[Today’s K-pop] CNBlue returns after 11 months with 9th EP

CNBlue came out with its ninth EP, “Wanted,” on Wednesday and hosted a talk show to mark the release.
 
For the first time since the band debuted in 2010, the bandmates opted for a theme and fashioned themselves into hunters.
 
“We’ve looked back at the albums so far and realized that we didn’t have a visual theme yet. ... We thought it would be nice to be fuller in terms of appearance,” said Jung Yonghwa.
 
They went for looks tinged with a Western feeling in tune with the focus track “Love Cut,” a rock number that brings up scenes from a Western movie complete with guitar riffs and piano sounds.
 
Rhythmic drum and bass sounds lead the song with disco as a base, explained Lee Jungshin, who plays bass guitar. Kang Minhyuk was instantly hooked by the whistling in the intro.
 
It was Jung who did the whistling, and it was all recorded in one go. He also had his hands in writing both the melody and lyrics. For him, however, the best part of the song is where they can sing together with fans.
 
“I was hoping that we’ll be able to have a concert soon ... and the album lets you imagine the scene,” he added.

NCT127’s upcoming song available as short story

A piece of short fiction inspired by NCT 127’s forthcoming song will be available in three installments, announced label SM Entertainment on Wednesday.
 
“Story of Favorite,” a short story based on the lyrics of “Favorite” from its forthcoming album, as well as the images and clips featuring the bandmates as characters from the narrative, will be uploaded in three parts from Wednesday to Friday.
 
“Favorite” is a R&B pop dance number that will be included in the repackage of the band’s third full-length album “Sticker.” The repack will be released Monday.
 
The third LP hit the Billboard 200 at No. 3 when it was dropped Sept. 17, and has stayed on the chart for four weeks. It also topped four more tallies of the publication and came in first place on Korean television music chart shows 10 times. The LP sold over 2 million copies in the first week of sales. 

ITZY to put out special edition of 1st LP

Itzy will release a special edition of its first studio album, “Crazy In Love,” on Friday, announced label JYP Entertainment on Wednesday.
 
The LP came out in September and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200. Lead track “Loco” entered the publication’s world digital song sales chart at No. 10. It also ranked No. 45 and No. 69 on Billboard Global Excl. US and Global 200, respectively.
 
The music video for the lead track garnered 50 million views on YouTube in five days and is likely to reach 100 million views, as have all of the band’s five main tracks, including debut song “Dalla Dalla.”
 
The special edition album will be available in two versions: a photo book that will include unpublished images from the LP and a jewel case that will contain a concept film.
 
Since last week, the quintet has been promoting “Swipe,” another track from the 1st LP, to boost the momentum of “Loco.”

Super Junior's Eunhyuk releases solo single  

Eunhyuk of Super Junior will drop the solo digital single “Be” on Wednesday.
 
He wrote lyrics for both tracks -- “Be” and “Red Muhly.” Focus track “Be” is a groovy pop tune that reflects how he sees his younger self, full of dreams. 
  
The single is a curtain-raiser for the studio album of Super Junior D&E, a subunit of Donghae and Eunhyuk, which is slated for a Nov. 2 release. Donghae put out “California Love” last week, and its main track topped iTunes top songs charts in 10 regions. 
 
The duo’s upcoming first LP, titled “Countdown,” marks the 10th anniversary for the subunit.

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