Song Reviews:: Jeonghan (Seventeen) (feat. Omoinotake): Better Half

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  • Release date: 2025 January 27

  • Album tracklist: Better Half

  • Album runtime: 4 minutes

 Is this considered a solo debut? It's difficult because sometimes a single is considered the debut and sometimes there are a number of pre-debut singles released. And to put another wrench in the works, the Japanese version of this song will be on Omoinotake's upcoming album, Pisces, so I don't think I'm going to classify this as his solo debut for the previous reasons. With that out of the way, I'm so excited for him. Yes, he's been in the military since September 26th, and this was certainly a surprise to have announced, so even though he's not technically available, I'm pleased. 

Also, in case there's anyone also like me who has no earthly clue about who they are other than a Japanese group, let me regurgitate some information on Omoinotake like a mother bird. They're a 2012 Japanese rock band that have done quite a few opening themes for anime with their highest Billboard Japan position brought to them by a single they released last year that got them to number 2. So that's pretty cool.

It's super cute that Jeonghan opens the song.

The amount of piano in this song brings me joy. There is energy here, which is good, but it's a very gentle hug of energy. I'm reminded a little of jazz or big band during parts of the song, even though the instrumentation is wrong for what you typically find in those two genres. Still, I really enjoy it. It's cute. It's a little fluffy. It's got little bursts of instrumental energy that prevent the song from becoming too stagnant and trapped being only cute and fluffy.

This is so soft vocally. It feels a lot like something Jeonghan would vibe with anyway, so Omoinotake picked a good one to pair this song with. I have no idea how they know each other., though I do know that he has friends among Japanese artists. It starts a lot like a lullaby, before the voice I'm assuming is Leo Fujii looking at the credits moves in. The play between Jeonghan's soft, comforting voice and the stronger, enforcer voice of Leo Fujii reminds me a little of Jeonghan's duet with Wonwoo for their subunit, so this is clearly a good formula to use when having Jeonghan paired with another voice. And when the two of them are singing together? Angelic. Beautiful. Transcendent. 

Technically this music video is more of a recording video. Also, technically, it's for the Japanese version which will come out with Omoinotake's upcoming album. But I missed looking at Jeonghan's face. and would rather that be the thumbnail than the single's artwork. I will include the Korean version track because that's what I reviewed. Jeonghan has beautiful eyelashes. I just want everyone to know that.

A year and a few months left before he and Ren return, but first are the rest of the BTS boys and Shinwon of Pentagon. Then, we'll have about a year left. It's fine. They'll come back.




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