Super Junior’s Eunhyuk made his idol debut nearly twenty years ago. Across those decades, he’s been active in sub-units and even released a couple solo tracks. However, he’s never delivered a solo album. With the release of Explorer, he’s finally taken the plunge. And like any artist should, he’s taken this opportunity to develop a sound that clearly means something to him.
The sound in question is early-90’s hip-hop — that sweet spot between rap and new jack swing before the genre morphed and grew and took over the world. In K-pop terms, it’s hard to listen to Up N Down without referencing first-gen artists like Hyun Jin-young. The song sits right beside classics from the era like You In Vague Memory, making it feel like a tribute to Eunhyuk’s own idols. This is a great match between song and artist, taking advantage of the many skills Eunhyuk has honed over his years with Super Junior.
This is also a genre that greatly appeals to me. The beat is bright and incessantly groovy, keeping the track aloft through its upbeat spirit. And rather than shout over the instrumental, Eunhyuk performs in a more melodic style perched halfway between singing and rapping. His voice becomes another tool in the production’s hyper-rhythmic arsenal, resulting in a track that clicks together in satisfying lockstep. It’s safe to say the very long wait for a solo Eunhyuk project was worth it.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
K-Pop has explored this genre since its first generation, with titles such as Twist King by Turbo and Passion by Yoo Seungjun, as well as examples in Super Junior’s discography such as Mamacita. The question is how to keep it relevant and perhaps deliver something lively, with a swingbeat or a hybrid dynamic, like Aespa’s questionable Next Level
Although the retro production conveys some integrity, Up N Down‘s verses require contrast with the chorus, which is livelier but more detailed. The contemporary adaptation of New Jack Swing features more agile rhythms but loses some of its original melodic charm. Still, I can’t deny a touch of retro music
Overall, a solid return
8.5 (8, 9, 8, 9)
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The nth person here to say “Solid”, Solid song, performance, production etc etc etc. If there is one negative is that every one is mining 90’s hip hop and New Jack Swing right now.
I want to point out to the newbies here that Eunhyuk was for a while considered to be the subrapper – lead dancer in Super Junior, and here he is building and building and building. (Except when it doesn’t work, like rumor has it he was the one who chose “2YA2YAO” over “Any Song”, both by Zico, the latter which dominated the 2020 charts in Korea. Enough said about that.)
Here is another gem from Eunhyuk to which I return to often. The subrapper defying all expectations with the loveliest vocal.
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This song was so mid
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I checked it out because of the review. I like plenty of Super Junior music and like the personalities of D&E, but I have never liked their music. This is in the better than I expected and will be super fun in a concert setting.
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