Artist Spotlight: Blady

Blady

The little known girl group Blady made a recent comeback with a truly crazy song. While many of you may not be aware of them, they have in fact been around since 2011. With a slight possibility of making it big with this comeback, we decided to take a look back at their career in the hopes of discovering a hidden gem.

The K-pop industry has changed a lot in the last three to four years. Most notably, there have been a lot more groups debuting every week. This is positive in some ways, such as the fact that the three big companies no longer have complete control of the charts. We can now see rookie groups from smaller companies, like EXID and VIXX, competing and winning on music shows. But this also means that a lot more groups are being forgotten without making any sort of mark. Whether it is because of a lack of exposure or from having no good music, more groups are disbanding within a year of their debut than ever before. Some, however, keep plugging away despite no success at all.

Blady is one of these.

What sets Blady apart from all other struggling K-pop groups is a certain try hard charm. They’ve been around longer than most rookie groups who have tried and failed to make it big. Since 2011, they have had four major releases and have changed their lineup on three separate occasions. The concepts and quality of their songs have varied wildly yet they deliver each with an exuberance that is too endearing to ignore. From the sexy, Latin inspired ‘‘Come To Me’’ to the Hollywood directed music video for ‘‘Crazy Day,’’ there is a lot to take note of with Blady.


 Also on KultScene: BTS ‘Dope’ Music Video & Song Review

Finding the reason for Blady’s continued lack of success probably isn’t that hard once you listen to their debut single ‘‘Spark Spark’’. I always think that groups can never really recover from a terrible opener (I still think ‘Gossip Girl’ is the reason Rainbow has always struggled). ‘Spark Spark’ is a truly awful slice of what K-pop was like prior to Wonder Girls’ ‘‘Nobody’’. Blady’s company were obviously too poor to afford modern equipment so it sounds three years out of date and not in a hip, nostalgic way either. It contains grating synths covered with auto tuned vocals. I can’t tell if they’re attempting to make the voices ‘cuter’ or cover up poor vocals. Either way, it is incredibly annoying and brings back awful memories of K-pop’s auto-tune years. Also, it doesn’t even have a video.

Cut to July 2011, and Blady began teasing their blockbuster follow up, ‘‘Crazy Day’’. Blady were going global. To the ultra glamorous Maldives to be exact, where they would shoot their new music video with Hollywood director Kang Young Man in spectacular 3D! They even recruited choreographer Main Spirit, who has worked with Lee Hyori and Bada, for the dance moves. The hype was real.

Then this happened.

The dramatic acting! The paparazzi flash effects! The image overlays! The lack of 3D!

In all seriousness, it is actually a big step up from their debut. Even just for actually having a music video that can be found online. The song’s Europop production is an improvement. Structurally, it’s a mess, but that gives it some level of interest over ‘‘Spark Spark’’.

That’s being kind to a music video and song that are so embarrassingly bad and yet seemingly a lot of effort was put in that it becomes iconic rather than shameful. A 3D version was supposed to be released in August of that year but is nowhere to be found. Some of the shots in this one look like they were made for 3D though, so maybe this was it but they just didn’t shoot in 3D at all. The choreography too does not look like it was put together by anyone of note much less someone who worked with a great queen like Lee Hyori. At least they got a holiday out of it.

All of this did not seem to go noticed though, as Blady went under the radar for two years. They resurfaced in 2013 with a whole new look and lineup. All of the original members but one, Kangyoon, left and were replaced with four more girls. They came back armed with fresh talent to create a new day in Blady history. For the first time ever, they would release a good song.

Not just a good song, a great one. Released in November of 2013, ‘‘Blood Type B Girl’’ is an encapsulation of all that is K-pop. It contains three distinct genres and swaps out whole parts at a whim with some never getting another run. It seems a group with a track record like Blady’s could never pull this off but somehow they do. It’s pulled together with heavy hip-hop beats then moves onto shiny electro pop on the chorus before finishing on some dirty electro dance beats. On top of all this, there are tribal sounding 808 drums that come in at random points to liven things up. They go all out with the structure while never allowing the music get out of control. Each part is distinct yet cohesive as a whole. It also still felt like a Blady song. Sort of a mess but an endearing one that they now learned how to control.

The new Blady age had been ushered in. Their millions of adoring fans were surely around the corner.

Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found. Just like their previous singles ‘‘Blood Type B Girl’’ failed to chart. Shortly after, four more members left, including only surviving founding member Kangyoon. It seemed like their time was up. Not only had they lost the majority of their group, but without any original members, there was a possibility of the essence of the group being lost. Even with new members they probably couldn’t break into any sort of popularity. Surely this was the end.

Obviously nobody told that to Blady.


 Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: A.KOR

This brings us up to March of this year, when Blady came back once again this time with a sexy, revamped lineup and the aptly titled mini album ‘‘Renovation’’. Taking on the sexy concept is something most girl groups do to gain any sort of following so I don’t really blame Blady for pandering. Also, the whole concept is geared towards sexy including the video, music and lyrics. A lot of the time we see only sexy visuals so it’s refreshing when groups commit to it.

Stunning lead single ‘‘Come To Me’’ is their most straightforward song to date. It fuses swing and Latin pop to great effect with the guitars and orchestra combining perfectly. It’s also Blady’s first song to sound like it was put together with a proper budget. How their company could afford is beyond me, but they did it and that’s what matters.

A part of me is disappointed that Blady are starting to work with trends in order to boost their profile. In the end though, it’s the quality of music that matter and in that respect they have not disappointed. They are continuing right now with insane ‘‘Renovation’’ b-side ‘‘Oochie Walla Walla’’.

So far they have only promoted it on weekly music shows so there is no music video. It would be a shame if one doesn’t turn up eventually since it’s such a great song. Going for the popular banging electro trap now Blady have taken cues from EXID, 4minute, and 2NE1 for their next attempt at stardom. “Oochie Walla Walla” bursts into life at a blistering pace leaving no time for you to settle down. It contains so many beat and tone shifts so even when it slows down it never gets boring. Where ‘‘Blood Type B Girl’’ worked because it took its time with changing elements, “Oochie Walla Walla” works because it does it so quick. That sounds like a contradiction but you have to listen to understand. It’s ridiculous, but it works.

Blady is an example of what a group can do if they refuse to quit. With their most recent comeback, they seem to have gotten a little more attention than usual (one variety show appearance). Whether it does bring them any success, we’ll have to wait and see. No matter what happens though, Blady has had an incredible career that deserves some attention. When so many groups come and go within a year it’s good to take notice of some of these smaller ones who never quit. This quality is what makes Baldy stand out for me. Despite some of the worst atrocities against music and music videos, they remained tenacious and enthusiastic. Whatever happens I feel like I can rely on Blady to remain true to themselves and keep on reaching for the stars.

What do you think of Blady? 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.

BTS ‘Dope’ Music Video & Song Review

BTS ‘Dope’ Music Video & Song Review

In April, Korean hip-hop boy group Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, wowed us with their third mini-album “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1.” Two months later, on June 23th, they are back once again, this time with a re-launch of and music video for one of the songs, “Dope.” Suddenly, all the teaser images of the seven members dressed up in different get-ups boarding onto a crowded elevator are making a lot more sense to us. And with over two million combined views for the music video already on both their label Big Hit Entertainment’s and content distributor 1theK’s channels, the boys prove they are not so rookie anymore with this dope comeback.

Meaning

I worked all night, every day
While you were playing in the club
Don’t be surprised and listen every day
I got a feel, I got a feel
I’m kinda sick!

Idol groups like BTS know all too well what it is like to be stay up all night practicing in the studio while kids their age are off at parties or doing other things more appropriate for their age. Although it would be easy for the boys to feel pessimistic about being overworked, I doubt that adopting that kind of negative attitude would suit their images well. Rather, they choose to condemn the low-lives of the world and praise themselves for paving their road to success so early in their career.

via bbomb on Tumblr

It’s not a complete diss track, however, since they also encourage kids to follow their dreams. Don’t let others tell you don’t have the willpower, don’t let others bring you down. Follow the Bangtan way of doing things and “reject rejection.” Like the sunrise which gives us hope before the day has even begun, one’s youth is the prime time to get inspired and explore one’s choices. Indeed, perhaps this is the most beautiful moment in life the album title refers to.


Also on Kultscene: 11 K-Pop Songs to Celebrate Pride Month

Song

The song starts off with leader and rapper Rap Monster welcoming us, asking if it’s our first time with BTS. We are given just enough time to utter a reply before the percussive beats drop and we are greeted by the vocal line. Even though vocals tend to be somewhat mellow, the counterbalance to the savage raps that members Rap Monster, Suga, and J-Hope tend to deliver, there is still that haughty quality to it that remind us that they are essentially a hip-hop group. Momentum starts to pick up as the rhythmic claps in the background makes their entrance, signaling that the highly-anticipated hook is nearing.

I’m kinda dope!

With that, the group trumpets in a dynamic chorus marked by the squeals of a saxophone. This exotic, jungle-like hook is a bit bizarre, yet oddly catchy. Employing the use of this type of brass is different from most hip-hop numbers that would usually feature electronic or heavy percussive instrumentals, but this is a good kind of different. The loud, sharp blares of the saxophone are able to effectively retain the same robust feeling the boys aim to give off through their lyrics. Although this is just an introduction of what’s to come for the remainder of the strong single, it lays down the necessary groundwork for the later verses and hooks.

Structurally, the song strays away from the conventional verse/pre-chorus/chorus format that we are used by incorporating the aforementioned introduction, making the song seem longer than it actually is. There are many memorable aspects to the song, including the soulful high note during the bridge, but the real kicker to the well-produced track would have to be the saxophone that finds its way again in the coda, ending the piece on a similar note to which it started with.

Videography

From the onset, the viewers are made to feel as if they are on set with the members. The camera, which embodies the viewer’s gaze, faces up at the ceiling until Rap Monster comes along to pick it up, asking us directly if it is our first encounter with the group. While it would have been a wonderful idea to keep up the charade that the spectator is a considerable presence on the site by physically interacting more with the camera (not to mention the fan service!), we are ultimately looking on through its lens. Nevertheless, there are plenty of moments to keep the spectators engaged, such as the intense eye contact the members give to the camera while singing or the instance when member Suga shoved fellow rapper J-Hope out the way for the screen time.

via bangthebae on Tumblr

The music video is also shot in such a way that is analogous to a one-take style, with the camera quickly panning from corner to corner within the same dark brick room to show off the profession that each member chose to adopt for the shoot. Just some examples of how the setting works to complement their roles include the corridor enclosed in wire fencing that youngest member Jungkook, dressed up as a police officer, confidently walks through with swagger or the garage, outfitted with checkered banners and a car, that J-Hope the race car driver half stumbles-half dances into. With a song all about work, it’s no real surprise that the concept would relate to job titles.

via sungjaeshusband on Tumblr

Lighting is minimal here, as with production, but that only allows us to focus more on the individual talents of the boys. Besides, the drab atmosphere is actually more suitable for their original theme of working through the night.


Also on Kultscene: 4 Ways to Promote a K-pop Trainee

Choreography

What can I say, I thoroughly enjoyed the choreography. It required very fast-paced and sharp movements, but the boys were able to nail them with ease. The fancy footwork during the chorus seems like something out of a Teen Top music video and the moves, ranging from the little jumps and fist pumps during the “dope” shouts or hip thrusts during the saxophone number, kept in time to the beat. The adorable falters right before the dopes were able to bring each member’s wild personalities to the table as well.

As if their pure as gold vocals and fierce raps were not enough, BTS was able to deliver the “energy, energy, energy” to make the song come alive. Overall, the group absolutely killed the dance with their impressive and powerful moves that could even outshine the spazziest of music video prop lights.

via jacketloser on Tumblr

Overall Thoughts

Before “Dope” I never took much interest in BTS, but with this most recent comeback I can’t help but fall in love with them just a little bit. Their songs are usually rich with life lessons that urge us to fight the system and this one is no different. On the other hand, “Dope” also goes above and beyond their previous sounds by integrating the use of saxophone, the ultimate element of surprise, and changing up the arrangements. As for the video, I am sure many BTS fans, or A.R.M.Y’s, approved of seeing their idols all decked out in uniform. Because which fan has not imagined their favorite boy group member as an authority of the law or as a doctor… or as a super sleuther… or as a… bell boy… hmm.

BTS 'Dope'
4.8

Do you agree with my review of BTS’s “Dope”? What roles would you like to see BTS take on next? 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.

Teen Top “Ah-Ah” Music Video & Song Review

Teen Top Ah Ah Natural Born
The bright boys of Teen Top are back with an entrancing dance track and music video titled “Ah-Ah” fresh off its sixth mini album, “Natural Born.” Check them out as they bring the true meaning of funk back!

Song

“Ah-Ah” has an upbeat disco funky tune which is reminiscent of music from the ‘90s. Despite starting off a bit slow, the beat gradually speeds up and stays catchy which in return keeps you feigning for more as it goes on. It’s refreshing, smooth and energetic; a perfect summer jam!


Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: HISTORY’s Jang Yi Jeong

Videography

The members of Teen Top are known for their youthful and angelic faces. Because of that, sometimes it can be rather difficult trying to take them seriously, especially in some cases where they’re trying to act hard. Although each member is trying to garner the attention from their potential love interests’, because the members are naturally goofy, that even if you were the one they were pursuing in the music video, you’d probably have a hard time trying to accept their affection. Read more

4 Ways to Promote a K-pop Trainee

4 ways to promote kpop trainee

[Disclaimer: No offense intended to any group or company mentioned]

All K-pop idols have to go through life as a trainee before they can debut, and this period of time is usually the most difficult for them. It’s filled with never-ending practices, criticisms, and at times even hopelessness, but this all serves as a foundation However, it can be said that how successful a debut of an idol or a group is largely affected by how the trainees are promoted before their debut. Based on existing and current examples from reputable companies such as SM Entertainment and YG, here are the four ways K-pop trainees are promoted before their respective debuts.

1. Competition Shows

win who is next

These reality competitions are all the trend now, with YG’s “Win: Who Is Next” (2014), Pledis Entertainment’s “Seventeen Project” (2015), and JYP’s “Sixteen” (2015), to name a few. These competition shows normally start out with a large group of trainees, and after various missions and evaluations where contestants are eliminated, the final contestants will form a new idol group. This seems to be a good way to ensure a successful debut for the group, mainly because the contestants would have the chance to garner a strong fan base through challenges like public stages and even guerilla concerts.

In the case of JYP’s “Sixteen” for example, there is also public voting held through an app (Milk) held every week, increasing the participation of the public and thus the potential amount of fans for the contestants.
The correlation between groups who debut through competition shows and how successful their debuts are can be seen by a few examples. Firstly, through YG’s “Win: Who Is Next”, where the boy group Winner was born. With their debut album “2014 S/S,” the group achieved great success, as can be seen by how they topped charts and received numerous awards in music shows. Compare this to JYP’s GOT7, a boy group which also debuted in 2014. Unlike Winner, GOT7 did not debut through a competition show, and when they debuted on January 16 with “Girls Girls Girls”, they did not win a single music show. Despite having two members who had already debuted in JJ Project (2012) and had even acted in idol drama “Dream High 2”, they still did not have as large a fanbase as Winner at the time of their debut. This shows that competition shows are indeed more effective as a promotional tool, even compared to dramas.


Also on Kultscene: Summer 2015 K-Pop Fashion Trends 

2. Social Media/YouTube Exposure


No one can deny that social media is a powerful thing, and through the example of EXID, who has found popularity three years after their debut thanks to a viral video of Hani, it can be seen that it has the ability to make a group or an artist extremely famous. SM knows this, and is using social media very effectively to promote their trainees, who are all awaiting debut. Known as the SM Rookies, this pre-debut group is already enjoying lots of popularity, thanks to the numerous YouTube videos uploaded by SMTOWN about them. There are videos of the boys doing short but extremely impressive dances, birthday surprises among the rookies, and even Lunar New Year Greetings.

These videos allow viewers to get to know these rookies in a more personal way, thus gaining them fans. The rookies also have an entire website dedicated to them, on which there are their profiles and more videos of them. Along with the website are Facebook and Twitter accounts, social media sites which serve to allow fans to keep up on what the rookies are doing. It seems that these measures are paying off, what with the rookies having 162k followers on Twitter and more than a million views on most of their videos. These rookies are even enjoying more popularity than some existing k-pop groups are, and I can’t wait to see how successful their debut will be in the future.
Another group from SM has proven this effective strategy, as can be seen by the massive waves they have made in k-pop ever since their debut in 2012. This group is none other than EXO, whose first teasers were released by SM around five months before their debut. This caused viewers and fans to get attracted to the group during that period and these promotions paid off when the group debuted to instant success. Since then, EXO has continued to remain extremely popular and they enjoy a huge and dedicated fanbase.


Also on Kultscene: Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

3. CF/Music Video Appearances

There have been several instances in K-pop history when an idol group or artist debuts, only for fans to find that these new idols are not really that new anymore. Reason being they have appeared in music videos or advertisements pre-debut, making them familiar faces to the general public and even gaining them fans. A good example would be YG’s Kim Ji Soo, who is still a trainee and hasn’t made an official debut, but has already appeared in CFs for Nikon, appeared with popular stars such as Lee Minho, and even cameoed in a recent hit drama “The Producers”. She has already been given a lot of exposure as compared to fellow trainees and has gained herself numerous fans, making it hard to imagine how popular she would become when she does officially debut.

4. Not Promoting Them At All

Not all companies are as big and well-established as SM and YG, indeed. Big budgets are required for the promotion of idols, let alone for trainees who haven’t debuted. It is an unfortunate situation, but a realistic one, for several smaller entertainment companies. Take the example of new boy group Romeo from CT Entertainment. Despite being from a company that is a “spin-off” from SM Entertainment, the boy group does not share the same fame as the SM Rookies and debuted to little fanfare early last month. Without the help of pre-debut promotion, the group is still relatively unknown in the industry, and in an industry that has new groups debuting literally every week, they could easily be buried by other new acts.

Romeo group picture

11 K-Pop Songs to Celebrate Pride Month

kpop pride month lgbt gay playlist queer

In the US and other countries around the world, June is considered pride month. This refers to a time for the LGBT community to promote and celebrate self-affirmation, equal rights, and increase visibility of their community. It’s directly the opposite of shame, so instead of laying low and living in the dark, pride is all about celebrating oneself. And even if Korea is not as open with LGBT issues, that doesn’t mean K-pop songs aren’t the perfect jams to celebrate gay pride. So on that note, here are some of our favorite songs to sing and dance to this joyous month.

2NE1 “I Am the Best”

Imagine walking through the red velvet rope at the entrance of the club flicking your hair over your shoulder because you obviously didn’t wait in line or were carded. The dark, smoky corridor into the dance floor is your runway, and you work it to the max to make your grand entrance. What’s the soundtrack to this slow motion moment? 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” of course! If K-pop held Fierce Awards, this would be the winner. Maybe it’s the empowerment behind the lyrics and the ladies’ performance, or maybe it’s those thumping beats and the repetitive naega jeil jal naga that makes you feel fabulous once the song comes out, but there’s no denying “I Am the Best” is, well, the best song to represent your awesome self.

Brown Eyed Girls “Abracadabra”

Staying on the fierce theme, few songs were embraced by the LGBT community as warmly as “Abracadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls. Like “I Am the Best,” there’s something about the beat, the dance, and of course, the guy cursing out lyrics that make it totally badass. Especially that hip sway dance coined “arrogant dance” which screams “I’m too fabulous for you.”

Kara “Mamamia”

Once in the dance floor, you need all the jams to make you feel fabulous and bust out your best moves. Kara’s “Mamamia” and its respective choreography is the perfect song for such scenario. With its retro disco beats yet vero ‘90s pop, it’s impossible not to make you want to werk.

Jo Kwon “Awesome Girl”

Another upbeat anthem to dance and sing along to is Jo Kwon’s “Awesome Girl.” Even if it wasn’t a single, the track is full of energy and personality and is all kinds of fun.



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T-ara “Sugar Free”

Let’s be real, T-ara’s “Sugar Free” was made for the club. Any club, for that matter. But it’s when you pair it with the choreography at the chorus that makes it perfect for pride.

N.O.M “A Guys”

If you don’t know who N.O.M are or why you’ve never heard of them is probably because their concept is banned from TV in Korea. I mean, click on this video. Their whole concept is gender bending while being fabulous. They are truly unique Korea, let alone Asia. “A Guys” was surely made with the gay club in mind.

Orange Caramel “Bangkok City”

Thailand’s kathoey or ladyboys are famous around the world, and even more so for considering them a third gender of their own. And despite Orange Caramel not using any drag queens in their music video for “Bangkok City,” it’s safe to say that’s what they were going for with their whole concept and sound wise.

Girls’ Generation “Love & Girls”

One group that did use drag queens though was Girls’ Generation for their “Love & Girls” music video. What’s fascinating about this is that for a song about girls and friendship, the director was inclusive of other types of “girls,” which is very progressive for K-pop.

Lee Hyori “Miss Korea”

And while we’re on the subject of queens, what better than a song by the queen about queens? Lee Hyori’s “Miss Korea” might not be a dance track, but it’s a self empowering anthem nonetheless.


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Jo Kwon “Animal”

Let’s be real. Jo Kwon’s whole solo album was fabulous and awesome and just perfect. However, revisiting the drag topic, the singer performed “Animal” in heels not even girl idols would wear and dropped sass all over the stage. There’s no one as fierce or fiercer than Jo Kwon, and for that, he takes the crown for baddest bxtch.

Amber “Beautiful”

But pride anthems are not all about being fierce and self empowering, they’re also about loving and accepting your “Beautiful” self just the way you are. That’s why this Amber song off of her solo album hits you right in the feels. It perfectly depicts her journey into being ok with herself and embracing her uniqueness.

Do you have other K-pop songs you would include in your pride playlist? 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: ByMadHatterMilevip, poubery, angelchristina]

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Artist Spotlight: HISTORY’s Jang Yi Jeong

Jang Yi Jeong history profile bio artist spotlight

As a group with relatively little fanfare in the Korean music world, Loen Tree’s male K-pop quintet HISTORY has shown off its talent time and time again. The group’s latest release, the May mini-album “Beyond The History,” showcased their talent once again, and particularly highlighted the skill of the group’s youngest member, Jang Yi Jeong.

Jang gained fame prior to joining HISTORY as a contestant on “Birth Of A Great Star 2”. Although he didn’t win the competition, Jang’s powerful vocals and likeable personality led to him gaining a spot in HISTORY. In the group, Jang was not only the youngest member, but also the center vocalist of a group filled with talent.

After HISTORY’s debut, Jang’s highest profile solo work was being featured on IU’s “Friday.” The soft ballad about going on a date was extremely popular in South Korea, but it’s Jang’s latest work that is the most exciting.


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The latest album gave Jang another chance to shine; he wrote the group’s title track, “Just Might Die” and released his own solo song, “1CENTURY.” While many K-pop idols nowadays are known for their compositional skills, it’s rare that a rookie group would go with a title song written by a member unless they had absolute confidence in the song. Jang spoke about the responsibility that went along with it in an interview with Loen’s 1theK YouTube channel, where he admitted that he felt the pressure from the members to make a good song. The result was “Just Might Die.”

Not only did Jang have a role in every aspect of “Just Might Die,” including directing the recording, he also was involved in the songs “Ghost” and “1Century” on the same album.

If “Just Might Die” wasn’t enough of a surprise to turn our attention to HISTORY’s youngest member, Jang’s solo rap “1Century” did that.

Yes, a rap song. Just like “Just Might Die,” Jang also wrote “1Century.” HISTORY has other members who rap, but Jang Yi Jeong’s debut as a rapper is one of the best rap songs we’ve heard from a Korean idol that wasn’t originally an underground rapper. The emotion is there, the different rap styles; it’s all there. Jang isn’t as talented as people who make their careers as rappers, such as San-E or Mad Clown, but there’s no doubt that there is basic, raw skill there.


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Matching his singing skills with his composing talent and newly revealed aptitude for rap shows how well rounded Jang Yi Jeong is not as a general K-pop but as a musician in general. It is honestly confounding when thinking about how one of the most promising talents in the Korean music world is going unrecognized.

What do you think about Jang Yi Jeong? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Artist Spotlight: ZPZG

Artist Spotlight ZPZG Feat

With so many rookie groups debuting practically every week, it’s easy to miss some of the more promising acts that the K-pop world has to offer. Luckily for ZPZG though, the four member South Korean boy band left a deep impression on this Kultscene writer. Comprised of leader/rapper Khan and vocalists Na Kang (N.K.), Baek Gyeom, and Lee Ji Hoon, these fresh-faced boys are bringing back the old-school K-pop sound that we all loved circa mid-2000s, making the flower boy image the new “cool” in a scene that is presently entrenched in power concepts.

via zpzg-usa on Tumblr

The quartet under J Star Entertainment first made its official debut on September 25th of last year with their digital single, “Going Crazy.” It is a delightful earworm that mixes the mellow strums of ukuleles with the addictive synths at its core to produce an unforgettable and refreshing pop track. Nothing risky, but that’s to be expected for the new kids on the block under an indie label. The group even plays on the safe side by keeping the plot of the music video simple in order to underscore the energetic choreography and the numerous winks and eye smiles of the boys that are sure to have the noona (older female) fans melting in their seats. And how can we ignore the way they serenade and follow the girl whom they have fallen madly in love with around while she tries to avoid the camera’s gaze?? Big Bang’s “Lies” anyone? Indeed, the nostalgia factor is certainly strong with this group.


Also on Kultscene Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

And while “Going Crazy” may be the only release from the group since their debut, they were also seen at the Itaewon Global Village Festival a couple months later covering, of all groups, Big Bang’s “Sunset Glow.” Even here they were able to bring their youthful and enthusiastic flair from their first single to the classic hit. Until they comeback with an album that contains more than a song and its instrumental version, it seems that they have found their niche in upbeat and sweet love songs from yesteryear.

Since promotions for “Going Crazy” have ended, the group has fallen off the radar, but not into total obscurity per se. Thanks to member Kang’s talented bloodlines, the group has been able to stay alive since it has been revealed that the vocalist is the younger cousin of Beast’s dancing machine Kikwang. Moreover, popular idol group EXO’s Chanyeol gave a somewhat overdue shoutout earlier this year to the boys on his personal Instagram account, citing that the high school classmates helped him adjust to the new learning environment after he transferred over. This generated much buzz and interest in the fledgling group.

kang and kikwang

via zpzg.kang on Instagram

Nowadays, the boys have been staying true to their group’s name, which stands for zest play, zest grow. With fervor, the boys have been enjoying their vacation time while practicing for their upcoming Japanese concert in July. No comeback dates have been revealed as of yet, which only opens up the floor to questions about what avenues the four are going to take next. For their age (17-23), the pretty boy image works best, and through their performances the members have showed us that tried and true never goes out of style.


Also on Kultscene 2PM’s ‘My House’ Music Video & Song Review

As fans anticipate their return and watch them mature into men, they should take this opportunity to work on incorporating both new and old sounds into their music as well. Show us more of Khan’s raps that “Going Crazy” did not quite do justice to, or how about giving us more harmonization between the main vocalists? Although their catchy debut song did not achieve much fanfare as it should have (blame the marketing team), with the right guidance the boys should be able to establish themselves in the always competitive music business. After training for years, they’ve already got the know-how to do so. Hopefully one day ZPZG will develop a name of its own and not just as Beast’s distant cousin group or the kids who went to school with EXO’s Chanyeol.

Do you like ZPZG? 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.

Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

Gyuri and From The Airport
Collaborations between indie artists and idols always interest me in some way. It shows a level of musical appreciation we might not usually see in idols. When most are hungry to be merely famous, it’s nice to see some who genuinely try with alternative music. That being said, most idol/indie collaborations end up being completely safe, coffee shop style songs. This is due to both the mainstream and indie trends moving more towards that style of song. It’s seriously popular in Korea. So when Kara’s Gyuri released “The Little Prince,” a surprise single, with the fairly safe indie band From The Airport, I was worried it would be a disappointment. Luckily my worries were unfounded.

I have never been a huge fan of Gyuri’s voice. Her soft voice is distinctive and quite strong, but whenever she went for bigger notes, it didn’t work for me. Even when she hit those notes perfectly like in Kara’s recent “Cupid,” I wasn’t feeling it. I’ve now realized why it wasn’t working for me. Gyuri has an indie voice. Her soft airy voice belongs with the Neon Bunny’s of this world. Needless to say, it works perfectly with From The Airport.


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Song

For “The Little Prince,” From The Airport have mostly ditched their usual rock sound for something more synth based. The odd guitar riff is thrown every now and then to keep things interesting though. These funky guitars allow the track to stray away from all out EDM territory. The glittering synths have a restraint to them that shines alongside Gyuri’s voice. Her breathy voice threatens to burst just like the electronics. Yet both are allowed to simmer back down without straining the song further than it needed to go. When it does finally reach a climax, the song soars into euphoria rather than crashing into a breakdown.

I was hoping the lyrics would reference Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novel of the same name. However, they are fairly standard lyrics about the rush of feeling one has for their lover. As an effort from an idol who hasn’t written much, they are not too bad though.

If the references can’t be found in the lyrics, there might be some to be found in the tone. Saint-Exupéry’s novel, though a children’s book, has a sombre and measured, but fantastical tone to it. In a similar way, Gyuri and From The Airport’s “The Little Prince” has a subdued melancholic tone to it before bursting into the chorus. Its lyrical sentiments, too, are bright. Matching a sad tone with such a happy concept would seem like a contradiction, but it works to highlight the happier parts better. The contrast between the start and finish and the music and lyrics of the song serve to create something more than the sum of its parts.


 Also on KultScene: EXO’s ‘Love Me Right’ Repackaged Album Review

The song does not really transcend its genre elements though. The synths are great, Gyuri’s voice works well with it all and it’s an interesting new approach for her. And yet, it still feels a little lacking. Nothing new is carved out here. After a couple of really excited listens, I began to lose interest.

The other song they came out with, “Return,” does nothing to rectify this. It goes for a more traditional From The Airport sound with lots more guitar to go with the synths. It’s charming and features From The Airport’s Milo on vocals. This helps it from being a forgettable B-side. The cheerleader chants are pretty fun, but, again, it loses something with every new listen.

Overall

I’m not really disappointed with this collaboration. Generic songs are the norm in K-pop, so here it is no different. I guess it being a more indie orientated track made my expectations higher. Or they made me like it more than I really did at the first listen. Gyuri is really impressive and shown she has range outside of the idol world. In reality, it’s probably one of the best idol/indie team ups in K-pop. It represents a good jumping off point for other idols to follow on and work on some interesting projects themselves.

Gyuri & From The Airport's 'The Little Prince'
3.5

What do you think of this collaboration? 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.
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2PM’s ‘My House’ Music Video & Song Review

2pm album cover 2

Two weeks after their initially planned date of release, 2PM is back with their fifth full album, appropriately titled “No.5”. Written and composed by oldest member Jun. K, “My House”  marks the return of the group ever since their last release “Go Crazy” in 2014. 2PM is back!

Meaning

It’s alright. Let’s go to my house
It’s alright. Just make it a secret
In 10 minutes I’ll be waiting for you over there
It’s alright. Let’s go to my house

Seemingly simple lyrics but have a subtle sensuality, which when placed in the context of the song and music video have a whole other meaning. The false assurances and confidence that we allow ourselves to believe in order to fulfill our own desires, these lyrics express it perfectly.


Also on Kultscene: EXO’s ‘Love Me Right’ Repackaged Album Review

Song

Jun. K is well-known not just for his vocal abilities, but also his songwriting abilities, as can be seen by his composing the title track for this album and the album before this. He doesn’t disappoint with “My House,” which combines a series of seemingly random sounds like the ticking of a clock and into an addictive dance track. The track also showcases each of the members’ vocal and rapping abilities, and in true 2PM style, gives equal parts to each member, allowing them to shine individually and as a group. The smoothness of their vocals adds to the sensuality of the lyrics and enhances the song. The chorus is very repetitive, which creates a hook for the song and makes it easy to remember.

Videography

2pm mv review

The music video is fairy-tale like, with the setting of a ball and with the people in the video dressed up formally. The colour tone of the video is more on the dark side, giving it a more dreamy feel. There are constant appearances of a clock which strikes midnight, along with the female character tossing her slipper on the staircase towards the end of the video, which is a play on the classic fairy-tale “Cinderella”. Other fairy-tale references in the video can be seen in the red apple the female character is seen eating (Snow White), the claws that appear on Chansung’s hands (Beauty and the Beast), the bunny singing the high-pitched and auto-tuned notes (Alice in Wonderland) and Taecyeon’s appearance as a wolf during his rapping scene (Little Red Riding Hood).

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

Style

As mentioned above, the video was set in a ballroom setting, hence explaining the extremely gorgeous ball gown the main female character is donning. The female character is played by none other than “Miss Korea” contestant Yumi Kim, who fits the role very well with her stunning visuals.

Screen Shot 2015-06-15 at 9.01.25 pm

In the dancing scenes, 2PM are dressed casually while they don fanciful suits in the rest of the video. They do look good in their suits, but there are certain hairstyles that do not suit them and make them look overly stiff. Similarly, they look comfortable and natural in their casual attire, but there are some outfits that just make them look plain weird. Still, 2PM’s natural aesthetics make up for the occasionally bad fashion choices.

via vseoks @ Tumblr


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Overall Thoughts

The music video wasn’t perfect, and neither was the song, but it was a great title track in all and showed 2PM’s continuous growth as artists. The music video was more symbolic and artistic than normal, but it still carried 2PM’s unique flavor. I’m certainly looking forward to their live performances of this song. Check out the music video below!


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EXO’s ‘Love Me Right’ Repackaged Album Review

EXO's Love Me Right Repackaged Album Review

After a two month wait for EXO-Ls (EXO fans), EXO is back again with a re-release of their second studio album, “Exodus.” Titled “Love Me Right,” the repackaged version was released on June 3rd and features four new songs, including the title track of the same name. Unlike the original version, which highlighted the voices of the revamped 10-member group, the repackaged edition only presented us with nine separate voices due to Chinese member Tao’s sudden hiatus from the group.


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Despite this setback, the South Korean-Chinese boy band proved that it was still able to dominate the charts when both the Korean and Chinese versions of the lead single “Love Me Right” stole first and second place respectively on Gaon’s Album Charts for the week of May 31st through June 6th. Of course, this comes as no real surprise since EXO is known to have a large and dedicated fan base capable of great influence, which, then, still begs the question… did the repackaged album live up to the anticipation?

Lucky for the boys, it did.


”Love Me Right”

The album opens up with its title song, “Love Me Right,” a track that makes use of a number of animated horns, pulsating bass lines, and rising synths that ultimately lead up to the hook. It is actually a nice follow-up to their last single, “Call Me Baby,” which also centers on a throbbing bass sound accentuated by the occasional bursts of brass.

Just as how main vocalist Baekhyun tells us to “take [our] time,” the song starts off slow, progressing as it makes its way through the two part rap separated by a bell-like noise I can only describe as that of a default ringtone. I suppose the one upside to the increasing member turnover rate is that members with little vocal presence, such as Sehun, are finally given more parts. Here, he can finally shine with his raps without being assigned to spelling out “E-X-O” duty. So far the song is nothing too impressive – until we are hit with a howl.

The mood instantly changes and we are thrown into a fun dance number. It is definitely a lively departure from their more electronic and hip-hop sound that we are used to, which is probably why it can easily be mistaken for another group’s song, namely their senior group SHINee. Not that that is considered a bad thing, as SHINee has always impressed listeners with their unique sound. It might take a couple of listens, but the chorus grows on you. The second verse does a better job with build-up by implementing the aforementioned synths, and after watching the live performances it will be difficult not to associate the claps following the bridge with the thigh slaps of the cute choreography.

The theme of the song is all about the rush one feels when in love, laden with many galactic references of wanting to escape to an ethereal universe with the significant other. Such a chimerical message is conveyed through the upbeat nature of the song and the “Alice in Wonderland” Easter eggs hidden in the music video. EXO does not have any summer songs in their repertoire but perhaps this could very well be it.


“Tender Love”

Following “Love Me Right” is the groovy retro track “Tender Love,” with lyrics from Dynamic Duo’s Gaeko. And like any groovy retro track, this one features smooth piano melodies and blaring trumpets to accompany the just as tender voices of the members. The song starts off with a buoyant a-skip-in-your-step feel as the members sing about the gentlemanly things they would do for the girl they like. Then, come pre-chorus, the beat slows down as reality sets in and listeners learn that the girl is not a girlfriend, but nothing more than a close friend. The entire chorus is a repetition of the words “tender love,” what the members want to give to the friend if only she were theirs. The meaning behind those two simple words could be felt by the passion behind their collective voices.

The instrumentals and musical arrangement work well here to tell the story of a man who tries to muster up the courage to confess his feelings, a position most of us can relate to. Not to mention the little exchanges of the various “characters” in the background add to a more engaging song. I can’t help but think that if the King of Pop Michael Jackson himself were to ever dabble in K-pop, the end result would sound something similar to this. Up until now, EXO has not delved into the retro-pop genre, which shows that they are constantly experimenting with their sound. “Tender Love” has all the fun and funk a fan could ask for; all that is missing is a dance practice video to go along with.


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“First Love”

As some fans might already know, “First Love” actually first made its debut not through the repackaged album, but through Youtube prior to the release of their second studio album. This was done in order to give EXO-Ls a sneak peek into what was to come and as a present for all the support and patience fans had given to the group. Unfortunately, it was only up for 10 hours on SM Entertainment’s official channel before it was made private, leaving many fans wondering if they would ever re-release it or if they were going to pull an “El Dorado” on us again (the song, along with “Beautiful,” was originally previewed in EXO’s debut teasers back in 2012 but did not make its official release until 2015). So when I discovered that the song was on the “Love Me Right” track list, I was beyond ecstatic.

The song starts with and maintains a steady mid-tempo piano melody, which also complements the pep that each member brings vocally to the table. It’s a track about the dream-like experience of a first love, so certainly the song is going to be a light-hearted one that is easy on the ears. Even the raps from members Sehun and Chanyeol are bit calmer than usual. And though the melody is a fairly simple one, it is still very addictive. Repetition is key, and it is everywhere here.

You came to me and bloomed (a pretty single stemmed rose)
You are my light (my light that shines in my heart)
A secret that no one knows (a secret only we want to keep)
The most dazzling picture (my picture, such a beautiful picture, love)

From the piano, which employs the same couple of keys throughout the whole track, to the backup vocals, which echo back to previous lyrics, “First Love” is sure to entice listeners with the sugar sweet individual voices of the nine members. I know it’s a personal favorite of mine!


“Promise (EXO 2014)”

It’s true what they say about saving the best for last. “Promise (EXO 2014)” concludes the album, and its position on the track list was most definitely a conscious decision as it is arguably the most meaningful song to not only fans, but for the members as well. For this final track, member Lay personally helped in composing both the Korean and Chinese versions of the song and in writing the lyrics for the latter version. Meanwhile, member Chen (Kim Jong Dae) and Chanyeol wrote the lyrics for the Korean version. It is always good practice to listen to music with the lyrics in hand, but in order to fully appreciate this track this is an absolute must.

Like the previous track “First Love,” this ballad also relies on the use of a piano melody. Yet this song is set at a much lower note, which creates a more somber ambiance than the loving “First Love.”

Sometimes, I close the door and fall into my thoughts
Thinking about myself on stage
You even liked my clumsy moments
But I wonder if I even deserve that love
You always waited for me at that spot
You embraced me with your arms, so thankful to you

Right off the bat, it is clear that the members are singing about the gratitude they have for EXO-Ls regardless of the hardships they faced along the way. The song’s alternate title, “EXO 2014”, indicates that 2014 was a poignant year for them when two of their Chinese members, Luhan and Kris (Wu Yi Fan), parted ways with the group. It’s a pretty sensitive topic for fans, especially since one of the two remaining Chinese members, Tao, risk the same fate.

I won’t ever forget
I will make you happy
Just like the saying, we are one

The song’s pre-chorus, laced with finger snaps and a mild percussive sound, harks back to EXO’s slogan “we are one,” words that might be difficult to summon but mean all the more in their current situation. As the hook comes in, a set of strings becomes more prominent, riding the gusto in the members’ voices. Again, I can’t help but compare the sounds of the song to another one of their established senior groups, Super Junior. In particular, the song is reminiscent of Super Junior’s subunit group D&E’s “Growing Pains” that was released earlier this year.

“Promise” continues in a similar vein, with the members communicating their warm feelings towards the fans and promising to give it their all. It’s such an emotionally charged song that it is sure to make for a wonderful tear-inducing live performance. And of course, if I am going to review “Promise,” I have to give an honorable mention to main rapper Chanyeol for absolutely slaying the rap portion of the track. It begins as your typical rap-ballad, but escalates so fast into something so fueled with aggression and pain that it immediately grabbed my attention. Despite his young age, Chanyeol really sets the bar for other SM rappers.


Overall Thoughts

EXO’s repackaged album “Love Me Right” is a pretty solid and stellar addition to anyone’s playlist this year. The re-release is a melting pot of different sounds, so listeners are sure to come across at least one piece of ear candy they will love. In a mere span of three years, EXO is slowly proving themselves as a mega-idol group of great musical prowess with well-composed albums such as this.

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