SLAY KYU SLAY - KYUHYUN'S MINI ALBUM 'AT GWANGHWAMUN' LISTENING POST

[shiroki-tenshi.livejournal.com]

Source: PUNK_ rhwodmsMusic Chart III

Sorry for the last post, mods! Was so excited it came out already, didn't think it would hit until noon KST. Will listen to Kyuhyun all day at work today!!! I was trying to just embed the playlist but it didn't work...please accept, mods!

Comments

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

He is doing so well, I am so proud of him!!

so happy for him too, and he looks so delightfully happy ^_^

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

IF YOU DON'T LIKE BALLADS, GO TO THE SIXTH SONG IT'S UPBEAT AND PLAYFUL.

I really do love it. The instrumentals are gorgeous across the board. The remake track (Flying, deep in the night) is so playful and cute and he sounds like he's smiling throughout the whole song, I can't wait to see how he does that live at the mini concert. At Close might be my favorite right now, if I absolutely had to pick one. His self-composed song is miles better than we all thought it would be after hearing it at SS6...but At Gwanghwamun is also so good, and so is Moment of Farewell. I basically can't really choose.

Kyuhyun's tweet was also the best -- having to sleep because of schedules the next day, but not being able to because he was too happy. Congratulations, bb. You deserve it. He's been #1 on Melon for hours and he's #1 on ~6 other charts too and he's been all-killing and getting roof-hits. The mini-concert's happening now and he looks like hell (did he sleep at all?), but it's the happiest hell I've ever seen.


I just copied/pasted it here too, why not.

This debut was so well-planned. Apart from just picking Gwanghwamun to be the concept of the mini and the focus of the title track, they announced his solo debut with the tagline 'next-generation ballad prince' and he's been networking with well-known and respected artists for years in preparation for this (like Jung Yup and Yoon Jongshin). He's put together a mini full of just him -- no features, no awkward rap breaks, nothing. No English-named title track, no 'international appeal' as far as SM seems to go with it...and a strategic autumn release with autumn-themed teaser photos. A music video that seems to have some amount of creative freedom. A solo mini concert to showcase his first release. All of this just speaks to how much thought went into this, and what the real focus is. He's not really trying to gain hallyu fans with this (though the ones he have will certainly be here to support him). He's aiming for the Korean public. He's in it for the long haul.

And the response...wow. I don't think anyone expected it to be this good.

I daydreamed about it sometimes (pretty sure I mentioned it somewhere here too), about all those what-ifs. What if he was well-received, what if he could become the next Lee Seunggi...and now here he is topping charts, getting #1 on seven of them, getting all-kills and roof hits. There are comments saying At Gwanghwamun is poised to be the theme song of autumn (like how Cherryblossom Ending basically ended up being the national theme song of spring). There are comments saying that Lee Seunggi might have to watch out now, because Kyuhyun really just sings that well.

This past week, all the comments on his articles have had people saying stuff like 'Can he really sing? I only know him from Radio Star' and the like. And now they're all complimenting him, all full of stuff like 'I see why have complimented him', 'I've been listening to it on repeat all day', 'he's wasted in SM' (lol).

--

Do you know what I'm even more excited about now though? This is doing so, so well. People have to be taking note. Apart from Kyuhyun/SJ/SM/fans looking at it, this is something definitive people can look at -- this is going to be his representative song like one of the commenters said. I can't imagine how many industry doors this could help open for him. I don't know how SM will be looking to promote him from now on (chunks of promotion with each release? Singles here and there, possibly collaborative ones?). I have no idea how this is going to go on, but it is going to happen. He's worked so hard for so long, and he's finally there.

Congratulations, bb. You deserve it.

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

I am with you here!! And so glad too :) :)

You should make one of those articles+concert post (or after the articles are released about his concert)!!!

He's so freaking adorable, I can't + the other suju members being supportive *__*

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

Of course! Right now I'm just trying to keep up with all the news (he just topped his ninth chart omfg) and photos/articles coming in. The reporters are fast, there's already one featured about how he didn't tell the members that he was preparing for a solo because he thought they (esp. Yesung) might get jealous. There've also been a lot about how well he's charting, the debut in general (like that lovely Starcast one), and now ones about the concert too. And we're trying to coordinate who's translating what so we don't overlap like we did earlier tonight, hahaha. I'll try to include the tweets too -- his, the members', and the other people that posted in support too (Queen Bada, Huh Gak, his musical costar, a magazine editor, some hoobaes, etc.).

He's so happy ;____;

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

Totally looking forward to your mega post!!! <3 Those tweets are so sweet and supportive *__*

If I can help in any way, let me know! ...although I can't read Korean at all ._.

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how to organize it, lmao. The supportive tweets (from more now too, like Jaedong) by themselves could probably be a post. The second round of articles w/ comment translations could also be a post in itself though...and then there's the showcase with all the info we got there! And his first stage at MuBank now (that Siwon attended!)...

There's so much /o\ do you have any idea how to put it together, lol?

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

I think you have a pretty good idea on how to organize it!

- the tweets
- the showcase! + related articles
- the articles (could possibly split it if it gets too long into first round [when it was released] and 2nd wave [after killinggg the charts]? ...and his dad's letter too T_T)
- mubank probablyyy doesn't need a post because it'll get lumped together with the mubank post ~_~ (though that siwon tweet... (HAHAHA Sally!?!?))

.........there's....... a lot. OTL (but so much goodness!!!)

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

He just hit #1 on his eighth chart, Soribada ;____; He just topped his ninth chart daum finally caught up with this century lmao

Kyuhyun's been killing more charts than SNSD has members.

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

daum took so long lolol

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

Daum made absolutely no sense, with AG ranked at like #43 but his other songs being in the what, top ten? Maybe it was full of Yiruma fans lmao

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

mhm mhm but now 9 charts!!! It's so unbelievable... especially for a suju member since suju who is practically infamous for doing horrible for digitals hahaha (seeing suju stans talk about roof hits for the first time (or learning about roof hits for the first time) was just .. so amusing)

...I had hoped he'd do well, but this is really beyond my expectations T_T

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

ELF had absolutely no idea what was going on, lmao. All-kill? PAK? Roof-hit??? Though I'm pretty sure the Melon roof-hit got confirmed. The 24-hour all-kill was confirmed too (and got a featured article, lmao).

I don't know if anyone expected this ;____;

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

when it was first released and ELF were like ROOF HIT!!! and others were like 'um that's not a roof hit...' hahaha so it was satisfying when he actually got a real roof hit! (ELF is so bad w digitals, who could blame them hehehe)

I was so worried cos solo acts don't always do so well >_> and ELF is so awful with digitals... I'm so glad Korea loves ballads/him

I hope he gets to promote for a while (more than a week), but given his already packed schedule... `-` ...

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

Literally just like 'what's a roof-hit? Is that...one?' all over the place, haha. I was so apprehensive about it not doing well, but I'm glad that's not an issue anymore. Now the issue is his health -_-

I can't see them not capitalizing on this success/popularity/momentum and striking while the iron's hot. He's already scheduled for the KBS Open Concert on Tuesday and AFAIK that's a new plan (since I don't remember anyone talking about him going on it before). But yeah, he's like...busy all the time now. He's already sick and hoarse >_> I hope it doesn't get worse.

[shiroki-tenshi.livejournal.com]

I don't get the reference to LSG...

And I'm so proud of Kyu. His mini-album was playing non-stop today for me haha. And I'm happy I got my one upbeat song. He sounds so sassy in it haha

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

I really want to see Flying live! He'd look so cute--

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

They said Lee Seunggi might have to watch out now because Kyuhyun could be shaping up to be a serious contender for his 'spot' in the industry -- they're both MCs and singers with good images, so they're kind of in the same 'niche' now. This is in the wake of everyone realizing 'holy shit, that Kyuhyun kid on Radio Star can actually sing and he's actually really, really good', lmao. And yes, I love Flying so much!

[cee-90.livejournal.com]

ughhhhh my ballad-loving soul is loving this mini~! It'll take awhile before I can memorize every song's title but overall listening to the mini album is such a pleasure for my ear <3

My favorites are Eternal Sunshine (then I just realized that this is the one Yiruma composed omg) and Moment of Farewell. Flying, deep in the night sounds like two songs mashed together tho? It maybe my least favorite but ugh even if it is, his voice is still so enjoyable.

I'm waiting for fancams from his mini concert, I really hope he can look less dead :( I used to prefer his voice over Yesung's before I watched them on Super Shows (because he can get really really still and passive during his solos even though he nailed every friggin note and despite Yesung sometimes miss his notes he emotes really well on stage) but I think he's getting better nowadays.. His schedule tho...

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

his schedule has me really worried, but he looks so happy, and I think he's been wanting this for the longest time.. so worth it, I guess >_<

[cee-90.livejournal.com]

yeah, he looks like he looks so happy and enjoying it (going as far as leaking acoustic versions of his songs lol) and singing his songs even when he's showering everyday (ugh I envy eunhyuk sfm here,the things I'd do to hear kyuhyun sings everyday for free is boundless lol). And I recall being a ballad singer is his original goal when he joined SM. It's ridiculous but I feel like a proud mom now hahah. I hope he gets a long, enjoyable vacation after his promotion ends.

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

I really can't believe he has another musical stage tonight.....

[justawhim07.livejournal.com]

Hmm do you know if he'll even perform for the music shows?

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

He's confirmed for the ones this week at least, I think. As of the album dropping immediately, I don't think anything further was confirmed -- though who knows what they'll do now after this reception?

[carmine-pink.livejournal.com]

At first listen the songs except for track 6 all sounded rather similar to me... piano-based ballads with similar tempo and a touch of string section. By the end they sort of blended into one another and I couldn't really remember which song was which (except for the delightful track 6, so fun) but maybe I simply need a few more listens, or I just can't handle too many similar ballads all at once. I'm sure I'll feel the same if Yesung or KRY were to release an album like this, LOL.

This went out in iTunes for my country at the same time as in Korea. I hope this will become the norm for SM from now on cause I remember having had to wait almost a day for Taemin and SJ's recent releases.

SJ's support for Kyu has been heartwarming <3

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

mte on the songs

[fluidcomplexity.livejournal.com]

agreed on my first listen through the songs, although I think it was also because I wasn't giving it my full attention when listening (trying to read an academic paper at the same time probably was not a good idea). I do love ballads, though, so I actually don't mind too much...? Like there isn't a single track I don't enjoy, lol.

and yes, I'm really loving all the support SJ (everyone, really) has been showing too!

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised that even though Suju always do so bad digitally, he's really slaying. I never expected him being #1 on Melon and even surpassing Hi Suhyun. Korea truly loves ballads.

[yukahoo.livejournal.com]

Almost 24h since the album came out and I'm still completely overwhelmed, both by the album and the response to it.

His voice sounds absolutely glorious in all of it like I knew it would. There's not a single track I dislike but I'm happy AG is the promo track. I'm definitely looking forward to the live shows.

[aquariuslover.livejournal.com]

This album will be on repeat for the next decade.

[aki-san.livejournal.com]

I'm not into ballads really, but his voice is so nice, so I gave this a listen. At Gwanghwamun, Moment of Farewell and Eternal Sunshine will definitely get lots of replays from me.

[mintychocolat.livejournal.com]

He sounds amazing, as always. Even though I'm not into ballads I'm so super happy for him. C:

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

This is a great album.

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

Sounds lovely. His voice doesn't get to me quite in the way some others do but it's still very soothing and pretty.