If you’re sick of cute/sexy girl concept and those girly dance moves, which every other K-pop girl group does, then you need to dig out THE ARK. They are a rookie girl group under the management of Music K Entertainment who debuted on April 2015 with their single “The Light.” The concept and innovative logo of the group are inspired by the famous French heroine Joan Of Arc, who was a warrior and a military leader. Another term for an arc is a bow, so, ‘The ARK’ means the bow which would set a new direction in K-pop and would overcome hardships with ease.
THE ARK is a multicolor group which consists of five members and focuses on portraying various images of society.They are trying to depict what it is like to be a new icon which is not only independent, strong, and active, but also have a hidden delicate side to them. The group consists of Jeon Minju, Kim Yuna, Jung Yujin, Lee Halla, and Jane (Cheon Jaein). Before the formation of THE ARK, Minju was on “KpopStar season 2” and Yuna was on “Superstar K season 3.” Jane also auditioned for “The Voice Kids.” Later on, the entertainment company recruited them.
Their debut single “The Light” is a contemporary R&B song with lyrical guitar riff that adds a groovy rhythm and hip-hop feel and was composed by Kim Tae Sung, who also composed “The Boys” by Girls’ Generation. This song expresses the strength for the loved ones and supports them in their difficult times. “The Light” shows the uniqueness of THE ARK as a group and their strong rapping, vocal, and performance abilities. Being a rookie group, they rapidly gained the attention of the audience. Their music video gained nearly two million views by the end of 2015.
During their pre-debut years, THE ARK covered the songs and dance choreography by various international and K-pop artists. One of the covers includes “Love The Way You Lie” by Rihanna and Eminem. This cover further proves their great singing abilities, as Yuna and Jane are good in English. So, they amazingly covered this song.
They have done various dance covers of EXO and BTS songs. Being five members, it is pretty hard to choreograph and cover those boy groups with fewer members. But they have done a great job and their dance covers were on pointe. Even, BTS complimented them on their dance cover of “Boy in Love.” This is one of their famous dance covers and got 1.7 million views on Youtube.
However, it was hard for the group to cover boy group dances and they often got ill during practice. But, they are really happy to show their charismatic side to the audience. Can you hear those fanchants?
Imagine a girl group with swag. Oh, there is no need to imagine it because The ARK has already got that and they are confidently portraying themselves as a different girl group. The powerful “INTRO” by the group really amazed the viewers and the elegant choreography for their song “The Light” perfectly shows the promising future for THE ARK.
I love the concept and the whole persona of THE ARK. Hence, I am a huge fan and I wish them success for the future. I am definitely rooting for their upcoming projects. Ending this post on a happy note, here’s a wonderful live performance by The ARK.
So, what are your views about this new rookie group? Did you like the concept and the whole attire of the group? Do you think girl groups should stick with the cute/sexy concept only? Or they should do something out of the box. Don’t forget to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12511016_1652897618332283_1890978787_o.jpg7681024KultScenehttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-01-06 16:45:352017-05-15 20:06:34Artist Spotlight: THE ARK
With guyliner to spare and an abundance of autotune, one would think that all South Korea has to offer the music world is K-pop’s girl groups and boy bands. But calling everything that Korea has to offer “K-pop” is doing the world a disservice, and moving past the K-pop title opens up a whole new variety of music. So let’s take a look at what Korea also listened to in 2015.
Thriving on ingenuity and high production values, music coming out of South Korea is some of the most innovative in the world today. But between Psy and K-pop girl groups and boy bands, it is easy to overlook what else the country is producing. K-pop is phenomena, but despite its popularity K-pop isn’t necessarily what the average Korean is going to listen to day in and day out. Defining what K-pop exactly is isn’t the easiest thing, but when you see it, you know it and its not innately bad. It’s primarily dance-pop music produced by entertainment agencies, typically sung by teenagers and twenty-somethings who have trained for years to become pop stars. It’s enjoyable. And what is left is the music that we should all take notice of.
With an ample amount of soft rock, romantic ballads, retro pop, R&B, and rap thrown in for good measure, mainstream Korean music is all over the place, in part because Korean culture thrives on the new and experimental. The top tracks in Korea nowadays offer something fresh and familiar all at once. Many of the most popular songs are more mature, mellower alternatives to the feverishness of K-pop dance tracks. Indie music, which is so mainstream in other countries, struggles, but has made leaps and bounds in the past few years with songs by bands like Busker Busker and Hyukoh rising from the dust like little indie demons ready to slay acts put out by the large music companies that dominate South Korea.
Meanwhile, the most popular genre of Korean music in 2015, aside from K-pop, is Korea’s take on hip hop. Hardly any singles are released nowadays without a featured rapper adding some spit to the track. Even K-pop acts incorporate hip hop, with just about every group having at least one designated rapper. Korea has been playing with hip hop for years, and prominent acts like MFBTY (Drunken Tiger) and Epik High still remain relevant amidst the onslaught of pop acts. But it was only a few years ago that hip hop gained true relevancy in South Korea’s music scene, and 2015 has seen an onslaught of hip hop releases. Rather than being anti-establishment, radio friendly hip hop songs in South Korea are largely related to the struggles of daily life and society.
With unexpected elements and a bit of something for everyone, mainstream Korean music comes off as less mainstream and more experimental. This year alone has seen great variety from both K-pop and non K-pop artists. Duets are still popular, but Korean music is able to retain its favoritism towards duet and ballads while transmuting the music to fit more modern tastes. The two worlds often collide, since K-pop is king in South Korea, but the variety and depth of music that Korean artists are putting out is something worth taking more than a cursory glance at. [Disclaimer: It would be impossible to cover all non-K-pop songs, so I picked some of the most popular songs from Korea’s Gaon chart. Excluded from the list were songs by K-pop idol groups, although artists who explored beyond the boundaries of K-pop are featured here.]
“Fire” – Mad Clown feat. Jinsil of Mad Soul Child
One of Korea’s up and coming rappers, Mad Clown released the retro-inspired “Fire” earlier this year, straight off of his EP “Piece of Mine.” Despite only joining the mainstream Korean music scene in 2013, Mad Clown has became a mainstay with his smooth hip hop style, and “Fire” is one of his best songs to date. “Fire” tells a story of a man unable to get out of a relationship with a woman who is driving him insane with her actions. Mad Clown’s rapid, high-toned rap contrasts with Jinsil’s sultry taunts, while a big brass band provides the song’s throwback elements.
“W-ing W-ing” Hyukoh
The most surprising musical act of 2015 in South Korea is certainly the soft rock indie band Hyukoh. The shoegaze-esque music produced by the band launched Hyukoh to fame this summer, and “Comes and Goes” became one of their most popular songs overnight. “Comes and Goes,” like all of Hyukoh’s songs, are about the daily struggles that young people face in their daily lives. The lyrics revolve around growing up and finding that your parents spent their entire lives worrying, and that childhood and time in general re fleeting. The gentle strumming introand lead singer Oh Hyuk’s washed out vocals helps the song retain qualities that we’re more used to hearing from 90’s indie bands, but Hyukoh’s the biggest thing to hit Korea in recent years.
“Eat”- Zion. T
Soft spoken hip hop crooners are trendy in Korea nowadays, and 2015 has been a Zion. T’s breakout year, with multiple hit songs including the latest, “Eat.” “Take out this song, enjoy it like a piece of chocolate cake,” Zion.T says, equating his music to comfort food, offering the soft R&B tune to the listeners like a decadent sweet that will help cheer us up. The track keeps things basic, with piano and snapping sounds and not much more for the majority of the song. “Eat” is musical simplicity at its best, but as far as possible from the flash and flare that’s garnered Korean music much of its popularity overseas. Also check out his “Just” collaborative song with Crush.
“Lean On Me”- Soyou of Sistar & Kwon Jeong Yeol of 10cm
Indie and K-pop come together in this romantic duet, with Kwon of the indie duo 10cm joining with Soyou, a popular K-pop balladeer. The soft melody is an acoustic-based song meant to urge people to not give up hope in the face of today’s economy, which is the reported cause of many Koreans giving up on romantic and familial relationship and instead focusing on work. “So many numbers saved on your phone, but you can’t dial a single one up,” they sing, references Korea’s plugged-in culture, urging one another to “Lean On Me.” The Korean-ness of the song is what made it a surefire hit in South Korea: The sweet, melodious duet performed by talented, popular singers, the synth undertones, and the urging to find strength in community are all common themes in Korean music.
“Love Mash” – MC Mong feat. Chancellor of the Channels
MC Mong is arguably one of the most controversial musicians in South Korea after he attempted to get out of mandatory military service. But the radio-friendly pop-rap hybrid “Love Mash” released earlier this year could be less loved. With a light upbeat rhythm, “Love Mash” is a foot-tapping tune that never takes itself too seriously while trying to win back an ex. The humorous take on Korean rap, like where MC Mong describes himself as “smelling like a loser,” is old hat for Korean rap making its way around the world- Psy’s “Gangnam Style” is just one of many instances where South Korean rappers use their music to make fun of themselves and their culture.
Lim Kim, also known as Kim Ye Rim of the indie duo Togeworl, released the playful track early in the year, and gained attention for its multi-elemental style, meshing R&B, pop, and electronic elements. The song is a modern anthem on flirting, combining Lim Kim’s husky voice with her whimsicalness to create a modern take on crushes that compares seduction to being a cat on the prowl, leading to the song’s “Awoo” moments. EDM thumping and scratching distortion makes the song a bit eerie that adds to the song’s mischievousness in a way that keeps it lighthearted but with a twist. The quirky song is a bit off to the left field even for mainstream Korea, but it’s undeniably one of the best production of the year.
“Shouldn’t Have” Baek A Yeon feat. Young K of DAY6
Baek A Yeon’s whimsical “Shouldn’t Have” is everything that Korean music aims to be. A bit of folk, a bit of pop, and extraordinary vocal control kept “Shouldn’t Have” from disappearing into mediocrity, despite Baek A Yeon being relatively unknown in South Korea. The self-composed track is a heartfelt about the regrets and “shouldn’t haves” of a woman. Despite the meaning, the mid-tempo song is something that listeners could tap their feet or bob their head to while singing along. While the song is firmly encompassed in the pop-ballad category, Korea doesn’t go without its raps, so there’s a bit of that thrown in for good measure.
“Leon” –IU & Park Myung Soo
If Taylor Swift and Jimmy Fallon released a song for a late night show skit in Korean, this would be that song. One of the most popular music festivals in South Korea isn’t even organized by musicians, but part of the popular variety show, “Infinite Challenge.” During the span of a few episodes, prominent Korean musicians work with the show’s cast to produce tracks for the festival, including this jazzy song created by Korea’s most Korea’s most darling startle IU and the variety show host Park Myung Soo. The song is based on the 1994 French film, “Leon: The Professional,” about a hitman and the young woman, and the Parisian influences of “Leon” are audible through the delicate instrumental sections, while the song remains firmly rooted in Korean musical theory, with the rap and back and forth between the pair.
“Don’t Be Shy” –Primary feat. ChoA of AOA & Iron
Primary is the man behind the box in South Korea, a producer who has the vision to put together whatever he wants and do well while hiding his face from the public. His latest hit, sung by the captivating K-pop vocalist ChoA and underground rapper Iron, is a tropical, sleepy reggae tune with echoing acid house overtones. Repetition and ChoA’s suggestive words take the song over into the gray zone rarely heard in Korean mainstream music, and the lyrics themselves question what she’s singing about. “That risky line, should I cross it or not?” ChoA wonders as her breathiness carries over the drumbeats. Iron’s rap takes the song down a few notches, his sleepy rhymes offering a moment of relative clarity in an otherwise hypnotic tune.
“I” – Taeyeon feat. Verbal Jint
Kim Taeyeon is the lead vocalist of Girls’ Generation, the most K-pop girl group of all, but her first EP as a soloist came out in October and solidified her place as one of Korea’s most intriguing artists. ” Bringing the intensity of K-pop production while exploring other genres, “I” is one of the K-pop hybrid songs that are making waves in South Korea today. Her self-declarative tune is an ambient soft rock song that wouldn’t be out of place from a movie soundtrack. With a few quirks- starting the song off with the chorus and quickly bringing in the featured artist- “I” exploits Taeyeon’s vocals in the best way possible, layering her vocals at times while allowing the crisp sound to fly free during other moments.
“Love Again” – Lim Chang Jung
This emotional song could do no wrong in 2015. With Lim’s crisp vocals over simple piano melodies, the song starts off simply before building into a soaring, heartfelt ballad. “Love Again” is the quintessential Korean ballad of 2015, with its bare minimum musical elements and focusing primarily on Lim Chung Jang’s strong, sincere voice. Strings and a heavy beat provide a background for the majority of the song, which is all about second-chances in love, a common theme in South Korean songs.
“Boys and Girls” –Zico feat. Babylon
If Taeyeon was the K-pop singer who broke through to everyone’s heartstrings in 2015 with her solo, Block B’s Zico just can’t be ignored. His tropical, synth-y take on K-hop-hop song in “Boys and Girls” was one of the most popular songs at last year’s end. Compared to Zico’s more in your face songs (like “Tough Cookie,”) “Boys and Girls” appealed to the Korean public’s taste with its lighthearted, yet technically impressive fun-filled rap. At the end of the year, as South Koreans prepared for a cold winter and new year, Zico’s song made people smile and ensured that hip hop would still be a trend in 2016.
What do you think of what South Korea was listening to in 2015? Does our list cover all of your favorite songs? Let us know in the comments section below. Share your thoughts on the drama 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Untitled-design-5.jpg800800Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2016-01-04 13:11:452016-01-04 13:33:18K-Pop’s Competition: What Korea Also Listened To In 2015
It’s December – or at least it was – which means it’s time for the big labels to churn out their holiday ballads and festive company music videos. They’re usually cute and fun to watch, but unfortunately they’re also usually nothing sensational as well. Last year, one of our writers wrote about how scarce and disappointing end of the year K-pop comebacks usually are, and with year-end preparations looming over every idols’ mind at this time of the year, it’s understandable why this would be the case.
But there’s always room for exceptions, and the exception is called the K-pop releases from December 2015. For one, they were actually good. For another, there seemed to be more of it over the seasonal content typical at the close of the year. It’s honestly a shame that we published our annual list of top songs from the year before all the songs could be release, or else the following would be some very likely contenders.
December 2015 witnessed a plethora of unusually fine hits and I am sure I missed out on a lot more. Although some were more mainstream than others, all had the final say to one of the best years in K-pop in a while.
Laboum “Aalow Aalow”
I’ll be real with you here – if you had asked me to name any one of Laboum’s songs two months ago I probably would not have been able to do it. That all changed, however, when the girl group kicked off December and captivated my attention with “Aalow Aalow;” now I can somewhat proudly list at least one. And while I still cannot explain the meaning behind the title (as far as I see it, it’s “Hello Hello” with a flair), I do know that the fresh single and its accompanying music video totally nailed the ‘80s Cyndi Lauper feel they were going for. Very retro, very colorful, they almost remind me of a younger Wonder Girls. The set may not be as elaborate or run on as high of a budget as the seniors’, but the minimalism completes the pastel confectionary aesthetics. The vintage styling is something out of the time period as well, which ranges from knee-length skirts, pinned up bobs, thick headbands and plaid patterns. Everything about this video is super modest, but definitely not the kind that would take away from quality or from being enjoyable.
And of course to complete the comeback is the song itself, which was released five days after the music video was uploaded. The piano glissando at the opening wastes no time to introduce the synth-y pop track about a girl who becomes excited over a boy. Sugary sweet, like its visuals. It’s catchy, with a clear structure and one heck of a build up and hook. It probably takes the cake for one of the year’s peppiest songs because there is just no way that these girls’ fruity voices won’t brighten your mood. What makes the song all the more unique is the instrumentals; the aforementioned synths blare like a horn and the ch-ki-tas from the backing vocal track accents the song as a drum and cymbal set would. There’s never a dull moment and hopefully with this stellar comeback these rookies will finally see the recognition they deserve. If anything, they now have an extra pair of eyes watching them.
So I have complained about winter and holiday ballads in the past and by including EXO’s “Sing For You” here it might defeat the purpose of a list of comebacks that are not seasonal, but it’s simply too good not to add it in. Compared to any of their other songs, this has got to be the boy group’s most stripped down release. That is, the entirety of the track is simply vocals sung over an acoustic guitar. No rap, no “E-X-O”s. Just pure, unprocessed, breathy vocals. Ultimately, this creates for a very reassuring track to listen to on those blistering, cold nights. It’s a song all about being unable to express true feelings to a lover, so instead they will do it through song. It’s as if we are the girl in question because that is what they are literally doing – singing for us. Even if there is no climax, this song wonderfully brings out all the members’ voices (including Sehun who seldom sings), and that in itself is enough.
Like the song, the monochromatic music video is also pretty romantic and bittersweet. Member Kai is doing what he does best again here – contemporary dance. And there is no missing the elephant in the room, or rather whale in space, either. The marine mammal in the video alludes to the “loneliest whale in the world,” or a real life 52-hertz whale that emits at a different frequency from that of other whales. The miscommunication and failure to convey its heart goes back to the theme of the lyrics, which again is about one’s inability to articulate. This is even more credible when we consider how whales, like humans, sing to their mates as a form of communication. Pity that the 52-hertz whale feels so isolated when it has all these South Korean boy bands (BTS, too, devoted an entire song to the solitary creature) crooning about it.
Zizo “Diving”
Probably the least well-known on this list, “Show Me the Money 2” contestant Zizo’s “Diving” is a song that every Korean hip-hop fan should pay attention to. Something about it just feels so old-school to me. Whether it’s the synths or the children singing innocence in the addicting chorus (which you might expect to be cheesy but is actually not), it works. Zizo’s raps have a unique timbre as well, nothing I’ve seen from other rappers. It’s playful and chill, yet also full of personality. I would not expect anything less from the artist, since his roots are deeply planted in the underground. “Diving” is just one of the products of his journey to remain creative, even if it might mean struggling financially.
Personally, the song also has a special place in my heart as its music video was shot in my native New York City. Zizo takes us on a tour of the Big Apple while shamelessly singing along to his own song. It definitely feels more like a summer tune than a winter release. The editing and the low lighting filter, in addition to the various shots of the city’s most famed landmarks (the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Times Square), really hits home and only adds to the nostalgia factor.
Exactly 20 years after their debut, Turbo is reunited again – and this time as a full unit – with their ‘90s revival hit “Again.” With this entertaining and upbeat dance number, the trio brings us back to a time when electric sounds, MC intros, and post-dystopian music videos ran rampant as they sing about love and taking opportunities. And although the title “Again” refers to a rekindling in the context of relationships, it can also best describe their comeback and speak to their newfound youth. If I did not know any better, I really would have believed that the track was something from their debut days. Singer Kim Jongkook’s signature mosquito voice is still as high as ever, while rappers Kim Jungnam and Mikey prove to us that they still got flow. If I as a listener can feel nostalgic listening to a group who debuted when she was still a couple months old, then I can only imagine how it must feel to for them to relive their teen years.
The video is not much help either. Everything is a hark to the past, whether it is the train station reminding us that it’s their 20th anniversary or the futuristic sterilized tunnels or the room bedecked with all the titles of the group’s greatest hits. Fans are probably even more excited that the middle-aged men are up and dancing again, even if the choreography is not as intricate as it was in the past (but how about that whip during the hook though?). Just make sure to stick around until the end for a hilarious cameo from Kim Jongkook’s “Running Man” cast mate Lee Kwangsoo and best friend actor Cha Taehyun. Indeed, for those who are new with ‘90s K-pop, Turbo’s “Again” is as close of a modern day representation as you are going to get and makes for a fantastic introduction to the group and to the genre.
iKON “What’s Wrong”
Here we go. They say you save the best for last, and this is it. Their past releases might have been lackluster, but with iKON’s latest single “What’s Wrong,” the boys concluded the year on a final sound note. The guitar heavy, gravelly rock song is something out of the pages of their senior group, Big Bang, and whether that is a good or bad thing…
Just kidding, it’s always a good thing. The song itself has a Big Bang circa 2010 sound to it, before trap and other modern genres was a thing, yet retains a fun party vibe that the group of rowdy boys is known for. The song opens with a crescendo that in turn transitions into the catchy chants that will start and close the song. The song is all about fickle, problematic relationships, and the resentment that one feels while being in one is portrayed through the accusatory “What’s wrong?” of the choruses. There is not only variety in the contour of the piece but also in the line distribution. A real Christmas miracle! Yes, it’s no longer Bobby and B.I. featuring their backup dancers; it’s iKON as seven individual members with seven individual voices.
The music video was thoroughly enjoyable as well, though only if you are down for a hot mess. The boy versus girl emotional feud inspired from the lyrics is literally duked out here in a less than friendly game of dodgeball, with the boys of iKON on one team and masked female antagonists on the other. There’s rioting, there’s paper being thrown everywhere, there’s enlarged hands. Everything is anarchy and it feels liberating, especially gratifying for a song that paints a stuffy picture. This is exactly the kind of content that fans need to see more of from the rookie group if the group wants to grow their fanbase.
For a group that only made its debut less than half a year ago, they’ve worked hard to show off a variety of sides with a whopping seven music videos, which is more than some groups who have been around for years. “What’s Wrong” is a step in the right direction, and if this keeps up it won’t be long before the group dominate the K-pop music scene.
What other December 2015 releases did 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Best-December-2015-K-Pop-Releases-Feat..jpg7681024Shelley Foohttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2016-01-02 20:40:352016-01-02 20:40:35Best December 2015 K-Pop Releases
While a lot of the intrigue behind K-pop is the glitz and glamour of the songs and music videos, it’s the whole albums what makes listeners stay and creates fans. As we stated on the best songs of 2015 list, this year shined for its superb releases by Korean artists. 2015 was also a great year for the full album, since many more artists ventured out to release more material. The mini albums, for their part, gave us solid songs that can’t be considered fillers, since many stand on their own. Everyone released material this year: big acts had long awaited comebacks and smaller acts became true stars, which made this list hell. However, someone has to make the tough decisions, and here are our favorite 20 albums of the year.
20. MBLAQ – “Mirror”
Although they are now left with just three members, MBLAQ’s craft hasn’t been lost. If anything, they’ve only grown and gotten better. There’s more room for their individual talents to truly shine through; G.O’s tender voice, Seungho’s hypnotic transitions, and Mir’s sweet raps. It was a brilliant idea to have a mirroring short introduction track prior to each song on the album. The short intro sets the mood and gets you ready for what’s to come. “Mirror” displays a number of different emotions and feelings; it depicts a story. A story that starts out with the feeling of loss, anger, pain, and longing, which later on transcends into the feelings of love, hope, and strength. And oh, how about those heart-rending piano intros and interludes? Swoon. This album was MBLAQ’s way of saying, “We’re doing just fine,” and it shows.
19. FTISLAND – “I Will
Eight years after their debut onto the K-pop scene, the idol rock band FTISLAND finally came into their own with “I Will.” The self-composed album is a symphonic take on the band’s style. The album is split into three parts, broken down by “Intro,” “To The Light,” and “Find The Light,” to guide the listeners through FTISLAND’s album, which is a little bit insightful, a little bit dark, and a whole lot of fun. There’s a story to tell, starting with the bombast of songs like single “Pray” and “Black Chocolate” taking us into a world of aggressive alt rock, to more earnest simple rock songs like “BPM69” and “Do You Know Why?” Lead singer Lee Hongki is very much the backbone of FTISLAND, but “I Will” features the other members’ voices and instrumental solos throughout, exploring the group’s dynamic as band first, idols second. Don’t miss out on upbeat tracks like “Time To” and “Shadow,” which show a side to FTISLAND that’s previously been kept mostly to their Japanese language albums. In fact, don’t miss out on anything and just listen to this excellent album from start to finish. “I Will” is the zenith of FTISLAND’s career, and we couldn’t be happier to see this idol band grow into their own.
18. GOT7 – “Just Right”
GOT7 has had a swell year both in terms of the music they produced and their surge in popularity. This mini-album that they released in the middle of the year is full of fun yet diverse songs, from the chill “Before The Full Moon Rises” to the more sensual “My Reaction.” Each member’s talents are showcased in this album, be it their amazing vocal colors or their rapping skills. Their continuous artistic growth is also evident in “Just Right,” as they continue to discover their identity as a group and as musicians.
17. Dynamic Duo – “Grand Carnival”
Dynamic Duo can never seem to disappoint. Every track on their “Grand Carnival” album has such a melodic feel good vibe. Each song makes one want to kick back, relax, chill, and simply groove to each dulcet beat. This album is a great mix of old and new school hip-hop, with heavy reminisces of Nujabes, Tupac, Nas, and Talib Kweli. And oh, what’s with rappers featuring their kids in their songs? Like how Gaeko had his son in “How Are You.” It’s as if they know I have a tremendous soft spot for cuteness overload. The duo, Gaeko and Choiza, are truly a rap pair made in heaven; their flows effortlessly bounce off one another and in return make for great music. “Grand Carnival” really is dynamic.
16. Lim Kim – “Simple Mind”
Ever since her appearance on Superstar K, Lim Kim has been going from strength to strength with every release. “Simple Mind” is her best to date, exemplified by the glorious one-two punch opening of single “Awoo” and “Love Game,” both of which showcase a perfect combo of indie and pop. Her use of synths in those are some of the best of the year but she offers more than just that. The rest of the album is more expected of a solo female artist, but Lim Kim imbues it with an eccentric edge. Her whispery voice elevates ballads and helps a song like “Upgrader” become more than album filler by adding slight inflections here and there. “Simple Mind” is a short sharp run through a not so simple mind.
15. Brown Eyed Girls – “Basic”
One of the best things about K-pop is that groups can release albums with the weirdest concepts and no one makes a big deal about it. This year, Brown Eyed Girls did it best with an album about astrophysics. The songs on “Basic” deal with a range of ideas from wormholes to fractals. Where the lyrics span worlds, the music of “Basic” spans genres. It covers a lot of what we know and love from Brown Eyed Girls, acid jazz, bossa nova, motown, disco, and more. Always ones to push boundaries the music equals the otherworldly nature of the lyrics in many cases. The country and orchestral oddity that is “Atomic” especially boggles the mind. “Wave” is another highlight with its silky groove and biting beat that comes and goes to create quiet but beautiful climaxes. With only one misstep (the generic “Light”), “Basic” proved that Brown Eyed Girls can still be edgy while maintaining a supremely impressive quality.
JYP Entertainment’s newest boy band Day6 made a remarkable name for themselves through their debut album “The Day,” which showcased different sides of themselves, from playful and fun to heartfelt and sincere. They defied conventional K-pop band standards by having almost all the members sing in the songs while still playing their various instruments. This cohesive album is proof of their potential and they’re definitely up and coming stars we can look forward to in the future.
13. SHINee – “Odd”
When SHINee released their “Misconceptions” series, it was hard to think that they were ever going to top those albums. But they proved us wrong when they released “Odd.” The album had Shawols (SHINee’s fans) reminiscing about past tracks with “Love Sick,” a track that is a continuation of their first track, “Replay.” Moreover, their first single “View” became an instant hit, making the listeners feel like it’s an up-tempo ballad, but then the chorus hits, and that deep house bass converts the whole thing into a fun and dancy tune. The album takes you in a rollercoaster of emotions that’s full of ‘90s inspired hip-hop, deep house, electro, and classic pop that we are used to hearing from the group.
12. MFBTY – “WondaLand
The hip-pop album from some of the most talented hip-hop artists in South Korea today is one of the best things out of Korea this year. MFBTY, which consists of Korean hip hop’s royal couple Yoon Mi Rae and Tiger JK’s and rapper Bizzy, is all about experimentation and trying new things out. “WondaLand” is an whirlwind journey through MFBTY’s eyes, beginning off with the airport invoking “Welcome to WondaLand.” The group keeps it straddling K-pop and K-rap, but no two songs share the exact same musical style. “WondaLand” gives all three members of MFBTY, and their varied guests including Yoon Mi Rae and Tiger JK’s son Jordan, a chance to express their own styles of music, no matter how broad they are. Singles like “Buckubucku,” with its wild variety of featured artists including experimental group EE and BTS’ Rap Monster, and “Bang Diggy Bang Bang,” are bangers that draw the whole album together. But it’s in meaningful songs like “Hollywho” and “Rebel Music” where the listeners are offered real insights into MFBTY’s world outlook. “Let It Go,” featuring BEAST’s Yong Junhyung, takes the melodic elements of Yoon Mi Rae’s ballads and combines it with Kelis’ “Milkshake” to to create one of the most stimulating Korean songs of 2015.
11. GOT7 – “MAD”
Just as “If You Do” was the song that made us all realize GOT7 matured, the album, “MAD,” reiterated just that. Compared to “Just Right,” “MAD” is less colorful, but it still gives us upbeat songs with a smoother, dance hip-hop sound. Moreover, this mini album is way more flavourful than any of their previous releases, with rap-driven songs like “Raise Your Hands” or the funky, signature Youngjae-JB vocal slayage in “Tic Tic Toc” and “Good.” “MAD” reminded listeners that while they pull off the cute and lively concept well, they’re artistic men whose creativity is also evolving — and we’re definitely buying it and here for it.
10. Wonder Girls – “Reboot”
To go with their perfect throwback single “I Feel You,” Wonder Girls releases an album full of ‘80s style stompers. As a complete album, it works so well as the concept is stuck to with every song and they progress naturally and satisfyingly. It plays like the soundtrack to the most amazing ‘80s film you’ve never seen. The dreamy slow burn of “Rewind” even references films. Even Yubin and Hyelim’s “Back” which at first sounds like an embarrassing hip-hop pastiche becomes not only great but an honest throwback. The instrumentals throughout the whole album give it this honest edge, from the twinkly synths to the guitars that ground everything. This was a true reboot of the highest order.
9. Kim Sung Kyu – “27”
INFINITE’s Sung Kyu made his comeback as a soloist this year with album “27” to significantly more commercial success than with his debut, and for good reason. The album was unique, varied, and yet extremely cohesive. He experimented with a few genres and collaborated with different artists, but still managed to make these sounds his own. With addictive title tracks such as “Kontrol,” to reflective duets such as “Reply,” there were no songs in this album that were sub-par and all served to show Sung Kyu’s wonderful ability as a vocalist.
8. G.Soul – “Dirty”
I don’t know why G.Soul had to be a JYP trainee for 15-long-years, but if working on your craft for that long enables someone to put out something like “Dirty,” then we better start shipping a lot of idols back to the studios. Especially considering that a cohesive album, or mini-album, for that matter, seems to be a lost art in K-pop. Not in G.Soul’s case though, even if he’s not really K-pop per se. This year, K-pop groups like SHINee and f(x) also gave dance music a try, but when you have “soul” in your name and you come from the company of Asia’s Soul, you know you’re in for something good. In mere five songs, the singer took us through a deep house journey full of eroticism, embellished with his high-pitched R&B vocals. Because just as the title suggests — sorry, kids — this album is freaky and it makes you want to get your freak on with someone. Having debuted only this year and “Dirty” being only his second mini-album, we can expect great things from G.Soul.
7. EXO – “Love Me Right 2nd Album Repackage”
This year, SM Entertainment decided to appeal to a more broader audience with Western sounds such as house and funk, and EXO’s repackaged album for “Love Me Right” is proof. A long departure from the teeth-baring wolf boy images from yesteryear, the boys came back with a more polished look and sound. This may come off as daunting at first, especially for the veteran fans, but for a group with some of the strongest vocalists in the K-pop genre, it works. The colorful voices of each member complements the brasses and riffs in the title “Love Me Right” and B-side “Tender Love” well, while also enabling them to take us back to our ‘90s boy band days in “Call Me Baby.” The album also features something that the group does best — R&B and ballad tracks. The smooth “What If..” and slow “My Answer” is testament that the group never forgot their roots, so long-time fans should not have to worry. Best of all, the album saw the debut of “Beautiful” and “El Dorado,” two tracks that were kept under wraps ever since their features in the boys’ individual debut teaser videos back in 2011/2012. “Love Me Right 2nd Album Repackage” offers the group an opportunity to recruit new fans, while maintaining their already large and well-established fanbase. As their company’s most prized act, we can always expect great things from EXO no matter what their next experiment may be.
6. BTS – “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2”
Continuing BTS’s two-part album project is “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2,” which quickly became as popular, if not more, than the first part of the installment. Whereas the first part underscored the anguish and grief in its title song “I Need U,” this expressed a more daring and reckless side to youth with the hit “Run.” From the start, the rapper Suga’s intro “Never Mind” catapults us into an aggressive sermon about why the youth should ignore the critics. There is more of an edge to this album, as evident in the use of more traditional rock instrumentals in some of its songs. But an album that is all grit could potentially get boring fast, which thankfully is something that the group does not have to worry about. There’s practically a song fitting for every genre. From the body-roll worthy chorus of “Dead Leaves” to the soothing “Butterfly,” there is no limit to what the boys can do. Perhaps this is why the album did so well not only in their native Korea, but also internationally as reflected in its title as the highest ranked album worldwide for an Asian act on the iTunes chart. Indeed, with solid releases such as “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2,” it won’t be long before BTS becomes a common household name (if not already).
2015 was Hyukoh’s year, and the release of the EP “22” was one of the best things any Korean indie band has ever done. The album keeps Hyukoh’s soft rock, tropical feel that the band introduced in debut album “20,” but goes on to explore deeper messages. The meaning of Hyukoh’s music is extremely accessible, with songs like bouncy first track “Settled Down” being completely sung in English. The EP, which contains a total of six songs, shows off Hyukoh’s artistic style at its best, taking the listeners off into the deep end with mood-maker “Mer” and the slightly aggressive (at least for Hyukoh) “Hooka.” And there’s no way we can overlook Hyukoh’s hit song, “Comes and Goes.” The song, ostensibly the one that rocketed Hyukoh to fame, is a soft take on the what it’s like to be in love and growing up. Oh Hyuk’s voice and the rest of the band’s instrumentals are melodious rock at its very best and the song deserves to be replayed over and over again.
4. Primary – “2”
Primary’s “2” album showcased a lot of diversity. Everything ranging from all the various artists that featured on his tracks, to the different beats he played, whether it was some good ole funk, slow disco, jazz, and reggae. “2” offered the best of both worlds; a great selection of unique singers and rappers, paired with addictive bass lines. Lyrically, each song sends out a strong message; anxiety of a new found relationship, how appearance shouldn’t matter when one is out to have a fun night, the excitement of breaking out of their adolescent years, finally growing up and getting paid, and knowing that sometimes you just have to get away. It makes me wonder what Primary’s thought process was in order to sort out who would be great for what, and what it might’ve been like if the artists had done different tracks than the ones they ended up on. Regardless, “2” was a wonderful album and we can only anticipate to see what else he has up his sleeve for 2016.
3. Red Velvet – “The Red”
Ever since debut, it was clear SM Entertainment’s newest girl group Red Velvet was somewhere between the two spectrums of the uber feminine Girls’ Generation and the experimental f(x). However, “The Red” finally allowed the quintet to come out of their sunbaes’ shadow and shine for their own talents and charms. “The Red” showcased Red Velvet’s, well, red side: lively, hip-hop pop dance hybrids. For this album, we didn’t get any velvet songs, meaning the sultrier alternatives, but we do get glimmers of it in songs like “Oh Boy,” “Campfire,” and “Time Slip.” Their first full-length album showed that Red Velvet’s concept and forte indeed is the quirky, lively release like “Ladies’ Room” and “Red Dress.” f(x) is no longer the only experimental group in SM, but where the quartet is always fresh and are maturing into grown women, Red Velvet picks up where they left off and exudes youth and an addictive vibe.
2. BIGBANG – “MADE”
Even if we didn’t get a proper full album from BIGBANG this year (we’re lumping them all together though), their “MADE” series was worth the long wait. BIGBANG’s comeback came with eight new tracks that showed us different and new sides of the group. From classic a la “Fantastic Baby” hits like “Bang Bang Bang,” to the new and experimental track like “Sober,” and more mature outlook with “If You,” the group surprised with incredible music. With this compilation, we got to hear more from each member; we got to hear T.O.P. sing more in the tracks, a comeback from GD & T.O.P., and Seungri exploring more of his vocal range. Not only did they deliver great tracks, but each song came with amazing visuals. From the movie posters for each track and the stunning music videos, every piece continued the cinematic theme of this whole era for BIGBANG. An excellent album to dance to and get crazy, and even to just burst into tears. It was definitely worth the wait.
1. BTS – “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1”
2015 was a busy (yet successful!) year for BTS as they embarked on a two part album adventure with their “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life” series centering on the subject of youth. The first part of the series, which featured the title “I Need U” and its follow-up “Dope,” marks the first album in which all the members participated in either the composition, production, or lyric-writing process. And, well, for a first, it is pretty impressive to say the least. From member V’s self-written “Hold Me Tight” to the youngest Jungkook’s own outro “Love is Not Over,” the album nicely displays the group’s well-groomed individual talents. Not to mention it also showcased their usual lively personalities as well, with tracks such as “Boyz With Fun” and “Converse High,” the latter of which was a literal song about a shoe. Seriously, who thinks of these things? Through “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1″ the boys tell us personal stories that the youth can relate to, whether it be about moving on from a chapter of one’s life, a hopeless love, or an article of clothing that drives one mad. Besides the catchy tunes and gorgeous aesthetics, it’s an album with a purpose and meaning, which is exactly why it has landed itself on the top of our list.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Top-20-K-Albums-of-2015.jpg640960KultScenehttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2015-12-31 21:55:432015-12-31 21:55:43Top 20 Korean Albums of 2015
MBC’s latest mini-series “Splash Splash Love” premiered this month and concluded after a course of two episodes. Though the drama was short, it garnered a lot of attention, both locally and internationally – and for good reason. There were several factors as to why this drama was so special, despite the fact that it was another fusion sageuk (a period drama with a modern touch, most of the time involving some form of time travel) and had a pretty predictable storyline.
[Disclaimer: There are some spoilers ahead!]
As alluded to in the title, this drama had a lot to do with rain. Heroine Jang Dan Bi (played by Kim Seulgi) is a modern day high school student who wanted to escape her college aptitude tests desperately. When she discovered a magical puddle on a rainy day she decided to jump through it and found herself in the Joseon period, right in the middle of a three year drought. Ruler at the time, Lee Do (played by Beast’s Yoon Dojoon) is an enthusiastic and curious learner who was immediately attracted to Dan Bi, not because of her physical appearance but because of her knowledge from the future. Right from the get-go, the chemistry between these two leads was natural and extremely adorable; I thoroughly enjoyed their progression from having a master-servant relationship to becoming firm friends and finally passionate lovers. It wasn’t rushed despite the fact that this drama was only two episodes long, rather it was fast paced and well-developed. Both actors also acted very well together which made the watch very enjoyable because of how believable their romance was.
taken from @uaena-vip from tumblr
This drama was aplenty with K-drama cliches, but that doesn’t mean that it was boring or typical. It turned out to be very refreshing, because the drama kept adding fun twists to each cliche that it utilized. For example, for a good part of the drama Dan Bi was cosplaying as a male eunuch. While this cliche can be seen in several other dramas, both modern and period ones, it was a slightly different situation here. She didn’t intend to disguise herself at the start, rather it was her use of the term “go-sam” (in modern day context it means a high school senior but in a historical context it actually refers to eunuchs) in her self-introduction that led to this whole misunderstanding. While she did continue the cosplay after realising its benefits, the continued use of this pun served to inject humor in the storyline and created some hilarious scenes, especially between Dan Bi and Lee Do.
Another cliche that appears very often in time travel dramas is the use of reincarnated characters, especially for the two main leads (think “Rooftop Prince”). This drama was no exception, as each modern character had its historical counterpart. The adorable part of it was that the historical characters shared the same characteristics and personality as their future selves, like Queen Sohun’s (Jin Ki Joo) love for midnight snacking and instant food. Although I enjoyed the parallels and found myself laughing because of them, I did get worried that this drama would give the romance a trashy ending by letting Dan Bi meet and fall in love with future Lee Do, just because he was also played by Dojoon. I got even more worried when they did reunite at the end of the drama and he said (in a swoony way, admittedly): “We’ve met before, a long time ago.”
taken from @sufbb on tumblr
I assumed immediately (as did Dan Bi, I’m guessing) that he meant during the Joseon period, but thankfully he clarified that he had actually met her on her way to school, at the first part of the drama. It was a twist that I didn’t expect but loved, simply because it defied K-drama norms and was something new.
That leads me to another point that I loved about the show, every minute of the show, every scene, no matter how insignificant it seemed turned out to be useful in the end. When I finished it I felt like I had just watched a movie rather than a drama because of how all the plot points fitted together. The writing was so tight that there was purpose in every event that occurred. For instance, a simple scene showing Dan Bi lying on the couch and watching an episode of “Mask Singer” could be used later on as evidence of her ability to recognise voices. For such a short drama it sure made full use of its time.
At the core of the drama it was the strong message that no matter how insignificant we may feel because of our bad grades or lack of talent, we still have a part to play in this world. Dan Bi was such an underachiever at school that she lost confidence in herself and her worth, but going back to the Joseon times and being able to share her knowledge with the king helped her to realise that she was valuable after all. Even when she failed, Lee Do was there to encourage her and help her to carry on.
The struggles that Dan Bi faced were so relatable even to people who weren’t students that it made this message all the more encouraging and inspiring, a big reason why this drama succeeded.
That being said, this show wasn’t perfect and there were many illogical plot lines which led to some confusion for me as I watched the drama. Yes, the entire premise of the show was absurd but there has to be some logic, especially between scenes. For one thing, there never was a “big reveal” for Dan Bi who had been masquerading as a male eunuch but all of a sudden all the characters in the show (including the court ministers) knew that she was actually a female and she was nominated to be a concubine. I’m sorry but what? From other historical dramas and the scant information that I know about the Joseon dynasty I’m pretty sure that there’s a penalty for intentionally deceiving the court, let alone the King. Even if we ignore the legislature, I was surprised at the lack of reaction from the ministers because what is the point of cosplaying if there are no stakes involved?
Another problem I had with the plot was what happened one particular day, when Dan Bi escaped the city after an attempt made at her life. She literally spent the whole night out with the king at a beach, while the queen spent her whole night out at her childhood friend’s house. Even better, when she tried to go back to the palace, the gates were locked. For the queen. It’s simply crazy to imagine that when both rulers are out of the palace no one would be looking for them or even be alarmed. I mean, what are all the servants and soldiers for if not to keep the rulers safe?
At the end of it all however, “Splash Splash” Love never took itself seriously and this helped viewers to focus more on the heartfelt storyline rather than the sometimes gaping plot holes as we watched the drama. There were so many adorable moments that I enjoyed from this show (Lee Do reciting the times table was fantastic) that made me forget the parts I disliked about it and this makes it a winning drama in my books. I would tell you more, but I hope you’ll watch it yourself. I won’t spoil the magic for you!
taken from @uaena-vip
Did you watch Splash Splash Love? Share your thoughts on the drama 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/splash-ssplash-love-poster.jpg600600Anna Cheanghttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2015-12-30 08:58:292015-12-30 13:47:21‘Splash Splash Love’ is a Refreshing Take on Fusion Sageuk
K-pop is good, but the importance of music videos is what really makes Korean music stand out from other international music scenes. Countless hours are spent creating music videos for K-pop songs, and 2015 did not disappoint. This year had a lot of new, experimental aspects included in K-pop music videos, with more emphasis on cinematography than in past years, while some music videos just surprised us with their unique attitudes. We also saw a lot of groups coming outside their boxy, dance-driven music videos for ones with actual plots or being more interactive. The music videos have been awesome but an honorable mention must go to the sound quality too. Although, my preamp must help a lot! There were many videos to choose from, but we narrowed down our top 20 Korean music videos for you to celebrate the greatness this year brought us and to ring in the new year with the right foot.
20. Super Junior – “Devil”
One day, sometime this year, someone in the SM Entertainment building decide that Super Junior’s members were ready to star in a blockbuster film. After last year’s spaghetti Western-inspired “Mamacita,” “Devil” gives us a smoother, more debonaire Super Junior while still giving the audience a lot to look at and stories to think about. With explosions galore and a mini-film set up for individual members, “Devil” is a bit of a WTF in the best way possible. The film noir elements, the stunts, and the movie posters intercut into the dramatic scenes are new for Super Junior, but not unwelcome for the group, who take their mini-films in dashing sartorial style. With shoot outs, poker matches, and a variety of other cinematic tropes, “Devil” gives the story of a seducing female in a variety of settings and does it in a way that allows viewers to get a bit of individuality from each member before also offering some shower-oriented group dances. Super Junior is first and foremost known for their synchronized dances, and the plot-based music video of “Devil” offers up a taste of that without taking away too much from the fun action of the rest of the video. “Devil” was the first music video celebrating Super Junior’s tenth10th anniversary since debuting, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
19. INFINITE – “Bad” (360 VR)
I loved the original music video of “Bad,” but when INFINITE released this 360 VR, it instantly became my favourite version. It’s not often that K-pop music videos have interactive features and the idea that the viewer can look all around the music video set by simply playing with your mouse or your screen is a really cool one. It enhances the video because we can see sides to it that we are unable to through the original one. Take for example a scene where the INFINITE members are standing in a pink hallway. In the original video, we could only see the member who was singing, but in this VR one, we can also see the other members who are standing in parallel hallways waiting for their turn. It’s a fresh perspective and one that I hope we’ll be able to see more often in future K-pop music videos.
18. BIGBANG – “Let’s Not Fall In Love”
BIGBANG is generally known for having two types of music videos: party-like flashy ones or lonely emotional ones. “Let’s Not Fall In Love” does not fall into either of these categories as it goes for a more subtle and dreamy feeling; from the pastel color scheme of the video to the adorable actions of the members throughout the video. The video complements the somewhat mellow song well too, especially in the choruses, which were more toned down than in normal BIGBANG songs. It’s fun and refreshing to watch the members playing around in the video in contrast to their normal cool and serious images. I mean, how often do we get the chance to watch T.O.P making cute faces?
17. GOT7 – “Confession Song”
GOT7’s music video for their latest holiday song “Confession Song” is as sweet as the title suggests. This has got to be their cutest music video to date, and they’ve had a lot. Despite the reindeer mascots the boys donned, they actually play wingmen and cupid as they go to schools and drag students to a school gym, where they are greeted by their secret admirer. The opening features a hidden camera type cinematography, which enhances the realness factor that is supposed to make the video so heartwarming. What’s even more heartfelt was the fact that the members arrived early to personally decorate the set, transforming a mundane gym into a festive and romantic Christmas wonderland. There’s also a bit of a suspense buildup too; the music cuts off as the masked lovers reveal their identity and confess their feelings to their significant other. The atmosphere becomes very still as we wait for the inevitable reciprocation. Despite whether the acceptances were real or not (it’s hard to say no when a dozen cameras and expectant faces are on you), we still cannot help but celebrate with GOT7 when we hear that “yes.” Just be sure to have a tissue on hand.
16. Super Junior D&E – “Can You Feel It? (Chok Chok Dance)”
The kings of K-pop dances are back, but with the most unexpected hit of the year. Super Junior’s subgroup comprised of just Donghae and Eunhyuk surprised all of us this year with the music video that literally had the entire KultScene staff dancing. This video has no flashy aspects, it actually looks like it was filmed on a variety of cameras and cellphones, but this all-in-good-fun dance video made us want to shout “JUST GET UP AND DANCE.” The practice video of D&E formally learning the dance and the pair playing with one another with some of the silliest hairstyles they have ever sported make the video seem pretty normal before it turns into Super Junior, SM staff, EXO, BoA, TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, f(x), SHINee, Red Velvet, and just about everyone else dancing any and everywhere. The easy dance moves are upbeat tune are addictive, and the antics shown throughout the video just show D&E, and everyone else in the world, having a fun time. Sometimes, simple is simply the best.
15. Beenzino – “Break”
Do you know what makes a music video truly enjoyable? It’s when you can see the artist having a ball of a time filming it, something that can be clearly seen in Beenzino’s “Break.” This guy is hysterical; everything from his nonchalant facial expressions to his self-body gags. Beenzino is always trying something new; his conceptual styling is different every time, making it the reason why his music is more entertaining than others. His lyrics speak wonders and always have a strong message, as does his music videos. Zino’s an artsy man, with a lot of out of the box ideas, which surely shows considering no one else would probably have filmed a video of them head banging against a wall. The moral of the story was of him breaking out of this shell that others were trying to box him in; he wants to be whoever he wants to be, dream of whatever he wants to dream, all without being told that he can’t. There’s always a silver lining hidden in Beenzino’s music videos, you’ve got to analyze as you watch. On a lighter note, “Break” makes me wonder how many takes it took and/or if those involved died of laughter while filming the less than serious scenes.
14. SHINee – “View”
For the first time in quite some time, SHINee was let out of the SM box only to be kidnapped by a group of fangirls on “View.” Sound familiar? Only because it’s, well, every fangirl’s (cough, cough, saesang) dream to kidnap or rescue our favorite boy band from the greedy hands of their management companies that overwork them in order to give them a much deserved fun-filled day. The music video follows SHINee’s journey — from being chloroformed and taken against their will to developing Stockholm syndrome for their captors to the point of almost getting hot and heavy with them–, giving us an actual plot with scenes of them dancing the choreography at a bar webbed in there. The fact that we got a plot, let alone someone at SM being sadistic mind readers, is a feat in itself, for we’ve grown accustomed to SHINee’s performance videos. Don’t get us wrong, those are awesome too, but “View” is on another level. Moreover, the cinematography, color palette, and styling were all as chill as the song itself, which overall gave us a new and fresh side to the boys that impress with every comeback. SHINee, indeed, never disappoints.
13. D??N x Anderson .Paak – “Put My Hands on You”
For a smooth jam like “Put My Hands on You,” Dean could’ve gone down the road most traveled and given us a generic intimate bedroom music video. But for the sonic masterpiece that this song is, the actual video is anything but. With mesmerizing visuals, the video is more like an R&B video game featuring all the parties involved in the song (including producers Mr. Carmack and esta.). Together with Dean’s enchanting vocals, the music video takes the viewer into a trance, guiding us through colorful waters, vibrant skies, an overall psychedelic paradise. More than explicitly showing Dean and the subject of his infatuation getting freaky, the video is a representation of the emotion and feelings behind the song. “Put My Hands on You” is not just another song with its music video, but a surreal and artistic experience in itself.
12. IU – “Twenty Three”
When you hear that a video might be based on Alice in Wonderland, you might immediately yawn like me. Yet if you were to avoid the video for IU’s “Twenty Three” you would miss out on something so much more than another take on an old story. The video borrows from a number of other surreal sources, like artist Rene Magritte, to tell a story about IU. Thanks to this, it brilliantly portrays the confusion of IU’s transitionary period in becoming an adult. It mirrors the song’s lyrics in increasingly interesting ways from the literal fox and bear moments to the controversial Barbie image. This execution of ideas has created what is probably the most conceptually effective song of the year. From the music video all the way to the lyrics, no one has made such a singular piece in K-pop.
11. Shinhwa – “Sniper”
I don’t know about you, but I’m completely okay with middle aged men dabbing on some eyeliner, especially if it’s being used as a form of expression like in Shinhwa’s “Sniper.” For this music video’s concept, the members opted to go down a rather mysterious and vampy road versus their usual lighter hearted videos. The members displayed a sexy, yet perplexing side of them in “Sniper,” which included a series of rebellion and dark moments. Their gazes are intense and although you’re watching the video through a monitor, it almost feels as if they’re piercing your souls right through the screen. Shinhwa looks classy, sexy. and sleek, like the suave men that they are. Although it’s a bit on the slower side, the choreography for this music video is ultra smooth, so good that it deserves a dance version video. Say what you will, but “Sniper” is simply just another reminder to the viewers and listeners that although they’re in a “boy band,” Shinhwa are a group of fully-grown men who mean business.
10. EXID – “Ah Yeah”
EXID came back after the surprise success of “Up and Down” with what at first seemed like a complete rehash of it. The “Ah Yeah” video begins to tell us a different story though, with blurred out pelvises and a number of abstract images. It’s a reflection of the self on EXID’s part. They are responding to the circumstances of their fame. This is seen most clearly through Hani and LE’s roles in the video. Hani essentially playing herself, is seductive as she makes eyes with the POV camera similar enough to her famous fancam. LE also could be playing herself, or maybe just another side of the argument. Her angry counterpoint plays like a musician’s reaction to EXID’s fame, not happy that a sexy video brought them there over music written by LE herself. She also addresses the POV camera, but this time in an accusatory manner. The video is giving us both sides of the story, letting us know there’s more to EXID than sexiness.
9. Primary – “Don’t Be Shy (feat. ChoA & Iron)”
Most people’s first reaction to Primary’s music video for “Don’t Be Shy” was probably along the lines of, “Wait…what the hell is going on?” Don’t deny it, we were all extremely confused. The concept for this music video was everything but normal, leaning very much so on the more peculiar side. Things stay at an all time creepy throughout the video, but that’s what makes things 10 times more intriguing. Every time something odd happens, it just makes you want to find out what’s going to happen next even more. I really couldn’t help but continuously wonder what does a girl’s sleepover, Pokémon cards, and voodoo dolls really have to do with one another. Doesn’t it make you wonder, “Who really won that Pokémon battle” too? “Don’t Be Shy” definitely differs from any of the other videos that came out during the summer, and as weird and dark as the music video was, it was refreshing not having to see something bubbly and cute — especially coming from an AOA member.
8. BTS – “Run”
It’s easy to say that each of BTS’s recent videos needs to be seen together to fully be appreciated. That sentiment takes away from the single achievements of the videos though. “Run” brings back much of the images of “I Need U,” but uses them in different ways. Their use of actual sets brings a much needed sense of reality to music videos. The set details of BTS’ little home gives it great life and brings them closer together as characters. For the hundreds of different theories that fans project onto them, this is what I like most about BTS’ videos. The camaraderie of all the members, their energy, and the lack of self consciousness.
7. TWICE – “Like Ooh-Ahh”
Just by their music video alone, it’s near impossible to tell that TWICE only made their debut this year because everything, from the song to the dance to the cinematography, was as if this fresh JYP Entertainment girl group were already experienced artists. Vibrant, colourful, and energetic, the music video for “Like Ooh-Ahh” was the perfect way to introduce the group because it represented their diverse personalities and their youthful energy. Though it featured zombies (it was released around Halloween), the rest of the video was fun with the creative usage of environments like a school and the back of a truck. The styling of the girls was on point too as they were dressed in bright colors like red, which not only suited their music, but also showed off their individual charms. I don’t know what I expected from TWICE after watching them on their pre-debut show “Sixteen,” but I do know that we can look forward to more great work from now on.
6. BTS – “Dope”
Not exactly a literal one-take music video, BTS’s “Dope” is still nevertheless shot in a way that only accentuates the dynamics of the dance and song. In particular, it tries to emulate the popular one-take style by green screening and splicing various clips into an effortless production. One member sings his part and runs off the screen, revealing the next member who does the same. Besides how well choreographed it all is, the video also uses an interesting set. Interesting in the sense that the production value seems rather low – the whole video looks like it is shot in the same dark brick room – but somehow it works. Again, it’s mostly because of the way the video was shot, which incorporated interactions between the members and the camera, or us as viewers. But most importantly, it’s also because the members do not need any flashy set to distract us from their talents. The focus is constantly on the members, who look like they are having genuine fun dressing up as detectives, police officers, doctors, officer workers, pilots, racers, and bell boys. Overall, it appeals to a wide audience and it’s no wonder why, statistically speaking, it is their most popular music video.
5. SHINee – “Married To The Music”
SHINee’s retro-funk song “Married To The Music” was really good on its own, but it’s “Rocky Horror” throwback-styled music video is where the real fun begins. The horror-lite music video shows the members of SHINee at a party that’s straight out of someone’s nightmare. Drinking the punch has never been so dangerous, and someone is out to make a Frankenstein monster out of the members. The editing is also notable, with the CGI coming across as more realistic than most other instances in K-pop videos, and the cinematography really harkens back to the horror films and television shows of the 1970’s. SHINee is also given the chance to show off their precise choreography that the group is known for. But, while all these parts come together as a whole for an enjoyable video, it’s the hilarity and carry through of the concept — ranging from headless members to another vomiting confetti to singing cakes — that makes “Married To The Music” really enjoyable and one of our KultScene top music videos of 2015.
A song full of melancholy and angst needs a just as melancholic and angsty music video, and that’s exactly what we got with GOT7’s “If You Do” — which is our favorite song of 2015, by the way. Since their debut, we’ve grown accustomed to GOT7’s cheerful and vibrant energy from “A” and “Just Right,” but for this single, we got a glimpse of a whole new side of the guys and it wasn’t cute. Ok, maybe it was still cute, but through the song and video, they conveyed a more mature and rawer image, dealing with their inner demons and taking it out on inanimate objects. Moreover, even though the group has excellent dancers, choreography has never been a focal point for them. However, this changed with “If You Do,” where we got fancy footwork and a more ferocious overall choreography on par with the sentiments behind the lyrics. With an emphasis on the powerful dance moves and their rageful portrayals, “If You Do” allowed their individual and group talents to shine through without any gimmicks. With this song, GOT7 let everyone know what they’re really capable of and that they’re in it for the long run, and we’re all super excited about what 2016 will bring from them.
3. BTS – “I Need U” (Original Ver.)
It’s such a shame that the original version of BTS’s “I Need U” was banned from broadcast because of violent imagery since it is easily the group’s best music video. With this rendition we see a more comprehensive story as opposed to the PG version that was – let’s face it – nothing more than a highlight reel. This one actually follows the misfortunes and angst of the seven members, covering themes such as depression, loss, and self immolation, all problems that plague the youth that the group is known to target. But other than the dark themes, there are still a lot that needs to be explained, including the relationship between the members and what led to their individual downfall. This was the start of all the numerous fan theories, which continued into the ensuing prologue video and even up until their “Run” music video released six months later. From getting viewers to think critically to the grungy yet gorgeous cinematography of the video itself, the original version is absolute art. The members’ acting were more than convincing, especially V who had the honor of executing the murder scene. Even without having read the theories, it’s a very depressing video taken at face value. But its ability to tug at viewers’ heartstrings is also exactly why it still remains as a fan favorite.
2. GOT7 – “Just Right”
Leave it to the boys of GOT7 to pull at our heartstrings and make us all feel like squeamish middle school girls with their fun song “Just Right” and the equally playful and uplifting music video for it. Reminiscent of NSYNC’s classic “It’s Gonna Be Me,” the guys play dancing mini dolls(?) in an insecure little girl’s bedroom who try to make her feel good about herself by telling her she is more than enough as is. From the guy’s expressions, to the actress, to the dance and the very kawaii color pallette, everything is meant to enhance the cuteness of the song. And what otherwise could be the cringiest music video ever — with Jackson coyly laying in a powder compact or them fooling around in a Mini Cooper car — is actually miraculously just the right amount of sweet and cheesy. “Just Right” is the biggest fan service ever from them, but instead of being one of those “only fans can love” tracks, it’s fun and catchy and meant to stay in your head for hours, lyrics and point dances wise; anyone and everyone can love it. The music video is one of the best of the year given its adorableness and playfulness that you just don’t get in K-pop anymore. And not that you need a guy to tell you that you’re beautiful or awesome, but there’s just something endearing and reassuring about Mark hanging from your clock and telling you to step off of the scale and onto his back for a piggyback ride. Sounds like quite the deal to me!
1. BIGBANG – “Sober”
It’s impossible to turn away from the beautiful cinematography of this trippy music video, making BIGBANG’s “Sober” our favorite video of the year. The music video for “Sober” is one of the most bizarre music videos out of Korea this year with brilliant settings and an important message through its psychedelic images. Throughout the entire video, the members of BIGBANG are running around, acting like crazy people, just doing their thing as they chase their dreams and hallucinate. The electronic melody of “Sober” diverges from the idea of being sober and takes a stab at emphasizing the struggles of BIGBANG as individuals: G-Dragon’s fast-paced antics belie his loneliness, Seungri’s grasping at paper with the words “this is your god” shows the singer’s attempt at being happy via money, T.O.P just wants to play all day and return to the innocence of childhood, Daesung struggles with having too many things to do and just wanting to play his music for the sake of music, and Taeyang struggles trying to find a way out of the world he’s trapped in. The video ends with the individuals coming together to enjoy a good time running through a field, highlighting the fact that BIGBANG’s members are individuals at their best when they’re all together. With a meaning that relates to the personal struggles of BIGBANG but also reflects the difficulties of life that everyone faces, “Sober” is a fun-filled, philosophical, soul-searching video. BIGBANG had a lot of good music videos this year, but the deeper meaning, the creative scenery and videography, and the hilarity of the situations and actions of BIGBANG just gives “Sober” that extra nuanced details something that makes it our number one music video of the year.
What was your favorite music video this year? 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/top20kmusicvideos.jpg7681024KultScenehttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2015-12-25 16:42:342015-12-25 16:42:34Top 20 Korean Music Videos of 2015
2015 was a year chock full of K-pop goodness, both for groups and for solo artists. In particular, there were many idols who made their solo debuts this year. While some of them were well-received in Korea and on international charts, there were also some others who didn’t garner so much attention. As with most K-pop related things, album sales largely have nothing to do with the quality of the music produced, so here are five underrated solo debuts that deserve more love.
1. G. Soul
At the start of the year this soloist made headlines when he finally made his debut after 15 years as a JYP Entertainment trainee. With his album “Coming Home,” G. Soul thoroughly showcased his vocal abilities and charmed listeners with his silky emotive voice. His lead single “You” was also a strong track complete with wonderful composition and a catchy chorus. He even released an acoustic version of the song subsequently, which further highlighted his amazing voice, and it was this version that made me a fan of his.
Unfortunately, despite releasing three EPs and singles over this year (most recently in September), he is still relatively unknown in the K-pop industry. With almost zero promotions on music programs and variety shows, it’s not very surprising that he’s unable to compete in popularity with other idols who are very active in the entertainment scene. However, one of his newest songs, “Beautiful Goodbye,” has been gaining attention recently because of EXO’s Kai, who performed a cover of the song during their concert.
Hopefully this trend will continue in the future and he will become more well-known. With the quality of music that he’s been creating and his voice, he certainly deserves all the respect and more that he’s getting now. In fact, he recently made Kultscene’s Top 50 Songs List for the year with his latest release “Crazy For You.”
2. Mckay Kim
I’ve watched this soloist since his early days on “K-pop Star Season 2.” Mckay Kim‘s voice was so charismatic that I fell in love with it (and him) almost instantly. From his wonderful partnership with Brian Shin and Kim Min Suk (Raccoon Boys) on the competition to his solo debut earlier this year, his music has always been amazing. He debuted with a collaboration with Jeff Bernat, a Filipino-American singer songwriter who is quite well-known in Korea, and their voices blended together perfectly through the song “Angel 2 Me.” Kim, in particular, has a soothing and smooth voice that is so comforting to listen to. Whenever I listen to this song, I feel relaxed even if I’m on a crowded public bus or doing math problems in my room. The harmonies and chill beat of this song are therapeutic but still alluring and charming.
Mckay also came back with another track in June, appropriately titled “Month of June,” but this release gained even less attention than his previous one. It’s a sweet song filled with the light-heartedness of summer and being in love. On his own this time, Mckay was able to show off even more of his vocal skills and musical ability, which is why it’s even sadder that this song wasn’t as well-received. Both in terms of natural talent and music quality, Mckay has the potential to become a mega star in this K-pop industry, he just needs a chance to break out now, and the sooner the better. I can’t wait for his future releases (he really needs an album) and I’m confident that he’ll continue releasing great music.
A member of K-pop girl duo 15&, Park Jimin made her solo debut in March this year with her title track “Hopeless Love.” Despite having amazing vocal talent and good songs, she has been an underrated singer ever since her debut in 15& and as a solo artist. Another alumni of “K-pop Star,” she won the first season of the show in 2012 but has been relatively low-profile since then. With “Hopeless Love” however, she brought something new to the table with this ballad that isn’t really a ballad. With her strong high notes and charismatic voice, Park Jimin brought out the various emotions that are presented through the lyrics of the song. In particular, one line that sums up the pain of having an one-sided love: “Even though it hurts I just can’t turn away.” It’s a great release and solo effort so it’s such a pity that she didn’t get more attention for it. As of August this year, she formed a project group called M.O.L.A with Seungyoun of UNIQ and another rapper Nathan with whom she released tracks showcasing her rapping skills as well. For a singer as talented as Jimin, she deserves so much more success in her career so I’m hoping that this won’t be the end of her solo efforts!
4. Minah (Girls’ Day)
Unlike 15&, Girls’ Day can’t be said to be unknown or underrated, not by a long shot. So what is Minah, the popular main vocalist of the girl group doing in this list? She has made her name as a soloist a long time ago with the various drama OSTs she has released and has already acted in several dramas herself but her solo debut earlier this year largely went under the radar of most K-pop fans. While she did debut at a time filled with several other hot comebacks like EXO and Miss A, I fail to understand how she received so little praise and attention from the public.. With “I Am A Woman Too” Minah showed off her impressive vocal talents and her ability to sing strongly and yet gently at the same time. However, her release received criticism in regards to the choreography, which netizens complained looked awkward. In terms of song quality however, this song was produced well and is catchy. While Minah does shine even within the rest of her group, her solo effort was a chance for her to showcase different sides to herself and in my opinion she managed that. I hope that this debut’s lack of commercial success would not affect her chances for a comeback in the future because I’m eagerly waiting for it!
I’m not saying this just because I’m a Hottest but Junho’s solo debut was one of the best and yet most underrated debut I have ever seen. As the lead vocal of 2PM, Junho’s charming voice has been showcased ever since their group debut but he’s been continually improving his vocal skills over the years, something which is evident in their later releases. Apart from just working on his singing, he’s also been composing and writing songs for the group, the most recent of which is “Nobody Else” from their latest Korean album “No. 5.” As a solo artist, he debuted in Japan two years ago and has produced three Japanese albums since then. He only made his solo debut in Korea this year however, with his album “One,” which he promoted for a short period of music shows. This album, with title track “Fire,” displayed not just his amazing singing but also his compositions because he wrote almost all the songs on the album.
With an addictive chorus “Fire” isn’t just a good song it also thoroughly shows how self-aware Junho is as an artist. He knows his voice and abilities very well and is able to present the best side of himself through his songs. In this album he also tried more rapping to very satisfying results, as evidenced by tracks like “Pressure” (the rap starts around 3:12).
Thankfully for Junho it seems like JYP recognises his potential as a soloist so here’s to more amazing albums in the future!
What do you think of these underrated soloists? Who else do you think should have made the list? 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PicsArt_1451054804154.jpg20482048Anna Cheanghttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2015-12-25 06:52:542015-12-25 15:12:135 Underrated K-Pop Solo Debuts of 2015
December is the holiday season throughout much of the world, and even if you’re not celebrating anything and Dec. 25 is just a normal day, there’s something about holiday films and television shows that just fit this time of year. Christmas in South Korea is more of a couple’s holiday and Christmas (let alone Chanukah or Kwanzaa) is not particularly popular in K-dramas and Korean reality shows. But the ideas of the season – being with family and friends- is easy enough to find. So if you’re with your loved ones, or trying to hide from them, this December it’s time to watch some of these seasonal Korean dramas.
”Winter Sonata”
The title says it all, but this drama is more than just about the snow. “Winter Sonata” was the start of all things Hallyu, or at least the K-drama portion of it. Released in 2002 featuring Bae Young Joon and Choi Ji Woo, this drama is all about first loves, memory loss, evil mothers, and all the good things that will take you off into a wintery K-drama wonderland.
”Answer Me 1988”
If you are watching this show, you know that the first snow is the perfect time for a kiss. And if you’re not watching it, why not? “Answer Me 1988” is a feel good, family-oriented drama filled with nostalgia. The characters don’t celebrate Christmas, but do celebrate the new year and it’s like the winter, and family bickering, never ends in this feel-good show.
This and “Answer Me 1988” were two of the dramas that multiple members of KultScene’s staff just couldn’t stop watching this year. “She Was Pretty” put a large emphasis on the greater realm of relationships, which is exactly what you want to snuggle up with in the dark days of the winter. The lovable, laughable relationships between the characters played by Hwang Jung Eum, Choi Si Won, and Go Joon Hee is just the thing to make you value friendships during the winter months and holiday season, beanies and all. (“She Was Pretty” is also part of Viki’s 12 Days of Oppa, so definitely don’t miss out on all of their offerings!)
”You Who Came From The Stars”
The story of an alien and actress falling in love surpasses time and the seasons, but much of this drama takes place in winter months. A key moment takes place as the two main characters (played by Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun) freeze their butts off ice fishing. There’s support from friends, mysterious villains who could easily double for the Grinch, and just a lot of shiny things that look like they’d fit right in place on a Christmas tree.
”The Return of Superman” & “Dad, Where Are We Going?”
These two family-oriented reality shows aren’t dramas, per say, but… We’ll throw them on this list anyway. The variety shows are all about family’s playing around together, enjoying one another’s company. And the kids are freaking cute. You can watch summer episodes if the winter months are getting you down, but when these adorable children stars play in the snow with their dads… Our hearts just go to mush.
This heart wrenching drama about mistaken identities and disabilities takes a backdrop to the winter weather. The warm family relationships, and the lack of, will make you look towards those around you and appreciate all the good things in life. And you may even find yourself hoping that some of the jewelry Song Hye Kyo wears makes it way into a prettily wrapped box this holiday!
”White Christmas”
What better way to end this list than with something called “White Christmas”? But this drama isn’t all about the presents and religious aspects of Christmas. “White Christmas” may take place during the last week of December, but it’s also the least feel-good holiday cheer drama. Which could be the perfect recipe for some people! No, this 2011 drama is a school-based murder mystery featuring young stars like Kim Woo Bin, Sung Joon as more.
What’s your favorite holiday-oriented K-drama? 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Untitled-design-4.jpg7681024Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-12-22 21:51:562015-12-23 11:31:158 Korean Shows To Cuddle Up With This Holiday Season
Compared to last year’s K-popcalypse, artists in 2015 came back with a vengeance and with something to prove. This, of course, was awesome for fans, given that we were treated to a year filled with some of the best Korean songs released in recent years. 2015 saw the return of many esteemed groups, the rise of non K-pop genres in the mainstream and popularized abroad, fresh debuts, and a lot of vintage sounds in the songs, a nice detour from the heavy electronic trend from recent years. So after a long consideration period and fights and disagreements among the KultScene staff, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of 50 of the top songs out of Korea this year. And without further ado, here it goes.
50. 9Muses – “Sleepless night”
9Muses scrape onto our list with their last single of the year “Sleepless Night.” At first listen, “Sleepless Night” is difficult to get your head around. Its chorus is not immediately obvious and the members sing in a hushed tone that is unusual to modern pop music. With each new listen, the song grows though; the drum beat intricacies and vocal infections become more pronounced. This is a group making great use of their weaker vocals, it gives the deeper voiced Sojin a chance to sing a chorus, but not go beyond her own vocal means. The structure brings the song together conceptually, making it jittery and restless. Matching a concept when it’s something as unsatisfying as a sleepless night is not exactly a great commercial choice, but thankfully it works so well artistically.
49. BoA – “Kiss My Lips”
K-pop’s queen BoA is known for her eternally youthful voice and image, but this year she changed things up with “Kiss My Lips” by trying something sexier. As a result, we got a dreamy, minimal electro-pop song that featured the diva singing provocative lyrics in a sultry, deeper voice more adequate for her age bracket. Because in an industry where the sexy girl groups are a dime a dozen, this woman put out a smooth jam that enchants the listener with her sultry vocals full of yearning — with SM Entertainment’s signature feminine and discreet sexiness. Hopefully the singer will stick to this mature concept and won’t make us wait another three years for a comeback.
48. Zion.T & Crush – “Just”
Zion. T quickly sets the tone for “Just” with his smooth R&B voice. From the moment that he starts singing, hearts instantly melt. Zion. T’s honey vocals are divine and sweet, easy to make just about anyone fall for him. And that’s what Zion. T does, he gets in your head and makes sure to stay there. If you’re slightly or very much so acquainted with Crush, then you knew he was going to fully deliver with his singing, but his rapping was a complete surprise. It was fresh, different, and he did a marvelous job. The feelings that were behind the lyrics as he rapped and sang were properly presented. Everything from the harmony and the way the two play off of one another through the transitions of choruses truly bring joy to our ears (and heart). Moreover, there’s always that possibility that when two solo artists collaborate, one will outshine the other, but this wasn’t the case. These two compliment each other very well; it’s almost like they’re the missing pieces to one another’s puzzles.
The hip-hop legends, Yoon Mirae, Tiger JK, and Bizzy, who together form MFBTY will have you saying “Buckubucku” while awake and even in your sleep. The backbeat puts you in a trance, one in which will have you continuously bobbing your head, so much that it’ll feel like you’re doing an intense neck exercise. Each artist’s flow is spot on and the transitions are perfect. Usually, the only female, Yoon Mirae, always shows up to win, and she did indeed do that. Her rhymes are absolutely flawless and she always shows great strength and women empowerment. On top of this already head banging track, the featuring of artists like EE, Rap Monster, and Dino-J gave this track an extra oomph to an already killer song. This is where the term “squad goals” comes into play because, seriously, wouldn’t you want a to be around a group of people like them all the time? Right? Right.
46. Red Velvet – “Dumb Dumb”
If you could find a song of the year that is more addicting than Red Velvet’s “Dumb Dumb,” you’re deluding yourself. With the repetitive chorus and the highly danceable bridges, the brassy song is a mashup of colorful beats and vocal belting. The tip of the nod to Michael Jackson and his countless songs make it clear that the song is influenced by American retro pop hits, and it’s the perfect move for a song that was built to be blasted from the radio. It isn’t dissimilar to Jesse J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj’s “Bang Bang” with it’s building, ‘80s driven sounds, and this is just the thing to be listening to at a summer dance party. Each member is given their moment to shine, and Wendy’s belting in particular brings “Dumb Dumb” to another level. Red Velvet is still new to the K-pop scene, but their talent and hit-making factor can’t be denied and you’d be a “Dumb Dumb” to not take a listen.
45. Cheetah & Jessi “My Type (feat. Kangnam)”
What’s a producer to do when you have the best two contenders on “Unpretty Rapstar” competing for a feature on the same track? You put both artists on it, of course. That’s the route Verbal Jint took with “My Type,” having Cheetah and Jessi drop bars while Kangnam lent his mellow vocals for the chorus. What made this song interesting was the stark contrast between the lively and fun beat as a backdrop for Jessi’s husky voice and Cheetah’s fierce rap and lyrics about dating a confident and strong woman. However, Kangnam’s smooth verses brought the song together and made for a cool gender swap, having two women rapping and a guy singing the chorus about loving his boss lady and being ok with the criticism. “My Type” allowed listeners to see and hear a new side to Jessi and Cheetah. Because even if they killed it with their raps and they were still their fierce selves, they gave into a fun and quirky song about dating.
44. Keith Ape “It G Ma (feat. JayAllday, Loota, Okasian, Kohh)”
While everyone was eagerly awaiting CL’s crossover to the American market, Korean rapper Keith Ape came out of nowhere on the first day of the year and dropped fire with “It G Ma” and ultimately beat her to it. “It G Ma,” a Korean-Japanese homage to American rapper OG Maco’s “Bitch You Guessed It,” features Korean rappers JayAllday and Okasian, and Japanese rappers Loota and Kohh, together with Keith yelling about money, clothes, and weed, making it probably the most authentic and trendy piece of Korean hip-hop to date for its sound and theme. The track spread like wildfire in the US for its Southern trap beat, but was largely ignored in South Korea. However, that didn’t prevent it from starting a trend there, where every other Korean rapper “emulated” OG Maco and Keith’s style (um, Zico, anyone?). The success of “It G Ma” abroad even lead to a remix featuring American rappers A$AP Ferg, Father, Dumbfoundead, and Waka Flocka Flame. One could argue the political connotations of “It G Ma,” both the original and the remix, featuring rappers from different countries, especially Korea and Japan with their grim history, but, in essence, it’s just a ratchet song to turn up to.
43. Super Junior D&E – “Can You Feel It? (Chok Chok Dance)”
Super Junior has long been known for their addicting dance tunes, and this year’s “Can You Feel It?” courtesy of two of the group’s main dancers is just what the doctor ordered. The song fits very safely in Super Junior’s discography, offering up a highly danceable beat with a fun-filled dance routine, with some nice vocal melodies from Donghae and Eunhyuk. Along with being a pump up song that will have everyone throwing their hands over their head doing the dance, the electronic, arcade-style beats sets “Can You Feel It?” firmly into the “this is weird and experimental but I love it.” The song’s a fan favorite, and was performed by the entire group at KCON LA 2015, because it is absolutely impossible to sit down when you hear the first “chok” coming out of Eunhyuk’s mouth to kick off the retro-synth dance tune.
42. Red Velvet – “Automatic”
Going off of the “Be Natural” vibe under their red side, Red Velvet came back this year with another ‘90s R&B track titled “Automatic.” Like its predecessor, the song has a jazzy, sultry feel, which they paired up with their honeyed vocals to sing about how a guy made them feel. Yes, let your imagination run wild with that one. Because before they released their title single “Happiness 2.0” (that would be “Ice Cream Cake”), the girls put out a mature, womanly, and elegantly sexy song that offered an interesting alternative to whatever the overtly sexual girl groups and the overtly sugary ones (or their other personality, for that matter) were doing this year. It also served as the introduction for new member Yeri. And even if her purpose in the group is not clear yet, the rest of the members carried that song perfectly and she seems to fit in nicely.
41. Hyukoh – “Wi ing Wi ing”
If “Comes and Goes” was the song that shot Hyukoh to fame in South Korea, “Wi ing Wi ing” was the band’s representative song of 2015. The song, with a slightly softer sound and the gentle “wi-ing w-ing” and “bing bing” chorus, is a more mellow take on the beach-gaze style that Hyukoh does best. The song begins with simple crisp guitar tunes and Oh Hyuk’s melancholic voice before picking up and turning into a jazzier take on a rock break up song interwoven with the tale of someone with nothing to do with their life. Hyukoh’s style and straightforward storytelling makes you feel like you could write this song and play it with a bunch of your friends, but the quiet complexity of the musical arrangement meshed with Oh Hyuk’s outstanding, building vocal performance makes “Wi ing Wi ing” something so simple and yet so out of the ordinary.
I read something a little while ago as someone was trying to describe G.Soul’s voice. They said, “his voice is smoother than a baby’s bottom,” to which I couldn’t help but be in awe as to how accurate that statement really is. G.Soul as an artist is a beautiful blend of The Weeknd, Years & Years, Michael Jackson, and Zion. T, vocally and musically. The usage of his buttery voice in “Crazy For You” almost seems effortless. Each word uttered along with the accompaniment of the smooth electronica beats will captivate your soul and will leave you yearning for more. The song has a retro, house music kind of vibe, one in which can be heard while shopping at clothing stores like Zara, H&M, and TopShop. Nevertheless, “Crazy For You” is incredibly smooth and overall yummy to the senses.
39. Twice – “Like Ooh Ahh”
The latest craze to come out of JYP Entertainment is spunky rookie girl group TWICE. After appearing in their very own survival contest show SIXTEEN, the lucky girls that were chosen went on to debut. Their debut track, “Like Ooh Ahh,” is a color-pop dance song that is young and vibrant. Each girl does their small part to contribute to the group as a whole, but it’s their leader and main vocals Jihyo that slightly outshines the other girls with her powerhouse voice. That doesn’t go to say that the other girls are lame in comparison, especially with the chorus and hook of the song, which makes you want to get up and jump around. The girls do an excellent job reeling in the listeners, getting them addicted to the light and fun song. In the short time since the group has have risen in popularity rather quickly; not only reaching almost 20 million views on their “Like Ooh Ahh” music video in only two months since debuting, but also snagging best new female artists and other rookie awards on award shows. TWICE definitely has the potential to become a great group as they grow and mature; they certainly are on the right path to do so.
38. Lim Kim – “Awoo”
This isn’t a Primary song, per say, but the heavy-handed producer’s style appears clearly in this cat-themed take on the modern girl’s guide to flirting. The pounding, dub beats and horns beneath Lim Kim’s sultry voice create a heavy sound before the playful, catcalling chorus kicks off, giving this pop-dance track a feeling unlike most other releases from 2015. The lyrics describe a person playing coy while flirting, pretending to make mistakes, and the naughty, confident tone of Lim Kim’s hallowed voice brings across the song’s meaning even without a translation. The song is one of the best electronic songs of 2015 by far, and contains distorted EDM elements without being overwhelming to create a whimsical, trippy banger. “Awoo” is a little bit electronic pop, a little bit R&B, and all good.
37. IU – “Twenty Three”
Apart from the nation’s little sister, controversies were relatively rare this year. IU had to contend with more hate from Korean netizens, thus meaning her music was overshadowed somewhat. This is a shame as “Chat-shire” was one of the best albums of the year and its lead single “Twenty Three,” one of the best too. “Twenty Three” is a song about growing up and the significant trials this poses a female celebrity. IU’s growth is evident also in her music. The song sounds like an updated more mature version of her usual songs. She mixes scratchy disco guitars and keys in the verse with joyous strings in the chorus, allowing a diversity to grow in the song much the lyrics. Conceptually, all of these elements combine to show an artist at work, someone who is ready to take risks in order to make a point. We think those risks were well worth it.
36. Super Junior-D&E – “Growing Pains”
For their first full-length Korean album “The Beat Goes On,” the Super Junior subunit Super Junior-D&E blew us away this year with “Growing Pains.” With Eunhyuk being one of the main group’s rappers, Donghae a non-main vocalist, and together forming the dance line, we’ve come to love their funky pop releases like “Oppa, Oppa” from back in the day, mainly focused on the choreography and the fun of it all. However, this time around, D&E released — not another dance track — but a medium tempo ballad co-written by Donghae and pulled it off. Songs featuring the rapper and backup vocalist singing doesn’t always work out, much less in a ballad, but “Growing Pains” with the guys’ airy and pretty vocals paired with the strumming guitar and piano melody proved that Suju’s dance line is able to hold their own, even with a style atypical to them.
35. Kim Sung Kyu – “The Answer”
While the year is filled with high energy fist-pumping dance songs and overly sexy concepts, Kim Sung Kyu decided to go a different route. From his sophomore solo album, Kim Sung Kyu (better known as the leader and main vocalist of Infinite) released two title tracks; one of them being “The Answer.” The song is a mid-tempo ballad that starts out pretty mellow but gradually builds as the song progresses. The melody of the track is beautifully simplistic which allows the vocals to shine. Sung Kyu does a good job conveying the emotion of the lyrics with the dynamics of his voice, mixing just the right amounts of gentleness and power at just the right moments. And although the ballad is full of heart-wrenching lyrics of longing, the music sounds bright and uplifting, leaving the listener feeling hopeful for whatever may come their way.
34. CL – “Hello Bitches”
After a whole year of waiting for her highly anticipated American debut, CL is still not ready. However, she threw eager fans a bone by releasing a “street single,” “Hello Bitches.” If this track is a teaser of what we’re all to expect from this album, we can see that CL plans on mixing the East and West in every form possible. Whether it’s with her lyrics, CL sings and raps alternatively in Korean and English about jet setting around the world and even mentions Korean and Asian products (Kakao, Hello Kitty). Musically, “Hello Bitches” is another now classic YG Entertainment resident producer Teddy trap hip-hop hybrid with massive stompers. CL is sticking to her roots and displaying them on the world stage instead of leaving them behind, as many fans dreaded would happen with a crossover. Moreover, the 2NE1 leader is known for her self-empowering anthems, both with the group and solo, but “Hello Bitches” saw a freer version of CL and offered a unique take on pop in the West.
33. Seventeen – “Mansae”
Seventeen encapsulate everything I love about K-pop. From the infectious personality of all thirteen members, to the sheer invention they bring to a live stage; I’ve loved everything they have done this year. However, none more so than their second single “Mansae,” a song as fun as the boys themselves. Like their debut “Adore U,” it is a song in the traditional pop vein. Glittering guitars lead orchestral sounds in short sharp bursts throughout and it has two obvious hooks to be found in the chorus and chants of the song. In a year that saw the best releases since I began listening to K-pop, even if it was also littered with a multitude of new sounds, Seventeen were a reminder of what got me into K-pop. Despite not being the best song of the year, no song made me happier than “Mansae.”
32.Primary – “Don’t Be Shy (feat. ChoA & IRON)”
Deny it all you want, but how often do we come across a Korean song with such straight forward and borderline provocative lyrics as that in Primary’s “Don’t Be Shy?” As a producer, Primary created a great masterpiece. Not only are the lyrics suggestive, but there’s something immensely addictive about this reggae-influenced beat. You will find yourself swaying to its gentle rhythm and mesmerized and wrapped up in ChoA’s seductive voice. Although “Don’t Be Shy” felt more like ChoA featuring IRON, his voice played well with the reggae beat. And despite his part being short, he left a lasting impression and delivered an impactful message. Both ChoA and IRON’s attractive and sensual voices delivered the lyrics in a way in which will have the listeners feigning for more.
31. Brown Eyed Girls – “Brave New World”
2015 saw a lot of funky releases by male K-pop groups, channeling their inner Michael Jackson and even Bruno Mars. However, Brown Eyed Girls slayed them all by actually sampling the king’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” while still making the song their own in their comeback single “Brave New World.” Like the original, “Brave New World” is a throwback to the early ‘80s, late ‘70s with its groovy disco influences paired with fantastic violins and electro beats. And even if this mix sounds like it can be an outdated catastrophe, the production had a contemporary spin and BEG pulled through with their amazing vocals and ferocious sass. It’s a shame that “Warm Hole” was the single, given “Brave New World” is flawless and less gimmicky. Not to mention it makes you instantly want to get up and dance.
30. BIGBANG (GD & T.O.P) – “Zutter”
This year, BIGBANG released a slew of awesome hits, but a nice surprise was “Zutter,” marking the return of the subunit GD & T.O.P after four long years. “Zutter” is zutter, meaning “dope” or “sick” in Korean, with its throwback hip-hop beats mixed with trap snares. The song, like most of the other releases by the subunit, focuses on the guys’ contrasting spit and flows. This was definitely a nice gem and change in mood among the rest of BIGBANG’s releases this year.
29. Teen Top – “Ah-ah”
Teen Top continues to grow with their release “Ah-ah”. This song is the embodiment of what you would think a nice breeze on a hot fun summer night would sound like, cool and refreshing. The funky electro-pop track is highlighted by Teen Top’s quick foot-work; reminiscent of the dance from their 2013 release “Rocking.” But unlike the more frantic sound of their previous release, “Ah-ah” is smooth and relaxed with upbeat raps from L.Joe and C.A.P laced throughout the song. If this mature sound is what we can continue expect from Teen Top, there is no doubt that their future will be bright.
28. U-Know Yunho (TVXQ) – “Champagne”
TVXQ has always been a stalwart of K-pop, but this year’s “Rise As God” album was the first time that each member of the duo was given a chance to really shine. Once known as the rapper of TVXQ, leader U-Know Yunho had everyone tapping their feet to this funky drinking song. With clapping and brass beats, “Champagne” continues the trend of last year’s TVXQ songs, while also bringing in a bit of a Michael Jackson dance feel, which perfectly suits Yunho’s style. The jazzy rhythm of the song utilizes Yunho’s vocal range, offering falsetto at one point but mostly utilizing his deeper range. As a fun, drunken look into what Yunho is capable of as a soloist, “Champagne” was released a day before the TVXQ member enlisted in the Korean army (mandatory for all able-bodied men) and is the perfect way to send him off while he fulfills two years of military service.
27. Super Junior – “Magic”
If “Devil” was their statement that they are now a group of mature, well-seasoned artists, then Super Junior’s follow-up “Magic” is their return to their fun and boyish roots. The funky song has the members mystified as they try to figure out their dream girl, using magic as a trope to do so. It also uses a very standard band ensemble – horns, pianos, bass, drums – as its backing; nothing sounds computerized, which is a rarity in today’s K-pop. Perhaps this is why the song sounds so fresh and polished. Of course, the members’ clear and smooth vocals might also have something to do with this as well. I mean, the whole track just falls into place, and while this might mean that there is not any great build-up, it’s still a stalwart in its own right. A pretty classic song from the boys to celebrate a pretty great 10 years.
26. OH MY GIRL – “Cupid”
By the time “Closer” came out, it felt like OH MY GIRL were hardened veterans of the K-pop world. The maturity shown there was clear, and showed why they are the best rookie girl group of the year. The highlight of their year, however, was their debut single. “Cupid” is a raucous blast through adolescent love with marching drums, chanting, and surprisingly impressive rapping. The drums steal the show, they give the song an unhinged quality, seemingly always ready to tumble into hysterics. It holds together though, leaving us with one of the best debuts in recent times.
25. SHINee – “Married To The Music”
After diverging from their normal dance tunes and introducing the lighter house track “View” earlier this year, SHINee followed up with this fun dance track. The funky, retro-inspired dance track “Married To The Music” is like an ode to the ‘70s and ‘80s (and the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”), and only a group as skilled as SHINee could pull this off. The vocal harmonies and random strings and brass elements are in line with what SHINee’s agency, SM Entertainment, has been producing in the past two years. However, the introductory hip-hop elements and strong beats slipped into “Married To The Music” grounds SHINee in the R&B roots their early songs were inspired by. “Married To The Music” is SHINee at their best, with multiple musical influences coming together with their vocal harmonies and raps to create a perfectly bouncy hit.
24. Yezi – “Solo (feat. Jay Park & Loco) (Remix)” + Jay Park – “Solo (Feat. Hoody)”
Without a doubt, the revelation of the year was Fiestar’s rapper Yezi, who took everyone by surprise by actually being a good rapper and lyricist and showing her skills on “Unpretty Rapstar 2.” And even though she didn’t take first place, she did land one of the songs the contestants were competing for, a remix of Jay Park’s “Solo.” On “Solo Remix,” Yezi and Loco rapped on Cha Cha Malone’s beat and kept Jay’s vocals on the chorus. Yezi, known for being a “crazy dog” and dropping hard hitting bars, kept it softer, rapping about hoping the person she likes is single. Coming from an unpopular girl group, Yezi blew everyone away by being hella talented, which led to her releasing her solo song this month, but her work in “Solo Remix” showed she can adapt to anything.
Moreover, we couldn’t just exclude the original. Even if the remix is better, Jay Park’s original “Solo” showed a softer and rawer (yet still douche-y lyrically) side to the AOMG boss. On this version, Jay featured female singer Hoody, who’s vocals provided a tender touch that made the track a lot smoother. Besides — dare I say it? Jay’s better at singing than as a lyricist and rapper, which makes “Solo” one of his best songs to date.
23. MFBTY – “Bang Diggy Bang Bang”
MFBTY is truly a family affair. The intro of “Bang Diggy Bang Bang” is of Jordan, Yoon Mirae and Tiger JK’s son, cutely setting the vibe for what’s to be an upbeat and fun song. “Bang Diggy Bang Bang” had great usage of hip-hop and incorporation of Indian music, because as soon as the music started, as someone who does not dance whatsoever, I wanted to get on up and start moving my arms, hips, and get fancy with my footwork. It’d even be great as an OST for a Bollywood film one day too, wouldn’t it? What’s so inspiring about MFBTY is the fact that their music is universal; it’s suitable for everyone and anyone. But even with that said, they still maintain and stick to their unique hip-hop roots. These guys are pure geniuses and it definitely transcends into their music.
22. EXID – “Ah Yeah”
EXID makes an appearance on our list with their sexy moves in “Ah Yeah.” Like their previous breakout hit, the song contains a catchy hook accompanied with sexy dance moves. The song bounces back from coquettish vocals to LE’s intense rap verses, keeping the song interesting while the chorus of the song explodes with strong vocals from Hyerin and Solji. The group seems to have found their niche style and no one should be complaining. With their fun and sexy releases, EXID will be around for a while.
21. INFINITE – “Bad”
This year must have really been a popular year to explore new sounds as even INFINITE went down this road. The group came back with “Bad,” an orchestral and trap laden track that strays away from the retro sounds they’ve adopted over the years. But traces of the INFINITE we have grown to love still remain when we consider how theatrical it is. The dramatic strings and flitting synths cue in the verses, in which both the vocal and rapper line powerfully deliver their lines about a femme fatale. Even the pre-chorus, whose augmented cadences varies with the fast paced verses from before, mesh well in creating a climactic performance. Perhaps this is one song in which its build-up actually shadowed the hook, which was nothing more than a flat repetition of “bad bad bad bad bad girl.” “Bad” was not bad, but in comparison to their other works of art like “Last Romeo” and “The Chaser,” it was also not INFINITE at their best. Lucky for them, their artistic intentions (i.e., their emotional vocals) were able to save them and land them a place on our list.
After losing yet another EXO member Tao, the group decided once again that a change of atmosphere was much need with their synth-y pop track “Love Me Right.” Something inherent in the dance number, which features blaring horns and a thumping bassline, sounds dated, but in the charming ‘90s Seinfeld-type of way. It’s a sound that is not popular in the K-pop industry, so when it comes to originality, the boys deserve a star. But at the same time, it took some couple of listens before the song could grow on me because it was so different from what we’re used to hearing from them. In any event, the upbeat chorus begging you to love them right will eventually grow on you. And fans are sure to appreciate the equal line distribution (for once!) in this one. I mean, just check out member Sehun’s lengthy rap at 0:37. If there is one upside to the diminishing size of the group, it would certainly have to be this.
19. DAY6 “Congratulations”
After appearing on programs such as SBS’s “K-POP Star” and Mnet’s “WIN: Who is Next,” the highly anticipated members of DAY6 made their debut with “Congratulations.” Unique to the usual instrumental band, almost all of the members have active vocal parts, which creates a more dynamic sound with their different vocal ranges and sound. The members take turns singing their verse in the sad pop-rock song about overcoming heartbreak, showcasing each of their talent and musicality. The song starts off soft and slow then picks up as it reaches the climax of the song where the boys sing with so much emotion that the lost and hurt can almost be felt by the listener. With their popularity soaring despite not actively doing broadcasting promotions, DAY6 is definitely a group to keep an eye on.
18. miss A “Only You”
It was a busy year for many JYPE artists and miss A was no exception. Breaking away from the ultra-sexy image of their last release, “Only You” is a catchy pop song where the girls show their cute girly side while still emitting that bit of sass that they are known for. “Only You” starts out with a sexy and demanding vibe but quickly turns upbeat and flirty. The only thing that took me off guard was the random screeching noises throughout song. They are a bit strange, and the first time I heard them, I thought I was witnessing some sort of paranormal activity. But once you overlook the out of place background noises, the song remains bright and fun making it still a good listen.
17. 4minute – “Crazy”
I think it was when 4minute released their trap banger “Crazy” that I realized K-pop had recovered from the disaster that was 2014. The song’s energy is quite obvious, but what made it so palpable and essential was how it seemed to reinvigorate a whole genre of pop music in less than three and a half minutes. This type of dance music had become prevalent not only in K-pop, but in world music. Thanks to Gayoon’s measured vocal, Hyuna and Jiyoon’s biting raps and all manner of electro sounds, “Crazy” became an instant dance classic.
16. Wonder Girls – “I Feel You”
In a year full of throwbacks, nobody did it better or more comprehensively than Wonder Girls. “I Feel You,” their take on ‘80s synth pop, has details that somehow immerse you in a retro setting while always retaining that modern touch. An intoxicating riff carries the song and serves as its chorus over any vocal flourishes. The fact that they used period correct instruments pushes this song into truly great status. The electronic drums, keytar, and flattened guitars add a layer of texture that some over-produced songs of today can miss out on. It’s a staggering modern twist on older sounds.
15. Big Bang – “Bae Bae”
Big Bang’s was probably the most anticipated comeback of the year and was the most expansive in terms of singles, yet they rarely disappointed. One of the major highlights was “Bae Bae,” where the five boys brought a weirdness to their sound that was always present in their visuals. The song’s mix of hip-hop beats, pianos, and even country-like guitar riffs don’t give off particularly romantic images. But thanks to its tender, sexual lyrics, “Bae Bae” becomes sweet in its own way. Most of all, it’s a surreal trip to Big Bang’s sexual fantasies, which could not be anything but amazing.
14. Super Junior – “Devil”
To mark their 10th debut anniversary and the return of their main vocalist Yesung after his mandatory enlistment, Super Junior released “Devil” this year. With all of its members being well over their mid 20’s and even early 30’s, SM Entertainment has to find a way to market this massive boy group and make it compete with the younger groups each year and they have found it. Suju’s thing is the dance track as a single, and much like “Mamacita,” “Devil” showcases a more mature and cool side to the guys, both musically and personality-wise. However, “Devil” stands out on its for its funkiness and the members’ smooth harmonization at the chorus, devoid of any cheesy, though endearing, gimmicks as seen on “Mamacita.” This song was Super Junior’s statement that they’re not a bunch of guys in a boy band anymore, but a group of mature, well-seasoned male artists who have fun with their music.
13. Seventeen – “Adore U”
2015 was not only the debut year for Seventeen, it’s also been the perfect year for this multi-membered K-pop boy band. With thirteen members, Seventeen’s debut track “Adore U” could be a pop mess, but is anything but. The guitar-based dance track is bright and energetic and perfect for a new group. The light, powerful sound of “Adore U” is refreshing in the world of electro-synth music that’s been most popular in K-pop in 2015, and “Adore U” keeps itself from becoming too much of a bubblegum pop song by throwing in raps from numerous members. “Adore U” is filled with a back and forth style of singing and raps that isn’t common in K-pop groups. Rather than distracting from the music, this playful interplay between the members reinforces the group’s unity despite its large size and helps distinguish the members’ individual skills before coming together in an upbeat, hook-filled chorus. “Adore U” is an adorable, lovesick song that is K-pop at its very purest.
12. BTS – “Run”
Probably one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year, BTS’s “Run” definitely lived up to expectations. It continues the same hopeless romantic thematic that “I Need U” employs, but rather than wallowing in love’s misery, this song encourages us to push ourselves forward and harder. Musically, it contains some rock undertones, as evident in its use of guitars and gruffer vocals. I want to single out leader Rap Monster’s part in the beginning in particular, because while he is known for being able to rap like a champ, most are still unaware about his singing capabilities. Yes, his range isn’t as great as the other members, but he was able to use his deep voice to the song’s advantage. There’s something very alluring in his tonal color that helps set up the rock infused track, captivating listeners right away. The other members’ passionate raps and vocals all seem genuine enough as well, performing the rest of the magic to hold our attention. “Run” is all around pretty solid, and is one of those tracks that would be a quick favorite upon first listen.
11. Hyukoh – “Comes and Goes”
Hyukoh could do no wrong this year as the garage band that took South Korea by storm. “Comes and Goes” was the song that first captured the attention of South Korea. Vocalist Oh Hyuk’s expressive voice acts as the perfect venue to tell the story about growing up, while the clearly resonating band elements are so different from the normal highly-produced Korean songs that it’s almost impossible to turn away from “Comes and Goes.” The unique artistry of Hyukoh is most well-described as laid back rock, and “Comes and Goes” makes the most of this, adding in some wailing, tapping beats, and a message about growing up and getting used those we love leaving us. “Comes and Goes” is a dreamy, energetic song that offers something for even the most discerning music fan.
10. Monsta X – “Trespass”
The aggressive, rap-heavy “Trespass” introduced many people to Starship Entertainment’s newest group earlier this year. Monsta X’s rapper Jooheon takes center stage in “Trespass,” with powerful horns and synths creating a backing to the rest of the group’s melodies, particularly Kihyun’s smooth vocals. While Jooheon and Kihyun set the tone for Monsta X’s style, “Trespass” gives each member a chance to shine (except perhaps Wonho) and gave this rookie group their claim to fame for this year and hopefully many other years to come. The song is all over the place, in the best way possible, with a building chorus that only comes after the tone of the song is well under way and bridges that seemingly make no sense but go oh so well together. Shownu’s dance break, I.M’s song-ending rap… This song is a warning to Monsta X’s future rivals in the K-pop world.
9. BTS – “Dope”
After coming back with “I Need U,” it seems that BTS could not ditch their dynamic and energetic sound that they are best known. Released as a follow-up track, “Dope” is an entertaining number about the trials and tribulations that the group undergoes while their peers are out partying in clubs. And while it would be easy to complain about their situation, the members spin the song into one brimming with life lessons and encouragement. Sure they are overworked now, but ultimately, they are the cash cows, so who are the real winners in life? The instrumentals, which make use of exotic saxophone sounds and rhythmic claps, also back up their bold statements and help keep momentum going. Even member Park Jimin’s high note during the bridge is monumental in itself. Considering how the hip-hop group rose to fame after debuting from a relative small company, “Dope” is truly a testament to their success.
8. GOT7 – “Just Right”
Leave it to Park Jin Young, Mr. Asian Soul, to create a cute and playful pop/hip-hop song that actually works. But don’t get it twisted, the excellency of “Just Right” lies solely in the hands of GOT7. After releasing the futuristic sounding “Stop, Stop It” last year, GOT7 went back to their cute concept we saw in “A” and released “Just Right,” a silly track about telling a girl she’s pretty just the way she is. The genius of this song lies in JYP finally distributing the song verses in a way that allowed each member’s fortes to shine; Youngjae’s angelic vocals and high notes at the hook and JB and Jr.’s sugary voices on the chorus is truly the perfect formula for them. Not to mention that the group’s non-Korean members finally eased into their raps and don’t sound so unnatural anymore. “Just Right” is no doubt a fan service song. But even so, the catchiness and overall happy vibe it emits captures the listener immediately, repeating the chorus and the-easy-to-follow oh oh oohs. The beat is sweet, the vocals are sweet, even the music video is sweet, but instead of giving us a diabetic coma, it does the exact opposite and revives you of the mundanities of life.
7. EXO – “Call Me Baby”
Following the departure of members Kris and Luhan, EXO came back earlier this year with the ‘90s boy band inspired pop track “Call Me Baby.” With this song, EXO delineates away from their signature overproduced sounds and experiments with classic brass, finger-snaps, and bass lines, perhaps in an attempt to announce a fresh start to a bad year. That is not to say that “Call Me Baby” is not up to par with EXO standards, though. Quite the contrary, the catchy “call me baby” of the chorus is an earworm of fun and exactly the hook needed to have listeners returning to the song time and again. Production-wise, it is beautifully held together by shortened string plucks, subtle at times but noticeably audible during the verses, and terse harmonies. With the exception of the slow tempo bridge that was needed for added interest, everything about “Call Me Baby” is exciting and flashy. If this is the rebranded EXO, then I think I will be sticking around for more.
6. f(x) – “4 Walls”
With the departure of former member Sulli, f(x) came back stronger than ever with the synth-pop track “4 Walls.” The group has made their way in the K-pop world with their unique electro pop brand of music, and “4 Walls” introduces the listeners to a house track that lets the four members show off their vocal harmonies in a way that has been lacking from their previous singles. Amber’s raps are tighter than ever and vocalists Luna, Victoria, and Krystal have their own moments to shine before the group comes together as the tone drops to make way for the sleek chorus. The anxiousness of the lyrics are depicted by the building, raspy voices of f(x), then hidden behind a bass-synth mashup during the chorus. “4 Walls” has an element of slightness to it that keeps it firmly in the realm of house dance music while also being the most chill single f(x) has dropped since their debut in 2009.
5. SHINee – “View”
SHINee’s reign of stand-out singles continued in 2015, starting with “View” off of their album “Odd.” The electronic-house song is a more mellow take on their previous dance tracks, but the song is very much a SHINee song, with an addicting chorus. It helps that “View” was composed by SHINee’s Jonghyun, a step in the right direction for the idol group to prove its worth as artists. The techno elements offer us a retro infused dance track that feels like SHINee’s matured from past hits like “Ring Ding Dong” and “Lucifer” to something much more. “View” keeps the danceability factor that SHINee’s fans have learned to love, but the smooth electro tune is able to keep the attention of even the most discerning pop music fan.
4. Block B Bastarz – “Zero for Conduct”
Not to be outshined by fellow members’ solo releases, Block B’s first sub-unit BASTARZ made up of B-Bomb, U-Kwon, and P.O exploded onto the scene with their title song “Zero for Conduct.” With the title track being composed by Block B’s main composer, fellow member and leader Zico;,the song mimics Block B’s style but has a more stylish and dark sound and image that makes them a completely different entity. The song opens to sirens and a very addicting in-your-face beat that mellows out and builds back up, molding to each member’s different style and comes together for a great track. BASTARZ does well to stand up without the other members, incorporating each of their unique styles to create something that is loud and refreshing.
3. BIGBANG – “Sober”
For a song that doesn’t sound like anything we’ve come to expect from BIGBANG, there’s a lot of depth and personal meaning to “Sober.” It sheds light on the most inner and deepest thoughts of each member, reworded in a way to sound a little less depressing than what it really is. For a song that seems to be filled with such high energy from beginning to end, the lyrics are rather gloomy and disheartening. “Sober” can have one feeling all sorts of emotions; it’ll make you feel sad and empty on the inside, wind and hype you up, lighten your mood and put a smile on your face when you’re having a hard time in life. Even though this song gives off a number of different feelings, some good, some bad, in the end you know, you can always count on it to make your day somehow.
2. BTS – “I Need U”
Since debut, BTS has been known for their hard-hitting songs centered on themes such as rebellion, passions, and hormones. So when the septet came back this year with “I Need U,” it was a pleasant and perhaps needed change from the hip-hop sound we are used to hearing from them. The melancholic song about loving alone in a dying relationship features a synth line that ebbs and flows with a percussive hook throughout the song, setting the tone for the just as equally back and forth quality of the lyrics. As much as you can hate your significant other for letting things fall apart, you still keep coming back. Each of the members immaculately convey either the pain or the vulnerability that comes attached to the words “I love you,” a phrase they were careful not to use in their prior songs but made an exception for in this one. Indeed, the members are maturing and developing a more mainstream sound in the process. The song was so well received that the group was even able to snatch their first win on a music show. Without a doubt, “I Need U” will always hold a special place in both the hearts of BTS and their fans.
1. GOT7 – “If You Do”
Topping our list we have the ever so charismatic boys of GOT7 again, this time with their manly track full of angst “If You Do,” which is probably their best song to date. It starts off slow as Jr. slowly reels you in with his lustful voice, to a distressed JB in the chorus, an aggressive rap shared between Mark and Jackson, then to a sorrowful Youngjae who’s afraid of getting close to love. It doesn’t matter whether or not the members of GOT7 have encountered the problematic situations with relationships like the lyrics are stating because you can feel the raw emotions and genuine feelings in their voices, and that’s what makes this song great and cements their position in the K-pop game. They can successfully convey emotions they most likely haven’t experienced in a long time or even ever. “If You Do” incorporates the diverse set of skills that each member already excels in: vocals, dance, personality, and charisma. Moreover, this song showed off their maturity, sound and personality wise, and that they’re able to take on different concepts and not just the typical cutesy image that K-pop usually is. 2015 saw some of the best releases by male groups to date, so the competition was fierce. Regardless, GOT7 excelled with a melancholic, dark bass-driven dance track which showed that they can do any and every concept out there. So, other male K-pop groups beware, for there’s no stopping GOT7 now. 2015 truly was their year.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/BESTsongs2105.jpg640960KultScenehttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2015-12-20 20:30:162015-12-21 05:22:46Top 50 Korean Songs of 2015
Memory loss is a pretty common K-drama trope that has been used many times over the years. It’s used to create some emotional angst for the drama’s plot, but it’s also been widely recognised as a very cliché and boring plot device, resulting in its lessened use in the past few years. Memory loss is slowly making its way back into dramas nowadays however, as evidenced by a few dramas that are currently airing in Korea, namely the new SBS drama “Remember – War Of The Son” and tvN’s melodrama “Bubblegum,” albeit in a different manner than it was normally used in the past. Instead of having a main character suffer amnesia to create a star-crossed romance, Alzheimer’s Disease is the medical condition that the drama characters are diagnosed with.
As the most common form of dementia, many people suffer this condition as they grow older. In fact, in 2012, around 9 percent of Koreans over the age of 65 were found to be suffering from this disease. Since then, Korea has been taking active action to counter this problem, with measures such as training children to recognise dementia symptoms and to learn how to take care of the afflicted elderly. Yes characters having Alzheimer’s would make for really good drama conflict and angst, but if there was a greater purpose for the use of this disease I believe that these K-dramas are possibly being used as tools to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s. But first, let us take a look at how it is being shown in the dramas.
In “Remember,” this memory loss is a matter of life and death. The main conflict of the drama thus far has been about Seo Jin Woo’s (Yoo Seung Ho) struggle to save his father, Seo Jae Hyuk (Jun Kwang Ryul) who has been falsely accused of murder. To make things worse, Seo Jae Hyuk has gradually lost his memory due to him having Alzheimer’s and he is no longer able to remember whether or not he actually committed the crime, let alone be able to defend himself. As a lawyer with a perfect memory, Jin Woo took on the task of defending his father but it is an uphill battle, with rotten villains such as Nam Gyu Man (Nam Goong Min) placing obstacles in his way at every juncture.
While the premise of the drama is interesting, as a viewer, I was more drawn to the tragic relationship between Jin Woo and his father. From the start, they were a duo that I rooted for because of how much they loved each other, and it shattered my heart to pieces when four years down the road Jae Hyuk no longer remembered the face of his own son. This is perhaps the most common symptom of Alzheimer’s, a sign that shows that a patient is at a moderate stage of the disease. This is because there is greater damage occurring in the areas of the brain that control a person’s reasoning and conscious thought, affecting their ability to recognise even their closest friends and family.
On the other hand, the loss of memory in “Bubblegum” doesn’t cause anyone to be at risk of losing their lives, but it is no less impactful and devastating. What used to be a drama about a sweet romance between childhood friends morphed into a realistic portrayal of how life changes when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Park Ri Hwan’s (Lee Dong Wook) mother Park Sun Young (Bae Jong Ok) suffered early onset Alzheimer’s Disease and started to lose her memory progressively in the drama. From forgetting to put the yoghurt in her smoothie to wandering around and getting lost, Sun Young showcased the various stages of Alzheimer’s throughout the show. In a particularly heart-wrenching scene, she woke up from a sleep and even forgot that she ever had a son, despite the fact that she shared a very close bond with Ri Hwan.
I’ve never had experience dealing with patients who have Alzheimer’s, so I don’t know for a fact that this is a realistic portrayal. But in any case, it helps viewers to get an idea of what goes on in the patients’ heads and how their memories are lost or distorted. The physical and emotional pain that the family members go through is also poignantly displayed through these dramas. While it is something scary to think about, both dramas definitely empathize the value of our memories and how they are the basis for our identity. For now, it’s an interesting trend for K-dramas to take on, and I’m excited to see how these dramas will turn out, especially in a country with a rapidly aging population.
Have you watched any of these dramas? What are your thoughts on K-dramas using Alzheimer’s as a plot device? 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.
