Fans Archives - Page 7 of 23

7 fact-finding resources K-pop fans should know

September 7, 2016/in Fans /by Tamar Herman

When it comes to being a K-pop fan, or Korean pop culture writer like our staff, there’s only so much that information that you can keep on the top of your head. For everybody involved in the fandom, or just the curious non-fan, there’s a lot of different virtual K-pop resources that come in handy. September means the start of the school year for many of our readers, so I got into a scholarly mood looked into some of the most useful tools out there, ones that I utilize whenever I’m working on a new writing project. I also asked some of the other KultScene writers, so thank you Alexis, Shelley, and Kushal!

Idology “Idol Yearbook”

If you haven’t heard of it, don’t worry. The Korean webzine published their first book, “Idol Yearbook 2015” earlier this year in South Korea and lent us a copy to puruse.

Bilingual, with Korean one one side of the page and English on the other, the “Idol Yearbook” features several essays and, more useful for reference work, an entire list of the songs released by K-pop idols in 2015 based on the release date. The final, and equally wonderful, section of the book includes statistics ranging from all the idol groups that debuted in 2015 to what months were the most popular for releases. (September, October, and November, by the way!) Other fun statistics include the average heights, age, birthdates, of the newly debuted idols. That’s information on 339 newly debuted K-pop idols!

Instiz & Gaon

Personally, Instiz’s iChart is one of the best ways I discover what music is popular in South Korea. English language K-pop sites and iTunes’ K-pop chart are great for showing what’s popular in the US and other foreign countries, but when it comes to Korea there’s a wider variety of music than just the idol music that’s so popular amongst K-pop fans. The iChart curates realtime rankings from a variety of different Korean music charts and helps clarify what’s popular versus what K-pop fans simply think is popular.

Another chart I like looking at is Gaon’s charts, which is most closely compared to Billboard as the most definitive Korean music chart. Unfortunately, Gaon’s charts aren’t real time so I usually reference them towards the end of the year. But it’s definitely something good to look at at the end of each month to see the overall rankings. The charts are also in Korean so it could be a bit daunting, but a Google translate extension can fix that.

Also on KultScene: ‘Age of Youth’ is the sweetest, most realistic, & most underrated K-drama of 2016

English language Korean news sites

There are a lot of great English language Korean pop culture sites out there, but any fan of the industry is aware that there are plenty of less great ones. Getting information second hand isn’t really ideal, so while some international fan-oriented sites are really outstanding (especially this one!) try out websites like the K-Pop Herald, Mwave’s news section, the Korea Times, and Yonhap for English language news that’s typically directly from South Korea.

Official Websites

While many Korean entertainment companies aren’t particularly English-language friendly, and some that are don’t really supply that much information, there are some truly reliable ones out there. SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment in particular have gone out of their way over the past few years to make their information accessible to fans through SMTown Now and YG-Life. The former typically supplies short, headline-style updates for fans in multiple languages while the latter does a terrific job translating Korean news articles relating to YG artists.

Also on KultScene: K-Pop & the Collective Body Part 2: Seventeen, Cosmic Girls, & NCT

Stocks

No, but really.

Haven’t you ever wanted to know just how much Korean music, films, and dramas really make? While not every Korean entertainment company is public, those that are have their stocks freely visible with a quick Google search. If you’ve ever wanted to gauge the financial impact of a “scandal,” this is the best way.

A quick search shows that SM’s stock is at the lowest it’s been in years.

Wikipedia

Because Wikipedia knows everything. (But double check your sources!)

Social Media

While Tumblr is where you go for pretty pictures and gifs, Twitter is one of the fastest new sources nowadays and several KultScene writers get their tips from whatever is trending each day. Following official media companies is a tried-and-true way to keep track of new releases or important dates, but fan-run accounts and fan groups (particularly on Facebook) are a fun way to get involved with some of the lesser known parts of K-pop fandom. Also, check out fan sites’ accounts (and the sites themselves, of course.)

Do you have a favorite go to K-pop resource, news or otherwise? 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.

Weekly K-pop playlist: August 29 – September 4

September 4, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Like every week, this weekend our writers put their heads together and picked their favorite K-Pop released of the past week. Soloist Jay Park came back with a new song, Nu’est returned with their second album of the year, and I.O.I added a track to the drama, “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.”

“Me Like Yuh” by Jay Park (Released Sep. 1)

If you’re able to get through the cringey line of “I’d even dye my hair blond for ya, I can be your Justin Beiber,” “Me Like Yuh” is actually a pretty dope song. Detracting from what’s trendy in South Korea (trap, mainly), Jay Park taps into the Caribbean/deep house hybrid sound that is hot right now Stateside — all thanks to Cha Cha Malone, of course. For this fresh track, Jay refrains from rapping and serenades his love interest in his signature high-pitched voice. It;s more in tune with “Nana” rather than “Mommae,” or anything he’s released as of late. While most fans hate when Korean artists sound like mainstream Western music, “Me Like Yuh” has a nice groove that seizes your body and makes you dance and sway. I, for one, can’t wait for Jay’s album to drop. Even if it contains “Aquaman.”

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: K-Pop & the Collective Body Part 2: Seventeen, Cosmic Girls, & NCT

“Love Paint (every afternoon)” by NU’EST (Released Aug. 29)

While their little brother group Seventeen has shot to immediate success, it’s Pledis Entertainment’s NU’EST whose sound I’ve always been drawn to. Their latest, “Love Paint,” is filled with melodic synths and vocal harmonies that take the group’s sound into new, more artistic territory. (I can’t help but think of SHINee vs EXO at Korean music powerhouse SM Entertainment, where the former older group has been able to develop their own unique experimental style versus EXO’s more typical K-pop sound.) Between the pre-chorus builds and the underlying orchestral accompaniment, plus a really well delivered rap that sounds like it belongs on mainstream American radio (or at least “Show Me the Money!”), this is the sort of pop R&B I want to see more of from this group.

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: Who’s your ‘Cinderella &Four Knights’ ideal guy?

”I Love You, I Remember You” by I.O.I (released Aug 30)

Shortly after the group’s release of “Whatta Man” which changed my opinion of this group’s vocal prowess forever, I.O.I released their first OST for currently airing drama “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo.” The relatively slow and sweet ballad is definitely unexpected coming from this lively girl group and while not all the members were able to show off their unique styles or voices through this release, the song was good as a whole. The spotlight was also cast on a few members in particular, such as main dancer Chungha, who wowed this time not through her dance but through her stable and strong vocals. Rapper Yoojung stood out as well, especially since she did not get as many singing parts in their previous releases. The OST proved the potential and versatility of IOI and I hope that they’ll experiment with different genres of music in the future tracks they release.

–Anna

What’s your favorite song from last week? Did it make our playlist? 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.

Weekly K-Pop faves: August 22-28

August 28, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Every Sunday, the KultScene team puts together a playlist filled with their favorite new songs from the past week, ranging from singles, b-sides, and live performances. Over the past few days, we fell in love with tracks by Laboum, Park Jimin, Triple T (aka Park Jin Young, Hyoyeon, Min and Jo Kwon), and SPICA.

“Shooting Love” by Laboum (Released Aug. 23)

Laboum have been working hard to stay relevant since their strong debut in 2014. Still without a considerable hit yet, they have been consistently releasing music of varying quality. Their latest “Shooting Love” is their best since since sophomore single “What to Do.” Produced by Command Freaks, who have been given a chance with a single after being so used to b-sides for some time now. “Shooting Love” is blistering bubblegum pop propelled by hip-hop beats and swollen with horns and bubbling synths. It moves at such a constant high pace and has a feeling of going on for longer than it really is. This is great when everything about it is so enjoyable. Vocally it sticks out as well with the repeated sugary raps being the most fun.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: Puer Kim discusses her return with ‘Gem,’ inspiration & loving her body [interview]

“Young 해” by Park Jimin ft. Young K (Released Aug. 23)

15&’s Park Jimin returned with her second solo mini-album “19 to 20” featuring a wide range of songs showcasing her versatility and beautiful voice. “Young 해” is my favourite of those songs with its lively nature and a fantastic feature by DAY6’s Young K, whose amazing chemistry with Jimin overflows into the track. Park Jimin shines through this release and I hope she won’t be as underrated in the future!

— Anna

“Born to be Wild” by Park Jinyoung x Hyoyeon x Min x J Kwon (Released Aug. 25)

Despite the fact that SM Station’s existence and purpose remains an enigma, it has been putting out so many amazing releases that those answers are irrelevant at this point. The newest is the brilliant collaboration between miss A’s Min, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, 2am’s Jo Kwon, and Mr. Park Jinyoung (JYP) himself, “Born to be Wild.” I generally stand clear of EDM bangers, but the amount of sass and fierceness overpowered it whole; I was slayed. Min and Hyoyeon are known to be awesome dancers, and Jo Kwon brought back his “Animal” concept (which is his true artistic self), proving that they are the true queens of K-pop. I don’t really know what JYP’s doing on the track, but I love the fact that he did his signature whisper on an SM Entertainment song. “Born to be Wild” proved that Hyoyeon, Min, and Jo Kwon are all underrated, underappreciated, and misused in their respective groups. This supergroup needs to be a permanent thing since they pretty much brought back the slayage to K-pop (which has been dead since 2NE1 is on “hiatus” or whatever).

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Who’s your ‘Cinderella & Four Knights’ ideal guy? [QUIZ] [EXCLUSIVE CLIP]

”Secret Time” by SPICA (Released Aug. 25)

It’s no secret that SPICA is one of the most vocally expressive girl groups to ever descend on K-pop, but for a variety of reasons their songs have never brought the group much success. Their latest, “Secret Time,” is their first since the group’s 2014 attempt to break into the English-language market with “I Did It” and it’s exactly what fans have come to expect from the group: a belt-filled, pop R&B track. A bit more upbeat than many of SPICA’s songs, “Secret Time” seems a lot like something I’d expect from EXID, which makes a lot of sense considering the two groups have a lot of similarities. Incorporating a bevy of electronic sounds, including a full-fledged EDM bridge, it’s clear that SPICA’s trying to attract a larger audience than just their dedicated fanbase. Unfortunately, the sound comes off as a tiny bit dated so it’ll be interesting to see if this is the song that will be able to relaunch their career.

— Tamar

Weekly K-Pop faves: August 15 – 21

August 21, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

August is almost over, but K-pop is really just getting started for the summer. This week saw a bevy of releases from many acts so, as usual, our writers picked out some of their favorite songs from the past week. For fans of indie, we have Nell’s first song since setting up a new company, for fans of “Produce 101” we have I.B.I’s debut, and for fans of the powerhouse Girls’ Generation we have a new song by two members, Yuri and Seohyun. Rounding things out we have some Cosmic Girls for your listening pleasure.

“Secret” by Yuri x Seohyun (Released Aug 18)

Too bad Yuri and Seohyun’s ad for Pantene didn’t come out during Pride Month, because “Secret” is tailor made for the gay club and I absolutely love it. By now, gone are the days of the electro Euro popish sound. So if SM producers have to combine this with EDM to make contemporary bangers, I’ll take it. For lack of a better, more suitable word, Yuri and Seohyun absolutely slay, both vocally and choreography-wise. The concept and song suits Yuri like a glove, and while I would’ve chosen someone else in SHY over Seohyun, she manages to not look super robotic as usual. “Secret” is exactly my type of jam and here’s to hoping for a Yuri solo.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: INX’s ‘Alright’ music video & song review

“Molae Molae” by I.B.I (Released Aug 18)

I.B.I is a project group consisting of some finalists from “Produce 101,” the show that launched I.O.I. After being put together as a dream team by fans of the program, the group finally made their debut this week with the adorable “Molae Molae.” Light-hearted, sweet and fun, this song fully showcases the youthful charms of the group, along with their vocal talents. More than that however, the uplifting lyrics reflect the hopes and dreams of these five girls, girls who have faced failure several times in their K-pop journey but are not going to give up anytime soon. It’s a beautiful message and I’m definitely rooting for these underdogs, so here’s to hoping that this group will become a permanent one soon!

–Anna

“Dream Catcher” by Nell (released Aug 18)

As the first single they’ve released in several years and also the first since departing Woollim Entertainment, I was really anticipating Nell’s “Dream Catcher.” Things could either be phenomenal or go horribly wrong. Luckily, Nell is a talented band and my worries were relatively pointless; “Dream Catcher” is a twinkling display of glorious electronic-pop. Nell is one of the most versatile bands in South Korea, able to do anything from ballads to hard rock, and the trance-evoking song is simply wonderful. The colorful, hallucinatory music video combined with the lilting synth notes that create the guiding sound to “Dream Catcher” truly evoke the idea of a fleeting dream. It’s perfect for the summer and, although it’s a bit upbeat, Kim Jong Wan’s vocals and the song’s overall style make me just want to close my eyes and simply dream.

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: D.Holic

“Secret” by Cosmic Girls (WSJN) (released August 17)

Since I haven’t paid too much attention to new artists from this year, this release caught me completely off-guard. But after hearing the news of I.O.I’s Yeonjung being added to the group (which I originally thought was a horrible idea), I decided to give their new song a chance and I’m thoroughly impressed. Among the massive 13 members, I’m glad to hear some great vocals singing along with Yeonjung (who was one of two members of the group that I was actually acquainted with before listening to this song, the other being EXY). The song is catchy, but transcends the typical K-pop mold with a more ethereal sound and aesthetic. The music video is absolutely beautiful, and the song has a light/airy quality that accentuates the “cosmic” quality of the group itself. While their debut didn’t really leave me with a strong impression, Cosmic Girls shows a lot of potential for a strong future in K-pop with this release.

–Kushal

Weekly K-Pop Faves: August 8-14

August 14, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

This past week was an important one in K-pop given a certain girl group from a certain big three company finally debuted. And while those releases took a big chunk of the spotlight, believe it or not, other artists also dropped their songs. Don’t get us wrong, we’re all whistling and boombayaing, but we were also feeling other songs this week.

“Puzzle” by BewhY and C Jamm (Released Aug 11)

After finishing first and second place on Mnet’s Show Me the Money 5, BewhY and C Jamm graced us plebeians by collaborating on “Puzzle.” The rappers have been good friends ever since high school, and with their newfound popularity thanks to the show and their innate talent, it made sense that they would work together to deliver a fiery track. Devoid of the overproduction of the tracks they released via SMTM5, “Puzzle” has a more real, underground though never amateur feel and mixes BewhY’s signature solemn almost cathedral-like sound with C Jamm’s more hard-hitting yet relaxed approach. It’s a weird combination of an anthemic track with a bit of tropical flavor. It sounds crazy, but it works. BewhY and C Jamm are definitely K-rap’s future.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Intro to BlackPink

“Think About You” by Jun.K (Released Aug 9)

If you want sexy idol solos, come to JYP. After Fei’s tantalizing “Fantasy,” 2pm vocalist Jun.K released his own masculine sexy track “Think About You.” I had little expectations given his image as more of a ballad singer but this is a huge song of genuine passion. LAced with hip-hop and R&B sounds, Jun.K croons about a lost lover. Considering the build-up of emotion that is so tangible in his voice it’s easy to see this as a song actually coming from the man himself. Jun.K did write and produce alongside Boytoy and it’s great to see him trying something out. It really takes off towards the end as it becomes an almost total trap breakdown with Keith Ape-like sqwaks. Jun.K really woke us up from the hazy dream Fei lulled us into.

— Joe

“Baby Ride (feat. Hyunsik)” by Luizy (Released Aug 14)

Cutie pie Seungyoun from UNIQ, who uses his stage name Luizy whenever promoting solo, teamed up with honey vocalist Hyunsik from BtoB to give us a sweet summer love song, “Baby Ride.” I can’t help but want to sit back on a lawn chair by a pool, a beach, or anywhere by a mass of water really, let the slight breeze hit my hair with a mojito in my hand and simply relax whilst jamming out to this song. Feeling a little tense? Stressful day at work/school? Take a breather, unwind and let “Baby Ride,” with it’s cheerful and delightful beat alleviate you of all your troubles.

Seungyoun has been a busy body the last month, having recently also released “Recipe” featuring Flowsik, an edgier rap, which showcases his dominating rhymes, but he easily transitions over and becomes an an angelic like rapper in “Baby Ride” with his sweet verses in this summer tune. It’s also such a treat to see Hyunsik feature his charming voice in this song, especially since he hasn’t been able to use it to it’s full potential with BtoB’s recent releases.

Can I ride into the sunset with these two too? And oh, did I mention how evident and adorable their bromance is?

— Tam

Also on KultScene: Suran, Nine Muses A, & Up10tion: Single Roundup Review

“Whatta Man (Good Man)” by I.O.I (Released Aug 9)

I love a good fierce/hardcore/almost-sexy concept, and in this release, I.O.I’s subunit delivers in every aspect of fierce, hardcore and almost-sexy. With a great beat, strong vocals, and killer choreography, I.O.I has completely flipped its image for their second comeback, and I’m all for the versatility. Not only in concept, but also in the members themselves. Surprisingly, the vocal caliber of I.O.I skyrocketed after its two main vocalists, Sejeong and Yeonjung, withdrew from this release. The visuals have now become vocals, dancers have become centers, and some girls serve as main dancers and lead vocals (most notably Chungha, who choreographed the entire performance in all its glory). While many doubted I.O.I’s skills at the time of their debut (including myself), we were all proven wrong with this release, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

— Kushal

“Starry Night” by Onew & Lee Jin Ah (Released Aug 11)

Ever since the fourth season of K-Pop Star, I’ve adored the sound of Lee Jin Ah’s childlike voice. Bringing her tone together with SHINee member Onew’s mellow style is a bit of a surprise, but the sprightly ballad that the two put together is exactly the sort of thing you want to listen to when staring up at the “Starry Night” and thinking about the one you love. This is very much a typical coffeehouse style track that I don’t think will do very well outside of Korea (although it’s doing nicely at the moment on many Korean charts) since it is such a low key jazz song, but I’m going to enjoy listening to this song often in the foreseeable future. I was also completely won over by the cute animation of the music video, so even if you’re not a fan of either artist you need to check this out.

— Tamar

What was your favorite song released this week? Share your picks and 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: August 1-7

August 7, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

As summer comes to a close, K-pop releases are beginning to slow down. However, we still racked up a short list of our weekly faves, which have proven to be a bit biased, but oh well! Gotta work with what we’re given.

“Shh” by Nine Muses A (Released August 4)

Considering their seemingly imminent demise, it’s a great relief to hear anything from Nine Muses, even if it is a sub-unit. Nine Muses A consist of Kyungri, Hyemi, Sojin, and Keumjo and are debuting without the usual tag of a cute or badass or whatever version of their parent group. Their album “Muses Diary” is a superbly tight work of sexy and sweet pop. The standout is “Shh,” a blistering mix of euro pop and orchestral music. It has an anime theme song feeling to it with its pulsing bass drum and swirling strings that build momentum. Each moment brings back different memories of pop for me. The aforementioned anime influences, the rapping in pop which K-pop has revolutionised, and best of all the Max Martin-esque chorus with its little delay before the beat kicks in again.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: KCON 2016 LA’s M! Countdown Day 1 Concert Recap

“That’s My Jam” by B.A.P (Released August 7)

Throughout the years, B.A.P has experimented with music a lot. Their discography has a diverse range; from fighting everyday injustices, innocent first loves, to just down right having fun. The group’s latest EDM infused release “That’s My Jam” is unlike anything they’ve ever delivered before. Prior to it’s release today, fans had already gotten a taste of the group’s strong interest in EDM and rock during their recent Live On Earth 2016 World Tour.

This energetic song and it’s consistent overflowing addictive beat will without a doubt get you on your feet! Even without watching the music video, you can easily sense the members high enthusiasm and “fighting” spirits. Their delightful (and Yongguk’s heavily attractive) voices will quickly absorb and hypnotize one into a deep trance. Oh but if we had to talk about the music video, all I have to say is “VISUALS.”

“That’s My Jam” showcases a brand new side of B.A.P, which can only make us anticipate for what’s to come in the future. As the members matured and grown, so has their styles. It’s great seeing them getting away from their darker concepts and actually enjoying themselves, even with fake beers in hand. If you were in search of summer anthem, then this is your jam!

— Tam

“Stuck” by Monsta X (Released August 7)

Monsta X was clearly busy while in Los Angeles earlier this week. Between opening up the second night of KCON 16 LA and flying between the US and Korea, they had the time to film the music video for “Stuck.” They pulsating track brings Monsta X’s style of aggressive dance music that they’ve been promoting over the past few months, but their vocals really shine and the distribution between the seven members may be the group’s best yet. (There’s no “Trespass”-style dominance by rapper Jooheon and vocalist Kihyun). “Stuck” is a gift to fans but even people who haven’t heard their other songs will be grooving to this track. (Plus, the music video has an insane dance break with Shownu flaunting his abs so if that’s your thing make sure to watch).

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: KCON 2016 LA’s M! Countdown Day 2 Concert Recap

“Do Better” by Y Teen (Released August 5)

I promise we don’t have an agenda to push Monsta X down your throats. But since last week’s KCON 16 LA, I have to admit I’ve been paying more attention since coming face to face with Shownu’s arms. Alas, I digress. The point is that now that I’m paying attention I found this collaboration with a few members of fellow Starship Entertainment’s girl group Cosmic Girls called Y Teen. Their collab song, “Do Better,” is a CF for… something requiring them as models… and sounds like your regular Monsta X song with the EDM-y, clap ridden jam. However, I could’ve done without the cutesy element Cosmic Girls brought into the mix. And while it may not offer anything new necessarily, it’s still a fun song where the rappers dominate and excel — especially Exy from Cosmic Girls who hasn’t been allowed to showcase her full potential. Monsta X kill it though, but what else is new?

— Alexis

What’s your favorite song of the week? Share your pick 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.

An Ode to SHINee on the Eve of KCON LA 2016

July 27, 2016/in Fans /by Tamar Herman

On Saturday, SHINee will take the stage at the Staples Center at the Los Angeles leg of KCON USA presented by Toyota. For the second time this year, SHINee’s coming to Los Angeles to wow audiences and I’ll be sitting in the crowd cheering them on, enthralled by their performance. A big change from the last time I saw SHINee perform in the US.

Walking into Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2011, I was ridiculing my friend who was a SHINee fan (Shawol). “Look, they’re all short!” I said, pointing out how the fans with their pearl aqua green paraphernalia. “They’re all young. They don’t know what it’s been like stanning these groups for years!” As a longterm Super Junior fan who spent much of 2009 heartbroken over a variety of departures from Super Junior and TVXQ, SHINee had no place in my heart. But then the quintet got on stage and I had to accept something I had been denying since I discovered K-pop a few years before:

SHINee is the best K-pop group of our generation.

And that’s something I will go on the record declaring, despite people trying to counter this claim pointing to sales records. Not that other groups aren’t iconic (Super Junior and INFINITE will forever be extremely talented groups in my eyes, and nobody can deny the insane response BIGBANG and EXO have received from audiences both in and out of South Korea). I’m not writing this to upset anyone. I’m writing this because I was on a very hot subway, listening to “Symptoms” (thanks Alexis for rectifying that emptiness in my life a month ago) and I had an epiphany about SHINee’s career as a whole.

Also on KultScene: SHY SHY SHY: Why Girls’ Generation-SHY Needs to Happen

“Symptoms” isn’t a single, although it was promoted alongside “Everybody” back in 2013. It shouldn’t be a mind-blowing song. But it is, because it exhibits some of SHINee’s best vocal performances, like Key’s glorious, unexpected vocal trill. But it doesn’t matter. Single or otherwise, SHINee’s songs are always a step beyond the rest. Both because of the performers themselves and the production team that one day sat in a room and decided that SHINee wouldn’t ever follow the trend: this is a group of trendsetters and they have been since day one.

When they debuted, SHINee made a splash for their song and style and then they became known for their insane dance skills and fashion. (Thank SHINee for all the colorful skinny jeans on male idols).

Now, SHINee is primarily known for their experimental styles– but I’m going to go further than that and say that their singing is what makes SHINee such a long-standing group. Good production isn’t alone when it comes to K-pop, where every song is manhandled by production teams. SHINee is a top-tier group because they’re produced by SM Entertainment, but it’s their talent that the whole thing relies on.

When things come down to it, idol groups that release better music have far more of an impact even when they’re not necessarily the strongest fandom: This quintet can take a simple b-side and make it an aural experience that any listener can enjoy. And that’s why they’re able to hold multiple shows in the United States this year even without any new material. Unlike much of K-pop, there’s no need to be an innate fan of SHINee to like their albums. It’s becoming more and more common; Red Velvet and BTS have released exceptional albums lately and Seventeen will likely join their ranks soon thanks to their production creds — but only SHINee does it in a way to appeal to even the most casual listeners.

(Sorry to literally every other idol group out there. I still love and appreciate the majority of you, but SHINee does it better than the majority.)

Also on KultScene: Fei’s “Fantasy” Music Video & Song Review

The combination of raw talent and precise production make SHINee the most accessible K-pop group of the past 10 years. Listening to their songs, SHINee’s members have surpassed one another consistently to become a group that lacks little, if anything, sonically. Gone are the days when Jonghyun and Onew were clearly the main vocalists of the group; dancer Taemin has a solo album and Key surpassed expectations with his unique baritone tones, becoming a mainstay of their songs. Even rapper Minho has surpassed the dibidibidi days of yesteryear. Their performances of “View” last year were some of the most evenly distributed lines in K-pop in the past three years (the group’s size clearly affects this). Aside from Minho, who smiles as he delivers his sweet but clearly less impressive vocal performance, the other four divide the song nearly evenly with each member given a chance to express his own vocal color.

It’s been said before, but the only time SM Entertainment has seen such strong, unified vocals was from TVXQ back in the day when they were still a quintet. (TV5Q may have been better technically, considering that the group’s harmony enable them to continuously impress with strong a capella performances.) But SHINee is so consistent that it’s impossible to deny that we’re really living in a SHINee World. Here’s to their upcoming performances in the United States in California and Texas and their soon-to-be-released album.

Needless to say, I’m hyped to see a group I very much once loathed this weekend.

What do you like/dislike about SHINee? What’s your favorite song? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear you thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: July 18-24

July 24, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Summer’s well underway and K-pop took a bit of a vacation over the past week. While we’ve recently received an onslaught of new releases, the middle of July lagged a tiny bit. Our writers highlighting songs by the likes of Hello Venus, Amoeba Culture artists, Stellar, and f(x) in our weekly column. Look at all those girl groups!

Take a listen and comment at the bottom of this page to let us know what song you like the most from the past week!

“Paradise” by Hello Venus (Released July 18)

To few people’s attention, the girls of Hello Venus released the song of the summer this week. Produced by team Devine Channel, “Paradise” is a tropical doo-wop track made for days on the beach. Its music is lowkey with sporadic guitar licks and bursts of brass. “Paradise” really beckons with its vocals however. There’s a great range and assurance of voice on display. New girls Yeoreum and Seoyoung open brilliantly with a cheeky rap and an enticing vocal respectively. The rest of the girls go on to show their own takes on similar styles all while adding a new hook of their own. Throughout the day I could get any part of this song stuck in my head and be more than happy. It’s a perfectly pitched summer track made for only a digital release.

— Joe

“highfiVe” by Dynamic Duo, Primary, Boi B, Crush (Released July 21)

After a string of disappointing songs released this summer, Amoeba Culture artists came to the rescue. Dynamic Duo, Primary, Boi B, and Crush teamed up and put their amazing chemistry to good use to come out with “highfiVe”. It makes you want to grab a drink and dance the night away in an outdoor bar or club — and not only because it’s an ad for the Korean beer Cass. Seriously, how can you go wrong with Crush’s buttery vocals, Dynamic Duo and Boi B’s fiery verses, and Primary’s hyped up beats? It might not be anything groundbreaking, but it’s a fun track. And given the spot for summer anthem has yet to be grabbed, I’ll take it.

— Alexis

“All Mine” by f(x) (Released July 22)

f(x) is back! Well, kind of. This past week, f(x) unleashed this single as the next installment of SM Entertainment’s weekly STATION project. The EDM banger is produced by LDN NOISE, some of K-pop’s more well-known EDM producers. With a memorable melody, the song is matched with an equally cute music video, which shows the four members singing along to the song at various parts of an SMTOWN concert venue. And while they aren’t promoting it on music shows, the song is actually doing amazingly well on the charts (unlike most other SM STATION releases this year). It’s nice to see f(x) together releasing a song, especially considering that the group has been under a lot of speculation in regards to disbandment. Whether the members renew their contracts or not (and it’s likely that they will), it’s great to have this song to get us through the remainder of the summer.

— Kushal

”Crying” by Stellar (Released July 18)

While I’ll let Joe and Kushal be called our resident girl group experts, I was intrigued by Stellar’s latest release for the sole reason that it was giving me major 2010 K-pop feels. While an extremely different song, producer Brave Brothers utilized similar synth chords and autotuning on both “Crying” and NS Yoon-G’s “Just Dance” of that year. Since I’m obsessed with NS Yoon-G and think she’s been robbed of her career, I played “Crying” and “Just Dance” alongside one another for about a half hour before I realized it was the mellow dance pop sound of both songs that really drew me in as a listener. This is clearly a 2016 take on what Brave Brothers has done best for much of his career, but I felt like it wasn’t a far enough step to give Stellar the leap they need to propel themselves to the height of popularity. Sweet and soft is fine, but please bring back Stellar’s biting unique sound and style for their next release!

— Tamar

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

Weekly K-Pop Faves July 11-17

July 18, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Every weekend, KultScene’s team of writers put our heads together to highlight some of our favorite releases from the past week. This Weekly K-pop Faves playlist has a lot of variant styles and features recently released singles by Heize and Dean, M&D (aka Heechul of Super Junior and Jungmo of Trax), and GFRIEND.

“Ulsanbawi” by Kim Heechul & Kim Jungmo (M&D) (Released July 12)

A few days after I casually told someone that I felt it was a pity K-pop hadn’t spread more of Korea’s homegrown sounds, SM Entertainment’s resident (loveable) fools released a brand new trot song. “Ulsanbawi” is actually a trot-rock hybrid created by Super Junior’s Heechul and Trax’s Kim Jungmo (mostly Jungmo). It’s not a song I’ll listen to every day but its release is definitely something that K-pop fans should be aware of thanks to Korea’s long history with trot (the title is also innately Korean- it references a mountain range.) Heechul, who is also a member of of the Super Junior-T trot subunit, shines on the song with his overwrought vocals paired by Jungmo’s electric rifts. It’s not SM Entertainment’s usual MO but I’m definitely a fan. (I.O.I/DIA member Jung Chaeyeon stars in the music video, so there’s also that fun bonus of seeing Heechul act like a vagrant bum.)

— Tamar

“And July (feat. Dean, DJ Friz)” by Heize (Released July 17)

I wasn’t here for “Shut Up & Groove,” but Heize and Dean’s newest collaboration “And July” is a step up. On this new release, Heize’s vocals aren’t as piercing as the first song and the synergy between her singing and rapping are balanced better. Dean, as usual, kills his verses and I’m here for anything that includes his “Ooh’s,” which is a standout in the song, to be honest. The lyrics, I assume, probably talk about a romantic relationship, but the interactions in the music video between the two artists looks more like a petty war between siblings. It’s cute, but if the lyrics are romantic, then it’s a bit weird. Nevertheless, it’s an easy, mellow listen and I’m glad Heize is slowly finding herself as an artist.

— Alexis

“Navillera” by GFriend (Released July 11)

They’ve done it again! GFriend has brought out another catchy bop to continue the summer K-pop rush. While I wish it stood out a little more compared to their other releases, I’m pretty satisfied with the way it came out — as always, GFriend is powerful and strong, but catchy and innocent at the same time. It’s good to see them bringing out their charms in a song that can easily be left on repeat for days on end. “Navillera” tells the K-pop world that GFriend has their own trademark style among girl groups. While other groups have been trying to ride the “GFriend reign,” none of them compare to these girls. GFriend is here to stay, in both their K-pop relevance and their musical style.

— Kushal

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

Weekly K-Pop Faves: July 3-9

July 10, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Each week, the KultScene team puts their heads together and discusses their favorite songs of the past week. This time around, K-pop saw new songs released by INFINITE, Glen Check, and Wonder Girls and they completely blew us away.

“That Summer (Second Story)” by INFINITE (Released July 7)

When it comes to fanservice, INFINITE has always done a lot of it and their latest release is just that: “That Summer (Second Story)” (also known as “Hey Hello”) was originally released as a hidden track on their “Season 2” album and dedicated Inspirits (the group’s fan club) have eagerly been anticipating the official version. INFINITE unveiled the full take of the song at their recent concert in Seoul and the rock-pop track, plus it’s accompanying music video, is so heartwarming for the summer time that it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with INFINITE again. That said, there was some upset about the fact that INFINITE’s summer return was merely a clean version of what was previously revealed. Here’s to hoping for this actually being a pre-release of their upcoming summer comeback and that this was just dedicated to their “That Summer” concert series.

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: Kim Tae Woo Brings a Night of Soul to NYC [PHOTOS]

“Fakin’ (feat. Kim Ximya)” by Glen Check (Released July 6)

After joining a new agency, June One Kim of the indie electro duo Glen Check released “Fakin’” to commemorate the event. And while the other half of the band Hyuk Jun Kang sit this one out, Jun recruited the help of the XXX’s rapper Kim Ximya. True to Glen Check’s sonic aesthetic, “Fakin’” is a lounge-y and refreshing track that features a myriad of trap and deep house beats and sounds. Plus the addition of the rap instead of Glen Check signature sweet vocals creates an interesting and on-trend mix perfect for the summer.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: The I.O.I Debacle: K-Pop’s Newest Conundrum

“Why So Lonely” by Wonder Girls (Released July 5)

Since its release on July 5^th, “Why So Lonely” has been making K-pop fans everywhere say “they still got it!” with newfound excitement and pride. After some fans were disappointed by “I Feel You” last year (personally, I loved it, but that’s beside the point), the future of the Wonder Girls, as well as their new band concept, was left in the balance. But “Why So Lonely” put all of those worries away for good — the girls killed it with a catchy reggae-inspired retro track to cool you down on these hot summer days. This song is one of K-pop’s many breakup anthems, but adding a unique sound to an already more emphasized instrumentation makes this one stand out from the rest. Not to mention, the girls had a very large part in composing and writing this song themselves. Props to you, Wonder Girls — thank you for reclaiming your seat on the throne where you belong.

— Kushal

What was your favorite song of the week? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us onFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.