The hook is what makes a pop song so catchy, particularly K-pop songs. They are the part that we remember the most. They literally hook us into liking a song. They are the ‘gee gee gee gee’ or the ‘sorry sorry sorry.” Those are quite obvious examples of hooks though, but right now I want to look at how some artists use them in more interesting ways. For this we are going to look at two May releases, Jeon Hyo Sung’s ‘‘Into You’’ which has no hook at all and BESTie’s ‘‘Excuse Me’’ which delays its hook for a lot longer than usual.
The reason I’m returning to these two after two months is that I realized that they are two of the best songs of the summer yet have been kind of forgotten. And I never wrote about them when they came out, even though I loved them both.
On first listen, Hyo Sung’s second solo single ‘‘Into You’’ comes across as uneventful and dull. Compared to her first song ‘‘Goodnight Kiss’’ it seems lacking; this is probably why ‘‘Into You’’ didn’t sell as well as its predecessor either. This is because it forgoes a hook in favour of a more slick type of production. It’s a production that warrants many repeated listens before being fully appreciated. But why risk losing sales for something that could easily have been boring?
For me, it all comes together with the music video and live performance. The dreamy groove of the song and Hyo Sung’s breathy voice create an extremely sexual song. Coupling this with the video, we see something that is completely attuned to the sexy concept. Despite the fact that she denied it, Hyo Sung’s whole marketing efforts seem to focus on her body. So often sexy concepts are built only around visuals with the music taking a back seat. It comes across as pandering rather than a genuine attempt at being sexy.
Breaking up the flow of the song with a massive hook would have suggested something bigger than what the song is trying to do. The way it is now, Hyo Sung can perform without making too brash a change in her vocal or body movements (which are in fact the most important part of the performance,) that could disrupt the sexy energy. The transition from pre-chorus to chorus happens so seamlessly that it’s hardly noticeable. This especially makes it feel like something is missing on first listen. As it grows on you though, you realize that by not highlighting one specific part, Hyo Sung’s highlights the whole song.
Another reason it works is that each part of the song sounds quite similar. The sax and synth combo are retained for most of the song and really holds it together. By not creating any contrast between verses and pre-choruses, no big pay off is expected in the chorus. Clashing different tones usually ends up in something else coming out of it. That is something that K-pop does extremely well, but here it is not needed. The hook would usually be a synthesis of preceding tones. ‘‘Into You’’ does not do this though, which allows it to get away with not having a hook.
BESTie’s ‘Excuse Me’’ is a song that does this and does it extremely well.
‘‘Excuse Me’’ starts off as a pretty fun track that’s refreshingly devoid of any electronic elements. After a while though, you begin to realize that a chorus has not yet happened and that this feels quite strange. The song cycles through a number of different parts including the standard verse, a chanting mid-verse(?) and two parts that could pass as pre-choruses. They feature blasting horns, powerful vocals and rapping. There seems to be so many disparate elements leading to nothing. That is until 1 minute and 10 seconds into the song, when the massive pay-off hook boldly announces itself. To compare that to other recent songs, Sistar’s ‘‘Shake It’’ takes 40 seconds to reach its hooks and even the totally weird ‘‘Ah Yeah’’ by EXID introduces its ‘Ah Yeah’ hook right at the beginning and reaches its chorus by 55 seconds. 20-40 seconds longer than usual may not seem that significant but this is pop music where time and attention is precious.
‘‘Excuse Me’’ grabs attention by its strange structure. Without noticing it, you begin to question the song. Stimulating thought is not something pop music usually likes to do. A listener is supposed to feel comfortable in the familiar patterns. Here, the pattern is thrown in our face as we wait and wait for that hook.
The main reason that this all works out though is because of just how good of a hook it is. This is thanks to U-Ji’s huge voice, which I think is one of the best in K-pop right now. Along with her vocals, the tempo ramps right up and the energy levels increase. It’s a catastrophically good chorus that turns a song on its head without a moment’s notice.
If BESTie had not delivered this and gone the Hyo Sung route of having no hook, ‘‘Excuse Me’’ would not have worked at all. The many juggling parts of this song had to create something bigger than themselves at some stage. Otherwise it would have been a mess. I know a lot of K-pop songs can sound mess but like this they always have something pulling them together. Like Girls’ Generation’s ‘oh oh way ohs..’ in ‘‘I Got A Boy’’ or like B.A.P’s choruses in ‘‘Hurricane’’ and ‘‘Badman’’. These binding factors allow groups to go really far leftfield with their songs. BESTie have shown that an audience can wait longer than usual for that satisfying hook kick.
The range of ways which K-pop can deliver new material seems infinite. Hyo Sung and BESTie have shown two interesting ways of changing up standard songs. By doing this they create not only something unique but songs that provokes a reaction.
What do you think of these two songs? Is there any other songs you think have interesting hooks? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Jun_Hyosung_Into_You_Teaser_11.jpg10801920Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-07-15 02:43:462015-07-15 02:43:46Hyo Sung, BESTie & the Hook in K-Pop
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/vixx_kpop2014d_650-430.png430650Tam Huynhhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTam Huynh2015-07-14 10:45:272015-07-14 10:45:27Fantasy Vs. Reality Performances To See At KCON NY 2015
A year since their last return with “Be Back”, INFINITE is back with their newest album “Reality“, which has topped music charts ever since it was released on the 13th of July. Through this album INFINITE shows development and growth, not just as a group but individually as well.
“Betting”
As with every INFINITE album, the first track is always an instrumental. It starts simply with a piano riff, but gradually increases in its intensity as more layers are added to it, finally cutting to silence at the peak of the short instrumental. It works effectively as a prelude because it is dramatic and delivers a lot of anticipation for the rest of the album.
INFINITE came back on July 13 with their new album “Reality”, and the teasers and music video for “Bad” are really getting us excited here at Kultscene. What better way to celebrate the group’s return than with a list of our favourite INFINITE songs?
There’s something about INFINITE’s “Can U Smile” that turns me into a giddy teenager again. Even though the lyrics to the song are a bit on the gloomier side, it’s one breakup song that I don’t mind listening to on continuous repeat, especially with their live performances. INFINITE has a way of making even the saddest of songs enjoyable to listen to and to watch. Their music has only gotten better with every comeback, so the anticipation and bar has been set quite high for what’s to come with this new album!
— Tam
Although this song does not belong to any album and is not particularly well-known, it is a song that never fails to tug at my heartstrings. It has a very simple melody as compared to flashier INFINITE songs, and it does not showcase INFINITE’s vocals as much as other ballads, but “Together” is a memorable and touching song. It feels all the more heartfelt because INFINITE member Woohyun composed it, and when accompanied with videos and pictures from INFINITE’s past concerts, practices and the hardships they faced, I teared up just thinking about how much the boys have grown over the past few years, both musically and in their relationships with each other. It makes me proud to be an Inspirit (fan of INFINITE,) and I’ll definitely be supporting them forever.
Europop is one of the most used genres in K-pop. It has seen many iterations yet none have been as good as ‘‘The Chaser’’. INFINITE’s best song goes down as one of my all time favourite K-pop songs and, as a result, one of the best pop songs of the last ten years. ‘‘The Chaser’’ mixes blasting synths, swooning violins and, slick guitars to euphoric pop perfection. Everything about it works from the vocal arrangements to the stunningly symmetrical choreography. There are very few songs that can match the energy of ‘‘The Chaser’’. It rightly brought INFINITE the success they deserved.
— Joe
INFINITE would not be where they are today without their debut song and, for long-time Inspirits, this holds a special place in their heart. The group’s present popularity all started with “Come Back Again,” a fun track which incorporates rich guitars, signature violins, and a bit of autotune, which is okay in small increments like it was done here. Their first single matches their young and fresh faces perfectly, and even here we can hear the strings and horns that comprise a majority of all their songs to come. This is one group that knows what sound they are going for and sticks with it! “Come Back Again” is an overall catchy tune that will surely have listeners dancing and clumsily getting into bloody accidents while doing it (which might or might not have happened to this Kultscene writer…).
— Shelley
There’s something very distinct about INFINITE’s sound. It builds up, it’s bombastic, and it makes you feel something in your insides. One of those songs, for me, is “Man in Love.” I love how the whole song builds up to the chorus, where it explodes and is a myriad of beats. Not to mention all of the members’ voices, which sound awesome as one. It’s incredibly cheesy, yes. But everything else makes sure to justify and make up for it, especially the choreography and the rap verses.
INFINITE’s “Destiny” brings me back to life every time I hear the song. The bubblegum dubstep just makes me want to go crazy and dance to chaotic feeling of the track. The video was filmed in California and everytime I go to Universal Studios Hollywood and see the locations of where the video was filmed I get very excited to know that the members where there. There is really not that much that I could say about this song, the best thing to do is to listen to it and watch the video to get full “Destiny” experience.
— Alejandro
I love “Rosinante” for it’s positive message about overcoming hardships. The title is based on the name of Don Quixote’s horse, a symbol of something that is unable to accomplish the tasks set before it. “Rosinante” is anything but that, and is instead an upbeat, extremely positive dance track with INFINITE’s iconic retro, synth style. “Rosinante” isn’t one of INFINITE’s title tracks, but the powerful beats and various instrumentals, each member’s solo lines, and the lyrics of the song makes “Rosinante” just one of the many non-title track songs that deserves praise. With some falsetto thrown in and a stand out performance by the seven members of INFINITE, “Rosinante” is one of my favorite songs by the group.
–Tamar
What’s your favorite song by INFINITE? Let us know 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.
In early 2005, SM Entertainment’s founding chairman Lee Soo Man announced his plans for a rotational twelve member boy group – ten years later that group is still going strong. SM has long since scrapped the rotational concept, but we still witnessed the comings and goings of its members. At their peak, the group boasted a total of a whopping fifteen members, becoming the largest Korean act at the time. Not to mention that over the course of a decade, the boy band also managed to achieve international fame and numerous music awards. Of course, who else can this be but none other than the talented and well-rounded Super Junior?
In light of their upcoming album “Devil” and their tenth anniversary since debut, let us take a walk down memory lane and look at their past hits that crafted them into the successful entertainment giants they are today. Since their debut in late 2005, the group released dozens of music videos, including those from their Chinese (Super Junior-M), trot (Super Junior-T), ballad (Super Junior K.R.Y), and “happy” (Super Junior-H) subunits amongst many others. Unfortunately, it would be nearly impossible to cover all bases, so we can only give attention to their original singles (still, do check out their other works!). Even after all these years, Super Junior demonstrates to ELFs – their fandom – that they are a group that knows how to have fun while maintaining the stern and unyielding side to them that they debuted with.
“Twins (Knock Out)” (2005)
Super Junior made their official debut with “Twins (Knock Out)” under the name Super Junior ’05, indicating that this would be the first wave of Super Junior before their turnover the following year. Given the time period and resources available to them, the music video featured many black backdrops, unconvincingly edited flames, and slow-motion animation, all in an effort to create a strong, beastly image for the fresh faces. It also matches well with the fighting spirit of the rock-inspired song. The members, donning their best baggy jeans and bird’s nest hair, are what the female fans look for in a man and what male fans aspired to be circa 2005. Although the song is quite forgettable among the many titles to come, it left a lasting impression and gave fans a taste of what Super Junior had to offer.
“Miracle,” “U,” and “Dancing Out” (2006)
Super Junior continued to promote as Super Junior ’05 with their happy-go-lucky song “Miracle.” Flashing their most adorable smiles and displaying their humorous personalities during the dance break, it was a total 360 degree from their debut song. The song celebrates the joyous moment when one is with his/her lover, and condenses it into one phrase: “life couldn’t get better.” The little jumps in the air and the “heys!” in the background were borderline High School Musical, but showed that they are more than just intense glares. Instead, they are budding teens capable of understanding love, putting the junior back in Super Junior.
Following that we saw the induction of Kyuhyun, the thirteenth and youngest member, into the group later that year. SM decided hey, maybe the rotational concept was not so great after all, and ditched the ’05 suffix for the simple Super Junior we all know today. The company never looked back since and, as a result, fans were able to watch the fixed members grow with an easy heart.
With the addition of Kyuhyun’s tenor vocals, the group came back with “U” and “Dancing Out.” “U” revisits the cheesy editing style and fashion of “Twins (Knock Out)” as seen in the members’ vanishing gimmicks and in their cargo pants paired with camo print. The song is heavy on the acoustic guitars and, unlike “Twins (Knock Out),” has more of an R&B feel. As they sing and dance to woo a young Girls’ Generation’s Yoona, they present yet another new side to them, a suave side.
On the other hand, “Dancing Out” keeps in line with their other song “Miracle” from the previous year. Set to funky beats and a bit of gospel back-ups, it’s an entertaining song to listen to during the summertime (or anytime of the year, for the matter). Again, the members could not look any happier dancing on the streets of Malaysia, where the music video was shot. In regards to the cinematography, everything is blue – from the sapphire pearl color of their clothes to the clear skies and waters of the lush city. Blue, as ELFS would know, is Super Junior’s official fan club color, but here it also serves to create a crisp and beachy aura. Indeed, this is one music video that utters tropical getaway.
Off of their second studio album, “Don’t Don” is an edgier, more hardcore version of “Twins (Knock Out).” It retains the same fire motifs, yet here they look more legitimate. The rock influence is even stronger in this song about our artificial world as well, as evident in the electric guitar riffs and low-key screams at the outro. Some of the members even traded in their bed hair for a shaved head or side shave cuts, a more macho digression from past concepts. Despite receiving some mixed reviews, the song is actually well put together, especially with the violin interlude played by the soon to be Super Junior-M member, Henry Lau. The boys are forever working hard to show fans their tenacious demeanor.
Also from the same album is “Marry U,” a sweet, slow tempo tune about the unconditional love in marriage. It takes a step back from the either aggressive or upbeat nature from their previous singles, and focuses on a more heartwarming theme. The effortless harmonies of the members, accompanied by their all-white suits and rings of iridescent lights, lets us know that they are tough guys, yeah, but they are also inwardly romantic individuals. The music video is very charming in itself, following the daily life of Yoona – again the female lead – in a miniature paper town. Little did we know that this is the Super Junior that we will continue to see more of in the future…
“Sorry, Sorry” and “It’s You” (2009)
This is it. This was what made Super Junior blow up into THE Super Junior they are today. In March 2009, Super Junior released their third studio album, “Sorry, Sorry” and with it the lead single of the same name. “Sorry, Sorry” is Super Junior’s declaration into manhood – their hair is considerably less voluminous and their fitted plain black and white suits need not the chains and prints from a time long forgotten. While some may be critical of their excessive use of autotune, they would be lying if they did not find it the least bit catchy.
Moreover, the black and white, stripped-down box set in the music video actually works in the group’s favor since it focuses viewers’ eyes onto the choreography, the main attraction. The iconic “apologetic” and tutting dance was emulated all throughout the world by fans and dance enthusiasts alike that year, and was what I considered the definition of a collective body in K-pop. Super Junior never came off as a dance group, but with this comeback that turned thirteen individual bodies into one synchronized force, it is difficult not to reconsider that notion.
Apparently, the success of “Sorry, Sorry” was not quite enough for Super Junior when two months later, the group revealed the music video for their second promotional single, “It’s You.” Up until this point, this track is probably their most melancholic and passionate. In a song that uses lots of synths and mishmash of other sounds, the power vocals of the main vocalists were never once lost. The chest pumps, the lens flares, the washed-out videography, the meaningful lyrics about faith in love… this song and dance really could do no wrong. Even the early attempt at a one-take camera style reflects the group’s status as a trendsetter. As much of a treat as “It’s You” was for ELFs, it would also be the last time members Kibum and Hangeng feature in their albums and music videos.
“Bonamana” and “No Other” (2010)
“Bonamana” rides on the success of “Sorry, Sorry” and is an obvious effort to recreate the success of the latter song. With its monochromatic cinematography and upbeat autotunes, the song and music video is nothing particularly experimental. And considering how two members had left the group and Kangin was missing in action due to his mandatory military service, playing on the safe side is especially crucial. Regardless of their dwindling numbers, the boys-turned-men still managed to carry over their charismatic flair from the previous year to the production of this music video and song. “Bonamana” went on to even outsell its predecessor “Sorry, Sorry.”
Refreshing is a word that is overused to death when it comes to describing K-pop concepts, yet that is the only term that comes to mind when I think of their other hit from 2010, “No Other.” Just when the group had their fans fooled into thinking they are now mature men, they return back to their youthful roots with a brightly lit music video about the different ways we show love. Plaid, acid washed denim, and muscle tees take over this pleasant dance-pop track; without a doubt the members had come a long ways in terms of fashion and musical genre.
2011 saw a funkier side to Super Junior with the release of “Mr. Simple,” the synthpop lead title track off of their award-winning fifth studio album. The song encourages us to live life, well, simply. To put it another way, think of it as the lyrical rendition of the Latin aphorism, carpe diem, or to seize the day. With this music video, we also notice Super Junior’s introduction into bold colors and statement pieces. Consider the fuchsia and baby blue jackets which add a pop of color to the always drab box sets or the colorful cords of rope hung around their necks. The Kings of K-pop? More like the Kings of Vogue.
Super Junior’s fifth studio album was a repackage edition of ‘‘Mr. Simple, titled “A-Cha”. They released music videos for “Superman” and “A-Cha” within exactly a month of each other. The former featured new sounds, including influence from Gregorian chants and powerful trumpets that parallel the resolute attitudes of the members. I mean which other group refers to themselves as self-proclaimed supermen in their own song? Though the music video is just a highlight reel of their annual Super Show tour and behind the scene footages of the “Mr. Simple” album jacket photoshoot, it is nevertheless still fun to watch.
In contrast, “A-Cha” harks back to their familiar and reliable “Mr. Simple,” “Bonamana,” and “Sorry, Sorry” synth lines, making for an extremely addictive track. Even though it is not that much different from their previous hits, the members remain looking chicer than ever. Again, whoever styled them needs to be commended as the music video brandished the bedazzled suit jackets and diamond encrusted half-gloves of each of the members.
“Sexy, Free, and Single” and “Spy” (2012)
For those fans who were continually disappointed at Super Junior’s lack of sexy concepts, “Sexy, Free and Single” was the answer to their prayers. In this empowering Eurohouse single, the members describe the freedom that comes with being single. In good old Super Junior fashion, the vocalists and rappers all deliver a dynamic performance, not to mention a sexy one too as some of the members bare all in leather armor-esque pieces. The style here is a bit questionable, then again it might just be too avant-garde for me to understand. Props to SuJu for experimenting with different looks though!
The group then followed up with “Spy,” whose bombastic and brassy chorus draws from the James Bond soundtracks and whose verses throws interesting carnival-like horns to the mix. Once again, the members offhandedly give off sensual vibes in another black and white production, this one highlighted by the occasional deep crimson backdrop. This music video, which makes use of espionage themes, only marks the beginning for more concept-centric productions to come.
“Mamacita,” “This is Love,” “Evanesce” (2014)
After making rounds on their world tour and promoting in Japan in 2013, Super Junior came back even sillier than before (if that’s even possible). Each member took on different personas, from bartender to sheriff to fruit shop owner, in the comedic Western styled music video for “Mamacita.” After being in the music industry for nine years, this is probably their first music video that closely followed a plot of any kind, so kudos to the group. Furthermore, the unique song is a paradigm of how one can infuse two totally different sounds – jazz and Latin – to yield a K-pop hit. Is there anything the guys have not tried yet?
Finally, the most recent music videos we have seen from Super Junior were “This is Love” and “Evanesce” from the special edition of their seventh album. The two were shot using the same set and both editing styles allowed for monochromatic and red hues, yet, other than that, could not be any more different.
With “This is Love” the members are seductive and masculine, gently caressing the microphone stands before them. They casually walk from one fancy room to next, singing along to the soulful tune about how love is embedded in the small things in life. It’s a nice departure from their more recent heavy stuff and takes us back to the old soulful sounds we know and love from them.
“Evanesce,” however, did not feature that same leisurely presence we observed in “This is Love.” There are lots of broken pieces – loose petals, dead twigs, leaves – on the once pristine set. It’s as if to say that this is the aftermath of the love they spoke of not too long ago in “This is Love.” The song is wrought with emotion. As the guys leave us on this depressing note, we cannot help but wonder what is next from them.
It is now 2015 and to commemorate ten years of accomplishments and good music, the group has revealed their plans for a special album release. Titled “Devil,” it is a medley of works from all their subunits, including those we have not heard from in a while (here’s looking at you, Super Junior-T). “Devil” launches on July 16, but in the meantime check out the official trailer and teaser for their lead single of the same name. Updated
We have watched them grown from idols to MCs, actors, and radio hosts, from young teens to fully mature men. We’ve heard them shout out “urineun syupeo juni-eyo” (we are Super Junior) countless times. Seeing how far the members have come since their debut days only makes the group all the more deserving of their success and their future endeavors. Congratulations Super Junior on a long ten years!
Which Super Junior era was your favorite? Are you looking forward to “Devil?” Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Super-Junior.jpg7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-07-11 20:17:472016-01-13 05:50:17Super Junior’s Music Video Evolution
When it comes to the Korean entertainment industry, most K-pop fans know about some of the top entertainment companies. SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment… The big three have their own unique styles, but so do many of the smaller agencies, like indie label Antenna Music or FNC Entertainment with its preference towards band concepts. And don’t forget about Starship Entertainment, Woollim Entertainment, Loen Tree, and all the rest of the agencies. With so many options, there’s a place for everyone!
If you’re a fan of K-pop, you’ve likely wondered which company you’d like to be signed with. Don’t know where you would belong? That’s where we come in. There is no sorting hat for Korean entertainment agencies (unless you count a competition show like Superstar K), but here’s our latest KultScene quiz for you to determine which Korean entertainment company is the best for you.
What did you think of your result? Did you get into the Korean entertainment company that you thought you would? Let us know what other quizzes you’d like to see from KultScene! Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FNC.jpg8111280Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-07-10 16:33:332015-07-10 17:09:39Which Korean Entertainment Company Is For You? [Quiz]
Summer is here and it’s time to go out to your favorite vacation spot, to the beach, hit those endless pool parties and barbecues with your friends, and have the best time of your life. Summer is the time when you can look effortlessly chic with your fashion and have fun with bold colors and patterns and cool statement pieces. Girls’ Generation just released their new music video for “Party” embodying just that, with the girls showing different looks for this summer. And because who wouldn’t want to look as fresh as them, here’s how to get the Girls’ Generation’s “Party” looks.
Photo via SM Entertainment
Finding the right bikini can be difficult. But when you find the one that you fell in love with, you will feel like a superstar on the beach or the pool. There are many retailers and online stores out there with great swimwear, like Forever 21, Nasty Gal, Missguided, YESSTYLE, and many others, to find tropical and edgy bikinis to mimic Girls’ Generation’s pool and beach looks. In the video, the girls wore different styles, from high-waisted bottoms to ruffle tops, so you can pick the one that best suits you. You can go a little bit more edgy and sexy like Sunny and Hyoyeon with a high waisted bottom and wired cup top. Or be a little bit more feminine and fun with ruffles and tropical motives like the other girls did.
Crochet is one of the hottest trends for this summer, and they can double as bikini cover ups or as a cute breezy top for this hot season. Wear your bikini under your favorite crochet dress or with a beautiful crochet top and compliment it with high waisted denim shorts, preferably ripped to give you an edgier vibe that will contrast very well with the crochet top of your choice. If you are lucky enough, you could try to find a beautiful crochet maxi dress like the one that Seohyun is wearing on the music video.
Photo via SM Entertainment
As far as accessories go, you can’t go wrong with tropical or flower necklaces. There are beautiful options for necklaces that will add that pop of shine and color to your outfit. In the music video the girls wear a lot of flowers not only on their necklaces, but on their hair. If you are going to do a flower crown, make sure it’s subtle and that it looks as if you grabbed some small flowers from the garden and put them very delicately in to your hair. Big Lana Del Rey flower crowns are a no for this season, but smaller flower crowns are a great accent to your prefered hairstyle.
Photo via SM Entertainment
Speaking of hairstyles, did you notice that all the girls sported a beautiful textured beach hair? It varied from loose waves to beautiful beach braids. Taeyon’s hair was my favorite, with that strawberry blonde shade and pink ombre, which can be easily imitated. If you have lighter hair, color hair chalk will look great, but if your hair is on the darker side, colored hair spray will do the trick. To get that beach texture, a texturizing spray will work the best. One of the best products to get those beachy waves are the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe series, which are made with sea salt and sea kelp. Just spray it after you dry your hair and run your fingers through your hair to get the desired texture. If you can’t get a hold of any of those products, towel dry your hair making sure it still has some moisture and squeeze your hair with your fingers in an up and down motion while you dry your hair with a hair dryer. This will create natural waves but make sure to add some hairspray if you hair is naturally straight.
For a summer night party, the girls opted for shiny sequin outfits. The looks were very simple, but the sequin really pops and adds a lot of fun to the outfit. You can choose from a beautiful sequin dress and pair it with your favorite heels, or if you want to be super comfortable, take a look at Hyoyeon with amazing sequin boyfriend jeans and crop top. Not only does she look edgy, but she looks amazing and suits her style really well.
Photo via SM Entertainment
There are many trends that are in for this summer, and Girls’ Generation’s stylist really nailed it for this music video. Usually, the girls are in coordinated uniforms that seem to come out of outer space or an airline. This time, the girls were styled very naturally with trendy clothes for the summer, which makes the girls very approachable.
Take a look at the items below, they are the perfect match to any of the looks in the music video.
Will you be sporting any of these looks for this summer? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/GG-BEACH-LOOKS-PARTY-FEATURED.png7091009Alejandro Abarcahttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlejandro Abarca2015-07-09 14:03:382015-07-09 14:03:38How To Get Girls’ Generation’s “Party” Music Video Summer Looks
To say that June was not a busy month for K-pop lovers is an understatement. In the past month, we saw comebacks not only from the big three entertainment companies (SM Entertainment, JYP, and YG), but also from those who are just as reputable, such as Cube and Starship Entertainment. Competition is stiff, so choosing the right title track that will best represent an album as a whole is critical if an act wishes to stand out from among its adversaries. And while the companies would like to think they know which song is best for a group to promote, sometimes fans might disagree with their decision. Oftentimes, the true gem lies hidden as a B-side, which was the case for some of the highly anticipated June comebacks. With that said, here are a couple of the K-pop B-sides we believe either had lead title track potential or should have replaced the single altogether.
EXO “Tender Love”
Okay, so nothing was particularly lacking in EXO’s single “Love Me Right,” but as I previously mentioned in my review for their repackaged album of the same name, it’s an upbeat song which is very unlike EXO’s style. Rather, the bass and brass infused track is what we are used to hearing from other acts, particularly their senior group SHINee. Since I had to first get over the fact that the cosmic ride of a song was indeed brought to us by EXO (you know, the same guys that sung about being ferocious wolves?), it actually took a couple of spins before the track could grow on me.
But what if the boys had came back with their funky retro track “Tender Love?” True, it still deviates away from their usual R&B and electronic sound, but the song follows a storyline that would be too perfect to pass up for a music video. The theme here is all about being stuck in the friend zone, and though it’s one that is often played out to death, we have yet to see a music video from them which adhered to a plot and which isn’t just an intricately shot choreography. Besides that, this feel-good tune would also suit the wave of summer comebacks and is capable enough to hold its own even without a video to accompany it. Recently, it gained even more exposure when it was featured in EXO’s eye contact clip, released in honor of hitting 15 million views on their “Love Me Right” music video.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/June-Kpop-B-sides-That-Should-Have-Been-the-Lead-Title-Track-Feat..jpg7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-07-07 17:01:472015-07-07 17:01:47June K-Pop B-Sides That Should’ve Been the Lead Title Track
The battle for the summer continues into July after it was officially started by AOA and Sistar last month. And before Girl’s Day, Girls’ Generation, and A Pink come to steal the girl group limelight, Nine Muses set out their attempt for song of the summer. “Hurt Locker” isn’t a feel good hit like you’d expect from most summer singles, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t fit with hot weather and days by the beach. Anyway, summer isn’t always the happy time we wish it to be.
Song
“Hurt Locker” is a disappointing move into a more generic style for Nine Muses. Especially after the carnival ride that was “Drama.” That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad, just not on a par with their previous work. It takes a familiar Europop formula (recently used in AOA’s “Heart Attack,”’ to even worse ends) to express a feeling of hurt over a lost lover. The title is so cool but the lyrics unfortunately don’t live up to it.
Luckily the Europop does not prevail throughout the whole song or else it would have been too dull to get through. Using it primarily in the chorus keeps things just interesting enough. The chorus and pre-chorus actually contrast quite a bit with the preceding verses but it’s hardly noticeable. Most of the time, this would be a positive, yet with Nine Muses or any K-pop group, it feels like a misstep. Usually they would take sounds and concepts and go all with them rather than holding them back. It shows how hard it can be for K-pop groups to impress now that we expect such huge things from them.
That being said, the individual elements all work well together to create something coherent. The verses are tinged with f(x) style guitars and layered vocals (think ”Rum Pum Pum Pum”). These are interrupted by clanging electronic drums in the second part signalling a coming change in tone for the chorus. They are well executed if slight musical changes. The only other shift is for Erin’s rap, which contains ascending electro sirens. Erin’s angrier tone cuts through the song to make it fit just for her.
One thing that I really like about Nine Muses is their dynamic vocal range. It has dropped off slightly since Sera left, but Kyung Ri and Keum Jo have proven to be more than adequate replacements between the two of them. Interestingly enough, this range actually comes from having a few weaker vocals within the group. This is not unusual for a group with as many members as Nine Muses, but is never used to the effect that they create.
Kyung Ri, Keum Jo, and Erin make up the strong, forceful side. Hyuna, Minha, and Sojin, on the other hand, have softer vocals. Moreover, Sung Ah and Hye Mi are in a sort of middle ground with Sung Ah’s nasally voice contrasting with everyone, and Hye Mi’s strong but indistinctive voice fitting in with everyone. Members like Minha and Sojin don’t have particularly good voices yet, but when matched with a part that doesn’t strain them, they can work well. Minha’s voice is almost like a whisper, which can be quite beautifully restrained at times. When contrasted against Erin’s rap or Kyung Ri’s power, it creates whole new delicacies within a song. This is put into overdrive if you replace Minah with Hyuna, who has a similarly soft but much stronger voice.
Compare this to Girls’ Generation, who have the same amount of members, they probably have a greater number of strong vocalists, but their range is quite small. Thier weaker vocals, like Yoona, Yuri, and Sooyoung, tend to sound very similar. While not holding them back, it limits the vocal intricacies that could make them even better.
Music Video
When I first saw the teasers for the “Hurt Locker” video, I thought it looked a little cheap. I was worried Nine Muses’ already slim chance of success being crushed so easily. The actual music video, however, completely dispels these worries. A shipping yard proves to be a visually rich setting with so much colours and room to play in. It looks just as good in the daytime with wonderful drone shots of the group dancing on top of crates, as it does at night as they dance individually between crates with a strong light behind them. The drone shots are a surprising delight and made me realise we see so little of them in K-pop music videos. They lend a certain expensiveness to it which immediately adds to the whole video.
Choreography
I’ve written a bit about Nine Muses’ choreography before so it feels right that I continue as they release more.
Nothing about “Hurt Locker’s” dance immediately stands out. Generally, it’s not much of an improvement on what is already probably their weakest attribute. Yet there is nothing really awkward here. They flow amongst each other well with no obvious stops and starts. I do like the greater emphasis on hand movements, though. The quasi-voguing in the opening and Erin’s part are especially great. It adds a certain intimacy that more impressive leg movements couldn’t replicate. New member Sojin seems to be particularly good in this respect and could be key to Nine Muses’ dance going forward.
Despite being disappointed, “Hurt Locker” is my current favorite song of the summer. It’s standard structure easily beats off the more generic work of AOA, Sistar, and NS Yoon-G. The concept and video are great, offering something new and fun. Even if you are slightly tired of Europop, like me, the song still gives us a few other elements to enjoy. It continues Nine Muses’ flawless run of singles since “Figaro” in 2011. That’s a feat very few groups can claim to have achieved.
Nine Muses ''Hurt Locker''
3.5
What do you think of Hurt Locker? What’s your favorites song of the summer so far? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/나인뮤지스1500사이즈.jpg6831024Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-07-06 17:21:162015-07-06 17:21:16Nine Muses’ ‘Hurt Locker’ Music Video & Song Review
