Ten is one of those performers with absolutely seismic potential who just can’t seem to find material as strong as his own presence. Though I’ve enjoyed many solo Ten songs, I’ve never loved one. Stunner‘s very title seems to promise a turnaround, aiming to fully capture our attention. It succeeds in fits and starts.
Over the past year or so, there’s been a big re-emergence of early-2000’s Neptunes-style production — loose, funky percussion that gives plenty of space to build a slinky track around. Stunner flirts with this trend, but it’s actually at its strongest during the pre-choruses when it throws a more robust sound behind Ten’s vocals. These moments of grandeur bring the type of drama his solo work often forgets. The rapid-fire phrasing of the chorus is also a lot of fun, but could do with a more galvanizing arrangement.
With this in mind, Stunner improves as it goes on. The instrumental pulls in additional elements, giving the sense that the song is snowballing as it develops. This helps mask a series of so-so hooks, as does Ten’s own charisma as he lets the lyrics drip from his mouth with total ease. I’m a bit tired of choruses that pull back rather than explode, but Stunner is taut and focused with moments of true excitement.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Nice, slinky, hooks are okay, could use more bite to it. Love Ten, but he deserves stronger material (New Heroes still remains as my fave Ten solo even if it was a Station single! Nightwalker’s a close second though)
All 8s for me as well.
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Nightwalker wasn’t my thing but def an unexpected direction. This is more in line with the sound I envisioned for him–sleek and hypnotic. Ten has always been that guy–I just need the material to match his power. We’re getting there with Stunner.
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Definitely a 9.5. TEN is just built different. His skills are just outstanding. Even though he didn’t write this song, TEN makes it his own.
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I thought you’d like it more. I suspect it’ll grow on you. I feel it’ll grow on me too but it’s easily 8.5 rn on first listen.
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Ten is a ten in my book. … … I agree about the songs though, for his immense talent and presence, each song doesn’t quite knock it out of the park. My last ten from Ten was “Baby Don’t Stop” duet with Taeyong from wayyy back when.
This song here sounds like a leftover from a Taemin album. It has moments, but it lacks edge.
At least they keep giving Ten songs and he isn’t in the dungeon.
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Disappointing song.
Needs more oomph.
Really liked Nightcrawler, this doesn’t reach those heights.
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Do you mean Nightwalker?
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This song probably doesn’t count as a Ten solo track (?), because it was later released as an NCT song on their album. But for me, this is a “10,” and the video’s a “stunner” [groan], pardon the puns! Seriously, this is a masterpiece in my mind.
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The dance practice to this (the one with just him and a few other dancers, not the whole crew) is one of my favorite choreos in Kpop.
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the production value of this song alone makes this his best song imo. it’s mostly a performance piece but the entire instrumental is so luscious and dreamy. great piece of combining oriental music with more modern dance beats. i feel like he could’ve fit a particular niche with this musical direction. plus his graceful elegant yet strong dance style and his light pure vulnerable vocal tone fits it.
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Mos def, an entire album done in this style would’ve been amazing.
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For me this is the best of his recent solo songs and shows off the versatility of his voice (even though I could have done without the rap). The trouble is this could have been a song by any past or present SM soloist, like Taemin or Jaehyun. Like “Birthday” I think it will be elevated considerably by the performance.
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I really enjoyed this, the post-chorus really grabbed my attention. I’m also a fan of Y2K throwbacks so this hit a sweet spot for me. His vocals are also shining through, he sounds great.
Agree with some comments saying it sounds a little bit like Taemin, but I just think it’s Ten’s style of performance that alligns with Taemin. Both are very dance-focused performers and tend to showcase with songs that build up in a dramatic way and have this intriguing feeling to them.
I don’t complain though, Ten does this type of style justice!
8.5/10
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there is nothing I don’t like here, but I think Ten would shine with a Key-like banger, if you know what I mean. A Killer, a Helium, something like that.
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