I recently finished watching the JYP edition of The Game Caterers — a field day suite of games involving members of every active JYP group. The series was a lot of fun and I admired how agency COO J.Y. Park participated as well. It was like watching the principal of a school hang out with different generations of students. Whatever you may think of the man, he certainly boasts an admirable work ethic. That includes his yearly solo single, which often riffs on musical trends of decades past.
New single Happy Hour (퇴근길) enlists the help of non-JYP singer/songwriter Kown Jinah, though the two share a history through the 2013 season of K-pop Star. Rather than his usual forays into disco and synthpop, Happy Hour adopts a country sheen. I feel like J.Y. Park has been threatening a country song for awhile now, and though this one doesn’t completely lean into the genre the guitar is definitely twanging.
While the song’s music video highlights the humor we’re accustomed to from his late-career period, the song itself is rather dull. I don’t think this genre is suited to J.Y. Park’s strengths and the melodies aren’t memorable enough to make up for the lackluster instrumental. Perhaps if I spoke and understood fluent Korean I’d be more charmed by the overall package. As it stands, this is a rare pass for me.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I admire the gusto to go for country, and while it bears more authenticity than some current western country artists, I agree that the melodies and instrumental simply aren’t strong enough. I enjoy country from time to time, but this isn’t one I would be reaching for.
7,7,7,8 = 7.25
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We know we are in a bad pop year when even JYP fails to deliver 😭
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Yes, JYP scratches his country itch and this particular choice does not play to his strengths well. For one, the first verse is too low for the sweet spot of his range. For two, he does fit line dancing styling okayish, but a faster lively more campy song would have suited his natural humor better.
I went to a wedding this weekend, and everyone got up to the hoedown dance remix “Cotton eyed Joe”. There was also karaoke (which was not bad, really, truly) with some rude call and response country ditty that I did not know. Since this was two hours into the open bar well stocked with whiskey and bourbon, all was well in the world.
I say, nice try JYP, try it again next year. We’ll give you a do-over.
There are a zillion covers of Cotton-Eyed Joe on youtube, imma going to link the one that mimics “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”. (… Y’all don’t know that reference either? I shall link that as well. Famous movie dance from the golden age of movie musicals.)
https://youtu.be/9ZGGozmhVkw
https://youtu.be/TygmMPbwfjA
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“I feel like J.Y. Park has been threatening a country song for awhile now” 😂😂😂
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Side note but since it was mentioned I really enjoyed the game caterers JYP special and since then I’ve been rewatching all the other game caterers as well : D
day6 were really funny LOL
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SM’s series last year was a lot of fun, too. I REALLY need them to do another one for HYBE now that there are so many more groups on the roster.
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YESS! since they were able to do a second Starship special, hopefully they’ll do a second one for HYBE :”D
and although unlikely, it’d be really cool to see katseye participate just to see how they’d do
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