ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT Somi

EMMA ALFORD

I.O.I forged a path for success for all eleven members who won Produce 101 back in 2016 and for Somi, it is only just beginning as she celebrates her first year as a solo artist. After finishing in first place in the show and appearing in a multitude of variety shows, it was almost a guarantee that her debut single, “Birthday” would be a defining point in her career. Today, at the age of 19, she is proving her talents as an artist with her new single, “What You Waiting For”, released days after securing a U.S. record deal with Interscope Records, the same label working with BLACKPINK for their global activities.

Although Somi found her place in I.O.I, the start of her journey dates further back to her time in JYP Entertainment. She first stepped in the spotlight with the roster of SIXTEEN, the survival show that would ultimately form TWICE. Somi just missed out on a spot in the group during the final episode but she would continue as a trainee after the show’s production.

Two years later, she would be the sole representative for her company in Produce 101. Throughout the series, she became a hot favourite; ranking first place in online votes for multiple episodes. Impressing both the trainers and public with her charm and talent, she would become the winner and take her place as the centre of I.O.I; representing the group on and off-stage. During their one year promotion period, all of the members showed off their talents and Somi was no exception. From the bright beginnings of “Dream Girls” to the fierce concepts from “Whatta Man”; she proved that she was diverse and deserving of her role as centre. However, the public would also get to know her in the months that followed.

Her family also grew in popularity with her father, Matthew Douma appearing in Descendants of the Sun around the same time of his daughter’s debut. In early show appearances, Matthew has been very honest about the hardships of Somi starting as a trainee and also how he helped her with advice and support during SIXTEEN and as she grew as an artist. The Jeon family have continued to flourish over the years and although she may be busy, Somi still has love and support for her father & sister; who are seen frequently during her solo reality shows.

Despite being a frequent face on television, she didn’t cement her own solo career until last year. Being one of the last members of her Produce group to release music, Somi would ultimately depart from JYP Entertainment after a mutual agreement and join The Black Label, YG Entertainment’s independent label owned by producer Teddy. The plan for her to debut as a solo artist was already set in motion when she was signed as the label saw infinite potential for her to grow as an artist. Joining the label gave Somi the chance to experiment with musical styles and production; helping Teddy with writing the lyrics for her debut song, “Birthday”. It was a song that would show a transition from the young teenager fans met in I.O.I and the confident artist that was growing with each performance.

The transition was a little longer than some fans may have expected as her comeback would come a year later. The reason could be for many reasons; considering the history behind the company overlooking The Black Label but during this delay, Somi hasn’t wasted time on meeting fans and promoting in the public eye. Through variety shows and her Youtube show, I Am Somi; she has shined a light on her life both as an Idol and as a growing young woman. At one moment, she is meeting friends for lunch or playing Animal Crossing; the next she is working on choreography or in the studio. Growing as an artist, she has also used the show to be genuine with her fans; sharing her emotions when graduating and bravely looking over hate comments online.

You cannot deny that Somi has become more confident over the past year and despite the pandemic halting the production of her show and delaying the comeback slightly; she has taken on the feedback and help from The Black Label and her fans. Her new single, “What You Waiting For” is a step away from the youthful concept of “Birthday”; blending English and Korean in an electronic teen-pop beat that is catchy and showcases her diverse talents & styles. The single is also the first song that Somi has actively produced; written and composed alongside Teddy, Danny Chung, R.Tee and 24. Looking back, she has blossomed from a fresh-faced trainee, to one of the main names in I.O.I. Now, with the InterscopeBlack Label partnership; she has now become a popular rookie in her own right and the journey has only just begun.

R&B SPOTLIGHT

CRUSH

NATHAN SARTAIN

Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, Crush has been a mainstay in Korea’s underground scenes, floating between mainstream success and understated brilliance just as seamlessly as he shifts between hip-hop and R&B influences. Originally debuting as part of Dynamic Duo’s Amoeba Culture label, the 28-year-old now finds himself on P Nation, musically as daring as ever.

The new chapter started in August 2019 with the double single NAPPA. It followed 2018’s pop ballad ‘Lay Your Head On Me,’ and swapped the conservative, emotive acoustic guitars for bleeding synth melodies and slapping trap percussion. Lead-single ‘NAPPA’ particularly showed off the star’s personality, utilising bouncy tropical synths and improvisational jazz inspirations to deliver a vocally freeform masterclass. Lyrically humorous, with Crush continually riffing off the track’s title, it’s a joyful three-minutes packed with plenty of substance. And, although B-side ‘Lookin 4’ ditches a lot of the vibrancy for murky synths and bubbling romanticism, it still feels just as substantial, and overpowers the listener in pure sensuality. From there, it was time for the 28-year-old’s second full-length studio album. Titled From Midnight To Sunrise, the LP was a sonic story of the late night hours turning into morning, threading a relaxing, healing sound throughout a 40-minute runtime. In many ways an amalgamation of the bygone eras of R&B, jazz and pop he so often borrows from, it’s a record which may feel somewhat restrained in terms of its lack of high-octane, full throttle bangers, but is anything but conservative when looking under the surface. From the beatboxing undertones heard on the horn-laden ‘Wonderlust,’ to the euphoric cacophonous ending section of the largely acoustic ‘Sunset,’ all the way to the soothing closer ‘Nighty Night,’ there’s always something fresh and exciting to pick out, and really revel in. Testing the limits to his songwriting and production skills all whilst staying firmly within the integral concept, From Midnight To Sunrise is Crush at his apex, operating without shackles or boundaries.

Afterwards, the R&B mainstay was afforded some less taxing projects, appearing on a couple of original soundtracks and taking part in Hyundai’s “Digital Lover” project. Although nothing truly stood out, the breezy piano ballad ‘Let Us Go,’ does stand above the rest in quality, drawing out emotion with emphatic vocal shakes and a pronounced rawness. The resonant, rather downbeat ‘Digital Lover’ has its moments too, with its plodding percussion and twinkling keys supplementing the soulful line deliveries competently, even if it does fall foul of being a tad formulaic.

Sadly though, like many artists, Crush saw COVID-19 throw an earth-sized spanner in his plans. Now at the age in which many see their career stunted for a stint in the military, the 28-year-old undoubtedly had plans of more splendour in store for the rest of the calendar year, but has instead had to bide his time carefully. Never one to dwell though, the P Nation artist signed on as a regular guest on the Begin Again Korea series, in which numerous artists busk around the country, and started the

homemade project. ‘Mayday,’ the first (and so far only) release of the venture which seeks to show fans how he’s been working during self-isolation, went down perfectly too, bouncing between self-loathing pertaining to stress, hair loss and drowning in thoughts, and wishing to simply enjoy “Sunday vibes.” Centred around a slightly unrefined recorder loop, skeletal trap beats and airy synths, the track is sonically light, favouring tangible comfort as opposed to relentless charisma. Complete with a nice feature from Red Velvet’s Joy, ‘Mayday’ has tons of charm, displaying Crush at his most carefree and comfortable.

However, such languorous efforts often don’t stick in the mind for too long, and so the R&B star had to capitalise on his forward momentum a different way. Returning with the double single OHIO, the 28-year-old takes all the energy and charisma of his early career, matching it with tremendous flair and artistry. Its titular lead-single particularly, which is an urgent, rapid unleashing of anxiety over heavily forefronted slapping percussion and antsy piano melody, is utterly stunning. Rhythmically enrapturing as it cascades towards a somewhat subdued bridge in which the artist declares that he wants to make his significant other “feel so good,” ‘OHIO’ is a hyper-charged single full of pep.

On the other hand, the accompanying track ‘Let Me,’ penned by Devin Morrison, does dial down the sonically arresting elements, taking it to the realm of ‘90s R&B tinged romantic magnetism in the form of a gushing love song. Plus, almost all of us have made declarations of love in some capacity, whether on a marble bench or a Marbella beach, and such a tender number can evoke such innocent, fond memories and feelings. It mightn’t have the energy and zip of its musical neighbour, but it’s just as visceral, making for attentive listening.

To conclude, the last twelve months have seen shrewd development from Crush. Breaking out from being sidelined as a reliable hand in palatable chart bothering R&B-cum-pop offerings, he now sees himself making the music he himself loves, unafraid of showing pensive introspection and unfiltered thoughts. With the backing of Psy, the sky is the limit for the 28-year-old when he does return from serving his country, and his career may continue to reach new heights.