9 K-Pop Songs for Twerking Pt. 3

/in /by

kpop korean pop k-pop twerking twerk songs playlist

As previously stated in the first and second installments of this list, sadly, K-pop idols and twerking don’t generally go together. Maybe because their images are more reserved or maybe because very few of them have the body to make the appropriate movement, but idols “twerking” is mostly reserved to a loose interpretation of the dance or while doing fan service. So some have tried, and yet, most of them have failed. But that doesn’t mean songs coming out of Korea aren’t hard enough for people to twerk to. Sure, if committed, one can find a way to twerk to pretty much any beat, but we’ve narrowed the list down to another nine specific ones that work best when shaking your moneymaker.

1. iKON “Rhythm Ta”

To start off and slowly build momentum, iKON’s mid-tempo song “Rhythm Ta” is perfect give that its beats that don’t hit as hard, but still let you groove to the music. Moreover, when the boys sing, “Bounce, get on the rhythm” — what exactly do you think has to bounce? Exactly.

min missa kpop twerking gif twerk songs

via sexyhoneythighs @ Tumblr

2. f(x) “Diamond”

Following the same pace, f(x)’s song about equating one’s worth to money and material goods, “Diamond,” also builds up towards the chorus. While the group has other twerkable b-sides, this song is probably their most urban-sounding yet. It’s an interesting spin that instead of flossing about 44 karat jewels, like many hip-hop twerk anthems, they talk about their 44 karat self-worth. But, hey, it works! And what’s more empowering than that?

kpop twerk twerking nari wassap

by fiddle.se

 Also on KultScene: Beenzino Made Boston ‘Boogie On & On’

3. BTS “Silver Spoon”

In BTS’s “Silver Spoon,” the bars definitely hit harder than the actual beat, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impediment for twerking. In true Bangtan fashion, this song criticises older generations for seeing millennials as entitled and having it easy, even though they were the ones who messed everything up for the rest of us. Once we put the song into context, it could be off-putting to twerk to a political song. But in some cases, twerking can be an act of protest, so why not?

kpop korean twerk twerking songs playlist

via Tumblr

4. Jay Park “Mommae”

For a music video with lots of girls shaking their booties and twerking, Jay Park’s “Mommae” is also pretty calm to twerk. It’s more of a song to mix in a few booty pops in between body and hip rolls. However, lyrically, “Mommae” is truly a twerk anthem given it’s basically an ode to a girl’s body. While the song and music video are a bit objectifying, a girl could own the song and make it about being sexy af.

wassup twerk twerking kpop songs korean playlist

via yellowslugreviews

5. Hyuna “Roll Deep”

But if we’re going to talk about self-empowerment and recognition of the bad girl you are while being vain, your jam is Hyuna’s “Roll Deep.” This song is meant to show off your best pretty girl moves to. When she sings, “you are you, I am me” at the hook and then proceeds to slay with the choreography at the bridge, even doing a little twerking herself, that’s her saying she doesn’t care and will do her always. And Hyuna, girl, don’t ever apologize for being dope. Nor do you.

korean twerking twerk kpop songs waveya

by twerkgifs

6. INFINITE H “Sorry, I’m Busy”

INFINITE H is INFINITE’s hip-hop sub-unit, and no song had showed this was true until they released “Sorry, I’m Busy” featuring rapper Swings and singer Champagne. LIke the title says, members Hoya and Dongwoo are unavailable for girls, jealousy, and pretty much anything that doesn’t line up with reaching their goals. So why not twerk along to a song about how goal-oriented you are? Moreover, the jumpy beats make it easy to follow.

kpop korean twerk twerking songs playlist

by twerkgifs

7. Heize “Don’t Make Money feat. Chanyeol”

Speeding things up a bit, Heize’s “Unpretty Rapstar” semi-final song about planning to become so successful her family doesn’t have to work anymore is yet another self-empowering anthem. “Don’t Make Money” changes beats a few times, allowing listeners to change their pace of their twerk and even turn up the sexy.

mommae jay park park jaebum kpop korean playlist songs twerk twerking rap hip hop krap

via Tumblr

8. Lip Service “Too Fancy”

Taking a more realistic approach at the theme, Lip Service released a song with hip-hop elements, both musically and conceptually, about everything being too damned expensive and not having enough money. And let’s be real, who’s honestly not in this situation? Not everyone can relate to artists flossing about their money and cars and travels, so a song that let’s you own your financial situation while twerking is the best.

hyuna roll deep gif twerk twerking korean kpop songs playlist

via Tumblr

 Also on KultScene: ‘Hello Bitches:’ Choreographer Parris Goebel Talks CL & Women Empowerment Through Dance [INTERVIEW]

 9. BIGBANG “Bang Bang Bang”

For most of their recent releases as a group, solo, or sub-units, BIGBANG has made sure to include at least one trip-hop song on their repertoire. So after talking about “Good Boy” and “One of a Kind” and a couple others, now it’s time to amp the volume and drop the heavy beats and moves with “Bang Bang Bang.” Like “Fantastic Baby,” this is a party song to let loose to. And given it features a rollercoaster of different beats and tempos, it’s one of the funnest songs to twerk to. I mean, they do tell girls to “get down,” and we all know what that means.

minzy twerking twerk kpop songs playlist korean 2ne1

via Tumblr

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

[Renders: yssietwilighter, amy91luvKey, KwonLee, Jadenblackdragon]

Whales & K-Pop: EXO, BTS, & The Loneliest Creature In The World

/in , , /by

EXO "Sing For You" BTS "Whalien 52"What does EXO and BTS have in common?

Ask me this yesterday, and I’d have said a variety of things like, “K-pop boy bands, good looking, talented, etc.” Ask me today and I’d have to say “they’re lonely.” Or, alternatively, both BTS and EXO are fans of the 52-hertz whale, known as the loneliest creature on this planet.

It is pretty well-known that K-pop idols are dedicated to their craft and their fans. Fan service, the shows of affection that Korean singers put on for their fans that range from throwing hearts into crowds to getting down on one knee and mock-proposing to fans with roses, is commonplace. As entertainers, it is the job of Korean idols to make fans believe that they are happy; showing anything less than a large smile is often seen as unprofessional.

But within the past two weeks though, two of K-pop’s most up-and-coming idol groups both addressed loneliness verging on depression, using the lonely 52-hertz whale, the world’s so-called loneliest whale to do just that.

The Loneliest Animal On Earth

“It’s as if he speaks his own language– a language of one. Even stranger, 52 Hertz does not follow the known migration route of any extant baleen whale species. He sings alone and travels alone.” — Bryan Nelson for Discovery.com

The 52-hertz whale was first heard in 1989 by a team of scientists, singing a whale song that was more than double the average frequency of whale song from other species of the animal, which sing between a range of 15-25 hertz. Since then, the 52-hertz whale has been identified as single, solitary whale. He is the epitome of loneliness on this planet, and has been this way for at least twenty years.

And BTS and EXO have each tied this lone creature into their recent songs, turning the 52-hertz whale as a symbol of both depression and hope.

Also on KultScene: Which BTS Member Are You? [QUIZ]

BTS – “Whalien 52”

BTS’s “Whalien 52,” from their latest album “The Most Beautiful Moment In Life, Part 2 “ is a song about being misunderstood and not being able to fit in. The title is an amalgamation of the 52-hertz whale’s name and the idea of “alienation,” or being apart and different from those around you.

“Alienation- A withdrawing or separation of a person or a person’s affections from an object or position of former attachment : estrangement. (Alienation…from the values of one’s society and family.-S. L. Halleck)” — Merriam-Webster

BTS’s song was produced by Pdogg in collaboration with members Rap Monster, J-Hope, and Jungkook, giving “Whalien 52” a personalized touch that is usually missing from K-pop songs. BTS has set themselves aside from most new K-pop groups for this reason, with members taking a role in just about every song of their latest album. Which means that the final message of “Whalien 52,” to be the best “whale” you can be, and do your own thing even if it means being alone, is a message directly from the mouths of these K-pop idols themselves.

The everyday loneliness that people feel isn’t something that is a typical part of K-pop, which more often than not offers up love songs or bombastic anthems. “Whalien 52” is one of the few songs out there to discuss how each and every person has their own life that is unlike that of anyone else in the world.

BTS’s lilting take on “Whalien 52” takes a harsh subject and gives it a lighter feel, with an ultimately inspiring ending. The initial dark, solitary lyrics and meaning of “Whalien 52” bely the harmonies and raps interspersed with tinkling keyboard and synth sounds, which innately give the song an uplifting vibe to match the song’s final message rather than the initial feeling of being alone.

EXO – “Sing For You”

The lyrics of EXO’s most recent winter ballad, “Sing For You,” describes someone who has regrets towards the person that they love and expresses the desire to sing a confession song for that person. But the music video, an entirely black and white production, initially shows EXO’s members enjoying their winter days and then hints to the darker feelings that people repress under their surface.

The music video depicts literal loneliness, anger, and misunderstanding through the actions of EXO’s members, some fighting, some disappearing etc. And Sehun explores space as a lonely astronaut who meets a solitary, 52-hertz whale.

This isn’t a case of possibly misunderstanding the music video plot; the 52-hertz whale is a symbol of loneliness and the wintery scenes likely hint to depression, particularly seasonal depression, a condition that accompanies the winter months and affects millions of people. The video ends with EXO’s members coming together and Sehun befriending the whale, showing that loneliness can be beaten with the help of others.

Cultural Meaning

EXO is currently one of K-pop’s most popular groups and has spent much of this year competing with Big Bang to take first place. To address the loneliness that people feel, both when they’re on their own (figuratively in outer space,) and when they’re with others, is a big step for the K-pop industry.

Also on KultScene: Meet iDR, The Man Behind EXO’s “Love Me Right”

Whereas BTS is a relatively independent K-pop group (if such a thing were possible,) with members having real roles in creating their music, EXO is the exact opposite. The group is perfectly produced by SM Entertainment with only a few instances throughout their career where EXO’s members have been able to try their hand at playing a part in their artistic career (such as Lay’s hand in the beautiful song, “Promise 2014.”)

But, regardless of their differences, both groups have recently addressed loneliness, comparing the individual’s struggle for understanding to that of a solitary creature who roams the world without literally being understood by its peers.

Both EXO and BTS have offered inspiration in the face of estrangement (BTS- keep persevering, EXO- Find others who understand you), and that’s all good and dandy but there is something deeper behind these two songs than just the normal K-pop/hip hop ballads.

South Korea, the country that makes bubblegum K-pop for all of us to enjoy, is one of the most depressed countries in the world. It has the highest suicide rate by country, with 24.7 people out of 100,000 committing suicide each year according to the Washington Post. According to the OECD Better Life Index, South Korea has the lowest ranking community support in the world, with only 72% of South Koreans feeling that they have people to turn to in times of need. Additionally, South Korea’s work-to-life ratio is lower than that of many other countries.

By offering up inspirational tracks in the dark of the winter, BTS and EXO offer their own sort of 52-hertz whale to their fans. “Whalien 52” and “Sing For You” feature aspects of loneliness, offering understanding to K-pop fans, both Korean and otherwise, who need support in the lonely world.

But, even more so, the message of each song/music video also shows that even the perfectly coiffed K-pop world is a lonely place.

BTS’s members personally partook in writing “Whalien 52” and EXO’s members vividly drew attention to their own battles with loneliness while still trying to keep their smiles on their faces at times. It’s almost expected that BTS has a harder time, because several of them were underground artists and because the group is still under a relatively small entertainment agency, and members of the group have addressed depression in interviews.

But because EXO is under SM Entertainment, the largest entertainment agency, they’re expected to put on a good face the majority of the time and the meaning behind the video of “Sing For You” is almost shocking.  It’s been some time since an SM Entertainment artist discussed depression (several members of Super Junior and Girls’ Generation have addressed it in the past), and it’s the first time that this writer can recall where an SM Entertainment music video hit on something related to mental health.

Because it breaks the illusion of what it means to be an idol, and EXO is arguably the most popular young male K-pop idol group in the world today, depression has been taboo to the group (despite former members leaving and others visibly struggling through performances). But throughout the music video for “Sing For You,” EXO depicts the sort of inner turmoil that isn’t about the love-related lyrics of the song, and instead depict the struggles that go along with the world that they (and the rest of us) live in. “Sing For You” is the opposite of an upbeat anthem; the music video shows suffering and loneliness in a way that just doesn’t let the viewer ignore it.

The 52-hertz whale may be alone, but he’s also a symbol of hope, of resilience, when feeling alone. By bringing out their inner whales and depicting loneliness that is on par with that of the 52-hertz whale, BTS and EXO not only helps their audiences understand that each individual isn’t the only one struggling in this world with loneliness, but also helps people relate more to the very human K-pop idols.

What’s your interpretation of the BTS and EXO songs? How do you deal with loneliness? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

6 K-Drama Girl Friendship Goals

/in , /by

korean drama female friendship gil woman k-drama

Let’s do an experiment. Go on your search engine of choice and look for “K-drama friendships.” What comes up? A bunch of articles on our favorite bromances and ships. But with most of the K-drama fans being women, why are we always emphasizing the guys’ friendships? When I watch a drama, I can never relate to two boys having skinship. Sure, I fall into the thirst trap and I find it cute and all that, but that is it. However, when one female character comes through for her girl, that hits home. And yet, the guys get all the attention.

K-dramas are predictable when it comes to women and friendship. We either have the mean girl who wants the leading guy for herself or the sidekick who gets minimal screen time. So when new dramas with well written, round female characters and the friendships between them come out, I celebrate. I mean, it’s 2015, who wants to see more girl hate?

That’s why I’m highlighting six K-drama friendships that are the ultimate friendship goals. These woman uplift, support, and are loyal to each other, especially when it comes to boys, giving female viewers a whole different set of feels.

[Disclaimer: This article contains a few spoilers.]

1. Kim Hye Jin and Min Ha Ri from “She Was Pretty”

Even though I’m not ranking the friendships, if I were to, Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) and Min Ha Ri’s (Koh Joon Hee) from “She Was Pretty” would come on top. While they had a rocky period when Ha Ri was secretly dating Hye Jin’s first love Ji Sung Joon (Park Seo Joon) — which is a huge if not the no-no in girl code — it is the latter part of their relationship and everything else aside from this incident what makes it great.

she was pretty gif hye jin ha ri friendship

via dalpengi @ Tumblr

Both girls saw each other as family — as sisters — not just friends. Ha Ri practically supported Hye Jin when she was down on her luck and Hye Jin’s family saw Ha Ri as their third daughter, having her over all the time and the parents being genuinely concerned over her. However, the crucial part in their friendship which made it remarkable is how Hye Jin reacted when she found out Ha Ri was dating Sung Joon while passing off as her. She didn’t go ballistic on her, which, honestly, is what a lot of us would’ve done. Instead, she wanted to wait until Ha Ri told her herself. Hye Jin never acted cold or distant or even resentful towards Ha Ri, even after Ha Ri came clean. Hye Jin was even willing to renounce Sung Joon because her best friend had feelings for him. Similarly, at Ha Ri’s birthday party, she blew off her male friends for Hye Jin. If that’s not the true meaning of “sisters before misters,” I don’t know what is.

Moreover, Ha Ri and Hye Jin had the cutest relationship, funnily acting as husband and wife; they always put each other before anyone else and caring about the other’s well-being. And who can forget about when Ha Ri decided to go back to school and Hye Jin was going to move away for a new job, the mini party they had where they sang, and danced, and ended up crying together over how much they were going to miss each other? Without a doubt, these two’s relationship is one we can all look up to.

ha ri hye jin gif she was pretty

she was pretty gif ha ri hye jin friendship

via dalpengi @ Tumblr

 Also on KultScene: 2015 Gift Guide For Fans Of Korean Pop Culture

2. Sung Si Won and Mo Yoo Jung from “Reply 1997”

Another friendship which a lot of us can relate to if your best friend is into K-pop is Si Won (APink’s Jung Eunji) and Jong Mi’s (Shin So Yul) from “Reply 1997.” These two were not only friends, but accomplices, stanning the same boy group, H.O.T. They went to events and even stalked their idols together.

reply 1997 answer me 1997 hair

Of course, like any friendship, they both had their hiccups and became estranged when Jong Mi changed fandoms, but like the previous entry, let’s focus on all the good stuff. The prime example of how deep these girls’ dedication for each other ran, let’s revisit the incident when Si Won’s dad cut her hair for going to a show and being caught on camera. Jong Mi, the ever ride or die, chopped off her hair on her own in solidarity. Who can honestly say they’d do that for their best friend? Exactly.

3. Kim Hyun Sook and An Jong Mi from “Unkind Women”

Awesome girl friendships are not reserved for the youth. And probably one of the best relationships between adult women was presented in “Unkind Women” with Chae Shi Ra and Kim Hye Eun’s characters, Hyun Sook and Jong Mi, respectively.

Like the “Reply 1997” girls, these two were friends since a very young age and the ultimate accomplices. Jong Mi was the Robin to Hyun Sook’s Batman, always with her to back her up and support her, whether it was morally or economically. But most importantly, Jong Mi stuck by Hyun Sook’s side through all her hardships, which if you saw the drama, you know how much she endured! She was down for whatever when it came to her best friend. Lend Hyun Sook clothes so she’ll look sharp? Sure. Stand up for her when someone insults her? Always.

unkind women

Hyun Sook and Jong Mi are the perfect example of how growing up and having separate lives doesn’t mean you have to let go of your friends and your loyalties to them. Also, how even if you’re in your 40’s, you can still mess around and be goofy with your best friend.

4. Yoon Se Na and Joo Hong from “My Lovely Girl”

Speaking of women who help out their girlfriends when they most need it, we also saw a good example of this on “My Lovely Girl” when Joo Hong (Lee Cho Hee) helped out her friend Yoon Se Na (f(x)’s Krystal) when she moved to Seoul in hopes of becoming a music writer. A good friend offers you their home for a few days while you look for a place to stay. A best friend let’s you move in with her and her boyfriend, even if they don’t have any privacy anymore, as long as you need it. That’s exactly what Joo Hong did for Se Na.

For most of the drama, Se Na was down on her luck with moving to Seoul, having no family to rely on, and struggling to achieve her dream. Her friend Joo Hong did not have it made and her boyfriend didn’t really dig having Se Na around for that long. But still, Joo Hong helped Se Na out and even got emotional when she ultimately left.

my lovely girl

It is during difficult times that one finds out who their real friends are, and Joo Hong was just that for Se Na. Instead of putting her boyfriend before all else and keep him happy, she chose friendship first and still found a way to balance both of her relationships.

5. Kang Soon Ok and Jang Mo Ran from “Unkind Women”

Perhaps one of the best friendships on K-drama to ever be portrayed was Soon Ok (Kim Hye Ja) and Mo Ran’s (Jang Min Hee) from “Unkind Women” because of how it came about and the progressive commentary it offers on women and friendship. Female characters and the relationships between them are often lazily written to always revolve around male love interests and the pettiness and cruelty is can arise in women because of it. That would’ve been the go-to scenario for these characters, given that Soon Ok’s husband left her for Mo Ran. Throughout most of the beginning of the drama, we see Soon Ok resentfully messing with Mo Ran, and who can blame her, right?

Well, it turned out the husband’s love for Mo Ran was one sided. Mo Ran never reciprocated the affection; her only fault has relying on her oppa too much. It took a lot of time, and Mo Ran endured a lot of sxxt from Soon Ok graciously, but they ultimately became the best of friends. They developed a really cute relationship that was playfully love-hate, with Soon Ok becoming an unnie to Mo Ran, always pestering her to take care of her health after nursing her back to life.

unkind women 2

Soon Ok and Mo Ran’s friendship showed how complex relationships between women are. In dramas specifically, it’s too easy to pin women against each other when it comes to men. But “Unkind Women” was all about showing round characters and depth in their situations. Soon Ok and Mo Ran started out in the worst way and ended up upholding “sisters before misters,” even when Soon Ok’s husband came back into the picture.

Also on KultScene: Here’s Why The Wall Street Journal Is Wrong About K-Drama Fans

6. An Chae Yool, Yoon Mi Do, Lee Yee Hee, Kim Ha Jae, and Choi Sung Yoon from “Detectives of Seonam Girls’ High School”

In “Detectives of Seonam Girls’ High School,” the investigator squad formed by An Chae Yool (Jin Ji Hee), Yoon Mi Do (Kang Min Ah), Lee Yee Hee (Girl’s Day’s Hyeri), Kim Ha Jae (Lee Min Ji), and Choi Sung Yoon (Stephanie Lee) gave us not only friendship goals, but #SquadGoals. These high school girls were out trying to figure out and fix all the problems going on in their school, from creepy perverts to breaking the taboo of lesbian relationships.

While it may have started with a bit of deceit, Chae Yool ultimately gets into the investigations with her newfound friends. The gang is a great representation of positive female friendships with a quirky spin, with the whole “fighting crime” angle. The girls not only investigated the problems concerning them, but the ones with their peers, showing positive images of how compassionate and empathetic women are from a young age. And more importantly, they’re always there for each other.

via hanichul @ Tumblr

What’s your favorite female frienship in K-dramas? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

8 Moments You’ll Want To Rewatch From MAMA 2015

/in /by

MAMA 2015 2NE1

One of the biggest events of the K-pop year was held earlier today in Hong Kong and, needless to say, a lot went on at the Mnet Asian Music Awards that you don’t want to miss out on. If you didn’t get a chance to watch the show live, or just want to relive it, then this rundown of all of the memorable moments from MAMA 2015 is definitely for you.

1. 2NE1 Returned

If there is one thing to take away from the 2015 MAMA ceremony, it was that 2NE1 was back. There was silence, tears, and shrieks from fans watching live and at home as CL disappeared beneath the stage after her solo performance of “Hello Bitches” and Dara rose up, followed by Minzy, Park Bom, and CL. The performance was like a rebirth of the group, which has been on hiatus for over a year, and they brought their fierce talent performing their debut song “Fire” and their most popularity song to date, “I Am The Best.”

Also on KultScene: MAMA 2015 Award Show Scoresheet + WINNERS

 

2. Jolin Tsai Dominated The Stage

The Taiwanese singer surprised the crowd with a performance of her hit song “Play.” The Queen of C-Pop showed everyone what she was worth, offering a fierce rendition of “Play.” Backed by a crew of male backup dancers in drag, Jolin Tsai showed the camera who is boss with her intense gaze and sharp dance moves, matched by her fire-spit rap and belting vocals. And when she broke character and couldn’t help but show her bright smile, it was absolutely great.

Honorable mention to the fangirls who just couldn’t believe what was happening.

3. JYP Embarrassed Everyone

Park Jin Young, also known as JYP or J.Y Park and the CEO of JYP Entertainment, took to MAMA with a mature performance that left people with their eyes wide and jaws open. Except for the members of JYP Entertainment idol groups Twice and GOT7, who were looking for the exits. The members of the two idol groups went so far as to cover their eyes and imitate killing one another to keep themselves from seeing their mentor get down with the female dancers.

4. The Fashion Was On PointBIGBANG MAMA 2015 Fashion

Everyone came out in their best, combining chic urban wear with fabulously classy numbers. Fur was a big component in several people’s outfits, including HyunA, Truedy, Yezi, and Jessi’s. BIGBANG went all out mobster chic, while BTS brought a retro, Grease-inspired fashion for their performance of “Run.”

CVNm-ykVAAAvmrH (2)

Actress Stephanie Lee stood out amongst a lot of classic black and white numbers worn by presenters by wearing an eggplant-colored dress with cut outs, while actress Park Shin Hye opted for a little black and white preppy lace number.

CVNxfKTUYAAWV9b (1)

And San E’s stylist should maybe rethink things because his entire outfit was a mess, just saying.

5. Yezi & Lil Boi Strutted Their Rap Stuff

If 2015 was the year for any rapper, that rapper was none other than Fiestar’s Yezi. The “Unpretty Rapstar 2” contestant joined “Show Me The Money 4” contestant Lil Boi on stage and they just couldn’t be controlled. The “Show Me the Rapstar” segment was a rap battle between the pair and Truedy and Basik, the winners of their respective competition shows, but Yezi proved to everyone that she’s not just a pretty face while Lil Boi brought a bouncing rap that had the crowd feeling the rhythm.

Also on KultScene: 6 INFINITE Songs That Will Prepare You For INFINITE Effect

6. EXO & BIGBANG Were Crowned Kings of 2015

EXO won three awards, including Best Male Artist and Best Album of the Year, while BIGBANG took home four awards for Best Music Video, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and MAMA Worldwide Favorite Artist.

Enough said.

7. The Seungri+Sehun Ship Set Sail

The most shocking, or hilarious, moment of MAMA was when BIGBANG’s Seungri cozied up with members of EXO during “Bae Bae.” EXO’s Sehun reciprocated by pretending to fall asleep on Seungri’s shoulder, and that was it. The (relation)ship soon filled Twitter as fans reacted to this unlikely encounter between members of groups from the two largest Korean entertainment agencies.

8. There Were Lightsabers

While the battle could have been better, MAMA included a lightsaber duel. What more could you ask for? It’s “Star Wars,” but live!

What was your favorite moment from 2015 MAMA? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

MAMA 2015 Award Show Scoresheet + WINNERS

/in /by

MAMA 2015 Mnet Asian Music AwardsThe Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) will be held in just a few hours, and we’re ready for it! Join KultScene on our live Twitter coverage of the event, as we congratulate winners, applaud amazing stages, and judge everybody’s fashion choices in the nicest way possible.

And now… The award scoresheet that we’ll be marking up throughout the evening! (If you’re here early, check out our fantasy MAMA winners article from a few days ago.) Don’t forget to watch the show live via Naver V app or KCON.

Overall KultScene Award Winner- 2NE1

Best New Male Artist

iKON
N.Flying
Monsta X
Seventeen
UP10TION

Best New Female Artist

CLC
TWICE
Lovelyz
GFRIEND
OH MY GIRL

Best Male Solo Artist

Zion.T
Kyuhyun (Super Junior)
J.Y.PARK
Jung Yong Hwa (CNBLUE)
Jonghyun (SHINee)

Best Female Solo Artist

BoA
IU
Ailee
Taeyeon (Girls’ Generation)
HyunA (4Minute)

Best Male Group

BIGBANG
EXO
BTS
SHINee
Super Junior
SHINHWA

Best Female Group

AOA
Apink
miss A
Girls’ Generation
SISTAR
Wonder Girls

Best Dance Performance Solo

Ga-In (Brown Eyed Girls)- “Paradise Lost”
Niel (Teen Top)- “Lovekiller”
J.Y.PARK- “Who’s Your Mama?”
Amber (f(x))- “Shake That Brass”
HyunA (4minute)- “Roll Deep”

Oupu Best Dance Performance Male Group

BIGBANG- “Bang Bang Bang”
EXO- “Call Me Baby”
GOT7- “If You Do”
VIXX- “Love Equation”
SHINee- “View”
INFINITE- “Bad”

Best Dance Performance Female Group

AOA- “Heart Attack”
EXID- “Ah Yeah”
Girl’s Day- “Ring My Bell”
Red Velvet- “Ice Cream Cake”
SISTAR- “Shake It”

Best Vocal Performance Male

SG WANNABE- “Love You”
Zion.T- “Eat”
Kyuhyun (Super Junior)- “At Gwanghwamun”
Lim Chang Jung- “Love Again”
Huh Gak- “Snow of April”

Best Vocal Performance Female

Davichi- “Cry Again”
MAMAMOO- “Um Oh Ah Yeh”
Baek A Yeon- “Shouldn’t Have…”
Ailee- “Mind Your Own Business”
Taeyeon (Girls’ Generation)- “I”

Best Rap Performance

Gary- “Get Some Air”
Dok2- “I Will”
Mad Clown- “Fire”
Jay Park- “Mommae”
San E- “Me You”

Best Band Performance

CNBLUE- “Cinderella”
FTISLAND- “Pray”
NELL- “Green Nocturne”
JJY Band- “OMG”
Hyukoh- “Comes and Goes”

Best Collaboration & Unite

Zion.T & Crush- “Just”
Block B Bastarz- “Zero For Conduct”
VIXX LR- “Beautiful Liar”
Soyou & Kwon Jeong Yeol- “Lean on Me”
INFINITE H- “Pretty”

HotelsCombined Best Music Video

BIGBANG- “Bae Bae”
f(x)- “4 Walls”
SHINee- “Married To The Music”
Wonder Girls- “I Feel You”
INFINITE- “Bad”

UnionPay Artist of the Year

Bigbang

UnionPay Song of the Year

BIGBANG- “Bang Bang Bang”

Album of the Year
EXO- “EXODUS”

MAMA Worldwide Favorite Artist

BIGBANG

Thailand Favorite Artist

Potato

Vietnam Favorite Artist

Dong Nhi

Indonesia Favorite Artist

Ran

Singapore Favorite Artist

Stefanie Sun Yanzi

Japan Favorite Artist

AKB48

Best Asian Artist Mandarin Award

Jolin Tsai

Global Fan Choice Award Female

f(x)

Global Fan Choice Award Male

EXO

Best Producer Korea

J.Y Park

Best Producer China

Gao Xiaosong

Best Producer Vietnam

Phuc Bo

Best Engineer Korea

Ko Hyun Jong

Best Engineer China

Lup Groinig

Best Engineer Japan

Yoshinori Nakayama

Best Live Entertainment Korea

In Jae Jin

Best Live Entertainment China

Wu Qun Da

Best Live Entertainment Thailand

Vit Suthithavil

Worldwide Inspiration Award

Pet Shop Boys

World Performer Award

BTS

What do you think about MAMA 2015? Did the performances and awards match your expectations? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

5 Underrated K-Pop Rookie Songs

/in /by

30th30k

K-pop companies introduce rookie groups at such a ferocious rate each year that numerous idols are vying for the spotlight at any one time, with the ultimate ambition of becoming A-listers. This heated competition means that talented performers can sometimes slip under the radar, so without further ado here are my personal choices for the top five underrated rookie songs.

Dawg’loo – “Oh”

Dawg’loo is a four member male vocal group who debuted in January 2015, under Danal Entertainment. Not much is currently known about them, except that they have all recorded solo songs and members RuBic and Hyun Jun previously performed with 2Track and DDABAND, respectively. R&B ballad “Oh” has a soulful sound which harkens back to the ‘90s and features stirring, mature vocals from the members. Sadly, no music video was produced for this touching song, but these supremely talented men deserve to be watched closely in the future.

Also on KultScene: Questions We Have After The End of ‘Sassy Go Go’

Awe5some Baby – “Why Should I?”

Awe5some Baby is a five member girl group who made their debut in June 2015, under TN Nation Entertainment. Illustrious ‘90s K-pop stars Tony Ahn (H.O.T) and Kim Jae Duc (Sech Kies) contributed to the formation of Awe5some Baby and consequently the members shine brightly in “Why Should I?” Ranging in age from 17 to 21, the girls display surprisingly accomplished vocals in this funky throwback R&B track, with all the charisma of more seasoned veterans of the genre. Tomboyish leader Jun is the first ever idol beatboxer in a K-pop group, making Awe5some Baby a unique force to be reckoned with!

Bay.B – “Fancy”

Bay.B is a three member girl group who debuted in May 2014, with the company CAN Entertainment. The group’s fourth single “Fancy” is a smooth and sophisticated jazz number, featuring prominent use of a trumpet and melodic piano. Bay.B’s sultry delivery, combined with rapper Wu Tan’s edgy flow, result in a composition that harks back strongly to 1960s Soul and Motown. Unfortunately, this song also has no accompanying music video, but Bay.B’s powerful vocals make “Fancy” well worth a listen.

M.Crown – “Avenue Mumun”

Starpro Entertainment’s seven member boy band, M.Crown, debuted in October 2015. “Avenue Mumun” is a lively song with an infectious up-tempo beat, combined with elements of disco and boy band music of the 1990’s. The music video depicts M.Crown posing on Harley Davidson motorcyles and dancing in a baroque room, alternately wearing both smart and casual clothes. The suggestive choreography during the song’s chorus, combined with the group’s boyish good looks, will no doubt see many takers for M.Crown in the not too distant future!

Also on KultScene: 2015 Gift Guide For Fans Of Korean Pop Culture

VAV – “Under The Moonlight”

In November 2015, AQ Entertainment introduced VAV (Very Awesome Vampire.) This rookie boy band is a cross cultural mix of four Korean and two Chinese members, who were uniquely promoted with a webtoon prior to their official debut. “Under The Moonlight” is an unconventional composition which fuses synthesized ambient music with hip hop, while the song’s music video is beautifully atmospheric and showcases the group’s gothic concept to absolute perfection. All in all, a band with great promise.

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

Artist Spotlight: Burstered

/in , /by

Burstered

Punk rock is back in a big way with Burstered. If you’ve never heard of this Korean rock band, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I only discovered Burstered when my YouTube autoplay kept going without permission. But I wasn’t disappointed. The Korean music scene is sorely lacking in the rock department, and not since the TRAX’s debut has there been any attempt at putting together an idol rock band. Burstered is the answer to all of our prayers, although calling them idols would be doing them a disservice.

The group first got their name out there back in 2014, when they appeared on “Superstar K6” and made it to the final six. Burstered made a big impact on the show with a unique sound and style that’s not usual in Korea, and their hardcore-hip hop hybrid cover of After School’s “Shampoo” with T.O.V is absolutely outstanding.

Burstered claims on their homepage to be an “emotional rock” band, and features vocalist No Daegun, guitarists Ahn Junyoung and Lee Kyejin, bassist Cha Hwanhee, and drummer Jung Sangyoon.

Also on KultScene: Sultan Of The Disco Does Funky Right At Seoulsonic NYC 2015 [Interview]

Take note, their name is a bit confusing. In Korean, and whenever the band members say their name, it clearly is “Buster Red.” Unfortunately, Burstered has never offered an explanation for the “r” in the first part of their name. We like them well enough anyway.

Burstered debuted formally in February under Evermore Music, whose tagline is “the real music company for the real musicians.” And it doesn’t get much more real than Burstered.

A little less intense than their “Shampoo” cover, Burstered’s debut song “Whenever You Call Me” starts off with a soft melody and then turns into a garage punk rock style song with a cool half-tempo chorus. This song is pretty Korea-friendly, and lacks the screams and wails that Burstered has utilized in other songs that they’ve performed before their formal debut. (The group has numerous song covers on their YouTube page, so check that out.)

The music video for “Whenever You Call Me” is a bit dark until the very end, but has some great cinematic shots of both the plot and the bandmembers themselves. Visually, the music video also bares some similarities to 30 Seconds’ To Mars’ “Kings and Queens,” which makes sense considering vocalist No Daegun credits the group as one of his inspirations on Burstered’s official homepage.

Seriously though.

Also on KultScene: Dynamic Duo’s ‘Jam’ Music Video & Song Review

Although they’ve only been around formally for a bit, Burstered has really made an impression. In August, Burstered appeared on KBS1’s “Concert Feel” and hilariously were introduced by “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars” before the band started playing their own music for the next 45 minutes.

In September, Burstered made a comeback with “Lost Child,” a much more hardcore punk rock song with metal elements that were missing from the group’s debut song.There’s more of an emphasis on the band’s music in “Lost Child” than in “Whenever You Call Me,” with more of a screamo vibe. The new track doesn’t try as hard as the earlier song to fit Burstered into Korean mainstream music.

To match the metalcore style, the music video gets rid of any convoluted plot. Gone are the beautiful shots of “Whenever You Call Me,” and instead we get a vibrant, band-focused music video. The only gimmick is to hide the members faces by mummy-style bandages, as if Burstered is demanding people to listen to their music rather than admire their handsome features, a la the average K-pop band.

Read more

Dynamic Duo’s ‘Jam’ Music Video & Song Review

/in , /by
Rating

dynamic duo choiza review song music video mv

It’s been just over two years since Dynamic Duo‘s last solo offering and they are back with a brand new song and music video, entitled “Jam,” released on November 16th. Amoeba Culture’s Gaeko and Choiza, two of the coolest rappers on the Korean hip-hop scene, have dispensed completely with their sharply dressed and mean and moody image for the video and the results are nothing short of hilarious.

Song

“Jam” is a smooth and sophisticated blend of strings, synthesiser, and funky bass, mixed with understated rapping and a surprising amount of vocal harmonies from the guys. A soulful guitar solo, which wouldn’t be out of place in an Isley Brothers composition, features towards the end of the song, as well as some clever puns based on the names of Big Bang members. Sung in Korean, the English translation of two such examples are as follows: “We’re feeling like we’re on top,” and “my heart breathes fire like a dragon dragon.” “Jam” is such an addictive song, I challenge anyone to listen to it just once.

Also on KultScene: Which TWICE member are you? [Quiz]

Videography

The video opens with a father (Choiza) and son (Gaeko) sitting at a breakfast table, with the latter asking questions about the honey he is spreading on his slice of bread. Intrigued by his father’s response, a conversation ensues which is clearly a euphemism for the “birds and the bees.” As the song begins it cuts short an explanation of how bees make honey and zooms into Choiza’s face on a jar of the spread. We then see an adult Gaeko, resplendent in absurd bee costume, working on a “Honey Jam” production line while daydreaming about cavorting with the girl of his dreams.

The company boss, also a bee and played by Choiza, reprimands him for slacking off and the dejected Gaeko consoles himself with a trip to a nightclub after work. There he finds and flirts with his dream girl (the aptly named Honey Lee), only for her to be stolen away by the ostentatiously wealthy Choiza. During this scene a well observed and affectionate parody of Big Bang’s “Bae Bae” takes place, featuring Gaeko, Choiza, and Crush as the members. The video returns to the setting of the first scene, with the father telling the son to stop fooling around with his food and finish eating it. The boy then cheekily says: “YOU eat it.”

Styling

The video features highly saturated colours, giving it a bold, bright, and cartoonish quality which is Disney-esque in places. The insect costumes are similarly garish, but it is still possible to tell the social standing of each wearer by the individual styling touches. Choiza, for example, is seen as a bee wearing various items of clothing usually associated with the wealthy, such as a bow tie, a tuxedo and a brocade smoking jacket. Gaeko’s bee outfit is utilitarian by comparison, but he attempts a cooler image by donning a pair of red and white rimmed shades to go clubbing in. The Big Bang lookalikes are also presented as bees, but instantly recognisable by their trademark hair and clothing!

Also on KultScene: B.A.P’s ‘Young, Wild & Free’ Music Video & Song Review

Overall Thoughts

This is Dynamic Duo like we’ve never seen them before and full marks to the guys for giving us the most inventive video of the year so far. Gaeko, Choiza, and their assorted pals clearly had a ball making “Jam,” but not half as much as I had watching it! The music video will stand up to endless repeat viewings, so miss it at your peril.

  • Dynamic Duo "Jam" Music Video
5

How did you like “Jam?” 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.

Telling Korean History Through The ‘Reply’ Series

/in , /by

Answer_Me_1988Invoking the past in a way that makes it very much alive is something that the tvN “Reply” series has perfected over the past view years. The newest series, “Reply 1988” premiered earlier this month. As the third reiteration of the “Reply” or “Answer Me” family, there was a lot of hype and expectations surrounding the retro show, and it definitely delivered as a entertaining show. By tugging at the viewers heartstrings, the show weaves in didactic messages to created an image of what South Korea was.

More than just a good drama, the “Reply” series has become a way of introducing modern day Korean history to television audiences, both domestically in South Korea and internationally. Like BBC period dramas a la “Downtown Abbey,” “Reply” has continually acted as a visual textbook, or reminder, of South Korea’s recent past.

[Disclaimer: Slight spoilers are included.]

While period pieces are typically older, “Reply” is always, relatively, new. Many viewers were alive during or shortly after the shows’ timeline and the world doesn’t always seems so different from ours. But South Korea in 1988, 1997, and 1994 was very different than it is now, and the show acts as a guide to many of South Korea’s recent historical triumphs and tragedies.

Also on KultScene: What We’re Watching This November From Korea

By interspersing important moments into the lives of the characters of each “Reply” series, the production team is able to make seemingly remote events seem very much alive and relatable.The oldest series so far, “Reply 1988” is still relatively recent in the sense of history, but feels very removed thanks to the fast paced world that we live in.

But the first two episodes, while hilarity-inducing thanks to late 1980’s fashions and VHS tapes, don’t feel so old. The anticipation of the 1988 Olympics feel very much alive and high school life isn’t so different, even if the teenagers have to do without being glued to their smartphones.

reply 1988 olympics

Similarly, the political and financial struggles of South Korea are also portrayed in ways that are relatable, and yes, informative. The political reality of the day — the first time that South Korea had a true democratically elected leader since the 1960’s– is alluded to multiple times by characters commenting on college-age Sung Bo Ra going to protests.

Thanks to captivating storytelling, someone who has no knowledge of this period in South Korean history is drawn into the period tvN series’ world as if it is current. The previous series, “Reply 1997” and “Reply 1994” similarly bring to light events that are both familiar and historical to South Korean audiences (and likely unknown to many international fans of the series).

Also on KultScene: B.A.P’s ‘Young, Wild & Free’ Music Video & Song Review

In “Reply 1994,” one of South Korea’s most disheartening years was brought to light. While the country is now one of the wealthiest in the world, South Korea was wartorn in the 50’s, and only intense pushes for progress have helped the country get to where it is today. But in “1994,” the feelings of South Korean dismay following the International Monetary Fund (IFC) crises and the collapse of Sampoong Department Store were brought to the surface, evoking sympathy and renewed concern for the events that occurred nearly a decade before the show in 2013. (Alternatively, the show also renewed interest in South Korea’s 1994 success in soccer with their Red Devils taking to the streets of Seoul).

red devils

If “1988” is (so far) showing an exuberant country dealing with modernization and democracy and “1994” focused on the changing world of modern day South Korea, “1997,” the first series which aired in 2012, was the most familiar to many viewers but at the same time still introduced “retro” elements of K-pop, video games, cell phones, and many of the popular fashion brands of the day interspersed with historical events.

answer1997-00021

As each series presents its story, it showcases a way of life that is familiar to us but disappeared with the fast-paced world hardly blinking an eye. The obsession with “20 Things 90’s Kids Know”-type lists is alive and well, and “Reply” takes it to a new format, educating the viewers of 2015 about all the things we’ve forgotten about the past few decades.

Melodrama and comedy make “Reply” loveable, but it’s also a way to remind the audience of the struggles and success that South Korea has faced over the years. These elements of nostalgia that makes “Reply” popular enough to warrant not one but three seasons, and hopefully more in the future (I’m hoping for a 1999 one, with everyone freaking out about Y2K!)

What do you think about the “Reply” take on history? 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.