The Colors Of K-Pop: Orange

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Next up in our Colors of K-Pop line-up, the color orange!

Even though orange is the next in the rainbow’s acronym Roy G. Biv, it is not a color that is extremely popular in South Korean music. Only a few songs had the song title,

Seo Taiji Orange

Korea’s King of Culture Seo Taiji recently made headlines for his 2014 comeback and appearance at MAMA 2014, but its song Orange that we’re highlighting today. From Seo Taiji’s 2000 album Ultramania, the song features Seo Taiji’s typical metal-synthpop style. Orange is not one of Seo Taiji’s most well-known songs, but it’s definitely worthy of listening to.

Orange Caramel Playlist

The number one search term in South Korean music and the word “orange” was, unsurprisingly, Orange Caramel! If you haven’t listened to Orange Caramel’s zany songs yet, here’s a playlist for your listening pleasure. The playlist includes top hits by Orange Caramel, including Lipstick, Aing, and more.

Kwon Sohyun Orange

4Minute’s youngest member Sohyun may look a little different to you now, but when she debuted as a member of the young girl group Orange, she still had a lot of her charge. The group’s debut music video is absolutely sweet and adorable. Unfortunately, Orange disbanded due to numerous anti-fan cafes, but Sohyun ended up debuting with popular girl group 4Minute.

Coming soon to KultScene’s The Colors of K-Pop? Yellow!

Did we list all your favorite “orange” songs?  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.

The Colors Of K-Pop: Red

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K-Pop is a musical genre that is as colorful as music can be. There are a lot of bright colors in music videos, K-Pop acts with color in their name, etc. Here are some of the most popular songs in Korea that have the color red in their name.

HyunA Red

You may know this song. It has over 16 million views on YouTube, and Hyuna’s Red made a lot of headlines for its sex-filled concept. Red reached number one on several music charts, and the music video stayed atop of China’s Yin Yue Tai V-Chart for four days. The rapid-fire rap, HyunA’s twerking, and electronic-EDM-hip-hop elements seems like a mess at first, but Red is an enthralling song, filled with red-related passion.

SMTOWN Red Sun

One of SMTOWN’s from 2006, multiple SM Entertainment artists including TVXQ, BoA, Kangta, The TRAX, Super Junior etc. lent their voices to the song. Some of the artists are no longer active or have since left the company (the three members of JYJ, ex-Super Junior members, The TRAX, Black Beat, CSJH The Grace,) but the song is still an upbeat summer song that will make you want to head to the beach and enjoy the sun. Fun fact: Pre-Girls’ Generation SM Entertainment had only less than ten active female singers.

Shinhwa Red Carpet

Shinhwa may be one of the longest running groups in K-Pop, which made its comeback in 2012 after a four year break. On that comeback album, The Return, Red Carpet stood out as a strong dance track. The song was written by member Minwoo (known as M,) and is a synth-dance mix up that emphasizes Shinhwa’s vocal line.

f(x) Red Light

One of the most experimental songs out of SM Entertainment in years is f(x)’s hit song Red Light. The song is an electronic house song with a rhythmic beat that is addictive. Red Light‘s promotional period was cut short due to member Sulli going on hiatus, but it still did well on multiple music charts, including reaching the top 5 on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart.

IU Red Shoes

A song meant to show the transition of IU from Korea’s little sister to a more mature singer, Red Shoes describes a woman trying to find her way. Red Shoes uses a big band sound, evoking swing and jazz music. It, and other songs from IU’s Modern Times album, won multiple awards and gained much acclaim in South Korea.

Heyne Red Lie

Not to be confused with Hyuna, Hyene is an up-and-coming solo singer. Her cute voice may be typecast to sickeningly sweet love songs, but Red Lie is anything but, with lyrics like “love please go away.” The song and cinematography of Red Lie are really unique and definitely worth listening to. Fun fact: There’s very little red in the video. Perhaps a shout out to red being the color of lies, as the title suggests.

Son Dambi Red Candle

Composed by SHINee’s Jonghyun, Son Dambi’s Red Candle is a sophisticated track that depicts celebrity life. The gentle intro into the song seduces the listener to the gentle Latin-fusion style that’s different than Son Dambi’s typical dance song. Dance is prevalent and the music video is absolutely beautiful with a black-and-white film noir feel to it.

Did we list all your favorite “red” songs? Look forward to the rest of this ROGYBIV series in coming weeks. 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.

K-Pop Stand Out Remixes Part 2

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There are so many K-Pop remixes that stand out for us here at KultScene that we just had to continue our list of stand out remixes. Whether you feel like twerking or just dancing like crazy with any of the remixes, this time around the list went a little more club influenced. Making it the best additions to your personal K-Pop dance party playlist.

1. T-ARA – Sugar Free (Aeria Remix)

When T-ARA released their comeback single Sugar Free it gained the attention of many fans and the media due to plagiarism claims. Aeria’s remix for Sugar Free really makes the listeners forget about those past allegations and enjoy the good and addicting chorus of the song. The trance remix blends in very well with the original voice track and makes it remix that is perfect for the club.

2. 2PM – Go Crazy (BOYTOY Crazy Remix)

If 2PM’s Go Crazy wasn’t danceable enough, BOYTOY’s remix gets the track ready for the clubs or a fun night out with your friends. The remix is packed with electronic and dubstep beats that create a chaotic track that goes well with the title of the song. This crazy remix includes a few clapping sounds that make the listener feel that you are watching 2PM live. If you really think about it, this could have been a very good rendition for one of 2PM’s stages.

Also on KultScene: K-Pop Stand Out Remixes

3. 2NE1 – Happy (Aeria Remix)

Yes, we have another Aeria remix on our list, but we just can’t help it. Their remixes are very well produced and they have remixes of the best songs in K-Pop. 2NE1’s Happy is one of my favorite songs from their CRUSH album, and when I found this remix, I instantly fell in love. The bubbly feeling and happy vibe of the song translate perfectly into the remixed track.

4. Mino – I’m Him (Mr. Haneul Remix)

Feeling like you want to twerk? Mr. Haneul remix of Mino’s solo song, I’m Him, from WINNER’s debut album brings out the twerking vibes from the original song. The trap in the remix makes the listeners wants to dance, twerk, wiggle, or whatever style of dance you feel like doing while listening to this track.

5. EXID – Every Night (Moises Karo Remix)

EXID’s Every Night remix by Moises Karo really brings out the sexiness of the song. He took the ringing phone theme of the song and made the listeners feel like you are in a sexy phone conversation with the ladies of EXID. If you listen carefully, the vocals and the sound of the ringing phone change to the left and right speakers through the remix creating a sense of desperation, like when you are hearing your phone ring, and you can’t find it. Which, in a way, if something is unavailable to you, it makes you want it even more. The strong bass through the track ties in the remix combined with the different arrangement of the girls’ vocals, making it a very sexy and sultry house track.

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: Beenzino
Bonus:

SAINT & G-BUCK – Gijibae

Saint & G-Buck collaborated to create a remix that samples CL’s The Baddest Female. Diplo and CL even sampled this track on their SIA 2014 performance, and it gained a lot of recognition for it. The remix uses CL’s chorus of the song and Saint & G-Buck loop it throughout the song and blend it with amazing trap beats.

Below is CL’s and Diplo’s performance in SIA 2014. CL even did a live cover of Diplo’s Revolution that slayed the original version.

Will you be adding any of this remixes to your K-Pop dance party playlist? Which one was your favorite remix? 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.

[Renders:KseniaKang, bibo2203, classicluv, seouleater, milevip]

5 Overlooked Female K-Pop Singles

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Is there anything worse than discovering a song and then realizing that it has not received the love and support it deserves? In short, yes, but for the purpose of this article, no, there is nothing worse than that discovery. Below is a short, and by no means complete, list of overlooked K-Pop singles by female artists. Theses ladies, in most respects, get shafted quite a bit and we wanted to shed light on a few hidden gems of the K-Pop music scene.

HELLOVENUS- What Are You Doing Today?

HELLOVENUS’ What Are You Doing Today? was released in December 2012. Even though it is a fun song that may not be everyone’s style, the peppy, synth-dominant music will grab your attention during your first listen. But, the girls’ vocals will either pull you in more or make you turn and run the other way. Make sure to give the song a chance! The song perfectly embodies the phrase, “bubblegum pop;” the sweet, innocent vocals are prominent throughout the chorus. Leading up to the chorus, the girls only give listeners a small fraction of the sweetness they are about to unload.

About two-thirds of the way through, the song starts to get repetitive. But there is a saving grace, the rapping. In a song like this rap verses are not expected. The rapping is perfectly placed. It breaks up the monotony of the song and adds rock guitar to the instrumental. HELLOVENUS’ What Are You Doing Today? is a fun song that should be in everyone’s music library.

Also on KultScene: What To Expect From ‘Go! B1A4 2.0 – Road Trip’

Kiss&Cry- Domino Game

From the opening musical and vocal notes, it’s clear that Domino Game and Kiss&Cry are different from the mainstream female K-Pop acts. There’s something familiar about the style of Domino Game, yet one cannot put a finger upon what it is. The music utilizes horns on top of a pop, ballroom dancing-style beat. This creates a sound that is current, but not widely used in K-Pop.

The ladies’ vocals sound great together and individually. But together they create a force of power that rings through the speakers. Domino Game is a song that does not sound like any other K-Pop song. The use of the horns, the guitar, and ballroom dancing-style music helps make the song stand out. It’s so unfortunate that the group has disbanded.

D-UNIT- Talk To My Face

There is a lot going on music-wise and in the music video, but somehow it all works. If you just listen to Talk To My Face you will notice there are a lot of sound effects and layers of music throughout the song. Although there is a lot musically, the vocals are never compromised. Even when watching the music video, which also has a lot going on, the vocals and dancing are still the highlight of the video.

Talk To My Face is a song that will make you get up and dance. You simply can’t sit still while listening to this song. The music video adds to the song, but the song is also capable of standing on its own. The music video has a fun video concept, a lot of bright colors, and a fun dance. When Talk To My Face first came out, I was surprised and impressed. The vocals are not overly sweet, but they aren’t fierce either. They fit the group’s image for this particular song and create a pleasant listening experience.

퍼펄즈 (Purfles)- 1,2,3

Who is 퍼펄즈 (Purfles) you may ask? To be honest, we’re not really sure here at KultScene. They just appeared out of no where and debuted with this amazing song. 1,2,3 showcases these talented ladies’ vocals as well as gives K-Pop fans, and music fans in general, a strong dance track.

From the opening acapella notes to the strong club beat, 1,2,3 is a diamond in the rough of constant releases of K-Pop songs. These ladies are fierce and show it through their powerful vocals and their dancing in the music video. 1,2,3 is a song that will be on repeat.

Also on KultScene: Album Review: BEAST “TIME”

Mamamoo ft. Bumkey- Don’t Be Happy

Mamamoo is one of the most underrated girl groups to come out of K-Pop. Although their debut was only this year (2014), they deserve much more recognition and popularity, hopefully in time.

Don’t Be Happy was a pre-debut release single and is actually different than the album version (Bumkey has a more prominent role on the album version). Don’t Be Happy showcases the ladies’ soulful and powerful vocals. Mamamoo’s style is different than other K-Pop groups and songs currently out. Swing and jazz are major influences,which add to the refreshing style of the quartet. I really cannot say enough about Mamamoo or Don’t Be Happy. And once you listen to the song and hear their amazing vocals, you will understand why.

There are many female K-Pop singles that have been overlooked throughout the years. What are some that you enjoy? 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.

Album Review: Far East Movement ‘KTown Riot’ EP

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[Disclaimer: This review talks about adult content and uses profane language.]

Far East Movement pay homage to their hometown with their new EP KTown Riot. The quartet collaborated with many artists and producers to create this EP that gives back to their community. The whole EP focuses on the group’s experiences growing up and living in K-Town in Los Angeles, California. From an official statement on their Facebook page, Far East Movement stated:

…we named this mini album KTOWN RIOT to show love to the city that’s had our back since day one and the word RIOT mean growth from chaos, and we’re proud to see how the community has grown And inspire us to grow as artists and people.

Far East Movement doesn’t stray from their well-known sound or style, which adds familiarity to the songs. But with their Far East Movement flair, each song on the KTown Riot EP keeps fans and listeners entertained throughout, whether the sound is familiar or not.

1.The Illest ft. Schoolboy Q

The Illest starts out completely different than where it ends up. But listeners can tell from the subdued, and slightly muffled, music that the beat will eventually build upon itself and escalate into a club song. The beginning of the intro already adds a layer to the original beat and music. Halfway through, the beat builds, then briefly stops and introduces a new beat used for the first verse and bridge. As the hook comes back into play, we hear the marimba-inspired music from the beginning of the song. The lyrics show listeners how the guys party. And when they party, they party hard.

Got a v-mail from my K-Town chick that wanna hook up and blaze

The use of “my K-Town chick” tells the listener that this EP is about K-Town and all its vices. Partying hard, getting into trouble, hooking up with each other, smoking, and heavy drinking are all present and doable in K-Town. It’s what makes living there (and visiting) an experience.

No motherfuckers can out-drink us

The Illest is your basic hip hop party song, but with Far East Movement personality throughout it. They’ve cut down some of the verses from the original and just stuck with Schoolboy Q’s rap verse. Rapping about drinking Tanqueray all night, smoking cannabis, and entering the club alone, but not leaving alone. To close out the song, Prohgress tells listeners explicitly why they are the Illest:

“I” is for the way these beezies love how I bang
And “double L” is for the way I blow that smoke in ya face
We roll on “E’s” and we be easy rollin that bank
And “ST” is for the Illest shit we rep every day

2.Bang It To The Curb ft. Sidney Samson

If The Illest was about partying and hip hop nightlife, then Bang It To The Curb is about driving around recklessly with the music bumping and the stash in the dash ready to go:

Hit the stash in the dash, better puff puff pass
Flyin faster than the 5-0, bang it to the curb!

Bang It To The Curb shows what it’s like driving around in K-Town. Bang It To The Curb starts out similarly to The Illest in that the listeners are eased into the song and not thrown into the club right from the beginning. A female vocalist starts the song off with the hook, and then we get some hardcore house music fit for the club. Musically, there aren’t as many layers as in The Illest, but that suits this song much better. The beat is hard-hitting and the quick, high-pitched house music fits the tempo and feel of the song.

R-Reppin 213, California lotto

Using one’s area code in a hip hop song is the way to represent your city and hometown. A subtle way to show love to where one is from and still calls home. The use of 213, the area code for downtown Los Angeles, is actually a very small area that is completely surrounded by another area code. Using 213 shows that K-Town is very exclusive and tight-knit. They may be surrounded by a different area code, but the only thing that matters is what’s happening in the 213.

3.Grimey Thirsty ft. Rell the Soundbender & YG

Grimey Thirsty is all about the instrumental. The song showcases producer Rell The Soundbender’s ability to fuse hip hop and dance music. Grimey Thirsty is a song that the DJ would play toward the end of the night in the club; it gives off energetic club vibes needed as the night comes to a close. Always leave on a high note, and dance to Grimey Thirsty, the ultimate club song.

The first rap verse is essentially about rolling up to the club, drinking in the club, meeting a girl in the club, and hooking up with that same girl girl. Rapper YG has a verse about halfway through the song where he raps about being pulled over by the police and searched for an hour because the police want to find something to pin on him. The song title really says it all: Grimey Thirsty. That’s what the club scene is like: the guys, the girls, the venue. They’re all grimy and everyone in the club is thirsty, which leads to large amounts of alcohol and a lustful thirst.

In regards to YG’s rap verse, the term Grimey Thirsty correlates to his view of the police that pull him over because of his race. The cops are grimy human beings, and they thirst at the slightest reason to find something on him.

Police pull me over
Driving while black
Search the car for an hour
Trying to find the strap

4.Level (Palm Trees) ft. La’Reda & Sha Sha Jones

The second half of the KTown Riot EP gives off a laid-back, more subdued tone compared to the club-heavy tracks in the first half of the EP. Electro duo La’Reda gives a breath of fresh air to this EP in Level (Palm Trees). The previous tracks are more similar to Far East Movement’s usual musical style and genre, but La’Reda adds their mixed beats and sounds of EDM and melodic tunes to create a laid-back vibe that perfectly depicts the sunny days in LA. Sha Sha Jones’ vocals also perfectly embody the feeling of this song, a feeling of finally making it to the top.

Level with these palm trees

The sounds and lyrics of the song portray the feeling of dreaming of bigger and better things. The rapping perfectly fits into the song and doesn’t feel forced. The pace matches the beat and music beautifully. The final third of the song sees a change in music and pace, with more of an EDM feel, but then we are back to the laid-back, chill vibe.

”One day we’ll be level with the palm trees”

The lyrics are a perfect metaphor for wanting to reach success that puts one at the top of the top. Experiencing all the lows throughout life only adds to the process of reaching that pinnacle moment in life and will make it so much sweeter.

5.Melody ft. Play-N-Skillz & Fingazz

At the beginning of Melody, it seems like a sweet serenade, and then it changes within the first few lines of lyrics…

I can tell you want to fuck with me

The song is still a sweet serenade, just Far East Movement-style. There’s no beating around the bush with this song. They clearly say what’s on their mind to the girl and expect her response to mirror their thoughts and actions. The sweet vocals pair nicely with the funk-inspired music and beat. The whole song is about throwing away all their inhibitions to have a melodic love-making session, or two. The lyrics may be explicit and to some, crass, but they get the point across:

…get you singing melodies you never sung before
Cause you can (get it, get it)
Yeah you can (get it get it)
Go ahead and hit that D sharp you know that’s my chord, oh lord (get it, get it)
Yeah you can (get it get it)
Screamin higher than Mariah back in ’94…

Obviously this song is not about a simple hookup. There is more involved, there are deep feelings. He wants to experience a melodic love session with this woman:

I suppose you and mean could just drift away
and leave behind our former selves

6.Up To No Good ft. Adrian Delgado

Up To No Good has a slight R&B feel to it fused with hip hop. Adrian Delgado’s vocals add to the R&B feel, especially his falsetto. Up To No Good is a great song to round out the KTown Riot EP. It’s an anthem that states:

K-Town always up to no good

It’s about living life to the fullest even if it means getting in trouble. Be adventurous and don’t regret anything and K-Town is the place to do that. In the KTown Riot mini documentary K-Town Riot Part 1, OG Chino states

the things that go on in Koreatown probably don’t go on anywhere else in America.

Koreatown is the place to go to break the rules.

Keeping to the overall theme of the EP, Up To No Good talks about the various rebellious acts one can do:

Cause I’ll be the reason you’re up to no good

They’re seeking trouble and the song is paying homage to the fact K-Town is its own entity where one can have a lot of fun, and get into a lot of trouble.

Overall Thoughts:

I am pleasantly surprised with Far East Movement’s KTown Riot EP. I expected the usual EDM, club hits, but the second half of the EP showed a softer side to them, musically. The first half is definitely for getting ready to go out and for at the club, the second half adds more emotion to the mix. They stick to the theme of showing listeners what it’s like for them living in K-Town.

Overall the EP flows well from hard-hitting, club hits to softer, more laid-back songs. Somehow they manage to make all the songs work well with each other. The layout has a lot to do with that. Rapping about all the lavishness of partying in K-Town and then rapping and singing with more focus on doing things with just one girl.

Far East Movement 'KTown Riot'
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What is your favorite track off of Far East Movement’s KTown Riot EP? 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.

Album Review: BEAST “TIME”

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After having a formidable comeback with their sixth mini album Good Luck this past August, BEAST found a way to make a great comeback with their newest mini album TIME. This highly successful K-Pop group takes the listener, hence the name, back in time with their sounds and through a rollercoaster of emotions. If you pay close attention to how the group arranged their tracklist, you can really appreciate how they build a story with this album: The nostalgic journey of a man longing for his lover.

 

12:30

The first track of the album is the lead single, 12:30. The ballad starts out with a beautiful and soothing piano. As the drums kick in, they lead the way for Yoseob to open the song. Then, every member gets their own part and demonstrates their beautiful vocals. The tone in their vocals seems very melancholic and gives a feeling of sorrow that pairs well with the meaning of the song.

As time goes by, the hands of the clock start separating, and they are used throughout the song as a metaphor of a relationship that has grown apart and become distant, thus leading to the inevitable breakup. Even if the song is a ballad, the chorus gets very subtle yet powerful electronic beats and dubstep sounds that reference the chaotic relationship described in the lyrics. And so the story begins…

 

Drive

After the inevitable breakup on 12:30, the next chapter for this story is Drive. BEAST buries us into a man’s feelings after breaking up with his lover. The guitar riffs give a sense of masculinity along with Junhyung’s rap, which is predominant in this song, and his voice really lets us know of the frustration and anger inside this man. The riffs continue throughout the song, but they range from powerful to very soft riffs, which let us know about his unstable emotions. The trumpet and drums in the chorus give off a jazz feel, taking the listener on a trip to when this genre was at the height of its popularity.

The jazz in the chorus allows for an exaggerated nostalgic feeling of the driver. What he really wants to do is just drive and forget about everything, but even driving doesn’t let him have a time to reflect on himself and forget about his lost relationship. From his GPS with his lover’s house as a favorite location to that time he put on her seat belt to protect his love, a drive that was supposed to make him forget has become a very nostalgic trip down memory lane.

 

It’s All Good (좋은 일이야)

The previous song really took the listener on a journey where a man was having trouble dealing with his recent breakup. It’s All Good (좋은 일이야) places him in a reflective and accepting stage when dealing with his emotions and breakup. The guitar at the beginning of the song creates a very cool acoustic vibe. Right after the first “It’s all good,” drums and synths come into the song. The music arrangement really states how this man really believes that everything is good and how determined he is now of accepting the breakup. It allows the listener to paint a picture of the story where this man is alone in his room reflecting on his past relationship. He understands now what the problems were in the relationship and how they are better apart than together. He wants to let his lover know that it’s all good now.

The harmony in the chorus is perfect; it even seems that there is only one member singing it. This perfect harmony reinstates one more time how this man’s believes after his reflective time.

 

Close My Eyes (눈을 감아도)

This track fast forwards the storyline to a few months after the previous song. This man thought he was ready to move on, he had accepted not having his lover in his life anymore, but he was wrong. He saw his ex-lover with her new relationship and all his feelings came back. The different range of vocals, instruments, and sound effects create a confusing feeling. There are a few trova and R&B rhythms on the song that create a state of confusion, but they enhance this man’s confused feelings and frustrations.

He is angry and confused. He thought that he had moved on but his feelings came back after looking at his lover. He doesn’t know what to do and starts pondering on those questions that everyone asks themselves after a breakup. Do they think about me even if they are with someone else? Do they still feel the same way I do? Did their feelings come back again?

 

Stay

TIME’s last chapter comes with Stay. It’s been a few months or maybe years now, and this man hasn’t had any contact with his ex-lover. He still thinks about her and wonders where they would be if they had stayed together. He states that even if he knows that his lover doesn’t have any feelings for him anymore, he really wants to be with her again, stay by her side, and wishes for his lover to not forget him as time passes. He wants his lover to reflect on what he had that her new lovers would not give her. He just really wants her back.

The track takes the listeners back to the ‘90s and continues with the nostalgic theme of the album. The song starts out with an intro that is very similar to the chorus of the song. The placement of every part of Stay (the chorus, the bridge, and the climax) is what really makes this song reminiscent of the great classic ‘90s songs. Back in those days, most songs started with a few words from the chorus and then the bridge, the chorus, and then lead into the climax at the end, ending the song with the chorus (i.e. Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time).

Stay sticks to this formula and gives a very fresh and modern twist to it. Its flow conveys the overall feeling of the album. This is the only song on the album that is very upbeat, but it sums up the emotional rollercoaster of the man of the story that BEAST created with TIME.

So Hot (Physical Album Bonus Track)

This bonus song talks about a man and woman having a one-night-stand. So Hot has a very sexy feeling in the music and BEAST’s vocals. It still continues to have a nostalgic feeling that makes the listeners think that this song is the beginning of this man’s story. If we think about this song as the beginning of this man’s relationship with his longing ex-lover, we can finally know how this couple met. We get to picture his flirtatious ways and everything he does to attract the woman that he felt attracted to. There is something about her that makes him lust and desire this woman, and he wants her to enjoy and get rid of her inhibitions.

After hooking up his lust turns into a more intense attraction that makes him want to turn this one-night-stand into a relationship. This ultimately leads us to the title track, 12:30, the inevitable breakup that started this man’s emotional journey.

 

Concluding Thoughts

I have always been attracted to albums that tell a story and have a very clear concept to it. With TIME, BEAST really went back to creating an album that flows very well and has a story that can be very relatable to the listeners. The album is produced impeccably and the use of the ‘90s formulas for music gave a fresh yet known feel to it. This album really showcased the group’s maturity with more up-tempo ballads and having their classic “BEAST moments” with songs like Stay and 12:30. TIME is the perfect companion when dealing with a break-up. The emotional rollercoaster that the music and lyrics take you through could really help any listener that’s going through the same as the man depicted in the album.

  • BEAST's "TIME"
4.8

 

Did you love BEAST’s new mini album TIME? We’d love to hear your thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr, so you can keep up with all our posts.

5 Overlooked K-Pop Singles

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Have you ever been extremely excited when a K-Pop group releases a great single and then disappointed in humanity when it doesn’t become as popular as it deserves? Well, we’re right there with you here at KultScene and below are only a fraction of K-Pop singles that deserve much more love. So read on to see if your favorite overlooked single made list, and hopefully we can introduce you to some new tunes as well.

Artist: Ajax
Album: 2MYX
Song: 2MYX

Let’s start this article with some ‘80s throwback music. Ajax’s 2MYX is laden with ‘80s sounds musically, and I absolutely love it. The beat, the synths, the drum beat, everything is great. The chorus is extremely catchy, and the members’ vocals are pretty impressive as well. The music reminds me of a Michael Jackson tune along the lines of Why You Wanna Trip On Me. The rapping fits well with the song; there’s a slower part with the accompaniment of an electric guitar that continues throughout the remainder of the song. All in all, 2MYX is a great jam if you’re feeling like a throwback day musically.

Also on KPOPme: 9 K-Pop Songs for Twerking

Artist: Roh Jihoon
Album: The Next Big Thing – EP
Song: Punishment

I thought Roh Ji Hoon was going places, and I’m surprised he hasn’t had a comeback recently. Punishment showcases his single abilities beautifully and that handsome face of his. Aside from his handsomeness, the piano in Punishment sets the tone for the song and is prominent throughout. Roh Ji Hoon beautifully executes his notes and manages to put emotion into Punishment.

The video views from Cube’s channel and 1thK’s channel add up to around 1.5 million views, which makes Punishment the most viewed video on this list. But it didn’t catapult him to stardom like I anticipated it would.

Artist: Able
Album: Able의 1’St 앨범
Song: 미스테리 (Mystery)

To be honest, I’m not sure how I found this song, but I’m happy I did. Mystery has the ‘90s boy band backing music and vocals. The English may not be as clear as it could be, but that doesn’t matter. The guys sing the song very well and the style of the song is quite enticing. The quick beat and pace of the song will also keep listeners interested until the end. Mystery is just a fun song with a great beat. You may forget about it after listening to it, but when it pops up on your shuffle it’s a must to listen to.

Artist: Bigstar
Album: Hang Out EP
Song: Run&Run

Yes, Bigstar’s Run&Run is the second most popular song on this list in terms of video view counts. However, they just have over 1,00,000 views in over a year since release. When Run&Run came out, not many people knew about it and it took awhile to gain some popularity. Bigstar is a talented group and this song showed their fun, goofy side as a group. The video is fun to watch and the chorus and choreography (the easier parts) are extremely addictive.

Run&Run is one of those songs that needs to be listened to while watching the music video (at least once) so listeners have an idea of what is going on in the song. The video helps to clarify the story within the song.

Also on KPOPme: M.I.B & 4TEN Shine At The NYC Chuseok Festival

Artist: Wonder Boyz
Album: 타잔 Tarzan – Single
Song: Tarzan

Tarzan is my favorite Wonder Boyz song. It was the first time that I really noticed them. I had their previous mini album, but didn’t pay much attention to them. This song boasts great music, a great beat, great vocals, and great rapping. The flow of the song is quick and memorable. Not to mention the choreography in the video is also pretty great. Moreover, the English lyrics are easy to sing along to and follow as well.

The dance version of the music video only has over 600,000 views, and it deserves much more. There are two music videos for the song, the dance version (below) as well as the story version. Both of which are quite enjoyable. Tarzan is an extremely catchy song that sounds amazing with the volume turned up as loud as you can handle.

Stay tuned for more overlooked K-pop singles. What are some of your favorite singles that just didn’t receive the love they deserved? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Best of the K-Pop B Tracks: Part 3

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Are you ready for the next installment of our Best of the K-Pop B Tracks series? Part 3 introduces new artists to the series and talks about one or two artists from the original post and from Part 2. The majority of these songs are not single material, but nonetheless, they are great tracks to enjoy on their respective albums. The following seven songs share some similarities as well as differences with each other, but all of them are great tunes.

Artist: Miss A
Album: Touch
Song: Lips

We’re starting Part 3 of this series off strong with Miss A’s Lips. The song starts off with a strong beat and club/EDM-inspired music. The ladies’ vocals are strong and powerful during the verses. Then more feminine and soft when the chorus appears. The chorus is addictive and easy to sing along to, which helps listeners get into the song. Lips is the perfect song to dance to at the club on a Friday or Saturday night. Just unwind and let go.

Artist: SHINee
Album: Dream Girl: The Misconceptions of You
Song: 히치하이킹 Hitchhiking

Next up of course is a SHINee song. 히치하이킹 Hitchhiking like Lips starts out strong with a synth and strong beat before and during Key’s intro. The music for 히치하이킹 Hitchhiking is insane. The almost overproduced beats seem like they would be too much, but somehow the music manages to work for the song.

The vocals and music are both quick, which keeps listeners interested. There aren’t any pauses in the music. Instead it slows down and thins out in some spots. The guys’ vocals are, as usual, flawless. The harmonies and falsettos are superb as well. 히치하이킹 Hitchhiking is a fun song to listen to when you’re feeling like hitting those high notes as you sing along.

Artist: LC9
Album: Skirmish
Song: Skirmish

LC9 came onto the K-Pop scene with Mama Beat and haven’t really been heard from since then. This next song is from their debut mini album titled Skirmish. The lead-off track is of the same name and one of my favorites. The beat and music are completely different from other K-Pop songs.

The music makes the song seem like it should be a hard-hitting song. But the vocals, especially in the beginning, are softer and inviting. After the chorus, the music becomes more minimal, and then builds again as the chorus approaches. The style of singing in Skirmish is what attracted me to the song. The members drag out their words and loop them together to give a wavy flow to the lyrics. Skirmish is a great song to bob your head to while listening to it with headphones.

Artist: Henry ft. Seul Gi
Album: Fantastic
Song: Butterfly

The next song is considerably different from the heavy EDM songs above. Henry’s duet with Seul Gi from his second mini album is a beautiful song that showcases both singers’ vocals. The two sound great together and the song, Butterfly, uses piano, guitar, and drums as the basis of the music.

It feels like a small lounge song with the duet singing to you in person. Butterfly is a pretty song that isn’t overpowered by the music and Henry’s and Seul Gi’s vocals compliment each other extremely well. When you feel like taking a break from the world listen to Butterfly.

Artist: Mamamoo ft. Geeks
Album: Hello
Song: Heeheehaheho

Mamamoo is a rookie group that deserves much more recognition. The soulful ladies have amazing vocals and great songs. Heeheehaheho is from their debut mini album Hello and is a little slower than the other songs. But it beautifully showcases the ladies’ vocal talents. Heeheehaheho is a R&B song that slows down life for a few minutes. It’s a simple song that brings out the soul in each members’ voice.

Artist: 2PM
Album: 미친거 아니야? GO CRAZY!
Song: Mine

2PM’s Fall release, 미친거 아니야? GO CRAZY!, gave us the likes of Go Crazy!, a crazy party song. But a few more tracks into the album we get Mine. Mine is a song that starts out with strings, piano, and funk, jazz-inspired music. Jun.K kicks off the vocals with his soulful tone and draws you into the song. The music is simple and provides a strong beat for the 70s-inspired vocals. We get soul, falsetto, Taec’s rapping and of course some 2PM flair.

Artist: Clazziquai Project
Album: Blink
Song: Life etc.

The final song for this installment of Best of the K-Pop B Tracks, is Clazziquai Project’s Life etc. from their Blink album. Alex does all of the singing in this song while Horan adds backing vocals. There’s a lot going on musically, but it does not distract from the song, it adds to it. Alex’s calm and soothing vocals makes a perfect pair with the zealous music.

The music may seem chaotic but it is essentially the main star of the song. Alex does sing throughout the song, but there are a lot of musical breaks where the listeners can just jam to the music. Alex adds to the story with the lyrics and his vocals. Life etc. is a fun song to listen to whenever you need a quirky pick-me-up.

Did you enjoy Part 3 of our K-Pop B Tracks series? Share some of your favorite K-Pop B tracks with us in the comments below. Be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Album Review: Clazziquai Project’s “Blink”

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Clazziquai Project has had a musical career spanning ten years, and 2014 marked their 10 year anniversary. With that, they released their full-length album Blink. The album sticks to the trio’s jazz, electro, pop genre, but boasts a more mellow feel compared to their previous releases.

Clazziquai Project released music videos for their three singles, Madly, Still I’m By Your Side and Call Me Back. Alex and Horan’s complimentary vocals lead us effortlessly through the album.

Still I’m by Your Side

The lead-off track is upbeat from the beginning, with Alex opening the song. The chorus is easy to sing along to and the English lyrics help connect to fans who understand and appreciate English lyrics in Korean songs. Still I’m by Your Side has a peppy beat and a multitude of instruments and instrumental sounds being used throughout the song. If you strip the song of the vocals, the music will undoubtedly be able to stand on its own. But with Alex and Horan’s soft vocals there’s no need to abandon their voices. Still I’m by Your Side is a great lead-off track for Blink, and It draws listeners in from the opening beat alone and keeps them interested throughout the song.

Madly

Madly is slower than Still I’m by Your Side, with Horan opening the vocals. This song doesn’t have as much going on music-wise as Still I’m by Your Side, which is perfect because the tempo and style don’t need a lot of instruments and sounds. Again, Alex and Horan’s vocals depict people who are madly in love and wish for love; the softness, and emotion in the vocals bring you into the song.

Crave You

When Crave You first begins it seems like it will be a ballad, which this author is not a fan of. But shortly into the song you realize Crave You is more than that. The chorus is simple and to the point. It’s a song that you’d hear in a coffee shop, and, again, the music compared to the main track of Blink is more minimalist. This allows the vocals to bleed with emotion. The build up to the chorus is what makes this song. You can feel and hear it coming, it’s subtle but enough to change the tempo and feel of the song.

Also on KPOPme: KARA’s “Mamamia” Music Video & Song Review
Android

Android starts with a voice introduction and a strong beat. Horan sings throughout the song. One thing about Android is that the entire song is sung in English. Listening to the lyrics, it brings about a multitude of options for the meaning. The song could be sung from the point of view of the Android, but also from the point of the view of the person using it, wanting to be free from technology that humans are so dependent on these days. Android is a a tun and quirky track.

Maybe Baby

Maybe Baby is the first ballad on Blink. A somber piano plays the introduction, and then Horan adds her quiet, emotional vocals. The music is reminiscent of a slow jazz song sans the saxophone and other horn instruments. Maybe Baby gradually builds with more instruments and stronger vocals added into the song. It ends similar to how it begins, with a piano outro, but the notes are more major than minor like in the beginning.

Love Satellite

Love Satellite is a fun track after a love confession song. The beat is strong and addictive. Horan and Alex’s harmonies and short and abrupt lyrics match the beat. Alex’s falsetto during the chorus makes it seem like you are actually among the stars. The music and vocals take you out of this world and make you feel like you’re soaring through space while listening. The musical break also adds to the celestial feel of the song.

Come on and Go with Me

Come on and Go with Me is one of my favorite tracks of the album. The intro sets the tone for the song. It’s clear that the song with upbeat, but with a mellow tone throughout. Horan opens up the song vocally, and Alex adds his harmonies before he comes in. Come on and Go with Me perfectly showcases Horan and Alex’s beautiful vocals. The instrumentation and sounds used do not drown out their voices. Instead, they compliment the vocals and we are able to hear and understand and feel them more.

Life etc.

Life etc. has a completely different sound than the previous tracks. It reminds me a little bit of some of Philip Glass’ work. It has that out-of-this-world sound and feel. The piano used adds a feel of being at a large event for your company. There are many elements in Life etc. that remind me of different scenarios or composers, which is fitting for the title. Life has many elements and influences, and this song has that feeling. On the surface, Life etc. sounds chaotic, but once you really listen to each instrument has a purpose and they’re not overpowering or distracting.

Also on KPOPme: Hyuna’s “Red” Music Video & Song Review
Call Me Back

Call Me Back is another single from the album with an accompanying music video. With Call Me Back we are back to the mellow, chill feel of the rest of the album. The song even has some rapping in it, which adds another color to the track and album. Call Me Back is a song that brings the listener to a relaxed place. Somewhere that does not have stress or worries. That’s the type of feeling Call Me Back evokes.

Think About It

To round out this great album we have Think About It. Think About It sticks to the theme of the album with similar musical qualities and instruments. Think About It is the true ballad of Blink. Alex’s beautiful vocals portray the feeling perfectly. As I mentioned before I’m not a fan of slow songs or ballads, but Clazziquai Project has a special place in my heart so I can’t not like this song. It’s a beautiful song, but one that I may not listen to as often as the others.

My overall thoughts of this album are that it is a beautifully produced and everything flows together. The songs are all intertwined with the style of music and interments used, but each song has its own flavor. I suggest Blink to Clazziquai Project fans as well as music lovers who may have never heard of them. Blink is the perfect album to put on when you’re in a chill mood or need some relaxing, but entertaining music to listen to.

Clazziquai Project's 'Blink'
4.5

Do you like Clazziquai Project’s Blink? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

5 K-Pop Songs For Morning Commutes

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Getting out of bed is only half the battle during the week, but actually making it to work in a relatively decent mood is the next step. Music can serve as a great pick me up, so when you’re on your morning commute to work or school, listen to some of our favorite K-Pop songs. For people who like to take the day more slowly, there are some songs for you, while those of you who need something fast-paced to get you really revved up, there’s also that. Whether you’re in a car, on public transportation, or your own two legs, these songs will really hit home. If your morning commute doesn’t involve driving (or if it does then you can have a look at it later), then you may wish to pass the time reading a blog about motorists and their music habits. If this is something that you think you might be interested in, then you can find it here.

K.Will – A Bright Day

Before getting into anything that will definitely wake you up, take it slowly. Listen to A Bright Day; think about what the day ahead of you will hold. Will it be a great day, an okay day or, unfortunately, a difficult one? Hopefully, it will be a fulfilling one, and make this commute well worth it! Mediate for a few minutes while listening to K.Will, and then move on to some other songs in this list that are a bit more upbeat.

MBLAQ – R U Ok?

You’re already awake and on your way, but you may not be completely awake. The soft snapping and piano instrumental at the beginning of R U Ok? transitions into a faster beat that will wake you up a little bit, to the point where you may be bobbing your head along to it.

 

Also on KPOPme: 8 K-Pop Jams For Your Next Workout

EXO-K – Angel

If you still have gunk in your eyes and you’re not so sure if all of your buttons are done properly, you’re probably not ready for something really loud and wild. EXO-K’s Angel, from the group’s debut album, is a simple ballad that has some great high points throughout the song that will definitely lift up your mood.

Roy Kim – Love Love Love

The singer’s acoustic guitar and gentle voice will gently raise your level of awareness. The melody has its fast points and also soft, harmonious moments that ends in a crescendo that will result in anybody feeling a bit more awake after listening.

Also on KPOPme: K-Pop Songs to Start Your Morning

SHIMMixes – K-Lubbing

This song is a bit jarring, so this may actually be a great replacement for coffee. It’s not a K-Pop song per say, but one of the greatest mash-ups of songs from May-September 2013 by SHIMMixes. The entire mix will have you dancing in your seat, so that by the time you’re at work you’ll be pumped.

What’s your favorite song to listen during your morning commute? We’d love for you to share your picks, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.