D.O. released a very strong mini album in September and its title track is still charting today. Even so, he’s made a quick comeback with new digital single Darling. This song is more in line with what many would expect from him, offering sentimental balladry just at the time of year Korean charts tend to love it most.

D.O. pulls off this sound better than many of his peers. He boasts an instantly recognizable vocal tone and those of us that were fans back in the early days instantly connect it to the holidays after several thousand plays of EXO’s Miracle In December and The First Snow. Darling is not holiday themed, nor is it as melodically arresting as either of those longstanding hits. It’s a pretty — relatively slight — track boosted by an excellent performance. I like the band instrumental, particularly when it picks up during Darling‘s climax. But overall, there are other D.O. songs I’m more likely to turn to when I need this kind of fix.

Grade: C