Reviewing Every UKISS Release: By Unpopular Demand ~ NEVERLAND
This release, by no exaggeration, permanently altered the direction of my life. This album is just hit after hit, and oscillates between adrenaline rush and sobbing loudly from the abrupt mood swings between songs, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
And yeah, this was supposed to be posted months ago but when I was grabbing screenshots, the post glitched and never saved and I rage quit writing this, but I'm back now!
NEVERLAND - 2nd Studio Album | 2011.09.01
This was so big when it came out, like I think if you were an international fan of K-pop at the time, you'd 100% know this song. Like there were download links for it everywhere, dance covers, fan uploads, it was crazy. We were so sure they were going to get their first music show win, but in classic UKISS fashion, they overlapped with another titanic comeback and had to settle for second.
So there was a little docuseries about them in 2011, when exactly it took place, I'm not entirely sure, but I'm fairly certain it was during NEVERLAND promotions. It was technically about all of the members, and the work that goes into being an idol. Some funny bits I remember about it -
Kevin accidentally stomping on Soohyun's foot during practice
Worrying about their future because groups that don't win a music show in their first 3 years usually disband (lol we're in the big old year 2024 now)
Dongho eating cake in the bathroom like a gremlin
Eli's alleged bachelor pad
I actually don't remember if this was in this documentary or from something else, but Hoon saying Kevin was the meanest to him when he first joined because he would tease him over not knowing how to dance
About the actual album now, I think that this, like Bran New Kiss, is another real turning point for them. We get a good mix of dance songs and more emotional songs, we have their first unit songs, and first real self-written song (albeit just lyrical composition with some help, but still baby steps!!)
Intro | YouTube Music 7.1k | Spotify 31k
It's 56 seconds long and basically a NEVERLAND remix
What is there to review?
7.5/10 I don't hate it though
NEVERLAND (Audio) | YouTube Music 26M | Spotify 2.5M
This went triple platinum in my bedroom I was so in love with this song (still am a bit)
One of the few songs where everyone is an active and roughly equal participant
Soohyun, Kevin, and Dongho get a bit more though but that's fine
"Money love fashion fame and all that's in between" what a banger line from Eli for once I'm not laughing at him
"And we stay forever young" Dongho, the most babyfaced baby to ever baby says
"Ggeuteun eobseo never end/Yeogin Neverland" part of the chorus? Batshit so good I love it
Some interesting vocal/rapper combos - Kevin/Kiseop/Eli; Hoon/AJ/Dongho; AJ/Kevin/Kiseop; Hoon/Eli/Kiseop/Dongho
Chorus is basically Kevin/Soohyun + Hoon for the second one
It's not very deep, but I am a sucker for the eternal youth and hedonism themes
Makes a fun dance track just slightly dark, like we're having fun at the club but also a little scared
I also like that while the vocals have clearly been processed for stylistic purposes, you can still really hear the differences in their voices, and the power in Soohyun and Kevin
9.5/10 it's just so iconic
NEVERLAND (MV) | Official upload 23M
Just realized it's been years since I've actually properly watched this MV but good god if it isn't permanently burnt into my brain
I have so many questions about who this mysterious DJ is and his purpose
Is he the reason they're seemingly trapped in this wintry apocalyptic-esque space? Is he why the party never stops? Is he even human?
Iconique this was my laptop's wallpaper for like a good year in middle school (which is a super long time)
These tinsel tops are both questionable and perfect, love the way the fabric and fringes move
This was like peak male fashion in 2011 where copious amounts of guyliner can give untold confidence
Like guyliner so thick it removes the need for eyeshadow
That's deadass gotta be like an entire bottle of liquid liner right there
Also I really like that hair colour on him
Peak male hairstyle in 2011
Like I think this was almost universal where if a guy in middle/high school had this haircut, he was automatically the coolest guy
Or in my experience, every Asian guy had either this hair, a buzzcut, or a bowlcut, those were the only hairstyles from like 2008-2012
Not the statement necklace
OH BABY WE'RE BACK IN THE ABANDONED WAREHOUSE
This is honestly one of my favourite parts
Also someone please let them out of the freezer the floor is cold and hard
FREE HIM
Love the obligatory smoulder and brood shots of the members so angsty for no reason
I like to think that this ice sculpture actually ate up majority of the budget along with the plethora of arts and crafts baubles attached to their outfits and eyeliner
Love love love this bit of choreo
I was so obsessed with this water set as a kid and still am
So obviously there isn't much to talk about the MV since it's basically a bunch of dance videos in different sets spliced with some brooding solo shots and smouldering group shots
But you know what? It works the song has enough going on that if the MV had more it would feel like too much
The sets are standard vaguely apocalyptic wastelands, and I really like the blue snowy one and the orange water one in particular
Three outfits -- the black tanks with the silver mesh/tinsel loose tank over; the black short-sleeve/sleeveless tops with metallic accents, and the white outfits at the end, and they all look good still and in motion
The hairstyles were all fine, with Kevin and Kiseop really embodying Peak 2011 Male Fashion, and Dongho with the most bowlcut to ever bowl
9/10 so iconic so good so 2011
NEVERLAND (Stages) | Highest viewed 765k (Music Core)
I was so obsessed with this when it came out like how could I not? Also incredible that they've brought The Box, which was not one of the sets used for the MV, to the music show absolutely incredible
It's like they gotta hit all the second gen tropes they can
Can't tell if I love or hate this motion sickness-inducing camera work
I can't take this part seriously anymore because I keep thinking about that charades game they played in Japan where they all mocked Kevin for this
The lines his arms make are very nice though, sharp and straight
That hair is ahead of its time
Another personal favourite part of the dance
Love that the smaller group work
This is more on the camera, but those background dancers integrated in seamlessly
Also love that everyone gets a chance to be centre I think that's really cute and everyone gets some time to shine
RIP to this arm pumping movement that disappears in like 2012 and the fact that AJ kept doing this last year
This part is so good
Everyone crowding around Soohyun while he belts, the turns, so good
Kinda like he's sucking up their energy to sustain his singing lol
Firstly, outfits
Love that they're all wearing the same basic black vest and pants, and have their own gold accents for the vests. Super simple but interesting to look at, moves very nicely
Nobody has hair crimes against humanity, just the standard 2011 hairstyles
Singing-wise, oh this was absolutely live and it's kind of insane they did all of this?
Like yeah of course there's the backtrack, but it's obvious when they're singing live versus letting the backtrack take over for the moment
I completely get why they were constantly talking about having to improve their health and fitness for this comeback because wow they sound really clean, both the vocal and rap lines
Also get why they said this was dangerous for their health, I remember trying to learn the dance and it was hard. I can't imagine having to train the dance and sing cleanly like that
On the topic of singing while dancing and the fitness and skill required for it, I think the NEVERLAND choreo is really interesting in that regard
There's a lot of up and down movement, lots of arm and footwork, but the torso stays relatively intact
Not static, but very shoulders-ribs-hips connected, and a lot of the interesting shapes and lines in the dance are mostly illusions created from arm, leg, and head placements
Which makes sense because while I don't sing, I'd imagine that keeping the torso straight and connected would help with maximizing airflow
Overall, they all did great. Everyone got their little moments to shine, though of course Soohyun shone the most, and nobody was super eyecatching, which is really good for this kind of dance
10/10 this is definitely one of those songs where the live stages are just insane to watch (*cough cough* SBS Chuseok water stage *cough cough*
Anyway, lookbook time
These feathered monstrosities with the rhinestoned tops
I swear they brought it up during UKISS On The Block when they were bemoaning second gen fashion
I think I see the vision of drawing attention to the upper body and arm lines, but it just makes their shoulders look perma-hunched
Love the skinny jeans, combat boots, and black jacket look
The individualized jackets with gold embellishments never misses
The dangly bits really help draw attention in a good way without ruining the overall lines
The white ensemble is nice, cuts a clean silhouette
But I don't like that Kevin and Hoon have theirs unbuttoned I get why, but I think if some of the others were also unbuttoned, or if they just had a different cut it would look better
The flopping vest is just a bit weird
So these outfits are from a 2011.12.30 special performance
Love love love it why did they tease a vampire concept like this if they weren't ever going to do it
Also really love reusing these vests with white skinny jeans, it's such a clean look
Shiny silver trashbag vests and blazers with white jeans
Not loving the cut of the blazers though I do think vests are probably the way to go for the dance
I do love these blazers though the slimmer-cut is definitely more flattering
Baby Don't Cry | YouTube Music 661k | Spotify 250k
I genuinely think this could've been a title track of its own it's so good
Another staple of my tween years - it's sad and angsty and moody
I like how the song song builds by letting all these sweet-toned singers do the first half before the second half is basically dominated by Soohyun and AJ + Kevin backing
Those first two verses honestly sound so pretty, and fit very well considering it's just them being sad boys
Second half is being slightly angry and petty, so of course Soohyun fits it perfectly
It's a genre-crossing "baby I love you please come back" to "baby you broke up with me :(" to "I'm gonna fight this other dude and I hope you become miserable >:c"
So so petty "I'm going to wish for your unhappiness"
Also went triple platinum in my bedroom
9.75/10 I would've given it a 9/10 for the first two verses alone they were that good
SOMEDAY (audio) | YouTube Music 1.5M | Spotify 336k
I'm fairly certain this is their first real slow song?
This was and still is such a comfort song
I love that it's a weepy song, not because it's sad in any way, but just because it's literally a comfort song
Another great collaborative effort for the first half before letting Soohyun and Kevin take the second half
Kinda surprised Hoon doesn't have more individual lines
Again, NH was kinda cooking by accident when they put them together like their voices all work so well
It's a shame we don't get to hear Dongho sing more I like his voice
The chorus is single-handedly responsible for getting me through middle school
10+ years later I still get a bit misty-eyed from this sometimes
8.5/10 I think it's a great foray into softer and more emotional songs, not their best especially compared to their JP ones, but a fantastic first go
SOMEDAY (stages) | Highest viewed 130k (Fan upload)
I don't remember them promoting this song that much yet there's so many stages?
I remember this Wave Kpop one but not the others
There's not much to really talk about since it's just singing, but it is crazy to hear Eli sing here versus even just a couple years later like he improved a lot
Super funny when Dongho sings his part and when Kevin's harmonization comes in, you completely lose Dongho's voice lol
These outfits are fine, simple, but gets the job done
Also lol Kevin wearing full smokey eye makeup here
Ooh these outfits are cozy, love the earthy palette
But also peak preppy 2011
Hoon in a full winter jacket is super funny though like everyone else is just dressed for autumn
More cozy fits, but this time in black/white/grey
Lol Dongho's little newsie cap
And Kevin's poncho like can we talk about how in ponchos were in 2011-2012?
They also sound super on in this performance. Probably the best version of the Dongho-Kevin bit I've heard
You can also pick out all the others singing during the chorus, which is pretty rare
Black jackets over white shirts with white pants, hard to go wrong
The blazers over graphic tees was so in at the time
Oh I love this very cohesive look
I don't love the jackets but the aesthetic is so consistent I don't hate it?
Different looks but very similar, very well done
Take Me Away | YouTube Music 1.3M | Spotify 272k
The goddamn faint emergency siren is literally both the worst and best part of this song because it adds ambience, but I hate the possible implications of it
Hoon/Kevin duet?!?!?! The first and last they literally just did this one song together and never again
It's like they knew this couldn't be topped and just had to pack it up
Love that every part of this song is so simple and understated so that their sweet and slightly teary voices can shine love that for them
Lyrics are hella depressing, which is why I actually don't have this on a lot of playlists because I can and will cry
I think the lives of this are way better (unsurprisingly) they really hit you with the full brunt of everything
8.5/10 simple, depressing, and understated for all the right reasons
ON THE Floor | YouTube Music 246k | Spotify 166k
I love that that's literally the official title like why is it capitalized like this
So we're just gonna completely change the mood with a fun dance song now
Soohyun/Kevin duet featuring AJ, Hoon, and Kiseop in roughly equal parts
Kiseop gets a whole verse to himself?!?!
Really is just a party song with a dash of "girl we in love"
8/10 it's a fun song that does its job, it's just not a standout in any way
Love Of A Friend | YouTube Music 434k | Spotify 68k
Back to slow and emotional again
This song doubles as both a friendzone anthem and a situationship anthem like what do you mean "we're not friends, we're not lovers"??
Another song where everyone gets a little part I love it
Opening with Soohyun/Hoon/Kevin? Goated I love the slowly increasing sweetness
Third verse with the entire vocal line stuffed in there? Incredible
I also think that verse is just so sweet lyrically
It's such a sappy love song it almost feels out of place in their KR discography like this would 100% work for a JP release
I think they all sing the chorus? Hard to tell because Soohyun and Kevin are always loud as hell and drown everyone else out, but I can hear Hoon and AJ pretty clearly at times
The bridge confuses me greatly because Soohyun clearly sings the second line, but the first line sounds like it's split between Hoon and Kiseop
I wish there was a live of this so I could confirm it
Why is there no live for this??? A travesty I say an absolute travesty
The last chorus though? Incredible
Soohyun belting his little heart out like rent's due, Kevin fighting for attention, and AJ randomly busting through
10/10 I can't even put into words how much I love this song it's one of their best slow songs
Story of April | YouTube Music 68k | Spotify 43k
Soohyun landing their first collabotration with a female artist good for him
It's a weepy love song, which is basically his forte
I think it's nice, not my favourite, but I do like their voices together
7.75/10 I don't have much else to add, but something about the song makes me feel like it's missing something?
Obsession | YouTube Music 692k | Spotify 192k
2SEOP 2SEOP 2SEOP
The chokehold this had me in was insane
I think this was one of the most listened-to song on my iPod throughout all of middle school and part of high school
I was so not normal about this song and I'm still not how could I be when I was so completely in love with the both of them
And it's so cute they cowrote this
"Love which is effable" AJ that was such a banger
Remember when they performed this for their 2012 tour and when AJ sings "tears are falling down" he just starts tenderly carressing Kiseop's cheek???
I really do like their voices paired together
Also does anyone remember if this came out before AJ's whole obsessive lover bit started or was it after, because either way I'm impressed he stuck to it at least until 2014
Like I'm sorry but that one Q&A game they played where the others were all like "being clingy/having a clingy lover is too bothersome :/" while AJ is just stomping his foot and shouting "love equals obsession!!" is soooo funny to me
Anyway when are we getting our Siyoon/Kiseop-produced UKISS album?? Like the chances of this actually happening now are significantly higher than when this idea was first floated
9/10 literally altered my brain chemistry
TOP THAT | YouTube Music 294k | Spotify 110k
Okay so now we're back to Bad Boy™ UKISS with another arrogant dance track
And the autotune is back babyyy
That persistent 'lalala' synth is both super annoying and infuriatingly catchy
Also lowkey kinda anxiety-inducing
So this is basically Soohyun's song since he's basically singing like half of it himself
AJ and Kevin get the next most lines, with AJ getting a whole rap to himself and Kevin coming and going throughout the entire song
Hoon, Dongho, Eli, and Kiseop are fighting for scraps lol
Honestly I don't remember feeling like AJ ever got so many parts, but this journey is proving me otherwise
Aggressively arrogant song
So I think that this is an angry post-breakup song where they're bitching at their ex?
7.5/10 I don't hate it, but the synth sound is so annoying. Otherwise, very normal uwukiss song
Tell Me Y | YouTube Music 88k | Spotify 81k
Rap line song??? Kinda sorta it's just Dongho and Eli with Swin PD doing the singing
Surprisingly slow and mellow song for what is ostensibly the rap line song
If you guessed this song is another "baby I miss you please come back" song, you'd be right
A very even three-person collaboration everyone got lines yay
I really like the instrumentation for this song, very chill and easy to listen to
8/10 I feel like I always forget about this song when I make playlists it's really nice
Let's Meet Again | YouTube Music 17k | Spotify 9.4k
Group project with Paran to cover a Paran song lol
Thank you Eli for the elephant impression, truly don't know what we'd do without you
So yeah it starts with a long group chat for the first few minutes while the 9 of them are stuffed in that recording booth
By the way, there's a making of album video of this and it's super adorable
The Paran guys are just teasing and babying Soohyun like that's exactly what he deserves
It's a bit difficult to sort through the voices because I'm not familiar with Paran, but it sounds mostly like the vocal line + the Paran guys
I think it's Paran who starts off, followed by Hoon and Kevin, then the vocal troika dominating the first chorus
Second verse sounds like Eli, who sounds very nice, followed by an equally nice Kiseop, then AJ, then the second chorus that's dominated by AJ and Kevin
Then SooHoon helping build into the very pretty last chorus that's mostly the Paran guys + Soohyun
I just kind of wish there was something else to help resolve the ending since it just kinda comes down, but the payoff doesn't feel super satisfying?
It's very pretty I love the instrumentation and how well it builds
You know, I've always wondered where AJ got his singing style from, like it's super distinct compared to the others, and he must have learnt/mimicked it from his Paran bros 🥺
It's such a mushy 'let's meet again' type song I love it
God I'd kill to hear a proper live of this done it'd be so good
8.75/10 god the buildup is so good and I love vocal-heavy songs
So yeah, after a very long time, I'm finally done with NEVERLAND, and we're entering their JP era next, yay!
Not a fun fact, but just a general observation, but this whole 2011-2014 period is so insane to me? Like they basically work nonstop for those 3 years doing constant promotions in Korea and Japan, international tours/concerts, all while members are coming and going? Honestly more surprised they didn't all crash and burn, considering how middling the returns were, but I guess that's why they're all batshit
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This sums up a lot of my feelings on MJ (with the allegations), it's from someone who used to be a fan. Many say there is no smoking gun in regards to the allegations, but for me the smoking gun was his own statements, along with reading about pedophiles from a csa expert that match all of his exact behaviors, as well as the exact process his victims all describe (And the disturbing photos of little boys) But here is one fan's thoughts:
As a victim of abuse, and as an adult, ironically, I worked with a pedophile for years without knowing....And I knew what to look for! Think about the ramifications of that.
I'm a huge fan of MJ...or was. You never truly stop. And I grew up loving the man and his music. I was definitely groomed...as we all were, if only to love him. And his 'people' were very careful to ensure we loved MJ the man (god?), as well as (if not more so) than his music.
But after reading the numerous court case transcripts and watching the documentaries...the ones which allow MJ to speak and his victims to be heard...it isn't the victims of MJ but his own words and actions (that I've seen/heard first hand) which concern me the most.
To explain both sides, we actually only need MJ's words and his documented actions.
I try not to be biased, despite being a victim of abuse...because I've also been accused of abuse (and exonerated)... by a former colleague so I know how it feels to be innocent but under suspicion.
The sex offender I knew is now in prison but everyone around him had to be investigated so they could be cleared. But I know firsthand how awful that process was as an innocent. So I'm careful to see both sides.
If MJ was accused once by a stranger, I would have had my doubts, but likely sided with MJ if sufficient evidence wasn't produced.
But MJ was accused again and again...and again (and again) by the closest people to him. Children and adults alike. His own staff. Families he helped. Friends. Colleagues, acquaintances and more.
This is all deeply problematic...and despite paying tens of millions in settlements again and again (which alone is worrisome), MJ consciously kept on sleeping with other people's children.
And when he had his own kids...he went to extraordinary lengths to make sure the mother wasn't part of his life with those kids. Kids who went on to have very troubled lives.
Although I don't believe MJ ever directly physically abused his own family (though he did hang baby Blanket out of a 5th floor window for a photo op).
It's relevant to say that the pedophile I worked with never abused me or anyone in front of me or close to him...so I'm never surprised when MJ's family or Macaulay says, "we never saw it." But that's the point of abuse. It doesn't happen in public or it's not meant to. Though with MJ, I believe at least a form of abuse did occur in plain sight after he spent years systematically normalizing odd behavior.
It's a fact that MJ had a giant bed in a separate wing of his child-themed Neverland Ranch, connected by one long corridor with a security system he personally installed. Which he claimed was designed to warn him if anyone was coming towards the bedroom...where he slept with other peoples' kids.
I've watched him say the latter on video. And even if he was tricked into miscommunication (it happens)...that is yet more evidence of a man unsuited to child care.
To reasonable people who ask, "did he abuse kids sexually?" I say there are many forms of abuse which can ruin lives. But 'that's not the only point.'
As a trusted adult with influence, money and power, MJ undeniably grossly abused his position of trust time and time again.
When it comes to childcare, the latter is enough to be a huge problem for 99% of average people. And if you abuse your own kids... in any way...it's somehow even worse.
We know without a shadow of a doubt that MJ repeatedly demonstrated a total lack of good decision making. Simply being involved with all these kids (often poor, vulnerable and even sick) in a way which could lead to the children feeling wronged, betrayed...abused even.
The latter is based on an endless parade of self-produced (by MJ) evidence from sanctioned interviews and court documents. I repeat....MJ's own words and actions continue to give me the most concern, as they should any reasonable person and especially parents.
Even if MJ was 100% innocent of every claim (statistically unlikely), by acting as he did...he let the possibility of abuse arise in the media and in peoples' minds.
Which unsurprisingly resulted in long painful court cases, for not just MJ, but also the kids torn between the lawyers and the parents and the media. Again, that is indisputable. And at the very least...MJ's lack of good judgment...as the most powerful adult involved...makes him responsible for that suffering. 👏
Simply by sleeping with a stranger's child or trying to be their "best friend" and ignoring the age and power dynamic...MJ and his enablers were all putting these kids' wellbeing and emotional health at risk (again and again). He without a doubt put his own needs (legal or otherwise) before these innocent kids. Again, this is indisputable based on documentary evidence.
I don't know about anyone else but I've never slept with strangers' kids, or promoted that idea as "acceptable" as MJ did in interviews. I have enough common sense and know what adults are capable of. And what I could be accused of. You just don't do it under any circumstances. Unless you believe rules/laws/morality...don't apply to you. 👈
And if you wonder why people push back so hard on the facts of this sad case...even after his death...then you need to understand that the MJ estate generates $400-800 million a year for his family and lawyers, who are the people that push back the hardest.
And fans push back...because MJ spent decades brain washing us all that he was a protector of children around the world...as his own HIStory tour claimed. And he was a good entertainer who we wanted to love.
I watched MJ's 1996 deposition video recently and was stunned at how careless/callous he was. He laughed and joked and yawned and messed about while lawyers and the authorities literally pulled his carefully built reputation through the mud.
This was a man who had the most expensive legal team in the entire world. He had months to prepare. But this was his plan. To behave like the claims, so serious they could put him away for life, were a joke.
And if that was a legal strategy, it makes him the best actor and liar on earth. And if that's true...then how could we trust anything he said.
A man child who lived in a literal make believe land based around the dream of never growing up...or more accurately never taking responsibility for his actions...Never never...land.
In many ways MJ was all the wonderful things he claimed he was...but he was also someone who was 100% guilty of gross misconduct with other peoples' children and allegedly guilty of countless cases of sexual abuse.
Even if MJ's crime was only consistently terrible judgment...it still lead to the widely proven emotional abuse of multiple children. That is enough for me as a fan...to walk away. And those who covered for him were/are equally guilty of a form of abuse against vulnerable children.
All except the victims who lied out of fear (and love). Children will defend their friends...their idol...their abusers...but as adults, and in his death, some were able to break free of their emotional dependency or fear of repercussion.
Arguably the alleged victims have had their lives destroyed twice. Once by MJ and then again by his estate, his fans, and the media.
Summary:
There are always two sides. I base my opinion on MJ's own documented words and actions. Alongside my wish for him to be innocent, but knowing my own experience with sexual predators.
It is MJ who convicted himself as guilty of child abuse. I don't know exactly what type of abuse, but any abuse (and repeated abuse) is unacceptable. And without a doubt, a number of the children he chose to be involved with were damaged through their interaction with him. The latter cannot be overstated. People focus so much on victim testimony and material evidence (which are important too, and were present at Neverland) but MJ's own response to the accusation makes it clear as day.
There are enough victims of undeniable abuse at his hands who also claim there was a sexual element to it...that I feel it is fair to say he was most likely a pedophile. More than enough kids have stated he showed them porn and gave them liquor, on top of abuse. At the end of the day, he cannot do any more harm, though his family and estate still hurt his alleged victims.
I have never bought the skin disease theory. At best, Jermaine tiptoed around it and said they were using bleaching creams in the 70s for blemishes....the fact is, you can trigger it all over your body by using those chemicals. Plus MJ went full body dark like mocha, then latte, then casper all at once...that doesn't happen. No makeup in the 70s to 80s could cover him from head to toe as he was pouring sweat.
So stop re-victimizing the victims! If you want to continue believing he's innocent, that doesn't mean it's ok to bash the accusers.
Being found not guilty in one trial against one accuser does not automatically equate to innocence. Especially with all the other allegations.
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