On Hellokpop Playlist: H1-KEY Paints a Beautiful Dream with Their Latest Album Release

H1-KEY dazzles in their second mini-album release Seoul Dreaming, showing a new side of themselves.

H1-KEY burst onto the K-Pop scene like a refreshing breeze on January 5, 2022, with their debut single, “ATHLETIC GIRL.” This dynamic girl group quickly captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their vibrant energy, captivating vocals, and electrifying choreography. With their unique blend of charisma and talent, H1-KEY is a rising star on the K-Pop horizon, poised to leave an indelible mark in the industry that resonates with fans for years to come.

Their subsequent single album, Run, released in July 2022, extended the group’s youthful energy, as well as introduced new member HWISEO. Following the success of Run,  H1-KEY returned on their first debut anniversary with their first mini-album, Rose Blossom. The timeless album has since been compared to the release of K-Pop juggernaut 2NE1. Now, H1-KEY returns after seven months, further expanding their musicality with their second mini album, SEOUL DREAMING.

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In this era, members RIINA, HWISEO, SEOI, and YEL show more versatility than ever before, delivering the album in two versions. The “SEOUL” version reinterprets the high-teen trends of Y2K with a more modern twist.  Meanwhile, the “DREAMING” version presents a more retro-inspired appearance and mirrors the energy of a fun slumber party with the members. As a whole, SEOUL DREAMING encapsulates Gen Z’s unique sincerity in chasing their dreams but with a more honest twist. The mini-album offers seven tracks in total, including the two title tracks “Time To Shine” and “SEOUL (Such A Beautiful City).

SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City)

“SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City)” is one of the two title tracks of the album SEOUL DREAMING and another collaboration between Young K and Hong Ji Sang, who wrote Rose Blossom. In Seoul, a city of opportunities where hope and despair, joy and sadness constantly intersect, H1-KEY dreams of a precarious but beautiful dream. The colorful synth-pop sound based on the funk rhythm of the 70s and 80s has a retro but sophisticated vibe. The synthesizer sound that appears at the beginning is heart fluttering, and the grandiose string sound that resonates from the bridge section emphasizes the climax of the song.

TIME TO SHINE

The second of the two title tracks, “TIME TO SHINE,” was initially released as a pre-release to build hype for the album.  This track is also courtesy of composer Hong Ji Sang but offers a more energetic feel than the other title track.  The uplifting song offers an interesting blend of band and dance elements while evoking retro K-Pop sounds. The lyrics, “Hey, it’s okay, we’re heading to a level up / To be the person we’ve always hoped to be,” mixed with the visuals of the music video, give viewers a look into the journey of the group’s idol ambitions from practicing to performing on stage.

Low-Key Scared But H1-KEY Ready

“Low-Key Scared But H1-KEY Ready” follows the flow of its predecessor tracks on the album, effortlessly continuing the retro, nostalgic mood. With each play-through, listeners will find something new in this anthem in the making-style song.

MAGICAL DREAM

From the first note, listeners can’t help but bob their heads along to “MAGICAL DREAM.” The song has a retro feeling but isn’t overbearing, instead highlighting the members’ vocal tones and rap skills as the main attraction.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to believe this is just H1-KEY’s sophomore album. SEOUL DREAMING is one of those few albums you could listen to on repeat without getting tired of the group or the songs. It masterfully embodies a retro music feel with modern elements while highlighting RIINA, HWISEO, SEOI, and YEL’s growth in singing and rapping alongside their maturity as artists overall. The seven tracks of SEOUL DREAMING make us excited to see what the members of H1-KEY do next.

Image and Video Source: GLG Entertainment, H1-KEY, H1-KEY – Topic