[Today’s K-pop] Shinee’s Key drops 1st EP “Bad Love”

Key of Shinee came out with his first solo EP, “Bad Love,” on Friday.
 
It has been 2 1/2 years since his previous solo album.
 
“It will be impossible to make an album that is perfect in every aspect but I am satisfied in that I’ve been able to have quite a say,” said the veteran idol. He was inspired by the combination of retro and space and the overall concept was based on that idea.
 
The title track boasts a powerful choreography all the more so because the highlight is kept simple, as per Key’s request. He also wrote the lyrics for “Saturday Night” and “Eighteen (End of My World).” The former goes like a novel as he imagines going through a breakup while coping with the pandemic, and the latter is a letter to his 18-year-old self.
 
Songs from the six-track EP were performed for the first time one day prior to the release in an online concert that was livestreamed.

NCT127 hits No. 3 on Billboard 200

NCT127 ranked No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with its third full album “Sticker,” Billboard announced Sunday.
 
It is the highest spot for the band so far. Its first LP “Regular-Irregular” entered the chart at No. 86 in 2018, followed by fourth EP “NCT#127 We Are Superhuman” (No. 11) in 2019 and second LP “NCT#127 Neo Zone” (No. 5) in 2020.
 
No. 3 also is the highest spot achieved for a K-pop album so far this year.
 
The nine-piece act’s LP was released Friday and sold over 2.15 million copies in the first week of sales. It topped a series of charts at home and abroad and became its first album to enter the UK‘s Official Albums Chart.

AB6IX returns with 2nd LP

AB6IX unveiled its second studio album “Mo’ Complete” on Monday.
 
It is linked to its debut album “B: Complete” and completes the two-part series, consisting of 10 tracks that span across hip-hop and R&B to deep house.
 
“It has already been two years since the first LP,” said Lee Daehwi, acknowledging that it reminded him how fast time flies.
 
“All of us put in so much to fill it with better music,” said Kim Donghyun. He wrote “3,” a track based on the feelings that can be felt in three seconds.
 
But it was the lead track “Cherry” that really took extra effort, they said.
 
“It took the most time ever since we debuted to record the song,” volunteered Jeon Woong, and the experience made the song dear to their hearts all the more.
 
“The members, as always, participated a lot in making this album,” said Lee. He oversaw the recordings, for the first time in quite a while, and saw that their vocal capabilities have improved, Lee added.
 
The quartet will perform “Cherry” for the first time in an online showcase that will be broadcast live later on Friday.

Big Bang’s Taeyang reported to become father

Taeyang of Big Bang and actor Min Hyorin are soon to become parents, according to a local media report Monday.
 
The agencies of the two, YG Entertainment and Plum ANC, respectively, were “trying to verify the report” with them.
 
The due date is nearing, according to the report, and the couple who married in February 2018 are awaiting the baby’s arrival. They met while shooting the music video for Taeyang’s solo “1AM” in 2014 and started dating openly in 2015.
 
Taeyang is preparing for the band’s return and Min’s last activity was appearing in the movie “Race to Freedom: Um Bok Dong” in 2019. 

By Hwang You-mee
(glamazon@heraldcorp.com)