Admittedly, I was quite embarrassed when my friend told me that Isu (이수) had released a solo album because I did not know he had done so.

Having been an avid, if not rabid, fan for the last eight years of Isu, J.Yoon, and Min Hyuk, even the notion that Isu had “gone solo” was a very confusing concept to me. But for me to not know he had plans on releasing one? Clearly it was time for me to leave this 60+ hour week, 6 days a week job!

MC the Max fans out there may be able to relate to my confusion. First of all, the boys had been together since their Moon Child days albeit without their piano player, and second, it was only a year ago that they had a falling out with their previous record label over accusations of plans to break them apart and promote Isu as a solo artist. Having adamantly fought for their desire to remain a group and a team, the band also had to fight in court to retain the name of their band.

The idea that Isu had released a solo album at this point in their careers not only comes very abruptly but also raises again the possibility of the members going their own separate ways.

For me however the question isn’t simply about what steps the boys will next take with their careers. If going solo and whatnot is what they want to do, then great. My biggest concern was whether Isu’s album would be any good. Despite my loyalty to MC the Max, I’ve found Isu’s singles in the past to be very dull and uninspired. He needs J.Yoon to produce a catchy, snazzy song!

MC the Max, like pretty much every other singer and band in Korea, is subject to the whims of their record label. They have to sing requisite songs in requisite genres for requisite singles while their own self-composed, self-penned songs (which in my own opinion are far superior) are pretty much ignored, especially when it comes to public broadcasts. Would Isu even be allowed to contribute to his own album? Would fans be forced to listen to run of the mill, anonymous Korean pop where the only redeeming factor would be Isu singing it? Would the absence of J.Yoon’s playful and upbeat compositions be naggingly noticeable? But perhaps the most profound question of all: would Isu still be Isu without MC the Max?

Thankfully, my bigger fears were unfounded. A quick survey reveals that Isu contributed directly to half the songs on his own album and even though his single “삐에로” unfortunately falls under the category of songs he is required to sing, his own creations more than make up for it.

“난 그냥 노래할래” is a strong introduction that reveals how he feels about his passion, the path he is on, and shows a glimpse of how he views his relationship with others. Closer readings of his lyrics thus reveal someone who’s not only stylistically mindful and contemplative but is also mindful and contemplative as a person.

“Song 4” and “The sound” are two great examples of this and “춘춘가,” though probably slow paced even by Isu’s standards, reveals a very simple romantic style that is refreshing compared to the over-the-top material we usually get from the kpop scene.

As can be predicted, the remaining songs on his album were contributions from staff composers and lyricists. While in past MC the Max albums this has had the result of noticeable stylistic breaks throughout an album, I was happy to see that for the most part, the songs contributed by these other musicians more or less conformed to Isu’s style, producing rather pleasant songs such as “기억통증.”

Most comforting of all is the discovery that J.Yoon and Min Hyuk made contributions to Isu’s album after all, perhaps not through composing or singing along with him but as “session men,” playing the bass and drums as they always have. Isu himself has clearly grown as an artist, maintaining his signature style but developing it into something more mature that possesses dimension. It’s easy to feel that I’ve grown up with the three of them and can relate with them, as each milestone in their artistic lives often coincided with gains I’ve made in my own career or efforts at self-actualization. I earnestly pray for the day that MC the Max writes EVERY song in an album!

Well then, is Isu still “Isu” without MC the Max? I would have to say the answer is both yes and no.

The best way I can think of to explain this is to use Alvin and the Chipmunks as an example. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are definitely individual musicians in their own rights. We clearly see this when each Chipmunk gets his turn to sing about his plight to David or some other audience. When the three come together on stage, that’s when they definitely become The Chipmunks. Their identities as solo musicians and members of a group are nebulous, something that criss-cross and intersect many times during the course of a single cartoon and obviously many more times during the movie (and don’t get me started about what happens once you factor in the Chipettes and I’m also talking about the old animated movie).

Isu operates the same way. While he is busy downplaying fan fears that his solo album is a harbinger of things to come for MC the Max the band, we forget the fact that Isu IS MC the Max, as equally as J.Yoon is MC the Max and Min Hyuk is MC the Max. His identity is nebulous and fluid. This should be obvious to us since past MC the Max albums contain brilliant collaborative efforts by Isu and J.Yoon and it would only make sense that his own album would stylistically be his own in a more autonomous fashion (or as autonomous as you can get in Korea).

I foresee rather, like the Chipmunks, each member emphasizing a variation on the musical team based on each of their personas. As the lead vocal, it would make more sense for Isu to release a solo album first. I am aware that J.Yoon has contributed to a track on The Jadu’s most recent album and I am personally curious to hear more from Min Hyuk, who asides from his interpretation of “사랑하고 싶었어,” seems to be a man of very few words. Besides, if boy bands are allowed to have thematically constructed memberships (think the Hot One, the Chubby One, the Smart One, the Tough Guy, the Romantic, et cetera with all their representative colors, numbers, animals, and favorite fruits), why can’t more legitimate musicians fiddle around with the idea and showcase their unique and distinct talents and voices?

Buy Isu’s first solo album I AM