Most people know Yim Siwan as one of Korea’s leading actors, but once upon a time he was also in boy group ZE:A. If nothing else, I’d love for this review to be an excuse for readers to go back to ZE:A’s discography, which is truly one of K-pop’s most underrated. We simply don’t get boy groups like them anymore, and that’s a shame.
Recently, Siwan signed with The Black Label, who have had a very successful 2025. This follows reports of a signing with one of SM Entertainment’s subsidiaries, so I guess that means he’s somehow working with both at the same time? Regardless, this has resulted in new solo work with his first mini album and title track The Reason. Knowing how these kind of projects usually turn out and Siwan’s general demeanor, I didn’t expect anything edgy or daring. And true to form, The Reason is a swinging mid-tempo that practically defines “easy-listening.”
Despite this (or because of it?), I actually quite like the track. If there’s any of time of year suited to this cozy, unambitious sound, it’s during the lead-up to winter. Siwan’s voice sounds beautiful and the production has more heft and drive than expected. The chorus sounds like a carol without needing to incorporate sleigh bells and is so pleasantly inoffensive that it should appeal to just about anyone. This isn’t the kind of song I’ll be playing months from now, but it’s a suitable soundtrack for the season.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I just can’t not think of this song with that title https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ0zxuWFxrY&si=Uqd32HZrzUY6hiMv
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I know what this is without having to click. An easy entry to my worst songs of all time playlist
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Let me get the song out of the way: Im Siwan sound better than he ever has. The production annoys the crap out of me. The first verse sounds like it could be real people playing real intruments, or one very good keyboardist. Then the prechorus kicks in and that illusion goes away. They start throwing random instrument sounds in for two beats here and there, some never to repeat again. The vocal starts to sound sliced and diced. It could have been a decent song, but it sounds like someone on an all night Red Bull-fueled mixing session lost the ear for what sounds cohesive.
ZE:A. Ah ZE:A, the first kpop video I ever watched. I had just finished binge watching “The Moon Embracing the Sun” on Netflix, and the ghosts of the algorithm suggested it. ZE:A had multiple actors launched from the group for a while, I think some are still fairly active – Park Hyung-Sik. Some may recognize KwangHee too. The real lead singer was Kim DongJun, and their best songs throw the chorus to him where he is steady as a rock. Some call it “omg so stabile”.
Anyway, here is a classic ZE:A, Dong Jun being the only one staying consistently in tune. Im Siwan, not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cik2NeUJM-M
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These were my thoughts line by line while reading this:
Who is Yim Siwan? I’m sure Nick will share some background.
Oh great, Nick shared some background! But who is ZE:A? I’m sure I’ll probably get a link and a recommended song or two.
Oh great Nick shared a link! *Pause reading to listen to The Ghost of Wind, and then others* Oh wow! This is some solid 1/2nd gen style stuff. Nick is probably bummed groups don’t make stuff like this anymore.
Oh, Nick said exactly that!
I just had to laugh at how synchronized your post was reading along with my own thoughts! Anyway, the song is nice, I’m at more of a 7,8,8,7 = 7.5 though, which is likely me having less connection with the artist (for now at least).
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Haha I love that!
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I knew him first from his amazing acting on Strangers from Hell. I was surprised to learn that he was in a kpop group and surprised again to know he was in a same group with Park Hyung Shik. He is a decent singer but I will prefer him as an actor always.
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The whole album is good. he’s a better singer than I thought.
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