Secret - 2nd Single Album (Starlight, Moonlight) (시크릿 - 별빛달빛) (2011)

After “Shy Boy” catapulted them to the upper tier of K-Pop girl groups in early 2011, Secret followed it up with “Starlight, Moonlight” as their summer single. The accompanying single album included only two other songs, but like much of Secret’s work, they were different than your typical idol group offerings. In addition to the doo-wop styled single, there’s the country-ish “Oh! Honey” and the lounge jazzy “Melodrama,” all a far cry from the overly techno-fied world of idol pop.

While it isn’t a full album, this single album is a mini-delight. It’s not going to fight for a place among the greatest artistic achievements of K-Pop, but by idol group standards, it’s a cut above.

Cover art via ManiaDB

Cho Duk-Bae Vol. 1 (조덕배 1집) (1985)

Seven years after an unsuccessful independent release, Cho Duk-Bae made his official debut with this record in 1985. Cho’s laid-back, soothing folk style, and his signature lyrical themes: nighttime, mysterious women, yearning etc. are all on display here. Though it doesn’t get billing on the front cover, the leadoff track “My Old Story,” a plea to a lover that got away, is the best-known song from this album.

This album today is available on CD as a two-for-one package featuring Cho’s first two albums, and the track sequencing is different. The sequence here is the original one.

Image via ManiaDB

Noh Yeong-Shim Vol. 1 (노영심 1집) (1992)

After a career that started as an accompanist, moved toward songwriter and eventually television show host, Noh Yeong-Shim released her debut album in 1992. This isn’t a typical pop album, as the first half contains four vocal songs, and the second half contains five piano-based instrumental pieces. The only vocals in the second half are a conversation with the legendary Kim Chang-Wan of Sanullim during the final track, “Goodbye.”

The first four tracks, like the instrumentals, are built around Noh’s piano, with the exception of the keyboard-based single “The Man Who Remembers All Sorts of Things.” “The Man…” has been said to be a sequel to Noh’s composition for Byeon Jin-Seob, “Wishful Thinking,” in which the singer lists all the qualities of his ideal woman, most of which are unrealistic to expect. “The Man…” sees Noh pondering all the minutiae of daily life that she never notices, and wishing merely for a man who cares enough to remember such things about her. “The Man…” may stick out a bit sound-wise, but its lyrics are a creative departure from standard fare, and uniquely Korean as well.

Noh’s soft vocals, evocative lyrics and emotional piano playing create a very relaxed yet often melancholic atmosphere. The album art, which shows Noh on a beach on a gray day, captures the mood of this record pretty well. It has a subdued beauty, and in the darker moments, there remains the knowledge that brightness and warmth await with the change of seasons.

Image source: ManiaDB

Cho Yong-Pil Vol. 7 (조용필 7집) (1985)

Released in 1985, Cho's 7th album is considered by many to be one of his best. Rockers like "Yesterday, Today, And...," "Oh Darling," "The Unknown World," and the oft-covered "We're Going on a Trip," all collaborations with Ha Ji-Yeong, are among his best-known songs. However, the ballads "You, Who I See in Tears" and "Wildflower" are also standouts, as well as the Yoo Jae-Ha composition "Because I Love."

Cho's output is extensive and consistently high-caliber, so trying to choose individual albums among his many releases can be a daunting task. However, for the prospective collector, this album wouldn't be a bad place to start.

Cover art via ManiaDB.