On Episode 37 of KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted, Tamar and Stephen are joined by music writer Taylor Glasby to discuss Monsta X. Along the way, we talk about “Trespass,” “Stuck,” “Jealousy,” “Shoot Out,” and more. Also on the playlist are EXID‘s “I Love You,” NCT 127‘s “Simon Says,” and EXO‘s “Ooh La La La.”
Let us know what you think of Monsta X and KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted 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.
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On Episode 36 of KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted, Stephen Knight, Tamar Herman and Alexis Hodoyán take a look back at a busy October in Kpop. We discuss NCT 127‘s “Regular,” BTS’ RM‘s “seoul,” BoA‘s “Woman,” EXO’s Lay‘s “Namanana,” fromis_9‘s “Love Bomb,” and April‘s “Oh My Mistake.”
Let us know what you think of October 2018 in K-pop’s and KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted 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/2018/11/36-Kpop-Unmuted.jpg500500KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2018-11-09 12:00:292018-11-09 12:00:30K-Pop Unmuted: October 2018 Roundup
Spooky season is at its peak with Halloween just around the corner. Some have perfected their costumes from head to toes while others have thrown something together last minute. Others are hoping to save it all with makeup. If you’re still on the fence about what to be or how to take your look to the next level, these K-pop idol makeup looks will inspire you. These makeup looks are simple, terrifying, and entrancing with something for every kind of Halloweener. Whether you’re procrastinating or just looking for an extra umph for your costume, these idol makeup looks are sure to cast a spell this Halloween.
Sorceresses, Vampires and Witches
Twice, Red Velvet, and Puer Kim put their own spins on these classic Halloween looks.
Puer Kim’s Sorceress look is worthy of all envy. She takes on the darkness of Halloween with jet black hair, black eyeliner, black lipstick, and an attitude that would intimidate every trick-or-treater.
Tzuyu’s vampire makeup is dark and bold with her eye makeup being the focal point to the look. Her red smokey-eye is captivating with hint of black in the inner portion of the outer third of her eye. The contacts complete the wicked aura Tzuyu exudes.
The ladies of Red Velvet are innocent in their outfits for Peek-a-boo, however, the same innocence is greeted with underlying sinister motives. Witches are often seen with heavier makeup, but Red Velvet dawn rosy cheeks and variations of red lips for a minimal look. The softness of their makeup paired with dark hair would bewitch anyone into their schemes.
Sometimes we just don’t fit anywhere no matter how hard we try, but SHINee and CLC stand-out for all the right reasons.
“Married to the Music” Rocky Horror Picture-like theme kept fans anticipating throughout the music video. SHINee’s odd hairstyles coupled with bold eyeshadows and eyeliner create an unconventional take on the popular misfit.
CLC were everything misfits should be during their “Goblin” era. From Sorn’s deep purple lipstick to Sunghee’s smokey red eye, their fierce, grunge looks could cow anyone.
Retros and Throwbacks
Classic winged eyeliner and shades of pink and red lips come together to keep traditional pinup vibes in Girl’s Generation’s put 1950s themed “Lion Heart.” The makeup is dreamy and feminine but don’t let their looks full you. They are capable of taking down anyone who’s crossed them.
If the ‘50s are not your cup of tea, EXID throw it back to the ‘90s with “Lady.” Crop tops, overalls and bucket hats were signature items for the decade. EXID bring it all together with bright pinks and oranges as the main colors for their looks. Soft smokey-eyes, light eyeliner, stained lips effortlessly bring back the joy of the era. After all, the ‘90s were all about accessories!
Sirens
Known for beauty and melodic voices that lure men to their deaths, and Sunmi’s interpretation of a Siren is gorgeous. The key point in Sunmi’s “Siren” is experimentation. Bright winged eyeliner, glitter eyeshadow and candy-apple red lips are features to note. Do not forget your scales as the final touch.
VIXX prove being Voodoo dolls are terrifying yet intriguing. Their look is masculine with contour emphasizing their cheekbones and nude lip colors for their lips. The eyes are once again the focal point of this look. Heavy eyeliner is applied to the bottom lid while white contacts covered with a black X cover their eyes sending shivers down the spine of anyone they encounter.
Food Galore
Orange Caramel became sushi for “Catallena.” Their makeup was just as jaw-dropping as their concept. The ladies easily matched their eye makeup according to their outfits. Vibrant eyeshadows and polka dotted eyelashes were keys to their transformation.
What idol makeup looks are inspiring you this Halloween? Let us know your picks and thoughts in the comment section below. Be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
When Korean group BTS released Love Yourself:Answer, in late August 2018, completing an album trilogy that reflected a narrative of self-love discovery through romantic joys and deceptions, it seemed like the septet finally figured out the formula to be in peace with their true selves. “It’s alright, I am my own salvation / (…) My sky is clear / Say goodbye to the pain,” RM, the leader of the group, raps in “I’m Fine.”
But knowing the answer doesn’t mean it’s easy to put it in practice —and that’s what we experience with mono, the latest release of the leader, rapper, and songwriter, born Kim Namjoon.
Released on Oct. 23, only three days after announcing (and merely two months after BTS’ Love Yourself: Answer!) the mixtape —or playlist, as he calls it— is composed of seven tracks all written, composed, and co-produced by RM. He collaborated with artists such as English duo HONNE and Korean rock artists eAeon and NELL.
Playlist or Mixtape
The fact that mono is branded as a playlist instead of a mixtape connects with RM’s personal habit to share song recommendations with fans through Twitter. However, it might also have been a decision that shows RM’s awareness of where the music industry is heading to. It alludes to when Drake (RM has said many times he’s an inspiration) released More Life in 2017, which was labeled as a “playlist” in a move then considered innovative in a industry still based on album releases. (If there’s any truth in Drake having inspired RM, we may add to the list of coincidences the handwritten, black and white, minimalist design of the cover of mono which resembles the art cover of Drake’s 2015 If you’re reading this it’s too late).
At the time More Life was released, lots of music critics emphasized the significance of playlists in the era of music streaming. An album, the NY Times said, is:
[A] creator’s complete thought expressed in parts. A playlist in the streaming era, by contrast, is a collection of moods, impressions, influences and references; it’s a river that flows in one direction, ending somewhere far from the beginning (if it ends at all).
A mixtape, per se, strays from the sense of commitment that an album must have to a concept. So by nature, RM would be free from that commitment with a mixtape. But with a playlist, which theoretically allows even more freedom than a mixtape, it seems that it’s RM’s intention to release the pressure to deliver a work with any congruence at all. As if he just wants to be free to do whatever music he feels like doing.
But, curiously, what we get in mono actually is consistent in its inconsistency, both in sound and lyrics. All seven tracks share the same vibe and, indeed, compose a consistent frame. The sonority of it is more loungy and chill than we’d expect from the rapper. Even if hip-hop influences are present, the playlist flows between lo-fi and alternative genres, with a few (amazing) moments of synthpop, a genre RM has shown before to be perfectly compatible with, like his & BTS’ Jungkook’s cover of Troye Sivan’s “Fools.”
As for the lyrics, it makes sense to contextualize mono as a continuation of RM’s path along with BTS in the group’s previous works; there is a connection between everything. And because RM worked in the lyrics of everything he sang and rapped, then, all lyrics written by him can be used as material for us to ask: How is the leader’s life after he found the Answer?
The lyrics above came from one of BTS’ darkest albums, Love Yourself: Tear, in which the group addressed the deceptions faced after the happy-go-lucky illusions of the previous album, Love Yourself: Her. The Love Yourself trilogy was completed with Love Yourself: Answer, a more upbeat album in which BTS suggests to have finally learned that, in order to find love anywhere, you should first find love inside yourself. But would that lesson be enough to make them happy?
To be fair, it’s worth pointing out that in Answer: Love Myself, RM says: “Maybe there is no answer / Maybe this isn’t the answer either / (…) I’m still finding myself.” However, one could think he was content about that if things ended there. From the album design to the sound of all the original tracks, everything about Love Yourself: Answer is more about joy and lucidity than pain or sorrow. Even “Trivia: Love,” RM’s solo moment on the album, has a joyful vibe. If not having all the answers is the answer, then we’re ready to move on and live a happy life, right?
Life is not that simple to anyone, of course.
This leads us to mono. Interestingly enough, either sonically or lyrically, mono recalls more the RM of “Reflection” (the one who said “I wish I could love myself,” in BTS 2016 album “Wings”) than any other thing we’ve seen from him after that. So, was the whole path to the Answer not worth it then?
It’s not that it wasn’t worth it, it’s just that, from what it seems, it’s still not enough for RM. Understanding that it’s okay not to have all the answers is still not enough for him to be okay.
Journey from “Tokyo” to “forever rain”
The first two tracks of mono are named “Tokyo” and “Seoul,” making us feel as if RM is literally traveling, trying to find himself in different places.
A fun fact is that mono was released one day after BTS announced their partnership with the city of Seoul, in which each member has its own themed-playlist to represent what they most love about Korea’s capital. It’s not all love, though. In “Seoul,” produced by HONNE (a group who’s also familiar with the theme of seeking love in different places), RM, a native of Seoul-satellite Ilsan, seems overwhelmed by the city that became his home.
In clever wordplay (a tool RM is famous for), he sings: “If love and hate are the same words, I love you Seoul / If love and hate are the same words, I hate you Seoul.”
Ironically, “Seoul” is pronounced similarly to “so.” Then, by speaking out loud his love-hate relationship with the city, it’s almost as if he’s also speaking to himself, trying to find himself through the city.
Not having found himself in either Tokyo or Seoul, RM reaches for the moon in “moonchild,” a track that references the lyrics of “4 o’clock,” a song previously released on Soundcloud with his band mate V.
Some of the best lyrical moments from RM happen when he uses astronomy analogies (like “Magic Shop,”) and “moonchild” is indeed one of these moments: “We are each other’s night sceneries, we are each other’s moons.” Again, RM might be talking to himself — the moon (him) is both the cause of his sadness (“born in the moonlight,” “born to be sad,” “all the pain, all the sorrow is your destiny”) and his relief (“only you, no one else, gives me that sense of comfort).”
RM lands in “badbye,” another clever wordplay with the word “goodbye.” The depressive, short, repetitive lyrics suggests an RM falling into reality — no more using Tokyo, Seoul or the moon to escape. He now has to face reality, kill the illusions and face himself: “Kill me softly / Make me into pieces of fragments,” he and aEeon sing. As the dark atmosphere of the song suggests, this process hurts. No wonder, the next track, “uhgood,” has the most painful lyrics: “All I need is me / All I need is me / I know, I know, I know / Then why do I feel lonely?” RM’s production skills also shine in “uhgood,” along with the touch of producer Sam Klempner (who previously worked with BTS in “Best of Me”). With mysterious synthesized sounds opening the song, the mood is set for RM to use his deep voice to lead us into an introspective experience, which the use of reverbs help make it even more ethereal.
The transition from “uhgood” to “everythingoes” is one of the most brilliant moments of mono: after telling himself some of the hardest-to-swallow truths, RM seeks to rebuild himself by saying that “everything goes, at one point, for sure… everything goes by.”
The constant repetition of the line “everything goes,” through a four chord progression tailored in the technique of tension-release, summarizes the whole mood of the song: whether if you’re in the highest or lowest point of the curve, whatever you’re feeling shall pass one day. It’s all temporary.
And just like that, mono ends with “forever rain,” another great lyrical moment of RM justifying his love for the rain since it is both a friend who helps him hide (“In the rain, the umbrella covers my sad face” / “In the rain, people are busy minding themselves”) and be found (“When it rains, I get a feeling that I have a friend / That keeps knocking on my window, asking if I’m doing well.)” Just like in “moonchild,” in “forever rain” RM seeks to understand himself through events of nature. And, just like in all the other tracks that led to this one, we still don’t have any solid conclusions.
The overall mood of mono is one of uncertainty and solitude —not the type of solitude of not being surrounded by enough people, but the solitude felt between one’s many selves and conflicts. But it is also a mood of continuity.
From the lowercase stylized fonts, to the lyrics full of honesty about RM’s doubts, everything about mono reflects a journey that is still incomplete, towards finding identity, love, and acceptance — a journey that could be anyone else’s.
The next steps of the journey will surely be portrayed in BTS’ upcoming works. In the meantime, we can appreciate mono not only for RM’s musical versatility, but also for his courage to expose, through so many beautiful songs of uncertainty, that knowing the “Answer” is way easier than knowing what to do with it.
How did you like RM’s mono? Let us know your picks for fave songs and overall thoughts in the comment section below. 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/2018/10/mono-1.png532768Ana Clara Ribeirohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAna Clara Ribeiro2018-10-24 19:29:362018-10-26 14:28:01Life after the ‘Answer’: BTS’ RM embraces uncertainty on ‘mono’
After braving the Texas heat for hours on end, fans filled the room with excitement in their eyes as they waited for DPR Live’s performance. With a booming surround sound system, passionate fans of all ages and intoxicating energy filled every corner of Dallas’ Canton Hall on Oct. 10 as Live put his best foot forward during the eighth stop of the Coming To You Live, or CTYL, tour.
The Venue
Canton Hall is a popular venue for artists all around the world to host their shows. From CL to St. Lucia, the new venue is no stranger to hosting popular acts. This time around was all about DPR Live and the entire DPR crew. Because the venue was a bit smaller than others, it was easier for fans to interact with them. Even those in the far back were able to feel connected despite not being upfront. Of course, this was not just because of the venue but also because of Live’s stage presence and ability to command the room.
Live reignited the hype that had built while waiting for his entrance. The moment he walked on stage, his infectious energy spread throughout the entire venue. “Know Me” kicked off his set with fans shouting every word and grooving to the beat. Following this track were “Cheese & Wine” and “Laputa.” He revved up the ante as he interacted with fans, threw water, and worked the stage from corner to corner.
by Nnehkai Agbor
“Playlist” was a standout for multiple reasons, but the crew recreated the colors and vibrancy of the music video with colorful lighting of the stage. While the setlist remained the same as the prior stops, Live’s inclusion of Soundcloud tracks “Thirst” and “Til I Die” are a trip down memory lane and remind fans we all have dreams for a reason and nothing should ever discourage us from achieving them. The songs remind us the journey is not easy, but the outcome is worth it.
by Nnehkai Agbor
Fan Energy
Fans really showed up to have the best time at this show. Their energy could be felt before Live walked on stage. Honestly, the opening act did a tremendous job in getting the crowd hyped and ready. DJ DAQ played various K-pop favorites including BTS’ “Mic Drop” and a remix of BLACKPINK’s “Whistle.” He also switched it up by playing summer hits like J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” and even throwbacks like Busta Rhymes’ “Pass the Courvoisier Part II.”
by Nnehkai Agbor
By the time the DJ DAQ ended his set, fans erupted at the sight of Live. Fans shared special moments including him basking in the moment of fans singing the lyrics of “Jasmine.” Another memorable moment was Cline taking the stage to show his best viral dance moves even adding a special bit just for Dallas (Technically, they were all the dances from Fortnite. Yee haw, Texas!). From the shoot dance to the milly rock, Cline put his best foot forward in adding his energy to the atmosphere. “Playlist” offered a real treat as Christian Yu, DPR’s visual director, filmed and danced with Live throughout the song. The beat and groove were so intoxicating that my friend and I started our own dance battle as we let the vibes and lyrics flow through us. It was like time stopped and all that mattered was creating the best memories with your best pals.
by Nnehkai Agbor
The greatest moment of energy was when fans erupted in the “DPR, We Gang Gang” chant as they anticipated Live’s and the crew’s return to the stage for an encore. They were not disappointed. Fans jumped and proudly chanted the course of the song along with the Live and the DPR crew.
In its entirety, the production of the concert was amazing. The real takeaway is DPR’s manifestation of a dream and seeing fans enjoy the artistry and hard work that goes into producing their craft. From beginning to end, Live showed appreciation and joy to be sharing this moment with fans. It wasn’t an artist and his fans, but a big family. For now, fans in Europe and the Asia Pacific regions will have their moments with Live and the DPR crew while those in North America anticipate what they bring us next. More than a show, the concert was an experience.
by Nnehkai Agbor
What are some of your favorite DPR Live songs? Let us know your picks and thoughts in the comment section below. Be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our pos
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/dpr-live_dallas_6.png14722208Nnehkai Agborhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngNnehkai Agbor2018-10-16 13:05:412018-10-16 16:02:11Breaking down DPR Live’s ‘CTYL’ show in Dallas
Summer is ending and for some of us fall is in the air. Sweaters and scarves are slowly making their comebacks. If you’re like me, you’re not quite ready for summer vibes to end. Our favorite K-pop idols have served major looks this summer as they gracefully navigated between various concepts and trends. Their style is coveted by many fans across the world. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to replicate swagger that oozes power, innocence or something in between?
From fierce to playful, there’s a statement accessory for everyone. Idols are at the forefront of fashion and inspiring us to be the best versions of ourselves no matter the season. These summer trends perfectly transition into fall and are a hint for what’s to come.
Bright Colors
Neon was an essential color in comebacks for this summer. Vibrant and cool, the hue showcased dominance in music videos and added a little flair to airport fashion. For fall, neon gloves and boots are a great addition to any wardrobe.
From airport fashion to variety shows, shirts with oversized sleeves have been a staple piece for our favorite idols. Their size makes them cozy without being too stuffy making for fall’s warm days and crisp evenings. If you want to add a twist to an oversized button-down with oversized sleeves, try tucking in half of the shirt for work-ready chicness while remaining casual. This trends duality in masculinity and femininity makes it a fall essential.
Bold Thigh-Highs
Thigh-highs are the last thing anyone would want to wear in the sweltering, blazing heat. However, female idols proved thigh-highs are an all-year-long staple. Red Velvet’s Seulgi and BlackPink’s Rose wore bold thigh-highs as the focus of their outfits. Rose’s floral booties and Seulgi’s bold blue made us green with envy as we watched them strut in confidence to beat of their songs.
Sequins
Sequins have been a popular choice for idols this summer. BlackPink taught us unconventional ways sequins add edge to any outfit. Often perceived as feminine, sequins are the underdog in fashion. From shorts and rompers to crops and boots, idols show sequins can take the average girls night out outfit to new heights.
From Mamamoo’s Moonbyul’s squared royal blue earrings to G(I-DLE)’s Soojin’s oversized pearl necklace, statement pieces were all the rage this summer. They added a bit of quirkiness to the sweetest outfits. However, pairing different earrings together with your fall look will turn heads. Whether you buy a pair of hooped earrings at Adina’s Jewels or an old pair from a thrift store, earrings are in this season! Mismatched earrings provide a subtle fierceness. DIA’s Somyi captivated fans with her odd pairing of earrings.
What are some fashion trends heading into to fall with you? Let us know your picks and thoughts in the comment section below. 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/2018/10/Screenshot_2018-07-09-16-15-09-1_35_201807091622350ivJFA.jpg6711000Nnehkai Agborhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngNnehkai Agbor2018-10-02 11:23:542018-10-16 16:03:275 summer K-pop idol fashion trends for fall
On Episode 35 of KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted, guest Carolina Donastorg joins Tamar Herman and Alexis Hodoyán to discuss GOT7‘s new album “Present: YOU.” Of course, we talk about lead single “Lullaby” (all four versions!), other standout tracks, GOT7’s international appeal, and all things GOT7.
Please note, we said that it was the first song from a K-pop group in Spanish, but it is more accurate to say from a “Big 3” group.”
Let us know what you think of GOT7’s Present: YOU and KultScene’s K-pop Unmuted 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.
An impressive resume including works with YG Entertainment unit MOBB and JYP Entertainment’s Suzy are highlights for audiovisual collective Dream Perfect Regime, or DPR for short. The Seoul-based collective is transforming the way music and visuals are perceived in entertainment through experimental beats and breath-taking visuals.
At the forefront is Live who is currently the collective’s only artist. His debut album, HER, quickly put him on the radar in Korea’s hip-hop scene. Producer DPR Cream, Director DPR REM and Creative Director DPR Ian bring Live’s lyrics to life while Jaean and Jimmy assist in management. Like Live, Cream REM and Ian adopted the abbreviation of Dream Perfect Regime in their monikers.
And for the first time, DPR Live and the entire DPR crew will be together giving fans a chance to participate in epic fun and craze. The Coming To You Live world tour (CTYL for short) kicks off at Vogue Theatre in Vancouver on Sept. 30 followed by Neptune Theatre in Seattle on Oct. 1, Concord Music in Chicago on Oct.2, The Opera House in Toronto on Oct. 4, Terminal 5 in New York on Oct. 5, The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta on Oct.7, Warehouse Live in Houston on Oct. 8, Canton Hall in Dallas on Oct. 10, The Novo in Los Angeles on Oct. 12, and The UC Theatre San Francisco on Oct. 14. The guys will then head to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region for the second and third legs of the tour.
From his beginning tracks on SoundCloud to popular features, these 10 songs are just a glimpse into Live’s ability as an artist and entertainer and will definitely get you ready for their upcoming tour. His songs offer a new insight to Korean hip-hop culture and seeing it on tour is a treat. The experience and rush increase the bond and support between fans and artist even if it’s just for a few hours.
“To Myself”
“To Myself” is the official hype song for DPR, serving as the ultimate solidarity between DPR and fans. The song’s addictive “DPR, we gang gang” is a lyric fans cannot wait to shout together during the tour. I’m sure we all can’t wait to see Jimmy Cline do viral dance moves to this song.
If “To Myself” wasn’t enough to get you hyped for DPR, then this freestyle will seal the deal. Putting his own twist on the viral “MMM-freestyle,” he showcased his rap skills along with Sik-K, Punchnello, Owen Ovadoz, and Flowsik on “Eung Freestyle.” It’s bound to get your head bobbing and loosen you up for copious amounts of fun.
“Thirst”
“Thirst” takes us back to Live’s SoundCloud beginnings. It expresses his ambition of achieving his rap dreams. It’s a relatable anthem for all of us wanting to achieve dreams no matter the obstacles and doubts.
“Playlist”
“Playlist” is a groove that fits the ease of summer while showing Live’s flexibility in experimenting with different sounds while keeping the core of his sound. Captivating colors, beats, and melodies combined with LIVE’s soft voice create a song that’s a summer essential.
“Martini Blue”
If there was ever a time we wanted to get away and sip our favorite drink, “Martini Blue” can be thanked. The use of a synthesizer and ad-libs create a relaxing aura that hypnotizes listeners. It’s a slower track that adds balance among high energy fans are used to.
“Know Me”
People tend to think they know us when they haven’t a clue, and this speaks our souls about showing who we are without a care. “Know Me” is an ode to blocking the haters and living your best life.
“Jasmine”
“Jasmine” is DPR LIVE’s most popular song boasting over four million streams on Spotify. The song is an allusion to Aladdin’s “A Whole New World.” Live’s raps about being able to show a love interest a new world and paint it black and gold. “Jasmine” leans towards the chill vibes serving as a foil to the usual hype that accompanies his music.
Featuring GRAY, “Action!” made us want to be the leading lady in a movie. Shout outs to Emma Stone, Emma Watson, and Emily Ratajkowski became stuck in our heads allowing us to daydream about having full service on a movie set while Live vies for our attention.
“Right Here Right Now”
It’s all about being in the moment for this collaboration featuring Jay Park and Loco. Each artist brings his respective flavor to “Right Here Right Now.” It’s definitely a track that would be a treat for fans to be performed on the tour.
“Dream Perfect”
The beginnings of Dream Perfect Regime come to light in this track. “Dream Perfect” is a promise of achieving greatness as a team. Strong friendship and ambition are at the core of this track, as Live claims, they’re “the team.” There’s no competition except to be better than they were before.
While European shows are sold out, dates across North America and Asia-Pacific are readily available. So, grab your favorite pals for a night out! What DPR Live songs are you listening to prepare for the tour? Let us know your picks and thoughts on the concert in the comment section below. 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/2018/09/dpr-live_coming-to-you-live-tour-2018_na.png7681024Nnehkai Agborhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngNnehkai Agbor2018-09-05 16:17:592018-10-16 16:04:1010 songs to get you ready for DPR’s ‘CTYL 2018’ world tour
Following a mega-successful first concert on Saturday, KCON was back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 12 for the second and final show. KCON makes a point of always bringing the biggest names in K-pop, and KCON 2018 LA was no exception. While Twice and Wanna One were arguably the biggest acts for Night One, Night Two belonged to Seventeen, Pentagon, and Chung Ha.
Kicking off the show, rock girl group Dreamcatcher took the stage. They performed their newest single “You & I” from their mini album Escape the Era. Throughout their performance, Dreamcatcher constantly showed a unique hybrid form of K-pop and rock music. With such a distinct sound, Dreamcatcher was the one to watch for many concertgoers. They seemed to satisfy the crowd, amassing screams for their whole set. To close it out, the septet performed their 2017 single “Good Night.”
courtesy of CJ ENM
After Dreamcatcher had everyone doing their best air guitar moves, it was IMFACT’s turn. As KCON was their debut stateside performance, they went all out showing every side of themselves to their fans. They started off their performance with the debut of their newest single, “NaNaNa,” which hadn’t even been released at that time. It was a great way to introduce themselves to the crowd as the track has a very chill chorus and a tropical feel. Next, IMFACT performed their biggest hit so far, the high-energy synth-pop song “The Light,” which was released in April 2018. The crowd danced along and everyone seemed to like their performance. If IMFACT comes back to the U.S. soon, they will definitely have some new fans in the crowd that were introduced to them through KCON.
Another one of the night’s most popular performers was Pentagon, a group that had grown substantially in popularity throughout the past six months with their hit song “Shine.” Due to some unfortunate circumstances, the group was missing two members during their trip to the U.S. but fortunately, fans still gave Pentagon a lot of support both before and during their time here. They employed the help of fellow performer and violinist Jun to begin their performance with a short intro to “Shine.” The extremely popular song was exciting to see live; many people in the massive crowd were singing along and doing the addictive choreography. It was clear that Pentagon had gained their popularity for good reason. Their performance was positive and energetic, but still allowed them to connect with their fans and create an intimate experience.
courtesy of CJ ENM
One vulnerable moment was when the boys spread out to each end of the stage to perform their gentle ballad, “Beautiful.” Although a lot of Universe (Pentagon’s fanbase) brought their lightsticks, even the people that didn’t have official Pentagon lightsticks used their phones or other groups’ lights to sway along to the music. Following the intimate feel of “Beautiful,” Pentagon brought us back to their tough concept with “Runaway.” The song describes an intense, rough relationship, which is unfortunately what Pentagon’s fans are going through with the group and their company these days. Thankfully, if you did not know about the drama surrounding Pentagon at this moment, you would not be clued into it just by watching their performance. It was clear at KCON 2018 LA that nothing can take away their passion and charisma on stage.
courtesy of CJ ENM
After lending his violin talent to Pentagon’s intro, Jun was back to show the audience his performance of his single “Hold It Down.” While his most popular content is on his Youtube channel, Jun showed that he is a great performer in real life too. The upbeat track was perfect to perform at such an energetic event; he utilized many backup dancers and really showed the song’s colorful vibe well. His set was only the one song, which was disappointing but was a great teaser for what’s to come from Jun.
courtesy of CJ ENM
Finally, back in the States as a solo artist, Chung Ha was one of the most highly anticipated artists. She hadn’t performed here since KCON 2016 LA with the Produce 101-formed IOI, so everyone was really looking forward to her appearance. Being one of Korea’s biggest female solo artists, it was no surprise that many guests at KCON were there to see her. Having an amazing year with two super popular comebacks, she was an artist that everyone was looking forward to. Chung Ha opened her set with her newest title track “Love U,” which had only come out about two weeks before and still had everyone singing along. Although she didn’t perform her debut song “Why Don’t You Know,” she still kept everyone’s attention by performing her January hit “Roller Coaster.” A vibrant, fun song with an easy melody, it was a great way to close her set.
Keeping the girl power vibe going, KCON welcomed rookie group Fromis_9 to the stage to show their spirit. Flipping from the sexy, mature vibe that Chung Ha is a master of, the younger group displayed their cute concept with their songs “DKDK” and “Glass Shoes.” Unlike most groups formed on reality shows, Fromis_9 is a permanent group, and it is obvious that they have improved a lot since Idol School aired. They showed immediate charm and were super sweet. For girls that started their career not too long ago, it was surely surreal for them to be on the same stage as so many powerhouse seniors, although by now they have performed at many events and are definitely earning their stripes. Hopefully, Fromis_9 will visit the states again soon with more fresh, bubbly music to share!
courtesy of CJ ENM
Next up was Roy Kim, who is known for his laid-back music, and KCON is a place that doesn’t normally emphasize a chill atmosphere. Typically every performer is trying to get the crowd hyped up and dancing like crazy, but Roy Kim is an exception to that. It was refreshing to have a moment in the lineup where there was no choreography to dance along to, just a guy and his guitar and his soothing melodies. Roy started his set with his ballad “Only Then,” which was released in February. He then continued with a cover of Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter,” which he frequently performs when he has a chance to. It’s a cover well-liked by his fans around the world due to the way he nails the emotion in the song. He concluded his part of the night by performing his biggest hit to date, “Bom Bom Bom.” The sweet, summery feel of the song, with its title that translates to “Spring Spring Spring,” was a great way to finish his set.
courtesy of CJ ENM
No KCON is complete without a few special surprises, and there were some great ones in store for the final night of KCON LA. Seventeen are now veterans of attending KCON, as this was their fourth appearance at a KCON event. They know how it works, and they especially know how to get the crowd fired up. They did just that with their special unit stage performances when each of the three units from the group performed one of their songs, most of which rarely, if ever, get performed outside of concerts. The vocal unit performed “Don’t Listen in Secret” off of their 2016 full album Going Seventeen. The powerful ballad was completely different from the hip-hop and Performance unit choices, but it fit in perfectly. Speaking of hip-hop unit, they were on stage next to perform their unreleased song “SUKYO,” which had previously only been performed at their Ideal Cut concert series in Korea. The explosive rap track was a stark contrast to the delicate and sweet song choice of vocal unit. Continuing the sexy, upbeat vibe, the performance unit was the last of Seventeen’s three units to grace the stage, and their choice of special song was 2017’s “Lilili Yabbay,” also known as “The 13th Month’s Dance.”
courtesy of CJ ENM
If you thought special stages were just for the boys, fortunately, you’re wrong! The female acts of the night were back on stage and ready to show a different side of themselves for the special stage titled “Midnight Fantasy Garden.” Dreamcatcher performed a full group dance cover of “Havana” by Camila Cabello, which they had previously posted on YouTube with only two members participating (Sua and Dami). After “Havana,” Fromis_9 appeared at the opposite end of the stage to cover Missy Elliott’s “WTF.” It was a big departure from Fromis_9’s sweet, girly vibe and was really exciting to witness. They killed the choreography and showed some major versatility, if only for a few minutes. Chung Ha then took to the middle of the stage to perform some sultry choreography with a backup dancer to Ariana Grande’s newest single “God is a Woman.” Chung Ha also shows a lot of versatility, and it is obvious that she truly deserves all of the hype and attention she gets for her dance ability. She works hard and it shows.
courtesy of CJ ENM
Nu’Est have had quite the interesting year, and it was subunit Nu’Est W up next. After four of their five members participated in Produce 101 season 2, and Minhyun was chosen to be in Wanna One, Nu’Est grew substantially in popularity. So Pledis and Nu’Est decided to form a subunit (Nu’Est W) so they could utilize that popularity while Minhyun is participating in Wanna One promotions. This subunit has done extremely well, and it has been exciting to see them flourish after many years of being in a nugu-like state in Korea. I goes without saying that for their first trip to the US as a subunit, Nu’Eest W was a highly anticipated performer. They began their set with the sensual “Deja Vu,” which was released in June of this year. Nu’Est W maintained the sultry feeling with the more amped-up “Where You At,” their debut single as a subunit. They also performed “Polaris” from Nu’Est W’s mini album Who, You as well as “Look” from Nu’Est’s 2016 album Canvas.
Although Seventeen had technically already performed once during Night 2, their special stage was nothing compared to their full set. Kicking off the full Seventeen experience, the thirteen-member group performed their title track from August’s You Make My Day mini album, “Oh My!” With video-game inspired choreography and cuter feel than their other recent titles, “Oh My!” is a fun escape. The boys then performed the b-side “Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day” from the same mini album, which also has a fun, pleasant feel. Switching it up to their rookie days, Seventeen surprised the audience by performing their 2015 hit “Mansae.” The energetic track was a great pick to play because every K-pop fan knows the melody and probably a bit of the choreography too!
courtesy of CJ ENM
Fortunately, Seventeen’s discography thus far is full of hits, so their next song was a great choice too. They ended their set (too soon) with the 2016 hit “Aju Nice (Very Nice)” from the repackage edition of their Love & Letter EP. An equally exciting and honestly irresistible song to dance to, “Aju Nice” made everyone get on their feet for one last dance party before the end of KCON 2018 LA. It was a bittersweet way to end the intense, amazing experience that is KCON. Every year KCON keeps getting bigger and this year’s events have continued to follow that trend. Who knows what will happen at next year’s KCON!
Did you attend KCON 2018 LA? Let us know your experience and thoughts on the concert in the comment section below. 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/2018/09/IMG_2404.jpg34565184Lily Dabbshttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngLily Dabbs2018-09-04 12:07:572018-09-04 12:12:20KCON 2018 LA ‘M! Countdown’ day 2 recap
Now that the waters have settled and we’ve collected ourselves, let’s talk about GOT7’s Eyes On You tour shall we? Fellow KultScene writer Tam Huynh and I were fortunate enough to attend more than one stop this time around (although she did the entire North American tour, but that’s a story for another day. In the meantime, check out when she hit up all the U.S. stops on the Turbulence tour), so we got a good understanding about how shows differ from city to city, and even country to country.
The Eyes On You tour began all the way back in July in Toronto and ran through Los Angeles, Houston, New York, and wrapped up in Mexico City on the 13th. This tour marked a series of firsts for GOT7. To name just a few, their first arena tour in North America; first K-pop group to play Barclays Center in New York and Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, which was also their first time in the country; and first JYP Entertainment group to hold an arena show in Los Angeles. It was truly a monumental tour for the guys, and I’m glad I got to witness some of it.
Though the journey began in Toronto, Tam and I linked up in LA and Mexico City. For Turbulence, I also did two stops (Miami and Los Angeles), but this time around, I wanted to experience a foreign fandom. I mean, we’ve all been there; all of our baby bird hearts have broken a little bit after realizing that the U.S. doesn’t get the same concerts that GOT7 puts on in Korea or even Thailand. And though this wasn’t exactly a show in Asia, I still wanted to see the differences between Mexican and USA ahgases, especially since I had already experienced a few K-pop shows in Mexico City.
Just as a disclosure: I’m Mexican, so I wholly understand the culture and the people. I also live in Los Angeles and have attended every GOT7 show in the city. In other words, I know what I’m talking about.
But anyway, you read the title; you read my four paragraph-long ramblings. So which stop was better? Let’s examine.
Los Angeles didn’t open the tour, Toronto did, but the boys had been in the city a few days prior to the show for interviews and whatnot. Though the performances didn’t lack energy, they did comment about having jet lag, which caused small, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mistakes. The members also commented that they were nervous. Maybe it was due to Mr. J. Y. Park himself was in attendance or all the industry people who were also checking out the show. But during their speaking moments, most of the guys — especially Mark— seemed more shy than usual and didn’t resort to their usual antics. For this tour, they all tried their best to speak the most English –especially Jinyoung, who should already have a B. A. in English for all I’m concerned.
Mexico City was a whole different story. It was the last night of the North American leg before they hit up South America. As aforementioned, this was GOT7’s first time in the country, so most of the members gave their all for their Mexican ahgases. The fact that their first visit was at an arena seemed to also energize their moods and want to give an above average performance —which they did! Though most notably to yours truly, Jaebum —who had been all smiles all tour, especially in Los Angeles— seemed to had toned it down, especially on his overexaggerated rendition of the “Stop, Stop It” choreography. Maybe he was tired? Who knows! But the overall performances seemed tighter than in LA. “Paradise” was way more synchronized in Mexico than in LA, for example.
Also, as someone who has only seen the group in the U.S., it was odd to see them speak only in Korean and not in English. Since the members have a better flow with each other speaking in Korean, the talking moments felt a bit more genuine and as if you were watching them on their YouTube shows. Jinyoung spoke way longer and his message to fans seemed deeper since he was able to say it Korean and have a translator relay the message in Spanish. However, they all said a few phrases in Spanish, like Bam Bam saying “Me encanta el ambiente el día de hoy” (I’m loving the mood today), and Jackson having an inexplicable inside joke with himself with the nickname “Pepe.”
Setlist
by Tam Huynh
Yes, I know that the setlist was the same throughout the entire tour. However, in Los Angeles, after jamming their souls away during the encore songs “Look (remix),” “Fly (remix),” and “Go Higher,” a few of the boys huddled up and decided they were doing one more song since it was a special night —much to Jinyoung’s dismay, who was already a step away from exiting the stage. JB and Bam Bam playfully asked the audience what we wanted to hear and then said they’d do “Just Right,” which wasn’t included in the original setlist. The boys took this song to continue their usual shenanigans on stage with their dancers and the fans. The choreography was nowhere in sight.
The rest of the tour unfortunately didn’t include a bonus track, including Mexico City.
Venue
by Tam Huynh
Being only the third K-pop act to perform ever here, GOT7 played the historic venue The Forum in Los Angeles. In the last few years, it underwent a renovation which resulted in the venue being state of the art. I don’t think GOT7 has ever sounded as good as they did here —even when they did KCON LA 2017 at the Staples Center. The sound and acoustics of the arena did the members’ justice.
Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, however, is notoriously known as the “plaza de los rebotes,” or the rebound plaza, meaning the sound bounces off the venue’s unique architecture unflatteringly. During their speaking moments, it was hard to hear them, or the translator, since the cheering drowned their voices quite easily.
Fan Energy
by Tam Huynh
I’ve been to a lot of K-pop concerts throughout the years and have gotten to experience seeing lots of different fandoms react to their faves. But I don’t think I’ve ever experienced the same energy like in Mexico City. It was utter insanity. Fans in Los Angeles are loud, sure, and they cheer for their faves. But Mexican fans, whew, I’d be surprised if they didn’t rupture their vocal chords. Sure, I blamed the venue’s acoustics for the less than perfect sound, but the fans screams and squeals were so loud at times, that that’s the only thing you heard. This, of course, came in handy on “Look” and “Never Ever” when it came down to the fan chants. GOT7’s names echoed and bounced off the entire arena in one big roar each time. And I think the members’ noticed, for they were all smiles throughout the entire show.
Los Angeles is always an amazing show given it’s Mark hometown, and the adopted one of the rest of the members. Fans here (me included), I think, are way more chill. We dance throughout the entire songs, both in sync with the choreography or just vibing with them. Sure screams are loud and the boys feel the love, but I have to say Mexico was next level in terms of passion. Maybe it was due to it being the first time seeing them in person, whereas LA gets them at least once a year. Nevertheless, while different, the love for GOT7 was not only visible, but palpable.
Though the LA and Mexico City stops had the same show on paper, they were both very different experiences. For me personally in terms of which I enjoyed the most or unbiasedly thought was a better performance varied depending on the different points I went through in the piece. Was a tween fan screaming her lungs out behind me? Did Jaebum stick his tongue out enough? Did Bam Bam come out with new memes to recreate? Did I feel the bass in my eardrums?
After taking into account each stop’s highlights, I’ve come to a conclusion. On comparing the concerts I experience in Los Angeles and in Mexico City, interacting with fans of different cultures and backgrounds, and seeing the boys behave differently depending on the country they were in, my conclusion is that they were both amazing shows!
I know, I know. You may think I’m cheating, but I’m not. I may have been annoyed half of the time in Mexico over the fans’ screams, but once I put it into perspective and realized that this was the first time they were seeing their bias group, I understood them. Same goes with LA. The boys weren’t as easygoing and turnt like in, say, New York, but it had to be weighing on them heavily just how monumental this particular show was for their careers and even as representatives of JYP.
The Eyes On You tour wasn’t perfect, but it was sure as hell a good time. The boys got to highlight the songs that they got to write and/or produce and they put on a show worthy of an internationally renowned pop act. This tour proved that GOT7 is only getting started and that we can only expect bigger and greater things from them.
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Did you attend any of the stops on GOT7’s Eyes On You tour? Let us know your experience and thoughts in the comment section below. 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/2018/08/GOT73.jpg40006016Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2018-08-31 09:11:322018-08-31 09:11:32GOT7’s ‘Eyes On You’ tour in Los Angeles vs. Mexico City: a comparison
