Following the success of her fellow SISTAR member Hyorin, who notched K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1 “Crazy of You,” bandmate Soyu now rules the chart this week with her solo single “Stupid Love,” featuring labelmate rapper Mad Clown.
“Stupid Love” is an emotional hip-hop number, embellished with string chords and soft piano lines. The song was composed by Kim Do Hoon and penned by Min Yeon Jae and Mad Clown. The track illustrates two different sides of a breakup: Soyu represents the “good girl” with her powerful vocal prowess as well as controlled head voice; the “bad guy,” Mad Clown, angrily spits venom with lyrics lamenting his failed relationship.
“Stupid Love” is the first offering of many Starship Entertainment (housing big names like SISTAR, K.Will, BOYFRIEND) collaborations to come. This ambitious collaboration project will continue to put out genre-hybrid tracks with top artists.
Popular Korean drama show “Master’s Sun” has seen two songs off its soundtrack hit No. 1 with “Crazy of You” (at No. 5 this week) and Yoon Mi Rae’s “Touch Love” (No. 2). Former “Superstar K” winner Seo In Guk, who also stars in the TV program, sees his offering for the series, ballad “No Matter What,” land at No. 3. With a classical orchestra backing, he reveals his love is growing bigger…”no matter what.”
New Jersey-bred soloist Ailee, who’s already racked up two No. 1s this year with “U&I” and BAE CHI GI collabo “Shower of Tears,” returns to the chart with a special collaboration with famed Asian pianist/composer Yurima. With a knocking beat, “Higher” is a piano- and string-led pop/R&B track acting as a glittery showcase for Ailee’s impressive vocals. The singer gets to riff throughout the verses and choruses, capping off with a huge belt on the bridge. It soars from last week’s No. 36 to No. 7 this week.
EXO’s “Growl” slips one slot to No. 8 on the chart, but celebrates its eighth week on the chart, showing true longevity for the 12-member boy band’s breakout hit. Recently, four EXO members covered the Beatles’ classic hit “All My Loving” on a special TV program aired during Korea’s Chuseok holiday, an autumn/havest celebration. Watch the boys don Beatles-esque haircuts below:
Over in Japan, Girls’ Generation notch another Top 5 hit on the Japan Hot 100. “Galaxy Supernova” zooms from No. 39 to No. 4 this week. It’s the ninesome’s eighth Top 10 entry. The accompanying music video, released Sept. 4, has garnered over 8.4 million views to date.