Playlist Sunday: BIGBANG

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bigbang comeback songs playlist

BIGBANG is probably the group that truly makes a comeback every time they release new music. After three years on focusing on their solo work, the guys are back with their latest releases, making fans all over the world rejoice, for, let’s be real here, we were all thirsty. So in order to celebrate this grand event, we’re picking our favorite songs from “the nation’s boy band.”

T.O.P’s duet with Taeyang Friend for the 2009 drama Friend, Our Legend is a bit old school, but one of my favorite Big Bang songs. The song is about friendship and extremely heartfelt, and T.O.P and Taeyang’s own friendship makes the duet believable; these two men are singing about friendship (and love). With powerful beats, melodious raps and choruses, the song screams old-school Big Bang and is definitely not something you want to overlook.

–Tamar

Also on KultScene: MR.MR “Out” Music Video & Song Review

After three years of not having a new song, BIGBANG are finally back. Their new track Loser talks about not being confident with yourself and feeling alone, trying to be someone you are not and feeling like a complete loser, especially to the one that you love. The song is melodically similar to Monster and Bad Boy, and an uptempo ballad that goes very well with the lyrics. Taeyang’s vocals are at its best, and hearing the quintet’s voices together again is amazing. The video is beautifully shot and depicts the band members showing different types of losers. It’s a track worth for a comeback!

— Alejandro

In recent years, BIGBANG’s music videos have been bold, loud, and much more colorful than when they first debuted. With so many different concepts and styles, a song that I wish had a music video is Café. All the what if’s of a music video that will never be filmed makes me wonder whether the members would’ve been affectionate or distant towards their lover(s), if there was indeed a love interest, and where they would’ve filmed it. But since there is no sign of this happening anytime soon, I guess I’ll just have to re-watch all the live performances and put my imagination to the test!

–Tam

One of the things I like most about Big Bang is their perfect generic mid-tempo songs. They became known for their hip-hop stylings but, for me, they at their best in these more subdued moments. After the huge success of Lies they reused the piano melody against a traditional hip-hop beat for their song Haru Haru. Haru Haru is immediately striking for its similarity to Lies, but it tops it on all accounts to create a perfect pop moment. GD and TOP’s dual rapping at the start is so good it saddens me they don’t do it more often. Right at the climax the song moves on to a beautiful vocal melody of the other members. These transitions have an incredible natural flow to them. Musically and vocally the song weaves in and out of different styles, tempos and keys without a hint of difficulty. Each moment is great, together they are beautiful.

–Joe

Also on KultScene: You’re Missing Out If You’re Not Watching The Cohabiting K-drama ‘The Lover’

Even though it’s a tough pick, my most likely favorite BIGBANG song ever is Gara Gara Go!!. I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but it definitely has to do with the fact that this song screams “boy band,” which I love. When they released this song, the guys still had full choreographies, and perfectly divided up parts, but still came together to sing in unison for the chorus. It’s a fun, funky jam that drives your mood up and makes you dance. What’s not to like?

— Alexis

What’s your favorite BIGBANG song? How did you like their comeback songs? 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.

Playlist Sunday: CF Jingles

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kpop playlist cf jingles songs commercials

Unless the commercials are about makeup, a majority of South Korean commercials, better known as CFs, tend to land on the corner of cheesy and can occasionally be overly exaggerated. However, we could say the same for some K-pop acts and K-Dramas, and, well, we all love them for it! So that’s why at KultScene, we’ve put together a list of our favorite CF jingles performed by K-pop artists, ranging from the hysterically corny to the overtly sweet ones.

This Fanta commercial titled Fanta Idol had potential of being a rather studious one, considering how it’s centered around students, played by singer and YG Entertainment artist Kang Seungyoon and actress Baek Jinhee. But it’d be a bit boring if you just had people singing about a sugary carbonated drink, right? So who better to cast to heighten and take the commercial to a whole another level of entertainment other than funny man Lee Kwangsoo? I’m glad the director and his team realized that aside from pleasing the music loving fan girls’ hearts, that they had to add a comedic concept to the video in order to reach a wider range of audiences and to promote sales. Although it’s a lengthy and cringe worthy commercial, it was an entertaining three minutes and forty-nine seconds well spent.

–Tam

Also on KultScene: MFBTY Talks To KultScene About ‘Wondaland,’ Watching Reaction Videos, K-Pop As Escapism, And More

You’re My First isn’t one of INFINITE’s best songs, but as a funky dance song with a smattering of the group’s signature synchronized dance moves, the Samsung Galaxy Player ad works. Each of the seven members had individual, shorter ads for general commercial use, but the group’s short music video for the song features all of the members, while highlighting L’s dancing while watching videos on his new phone. INFINITE looks good and makes the product look good, so there’s not much more to ask for.

–Tamar

2NE1‘s CF for Fiore for the Yamaha motorcycle not only gave us a good commercial with great styling back then, but also a music video for their song Don’t Stop The Music. The only difference in the song from the original is that every now and then we hear them saying “Fio, Fio, Fiore.” It’s really funny when I listen to the original song and I catch myself singing the CF version. The girls managed to stay true to themselves and even if the CF is a bit cheesy, they look and act fierce.

— Alejandro

SNSD and 2PM‘s Cabi Song music video for Caribbean Bay will get you excited for the Summer months ahead. They manage to create a mini love story based on the training of the Caribbean Bay lifeguards, SNSD members Seohyun, Yuri, and Yoona and 2PM’s Taecyeon, Chansung, and Nichkhun. The song showcases the vocal talents of both groups and creates the perfect background music for the plot of the music video. Aside from the love story theme, the MV shows off the beautifully toned bodies of the idols.

— Tara

When I look back at Super Junior eras, A-cha is probably one of my favorites style-wise, so of course I’ll choose a CF from that time. Being one of Asia’s biggest (fame and size wise) groups, it comes to no surprise that Lotte Duty Free loves to feature them on their ads. With So I’m Loving You, the guys delivered a signature Super Junior song, complete with the right doses of cheesiness and upbeat dance music. I don’t know if dancing mid-twenty year old men makes women run to the shop, but maybe them being plastered all over the store is incentive enough.

–Alexis

Also on KultScene: What To Expect At GOT7’S First Fanmeeting In USA 2015 [EVENT INFO]

Nothing says “buy a phone!” like nine beautiful girls dancing in perfect unison and singing about love as addictive as chocolate. If you disagree with this statement then you don’t understand how advertising works and you’re missing out on what is actually a great song amongst Girls’ Generation’s perfect discography. Chocolate Love sounds like a simplified test run for SNSD’s later single Run Devil Run. It has an almost identical beat, which actually plays by itself for long runs of this song, lending the song a stripped back, more mature sound. To contrast this the song contains teetering synths and horns to hold back what could have been a serious song. Vocally, it also has some interesting things for a SNSD song. The chorus is a satisfyingly fun mesh of the different voices of the group with Jessica’s sickly sweet vocal as the major one. As always, SNSD go above and beyond what is expected to produce a commercial song that stands alone as a part of their career.

–Joe

What’s your favorite CF? 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.

Playlist Sunday: Korean Idols We Want to Be BFFs With

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KultScene Playlist Sunday: Animal Edition

Do you ever sit there and think about what your life would be like if you were best friends with a Korean idol, past or present? It’ll probably be tough to narrow down since there’s such a large pool of interesting people in the industry. Here at Kultscene, we thought it’d be cool to put a list together of idols we’d want to share our secrets and be best friends with.

Fly to the Sky was one of the first Korean artists that I listened to when I first got into K-Pop in 2003. Not only was I drawn to their powerful ballads, but I also thought it was especially cool that one of the members, Brian Joo, was actually from the States. It didn’t occur to me, at the time, that Brian would turn out to be the clown that he is. Whenever Brian’s on stage, he’s a serious performer, granted, FTTS sings a lot of sorrowful love songs, but when he’s off stage, whether he’s doing interviews, on variety shows, or hanging out with friends, he’s a total prankster. He’s full of jokes and isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and he has major sass, which comes out full throttle whenever he’s speaking in English. As a best friend, I think his maturity and experiences would be of great guidance for me, due to the age gap between the two of us. I have yet to meet Brian Joo, but when I do, I’ll take it as the golden opportunity to ask if he’ll want to be my bestie!

–Tam

Also on KultScene: ‘Gangnam Blues’ Delivers Beautifully Gory Cinematography & Stellar Lee Min Ho Performance 

I may be in my mid-twenties, but that doesn’t mean I act mature all of the time. GOT7‘s Jackson would be an amazing best friend for many reasons. One, he can speak English fluently so we can quickly and easily communicate between our broken Korean. Two, Jackson is an extremely outgoing person who thrives of sarcasm and fun. And I’m all about sarcasm and fun. Three, he can introduce me to his members and all of the other JYP acts (2PM & miss A, I’m looking at you) and we can all be one big group of friends. In general, Jackson seems like a person you want around to help lighten the mood and create hilarious memories. I don’t have any problems treating him like a little brother either. Having Jackson as a K-pop BFF would keep me on my toes and enjoying everything we do together. One of GOT7’s songs that shows all of their goofy personalities, and especially Jackson’s, is in the last episode of Real GOT7 where they create their own music video for Follow Me. The actual music video doesn’t start until the end of the episode (22:55), but the whole episode is worth watching.

— Tara

2NE1 was the first group that got me into liking K-pop because of all the awesome, flashy clothes. As I got into the fandom, I quickly learned that CL was the ultimate fashionista within the group, K-pop, and the world. So, of course I would love being best friends with the Baddest Female, and that’s why I chose a song penned by her, Baby I Miss You. On this soulful track, CL left the confidence aside to let her vulnerability show, resulting in a sad ballad about a past relationship with a younger guy. We don’t really know if CL actually wrote this song out of experience, but it certainly spoke to me. Besides her high profile, I think CL and I would connect over our love for fashion, female MCs, and showing the world a hard exterior while actually being kind of soft inside.

— Alexis

As someone who doesn’t really have such a great sense of humor, someone immature would never be a really good friend to me. Someone who knows how to create laughter while still showing off seriousness would be an ideal friend for me, so I pick JYJ’s XIA Junsu as the K-pop idol I’d like to be friends with. Sweet, funny, with a good amount of severity in his personality, Junsu’s flamboyant and fun when he wants to be and serious when he should be. XIA’s Set Me Free featuring MFBTY’s Bizzy (check out our interview!) is about a man trying to forget his relationship, but feels like it could also be a message to me to let loose and let go of things a bit more easily than I tend to do.

–Tamar

Also on KultScene: ‘Twenty’ Is The Korean Coming Of Age Film That Will Make You Laugh Until It Hurts

When SNSD’s Catch Me If You Can was released, everyone came out of the rafters claiming delight that Hyoyeon was their favourite and they were so happy that she got more lines. I don’t believe you chancers for those chancers for once. I’m sure they’re all Yoona stans who just want to look alt for a moment. Hyoyeon was the first ever K-pop idol I was ever biased towards. I knew straight away she wouldn’t be the most popular member due to her lack of singing ability and being the ugly duckling of the group. I quickly started rooting for the plucky underdog which turned out to be not so hard at all. Her quick wit and dorky attitude are so immediately endearing and charming that I knew the Korean were so fickle not to worship her over the Yoona’s of this world. So Hyoyeon is most definitely my idol BFF and bonus it means I get to hang out with Min, Amber and all her other K-pop mates. I’m picking The Great Escape as my song because Catch Me If You Can is too generic and I’m not fully ready to accept a Jessica-less Girls’ Generation.

–Joe

Who would be your K-pop BFF and what’s your favorite song by them? 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.

Playlist Sunday: Korean Competition Show Songs

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Big K-pop groups from big agencies get all the attention abroad most of the times. But in Korea, the songs performed by contestants participating in competition shows chart regularly alongside established idols and artists and are immensely popular. That’s why we’re dedicating this week’s playlist to the songs that came out of our favorite shows.

A lot of contestants go on these shows to sing and sometimes most of them do just strictly that, which is understandable since it is a singing competition and they’ll want to showcase their voices and any other potential talent that they may (sometimes, may not) have. But every now and then there’ll be a contestant who’ll not only blow the judges mind away with their heart rending voices, but they’ll also leave not only the judges but the audience as well, feeling touched, with tears in their eyes. Jung Seunghwan proved to be that person. Whether you keep up with Korean singing competition shows or not, I’m sure you’ve heard about or read articles surrounding K-Pop Star 4 contestant Jung Seunghwan. He became a hot item back in December for his rendition of I Want to Fall in Love originally sung by Kim Johan. It was my first time hearing this song and I had no idea what the song was even about, but Seunghwan delivered it with so much warm and raw emotion that it truly felt as though he wrote that song from his own personal experiences; he owned that stage. With so much artistry in his voice and presence, I know K-Pop Star won’t be the last time we see of him.

— Tam

Also on KultScene: Primary’s ‘See You’ Song Review

This year K-Pop Star 4 brought us incredible talent. The Top 10 was filled with completely different singers, but one of my favorites since the beginning of this season has been Lee Jin Ah. Not only are her piano skills wonderful but she has such an unique voice that moves people and make the judges go crazy every time she performs. Her original songs have witty lyrics that make you feel nostalgic about past lovers, friends, and childhood memories. For a special stage during the competition, Lee Jin Ah had a duet with Kwon Jin Ah from K-Pop Star 3, who is currently signed with Antenna Music. Both singers gave a rendition of two of the most celebrated tracks from Lee Jin Ah and they made an incredible performance. Both of their voices fit perfectly with each other and the crowd went crazy when Lee Jin Ah hit the melody for Slow Down Time, the first song she auditioned with and made the top spots in the Korean music charts.

— Alejandro

Bobby’s performance of L4L (Lookin’ For Luv) with Dok2 and The Quiett on Show Me the Money 3 was what made him an actual contender and threat in the competition. Because up until that point, the YG Entertainment trainee had skated his way through based on his idol popularity, but with this performance, he surely turned skeptics into believers. Following a series of losses, Team Illionaire, Bobby and his mentors Dok2 and The Quiett, decided they were going to go big or go home. That’s why they basically went all out with this performance. From the girls in tight clothes and dancing sexily to the catchy EDM beat to the exuberance of swag and, of course, the featuring of the mentors, they brought the house down. L4L (Lookin’ For Luv) earned twice as much money as his opponent, Olltii, Tablo, and Masta Wu of Team YG. This track is not only a winner because it eliminated team YG, but because it’s quite a jam.

— Alexis

Kihyun of upcoming Starship Entertainment group Monsta X is a vocalist who literally leaves his competition out of breath while trying to keep up with him. After less than satisfactory ranking in the beginning of No.Mercy, Kihyun proved his worth throughout the show and made the final cut to debut as a member of Monsta X, but to be honest it didn’t even seem like a question after his first debut mission performance of SHINee Jonghyun’s solo song Hyeya. During the performance, not only did Kihyun get to show the softness of his vocals prior to building up to a massive crescendo, but the emotion of his voice brought expressions of awe to the faces of the judges and the other trainees alike, even as those very same trainees knew that he was nearly impossible to compete with.

— Tamar

I don’t watch much singing competitions so I’m drawing from a small pool of songs here. I doubt, however, there would be much that could compete with my choice, Cheetah’s semi-final Unpretty Rapstar song Coma 07. The track is a raucous but straightforward enough piece of EDM to give the lyrics centre stage. It includes a beeping line throughout which acts as a heart monitor constantly following Cheetah’s every move. This parallels the lyrics of the song which are about a coma Cheetah was in. It’s at the same time a vulnerable outpouring of emotion and a defiant statement of her character.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: Bang Yongguk Wants You To Know That Everything’s Going To Be All Right

Like Joe, I don’t watch any singing competitions. I would love to, but unfortunately my work life does not provide an ample amount of time for me to become invested in competitions and other shows. With that, I’m going to go back a few years to K-Pop Star’s inaugural season in 2012. Park Jimin was the shows first winner and she clearly has done quite well for herself. She is one half of the successful duo 15&, she has co-hosted After School Club, and she just recently released her solo debut album. Jimin’s charisma and pure talent are what brought her to the final of K-Pop Star and it’s no wonder she won the show. Her vocals are absolutely stunning and her English skills are impeccable, and her personality is friendly and goofy. She has it all! her performance of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep is the perfect evidence of the talent Jimin had in 2012. Now that she’s with JYP Entertainment and her voice has matured, she sounds even better. I can’t wait to see what else this talented young woman has to offer.

— Tara

What’s your favorite song out of a competition show? 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.

Playlist Sunday: Spring

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We’re already a few weeks into Spring, but it has only started to really feel like it. The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are starting to bloom, and the lively, lovey-dovey K-pop songs about love being in the air are rolling out. That’s why for this week’s playlist we’re welcoming Spring with our favorite songs with this season in mind.

The weather is finally warming up and the massive snow banks have finally started to melt here in the Northeast. This calls for a celebration since it’s starting to look and feel like spring, don’t you think? And what better way to ring in this delightful season then to listen to the fresh voices of brother and sister duo Akdong Musician. I’m not a big fan of those overly cute, super aegyo concepts, but Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Soohyun’s charming personalities and harmonious voices in I Love You wrapped me right up! It’s springtime and love is in the air; it’s that time of the year where everything feels bright and anew. Their youthful voices remind me of that pure young love and carefree days. Ah, how I wish it could be spring all the time!

–Tam

Also on Kultscene: Amoeba Culture Tour 2015 With Dynamic Duo, Zion. T, Crush, Primary, & DJ Friz Turn Up New York City

For some people this time can be more the end of Winter than the beginning of Spring. Maybe you like Winter or just don’t like change, if so Primary’s new single featuring Oh Hyuk Island is your song. The subdued melancholy of Island is a lonely sound. The song itself feels transitory in that it mourns the loss of those around you and how you react to this. The song mirrors the changing seasons as it picks up halfway through only to return to the same melody as the start. For Island, Primary has ditched his R&B synth sound for something richer and more mature. Island slowly builds and pops, gradually adding new elements. Each of these is perfectly measured and compliment Oh Hyuk’s beautiful voice.

–Joe

In the words of Roy Kim’s words, Bom Bom Bom has come! And with it it brings all the young love cliches, and this song isn’t any different. With his deep yet soft vocals, Roy sings about wanting to be in a relationship with a special girl. The song itself is one of those feel-good tunes that are more than appropriate for a stroll on a bike or a walk in the park. You know, something outdoorsy that lets you soak in all of Spring’s wonders.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Live Action ‘Mulan’ Dream Cast, K-Pop Style

 When I think of Spring, it instantly makes me melancholic. This season is very romantic and love is in the air. 2NE1‘s song Happy is the perfect example of this feeling. The record itself is very upbeat, but the track talks about letting the one you love go while still wishing for their happiness. Even if the meaning of the song is sad, it still gives you a feeling of happiness and hope. And that what Spring is all about!

–Alejandro

It’s not spring until you’ve heard Cherry Blossom Ending. The acoustic, retro-style ballad by Busker Busker was a breakout hit in 2012, and resurfaces on Korean music charts every spring as South Koreans welcome in warm weather after frigid winters. Lead singer Jang Bum Joon’s vocals are warm and will make your heart flutter as you listen to the song. Read more

Playlist Sunday: Kisses

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Kisses and kissing aren’t always openly talked about in the K-pop music scene. But there are many songs about first kisses and kissing in general. They can be as innocent as a peck on the cheek or as steamy as a full on lip-to-lip, tongue-to-tongue contact. Sometimes these kissing songs aren’t as blatant as others, but one thing we know for sure is our K-pop idols love to sing about kissing.

Like many before her, Jeon Hyosung used her solo career as a way to show off her large, um, charms. Her solo venture turned out to be just as successful as bandmate Jieun’s but offered something completely different. Goodnight Kiss is an hypnotic trap lullaby for a boy whom Hyosung sings to goodnight. Yet she clearly doesn’t really want to go to sleep but to just kiss and kiss him. Updating fairytales and lullabies is popular these days and this song does a better job of it than most. The song comes off as a reworked lullaby to perfectly suit Hyosung’s sexy image. It starts off relatively innocent but becomes sexier with each part before finally hitting that trap drop. We forget about the lullaby element after a while as it becomes stranger and sexier. It all comes together to create something quite sophisticated and shows that given the right material Hyosun could become a soloist on par with Ga-In.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: Which ‘Unpretty Rapstar’ Contestant Are You? [QUIZ]

Dara’s Kiss is filled with ridiculous yet catchy engrish lyrics, yet there’s one line that I’ll occasionally find myself singing to in public; I just wanna kiss, I never wanna miss. Kiss is a fun and rather playful song whereas the music video, which features actor Lee Minho and if you look closely, Kim Woo Bin is also featured, is rather on the dramatic side; I guess that’s what happens when you feature actors in your music video, it suddenly turns into a short drama! Aside from the dramatic acting from both Dara and Lee Minho, the overall production was entertaining and to me, it felt like a commercial!

— Tam

If we talk about kisses, what’s better than a french kiss? Hyuna’s song French Kiss recounts a story at a scandalous party. Hyuna meets a guy and it;s like love at first sight, or maybe lust at first sight. Right then and there she wants to be only with him, alone. The chorus is very addicting and the part where Hyuna whispers “Let’s french kiss” sounds so seductive and sexy. It almost makes the listeners feel that you are the man she lusts over and she is whispering those words to them. The song has a great beat and it’s a great song to just dance let loose and make out.

— Alejandro

Rather than celebrating love, Super Junior‘s My Love, My Kiss, My Heart mourns it. The song is the classic tale of missing an ex lover post break up while reluctantly trying to move on. You know, when it still hurts. The boys lament the love lost, saying they will bury their love, kiss and heart through a heartfelt ballad.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of ‘Tazza: The Hidden Card’

X’s are for kisses, sings EXO in XOXO. The song is an adorable, upbeat, jazzy ode to the woman EXO loves, filled with sweet lines about dreaming of hugging and kissing the one you love. EXO’s vocals really shine in the song, with enough lines for EXO’s multitude of members to express their own individual vocal colors.

— Tamar

miss A’s Hush actually uses the word ‘kiss’ in the chorus. The ladies sing about their steamy wants and desires. And at the top of the list is kissing, which is a great way to get to know someone intimately. Hush takes things a few steps further than kissing, but the sexy ladies of miss A know what they want and clearly depict all of that in this song. Aside from the content of the song, Hush has an infectious chorus and sultry dance moves perfectly executed by the quartet.

— Tara

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.

Playlist Sunday: Favorite Engrish Lyrics

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Every English-speaking K-pop fan had a relief moment when they realized they could sing along to their favorite songs because they had lyrics they could understand. These, however, did not always make sense. More than being coherent sentences, they were more like words in English that sounded good or rhymed. We have come to call this Engrish and K-pop is plagued with it. But instead of it being a ridiculous thing, fans have come to cherish this practice in songs. That’s why this week’s playlist is about exactly that.

I’m sure we all have our favorite Engrish phrases from Korean songs; some in which will make you question whether or not if what you were hearing was indeed an actual part of the song, while other times the phrases just makes you chuckle every time you hear it. BEAST’s (also known as B2ST) Shock makes me do both. This song is full of silly Engrish phrases from beginning to end, with lines such as everyday I just can’t control, every night the loneliness my love (so beast in the cube), to it’s signature line everyday I shock, every night I shock, and my favorite part, which is the closing line to the song, this song is not over, get shock. Until this very day, I’m still not quite sure how relevant the word shock is to the actual meaning behind this song, but due to the fact that I enjoy listening to it and it’s humorous lyrics, I’ve decided that none of that really mattered!

–Tam

Also on KultScene: Victim Mentality Brings Glam Rock To South Korea And SXSW [Interview]

EXO’s debut song MAMA has an opening chant full of Engrish that we are all familiar with and love to chant along. “Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous. Anonymous, heartless, mindless, no one who care about me.” But what are they really trying to say? It’s really funny to actually watch the video. And why you may ask? The video opens with a narrator with perfect English explaining the legend of The Tree Of Life. Then the song starts and the funny Engrish chant comes along. Even if it’s grammatically incorrect, it still makes a little sense. If you really think of EXO as aliens from EXOPLANET, then you can make a story that they barely speak English and they are trying to communicate to Earth as much as they can. Either way, we still dig the track and just laugh when that now iconic part comes on in the song.

–Alejandro

SHINee’s Ring Ding Dong is an extremely catchy and fairly easy song to sing along. But with that there are some English words that don’t quite fit. Aside from the chorus of ring ding dong representing the sound of their heart (intersting noise), the fantastic and elastic parts of the song are obviously there because they rhyme, but the meanings of them don’t fit with the song. You can make a case for fantastic, but what are they referring to that’s elastic? Also the line we wanna go rocka rocka rocka…. Again, one can speculate what they mean there, but rocka isn’t actually an English word. In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter that these words don’t work in the song. Ring Ding Dong is a great song, Engrish and all.

— Tara

SM Entertainment does not have the best track record for Engrish, sadly. While other companies have their own noteworthy, cringeworthy Engrish (U-KISS may win overall with “Don’t deny our r²π), TVXQ’s Purple Line is my particular favorite for its total over-the-top ridiculousness. It’s less the grammatical part of the Engrish, and more how cringe-worthy TVXQ was back in the day with Yoochun’s infamous and seemingly out of place, line, “Really wanna touch myself.” And Yunho’s “I’ll show you what’s in between.”

–Tamar

Also on KultScene: Why We Love Kim Woo Bin [& Don’t Miss Out On A Chance To Meet Him]

For syntax purposes, Donghae’s line on Super Junior-M’s Super Girl makes sense and has almost perfect grammar — “he’s not Superman, he must be mama boy.” However, it’s the combination of words together what makes the English sentence funny and, therefore, Engrish. Of course Super Junior has many worser Engrish lyrics (Sexy, Free, and Single or Mr. Simple, anyone?), but it’s that line on that song which makes me giggle every time I listen to it –which is a lot because it’s awesome.

— Alexis

What are your favorite K-pop songs with Engrish ? 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.

Playlist Sunday: YOLO

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Life can get overwhelming real fast –that’s no surprise. But in the midst of it all, we shouldn’t forget to unwind, let loose, and live in the moment, you know, just say YOLO from time to time. That’s why for this week’s Playlist Sunday we’ve decided to carpe diem –seize the day– and compile a list of songs talking about exactly that.

2PM’s single Go Crazy! is the perfect example of living for the moment. The song is a party song accompanied by a party music video. Sometimes you just have to let go all of the stress and work and negativity and let loose. Their lyrics urge you to let it all go and enjoy yourself: “Go crazy, Tonight, We are determined to go nuts, Just for one night, go all out.” And if 2PM’s lyrics aren’t enough to get you in touch with your crazy side, then their music video will surely inspire you to have an unforgettable night complete with an arsenal of stories to tell for years to come. So go out and enjoy yourself and go crazy!

— Tara

JYJ’s In Heaven may seem a bit depressing, but along with being vocally beautiful, the message of the song and music video are really “live for the moment.” The music video is about a man, played by member Junsu, who is in love with a woman. But he is so wrapped up in his work that he doesn’t have time for her and doesn’t notice her enough, leading to her walking in front of a car and dying. But then time rewinds, and he is given a second chance. Things take an interesting turn, but at the end of the day, everyone is happy because they did what they wanted instead of what they did the first time around. We don’t all get second chances, so let’s learn the lesson from In Heaven and live our life to the fullest!

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: NU’EST “I’m Bad” Music Video & Song Review

BEAST is a group that brings us the best heart-wrenching break up songs; it’s like their staple or something. So of course a party song by them is a bit odd, but absolutely fantastic. And there’s no better message for a party song than to let loose and live in the moment like in We Up. Sure, the song is directed at a specific girl, but still, we can just imagine the boys are singing this to us personally, telling us to go wherever without thinking of manners and etiquette and be the night’s heroine. Moreover, BEAST also performed this song during Good Luck promotions, and their performance was always fun and infectious; they even interacted with the dancers in a playful manner (I’m looking at you, Doojoon!). Groups mostly always look almost robotic when performing, but with this song, BEAST let loose and actually had fun with it, and what’s more YOLO than doing your own thing at a music show?

–Alexis

Having fun with your friends and going all out with no regrets is one of the best feelings in the world. There’s nothing better than the feeling of letting go, we only live once after all and we have to live our lives to the fullest. The perfect track to go crazy with is G-Dragon’s Michi Go. BIGBANG’s leader is the king of crazyness and knows how to belt out a perfect party song. The crazy beats in the track create a very chaotic sound that fits perfectly with the feeling of the song. And who can forget that, “Dirty nasty as f***” that he spits out subtly throughout the song. As soon as you press play to this song it will instantly make you want to get up and dance like crazy.

–Alejandro

Also on KultScene: ‘The Technicians’ Is Korea’s Answer To Hollywood Heist Films

If you’re really going to go all out YOLO on a night, it is a priority to have some killer tracks at your disposal. Up and Down by Korean producer Smells is a perfect addition to this playlist. As was the trend last year Up and Down is a dance track by way of the British house scene in the 1990s. He mixes this with commercial synths, which sound straight out of Ibiza, to create an exciting, danceable, and euphoric track. Son Seung Yeon features to provide some typically generic but soulful, effective vocals. It all comes together to form something typically Korean in that it mixes old and new, west and east to create the ultimate modern club banger. As a bonus the video features a group of people in a bedroom, YOLOing it to the max, which you can take your cue from.

–Joe

What are your dreams and aspirations? Have you thought about how you’re going to go about making it happen or are you too nervous at the thought of possibly failing? B.A.P’s One Shot is a reminder to us all that even if the high walls try to block you, jump over it all, even if you fall every time. How will you ever know what the outcome might be like if you’re too scared to give it a try? This is the present, you’ve got to grab that opportunity right then and there and seize the moment!

–Tam

Share your favorite YOLO songs and moments with us 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.

Playlist Sunday: International Women’s Day

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Say what you will about pop music, but people all around the world look to mainstream music and artists for role models. And while we’ll always find negative messages and images, it’s important to highlight the positive ones. That’s why for this week’s playlist, we’re honoring the empowering K-pop tunes to celebrate International Women’s Day (which is today!).

Very few K-pop songs talk about being yourself, so when 4Minute came out with their latest release Crazy about, well, being your crazy self and not giving a damn, it quickly became one of those rare female empowerment songs within the genre. Crazy generalizes the term “crazy” as not normal, and embraces individuality by saying it’s ok to be like that. And what better message is there for women of all ages to just be themselves on International Women’s Day? Also, the song’s overall sound (and choreography, mind you) is very appropriate for everyone to let loose, go crazy, and express themselves.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: 8 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 2

Nothing is as empowering to women as one of their own gaining the highest rank in government. In honor of International Women’s Day, I want to highlight Girl’s Day’s response to the election of South Korea’s first female president, Park Geun Hye. Political reasons aside, a woman made huge strides in a very traditional society, and Girl’s Day took their song Female President to celebrate political and sexual empowerment of women.

–Tamar

I’ve been critical of Hello Venus in the past for being less than stellar female role models but they proved me wrong with the release of Wiggle Wiggle. A song inspired by the sexist anthem of Jason Derulo may not seem like much of an empowering song, but Hello Venus have made it so. Wiggle Wiggle is a call for women to dance in the club for their own enjoyment not for the male gaze. The cheap music video backs this up by showing the inauthenticity of everything. The song is brilliantly fresh from the usually generic Brave Brothers. The hip hop bass and bubbling synths make for a surprisingly low-key but infinitely danceable track. The best part being Seoyoung’s battle cry over drums for all the girls of the world to werk.

–Joe

We must talk about Lee Hyo Ri if we’re talking about women empowerment… The U Go Girl music video highlighted plastic surgery, which can be a touchy subject in many parts of the world, but in Korea, it’s widely accepted and commonly practiced. Many people will have different point of views in regards to this concept, but if changing the way you look will help with your overall self-esteem, go for it. But like the lyrics state, whatever it may be, you need to face it straight on and go in it with full confidence. Why base such things as, how you should do your hair, makeup, what you should wear, off of other people when you’re the one that has to do it? This could’ve been a much more serious subject, but instead of taking it down that road, Lee Hyo Ri turned it into an cheery, bubbly, and fresh song so audiences could digest it better.

–Tam

 Also on KultScene: Amoeba Culture’s Ode To Dancers

 

SPICA’s summer 2014 single, I Did It is all about the ladies. The quintet sing about spending an evening with their girl friends to unwind and enjoy themselves after a hard day’s work. Their ladies’ vocals are amazing and the peppy beat and sing-a-along chorus will have any girl pumped up for a night out with their friends. I Did It makes a point of saying that men are not necessary to enjoy one’s self. Instead, do what makes you happy with the people that make you happy.

Every woman ’round the world, hear me
Throw your hands in the air if you feel me
Stand tall, real strong, so let’s go
Show my best tonight

They share a message of empowerment and strength and courage for being yourself and loving yourself; words we can all live by. It also doesn’t hurt that I Did It is completely sung in English as well.

— Tara

CL from 2NE1 released her first solo track The Baddest Female the moniker that she had clearly made it her own, and quickly became an anthem for female empowerment. At the climax of the song, CL spits out a message to all the women in the world, telling them to be themselves and always be the best they can be.

This is for all my bad girls around the world
Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good, you know
Let’s light it up and let it burn like we don’t care
Let em know how it feels damn good to be bad

The song talks about being the fiercest you can be without caring for what people and society think. This is the perfect song to feel empowered to and everyone can relate to the message of the song, even if it’s intended for women.

— Alejandro

Which one was your favorite song for International Women’s Day? 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.

Playlist Sunday: Favorite February Releases

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The month of February has given us a plethora of K-pop releases. From veteran artists such as Shinhwa to rookies such as Rubber Soul, it has been a busy month for music. We feel it is important to show the shortest month of the year some love and now that February is over, it’s time to take a look back at some personal favorites by KultScene’s staff.

I’m not going to lie, I may or may have not spent the entire month listening to songs released by the competitors of No.Mercy. But while picking a song for this playlist, while trying to convince myself that I should probably not force my taste on other people, I discovered Kris Leone’s The End and I’m absolutely obsessed. Kris Leone is South Korea’s rock princess, the daughter of Boohwal’s Kim Tae Won. Kris Leone’s The End is the perfect answer for someone looking to take a break for a few minutes from bubbly K-pop. With crisp instrumentals and Kris Leone’s powerful vocals, The End is hopefully this singer’s beginning.

–Tamar

The legendary Shinhwa is back! This is a rather dark concept for the group, one in which they stepped outside the box and dared to try something completely different than what we’re all use to seeing from them. Every member displays a sexy and mature vibe, reminding the audience that although they’re in a “boy band” they’re fully grown men who mean business.

Moreover, each member had his own peculiar and bizarre role. You have cool guy Eric whose smoking a cigar, Minwoo crotched between his leading lady’s legs, Dongwan who is apparently up to no good in his ‘lab,’ Junjin walking into a room to a girl sitting on top of a table, Andy who’s playing guard with his cane, and Hyesung who doesn’t show his aggressive side until the end. The members are able to portray each individual persona, and because these are men are in their 30s, that makes it all the more believable. This recent comeback has taken everyone by surprise; I can only imagine what else they have in store for us!

–Tam

Also on KultScene: 5 K-Pop Songs To Help You Unwind From The Work Week

In all honesty, I didn’t really keep up to date on the comebacks for February. Is it because there wasn’t much promotion from companies and groups beforehand or was I just not paying close enough attention? One comeback I was surprised about was NU’EST. They haven’t released anything in a while, and then all of a sudden I see they have a new music video on YouTube. When did this happen? The group will celebrate their third anniversary together on March 15th, hence the digital release. Their R&B styled song I’m Bad was released on February 27th. The slower tempo shows off the guys’ soft and sultry vocals and rapping. Unfortunately, Baekho does not sing on the title track due to the fact that he was still recovering from surgery, but he does sing on the B track. Although February is a short month, and I somehow missed the majority of the comebacks for the month, there are a lot of good songs that came out throughout February. NU’EST’s comeback is definitely a welcomed one.

— Tara

It took me a few listens to really like Rubber Soul’s debut track Life. But after a few plays and listening to their debut album, I started to notice these girls’ potential. Choi Cho, Lala, and Kim show their rapping skills throughout the song, but Choi Cho also shows us her soulful voice. The three member girl group is clearly inspired by ‘90s hip-hop and rap and give us ‘90s lovers a nostalgic feeling while listening to the song. Madclown starts the song by spitting out his rap followed by the girls. The chorus is extremely addicting and very uplifting. Every time I sing along the chorus “Life is like a song of happiness” it instantly brings a smile to my face.

–Alejandro

Also on KultScene: Best K-Pop Music Video Fashion: February 2015 Releases

Even if the format of Unpretty Rapstar sucks a bit, there’s no denying that the girls are absolute badasses and incredibly talented. And out of all the contestants, the two baddest females, in my opinion, who are the best are Cheetah and Jessi, who won the second challenge and thus got to release a collaboration song with M.I.B’s Kangnam. On their M! Countdown performance, the ladies looked like accessories to the guy — but don’t get it twisted. On the original performance of My Type on Unpretty Rapstar was all about the girls’ verses. Jessi and Cheetah both exude confidence that comes with being a strong female rapper. A real one, none of that K-pop star thing. So even though the performance on the music show was a bit weak (remember these girls aren’t tained idols), they both slayed the song. Here’s to hoping more flawless releases from these rappers.

–Alexis

Rainbow finally came back after over a year away in February with their mini album Innocent. I liked the single off it Black Swan but the highlight of their comeback is another track from Innocent. Pierrot mixes danchall and Europop to great and weird effect. Its transitions have little build up but seem to work because of the quality of each part and Woori’s rap. It also marks the first ever time I’ve heard Rainbow make good use of No Eul. Her visual and voice are uncommon in K-pop but here her sympathetic voice fits the pre chorus so perfectly.

–Joe

Share your favorite February releases 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.