World of K-Pop: INFINITE Comeback with "Man in Love"

I have been so behind on posts, but this is such major news! Infinite has made their comeback on March 21st! The "New Challenge" release date is delayed until March 25th, a great marketing strategy to give them a boost in digital sales. To kick off their promotion, Woollim Entertainment released video and photo teasers of each member every day in the week before their "New Challenge" 4th mini-album release, with a bomb title track called "Man in Love." Why a bomb, you ask? It's the explosive feeling that female fans everywhere will feel when they see the full extent of this seriously gooey concept. Infinite is known for their intense, sharp choreography and obsessive song themes (really, they're always the chasers), but this time around, they're talking about being a man, and they're talking about love. Oddly, they're taking the concept in the same direction as "Nothing's Over" to display a young, sweet cuteness. Despite not being a fan of male aeygo, I can't help but smile looking at these boys- so adorkable! Though I'm not loving the grey-scale photos of the individual members set as posters around the public area of Seoul, I am enjoying how manly the members look with minimal eyeliner and simple haircuts. The colored version of the posters were best- making the boys look super sexy and high-end. It's great to see Infinite being highlighted for who they are instead of the concepts they present. I'm also liking the preppy-chic outfits for this new promotion. The boys look so dashing!

Comments:
Despite the album name "New Challenge," there's nothing seriously different or unique with the "Man in Love" MV or concept. What does stand out (and what Woollim counts on) is the lovable effect of individual member charms. The Infinite boys are known to be humble, friendly boy-next door types, so it's only fitting that they're highlight emotions instead of coming back with flashy or dramatic change. "Man in Love's" fluffy genre is to make females swoon, as it narrates what a man would do if he falls in love. It's a great idea that they left out an actual female subject, because that just reiterates that Infinite members are single. Though they are especially corny during this promotion, it's fitting because the members seem as young as ever. Though their manliness is suggested in their maturing appearances (really, just Sungyeol's), their personalities are still as playful as ever. Some folks may find this album "soft" compared to their previous albums, but I find it commendable that they are trying something new. In this promotion, 'romantic' Infinite brings sweet harmonies and a warm, spring-time feeling to the stage.

Infinite 'New Challenge' 4th Mini-album Tracklist:

1. Intro- Welcome to Our Dream (sounds like a Disney intro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YeV-of5Vc

2. Man in Love (Unexpectedly danceable)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fuc6G29aME

3. Can't Be Better Than This/As Good As It Gets (Bright, energized, full of hope and good times)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4gN-gSNztw

4. Still I Miss You (Laid back, romantic and sweet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_DPDQT6CQE

5. Beautiful (Written and composed by Woohyun: Bright, sweet, a falling in love song- surprisingly good for a first composition)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8jqktpvyeg

6. 60 Seconds (Infinite Version- the chorus is a little chaotic, but the solo verses are quite magical)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHHViL5HAMY
7. Inconvenient Truth (Korean sounding 80's retro mixed with brightness of contemporary K-Pop; an electric-slide type track- surprising and impressive!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFCLYrYO6NQ

See the English lyric translations here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/infinite-korean-boy-band/lyrics-from-new-challenge-album/579724068712114

Infinite "Man in Love" MV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C-dsCaFJzE

Infinite "Man in Love" (Japanese Version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BSUDy0wD8U

"Man in Love" MV Making (Raw, low quality)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3nlv671jBM
Eng Subs: http://kpopshowloveholic.tumblr.com/post/45908633592/130321-mnet-wide-infinite-man-in-love

Infinite "Man in Love" Press Event on Google+ (Raw)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiF-cjG2TXk&list=UUoQIdt0bWPv3-_xuybJvTjQ&index=1

Mnet Wide Open Studio Interview 130321 (Raw)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mm9DjbaGco&feature=youtu.be

Eng Subs: http://kpopshowloveholic.tumblr.com/post/45959578562/130321-mnet-wide-open-studio-infinite-eng-sub

"Still I Miss You" + "Man in Love" Mnet Comeback 130321

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mtSgv76Ik&feature=youtu.be

"Still I Miss You" + "Man in Love" Music Bank Comeback 130322

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LOtdSTPWm04

"Still I Miss You" + "Man in Love" Music Core Comeback 130323

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkvftCaYxwU

"Welcome to Our Dream" + "Still I Miss You" + "Man in Love" Inkigayo Comeback 130324

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQfVUnKhlrM

"Still I Miss You" + "Man in Love" + #1 Win + Encore Show! Champion 130403

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1_6MRQttA&feature=youtu.be

"Man in Love" Show! Champion #1 Win 130403 (Eng Sub)

http://kpopshowloveholic.tumblr.com/post/47017838333/130403-show-champion-infinite-won-encore-eng

"Man in Love" + #1 Win + Encore M! Countdown 130404

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK9Bqx1uHHs

Infinite Backstage Music Bank 130405

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xxkUlYou35Y

Woohyun, L and K.Will Backstage Music Bank 130405
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBusYVAIrY&feature=youtu.be

"60 Seconds" + "Man in Love" Music Bank 130405

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PPFnEfqs-8c

#1 Win + Encore Music Bank 140405

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=diaB1jqZg8w

"Man in Love" Music Core 130406

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQvPSlB0JKk

"60 Seconds" Music Core 130406
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDtR9BnYay8

Sunggyu, Woohyun and L Special MC Music Core 130406 (Eng Sub)
http://kpopshowloveholic.tumblr.com/post/47316344113/130406-music-core-sunggyu-woohyun-and-l-mc-full

"Man In Love" + #1 Win Inkigayo 130407
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyt143_130407-inkigayo-infinite-man-in-love-win_music?search_algo=2#.UWGUQFdkCno

Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol 1000 Songs Challenge 130407 (Raw)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xysxtt_130407-1000-songs-challenge-yy-yy_people?search_algo=2#.UWGRn1dkCnp

Wide Entertainment News Hoya & Sungyeol (Raw) 140408
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybP4unTKmc4

Infinite Star Self Camera Music Bank (Eng Sub) 130408
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfgR1l8ZPPI

News + Backstage + "Man in Love" Show! Champion 130410

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TANhKR9HK7o

"Random News" Show! Champion 130410 (Eng Sub)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJUl72HR9a8

"Man in Love" M! Countdown 130411

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atnMpwGR43o&feature=youtu.be

Mnet Wide Interview 130411 (Raw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU-e-YSRrL0&feature=youtu.be

"Man in Love" Music Bank 130412

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wPm2-4z7cLI

"Man in Love" Music Core 130413

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dvKVpVZIYY&feature=youtu.be

"Man in Love" Music Bank 130417

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3InoP4TQus

"Man in Love" M! Countdown 130418