4 Amazing Talents To Watch For From ‘K-Pop Star 4’

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Every season of the SBS’s survival audition program K-Pop Star has us on the edge of our seats. The hidden talent keeps coming up during every run of the show. This competition has given us a lot of artists that we now love, many of whom have had tremendous success in the Korean music industry like Lee Hi, Park Jimin, Akdong Musician, and, the show’s latest winner, Bernard Park. Season 4 so far has us discovering hidden gems with amazing vocals, unique timbres, and even some contestants that are very young but are singing better than professional singers out there. Yang Hyun Suk of YG Entertainment, Park Jin Young of JYP Entertainment, and singer-producer Yoo Hee Yeol will surely have a hard time this season to choose the next K-pop star. These five new faces are the new amazing talent that we need to watch for from K-Pop Star 4.

4. Jung Seunghwan

Jung Seunghwan became a hot topic not only in the show but in the music charts in Korea after his performance of Kim Jo Han’s I Want To Fall In Love.” His rendition topped various music charts in Korea. Jung managed to impress all three judges and was even promised by Yoo Hee Yeol himself to have a spot on his music show, Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook. His voice full of emotions, which is perfect for gayo (Korean popular music,) has made other competitors fear to go up against Jung Seunghwan, and has the viewers falling in love and supporting him. Keep an eye on the judges; Jung’s performances has one ending up in tears.

Also on KultScene:Artist Spotlight: DaeNamHyup

3. Lily M.

Lily M. is one of the youngest and most talented singers on K-Pop Star 4. She is a Korean-Australian actress-singer that has the judges falling in love with her every time she performs. Her unique raspy voice, falsettos, and her natural control over breathing while she sings has Park Jin Young amazed at what she can do at such a young age. Yang Hyun Suk has picked her as his favorite this season, and has stated many times how he wants to train her at YG Entertainment. Did we mention that Lily M. is only twelve years old? Imagine what she will be able to do when she’s older and after proper training! We just cannot wait for her to debut formally as a singer.

2. Lee Jin-Ah

As soon as Lee Jin-Ah opened her mouth she had not only the judges and guest panelist amazed, but also all the shows viewers amazed. Her unique voice when she spoke had everyone wondering how her voice would change once she sang. To the surprise of everyone watching, her unique voice also translated to a unique vocal style, which everyone fell in love with. Yoo Hee Yeol even said during her first audition that her voice was like a fresh breathe of air. Not only did her voice impress everyone that witnessed her audition but her self-composed song also impressed everyone. Her songwriting skills so simple but accompanied by the keyboard and her music arrangement, Lee Jin Ah’s song made such an interesting combination that left everyone who listened to it wanting more. Park Jin Young himself couldn’t even seem to categorize her in any genre and said how she is a complete new genre of music that he has never heard of. The childish tone in Lee’s voice makes everyone rejoice and have a nostalgic reaction to her music.

1. Grace Shin

27-year-old New Yorker, Grace Shin had previously auditioned for the show, but due to visa problems she wasn’t able to be part of the show. As a true comeback kid, Grace came back and auditioned again. She had previously managed to impress only Park Jin Young in her New York audition, but this time around she impressed all of the judges. Her vocal range is so high that even Yang Hyun Suk commented that her skills are better than those of many established recording artists. She was only criticized for not showing enough emotion during her first audition, but starting in the ranking auditions she proved the naysayers wrong by showing the judges that she can convey emotion with her features while she sings. Her powerful vocals will surely keep her in the competition and could lead to her taking one of the top spots.

Bonus Video:

Here’s an amazing rendition of 2PM’s Again & Again by Grace Shin and Lee Bong Yeon that had Park Jin Young, who wrote the song, amazed by their version.

This season of K-Pop Star has many unique incredible talents. We can anticipate that the live shows will leave us all in shock with everyone’s performances but make sure to keep an eye on this four contestants.

Are you watching K-Pop Star 4? Which one is your favorite contestant? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Introduction to the Korean New Wave of Cinema

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Since it’s the new year, those of us at KultScene will be branching out into other areas of contemporary Korean culture other than, but not forgetting about, K-pop. To start, this I am beginning a new series on modern Korean cinema. Despite being the second wave of Korean film, we will style it the New Wave of modern Korean cinema. Korea has always influenced many different kinds of motion picture; from the videos you see on https://www.tubev.sex/?hl=ko, all the way to this new trend of Korean influence seen in Hollywood. Over the coming weeks, I am going to look at different areas of Korean cinema, which will include spotlights on a few prominent directors, exploring the themes of Korean cinema, and Korean cinema’s experiences in Hollywood. We will start off nice and slow, with a short introduction as to what I would term the Korean New Wave. So, I will outline how the wave started and its main players.

This new wave is generally considered to have started in 1997 and ended in 2005 when the films became more mainstream but the quality and influence has remained to this day.

What happened in 1997 to spark such a wave of creativity? Well, lots of things. Of course, it wasn’t just 1997, but South Korean film had been experiencing a lot of changes in the 80s as well, it just wasn’t as momentous. For instance, a revision was made in the Motion Pictures Act in 1987, which allowed foreign film companies to work in Korea. The benefits of these new possible deals were not felt straight away due to Korea’s conservative nature. Ever since the dictatorship of Park Chung Hee introduced strict censorship policies, and the Korean film industry had to abide by them. So, an anti-American movement essentially prevented Korean cinema from expanding its horizons to include foreign films.

Also on KultScene: South Korea’s Portrayal Of North Korea Isn’t A Comedy So Stop Laughing At ‘The Interview’

As Korea transition from dictatorships to true democracy, Korean filmmakers began to fight back. 1990 to 1996 is generally considered the first new wave of Korean cinema. The directors of this age made it possible for the directors we are going to look at, to make what they wanted without restriction. Park Kwang-su, Jang Sun-woo, Chung Ji-young, Lee Myung-se, and many others looked at historical events and ideas that were taboo under the dictatorship and reinterpreted these issues in a modern context. This allowed Korean audiences the chance to rethink what they knew about their country.

To the starry island

As the film industry grew in the 1990’s, so did democracy. In Korea this meant that more liberal values were introduced into Korean society. The good times did not last too long, as the first wave came to an end at the same time as the Asian financial crisis in 1997. These changes were a big influence on the next wave, which properly began in 1999.

The Korean government and chaebols (conglomerates) were greatly affected by the Asian financial crisis and the Korean people suffered for it too. In these seemingly constant difficult times for Korea, a stirring of the creative people in the country was inevitable. Times of confusion and strive tend to create melting pots of disillusioned young people who are waiting to strike back in interesting and biting ways. Through film, the people of Korea created something truly original and specific.

Also on KultScene: SM Entertainment Goes Disney

With the increased liberalization of Korea, trips overseas for students were also now more common. Students could now move more freely to study abroad, and the average person had had more opportunities to travel. Young students were particularly drawn to America with its diverse culture. Filmmakers went to study in America and learned new ways of not only approaching cinema but life as well. For an example Lee Soo Man travelled to America and when he came back he created SM Entertainment. These budding filmmakers saw violence and sex in America and returned to strict family values in Korea. This meeting of cultures between the East and the West would go on to become a big part of the new wave’s cinema. Wild tonal shifts are now known as a distinct feature of Korean cinema because of it. It can also explain the moral pushing work of directors like Kim Ki Duk.

Shiri

Our wave begins, strangely enough, with a blockbuster from 1999 called Shiri written and directed by Kang Je Gyu. Shiri was the first of its kind in Korea and, despite the turbulent financial times, it got a huge budget. It was no mere blockbuster though, but was the first major release to address the North/South divide of Korea in a way outside of traditional propaganda. It attempted to show North Koreans in a more realistic way rather than just negative which was very progressive at the time. Not only did it challenge contemporary Korean issues, the blockbuster effects led to Shiri becoming the most lucrative film in Korean history, beating even Titanic. This economic and critical success paved the way for more daring and diverse Korean cinema, and more blockbuster-style films.

Although his film was a major part of the wave, another Kang Je Gyu went on to make only two more films between then and now and both were commercially but not culturally successful. Those who benefited from his success however, benefitted greatly. Hot off the heels of Kang’s film about North Korea, Park Chan Wook released his third feature Joint Security Area (J.S.A) about the same subject in 2000. His take was much less conventional and focused more on the inherent strangeness of soldiers standing on a physical line that borders two countries every minute of every day. It was a strong debut, and marked Park as a director to watch. And he certainly was, as he became one of the leading voices of the Korean new wave of cinema. His film Oldboy was the first Korean film to really crossover to the West and gain acclaim, even winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film two films also introduced actors Lee Byung Hun and Song Kang Ho as leading men.

JSA

Alongside Park, two directors in particular led the wave, Kim Ji Woon and Bong Joon Ho. They both released films before Park, Kim in 1998 and Bong in earlier 2000, but didn’t find their hit until after the critical landscape changed due to J.S.A. Between the three of them, they released a staggering amount of incredible films and their influence goes further than just Korea. They have all also recently released their first English language films based in America. Our look at the new wave will feature primarily, but won’t be confined to, these three directors and will continue in the coming weeks with a more in depth look at each of their careers.

Do you like the Korean New Wave? Is there anything you would like to see covered in this series? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Intro to G.Soul

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JYP Entertainment’s newest artist, G.Soul, is about to show Korean music lovers what he’s made of. He has been a trainee at JYP for fifteen years and he will finally debut on January 19th with his first mini album Coming Home. G.Soul is JYPE’s first R&B solo artist, which is very exciting not only for JYP, but for K-pop fans in general. It’s nice to see artists who specialize in other genres than pop have a chance to promote their music at the larger entertainment companies.

G.Soul was sent to NYC for training when he was a young boy after JYP discovered him and was impressed with his talents. He was supposed to debut in America as part of JYPE USA until things fell through and it closed down. While he was training in NYC all of these years, G.Soul did perform at gigs and in competitions where some of his fellow JYPE labelmates supported him, such as the Wonder Girls, Min, Jo Kwon, J-Liim, and others. Past Christmas videos on Min’s and Jo Kwon’s Instagram accounts show off G.Soul’s soulful vocals and the closeness of the JYP artists.

Also on KultScene: YG Entertainment And Authenticity In K-Pop

He was based in Brooklyn while in the States and will undoubtedly pull from his experiences and training while there. The first teaser for his first single Coming Home shows G.Soul in multiple settings in black and white and with only the beat and music of the song. The final few seconds listeners hear his unexpected vocals. His teaser for You is very similar in style with the black and white, the music and quick shots of a certain scene. Then at the end, we hear G.Soul’s voice.

Although there is only a small snippet of G.Soul’s vocals in both teasers, it’s enough to entice listeners to pay attention to his debut. His vocal quality has similar elements to Zion.T and to Bumkey, but then there is something within in that makes it his own. From the snippets it seems that he has a great voice and that his long awaited debut will not be in vain.

In the first teaser for Coming Home there is a shot of a record cover from an R.Kelly record, which is a good indication that he is a musical inspiration to G.Soul. G.Soul’s vocals do share similar qualities to R.Kelly’s vocals and it will be interesting to hear to a full length song to really be able pinpoint his sound. After listening to G.Soul’s covers on his Soundcloud, it’s clear he is heavily inspired by R&B vocalists and soulful artists, from Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Pharrell, and more.

G.Soul wrote and co-wrote every song on his mini album, which shows that he is more than a musician, he is an artist who takes pride in creating to share with fans. Whenever an artist has a significant hand in creating their musical work it gives them a bit more credibility because it shows they feel a deeper connection to the music and the lyrics and they are proud to deliver their creations to the fans.

From his teasers, G.Soul will have a decent debut. G.Soul’s fluency in Korean and English will only aid him as he embarks on his debut. His songs will utilize both languages and could possibly attract more followers and fans because of it. Since he is not an idol and not strictly pop music, G.Soul will present a fresh sound with his cultivated vocals and Western-influenced style.

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: DaeNamHyup

Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Artist Spotlight: DaeNamHyup

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Nowadays, it’s not just K-pop that benefits from the Hallyu craze. Korean hip hop has been on the rise for the last two years, with more and more rappers achieving international fame and recognition, like Beenzino, Dok2, and Simon D. After years of struggle, Korean hip hop is rapidly finding and cementing its way to the mainstream. And while there are big names out in the game killing it, you can’t forget where they came from or the one’s who are still underground. Hell, some of our favorite idol rappers started out in the underground in crews.

Such is the case of DaeNamHyp, short for “great southern joseon [Korea’s last dynasty] hip hop cooperative,” a Korean hip hop crew comprised of rappers and producers Marvel J, i11evn, DJ Snatch, Supreme Boi, Kyum2, Samsoon, ILLIPS, Iron (아이언), Kidoh, and Rap Monster. Yes, you didn’t read that wrong. BTS’ Rap Monster and ToppDogg’s Kidoh are still part of the collective, even though they currently focus on their idol groups. Marvel J is the crew’s leader, and their ages range from 28 to 21-years-old, with several ‘94 liner members. They have been active since 2009.

DaeNamHyup profile

via rapmon-dongsaeng @ Tumblr

DaeNamHyp, or DNH, as a group, is not signed to any label and release their music the old fashioned way, through mixtapes. Their latest release 제 1차 회동 (First Meeting) features all of the members with the exception of Rap Monster (who was really busy last year with BTS) either rapping or producing. Their sound draws influence from Southern rap (the American South, of course) and krump. While their flows and rap styles vary, they all spit with a little aggression, dropping their verses hard. As opposed to the established rappers’ albums, 제 1차 회동 lacks overproduction, and its rawness and emphasis on the members’ rap is what gives the mixtape a fresh and authentic feeling.

Their rapping styles are best represented on the tracks where they show their clique love, DNH Cypher and Crew Love. As for sound, Do It and Uranus show the range of talent DaeNamHyp has, going from the hard hitting beats to the mellow, easy-going raps, but killing it either way.

Also on KultScene: 9 K-Pop Songs For Twerking Pt. 2

However, hip hop crews are not like idol groups who are always together. It’s more of a group of friends who share the same interests that sometimes release group material, but also pursue solo work. While Rap Mon and Kidoh are the only members currently in idol groups, Supreme Boi is a producer for Big Hit Entertainment and has worked with BTS before. He recently dropped the fresh and feel-good track Hawaii under Big Hit.

Iron, for his part, came in second place on the competition TV program Show Me The Money 3 and recently delivered a rap verse for SHINee’s Jonghyun’s first solo project Crazy. He previously released his first mixtape Ixtape, and has featured on other artists tracks, such as Hyorin X Jooyoung’s Erase. Iron has a deep, hoarse voice that is reminiscent of BIGBANG’s T.O.P, but his spit and demeanor are far more aggressive than the BIGBANG member’s raps. Moreover, Iron was once part of the original BTS lineup, but is now signed with Polaris Entertainment and is slated to debut in a group called HIVE.


Marvel J and i11evn are not as active as the previous members with their solo work, but do upload tracks to their soundcloud pages. i11evn is signed to Factory Boi Records and recently collaborated with Supreme Boi on Kidoh’s So Busy at 1 o’Clock off of his solo mini album Small Album.

As mentioned before, Kidoh is part of ToppDogg, but missed out on a group promotional cycle in order to release his solo mini album Small Album last year. This release was different from what was previously seen by him under ToppDogg or DNH since he sang more than rapped. The title song, Taxi on the Phone, is a jazzy, piano and electric guitar lead song. His fellow ToppDogg member Sangdo featured on the track, but Kidoh kept DNH love flowing by having Iron appear in the music video playing a drunk. Moreover, So Busy at 1 o’Clock, with Supreme Boi and i11evn, sounds more like DNH material, being the only traditional hip hop track on the album.


Rap Monster, as A.R.M.Y. (BTS’ fanclub) knows well, uploads solo tracks to BTS’ soundcloud now and then. His verses on these tracks show a less restrained Rap Monster, spitting about topics he wouldn’t on his idol albums.

Samsoon and ILLIPS, for their part, are said to be currently inactive in DNH activities and haven’t released any solo work lately. Kyum2 is currently in the army and has released solo songs, but requested that fans wouldn’t upload them to any platform. Lastly, DJ Snatch is still grinding, uploading pictures to his Instagram in support of Supreme Boi’s recent showcase and a video with Kidoh in a studio, which suggest he’s still working with his DNH members. He is also expected to debut with HIVE.

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DaeNamHyup’s released their latest mixtape early last year and had a showcase in March. They also held a concert with Royal Cla$$ in the summer, attended by Kidoh but not Rap Monster. And in order to bring 2014 to a close, Iron, i11evn, Kidoh, Supreme Boi, Marvel J, and DJ Snatch performed at Speakshow with other rappers like Crucial Star, GEEKS, and Giriboy.

Even if some of the DNH members are in idol groups and others are pursuing their own solo careers, the boys always support one another by holding showcases together or featuring on each other’s work. All of the members are still in their 20’s, which, contrary to K-pop idols, means they’re just getting started. Whether it’s as DaeNamHyup or as solo acts, the crew are on their way to slay the Korean rap game.

DaeNamHyup profile dnh

via dementho @ Tumblr

What’s your favorite DaeNamHyup song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

9 K-Pop Songs for Twerking pt. 2

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Even if twerking is still frowned upon by people in Korea and abroad, it hasn’t prevented K-pop artists from releasing songs suited for this type of dance. The perfect track to twerk to needs to have a hard and heavy beat — bonus points for a bass drop. And in an era where hip hop is beginning to adopt EDM music more and more (um, hello Diplo!), the repertoire extends. So in order to keep the list going, we came up with a second installment of best K-pop songs to twerk to.

1. f(x) Rainbow

When one thinks of twerking, the aggressive and hard motions are the first thing that comes to mind. But in order to get to that point, we need to start somewhere. f(x) is not a sexy or even hip hop group, but the beat on Rainbow gives way for some slower, cuter twerking.

kpop twerking songs jimin

via funnykpopdotcom

2. TOP Turn it Up

In order to segway into a sexier yet still slow paced twerk, Turn it Up is a good choice. For his duo project with GD, TOP flexed his way through the whole song with his signature deep, husky voice. This together with the jumpy beat created a great contrast that’s easy to follow.

kpop twerking songs wassup

via fywassup @ Tumblr

3. EXO-K Two Moons

EXO is probably one of the most unthinkable groups to release a twerk-ready song, and yet, they released Two Moons in their first mini-album. The song is the only one in their discography with a strong hip hop influence, lead by the rapping of the members and SHINee’s Key. Two Moons is also jumpy, and the chant-like “hey’s” emphasize and set an explicit mark for twerking.

kpop twerking songs hyuna

via Tumblr

Also on KultScene: Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works

4. WA$$UP Shut Up U

WA$$UP were named “twerk dolls” since their debut, and while their first music video included a whole lot of booty shaking, there wasn’t much of twerking. Not only that, but music and vocals were a bit all over the place. That changed with their latest relase Shut Up U, which sounds like f(x)’s Rainbow with a dancehall spin. The difference in tempos in the track allow for differet twerking speeds.

kpop twerking songs top

by yellowgiant

5. MADTOWN YOLO

MADTOWN debuted last year after a few teasers with a song written by the same guy who wrote EXO’s Growl. With that being said, it came as no surprise when the guy’s debut track YOLO had great groove and flow and a great beat to twerk to. The chorus gives way to a fast tempo, fun twerking opportunity complete with “YOLO” verses.

kpop twerking songs secret

via Tumblr

6. G-Dragon Niliria feat. Missy Elliott

Having built up momentum, Niliria is where the party really begins. G-Dragon and Missy Elliott’s different rap flows and the change in beats, like Shut Up U, lets the twerking go from slow to hard to deep to slow again throughout the whole song, potentially creating a Bohemian Rhapsody of twerk.

kpop twerking songs wassup

via hungryapp

7. GD X Taeyang Good Boy

What happens when you mix EDM with R&B and rapping? A GD and Taeyang song, of course. The ‘88 liners teamed up this year to release a club banger perfect for twerking, especially the hook. The tempo is fast, the beat hard, and it calls for the volume to be turned up.

kpop twerking songs minzy

via onehallyu

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Albums Of 2014

8. Masta Wu Come Here feat. Dok2 and Bobby

Continuing with YG Entertainment releases, Masta Wu came back last year with Come Here. Right off the bat and without a warning, the song opens with fast paced claps. Each of the guy’s verses have a more fluid flow than the hook. Other than twerking and booty clapping, there can’t be a better suited dance for this particular song.

kpop twerking songs nari wassup

via hungryapp

9. 2PM Superman

Continuing with the hip hop and EDM hybrids comes Superman by 2PM members Jun.K and Wooyoung. Yep, you read that right, not Taecyeon or Nichkhun, but the group’s vocalists. Like Go Crazy!, Superman is a fun song that makes you want to let loose. However, this song has that special beat and change in tempos and flows that make it the best canvas for a twerking masterpiece.

kpop twerking songs exo kai

via Tumblr

What’s your favorite song for twerking, even if you don’t twerk per se? We’d love to hear your thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

[Render: HaraYoung230603, ByMadHatter, Yourlonglostsister]

Review: Sonamoo ‘Deja Vu’

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Rating

TS Entertainment’s latest girl group, Sonamoo, debuted at the end of 2014, with the song Deja Vu. There was some controversy around TS debuting a new group amidst contract issues with TS popular idol group, B.A.P, and also concerns that Sonamoo’s official color is too similar to that of SM Entertainment’s SHINee. Despite the issues have with how TS Entertainment handled Sonamoo’s debut, it’s hard to deny that Deja Vu is a stellar debut song.

Song

The song is catchy and the members appear to be able to sing well (although some of their debut stages leaves room for argument). The song has powerful beats and EDM elements that wouldn’t be out of place in a club, but Déjà Vu just isn’t really memorable. It’s just another dance track with a powerful beat. Sonamoo tries really hard, but the debut song seems like just another dance song with some interesting beats dropped every once in a while in an attempt to make the song give off a more powerful vibe.

Credit: TS Entertainment

Credit: TS Entertainment

One of the major problems is that the seven girls have voices that don’t really match up with the hip-hop elements. Some higher pitched voices simply don’t seem to fit amidst deeper, rougher voices like those of the rappers. The two rappers, D.ana and New Sun, dominate the entire performance with their stage presence and stellar attempts at rapping. But transitioning from rap to a sweet sound comes off as sudden and I personally feel that it ruins the momentum.

Sonmoo Deja Vu Gif 1

Credit: TS Entertainment

 

Another problem I have with the song is that I really wish that they had gone with more meaningful lyrics rather than just singing about how love is like fate that has happened over and over again. If I didn’t know what Sonamoo was singing about, but heard the song and saw the performance, I’d honestly probably think that the seven were singing a song about female empowerment. The music video looks like it would be more about the awesomeness of girl power along the lines of Beyonce’s Run The World, but Déjà Vu doesn’t deliver that.

Music Video

The video’s sets were really cool, even though some of it reminded me a lot of B.A.P’s debut music video for Warrior. Nothing wrong with reusing sets, though, especially when the set is remade to look like the inside of an industrial factory with a chandelier. The dance stage, where the seven members of Sonamoo danced amidst scaffolding, looked really cool and futuristic, but differed a bit from the rest of the video’s style (the outfits that I take problem with also made their appearances during that part).

Credit: TS Entertainment

Credit: TS Entertainment

 

Moreover, the plot is a bit nonexistent. With a title like Déjà Vu it would seem that the music video would be about Sonamoo seeing things over and over again. Instead, it’s about the members looking for something and turning on the power, literally, and seeing a stream of energy flit about the place without any clear interpretation.

Style

The video started out really strong conceptually, rocking the hip-hop styled sporty outfits. Sports bras, loose harem pants, athletic jerseys, leather jackets… They all made appearances. But then the black and white tight fitting outfits appeared and I was less impressed that TS Entertainment chose to put the fiercer outfits aside for traditionally sexy, skin-fitting clothes. The individual style for each girl, with unique hairstyles and personalized outfits, were a nice touch.

Credit: TS Entertainment

Credit: TS Entertainment

Dance

Sonamoo’s strength is definitely its dance. The body popping and locking that several of the dancers use is rare to see in K-pop girl group’s songs, although the twerking, now a commonly seen dance move in K-pop, isn’t super exciting and kind of diminishes the powerful dance moves. Even so, Sonamoo’s dancers are really good performers, performing splits and never seeming out of synchrony. The random hand-game that the rappers perform seems kind of silly and doesn’t really add to the song, though, so I can’t really say the dance is flawless.

Credit: TS Entertainment

Credit: TS Entertainment

Rating

It’s a really good attempt at a style of girl group that’s rare– tough rather than cute or sexy, but the song, while catchy, doesn’t really seem so memorable. The vocals are good but have a long way to go, and Sonamoo’s saving grace is really the dancing.

2.5/5

Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works

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Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook has been on air since 2009, which is quite a feat for any television program. Since day one he has had many well known singers, artists, and K-pop groups on the show, which attributes to some of its success. And yet, Yoo Heeyeol himself is the main reason why the show is still on the air and why the audience capacity is always full.

Yoo Heeyeol came onto the scene in 1992 after he won a contest. A few years later, he started a duo group called Toy. After his military service, he continued Toy as a one-man band and continues to release new music. Yoo Heeyeol writes, produces, composes and is also a member of SNL Korea. His many musical and artistic talents already make him a perfect host for his show. But, the fact that he is funny and personable is why it has lasted.

Every week, Yoo Heeyeol has 3-4 guests on his show. They are usually artists who have recently had a comeback and released new music. They are big names that many people in Korea recognize and many people internationally know quite well also. They’re also artists from different musical genres. This is not strictly a K-pop only show; there are hip hop artists, K-pop artists, solo artists, indie artists, and much more. Some artists that have been on the show include Epik High, Beast, Jang Kiha and the Faces, and many many more.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook beezino

via Tumblr

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Each guest gets an introduction from Yoo Heeyeol before they perform one song, usually a well-known older one. Then comes the sit down on the stage with Yoo Heeyeol, where he does a brief interview asking them about their new music and sometimes some personal things. The one things he does extremely well during the interviews is that he connects with the artist he is sitting with as well as the audience. He engages the audience with quick comments where they can easily answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or react in unison. Engaging the audience with himself and the artists is a great quality, because he is not only an interviewer, but a host of a show with a live audience; he doesn’t neglect anyone.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook 2ne1

via neur0leptykneur0leptyk @ Tumblr

When Yoo Heeyeol interviews his guest, it seems like we’re watching a private conversation. He always holds eye contact and responds where necessary when his guests answer his questions and share their own anecdotes. His questions are usually about the process for the current work of music, but he also digs deeper and wants to know story behind the creation of all it. In a caring and non-imposing or threatening way, Yoo Heeyeol sometimes shares his own experiences with writing music and performing. There are many instances where both Yoo Heeyeol and his guest(s) at the time poke fun at each other, but it’s clear that it is not done with a malicious intent. It’s just some fun banter to keep everyone laughing and relaxed.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook girls' generation snsd

via Tumblr

After the interview portion of each guest segment, they perform one or two more songs for the audience. These songs are usually from their new music collection, and it’s clear that the artist performing on stage and the people in the audience are all enjoying themselves. It’s a smaller venue for the artist, which make for a more intimate show, both for the performer and the audience.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook taeyang

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Also on KultScene: Brave Brothers And The Culture Industry

Yoo Heeyeol’s experience in the music industry and long-lasting career make him a perfect host for this type of show. His warm and happy demeanor ensures that every guest is comfortable and enjoying their time on the show. Yoo Heeyeol, as mentioned above, keeps his audience interested in the show by including them (as a whole) in some questions/comments during the interview portion. Here’s to 10 plus more years of Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook

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Do you enjoy Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook? Who are some of your favorite guests that have been on the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 10 K-Pop Dance Performances of 2014

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Dancing is hugely important to a complete K-pop performance. It is what sets them apart from western pop stars and is one of the biggest draws for western fans. So it is appropriate that we celebrate the year in dances and showcase the best K-pop has to offer. There is a great amount of variety on show here from the most personal of dances to beautiful teamwork. Check out our top songs, videos and albums of the year along with this to get a sense of what we thought of this year in K-pop.

10. Got7 A

JYP rookies Got7 start off this list with their bubblegum hit A. While it is not as powerful or intricate as the rest of this list, A’s dance perfectly balances a sense of fun with great choreography. The boys effortlessly move from chit-chatting in a group to their proper moves all while retaining the fun side. The dance moves are simple, fresh but with quick timing. The choreography matches up with the youthful feeling of Got7 seamlessly.

 

9. EXO Overdose

With a group as big as EXO’s, the positioning of the members is always going to be hard. As they have released more songs though, they have gotten better and better at their use of the stage. Overdose furthers their reputation of delivering original choreography and inspired use of 12 members. Even after the loss of Kris and Luhan, EXO adapted and continued performing this song to the best of their ability. Plus, with someone as charismatic as Kai leading your dance it’s hard not to look good.

 

8. TVXQ Something

When it comes to choreographic perfection in K-pop you may look no further than the reigning kings, TVXQ. Something adds to this with a gimmick of microphones and strings. Yunho and Changmin are first held by the strings so they can lean back and look cool. They then use them like the strings of guitar in a charming way to start off the song. Apart from the gimmicks, the choreography is performed to perfection as usual. These boys are up there with the best pop performers in the world, not just K-pop.

 

7. VIXX Eternity

VIXX are known for their imaginative and relevant choreography and this year they delivered that on two singles. Eternity stands out over Error because of the sheer kinetic prowess on display. Everything that the members do seems connected from the lifting of the members at the start to the intense chorus. The energy and physicality VIXX brings to their performances is unparalleled. They even do the scorpion move made famous by INFINITE and make it seem like no big deal.

 

Also on KultScene: VIXX and its Successful Use of Themes

 

6. INFINITE Back

INFINITE’s members are easily some of the best performers in all of K-Pop. Of course, they are always helped out by excellent choreography and Back is no different. Their second single of the year marked a return to form in song and dance. They use classic techniques like the shadowing of member Hoya at the beginning and their own techniques like the first post-chorus breakdown, which is spectacular in its originality, to great effect. Also, the drop is EVERYTHING.

 

5. Nasty Nasty Knock

Star Empire’s experimental sub-group consisting of ZEA’s Kevin, Nine Muses’ Kyungri and trainee Sojin beat Trouble Maker at their own game this year with their single Knock. Nasty Nasty took Trouble Maker’s concept of the co-ed duet to portray a relationship in a performance but added another girl to up the ante. What sounds like a possible conceptual disaster turned out to be one of the sexiest and best performances of the year. The smooth moves are perfectly performed by the three with Kevin exuding charisma he’s unable to show in ZEA, Kyungri maturing into a confident star, and Sojin showcasing great potential.

 

4. Taemin Danger

SHINee’s maknae well and truly became a man with his debut solo release Danger. Taemin channels his inner Michael Jackson in the song and dance, and pulls it off as well as we might have expected. He brings power and precision to original, intricate moves. The dance moves from bouts of restraint before exploding into powerful actions for the climax. Taemin brought his energy and identity to his solo work and it paid off enormously.

 

Also on KultScene: Why Taemin Was First In SHINee To Go Solo

 

3. Nicole MAMA

Former KARA member Nicole’s debut song MAMA may not have been a huge hit but its lyrics about sexual frustration and choreography that matches were some of the best of the year. The whole focus of the song seems to be on the choreography, as Nicole knows where her strength lies. The dance plays as a symbolic move from the sweet, innocent Nicole of KARA to the confident, sexy Nicole we now see. She is alluring with the female backup dancers and is sought after with all the male dancers. Her stage presence and execution has only gotten better since leaving KARA. We may have the next BoA on our hands.

 

2. TVQX Spellbound

If TVXQ are some of the best pop performers in the world then they had to make two appearances on this list right? Both Spellbound and Something were incredible dances but Spellbound wins out because it does away with gimmicks. In it both Yunho and Changmin are given time to shine on their own with the best use of backing dancers in K-pop yet. The two really shine when together though, as in the incredible moves during the chorus and the breakdown that comes three and a half minutes in. This is the best executed performance of the year so what could possibly have beaten it to number one?

 

1. HA:TFELT Ain’t Nobody

In deciding a number one for this list it came down to measured brilliance or raw personal energy. Ultimately, Wonder Girl Ye Eun’s alter ego beat out TVXQ as she offered up something we had not yet seen before from any idol. Taking cues from Sia’s Chandelier, the choreography is interpretive and full of emotions. Feeling comes out of every slight movement of Ye Eun’s body which coupled with her intense voice makes Ain’t Nobody a truly complete performance. Every aspect of her performance created a personal story which has never been encountered in K-pop. For once, we are witnessing art rather than a product.

What 2014 K-Pop dances are your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 20 K-Pop Albums of 2014

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Wrapping up our series of year-end lists comes the top K-Pop albums of 2014. Every day in the business brings a new song, a new group, a new comeback, etc., and that’s why not everything is always good or that different. But just as there’s some bad releases, there are even more outstanding ones out there. Listed below, some of the best albums range from veteran artists, to up-and-coming rookies, to consistent top players. 2014 also proved to be YG Entertainment’s, and that’s news to no one who follows K-Pop. And since Hallyu has been broadening its horizons in the last couple of years, the top albums picked include typical K-Popers, rappers, and rockers. K-Pop delivered more than one sound in 2014, and that’s what made this year great. The albums on this list were chosen by the KultScene staff merely based on our tastes and preferences.

20. g.o.d Chapter 8

An all around great album, the fifteenth anniversary album is really g.o.d’s gift to their fans. As one of K-pop’s most popular first generation acts, g.o.d doesn’t disappoint. With an opening that sounds like something you’d hear at a musical or in the very beginning of a movie, which gradually turns into a more industrial tune, Chapter 8 builds up the anticipation for g.o.d’s songs. The members introduce the album, and discuss being together for fifteen years together through music. The album’s tracks are a combination of new songs and revamped versions of g.o.d’s hits; Sky Blue Promise is an ode to g.o.d’s fans based on one of the group’s most famous songs, One Candle. Chapter 8 introduces new and old fans to the diverse styles of songs that g.o.d have performed over the year; the beautiful ballads, the upbeat dance songs (Saturday Night,) the iconic raps-Chapter 8 has them all.

19. Royal Pirates Toxic Love

Royal Pirates’ mini album Love Toxic is short, sweet, and the perfect thing to sit down and take a listen to. Haru’s soft melody draws the listeners in with its crooning before Royal Pirates springs the more upbeat Love Toxic on the audience. The final three songs are all great, but the English version of You is really the standout track. Royal Pirates bring together their rock sound with the synth sounds that have been prominent in K-pop in 2014 to create an addictive album.

18. Girls’ Generation Mr.Mr

Mr.Mr really brings together everything that Girls’ Generation has worked on for the
past seven years. The album has the Girls’ singing dance tracks, ballads, and experimental songs with funk elements that they wouldn’t have dreamt of including even three years ago. The title song is the epitome of Girls’ Generation’s chart-topping songs with powerful dances, while the other songs on the album, like Back Hug, Goodbye, Europa Soul have the Girls’ showing off their vocal prowess through a variety of different musical styles. With a multitude of sounds and small moments you’re likely to glance over, Mr.Mr demands to be listened to over and over again so that you don’t miss a single element.

17. After School Dress to Kill

After Kahi’s departure, After School looked like they were on the way down but with the incredible pole dancing choreography of First Love and this amazing Japanese album they are completely revitalized. The two singles taken from Dress to Kill, the disco smash Heaven and the 90’s electro inspired Shh, are two of the best Japanese K-pop singles ever released and cemented After School’s return to quality, if not sales. The album overall sounds more like a Japanese group than a Korean group and it’s a sound that perfectly suits the girls’ voices. The album kicks off especially with the title track, Miss Independent and Triangle having particulary J-Pop electro sounds, with Lizzy especially perfectly executing her parts on Triangle. There is not a bad track on the album and enough variation to keep it interesting all while sticking to the original sound. All the changes in the world to After School’s line up won’t matter if they keep making music like this.

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2014

 

16. Ga-In Truth or Dare

Ga-In’s mini album Truth or Dare was one of the most underrated releases of the year. The unusual concepts (mockumentary music video) and controversy (cursing-dol!) failed to catch attention so K-Pop fans missed out on some great songs. Ga-In reunites with Lee Min Soo on lead single Truth or Dare which is a smooth R&B pop track that is an indirect fxxk you to the haters. Pre-release single Fxxk U is even better and really makes Ga-In stand out from other idols, like any Brown Eyed Girl member should. The song’s plucking guitar, strange backing choir, and lyrics about a destructive relationship mesh together perfectly to create the highlight of the album. The rest of the album retains the quality and identity of Ga-In. It even has an interesting ballad featuring her former We Got Married faux husband, Jo-Kwon.

15. Kyuhyun At Gwanghwamun

Following two debuts from the Chinese members of Super Junior-M, SM Entertainment finally gave Kyuhyun his much deserved solo album this year, and boy was it everything we had hoped for and more. Being a gifted vocalist, Kyuhyun’s strength lies with ballads, which mostly comprise At Gwanghwamun. Super Junior’s maknae (youngest member) kept the music arrangement soft and simple, making his powerful yet warm voice take the spotlight. Songs like the title song, At Close, and My Thoughts, Your Memories soothe the listener’s’ senses and make them fall for Kyuhyun’s charming little album.

14. WINNER 2014 S/S

YG Entertainment finally debuted their new and much anticipated boy band in 2014. After their appearance as Team A on WIN:WHO IS NEXT? and winning the competition, Team A gained the title of WINNER. Their debut album was modeled after a high fashion campaign, and was even named 2014 S/S like the spring/summer shows in fashion week. The album has many stand out tracks like their sad debut ballad Empty, Mino’s solo song I’m Him, and the funny reggae-pop very reminiscent of fellow YG act 2NE1’s sound, Don’t Flirt. The full album was penned and produced by all the members of the WINNER, with arrangements by The Fliptones, Choice 37, and Teddy. WINNER changed the game for the new rookies to come and we can’t wait to see what direction they take when they come back with new material.

12. GOT7 Identify

After a debut and a comeback, with their respective mini album, JYP Entertainment’s latest boy group finally released their well-deserved full length album by the end of the year. With Identify, GOT7 properly showed how they’re 2PM’s second coming plus a futuristic Y2K millennium vibe. The album ranges from hip hop and futuristic hybrids like Gimme and Stop Stop It, but also showcases the vocalists’ talent in She’s a Monster and Moonlight. GOT7 proved with their first album that they’re here to stay.

12. Taemin Ace

Taemin, SHINee’s first member to go solo, proved with his mini album Ace that he was up to the challenge of releasing a solo album. Taemin’s vocals have improved immensely since his debut and his dancing skills have only grown with him. Ace showcases the maknae’s talents and is a great debut solo album for such a young veteran. Each song has a different feel and vibe, yet they all feel like Taemin. HIs confidence, stage presence, and overall knowledge of the music industry has no doubt helped him with this debut mini-album. It’s a great album that showcases the young man’s talents.

11. Seo Taiji Quiet Night

Heavy on the industrial-styled rock mixed with electropop, Seo Taiji’s Quiet Night is like a dream brought to life via music. Sogyeokdong is like a daydream, the title song Christmalo.win is like a nightmare, The Fighter In the Forest is like a whimsical fantasy dream, Prison Break sounds like an adventure-filled dream where you have to battle adversaries, etc. All the random quirks in Seo Taiji’s songs require multiple listens, but the retro-styled Quiet Night is a fantastical, experimental, pop-filled album that is clearly one of the best releases of 2014.

10. 2NE1 CRUSH

2014 saw the comeback of 2NE1 with their second album CRUSH. Bom, Dara, CL, and Minzy came back to the music scene crushing everyone else with their smashing single Come Back Home that mixes reggae, pop, and trap, and making an all kill in the music charts. CRUSH even saw international success and made it to the 61 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. 2NE1’s second album came packed with amazing tracks like Gotta Be You, the tittle track Crush, CL’s second solo song MTDB, the Korean version of their Japanese smash hit Scream, and powerful ballads like Good To You and Baby I Miss You. The album was produced by Choice 37, Teddy, Choi Pil Kang, Dee.P, while four songs were written by CL, one by Big Bang’s G-Dragon, and the rest by Teddy. 2NE1 came back with a bang and they never cease to amaze us.

9. INFINITE Be Back

The repackage album can prove to be a blessing or curse depending on what exactly is getting repackaged. They can prove to be an incoherent mess or a fully realized album. Fortunately for INFINITE, fate landed them on the blessing side with Be Back. The idol group shows a growth in their capabilities with a great variety of songs. The singles Last Romeo and Back are two of the best boy group songs of the year and are a great return to form after two disappointing singles. They also showcase ballads, hip-hop and solo songs by Sunggyu and Woohyun along with songs by INFINITE’s two subgroups, INFINITE H and INFINITE F. Be Back ensures INFINITE place as a top tier boy group.

8. Akdong Musician Play

Akdong Musician (AKMU) came into the K-Pop music industry like a breathe of fresh air. Their youthful and innocent album Play swept the Korean music charts and made non K-Pop fans interested in K-Pop just because of their album. AKMU felt more like an indie artist than the fabricated idols we are used to see in K-Pop. The siblings Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun gave us an album that makes us reflect in our past and think about the future in fresh new ways. The album was fully written and produced by Lee Chanhyuk, and we are expecting many great things to come from AKMU in the future.

7. Epik High Shoebox

There’s a lot to say about Shoebox, but we’ll just stick with the basics. A lot of people say they don’t like Epik High’s music now that they’re at YG. Maybe being in a new environment with so many talented people has influenced their songwriting and producing. But isn’t that the point of being a musician, continuing to grow in one’s craft? Almost every song on the album has at least one featured artist, including their anthem to all of the haters, Born Hater. The songs in the beginning of the album are slower and more emotional, reminiscent of older Epik High songs, while the second half has a different, more fast-paced style, but each song has its own quality and aura. Shoebox as a whole is a great album.

6. Beast Time

Time is Beast’s second mini album of 2014. The album showcases the guys’ emotional and mature side compared to other releases. The songs are not as upbeat and dance worthy as Good Luck or We Up. But Time does boast jazz influences and the whole album really showcases the guys’ vocal and rapping talents. The album tells a story of a man, and all the different stages of his breakup and the emotions that he goes through during that time. Rapper Junhyung has produced a beautiful album yet again that incorporates different musical genres quite well.

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Music Videos of 2014

 

5. Super Junior Mamacita

For the past two years, Super Junior had gone into an unofficial hiatus following Leeteuk’s enlistment to the army. The group focused on subunits and solo and duo projects while they waited for their leader. But with Mamacita, the kings of Hallyu came back with a bang. Or more like with an “ayayayayay.” While the title song was signature adorkable and cheesy Super Junior, the rest of the album was legit. They kept the high energy with Too Many Beautiful Girls, Shirt, and Let’s Dance, but also showcased their growth as artists and a more mature side with power ballads like Evanesce and This is Love. There’s even a hint of sexiness with Midnight Blues, which only further proves the fact that Super Junior can do it all and do it well.

4. Beenzino Up All Night

Beenzino came out in 2014 with his second mini album Up All Night. The five track EP takes us on Beenzino’s artistic journey that he started when he released Dali, Van, Picasso in 2013. Beenzino states once again his love for art, women, and fashion. With stand out tracks like the dance ready How Do I Look? and the break-up track Up All Night, Beenzino shows us once again his artistic sensibility and his amazing rapping skills. We know here at KultScene that he will be an artist to keep an eye on for 2015.

3. f(x) Red Light

f(x) were always going to have trouble bettering their last album Pink Tape, the best album of last year but they came close to equalling it with Red Light. It starts off incredibly strong with the title track and the wonderfully weird Milk and Butterfly. The highlight is the Will Simms produced Rainbow, which was the unknown song of the summer. The rest is an excellent bunch of heavy electro pop that can be grating at first listen but once you know it’s coming it can be enjoyed to the max.

2. BEAST Good Luck

If there’s a song that has consistently ranked high on KultScene’s end of the year lists, it’s BEAST’s Good Luck. And not only is it a great song and a great music video, but it’s a fantastic album. Unlike Time, Good Luck had its equal share of ballads and signature BEAST dance pop and R&B tracks, and then something in between. Such was the case of the album’s title song by the same name and Sad Movie, which showcased their powerful performances vocally and dance wise. Slower tracks like History and No More felt more vulnerable given the lack of intrinsic beats. With the utter success of their two albums released this year, BEAST proved that 2014 was their year.

1. Clazziquai Project Blink

Clazziquai Project’s 10th studio album is full of beautifully produced electro-pop tracks that all connect to each other, but each have their own, unique flair and flavor. Blink isn’t as flashy as some K-Pop albums, but its a near perfect album that represents Clazziquai Project’s many virtues. The instruments and style of music on Blink creates an album that explores the blending of different sounds and vocal styles. Alex’s and Horan’s vocals are, as always, on point and perfectly depict the emotions for each song. There’s no question that Clazziquai Project has created an absolutely perfect album.

Track 7: Come on and Go with Me

Track 8: Life etc.

What 2014 K-Pop albums where your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 20 K-Pop Music Videos of 2014

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Following our stride of year-end list, we have arrived at the top K-Pop music videos of 2014. Similar to our top songs of the year, entertainment companies stepped their game up and dropped serious cash for the music videos. It seemed that everyone was competing for the best and most innovative video this year, as they seemed to get better and better as the year progressed. This, of course, is great news for K-Pop fans who have developed a taste for well-thought out and produced videos, rather than your average boxed one. But with that also comes the hard decision or picking our favorites and then ranking them. And yet, someone has to do it. Our picks are merely based on the KultScene staff’s taste and preferences and shouldn’t be taken as the absolute truth.

20. Eddy Kim Darling

Because Eddy Kim is not your average K-Pop idol, he took the liberty of coming up with a music video like Darling. On the surface, it’s a cute, pastel colored video where he sings about being head over heels about his lover, with the unknown girl touching and pulling on him. However, on a closer look and listen, the song and video are filled with innocent sexual innuendos, such as the split screen with the girl’s torso and the two oranges or the girl biting at a hot dog while Eddy is lounging in a bathtub. And while this might be shocking if an idol group did it, Eddy is free to put out age-appropriate videos that depict how the actual life of a 25-year-old might be like. The singer comes off as too sweet that you can’t help but fall for him and wish he sang that song to you.

19. Crucial Star Three Things I Want to Give You

The video for Three Things I Want to Give You by Crucial Star is very innocent, yet mysterious and alluring at the same time, making it a real pleasure to watch. The fisheye lens connects the viewer to the video, in that we see what this person sees when they see it. The colors are pastel, light, and airy to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The circle theme can be interpreted in many ways, allowing the viewer to develop their own perception of what is happening in the video. And the ending is quite adorable.

18. Block B HER

Block B came back with a funky song and video for HER. The video stood out for its amazing use of color and sets. There was an incredible amount of attention to detail in the boys’ styling and every decoration in the background. They even wore amazing pieces by Juun J, Versus by Versace, and Vivienne Westwood, like true K-Pop superstars. The music video even has a very funny skit where Block B is being interviewed and they are just being their awesome dork selves. Who can forget about the random ostrich in the music video? And just when you think the video couldn’t get any funnier, the members keep surprising the viewers with an array of crazy imagery paired with the crazy choreography that makes it an amazing video.

17. HA:TFELT Ain’t Nobody

Former Wonder Girl Ye Eun’s solo debut makes more of an impact than most because it is personally driven by Ye Eun herself. Ain’t Nobody is about an ex boyfriend who cheated on her and the video parallels this. In it, Ye Eun herself walks around aimlessly and without emotion until the chorus kicks in and she dances passionately and like an animal. After her break up, music is what she turns to to regain feeling. A key part of the video is the butterfly that follows her around. In Asian culture, a butterfly symbolizes love, specifically young love. At the start of the video, Ye Eun lets out her own butterfly to fly free, she was ready to love. When she reaches her boyfriend’s house at the end of the video however, hundreds of butterflies fly out as she opens the door. He apparently had no regard for love while for Ye Eun it was true. As she reaches his room, her butterfly returns to her. Her love was well and truly over.

16. WINNER Empty

YG Entertainment debuted WINNER this year in a very different way, without the characteristic swag that the companies artists have. In contrast, the members’ styling became very polished fashion looks. Even their first album’s name was based on the concept of a fashion show. With the music video for Empty, WINNER was able to convey the feelings of the song. A man longing for his lost lover and feeling completely empty after the break up. The video shows each members in different scenarios that are beautifully created sets that showcase each members feeling lonely, with flashbacks of the lost relationship shown in between. By the end of the music video, all the boys gather in one room to reminisce together. The cinematography for the music video is stunning, the lighting and the soft color palette add to the feeling of sadness in the song. WINNER surely raised the game for rookie groups with their debut music video.

Also on KultScene: Korean Drama Trends To Look Forward To In 2015

15. AKMU 200%

First-time crushes are really memorable and beautiful, but in 200%, innocent love isn’t all that it seems. While the music video starts off just cute and simple, there’s a twist at the end that reveals AKMU’s Suhyun is in love with a boy who is already in a relationship and she’s merely imagining going on dates with him. Cute and heartbreaking all at once, the music video suits AKMU’s debut song perfectly.

14. 2NE1 Come Back Home

2NE1 finally came back with their much anticipated album CRUSH, and their first single Come Back Home came with an amazing music video. The video shows the girls in a post-apocalyptic future where everybody is more interested in the virtual world than the real one. A couple portrayed by Dara and an actor showcase how the ambition for the virtual world is a problem in their relationship. You can see her being sad throughout the video while her partner just connects into the virtual world. 2NE1 decides that it’s time to stop this craziness and create a revolution. They go into the virtual world and get rid off it. Not only does the video have a very interesting plot, but it’s also a social commentary on how people are more emerged in their social media and their phones than the real world nowadays.

13. Hi Suhyun I’m Different (feat. Bobby)

Lee Hi and Akmu’s Soohyun didn’t take the top spot for best video, but they sure do for cutest. The music video follows a storyline of both girls being smitten by the same guy, Bobby. They follow him around give him presents like sasaeng fans until he arranges for them both to see him with his actual beau. The video shows the girls at their cutest, and even though they’re kind of obsessed with Bobby, it’s very funny and cute. Moreover, we saw a more age appropriate Bobby devoid of all the hip hop excess and swag. The video was so unlike YG Entertainment, but it only goes to show they can show diversity.

12. U-KISS Stop Playing

Step aside, girl groups and your sexy concepts. There were some shirtless Korean idols heating things up this year. U-KISS brought out the big guns for Stop Playing and definitely proved that they’re not young anymore, but sex-loving, threesome-wanting men. Sensuality definitely sells this music video, but it’s not just all about sex. It’s about the dances, the lighting, and the rawness that the song portrays. Even if, at times, it feels like you might be watching a video on an adult website like collegeporn xxx. Done in a tasteful, sultry way, U-KISS makes this list for doing age appropriate sexy right.

11. TVXQ Spellbound

The music video for Spellbound is, in its most simple form, another signature video-in-a-box from SM Entertainment. However, the company found a way to spin their frequently used techniques in a way that felt different and new. TVXQ pulls off the use of the one-shot camera while incorporating their choreography perfectly. Not only does Spellbound showcase the duo’s talents, but it also brings the backup dancers into the limelight where they show off their talents as well. Truth is, the combination of the choreography and the dancers is what drives the whole music video; the dance is absolutely delightful and seems a bit like sex on the dance floor. The on-point clothes and the black and white theme adds class and sophistication to the video, showing TVXQ’s maturation as idols who debuted eleven years ago.

10. Clazziquai Project Still I’m By Your Side

Still I’m By Your Side uses the split screen beautifully throughout the video to create a piece of true artwork. From the opening scenes, it seems that the couple in the video are connected to each other. And throughout the video, they retrace each other’s steps without knowing and then realize they are meant to be. It isn’t until the end that the viewers realize that the story is about two different couples. Clazziquai Project‘s video shows, in a really inspiring way, that many people may be going through the same things you are; we’re not always alone.

9. Ga-In Fxxk U

Between Bloom and Fxxk U, Gain has confronted sex in K-Pop better than any idol. The video is about a tumultuous relationship between Gain and her real life boyfriend Joo Ji Hoon. Directed by Hwang Soo Ah (the best music video director in K-Pop), the story of this video is about domestic violence and how unclear it might seem to outsiders. It is never explicitly shown, but the body language of the two and how they react to each other tell us everything we need to know. It is awkward and aggressive, but, in a sick and dysfunctional way, sexual and loving. There are some incredible images, like the sex scene behind the shower curtain and the bloody bathroom towards the end. Gain loves this man and can’t leave him, even though he hurts her and the consequences of this are displaced but certain.

8. IU/Seo Taiji Sogyeokdong

The video for Sogyeokdong is a love story between two kids in 1980s South Korea. It was split into two versions, one sang by Seo Taiji from the young girl’s perspective and one by IU from the young boy’s perspective. It is an incredible piece of storytelling as the videos work well by themselves, but even better when put together. They perfectly evoke that turbulent time in Korea and achieve a vintage look by using a 4:3 aspect ratio and a classic filter. It is at the same time a damning indictment of the former government and a universal look at how love can blossom in any situation.

7. BEAST 12:30

12:30 takes the song’s title and meaning and depicts it perfectly, with constant representations of clocks and the depiction of lovers having difficult, just as the song lyrics describe. The nostalgic, cinematic music video depicts a relationship falling apart in a heart wrenching way, with the plot that moves according to the hour hands on the clock. There are many K-pop songs that have music videos that have very little to do with the songs actual lyrics, but BEAST’s 12:30 goes above and beyond the norm to create a dark, beautiful piece of artwork.

6. BEAST Good Luck

One of the groups that consistently delivered great comebacks this year was BEAST, with not only the beautiful music video for 12:30, but also with its predecessor Good Luck. If there’s something that Junhyung excels at is writing heart wrenching break up songs, and Good Luck. The music video has dark and blue undertones that set the cold atmosphere for this tale of telling a lover goodbye after a tumultuous relationship, despite his feelings. You can really appreciate how each of the guys is at war with his emotions, and the music video shows the rawness of it with each of their individual scenes. If the overall cinematography wasn’t enough, BEAST brought their A game with the powerful choreography and awesome fashion. Some K-Pop videos are good for their fashion, others for the plots, and others for their dance sequences, but BEAST combined everything and delivered one of their best videos to date.

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5. AKMU Melted

The video for Melted takes a much more cinematic route than most of the other videos on the list and it is all the more better for it. In leaving out images of the group, the video can focus on its story, which is about a young boy who is hitchhiking through an unknown city. However, he has trouble with it, as the people he meets are more focused on themselves than to help him. This is what the video is really about, the selfishness and intolerance of people in a modern world. Each person he encounters on the way seems to want to help him, but once a part of their lives gets in the way, they forget about him. Melted was shot with lots of dark grey and blue colors to show this modern world as cold. While it ends on a happy note, you can’t help but feel it is an ultimately cynical view, and this is what makes it stand out.

4. Beenzino How Do I Look?

Beenzino released his music video this year for How Do I Look? with the help of the Korea’s Next Top Model models. The contestants appeared as models portraying different situations that could happen in a laundromat. From a teenage couple making out after a party, a gorgeous model washing her dress or a gay couple just flirting with each other. Beenzino becomes an expectator in the music video. What’s more, the rapper’s love for fashion comes through in the music video with it being beautifully styled, which go appropriately with the lyrics. A very interesting switch between camera angles and screen sizes plus the colorful set make the music video a very unique and interesting.

3. Epik High Born Hater

Epik High utilizes the seven deadly sins in their rap anthem dedicated to all of the haters, making a really cool music video, unlike most Korean music videos. The video was shot in a vertical 9:16 format, like a cell phone video, which is new look for K-pop. The entire setting is made up of bathroom stalls decorated according to a certain rapper and the deadly sin they represent, in a far-out-there kind of way. The symbolism throughout Born Hater matches well with the lyrics and creates a different and welcomed viewing experience.

2. Orange Caramel My Copycat

The music video for My Copycat may be one of the most fun Korean videos of 2014. With games like I Spy and Where’s Waldo (Wally)? embedded into the film, My Copycat is more than just the average K-Pop music video. Colorful outfits and sweet but sexy dancing aside, the interactive nature of My Copycat makes it number two on KultScene‘s year end list.

1. Orange Caramel Catallena

This year was undoubtedly Orange Caramel’s. From their multiple appearances in variety shows to rising popularity to some of the best songs and music videos of the year, the girls came on top in 2014. The trio doesn’t only grab the number two spot on this list, but comes triumphantly at the first as well. So why is Catallena the best K-Pop video from 2014? Where do we even begin? The storyline is genius, from depicting the girls as mermaids in the sea, to packaged seafood at a market, to sushi pieces at a restaurant, the video is not void of comedy; we are talking about Orange Caramel after all. What’s more, the styling also stayed true to their brand by bringing us over-the-top, colorful, and cheesy costumes that added to the theatricality of the video. Just like My Copycat, Catallena is beautifully shot in vivid colors that add to the fun-ness of it all. Orange Caramel have their brand and niche well defined within K-Pop, and as we’ve seen up until now, it’s a sure winner.

What 2014 K-Pop songs are your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.