Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Music is a universal language, but the importance of lyrics can’t be ignored they provide a deeper connection and engagement with the music. K-pop artists have been releasing English-language songs for their global fandom, such as TWICE’s “I GOY YOU”, LE SSERAFIM’s “Perfect Night”, and aespa’s “Better Things”. For those who want more than just one song in English, there are actually albums with all the songs in English. So, without further ado, let’s dive into 5 of the best K-pop albums where every song is English.
TEN – TEN (2024)
Ten is the second NCT member to release a solo album after Taeyong. He is from Thailand and he bravely decided to make all the songs on his first solo album in English. Having worked as a main dancer in various units such as NCT-U, WayV, and SuperM, he introduces himself as an “artistic performer” on this album. The album has six tracks with a variety of charms, from the rhythmic and addictive dance track “Nightwalker” to the hip-hop track “ON TEN”, all of which feature Ten’s unique vocals. He also works closely with his company to discuss the fashion in his music to express himself in a unique style that’s both glamorous and sophisticated.
Jungkook – GOLDEN (2023)
GOLDEN is the first solo album released by BTS’s youngest member, Jungkook. The album came out in November 2023, ahead of his military enlistment. The album’s theme was chosen to reflect his nickname “Golden Youngest,” used by members and fans alike. The momentum of the pre-released singles “Seven (feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” was carried over to the album. Jungkook did not miss a single beat as a musician, whether it was in the music videos, stage performances, or the quality of the music. The title track “Standing Next to You” is a modern reinterpretation of the old-school disco funk genre and is holding strong on the Billboard 200 chart for 15 weeks since February 24th.
ONEWE – GRAVITY (2023)
GRAVITY is ONEWE’s first English album. All five members participated in the songwriting and composing, and they reinterpreted 10 of their previously released songs in English. They also added a new song called “GRAVITY”. ONEWE is known for their lyrical and emotional music that often uses metaphors to describe love and relationships. They made a special effort to convey the same emotional depth in the English lyrics. Another unique aspect of the album is that some of the songs have different vocalizations in the English version compared to the Korean version. The title track “GRAVITY” is ONEWE’s first attempt at a “dark sexy” concept, and it features a prominent bass sound in the chorus. The music video showcases the members’ dynamic band performance.
MONSTA X – ALL ABOUT LUV (2020)
ALL ABOUT LUV is MONSTA X’s first full-length album released in the United States after signing with global label Epic Records. It was released on February 13th, 2020, one day before Valentine’s Day, as a gift to their fandom MONBEBE who have been supporting them. The album entered the Billboard 200 main album chart at number 5, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were unable to actively promote it overseas. However, it was notable that they showed a new side of themselves with a pop album that focused on “love”, unlike their previous image of emphasizing physicality and energy. The track “WHO DO U LOVE?” was featured in the CWTV series Riverdale. Global artists such as Pitbull and French Montana also participated in the album.
Eric Nam – House on a Hill (2023)
Singer-songwriter Eric Nam is a second-generation Korean-American. He began his career in Korea through the audition program Great Birth 2 (literal translation). In 2019, he released his first album titled “Before We Begin” with all English songs and has released more English albums since then.”House on a Hill” is one of his all-English albums that asks questions about happiness symbolized by the “house on a hill” as he reflects on his 10 years since debut. In an interview with Chicago NBC, he explained why he continues to release English albums, saying, “There are not many Asian-Americans making music in the mainstream. I think we need people to keep trying.”
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
