Despite the incredible amounts of views that I've been getting from my KPOP STAR WATCH episode recap posts, I have not been able to update on the show since my February reading week. There was too much to do and I have been struggling to even find time to keep up with the show.
I apologize to those of you who have been enjoying my recaps. You haven't been leaving many comments, but I know you're out there :) However, this hiatus will continue until the end of April when my exams are over, and we'll see where this goes from there.
Thanks for reading, hope you are all doing well.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Monday, 4 February 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: Part 2 of the Battle Auditions
Part 1 of the Battle Auditions
This episode featured three more of Battle Audition rounds with only one left to go.
Group 3
YG's Nicole Curry
JYP seemed to try and show off his ability to speak English by talking to her in the first moments while on stage.... YG noted that it had been only 2 days since she took off a brace from her leg, to which BoA complained about how hard he was working his contestants. I found it hilarious to see Papa YG singing along to Nicole's song.
BoA: There's always a great amount of confidence in Nicole's performances, but her singing abilities aren't up to par so it took away from the performance.
YG: Best attitude and expressions when singing, but singing abilities are weak. Great at one, so weak in the other.
JYP's Choi YeGeun
YG - This song was number one in the audition shows, so the judges will be looking for how original she makes it.
BoA: most refreshing version of Rolling in the Deep; it always sounded as if others were trying to copy Adele but YeGeun delievered in her own style.
JYP: comments about specific music-beat-rhythm-related stuff that I didn't get... its not just her singing that's super talented, but her musical abilities are also very outstanding.
JYP didn't want her to do Rolling in the Deep because now everybody's sick of it but she started singing it and she sounded too good so he let her do it.
SM's 2000 Won
BoA believed they needed a girl voice in the performance so she helped by directly lending her voice to the recording. They've become more determined than ever to show off their true identity, after the last couple of disappointing performances.
I personally think they did a great job with their version of the lyrics.
YG: Anybody will see that their rendition of JYP's Although I Have a Girl... was the best. He added that it was questionable as to whether this performance would be competitive out on SBS Inkigayo.
JYP: What's different about you from all of the other singers out there?
BoA: A fight of ideas is so difficult. Appreciative of how they created a performance that was very much true to their identity.
YG: Just remember that all artists that that same struggle trying to find a new and creative performance every time. its not something that only you!
JYP: There was a brick wall that we hit with both acts; Nicole's singing abilities and 2000W maybe you used all your energy already. But there is a more probability that we can get new ideas than a sudden increase in her abilities
YG's favourite contestant
2nd: 2000W
3rd: Nicole Curry
Group 4
JYP This group has a bunch of bad habits, so the judges are looking for how different they had become.
JYP's Andrew Choi
Boa: We have a problem. I can't watch you as a judge, I can't help but watching you as a girl. Who wouldn't fall in love with you?
YG: His voice definitely improved, but if he had pulled it out as a secret weapon and used it in the end it would've been more impressive.
JYP: He got rid of his bad habits in just a week; usually it should take a couple of months. The fact that he could fix these habits in this such short time was an accomplishment enough.
SM's Choi HeeTae
He was first so well praised, but he started to more and more fall under the expectations. He didn't want to stand on the stage, but he thought again and realized how so many other people were jealous of his opportunity. So he wanted to bring what he brought in his first stage back
BoA -he lacked a lot in his singing abilities, so they just worked on bringing the best of his singing as possible
YG: He plays so well, but why is that his singing doesn't follow?
JYP: his voice has gotten a lot better, his habits from before started showing through near the end of the performance (mkaing faces)
BoA: his voice didn't crack! you improved a lot in those 2 weeks
YG's Seong SuJin
YG -most daring kind of performance;
She's never performed with movement or seduction, she seemed to gain some training with the girl group for how to move
JYP: He was sure that she wouldn't change ever, but he's starting to see how he was wrong (she starts crying!) The beat and feel were all great
BoA: now she's actually interested in the ballads that she sings because it seems like she can actually sing her story
2nd: Andrew Choi
3rd: Choi HeeTaek [I'm not a singer, and this is a stage that many singers want to stand on. Thank you; this is just the beginning of my musical journey]
Group5
Each of the contestants got compliments on their outfits but JinWoo seemed cheated out of the opportunity.
BoA promptly turned around and jokingly yelled "HEY STYLIST. WHAT IS THAT?! JinWoo.... go change and come back :(" ROFL
YG's Kim TaeYeon
JYP: Best technique, but worst performance in that your expression is so fake. It feels like watching a musical. Don't act!!
BoA: Your determination to do well took over
YG: I don't know who you really are, so it's hard to tell what you were doing in this performance.
JYP's Shin JiHoon
YG: I thought about what I would do if I were your father; would I make your do skating or singing? SINGING.
JYP: He told his trainees to write something personal to think about while they perform. She didn't perform thinking about that; she sang too quickly, lost the emotion
SM's Yi JinWoo
She's always performed in plays and stuff, but never had any training or lessons. Her major is architecture, but she became very serious in her desire to make it through
BoA: Secret weapon!
JYP: We lost to SM. It's a lot easier to move someone with a sad song, but it's a lot harder to move someone with a happy song. I think I became your fan
YG: How genuine the singer feels is so important and JinWoo brought it
BoA: Thank you for overcoming the fashion terrorism with your singing
JYP: Neither of you did as well as before, so what we look for is who we would look forward to next time. There was a very little difference but JiHoon won
2nd: Shin JiHoon
3rd: Kim TaeYeon
and the battle of the 2nd placers to determine the rest of the Kpop Star Top 10.
This episode featured three more of Battle Audition rounds with only one left to go.
Group 3
YG's Nicole Curry
JYP seemed to try and show off his ability to speak English by talking to her in the first moments while on stage.... YG noted that it had been only 2 days since she took off a brace from her leg, to which BoA complained about how hard he was working his contestants. I found it hilarious to see Papa YG singing along to Nicole's song.
BoA: There's always a great amount of confidence in Nicole's performances, but her singing abilities aren't up to par so it took away from the performance.
YG: Best attitude and expressions when singing, but singing abilities are weak. Great at one, so weak in the other.
JYP's Choi YeGeun
YG - This song was number one in the audition shows, so the judges will be looking for how original she makes it.
BoA: most refreshing version of Rolling in the Deep; it always sounded as if others were trying to copy Adele but YeGeun delievered in her own style.
JYP: comments about specific music-beat-rhythm-related stuff that I didn't get... its not just her singing that's super talented, but her musical abilities are also very outstanding.
JYP didn't want her to do Rolling in the Deep because now everybody's sick of it but she started singing it and she sounded too good so he let her do it.
SM's 2000 Won
BoA believed they needed a girl voice in the performance so she helped by directly lending her voice to the recording. They've become more determined than ever to show off their true identity, after the last couple of disappointing performances.
I personally think they did a great job with their version of the lyrics.
YG: Anybody will see that their rendition of JYP's Although I Have a Girl... was the best. He added that it was questionable as to whether this performance would be competitive out on SBS Inkigayo.
JYP: What's different about you from all of the other singers out there?
BoA: A fight of ideas is so difficult. Appreciative of how they created a performance that was very much true to their identity.
YG: Just remember that all artists that that same struggle trying to find a new and creative performance every time. its not something that only you!
Results
1st: Choi YeGeunJYP: There was a brick wall that we hit with both acts; Nicole's singing abilities and 2000W maybe you used all your energy already. But there is a more probability that we can get new ideas than a sudden increase in her abilities
YG's favourite contestant
2nd: 2000W
3rd: Nicole Curry
Group 4
JYP This group has a bunch of bad habits, so the judges are looking for how different they had become.
JYP's Andrew Choi
Boa: We have a problem. I can't watch you as a judge, I can't help but watching you as a girl. Who wouldn't fall in love with you?
YG: His voice definitely improved, but if he had pulled it out as a secret weapon and used it in the end it would've been more impressive.
JYP: He got rid of his bad habits in just a week; usually it should take a couple of months. The fact that he could fix these habits in this such short time was an accomplishment enough.
SM's Choi HeeTae
He was first so well praised, but he started to more and more fall under the expectations. He didn't want to stand on the stage, but he thought again and realized how so many other people were jealous of his opportunity. So he wanted to bring what he brought in his first stage back
BoA -he lacked a lot in his singing abilities, so they just worked on bringing the best of his singing as possible
YG: He plays so well, but why is that his singing doesn't follow?
JYP: his voice has gotten a lot better, his habits from before started showing through near the end of the performance (mkaing faces)
BoA: his voice didn't crack! you improved a lot in those 2 weeks
YG's Seong SuJin
YG -most daring kind of performance;
She's never performed with movement or seduction, she seemed to gain some training with the girl group for how to move
JYP: He was sure that she wouldn't change ever, but he's starting to see how he was wrong (she starts crying!) The beat and feel were all great
BoA: now she's actually interested in the ballads that she sings because it seems like she can actually sing her story
Result
1st: Seong SuJin2nd: Andrew Choi
3rd: Choi HeeTaek [I'm not a singer, and this is a stage that many singers want to stand on. Thank you; this is just the beginning of my musical journey]
Group5
Each of the contestants got compliments on their outfits but JinWoo seemed cheated out of the opportunity.
BoA promptly turned around and jokingly yelled "HEY STYLIST. WHAT IS THAT?! JinWoo.... go change and come back :(" ROFL
YG's Kim TaeYeon
JYP: Best technique, but worst performance in that your expression is so fake. It feels like watching a musical. Don't act!!
BoA: Your determination to do well took over
YG: I don't know who you really are, so it's hard to tell what you were doing in this performance.
JYP's Shin JiHoon
YG: I thought about what I would do if I were your father; would I make your do skating or singing? SINGING.
JYP: He told his trainees to write something personal to think about while they perform. She didn't perform thinking about that; she sang too quickly, lost the emotion
SM's Yi JinWoo
She's always performed in plays and stuff, but never had any training or lessons. Her major is architecture, but she became very serious in her desire to make it through
BoA: Secret weapon!
JYP: We lost to SM. It's a lot easier to move someone with a sad song, but it's a lot harder to move someone with a happy song. I think I became your fan
YG: How genuine the singer feels is so important and JinWoo brought it
BoA: Thank you for overcoming the fashion terrorism with your singing
Results
1st: Yi JinWooJYP: Neither of you did as well as before, so what we look for is who we would look forward to next time. There was a very little difference but JiHoon won
2nd: Shin JiHoon
3rd: Kim TaeYeon
Next week:
Racoon Boys vs. Yoon JuSeok vs. Kim DongOk & YiJuYeonand the battle of the 2nd placers to determine the rest of the Kpop Star Top 10.
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: Part 1 of the Battle Auditions!
PART ONE OF THE KPOP STAR BATTLE AUDITIONS IS HERE!
In this stage of the competition, the judges are to narrow the group from 18 acts to the Top 10 acts that will compete on the live stage. This is a crazy stressful round for everyone because the number of contestants is basically cut in half.
In this stage of the competition, the judges are to narrow the group from 18 acts to the Top 10 acts that will compete on the live stage. This is a crazy stressful round for everyone because the number of contestants is basically cut in half.
Monday, 21 January 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: Last casting auditions Pt2
Allllrighty! last round of the last casting auditions! The contestants that made it through this round will move on to compete in the "Battle Auditions", where the 18 acts will fight for the spots in the Top 10. From there, the Top 10 perform every week LIVE. I'm super excited!!!
Saturday, 19 January 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: Last casting auditions Pt1
Casting auditions 2 (Part 1)
AAH LAST ROUND OF CASTING AUDITIONS! The judges each have 6 casting opportunities from their pick of the contestants. This means that only 18 acts will go through, eliminating almost half of the contestants left in the competition.
AAH LAST ROUND OF CASTING AUDITIONS! The judges each have 6 casting opportunities from their pick of the contestants. This means that only 18 acts will go through, eliminating almost half of the contestants left in the competition.
Monday, 7 January 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: The results of the first round of casting auditions... Pt. 2
Here we are, second part to the first casting auditions!
Because BoA seemed very focused on creating a super girl group this season, this seems to have dictated a lot of her casting choices. This didn't apply for all of her choices, but that is something she seemed to be set on and it streamlined a lot of what she was doing.
Because BoA seemed very focused on creating a super girl group this season, this seems to have dictated a lot of her casting choices. This didn't apply for all of her choices, but that is something she seemed to be set on and it streamlined a lot of what she was doing.
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
KPOP STAR WATCH: The results of the first round of Casting auditions... Pt. 1
I contemplated updating after the ranking auditions, but there were too many names and faces that I couldn't keep up with. I decided to keep up from the Casting auditions, because that's where we get to be more familiar with the contestants and actually see who are the core of this competition.
Group 1: The Contract Couple Kim TaeYeon & Park JongBin
This was the first "couple" group that was put together as competition for the real couple group coming up next. Because they weren't a real couple but were expected to perform like one, they tried very hard (as seen in the BTS in the clip) to find the chemistry they needed. Kim TaeYeon was noted for her pretty voice during the ranking auditions, and sure enough was casted by JYP for her skills. Park JongBin however was the Sung ShiKyung look and sound-a-like, and for that reason despite everyone's efforts he was not casted.
Group 1: The Contract Couple Kim TaeYeon & Park JongBin
This was the first "couple" group that was put together as competition for the real couple group coming up next. Because they weren't a real couple but were expected to perform like one, they tried very hard (as seen in the BTS in the clip) to find the chemistry they needed. Kim TaeYeon was noted for her pretty voice during the ranking auditions, and sure enough was casted by JYP for her skills. Park JongBin however was the Sung ShiKyung look and sound-a-like, and for that reason despite everyone's efforts he was not casted.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
KPOP STAR WATCH: Ha Minseong, Oh Dawon, Seong Sujin
My favourites from last week's episode, which was also the last first round auditions episode.
Ha Minseong (31)
Half Viet half Korean from Germany, many know him as urbangermany on YouTube. He's a professional songwriter and has already done a huge playlist of amazing song covers. Allkpop did a piece on him earlier this year which I totally recommend you to read, because he talks about affiliations with kpop artists in the past. Translating from the interview before his performance: The positive feedback of his Bad Boy (Big Bang) cover on YouTube made him realize that he too could become a singer. He noticed that the judges on Kpop Star unlike judges at other singing competition shows gave a lot of feedback to the contestants about things they actually need to develop as a singer, which led to him to want to audition for the show.
From the judges expressions during the performance you can probably guess that he made it through to the next round. Boa also clarified that when she said he liked guys who sang while playing the guitar last season, it wasn't all guys with guitars that she was talking about. She liked the guys like this guy.
And I like this guy :)
Ha Minseong (31)
Half Viet half Korean from Germany, many know him as urbangermany on YouTube. He's a professional songwriter and has already done a huge playlist of amazing song covers. Allkpop did a piece on him earlier this year which I totally recommend you to read, because he talks about affiliations with kpop artists in the past. Translating from the interview before his performance: The positive feedback of his Bad Boy (Big Bang) cover on YouTube made him realize that he too could become a singer. He noticed that the judges on Kpop Star unlike judges at other singing competition shows gave a lot of feedback to the contestants about things they actually need to develop as a singer, which led to him to want to audition for the show.
From the judges expressions during the performance you can probably guess that he made it through to the next round. Boa also clarified that when she said he liked guys who sang while playing the guitar last season, it wasn't all guys with guitars that she was talking about. She liked the guys like this guy.
And I like this guy :)
Jellyfish Entertainment and their wonderful Christmas songs
Last year, Jellyfish Entertainment released one of my favourite songs themed for the Christmas season.
I'm not too big on Christmas themed things but this is such a great song and their voices are just great.
Christmas for Everyone
This year, it looks like the boys at Jellyfish Entertainment are putting together a Jelly Christmas 2012x2013 Heart Project. I'm not exactly sure what that entails but the video they released for the Project single is basically behind the scenes of their photoshoots. This is after Brian left the company, so you won't be able to find him here, but this project brings together Sung Si Kyung, Park Hyo Shin, Lee Seok Hoon, Seo In Guk, VIXX
So many well-dressed boys with golden voices... Enjoy!
Because it's Christmas
I'm not too big on Christmas themed things but this is such a great song and their voices are just great.
Christmas for Everyone
This year, it looks like the boys at Jellyfish Entertainment are putting together a Jelly Christmas 2012x2013 Heart Project. I'm not exactly sure what that entails but the video they released for the Project single is basically behind the scenes of their photoshoots. This is after Brian left the company, so you won't be able to find him here, but this project brings together Sung Si Kyung, Park Hyo Shin, Lee Seok Hoon, Seo In Guk, VIXX
So many well-dressed boys with golden voices... Enjoy!
Because it's Christmas
Saturday, 1 December 2012
[Lyrics Translation] Shut Up - Ailee ft. Simon D
Combined with the bumpin bass and her super refreshing voice, this track makes me feel as though everything bunched up within me explodes out and fades away. It's invigorating.
Yeah, Ailee. I'm Simon D.
We collab baby
Mr. Real flow on this track
This song is dedicated to.. whatever I don't know
Coming totally out of the blue, why are you dissing my man?
What do you mean I'm being wasted? I feel sorry for you
When was it that you dumped me that you're telling me to come back
Have you gone crazy since I last saw you? Don't block my way and go
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up just go
I'm warning you, before I start to yell
Get out of my way and stay far far away
If not, stay with me all night so I can brag about my man
I can do that for you, so you can't say anything
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah from today on you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah inside my heart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah you're completely done
Where do you keep looking? Can you get your boyfriend to just stop
contacting you? Tell him that you don't feel well, whatever
Honestly you enjoy it, don't pretend to ignore me
You haven't forgotten me, oh you're pushing my lips away?
Are you thinking of spending the night with me? Look at that big bag
So you're thinking of marriage? Me, me take me
Shut up? what do you mean shut up? That's so harsh
Even while cheating on your man with me
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah from today on you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah inside my heart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah you're completely done
Can you listen to me for a bit? Shut up
I think there's some kind of misunderstanding. Shut up please
I didn't come for this. Shut up
Shut up Shut up Shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I appreciated it
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah for making me laugh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I feel free inside
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Oh, please just go
Yeah, Ailee. I'm Simon D.
We collab baby
Mr. Real flow on this track
This song is dedicated to.. whatever I don't know
Coming totally out of the blue, why are you dissing my man?
What do you mean I'm being wasted? I feel sorry for you
When was it that you dumped me that you're telling me to come back
Have you gone crazy since I last saw you? Don't block my way and go
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up just go
I'm warning you, before I start to yell
Get out of my way and stay far far away
If not, stay with me all night so I can brag about my man
I can do that for you, so you can't say anything
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up yeah you
Shut up shut up shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah from today on you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah inside my heart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah you're completely done
Where do you keep looking? Can you get your boyfriend to just stop
contacting you? Tell him that you don't feel well, whatever
Honestly you enjoy it, don't pretend to ignore me
You haven't forgotten me, oh you're pushing my lips away?
Are you thinking of spending the night with me? Look at that big bag
So you're thinking of marriage? Me, me take me
Shut up? what do you mean shut up? That's so harsh
Even while cheating on your man with me
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah from today on you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah inside my heart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah you're completely done
Can you listen to me for a bit? Shut up
I think there's some kind of misunderstanding. Shut up please
I didn't come for this. Shut up
Shut up Shut up Shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I appreciated it
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah for making me laugh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I feel free inside
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah shut up, shut up
Oh, please just go
Thursday, 29 November 2012
KPOP STAR WATCH: McKay Kim, 2 Thousand Won, Akdong Musicians
Favs so far (age in Korea are counted one more than in North America because at birth you are one years old...):
How adorable is he? and he composed that song himself. After his performance during the judges' commentary (which is not included in this clip) JYP asked McKay what that chord he looked impressed with was. He obviously passed.
In this clip they explained that they are called 2 Thousand Won because they performed on the street when they were in the 8th grade and all they could make was 2 thousand won (which is almost 2 USD). Kim Hyobin (the singer) was recognized by JYP because he actually sang back up for his concert tours. JYP thought Kim Hyobin performed with him for only 2 stops when he did for 9 stops and about 4 TV performances. They performed JYP's uber popular song "I Have a Girl But..." from 2001, with some new rap verses. They also passed with flying colours.... but we can only hope they'll be able to stick together throughout the competition.
Akdong Musicians (siblings Lee Chanhyuk 17 & Lee Soohyun 14)
This duo (from the first episode) live in Mongolia, where their parents work. They came to Korea for this competition but have already captured the attention of the nation with their original piece titled "Don't Cross Your Legs". They originally started off singing "Breathe" by Miss A (with Miss A in the audience!) but were stopped by JYP because after being impressed with their musical interpretation of the song he was too curious about their original piece. They were much loved by the judges and the general public because the lyrics are witty and fun (and kind of hard to translate with the same effect). It was revealed in the beginning of the second episode that their song was the top searched in many of the Korean search engines after the first episode had aired. The song was composed by Lee Chanhyuk (the brother) and essentially is about the static feeling in when you cross your legs for too long.
Survival KPOP Star Auditions is back!!
McKay Kim (20)
How adorable is he? and he composed that song himself. After his performance during the judges' commentary (which is not included in this clip) JYP asked McKay what that chord he looked impressed with was. He obviously passed.
2 Thousand Won (Kim Il-do & Kim Hyobin both 23)
In this clip they explained that they are called 2 Thousand Won because they performed on the street when they were in the 8th grade and all they could make was 2 thousand won (which is almost 2 USD). Kim Hyobin (the singer) was recognized by JYP because he actually sang back up for his concert tours. JYP thought Kim Hyobin performed with him for only 2 stops when he did for 9 stops and about 4 TV performances. They performed JYP's uber popular song "I Have a Girl But..." from 2001, with some new rap verses. They also passed with flying colours.... but we can only hope they'll be able to stick together throughout the competition.
Akdong Musicians (siblings Lee Chanhyuk 17 & Lee Soohyun 14)
This duo (from the first episode) live in Mongolia, where their parents work. They came to Korea for this competition but have already captured the attention of the nation with their original piece titled "Don't Cross Your Legs". They originally started off singing "Breathe" by Miss A (with Miss A in the audience!) but were stopped by JYP because after being impressed with their musical interpretation of the song he was too curious about their original piece. They were much loved by the judges and the general public because the lyrics are witty and fun (and kind of hard to translate with the same effect). It was revealed in the beginning of the second episode that their song was the top searched in many of the Korean search engines after the first episode had aired. The song was composed by Lee Chanhyuk (the brother) and essentially is about the static feeling in when you cross your legs for too long.
Survival KPOP Star Auditions is back!!
Hyundai Card - sneaky producers of great music videos
Sneaky, Hyundai Card. If that name looks familiar, it may be because you've seen credits to them on popular music videos like Big Bang's Monster m/v. Because Soundholic is such a small company (compared to the power players like YGE), it seems like they didn't get to upload this to their YouTube channel. I never knew that Glen Check had a music video for '84 until I scoured YouTube for everything Glen Check, but I am so glad that I found it.
LOOK HOW AWESOME THIS VIDEO IS OMG.
I also found a video for Addicted, and a live performance of Vivid. Now I really want to see them live.
For another fancam of the same performance but a close-up of the singer BECAUSE HE'S ADORABLE click here :)
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Exid vs. Chérie - Every night
EXID
CHÉRIE
I don't know what this music video means. It's ridiculously bizarre and I would never have watched it if I wasn't curious to see the original dance after seeing Chérie's cover. Obviously he's some bad guy and their genius form of revenge is to make some formulate that makes girls sneeze and spit their champagne to sprinkle and splash artistically on the bad guy's face. WEIRD.
CHÉRIE
But looking at the dance, who did it better?
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Survival KPOP Star Auditions is back!!
Just in case you missed or even avoided KPOP Star Auditions and its impact during the last year... you really should revisit it. It may have been 'just another audition/singing competition program', but it was really truly awesome with all of the young talent that turned up on the show. Kpop Star was really more of a mission to find young talent and exploit go on this journey with them of learning and training to become professional singers and performers. Korean vocal wonders like Lee Hi and Park Jimin debuted out of this show, and other artists like Su Pearls and Lee Seunghoon were brought to fame.
If you did watch KPOP Star and did not know they have a YouTube channel... you've also been missing out. They began to upload the performance clips aired on the show separately onto YouTube almost halfway through the first season, and they seem to be doing the same thing for the second season but right from the beginning. The noteworthy performances from last week are on their YouTube and should be checked out.
I'm going to end this post with a song by Jenny Suk, the first auditionee on the show. She's freaking awesome and I know people will take the judges' side because they are the industry professionals and blah blah blah... but people, KPOP Star is still a show and you have to take things into perspective. What would have happened if this girl went on in the competition? I really do think she's meant more for shows like The Voice or American Idol.
Jenny Suk - Parables
Swings and SPICA are Lonely
Swings - Lonely feat. Yoon Jong Shin
Swings is awesome. He's been around for a couple of years, and you'd probably remember him from being that feature rapper in Taeyang's After She Goes to Bed, Phantom's Homeground, and Ailee's My Love.
He recently released a song with Yoon Jong Shin, although I don't really see why he has to be in the song, considering Swings has an amazing voice himself. However, despite the cheesy video production (and the super cheesy Yoon Jong Shin) I love this song. It's awesome in how it's so meaningful in telling Swings' personal story, which we just don't seem to get enough of in this industry.
Speaking of loneliness...
SPICA - Lonely
All of the YouTube comments seem to be about how similar this is to Sistar's Alone... I must say I prefer this one better. I really like the classier colours and sets used in this music video, and I really really hate velvet but I like their outfits a lot more than Sistar's tight hot pink or black pleather outfits. However, I have to say SPICA sounds pretty flat in this song and they really just don't match up to expressing their loneliness through their singing as much as Sistar does.
SPICA gave such an impression with Russian Roulette, but their edge seems to have been a one time thing. They've since dissolved into the demands of the kpop industry by jumping on the cutesy track bandwagon with I'll Be There which sounds a bit like a Spice Girls song. They have yet to impress me as their first songs did, but I must admit that I still have hope for them.
Swings is awesome. He's been around for a couple of years, and you'd probably remember him from being that feature rapper in Taeyang's After She Goes to Bed, Phantom's Homeground, and Ailee's My Love.
He recently released a song with Yoon Jong Shin, although I don't really see why he has to be in the song, considering Swings has an amazing voice himself. However, despite the cheesy video production (and the super cheesy Yoon Jong Shin) I love this song. It's awesome in how it's so meaningful in telling Swings' personal story, which we just don't seem to get enough of in this industry.
Speaking of loneliness...
SPICA - Lonely
All of the YouTube comments seem to be about how similar this is to Sistar's Alone... I must say I prefer this one better. I really like the classier colours and sets used in this music video, and I really really hate velvet but I like their outfits a lot more than Sistar's tight hot pink or black pleather outfits. However, I have to say SPICA sounds pretty flat in this song and they really just don't match up to expressing their loneliness through their singing as much as Sistar does.
SPICA gave such an impression with Russian Roulette, but their edge seems to have been a one time thing. They've since dissolved into the demands of the kpop industry by jumping on the cutesy track bandwagon with I'll Be There which sounds a bit like a Spice Girls song. They have yet to impress me as their first songs did, but I must admit that I still have hope for them.
Kpop Instrumentals
I personally am someone who always gets distracted and carried away with singing along to the songs that I listen to. This makes it a problem when I'm trying to study.. unless they're instrumentals :D
Music with no lyrics like that of Ratatat, Deadmau5, and other electronic artists (Justice) or bands (Glen Check) with minimal singing makes it possible for me to do some studying while jamming to music. I actually have found Deadmau5's music really good for when I'm blogging and Ratatat's beats keep me on track when I'm reviewing study notes. However, this is also possible with kpop. Kpop instrumentals that is.
A lot of kpop artists actually release instrumental tracks with their originals in their EPs or albums. A lot of ballad singers do that as well as smaller rookie groups. Some other companies who don't release their instrumentals in the EPs or LPs sell them online, like YGE. Instrumentals, acapella, and music removed versions of their artists' songs can be found on their website, up for fans to buy.
There is also a channel on YouTube that has been uploading all of these versions of YG hits to share. It's AWESOME. go check it out.
They also have another channel where they upload gems like this. OMGTOP.
Big Bang - Candy (H.O.T. cover)
Music with no lyrics like that of Ratatat, Deadmau5, and other electronic artists (Justice) or bands (Glen Check) with minimal singing makes it possible for me to do some studying while jamming to music. I actually have found Deadmau5's music really good for when I'm blogging and Ratatat's beats keep me on track when I'm reviewing study notes. However, this is also possible with kpop. Kpop instrumentals that is.
A lot of kpop artists actually release instrumental tracks with their originals in their EPs or albums. A lot of ballad singers do that as well as smaller rookie groups. Some other companies who don't release their instrumentals in the EPs or LPs sell them online, like YGE. Instrumentals, acapella, and music removed versions of their artists' songs can be found on their website, up for fans to buy.
There is also a channel on YouTube that has been uploading all of these versions of YG hits to share. It's AWESOME. go check it out.
They also have another channel where they upload gems like this. OMGTOP.
Big Bang - Candy (H.O.T. cover)
Saturday, 10 November 2012
WTF 15000 views
KPOP COMMENTARY has reached 15 000 views, mostly in thanks to my blog post on Psy's sunglasses which makes up about 85% of my pageviews. That's awesome and was totally unexpected for me when I first made that post. I think it's really cool because I've been thinking and have been involved in a lot of strategizing at work for increasing views for blogs, since the Internet is such a big place. This is first-hand experience gained with amazing timing and has become yet another reason why I think the Internet is so awesome.
Of course I guess whether I make my entire blogger existence a one wonder hit really depends on my persistence and consistency, which I've already proven to myself that I completely suck at (I've tried blogging since the beginning of high school so that's almost 6 years already....). I will try though, for the love of kpop. hah.
I started a new blog called Cynic & Crazy with my friend J. We're both people-watching loving creeps and will be posting such situations we observe through life with witty drawings and hopefully just show how you can find amusement in just the little things in life. There's also the posting things we like on the Internet part too.
I guess I should thank you Psy fans for all of the views. Perhaps 15000 isn't that big of a number for the Internet nowadays but I think that's mind blowing for something I've done. So yeah. Thanks ^^
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Golden Girl Lee Hi
If you hadn't watched Survival Kpop Star Audition that started late last year and wrapped up early this year then you have definitely missed out. If you have, OMG WASN'T IT SUCH A GOOD SEASON?! I can only hope that the second season - which is to premiere on November 18th - will be half as good as the first.
Second-place Lee Hi (actually pronounced [Yi Ha-yi] or [ee ha ee]) was signed on with YG Entertainment and has captured everyone's hearts with her feature in Epik High's 춥다 (It's Cold) and her official debut as a solo vocal wonder with her song 1, 2, 3, 4. In the music video, her acting and dancing is kind of awkward but that was made clear during the show so it was kind of expected. Her voice on the other hand is absolutely amazing and I think it's wonderful we get to hear that kind of voice from Korea, and from a girl so young. I do agree with the complaints that the makeup jobs in the video make her look way too old (she's only 16) but at the same she's so adorable with her shy smile and her being so petite :)
1.2.3.4
Here's her debut performance on SBS Inkigayo. She's definitely a lot less awkward and she totally upped the sexy on this one. And the super fast wardrobe change? Magic of video editing my friends :)
1.2.3.4 debut performance
The winner of the show, Park Jimin was signed on with JYP Entertainment and also her debut early October. She debuted as a duo called 15& with Baek Yerin. I think she received the short end of the stick despite her winning the show, but I also think it was appropriate considering the style of her voice compared to Lee Hi, as well as her age. I also think JYP took it as an opportunity to get Park Yerin off the trainees list - she seems quite shy and inexperienced as a singer/performer and it probably would have been difficult to find a chance to debut her at such a young age.
I also find it amusing that Park Jimin is probably the only one that can pronounce 15& as "fifteen and", considering her perfect English pronunciation. Everyone else around them (except for JYP himself and the Wonder Girls) would probably be pronouncing it... pi puh teen an duh (basically just butcher everything up into consonant-vowel pairings and you'll get a Korean accent).
Second-place Lee Hi (actually pronounced [Yi Ha-yi] or [ee ha ee]) was signed on with YG Entertainment and has captured everyone's hearts with her feature in Epik High's 춥다 (It's Cold) and her official debut as a solo vocal wonder with her song 1, 2, 3, 4. In the music video, her acting and dancing is kind of awkward but that was made clear during the show so it was kind of expected. Her voice on the other hand is absolutely amazing and I think it's wonderful we get to hear that kind of voice from Korea, and from a girl so young. I do agree with the complaints that the makeup jobs in the video make her look way too old (she's only 16) but at the same she's so adorable with her shy smile and her being so petite :)
1.2.3.4
Here's her debut performance on SBS Inkigayo. She's definitely a lot less awkward and she totally upped the sexy on this one. And the super fast wardrobe change? Magic of video editing my friends :)
1.2.3.4 debut performance
The winner of the show, Park Jimin was signed on with JYP Entertainment and also her debut early October. She debuted as a duo called 15& with Baek Yerin. I think she received the short end of the stick despite her winning the show, but I also think it was appropriate considering the style of her voice compared to Lee Hi, as well as her age. I also think JYP took it as an opportunity to get Park Yerin off the trainees list - she seems quite shy and inexperienced as a singer/performer and it probably would have been difficult to find a chance to debut her at such a young age.
I also find it amusing that Park Jimin is probably the only one that can pronounce 15& as "fifteen and", considering her perfect English pronunciation. Everyone else around them (except for JYP himself and the Wonder Girls) would probably be pronouncing it... pi puh teen an duh (basically just butcher everything up into consonant-vowel pairings and you'll get a Korean accent).
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Korean hip-hop at it's finest
Primary - Poison ft. E-Sens of Supreme Team
Primary is a producer that has been part of huge Korean hip-hop acts; he released a new album last week titled "Primary and the Messengers". This track featuring E-Sens of Supreme Team is one of them and it is absolutely beautiful.
One of the lines that really struck me was near the end of the track -
If you need to stop/pause, then stop now
We miss too many of the important things
Another music video released with the album is for "?" (or "Question Mark") featuring Choiza of Dynamic Duo and Zion.T.
I love the minimalistic set. It's absolutely wonderful.
Primary is a producer that has been part of huge Korean hip-hop acts; he released a new album last week titled "Primary and the Messengers". This track featuring E-Sens of Supreme Team is one of them and it is absolutely beautiful.
One of the lines that really struck me was near the end of the track -
If you need to stop/pause, then stop now
We miss too many of the important things
Another music video released with the album is for "?" (or "Question Mark") featuring Choiza of Dynamic Duo and Zion.T.
I love the minimalistic set. It's absolutely wonderful.
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