There are precious few notable songwriters left in K-pop, so when I find one I connect with I tend to latch on tightly. Such is the case with LAVIN, formerly known as “VAHN.” Not only was his work with NINE.i impeccable, but he’s gone on to craft a solid solo career as well. That career takes a new twist with Junk Love (사랑하고 싶지 않아).
LAVIN’s raspy vocal and anthemic rock sound feel specific to him, and that signature goes a long way toward cementing his appeal. I have an idea what a LAVIN song will sound like even before I hear it, and within that space he’s able to carve out small nuances that make each track unique on its own. Junk Love is a rousing pop/rocker, opening with full intensity and scarcely letting up. Both its verses and chorus have a cathartic appeal — the kind of thing you can sing-shout loudly in your car.
Junk Love‘s chorus offers a satisfying centerpiece. Its melody climbs to great heights, giving the track a sense of movement that keeps it compelling until the end. LAVIN’s performance is equally dynamic. You really get the sense that he’s putting his full heart into every word. It’s a shame this song won’t garner as much attention as the month’s bigger comebacks, because it’s certainly one of the best things we’ve heard all February.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I had to go back and remind myself about Lavin fka Vahn of NINE.i. I swear I don’t live in a cave, but all their songs even (somehow) “Turn it off” and “Power up” escaped my memory even though they were on my 2023 year end list. Oh yes, relistening, both of those songs, quite good.
These are my thoughts after my listening excursion through time. Lavin fka Vahn of NINE.i can write hell of good songs. Production is also really good. The songs all have a way of just blending into each other like a good makeup contour application. That’s not a good thing.
I am wondering if Lavin fka Vahn of NINE.i would have more success if he sold these songs to other kpop groups or solosists, perhaps more overly charismatic ones. I know writing producing performing your own songs can be satistfying, but more satisfying is collecting monthly royalties. He seems to be exactly what kpop desires, but it just isn’t hitting under any moniker of his own.
That all said, its another good solod song, the rating is probably about right, though I might put it a tick or two lower to low 8 due to Bias.
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He has worked with other artists before, off the top of my head I remember he’s credited on Golden Child’s Feel Me, for example. I’m sure it’s difficult to make a mark for himself, coming from such a small agency + all the contract troubles + not having been on any survival show, either 😦 But the music is really hitting!
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It really is a pleasure to hear an artist/producer who has such a clear vision. He’s so incredible talented as a songwriter, it’s such a shame NINE.i didn’t work out. I also think he’s a very charismatic performer, but that may be my bias for this song and this genre also speaking and elevating this even more, considering the dire state kpop is currently in.
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I love Vahn. My daughter jokes that I may be his biggest listener on Spotify. It is super sad how few listeners he has. Maybe 2000 monthly listeners? So much talent but such a small audience.
It makes me wonder who else is out there doing amazing things that I just have no way of knowing about.
Huge thanks to you, Nick, for keeping us updated. How would I have known he’d rebranded otherwise?
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I’ve also been a big fan of his work with Nine.i, as a soloist, and what he’s done for other artists. This is very him and that means pretty good. I’d say 8.25
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I love Lavin/Vahn’s signature producing style and his vocals suit his own songs so well. Such a shame that he doesn’t gain nearly as much attention as he should in the industry :((
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