The South Korean reality show “Sea of Hope” boasts an interesting premise: a “healing” show set at a seaside bar, where celebs offer guests both music and homemade dishes for the ultimate escapism experience.
When K-Pop sensations Onew (of Shinee), Lee Su-Hyun (of AKMU and Hi Suhyun), and Rosé (of Blackpink) appeared on the show’s fifth episode, they teamed up for a dazzling cover of Alicia Keys’ 2003 hit, “If I Ain’t Got You,” and the clip soon went viral – racking up over 71 million views to date!
From the get-go, Western fans will sink into the mysterious allure of this show – Alicia Keys’ iconic piano intro riff dancing deep and dream-like over atmospheric shots of the Yellow Sea at night, backed by a soft fiddle melody. When Lee Su-Hyun unleashes her tender and soul-cleansing first verse, Music Man readers are bound to get drizzled in goosebumps.
“If I Ain’t Got You” is a powerhouse ballad, crowned with choruses you can belt at the top of your lungs (if you dare) and dynamite levels of emotion. But for this midnight seascape rendition, the K-Pop trio let tranquility take center stage, the hit gracefully ebbing and flowing like a lullaby without frothing over in dramatic storms.
The trio unearth some stunning new methods to make their cover as explosive as Alicia’s original, while keeping their vibes as calm as a candlelit church. Onew laces soft and refreshing harmonies beneath Lee Su-Hyun’s chorus, Lee keeping each line angelic and hypnotically ethereal and even blowing Onew away with her sensitive high notes.
Rosé’s verse introduces stunning new tones into the track; her voice styled with interesting Americanisms as she trails Alicia’s complex melodic runs pitch-perfect and enchanting. When Rosé and Lee Su-Hyun blend their voices in harmony, the result is pure magic. All the while, Onew looks as stunned at the girls’ melodies as the live audience are, adding his own harmonies and taking on an R&B-inspired bridge.
One top-commenter and K-Pop addict unraveled the lore behind Onew’s stint in this performance, writing: “Onew is really the type that when he isn’t expressly given a solo part, is content to harmonize or become a background vocal during a performance. So I’m really thankful for Su-Hyun and Rosé for giving him the end to just play with his vocal runs. And I’m so glad that they chose this song cause it showed off so much of the girls’ vocals!”
But it’s not just young K-Pop nerds who have been busy getting this clip up to 71 million views. Performances like this defy the generations. As another spellbound top-commenter confirmed, “A grandmother like me would never know the charms of Rosé or Onew if it weren’t for entertainment like this… There’s a reason they’re on top.”
“Sea of Hope” undeniably captures the hearts of music lovers worldwide with its enchanting performances like the viral cover by Onew, Lee Su-Hyun, and Rosé. Their rendition of “If I Ain’t Got You” is a compelling blend of talent and emotion, perfectly set against the seaside backdrop. Discover more about this mesmerizing show and its captivating episodes through the links below.