In 2014, a few friends put their heads together and thought up what we now know as KultScene. To celebrate our second anniversary on May 19, we’ve put together a celebratory slew of giveaways to thank our readers for sticking with us. And by slew, we mean seven giveaways; one per day leading up to our anniversary! We’ll announce the winners leading up to the date, but we’ll kick off the first giveaway today!
As a Hallyu lover, you know it’s not all just about K-pop and K-dramas, it’s also about food. Tonight, we launch the first of our week-long celebrations with a giveaway sponsored by SnackFever, a subscription service that delivers Korean snacks straight to your door once a month! And while plans start at $11, one lucky KultScene winner will receive a box packed with lots of Korean treats handpicked by the oppas at SnackFever. Each box is a surprise, but you can expect yummy things every time.
by Snack Fever
So what are you waiting for? Entering is easy, just follow the plugin below. However, because of shipping concerns, this giveaway is only open to readers in the United States and its territories. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced on May 16 at midnight EST through our Facebook and Twitter, so make sure to check back. But if you want to go ahead and order a subscription, be sure to like Snack Fever on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Snapchat.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/png7681024KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-05-08 21:04:412016-05-08 21:51:04Happy 2nd Anniversary to Us! Win a Box from SnackFever [GIVEAWAY]
When it comes to Super Junior covers just about every other boy band, and some girl groups, has covered “Sorry Sorry” at some point. Yes, it’s an iconic song with an iconic dance by an iconic group that represents an iconic time in K-pop history, but it’s also a very predictable choice. “U” isn’t exactly a refreshing song to cover either, but done by Seventeen, well, it changes things. No other group can cover Suju better than them, really, since they have the chops, numbers, and talent. I even dare say that they’re an upgraded product of the Super Junior model — and this is coming from an ELF! Because even if they didn’t change the song’s arrangement much or the choreography, it still feels like Seventeen put their own flavor in it. I would’ve appreciated an original rap, but the purist in me also likes it as is. This massive group is proving that they deserve to be one of the next generation’s top tiers and I’m looking forward to even more Super Junior covers.
— Alexis
“Oh Ma Mind” by MIXX (released 3 may)
“I’m a sinner captured in a cage called you”
It’s not a sin to desire MIXX, nor do you need this boy to be your hero. You’re not a little princess, just a regular princess who can ride a white horse just as much as a prince. Tired gender tropes aside, MIXX have crafted maybe the best debut of the year so far (in a year of few great debuts). “Oh Ma Mind” is one of those classic K-pop tracks where it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is. It mixes vocal and musical styles to create something they can call their own. The vocals are typical for a cutesy girl group, fragile and sugar laced. The music is a funky mix of R&B and tropical synths that gleefully bounce. It also has a wonderfully fetishistic music video directed by production team of the moment, Digipedi. Given their involvement, a closer look at those gender stereotypes might yield some interesting results. But that’s an issue for another time. For now, let’s just bop and play some tennis.
This comeback by K-pop’s favourite sibling duo may be two years late, but the wait was definitely worthwhile. One of two title songs off of their latest album “Spring Vol. 1/Puberty”, “Re-Bye” is an addictive track that fully showcases little sister Suhyun’s great and improved vocals. The accompanying music video is also a delight to watch, set in an opera house with the two siblings as undercover detectives. It’s both playful and thrilling, part of which can be credited to the arrangement of the piece and also to the vocal ability of the siblings. Their growth over the past two years is extremely evident in the maturity of their album as a whole and this was one of YG Entertainment’s best releases so far. Even though they came back at a time with a lot of K-pop competition, Akdong Musician stands out and will continue to do so in the industry. Here’s looking forward to the next release!
–Anna
“Green Window” by Akdong Musician/AKMU (released 3 May)
Like Anna, I’m another one who is a big fan of AKMU’s album, “Spring Vol. 1/Puberty.” But while the singles were decently solid, it was the b-side “Green Window” where I truly think the brother-sister duo shines. I really hope that they create a third music video to match the upbeat sound of “Green Window,” which I personally think thing is the song that most fits the album’s springtime theme. The song’s production recalls AKMU’s debut album “Play” with it’s almost juvenile instrumentation and hopeful lyrics; it’s almost impossible to listen to “Green Window” without feeling inspired. The song’s rainbow motif reflects the relative age of AKMU (both siblings are in their teens) while the lyrics themselves show insight into the human condition. The song is pretty fast paced throughout, but the staccato build into the bridge’s harmony and eventual synth sound is just inspired.
–Tamar
What was your favorite song this week? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Untitled-design-4.jpg7681024KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-05-08 15:54:172016-05-08 20:56:27Weekly K-Pop Faves: May 1-7
Nearly two and a half decades have passed since Seo Taiji and Boys’ “Nan Arayo” heralded in the beginning of the K-pop musical genre. Since then, there have been countless singers and idol groups who have made an impacts on K-pop as a whole and one of the most important trendsetters of the past nine years has been none other than Girls’ Generation. They have solidified their legacy with hit after hit and shown audiences one iconic concept after another. And, with such a career, Girls’ Generation is clearly a role model for newer acts. But as rookie groups GFriend,Twice, and the newly-debuted project group IOI have learned, there is a fine line between homage and copying.
It’s this differentiation that is coming to light as K-pop fans around the world criticize rookie girl groups who have clearly chosen to model themselves after one of the most successful acts of the generation. The K-pop industry is small enough that originality is always applauded, and there is plenty of that when it comes to Twice, IOI, and GFriend. But these new girl groups have taken a few lessons from older acts like Girls’ Generation and proved that there is much to be learned. Unfortunately, it sometimes leads to a “wait, was that plagiarized?” moment. There have been multiple head scratching and accusations towards groups who have a concept too similar to one of those of Girls’ Generation, but the question is worth asking: Are these girl groups copying or are they emulating?
GFriend
Over the past few months, GFriend has surpassed the expectations of many, with successive hits after one another. But while their refreshing image and their pristine performances have set them apart, GFriend’s debut concept had K-pop fans around the world crying “foul!” “Glass Bead,” the first in a trilogy that followed a youthful schoolgirl concept, was attacked for sounding altogether too similar to Girls’ Generation’s debut song “Into The New World.” With similar cadences and an energetic dance while also wearing athletic gear, GFriend was initially accused of trying to garner attention for imitating Girls’ Generation.
Now, more than a year later, it’s clear that GFriend hasn’t just mimicked Girls’ Generation –they’ve imitated them as icons of a certain K-pop concept. Additionally, GFriend’s agency Source Music consists of former SM Entertainment staff members. While speculative, there’s no real question that GFriend’s production team took the example of Girls’ Generation’s debut concept and analyzed it to get the formula right. And, with two additional hit songs under their belt, it’s obvious that it worked.
Twice
While they’re down to eight members following the 2014 departure of Jessica Jung, Girls’ Generation was the first K-pop female megagroup. Girls’ Generation’s launch heralded in larger girl groups, but even now larger girl groups are far and few in between (AOA is the only other mainstream group with eight members) so Twice’s size was a tip off to the fact that JYP was going to market Twice as a group that has something to offer everybody. I was honestly surprised more people didn’t call out the Girls’ Generation comparison the minute JYP Entertainment (a main competitor of Girls’ Generation’s agency, SM Entertainment) announced that it would debut a nine-member girl group. When it comes to K-pop, size really does matter because it means there’s a higher likelihood that there will be a member to suit everybody’s taste. And Twice certainly has aimed to highlight the different sort of women in the group, with each of their music videos clearly defining individual charms and personas of the members.
But it was less their size and more the teasers for their latest song that got fans in a tizzy; the concept for “Cheer Up” at first glance looked a purple palette take on Girls’ Generation’s iconic pink cheerleading concept from “Oh!” While Girls’ Generation doesn’t own a concept, wearing crop tops, short shorts, knee highs, and letterman jackets while performing in a sports stadium harkens back to “Oh!” Once the music video for “Cheer Up” was released and it was clear that the two songs were stylistically different, the only thing that remained was the cheerleader concept. And, six years later, it’s inspiring to see a talented group put their own updated on an iconic K-pop concept that Girls’ Generation pioneered.
I.O.I
This week’s debut of I.O.I takes us back to “Into The New World” in a way that’s far more obvious than GFriend’s instance. While GFriend first song and music video were stylistically similar to Girls’ Generation’s debut, the concept and music video for I.O.I’s debut song “Dream Girl” harkens a bit close to home.
Like in “Into The New World,” “Dream Girl” introduces the members of the new group through their own individual aspirations including being successful as dancers, athletes, and fashion designers. Watching the music video, it would be almost impossible to say that “Dream Girl” wasn’t based on “Into The New World” as scenes are set up similarly in ways that make it near impossible to be coincidences. I.O.I’s agency, YMC Entertainment, reportedly told local Korean outlets that the music video was designed with the song’s sound and lyrics in mind, but it truly seems like a 2016 update of “Into the New World” idea. For a group that debuted nearly a decade after Girls’ Generation, it seems natural for newer groups to want to resuscitate the style of an older music video.
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When it comes down to things, Girls’ Generation and their success is something that future girl groups can only hope to achieve. At the end of the day, none of these instances come across as plagiarism but instead appear to be this new generation of K-pop girl group’s imitation of a successful older act. And, as it’s said: Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
What do you think about Girls’ Generation’s legacy? Are the newer groups wrong in stylizing themselves after them? hare 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.
As we’ve talked about previously, as foreign K-pop fans, sometimes we don’t get the lyrics right. We’ve gone through this on multiple installments of this list, but for the fifth, it seems we got a bit hostile. Either by [content warning] hearing bad words or completely interpreting a good message as a bad one. So here it goes again: here are the latest eight songs we misheard.
1. “Hello” by B.I.G
What we heard: “I’m a lady”
What it says: “I’m a like it”
What K-pop songs are you singing wrong? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Untitled-design-2.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-05-04 14:36:112016-05-04 14:36:118 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 5
This week, some of the major contenders for K-pop’s biggest boy and girl group acts from the new generation made comebacks. As summer nears in, the competition is just starting. And while we may or may not be feeling these comebacks, here are our faves from this week we can’t stop listening to.
“This Love” cover by GOT7 (Apr. 28)
This. Performance.
Yep, I’m ready to renounce GOT7’s cute and playful concept if they go the sexy beast route they displayed on their cover of SHINHWA’s “This Love” on “M! Countdown.” This would’ve been everything had JB been on it (he’s recovering from a hip injury), but the rest of the kids still pulled off an amazing performance without him. However, JB’s exclusion was a great opportunity for the rest of the members to shine — and boy did they! Youngjae was indisputably the star vocalist, since he got all of the high pitches and harmonies leading up to the chorus. Yugyeom also got some velvety croons in there and while Jr. left much to be desired vocally, I forgive him since his main task was body rolling. I can see what they were going for having Jackson sing in a deep, raspy voice, but he still has a long way to go vocally. And as for Mark………………. Y’all, I’m just going to say he killed it. Bam Bam also, both choreography and rap-wise.
While it was only a cover, I can only hope we see more of this sexy, “If You Do” spin that we NOW know works with them. Their JYP sexiness a la 2PM is finally showing, and I love it.
That Babymetal influence. CocoSori a female duo made up of….Coco and Sori look like your average cutesy group, but thanks to an injection of heavy metal they have their own flavour. “Exquisite” straight looks and sounds like Orange Caramel but halfway through the first verse the screaming starts with some clips of a weird cat. Even without the screamo parts, this is an aggressively hypnotic track. Guitars withstand the whole song and the vocals while cute most of the time are delivered at unintelligible speeds. The song and video were made to get across everything about this group in three and a half minutes. In reality, nothing about this group justifies having heavy metal a part of their concept. All it does is help them stand out alongside their their hyper videos that feature giant cats with shiny eyes, lots of cosplay, and space warps.
While April hasn’t really managed to stand out amongst the fierce competition of K-pop girl groups, “Tinker Bell” changed that for me. While I wasn’t expecting much during my first listen, I was caught off guard by a build around 50 seconds into the song that for some reason resonated with me. April is still very much a girl group (emphasis on the girl), but “Tinker Bell” comes off as sweet and fitting for the spring weather without being too juvenile or overly saccharine. The song falls safely into the genre of bubblegum pop, but has electronic influences and string elements that combine together to create a bright song that is perfectly suitable for the bright fairies of April. And, as for the video, I absolutely adore the Disney themes and that choreography with the star is just inspired.
— Tamar
What was your favorite song this week and the whole of April? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Untitled-design.png7681024KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-05-01 17:02:282016-05-01 17:02:28Weekly K-pop Faves: April 24-30
It’s been said before, but it seems like this is the time to be a North American fan of Korean music. The next few months in particular are introducing an influx of Korean acts performing in front of American, Canadian, and Mexican audience. This year, there will be not one or two but numerous K-pop conventions on the continent. KultScene’s team will be attending several of the cons, beginning with Toronto Kpop Con 2016, also known as TKC 2016 in May!
In case you’re not so familiar with this year’s event, here’s a few things you have to know about Toronto Kpop Con.
The Event Is Spread Over A Whole Weekend
Last year’s Toronto Kpop Con was only a one day event but the second year of the con will feature a full three day weekend, kicking off with VIXX’s concert on Friday night and ending with GOT7’s concert on Sunday night. The whole event will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and convention events will take place all day Saturday and Sunday.
G-Friend and Day6’s First Ever North American Performances
While VIXX and GOT7 have visited Canada before, this is both rookie groups first time meeting North American fans. The newer girl group and boy band made huge waves in South Korea over the past year and are diversifying additions to the TKC lineup, providing some different sounds than what GOT7 and VIXX have to offer- G-Friend is the only girl group to attend while Day6 performs as a band rather than a dance group. G-Friend will bring life to the middle of the con on Saturday with a midday performance while Day6 will meet fans Sunday afternoon.
Okay, this isn’t really a must know but it’s a fun fact that this writer finds interesting. According to the official website, Toronto Kpop Con is a registered trademark in Canada by the owner of TKC’s parent company Pop! Goes The World. The little disclaimer at the bottom of the website is intriguing especially in leu of the fact that not only is the event’s name trademarked, so are “Kpop Con” and “Kpop.”
GOT7 Will Meet Fans Twice
Yes, you read that right.
Toronto Kpop Con is a must for any diehard I GOT7, the group’s official fans. GOT7 will perform both Saturday and Sunday night, giving Toronto fans a lot of love before they head to the United States for their July tour. At the time of publishing this, JB is unfortunately sitting out with an injury but hopefully he recovers soon so that all seven members of GOT7 will be able to meet their fans.
Dance Squads & YouTubers Will Be Prominently Featured
Panels with media insiders will be a big deal at TKC 2016, but so will dance crews and Youtubers. The likes of K-pop Youtube vloggers like Terry He and StillNotDavid will be featured along with Yours Truly, Kapital K-Dance, and 2KSQUAD, all of whom are Canadian K-pop inspired dance teams.
I’ll Be There
Okay, it’s a bonus sixth thing. Definitely try to find me if you’re a big KultScene fan, we always love to meet our readers! I’ll be giving away some KultScene swag and running a panel. Keep an eye out on our social media for updates.
Tickets are currently on sale for TKC 2016 on the official website and if you use the code TKC16 you get 30% off your order!
Are you attending Toronto Kpop con 2016? If not, tell us about your dream con to attend! Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Untitled-design-2-1.jpg7681024Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2016-04-28 14:17:212016-04-28 14:51:405 Things To Know About Toronto Kpop Con 2016
Destiny and fate are some of the most common themes in pop music. Songs about star crossed lovers are part of pop lore and continue to be evocative stories. One reason why I love K-pop is that it regularly breathes life into old concepts like this. Now that two songs have been released within a week of each other that incorporate these very ideas, I thought it would be a good time to examine how K-pop deals with such inevitable love.
Aesthetically Lovelyz and Berry Good are immediately similar. They represent what we expect from cute girl groups, predominantly white clothing and soft fabrics emphasising innocence and purity. They have had much different shots at success though. Lovelyz, coming from Woolim Entertainment the home of INFINITE, were expected to make it big not only due to backing but because their concept was tried and tested. Berry Good have gone unknown since their debut in 2014 under Asia Bridge Entertainment and, like many small groups, have lost a number of members. Both groups however, whether with the help of their company or some divine powers have arrived at the best songs of their careers.
Lovelyz “Destiny”
Since debuting Lovelyz haven’t dared leave their comfort zone. I’d usually be critical of groups like this but the quality of every one of their songs has defied that. Heavily influenced by J-pop, Lovelyz have proven themselves the best when it comes to innocent concepts by being youthful but never childish.
Harking back to their debut “Candy Jelly Love,” “Destiny” is driven by heavy synths that keep the song from ever feeling too serious. These combine wonderfully with a string section that gives the song a sense of fantasy. It’s in the chorus where these sounds all come to fruition as lighter synths twirl up and down while the strings and distorted synths drive the song along. Vocally it’s their best work too. Aside from the usual stronger vocalled members, the other girls are arranged to fit with each other, adding harmonies that were previously absent from Lovelyz songs. Yein and Jiae especially come together nicely with their fragile voices. Small ad libs of “oohs” in between add layers as well.
“Destiny” is polished pop perfection. Each part balances so well. The verses have an added length to them that seems incongruous but is justified by the huge chorus. It is worth the wait. Big moments like this tie in well with the subject matter of the song. “Destiny” is something that is predicated on having a lot of blind faith. It’s something that one has to believe whole heartedly or not at all. Who else better for something like this than a group of young girls?
Lovelyz’ idea of destiny stays big by referring to the solar system. In “Destiny,” the girls are the moon and the boy they love is the earth. This is a destiny that can never be fulfilled though. Like the earth and the moon, these two people are inherently connected yet can never touch. “You’re my destiny, the gravity that pulls me,” sings Lovelyz. The moon spins around the earth in cycles totally focused on it while the earth remains preoccupied, “Why do you keep circling around her? When I revolve around you like the moon.” These are extremely clever lyrics that highlight a Romeo and Juliet style of destiny. It’s beautiful and exciting but this love will never prosper.
Circles are used a lot in the choreography and video to reinforce this idea. Constellations and solar patterns are seen in the video, the girls form rings while on stage, evoking ideas of infinity. Pairs are also used in interesting ways. When split into pairs the girls rarely look at each other, they always touch but seem distant. The same happens when they split 50/50 as a group too. The two halves, while aware of each other, maintain a spiritual distance.
“Destiny” is a decidedly melancholic look into the fates of love. It taps into youthful abandon. You fall madly in love with someone and claim it as destiny with no other way to express it. It’s inevitable and unavoidable even if you’re aware of it. “I can’t look away, You’re all I see,” the girls cry as the song comes to an end. They are destined to be stuck in a cycle of impossible love.
Berry Good “Angel”
That thing I said about big moments, Berry Good go all out in search of them.
With Lovelyz and Berry Good we can get a distinct image of the difference between groups with money and groups without it. Lovelyz are polished, their music is clean and focused, and their choreography tight and impressive. A rookie group ready to be the unnies right from the start. Berry Good are their little sisters, a bit messy but full of energy and passion, despite debuting first. They have to do more to be heard and they certainly try.
Like Lovelyz, Berry Good have had a clear J-pop influence on their music. In “Angel” it isn’t quite clear until the chorus though. The song starts off with a piano and string section before adding a guitar and drum rhythm section. The introduction of the guitar and drum is a bit stilted but nicely changes things up a bit. It also serves as a warning of what is to come; this slightly dissonant sound makes us sit up and listen. It primes us for a huge chorus of distorted synths and power vocals. The violins lift alongside soaring vocals taking us into heaven. After taking it easy again with an odd little whispered post chorus, “Angel” begins its ascent once again. It doesn’t let up and finally reaches a euphoric climax. Vocals let loose to unimaginable heights, synths, strings, and guitars crash together, and small harmonies add a kinetic energy. It’s an incredible last forty seconds or so.
With such cathartic gusto in “Angel” you would think this is all about a great, impossible love. Berry Good are doing things differently though. This is a song about the most important kind of destiny, a personal faith. The lyrics regularly mention a ‘you’ as if the girls are singing to someone but looking closer, it can be seen as self-motivating. In the first verse member Sehyung sings “I’m so lonely, I need someone,” to which Seoyul replies “Have strength, You’re not alone.” The girls are speaking to each other, giving each other help in times of need. “I have a faith, By destiny,” “Angel” is a song about learning to trust your own destiny. “I’ll tell you in the mirror, You’re going to be fine,” Berry Good are singing directly to themselves, not worried about other people or boys. What else could they be so passionate about? They are the only people that deserve the incredibly strong emotions that come from this song.
The video plays up their distinctly feminine traits. A room covered in white veils, the girls dressed in clothes to match this. Time stands still in this room that traps a girl from taking a chance. She slowly starts to take the veils down. It isn’t until we reach the chorus that things start to change, in this case a single tear drop and confrontation of the mirror give the room colour. An outpour of emotion, even if internalized, can change a destiny. When the song begins its climax, the girl finally leaves the room, the bright sun is piercing but a comfort. She did this herself and it feels so much better because of it.
With the best songs of their respective careers so far, Lovelyz and Berry Good have also given us new ways of looking at old themes. They both used big emotions articulated by excellent vocals to breathe life into our ideas of destiny in pop music. Whether we see destiny as being between lovers, friends, or a personal faith, these two groups have shown us that it can be beautiful and terrible. This was all done with a youthful vigour that feels so right for themes like this too. Young girls are taking back these ideas and showing how it can hurt them but also how they can be used to heal them.
What do you think of these songs by Lovely and Berry Good? Would you like to see more concepts like this? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Untitled-design-5.png800800Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2016-04-27 04:16:082016-04-27 04:16:08Spiritual K-Pop: Lovelyz & Berry Good Find Their Destinies
In this ever-evolving K-pop industry, music of various styles such as EDM and hip-hop are released every day by up and coming groups. While the industry is expanding and becoming more globalized, there is a genre of music that is getting left behind. Korean folk music, an integral part of Korea’s traditional culture and heritage, is rarely found among K-pop releases nowadays. There is a company however, that is fully dedicated to producing soothing Korean music, folk and ballads included. Meet Madeleine Music and its CEO Dongsoo Lee, a man passionate about spreading the gift of music to the weary souls in the society. While it may still be a small and relatively unheard of start-up, artists like YouTuber Soyoungyi and Ian Jo are currently signed to their roster. We caught up with Lee and talked about how he ended up in the music industry along with his plans for the future.
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Can you please introduce yourself and your company to the readers who may be hearing of you for the first time?
Hello everyone. My name is Dongsoo Lee and I’m a composer, chief producer, and CEO of Madeleine Music. Madeleine Music is a record label based in South Korea and our company was established in August, 2013. We are dedicated to making a better world with softer and sweeter music for everyone based on our philosophy of lyricism. The name of ‘Madeleine Music’ is derived from the well known ‘Madeleine’ which is a soft and sweet French cookie. We are working hard to make our music to satisfy everyone’s tastes just like the ‘Madeleine.’
What inspired you to set up Madeleine Music?
This might sound very weird but, honestly, I’ve never studied music. I majored in accounting and business and minored in economics in New York. Since I studied in the U.S. for almost 7 years, I felt lonely and homesick occasionally. Whenever I was in that mood I tried to make songs and record them. I think it was just like keeping a diary to me.
After I came back to Korea, I worked for a few companies and mostly dealt with numbers all day long, sometimes even during the weekends. One day, I realized that the job I chose couldn’t make me happy for the rest of my life, and I also noticed that there are so many people who are worn out trying to maintain their jobs and lives.
I was reminded that music had helped me a lot when I was down so I just wanted to do music for the rest of my life, to comfort myself and people who were worn out. Finally, I quit my job and started Madeleine Music. I also found some great artists who can help me to achieve my goal.
What is the music production process like in Madeleine Music?
Actually, it is a very typical process similar to that of other labels work but each one of our artists has to make their own songs. They send me their demos and I discuss how to arrange the song, when to record, when to release it, etc. As a music producer, I spend my time and energy to communicate with our artists, instrument session players, sound engineers, and designers. And as a CEO, I spend my time and energy to communicate with other companies or people who can help us in the Korean music industry. This explains why these days I have no time left to work on my own music [laughs].
Korean Folk is a very interesting genre of music to be producing, especially in our current society. Is there a special reason why your company mainly releases these types of songs? What is your inspiration for your music?
I prefer acoustic instruments to digital instruments. Since the most important values of Madeleine Music are lyricism and simplicity, I think Korean Folk is a great genre for us to put these values in music. I love songs with beautiful lyrics and I am usually inspired by them. I always aspire to make songs that are like a poem or an impressive short novel. That is why I try to finish the lyrics of a song before composing its melody. I hope international fans of Korean Folk will try to understand and appreciate the meaning of the song lyrics along with the melody. The story of a song really matters to me, and once you understand it better it will totally change your musical impression of a song.
What are some challenges that you’ve faced while running this company?
Even though I started the company in 2013, Madeleine Music is still a newborn company. I spent almost two years learning and understanding how the music industry works because I’ve never been exposed to this area before. Since we are still a new player, we have the same problems and needs that any other start-ups can have. Everyone knows there are some independent record labels doing well in Korea, but I can’t deny that the expectancy of profitability of many other companies is not as decent since this industry has become more stream service based.
Madeleine Music recently became part of the Record Label Industry Association of Korea (LIAK). How has this impacted/helped your company so far?
There are hundreds of active record labels in Korea, but only 20+ companies are in LIAK. They are all industry leaders with great career and name value, so I’m proud to be a member alongside them. It makes me feel that we are accepted as a good partner of Korean music industry and that is very meaningful to me. There is also a lot of information and benefits to share between members too.
Could you tell us more about the plans that you have for your company in the future?
I don’t want Madeleine Music to be just a small record company in Korea. I want Madeleine Music to become a comprehensive culture company or a name. I wish this company could be a rest place for those who are worn out and that it could also be a playground for musicians who have great talent, inspiration, and an attractive personality.
What do you think of Dongsoo Lee, Madeleine Music, and the state of Korean folk music? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/KakaoTalk_Photo_2015-03-30-22-36-57_70.jpg960762Anna Cheanghttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2016-04-26 05:52:232016-04-26 05:52:23Madeleine Music CEO Dongsoo Lee Shares About His Hopes & Motivations [INTERVIEW]
I’m probably alone in wanting the old kings and queens of K-pop to step side for new groups to rise. Big Bang, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, and 2NE1 have had their time; I want new blood. 2015 was a great year for offering new groups who were not just talented enough to take the reins, but were charismatic and inventive too. The best boys of the bunch were clearly Seventeen.
Pledis Entertainment’s newest boy group have a slightly harder time at the big leagues than some of their contemporaries. Pledis have been around for a while but never really broke past the precedent set by After School in the early 2010s. Yet Seventeen are garnering a big fan base, especially internationally, thanks to their innovative choreography and exuberant faces. Seventeen with “Pretty U” have lived up to their predecessors in the best possible way, by being completely weird.
Style and sound wise, “Pretty U” is not a big departure for Seventeen. Like “Adore U” and “Mansae,” it’s a pop song in the classic sense. Sounds come primarily from guitars and a simple drum beat. Other instruments add inflections or are there to let us new parts have begun, the piano key changes, strings for the chorus. It really works well again, especially with this boy next door image of Seventeen; it’s unself-conscious pop fun at its best.
I can’t decide yet if the one thing they change dramatically makes me like “Pretty U” more or less than their earlier work. Structurally, it leaves behind the classic verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge with big hooks in favour of something almost improv-like. After an a capella and rap intro, the song moves into its standard verse, which even has two parts itself, helped to transition by the funkiest slap bass. It builds to what could have been a chorus or short pre-chorus but ultimately turns into an extra verse or a really long pre-chorus. Once you get used to it, it’s actually the highlight of the song. The key change with the pianos comes alongside the slap bass to move into a rap and then changes again into a vocal part. Vernon’s rap brings the song down a bit letting it be mellow before Seungkwan’s vocals tee us up for the chorus. Both of their vocals mesh perfectly with the music in that moment. Alongside this the chorus is disappointingly flat. .
The rest of the song is mixed in a way that puts the vocals and music at the same level. Not quite lo-fi but it makes the chorus that has no hook feel pretty flat. Hooks were what got me into Seventeen in the first place, so it’s difficult not having them. Seventeen’s youthful sound is especially conducive to big hooks. Hooks fuel their energy, giving us big cathartic moments. “Pretty U” is a different song though.
At first few listens I kept waiting for the hook to pop up and yet, by the end of every listen I find I like the song more and more. The distinctions between each part are clear yet not jarring. The vocals climb beautifully towards the end, bouncing off each other with gleeful falsetto and harsh raps. It feels like more of a collective experience rather than ever focusing on individuals. Slightly more subdued than usual, but “Pretty U” still feels like a group of friends having the time of their life.
The song is about young love similar to how Seventeen always do it. The lyrics hold a possible key to making sense of this whole song. There’s so much information there about just how much these boys love a girl. They are so excited that everything is coming out at once, almost too hard to keep up with. “You’re so ice ice baby, At the same time you melt me down” Vernon raps as he can’t quite get his head round how he feels. There’s more confusion “What to do, What to wear, I should have studied hard like this,” Seventeen, just like us listening to this song, are experiencing a multitude of emotions. The song is an honest representation of this, it’s not trying to be anything other than a release for these young boys’ pent up emotions.
The Music Video
Their video is also a slight move away from the familiar for Seventeen. Gone is the focus on choreography, replaced by a small story of the boys putting together a party. The camera doesn’t linger long enough at any stage for us to get a clear look at them. What seems at first like a frustrating mess, like the song, is another extension of the themes previously expressed. Everything is fast, not just the camera but the members too, who run around a city putting up posters and indulging in antics as they go. Slow motion is used at the height of their fun to give us at least a moment’s glance at them. They are always together, bouncing off each other, having the time of their lives. The video is essentially the culmination of everything that makes Seventeen the most fun group in pop music today.
Overall Thoughts
Coming out of 2015 as my new favourite boy group, Seventeen had a lot to live up to. “Pretty U” is exactly what I did not expect from them. I don’t expect it to lose much fans for them though, as the same tone and style remain even though the song does its own thing. Best of all it shows they don’t have to rely on big hooks and choreography to carry them. I’m already excited for what they do next.
The choreography, seen at their live showcase, is another marvel of talent and fun. It is their fastest to date, at times they look like blurs running across the stage. The childlike nature of the chorus movements and the use of a schoolbook as a prop are lots of fun. They also mix well with some of the lyrics and the confused nature of the song. Seventeen’s choreography completes them.
3.5
What do you think of Seventeen and “Pretty U”? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Untitled-design-3.png7681024Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2016-04-25 03:55:592016-04-25 03:55:59Seventeen’s “Pretty U” Music Video & Song Review
Music, films, television shows, and food are some of the mainstays of Korean pop culture nowadays. With more and more interest in South Korean society than ever before (just open up Sephora’s website!), it’s hard to avoid some aspects of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) in our daily lives. While Japanese kimonos and Chinese cheongsams being recognized around the world and often inspire modern styles, Korean hanboks (lit. “Korean clothing”) are starting to slip by the wayside. What was once worn daily has become something meant just for traditional holidays and even that is becoming less popular, no matter how many K-pop stars put on hanbok for the Seollal and Chuseok celebrations. But some fashion-forward people, including Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld, are looking back and designing clothing that incorporates the flowing styles to create hanbok for the modern-day and age. Furthermore, walking down the Cheongdam Fashion Street is one of the top things to do in Gangnam making South Korean fashion a force to be reckoned with in the modern fashion industry.
1. Modern, Everyday Styles
The designers at the clothing store Sonjjang create the traditional colorful hanbok’s worn on Korean holidays, but also offer updated styles that can be worn every day. Taking the simple folds of hanbok and modifying them to imitate today’s styles, Sonjjang’s Leesle line is simple but sweet and a new take on an old fashion. The pieces often come off as hanbok’s cut down, incorporating shorter skirts (chima) and tighter jackets (jeogori). While many are relatively clean cut and meant for daily wear, some of the hanbok utilize embroidery patterns to make them really pop while others are meant for parties and aren’t all that dissimilar from some prom dresses. Sonjjang even sells hanbok for couples and others based off of dramas, such as what was seen in “The Moon Embraces the Sun.”
Karl Lagerfeld is a big fan of Korean fashion, but it wasn’t until Chanel’s 2016 resort line when he incorporated Korean elements that people realized how enthralled the designer is by Korean clothing. Not only did the fashion show take place in Seoul, but many of the designs showcased that night featured hanbok styles and hairstyles similar to those worn by noblewomen during the Joseon era (1392-1897.) During the show, multiracial models walked down the runway wearing flowing dresses inspired by hanbok, and Chanel even featured multiple modern takes on the hanbok. With a lighter, airier feel than most hanbok, which typically offer full coverage and are made out of rather weighed-down fabrics, Chanel’s take on a classic is an outsider’s proposition on a style of clothing that is starting to get lost over time.
3. Combination Hanbok
While many guests wouldn’t really imagine wearing hanbok around a hotel, a recent photoshoot for the Four Seasons Hotel Magazine took place at in a South Korean palace, Unyeonggoong, and paired modern clothing items and accessories with modernized hanboks. Throughout the shoot, the model wears an amalgamation of east-meets-west fashion, often putting classically-inspired chima with modern blouses and designer shoes.
The hanbok designed by Kim Hyun Jung can’t be worn, but they’re the most modern of the bunch. Kim, an artist, designs art that explores the modern South Korean woman’s obsession with beauty and fashion through a more nuanced, older lense. In her work, women wearing hanbok pose for Instagram photos, talk on the phone, go rock climbing, and much, much more, all while wearing presumably out-of-date hanbok. The drawings, while anachronistic, reveal a contemporary side to the presumably out-of-style garb.
Fortunately, there’s been a resurgence of popularity in hanbok in South Korea recently. Many young South Koreans have been seen wearing traditionally-styled hanbok as they hang out with one another downtown and at Seoul’s tourist hotspots including Korea’s royal palaces. For instance, on my last trip to Korea I was able to rent a hanbok with my friends while we explored the hanok (classical Korean houses) village of Jeonju, where we were just three of many walking around in hanbok that was easily accessible from vendors. It’s socially accepted dress up for adults and is reviving interest in the hanbok industry by giving a fantastical element to the older fashions.
What’s your favorite update of traditional Korean clothing? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fusion.jpg10671600Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2016-04-22 16:36:172021-01-27 04:49:104 Modern Takes on Traditional Korean Hanbok That We Love
