The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more
By SOPHIE LIN — ncsalter@theaggie.org
Album: “LIL FANTASY vol. 1” by CHAEYOUNG (2025)
On Sept. 12, Chaeyoung, a member of the sensational K-pop girl group TWICE, released her debut solo album. Chaeyoung’s sound is undeniably her: a crisp blend of genres that truly resonate with her eccentric artistry — slow indie, synth-funk, R&B and melancholy bedroom pop — and are not often seen in Korean artists who so often tailor their image to the K-pop mainstream. Most notably to me, “AVOCADO,” featuring Gliiico, a Japanese indie rock trio, further adds to the almost psychedelic, hazy sounds that surround this album. By collaborating with underground artists and staying true to her artistry, her sharp personality shines through in “LIL FANTASY vol. 1” from start to finish. I feel as though I’m transported into an alternate universe of artificial bubblegum and the first sizzle of soda on my tongue within the first listen — something unapologetically bold and sweet all at once.
TV Show: “Yellowjackets” by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (2021)
As the days get darker and daylight saving time kicks in, I find myself gravitating towards thriller television shows such as “Yellowjackets,” which was recently recommended to me by a friend. “Yellowjackets” follows the narrative of a talented high school girl’s soccer team that survives a deadly plane crash in the Ontario wilderness. The show flips between the moments leading up to the plane crash and the present, highlighting the character connections and coming-of-age moments through the main character Shauna’s perspective. The show deeply explores the complex trajectories of trauma that carry on into adulthood. As “Yellowjackets” gains popularity and becomes a cult classic on the Internet — with a recently announced final fourth season — this is your sign to catch up on this thriller TV series.
Book: “The Memory Police” by Yoko Ogawa (1994)
Dystopian novels are an eerie and jarring exploration of the world we know. “The Memory Police,” by Japanese writer Yoko Ogawa, explores an alternative reality in a quiet, gentle way. The plot follows a universe in which knowledge of things — hats, ribbons, roses and birds — routinely disappears from every human’s memory. The few who can still recall those objects live in fear of The Memory Police: those who ensure what’s forgotten remains hidden. The main character, an unnamed female novelist, is driven by her need to hide her editor, one of the few people still able to remember. Ogawa’s writing is straightforward and gentle, leaving room for imagination all the way to the finale. The lack of flashy theatrics makes the novel’s atmosphere all the more unsettling and hypnotic, creating an inquisitive and enjoyable read.
Song: “Milk Choco Quik” by RIO (2025)
Ever since the K-drama craze began in 2021, I’ve found myself curious about the artists behind the original soundtracks of my favorite shows. I instantly fell in love with RIO, a South Korean singer-songwriter featured on the soundtrack for the show “Nevertheless.” Every listen was a reverberant and airy dance, with elements of dreamy R&B and indie. With an almost siren-like, soothing vocality, I was utterly captivated by her music. Her new song, “Milk Choco Quik,” released on Oct. 28, carries no less of her signature, therapeutic sound. The title alludes to the chocolatey drink mix, Nesquik, and its iconic mascot, Quicky the Nesquik Bunny. This imagery immersed me in a sweet, nostalgic melancholy, reminding me of my favorite childhood drinks and snacks. In the song, the narrator describes her desperate hold on the memory of a loved one she calls a “sweet bunny.” Central to the song’s emotion is the painful acknowledgment that “time was running all out,” ultimately conveying a feeling of a fleeting yearning. I find myself imagining drinking a cold glass of chocolate milk while listening to “Milk Choco Quik,” which, just like all of RIO’s songs, is filled with delicate imagination.
Written by: Sophie Lin — arts@theaggie.org
