I’m torn between making a return of the king joke or inserting Usher’s “Daddy’s Home” for this intro, lmao. Like most Kpoppies with taste, I’m incredibly happy Kai is back from enlistment. It felt long but short at the same time. I’m so happy he dropped Rover before bouncing. Although, the title Wait On Me feels more appropriate album title considering the context. Oh, well. Let’s get into this album.
I realize, similar to Ten, I never use all caps when referring to them, lol. So please forgive the inconsistency. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Wait On Me other than bangers. But it feels like Kai is venturing out into other genres on Wait On Me. This was blatantly obvious with Rover. But I love the doubling down on it in Wait On Me and in the title track of the same name.
“Wait On Me” is so sexy and chill. I’m here for the Afrobeats takeover in Kpop. I love the way they’ve incorporated that into Kai’s R&B sound he’s synonymous with. I checked to see if he was a part of the writing or composing of this album, and he isn’t.
However, the team here did an outstanding job creating a solid, consistent sounding album. Very summer vibes. Sitting poolside. I’m a House/Tropical House lover, so I think this album is definitely for the Deep House girlies. And I like that the actual title track reflects the overall album sound well. If we had just gotten “Adult Swim” I’d been crunchy.
I love the return of rapper!KAI after the first chorus. Haven’t seen that guy in a while. The styling is great. I love when SM does the leather/moto jacket/racecar driver look on the guys. The way this music video was shot and put together is beautiful.
Added it to my fave music videos of 2025. The scene on the desert planet and Kai had the blue eyes was giving DUNE and idk if that was on purpose or not, but I’m here for it. I love everything about “Wait On Me”.
When the highlight melody dropped, I was most excited about “Walls Don’t Talk”. Feels like something from EX’ACT. I’m waiting for Kai to “shimmy shimmy Ko Ko Bop” next. Jokes aside. This will be on repeat for me. One of my favorites off the album. Gotta watch the Studio Choom later.
If you weren’t dancing yet, you must be by the time we get to “Pressure”. I don’t remember myself paying so much attention to the instrumentals on a Kai song or album prior to this one. I need to see choreo for all these songs.
I know he was dancing and vibing in the studio during recording. “Come give me that pressure” is a crazy way to end a song. I know people were going crazy over the end of “Walls Don’t Talk” but the ending of “Pressure” shook me more. King Kai is back y’all!!
“Ridin'” threw me off at first just from reading the title. I thought we had a “Ridin'” already, then I remembered that’s “Slidin’” which also slaps, but the two are incredibly different, lmao. The drums and beat on “Ridin” are fantastic.
The transition between songs is so smooth. “Off and Away” slaps as well. Kinda funny to put before “Adult Swim” but someone had to do it. I could see it feeling a bit repetitive if it isn’t your style. The further along you go through Wait On Me the heavier the drums and Afrobeat gets. I’m obsessed with it.
I saw a comment on Reddit where someone talked about the length of the songs. They are a bit short, but I feel like they use the time well. I don’t feel like they need another 30 seconds or something just to make it longer, just because.
He’s so funny 😂. I had a feeling he knew about the memes.
I didn’t really like “Adult Swim” on my first like two listens. But now I do. Mostly the “work it out, take it low” and that entire bridge. That’s my favorite part. It reminds me a bit of “Sexy In The Air” with how I liked the later half of the song more then eventually loved all of from start to finish.
There’s something dry and camp about Kai’s delivery of “Adult Swim….Dive In…Adult Swim….Dive In…TURN IT UP”. I’m so entertained by it. Also, blonde!Kai is legendary. Glad he’s back as well.
I noticed Max and lalala studio worked on this track. This song is so out of place sound wise, but vibe wise it’s great. I kinda wish it was the first song on the album or early on. It feels a bit weird this far down the album.
The music video for it also brings the summer, warm weather vibes. I love the fun party vibe throughout it. I love him and the main girl’s dancing together. Kai throughout the music video:
“Flight to Paris” is a perfect way to end Wait On Me. It slows things down, but you can still dance to it. Feels like a b-side to “Walls Don’t Talk”. It’s my second fave song on the album.
I love his line delivery of, “Iyu eopsi unneun ge. Iksukaejin new days“(I’m smiling for no reason. Feels natural in these days). My fave part. Next to the instrumentals. Killer. Fantastic ending for an outstanding album.
I’ve had so much fun with this era so far. I’ve been seeing clips from his new show where he’s doing different jobs. It looks hilarious. I’ve been meaning to catch up on it. And I love this pic of him and Suho together.
Oh! And here’s a link to more concept photos. They’re stunning. Again, I’m living for the swim/summer vibes. We’ve been getting fed well with content. I’m praying for US tour dates (Atlanta specifically, of course), wishful thinking I know. But he is touring soon.
What’s your fave song from Wait On Me? I think mine is “Walls Don’t Talk” at the moment. But I think it might change as I listen to the album more. Tell me all your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Bluesky, & Instagram.
Take care!
Ash💫