Artist Spotlight: DMTN

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Artist Spotlight - DMTN Feat.

For a group who debuted five years ago and whose members each have an extensive track record, DMTN is one K-pop boy group who has yet to see any remarkable success in comparison to their juniors. It also doesn’t help that the group has been MIA for two and a half years now, which is a total shame on the behalf of all the K-pop enthusiasts who are missing out on some serious talent. But I’m getting too ahead of myself; let’s take a look at exactly what makes these guys so great.

Also on Kultscene: Artist Spotlight: Pungdeng-E

DMTN debuted under the name Dalmatian in 2010 under MC Mong’s self-established company, Monkey Funch Entertainment, and as bizarre as it is to brand yourself after the spotted dog whose greatest achievement was that one Disney movie, the name is actually quite endearing. Similar to the devotion of man’s best friend’s, it’s the members’ (Inati, Dari, DayDay, Youngwon, Jeesu, and Daniel/Drama) way of including the word “musician” in their promise to maintain loyalty to their craft (though, if that were the case would it not be “dalma-cian?”).

And as if the Dalmatian trope was not enough, the group took it one step further with their charming debut music video and song, “Round 1,” which featured plenty of canine onomatopoeias in its lyrics and Dalmatian printed suits as the main music video fashion takeaway. With a name like Dalmatian, they also were not going to get away with any kinds of powerful or beastly idol concepts. So in order to meet the standards of the rapper line that made up half their group and to devise a more fitting image, they looked towards a sprightlier hip-hop direction, which is an angle that most people don’t associate with hip-hop. In any event, it was pulled off well as it’s a fun, string infused number with compelling lyrics describing their arduous journey to stardom. “Six years being a trainee, I spent every night with bread and water,” it goes. Sadly, promotions for the song only last two weeks, but their ambition and drive conveyed in that fortnight was enough to make me want them to succeed, that is, had I been introduced to them during that era.

Alas, “Round 1,” by and large, went unnoticed and it wasn’t until their first mini album comeback the following year where they gained more traction, and where I began to take notice of the rookie group. They came back with two title tracks, “Lover Cop” and “That Man Opposed” on the same day, though the two were promoted unequally as the former was only promoted once on broadcast. Again, it’s a real pity because “Lover Cop,” which was written after the members watched the popular movie “RoboCop,” is an addictive synth pop track which features a robotic choreography that would have been fabulous done live. Even the liberal use of autotune works with the bionic theme and is ultimately forgivable. It’s all about the feeling that a lover gives to a person, a love that is warm enough to fuel the coldest of hearts or to energize one’s battery pack, if you will.

Like “Lover Cop,” the other title track on the album, “That Man Opposed,” continued the group’s playful demeanor present in their debut song. And just as how all their previous songs were inspired from an experience the group had in the past, this was no exception. The basis of the song stemmed from member Jeesu’s first love experience, and according to the lyrics which speaks to a one-sided love with a girl who only has eyes for a player, it did not sound like it ended well. The music video itself emulated the feelings of loving alone nicely without having the mood dampened by incorporating moments of light humor. The guys of the group fight over a line of girls, and none can seem to agree upon a mutual attraction. Punches are thrown – including those from the girls toward the guys – and shoving is inevitable. It’s a simple, adorable music video with little production value, yet it was able to shortly fill the empty spaces with these messy scenes.

Moreover, the pop song is able to highlight the member’s vocal abilities, especially Jeesu who is known for his insanely high notes and who was able to show them off during the final cadences of the song. It’s not often that I encounter a song that grabs my attention upon an initial listen, but this one seems to does the trick.

As a sucker for the cute concepts, Dalmatian was able to achieve it beautifully without being overly cringe-y or losing their macho which can often happen when boy groups try to tackle on the concept. But given their age (the oldest, leader Inati, is 34 years old now), it was not long before they abandoned their lighthearted, pom-pom wearing selves for a more mature sound. The group finally made the change over after their 15 month hiatus following Dari’s enlistment in the army. More revisions were made when it was revealed that DayDay would be not coming back for their next mini album and would be replaced by former pre-debut member Simon. With the loss of two of their strongest rappers, especially DayDay who was previously a rap trainer at JYP Entertainment, this was only the beginning of a series of unfortunate events that setback the group from ever fully taking off.

Also on Kultscene: Vlogging K-Pop, Sister Style: Nutty Nomads Talk Their Career And New DramaFever Show [INTERVIEW]

When the group did eventually comeback, it was through their hit “E.R,” which revolves around waiting for an old love to return and which showcased a darker and more masculine side to them than the one we are used to seeing. For one, the five remaining members are all tatted up, shirtless, and toned now. Youngwon decided to finally trade in his Smurf blue hair during their first mini album promotions for a long mane. The piano melody, which is the central instrument of choice here, is not the upbeat ones from before either, but of the lugubrious kinds. And as for the colorful music sets, fuhgeddaboudit. “E.R” was an obvious shock factor for many of their old fans, and while the tune was certainly haunting in a good way, it was only okay. Maybe I am part of the dissenting opinion when I say that their peppy concept from long ago better suited the boys, but maybe it’s also my inability to accept change. At least the members are still skilled in the rap and vocal department.

At this point, the group became well-aware of their abandonment of the original image they debuted with (and probably realized that instead of the K-pop group, search engines were bringing up images of dogs), so in order to mark their official foray into a different sound, they rechristened their name into DMTN, an abbreviation for “Desire. Motivation. Timing. Now,” in 2013. That same year, the group made its first comeback under their new name as well with the single “Safety Zone,” which was yet another somber piano laden track about how love sucks. I didn’t appreciate it much the first time it was released, but returning to it two and a half years later I am slightly more impressed. The song is charged with raw emotions and has a really beautiful melody, a bit of information that I must have missed back then. Still, it’s not infectious enough to have me looping it through my mind all day. To this day, I still find myself humming to “That Man Opposed.”

The music video is more or less generic and will leave viewers in a state of total antipathy. There’s the usual gangbang fight scene in an abandoned warehouse with burning trash cans and to a casual viewer, there’s not much correlation with the various scenes. The only redeeming factor to the video was that Youngwon finally went and got a haircut for that gnarly mane of his circa “E.R” era.

Then, the thing that made them fall into oblivion happened – Daniel was charged with using, distributing, and selling marijuana. Although he still remains a fixed member of the group, Daniel moved back to the United States where he hailed from and has remained relatively hidden from the public eye. Since then, DMTN has also been put on hold while the members went on to pursue individual activities under, you guessed it, new stage names. Jeesu, now known as KIXS, released a solo debut track, “Beautiful” featuring San E on raps and KARA’s Goo Hara as the main music video lead. Last month, former member DayDay, who also went by his real name David Kim during his appearance on “Show Me The Money 4,” and Simon, aka Jakops, worked on a collaboration track titled “All Day All Night” with After School’s Raina and former SPEED member Taewoon, too. Though the members may not be together physically as a unit now, they all still continue to support one another in their endeavors.


And that’s what I love about DMTN. Amongst all their misfortunes, DMTN is a group who happened to have been caught in the crossfires but have not let that hinder their relationship and art. On their Instagrams, we still see pictures of the members, new and old, catching up with one another. Recently, on September 2nd, Dalmates (DMTN’s official fan club) celebrated their five year anniversary since debut and Daniel, who captured a video of the congratulatory cake, hinted at a possible future comeback. Not to mention the fact that the video was set to a discography of their previous works and that he tagged all the members as “fam,” it’s enough to warm any fans’ hearts. Like the original significance behind the name Dalmatian, the group continues to remain faithful to one another and to their fans.

https://instagram.com/p/7INFVOODqC/?taken-by=daniboywonder

What do you think of DMTN? Do you prefer their earlier concepts or their current concepts? 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.

Purfles’ “A Bad Thing” Music Video & Song Review

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Purfles "A Bad Thing" 1
Purfles, the K-pop group with the worst name (and in the world of K-pop that’s really saying something) have comeback for the first time since their debut. That debut in October last year was the vastly underrated banger “1, 2, 3,” and the group as a complete package was just as overlooked. Based on pure talent, only MAMAMOO of the other recent rookie groups can really compete with Purfles. Purfles contains three beautiful women with strong vocals and great dance skills. They executed the sexy concept better than many veteran groups by having an angry edge to the their song and choreography.

Thankfully they are sticking with this concept while still changing things up a bit. Their new single ”A Bad Thing” goes for a more sensual route while retaining a powerful edge.

Song

A Bad Thing is a slow burn. It takes its time, enticing you with its intricate details. It resembles Hyosung’s “Into You” with its sexiness and slinky groove.

The song itself isn’t far from a ballad. While it is not dominant, the piano melody is the most present element of the song. It is quite soft and sweet yet has a feeling of foreboding to it, as if there is always more to come. Luckily there is. We soon encounter a jazz explosion of horns and rolling drums. This slow jazz is the perfect sound to accompany a sensual concept. It’s been done many times before but continues to work every time. Here it is no different.

Also on KultScene: K-Pop Inspired Back to School Trends

It sounds like it shouldn’t work for a concept like this but having quieter sounds crash into louder ones really helps sell the theme. The quiet nature of the verses is effortlessly sensual, with the slowness emphasizing the vocals while the choruses are big coming across as an arrival. The verse is the chase, the chorus the act. This all quite standard for a song like this but it wouldn’t work so well without the talented girls of Purfles.

Songs like this hang on the vocals of a group. Contrasting quiet moments with louder ones means having big singers and singers with more restrained, breathy vocals that still have power behind them. With only three members it was imperative that all of Purfles could sing well, given that if one was poor it would be obvious. This is where they shine above most rookie groups. What they do is build songs around main vocalist Woo Young. Her strength is clear from the first word she bellows. Not only is her voice strong but distinct against the two other voices. That’s not to say they’re bad just not as powerful. Eun Yong and Geun Hee’s work in the verse is paramount to this song. Their restraint allows Woo Young to soar.

The song gets its dark edge from the lyrics. It’s about the bad things (naturally) that a man has done to a woman yet she can’t seem to let go. Pretty regular stuff for the most part. But mentions of poison, tears of blood and idleness make for some more dramatic moments.

Also on KultScene: 5 Standout K-Pop Underdog Rookies of 2014

Music Video

The video is probably where Purfles were most lacking, as with their debut. It was a standard dancing in a box and other places video. It was pulled off well and the girls looked great so its unfair to be too critical.

“A Bad Thing” is generally more of the same. We see the members melancholically singing their lines and performing their dance. It is however intercut with shots of them fighting with a man like in the lyrics. It adds a little extra interest but is mostly boring. It makes me realise that seeing the girls in videos is more than enough for this type of song. The choreography does look great though. The hand cuff point is really clever and helped by nice props.

Overall

With another accomplished song under their belt, it’s about time people started noticing Purfles. They are powerful, sexy and genuinely talented. They deliver songs that groups with many more years behind them could never pull off. Basically if you don’t like Purfles I will do “A Bad Thing” to all of you.

Purfles'
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What do you think of Purfles’ comeback? 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.

K-Pop Inspired Back to School Trends

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KPop Inspired Back to School Trends FEAT

Mostly everyone around the world is already back to school. And the best part about going back to school is getting a new wardrobe. You can showcase a new style or an upgraded version. All the options we give you on this list are interchangeable, meaning you can play with almost every suggestion and make the look your own. For example, pairing a retro dress with a denim jacket. Remember these are just suggestions you can get your inspiration from. Fashion is always fun and we encourage you to have fun and get inspired with our K-pop inspired back to school trends.

Tennis Skirts

Red Velvet wore tennis skirts for their promotions for their mini-album “Ice Cream Cake” back in March, but they’re still relevant for the summer and onto fall. They are easy to pair up with anything and versatile since you can dress it down or up. For a casual look ready for school, pair it with your favorite crop top and a nice denim jacket and you are good to go. If you want to dress it up for a party after school or a nice dinner, pair it with a sequin top or a nice chiffon cami and let the skirt be the statement piece.

Photo via SM Entertainment

 Also on KultScene: August K-Pop Releases You May Have Missed

Vintage Nostalgia

Girls’ Generation’s newest comeback saw the girls in retro pin-up looks. If you want to stand out amongst thousands of students, you can easily get inspired by their looks in “Lion Heart.” The best part of this is that you can find retro pieces at thrifts store without splurging. A-line dresses or skirts that accentuate your waist, paired with a simple cat eye and long wavy curls will give you the perfect retro look. Moreover, you don’t have to wear heels for this look. Nice flats will compliment the outfit very well, but if you want to transition it into a party look, change into a nice pair of heels and you are all set.

girls generation pinup retro look fashion

Photo by SM Entertainment

Denim

You can never go wrong with denim; it’s one of the most versatile items in everyone’s closet and can be paired with almost anything. But if you want to be daring and stand out, a cool trend that is still going strong for fall is denim on denim. No matter what gender you are, this look applies to you. Denim jackets over a denim shirt and denim jeans look amazing, it doesn’t matter if the denim is a different shade as longs as you think the combination looks great, go for it t. A popular item for women are A-line button up skirts they are the perfect nod to the ‘60s miniskirts and look great paired with anything.

 Also on KultScene: The Curious Case Of Super Junior’s Kim Kibum’s Quiet Departure From SM Entertainment

Graphics and Colors

got7 trends fashion back to school just right album jacket

Photo by JYP Entertainment

GOT7’s “Just Right” music video was full of colorful outfits. And if you take a closer look at their outfits, most of the shirts they wore have stripes and graphic words on them. The look borrows from the normcore style but is upgraded with colors and graphics. The looks are very simple yet have so much appeal due to to the multiple colors. This look is perfect for school because it’s comfortable and it’s also effortless chic. With this look, you can incorporate denim skirts or jeans and tennis skirts and will look amazing. Go to your closest American Apparel to get that color fix and have fun with their extensive gamma of colors.

Photo via JYP Entertainment

Tell us which style you will be rocking to school. 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.

Best Of The K-Pop B Tracks Pt. 4

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K-Pop B Tracks, ZE:A, GOT7, C-CLOWN, B.AP, SHINHWA
Are you ready for yet another installment of our Best of the K-Pop B Tracks series? It’s been almost a year since our last article, but no worries; we’re back with a fresh and manly list, consisting of some older and newer songs for the latest installment of our series!

Artist: GOT7
Album: “Just Right”
Song: “Nice”

It can easily be said that 80 percent of GOT7’s albums usually consist of dance tracks. They’re young guys bursting at the seams with explosive energy, so why not, right? Straight from the get-go, “Nice” had a hypnotic beat with semi sensual lyrics. Not only have the members of GOT7 grown physically, but their voices have also matured a great deal since debut, with member Youngjae being the most noticeable with his honey-like voice. With the release of each mini album, there always seems to be that one track — how should I put this? — that puts you in the mood, makes you feel some sort of way, and “Nice” just so happens to be that particular song.

“Nice” is filled with what has a sophisticated level of ecstasy and has a contagious chorus and yet I can’t seem to wipe off this smile from my face, unable to take them seriously because I’m already so used to them acting like silly kids. I wonder what it’s like having these guys in the recording studio; it’s hard trying to image their level of seriousness when they’re always acting so goofy. Am I the only one that feels this way about GOT7? Regardless of all that, take a listen and I promise you’ll be singing bam bam bam bi dam bi da bi dam bam for the remainder of the day. Read more

Vlogging K-Pop, Sister Style: Nutty Nomads Talk Their Career And New DramaFever Show [INTERVIEW]

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KultScene Interview- The Nutty NomadsYouTube is practically everything for international K-pop fans, and two big K-pop fan girls began their career there before becoming so much more. KultScene met Cristina and Daniela aka Nutty Nomads at KCON LA 2015, but they’ve been around for quite some time and we’ve always been big fans of their pair and their video projects.

Check out this interview with the pair, where they tell us all about their career, what it’s like working together as sisters, meeting VIXX, and more.

KultScene: How did you guys start off?

Nutty Nomads: Well, our first K-pop-related content was what we created with MNET America back in 2012! After that experience, we made the decision to continue to create K-pop and K-drama related content on our own. Then, we were approached by Dramafever to form a partnership, and we decided that we would try and make this a full time venture!

What’s so nutty and nomadic about the two of you?

We came up with the name Nutty Nomads before we started creating K-pop-focused content. We actually started by creating travel videos! One of our earlier dreams was to have a show on the Travel Channel and hang out with Anthony Bourdain! So, the name Nutty Nomads made much more sense at the time. As we started leaning more towards K-pop videos, we questioned whether or not we should change our name to reflect that, but decided to stick with our original name. We think it’s catchy! We also consider ourselves pretty “nutty” since we like to have fun wherever we are, so it still seems appropriate!

You’ve done a lot since beginning as the Nutty Nomads. What are some of the things you’re working on right now?

Right now, we are currently working pretty closely with the K-drama streaming site, DramaFever! We just finished our original series with them called “Adventures in K-Drama Land”! We are also prepping to cover the various K-pop shows that are coming to the U.S. this fall!

Also on KultScene: K-Pop Sound, American Style: Marcan Entertainment Is The K-Pop Production K-Pop Agencies Turn To [INTERVIEW]

 

Is it difficult working together as sisters?

Haha! We have always been very close, and shared similar interests. As we grew up, we kept saying how awesome it would be if we could work together. We each have different strengths and weaknesses, so we fit well professionally since we each have different responsibilities within Nutty Nomads. But, some days are more difficult than than others! We ARE sisters, after all!

How hard is it to do everything yourselves?

It can get difficult sometimes, say, when we are trying to film an interview, but are constantly thinking about how the framing and focus look, or if the sound is coming out clearly enough, but we also really enjoy it! We both have video production backgrounds, so it feels really natural! Some days are a piece of cake, and others are a nightmare, but when all is said and done, we usually are pretty proud to be able to say we did the shoot ourselves!

We’ve seen you at a few events and saw you with cameramen on several occasions. When do you film yourself versus filming with a crew?

If we are shooting at an event for one of the bigger partners, like DramaFever or MNET America, sometimes they give us a helping hand, but we are usually trusted with filming on our own. When we have friends around us, we might turn them into honorary crew and shove a camera at them to help us out in an emergency!

What can you attribute the success you have?

We are truly blessed to have been put in contact with some really motivated and like-minded people who continue to help us with our goals! Our parents are also a HUGE part of how we’ve gotten to where we are today. They continue to support us (even though they’re not totally sure what it is we’re doing exactly….lol!). We also tend to be very tenacious! We don’t really accept NO as an answer…it just means we haven’t asked the right person! We still feel like we still have a long way to go until we can say we’re a success!

What has been your favorite interview so far?

Our most memorable and favorite interview would have to be our first one. When we were with MNET America, they sent us to Baltimore, Maryland to Otakon to interview a new rookie group that had just debuted. We were so excited since this was our first interview assignment. We didn’t really know what to expect, but the group was so friendly and outgoing! Of course, we’re talking about VIXX! They were a great first interview and we’ll never forget it!

What films inspire you the most for your work?

We watch a ton of K-dramas! Those serve as the inspiration behind “Adventures in K-Drama Land”. We kept seeing similar themes repeat themselves and thought it would be fun to play around with them! K-dramas are kind of an obsession for us…We actually stayed up two nights ago until 3am watching “Oh My Ghostess” on DramaFever!

Also on KultScene: 7 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos

 

Has there been any hardships in your career?

Of course! We constantly feel that we are fighting for our chance to prove to others what we can do. There are always the people who say we don’t fit a certain mold, or we don’t speak enough Korean so we can’t do this, or that we’re flat out crazy, ect. But, those words only make us stronger and more determined to prove people wrong! It’s been a wobbly road full of detours, cracks and bumps, but we will continue to follow it until we realize our dream!

Who are your favorite bands?

Hmmm…always a tough question! Well, we are both Starlights! We really like VIXX and support everything they do. Right now we also like EXO, SHINee, and GOT7!

What was the first video that got you into K-Pop?

Cristina’s first video was TVXQ’s “Mirotic”, while Daniela’s was [Girls’ Generation’s] “Gee” by SNSD. We both really liked what we saw and continued to search for groups and videos until we just got sucked in completely!

What is the one things you’d like to do (or change) that you’re not doing right now?

Something we’re not doing right now that we really want to do is make videos from Korea! We think that’s our next step, and we’re working on a way to get over there, finally! Korea is calling us!

Is there anything you’d like people to know about you?

We also really like video games and anime! We play A LOT of Halo and are super obsessed with Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s work!

What can we look forward from NN in the future?

Well, there’s a lot of stuff we are working on currently! At KCON this year, we shot a special video with Buzzfeed’s “The Try Guys”, which will hopefully be up soon! And, we hope to be able to continue to show everyone more fun videos about K-pop and K-dramas!

Thanks for chatting with KultScene! 

Do you watch Nutty Nomads? Who is your favorite K-pop related vlog? Let us know in the comments 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.

August K-Pop Releases You May Have Missed

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August K-pop releases cheetah
August is just about over, but we’re still listening to a lot of the songs that came out from the K-pop world. Popular K-pop acts likeWonder Girls, SHINee, Big Bang, Girls’ Generation, HyunA, T-Ara, and B1A4 all released new songs, but so did a lot of other artists. Here are seven songs we think that everyone should have heard in August and maybe didn’t take note of.

SG WANNABE “Love You”

After a four-year hiatus, the vocal trio SG Wannabe came back with the dual singles “Love You” and “Good Memory.” Keeping with their usual evocative ballad style, SG Wannabe didn’t disappoint. Both songs are perfect representations of the group’s style, but “Love You” climbed up Korean music charts with its bright, building sound.

Also on KultScene: May Music Releases From Korea That You Might Have Overlooked

Cheetah “My Number”

Cheetah won the first season of “Unpretty Rapstar” and released her first post-win song at the beginning of the month. “My Number” is a hybrid of pop and hip-hop that showcases Cheetah’s skill and feelings about becoming a celebrity. While the song isn’t as heartfelt as some of her raps on “Unpretty Rapstar,” it’s highly personal and has one of the most intriguing Korean music videos of the year, featuring drag queens, intense dances, and Cheetah herself in all her glory.

Primary “Hello” feat. Lena Park

Primary is arguably one of South Korea’s most up and coming producers and all of his latest songs are a reason to get excited. His latest, “Hello (I Got My Nails Done)” is a bright song with a steady beat and the powerful vocals of Lena Park. The song takes the talent of the Korean fairy of R&B and combines it with Primary’s producing skills and creates a fun summer jam all about nail polish. (And really, everyone needs a song about nails walking).

FTISLAND “Puppy”

This song is ridiculous and cute and a gift to their fans, but FTISLAND’s humorous search for their “Puppy” can’t be overlooked. It’s like the Internet got rolled into one, with cute boy band members looking for puppies and pizza, with the talent of FTISLAND and vocals of Lee Hongki thrown in just for good measure. FTISLAND is one of the most underrated acts in K-pop today, but this over-the-top song and music video are just too adorable to overlook.

Baechigi “Shut Up” feat. EXID’s Solji

Combine Solji’s sultry vocals with Beachigi’s distinct rap style and you get one of my personal favorite songs of the summer. The song is about being used by people and the hardships of both general life and romantic relationships But rather than being a depressing tune, “Shut Up” is all about getting over things and doing what is good for you, even if others don’t understand you. “Shut Up” has a lot of soul, saxophone, and self -assertion, so what more is there really to ask for?

Also on KultScene: Simon D ‘Simon Dominic’ Music Video & Song Review

Tiger JK “Blazing” feat. Yoon Mirae and Bizzy

If you ever thought that you’d fall in love with a promotional song for a baseball team, then you must be a big sports fan. But that’s exactly what “Blazing” is — the absolute perfect pump up, sports anthem created by the members of MFBTY, Tiger JK, Yoon Mirae, and Bizzy, (although it is officially a song by Tiger JK.) The song is a passionate tune based on the anthem of Korean baseball team Hanhwa Eagles, “I’m The Eagles,” and both the song and the music video offers the fiercest inspiration to pursuing your dreams that you will ever see.

Simon Dominic “Simon Dominic”

Simon D came back this month with several songs, including the self-titled “Simon Dominic.” Like Cheetah’s song, it’s a personal take on what the singer wants to say those around him. “Simon Dominic” is a hook-filled song about Simon’s attempts at making it big in the Korean music world as part of the duo Supreme Team and continuing to make his way in the hip hop world. The song’s style and story led to “Simon Dominic” taking over Korean music charts.

What is your favorite lesser-known K-pop song from August? 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: Energetic K-Pop Tunes

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kpop playlist energetic kpop songs pump up

There is nothing better than listening to music and then suddenly that one song comes on that maybe isn’t your absolute favorite song, but it gets the blood pumping and your feet tapping. There may even be some fist pumping. Everyone has those energetic songs that they just can’t help but blast. For this week’s Playlist Sunday, KultScene’s staff writers picked some of our favorite pump up tunes.

VIXX’s early song “Super Hero” isn’t one of the group’s most iconic concept songs, but VIXX is really good at getting me moving whenever I listen to their songs. “Super Hero” has a steady, building beat throughout the song that makes it one of my go-to songs when I need a musical equivalent of caffeine. “Super Hero” is a great precursor to VIXX’s later songs and not really remarkable as a song in its own right, but for it really gets me moving. Without being an obnoxiously loud clubbing song, “Super Hero” is a song that gets me moving and singing along to it, often literally dancing at my desk while I listen to the early VIXX song.

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: 8 K-Pop Girl Power Anthems Pt. 5

Ever since its music video release back in June, BTS’s “Dope” has been my favorite go-to hype song. Of course, any of the hip-hop group’s other empowering hits would work perfectly for this week’s playlist theme, but after listening to this delicious earworm for the upteempth time, I’ve yet to grown sick of it yet. The bombast of exotic horns and percussive beats is just the right amount of loud to get anyone up off of their seat and imitating the member’s quick, jerky choreography. And with lyrics about how a little hard work comes a long way, it also never fails to make me feel more badass than I really am. The gung-ho Bangtan style is definitely contagious.

— Shelley

The first time I heard Super Junior’s “Rockstar” when I got the album, it wasn’t among my favorite. But once I saw the performances from their concert, the infectiousness is just unavoidable. I needed to see my bias group derp all around the stage (and perform it like five times per concert) for me to feel excited when hearing it. I still think it’s corny as hell, but there’s no denying the song is meant to jump around to.

— Alexis

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

7 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos

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7 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos Feat.

Does the song make the K-pop music video or does the K-pop music video make the song? Of course, a good song should always be able to stand on its own, with the accompanying music video only serving as a mnemonic aid, so the answer might seem obvious to some. But consider the following uniquely shot music videos that challenge the notion that all of the genre’s visual releases follow the same trite love octagon storylines and abandoned brick room sets as the ones before it. We repeatedly return to these effective and entertaining videos and as the soundtrack second handedly ingrains itself in our heads, we know the real answer to this age old question.

EXO “Growl”

Because we all saw it coming and because we cannot have a compilation of uniquely shot music videos without it, EXO’s “Growl” is the first up on our list. Garnering 76 million views on SM Entertainment’s official Youtube channel, this makes it the most watched video the group has to date. It may be the song, or the boys’ A+ school uniform concept that is attracting all the attention, but more likely than not, it’s the fact that the entirety of the music video was shot in only one take. Audiences can only imagine how long it took the boys who were working under much pressure to perfect the dance, and even then, it wasn’t quite perfect. Coming from someone who is guilty of revisiting the music videos multiple times, several blunders can be spotted in the final cut, such as the moment when member Kai accidentally drops his hat in the middle of the routine (see 2:13 mark). With such swift recovery, however, fans would never have thought that it wasn’t part of the choreography.

Also on Kultscene: 5 Underrated Male Korean Idol Rappers Who Caught Our Attention

VIXX “G.R.8.U”

Overlooking the unflattering filter that only makes the members look more washed out than their Korean skincare routine can handle, VIXX’s fun music video for “G.R.8.U” employs another never been done before technique – the use of a rewind effect. It veers from the dark fantasy concept that we are used to seeing from the boys down into a more lighthearted avenue as we watch the members channel their inner five year old. They squander away good tissues from a tissue box, rip away at pages from a book, and commit other acts of horrors to a mother in reverse. And I know I just cannot be the only one who was envisioning how this must have looked like done in motion during the filming process.

What makes this music video all the more awe inspiring, however, is that with music videos that apply a rewind effect, comes backwards lip-syncing. As if a music video shoot was not demanding enough, the members had to learn the lyrics of their song all over again, but this time an inverted version of it. As one Kultscene writer has noted, VIXX works hard to create pieces that can be enjoyed on every level.

INFINITE “Bad”

Though times are changing, INFINITE shows that they are one tech savvy group to beat with their revolutionary music video for “Bad.” The first of its kind, at least where K-pop music videos are concerned, the video uses advanced 360 degree virtual reality technology in order to create an interactive experience. Viewers at home can change the angle of camera by manipulating the arrows on the video or, if on a mobile device, by moving the device in the direction that they want to view. As we look on through the many mirrors that are seen throughout the music video, the immersive aspect comes into play when the members are locking eyes with and singing to us. It almost feels intimate, as if we are intruding on something private, but sadly, it’s probably the closest most fans will ever get to be to the boys. Besides, what is more romantic than having seven guys serenading to you in a strip down bathroom anyways?

Also on Kultscene: The Future of Virtual Reality in K-Pop

BEAST “No More”

The witty incorporation of the social media that is so prevalent today in music videos is commonplace, but before San E or Aoora did it, there was BEAST with their original music video for “No More.” In it, the group’s rapper Junhyung and his former lover sift through their newsfeed and old photo memories on Beastagram, a parody of popular social media platform Instagram. Most of the music video itself, which features the members emotionally singing in a white recliner while the video retells the protagonists’ former relationship, is essentially the videos that are uploaded onto Beastagram. It’s a little gimmicky but because of the right direction and proper execution, was able to nevertheless deliver a touching story of how a couple can move on and still simultaneously watch over the other. Only in our generation could giving a like on an ex’s picture ever be so powerful.

Akdong Musician “200%”

Another music video that is just as creative as Beast’s “No More” is Akdong Musician’s “200%,” where Lee Soohyun, the female unit of the duo, shyly tries to confess her feelings to model turned actor Nam Joo Hyuk through a paper crane that she left him. Origami is an integral element in the video, so naturally the motif can also be seen throughout the video, whether as a part of the how to fold graphics that are randomly displayed or in the editing style. Unfortunately for Soohyun, who we are made to believe ends up with Joo Hyuk’s character, the puppy love came to a bitter twist ending as the screen “unfolds” along the creases and reveals that Joo Hyuk has been sharing moments with another girl and not Soohyun. The music video cleverly takes a simple art, such as that of paper folding, and infuses it into the video, literally and thematically.

Leessang “Turned Off the TV” feat. Tasha and Kwon Jungyeol of 10cm

The product of what happens when stop motion meets K-pop is Leessang’s mildly suggestive music video for “Turned Off the TV.” The song and video depicts how a woman makes a man feel, that is, wanting her so much even if it means playing catch up. One of the best moments of the music video that was only made possible because of the limitless boundaries of the animation technique is when the man becomes exasperated in the process of catching up and, while bending down and back up, becomes his own boner. The erect phallus is enough to give the woman a fright, so she slaps him, Korean drama style.

Other than the comedic value it can bring, the use of stop motion lets the imagination run wild in other instances as well, such as the scenes where the men and woman fly through the cotton clouds or swim through the dark blue carp of an ocean. The production quality is low, sure, but the results of bringing together a bunch of household props and a lot of time on hand creates for an extremely endearing music video.

Girl’s Day “Hug Me Once”

Girl’s Day music video for “Hug Me Once” reminds me of one of those choose your own ending books we all used to read as a kid. It’s highly engaging, and the seemingly endless possibilities put the readers in control. Well, that’s exactly how it is in this music video as it starts from an introduction video where you, the viewer, are given the choice of watching the game or dance version of the music video, other than the original video itself. There is also even an option to kindly decline all offers, but of course this means game over for the viewer.

Apart from the dance version, all the selections and their accompanying videos are shot from the first person point of view for added realism. Fans are taken on an immersive adventure as the girls drag your outstretched hand to optical illusion museums, cruise ships and scenic beaches. The directors were even sure to include a buffering scene to emulate actual MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) in the game version, which was shot in a role playing manner with familiar dialogue boxes and heart meters. Since its release back in 2011, nothing as charming or similar as Girl’s Day’s “Hug Me Once” has been put out in the K-pop market, making it an undeniable addition to this list.

Is there any other K-pop music video cinematography you enjoy? 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.

The Curious Case Of Super Junior’s Kim Kibum’s Quiet Departure From SM Entertainment

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"Sorry Sorry" Kim KibumOn August 18, a member left one of SM Entertainment‘s most popular groups and the K-pop world hardly stopped to consider the usual questions. There was no “why?” or “what now?” as there had been following departures from EXO, Girls’ Generation, and f(x) over the past two years.

Instead, Kim Kibum’s departure from SM Entertainment led, yes, to sadness from many Super Junior fans, but also to an almost overwhelming sigh of “it’s about time” from the larger K-pop community.

For a fandom that has seen a lot of dramatic exits, Kim leaving SM Entertainment was one of the quietest major events to happen to one of K-pop’s top acts. Which leads to the question of why the calm? Why didn’t K-pop fans freak out about a departure from Super Junior?

Probably because Kim Kibum in actuality left being an active Super Junior member long ago, and the official statement that was shared by Kim on Instagram is just the final nail in a coffin that was already buried years ago.

[Just a note, several Super Junior members posted support for Kim’s departure from SM, showing that there were no hard feelings, and fans were quick to notice that that Kim’s official Instagram post said that he was leaving SM Entertainment but not Super Junior.]

 

2015 august 18th. Finished with S.M. ent. Lets begin my new life…!! 그동안 함께했던 SM 감사합니다.

A photo posted by 김기범 (@mub_ik_mik) on

 

Also on KultScene: Super Junior’s Music Video Evolution

Since debuting in 2005, Super Junior has seen a lot of scandals and drama amidst personal loss, accidents, fights, lawsuits, line-up changes, enlistments, and much more. But Kim’s departure was something that had been expected, and accepted, almost since 2009 when he first went missing from the group amidst “Sorry, Sorry” promotions.

After he was absent from the follow up track to “Sorry, Sorry,” “It’s You,” SM Entertainment announced that Kim would focus on his busy solo promotions. The group wasn’t suffering, and had just seen legendary success with “Sorry Sorry,” so the fact that Kim went MIA at this point in the group’s career sent a pretty clear signal that he was happy to do his own thing. And Super Junior and SM Entertainment were, from the outside point of view, fine with that (it is unclear what arrangement the company had with Kim regarding compensation and Super Junior’s career following his initial absence from the group.)

In essence, Kim Kibum left Super Junior unofficially in May 2010, when SM Entertainment confirmed that Kim would officially not partake in Super Junior activities for the time being. ELF, Super Junior’s Everlasting Friends, continued to support Kim’s solo career, and Super Junior even recently discussed welcoming Kim back if he were interested, but that ship had truly sailed long ago.

Why wasn’t this a big deal then, and why isn’t it now? In comparison to the departure of Hankyung (Han Geng) during the same period (2009-2010,) and the JYJ-TVXQ lawsuit (and the more recent Kris-Luhan-Jessica-Tao- Sulli exits), Kim’s departure was phrased as anything but. He’s been under the company until now, taking a few acting jobs now and then but essentially sitting as a lame duck. Why did SM Entertainment put up with it? That leads us to the fact that Super Junior probably should win the award for being the K-pop Group That Shouldn’t Exist.

Also on KultScene: Super Junior Makes Epic Comeback

The fact that Super Junior began its tenth anniversary promotions this summer with the release of “Devil” is absolutely insane, to put it easily. Super Junior debuted as the project group Super Junior ‘05, with the intention of SM Entertainment rotating members in and out. The original line-up of twelve members was not supposed to stick. The addition of Kyuhyun and the removal of the year from Super Junior’s name was momentous not only for the group’s loyal fans because it meant that Super Junior was there to stay, but it also meant a change of path for the members.

Prior to debuting in Super Junior ‘05, Kibum was the most prominent member in Super Junior. As a model and actor, Kim was responsible for getting Super Junior’s name out there, and took the role as one of the group’s so-called visual members. And he got the job done, promoting as Super Junior’s Kim Kibum on television.

Following the initial success of the group and then the 2009 glory of “Sorry Sorry,” it was clear that Super Junior was going to stick around the K-pop world. So someone who had initially prepared to graduate from being a K-pop idol in a few years was forced to look at a possibly daunting career. As an ELF myself, I can admit that Kim Kibum’s raps were decent at best, while his heart was truly in acting and modeling. For whatever reason, SM Entertainment didn’t promote him well after he went on hiatus from the group, but Super Junior had gained exposure thanks to Kim’s presence on television, and then when he wanted to call it quits, it seems like SM let him go at a time when bad PR would tank the company’s stocks even more.

Kim Kibum was never integral to Super Junior, and Super Junior was never integral to Kim Kibum. So when he left initially, it was fine. And in 2015, when his contract expired, there was no drama. There was no lawsuits, or shocking interviews with the Korean press, or outrage from either side. There was civility, and an adult attitude towards the whole thing. Which is quite impressive for K-pop.

How do you feel about Kim Kibum’s exit from SM Entertainment? 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.