5 Reasons To Love Kim So Eun & Song Jae Rim On ‘We Got Married’

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Even before the couple’s first episode aired, those of us at Kultscene thought that We Got Married‘s latest couple was worth watching. Kim So Eun and Song Jae Rim are both actors who are talented on their own, but together they make up one of the best couples We Got Married has seen in a long time. The two come together to form a realistic couple, with their similarities and their differences, and are truly enjoyable to watch. The two actors are completely different, incompatible, but somehow they make the audience forget that everything is just for the sake of the show. It’s impossible not to watch this couple without grinning at their interactions, and getting squeamish when it comes down to their over-the-top moments.

[Disclosure: This contains content from the latest episode, so mind the spoilers.]

1. A Perfect Match

Couples need to be different, but they also need to have similarities, and that’s the case here. Both Song Jae Rim and Kim So Eun are actors with impressive careers but not superstars, so they have a hard-working determination that makes them perfect for one another.

Song Jae Rim Kim So Eun WGM Selca

Some couples on We Got Married are unevenly matched in their careers, but Jae Rim and So Eun are in similar places and really connect over that. Their personalities also match, and, even when bickering, the two find similarities and things that they can bond over– taking selfies, loving cats, living alone, saying “my style,” and countless other things.

Song Jae Rim Kim So Eun Sunglasses Selca ‘We Got Married’

2. Realistic Couple

The two make you forget that We Got Married is just a faux-marriage program. Instead, Song Jae Rim tries multiple times each episode to get closer to Kim So Eun, whether it’s putting his arm sneakily around her or when he tries to kiss her neck in romantic gesture. He constantly teases So Eun about intimate relations and going to bed together that it’s hard to imagine that there are cameramen following them around.

Song Jae Rim Kim So Eun Skinship ‘We Got Married’

Even though Kim So Eun thinks Jae Rim’s cheesiness and attempts at skinship are over the top, she can’t resist his charm. The two became close early on and even felt comfortable watching a mature movie together. They tease each other like normal couples do, but even when they annoy each other, Jae Rim and So Eun find the other charming.

Kim So Eun Hitting Song Jae Rim ‘We Got Married’

Also on KultScene: Epik High’s ‘Born Hater’ Music Video Song Review

3. Song Jae Rim Is Cute and Sexy All At Once

Known for his powerful roles in The Moon Embraces The Sun, Inspiring Generation, and Two Weeks, as well as for being eye candy in The Idle Mermaid, Song Jae Rim has completely ruined his image on We Got Married.

Song Jae Rim Sexy Bed Picture ‘We Got Married’

He’s gained the nickname “Obligation Song,” due to how he does everything that So Eun asks him to do. Kim So Eun and the in-studio audience cannot handle his over-the-top compliments sometimes, although in the latest episodes, So Eun’s started to be just as ridiculous as Jae Rim. He’s so, so, so cheesy that even the MC’s can’t handle it.

4. Kim So Eun Shows Her Tough Attitude and Soft Side

The leading lady doesn’t take anything from her man, even when he tries to tease her by not wearing boxers under his hospital gown. Jae Rim pushes, and So Eun pushes right back. But she also makes him dinner, visits him when he’s ill, and puts up with his over exaggerated attempts at flattery. She’s a bit more innocent than Song Jae Rim, and admits that she hasn’t been in a relationship in a while, but even though she gets flustered when he teases her, she is ready to match him head to head rather than letting him take control of the situation. So Eun’s able to take as much as Jae Rim gives and it’s simply fantastic to watch them try to go head-to-head with one another. (Plus, she’s great on Liar Game!)

But, at the end of the day, Kim So Eun is independent, and whenever Song Jae Rim teases her, she finds something to tease him about. JaeRim couple may as well be called “bickering couple” based on how they go at it sometimes, and it’s absolutely amazing.

5. Kuni Omma & Olla Appa

We Got Married couples usually have names for each other, often “darling” or “honey,” but this couple became parents early on in their marriage. Both Song Jae Rim and Kim So Eun are cat lovers, and instead of dropping their cats off somewhere else during filming, they both brought their cats, Kim Seo Eun’s Kuni and Song Jae Rim’s Olla, to their We Got Married home. Of course, they also needed to carry all the necessary supplies with them, like catnip, a Range of CBD products for cats, treats, and more, to make sure that their beloved cats are well taken care of.

The cats make a common appearance, and the two have bonded over their common love by decorating their house and clothes with cat decals. They let the cats sleep on the bed, which didn’t leave room for the couple. Kuni Omma and Olla Appa’s response? Build a cat tower from scratch and forcibly lift the cats to it after sprinkling catnip on it.

Song Jae Rim Kim So Eun ‘WGM’

Also on KultScene: K-Pop Idols And The Formidable American Debut

Bonus: Eric Nam Is The Best Commentator

Eric Nam is an unwitting star due to his hilarious reactions at Jae Rim and So Eun’s interactions.

How much do you live this We Got Married? Who do you think will come out on top, Song Jae Rim or Kim So Eun? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

[All images are taken from MBC via Tumblr]

Album Review: Far East Movement ‘KTown Riot’ EP

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

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

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

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

1.The Illest ft. Schoolboy Q

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

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

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

No motherfuckers can out-drink us

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

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

2.Bang It To The Curb ft. Sidney Samson

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

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

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

R-Reppin 213, California lotto

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

3.Grimey Thirsty ft. Rell the Soundbender & YG

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

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

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

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

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

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

Level with these palm trees

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

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

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

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

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

I can tell you want to fuck with me

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

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

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

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

6.Up To No Good ft. Adrian Delgado

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

K-Town always up to no good

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

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

Koreatown is the place to go to break the rules.

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

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

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

Overall Thoughts:

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

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

Far East Movement 'KTown Riot'
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What is your favorite track off of Far East Movement’s KTown Riot EP? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Album Review: BEAST “TIME”

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

 

12:30

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

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

 

Drive

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

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

 

It’s All Good (좋은 일이야)

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

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

 

Close My Eyes (눈을 감아도)

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

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

 

Stay

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

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

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

So Hot (Physical Album Bonus Track)

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

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

 

Concluding Thoughts

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

  • BEAST's "TIME"
4.8

 

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Epik High’s ‘Born Hater’ Music Video & Song Review

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

Talk about a comeback. Epik High‘s Born Hater easily reached over 1 million views within its first 24 hours of being released on YouTube. Beenzino, Verbal Jint, Mino, Bobby, and B.I are all featured on the track and all appear in the video. Each rapper has his own verse, where he addresses the haters in themed bathroom stalls (more about that below). In short, the song and the video are brilliant.

Setting

The setting of the music video is a male public bathroom with numerous stalls. The video starts with a stall door holding all of the information for the song and DJ Tukutz’s gear is seen beneath the stall door. He starts out the video in one of these stalls as he mixes his beats.

Why bathroom stalls, one may ask? Well, I’m not quite sure but I can speculate. The song is titled Born Hater, which instantly tells the listener that the song will address the haters out there. Maybe the bathroom was chosen for the link to shit. Because haters talk shit, Epik High and guests are basically telling them to eat shit because they don’t know what they’re talking about.

Or maybe it’s to show that even though Epik High is well-known in the industry and have been around for over 10 years, they want to show that they are still human who still use the same porcelain toilets as the rest of us. Again, these are speculations, but make sense given the facts in the video.

There are times throughout the video that the scene changes from the original stall of each rapper to a stark, white, non-furnished bathroom. This bathroom is much deeper than the original stalls and has no color, except for the few props that are scattered toward to front of the stall. To me, this bathroom represents the person’s attitude toward the haters right now: nothingness. It’s like their own little asylum where no one can bother them. They are void of all the hate and clutter while in that room. It is their safe haven where they can release all their anger and emotions.

Videography

The music video, right from the beginning, is a vertical screen. This could be for many reasons. The music video takes place in bathroom stalls, which are narrow and private. The screen helps to portray that feeling. It also could be an ode to Epik High’s album title, Shoebox, in that the screen imitates the shape and depth of the inside of a shoebox.

The transitions throughout the video solidify the fact that this takes place in a public bathroom with many stalls. The camera quickly slides over to the next stall for the next verse. There are moments of a pan to the left/right in correspondence with the lyrics, which again add to the feeling of being in a bathroom.

The zoom never goes in extremely close to each person. However, there is the initial view of the overall stall, and then the zoom in to focus more on the person of interest at that time in the video. The zoom is not abrupt or rough, it flows smoothly and works well with the transitions and the style of the video.

Also on KultScene: Sexualization In K-Pop: The Bare Truth

Theme

Each member of Epik High, as well as the featured rappers, has his own bathroom stall that is decorated to correlate to their verses. Each stall and person within it is also a representation of the Seven Deadly Sins:

via scontent-b @instagram

via scontent-b @instagram

Meaning

DJ Tukutz’s stall is filled with DJ equipment as he mixes the beat to start the song and throughout it. His bathroom stall is quite literal in that he always makes the beats for Epik High, and this song is no different. Tukutz sits quietly in his stall, minding his own business producing his beats. No one else is in the stall with him and he rarely, if ever, looks at the camera. His hunched position as he sits and his sunglasses imply that he doesn’t want to be seen or that no one ever really notices him. Tukutz represents Envy in that he’s always in the background of Epik High and never really in the spotlight.

via namhyun @tumblr

Tablo is surrounded by paintings of well-known artists (Dali, Van, Picasso- also a reference to Beenzino’s single) with huge red X’s over most of them, which alludes to Tablo’s Pride that he’s the best. To add to the painter motif he wears a beret. Along with the paintings, there are cockroaches scurrying all over the floor, walls, and Tablo. Throughout his verse, he’s constantly stepping on them, squishing them, and spraying them with pesticide. The cockroaches are all of the haters that keep coming at Tablo even when he continues to shut them down.

namhyun @tumblr

Beenzino is said to be Sloth. Sloth can be described as not utilizing one’s gifts and talents. This makes sense in that his haters think he gained his success through other means, like his looks, rather than his talent.

I can’t believe they say my success comes from my looks.

The Nike shoe boxes pose a bit of confusion to me. Maybe it’s a sign of his success and wealth. Let’s be honest, a lot of hip hop moguls show off their new kicks on SNS and the amount of Jordans one has in their closet seems to correlate to the amount of wealth one has, which also goes along with Beenzino’s lyrics that he is everywhere (meaning his music).

[Writer’s Edit: One of my fellow kultscene writers mentioned that the Nike shoeboxes represent Beezino’s song Nike Shoes and the girls that appear correspond to a line from that song:

Nikes on her feet make my love complete.

Hence the piles of Nike shoeboxes and the three girls who appear sitting among the boxes.]

namhyun @tumblr

B.I first appears during Beenzino’s scene as he’s trying to sweep the stall dressed in all white. He is the uncontaminated one trying to clear the mess in each stall. The all white implies purity, and since B.I has yet to debut, he is fresh and doesn’t have the amount of haters that his predecessors do. He isn’t tarnished by criticisms or harsh critiques.

Verbal Jint’s stall at a quick, first glance is full of books and posters. But as the video progresses, it’s clear that he’s looking at porn due to the blurred out magazine covers and the photos of bikini-clad women on the walls behind him. The fact that he’s looking at pornographic content similar to porn-hd.xxx and not hiding it connects with his lyrics:

Some of y’all are born haters
Male, female, old, young, distributed across all levels of society
Whatever I do, they respond with their innate shallowness

Even if Verbal Jint does something that everyone else is also doing, he still receives hate because he’s in the spotlight. People respond to his actions without knowing the full story.

namhyun @tumblr

Verbal Jint represents Lust, hence all of the porn magazines and posters on the walls. B.I also appears in Verbal Jint’s stall and becomes distracted from his cleaning by the erotic books in front of him. He would likely become distracted if an escort hamburg has about would be in front of him whilst cleaning too, so it seems fair. Although B.I is the uncontaminated one throughout the music video, he’s still human and has some vices of his own.

tabloworld @tumblr

Speaking of B.I, he is in charge of vocals throughout the song. He sings about being a rookie in the business and how one has to have the drive and ambition to succeed in the entertainment world. The closing words of his verse explain it all:

it’s motherfuckin do or die.

His scene shows him in Tukutz’s stall cleaning around his equipment and in his own stall that is sparkling clean with nothing on the walls or floors. Because he hasn’t officially debuted, his stall is clean and clear from all the haters’ comments.

captivatinglia @tumblr

captivatinglia @tumblr

Mithra embodies Gluttony with a loose fitting shorts-jumpsuit and boxes of pizza, containers of french fries, bags of chips, etc. in his stall. Gluttony can also be connected to selfishness. Mithra, at this point in his career, doesn’t care about anyone else in the game. He’s heard it all and only does what he wants to do.

namhyun @tumblr

Mino’s rap is a different beat than the others. Up until this point in the song, everyone’s rhymes and verses are on beat with the music. But Mino adds a little bit of asymmetry, which makes the listener tune in even more because the flow is slightly interrupted, in a good way.

He represents Wrath in many ways. The baseball bat he uses to smash the camera lense, the wine bottles behind him in the stall, which allude to self-destruction, and his overall destructive behavior. Mino’s lyrics for his verse are basically proving that he got to this position with his own talent, not because of his company. And he basically says if you don’t like him, then don’t pay attention to him, as simple as that.

namhyun @tumblr

Bobby is clearly the personification of Greed, with the gold chains, gold mirror, the money strewn all over the floor, the gold theater ropes, and the gold champions belt hanging on the wall. Also, the stacks of cash he nonchalantly throws around the room and gives to B.I. His lyrics state how people have noticed that he’s changed and he agrees. He wants the fame and fortune, but obviously has the talent and drive for it.

iamhunchul @tumblr

B.I closes out Born Hater with the chorus as he continues to clean the stalls. He also adds his own rap. In his rap, he explains that he’s different from the cookie-cutter singers and rappers you see on TV. And the fact that he’s on TV while his haters sit at home and watch and complain about him, proves that he’s doing something right. During his scene, he’s in a stall with Tukutz, Mithra, Tablo, and a few girls. Meanwhile, B.I is in the middle of the stall and everyone else is bobbing their head to the beat and looking at him as if in agreeance with what he raps.

dohdoro @tumblr

At the end of B.I’s verse, Tukutz starts DJing and B.I tries to get in on it, but Tukutz pushes his hand away and continues to look at him as if to say, even though you are talented, you’re still young and have to respect your hyungs. After that interaction, B.I has a look of obedience on his face.

kuopyo @tumblr

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: Crucial Star

Overall Thoughts

The video overall has a lot of symbolism within each stall and each rapper’s verse (which is impossible to touch on in a basic review). Some comments on the video stated that they wish Epik High was in the video more, but I like this song and video. Yes, it is an Epik High song, which implies that they are the main attraction of the song and video. But the fact that they have veteran, new, and upcoming rappers on the track shows their inclusion and understanding of where hip hop was when they started and how it’s evolved over the years and will continue to do so.

The song has an amazing beat, great rapping, and is definitely one of my favorites of 2014. The colors, style of the music video, and the beat —especially the beat– of Born Hater remind me of a Beastie Boys song and music video, which, to me, is a really good thing.

Epik High's 'Born Hater'
5

What are your thoughts on Epik High’s Born Hater and the use of the Seven Deadly Sins? 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.

5 Reasons to Watch ‘Abnormal Summit’

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JTBC’s Abnormal Summit (aka Non-Summit) is one of those shows that rarely makes international headlines because it’s devoid of a K-Pop idol cast. It doesn’t address artist-centered topics or is meant as a promotional stint for celebrities; it’s quite far from that.

Abnormal Summit’s “abnormality” starts with its format: a panel of 11 men together with the three hosts and a guest (Korean representative) discuss various topics concerning Korean culture for 70 minutes. The panelists, or G11, are actually all non-Korean men from different countries who live in Korea and are thus fluent in the language. Together with the Korean MCs –Jun Hyun Moo, Yoo Se Yoon, and Sung Si Kyung –they all emulate a world leaders summit in talk show format and debate topics such as same-sex marriage, the country’s infatuation with beauty, drinking culture, and more.

What could turn into utter disaster is actually quite insightful and entertaining. The creators positioned Abnormal Summit’s set to appear like a serious UN meeting, but it actually resembles what a group of men would act like at a gathering or bar, making it just really good TV. Need further persuading? Here are five reasons to look up Abnormal Summit and watch it:

1. Interesting Topics & Point of Views

When I say “utter disaster,” I’m not playing. Eleven foreigners criticizing Korean culture? Can’t end well, and that’s exactly why that doesn’t happen in Abnormal Summit. Instead, the Korean representative for the day brings up a personal topic and asks G11 if they’re abnormal. G11 then doesn’t lecture the guest, but offer their personal opinions and share their home countries’ stance on the subject.

So far, the sixteen episodes aired have shown that when you put together such a big group of men, regardless of age, the discussion’s tone is not going to be serious all the time. Having a comedian as an MC together with foreign 20 to 30-something-year-old men on TV, they’re going to tackle the issues with humor.

But leaving the variety side of the show behind, Abnormal Summit addresses issues that affect youth not only in Korea, but all over the world, and it always sheds interesting insight. Some of the topics covered so far include pre-marital cohabitation, sex education, living in Seoul, career pursuits, etc. Since G11 come from different countries around the globe, it’s always interesting to witness their point of views. For example, Enes Kaya from Turkey and Zhang Yuan from China are generally the conservatives ones, while Belgium’s Julian Quintart and Germany’s Daniel Lindemann are more liberal. While Enes opposes cohabitation, stating that the woman is affected if the relationship doesn’t result in marriage, Julian refutes that couples learn if they want to get married by living together before marriage.

zhang yuan abnormal summit

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

abnormal summit gif

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

The key point to this panel is that no matter where G11 is from –taking into account culture and beliefs –they always talk about topics respectfully. But just in case things get heated up, they all hold hands and sing Koreana’s Hand in Hand.

Also on KultScene: 9 K-Pop Songs For Twerking

2. International Eye Candy

I’ve purposely refrained from talking about G11 more specifically before because I was waiting for this. Unlike America, Korea is not an immigrant country, meaning there’s not a lot of diversity of people living there, thus on TV. However, producers managed to find a few expats who are fluent in Korean and very attractive.

Since the cast is so different, each of the guys has their own special features that make them attractive. Sam Okyere from Ghana, German Daniel, and Guillaume Patry from Canada all have super hero builds, while Julian, Robin Deiana from France, and Takuya Terada from Japan (who is in K-Pop group Cross Gene) have that flower boy essence we love. Alberto Mondi from Italy, Enes, and Yuan swoon audiences with their romantic, family-centered views, and Australia’s Daniel Snoeks has a bad boy image, being covered in tattoos. Lastly, Tyler Rasch from the U.S. and former panelist James Hooper from the U.K., showcased more mature and savvy images.

G11 is so popular and well-accepted by the Korean public that they all do CFs and magazine editorials now. And with these looks and charisma, who can blame them? They definitely give lots of idols a run for their money.

3. It’s All About G11

As mentioned before, a Korean representative is featured in each episode and presents a topic to be discussed. Some past guests include 2AM’s Jo Kwon, Sistar’s Soyou, Roommate’s Jo Se Ho, and Running Man’s HaHa. However, even though these are all bigger names than the panelists, the Korean representative is always overshadowed by G11. The show truly is about the foreign views on specific subjects, so guests are never truly the focus on Abnormal Summit, even if they are debating their “abnormalities.”

4. Camaraderie

One of the most touching things about the show is to see the progression in the guys’ relationships with each other. Most of these guys started out as strangers (Robin and Julian were friends before the show) and some held prejudices against others (Yuan brought up China’s conflicts with Japan and the U.S., causing tensions with Takuya and Tyler). And yet, with each week, you see their friendships and understandings of each other grow and strengthen.

abnormal summit julian robin gif

via Yaliyaliyalasheng @ Tumblr

A great example of growth is how on the first episode, the hosts asked Takuya to dance since he’s in a boy band. This, understandably, caused weird stares from the rest of the panelists. However, when Takuya was asked to dance again for the Chuseok special, G11 cheered for him and even danced along with him.

Also on KultScene: Best English Covers By K-Pop Artists 

5. Genuinely Funny

Even though Abnormal Summit is a hybrid of a talk show and a variety one and some aspects of it are obviously scripted, there’s just no way a writer comes up with the comedy seen in the show. It’s just impossible! They don’t rely on gimmicky jokes or acts, they just talk amongst themselves and the comedy ensues naturally.

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

via abnormalsummitgifs @ Tumblr

Their running gags are some of the key points in their comedy. It’s always funny when none of the hosts believe Sam on anything Ghana-related, when Enes gets teased for his countless Turkish proverbs, or when they bring up Julian’s parent’s pension in Belgium. This comes from the fact that “boys will be boys.” They tease each other and never take it to heart. G11 also never shies away from being complete derps –one of the many reasons why they’re so lovable and charismatic.

abnormal summit

via Yaliyaliyalasheng @ Tumblr

Do you watch Abnormal Summit? What’s your favorite thing about the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

5 Overlooked K-Pop Singles

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

Artist: Ajax
Album: 2MYX
Song: 2MYX

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

Also on KPOPme: 9 K-Pop Songs for Twerking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 K-Pop Songs for Twerking

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[Disclaimer: This was written by a young, awkwardly tall Latina girl with no butt. However, if I did have a prominent derriere and fierce hip hop skills, this is what I would be twerking to. This article is only meant as fun, so don’t take it so seriously.]

Last year when Wa$$up debuted, the K-Pop girl group faced lots of criticism and slut-shaming because of their alleged twerking. However, anyone with an internet connection and access to Youtube knew that Wa$$up’s hip thrusts and booty shakes were certainly not twerking. Moreover, the slut shaming has been the response to every other “provocative” dance over the years; Elvis’ hip thrusts? Oh my! The lambada? Someone separate those two! In other words, people, once again, were big squares over self-expression through dance…

But just because Wa$$ap doesn’t live up to their twerk-dol tag nor any other artists twerk their way through music videos, this doesn’t mean they don’t release music that would be perfect for this type of dance. That’s why we curated a list of nine songs, slowly growing on tempo, that would be perfect to twerk to.

1. Jay Park – Nana

Released earlier this summer, Nana is a laid back tempo track that also mixes in a catchy head-nodding beat. Because the pace is a bit slow, it makes for a subtle twerk. And since we’re building momentum here, this Jay Park featuring LOCO track is perfect to get started –a warm-up, if you will.

rap monster twerking

via bangts @ Tumblr

2. 4minute – Wait a Minute

To bump it up a notch, 4minute’s tempo on Wait a Minute is still not that fast, but it’s clapping beats make it easy to follow. The song, in my opinion, is an allegory for sex, so it sets the scene perfectly for a coyer interpretation of twerking.

nari wassap twerking

by frafranza

3. f(x) – Boom Bang Boom

Traditionally, f(x)’s music is not what one would associate with any ramifications of the hip hop genre. However, with Boom Bang Boom, the girls presented an interpretation of it that stayed true to their concept; experimental yet cute. Like the previous pick, this track has easy to follow claps and snaps throughout the melody. Furthermore the break down after the chorus also serves for the perfect moment to showcase one’s hip thrusts.

j hope bts twerking

via Tumblr

Also on KPOPme: 5 Fantasy Collaborations With Non K-Pop Artists

4. EXID – ??? (UP&DOWN)

I know, I know. Hip hop nor rap nor any of those genres fit EXID’s concept, but LE’s rapping in ??? (UP&DOWN) together with the bubble-popping sounds and instrumental beats in the song make it an innovative yet fun pick to twerk to –excluding the chorus, of course. Moreover, since sultry is EXID’s brand, we can easily picture the girls doing it in a solo showcase not broadcasted on television.

exo tao twerking

by smilexiumin

5. Dok2 – Outchea

But now that we’ve tried a few experimental groups and sounds, let’s go back to basics. Dok2’s Outchea offers a more, let’s say, traditional hip hop beat for twerking. The tempo is mostly slow, but picks up at the chorus. As opposed to the previous choices, this song does offer the possibility to squat lower and lower as you see fit.

minzy twerking

by GlobalMinzy

6. Hyuna – Blacklist

Twerking to a track that tells a guy to piss off might seem contradictory to some. However, Hyuna and LE acknowledge their sexiness in Blacklist and are not going to stop being them over some dude. Let’s call it twerking with a purpose. Girls who twerk are confident in themselves and their dancing, so this song’s beat, lyrics, and fierce idol rappers set the perfect atmosphere for it.

bi rain twerking

via Black Kpop Fans @ Tumblr

7. G-Dragon – One of a Kind

As a producer and composer, G-Dragon (together with YG Entertainment’s house producers) always find new and ingenious ways to mix hip hop with trendy beats, and that’s exactly what they did with One of a Kind. The song’s hooks give way to faster movements, while the actual chorus allows for slower and deeper ones. One of a Kind is an all-around fun song, so why not twerk to it? The female backup dancers at one point do make some butt popping, so it’s just a matter of taking it to the next level.

miss a min twerking

by sexyhoneythighs

8. WINNER – I’m Him

We’ve finally arrived to that part of the list where you’re supposed to let loose and just go with the track. It is physically impossible not to get immediately drawn and addicted to WINNER’s I’m Him; from the strong thumps in the beat to Mino’s rapping, even if you can’t twerk, you’ll be dancing. This song really needs to explanation… Just play it, and you’ll instantly feel it in your backside.

minzy twerking

via cindres13

Also on KPOPme: Artist Spotlight: Beenzino

9. 2NE1 – MTBD

And now, the most twerk-tastic jam in K-Pop ever: 2NE1’s MTBD. Similar to the previous entry, this song speaks for itself, but ok, let’s get into it. This piece is the perfect canvas for your dancing masterpiece. From the trap beats to the electro-hip hop fusion to CL’s fierce rapping, the the twerking possibilities are endless. The song offers different tempos that allows a fully-developed diverse choreography. If this song doesn’t make you want to thrust your butt and unapologetically purse your lips, I don’t know what will…

miss a min twerking

by sexyhoneythighs

Do you twerk (or try to or wish you could?) What’s your favorite song to twerk to? We’d love to hear your thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

[Renders by: classicluv, thisisdahlia, dianpotpot, Kookieng]

Best of the K-Pop B Tracks: Part 3

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

Artist: Miss A
Album: Touch
Song: Lips

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

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

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

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

Artist: LC9
Album: Skirmish
Song: Skirmish

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Album Review: Clazziquai Project’s “Blink”

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

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

Still I’m by Your Side

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

Madly

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

Crave You

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

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

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

Maybe Baby

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

Love Satellite

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

Come on and Go with Me

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

Life etc.

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

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

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

Think About It

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

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

Clazziquai Project's 'Blink'
4.5

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

Artist Spotlight: Crucial Star

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The combination of a calm beat, soft vocals, and rapping is something that’s becoming popular in the K-Pop scene. But where did this style come from? Surely something in the mainstream must’ve had its beginnings somewhere else. Crucial Star, real name Park Se Yoon, is a South Korean rapper, producer, composer and lyricist who has that craft down to a T in the hip hop spectrum.

crucial star rap korean

via Grandline Entertainment X N’Ouir

The 25-year-old began his career at the age of 17 performing with the hip hop group Libra Twins, but then joined label Soul Company and became a solo artist. Crucial Star debuted in 2010 with his first single Catch Me If U Can, and released his first mini-album A Star Goes Up in 2011, where he featured artists like Dok2 and Basick. He followed that up with A Star from the Basement in the same year, where he talked about the Korean hip hop scene and how most artists in the game don’t understand the fundamentals of the genre.

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In 2012, Crucial Star changed labels again after Soul Company went under and joined Grandline Entertainment, home to Geeks, Rimi, and K Jun. The piano and percussion song Nothing Lasts Forever from his mini-album Fall, is his reflection on the aftermath following the company’s disbandment, where he talks about his dreams and determination going forward. However, it was Flat Shoes from his previous EP Drawing #1: A Dream Spokesman featuring Lovely that was a hit.

Crucial Star draws inspiration from his daily life, talking mostly about his own experiences and especially women. He loves a heavy bass within a gentle beat, which is the staple in his music. His rapping style resembles that of American rappers Drake or Kid Cudi by being laid back and cool. The artist mixes his rapping with his vocals effortlessly, which creates a very nice ambiance in his music. He also tends to do many collaborations with other hip hop and even K-Pop acts.

In 2011, he composed I Just Want U and iPod Girl for then label mate Mad Clown. Once situated with his new company, Crucial Star collaborated with Zion.T, TakeOne, and The Quiett for Own Way for his EP Fall. Geeks also featured him on their remix version of Out of Breath, along with Ugly Duck, Zion.T, DJ Dopsh, 화나, and Block B’s Zico.

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As far as collaborations with K-Pop idols, Crucial Star was featured on Jepp Blackman’s, a.k.a. B.A.P’s Yongguk, Last One. And earlier this year, he released a remake of the jazzy Park Hye Kyung’s 2000 song Three Things I Wanna Give You together with Girl’s Day’s Sojin.

The rapper released two EPs in 2013, Drawing #2: A Better Man and A Winter Love Song, and is now preparing to release his first full-length album. Midnight will mark his fresh start. The first single is Paris, a song that compares a woman to the city of lights. Directed by Lee Byungil, the music video is a beautiful work of cinematography that’s simple and chic at the same time, and has a very romantic feel to it.

The second single Pretty Girl dropped on October 1st, and is a bit more uptempo than its predecessor. Pretty Girl is yet another collaboration with Lovely, who adds her sweet vocals to a very fresh and clean, soft hip hip song.

Midnight, a 15-track album, will be released on October 24th, Crucial Star’s 26th birthday.

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