Someone needs to do a case study on why so many idol soloists debut with the most subdued (ie: dull) material you could possibly imagine. Have they been so beaten down by the maximalist needs of K-pop’s idol group system? Are they under the impression that — above all else — they must show some sort of inner pathos or reflection to be credible? Whatever the case, solo releases often follow similar sonic paths.
As the youngest of Astro, Yoon Sanha made his debut as a smiley, overalls-wearing kid. He and the group have obviously been through a lot since 2016 so it’s not surprising to see his solo work take a darker turn. I just wish this tone came along with an equally evocative song, because Dive does little to highlight his charm as an artist. Sonically, it feels mired in the gloomy, melodically flat territory that many western male pop stars have reverted to over the past decade.
With that said, Dive grows more interesting as it reaches its chorus. The verses do nothing for me, but I enjoy the swell of the song’s centerpiece, especially when it’s accompanied by synth strings. This dramatic atmosphere works well with the melody but makes me wish the song truly took the opportunity to break free from its confines. At under three minutes, there’s no room for a bridge and Dive ends just as it’s starting to get good. It’s as if we’re given the first few minutes of a slow-burn, five-minute highlight but the producers have held back the payoff that makes it all work.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Regarding what we’ve seen with soloists, I think it might also come to Korean taste. K-RnB and subdued, simple tracks tend to do well with soloists over there. Talking about soloists, I’m intrigued on Taemin’s next steps, and if his new artistic control/vision will translate into his music. Though the teasers seem to veer to hint at a continuation of some of his past work at SM (i.e Advice, Idea, etc)
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I’m curious about Taemin too. Over the past two years or so, I get the sense he wants to be a very different kind of popstar than I’d hoped he would. Of course he gets to make that decision for himself, but I get disappointed when I know he can kill a Criminal/Danger/Guess Who/Press Your Number/etc like nobody else but he seems to prefer stuff like Guilty instead.
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“… mired in the gloomy, melodically flat territory” Thank you Nick for being for polite. At this point, I call this “more moody shit”.
To me it feels like an under-produced solo song from BTS LY era, minus the pretentious titles. Like a knock off chill vibes cat with a window and rain youtube loop. After a while, the rain sounds like bacon and you can’t unhear it.
Maybe its just me, but when I need to get angst out, I go full angst. I hope for the best for Sanha and the rest of Astro as they have had enough angst in their lives already.
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Adding: his other song on the album “여우별” gets an extra half point for being 6/8’s time.
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This sounds incredibly sad, like someone exhausted by sorrow. It’s evocative and haunting and refuses catharsis because there’s none to be had. I’m not sure I would rate it any higher, but I think it conveys pain effectively and has now cast a pall over my morning.
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