Review

Buried Treasure: Woohyun – Everyday

Woohyun - EverydayMost of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

As much as I can appreciate a good Korean ballad, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little disappointed that Woohyun’s solo debut wasn’t in the upbeat style of Everyday. But, the fact that he’s tacked the song onto the album as a bonus track goes a long way in making up for that feeling. This is the Woohyun I love best — the guy that charges into the finale of The Chaser with his soaring, sing-with-all-you’ve-got vocals and completely ups the ante. Yes, he can slay a ballad like nobody’s business, but he’s also a dynamic, theatrical performer, and that side of him is on full display throughout the anthemic rock of Everyday.

Fans will already be familiar with the song, since it was performed as a solo stage during Infinite’s latest world tour, but here it’s spruced up in its official studio version, blasting out of the gate with some surprisingly punky distorted guitar before segueing into its measured power-pop verses. But, Everyday is all about its bombastic chorus, which gives Woohyun a chance to cut loose in a series of extended bravura notes, sending the melody sky high before it collapses in a spiraling transition to the next verse. Even as galvanizing as this hook is, it’s nothing compared to the vocal climaxes that pepper the track’s final moments, spinning off energy long after the track has ended.

 Hooks  9
 Production  8
 Longevity 9
 Bias  10
 RATING  9