Tuesday, January 31, 2017
[MV] Red Velvet - Rookie
Bit of a surrealist fever dream
It's not bad, but I'm not particularly feeling it myself.
[MV] Rubber Soul - Freedom
1theK has a lyric video, which may or may not be subbed in the future?
Glad to see Rubber Soul back. They had a strong debut. And I just noticed their old videos had been taken down, so I'll replace those old posts.
Monday, January 30, 2017
[MV] Shin Ji Hoon - You Are A Star Already
Very inactive Kpop through the weekend due to the Lunar New Year.
Welcome to the Year of the Rooster!
[MEDIA] Without Music Parody
Without Music (formerly House of Halo) has a fun series on their YouTube channel called #WITHOUTMUSIC.
They remove the original audio from popular videos and replace it with a new track created entirely using Foley techniques and their own vocal recording, imitating what the raw audio on set might sound like during shooting.
Pretty brilliant and hilarious.
I'll update any Kpop-related videos in this post.
BTS - IDOL NEW
BlackPink - Ddu-Du Ddu-Du NEW
In the full post:
They remove the original audio from popular videos and replace it with a new track created entirely using Foley techniques and their own vocal recording, imitating what the raw audio on set might sound like during shooting.
Pretty brilliant and hilarious.
I'll update any Kpop-related videos in this post.
BTS - IDOL NEW
BlackPink - Ddu-Du Ddu-Du NEW
In the full post:
- PSY - Daddy
- CL - Hello Bitches
- Big Bang - Fantastic Baby
- BTS - Fire
- BlackPink - Boombayah
- BTS - Blood Sweat & Tears
Friday, January 27, 2017
[MV] Gallant x Tablo x Eric Nam - Cave Me In
All English, but this is a heavily hyped collaboration.
An abundance of buttery vocals and Tablo's smooth rap and I've got all the warm tinglies.
Lovely.
[OST] Punch - When My Loneliness Calls You
Station #51... only one more left to complete the year!
This is on the OST for an MBC drama called 'Missing Nine'.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
[MV] MelodyDay (feat. Ilhoon) - You Seem Busy
The excessive zooming at the end was a bit unintentionally hilarious.
[REMIX] PIA - Storm Is Coming
Caution for photosensitivities. Psychadelic flashing lights.
The original of this is quite heavy rock/metal. Kind of a cool EDM take.
The original of this is quite heavy rock/metal. Kind of a cool EDM take.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
[MV] Jessi - Don't Make Me Cry
I consistently enjoy Jessi's ballads. They stand apart from the typical.
Friday, January 20, 2017
[MV] 2NE1 - GOODBYE
Oof. Right in the feels.
Things fall apart. Certainly the case with YG and 2NE1. Would've been ideal if Minzy had recorded with them for this final track. Nice that she's in the video at least.
It was a thrill to watch them debut so strong and sad to see the group come to an end.
Gotta wish them all well. Thank you, ladies!
[MV] Joo Chan, So Yoon - No One Like You
Official channel link
Woollim is starting something called 'W Project' to feature rookie artists coming up in the company.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
[MV] Ailee (A.Leean) - Fall Back
Uh... so Ailee just 'officially debuted' in the US with this thing. Aka, how not to break into the American market. I was already really bothered by the terrible name change, total disconnect from her Korean career, and general lack of professionalism.
But her marketing team is trying. Not enough to make her official VEVO Youtube channel actually look official or show any effort whatsoever. But still, they're trying.
Be prepared, guys! It's totally gonna go #viral. Hold on to your butts!This Lyric MV is not just an ordinary lyric MV; it will go #viral. So, be prepared. Powerful message, story and voice. #ALeean #FallBack— A.Leean (@aleeanofficial) January 18, 2017
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
[MV] I.O.I - Downpour
Downpour of tears! Nice little retrospective of IOI's incredible year.
Even if you're someone who typically dislikes 'survival audition' types of shows, I'd recommend Produce101. It's an emotional roller-coaster, but it truly focuses on the hard work and cooperation of all the women who participated. Pretty amazing and unexpected that it turned into such a huge thing, but I think that has a lot to do with the grit and humor of the trainees through the whole process and the promotions of the final 11.
It's a shame to dissolve the group at this point, but...
Better to have IOI'd and lost IOI than never to have IOI'd at all.
Monday, January 16, 2017
[MV] Seohyun - Don't Say No
The audio isn't great on Youtube. Melon and Spotify sound better.
Particularly that high jangly percussion in the chorus is like... flicking me in the forehead repeatedly. Lol. Balanced a little better on the actual record.
[MV] CLC - Hobgoblin
Another big concept shift. HyunA had a hand in this one.
I'm concerned it's not the best choice as it feels a lot like late-stage 4Minute, which didn't work well for them in Korea.
Performance version:
[LIVE] Suzy - Pretend
This probably won't have an MV, but I'll post it.
It's hitting the roof on charts because... Suzy.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
[DEBUT] Dreamcatcher - Chase Me
Dreamcatcher is actually a re-debut of MINX.
Since they have two new members and are re-branding everything. I'll say it's a debut.
A girl group concept that isn't strictly sexy or cutesy?!?!
Frankly, pretty exciting!
Dance Video:
Super fun choreo, too.
[MV] Year 7 Class 1 - Please Remember Me
Been a long time since I've seen anything from this group.
Supposedly this is a pre-release for a comeback?
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
[DEBUT] I (feat. Tiger JK) - I Wish
This is Cha Yoonji. She's the sister of Baro (B1A4).
Quite strong debut. Lots of folks saying she's similar to BoA from back-in-the-day. Agreed.
Unfortunate name though. 'I' is near impossible to look up. Even using the Hangul isn't very helpful.
[MV] Park Juhee - Why
Off her 5th album that was released in the summer last year.
But the MV is out now, so it's my first Trot post of 2017!
I love that Trot still declares itself so loudly with the nutty styling.
When it doesn't make any sense you know dis gon b gud.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
[OST] Ailee - I will go to you like the first snow
Figured I'd post this one from the Goblin OST.
Korea loves its OST ballads and this is chewing through the charts and will probably continue to for a while.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
[MV] RAVI (feat. San E) - BOMB
Apparently there was a kerfluffle with the original video objectifying women. So the harem of underwear-clad ladies wandering around was edited out and the video re-uploaded.
I'm very critical of the whole 'women as props' thing, but even I thought it was relatively tame.
Jellyfish was super-fast at dealing with it though, so that's appreciated.
Cringing more from the SSSWWWWAAAGGGGGTM, tbh.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Monday, January 2, 2017
[MV] Akdong Musician - LAST GOODBYE
You might want to watch the 'Musical Short Film' below first. It gives the backstory to the MV. Good subtitles. It's schmaltzy, but cute. Chanhyuk will be enlisting for his military service soon to get it out of the way, so these last promotions are a little bittersweet.
[MV] SEVENTEEN - HIGHLIGHT
Official channel link
Cool to have just the Performance Unit for this MV
I think this was my favorite track on their album.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
[PLAYLIST] KPOPPY's Best Of 2016 : The Eclectic Mix
Tons of huge names, that I typically like very much, released songs that didn't quite hit the mark for me. Boy bands especially failed to really excite me even though many of them had great comebacks. Just not my thing in many cases. Ballads had a good showing this year! They typically don't make a splash in end-of-the-year playlists from Kpop fans. But they'll find a place in mine!
Trends. I don't listen to much American music these days, but I did listen to Justin Bieber's album in 2015 when there was enormous hype around it. I immediately began the countdown to when that particular EDM, tropical house, vaguely dance hall kind of sound would show up in Kpop. Major Lazer. Same thing. A bit hard to describe that sound, but when you hear it you know it. Sure enough, roughly mid-year, the 80s throwback trend of last year had blended into more of a house sound. I added to a playlist along the way that hopefully conveys this trend developing. It won't be strictly 2016 and I'll continue to add to it beyond this year.
KPOP meets house, tropical house, reggae, etc, playlist!
Indirectly related to the music, I noticed another trend. Medical in nature. More than ever there were celebrities being open about their psychological health and issues related to exhaustion and anxiety. Panic and eating disorders, fainting and extreme fatigue, gastric conditions and a variety of mental illnesses., Now it's likely that competition in the industry these days has become more difficult to manage. but it's also something that has probably always existed. The difference being that struggling artists and their companies are being more open, honest, and supportive instead of hiding these things to protect their image and the illusion of perfection. I see this as progress which will hopefully improve working conditions and mitigate some long-term harm into the future. One can hope! (But there will be no breath-holding from me)
Anywayyyy, we're here for music, right?! Let's get to it. My top 30, as always, only includes promoted songs with MVs, good synergy between the audio and visual components, aligns with my personal taste not with popularity or charts... and no OSTs!
MY TOP 30 ECLECTIC MIX for 2016 in chronological order only:
[The full playlist link on Youtube]
- Dalshabet - Someone Like U
- Lucky J - No Love
- NiiHwa - Say Yes
- Stellar - Sting
- ZICO - I am you, you are me
- Jung In - UUU
- Kim Jaejoong - Love You More
- Ladies' Code - Galaxy
- SNUPER - Platonic Love
- MAMAMOO - Woo Hoo
- Berry Good - ANGEL
- XIA - Rock The World
- Luna - Free Somebody
- EXO - Monster
- Jeong Jin Woon (feat. Tiger JK) - Will
- KISUM - No Jam
- LiVii - Luna
- 24 Hours - Get It On
- Yoon Jong Shin (feat. Gaeko) - Empty City
- Basick (feat. G2, Hwasa) - Nice
- J-Min - Ready For Your Love
- NU'EST - Love Paint
- FROMM (feat. Giriboy) - Pieces of You and Me
- AMBER X LUNA - Heartbeat
- BTS - Blood Sweat & Tears
- I.O.I - Very Very Very
- Grace - Trick Or Treat
- BLACKPINK - Playing with Fire
- Jay Park (feat. Hoody) - Me Like Yuh
- Uhm Jung Hwa - Watch Me Move
Highlighted tracks and my final thoughts for the year are in the full post!
I also have to shout out a few English-language tracks that were lovely.
I also have to shout out a few English-language tracks that were lovely.
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