Kyungsoo is one of my favourite vocalists in the entire K-pop industry. His timbre is simply so rich, warm, soulful, I can’t help but cave. Unfortunately, I haven’t quite enjoyed his previous solo releases as much as I hoped. However, ‘Popcorn’ gives me hope for the future of his music.
There is tingling emotional undertone that lies throughout the song’s melody, leaning more to the likes of melancholy despite its happy framing. It is somewhat inconceivable, and I really can’t quite pinpoint what exactly triggers my response. It can definitely be attributed through his vocal delivery, which feels somewhat more authentic than almost anything else he has sung, and I have been following his work and singing for years, even before I called myself a hard-core K-pop fan. Perhaps SM entertainment has just been sucking the life out of him, and the difference shows in this song.
Something about the production is also slightly hazy and wispy though grounded through the interpolation of strings that peek through. In terms of feeling, it somewhat echoes the ‘easy-to-listen’ trend of songs that have been the global trend recently, but much more engaging, clutching on the emotional resonance the overall song triggers. Even if still falls under ‘easy listening’, I don’t see it leaving my playlist anytime soon.
Hooks – 9
Production – 9
Vocal Delivery – 10
Overall – 9.5
K-pop Evaluated 
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