BM5's September 2025 Favorites

Favorite Music Video

Shotty - Hyolyn

Ahhhh, Hyolyn has done it again. She came back with a danced focused music video on that R&B tip. Do you know what that means? The attitude is present, the choreo is fierce, and the body...is bodying! This mug produced by the Stereotypes bangs to a level we've needed from Hyolyn for some time after a few summery tunes. Hyolyn's vocals are still on point and so sultry. I think you'll be hard pressed taking your eyes off the screen, no matter who you are. Cause she's not your story!

Favorite Rap Single

Yeah Wynne - Wynne

When I saw this drop in my subscriptions, like every time I see Wynne pop up, I got excited. When I heard the beat after pressing play, I thought, "Oh snap! She's killing other people's beats again!" Glorilla would be proud to hear what Wynne brought to the instrumental. She came with her trademark cool demeanor and witty wordplay along with cheeky finesse. This was just the beginning of what would become a true mixtape for the fans. I couldn't be more excited to listen and to share with all of you.

Favorite Cover

Armageddon (Jazz Version) - ReacttotheK

I always love it when the classical and jazz musicians from this channel put their own spin on kpop songs. Thus, when I saw that they did one of my favorite songs of last year, I was beyond ecstatic! Their cool twist on the track made me giddy inside with the mix of staying true to the composition and adding their own flair at the right moments. If you have never heard one of this channel's covers, I would happily recommend this being one of your first ones. I wonder how Aespa feels about this version...

Full September 2025 Favorites playlist: click here

Fair Shake Reaction: iCE - Hyolyn

iCE - Hyolyn

(Genre: Kpop)

I-C-Elaborate links listed below:

No Thanks (Music Video)

Waka Boom (Performance Video)

Layin' Low (Music Video)

JREKML Reaction (to No Thanks)

Killing Voice (Live Performance)

Miko's Music Stats 2022

Keeping with new tradition of 2020 and 2021, I'm excited to present to you my last.fm music stats for 2022. One thing I've noticed while posting my Spotify rewind on Instagram is that I had a whole month to potentially change those results...and I did. Sure, a lot of these listens were influenced by my research for Miko's Music Connection and I know that that will be a continuing factor as I resume the series and these result posts.

BM5's June 2021 Favorites

Favorite Anime Related Video

Sharing Circles of Hell | HFIL - TeamFourStar

Starting from the abridges, TeamFourStar have continuously brought much joy to my life. They have recently added the HFIL series to their channel and I love the original content based off of their beloved DBZA characters. The boys have been able to take all the skills they've gained from many years of writing content to present this hilarious series and I just want more eyes on it. That and even the other fully original content they create.

Favorite Promotional Single

Happiness - Hyolyn

Hyolyn, Hyolyn, Hyolyn...why must you please me so? There's a lot of music that I've loved during this month, but I just wanted to highlight this release. Those who've been around the kpop scene for a while should be aware of the talent of Hyolyn, so there shouldn't be too much convincing there. Yet for those unaware, following her independent career is not a bad entry point, as it has been mine. What makes this single different is that not only has she written the lyrics to this particular song, but she also composed the production which she is a bit newer to. You wouldn't be able to tell because her musical sensibilities made this the perfect fit for her soulful tone as she set it to a smooth R&B almost lofi instrumental. Your ears will be happy!

Favorite Video Essay

The Embarrassing Collapse of the Joe Budden Podcast - Trap Lore Ross

In the hip hop media space, the Joe Budden Podcast has definitely been in your radar. I, personally, have a strong connection to the show by watching/listening for close to 3 years. I've even seen them on tour. Hence, to see the co-hosts fall out so horrendously in front of the audience has been crazy. This video here chronicles the history of the crew and points out the many red flags that popped up along the way. Unfortunately, there were some that I, as I'm sure others, didn't quite pick up on. With podcasting growing in popularity these days, this retelling of events may interest you.

Favorite Interview

T-Pain in the Trap!!! - 85 South Comedy Show (Podcast)

I swear, there is never an unintriguing interview with T-Pain. This sit down with Karlous Miller and Navv Greene had me rolling from start to finish. They go into the ins and outs of T-Pain's career all while cracking jokes on each other and others throughout. I mean, we get to hear about T-Pain's discovery of Instagram DMs, learning about shady strip club practices, and an invitation to Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. These 3 hours flew as we have to determine which made the interview more ridiculous: T-Pain's drinking or Karlous' smoking!

Full June 2021 Favorites Playlist: click here

Fair Shake Reaction: Say My Name - Hyolyn

Say My Name - Hyolyn

(Genre: Kpop)

Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"Erase" by Hyolyn & JooYoung feat. Iron
It seems like Hyolyn/Hyorin has been doing a lot of solo stuff, but I'm not complaining. Her voice is amazing and every time she's on screen, she brightens up the atmosphere with her smile. I think songs like this are her strong suit. It has a pop, ballad, R&B mix to it in the melody and vocal arrangement. JooYoung's voice complements Hyolyn's very well and I don't feel like one or the other overshadow each other, which happens from time to time. The lyrics are well written and the visuals go along with the story of relationship disentigrating over time. Although I thought Iron's rap verse was completely unnecessary, it wasn't that bad.



"I'M DIFFERENT" by HI SUHYUN feat. Bobby (iKON)
I wasn't all that impressed with Lee Hi's solo material and I casually enjoyed AKMU's MV releases. Oh, and Bobby's decent. I was curious how this crossover duo was going to work out and I think this is exactly what Lee Hi needed for her short musical career. Their voices work very well for this almost retro, Duffy/Adele-esque melody. The video is super cute as the girls follow and oogle Bobby shyly. It really looks like they had fun and it kinda made me like Bobby a little, although I think I would've been okay if he didn't have a guest verse in it and just acted in it for visual promotion. Nonetheless, I hope YG does something with this duo again because they have really good chemistry.



"Pendulum" by FKA twigs
Every now and then I saw this name pop up on my Facebook feed, so I was curious what her music sounded like. It's very avant garde both musically and visually. She possesses a very soft and unique voice. The music tends to come and go throughout the song. There's barely a beat or melody, just some noises through the verses and then the melody comes in during the chorus. It's oddly beautiful and the visuals reflect that as well. Lots of close ups of FKA twigs singing, then some artistic shibari, visual effects, and costumes. It's definitely worth checking out at least once for the experience, but I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea as it's so out there and ambient.



"Hip Hop for the World" by #HIPHOPISHIPHOP
Visually, this video isn't anything special while it does feature some great scenery, fun little art animations, and break dancers. The video is mostly rappers in their home country rapping in their native tongue. I found this video out through San E and learned it was a video supporting musical education, which is all well and good. Despite the lack of eye catching visuals, I think hearing the different languages in a rap is mindblowing and fun to hear. With the subtitles for me was amusing to decipher all the syllables said. I'm very pleased with who was chosen to represent America too. I recommend this one for all the hip-hop fans out there.



"REVELATION" by Royz
Every now and then I feel the need to post one of these band centric videos, because they are interesting sometimes. They have fun little visual effects that are stimulating to the eye, like this PV. There's plenty of solo shots of the members playing their instruments in the ring of fire and some great shots of Subaru with cooler color tones. The music is very energetic and has a passionate vocal delivery to match. It mixes a little bit of electronics and rock without letting one overpower the other. The costumes are pretty awesome and I love the ink work on Subaru in his solo shots.