My sort of review on Henry's solo debut single, TRAP
Henry finally debuts in Korea, not as a part of Super Junior, being only a member of the mandarin subgroup, but as a solo act! So naturally, everyone's anticipating this multi-talented ENGLISH speaking artist to hit the Korean music market as a solo (might I add, SM haven't signed any solo artists in a while).
So, the day comes. The YouTube video is released after SM delayed it, which I kind of was expecting. The whole ride they made us take for EXO's debut and comeback was frankly cruel, but a good marketing strategy. However, on a serious note from an angry fangirl, that drama version of Wolf better be out by the end of this weekend. SM, freaking king of trolls. Anyway, I'm going off rant, SOOOOO, Henry's FIRST EVER KOREAN SINGLE and as a SOLO artist which I think is key to add, and dare I say it, SOLO deifned as in JUST HIM, is released.
I gathered from the teaser that Taemin and Kyuhyun were going to be somewhat involved in this video. I was naivly hoping that it would be them making dancing appearances in the music video, but who was I kidding? Kyuhyun and him joining in for a dance break alongside with the likes of that crazy machine Taemin? But, I was praying. I did not want to accept. The music video however is hard facts that I can no longer deny.
Enough of my babbeling and down to buisness - why in the world did SM put two features in Henry's FIRST SOLO SINGLE!?!? It just makes me so annoyed. I love Taemin and Kyuhyun, I'm all for maknae power and those two have insane voices, but it just looks like SM felt like Henry needed those two really famous singers in the video and in the song so it wouldn't fail. They played it safe. If Henry isn't well recieved, then surly, Taemin and Kyuhyun fans will draw an interest to the song. It's a typical SM marketing, they did it with BoA, when they realised, though she may be queen, her 'Only One' wasn't getting her any royal recognition, so they threw in Yunho, Eunhyuk, Taemin, Luhan and Sehun in the live performances in order for her to gain more votes.
It's just, if there's anyone that a music company should take a risk on, it's freaking Henry! He's got a massive fanbase being a part of Super Junior M and it's not like he's a stranger to the Korean entertainment business having appeared on verity TV for a good few years. It also helps that he's so talented.
Not only did SM play it safe with the single, oh god, how much did they put into the production of the music video? I mean, sure, there is a set were he isn't in SM's infamous oddly lit room, but the narrative in the music video seemed so poorly directed. That added with an inexperienced actor such as Henry... I mean, common, we got to admit, Henry isn't great at acting but he's good... and I just think with the production as a whole, he wasn't able to get away with it. The editing was probably the best bit of the production of the video (aside from the CGI sky thingy, I personally didn't dig it, but I can see how some may find it super duperly awesome. Maybe they were going for the whole supernatural creepyness/ artificially being trapped).
The dance was mad. I loved every bit about it. Henry really knows how to bust a move! That whole idea of the backup dancers caging him in with arms and then him breaking out only to join back in - fantastic. The switching and turning almost seemd like clockwork to me.
As for the actual song its self, that piano solo in the beginning was beautiful. It was strong, and it gave me goosebumps like whenever Henry plays an instrument. Then that whisper, 'I'm trapped', just before the beat adds into the piano. I was shocked. It gives a whole different feeling to the song without taking from the dramatic sad and lonely intro of the song. Henry's vocals just are so well delivered and it has feeling which I find is hard to come by when listening to a kpop ballads sung by young idols. Then Taemin comes in and sings and I'm such a er for his voice. Really amazing. But Kyuhyun's entrance is by far one of the best things about this song. I'm not going to lie, I was kind of like, 'Holy crap, is he going to start rapping?', but he didn't. Hehe. He's high pitched vocals just seem to penetrate through and send shivers though my body.
Overall, I'm so buying Henry's album. Henry really did smash it with his singing and dancing in this song and although I am annoyed with aspects of the MV and SM's marketing games, this song is so crazy good that I was hooked on since I heard a few seconds in the teaser. I look forward to the promotion of this song. Wishing Henry all the best!!
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