Song Review: FT Island's "I Wish" (Updated)

I told myself I would do a review on FT Island's "Five Treasure Box" album. But, after reflecting a little bit, I felt it was a little bit too long to put all of it into one post. Here is just a review of their title song, "I Wish" which they also have a music video out on.

The gist of it: A man wishes he was the object of a certain woman's affections.

Breaking it down:
The song starts off with an acoustic spanish style guitar lick which is intermingled with a lone, pure toned, trumpet playing in the background. At times the guitar and trumpet duel with each other in a call/answer type of style.

The melody is upbeat which I like, and I must say a total contrast to the lyrics which is full of angst and longing. The music (going along with the lyrics) starts a bit softly and timidly, swelling into a strong pop/rock style at the chorus when the rest of the members join in on their instruments.

My take on this:
It's an interesting song. Again, like I said in my review of the video, not as mature sounding as their previous title song, "Severely" (Jidokhagae) off of their "Grown Up" album. What I like about it is that it is very different from the cutesy techno pop dance music that is out there. It's the type of song that I would definitely play in my car (and have been since I got the album). And being that I'm not much of a dancer (I can move, but not as fluidly as some others), I am just fine doing my own kind of rocking out to this.

Bassist Lee Jae Jin surprises in a not so often heard rap in here. Usually Song Seung Hyun has the honor of doing the rapping. Jae Jin's voice continues to be softer and innocent in sound, his style is completely different from Seung Hyun's and contemporary English rapping which tend to be quicker and staccato.

Vocal Lee Hong Ki continues to impress with his husky voice during the verses and belting out strong during the chorus. As always, his voice packs emotion behind the lyrics.

Leader Choi Jong Hun always impresses with his deft guitar playing, as does Choi Min Hwan on the drums.

Although this isn't one of my favorites on the album, it definitely has what it takes to stick to people. It's catchy, it has a universal message, and the voice is awesome.

Here's the lyrics (both Romanized and English):

English Translation:

You’re so pretty, I want you
You’re so nice, I want you
I usually don’t look at girls but why am I acting this way, like a fool?

Every single day, I only think of you
Even when I close my eyes, I only think of you
Each time I see you, my heart trembles and I can’t breathe

Baby, I wish it was me, I wish it was so
Lonely lonely oh my love
I wish your love was me uh uh uh uh uh uh
Baby, I wish it was me, I wish it was so
Lonely lonely oh, love me
I don’t wanna be alone anymore uh uh uh I love you

Even when I’m meeting someone else, I only see you
Even when I’m thinking about something else, I only see you
Even when I see someone else, I have no interest
Why am I acting this way, like a fool?

I guess it’s love – I can’t catch a wink of sleep
I guess I love you – I keep thinking of you
When I meet you, I get happy like a kid

Baby, I wish it was me, I wish it was so
Lonely lonely oh my love
I wish your love was me uh uh uh uh uh uh
Baby, I wish it was me, I wish it was so
Lonely lonely oh, love me
I don’t wanna be alone anymore uh uh uh I love you

(Rap)

I love you, love me – believe me, believe me
I can do anything for you uh uh uh
No matter how much you try to find someone special
No matter how much you try to find someone like me, there won’t be anyone else

Can you see my heart? Can you hear my heart?
Please accept my pure love oh
I’m here, waiting and waiting for you
I only love you alone

Baby, I wish it was you, I wish it was so
Love me love me, oh look at me
I wish my other half was you uh uh uh uh uh uh
Baby, I wish it was you, I wish it was so
Love me love me, oh I love you
If it’s not you, I don’t wanna be in love uh uh uh I love you

Baby, I wish it was me, I wish it was so
Lonely lonely oh, love me
I don’t wanna be alone anymore uh uh uh I love you

Romanized:

Neon neomu yeppeoseo nan nega tamina
Neon neomu chakhaeseo nan nega tamina
Wenmanhan yeojaneun chyeodabon jeok eomneun
Naega wae ireolkka babocheoreom

Maeil maeireul tto neoman tteoollyeo
Nuneul gamado tto neoman tteoollyeo
Neol bol ttaemada nan
Mak simjangi tteollyeo sumi makhyeo

Baby naramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Lonely lonely oh naui sarang
Ne sarangdo nayeosseumyeon jokesseo woh oh
Baby naramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Lonely lonely oh saranghaejwo
Deo isangeun honjaigin sirheunde oh woh
I love you

Ttan saram mannado nan neoman boigo
Ttansaenggageul haedo nan neoman boigo
Dareun nugul bwado gwansimjocha an ga
Naega wae ireolkka babocheoreom

Saranginga bwa hansumdo mot jago
Neol saranghana bwa jakkuman saenggangna
Neol mannal ttaemyeon nan
Eorinaicheoreom haengbokhaejyeo

Baby naramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Lonely lonely oh naui sarang
Ne sarangdo nayeosseumyeon jokesseo woh oh
Baby naramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Lonely lonely oh saranghaejwo
Deo isangeun honjaigin sirheunde oh woh
I love you

Rap)
Saranghae love me nal mideo believe me
Mwodeunji hal su isseo neol wihae uh uh uh
Teukbyeolhan sarang inna amuri chajado
Namanhan sarang inna chajabwado eobseul geol

Nae mami boini nae mami deullini
Sunaebo gateun nae sarangeul badajwo oh
Neol gidarigo gidarineun naega itjanha
Nan ojik neo hanaman saranghae

Baby neoramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Love me love me oh nareul bwajwo
Nae banjjogi neoyeosseumyeon jokesseo woh oh
Baby neoramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Love me love me oh neol saranghae
Neo animyeon dareun sarang an hallae oh woh
I love you

Naramyeon jokesseo geureomyeon jokesseo
Lonely lonely oh saranghaejwo
Deo isangeun honjaigin sirheunde oh woh
I love you

Source: KPopLyrics.com

Review: FT Island's "I Wish" M/V

FT Island's last album, "Grown Up", seemed to be a step forward in their maturity level. Although I found "I Wish" and the music video cute, it felt a little young and innocent, a sort of step back from their hit song, "Severely".

As the song opens, Song Seung Hyun is seen ripping deftly through a latin inspired run. I thought, oo, this is going to be great, I've never really heard anything latin coming through an Asian group before.

As you get into the song, the latin influence is still there in the background with the sweet tones of a trumpet. However, entering the chorus, it turns into what I call "pop-rock". Strong guitar and drums take over with Hong Ki charismatic voice singing over them. Signature FT Island.

The video and song overall, is very, bubble gum. All five guys vying for the attention of one girl, each hoping that they will be the one she will want to be with.

The group members each show a different maturity. None of them are running around crazy, goofing off, as in their previous videos. Song Seung Hyun teaches the girl how to play the guitar, Hong Ki is seen talking with the girl (a bit awkwardly) seriously, Min Hwan is showing off his photography skills by doing an impromptu photo shoot of the girl, Jae Jin's character is manly, but a bit innocent compared to the rest as he shyly takes the girl's hand, and Jong Hun (has the best scene I think) is lying on the girl's lap being taken care of the girl of the hour. And by the way, what is up with the head band in Hong Ki's hair? A head band? Really? That sort of detracted from his manly visage.

To me, the video isn't as visually striking and the story line isn't as strong as "Severely", but the song is catchy nonetheless. Primadonna's will certainly like it.

I am interested in hearing/seeing the rest of the songs on the album. I like "I Wish", but it's kind of a let down from "Severely". Just my humble opinion.

I'm still rooting for these guys to make a splash this Thursday at their comeback stage!

Video credit to FNC and FT Island's Official YouTube

FT Island Unveils a Teaser Video for New Album

I was so excited when I saw this online last night!

FT Island is making a comeback next week with a new album entitled "Five Treasure Box" and they have just released a teaser video of their title track "I Wish"!

It's a less rocker sound from their last title song, "Severely" off of their "Grown Up" album. And they incorporated some Latin flavors in there with some deft guitar playing by one of the maknae's, Song Seung Hyun, but to me it's different enough and I like it!

Can't wait to see more! You can click on the "AllKPop" hyperlink below to go to the article I found the video on. Or, if the browser allows, you can try to watch the video below. (I don't own the video, all credit goes to FNC and FT Island)

Enjoy!

Source: AllKpop