Flashback Friday: Moonlight (EXO's crying song)

Moonlight - EXO

To be honest, I like the Mandarin version better (but that’s because I’m EXO M biased lol). It might also because I really like Chen’s and Luhan’s vocals together. This was my favorite sad EXO song until “Sing for You” came along. But “Sing for You” isn’t really a sad song haha.

I remember the first time I heard this song, the timbre (or feeling of the song if you will) was very melancholic. I imagined a guy trying his hardest to hold onto someone, who was leaving. He was trying so desperately grasp on someone who could not be his. Since he has finally accepted that he can’t have what isn’t his, he is saying his final goodbye. It was really sad, but I usually obsess over songs that are bittersweet. 

I guess it was really fitting that this song came out when the EXO tragedy came. 

This song came out around finals time and I ended up crying when I first read the lyrics. The story I imagined was so heart wrenching! I was probably very emotional since I was stressed with finals, so I was prone to crying. It was also around the time when Kris left. I am a Meigeni/Kris stan, so I was very anxious with all the updates about this guy. In a way, the song was a reminder of what I suspected the reason for Kris leaving the group. I feel like the EXO members hold this song very close to their heart too. They were losing a group mate and their careers were probably at stake. 

The story illustrated by “Moonlight” is what seems to be a guy who fell in love with an angel. She is a being out of this world and brings awe and wonder to this man’s life. He could never think of reaching her level, but he thinks about her constantly as the angel becomes a part of his everyday life. Along the way, he fell in love and he knows that their relationship is something that can’t be. The guy wants to protect the angel from getting hurt since she seems to be troubled. It becomes painful when he tries to get closer, getting to know her. He knows that he has to stop so that both of them won’t have endure the pain anymore, so the guy instead choses to keep the angel in his memory.

I still enjoy listening to the song even though I get a mix of emotions. It makes me glad that I don’t understand Chinese fully because reading the lyrics brought tears to my eyes again. I would love to see a drama based off “Moonlight,” but it might require a tragic ending to follow with the bitter and melancholic mood of the song. 

In conclusion, my overactive imagination makes me keep “Moonlight” in a very special place in my heart. 

Please check out the song and read the translation, then let us know your interpretation or what you thought of the song. 

-Kristine

Reloaded (Calm Down, Lu-Ge)

Reloaded - Lu Han

I know that Lu Han isn't in the K-POP scene anymore but I will still be a fan of Lu Han wherever he is. OT12 FOREVER. There had to be some influence from his experience in the Korean music industry in the making of this mini album, so it's okay to write a quick review on the Deer's newest work. 

There are only two songs on the album which made me a little sad. I was expecting maybe three or four. 

• The first song, which will also be getting a music video, is "That Good Good." The song is a little too repetitive constantly resounding "I got that good good" five million times in your ears. He needs to calm down with that phrase, but that's my only complaint. I like that the audience gets a glimpse of Lu Han's rapping skills since he mentioned in "EXO Showtime" that he was initially a rapper. It was also nice listening to Lu Han's voice especially since he sounds more mature as a singer and as a man! You go Lu Han, you go!

• "Adventure Time" is the second song on his mini album. There is a lot of autotune in this one. I was a bit disappointed since he was trained and picked by SM because of his natural and calming voice (that may not have been the reason, but that's what I want to believe ha). The autotune was like listening to your best friend talk with a cup over both of your ears. Anyway, the song sounds so American and I applaud Lu Han for trying this type of genre. 

There really is a lot of American influence on his tracks. He worked with producer Djemba Djemba, who's from LA, so that could be the main reason why haha, and I believe Lu Han does also like to listen to the music of the States. Lu Han was probably trying to target a wider audience than just his country, similar to how the Korean industry aims for an international appeal for music. 

On a final note, I liked the album and am looking forward to more. When I watched a little bit of the interview with Djemba Djemba, it was very interesting to hear that he classified Lu Han's album as "Future R&B." I also agree with Djemba Djemba that his music is "modern music." I was already a fan of Lu Han as solo artist, but if he continues to make music like this, then I might have to follow him for a very long time. 

Lu Han-Ge, I'm so proud of you! 加油！

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Please check out the song and read Lu Han's mini album, then let us know what you thought of it. 

-Kristine

"That Good Good"

"Adventure Time"