Sultan Of The Disco Does Funky Right At Seoulsonic NYC 2015 [Interview]

/in /by

sotd2Seoulsonic returned to New York City last week as part of CMJ’s 2015 music marathon with a new set of acts performing at SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) in Manhattan on Oct. 15. Three Korean indie acts — Sultan of the Disco, HEO, and WYM— performed throughout the night to showcase the music coming out of South Korea’s indie scene nowadays. I had a chance to speak to each of the acts before the show to hear about their careers and experiences at Seoulsonic.

[This is the second of a three-part interview/review series from the event. The interviews with HEO and WYM can be read HERE and HERE.]

Seoulsonic NYC 2015 began around midnight, but when Sultan of the Disco took to the stage wearing dragon-covered robes, shower shoes, and headbands, it was clear that the night was just getting started. The ‘70s inspired funk band hit all the right notes for the audience, getting everyone involved right away. With a full-fledged band onstage plus one member of the band dancing along to the rest with major aplomb, it was hard to not clap along and move to the sounds.

Sultan of the Disco is, when broken down, physical comedy meeting Korean musical innovation. Singing in both English and Korean, the group began its life as a dance troupe named Sultan of the Disco but over the years transitioned into a band with a heavy emphasis on dance. Their first single, “Magic Prince,” was released in 2007, and their latest song “SQ (We Don’t Need No EQ IQ)” came out this past July. Surpassing language barriers, the group’s played overseas in the past, although this was their first show in New York.

Lead vocalist Nahzam Sue sat down with me for a few minutes before the show began to tell me a bit about the band.

Also on KultScene: Topp Dogg’s ‘The Beat’ Album Review

“We want the immediate reaction of the audience to be able to dance and enjoy it,” Nahzam told me before explaining the band’s unusual inclusion of a member who just dances along while the rest of the band performs. “One dancer remains in our team, so there’s that spirit. He just dances… There’s a lot of energy [shared] between us and the audience.”

And indeed, on stage later that night, J.J Hassan stood there on stage, dancing alongside the other members as they played their music. Nahzam also had his own moves to show off while he sang, going back to the group’s origins as a dance team.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“At the beginning, it was me and three other guys. It wasn’t an official band, but a dance team,” said Nahzam. “One by one, during sessions, guys who played instruments joined us and the Sultan of the Disco dance group became the band we are now.”

The band that they are now has had an album, 2013’s “The Golden Age,” nominated as the best electronic/dance album at the Korean Music Awards, but they’re moving onto the future.

Also on KultScene: This is NOT a Competition, Jessi Slayed her Los Angeles Show

“We’re working on a new single now, that will be released by the end of the year,” the lead singer said. “The single will be a lot slower, a slow jam that’s different from what we’ve done. Even though our music is based in humor, we want to make our music maybe a little slower, groovier in the future [with more meaning.]. We want to be a more emotional band.”

Being emotional seemed like the last thing on their minds that night, though, as Sultan of the Disco connected with the audience through music, dance, and trying their best at talking in English. Pumping up the crowd in all the right ways possible, the band made a lasting impression at Seoulsonic NYC 2015 that the had us all wishing we were living in the disco age.

What do you like the most about Sultan of the Disco? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear you thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Topp Dogg’s ‘The Beat’ Album Review

/in , /by

Eve's Topp Dogg

Following the recent shock departure of Gohn and Kidoh, Hunus Entertainment’s ten member rap group Topp Dogg staged a comeback on October 19 with their fourth mini album, The Beat. It is the group’s first release in a year and shows a marked maturity, not only in terms of vocal accomplishment, but also the choice of material. The songs incorporate influences from around the world and Topp Dogg inject life and energy into all of them.

“Runaway”

The album bursts into life with this up-tempo song, which effortlessly fuses hip hop and retro rock with several brief interludes of dubstep. The aggressive guitar playing and strong beat drive the track along at a furious pace and are guaranteed to get listeners dancing in no time, making “Runaway” a fantastic opener for the EP.

“The Beat”

This totally addictive title song is one of Topp Dogg’s most interesting musical experiments to date. It combines their signature rap sound with elements of both Bollywood and bellydance music. The vocal harmonies here are superb, but the highlight of the track has to be the rap verse from Yano and Jenissi.

Also on Kultscene: Seventeen’s ’17 Carat’ Album Review

“O.A.S.I.S”

Topp Dogg get into funky disco mode in this catchy and upbeat song. A prominent brass section, synthesizers and electric guitars inject a sense of fun into this lively composition, which brings to mind the music of the 70s. Although the members slightly mispronounce the title, “O.A.S.I.S” is hugely enjoyable.

“All Eyez On Me”

Jimi Hendrix style guitar playing opens this edgy song, which inventively mixes gangster rap, jazz and funk genres to great effect. Composed by former member Kidoh, with current member Yano, this is a truly standout track which really showcases Topp Dogg’s unique talents to perfection.

“Emotion”

This 90’s style ballad marks a massive departure from Topp Dogg’s usual street sound and subsequently feels slightly incongruous on “The Beat”. The brief rap breaks up the flow of the song unnecessarily, so the whole thing doesn’t gel successfully. Top marks to them for attempting something different, though.

Also on Kultscene: INFINITE’s ‘Reality’ Album Review

“Sweetheart”

Sangdo’s solo track, composed by fellow member, Yano, takes an unexpected turn down the sophisticated jazz ballad route, yet it works surprisingly well and has a sound that is reminiscent of Zion.T’s output. Sangdo’s vocals here are smooth and heartfelt and the piano solo towards the end really sends the EP out on a high.

Overall Thoughts

In spite of the recent upheaval in the group, “The Beat” proves that Topp Dogg are still on top form. This is a must listen to cd for fans of Korean hip hop music, which should allay any fears that Topp Klass (the group’s fan club name) may have about their ability to carry on with reduced numbers. May Topp Dogg continue to go from strength to strength.

Did you agree with my sentiments about Topp Dogg’s album? What are your thoughts on this release? 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: Halloween Edition

/in , /by

kpop songs halloween

It’s here, the week that many people around the world wait for all year. Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time for all of the spooky tunes to get you in the mood for the day of dress up and candy. Which means that this week’s KultScene Playlist Sunday is filled with the creepiest K-pop songs that our writers could find.

VIXX has always been well known for their dark and unique concepts but to me, no other concept of theirs is as horrifying as the one for “Voodoo Doll.” In fact, the music video for this song was so scary and gory that another clean version had to be released. The entire video is eerily fascinating however, and showcases some wonderful acting from the VIXX members, along with a tight choreography and a catchy song. Be warned though, the music video is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

— Anna

Big Bang’s leader G-Dragon caused a stir with this highly controversial music video from his 2009 album, “Heartbreaker.” In “She’s Gone,” GD assumes the role of a crazed psychopath from the Victorian era who kidnaps a former love interest, after she spurned him for another man. G-Dragon’s character keeps the girl tied to a chair, but somehow she manages to escape. Carrying a knife, he sets off in purposeful pursuit of her through a dimly lit labyrinth of corridors, then exacts his brutal revenge near the video’s conclusion. In his warped perception, this drastic course of action is the only means he has of keeping his ex girlfriend forever, or at least preventing anyone else from having her. Finally, the murderer is seen with his hands and clothes covered in blood and a sinister smirk on his face, implying that he has achieved his objective. An already disturbing character is made all the worse for being played by the baby-faced G-Dragon!

— Eve

Also on KultScene: 7 K-Pop Halloween Costume Ideas

I’m probably one of the very few who people who don’t get excited for Halloween. Don’t get me wrong; growing up I absolutely enjoyed dressing up in scary costumes but it only seems as though what started out as a holiday of trickery and the occasional treat has become an opportunity for people to get dressed up in rather trashy outfits. Whatever happened to the monstrous themes, face makeup and extreme hairstyles? 100’s “Beat” takes after a Frankenstein theme, each member sporting heavy eye makeup, colored hair, and armored clothing (if any at all). Even though that movie always crept me out when I was younger, I wouldn’t mind it one bit if I saw a bunch of guys that looked like 100% walking around on Halloween; even with their hearts dangling out. Well, maybe not the heart part.

— Tam

In a a political take on Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Seo Taiji’s “Christmalo.Win” takes us all to a town filled with ghouls, witches, and pumpkins. The iconic Korean singer enters the town to begin singing as a little girl finds that her mother and friends are missing. The music video and the pop-rock song are sinister companions to one another, with dramatic flare to spare (check out his band!) Seo Taiji is a consummate performer and artist, but it’s the content that puts the viewer into the Halloween mood. Watch the whole video to take a look of the eerie tale of a Halloweentown girl looking for her mother in a Christmas town. Not all is as black and white as it appears, and the differences between the poor and rich, the weak and the power, is very clear, even within the holiday packaging of a war between the holidays.

— Tamar

What’s your favorite Korean Halloween song? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

5 Tear-Inducing K-Drama OSTs Pt. 3

/in /by

korean drama, ost Read more

WYM Created Haunting Electronic Music At Seoulsonic NYC 2015 [Interview]

/in , /by

WYM2
Seoulsonic returned to New York City last week as part of CMJ’s 2015 music marathon, with a new set of acts performing at SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) in Manhattan on Oct. 15. Three Korean indie acts — Sultan of the Disco, HEO, and WYM— performed throughout the night to showcase the music coming out of South Korea’s indie scene nowadays, brought together by Seoulsonic. I had a chance to speak to each of the acts before the show to hear about their careers and experiences at Seoulsonic.

[This is the second of a three-part interview/review series from the event. The first interview with HEO can be read HERE.]

Retro synthpop is at its best with the one man band WYM, the final act of the night at this year’s Seoulsonic NYC. Described as sexy danceable music by WYM, his music incorporates electronica elements and intense drum beats.

WYM, or Byun Joon Hyung, is a one-man band, created by the South Korean artist known as Bjorn, the Scandinavian word for ‘bear.’ “A lot of people outside of Korea can’t really pronounce my Korean name, but my surname is Byun and a friend suggested I use ‘Bjorn’ as my artist name,” WYM explained during our interview. The band name in turn stands for “Would You Mind?” and the Korean phrase, “우주마인드,” (lit. “space mind”) pronounced “wujumaindeu.”

Also on KultScene: TWICE “Like OOH-AHH” Music Video & Song Review

On stage at Seoulsonic, WYM had an unpretentious stage manner and image, a sharp contrast from the heavily coordinated K-pop artists that have popularized South Korean music in the world. WYM stood behind a wide array of synthesizers, with the plastic tube of a talk box in his mouth to aid him in vocal distortion. A backing drummer, truly excellent at his craft, provided the only traditional instrument on stage during the set as WYM created his dark, wailing dance music.

The musician studied in the United States and collaborated early on in his career with a friend to create the project band MDS, which released remix music of Korean song in an electronic style. MDS released an album and a few singles before WYM was created.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“I felt like I had to do something,” WYM said. “That MDS thing, I still wanted to do it. But I wanted to concentrate more on something that I really like and want to express, and show people what I can do, what I believe, what I can sound like. I started as a soloist under the name Bjorn, then I released a single “Empty Desire” in 2011. Then I thought I needed to do more band-ish stuff. But alone. So I created a name, WYM, as my solo project name. So under WYM I made an album and released it last year.”

The LP “After Moon” was released in 2014 and proved WYM’s worth as an artist whose songs you want to listen to while dancing in a club and then ruminating in a drunken state afterwards.

“I want to make sexy music. That sounds, like, really sexy but also danceable stuff. That, and I really want to do some really emotional stuff too. On the album, there’s some of all of that. I have everything, I think. “

What WYM can do is outstanding. On stage, in front of Seoulsonic’s eyes, he went above and beyond, transforming his normal voice into a mechanized instrument and creating beats that were at once fun, introspective, and haunting. The five-song set included synth and distorted elements, but also showed hints of reggae and rock before settling firmly in the world of electronic dance music. The thumping beats of the drums were just as important to the music as WYM’s electronic sounds, both coming together to get the crowd moving.

Also on KultScene: This is NOT a Competition, Jessi Slayed her Los Angeles Show

A year after releasing WYM’s first EP, it’s a big deal for him to be a closing act at CMJ’s Seoulsonic and he hopes to perform at this year’s SXSW, despite the difficulties of being a Korean indie musician.

“As an indie artist in the electronic form of music in Korea, it’s a really hard life, it’s not easy,” he explained. “People don’t really like electronic. I mean, people go to clubs to listen to really mainstream EDM stuff but not a lot of people listen to the kind of washed out stuff in Korea. It’s hard to be recognized, I think, but I was happy [to be nominated for the 2015 Korean Music Awards Electronic Dance Album of the year award]. With that nomination, Seoulsonic asked me to join. I was very honored to be recognized.”

The show ended with the audience cheering for WYM, as the tunes went in and out of danceable melancholy and euphoria, ending the show with “Trying.” Despite the late hour, WYM’s energetic electronica had us all moving to the rhythm before 2015’s CMJ Seoulsonic came to an end.

Do you like WYM? What’s your favorite Korean indie band? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear you thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

This is NOT a Competition, Jessi Slayed her Los Angeles Show

/in /by

jessi jessica ho los angeles show concert belasco

Words like “humble” and “down to earth” are commonly used to describe artists and idols, but they’re often merely decorative and empty adjectives to make them seem more human and relatable. Not in Korean-American singer/rapper Jessi’s case though. For her first ever show in Los Angeles, CA at the Belasco Theater on October 16, the “Unpretty Rapstar” runner-up proved she cherishes her fans and the position she’s in currently while completely owning her performance.

But a headliner needs excellent opening acts to pump the audience for the main performer. And even though their set was short, Yung Koconut, Lyricks, Ken Nana, and the rest of their squad had a massive bro party on stage, throwing water at the audience every five seconds and dancing all around, to songs like “Mollah” and “Revenue.” Even rapper Dumbfoundead made an appearance, jumping up and down and serving as a guest hypeman.

Also on KultScene: HEO’s Ambient Rock Sound Takes The Stage At Seoulsonic 2015 [Interview]

Korean hip hop duo Mighty Mouth were next up, receiving loud cheers from the audience. Members Sangchu and Shorry J followed suit keeping the energy at 100, performing their hits including “Lalala,” “Movie Star,” and “Bad Boy.” The guy’s excitement was visible, especially Shorry’s, revealing his abs, flirting with fan cams left and right, and even giving his microphone briefly to a fan during a song. Mighty Mouth lit up the venue and set the perfect pace and energy for the main act.

mighty mouth los angeles show concert shorry j

by Alejandro Abarca

Once Mighty Mouth’s stage finished, the screen above the stage played Jessi’s now famous “this is a competition” speech which made her a household name during “Unpretty Rapstar.” Having a venue filled with Jebbies (her fan club name), cheers and woo’s boomed throughout the Belasco and served as the best welcoming for Jessi.

Unfortunately, a few mishaps with the CD almost ruined her intro, but Jessi made the best out of an awkward scenario by taking the time to introduce herself and dissing us all Californians by saying In-n-Out Burgers “wasn’t as good as [she] expected.” But this wasn’t the only instance Jessi took to throw shade. Oh no. In true Jessi ssenunni fashion, she continually asked the audience why they weren’t drunk enough, said “Unpretty Rapstar 2” is “not as fun as it used to be,” and playfully complained that the guys from the opening acts didn’t help her out onstage as her hypemen. From another artist, this might have been frowned upon, but coming from Jessi, that’s just her being real, and being real is what made her massively popular in the first place.

Among the songs she performed, Jessi especially shined when she belted out “I Want to be Me” as her first full song and replaced the n-word in her cover of Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” with “baby” — which other artists should take note on. Aside from her new hits like “My Type” and “Unpretty Dreams,” the singer took her fans back to 2009 by performing “Life is Good,” which she shared it was still hard for her to sing. She also did a medley of a few songs including a cover of Guy Sebastian’s “Battlescars,” her verses in “Me, Myself, & I” from “Unpretty Rapstar 2” and Vasco’s “Bonnie & Clyde,” and gave her intro, a mashup of “My Type” and a few verses from “SSENUNNI,” another shot. However, the song that received the most excitement from the fans and her alike was the latest single “SSENUNNI.”

jessi los angeles show concert belasco jessica h.o

by Alejandro Abarca

Before the encore, Jessi told the audience “I’m never gonna forget this moment,” and that sentiment was her set’s whole mood. Right from the get go, Jessi was all smiles, even with her jetlag, repeatedly thanked the audience for coming, and expressed her excitement perform in LA. And as mentioned before, these were not empty words just to make the fans feel special. Throughout her set, Jessi took every cellphone she could get her hands on from the audience and took videos and selfies with them. Seriously… she took the phones of everyone in first two rows, at least. For the encore, Mighty Mouth came out onstage with Jessi and followed suit by also taking as many selfies and videos as they could, as well as the traditional one with the audience as the background.

jessi concert show los angeles belasco jessica h. o la

by Alejandro Abarca

Also on KultScene: Touring With BIGBANG, Fangirl Style

However, once the show ended, the fan engagement was clearly not over for Jessi. Security guards and staff urged Jessi to get off the stage, but she wouldn’t, she kept on taking phones from the audience. Even when a security guard whisked her away, she somehow cheated him and ran to the pit to dance, hug, and keep on taking pictures with her fans. To say Jessi was truly happy and genuinely wanted to meet her fans is an understatement. Jessi gave her fans a whole experience rare in the K-pop field, and Jebbies loved every second of it. Turned out this ssenunni isn’t that bad or mean when it comes to her fans.

mighty mouth jessi jessica ho los angeles show concert belasco

by Alejandro Abarca

Check out more pictures from the show here:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Are you a Jessi or Mighty Mouth fan? Why do you like best about them? 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.

TWICE “Like OOH-AHH” Music Video & Song Review

/in , /by

Twice debut review

JYP’s new girl group, TWICE made their debut on the 20th of October with their mini-album “The Story Begins” and their title track “Like OOH-AHH”. This debut comes highly anticipated due to the competition show “Sixteen”, in which this group of nine members was first formed. Did they live up to their potential with this title track? Here is my review on it.

Song

I love the instrumentals throughout the song, especially at the beginning and when it was building up to a climax. Most of the girls showed off their great vocals as well, in particular members Jihyo and Nayeon. It is a very catchy song and has a youthful feel with the girls cheering lines such as “I want to fall in love!” The chorus has a good hook, is filled with energy and is my favourite part of the song. The track is far from perfect, however, especially because of the massive overuse of autotune for non-vocalist members such as Momo. The rapping done by Chaeyoung and Dahyun was rather underwhelming however, especially because I’ve seen better rapping from Chaeyoung during “Sixteen”. So is the surprisingly sombre bridge, which got the original highly energized song screeching to a halt. It felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the song, which is unfortunate.

On the bright side, the lyrics of the song and cheers are cleverly worded. Apart from throwing in JYP Entertainment references (“Who’s Your Mama?”), there are puns on their name being used as well. Take for example the cheer they shout out before they sing the final chorus.

Better think about it TWICE
Let me see how you gonna treat me
I ain’t no easy
Better think about it TWICE

The song was good as a whole but was disappointing because TWICE has a lot more potential than they showcased. It was a surprise to me as well how the lines were quite evenly distributed, considering the fact that there are nine members in the group.

Also on Kultscene: Which TWICE member are you? [Quiz] 

Videography

I really didn’t understand the use of the zombies in this video and their relation to the song, but I’m happy to report that the rest of the music video is solid. It takes place in what is supposed to be a school but ends up looking more like a club. It’s pretty hilarious how there is a gigantic hole in the wall of a classroom and how the toilet has pink and purple lighting complete with glow in the dark scribbling. The video is colourful just like the personalities of the TWICE members and I really enjoyed the transitions from member to member as the specialities of each member was showcased.

via momoohirai on tumblr

via woozi-melon on tumblr

My favourite part of the video would be when the girls were gathered in front of the school bus dancing together with Momo (main dancer) standing inside the bus. Apart from showcasing her awesome skills (she was really shortchanged on the vocal part) it also featured TWICE dancing together as a group, instead of having them separated like they were for a majority of the video.

via boxxsaltz on tumblr

The humor incorporated throughout the video also stands out to me because it gave the TWICE members a friendly and cute image, particularly when cheerleader Sana attempted to mimic the flexible movements of her members Mina and Momo and failed horribly at them. When the rest of the members got off the bus coolly Sana also managed to fall on the ground (in a cute manner of course). It just seemed so true to her playful character that I found it adorable and endearing.

via momoohirai on tumblr

via glocchan on tumblr

I have two main complaints about the video though. Firstly, the zombies were really unnecessary in the video. I’ve read some explanations online regarding the meaning behind the zombies and how they relate to the song but I would argue that this video would have been better off without them. It didn’t help that they were quite scary looking, or maybe I just have a low threshold for horror, but they somewhat ruined the aesthetic and fun vibes of the video. If TWICE had gone for a truly scary concept from the start the addition of the zombies would definitely have been more logical.

Next, it may be because TWICE are rookies, but there were some instances where the members’ lip-syncing was quite obviously off. While it did not really affect the video very much, it did take out some of my enjoyment of it.

Also on Kultscene: HEO’s Ambient Rock Sound Takes The Stage At Seoulsonic 2015 [Interview]

Styling

I absolutely love the styling for this video, be it their academic attire or their rooftop attire. The outfits were vibrant and interesting, in some cases they were even catered to the individual personalities of the members. Jungyeon, her messy hair and her gym tracksuit is a great example of this.

via sanaesthesia on tumblr

I appreciate the fact that the TWICE members are not just trying to look pretty but that they want to be unique and have their own style. I can say with satisfaction that they have certainly succeeded in doing.

Overall Thoughts

TWICE was a group that I was expecting a lot from, especially because I had watched them in their trainee days through “Sixteen” and I was already a fan. There were many flaws evident in both the song and the music video, but as a whole I enjoyed it. This may not be the best work put out by JYP Entertainment this year, but it is a great start for TWICE and I hope that they will only grow from here.

TWICE 'Like OOH-AHH'
4

Did you enjoy TWICE’s debut? 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.

HEO’s Ambient Rock Sound Takes The Stage At Seoulsonic 2015 [Interview]

/in , /by

HEO1
Seoulsonic returned to New York City last week as part of CMJ’s 2015 music marathon, with a new set of acts performing at SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) in Manhattan on Oct. 15. Three Korean indie acts- Sultan of the Disco, HEO, and WYM- performed throughout the night to showcase the music coming out of South Korea’s indie scene nowadays, brought together by Seoulsonic. I had a chance to speak to each of the acts before the show to hear about their careers and experiences at Seoulsonic.

[This is the first of a three-part interview/review series from the event.]

Hard rock meets ambience in the Korean duo HEO, comprised of male vocalist/guitarist/producer Heo and female vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Bo-yeong. During the live show, the pair and a drummer created a new take on dreamy indie rock, combining rock instruments with synthesizers and vocal distortion. The result was something akin to a waking dream, where music acts as the guide into wonderland.

The music during HEO’s set, the second of three at Seoulsonic’s New York City show, tip-toed the narrow line between the genres, never going too far off into either the rock or electronic genres at any one moment, but instead bringing them together to become a perfect indie rock dreamscape.

Also on KultScene: 6 Bands To Check Out At Zandari Festa 2015

Even before the show, it was clear that the pair were consummate musicians, with Heo and Bo-yeong discussing their career passionately. Despite the fact that HEO had won the electronic dance album of the year award at this year’s Korean Music Awards for their LP, “Structure,” the pair still has a lot that they want to achieve.

The pair has been together since 2014, when Heo decided to bring in another vocalist. He knew Bo-yeong from their college days, when she was an underclassmen. “I already knew that she played keyboard and vocals, so I suggested, ‘let’s play together’ for the second album.”

On stage, despite the fact that the band is named after Heo, it is clear that the two are a pair and neither one overpowers the other. Heo’s intensity on stage as he sings, wails on occasion, and creates the electronic elements contrasts sharply with Bo-yeong’s blank gaze as she sings in her Lana Del Rey-esque voice and plays her bass and keyboard, but the songs would feel empty without one of the pair on stage. If anything, the two came off that night as living embodiments of indie meets rock: Bo-yeong wore the favored fringe and body glitter popular at indie music festivals, while Heo wore the iconic black leather jacket of classic rock.

HEO played at SXSW earlier this year, and the CMJ show was the second part of that journey with Seoulsonic. “This time around, touring with my band, especially coming to New York, which is world famous, it’s a huge honor and privilege,” said Heo. “Especially because so many of our favorite bands have played in New York and a lot of our favorite movies take place in New York so it’s very exciting.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Heo had appeared at Seoulsonic 2012 as a session guitarist for 3rd Line Butterfly, and was already familiar with Seoulsonic and the tour before HEO was brought on to the tour as the duo gained attention in South Korea and abroad.

Winning the Korean Music award for “Structure” was a big deal for the pair. “We couldn’t believe that we had won. It was a bit of a surprise that someone relatively unknown could win such a big prize.”

But despite the prize, they don’t feel like they’re famous yet.

“This whole album [“Structure”] was made without aiming for the mainstream,” explained HEO. “So as to why it even won is still a mystery.”

“If there’s anyone reason for why we won. It may be the fact the style of music is something that others haven’t really seen or heard before. It was very much a hybrid mix between rock and electronic, and while others have kind of experimented with mixing it, nobody else has really done it in Korea to this degree, with such a full force approach.”

Also on KultScene: BIGBANG’s New Jersey Concert Made Fans Say ‘Wow, Fantastic Baby’

With twelve tracks, many of which HEO performed at Seoulsonic, “Structure” is a full length LP of electronic rock songs that sound like the average night’s dreams on a lot of acid.

As for plans after they head back to Korea? “We’re going to go back to the studios and start working on songs, with the goal to release a new single every month. Hopefully by next spring, we’ll have enough to release an EP or a full length album from all of those singles. More importantly, we’re releasing a vinyl album.”

Do you have a favorite song by HEO? What’s your favorite Korean indie band? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear you thoughts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Playlist Sunday: Brand Name Shoutouts

/in , /by

playlist sunday kpop brand names songs

Even if Korean broadcasting stations aren’t keen on airing songs that contain name brands on the lyrics, that doesn’t stop the artists from including them. Or at least not on the B sides. Hey, the struggle is real and they need their singles to get some airplay. So for this week’s playlist, we’re talking about our favorite songs with shoutouts to fashion houses and overall brands. Because even though they’re rare — especially with K-pop — they exist.

Seven member hip hop group BTS released this catchy ode to Converse high tops on their 2015 mini album, “The Most Beautiful Moment In Life Part 1.” Their leader, Rap Monster, said his inspiration for the lyrics stemmed from the notion that his ideal woman should wear red Converse high tops. Clearly implying that Converse should be the only brand his girlfriend wears, the rapper jokes: “Oh f your Chanel, f your Alexander McQueen, f your Raf Simons.” The song continues to extol the virtues of the Converse brand, until fellow rapper Suga declares: “I really hate Converse,” simply because he feels they are they too difficult to remove when he is getting amorous with a woman. Due to strict laws on product placement in South Korea “Converse High” was banned by TV network KBS, who strongly objected to the over use of brand names.

— Eve

Also on KultScene: Los Angeles Korean Festival Celebrated Korean Culture With Great Food & Performances

Some of 2NE1’s early songs were just so full of sass. “Can’t Nobody” was released in 2010 and won an award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMAs) that year because the video was so on point. But it’s the lyrics of their English version of the song that were just jam packed with brand name shouts. The entire first stanza is just one designer brand after another: Balmain, KTZ, Jeremy Scott, Givenchy, Chrome Hearts, Fendi, they all are referenced by CL in the first few moments of the song (Lamborghini gets referenced later on). The Korean version of “Can’t Nobody” doesn’t have the same fashion-forward flare, but the message of the song is the same, and there is nobody who can hold these ladies down.

— Tamar

Rapper Beenzino has made it very clear over the year that he’s into fashion and art. Whether it’s by his everyday looks, the magazine spreads he’s featured in, or his lyrics, he makes it really clear that fashion occupies an important spot in his life. And similarly to BTS, Beenzino raps about the type of kicks he likes to see his girl wearing in “Nike Shoes,” which are, of course, Nike. The song is essentially an ode to this girl’s style, since he talks about everything from her effortless chic charm to her tight jeans. Throughout the song, he name drops a few other designer houses like Gucci, Chanel, and Givenchy, but ultimately, it’s the Nike sneakers on this girl what he likes.

— Alexis

Fans of BTS’s leader Rap Monster (real name Kim Namjoon) would know that the guy loves his outfits of the day. Rap Monster, who also goes by the moniker “Kim Daily,” regularly updates the group’s Twitter account with what he is wearing that day. Naturally, his passion for fashion makes its way through his lyrics, as not only seen in BTS’s contemporary songs like “Converse High,” but also in his pre-but tracks. In his version of Wale’s “Illest Bitch,” he confesses early on his affinity for girls in simple white tees, denim, and a pair of red Converse high tops through his original lyrics. Other girls may talk about brands like “Gucci, Louis (Vuitton), Fendi, Prada,” but to him those are the kinds of things that will mask her beauty. And even if he does refer to her as a “bitch” throughout the song, Rap Monster is a total sweetheart while showing off his fashion know-how.

— Shelley

Also on KultScene: What K-Drama Cliche Is Your Life? [QUIZ]

Here in the United States it seems as though there’s always a new song that comes out that has a heavy emphasis on mentioning brand names and labels. It’s the norm here; artists can mention practically anything from sunglass brand Ray-Bans to vodka brand Cîroc and not receive any form of penalization for it, most of the time anyway. Meanwhile, BIGBANG’s “WE LIKE 2 PARTY” was deemed unfit for broadcast on one of the major Korean broadcasting network, KBS, for mentioning a wine brand, Opus One. Sure, there were other factors that played into why the song wasn’t allowed to broadcast, but you can’t have a song that talks about partying and not mention the most obvious, drinking. But then again, South Korea is still considerably reserved as country, it’s just insane to how quickly Korean music programs are to put a stop to streaming a song, even at the mention of a single brand name.

— Tam

What’s your favorite K-pop song with a brand name shoutout? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.