I feel like I must open every new DAY6-related review by mentioning just how well the group has done this year. It’s insane to see so many of their singles running up the charts — both old and new. Korea is clearly in love with their sound, more than any other time in the past eight years they’ve been active. Now, we’ll see if leader Sungjin can conjure the same chart success with his own music. Check Pattern is his first title track as a soloist.
Given his powerful voice and ferocious performance on many DAY6 songs, I would have expected Sungjin to debut with something big and brash. Instead, Check Pattern is a tasteful ballad, reminiscent of many songs from his group. Knowing Korea’s love for ballads this time of year, I can’t fault him for playing to the room. And, the track has enough unique touches to set it apart from similar releases.
My favorite segment of Check Pattern is its transition between verse and chorus. The song slows here, stripping away much of the instrumental as Sungjin’s voice takes on an almost haunting tone. It’s a gorgeous bit of melody that catches listeners off guard without destroying the song’s momentum. The rest of Check Pattern is pretty standard fare, appealing in its way but unlikely to spawn much excitement beyond those already smitten with Sungjin’s sound.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I may come out a little bit dramatic but, I experienced what falling in love with a voice feels like while listening to this album.
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I know exactly how that feels, though not with this particular singer. Just commenting to say its a lovely thought, and not dramatic.
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thank you!!
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I was waiting for this review to learn which group this one was from. Ah, Day6.
For Kballads, this is absolutely every Kballady ballad ever. I have my own personal go to soloists whose “voice I have fallen in love with”, to paraphrase Alroma above. I am not compelled to add this to my own play deck. I am happy that Alroma has found one for them though, because it is a lovely song and a lovely performance.
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I am a romantic at heart and so I feel that ‘falling in love with a voice’ is such a pretty notion. Whose voices are your favourite? (I also may or may not be looking for ballad recommendations for winter)
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Oh I am a big sucker for many. Kyuhyun is my ultimate bias. But not so secretly other boyfriend Kim Sung Kyu sometimes pips him to the post. This song is just so unbashedly romantic and gorgeous.
Then there is Roy Kim, the rare baritone in kpop. After his big mess a few years ago of lets call it “having the wrong friends” his ballads got dark, real dark, from the aching of his heart and soul, like these here. These are just agony.
Finally, my real boyfriend, Jeong Hongil. Only decades of singing experience will get a performance like this. (2:32 is in tune!) More agony.
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I listened to some Kyuhyun and I completely understand! Very much enjoyed the songs I just listened to and he sings with such ease. I’ m undecided about the breathy vibrato he does though – do I love it? Is it a bit too much for me? The jury is still out .
Of course I know Sung Kyu already! My dear Infinite bias, even though my Infinite phase was years ago ; Beautiful is still.. so beautiful. I am glad to be reminded of it.
Didn’ t know Roy Kim before, but he has a very nice voice too! Love his quiet singing in the second one. The songs themselves are a bit lingery for me (can you tell Im not a ballad person? I need a meaty melody!).
The same almost goes for Jeong Hongil but when he starts going all out around 2 minutes I can see what you mean with his experience elevating this even more. Incredible expression! I was NOT expecting the almost-growl to come in. He kept me listening until the very end.
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Girls. Girls girls girls.
For contemporary, AKMU has some gems. The way she just curls into a note and into your heart.
For others, I go old school. As a low mezzosoprano, I tend to choose them. Lee Eun Mi is a way oldie, 1990’s. Lee Sora below – this one sounds like a Chopin vocalise with lyrics to me.
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Since I am so boy-group biased and only usually listen to ballads from my most favourite groups, I miss out on some great female vocalists. So thank you for these – though I knew Suhyun from AKMU and absolutely adore her voice.
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I love Sungjin’s voice but it depends on which track, cause it just suits him better sometimes. His most favorite part of mine will always be from “Letting go”, “I smile”, “Sing me” and I’ll stop there so I don’t write an even longer novel. His demo for “Afraid” is where people stood and waited for an album of his. When it comes to voices I personally am in love with, I can say that for all of Day6, all five of them, even Dowoon😂. My favorite male soloist is probably Chen for now, “Portrait of you” for example being just one of his ballads I’ll always love. I love Woohyun’s voice as well, then a bunch of other tenors. Sis loves listening to 10cm and NCTs Jaehyun for example. AKMU’s Suhyun is one of female voices I love
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There are many Woohyun lovers on this blog too.
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I am bouncing in my seat over here because this is some good taste. Chen is one of those great loves of mine – his voice truly makes me feel. Woohyun is also wonderful, he is locked in a constant battle with Sungkyu for my favourite Infinite singer.
Also 100% AKMUs Suhyun – the duet cover of Rewrite the Stars she did with D.O. made me ascend. There is also a BTS where she talks about how awesome is was that she could go all out when singing with him because his voice is one of the only ones that has just as much power as hers does. That feeling of just soaring with no holding back is what makes this cover so stellar to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TJlXlwJ6js
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😄Glad to hear that. I also loved their cover, and was actually so happy for D.O. to be able to show off his singing and go around and do collabs this year! His and Suhyun’s voices are such a great match.
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They really are! Kyungsoo is another one of those voices I am in love with so very happy to have him be active and release things this year as well.
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Omg y’all have to check his album. I love Sungjin. I’m a myday and I always admire his voice so much. And I think this is the time for him
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While I was listening to the album I had a lot of thoughts, and in the meantime the last track was over, and I was just like “why the hell is it over?”😂
While this particular track I might not keep for long, I’m here to say how much I like “I don’t wanna do anything”, ironically being the longest track. I love the guitar bit in there
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thanks
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