A3Day Extended Commentary: HAECHAN "Taste" (2025)

Well worth the wait, for me.

DISCLAIMER - An Album a Day is my exploration into the Korean music scene. This blog, just like my podcast, will cover mainstream, indie and some underground artists within the scene and provide both factual and opinionated commentary. The biggest benefit to sharing my thoughts this way is that it will hopefully expose you to more great music and exploration of your own.

Credit: SMTOWN

SM Entertainment’s Lee Dong-Hyeok, professionally know as NCT member Haechan, made his official solo debut on September 8, 2025, and globally September 9. The release — one of dozens from the NCT universe — is an ambitious studio album/LP that, at the time of this post, hasn’t recorded its peak chart positions yet.

Haechan is one of my favorite NCT members, initially capturing my attention and stressing me out with his saunter in “Cherry Bomb.” I knew he was originally a Dream member so my excitement about him is that I knew he’d magnify charisma once old enough.

This album is proof positive that the young man’s studied the craft and patiently waited for his change to show his colors. Nonetheless, personal interests must not diminish assessment. Instead, we will traverse this track by track.

Credit: SMTOWN

Camera Lights - Seduction done right

“Can we start off with something like…” ohhhhh he’s taking it for September, I see. As soon as the drums and guitar came through the speakers. The album starts off confident and soulful. It’s clear that we’re about to journey through some feels and other standards of R&B. What I especially like about this song is that it sets the tone well for what’s to come. It’s not asking too much of the listener beyond sitting back and allowing it to roll over you. The lyrics illustrate the vibes of kicking it outside when your eyes lock with The One across the dance floor. It’s not overt and gets the job done.

There’s a nice intermingling of influences here, too. I’m thinking Kylie Minogue’s “Red Blooded Woman” meets Musiq Soulchild’s “For the Night,” in terms of seductive awareness and the layout of the track. Or, the melodic relative of Usher’s “Simple Things” and “Sugarcoat” from Natty of Kiss Of Life.

CRZY - “Justified” with South Korean flavor

I came out the gate saying that this has Justin Timberlake’s 2002 smash album, Justified. “CRZY” (pronounced “crazy”) had to have pulled some influences from “Like I Love You,” produced by The Neptunes. And in a not-really-but-okay-maybe kind of way, MBLAQ’s “Mona Lisa”? Regardless, the structure of “Like I Love You” gave birth to the a title track. I mean that, right down to the spoken introduction. “CRZY” solidifies that Haechan and his team did their homework. That pop-R&B space of 20+ years ago aligns well with Haechan’s vocal capacities and delivery of much of what we know about him.

“CRZY” is a classically formatted pop song. We’re given an introduction and a clear bridge. Not to mention, “CRZY” is sonically pleasing and lyrically refreshing. I’ve felt overloaded with English language from South Korean artists so this felt like the days of Second Gen idoldom. Yes, I know it’s not every album, but for *me* it’s been great to hear an artist I like serve one up for his home fanbase first.

ADRENALINE - Pulsing and playful

I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t walking around with, “Nalinnnnnnne” stuck in my head for days after listening to this. Could this be a sign that Haechan has the chops to make runs and whatnot like the best of ‘em? SME artists are known for their vocal capabilities; and I know from other songs that he’ll pop a strong note out a time or two, but maybe this is a sign…

Although playful with interesting “mechanical” sounds, the music is open — there’s not a lot of motion in the track except for his vocal stacks and choices. To put it plainly, the instrumental doesn’t truly come alive until you at least add his backing vocals. And our Haechan is talking that shhhh in the best way possible about the energy that being infatuated or newly in love can bring to the table.

“You make me lose control, drip so rude, in my heart that surges all at once, I feel the rush adrenaline.”

In terms of how the album’s organized, I think this was a great place to put this song.

Love Beyond - Oh, he’s GROWN-grown

Thank you for incorporating brass and snares! For those who prefer clearer musicality, it might take a moment for the ears to register what you’re hearing. Once it does, however, you’ll be grooving. The bridge is A Moment, listeners! A little vocal sassiness with petition, groans, and falsetto to convey to climatic magic of love was seasoned to perfection.

Somebody’s done their homework… there’s a double entrendre for y’all.

If the song before it was telling his love interest that they can take things to the next level, then this song is confirming it. I meant that gender-neutral line, too, as thus far Haechan hasn’t specifically said “girl” or “lady.” Truly, Love is love is love is love and this is a wonderful way to welcome all listeners. Great job, writing team~~

I wonder if he’ll keep it up the entire album?

Roll With Me - A groove that’s unmatched

Baby, this young man gets it. We’ve got something that’ll withstand the test of time here, with a drummer who understands the essence of the pocket!

The groove, the pocket, that “Roll With Me” sits within is wonderful. There’s a subtly to this song that is far beyond Haechan’s living years but his appreciation for music and that of the team behind this album sent up a wonderful tribute to eras gone by when emotions were delicately expressed. U.S. Midwest folks will definitely be able to create a ballroom step for this one.

Intermission - OH, WE GOIN’ THERE!!!

I had to embrace my inner Foghorn Leghorn on this one because BOY, I SAY BOY! Are you aiming for Album of the Year, good kind sir?!?! Don’t listen to me, listen to him!

Y’all! They pulled that baby back from the microphone and told him to send it TF up!!! Intermixed with the jam session, his vocal flourish confirmed what I was talking about a few tracks back: Haechan has the capacity to give us some magic within several octaves and he better deliver on it before this album wraps.

Talented - POV: Talking sh*t and potentially living up to it

The song starts with a funky bass and shit talk. Then the first damn verse hits you with, “I’m gravity/I pull you in with ease,” and my stank face activated immediately. I paused it and took the earbuds OUT!!!!

Bro, STOP this young man, he’s out for blood.

All I can say is the Justin Timberlake discography influence lives on. The cockiness, the lyrics-will-speak-for-themselves behavior, even the choreography for the live performance of this song shows me that he built this debut solo on legs that will take him into a long career.

WYN? (feat. HAON) - Something for the younger adults

This was the track that I know I can skip over. It’s sequenced properly, don’t get me wrong, but compared to everything that’s come before it, this was a shrug for me. And young HAON delivered the “girl” line but Haechan’s still out here with gender-neutral music magic!

Should Be - Ah, the post-breakup song

Wait, let me be clear: Haechan’s speaking from the perspective of wishing a failed relationship was salvageable with a dose of, “You better miss me, too, and stop playing so we can circle this block.”

Like previously mentioned songs on this project, this follows the R&B formula, right on down to a pitch change to let you know you’re advancing towards the end of the song. At times the backing vocals take over his delivery but it’s to articulate the pain and not to hide vocal inconsistencies. If you’re less about comprehending the lyrics then the melody is sufficient enough to carry you on in your enjoyment of “Should Be.”

Grey Rain - An acoustic soul triumph

This song is the champion of this album, to me. He let loose while narrating emotions that can be interpreted by each listener to fit their experiences. Is this driven by nostalgia… heartbreak… hope… longing? Could be! He sounds sorrowful yet soulful. Torn yet put-together. And his delivery of each verse is breathy where it needs to be, crisp where it has to be, and soothing in all the right places. It’s 3:34 minutes allowed me to hear how much one of my NCT faves has truly grown up in his artistry with pride.

“A triumph, Ashley? That’s a reach.” Like it/him/SME or not, but by its very definition this is a success and a victory over expectations for this album. Haechan has had to show the colors of NCT and the various subunits he’s in for years. To have this song close the album was the cherry on top of a delicious showmanship dessert.

Outro (Back In The Studio) - Conclusive sound…

… Or, perhaps, a simple message that he’s already committed to the process of his sophomore follow-up.

MY OFFICIAL RANKING

K-pop fans, on a scale of 1 to 5 where 5′s essential listening and 1′s not worth mentioning, the A3Day ranking of Haechan's solo debut LP album is 5. The team involved with this project did their homework and honored R&B standards and traditions wonderfully. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine the ranking to be anything less, what with the label and legends that’s behind him and the massive group he’s in. I hope that he’s able to ride the wave of this success for some time and graces listeners with an amazing follow up when it’s time.