“The K-Pop singing sensation is unstoppable.”
FANS of K-Pop singing sensation Taeyeon got a sweet surprise when the petite beauty released her new single last week.
Going by the title 11:11 the song features a relaxing vibe, driven by the delicate strains from an acoustic guitar, which complements her soft and smooth vocals. At Press time, the close to 4-minute song’s music video had already amounted to over seven million views on Youtube.
The music video features Taeyeon in a string of soft-focus scenes, some together with a hunky Korean guy, having a dreamlike quality. One scene has the pixie-like star falling onto a bed in a room, then it cuts quickly to her awaking on a beach with waves breaking.
The simple, yet mildly melancholic and surreal music video ties in nicely to the gentle nature of her laid back, minimalist ballad about moving on from a heartbreaking relationship. Fans were typically excited and thrilled by the digital release.
One online review stated that the no-nonsense lilting tune slowly draws in the listener and that the song works to compel listeners with its background vocal layering and dreamy quality.
The song is a step away from Taeyeon’s other milder tunes, which tended to feature a more soft rock feel.
Some reviewers were less enthusiastic though. One had this to say: “11:11 is basically attaching a major name to any instantly forgettable indie acoustic guitar bore that’s best utilised by insomniacs.”
Taeyeon, whose real name is Kim Tae-yeon, first came to attention as the lead member of seminal K-Pop girl group, Girls’ Generation.
Formed in 2007 by S.M. Entertainment, the then nine-member South Korean girl group became one of the biggest K-Pop acts by 2009.
The 27-year-old has participated in its subgroup TTS and ballad outfit SM The Ballad, as well as recorded songs for several TV dramas and movies. Last year, she officially made her debut as a solo artiste with the release of an EP, I. The titular track became Taeyeon’s first No. 1 song on the Korean charts.
Rain became her second No. 1 hit tune after it was released last February, followed by her second EP, Why, which featured two singles, Starlight and Why.
MOST DOWNLOADED TUNES
(iTunes as of Nov 7)
TOP 10 SONGS
1. Selamanya Cinta — Shila Amzah & Alif Satar
2. Wahai Kekasih — Katahati
3. 11:11 — Taeyeon
4. Redha — Irfan Haris
5. Dari Mata — Jaz
6. Versace On The Floor — Bruno Mars
7. Closer (feat. Halsey) — The Chainsmokers
8. Say You Won’t Let Go — James Arthur
9. Aku Cuma Punya Hati — Mytha
10. True Colors — Anna Kendrick & Justin Timberlake
TOP 10 ALBUMS
1. Anatomi — Faizal Tahir
2. Collage EP — The Chainsmokers
3. Twisted — Kolor
4. Kokomo (Live At The Venue ‘81) — Kokomo
5. The Ultimate Collection: When A Man Loves A Woman — Percy Sledge
6. 25 — Adele
7. 1989 (Deluxe) — Taylor Swift
8. Zikir Terapi Diri — Hafiz Hamidun
9. Guardians Of The Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) — Various Artists
10. Ghost Stories — Coldplay