I'm not sure what the description of this blog should be. I've just always wanted the chance to talk about what I love in a safe environment. So, I guess in a nut-shell this blog focuses on the past, present, and future of Korean Pop Culture, which is widely regarded as the "Hallyu Wave" and how I see it as it unfolds. It's my opinion all the time! Straight up objectivity, but all for the love of Hallyu.
Tonight, I just feel like I want to spotlight a new boy group that I'm just loving. I know I already talked about them in my can't miss rookie: boy group edition post, but there is no such thing as too much publicity. And I'm happy to give them the little bit that I can.
So sit back, shut up, relax, and enjoy! (The "shut up" part was supposed to be funny. You got that, right?)
SPOTLIGHT: HITT
Please remember to support the artist and buy the album.
Runaway: Good Night: A Long Time ft Yiruma: I'll Always Love You:
Sidenote: I want to marry Juntaek, he's the red head, who sings the high note at the end of "A Long Time". He's a BEAST and too aegyo for my heart to handle!
2011 marked the year for a "baby boom" in kpop. So as the year comes to a close I would like to reflect on those rookie groups that caught my attention pre-debut and after, and point out who fell short of my expectations, but are slowly, yet surely winning me over.
First off we have BLOCK B, short for Block Buster. They debuted earlier this year, with "Wanna B". Now I have to admit, I hadn't even known of Block B until they dropped their second single "Freeze". Both the song and video drew me in with it's strong electro beat, underlined with a heavy bass. And like many others who stumble upon "the Block", I mistakenly compared them to my beloved BIGBANG. But later I realized they are two very different groups.
What impressed me the most with Block B, were the insane amount of talent within the group. Leader Zico, is a fierce rapper and one heck of a composer. Visual maknae, Taeil has beast like vocals, and dance line U-Kwon and B-Bomb are sick with their bodies. Now these are only the few out of all the members, who talents thoroughly impress.
Freeze:
Next up, B1A4, who I've grown accustom to calling either BILASA (shout out to EatYourKimchi) and BeWondUHFul [(be wonderful) which I came up with myself]. Debuting around the same time as Block B, following the ever popular "flower boy" movement B1A4 burst out on the scene. To be honest I hadn't really gave much attention to B1A4 post debut. Their debut song, "OK" was catchy, and I found myself singing it after having only heard it once, but that was all.
B1A4
It wasn't until they did MTV Match Up with Block B that I bothered to follow up. Their second single, "Only Learned The Bad Things" really stirred, and peaked my interest in B1A4. It had slow hip-hop and r&b feel that really appealed to me. It wasn't flower boy pop, but a song for a maturer audience, yet innocent at the same time. And after listening to the song with the MR removed I found B1A4 to be a group with outstanding live vocals, which is somewhat becoming a norm for rookie groups.
Only Learned The Bad Things:
Sadly, B1A4, has yet to keep my steady attention, falling once again off my radar with their comeback single, "Beautiful Target". But I'm keeping my eyes and ears peeled for what their future will bring.
HITT, meaning Here Is The Top was a group most people slept on, during the late summer. Being the first kpop group to come out of Sony Entertainment, big things were expected, and being one of the few who actually decided to listen and give them a chance, I was thoroughly impressed.
Good Night:
They debuted with the song, "Good Night" and though it isn't really stand out, it is enjoyable. But HITT's appeal isn't in the title song, but the mini album composition. Songs like "Runaway" and "I'll Always Love You" are worthy of repeating play. Another plus HITT has are the undeniable vocal skills, which was lovely showcased in their cover of Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are".
Just The Way You Are (cover):
Boyfriend
Next on the chopping block (lol) is BOYFRIEND, who like, B1A4 are following the flower boy trend heightened my interest pre-debut. They showcased made dancing skills and vocals I was dying to hear. Unfortunately, I felt quite let down with their debut song "Boyfriend". It was summertime and I wasn't looking for cute. I wanted and needed "a hot hot summer" [shout out to f(x)]. Fortunately as time passed a grew very fond of the song and the choreography that accompanied. And with their newest comeback, "Don't Touch My Girl" I see them maturing. So, I'm back on the Boyfriend bandwagon.
Boyfriend:
Our next rookie group falls under the Khip-hop category of things. M.I.B (Most Incredible Busters) just popped on to the scene a few weeks ago, with each member dropping individual tracks. Let's just say I was impressed, especially by 5Zic and his solo song "Beautiful Day", which stays on repeat in my Khip-hop Awesomeness playlist. But, huge BUT, what the heck is with this debut song?
"G.D.M" (Girls, Dreams?, Money) I'm not feeling it. Here I was expecting some authentic hip-hop, like that of what Tablo of Epik High just released, but instead I'm listening to electro club music I could easily find in any mainstream American rap. I wanted heavy bass lines. All the solo's had been so good (CREAM, SIMS) and the fact that there is only one vocalist (KangNam) in the group makes for a fresh dynamic, but come on! What is this?
G.D.M:
Last on our list is a group groomed by my favorite FTTS member HwanHee, MYNAME. And yes, I want to make many jokes about this group's name, but I really do like it. It's like "you won't ever forget MYNAME." This group, just like M.I.B just debuted within the last week and I have to say, I'm expecting big things.
MYNAME
No, I wasn't a fan of the debut song "Message", but it's not as bad as I thought it would be (it grows on you, SERIOUSLY). I like the fact that as the year heads out, more and more of the groups coming out are shedding the "cutie" boy image. I mean, I know Asia loves their flower boys, but I'm looking for a man, and if MYNAME sticks with this style they just might have a chance.
So I just watched the comeback for SNSD and I'm just going to say this, I like the song. It's a lot fiercer than what SNSD has previously released. Which leads me to ask: Why the change SNSD?
I don't know about anyone else, but lately I've noticed that the Big 3 and the artists that come from each are constantly being put against one another, especially SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. So in this post I'm going to jump on that bandwagon.
As we all know, 2NE1 is one of the fiercest girl groups out in today's Kpop scene. They are know for it and, to be frank, SNSD is not. I feel that SME is fighting to keep up with YG's growing popularity. If they weren't SNSD would have come out with what they are best known for: a catchy, girly, poppy song. I'm not saying that there can't be another reason behind "The Boys" and it's in-your-face-badassness, but to me it just seems that because 2NE1 said "I Am The Best", SNSD wants to say they bring "The Boys" out.
Again, I like the song, and do not want Sones to kill me. Just, wondering. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Well to kick off this blog I'm happy to begin with a subject matter I have grown so very, very fond of. Jun. K (Junsu) of beastly idol group 2PM is making his solo debut. For the past week he has dropped concept photos, teaser and lastly the song in question.
"Alive" is a seemingly up beat song, where Junsu boasts about how good he feels, and that, like 2NE1, he is "the best". The track infuses slow bumping hip-hop beat that my body just can't help swaying to. Then he meshes that with a little autotune (which he so does not need) and some beautiful string instruments to polish off the sound.
I have to say I was in love with the track the minute I heard the teaser. I make it no secret that I once hated Junsu's voice. I felt he tried too hard to make it sound like something it wasn't. It wasn't until his appearance on KBS variety show Immortal Song 2 that I fully understood the beauty of his unique vocals and his talent to create music that suits them.
Check out the official below and don't forget to support the artist. Buy the single.
