Page 38 – KultScene

K-Dramas Continue to Explore LGBT Themes With Coy Devices

April 4, 2016/in Features /by Joan Vos MacDonald

[Disclaimer: This article contains some spoilers.]

In an episode of “Please Come Back Mister,” Lee Ha Nui’s movie star character is talking to her female manager, played by Oh Yeon Seo. The audience knows that Oh Yeon Seo is a temporary reincarnation of a man who died but came back solely to protect Lee. For a minute it seems as if Lee recognizes that the woman is a reincarnation of her beloved friend. But her words of affection are just part of scene she’s rehearsing. The women have obvious chemistry. Lee Ha Nui stops in the middle of rehearsing the romantic scene, saying it’s impossible to get in the mood with a woman. But the audience knows that the other woman is really the man she loved. And they can taste the chemistry.

As illogical as sex-switching reincarnation might seem, it is easier to fit that possibility into a K-drama plot than the idea of two women falling for each other. That scene is one of several ways that K-dramas circumvent the subject of homosexuality.

Honey Lee and Oh Yeon Seo in “Please Come Back Mister.”

U.S. Audiences Have LGBT role models

In the U.S., audiences have had decades to warm to openly gay characters. “All in the Family” was probably the first TV program that brought a gay character into the nation’s living room, and the number has dramatically increased since then. Willow and Tara were a couple on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” Grace was in unrequited love with her best friend Will on “Will and Grace.” Kurt danced to “Single Ladies” on “Glee” and his dad accepted him for who he was. “Orange is the New Black” has a main character that is bisexual. “Transparent” features a trans woman, making his family to come to terms with it. While these characters initially had some issues coming out, once they did, they served as role models for acceptance.

That’s not to say real LGBT Americans don’t suffer because of who they choose to love. But American television has provided some “out and proud” fictional role models. Media has the power to change minds in the U.S. and Korea.

Coming Out In Korea

K-dramas don’t have openly gay characters. Although the rights of LGBT Koreans are protected by the nation’s constitution, living as an openly gay person or even contemplating marriage may not be easy in Korean society. Even if they can marry elsewhere, gay couples might not feel comfortable telling their families they are a couple.

In a 2015 CNN article, Korean Micky Kim discussed his California marriage to Tony Ruse: “People who I don’t know are congratulating our marriage. But in (South) Korea, no-one even knows my marriage and I couldn’t even tell my family.” His family thinks Ruse is his business partner and Kim pretends to have a girlfriend. His family is not unusual. According to a 2013 Pew Research study, 59 percent of Koreans found homosexuality unacceptable. To put that in context, 60 percent of the U.S. found homosexuality acceptable. Furthermore, a Gallup poll showed only 43 percent of Americans felt that way in 1977.

Also on KultScene: Female First Loves: Hyo Sung & Oh My Girl Review

Coming Back From Coming Out

In the last decade, as national opinion has slowly begun to change, the entertainment industry has become more accepting of other orientations. In 2000, when actor Hong Suk Chan told a TV audience he was gay, he was banished from TV networks. He chose to stay in Korea, even though he could not act on TV. He started a restaurant and eventually owned nine. After a few years he returned to variety shows and dramas. He mostly does cameos or small roles, his most recent cameo being in “The Time We Were Not In Love.” Coincidentally, he also had a role in “Please Come Back Mister” as a flamboyant fashion designer. A stereotypical one at that, but acceptance is a slow process and K-dramas are finding clever ways to encourage it.

Gender Swaps & Mistaken Identity

Some of the ways K-dramas subtly promote acceptance is through gender swap dramas, bromance scenes, and cases of mistaken identity. Gender swaps might be the most common way to tempt audience into having a gender “what if” moment. In “You’re Beautiful,” Park Shin Hye pretends to be the brother of a member of a top group replacing him. She lives with the three other members of the group in a male-only dorm and it takes some of them a remarkably long time to discover her gender. All three of the other members fall for her, and while two knew she was a girl, one of them, Jeremy (played by Lee Hong Ki) is disturbed to think he is falling for a boy. The fact that he does not recognize that she is a girl is less unbelievable than the idea he might fall for a totally charming, attractive, and musically talented boy.

“Coffee Prince” is a classic gender swap drama in which Yoon Eun Hye pretends to be a boy so she can work in Gong Yoo’s coffee shop. He starts to fall for her and tries to talk himself out of it, only to decide that he loves this person no matter what gender they are. It’s a touching romantic moment, but not quite pivotal enough because he is saved from the repercussions of dating someone of his own sex when he finds out she is a woman. Would the Yoon-Gong same-sex couple have been able to survive the odds? K-dramas need a happy ending.

Bromance Is A Boy’s Best Friend

Bromantic K-dramas get around the topic by either focusing the drama on a very close friendship or giving the first and second male leads plenty of quality time and opportunities for fan service together.

Lee Jong Suk Kim Woo Bin school 2013 k drama kdrama bromance

Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin in “School 2013.”

“School 2013” is a classic example as it shows the evolving friendship between Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin. They hate each other. They love each other. They are best friends. And they had so much chemistry that people assumed they were dating in real life. Lending fuel to the fire was the fact that Lee Jong Suk played a young man who openly confessed to liking Yoon Sang Hyun in “Secret Garden.” Yoon Sang Hyun does not make much of his confession and does not seem to be scared but continues to want to represent him.

Lee Jong Suk confronts Yoon Sang Hyun in “Secret Garden.”

Or bros can be enemies. Park Ki Woong and Joo Won won DramaFever Best Bromance Award in 2013 for playing friends who fate forced to be enemies. When they were close, they were close. When they became enemies, it was still somehow sexy.

And in 2015, Park Seo Joon and Ji Sung won a Best Couple Award from MBC. Park played an author. Ji Sung played a man with multiple personalities, one of whom was female and had a crush on Park. Ji Sung was not a man attracted to Park. One of his personalities made him do it. Again, highly unlikely but audiences got to see Ji Sung and Park Seo Joon kissing.

Also on KultScene: Reading The Political Signs of ‘Descendants of the Sun’

Mistaken Identity Could Start Something With The Wrong Someone

“Personal Taste” is one of the few K-dramas that actually has a gay character that openly expresses his attraction. This drama shows a lot of the negative reaction that Koreans might face when coming out. Lee Min Ho is pretending to be gay so he can room in a house owned by Son Ye Jin. But his declarations place him in an awkward situation when a man he’s trying to win a design bid from assumes that they have the potential for a relationship. The news is not well received by his mother. The other man, played by Ryu Seung Ryong, is a very dignified and sympathetic character who discusses the humiliation his preferences have caused in his life.

lee minho seulong personal taste gay kdrama k drama

Im Seul Ong results in Lee Min Ho being mistaken for gay in “Personal Taste.”

Making a love confession to a man also comes up in the Reply series. In “Reply 1997,” a painful heartfelt confession is treated with respect. In “Ho Gu’s Love,” Im Seul Ong’s character thinks he is in love with Choi Woo Sik, but he’s really in love with Choi’s sister, played by Lee Sung Kyung. He’s mortified at the idea that he might be gay, but when he comes to accept it, he sympathizes with a gay witness he might previously have been cruel to. He realizes that love has no gender. But in the end he too is saved from all the repercussions of being gay in Korean society. His crush turns out to be a woman and she was responsible for the kiss he cannot forget.

More gay characters, or characters who merely think they are gay, will likely help change attitudes. “The Lover” plays homage to Shonen ai manga by featuring the changing relationship between two roommates. Introverted Lee Joon Jae, played by Lee Jae Joon, advertised for a roommate who can’t speak Korean very well so he won’t have to talk to him. His Japanese roommate Takuya, played by Takuya Terada, tried to bring him out of his shell. The show teases the audience with manga cliches, while at the same time giving equal credence to the relationship problems of straight and gay couples.

But for now, descriptions of K-drama gender-confusion tend to be coy and show some similarity to the kind of salacious innuendo found in pre-Hays Code Hollywood films.

There may be a reason for K-dramas moving so slowly and coyly toward acceptance. There may be some psychological value to a character falling in love with a boy, only to discover that everyone will ultimately approve of their union, because she turns out to be a girl. Perhaps K-drama gender-swap and mixed identity scenarios allow audiences to explore the idea of falling in love with someone, regardless of gender, without having to face any of the very real societal consequences down the line. It will be interesting to see how long it takes K-dramas to move past coy and into “out and proud.”

What’s your stance on LGBT visibility and how the community is portrayed in K-dramas? 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves March 27-April 2: Boys Repbulic, Dok2, DAY6, N-Sonic, 10cm

April 3, 2016/in Fans /by KultScene

Every week, our writers pick their favorite songs and share them. This week, four songs by male Korean acts caught our eyes.

“Get Down” by Boys Republic (March 29)

The title track of Boys Republic’s third mini album, “BR: evolution,” combines a pulsating tribal drum beat and edgy hip hop with unconventional jazz elements. The guys display incredible vocal harmonies alongside fierce and hardcore rapping. It comes as no surprise that “Get Down” was co-produced by renowned songwriter Ryan S. Jhun, who has previously worked with the likes of numerous popular K-pop acts, ranging from EXO to U-KISS. The music video presents a very dark concept, with the band members cast as a rebellious faction in a post-apocalyptic scenario; they are sullen, brooding characters living on a knife edge and the intense choreography highlights their harsh environment perfectly. (It is important to note here that the video has a 19 + rating, as it features bloody decapitation). This new facet to the band could prove disturbing to some fans unused to seeing Boys Republic as anything other than wholesome and appealing but it is a testament to the members’ talent that they are so convincing in their roles. It’s a brilliant comeback by the group, who have upped the ante in every way possible!

— Eve

“Bad Vibes Lonely (feat. DEAN)” by Dok2 (March 27)

As far as Korean rappers are concerned, Dok2 isn’t among my favorites. His music style and lyrics, for me, come off as a little try-hard and he seems more like a caricature than an actual rapper. With that said, “Bad Vibes Lonely” is a whole other thing. For this release, Dok2 slowed it down and penned more humble lyrics about him wanting to be happy and not forget his roots. Not to mention Dean’s input at the chorus makes the song sound that more compelling. Because even without knowing what the lyrics say, that Dean verse finds it way to your feels. Overall, it’s nice to see Dok2 step away temporarily (because, c’mon, we know that’s not his actual style) from the #YOLO, swaggy, #turnup vibe.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Reading The Political Signs of ‘Descendants of the Sun’

“First Time” by DAY6 (March 30)

This track is vastly different from DAY6’s title track “Letting Go” in terms of its tone and lyrical content but similar in the high production quality of the song. While DAY6 members have always had a hand in the creation of their albums, this is the first song in which all five members collaborated and wrote the lyrics together, making it extra meaningful. The instruments are also layered very nicely, creating an overall uplifting and full sound in which all the varied vocals of the members are able to shine. It’s an addictive track and stands out amongst the various different styles displayed in this album.

— Anna

“Excalibur” by N-SONIC (March 29)

N-SONIC’s “Excalibur” is exactly the type of song I would have ignored if it wasn’t for this feature. An unknown boy group with a title linked to mythology. I’ve had enough of that with VIXX alone. “Excalibur” however, is not something to be missed. It contains the most satisfying rolling drums that at first sound like they could come from a 1950s dancehall but are used to drive the electro hip-pop. Sustaining these drums allows the song to transition easily between parts and vocal styles. The choreography also reflects this by having a natural quality to its movements and transitions too (despite silly things like the air drumming). A solid release that is, along with Boys Republic, by far the strongest boy group song of the week, easily beating weak offerings from more popular counterparts.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: DAY6 ‘Letting Go’ Music Video & Song Review

“What The Spring??” By 10cm (April 1)

One of the most bittersweet spring-themed songs out there, “What The Spring??” is a comical attack on people who are in love during. The duo’s typical acoustic sound turns into a query of why some people expect perfect springtime relationships, why some people are alone, and why springtime is perceived as the time of love. “Do you think cherry blossoms are pretty, you stupid?” sings 10cm’s vocalist Kwon Jeong Yeol. The song did well on Korean music charts despite the bleak lyrics because the song’s style and the amusing, realistic take a single person’s attitude towards the happiness of couples (“Actually, your boyfriend loves games more than you” is one of the bitterest but bemusing lines of the song.”) The music video, featuring “Little Prince”-inspired graphics, is an added bonus. The anti-romance song, both for its sound and unique opposite to many of the love songs popular in Korea, is one of this year’s most popular springtime Korean songs.

— Tamar

What was your favorite song from the past 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 Tumblrto keep up with all of our posts.

Reading The Political Signs of ‘Descendants of the Sun’

March 31, 2016/in Entertainment, Television /by Tamar Herman

Every year or so, there is an extremely trendy Korean drama that garners attention from fans and international media alike. KBS2’s currently airing blockbuster series, ”Descendants of the Sun” has been highlighted by everyone from the BBC to CNBC as audiences from around the world go crazy over the difficulties faced by Song Joong Ki’s soldier and Song Hye Kyo’s doctor. With propagandistic overtones amidst rising tensions between the Koreas, “Descendants of the Sun” hits on numerous socio-political issues affecting South Korea today.

Minor spoilers included.

Vehicle For Patriotism

Like Captain America and Superman, Captain Yoo Shi Jin is exactly what a country needs.

Anything that the “Descendants of the Sun” touches has seen a rise in popularity both in and outside of Korea, particularly South Korea’s military force. Star Song Joong Ki swooped in as the handsome, baby-faced Captain Yoo Shin Jin who has morals and can do no wrong. Song, who completed his military service in 2015, is the real life super soldier offered to South Korean viewing audiences at a time when the country has been doing some soul searching regarding its draft even as North Korea makes headlines every other day for proclaiming the end of South Korea and the United States.

The threat of North Korea hangs over South Korean society in numerous ways, but none so impactful as the mandatory conscription of all able-bodied men during the prime of their life. Over the past few years, awareness has grown over social and psychological issues afflicting many South Korean men following their service with putting their life on hold for two years. In the early 2010s there was a public discussion in South Korea to diminish the service period from around 21 months to 18 months, but safety concerns led Korean politicians to make no changes to the draft requirement: All South Korean men (barring exemption due to health issues ranging from being HIV positive to tattoos) must serve in either active duty or as civic officers. According to an interview done by CBS, South Korea’s idea of masculinity is closely linked with military service and any man who hasn’t served in active duty is considered less than manly.

Also on KultScene: DAY6 ‘Letting Go’ Music Video & Song Review

Of course, that doesn’t mean that all South Korean men serve. Sons of the elite South Korean political and business worlds reportedly serve less than their poorer counterparts, getting exemptions for a variety of reasons including revoking their Korean citizenship. A celebrity service unit was disbanded in 2013 following multiple instances of favoritism, raising cries from Korea’s vocal citizens of disparity towards the average Korean male. Multiple instances of psychological issues afflicting soldiers, including a rampage by one soldier in 2007 that led to the death of several other young conscripted soldiers, has led country’s younger generation to grow up in an environment of relative peace (until the last few years) where mandatory enlistment is perceived as less of a necessary duty for protection and more of a burden.

North Korea’s recurring threats instill fear in South Korea’s populace, but Song Joong Ki and co-star Jin Goo’s portrayal of a dashing special force officers acts as a vehicle to promote desirability for soldiers. Both characters, and most of the Korean soldiers, are portrayed as loyal, warmhearted men serving others for a greater good. They are in demand both in the show and off; both men portray soldiers involved in romances with unsuitable women (but whom they will surely end up with by the end of the series) while the actors have seen a surge in popularity throughout the world.

According to the BBC, the official paper of the Chinese Communist Party China’s People’s Daily described the show as “an excellent advertisement for conscription” that does the most to showcase South Korea’s “national spirit” and “communitarian culture.” China is reportedly in talks to recreate “Descendants of the Sun” following the show’s cosmic success and the drama’s ability to seamlessly integrate propagandistic scenes, including the heartwarming raising of the Korean flag and instances of militaristic folk songs and army chants.

Even the civilian characters, such as Song Hye Kyo’s doctor and her team, are called to the greater duties of serving others in time and are also inspired by South Korean patriotism. The show also debates consistently debates the place of soldiers in the world and places doctors, who are meant to save lives, in a place where they must understand the rules of war and killing. Above all, at the end of the day, the army is there to save its country. “As a soldier, there is nothing more important than saving the life of a Korean citizen,” says Song Joong Ki’s character in the seventh episode.

The positive image portrayed of South Korean special forces and soldiers isn’t new for K-dramas, but the “Descendants” popularity crosses borders and helps spread the idea in a way never before seen from a Korean television show.

International Relations

With China acting as the go-between between North and South Korea, the show’s popularity in China and overall positive image comes at a time when tensions are tight. Chinese audiences are falling in love with South Korean soldiers even as their army is allied with North Korean ones. “Descendants of the Sun” isn’t the first K-drama popular in China, but it may signify warming public opinion towards South Korea as North Korea is using increasingly belligerent rhetoric. The Korea Content Creative Agency (KOCCA) estimates that the show will be seen 5 billion times in China by the end of its run. Even Numerous Chinese celebrities, including ex-EXO member Luhan, have parodied moments from the show.

Also on KultScene: Female First Loves: Hyo Sung & Oh My Girl Review

While the popularity of the show in China may reflect pan-Asian political trends, the drama itself displays South Korea’s turn of the head towards the Middle East and Islamic culture as a way to move the popularity of Korean pop culture into an emerging market. South Korea has long been working with Middle Eastern countries to improve international ties, and one of the major streets in Gangnam is Tehran-ro, named after Iran’s capital. South Korea’s oil imports from the Middle East are the highest they’ve been since 1980, reports Bloomberg. K-pop and Korean dramas have been popular for several years in the Middle East and other Islamic countries, and “Descendants of the Sun” follows KCON Abu Dhabi as the second push in 2016 by Korea’s entertainment industry to focus on the Arabic speaking world.

According to the United States State Department, Arabic is spoken by nearly 300 million people. Following the success of K-dramas to fill a niche in the Chinese language market (with over 935 million speakers of Mandarin around the world,) Korean entertainment is looking to make further headway amongst Arabic-speaking audiences during a time when there is warming relations between South Korea and many Middle Eastern states.

“The Descendants of the Sun” takes place partially in the fictionalized country Urk, which is actually a Greek town but appears to be a Middle Eastern country. A branch of the Korean army is the stationed there as UN peacekeepers, highlighting South Korea’s role in worldwide affairs and mostly keeping the military action poised as internationally important work, while the medical team is there on a health mission.

The first few episodes of show features major conflict revolving around Song Hye Kyo’s character saving the life of the man reported to bring peace to the Middle East, a hint of South Korea’s importance in world events. Arabic itself is also important, as Song Joong Ki says the phrase “inshallah,” the Arabic phrase for “if God wills it,” during a pivotal scene.

While “Descendants of the Sun” comes off at first glance as just a typical K-drama, albeit one with a blockbuster cast, budget, and production value, the series is also one of the most politically aware shows coming out of Korea in some time. A deeper look at South Korea’s current climate reveals that the “Descendants of the Sun” influence is far deeper than just the surface story of lovers trying to find a happy ending amidst a warzone.

What do you think of “Descendants of the Sun” and the socio-political trends it bring to light? 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.

DAY6 ‘Letting Go’ Music Video & Song Review

March 30, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEOS /by Anna Cheang

JYP Entertainment’s band DAY6 returned recently with their second mini-album, “Daydream.” However, this comeback is especially significant for the group as it is their first since they became a quintet after Junhyeok’s departure from the band. While the album showed off various music styles and experimentations, title song “Letting Go” was a traditional rock ballad which felt fitting for DAY6.

Song

The song starts off with a beautiful harmony created by the voices of all five members, and this creates a somber mood that remains present throughout the rest of the song. The first third of the song is also surprisingly quiet, up till there’s a change in the mood of the track created by the introduction of the bass drum and an amazing guitar solo. The full glory of DAY6’s vocals and their instruments really come into play here as the song builds to a climax, which is further strengthened with resident rapper Young K’s emotional rap. Though the rap fits in with the general mood and progression of the song, it does however come across as a tad abrupt, especially since the chorus resumed again right after the rap.

As quickly as it had built up, the chorus fades away once again, and in its place is a quiet synthesizer solo. Though extremely simple, it provides a poignant ending to this emotional piece and brings about feelings of acceptance and resignation to the listener. The vocals of the members were also on point in this track, in particular leader Sungjin, whose voice was at times smooth and gentle but at times intense and raspy. He effectively portrayed and conveyed the sadness and hopelessness of the lyrics he was singing, thus also touching the heart of the listener. Members such as Jae and Wonpil also showed remarkable improvement in their vocalisation from their previous album, especially in their handling of long and high notes.

Lyrics

The lyrics of “Letting Go” on first glance appear to be pretty typical, perhaps even bordering on boring for the simple reason that there are many K-pop songs out there which speak of broken hearts and painful relationships as well. When placed into context however, the lyrics seem to be telling a different story. DAY6 debuted late last year with six members but ended up with five when Junhyeok (keyboardist) left the group around a month ago to the shock and sadness of many fans. Since then, the members of DAY6 have deleted their personal instagrams (a group one was created subsequently) and they have declined to comment on the departure of their member.

In this light, “Letting Go”, which was written by members Young K and Wonpil, might have been their answer to their fans, along with the true expressions of their feelings towards Junhyeok. Why else would they have chosen “Letting Go,” a traditional rock ballad, to be their title song when their album had other more unique songs such as “Hunt” or “First Time?”

Times we spent together, our memories
Letting go, letting go, letting go
So you can smile some day

With Junhyeok leaving just a month ago before the release of this new album, it’s highly possible that he was a part of its creation, which makes it even more likely for “Letting Go” to be about him. Despite the somewhat repetitive lyrics of the song, the bittersweet meaning is clear. It’s time for both DAY6 and Sundays (the group’s fans) to move on.

Videography

DAY6 was never really interested in the flashy videos featured in other K-pop music videos, and this can be seen in “Letting Go.” The symbolism in the video though, is another story altogether. From the start, it shows the five members in a circle as they harmonize together, which expresses how DAY6 remains united despite whatever has happened. It was just a split second frame, but the keyboard (without a keyboardist) was also part of that circle.

via sama-gifs

via sama-gifs

The symbolism doesn’t stop there, rather it continues in a somewhat overwhelming fashion with the numerous appearances of the keyboard (again without a keyboardist) throughout the video.

via sama-gifs

via @edinorogoman

The whole video also used a lot of multiplication, possibly to complement the repetitive song, which was creative but ended up giving the video a cluttered feel. There were literally instruments everywhere.

via sama-gifs

via @deisigseu

Overall Thoughts

This comeback from DAY6 was a highly anticipated one and the group did not disappoint. While it is still a heartbreaking time for the members and fans alike, this album is also a clear sign that DAY6 will continue to grow and develop as musicians, no matter what obstacles may come their way.

DAY6 'Letting Go'

How did you find this release by DAY6? 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.

Female First Loves: Hyo Sung & Oh My Girl Review

March 29, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Joe Palmer

Jeon Hyo Sung and Oh My Girl returned with new singles this week touching on similar subjects. That classic idea of first love is something that is easy to fawn at, to claim you’ve heard it all before. That’s the thing about a topic as universal as this is that will always warrant new expressions from new experiences. These two very different female artists approaching the same idea means we almost certainly see something fresh. If not maybe the music will make you fall in love with the girls anyway (it definitely will).

Despite Secret being around for so long now, Hyo Sungs’s solo career is still young and often wildly overlooked. Her lullaby trap anthem “Goodnight Kiss” and silky smooth “Into You” are masterful works in overt but not desperate sexiness. She pulls off songs and concepts without being too talented at any given skill needed for a popstar. With her new single “Find Me” Hyo Sung continues her challenge to be the new and improved Son Dambi.

Oh My Girl on the other hand are a very young group with 2016 being only their second year in K-pop. They, however, are rising fast and are in their own battle with Twice to be the next Girls’ Generation. While they don’t have the same big company backing them like their opponents, they do have a quirky identity that is all their own. They also have two of the best songs of last year under their belt already so with new single “Liar Liar”, Oh My Girl look to stake a permanent place in the minds of K-pop fans.

Also on KultScene: Eric Nam’s ‘Interview’ Album Review

Hyo Sung “Find Me”

Hyo Sung is clearly taking advantage of Eurovision fever (the songs in the contest are currently being announced) with this Euro pop romp. “Find Me” mixes three major musical elements to tell a story of true love. A house beat and hand claps sustain the whole song while piano arrangements and synths deliver the big moments. That beat allows those sounds to pick up tempo and sound a little brighter. Usually a combo of piano and synths is used for more melancholic or subdued sounds but here it can flourish. It also contains my favourite detail from any song so far this year, the flute whisper in the chorus.

“Find Me” moves away from Hyo Sung’s last single “Into You” in an interesting way thematically. Love is such a common theme in pop music but is everlasting because of its diverse nature. Everyone reacts to it differently and Hyo Sung is showing that even first love can be varied for the same person. Where “Into You” had a more inquisitive sensual feeling of the latent sexual possibilities found in a new love, “Find Me” traces a more euphoric emotion, one filled with romance and comfort. The music reflects this brilliantly. “Find Me” bursts into life with a crash of piano, synth, and vocal. It rises from there into a chorus of unrestrained joy led by Hyo Sung’s beautifully emotive voice.

Oh My Girl “Liar Liar”

Oh My Girl also tackle new love but in a decidedly more adolescent way on “Liar Liar.” The girls are starting to think they “kinda like” a boy but are too afraid to confess to him. For young girls like Oh My Girl, this is as dramatic it gets. And as Seunghee sings, it’s an “emotional roller coaster.” To convey these feelings with music, Oh My Girl go back to their debut “Cupid.” From the cheerleader group vocals and drumlines, it’s easy to see this as “Cupid” 2.0 but with added bubblegum. This sound is perfect for those feelings though. The chaotic energy of it feels totally adolescent while not being too childish. Also, “Cupid” was maybe my favourite song of last year so I’ll take a retread of it anytime.

That being said, there are a few improvements that make “Liar Liar” even more worthwhile. The vocals notable are much better. The trinity of Hyo Jung, Seunghee, and YooA are as good as ever, but first time I noticed some of the others playing an actually worthwhile part in the song. Notably, Arin and JinE make a contribution by not being amazing singers but sounding very much like the teenage girls that they are.

The music video is an absolute delight as well. The single coloured crayola sets are fantastic and weird. The fight between all the girls to deem each other liars is so much much fun. Especially the staring contest between Seunghee and Hyo Jung as they hold pictures of the same boy (who I think is labelmate Gongchan from B1A4) that they like. The camera swings around both of them cutting between opposite sides of the table bringing energy to their stillness.

Also on KultScene: Hyo Sung, BESTie & the Hook in K-Pop

Overall

Hyo Sung and Oh My Girl tackle similar themes with completely different outcomes here. What makes them work for both parties is that they both stick to what works for them as artists. Hyo Sung is a woman clearly not afraid of her sexuality. She flaunts her body to express this physically and her voice to express it emotionally. This is one woman’s idea of fresh love.

Oh My Girl are essentially children so their expression of a first love is purely innocent. It’s about teasing out confusing feelings that are pointless in the long run but oh so important in the moment. They call themselves liars because they don’t actually know what it is they feel.

What do you think of Hyo Sung and Oh My Girl’s new 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.

Eric Nam’s ‘Interview’ Album Review

March 28, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Anna Cheang

Popular Korean MC-singer Eric Nam recently came back with his mini-album “Interview”and is maintaining a high spot on local music charts despite strong competition posed by other returns by idol groups such as GOT7. It’s great news for a largely underrated singer like Eric Nam, especially because “Interview” is a marvellous album that’s proved its worth in the chart rankings.

“Interview”

This opening track kicks off the album brilliantly with a “feel-good” vibe that is complemented by Eric’s smooth voice and muted instrumentals. The lyrics wittily describe the first meeting of a guy and a girl by framing it as an interview, which is clever in itself because Eric has conducted numerous interviews throughout his own career. It’s adorable yet romantic to listen to, much like the creative lyrical video that accompanied the song.

”Good For You”

The cheerfulness is dissipated by the time we reach the single of the album but it is no less well done than the first track. With a soft and jazzy piano introduction Eric carries the song in a relaxed manner, fully expressing the simple lyrics of the song. The song is quiet for the most part, but at the emotional climax of the track Eric displays his trademark high notes. The music video for this track is shot beautifully with a very romantic and vintage lighting. The main story of the video centers around three particular characters; a tired ballerina, a worn out barista and a hopeless office woman. As Eric croons his song over the radio and the three characters listen to it they are encouraged and energized. While not fully relevant to the song itself, it makes for a sweet plot and a great watch.

Also on Kultscene: Girl Crush: KittiB

”Stop The Rain”

“Stop The Rain” is a marked difference from Eric’s usual laid back style but it’s a difference that is much welcome in this album. It starts out softly but the tempo is upbeat from the start and intensifies as the song goes along. The chorus is structured in an unique way but is catchy and addictive. With meaningful lyrics that speak of failure and hope along with Eric’s powerful vocals, this is easily the best and most memorable song of the album.

”No Comment”

Rounding out the album we have a song that returns to how this album started but in a more depressing and somber fashion after the excitement of meeting someone for the first time fizzles out betrayal and heartbreak start to creep in. This is exactly what Eric tackles in his last track. The skilful use of the phrase “No Comment” draws back to the initial idea of “Interview” this heartbreaking track pulls out all the stops in the form of emotional high notes, string instrumentals and a quiet closure.

Also on Kultscene: Battle of the Underappreciated K-pop Groups: A.Cian vs. Lip Service

Overall Thoughts

Eric Nam has effectively outdone himself with this short album that managed to stay cohesive and keep a high quality throughout. I’m looking forward to his future releases (and am desperately hoping that he will gain more attention with this album) and his continued growth as a musician.

What did you think of his album? 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: March 20-27

March 27, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

Each week, KultScene’s staff introduces our favorite new songs from Korea that were released during the last few days. This week, we introduce songs by Dean, Lyn, KittiB, and Amber.

1. DEAN “what2do” (uploaded March 23)

Along with Crush and Jeff Bernat, DEAN released “what2do” back in January. Each vocalist added their signature R&B flair that made it an impossibly irresistible song. With that being said, without a doubt, DEAN is the best thing about that song. So now that he’s performing it solo, I can’t help but to stan it. Don’t get me wrong, the original version in awesome, but being DEAN biased, him singing the song by himself is a nice treat for this fangirl who melts with the sound of even his yawn.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Girl Crush: KittiB

2. Lyn “With You” (uploaded March 23)

The latest addition to the ever-expanding list of original soundtrack (OST) songs for the currently airing hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” is “With You” an exceptional one by skilled vocalist Lyn. Lyn’s voice is at times soft and at times powerful, but she never fails to bring meaning and emotion to every lyric she sings. The instrumentals in this track blend together perfectly to create this song which is full of yearning and passion, befitting of the romance in this drama.

— Anna

3. KittiB “Doin Good” (uploaded March 21)

“Who knew I’d have so much fun breaking prejudices”

Of the small bit of Unpretty Rapstar I watched, KittiB was someone who always stood out. Her small stature hid an impressive strength not just to her voice but to her presence too. “Doin Good” continues a strong run from her with tracks that not just please the ear but are a part of her identity. It’s her angry retort to an ex but has traces of self hatred as well, something that feels a lot more honest that most rappers. Especially compared to the feature of Verbal Jint which works sonically, but his brags about money are tired. The trap beat is good but I really love the autotuned vocals in the chorus. They’re as a sort of mocking nature to the way her voice connects with it. I also really like this trend of purple, pink, and blue lighting in music videos.

— Joe

Also on KultScene: Battle of the Underappreciated K-pop Groups: A.cian vs. Lip Service

4. Amber “Borders” (March 24)

SM Entertainment’s STATION releases have been a bit overwhelming, but each song has been a gift. Last week’s addition was from Amber of f(x), who released an English-language self-composed track that is one of the most inspirational songs ever put out by a K-pop idol. “Borders” is all about achieving your goals and features Amber both as a singer and a rapper, giving her a chance to showcase her wide-range of talent. The song’s title hints to Amber’s background as a Taiwanese-American artist who moved to Korea to pursue her dream. The song is even more poignant given a message Amber wrote on the YouTube video of “Borders” that shows a new, self-aware element of K-pop: “I’ve been doing this job for a long time and right now I speak not as Amber of f(x) nor ‘celebrity’ Amber, but just Amber. Just plain, simple, human Amber. ‘Borders’ is more than a song; no glamorous concepts, no ‘trying to be cool.’”

–Tamar

Girl Crush: KittiB

March 26, 2016/in Entertainment /by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum

Like most fans abroad, the first time we heard about South Korean rapper KittiB was when she appeared on the second season of “Unpretty Rapstar.” If you watched the show, you’re aware it was met with criticism that both the contestants and the format of the show was subpar to its first installment. KittiB was one of the few rappers who was an actual underground rapper, with most contestants being either from idol groups or rookies. Alas, her journey was rocky and it took her literally the entire show to win a feature on the song; the last before the finals. To her credit though, “On the Edge” produced by YDG is probably one of the best, if not the best, song from the season.

However, after “On the Edge” and making it onto the semifinals, something sparked in KittiB’s head, for she woke up from her season-long slumber and began to slay. Her verses on the collaborative songs with the rest of the contestants were also fire. And let’s not forget about the masterpiece that is “Ronda Rousey Flow.” A trap anthem about shutting down bitches who try to put her down but don’t measure up (*cough*, Yubin, *cough*). Unfortunately, she didn’t win the show. She did, however, win the title of “baddest bitch,” because just like Yezi, they were the only two contestants who proved they’re the real deal and can back up their claims of greatness.

Also on KultScene: Fandom, Not Genre, K-Pop Surpasses The Limitations Of Music

Fast forward a few months, KittiB, who formerly released her music independently, is now signed to Brand New Music — home to rappers San E and Verbal Jint and singer Bumkey. She recently dropped her latest single, the first signed to the label, “Doin’ Good” and it’s a continuation of what we already know: KittiB slays. The track follows the trap trend, but doesn’t go into full-on stereotype. Verbal Jint, who’s featured, and KittiB mellow it down and keep the instrumentals simple to highlight the song’s message. The lyrics tell her story about being in an abusive relationship compellingly, declaring that even though she was broken down by the former lover, she’s now doing good. Unlike Yezi’s “Crazy Dog” which was ruined by San E’s participation, Verbal Jint complements KittiB’s flow and overall concept; he’s the yin to her yang.

Also on KultScene: Park Shi Hoo’s Two-Pronged Post-Scandal Return To K-Dramas

It takes a certain level of guts and confidence to put out songs like “Ronda Rousey Flow” — which owns all the bad comments directed at her, especially being fat shamed, and discredits them because her talent speaks louder than that — and “Doin’ Good” — which speaks candidly about a topic a lot of people feel ashamed of speaking out about. Not only is she hot (fuck the fat shamers, she’s actually just curvy), but her lyrics are never empty, yolo-swag, #turnup jams.

Her two last songs on “Unpretty Rapstar 2” plus her newest single earned her spot in Korean rap table with other great rappers of all genders. Let’s hope she now gets the attention and kudos she deserves. Other female rappers should watch their crowns for KittiB is well on her way to snatch it.

kittib ronda rousey flow gif korean rapper

via coma07 @ Tumblr

What do you think of KittiB’s latest song? 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.

Battle of the Underappreciated K-pop Groups: A.cian vs. Lip Service

March 25, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Joe Palmer

With all the Got7s, Red Velvets, and Lee His taking over the charts these days, I figured it was a good time to look at some of the lesser known groups who have had recent releases. Then I figured what better way to celebrate them then with a bloody fight to the death? Who needs Zack Snyder’s “Batman V Superman” when we’ve got Lip Service and A.cian?

The Groups

Naturally enough because of their status as less popular K-pop acts, it’s not easy to find a lot of concrete information on these groups. Lip Service debuted as a two member hip-hop group with rapper Bipa and vocalist Cora with “Yum Yum Yum” in 2014. Their company is hard to pin down; “Yum Yum Yum” was first released by NOW Entertainment but the Youtube channel from that company was never used again. The rest of their videos were released by Sony Music Korea, although they don’t seem to be under that label. Their newest release from last week is on a completely new channel and, again, seems to be with a new company. Many comments on Lip Service’s videos on YouTube are in Russian, alluding to a sizeable fan base in Russia. For their second release “Too Fancy,” Lip Service added a third member, Anna, and now, following the departure of Cora, they’ve added a new vocalist CinD. It’s a bit hard to keep up with, I know, but that’s the life of a less successful rookie group. Wait until you see A.cian…

As far as I can tell, A.cian have gone through a complete change of lineup since their debut in 2012. They debuted with six members, all of whom have left, and even one member who was added later left, leaving only four remaining A.Cian members standing. Like Lip Service, A.cian’s company is a bit of a quandary. I think they debuted with ISS Entertainment and moved onto to Mono Music Korea. Right now, their videos are being released on 1theK, so they could be with anyone. Interestingly enough, they must have a Thai connection as they released a Thai version of one of their songs. When I say interestingly, I mean I finally found something unique about them.

Also on KultScene: Weekly K-pop Faves: March 1(3)-March 19

The Debut

Judging by their debut, Lip Service seemed like a group going for that Crayon Pop/Pungdeng-E route of almost full-on comedy pop. “Yum Yum Yum” is an EDM hip-hop track about a girl who wants to lose weight but can’t because food is too delicious. It’s actually a quite funny takedown of the overly body conscious K-pop world. The line “My day’s going to be over just counting my calories” makes fun of the idol who spends more time worrying about their body than their music. That music is weird and energetic enough to match the childish lyrics. The electronics are supercharged and raps blisteringly fast. It has no regular break or bridge, which gives it the impression of being almost never ending. This means its structure is almost literally just the chorus/verse repeated. “Yum Yum Yum” comes off a little hard to listen to more than once but you’ll have fun that one time.

A.cian’s debut is the exact opposite of “Yum Yum Yum.” “Stuck” is a lo-fi dance pop track about wanting someone to be stuck deep inside. Could this be a gay K-pop anthem? The subdued opening is great, the music track takes a step back to highlight A.cian’s vocals well. It’s also an original choice given the time it was released. Some of the vocals are a bit weird,which I like, and the verse after the first chorus is a kind of talk rap that goes up and down in pitch wildly within each sentence. That chanting chorus sucks the life out of the song, unfortunately. It seems to be trying to do the exact opposite, but losing the lo-fi quality with completely undynamic vocals loses the song its original edge.

Result: Lip Service by a smidgen. “Yum Yum Yum” is too bizarre and fun to let something as dull as “Stuck” beat it.

The New Release

Jump ahead four years and A.cian come back with a new lineup and sound. That sound unfortunately is little more than an amalgamation of all the popular sounds of the day. Namely the boy next door revival of B1A4 and Got7 with added rapping on “Touch”. It takes a certain amount of skill to pull off this sound and look for boys, as it can very easily become embarrassing. While they don’t do too badly overall, it doesn’t work. The song is led nicely by electric guitars and has appropriately silly choreography. It has this 8-bit electronic sound which sounds awful and was probably there to make it a bit weird or modern. The rapping as well doesn’t work. I recently mentioned how Yezi’s rap in “Mirror” gave it a modern edge thanks to the tone of her voice; A.cian do something similar but it misses out simply because they can’t rap as well as Yezi. They put on slightly heavier rap voices that don’t work in this context.

A.cian’s latest song may not have been a huge improvement in terms of quality, but they at least got a bump in production costs not just for their music but video too. Lip Service seem to have gone backward in this regard since 2014. Their recent new single “Hello” continues their love of EDM and hip-hop but with a more serious tone. The sound is sub-par for this day and age, each element is rough and poorly mixed, and the video is something even Blady would be ashamed of. It’s frustrating because this could have been at least a great track with a higher production value and added polish. It utilizes the vocals and music together in different parts to contrast against each other. Sweet vocals go over pianos while fierce raps introduce the electro elements. Also, judging by the video, the song is about drinking too much at parties which is an interesting subject for idols to approach. The subtitle of the song “Only Eating Dew” is evocative as well. Without translated lyrics, it’s hard to understand what it really evokes though. The confrontational rap post chorus and the reintroduction of the piano right after suggest a sincerity to the song. Over images of drinks being poured and smashed disco balls, it’s a beautiful sobering moment amongst the mess.

Result: Lip Service. Again, the eccentricity of Lip Service wins out. Flawed beauty is exactly what I like from groups like this.

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: 4Ten

The Best of the Rest

Unfortunately the best of what’s left for Lip Service is between a track off their new album which sounds like Bipa’s audition for Mnet’s “Unpretty Rapstar” and a rap/vocal coffee shop R&B duet (yes, both of those are inherently bad). I’ve gone for “What If Spring Comes” (the coffee shop song if you couldn’t tell by that title) mostly because it has the best rapping of their songs. Like “Yum Yum Yum,” it has little structure apart from Bipa’s raps and Anna and guest vocalist J-Lin’s choruses. It feels like it goes round in circles but the vocals are all quite good so it isn’t too bad. I also love the cheapness of the video. The low quality works well this time because it fits the whole aesthetic of the song being a quick turnaround to show Lip Service were still a thing after Cora left. Judging by shadows and the grainy footage, it was shot on a smartphone as well. The video has shots of the most random things cut against the members singing in their own awkward frames. Everything about it screams this was done quickly and cheaply and there was no effort to hide that. I like that frankness.

A.cian’s highlight is actually really similar to “Touch” but much better in every aspect. “Driving” is a bubblegum pop song that uses driving as a metaphor for falling in love. The vocals all play up the sweetness of the track with the falsetto chorus being a highlight. The rap this time fits in better with the whole track and don’t outstay their welcome. Everything about is classic pop from the stupid metaphor to the gloriously fun dancing. It’s generic but there’s little to fault with something as delightful as this.

Result: A.cian. “Driving” is the most classically good song of what both can offer.

The Worst of the Rest

A.cian’s “OUCH” is everything bad about modern boy groups rolled into one. Ever since B.A.P made it big, boy groups have been clambering to get that tough guy rap sound down. While some are succeeding, most are being left behind. And judging by this, that’s a good thing. “OUCH” is a mess of electronics and guitars complete with subpar B.A.P Daehyun-esque vocals and too many raps. A.cian once again chant in the chorus but to little effect whereas B.A.P’s Bang Yong Guk can growl a chorus into something really aggressive; A.cian sound like young boys in comparison to the power of B.A.P. They also try to imitate BTS with the choreography, essentially stealing some moves from the choreography of “Boy in Luv.” They don’t have the skill to pull it off though, lacking fluidity in strong moves and resulting in A.cian looking like robots.

Groups that are trying to make a point or are maybe doing something in service of a joke can sometimes get away with imagery that could be considered inappropriate. Lip Service try that with “Too Fancy” but fail miserably. The follow up to “Yum Yum Yum” is similar in sound and structure but not as fun. The song itself is making fun of the consumerist culture in Korea by depicting a girl who wants everything but it’s all too expensive. The images used to portray this in the video however, are ridiculous. Bipa wears braids, lost of gold chains, and dances with a black man while making it rain with a bundle of cash. The girls also attempt to twerk with close ups of their butts. It’s more embarrassing for them than it is offensive, but still, it was stupid to use these images for a song like this. It also steals the sax from Ariana Grande’s “Problem,” which is the most banal thing you can do nowadays.

Result: Tie. “Too Fancy” is overall offensive and “OUCH” is offensive to eyes and ears of the world over, so you can’t separate them.

Lip Service have come out on top with their strangeness being the deciding factor while A.cian have had generic sounds following them throughout their career. Despite some well executed tracks and bad production nearly making them interesting, it isn’t enough to beat a flop girl group. These parody girl groups tend to be some of them most interesting things that K-pop produces. The potent mix of sincerity and desperation creates sounds and looks that transcend what we know as pop music today.

Who do you think is better A.cian or Lip Service? 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.

Weekly K-pop Faves: March 1(3)-March 19

March 20, 2016/in Fans /by KultScene

After nearly two years of our KultScene Playlist Sunday, our staff put their heads together and decided it’s time for something now. So this week we are debuting KultScene’s brand new Weekly K-Pop Faves column. Don’t mind us though, because we’re cheating just a tiny bit this week, since we haven’t covered many of the March releases. So, without further adieu, please enjoy our inaugural edition of KultScene’s Weekly K-Pop Faves.

1. Ian Jo’s “The Little Prince Of The Rose” (released March 8)

The release of this ballad is a special one because it does not just mark a singer’s debut, it is also a discovery of a beautiful gem, at least for this K-pop industry. Ian Jo, a new singer-songwriter from a relatively obscure company, Madeleine Music, charmed with his voice, which was certainly not the typical ballad sound. Rather than using techniques like vibrato or showing off his high notes, Ian Jo’s voice was simple and even stark at some points, but it still carried the right amount of emotion and strength. The song is masterfully crafted and the various instruments blended well together to complement the overall feel of the song. It’s a pity that this singer and his company are not more well-recognized; it’s shocking that a song of this quality has only 251 views on Youtube. I’m certainly looking forward to the day that Ian Jo becomes an accomplished musician but until then, “The Little Prince Of The Rose” will sustain me.

— Anna

Also on KultScene: Fiestar’s ‘A Delicate Sense’ Album Review

2. Hyomin’s “Sketch” (released March 16)

“Because I’ll be awakened by the tip of your brush.”

Before Secret’s Hyosung comes back, Hyomin of T-ara has staked a claim for the sexiest girl group solo release of the year. That being said, I don’t think it matters what else comes out because everything about “Sketch” is sexy. The silky smooth R&B that bobs up and down with incredible ease and Hyomin’s high pitched vocals are almost dripping with sensual sweat. Piano twinkles in and out to offer a sweeter touch. The dance break is a bit too heavy around the rest of the song; I can see what they trying to do but it doesn’t really work, especially when the choreography that came before consisted of slow, simple but beautiful movements. It touches on the verge of overly explicit but is reigned in just right.

— Joe

3. KNK’s “Knock” (released March 2)

If there’s a song and group debut that took a few of the KultScene writers by storm is KNK with “Knock.” Seemingly out of nowhere, the guy group debuted with a hard-hitting mid-tempo angsty ballad about not wanting to renounce the girl they like then turns into a sort of intro at the chorus. Inconsistent? Maybe, but it’s simplistic instrumentals emphasizing the percussion at the chorus and the variety of vocals tie it together to be one of the best debut song by a rookie this year. And of course, the fact that they all seem like fashion models just adds fuel to the “omg i can’t stan another group” fire. This writer only hopes KNK survives long enough to give us more stunning releases.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Fandom, Not Genre, K-Pop Surpasses The Limitations Of Music

4. Red Velvet’s “One Of these Nights” (Released March 19)

Red Velvet’s done a complete 360 from the upbeat dance concepts of “Ice Cream Cake” and “Dumb Dumb” that made them big last year and come back with their velvety side on “One Of These Nights.” The song is a building mid tempo tune that incorporates a variety of orchestral elements and a tapping bass to transform into a melodic, sultry ballad that highlights Red Velvet’s vocals. The song is a bit funky, in that it’s too all over the place with its ambient sound and transitions to be a true ballad but not upbeat enough to be any sort of dance track. “One Of These Nights” caught many Red Velvet fans off guard after the group’s brighter sounds and even their sexier concepts (“Automatic,” “Be Natural”) but that’s definitely not a bad thing. Red Velvet’s wowed on “One Of These Nights” in a way that was perhaps necessary for their longevity. Previously, Red Velvet’s songs were particularly gimmicky (and this one is too, to some degree thanks to hidden meaning related to the Korean title and a traditional folktale,) but “One Of These Nights” first and foremost puts Red Velvet’s belting and melodies ahead of the ear catching beats that their other songs have thrived on. “One Of These Nights” shows Red Velvet’s cohesiveness as singers as well as a, somewhat necessary, reminder that Red Velvet has come a long way since the juvenile sound of their debut song, 2014’s “Happiness.”

—Tamar

What was your favorite song from this month so far? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblrto keep up with all of our posts.