Music Monday | Kwon Jin Ah — KNOCK

Hello my BAYOG luvlies~ It’s time for another Music Monday post! Sorry for skipping last week. Again, I was out of town for my cousin’s 100-day memorial service. I was a bit busy with preparations (I was thrown into catering duty too), babysitting, and family reunion stuff. Honestly, my schedule has been extra wonky lately. It’s okies though. I’m here now!~ WOO~ Anyway, I’ll be keeping today’s post as short and simple as I can~ I still want to keep my summertime vibes theme for Music Monday. So today’s track is ‘KNOCK’ by Kwon Jin Ah. It’s a fun, sweet, and feel-good disco-pop track with PARKMOONCHI (박문치) as well.

I’ve already [previously covered Kwon Jin Ah] during our winter edition of our Music Monday posts. So honestly, I’m just gonna copy and paste the info I put in that post. Kwon Jin Ah was a contestant on K-Pop Star 3, and won third place. She ended up signing with the record label Antenn, an indie record label founded by You Hee Yool (aka Toy), who was also one of the judges from K-Pop Star. Antenna houses artists such as Jung Seung Hwan and [Jukjae], as well as fellow K-Pop Star contestants [Sam Kim, CHAI], and Lee Jin Ah. She also did the Love Antenna project with Sam Kim. [여기까지(For Now)] is such a great track, and it makes me tear up every time. It’s one of my favorite tracks from both of them. I love Kwon Jin Ah for the same reasons I like Sam Kim. They both have this soul and R&B sound. They’re also great at expressing emotion in their voices. Although Kwon Jin Ah’s vocals are light and sweet, they do just carry a lot of emotion that moves you. She’s also featured on Primary’s [U] with BTS’ RM (formerly known as Rap Monster).

This track is also with PARKMOONCHI. I’m not going to lie, I don’t really know much about her. What I found out is that she’s a soloist that debuted back in August 2017. Apparently, she debuted under her real name, Park Bomin. However, she ended up changing her stage name to PARKMOONCHI (aka Park Moonchi). She’s an indie artist under Magic Strawberry Sound. She was also a member of the project girl group [CSVC(치스비치)]. It was a four-member project group that released retro 90’s themed songs. It consisted of CHEEZE’s Dalchong, Stella Jang, Lovey, and Park Moonchi. I discovered her a few months ago through her track [‘What A Wonderful Word’] which featured DAY6’s Young K. I absolutely love and recommend that track. It’s a sweet and chill kind of track.

“Knock (with PARKMOONCHI)” is a single that just dropped at the end of July. It’s a fun and sweet disco-pop track. I like that it has a fun, feel-good, retro vibe to it. It initially caught my attention because I found this kind of track to be something new from Jin Ah. I’m used to her soft and soulful ballads. So I was surprised to hear a more upbeat kind of track you could dance and groove to. However, I think it’s a great track. I immediately loved it during the first listen. Again, it’s fun and retro vibe that gets you grooving along to it. Jin Ah’s vocals add a sweetness to it. Also, can we talk about that whistle note?~ Anyway, the song is basically a feel-good song about falling in love and wanting confirmation from the other person. Songs with disco-pop and retro vibes have been around and in K-Pop for YEARS. However, I feel like they’re especially trendy right now. A lot of more recent tracks fall into disco-pop, city-pop, vaporwave, and overall retro vibes. Examples would be: BTS’ ‘Dynamite’, Taeyeon’s ‘Weekend’, Everglow’s ‘LA DI DA’, IU’s ‘LILAC’, etc. Of course, retro aesthetics have also been popular. 90’s and early 2000’s aesthetics especially seem to be in trend right now. I don’t know why, but I feel like these retro-sounding tracks are perfect for summer. It’s just fun to listen to. With this song, in particular, I can imagine like the beach and the sun setting in the background. So for me, it’s a perfect summer jam for summer 2021.

You can listen to Kwon Jin Ah’s ‘KNOCK (with PARKMOONCHI)’ on Spotify, here:

You can listen to Kwon Jin Ah’s ‘KNOCK (with PARKMOONCHI)’ on YouTube, here:

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Music Video & Lyrics

The music video is really cute and definitely fits the song. It uses a lot of bright colors and some of that retro aesthetic too. The video shows Jin Ah hanging out and having fun with friends. Which includes a guy that she’s into too. Throughout the video, there are also scenes of Jin Ah and her friends just dancing and grooving along to the song. It’s just really sweet and fun. Although at the end, it seems to just be Jin Ah’s own daydream. It’s still a cute and fun video though.

Again, it’s a fun and sweet song about falling in love and wishing to know confirmation of the other person’s feelings. It definitely fits a summer love.

No matter how much I think about it
Back then, we had a little something
How honest can you be, will you tell me?
I want an interesting answer

When we lay side by side and counted the stars
You looked at my lips
And I knew we could be something
What do you think, woo boy

Knock Knock Knock
If I am in your heart then
Nod Nod Nod
Just do that
Yeah babe I like the way
I’ll run to you r-right away

I’m curious about the dark thoughts
Inside your clearness
This might be dangerous and stupid
But also lovely, I don’t care if I get messed up

What are we now baby?
Somewhere along the lines of love
We’re gonna be more than that
I’m falling even deeper, woo boy
Knock Knock Knock
If I am in your heart then
Nod Nod Nod
Just do that
Yeah babe I like the way
I’ll run to you r-right away

Maybe I’m in love with you
I know It’s funny, don’t you lie
I’m already out of control
Let’s getaway you and me tonight

Knock Knock Knock
If I am in your heart then
Nod Nod Nod
Just do that
Yeah babe I like the way
I’ll run to you r-right away

Now I know that you’re mine so baby
Can I call you my baby baby
Now I know that you’re mine so baby
Oh yeah babe I like the way
I’ll run to you let’s run away

Yeah babe I like the way
Yeah babe I like the way
I’ll run to you r-right away

KWON JIN AH | ‘KNOCK (WITH PARKMOONCHI)’ | Translation by [Genius]

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Anyway, that’s it for today!~ Again, we’re keeping it short and simple today. What did you all think of the song? Y’all fans of Jin Ah?~ What are your feelings on this trend of disco-pop and retro vibes? Tell me what your favorites are! Let me know in the comments, my socials, or the BAYOG discord server! If you’re looking for more summer jams, check out the [BAYOG Summertime Vibes playlist]. If you’re looking for more retro vibes (disco-pop, citypop, vaporwave, etc.), be sure to check out the [BAYOG Playlist | City Pop, Vaporwave, and Retro Old Skool Vibes]. Yes, I have a playlist for that… I was in a very specific mood~

Also, I do apologize for still being kind of irregular with posting. Your girl has been hella busy with IRL work, family stuff, and side projects. I’ve also been working on fun things for the future. I’m trying to get back into a balance of things, so I do appreciate your understanding~ I also have some really cool news to share later on too~ Anyway, that’s all from me for today. It’s been hella hot out, so please do take care. Stay hydrated too! Stay safe, take care, and I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!~

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Stay safe and healthy out there, y’all.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

AS A GROUP OF BIPOC, BAYOG strongly stands with Black Lives Matter. We are all too familiar with the racism that we, our friends, and family have faced on a daily basis. Every life is precious. However, as BIPOC, we also recognize that black people are a group of people that face extreme racism and at a higher risk for their safety. We’ve individually done several donations. Of course, donations to support the cause and support change isn’t the only thing needed. Support for the cause and change also requires conversation and understanding. Make sure to have those conversations. Please remember to be an active supporter, be it through donations, sharing information, and/or conversations and speaking up.

If you can, please consider donating. I’ve donated more than once as well. For one of my donations, I donated through the BTS ARMY x BLM project. I recommend that if you’re unsure of where to donate. This is because the donation will be split amongst several different non-profit organizations. Of course, you can also choose a specific organization(s) if you wish as well. You can find that [HERE].

You can also check out the following:

• http://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co
• http://blackliveswillalwaysmatter.carrd.co
• http://saytheirnames.carrd.co

STOP ASIAN HATE

As an Asian-American, racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes against AAPI isn’t new. It’s always been around. Unfortunately, misinformation and the pandemic has caused an insane surge in racism and xenophobia. There has also been an insane rise in hate crimes. More recently, we’re seeing a surge of hate crimes against the Asian elderly. Particularly in the California and New York areas. Some cases even leading to injuries and even death. The sad thing is that many cases do not get alot of attention, or are just looked passed. It breaks my heart and is cause for concern since it affects our community. Since some of the BAYOG Crew (including myself) are Asian-Americans ourselves, I wanted to use our small platform to help in anyway. Hate, racism, and xenophobia is an ugly thing. We’re friends, in the same community, and against the same social injustices. So be kind and let’s fight these things together.

You can also check the following for more information, ways to help, & to donate:

• http://hateisavirus.org
• https://gofundme.com/AAPI
• http://advancingjustice-aajc.org
• [Donate to Different Organizations to Support AAPI Communities]
• https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co
• https://stopasianhate.carrd.co/

Please report hate crimes at Stop AAPI Hate:

• http://stopaapihate.org

Volunteer
You can see if your community has a volunteer chaperone or neighborhood watch/patrol program.
Some examples:

• Compassion in Oakland @ Oakland, California| http://compassioninoakland.org
• Safe Walks @ NYC, New York| https://safewalx.com/en/welcome
• Guardian Angels| http://guardianangels.org/volunteer
  They’re well known patrol volunteers in NYC, but they do have other branches too.

Volunteer at any other organizations that provide assistance to Asian-Americans; Particularly the elderly.
Some examples:

• Heart of Dinner @ NYC, New York| https://www.heartofdinner.org/
  An organization that supports local businesses and provides meals and care packages to the Asian elderly in NYC.