year, but as much as I loved "All In" as a comeback I actually liked and listened to "Fighter" more, at least when looking at my top hits of 2016 on Spotify.

WJSN - Secret

This comeback did kind of come out of nowhere in the sense that I didn't expect it to be of such high quality. The title "Secret" isn't groundbreaking or without flaw but it still stuck on me and I have been listening to it countless times since it came out.

Boa & Beenzino - No Matter What

SM's "Station" project did provide some great material throughout 2016, but my absolute favorite has to be this electro-pop track by BoA and Beenzino. It has a very fresh and modern sound that I could definitely see being popular even in the US and Europe.

Dal Shabet - Someone Like U

Last but not least we have arguably the most underappreciated jam of 2016; Dal Shabet's "Someone Like U". It's a great 80's influenced pop track with a catchy melody and vocals. I do wish they would've gained some more fame with it because the song is that awesome.

Honorable mentions:

GFriend - Navillera

EXO - Lucky one
Taemin - Drip Drop
K.A.R.D - Oh NaNa

I.O.I - Very very very

Day6 - Letting go

Berry Good - Don't believe 

SHINee - Tell me what to do

BTS - Fire
Monsta X - All In