It’s the time of the year when red, white, and pink is in the air. Grocery stores are filled to the brim with limited edition treats and candy stores see a rise in sales. So this year, I’ve decided to gift K-pop songs to my friends in love by reimagining the songs as sweets!
To: The friend with a lot of followers on social media – “Likey” by Twice
To the friend with a large social media following, I’m gifting rock candy in the form of Twice’s “Likey”. Both are pure sugar and highly addicting, as to be expected from the girl group. Twice’s signature sound lies in catchy, fun, and sweet pop songs. Released in 2017, “Likey” is one of their mature cutesy songs. Twice sings about wanting to appear pretty for the person they like and capturing their appearance on social media. Although the lyrics may be vapid in theme, the song is definitely an earworm, causing you to sing along to it after a listen or two.
To: The friend in their first relationship – “Kissing You” by Girls Generation
To the friend in their first ever relationship, I’m gifting the big, circular lollipop (the colorful ones too big to fit into your mouth) in the form of Girls Generation’s “Kissing You”! “Kissing You” is an old K-pop song as it’s Girls Generation’s sophomore single from 2008. It was popular for its time due to the candy waving choreography. The sweet lyrics are about showing appreciation and affection to the person you’re in a relationship with, even though you’re shy at times. It’s catchy and cute without feeling overly saturated.
To: The friend with an unrequited love – “Shine” by Pentagon
To the friend with an unrequited love, I’m gifting chocolate chip cookies in the form of Pentagon’s “Shine”. When you’re feeling down (or in a one sided relationship), there’s nothing that can uplift your spirits like a classic chocolate chip cookie, a feeling that Shine mimics quite well. Pentagon’s Shine was a big hit during the summer of 2018, adapting dances from popular media such as the hammer dance. It captures a youthful vibe, managing to have a minimalist backtrack but still encapsulating the messy and wild feeling that comes with childhood. The song is about a nerd who likes someone, knowing the person will never like them back and how much it hurts. Despite the sad overall message, it definitely is a sweet and cute song that will have you dancing along.
To: The friend in a thriving relationship – Blueming by IU
To the friend who is thriving in their current relationship, I’m gifting chocolate covered strawberries in the form of IU’s “Blueming!” Like a chocolate covered strawberry, “Blueming” brings refreshing and sweet without overwhelming the senses, thanks to IU’s bright and airy voice. Imbued with her quirky personality, the title track plays with blue and blooming along with blue and grey text messages. She references roses that she and the other person are blooming in the garden of their chat box. The song is about being in love and the frequent messages they send back and forth as they “bloom roses with [their] thumbs.” It captures the thrill and excitement that comes with being in a relationship. The playful lyrics and upbeat melody will inevitably put a smile on your face.
To: The friend with the dreamy look in their eyes – Oh My! By Seventeen
To the friend with the dreamy look in their eyes, I’m gifting white cotton candy in the form of Seventeen’s “Oh My!” The best way to describe both is sweet and soft, like you’re being enveloped by clouds and clouds of sweetness. Musically, “Oh My!” is interesting because at first listen, I kept expecting a chorus before realizing that the chorus already happened. It sounds like what first love and innocence would be if it were a song. It’s a soft song about being in love and how it can take up so much time and mind power but in a pleasant way. It touches on feeling invincible with your loved one by your side and constantly thinking about them.
If you enjoyed this, check back for part 2 of Yeri’s song recommendations this Valentine’s Day!