Page 40 – KultScene

Taemin ‘Press Your Number’ Music Video & Song Review

February 28, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by KultScene

By Sana Parvayz

K-pop is becoming a global phenomenon, and the bridge between Western Pop and K-pop is rapidly decreasing. 2016 has already kicked off as a year filled with Western collaborations, beginning with 4MINUTE and Skrillex on their latest album and now SHINee Taemin’s collaboration with Bruno Mars. There’s been hype for his newest album “Press It” since the teasers. And now that the music video for the title song “Press Your Number” dropped, we’re witnessing nothing less than perfection.

Song

Taemin’s “Press Your Number” is produced by Bruno Mars and team Stereotypes, who have worked with various famous western musicians in the past. The single is an urban pop dance song about a man expressing his broken heart while waiting for the loved one. The song starts off with sensual sighs and a guitar accompanied by synths. Further, the song falls into an electronic beat. The song is amazingly recorded and the sound quality is rich. The chorus is catchy and the vocals are pleasing to the ears.

Moreover, as the title says, Taemin keeps on calling his lover, hence the pressing of the numbers. However, he never gets an answer from the other side. The following lyrical lines expresses the situation really well, “… I started talking to myself often. even though I call you, you don’t answer often. where are you now? Please come back to me….”

Also on KultScene: Jo Kwon’s ‘Crosswalk’ & Seulong’s ‘On The Way To Love’ Are Reminiscent of 2AM

The song definitely has those Bruno Mars vibes we all know with a hint of SHINee flavour. “Press Your Number” shows a mature side of Taemin as an artist. Interestingly, this song has some similarity with Bruno Mars’ “Press It” demo. The demo has a laid back tone, where as Taemin’s “Press Your Number” is more upbeat and lively.

Music Video

The music video starts with Taemin robbing a convenience store. The idol played the part of the criminal and victim as well, from robbing the store to crashing his car. The video shows a lot of symbolism and artistic themes, such as the blue roses that followed him everywhere he went that referenced his past following his present. Eventually, his gang is caught by police, but Taemin escaped. Later on, Taemin started to hallucinate and reached a point where he could no longer bear himself. So, he sets himself and his car on fire. Although the video doesn’t show any direct relation between the girl and Taemin, it still signifies that there was something important between them. The girl casted in this video was also a part of SHINee’s “View.”

Furthermore, the choreography is unique and exquisite. Taemin’s dance moves showed Michael Jackson’s influence. The back-up dancers synced really well with Taemin. The music video captured heavenly landscapes which made it aesthetically pleasing. The cinematography of this video was graceful and the locations were beautiful. Also, the colour correction is mind-blowing; it was like blending the Victorian era with the 21^st century. The castle, car, his suit and dial-up telephone gave a vintage feel to the video, blending with urbanization by showing cityscape and modern apparel. SM Entertainment really made sure to highlight Taemin as a promising artist. Taemin portrayed mature and intimidating image through his recent music video and album.

Also on KultScene: 8 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 4

SM Entertainment also released two dance versions for Taemin’s “Press Your Number.” Both of the dance versions were shooted in different places and different costumes, following the theme of the music video. Have a look at the both dance versions which higlighted Taemin’s dancing skills.

Overall Thoughts

Excluding BoA and Kangta, Taemin is the first SM Entertainment artist to get a solo full-album. Without a doubt, “Press Your Number” is remarkable in every perspective; from song to video, both are aesthetically pleasing. I think Taemin has raised the bar for other SM artists and K-pop idols alike. It definitely showed artist growth since “Danger,” and I can proudly say that I am in love with this work.

Taemin 'Press Your Number'

Let us know what do you think about this video? Would you look forward to Taemin’s stage performances or not? Be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to stay updated.

HISTORY Talks Teamwork & Upcoming Releases [INTERVIEW]

February 27, 2016/in Features /by Eve Backhouse

K-pop boy band HISTORY wowed British fans at their concert in London on February 21. But even before the show began, KultScene caught up with the Loen Entertainment quintet. Despite their tight schedule the members sat down with us and, with the help of an interpreter, opened up about their career, upcoming releases, and their European concert tour.

KultScene: Thank you so much for sitting down with me and welcome to England! What aspect of meeting your European fans are you most looking forward to?

Jae Ho: We have only been to Finland so far and just arrived in the UK. We had the chance to meet a few of the fans in Helsinki, though. It seems like the European supporters are quite vocal, so we are looking forward to hearing more of their enthusiasm for our performances on the other stops of our European tour.

KS: Let’s talk about your career a little bit. What qualities does HISTORY feel they have as a group which make them unique in the K-Pop world?

Do Kyun: All K-pop idols work very hard on stage, but I believe that HISTORY’s main strength as a group is the teamwork among our five members. This is what allows us to produce a very powerful performance on stage for our fans.

Also on KultScene: Fans Go ‘Psycho’ At HISTORY’s London Concert

KS: How does the experience of performing for your fans in Europe differ to that in South Korea?

Si Hyoung: The Korean fans just like to listen and watch us on stage, whereas the European fans we’ve met so far preferred to interact with us. They danced and sang along loudly in unison to our performances.

KS: A lot of your music videos, including the Hitchcock inspired “Psycho” and drug- related “What Am I To You,” have intense concepts with graphic storylines. How much of a role do History’s members have in this creative process?

Kyungil: We don’t have any input into our music video concepts, but our personal influence with regards to songwriting is increasing with every album. Our next release, which is coming out soon, will have a lot of our influence and thoughts put into it.

KS: My next question is for Yi Jeong. Even though you’re the youngest member you’ve showcased a lot of talent writing songs for HISTORY, such as the group’s latest Korean single “Might Just Die.“ However your solo track, “1Century,” was geared more towards hip hop. What made you go in that direction?

Yi Jeong: HISTORY as a team usually has a gentler image, but I personally really love hip hop and wanted to try out a different sound for my solo track, mostly to challenge myself.

Also on KultScene: EXO Made The Audience Feel Like One At EXO’luXion New York

KS: What can we look forward to from HISTORY in 2016?

Do Kyun: In 2016 we plan, as a group, to find more ways to communicate with our fans through broadcasting activities. We don’t have any specific plans for solo projects at the present time.

Kyungil: HISTORY is working on an album right now as a group, so the fans can expect to hear that very soon.

KS:Do you have a final message for your fans at KultScene?

Kyungil: Please give HISTORY a lot of love and support from Europe and we will return soon with more activities and surprises for you!

What do you think of HISTORY? Are you a fan? Share your thoughts and what you’d like to ask HISTORY 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.

[Picture by: Sophie Tang]

Fans Go ‘Psycho’ At HISTORY’s London Concert

February 26, 2016/in Events /by Eve Backhouse

We all know how passionate K-pop aficionados can get about their stars, but when Korean boyband HISTORY came to London on Sunday, February 21 the enthusiasm of the fans bordered on hysteria. By 11 that morning, a humored crowd had assembled outside the O2 Academy Islington and were singing the band’s hits, as well as signing a huge Union Jack flag to present to the members of HISTORY.

The venue opened its doors at 5 p.m. and the diehard fans, officially acknowledged by History and their management as Storia, filled the 800 capacity hall in no time. With the show scheduled to start at 6 p.m., the audience sang, chanted, and waved fluorescent green glow sticks in feverish anticipation of seeing their favorite K-pop idols. Several well-crafted fan banners were also seen in the crowd and were so large that the band couldn’t possibly fail to spot them.

The roof very nearly lifted off the venue when the members of HISTORY first appeared on stage, and the guys looked bemused and delighted in equal measure by their rapturous reception. Immaculately dressed in black brocade jackets, black trousers, and casual shoes, the band opened with “Dreamer,” their debut song from 2013. HISTORY immediately wowed the crowd with their harmonious vocals and slick choreography, making full use of the entire stage area to showcase their dance skills.

The concert consisted of HISTORY performing songs from their Korean discography along with the addition of their most recent Japanese single, “Lost.” Songs like “Torn Apart,” a melancholic acoustic ballad, “Tomorrow,” an upbeat song with a Latin/Swing vibe, and “Nobody Nowhere,” a mid-tempo number featuring prominent Spanish guitars, really stood out throughout the course of the night.

Do Kyun’s solo stage was noticeably the only point in the show when the noise from the crowd subsided, and during his heartfelt ballad you could have heard a pin drop. He enthralled the fans with his powerhouse vocals, which seemed incongruous with his shy and quiet persona, and received rousing cheers and applause for his efforts.

“What Am I To You” followed the ballad with its infectious, upbeat Latin rhythms and was a real crowd pleaser. The song perfectly showcased HISTORY swaggering dance moves and flawless synchronicity; it had the audience singing along and screaming loudly throughout the entire performance.

Also on KultScene: EXO Made The Audience Feel Like One At EXO’luXion New York

Between songs, HISTORY maintained a high level of interaction with the audience and entertained everyone with some hilarious comments, relayed in English by a female translator. Jae Ho remarked that he found the girls in the UK very pretty and was immediately ribbed by leader Kyungil, who told him: “You will say the same thing in Paris!” Tongue firmly in cheek, Kyungil also informed us that in Korea Jae Ho was dubbed quite the Casanova.

The crowd went wild anytime Kyungil displayed his brotherly affection for youngest member Yi Jeong, prompting the pair to play up to this with good humor by hugging and kissing each other on the cheek. Jae Ho also elicited a similarly enthusiastic response, when he said that it was HISTORY’s first time in London and he wanted anyone who saw them sightseeing in the city to come up and say hello.

Predictably, “Psycho” drew some of the loudest screams of the night, with its erotically charged choreography and menacing vocals, during which Kyungil teased the audience by giving the impression he would perform the infamous hair pulling move on Yi Jeong earlier than expected and brought the house down when he eventually performed the movements of the group’s iconic dance. Si Hyoung then told us that HISTORY would perform a track exclusively for the London audience from their upcoming album, but drew a loud laugh when he swore us all to secrecy before the group performed the mystery track. Yi Jeong mesmerized the concert goers with his fantastic vocal range and sensitive solo, which was promptly followed up by two performances comprising of smaller units of HISTORY, the former featuring Jae Ho and Do Kyun and the latter Yi Jeong, Kyungil and Si Hyoung.

HISTORY broke for a question and answer session towards the end of the concert, during which Jae Ho tried, unsuccessfully, to quiet the crowd. Consequently, it wasn’t always possible to hear the questions and answers relayed by the translator, but there were some standout moments. For example, when Kyungil was asked by one female fan: “Why are you so handsome?” she was visibly shaken when he fixed her with a smoldering gaze and responded flirtatiously: “Why are you so cute?”

Si Hyoung was given a rousing cheer when he told us that HISTORY had come to give the audience energy, but the band had actually drawn more energy themselves from our enthusiastic support. It was during this time that the guys sat down on the stage and instructed their Korean staff members to take photographs of them with the entire audience as a backdrop.

Also on KultScene: 8 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 4

The boys subsequently performed the highly anticipated and notoriously raunchy “Might Just Die” to the obvious delight of the assembled Storia. The routine’s most suggestive dance moves provoked the biggest uproar of the night and left the fans loudly chanting HISTORY’s name in the hope they would return for encores. In a show full of strenuous and demanding choreography, the boys returned to perform both Yi Jeong’s composition “Ghost” and their second Korean single “Tell Me Love” with their boundless energy and enthusiasm still intact. Just as well, because HISTORY had a meet and greet event scheduled immediately afterwards!

At the end of such a memorable evening, the crowd was understandably reluctant and sad at the prospect of having to bid farewell to the band and many dedicated fans were still waiting around outside the venue at 9 p.m., hoping to see HISTORY’s final departure after a night full of memories.

Moreover, KultScene had the opportunity of interviewing HISTORY, so be sure to check back for that in the next couple of days!

What do you think of HISTORY’s show? Did you attend any of the European stops on HISTORY’s tour? Share your experiences and thoughts and what you’re wrongly hearing in K-pop songs 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.

EXO Made The Audience Feel Like One At EXO’luXion New York

February 24, 2016/in Events /by Tamar Herman

EXO’s first ever North American tour came to an end on Sunday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But while the performance was the fifth and final stop of the North American leg of EXO PLANET EXO PLANET #2 – The EXO’luXion, it felt like the start of something new for many in the crowd. With EXO and their East Coast fans coming together for the first time ever, the night was one filled with euphoria as the audience and artists built a bond through the night.

Amidst an outpouring love from EXO-L’s (EXO’s official fanclub), the energy was intense as EXO took the stage. Even prior to the start of the show, the excitement was palpable as fans screamed every time a picture of their favorite EXO member flashed on screen, with the loudest cries dedicated to MIA member Lay who is resting from an injury from a television shoot in China.

The Prudential Center filled up near maximum capacity with a white ocean of fans waving official lightsticks, chanting along to EXO’s songs playing prior to the concert. The show kicked off with a video highlighting the mythology of EXO’s members being extraterrestrial beings with supernatural powers, hyping the audience up for the energy EXO was about to showcase.

Also on KultScene: 8 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 4

Throughout the next few hours, EXO showed the audience what made them worthy of that place in the Korean music scene. Despite the language barrier, EXO and EXO-L’s alike understood one another through shared passion as soon as EXO took to the stage. Beginning with “Overdose,” decked out in gold form fitting jackets, EXO performed the powerful dance track as fans let loose their frantic cries of adoration. The song, the group’s final single before several member departures, had been reworked artfully to accommodate the eight present members. While there were fewer members on stage than the dance initially called for, there was no lack amongst EXO’s introductory performance.

After the bombast of “Overdose,” EXO launched into two early songs, pre-debut track “History” and their debut song “MAMA.” Reigniting nostalgia for EXO’s early days, “History” and “MAMA” acted as a gateway into a journey through the group’s repertoire. The performances of older songs so early in the night set the tone for the rest of the concert, as the members reassured fans that they will continue to live up to the group’s slogan to always be there: “We are one.”

Following the three intro songs, EXO’s members took to the center of the stage and introduced themselves to the audience to their New York-New Jersey audiences for the first time. Giddy with excitement, the members showed off a bit by singing their names and a short rendition of “Empire State of Mind.” Several members spoke in English, with leader Suho taking on much of the MCing throughout the evening.

However, one recurring issue relating to EXO’s popularity and their intense fan base came to light. The introduction ended with one of multiple request by the group to the crowd in the standing area, with the members leading a chant of “One step back” as EXO urged fans to allow for breathing room and safe conditions amidst the pit. While security was ample and doing what it could, throughout the night, numerous fans in the standing area fainted and were injured in the struggle to get closer to EXO. Aware of their influence, the members raised awareness to the situation numerous times throughout the night, urging the fans to take care of one another to ensure that everyone was able to enjoy the performance in a safe manner.

EXO went into a series of their B-sides that showcased the group’s wide-range of skills, beginning with an interpretive dance-driven rendition of “Don’t Go (Butterfly Girl),” that showcased the group’s softer side as Chen was able to display his belting powers for the first time that evening. After breaking up into pairs to perform the sensual song “Playboy,” EXO followed up by the emotional ballad “Baby Don’t Cry,” which featured a dance routine featuring Kai and Sehun. After the dancers were joined by the rest of EXO, it was time for the first performance without the majority of the members, as D.O., Baekhyun, and Suho performed “My Answer.” Even though there were cases of overusing backing tracking throughout the night in order to ensure more perfect performances, the group’s talented vocalists didn’t disappoint throughout the night. While D.O and Baekhyun are two of the best singers in EXO, leader Suho surprised the audience by holding his own alongside the vocal giants. Despite a minor crack during a solo, Suho more than exceeded expectations.

EXO displayed a wide range of musical styles that best proved to the American crowd what the K-pop act had to offer. Newer songs like the jazzy “Exodus” and the seductive power track “Hurt” got the crowd riled up, while sweeter songs like “Peter Pan,” “XOXO,” and “3.6.5” had the audience swaying in their seats singing along to the music before hundreds of eyes watched as EXO changed on stage between stage outfits, hidden only by white paper, during “Lucky.”

After the stream of songs, EXO’s members once again spoke to the audience, this time relaying their experiences exploring New York City. A casual comment about visiting the Disney Store in Time Square and Chanyeol expressing his love of Elsa, which led to EXO singing bits and pieces of the “Frozen” soundtrack. While it didn’t appear pre-rehearsed, the “Frozen” reference segued into EXO performing several out-of-season Christmas themed songs from their special winter albums, ending with the highlight of EXO’s most skilled vocalists – Chen, D.O., and Baekhyun- coming together to perform “Miracles in December.” Coming three months after the holiday, the theme seemed out of date, but fans ate up the concept and the elf-outfits.

EXO continuously made efforts to interact with their foreign fans as the night carried on, continuously joking around and playfully joking with the audience. Following the Christmas-themed portion, Xiumin and Chanyeol came out to teach a responsive Korean chant to the English-speaking audience. Even though many people in the crowd had no idea what they were saying, it was clear that by the time EXO performed the pump up song “Drop That” that the language barrier didn’t keep everyone from understanding their passion.

The highlight of the night was easily their hit song, “Growl,” as the audience jumped on EXO’s most well known song and took the opportunity to join in, singing along. Even though “Growl” is EXO’s most popular song to date, the group kept it fresh and exciting by putting their all into the performance. Following it up with their newest songs “Love Me Right” and “Call Me Baby,” EXO ended the concert with the bright, upbeat attitude of their new songs as they said farewell to the East Coast audience and promised that they will get through all future hardships thanks to the love and support of their fans.

“It’s been a healing moment for all of us,” said Xiumin about the concert. “You guys are really so hot, so perfect, so beautiful, so lovely.”

“We will come back for a happier time,” Baekhyun promised.

Also on KultScene: Jo Kwon’s ‘Crosswalk’ & Seulong’s ‘On The Way To Love’ Are Reminiscent of 2AM

“I feel like we finally became one through our music show,” added Suho. “Don’t forget today. I will not ever forget today forever.”

But no K-pop concert is ever really finished the first time around, and EXO came back on stage to perform two songs released at the end of last year, “Sing For You” and “Unfair.” As if an extension of their earlier promises, the group displayed their tenderness and love for their fans through the ballad “Sing For You.” They then brought the evening to a close with the upbeat, final song of the evening, “Unfair,” as the members played with confetti and stuffed animals fans were throwing onto stage as gifts.

As EXO left the stage for the final time, there was a sense of sadness from the crowd that the evening had come to an end, but also the utter happiness at being able to see the popular K-pop act in person and the knowledge that they were one of the many people to share in something special with EXO that night.

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What do you think of EXO’s show? Did you attend any of the stops on EXO’s North American EXO’luXion tour? Let us know! Share your thoughts and what you’re wrongly hearing in K-pop songs 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.

8 Misheard K-Pop Lyrics Pt. 4

February 23, 2016/in Entertainment /by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum

Every day in K-pop brings a new song. And every new song brings endless possibilities for foreign fans to mess up the interpretation of the lyrics. As we’ve recompiled in the last few installments of this list, there are lots of songs out there we’re constantly mishearing. And as you can see by this new list, we haven’t stopped. So here are eight more misheard lyrics.

1. “You Think” by Girls’ Generation

What we heard: “Gepetto, Gepetto”
What it says: “Modu baeteo gabyeopge baeteo useupge baeteo”

via lotsofkpopgifs @ Tumblr

2. “Freeze” by Block B

What we heard: “Fuck us”
What it says: “Focus”

via lotsofkpopgifs @ Tumblr

Also on KultScene: Girl Crush: Grace

3. “Mirror Mirror” by 4Minute

What we heard: “4minute slut, 4minute slut”
What it says: “4minutes left, 4minutes left”

via myrarapop

4. “Transformer” by EXO

What we heard: “Got me in the wiener”
What it says: “Got me geimui wineo”

misheard kpop lyrics song k pop korean gif

via Tumblr

5. “I Will Show You” by Ailee

What we heard: “Boy you gotta be a whale”
What it says: “Boy you gotta be aware”

misheard kpop lyrics songs korean k pop gif

via lotsofkpopgifs @ Tumblr

6. “Nothing’s Over” by Infinite

What we heard: “Nothing sober, nothing sober”
What it says: “Nothing’s over, nothing’s over”

misheard kpop songs lyrics korean k pop gif

via lotsofkpopgifs @ Tumblr

Also on KultScene: Kanye West, G-Dragon, & Fashion Week

7. “Blue” by Big Bang

What we heard: “I’m so gay”
What it says: “Geurium soge”

via lotsofkpopgifs @ Tumblr

8. “Good Luck” by Beast

What we heard: “There ain’t no cure for my damn zits”
What it says: “There ain’t no cure for my disease”

via aminoapps

[Renders: Starphine, jaesung15, Pngs-Celebrities, fs-]

Were you mishearing these songs? Share your thoughts and what you’re wrongly hearing in K-pop songs 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.

Jo Kwon’s ‘Crosswalk’ & Seulong’s ‘On The Way To Love’ Are Reminiscent of 2AM

February 20, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Anna Cheang

It’s been around six months since the members of 2AM unofficially split up with Seulong and Jinwoon leaving JYP Entertainment and joining other agencies. While there is no word yet whether 2AM will really be disbanded, the members have all been busy with their individual activities. In February alone, members Jo Kwon and Seulong both released new songs which were unique in their style and genre but still shared some characteristics that represent their identity as 2AM members.

Jo Kwon renewed his contract with JYP Entertainment last August, and with his latest solo release “Crosswalk,” this seems like a great decision on his part. Coupled with a gorgeous monochrome music video starring EXO’s Suho, “Crosswalk” is a beautiful ballad that manages to distinguish itself from other songs of the same genre. The music video has a melancholic feel and is reflective, especially as the male lead imagines what could have happened if he had gone back to find his lover instead of leaving her as he had originally done. The split screen isn’t something that is seen often in music videos but it works here in conjunction with the storyline and the lyrics of the song.

Jo Kwon’s skilful high notes are emotive and his voice really adds a layer of depth to the repetitive lyrics of the song. Jo Kwon has always been an outstanding singer as a soloist and in 2AM, but this simple song really allowed him to showcase his vocal prowess. The instrumentals of this song are pretty perfect as well, with a lovely piano introduction and the gradual addition of other string instruments as the song intensified and reached its emotional climax. In comparison to his previous solo efforts like “I’m Da One,” “Crosswalk” might seem a little dull and boring. However, this song also symbolizes a return to his roots as a ballad singer for Jo Kwon. “Crosswalk” is the perfect song to listen to if you want to have a good cry.

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Seulong, who switched agencies and entered Sidus HQ, the home of many other Korean celebrities such as Kim Woo Bin, also released a single earlier this month. Unlike Jo Kwon’s release however, his was a collaborative effort with singer-songwriter Yoon Hyun Sang. “On The Way To Love” is an R&B based duet which equally features the vocal and songwriting talents of Yoon Hyun Sang and Seulong, who both had a part in the creation of the song. The relaxed yet romantic feel of the song made it perfect for a Valentine’s Day release, and lyrics such as “Today, I feel like something will happen, I’m with you, You’re the star of today,” really enhanced the beauty of the release.

This collaboration was special because both singers were fans of each other, and this mutual appreciation can be felt through their respect for each other as artists in this release. Both ballad singers have similar high pitched and smooth voices, although Seulong has a higher register and Yoon Hyun Sang has a slightly more emotive voice. They matched and worked together well as can be seen by the melodious harmonies that were created in this song. While there is no official music video that accompanies this song, the two singers released a special band performance video which more than showcases their amazing live vocal ability.

Seulong isn’t new to R&B songs or experimentation, as evidenced by his previous solo releases “7377 ME B43Y” and “Mood Swing,” so it is good to see him further expanding his horizon and collaborating with more artists. This was something that he had been doing throughout his career in 2AM, whether it was working with female artists like IU or with other ballad singers like Shim Hyun Bo or even indie artists like Epitone Project. In this aspect, Seulong has had more experience than fellow 2AM member Jo Kwon, and now that he has left JYP, it seems that Seulong has more opportunities to collaborate with whoever he wants, to put it bluntly. Though it’s bad for 2AM as a group, it cannot be denied that Seulong grows as an artist a lot more when he is on his own as compared to when he is with the rest of the group. The same can be said for Jo Kwon, and for the other members of 2AM, in the various areas that they are expanding in.

Also on Kultscene: Artist Spotlight: Yoon Hyun Sang

Honestly speaking, this is not even a new development. When the group was active the four members were always busy with their individual activities, whether it was producing their solo music or acting in dramas and hosting variety shows. This was the way they ensured their continual self-improvement and perhaps also the reason why their combined work has been of a consistently high quality. It would be a pity if 2AM really disbanded for good, but with the solo work that Jo Kwon and Seulong have put out so far, this will definitely not be the last the K-pop world will be hearing from these talented musicians and singers.

Have you listened to both these songs? What do you think of Jo Kwon and Seulong’s work as soloists? 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.

Kanye West, G-Dragon, & Fashion Week

February 16, 2016/in Features /by Tamar Herman

Kanye West, G-Dragon, & Fashion Week

2016 New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Fall/Winter is about to wrap up with the final runways being walked on Thursday, but the long term effect will be felt for months and years to come. Because 2016 was not only the year that music made it big at Fashion Week, but K-pop made its appearance too.

As pop culture and fashion intersec, there’s going to be a lot of where that came from with pop icons like Kanye West and G-Dragon breaching the divide between the audible and the wearable. Yeezy might have been around for awhile, but for the first time ever G-Dragon, and K-pop, is poised to truly enter the realm of western pop culture and he made his long-awaited debut amidst designers.

Comparing any of the K-pop stars who made waves at NYFW to Kanye would be belittling Kanye’s status in society; his fashion show for his Yeezy clothing line doubled also as the venue for the release of his new album “The Life of Pablo” and it will likely be the most talked about event from NYFW 2016. The Madison Square Garden extravaganza will be remembered by the history books as one of the biggest amalgamations of pop culture and high fashion.

Less remembered will be the fact that a brand new song featuring G-Dragon was released during Alexander Wang’s new show. The Baauer-produced “Temples” features M.I.A doing her thing in English while G-Dragon swoops in like a hawk and brings bilingual raps to the runway. In a runway being walked by models draped in an Asian-American designer’s clothing, mind you.

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Debuting a song by the triple threat of Baauer-G-Dragon-M.I.A at NYFW may seem like it doesn’t make much sense; this should be released on an epic scale! But with all of the media looking towards NYFW and top stars from all over the world in attendance, including several K-pop stars like 2NE1’s CL (a member of the recently unveiled promotional WANG SQUAD) and Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung, attending the runway shows, then debuting the thumping, plinking “Temples” at Alexander Wang’s show meant that all eyes would be on the models and ears open for the invasion of a catchy, bombastic new track. Already there has been heavy coverage of “Temples,” despite the fact that Baauer’s debut album that features the song won’t be out until next month.

And let’s not forget that a Korean pop artist’s voice was poised as a backtrack to an iconic New York City event open to only the highest echelons of the fashion and cultural world. So not too shabby for G-Dragon to quietly make waves without most people even realizing how iconic that runway background music was. If Psy made people aware of K-pop, G-Dragon’s presence at NYFW makes even the most discerning critics stop and pause to listen to the music.

If it seems that music and fashion are just being combined together this NYFW season by accident, it’s most certainly not. Kanye West and the K-pop genre as a whole are more than aware of how the musical superstars of our era double as fashion icons, and all of the money invested in one is likely to affect the other. Which means that when music sales are down, turning singers into walking talking billboards for fashion brands is perfect. But sponsored artists are not enough in this day and age, at least based on the trends; K-pop music agencies like YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment are working with fashion brands at the same time that Kanye is literally transitioning from just a musician to a cultural entity that affects trends of both the music and fashion worlds. (Or at least he’d like to think so).

Does that mean G-Dragon, or any other K-pop artist, is going to pull a Yeezy and start a fashion line, throwing the gauntlet into the diversification of K-pop into new brand arenas? Unlikely. For one thing, G-Dragon told the New York Times that he wouldn’t, and for any other lesser K-pop star than G-Dragon to debut a line aimed at global fashion would be suicide, as seen by the relatively limited success by former Girls’ Generation member Jessica Jung’s foray into fashion.

As much as we — the collective we of K-pop writers and fans combined — like to talk about the rising popularity of K-pop, it’s taken more than five years from the viral hits of 2009 like “Gee” and “Sorry Sorry” until now to merit an icon other than the gag-making Psy who media is really taking notice of. Sorry Psy. G-Dragon, and to a lesser degree CL, are the only K-pop stars Vogue truly cares about.

However, despite the lack of impending fashion lines straight from any K-pop artist, it’s no small thing that both K-pop and Kanye were prominent at this year’s NYFW- Music, like fashion, is able to transcend cultural boundaries more so in 2016 than ever before, and NYFW proves it. K-pop’s finally making its mark on American cultural products isn’t an accident, just like Kanye moving into the fashion world is intentional. New York Fashion Week, once only visible to a premier class of people, is now open to the world thanks to social media. With the opening up of Fashion Week to the masses comes the need to make high fashion relatable, and nothing is more accessible than music.

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K-pop, which has struggled so hard to try and garner attention overseas, is making leaps and bounds in 2016 with new acts like SM Entertainment’s soon to debut NCT, trying to fit into local music scenes, and more and more K-pop concerts heading to the western hemisphere. But as a genre that lends itself innately to fashion due to it’s visual elements, such as K-pop idols and music videos, K-pop is a perfect mash for NYFW and fashion in general. It’s only now that high fashion has accepted music and one of pop culture’s burgeoning figures into its threshold that there was room to recognize Korean artists as equals who are able to add to the conversation of art, rather than detract from it. G-Dragon, who is so far ahead of the rest of the K-pop crowd as an artist, is no less than K-pop’s Kanye.

Transcending the boundaries of music and art, G-Dragon mirrors Kanye as an influential musician who represents an entire way of life in the eyes of the western media. Fashion has been the friend of both, but there is no question that both these men are all about the music and are smartly using this platform to promote their art.

What do you think of G-Dragon and New York Fashion 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.

Neon Bunny and the Sampo Generation: How Space Defines a Society

February 15, 2016/in Features /by Joe Palmer

Neon Bunny has long been a favourite of the Korean art music scene. Her lounging synth pop is unique to the industry and claimed fans internationally. With the release of her new single “Forest of Skyscrapers” she shows she is thinking internationally too. In an interview with The Fader she cited anime “Akira” and Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai as influences on the music video. The aesthetics and themes of those films shed light on Neon Bunny’s own art. She uses these influences to comment on her generation of Koreans, the Sampo Generation, and to examine her city of Seoul.

The Sampo Generation is the term given to a large number of Koreans in their 20’s and 30’s who are putting marriage and love aside in favour of wealth. Thanks to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, South Korea had to undergo crippling economic reform. The Sampo Generation grew up in this, discovering high unemployment, high student loans, and unstable jobs. This coupled with the more recent global economic crisis has led young Koreans to focus on finding a secure job and shunning the expensive responsibilities of marriage. Neon Bunny said in her interview, “Everything goes really fast in Seoul—when you wake up in the morning there’s another building going up.” Clearly an influence on the title of her song, it also shows what space and how we occupy it says about our society.

This is where the influence of “Akira” becomes important. Based on a manga of the same name, “Akira” is Japanese animated film from 1988. Written and directed by the writer of the manga, Katsuhiro Omoto, it follows two young delinquents Kaneda and Tetsuo in Neo-Tokyo, a rebuilt version of the city after it had been destroyed by a strange explosion. As the story moves on, Tetsuo is unwillingly given psychic powers which eventually consume him becoming too much for him to bear. The aesthetics of Neo-Tokyo are clear in “Forest of Skyscrapers.” Neon skylines are nearly always present in the background. “Forest of Skyscrapers” has a more modern and true to life look compared to the more Hong Kong inspired mix of future style and poverty in “Akira.”

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What’s most interesting about using “Akira” as an influence is its thematic specificity to Japan. It is a film about Japan’s reaction to World War II. As a nation, they rebuilt their country after suffering from nuclear attacks. After this great devastation and subsequent guilt due to their actions that led to it, Japan however was not ready to be in a position of power once again. Tetsuo exemplifies this, the power he receives only serves to hurt. Japan is afraid of what might happen when they return to power.

While it would be remiss to compare atomic bombs to economic crises, it’s easy to see the connections between these two works. Both deal with a society in flux, Neo-Tokyo is levelled by Tetsuo as he struggles to deal with his new powers, and Seoul is climbing further into the sky every day. The people of Seoul are pushing themselves into higher and higher positions, hoping for increased wealth. Attaining power only for power’s sake creates people like Tetsuo (an orphan) who can’t handle it when they get what they want. Without a system of support behind you, it’s easy to get lost.

As the youth of Seoul earn money and forget about marriage, they turn to other pleasures in hopes of fulfilling themselves. Neon Bunny shows people drinking, having seemingly casual sexual relationships, and (judging by the visual effects) taking drugs. Her unique vocal delivery that sounds at once bored and passionate shows the immediate but melancholic pleasure she gets from this. Her performance in the video as well is marked by expressions of tired apathy and bursts of happiness. Placing herself in the video is vital of course, she sees herself very much a part of this generation. Which means we know it is not judgmental, she can not only see herself but great beauty in these transient encounters.

Wong Kar Wai is also interested in the small moments of romance that can happen when we least expect it. Born in Shanghai, Wong, like most Chinese directors, plied his trade in Hong Kong where he was free from censorship. He is known for using unconventional cinematography in films that focus on relationships. He is interested in all kinds of relationships but always examines small moments in detail. They can be just as interesting as whole stories of love and using space to define these is something he does too (best seen in the claustrophobic apartments of “In The Mood For Love”).

Wong’s aesthetic is seen most clearly in “Forest of Skyscrapers” whenever Neon Bunny and her motorcyclist lover are on screen. The motorcycle shots are a direct reference to Wong’s “Fallen Angels” (and Akira’s iconic use of motorcycles). None of his films show more directly his idea of transitory relationships. In it, two stories are told of new relationships that burn bright and quick. The passion is always clear, these relationships take place in front of a backdrop of crime which emphasizes the speed and aggression of the romance. Something which Neon Bunny also does by turning up the sound of the motorcycle and allowing visual effects to create a sort of dangerous momentary feeling to every shot.

While never overtly romantic, Wong finds fleeting moments of love in unlikely places. Neon Bunny does too. Despite growing up in the Sampo Generation, she still believes in romance. “I think I have to be in love,” she mentioned in her interview. In emulating Wong Kar Wai, she brings great meaning to the fleeting moments of desire. Skyscrapers cut through the night sky as reminders of what Korea is becoming, but Neon Bunny chooses to ignore them. Yet the creeping unease is always evident and eventually becomes too much to ignore.

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The final sequence of the video occurs after Neon Bunny and the motorcyclist go through what looks like a marriage or bonding ceremony of some sort. Performed by a man in traditional clothes and makeup, it’s a defiant rejection of modern ideals that are hurting Korean society. The video then allows its form to fall in on itself becoming a trip of sex and confusion. It finishes with an image of an ultrasound. Neon Bunny emerges naked once again into the night sky. She is unnaturally attracted to the monolith of neon on the hilltop. It stands before Seoul’s cityscape, the opulence of the rising buildings is too much for a young person to ignore. She looks into the mirror of the monolith, looking at who she thinks she is. Seoul has already decided this for her though. She looks at herself and only herself.

“Forest of Skyscrapers” is a momentous work. As well as the video, the song proves to be uniquely chilled in an industry of maximalism. Its house synths wander through the song as Neon Bunny mournfully croons. Her voice always full of exhausted pleasure. It all combines to address the young people of South Korea. Neon Bunny knows it is tough that wealth is hard to ignore. Yet the expensive dangers of desire should never be forgotten. As the city of Seoul continues to build upwards, her wishes may never come true.

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

Playlist Sunday: Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2016/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

This day, once a year, when couples are lauded and told to eat chocolate and do something fun, is all about love. So, for this year’s Valentine’s Day, our KultScene Playlist Sunday is all about love and relationships. Each of our writers has a different take on the perfect love song and what love is. Pairing individual opinions and matching them to their favorite songs, we put together a perfectly romantic playlist for the holiday.

Whether you’re single or taken this Valentine’s Day, B.A.P will be sure to make your heart flutter with their enjoyable and bright song “Crash.” “I can’t believe it, it’s really perfect,” they sing. “I am breathless, it’s not fair. Your eyes, your lips, you’re everything really left me shook up.” Have you ever met someone who put you in an instant daze and left you completely mesmerized? Is it your current significant other or perhaps someone of the past? Or maybe, even someone famous? Regardless of who it was/is, it’s a great deal of feelings and emotions that can’t fully be expressed and put into words. The members hearts are thumping so hard that it’s about to erupt and burst out of the bodies at just the mere thought of meeting someone with such great qualities and characteristics. Does your heart do the same notion whenever you think of or if you’re around that person?

— Tam

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What better song to dedicate to that special someone this Valentine’s Day than IKON’s “My Type?” An ode to the members’ ideal girl, the lighthearted song describes everything about her that they love, including her fashion sense, her voice, her smile, and even her yawn. And though the lyrics describe her body movements as “slightly awkward,” they also let her know that she has no flaws. She can literally be mute, and they would still have the hots for her. But I guess that’s when you know that the love is real, when you are able to look past the other’s faults and appreciate all of his or her nuances, such as the look on his or her face when spacing out. “My Type” works well whether you are confessing for the first time in a “some” relationship or for the thousand and first time in a long-term one, because who would not like to hear how perfect they are?

— Shelley

I’m not much of a romantic, but how can anyone resist an ode to your beauty like in Big Bang’s “Bae Bae?” I mean, next to my intelligence, if you want me to fall in love with you, highlighting my chicness and my doe-like eyes is the way to go. Both the song and the music video for “Bae Bae” are weird, no doubt about that. But it’s awesomeness relies in the fact that it’s different and not cookie-cutter. “Bae Bae” is a testament to the girl they’re so enamoured by, how they wish she won’t change ever because in this moment, she’s perfect. During the honeymoon stage of a relationship, what’s not romantic about that?

— Alexis

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Sometimes it’s important to constantly remind a person that they are your valentine and you are theirs. Even if they don’t agree, you can do what AOA Cream do and keep shouting, “I’m your baby.” The subunit’s debut single “I’m Jelly Baby” is about a jealous girl who is afraid her boyfriend is looking at other girls. Maybe it’s not the most romantic of songs for Valentine’s Day but the sheer devotion on Cream’s part is admirable and romantic in a creepy way. The song itself is a wonderfully inventive bit of pop rock built on top hip hop beats. Guitars drive the song but it flits in and out styles and contains a chorus which takes a while to get to the point. It also features maybe the most beautiful bit of vocal so far this year with Hyejeong’s second part in the long pre-chorus build up.

— Joe

Park Hyo Shin’s “Wild Flower” is pretty sad as it comes post-breakup, but the vocally expressive song is lyrically beautiful to the point that it is quite obvious that this is love. The ballad, beginning with strings then pausing completely to allow Park’s crisp vocals to be begin backed only by a simple keyboard accompaniment, is about lost love and the future of a new spring together after the “wild flower” returns to bloom again. The song is one of Korea’s most popular songs in the past few years thanks to the poetic lyrics that describe the feelings of love and heartbreak: “Love is a fiery flower that blooms and withers,” he sings at one point. “…On top of the dry land, my entire body is burning. Your scent that remained on my fingers is scattering away.” At a time when many of the most popular Korean “love” songs are nothing more than hook-filled dance songs, Park Hyo Shin’s “Wild Flower” reflects the passion of love and anguish of a break up, while still depicting faith in finding happiness again. So, even though it’s Valentine’s Day and “Wild Flower” seems like a sad song, it’s actually something we should all hope we experience in our lives. We are all secretly waiting for our “Wild Flower”-like emotions of love.

–Tamar

What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day Song? How did you spend the day? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

5 K-Dramas To Get You In The Mood For Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2016/in Entertainment, Television /by Anna Cheang

It’s Valentine’s Day again and despite its grisly origins, the 14^th of February is probably the most romantic day of the year. Romantic comedy is a really popular genre for K-dramas, so there will never be a shortage of dramas to get you in the right mood for this special day. Ranging from period dramas to hit modern ones, here are five spectacular K-dramas to put you in the Valentine’s Day mood. Who knows, you could even get some last minute celebration ideas from these shows!

1. “Queen Inhyun’s Man”

“Queen Inhyun’s Man” was so much more than a romantic comedy because it remains one of the few K-dramas to actually get the time travel trope right. At the heart of it all however, the beautiful relationship between Yoo Inna and Ji Hyun Woo was the drama’s winning factor. They had a perfect chemistry, they looked good together, and their relationship was so well-crafted that the romance became real. Despite being star-crossed lovers, they managed to overcome all odds (including that of distance and time) and their sweet resolution will definitely leave you swooning.

2. “The Greatest Love”

Gong Hyo Jin seems to click very well with every actor she works with but “The Greatest Love” is definitely one of her best works. Her romance with Cha Seung Won was chock full of chemistry and this showed even when they were having petty arguments. The drama had a pretty interesting set-up as well, with the show being centered around Korea’s entertainment industry, but it was the iconic character of Dokko Jin (Cha Seung Won) that stole the show (and probably the hearts of all the female viewers as well). A top star with a horrible personality and a machine for a heart, Dokko Jin was at first just another bad boy, but Cha Seung Won played him with a subtlety and depth that made him extra relatable to viewers.

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3. “You Who Came From The Stars”

Easily the biggest hit of 2014, “You Who Came From The Stars” had many novel plot points along with great and dedicated actors, but above all an addictive romance. Despite their age gap, actors Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun were a very believable and shippable couple. Whether it was their lively banter or their sizzling eye gazes, the couple was a joy to watch. There were many ultra romantic moments in this drama as well, whether the couple was hanging out at a secluded island or when fairy lights just magically lit up around them (perks of having an alien boyfriend).

4. “Pinocchio”

Another drama with many fairy-tale like moments, “Pinocchio” didn’t have the strongest storyline or premise, but it definitely succeeded in the romance department. Lee Jongsuk and Park Shinhye displayed such a great relationship that up till today, rumors of them dating are still rampant (despite the actors denying it sometime last year). Just like Gong Hyojin, Park Shinhye has had many wonderful co-stars (Jang Geun Suk, Lee Minho), but her romance with Lee Jongsuk was definitely the most believable because both actors threw themselves into their respective characters. The characters were enthusiastic about journalism, but also about following their heart. As you can probably imagine, their romance was filled with many heart-melting/stopping/wrenching moments that made this drama very memorable.

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5. “She Was Pretty”

From a brother-sister relationship in “Kill Me Heal Me” to that of lovers in “She Was Pretty,” Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum presented a natural chemistry that was more romantic than I thought possible. There was nothing original about their romance, which included being each other’s first loves when they were young and reuniting as adults, but somehow it magically worked. “She Was Pretty” was like a fairytale at some points because of its encouraging message that superficial beauty didn’t matter as much as inner beauty. Park Seo Joon in his role of Ji Sung Joon showed his love for Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) perfectly, not only through big gestures (back hugs, kisses) but even through actions like affectionately gazing at Hye Jin and smiling slightly to himself. There are many beautiful and romantic scenes in this drama which will definitely warm your heart even on cold winter days and will leave a smile on your face.

Have you watched these dramas? What are you going to do for Valentine’s Day? 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.