迷 (Me) ,, Super Junior M

Is the Chinese pop music industry ready for Super Junior M?

There are many fans out there supporting ‘Only 13’. But like how I gave Zhang Ri-in a chance and listened to her sing, please give this new group a chance too. You will find sincerity in their voices. And! They really do pronounce Chinese a lot better than most Korean artistes. Plus, sweet lyrics are huge plus.

Album: 迷 (Me)
Artiste: Super Junior M
Released: April 23, 2008
Company: Avex

#o1) 迷 (Me)

Me should be considered a bubblegum pop song and it turns my mood each time I heard the song when I’m down. The music video for this song was very colourful and it portrayed a younger side of Super Junior, I guess. Lyrics-wise, it’s the standard for songs about love.

#o2) U

This was the first Chinese song the ‘Only 13’ Super Junior sang. The rap for that version was in Korean. This time round, albeit a cover of their own song, the rap was rewritten in Chinese. If I ain’t wrong, it should be Donghae and Zhoumi rapping. Even though there is no Eunhyuk this time to wow the audiences with his dancing moves, the group has strong dancers including Hangeng, Donghae and Henry.

#o3) 至少還有你 (At Least You’re Here)

When I first hear they were going to sing this song, I was worried. Can SJ-M do it? It was a famous song after all. But after I heard it, I understood why my Taiwanese friend had the urge to cry. The feeling was right.

Many people loved this song, it is a classic. It was a dangerous venture for SJ-M to sing the song. But I have to admit SM Entertainment selected the right people for the job. The two best singers, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun, are placed in the group.

For a while, I didn’t like Siwon’s voice. I thought it sounded awkward, like when I first heard Yunho. But it sounded different in this song. No, when the feeling is right, everything sounds right. Henry’s voice can be easily identified. It was the voice of a boy. (:

#o4) 你是我的奇蹟 (Miracle)

Another cover of Super Junior’s song, this song was released in 2005. The lyrics are really sweet and I’m sure they won the hearts of every fan. I especially like the sentence 好像新鮮氧氣　我離不開你　你在身旁　我就有無限的能力. Oh, come on! When cute guys tell you, you’re his oxygen, he wouldn’t leave you and as long as you’re with him, he’ll have unlimited strength, you will fall for his words at the moment (even if they turned out to be lies in the end, but that’s another story).

#o5) 愛你愛你 (Love Song)

Finally, not a cover, Love Song is a light-tempo, bubblegum pop song. The lyrics have the words ‘I know’ and ‘I don’t know’. My favourite line is 愛情的魔力　隨便你　耍心機　發脾氣　愛你愛你　對你一心一意. I think Ryeowook is the one who sings this sentence. It’s just fitting for his voice, like a glove to a hand.

#o6) 我抱著我 (In My Arms)

Well, I don’t know why the song has In My Arms as its sub-head. If I translate the actual title, it would be Hugging Myself. A little contradictory, if you ask me. This song is a ballad, and I think it’s the only one slow enough and with lyrics about love to call it a ‘ballad’. This is my favourite song out of the entire album. Tears will fill my eyes if I put it on repeat too much. It’s too heartbreaking somehow.

#o7) Don’t Don

The title song for Super Junior’s second Korean album, this is yet another cover song. Everything is in Mandarin, even the rap. This is the reason why I say they have better Chinese pronunciation than most Korean artistes who previously sang in Chinese. I understood their rap. Although you have to give Zhoumi credit for rapping, I believe Donghae put in a lot of effort to be able to rap just as well.

#o8) Marry U

Banking on the success of the Korean version of the same song, Marry U is also included into SJ-M’s debut album. If you thought Miracle’s lyrics were sweet enough for you to fall in love with them, Marry U will make you say ‘yes’ to the question immediately. 我曾為你寫下的誓言　別懷疑 …

#o9) 我的二分之一 (Full of Happiness)

Another cover, Happiness is a remake of H.O.T’s Happiness. I listened to H.O.T when I was younger (Kangta!) so when this song was out, I naturally had to hear it. Melody-wise, it was already worth a listen. If you listen closely to the lyrics, I can only say WOW. These are things I would never put in my own lyrics. They just don’t go together … somehow. But I guess you could say it worked. Includes words like 危在旦夕 (in danger) and 木乃伊 (mummy [as in those in Egypt]).

#1o) 渴望 (Man in Love)

Even the Korean version wasn’t one of the favourite. I don’t like it, too long for my liking, I guess. Well, I applaud them for their efforts in working on the language, but I don’t like the song.

#11) 這一秒 (The Moment)

A new song and a fast-tempo one, it reminds me vaguely of one of SS501’s songs, but I don’t remember what. I think Henry was the one who rapped in English and he performed the violin too, I suppose? I thought the English was perfect. I mean, I could understand. XD

#12) The One

A ballad with violin solo, Henry gets to boast his skills here. The violin bridge really sets the tone of the song. This song is also for the Olympics Games. I like the lyrics. I think they’re very suitable for the event.

Overall, I enjoyed SJ-M’s album. There is effort in every song. Don’t you think the Chinese music industry should watch out? Especially boy bands? If SJ-M isn’t a one-album group, then boy bands or groups, old and new, should work even harder.

These people started training at a young age. Singing and dancing ‘live’ wouldn’t be a problem for them, especially since they grew up in the stressful Korean music industry. At least Ryeowook and Kyuhyun wouldn’t go out of tune.

As for fans of ‘Only 13’, I hope they will not target Henry and Zhoumi because of SJ-M. It really isn’t their faults. Recognise their efforts, give them a chance and I’m sure you’ll find the sincerity like I did.