PLAVE is revolutionising the world of K-pop, and now they're finally back with their second single album PLBBUU that sees them collaborate with adorable Sanrio characters.
Two worlds collide as the beloved boy band teams up with the cute and cuddly characters, solidifying the band's sweet and loving identity. “Thank you always for waiting for us, and we worked very hard to complete this album with the best quality possible, as much as you have waited for it. Please enjoy and give much love to our new album, PLBBUU, and we hope it makes you happy. Love you, BBUU!” shares PLAVE.
The album opens with ‘BBUU!’, a cheeky R&B track that has an addictive hook and infectious chorus. The heart of the track pulls listeners in with a catchy chant, counting numbers with a playful, rhythmic innocence. ‘BBUU!' is derived from the Korean onomatopoeia (뿌우) for a light kiss or puckered lips, serving as both a sonic and visual motif woven into the song’s rhythm and choreography that shines bright in the music video.
The video follows the story of five mini PLAVE characters adorned in cute hats as they travel through the universe to a magical island. On the island, they meet five fabulous Sanrio characters — Kuromi, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, and Pompompurin. PLAVE weaves in their signature choreography and scenes where they unleash their playful energy between moments where the mini PLAVE characters and Sanrio characters have fun at amusement parks and tea parties.
Following the cuteness overload from ‘BBUU!’, the album's second track ‘숨바꼭질 (Hide and Seek)’ shows off the versatility and range of PLAVE, being the Korean version of their Japanese debut title track. The track features an immersive band arrangement, preserving the original song's emotional depth while adding Korean lyrics that bring a fresh layer of nuance and feeling.
The album closes with a bang with the song ‘봉숭아 (Bongsoong-a)’. Translating to "Balsam" in English, the pop track with an R&B tempo is an embodiment of tradition and delicate love. The story behind the track is inspired by the South Korean tradition of colouring your fingernails with balsam in summer, and if the colour lasts until the first day of snow, they believe that one’s love will come true.
Through gentle lyrics and vocals, ‘봉숭아 (Bongsoong-a)’ paints a tender image of balsam-stained fingertips against a snowy backdrop, reflecting PLAVE’s growing emotional depth and refined artistry.
Following the successful release of PLBBUU, PLAVE is set to perform on 21 and 22 November at Gocheok Sky Dome, which sold out instantly following the swift sell-out of their original Seoul show. With this, they become the first virtual idol group to fill two of South Korea’s top five stadiums, including KSPO Dome and Gocheok Sky Dome.
With PLBBUU, PLAVE not only cements their signature blend of charm, playfulness, and musical versatility but also showcases their evolution as artists capable of bridging cultures, languages, and genres. From the cheeky hooks of ‘BBUU’ to the emotional depth of ‘숨바꼭질 (Hide and Seek)’ and the tender tradition-inspired ‘봉숭아 (Bongsoong-a)’, the album captures the band’s growing artistry while staying true to their wholesome and lovable identity.
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