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In Love With Shinhwa

SHINHWA'S NEW ALBUM!!!

It has been 20 months since the release of "Your Wedding" on December 2002 and now Korea's most powerful group Shinhwa is releasing their 7th album on the 27th. Starting from young boys, they grew up to be men together with their fans and through music, they showed great team work. During the past few months, each member has shown their own talents through cfs, dramas and movies however the fan's strong thirst for powerful stage performance was unknown until now. At gyungido yongin EVERLAND, We met the stronger 6 men at the set of Shinhwa's summer story 2004.

Eric's words:
With his moustache and beard, which was a symbol of toughness, cleanly shaven, Eric looked very happy to be back as "shinhwa's Eric". "The title song for the album is likely to be a dance genre but we wanted to introduce the sweet and mellow song "Angel" first. For this song's music video, newcomer actor hyesung who has never acted officially until now is finally going to show his acting skills in this music video. The acting and the atmosphere is simply excellent! Being handsome and having great acting skills shows similarities to me right? haha"

Hyesung's words:
Hyesung's eyes became more sharper. Hyesung,hearing this compliment from Eric looks a bit embarassed but it seems he has gained more confidence. "Besides being a cameo, this is my first time acting in a music video. Because it's for a song that I personally sang to, I am more nervous and have trouble sleeping. I've always wanted to act in a dramatized music video and thanks to the member's encouragement, I was able to."

Minwoo's words:
Minwoo who, during highschool danced whenever he had the time due to his passion for dance is the most energetic member out of the 6 men. "I really like to sing but it felt suffocating to just stand still and sing. I wanted to make the atmosphere more lively by moving my body a little with the rhythm and beat so the rhythm and beat doesn't die. This is how the new album's atmosphere is. During that time, I think that I have done and shown my very best and I will continue to meet those expectations and not disappoint you."

Dongwan's words:
Dongwan, who became an movie actor through "Spin KicK" said with a bright smile "It's been a long time." Because all of us went our own separate ways and did activities separately many people will think that we rushed with this album however ironically with this album we recorded and made it with composure. After the first song was recorded, 50 more songs were recorded and our opinions of each of them were discussed together. At first when you hear it, you'll think that all the songs are really similar but if you listen really carefully you'll be able to tell the difference."

Andy's words:
Starting from this fall, Andy is going to break his "model student" image. " As time goes by, it seems the age range of fans keeps growing and growing. Before it was just the younger generation where mid-10's were fans and slowly grew into the 20's with me. Now it seems that mid 10's to mid 30's are seeing my talents and are being more attracted to me. Due to this, I'm very happy. I'm glad that I grew from an idol dance group member to a more mature man during the time i did my own solo activities."

Junjin's words:
Because of the shooting of KBS drama "Gumiho Wae Jun", Junjin is very busy but it seems he's the same joker. " I think Shinhwa's attractive point is that we can be aggressive and fierce yet gentle and tender. At first it didn't seem suitable but now this concept matches us best. I practiced singing very hard and didn't neglect my duties as a singer. And I am most happy spending time with fans at the set of Gumiho. All of our members are busy so when we finally meet together we're probably going to show some tears. I am excited for through the 7th album all of us meet once again."

Source: metroinside and soompi
Translation: nikki @ shinhwa sarang

M 1st - Un-Touch-Able
Suave, debonair, and quite possibly nearly every girls dream man. Lee Minwoo (aka the solo artist known as M) has spurn from his illustrious career as one of the favorites of the legendary group Shinhwa. With the new found freedom he and the group experienced after leaving SM Entertainment, each member began working on their own solo jobs.

The album, released with the promotion of such companies as MSN Korea, MAC, M-Net, and Mega-Pass (all beginning with M), shows the two sides of Minwoo reflected in his jacket; one being a reflection of his manhood and toughness and the other with a more exotic side. With his heart-melting voice combined with his incredible song writing skills, its no surprise this so called sex symbol would release a smash solo album.

With a hiphop-esque intro led by fellow Shinhwa member, Eric Muns, rap skill, the album begins with a smash of an intro varying from a collaboration rap and beatbox. The intro is very at pace with the following song, Punch, although having it last so long makes the listener a bit impatient. Punch lures the listener into a hip dance scene with its beat and of course Minwoo himself. Though the song is a hit in itself, I cant help thinking the tad bit of similarity between the style of M and American singer, Justin Timberlake. One in A Million in itself wasnt exactly great. At some points, the song became a bit boring or his voice was a bit strained. On the other hand, Just One Night takes the listener away from where ever he or she is to a world of paradise with Minwoo. His tender voice actually makes it seem like M himself is singing to the listener in a whirlwind of emotions. Though, in style, its more on the simpler side compared to most of the current R&B songs, the track is hands down one of the best of the album. With a mix of ballads to pop/R&B songs varying in between the middle tracks, though relatively fine, theyre no blow over.

Though his voice and rhythm performed nearly without a flaw, the down side was the songs portrayed absolutely NO EMOTION. The least M could do is provide a little tone or dynamics. Talk about a line of conformity. In Love, in my opinion, was the only relatively different song compared to the ones before. In love provides a different beat and style compared to the tracks before. Minwoo, stick with creativity, its a GOOD thing. Option, by far was the best of the last few songs. Suddenly in the midst of all this boredom, M strikes at the listener with an incredible upbeat song. Sadly, at a few parts, one could tell his voice was stressed at points. The title couldve been a bit more original. In my opinion, Option just doesnt fit such a song. The album closes beautifully with For You reflected a calm and serene melody that will be sure to soothe the listeners ears.

To my personal disappointment, this oh-so hyped up album turned out to be the least of what I was expecting. Being an avid Minwoo fan, the album turned out being a complete downer to my hopes. Overall, in my opinion, the style and music put to the tracks lacked creativity. Some songs sounded a bit too much like the usual Shinhwa songs instead of bursting out with a new style. Other songs sounded towards the pseudo-Justin Timberlake/ Craig Davis side. Though the album was relatively o.k., at a point I almost fell asleep to it. Like it or not, M has come into the world of KPOP with a Punch and hopefully will be here for more than Just One Night.

Overall rating: 8 / 10

Title Track: Just One Night
Release Date: 22/11/2003
Publisher: Good Entertainment

Track Listing:
01 Intro
02 Punch
03 One in a Million (1/1000000)
04 Just One Night
05 Sweet Girl
06 Bi Ya (Oh Rain!)
07 Chak Gak (Misunderstanding)
08 Un-Touch-Able
09 Chuh Rum (In Love)
10 Option
11 To Y..
12 Ups Gae Mahn Deel Uh Yo (...)
13 For you (To My Lovely Fans...)

Tnx to Freelancer!!!