Kim Sung Kyu: 10 Stories 1st Full Album (Big Size Limited Edition) Review

I gave an overview of Infinite's leader Sung Kyu's first full album 10 Stories, complete with a comparison of the Normal Version and Big Size Limited Version, here. I also provided an unboxing review of the Normal Version here. For this post, I'll dive straight into the unboxing of the Big Size Limited Version.

The Big Size Limited Version is no exaggeration - the dimensions are 9" by 12.25" by 0.875". The album packaging is a large portfolio folder made of thin card stock that feels almost like canvas.

The left side contains the 2 holographic authenticity stickers, along with the album distribution information.

The right side includes the album title and artist name.

The backside has the album title and artist name subtly embossed.

The folder is bound together by a piece of string that can be wrapped around 2 paper discs secured by metal rivets. The paper discs are even imprinted with "KIM SUN KYU THE 1ST ALBUM". Yes, it is a typo of Sung Kyu's name on the  paper discs.

Opening the flap reveals all of the contents of the limited version. In case you were wondering, the rivet is missing from several photos because my album arrived damaged. I discussed this in further detail in my version comparison post.

From top to bottom, the limited version includes a film strip, photocard, CD, 3 internal posters, and booklet.

The Limited Version contains a "film strip" with dimensions 2" by 6.25". The material is like a transparency sheet with a smooth and glossy finish that isn't prone to fingerprints. I like the details of this addition, with "10 Stories" printed on the side. Just a note, the squares lining the sides aren't holes.

Here is the backside of the film strip. As you can see, it is quite translucent, giving the illusion of a film strip.

Both the Normal Version and the Limited Version contain 1 random photocard out of 5 designs. 3 of the photocards are from the above photoshoot, which aren't included in either version photobooks. The dimensions and roundness of the corners are equivalent to Infinite's Top Seed photocards. The cards have a glossy finish.

Here is the backside of the photocard. They all include Sung Kyu's printed autograph along with a message different from the other 4 photocards.

The CD comes in sleek paper envelope. The print of the front and back are in silver.

Here is the backside of the envelope.

Here is how the CD-R looks like.

This version also includes 3 folded posters that are different from the external first press posters. These internal posters are 23.5" by 33". The finish is matte and slightly thicker than printer paper.

Here is the first poster. Sung Kyu looks so good in glasses!

Here is the second poster. He pulls off this one-sleeve sweater so well!

And here is the third poster.

The backside of all 3 posters have an intricate design.

Here is a closeup of the design, which is creatively made up of the album title.

And now onto the "booklet", which has dimensions 8.8125" by 1' by 0.375". The cover of this booklet is the same image as the cover of the Normal Version.

I put "booklet" in quotes because the pages are all loose leaf, held together by a transparency sheet.

This is the transparency sheet.

Here are all of the loose leaf sheets that make up the "booklet". There are a total of 30 sheets, or 60 pages double-sided. The sheets are matte and like thin cardstock.

This booklet contains photos from 4 photoshoots - the 3 included in the internal posters, along with the one pictured above. The second page of the booklet contains the album credits, tracklist, and song credits. This album contains 10 songs (no intro or outro tracks!). I'm so proud that Sung Kyu once again was able to work with his idol Kim Jong Wan of Nell. Jong Wan produced this album and worked on all 10 tracks. Sung Kyu also participated in 8 of the tracks. Track 8, "City of Angels," was the solo song Sung Kyu performed at Infinite's Begin Again fan meeting at the end of last year.

The following page shows Sung Kyu's Thanks To message, which is the same as in the Normal Version. Again, Sung Kyu seriously slays with those specs!

The lyrics of all 10 tracks are on 4 sheets.

I love just how high quality all of these photos are! At the bottom of some of the sheets also include "KIM SUNG KYU", "10 STORIES", and "R01". I'm still trying to figure out what "R01 stands for...

Though it'd be superb if all the photos took up the entire sheet, I do like how the layout does vary to keep the formatting interesting.

The backside of the very last sheet is simplistic.

Overall, I'm so happy Sung Kyu has finally come back as a soloist, and even better, that he will hold his own solo concert series in May! He is such a talented singer and even more talented performer with his killer stage presence. I wish Sung Kyu the best!