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).
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 November 2012
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.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
October favs in kpop: Epik High, Ailee, Glen Check
Epik High's comeback totally beat my anticipation level for Big Bang's comeback this year. Epik High is a group that I would recommend to anybody and everybody. Their songs run deep and some are just great for laughs, but three members of the group are each so fun and amazing and talented. Their music has definitely resonates with people around the world and of all ages, and their story adds depth to what they do.
They also released a behind the scenes/interview type video of them talking about each track of the album. Unfortunately YG hasn't put in any kind of english subtitles for them but check it out for some behind the scenes glimpses of their studio and music video recordings!
Ailee's comeback was also something that I was looking forward to. Her first single Heaven was amazing, and her run on Immortal Song 2 was perfect. She had proven to have a great voice and a wonderful performer, as well as have a sweet personality and she's so pretty o_o. Her new track I Will Show You is the perfect upbeat song to show off everything she's good at in a fun glitzy kind of way. Her music video is fun, but I was also impressed with all of her live performances because she's obviously not lip-synching and she sounds amazing. New girl crush right here.
Ailee - I Will Show You
I'm also going to add Glen Check here. This freakin band released a new EP called Cliché at the end of September, but I had been listening to it non-stop for the first half of October so what the hell. More amazing dirty electronic rock and roll type sound from my favourite new band of the year. Their '84 The Original is also reminiscent of the funky Jackson type era :)
How can you not love a band that puts out teasers like this?
Glen Check - Leather teaser
Check out the rest of their EP on youtube!
Their two comeback singles Up and Don't Hate Me are both fun tracks that are uplifting and encouraging. There is a story behind choosing their title tracks for the album, which I found quite amusing. To be honest I found the performance for Up more entertaining than the music video because of Tukutz at the end when he grabbed the mic and jumped around on stage with the other two. Don't Hate Me is just screams Epik High with how they executed the music video and the performance stage. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
Epik High - Don't Hate Me music video
Epik High - Up performance
They also released a behind the scenes/interview type video of them talking about each track of the album. Unfortunately YG hasn't put in any kind of english subtitles for them but check it out for some behind the scenes glimpses of their studio and music video recordings!
Ailee's comeback was also something that I was looking forward to. Her first single Heaven was amazing, and her run on Immortal Song 2 was perfect. She had proven to have a great voice and a wonderful performer, as well as have a sweet personality and she's so pretty o_o. Her new track I Will Show You is the perfect upbeat song to show off everything she's good at in a fun glitzy kind of way. Her music video is fun, but I was also impressed with all of her live performances because she's obviously not lip-synching and she sounds amazing. New girl crush right here.
Ailee - I Will Show You
I'm also going to add Glen Check here. This freakin band released a new EP called Cliché at the end of September, but I had been listening to it non-stop for the first half of October so what the hell. More amazing dirty electronic rock and roll type sound from my favourite new band of the year. Their '84 The Original is also reminiscent of the funky Jackson type era :)
How can you not love a band that puts out teasers like this?
Glen Check - Leather teaser
Check out the rest of their EP on youtube!
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
THEY'RE. SO. SMART. TVXQ, Ga-In
As in their idea for their performance promotions. The transition between the music video and the staging is flawless and they're both such creative ideas. I'm super impressed.
TVXQ - Catch Me Music Video
Catch me comeback performance
How awesome is that? No doubt, they look like crazy fools when taken out of the staging, lights and camera angles but I think it's such a great concept for their performances. And that dance is called the "hulk dance". LOL the things that people come up with... they're so ridiculous but its entertaining and these two are especially good at what they do.
Ga-In - Bloom music video (skip to 2:05 for the song)
Bloom performance
It's ridiculously sexy for Korean broadcasting but I think it really was genius with the props and choreography. She's such a tiny lady and she can't dance as fiercely as BoA so she really needs the table midst all her tall dance team. It also allows for less moving around that she has to do so she can maintain a steadier singing voice throughout the performance (compared to what the other idol singers are expected to do with their intense singing and dancing).
I'm really liking what I'm seeing in kpop this fall. Given, some of this stuff aren't actually my favourite songs (I'll make a separate post for that) but I'm seeing some great ideas and content that artists are coming out with and it has somewhat restored my faith in kpop.
TVXQ - Catch Me Music Video
Catch me comeback performance
How awesome is that? No doubt, they look like crazy fools when taken out of the staging, lights and camera angles but I think it's such a great concept for their performances. And that dance is called the "hulk dance". LOL the things that people come up with... they're so ridiculous but its entertaining and these two are especially good at what they do.
Ga-In - Bloom music video (skip to 2:05 for the song)
Bloom performance
It's ridiculously sexy for Korean broadcasting but I think it really was genius with the props and choreography. She's such a tiny lady and she can't dance as fiercely as BoA so she really needs the table midst all her tall dance team. It also allows for less moving around that she has to do so she can maintain a steadier singing voice throughout the performance (compared to what the other idol singers are expected to do with their intense singing and dancing).
I'm really liking what I'm seeing in kpop this fall. Given, some of this stuff aren't actually my favourite songs (I'll make a separate post for that) but I'm seeing some great ideas and content that artists are coming out with and it has somewhat restored my faith in kpop.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
G-Dragon sings about That XX
I started on a post about G-Dragon's bangin' One of a Kind, but I missed the timing to post it and a lot of attention had already been called to it so I decided not to post it. Luckily for me though, he recently released another single that I would like to do a commentary on.
That XX
Clearly those X's in the title (also found in the Korean title) are acting as censors for something along the lines of "asshole" (in Korean it would probably be saekgi, judging by how they've bleeped it). I'm not really surprised that G-Dragon would come out with something that needs bleeping; I was actually more surprised that he paired it with a song of this sound. I'm actually kind of disappointed there are no "explicit version" and "clean version" releases as it is commonly done in the American music scene. They definitely used censorship to stay within the lines of the strict and conservative Korean culture, but then again, G-Dragon's use of the bleeps sounds probably draw more attention to the fact that he put swears in the song and is purposely making it clear that they are there. Battling out artistic freedom like a badass motherfucker that he is.
The music video is quite lovely, with the camera effects, lighting, and props. It definitely reminds me of Tablo's music video for Bad, but a very much more toned down less sexually violent version. It's probably just the eye makeup, finger/hand tattoes and colour scheme :)
He sings about how he's caught the the boyfriend of the girl he loves cheating on her, but she gets angry at GD for accusing her bf for something like that. He sings about his frustration because of her, because he loves her but she can't see it and come to the realization that GD would be a much better partner than her current cheating douchebag boyfriend.
G-Dragon proves with this song that he is a jack of all trades, singing in that boyishly high voice of his and slipping into that more masculine rapper voice; singing, rapping, rap-singing, acting... and his dancing has been confirmed by his earlier works. I really like this song, I just might do a translation post once frosh week is over :)
That XX
Clearly those X's in the title (also found in the Korean title) are acting as censors for something along the lines of "asshole" (in Korean it would probably be saekgi, judging by how they've bleeped it). I'm not really surprised that G-Dragon would come out with something that needs bleeping; I was actually more surprised that he paired it with a song of this sound. I'm actually kind of disappointed there are no "explicit version" and "clean version" releases as it is commonly done in the American music scene. They definitely used censorship to stay within the lines of the strict and conservative Korean culture, but then again, G-Dragon's use of the bleeps sounds probably draw more attention to the fact that he put swears in the song and is purposely making it clear that they are there. Battling out artistic freedom like a badass motherfucker that he is.
The music video is quite lovely, with the camera effects, lighting, and props. It definitely reminds me of Tablo's music video for Bad, but a very much more toned down less sexually violent version. It's probably just the eye makeup, finger/hand tattoes and colour scheme :)
He sings about how he's caught the the boyfriend of the girl he loves cheating on her, but she gets angry at GD for accusing her bf for something like that. He sings about his frustration because of her, because he loves her but she can't see it and come to the realization that GD would be a much better partner than her current cheating douchebag boyfriend.
G-Dragon proves with this song that he is a jack of all trades, singing in that boyishly high voice of his and slipping into that more masculine rapper voice; singing, rapping, rap-singing, acting... and his dancing has been confirmed by his earlier works. I really like this song, I just might do a translation post once frosh week is over :)
Sunday, 26 August 2012
August catch up - Super Junior, Boa, KARA
In the week and a half I hadn't posted, there were a couple of big names that had released new songs and videos. I was being really lazy for most of that time but there was also the factor that I'm not a huge fan of these artists which was why I could push back posting on them for a while. It's not that I dislike them, but I'll usually take my time to see what they've come up with.
Super Junior - Spy
I was surprised to find myself actually really liking this song. Probably because it's something that's actually different from what they usually put out. It's not all electronic synth monotone type dance track, but it's actually really interesting. There are of course the stupid sounding English lyrics (which Simon and Martina covers pretty well) but overall I was pleasantly surprised with their comeback. They do have a dance version of the music video, but I don't recommend it. It's really badly done on the production side for a dance version, which is really saying something.
BoA - Shadow
I heard this track when the Only One album was released. I really liked it and was wishing that she made a music video for this one instead of Only One because the "drama version" of Only One ended up being pretty pointless. However, after seeing the music video for Shadow I can't say that it was really satisfying either. Don't get me wrong BoA is super pretty and I really came to like her after seeing her on Kpop Star Auditions and stuff, but the video didn't really connect. She dances well and I like the song but none of that seemed to come together very well in the video, and all I could really get from it was that she's really pretty and they picked some nice outfits for it.
KARA - Pandora
This song... is really.... I don't know. Japanese sounding? There's a quality to this song that makes me think of those Japanese anime soundtracks - all frantic and girly if you know what I mean. It's not completely like that but I'm pretty sure after they made it so big in Japan the people behind Kara are trying more to create stuff that would be really easy to carry directly into the Japanese market. Kara's songs have this thing where it sounds like all of their voices are made into one.. like some chorus or something, and it's something that I particularly like. I think I prefer their individual TV appearances over their music, but that's just me being honest.
Super Junior - Spy
I was surprised to find myself actually really liking this song. Probably because it's something that's actually different from what they usually put out. It's not all electronic synth monotone type dance track, but it's actually really interesting. There are of course the stupid sounding English lyrics (which Simon and Martina covers pretty well) but overall I was pleasantly surprised with their comeback. They do have a dance version of the music video, but I don't recommend it. It's really badly done on the production side for a dance version, which is really saying something.
BoA - Shadow
I heard this track when the Only One album was released. I really liked it and was wishing that she made a music video for this one instead of Only One because the "drama version" of Only One ended up being pretty pointless. However, after seeing the music video for Shadow I can't say that it was really satisfying either. Don't get me wrong BoA is super pretty and I really came to like her after seeing her on Kpop Star Auditions and stuff, but the video didn't really connect. She dances well and I like the song but none of that seemed to come together very well in the video, and all I could really get from it was that she's really pretty and they picked some nice outfits for it.
KARA - Pandora
This song... is really.... I don't know. Japanese sounding? There's a quality to this song that makes me think of those Japanese anime soundtracks - all frantic and girly if you know what I mean. It's not completely like that but I'm pretty sure after they made it so big in Japan the people behind Kara are trying more to create stuff that would be really easy to carry directly into the Japanese market. Kara's songs have this thing where it sounds like all of their voices are made into one.. like some chorus or something, and it's something that I particularly like. I think I prefer their individual TV appearances over their music, but that's just me being honest.
PHANTOM is Burning because of stupid girls that think alcohol will put out their fire.
With a friend's recommendation I decided to give PHANTOM a shot.
Burning
To me, Burning is a pretty generic track with things I could expect from most kpop groups done relatively well. Given, their music video is pretty hilarious but I liked the fact that the group only has three members, which impresses me a lot more when the song is done well because there's less members to hide behind. Auto tune was used tastefully and you could really just hear and differentiate between the members.
As for the video, God save those easily impressionable girls who think that fires set by angsty boys can be put out by spraying alcohol on it. And to those awfully unprepared firefighters... maybe if you spent less time trying to party with pretty girls and kept yourself preparing for emergencies like these you actually would be able to help those poor burning boys.
From the rest of their EP, I highly recommend Homeground featuring Verbal Jint and Swings which is a fun 'rep where you're from' kind of track. Also, ICE is a hype track borrowing from Duck Sauce's Barbra Streisand. The rest of their tracks are more slower songs about love and stuff... which takes a lot more for me to get into so I won't say anything about them :) Although I was slightly disappointed to find that 미역국 (Seaweed Soup) was just about a girl. I thought it was going to be more of a Dynamic Duo-esque reflective song about their parents or childhood or something. But its okay because overall they sound pretty good.
Burning
To me, Burning is a pretty generic track with things I could expect from most kpop groups done relatively well. Given, their music video is pretty hilarious but I liked the fact that the group only has three members, which impresses me a lot more when the song is done well because there's less members to hide behind. Auto tune was used tastefully and you could really just hear and differentiate between the members.
As for the video, God save those easily impressionable girls who think that fires set by angsty boys can be put out by spraying alcohol on it. And to those awfully unprepared firefighters... maybe if you spent less time trying to party with pretty girls and kept yourself preparing for emergencies like these you actually would be able to help those poor burning boys.
From the rest of their EP, I highly recommend Homeground featuring Verbal Jint and Swings which is a fun 'rep where you're from' kind of track. Also, ICE is a hype track borrowing from Duck Sauce's Barbra Streisand. The rest of their tracks are more slower songs about love and stuff... which takes a lot more for me to get into so I won't say anything about them :) Although I was slightly disappointed to find that 미역국 (Seaweed Soup) was just about a girl. I thought it was going to be more of a Dynamic Duo-esque reflective song about their parents or childhood or something. But its okay because overall they sound pretty good.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
On a café high: Urban Zakapa lyrics translation - 커피를 마시고 (Cafe Latte)
Maybe because I've been to Orange Caramel twice as well as Snakes and Lattes this week that I'm all up in this café high. Either way, Urban Zakapa is all I've been listening to this last while so I've decided to translate one of their songs before I move on to reviewing G-Dragon's new music video.
커피를 마시고 or Cafe Latte, is a track from their first album <01>. It's a great light song that I would definitely play in my cafe (I dream about running a cafe sometime in my life). Urban Zakapa has great voices and amazing harmony that just blend perfectly to brighten up anyone's day.
It's okay, a Me without You is okay
A day thinking [about you] is also okay
Truthfully I guess reality hasn't hit me yet
On rainy days like these
We enjoyed listening to this song together
For a while I stare into space and smile
Baby, baby you are caramel macchiato
Your scent is still sweet at my mouth
Baby, baby, tonight
Baby, baby you are, more than the aroma of cafe latte
Do you remember this warm and comfortable feeling
Baby, baby, tonight
Oh baby our faded sky blue couple tees
Your birthday is a fading memory
But my heart is still as warm as ever
To me you're still so warm and fragrant
All the things that couldn't be more wonderful have now become memories
Baby, baby you are caramel macchiato
Your scent is still sweet at my mouth
Baby, baby, tonight
Baby, baby you are, more than the aroma of cafe latte
Do you remember this warm and comfortable feeling
Baby, baby, tonight
커피를 마시고 or Cafe Latte, is a track from their first album <01>. It's a great light song that I would definitely play in my cafe (I dream about running a cafe sometime in my life). Urban Zakapa has great voices and amazing harmony that just blend perfectly to brighten up anyone's day.
커피를 마시고 (Cafe Latte)
It's okay, a Me without You is okay
A day thinking [about you] is also okay
Truthfully I guess reality hasn't hit me yet
On rainy days like these
We enjoyed listening to this song together
For a while I stare into space and smile
Baby, baby you are caramel macchiato
Your scent is still sweet at my mouth
Baby, baby, tonight
Baby, baby you are, more than the aroma of cafe latte
Do you remember this warm and comfortable feeling
Baby, baby, tonight
Oh baby our faded sky blue couple tees
Your birthday is a fading memory
But my heart is still as warm as ever
To me you're still so warm and fragrant
All the things that couldn't be more wonderful have now become memories
Baby, baby you are caramel macchiato
Your scent is still sweet at my mouth
Baby, baby, tonight
Baby, baby you are, more than the aroma of cafe latte
Do you remember this warm and comfortable feeling
Baby, baby, tonight
Friday, 10 August 2012
I haven't been this excited for a debut group in a while... TASTY
너 나 알아
Alllllllrighty so from Woollim Entertainment were we get some great groups like Infinite and Nell, they've also dropped this bomb of hot dancing fierce ass TWINS on us. Apparently now "Asia's No. 1 Performance Duo", Tasty or Tasty2wins (oh my gawd despite everything I still can't accept the name.. but they do look////) consists of Dae Ryong and So Ryong, 24 year old twins. And they're super freaking tall.. at 185 cm thats like.. a tiny bit over 6 feet.
ANYWAYS this music video is clearly just a teaser for all that's to come. There isn't much singing or rapping or whatever they might do except for looking awesome and dancing which I loved. And who else hears a bit of We Speak No Americano in that beat?
What makes me so excited is their potential, you can just see it in their expressions. It seems as though they've accomplished the different personality thing that people associate with twins, with Dae Ryong being the wilder one in style and air, and So Ryong being the more toned down version (and maybe older?) with the simpler clothes and hair. I'm just so excited, the words...aldsfhualueau ^_^
There's been a whole new horde of kpop idol debut teasers and music videos for a while now so I've been skimming through them with some skepticism. I had actually been straying away into Korean indie-type music, but I'm so freaking glad I clicked on Tasty's music video because it got me so freaking excited about kpop again. I'm not going to lie though, I was really skeptical of Tasty because of their name and an instant comparison to 1TYM just from the title of the song... I'm so judgemental ㅠ.ㅠ
Alllllllrighty so from Woollim Entertainment were we get some great groups like Infinite and Nell, they've also dropped this bomb of hot dancing fierce ass TWINS on us. Apparently now "Asia's No. 1 Performance Duo", Tasty or Tasty2wins (oh my gawd despite everything I still can't accept the name.. but they do look////) consists of Dae Ryong and So Ryong, 24 year old twins. And they're super freaking tall.. at 185 cm thats like.. a tiny bit over 6 feet.
ANYWAYS this music video is clearly just a teaser for all that's to come. There isn't much singing or rapping or whatever they might do except for looking awesome and dancing which I loved. And who else hears a bit of We Speak No Americano in that beat?
What makes me so excited is their potential, you can just see it in their expressions. It seems as though they've accomplished the different personality thing that people associate with twins, with Dae Ryong being the wilder one in style and air, and So Ryong being the more toned down version (and maybe older?) with the simpler clothes and hair. I'm just so excited, the words...aldsfhualueau ^_^
There's been a whole new horde of kpop idol debut teasers and music videos for a while now so I've been skimming through them with some skepticism. I had actually been straying away into Korean indie-type music, but I'm so freaking glad I clicked on Tasty's music video because it got me so freaking excited about kpop again. I'm not going to lie though, I was really skeptical of Tasty because of their name and an instant comparison to 1TYM just from the title of the song... I'm so judgemental ㅠ.ㅠ
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Some beautiful summer sounds in kpop ^^ - Namaste, Sung Hoon, Brown Eyed Girls
I recently changed my blog's url from kpoptint.blogspot to kpopcommentary.blogspot... Hope that doesn't inconvenience anyone!
If it hasn't been a noticeable trend throughout my posts already, I'm a big YouTube user. Thankfully, the kpop world has caught on to this worldwide trend and has been pretty good with uploading content for more potential viewers and fans. Finding and subscribing to these channels will give you a pretty good dose of current and newly released kpop, as well as other good bits like the behind the scenes videos and other interview clips.
ANYWAYS, came across some really nice songs, no idols, complicated dance/singing combinations topped with avant garde dressing. Just some nice and simple concepts with super amazing voices!
If it hasn't been a noticeable trend throughout my posts already, I'm a big YouTube user. Thankfully, the kpop world has caught on to this worldwide trend and has been pretty good with uploading content for more potential viewers and fans. Finding and subscribing to these channels will give you a pretty good dose of current and newly released kpop, as well as other good bits like the behind the scenes videos and other interview clips.
ANYWAYS, came across some really nice songs, no idols, complicated dance/singing combinations topped with avant garde dressing. Just some nice and simple concepts with super amazing voices!
Monday, 23 July 2012
They had me at Beautiful (Let's get some BEAST on this blog!)
Admittedly, I am a huge skeptic when it comes to kpop groups. I tend to give most groups a time to age before I fall for them. It's different for each group, but it only makes my kpop playlist that much better ^^
B2ST (or Beast) is one of those groups that took me a while to like. But I like them now. I love them,
ever since their round with Beautiful. But what actually got me to hit subscribe to their YouTube channel was their recent comeback:
It's a Beautiful Night (아름다운 밤아야)
B2ST (or Beast) is one of those groups that took me a while to like. But I like them now. I love them,
ever since their round with Beautiful. But what actually got me to hit subscribe to their YouTube channel was their recent comeback:
It's a Beautiful Night (아름다운 밤아야)
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
A review of the "Best Absolute Perfect" - No Mercy
** Yes this post is about B.A.P. but I just want to add in a kpop quickie update with Gilme's new track Like a Fool featuring Eun Ji-Won, a very nice R&B with some hip hop sound. Plus, I haven't seen Eun Ji-Won on the scene in a while so it was nice to see him. Gilme's voice is great, y'all should definitely give it listen.
Also, Boom released a new track - Let Me Play featuring Gaeko (Dynamic Duo). Boom... I felt a little annoyed by his uncertainty in performance in this song. I really would've preferred for him to go either super cool or super funny with this, but he tried to combine the two and it doesn't work for me. But he's still super cute and funny and I can bet he's going to refer to this in every TV show that he's part of so check him out!
No Mercy
Boys, boys, boys of Best Absolute Perfect. Yes, that is their full name. KOREAN BOY BAND NAMES ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE RIDICULOUS EVERY YEAR WTF IS BEST ABSOLUTE PERFECT.
Also, Boom released a new track - Let Me Play featuring Gaeko (Dynamic Duo). Boom... I felt a little annoyed by his uncertainty in performance in this song. I really would've preferred for him to go either super cool or super funny with this, but he tried to combine the two and it doesn't work for me. But he's still super cute and funny and I can bet he's going to refer to this in every TV show that he's part of so check him out!
No Mercy
Boys, boys, boys of Best Absolute Perfect. Yes, that is their full name. KOREAN BOY BAND NAMES ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE RIDICULOUS EVERY YEAR WTF IS BEST ABSOLUTE PERFECT.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
That level achievable only by PSY - Gangnam Style
[Edit note Aug. 8: I made a post on the brand of sunglasses Psy wears in the music video here]
Gangnam Style's going viral with all kinds of famous people on this side of the world tweeting about it! Congratulations to Psy :)
As well, I have enough humour to laugh at the comments on his resemblance to the North Korean dictator Kim line and how North Korea actually seems to be doing well. Laugh it off people, not the entire world understands the sensitivity in that issue and reacting sensitively to it puts a damper on all the fun.
With cameos made by comedian MCs Yoo Jae-Suk and Noh Hong-Chul, and 4Minute's Hyuna, PSY delivers with his hilariously explosive comeback.
Gangnam Style
Psy is Gangnam style, which he more closely describes in the other verses of the song. Apparently, the Gangnam style is someone of the extreme, one who downs hot coffee in one shot without waiting for it to cool down, one who's heart is ready to explode by night time (as opposed to just getting... rowdy). Their confidence is unmatched and they know how to charm the pants of any lady - Psy style. With his fashion sense and.. straight forward dance moves as seen in his video, Psy shows the world exactly what the Gangnam style is.
I absolutely cannot believe that it's already been two years since Psy's last return with Right Now; I can still relive the hilariousness just by thinking about the music video and his performances. He's on a whole different level from all the other Korean music artists; he produces and choreographs most of his stuff (as he did with Gangnam Style), and he is an incredible performer. Of course, I haven't been able to witness him in action live but he has been crowned the Performance King of Korea. Click on any of his performance clips on YouTube and anybody will be able to see why. He really has a whole level of ridiculous fun that only he can achieve, it's really unmatchable by anybody in the industry.
Psy has a crazy sense of humour and a very bold nature that's made him so famous as a performer and artist, and I'm very glad he didn't disappoint for his 6th album. Gotta get on that Gangnam style...
Gangnam Style's going viral with all kinds of famous people on this side of the world tweeting about it! Congratulations to Psy :)
As well, I have enough humour to laugh at the comments on his resemblance to the North Korean dictator Kim line and how North Korea actually seems to be doing well. Laugh it off people, not the entire world understands the sensitivity in that issue and reacting sensitively to it puts a damper on all the fun.
With cameos made by comedian MCs Yoo Jae-Suk and Noh Hong-Chul, and 4Minute's Hyuna, PSY delivers with his hilariously explosive comeback.
Gangnam Style
Psy is Gangnam style, which he more closely describes in the other verses of the song. Apparently, the Gangnam style is someone of the extreme, one who downs hot coffee in one shot without waiting for it to cool down, one who's heart is ready to explode by night time (as opposed to just getting... rowdy). Their confidence is unmatched and they know how to charm the pants of any lady - Psy style. With his fashion sense and.. straight forward dance moves as seen in his video, Psy shows the world exactly what the Gangnam style is.
I absolutely cannot believe that it's already been two years since Psy's last return with Right Now; I can still relive the hilariousness just by thinking about the music video and his performances. He's on a whole different level from all the other Korean music artists; he produces and choreographs most of his stuff (as he did with Gangnam Style), and he is an incredible performer. Of course, I haven't been able to witness him in action live but he has been crowned the Performance King of Korea. Click on any of his performance clips on YouTube and anybody will be able to see why. He really has a whole level of ridiculous fun that only he can achieve, it's really unmatchable by anybody in the industry.
Psy has a crazy sense of humour and a very bold nature that's made him so famous as a performer and artist, and I'm very glad he didn't disappoint for his 6th album. Gotta get on that Gangnam style...
Thursday, 12 July 2012
[Lyrics Translation - kind of] Handsome People :3
Contrary to what you might assume of this song of simple "hey lets party" lyrics, there is something of a story in there. Whether they're felt deep or not, I just needed to make a post about this song (I can't believe I haven't already) because I freaking love Handsome People.
Handsome People - Woowei Woowei
The song is about how the he loves a girl with an intellectual charm. He's fallen in love a couple of times before but this girl is on a whole different level, and it makes his breath stop to just glance at her.
Handsome People - Woowei Woowei
The song is about how the he loves a girl with an intellectual charm. He's fallen in love a couple of times before but this girl is on a whole different level, and it makes his breath stop to just glance at her.
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Fact: The Wonder Girls are robots o_o
Wonder Girls - Like Money
Wonder Girls are back on the American music scene with a Vevo and an Akon feature. Their song is catchy and their music video looks pretty cool, but it does look like it is meant for a younger audience. Their video reminds me a lot of the movie Tron, and with clean lyrics and video it just sounds like they're sticking to their original target market of young teenagers.
The song actually starts at about the 54 second mark, but the video stopped being interesting as we got into the first chorus of the song. There aren't many outfit changes or close-ups, and the choreography consists of easy lyrical dance moves. Akon takes the entire second verse and the following chorus with cut shots of the Girls dancing in the same outfits. There were some interesting parts of the video when the Girls were being put together as robots, and it was fun to spot J.Y. Park's appearance as well as his discrete headphones promotions. For me, I can see how cool and awesome this would look when I was 12 or 13, but now the only way I can enjoy this is just by looking back at how far the Wonder Girls have come and feel proud of them.
I do think the lyrics are stupid, but as always, that never stops me from listening and singing along... *le sigh*
Wonder Girls are back on the American music scene with a Vevo and an Akon feature. Their song is catchy and their music video looks pretty cool, but it does look like it is meant for a younger audience. Their video reminds me a lot of the movie Tron, and with clean lyrics and video it just sounds like they're sticking to their original target market of young teenagers.
The song actually starts at about the 54 second mark, but the video stopped being interesting as we got into the first chorus of the song. There aren't many outfit changes or close-ups, and the choreography consists of easy lyrical dance moves. Akon takes the entire second verse and the following chorus with cut shots of the Girls dancing in the same outfits. There were some interesting parts of the video when the Girls were being put together as robots, and it was fun to spot J.Y. Park's appearance as well as his discrete headphones promotions. For me, I can see how cool and awesome this would look when I was 12 or 13, but now the only way I can enjoy this is just by looking back at how far the Wonder Girls have come and feel proud of them.
I do think the lyrics are stupid, but as always, that never stops me from listening and singing along... *le sigh*
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Another MV roundup! 2NE1, Sagging Snail, T-ara, JoKwon
I didn't want to do another one of these posts so soon but there are just too many recently released interesting music videos that I want to talk about, so let's just get into it!
2NE1 - I Love You
I love this. It's one of those party beat love songs but what I really like about this song and video is that it really makes sense to see what we are seeing with what we are hearing. There's a mixed Asian quality to the sound and it's really well reflected in the theme of the video. I can't exactly locate which country the colours and patterns remind me of but it's definitely not just one country. I really love that about 2NE1; they seem to incorporate all different kinds of sounds and looks in their promotions that represent and are relatable to more than one country. Anyway this video is beautiful, CL and Minzy are working their sexy, Dara looks fucking fierce with that hair and Bom is pretty pretty pretty. I really do love hearing all of their unique voices changing up the song - not one member sings the same part of the song throughout.
2NE1 - I Love You
I love this. It's one of those party beat love songs but what I really like about this song and video is that it really makes sense to see what we are seeing with what we are hearing. There's a mixed Asian quality to the sound and it's really well reflected in the theme of the video. I can't exactly locate which country the colours and patterns remind me of but it's definitely not just one country. I really love that about 2NE1; they seem to incorporate all different kinds of sounds and looks in their promotions that represent and are relatable to more than one country. Anyway this video is beautiful, CL and Minzy are working their sexy, Dara looks fucking fierce with that hair and Bom is pretty pretty pretty. I really do love hearing all of their unique voices changing up the song - not one member sings the same part of the song throughout.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Kdrama Preference: Whatever tvN comes up with.
It's something that I've been noticing these past cycles of Korean dramas. Any regular kdrama follower is familiar with Korea's mini-series shows; romance-based stories told in 16-20 one hour-long episodes aired twice a week. Plot lines are always set in a variety of contexts, from ER or Grey's Anatomy-type medical backdrops, to CSI-type police/forensics/prosecution backgrounds, to just "ordinary" poor girl meets ridiculously rich and perfect guy situations. I've realized a stupidly repetitive formula for all kdramas airing these past couple of years, but that's for another post.
Anyways, I've followed dramas from all three of the major broadcasting stations: KBS, MBC, and SBS, and for a while I preferred the ones produced from SBS. I'm not exactly sure why but they've been coming up with story lines that interested me the most. However, somewhere along the line tvN were producing dramas that were much more original and fun to watch.
The Review
The first round (I'm hesitant to call it a "season") of I Need Romance was awesome; it was like a Sex and the City type girly friendships dealing with the lack of romance in their lives and other boy problems. Compared to the other kdramas sticking to the formula, it was one of the first realistically feeling drama I'd seen in a really really long time (I want to say ever, but I need to reflect on that a bit longer).
Shut up Flower Boy Band was pretty ridiculous, but there was a sense of reality in the friendship of a group of high school students, whose journey takes them from struggling to get into the competitive music industry to struggling with each other because of the fame that followed them. I like dramas that are more realistic.
I Need Romance 2 recently began to air, which I was ecstatic about. I was worried that it was going to be too similar to the first installment of the "series", which seemed like it was going to be in the first episode but they're clearly taking a different route with each of the base three girl friends so I'm good. Watching the first couple of episodes I couldn't get the original characters from the first installment out of my head, but it's only been 4 episodes now, so hopefully the characters will become more charismatic to stick.
If I may digress a little...
Anyways, I've followed dramas from all three of the major broadcasting stations: KBS, MBC, and SBS, and for a while I preferred the ones produced from SBS. I'm not exactly sure why but they've been coming up with story lines that interested me the most. However, somewhere along the line tvN were producing dramas that were much more original and fun to watch.
The Review
The first round (I'm hesitant to call it a "season") of I Need Romance was awesome; it was like a Sex and the City type girly friendships dealing with the lack of romance in their lives and other boy problems. Compared to the other kdramas sticking to the formula, it was one of the first realistically feeling drama I'd seen in a really really long time (I want to say ever, but I need to reflect on that a bit longer).
Shut up Flower Boy Band was pretty ridiculous, but there was a sense of reality in the friendship of a group of high school students, whose journey takes them from struggling to get into the competitive music industry to struggling with each other because of the fame that followed them. I like dramas that are more realistic.
I Need Romance 2 recently began to air, which I was ecstatic about. I was worried that it was going to be too similar to the first installment of the "series", which seemed like it was going to be in the first episode but they're clearly taking a different route with each of the base three girl friends so I'm good. Watching the first couple of episodes I couldn't get the original characters from the first installment out of my head, but it's only been 4 episodes now, so hopefully the characters will become more charismatic to stick.
If I may digress a little...
Thursday, 21 June 2012
2BiC & Ailee!
I'm kind of returning to posting, now that I'm returning back to kpop :)
I've been in Trois-Rivières these past six weeks to take some French course and just get immersed in a French speaking community. It's been great, but I'm just so excited to get back home, which will be on Friday :)
In the meanwhile, I have been keeping an eye out for new kpop releases, and I've been really impressed with some of the new stuff that have come out, like Teen Top's new release To You, which was actually something I expected from Infinite, but they did it so well. There was also After School's Flashback (okay I'm not that impressed with the song itself and some of them are STILL a bit dead in the eyes but their attitude is much more present. I think they've improved for sure!)
What I really want to post about is 2BiC's new song Love Again featuring Ailee. I never really gave 2BiC a listen but they popped up on my YouTube subscription list and I am a fan of Ailee so CLICK
I've been in Trois-Rivières these past six weeks to take some French course and just get immersed in a French speaking community. It's been great, but I'm just so excited to get back home, which will be on Friday :)
In the meanwhile, I have been keeping an eye out for new kpop releases, and I've been really impressed with some of the new stuff that have come out, like Teen Top's new release To You, which was actually something I expected from Infinite, but they did it so well. There was also After School's Flashback (okay I'm not that impressed with the song itself and some of them are STILL a bit dead in the eyes but their attitude is much more present. I think they've improved for sure!)
What I really want to post about is 2BiC's new song Love Again featuring Ailee. I never really gave 2BiC a listen but they popped up on my YouTube subscription list and I am a fan of Ailee so CLICK
Monday, 9 April 2012
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
SPICA - new stars?
Painkiller
I think it's safe to say everyone was a little skeptical of this music video as soon as they got a glimpse of the opening scenes. Especially if you're familiar with 2NE1's Ugly M/V. However, SPICA's Painkiller did not disappoint, or even make it comparable to 2NE1's video.
I think it's safe to say everyone was a little skeptical of this music video as soon as they got a glimpse of the opening scenes. Especially if you're familiar with 2NE1's Ugly M/V. However, SPICA's Painkiller did not disappoint, or even make it comparable to 2NE1's video.
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