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| From left: Hoya, Dongwoo |
Infinite H is back and promoting their first mini-album "Fly High," with a title track called, "Special Girl" featuring Bumky. Teaser images and videos have been released since January 1st of 2013 KST, while fans are anticipating the release of their album on January 11th. A track list was released, featuring six songs, half of which are composed by producer Primary and features artists such as Bumky, Beenzino, Zion. T, Dynamic Duo, and Baby Soul. The background music for the teaser and track-list indicates that Dongwoo and Hoya are stone-faced and serious about their hip-hop genre, but their title track "Special Girl" poses a pleasant surprise. I like that there is a clear image and genre, but the boys are putting their own twist to it.
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| The scholastic "before" image... |
The first teaser image released was of a neon-purple background paint-splattered with other neon colors. In the center, 'Infinite H' is scripted in an urban style, and the single name, "Fly High" appears underneath in white. My first impression of the image was that the raised "Infinite H" lettering looked tacky, mainly because it was overpowered by a stronger neon background. Had it been black, I wouldn't have complained. Paint splatters- eh. It didn't seem that innovative a concept... until I saw the second teaser image, featuring the duo themselves (featured above- first image).
Dongwoo and Hoya are seated front of a purple background with white suits... only they're outfits and the wall are both paint-splattered. This instantly turned the paint concept into a really cool one, because they're being splotched with fun neon colors, but their faces are stoic and manly. Think of the walls as expressive graffiti, and Infinite H a part of the message.
A second teaser was released for their title song, "Special Girl" on January 8th, showcasing another side of Infinite H in bright funky street gear. The teaser features a blonde girl being pursued by many guys, but Dongwoo and Hoya seems to be the only ones she pays particular attention to. While the first teaser was to establish the boys as urban and cool, this second teaser shows that they're not forfeiting quirkiness and romantic charm, either.
On January 6th, Woollim Entertainment released a "Fly High" teaser of the two through LOEN Entertainment, which made many fans' hearts flutter. The video starts in black and white- showcasing a nicely detailed heart drawn in black on a white wall. Right underneath is Dongwoo and Hoya looking sexy and surly. The screen colors wipe from the left and you can see the heart is actually black filled with red, revealing Dongwoo standing in a black suit and Hoya posing in a red suit. A shot of Dongwoo is seen in a vintage green car, followed by Infinite H in dark sport coats bedecked with heavily jeweled necklines and metallic stripes. This sounds like another K-Pop fashion crisis, but they actually look really sharp and business-like. There are shots and rewinds of a glass breaking, pendulums swinging, red wine pouring, red liquid poured on a skull, a burning neon Infinite H logo at the end, and bass-heavy hip-hop playing in the background saying, "Watch me dude, watch me!"
Infinite H "Fly High" Teaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxnDCtN8qvY
"Special Girl" Teaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9Lchkl6t0Rc
"Fly High" Mini-album tracklist:
(Track # 3 translates into "When You're Not Here," while track #4 is "Can't Do It." - Source: allkpop).
As of January 10th, Infinite H made their official debut on M!Countdown with a performance of "Without You" and "Special Girl." They also released their "Fly High" mini-album, performed an exclusive comeback showcase for over three hundred randomly chosen fans, and released their "Special Girl" MV on the same day. Needless to say, the boys fulfilled all my expectations! Sounds like the background music for the "Fly High" teaser was actually from their first track, "Victorious Way." I'm surprised they didn't start with that track first, even though it sounds more hardcore hip-hop and makes a stronger impression. Nevertheless, I'm excited about track "Special Girl," seeing as Dongwoo and Hoya performed it almost flawlessly except for one especially low note when Hoya sang "all night loooong..." The track has a light, casual melody that sounds like a summer song you pull your windows down and feel the wind to. I also like that they kept the choreography simple and fun, my favorite move being the chorus part where they sing "You-oou," while raising their arms and doing the 1,2 bouncy leg step. It's a memorable move and completely fitting for the track. I'm also surprised at how sweet and solid Dongwoo's voice sounds singing, especially when his rap voice sounds is low and brusque. I'm not sure why Bumky sings in the studio version of "Special Girl" while Infinite H just raps, but I guess I'll just have to be satisfied with Infinite H singing only the live performances for the song. As for single "Without You," despite seeing the performance so many times from them, I'm still flustered every time they chant the "baby, baby..." part. Seems like this re-vamped version has English lyrics performed by another rapper as well.
Infinite H "Special Girl" MV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnEHiMVgEII
M! Countdown Comeback "Without You" + "Special Girl" (130110)
Music Bank Comeback "Without You" + "Special Girl" (120111) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5DMGsPAXwFA
M! Countdown Backstage Waiting Room (130110) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzrBxJmwkVU
Comeback Music Core (130112) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DwekDcjLDI
1. "Victorious Way" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nby3pDprp4M
"I Can't Tell You" featuring Gaeko of Dynamic Duo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANvQkdwjhv4
"Without You" featuring Zion. T http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CtihZIp-QyE
For international fans, the album will be released from YesAsia on January 16th:
http://www.yesasia.com/us/infinite-h-mini-album-vol-1-fly-high/1032239108-0-0-0-en/info.html
Side Comments:
I think I'm starting to see why Dongwoo and Hoya are such a good pairing to work together. Besides the fact that they can rap, dance and sing well, they also balance each other out. Despite Dongwoo being the older one, his movements tend to be like that of a restless child. As for Hoya, he seems more mature and manly, but he lacks that casual flair that makes Dongwoo seem so likeable. While Hoya brings serious and sexy to the table, Dongwoo rounds out the severity by making performances fun. Also, thank you Infinite H producers for creating such a solid album! I can tell these songs were carefully selected- it's a very natural style for them.
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