Throughout his career, South Korean singer Baekhyun — who rose to stardom as a member of the pop powerhouse EXO — has crafted a signature R&B-leaning sound. Power ballads, sweetly addictive tunes and groovy anthems belong in his critically acclaimed discography. 

After taking a break from the music scene, on September 6, the K-pop star presented his newest piece of work — the first since his 2021 EP, Bambi. Titled, Hello, World, Baekhyun’s latest mini album ushers a new era in the artist’s career. Not only is the six-track EP Baekhyun’s first record since his military enlistment, but it also marks his first release under INB100, the music agency he co-founded in 2023. 

Without straying far from the musical style Baekhyun is recognized for, Hello, World carries on the K-pop star’s legacy as a vocal force and reintroduces him with a bolder and more addictive sound.

Photo courtesy of IBN100

Let’s Get Started

The album opens on a groovy note with the laid-back and optimistic “Good Morning,” a track that highlights Baekhyun’s most relaxed and dulcet vocals. The song expresses exactly what the name implies — Baekhyun welcomes a new day, singing about the possibilities of making the present better than yesterday. With lyrics such as “Everybody, let’s get started, we make it better than yesterday,” the song is aptly suited to lure listeners into the EP’s sonic universe.  

Photo courtesy of IBN100

The record then takes a turn with the title track, “Pineapple Slice.” Sultry and littered with memorable showcases of Baekhyun’s vocal range, the R&B song delves into the theme of desire, drawing comparisons between a pineapple slice and the irresistible allure of a thrilling and exciting love. “Don’t look at me like I’m basic/ Fragrant and special/ I ain’t just any little boy in a fairytale,” Baekhyun sings to lure the object of his affections. Accompanied by a catchy bass and synth-pop elements, the song continues the brand Baekhyun established with previous hits such as “UN Village” and “Bambi” — albeit, “Pineapple Slice” packs a wittier punch. 

In the music video, shot in Barcelona, Baekhyun takes on the role of a vampire —or as we prefer to word it, a fantasy adjacent to the mysterious millionaire playboy. Cinematic sequences of ball attendants are interspaced with images of Baekhyun sauntering around Bell Recó — a state nestled in the Catalonian countryside — and dancing in the centric Passeig d’Isabel II. 

Between Love and Pain 

The playful follow-up is “Rendez-Vous,” a piano-heavy track written and composed by K-pop hitmakers Colde, Junny and Royal Dive. The lyrics profess Baekhyun’s adoration for a person he compares to a “star.”  “When you call out to me/ That’s when I finally become myself/ I think I’m starting to know who I am/ I feel like runnin’/ I can’t live without you anymore,” he confesses, relying on a carefully crafted delivery for every note. To get the point across, Baekhyun masterfully stretches some notes and intentionally recurs to vocal layering. 

Then, the singer taps into the trend of short-length songs with “Cold Heart.” The song is a somber and almost too-fleeting letter to a past lover, who walked away without looking back. In the 2:31 minute track, Baekhyun delves into the pain and regrets of a breakup and being unable to mend things with a lover. Caught between sorrow and bitterness, Baekhyun experiments with a fast-paced delivery of lyrics that replaces the inescapable rap sections that are so commonplace in K-pop. Although “Cold Heart” almost leaves listeners craving more, the intensity and angst make up for the short-lived build-up.

Photo courtesy of IBN100

Baekhyun returns to his signature sultry sound in “Woo,” arranged by dress (“UN Village”) and written by DUT2, ron and jane. Reminiscent of his previous music exploits, the song resorts to catchy vocal harmonies and woozy tones, once again reprising Baekhyun’s R&B sensibilities. Similar to “Rendez-Vous,” “Woo” tells a story of unwavering love — though in a smoother fashion. “If you want something, just say it/ When you call my name/ For you, I can do anything, anything,” Baekhyun reiterates fervently. 

Reinventing Reintroductions

Hello, World wraps up with a throwback to the early aughts. Featuring rap-singing elements, as well as a booming bass and staccato drums, “Truth Be Told” takes listeners down memory lane. (In fact, the bird and cricket sounds in the background are reminiscent of 2000s hits such as Aaliyah’s “One in a Million.”) Lyrically, “Truth Be Told” is a baring confession, where Baekhyun conveys his regrets and opens up about his vulnerability following a failed relationship. 

Despite the anticipation for novelty that a record titled Hello, World might prompt, Baekhyun’s first release in nearly four years doesn’t significantly depart from the style he has crafted over the years. Upholding his hard-earned reputation as a vocal powerhouse and relying on what he knows to do best — R&B-infused music — Baekhyun proves that not all reintroductions are about starting anew with unrecognizable changes. Sometimes, transformation and reinvention are much more subtle. And that’s perhaps what makes Hello, World so delightful. 

Listen to Baekhyun’s new EP on YouTube and Spotify. And don’t forget to follow him on Instagram and X to keep up with his latest news. 

Interested in more music content? Check out EnVi‘s exclusive interview with Filipino boy band BGYO here.

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