Apart from Girls’ Generation, no girl group has been as consistently great as 4Minute this generation. Since their debut with Hot Issue, their popularity has gone up and down even when they went through changes with Brave Brothers over the last two years. They blossomed recently, garnering the biggest successes of their career and I expect them to continue this with their new single Crazy.
Crazy is the type of song that would seem stale and overdone in any other group’s hands. The trap beats and overloaded sound have become regular enough in K-Pop that they’re almost outdated, yet here they feel cataclysmic. The hype of the ‘Revamped’ teasers have been completely lived up to and have given us the best song of 2015 so far.
Song
Judging by the comments of the music video on Youtube Crazy is the kind of song that Blackjacks think 2NE1 are masters of. Of course, they’re wrong. While it is most definitely YG-styled, 2NE1 as a group couldn’t pull off this song even if YG were to give them something so complex. The varied vocals and choreography would be too much and the already busy song would be filled with even more parts.
While the song itself sounds packed with too many components, it is structured perfectly to create something busy but measured. The verses are split into three different parts; a rap, Sohyun’s part, and Gayoon’s pre-chorus. This allows the song to be challenging yet not jarring for an audience. Each part is executed to perfection with even Sohyun and Jihyun getting more prominent, longer solos than usual, and also slaying them for once.
In particular, Gayoon’s pre-chorus works to bind the whole song together. It acts as a time for the whole song to slow down for a second and build up again. It does so quite slowly for a pop song but works so well in tandem with Gayoon’s vocal. Every second beat is skipped right before the chorus kicks in and creates the most satisfying transition you’ll ever hear in K-pop.
The song is brimming with trap snares, kick drums, sirens, synths and an alarmingly good horn loop in the chorus. That sounds like a lot on paper but thanks to the structure and perfect vocals everything comes together to create the perfect commercial club song. Lyrically, there’s nothing interesting going on but that doesn’t matter as this is a song to get crazy to and it achieves that without any doubt.
Music Video
The video is standard dancing in a box stuff. It works with a song like this though because it’s all about going crazy and looking fierce. 4Minute do not fail at this. Their charisma feels genuine and jumps off the screen. The choreography is badass and the styling (apparently done by Gayoon) is cool. Also this marks the first time 4minute music video is not the Hyuna show. It’s always nice to see lesser members getting attention even if they are indeed lesser.
Dance
To cap off a perfect comeback, 4Minute’s dancing does not let them down. It looks like they went to their local club, took the moves of all the girls on the dance floor and turned them into highly choreographed moves ready for the stage. The girls dance with power and vigour, seemingly making it up as they go along. The dance perfectly matches up with the tone of the song.
Rating
4Minute have taken the most used and popular concept in pop music today and reinvigorated it in 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Everything sounds, looks and feels completely fresh when compared to similar K-pop songs. 4Minute have set the bar for 2015, I’m excited to see if anyone can match it.
4Minute 'Crazy'
5
What’s your opinion of Crazy? Leave your thoughts on 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/2015/02/088214.jpg8001280Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-02-11 16:02:312015-02-11 16:48:074Minute’s ‘Crazy’ Music Video & Song Review
Having picked villains as last week’s Playlist Sunday theme, we thought we had to offer the antithesis for this one. So, naturally, we all came up with a few songs that use heroes as the theme in the song itself or the music video. Our picks range from crime fighting super women to the group atop of the K-pop game.
Cheesiness aside,Wonder Girls’ iconic song Tell Me was the trendiest song in 2007, with the “Tell Me Syndrome” dance being seen all over Asia, including mashups with BIGBANG and a cover by prisoners. Former Wonder Girls member Sohee takes on the role of Superman Clark Kent, transforming from nerdy student into a sexy Wonder Woman who protects her friends and classmates from perverts, bullies, and accidents. The song was the group’s first with new rapper Yubin after now-4MINUTE member HyunA left the group, and is one of Wonder Girls’ most memorable, hilarious music videos.
Sometimes we are our own heroes and we have to let everyone know. When you’re Super Junior this doesn’t come across as arrogant as it sounds. Superman is their ode to themselves as each member gets their own part to explain their individual greatness and chant together for their collective brilliance. The rapid fire raps and piercing vocals ooze confidence and carry surprisingly well with the brass backing; Super Junior are our heroes. After all Super Junior is only missing the ‘man’ from the name of ‘superman’.
–Joe
VIXX made their debut in May of 2012 with Superhero. The song is about how even though they are rookies they will be their fans’ superhero. They will give anything and everything to make sure you’re happy and to protect you. The group’s debut song was filled with synths and club music that created a futuristic, other world sound. The members act as the super hero type in that they will make sure all of your dreams come true and that you are always looked after no matter what. Having the members of VIXX as my superhero? I’m okay with that.
— Tara
Despite this song not being about a superhero per se, Beenzino’s Aqua Man presents the metaphor about the girl he’s interested in having an aquarium sized tank of “fishes” after her, and how he doesn’t want to be just another contender but the one. In the chorus, Zino sings that he’s swimming in the “sea known as you;” he’s the Aqua Man. The whole song is basically the rapper calling out the girl for thinking she’s too good for him, but nevertheless, it has a catchy chorus and has a very sweet feel to it… up until the end.
Lunafly’s Super Hero talks about a man trying to get back his lover. He’s ready to be the perfect superhero for the one he loves. And who wouldn’t love any of the members as their personal superhero? The band sings in English and their vocals are stunning. Due to their incredible popularity in Latin America, the band even released this song in Spanish. The acoustic feeling of the song makes you feel like you are there with them, singing to you ear while holding you tight.
–Alejandro
Share your favorite heroe songs in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
The 2015 DramaFever Awards were held in New York City on February 5, and stars aplenty showed up on the pre-event red carpet. KultScene was there, and we had a chance to speak to some of the presenters of the evening.
1. George Hu and Arden Cho Got Ready To Host
Korean-American actress Cho (Teen Wolf) and Taiwanese-American Hu (Lan Ling Wang) were clearly ready to host the night, each saying that they were honored to host the third annual DramaFever Awards. The two looked glamorous as they strolled down the red carpet, posing together but giving individual interviews. Cho hosted the event in 2014, and promised that the 2015 Awards would be an even more memorable night.
2. Cho Was A Goddess Among A Crowd Of Men
The 2015 DramaFever Awards had a lot of eye candy, but only one woman graced the Red Carpet prior to the event. Cho’s Sherri Hill white and orange dress was reminiscent of the grandeur of early Hollywood starlets and the co-host pulled it off beautifully. Cho discussed her favorite dramas, Secret Garden and Boys Over Flowers, especially the Japanese version, and how she felt representing the Korean-American community on a popular MTV show.
3. Hu Reminisced About New York Being His Home
Although he’s a star now in Taiwan, George Hu is a New Yorker born and bred, and he admitted that he still calls New York “home.” “My parents are from Taiwan, so I can’t say I’m not from Taiwan, but I was born here. I’m from both sides. Both are home for me.” He said that the trip to host DramaFever isn’t his only one; Hu comes to New York twice a year so that his parents don’t have to worry so much.
5urprise performed later in the evening, but on the red carpet the five members showed off their excitement at being in New York City. When asked what they wanted to see and do in New York City, members rattled off a simple list: Empire State Building, Times Square, Shake Shack, and Umami Burger.
5. And Member Seo Kang Joon Wowed With His Grasp Of English
Translators were nowhere in sight when it came to the red carpet, but 5urprises’s members had no problem communicating with the English speaking press. Rising actor Seo Kang Joon (Cunning Single Lady) surprised everyone with his English language use, after exhibiting less than perfect skills on the variety show Roommate. In charge of responding for the group, Seo’s answers were clear and precise. The other members didn’t keep quiet either, and their excitement at performing at the 2015 DramaFever Awards was clear.
6. Running Man’s Kim Jong Kook Made The Crowd Riot
One of the cast members of Korea’s extremely popular variety show Running Man showed up as the last person to walk the red carpet, but Kim Jong Kook’s arrival while last was certainly not least. The screams from the fans waiting outside the venue erupted minutes before Kim made his way down the red carpet, where he posed for pictures while people shouted his tagline, “Sparta!”
7. Fresh Off The Boat’s Hudson Yang Gave a Surprise Appearance
Yang is one of the breakout stars of one of the year’s most talked about sitcoms, and even though Fresh Off The Boat premiered only a few days before the DramaFever Awards, Hudson was all laughs on the red carpet. Have things changed for him since Fresh Off The Boat aired to huge acclaim? “I mean nothing’s really changed, I’ve always been kind of popular.” As for Valentine’s Day Plans? A resounding “no! It’s not that I’m not allowed, it’s that I don’t want to yet. I’m staying free.”
8. Yuki Furukawa Revealed His Flawless English
The star of Mischievous Kiss: Love In Tokyo its sequel is another drama star who spent time living in North America. Furukawa lived in Vancouver and New York, and he stopped to talk about appearing at the Awards and being one of Japan’s up-and-coming drama stars.
9. The Suit Came In Many Different Styles- Including George Hu’s Bedazzled Collar
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While Arden Cho’s dress was bright and elegant, a variety of different styles of suits made it to the 2015 DramaFever awards. Some stars, like Yuki Furukawa, kept to simple black and white suits, but George Hu’s sparkling collar, made specifically for him by his stylist, kept drawing the flash of the cameras. Furukawa was the most formally dressed, with a classic black-and-white suit with a bowtie, while 5urprises’s member’s mixed and matched classic suits with leather, casual shirts, and sweaters. And Yang, as the youngest star on the red carpet, posed comfortably in a casual gray suit sans tie.
10. 2015 DramaFever Awards Were Handed Out
So this wasn’t precisely on the red carpet, but the award show itself was definitely the highlight of the 2015 DramaFever Awards. Best Bromance
– Seo Kang Joon & Joo Sang Wook (Cunning Single Lady) Rising Star
– Lee Jung Shin (Temptation) Fan Favorite
– Jo In Sung (It’s Okay, That’s Love) Best Kiss
– Jo In Sung & Gong Hyo Jin (It’s Okay, That’s Love) Best Movie
– Secretly, Greatly Best Chinese Language Drama
– Fall in Love with Me Best Japanese Drama
– Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in Tokyo Camry Boldest Moment
– Emergency Couple Best Couple
– Yuki Furukawa & Miki Honoka (Mischievous Kiss 2) Best Actor
– Jo In Sung (It’s Okay, That’s Love) Best Actress
– Song Ji Hyo (Emergency Couple) Best Variety Show
– Running Man Best Korean Drama
– Emergency Couple
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All photos courtesy of Aliza Chasan
How did your favorite star look at the 2015 DramaFever Awards? Did your favorite drama win? Let us know 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/2015/02/FullSizeRender5.jpg9011273Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-02-08 14:25:522015-02-08 14:26:4110 Things Seen On The 2015 DramaFever Awards Red Carpet
CL’s debut american album has been hyped a lot since it was announced last year. With an anticipated early 2015 release, we just can’t help wondering which direction she will take and who she will collaborate with. 2NE1’s leader has been praised by American media on her versatility with not only her talents, but her ability to transform herself with her looks. Grimes, an experimental Canadian singer-songwriter and producer is a known fan of K-pop, and a recent picture that she uploaded to her Instagram account makes us wonder if they are just friends hanging out together or if Grimes will have a hand in producing CL’s album.
There are a very few names that have been already mentioned before that could possibly be collaborating with CL for her album. Diplo, a friend and frequent collaborator may have a big and important part on her album. His beats paired with CL’s fierce rap and vocals create a perfect match that was already seen in their live collaboration for the Style Icon Awards.
Moreover, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am. has previously collaborated with 2NE1, with an alleged full album, and has featured CL and Park Bom in one of his songs, and has now enlisted CL to join him and Black Eyed Peas on their new album. CL will feature on their 20th anniversary album to be released later this year. Without a doubt, CL is in the right track with the aforementioned collaborators, but what CL needs is a producer like Grimes.
Grimes had already expressed admiration towards CL before. She posted on her Tumblr the music video for The Baddest Female with a caption, “CL is so cool.” Then when her American solo debut was announced, she couldn’t help but express her emotion via her Twitter. Even Lorde couldn’t resist and retweeted Claire’s (her real name) excitement.
In order for CL to achieve success in the American market she needs to come out with a very new and fresh sound that will set her apart from the current Pop artists that reign American Top 40. Yes, she has to have that commercial appeal in order to gain attention, but Grimes can give her that innovative sound that will make stand out. Grimes’ music is so different; she experiments with different sounds and genres that are not that far from what’s being produced in K-pop. She’s definitely not afraid of trying new things.
Take Grimes’ most recent track, Go, which was originally penned for Rihanna. This song is Claire’s attempt to go into the commercial route, but it still has that Grimes feel of her unique music. The song has dubstep, trap, synths, and other experimental sounds that she creates herself. Wh ilsire tat prong this is kh CL, snowlould seemingly showcase her beaueds ominstsd c tho Grimes pproducing some of your future music.
If both ladies want to work on a more danceable track, but with a serious topic, then Grime’s Oblivion would be a perfect example of what they could come up with. Grimes’ tracks usually deal with sexism, misogyny, drug abuse, and alcoholism, and Oblivion deals with sexual assault. Her dark and obscure lyrics create a perfect juxtaposition with the music she does, but also bring awareness to these topics. CL has already stated that she wants to represent Asian women and break the typical Asian female stereotype. “I want to break that. I want to tell the world that there are some badass Asian female girls and that we can be cool. That we’re nothing different. I want to break that standard and stand up for all the girls,” she stated in an Elle Magazine interview. Grimes and CL could make the perfect girl power anthem that we have been longing for.
Grimes producing CL debut American album would be ideal. Not only producing her music but also giving creative direction. Did we forgot to mention that they are both Jeremy Scott’s besties? Her visuals are always stunning and have a very different a You’ll really enjoy seeing her visuals! Claire’s music can’t be put in one genre given that her music is very unique, making it the perfect sound match for CL. Both artists are chameleonic in their artistry. What these women could achieve together would be amazing; their personalities and talents combined will be like a match made in heaven.
Would you like to see CL and Grimes collaborate together?Let us know 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/2015/02/IsCLCollaboratingWithGrimesFeatured.png566800Alejandro Abarcahttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlejandro Abarca2015-02-06 21:32:312015-02-06 21:32:31Is CL Collaborating With Grimes For Her American Debut Album?
Last year, SM Entertainment announced that they would release lots of solos of their artists this year. And with only a month into 2015, Jonghyun already debuted and Amber and Taeyeon are getting ready for theirs. But SM is not the only label following the soloist trend. Teen Top’s Neil is also getting ready for his project. And while we all can’t wait for all these debuts, there are some artists we would rather be seeing on stage by themselves. That’s why we came up with this list of popular K-Pop artists we want to see go solo soon.
1. 2NE1’s Minzy
It seems that everyone in 2NE1 has had the spotlight on them, some more than the others, at least once –except for Minzy. Sure, the maknae gets to shake it on her dance solos during their group concerts, but everyone seems to be fixated on Bom’s vocals, Dara’s beauty and quirky self, and CL’s, well, CL-ness. But Minzy has been riding in the backseat to her unnies’ fame for too long.
Even though the rest of the 2NE1 members are already at veteran idol age, Minzy is in the prime of her youth at 21-years-old. She’s sunbae to most groups, but is the same age as Girl’s Day Hyeri, EXO-K’s Kai, and BTS’ Rap Monster, to name a few. She has more experience than anyone in the ‘94 line, along with talent. Hell, she’s even the best well-rounded artist within 2NE1. Not only is Minzy the dance machine, but she regularly sings the same parts as Bom and rap CL’s counterpart verses. Since she’s still young and growing into her looks, she’s turning out into a hot woman but still has her maknae cute charms.
If you follow Minzy on SNS, you would have noticed she’s been in Los Angeles for quite some time now, hanging out with producers and attending dance classes. Is she gearing for an upcoming solo? We sure hope so! Truth is Minzy has the moves and the vocals to deliver fast paced tracks and even soulful ballads and kill it with the choreography, reminiscent of American star Ciara.
2. U-KISS’ Kevin
Main vocalists of groups given solos is a very typical practice in K-pop. But given that Kevin’s vocals are very different to Soohyun’s, it’s difficult to pick who is U-KISS’ better singer. However, given Kevin’s flower boy image, soft vocals, and popularity with overseas fans, he might deliver a more interesting solo venture.
During his MC stint on After School Club, he’s proven that he’s not only soft voiced, but soft-hearted and loved all over the world. His command of the English language is also a plus for him, given that he delivers great covers of Western artists’ songs –better than some of the best K-pop vocalists. Moreover, as seen during U-KISS performances, he’s an above average dancer.
Kevin’s cute, flower boy-next-door image would work well for a K-pop audience. Add an awesome upbeat ballad song that doesn’t focus too much on the choreography, and we could have a winner. All in all, Kevin’s approachability is key.
When gay celebrity Hong Seok Cheon visited the Roommate house, he was challenged to dance Mamamia with KARA’s newest member Youngji. As he accepted, he declared he wanted Hara’s parts and proceeded to slay the mini performance. If this whole stint is indicative of anything it is that just like you have your Western female artist gay icons like Lady Gaga or Beyonce, there are some K-pop ones too, and Hara is one of them.
Comparing Hara with Beyonce may be very far-fetched, but something that she shares with western divas is that she’s perceived as fierce. She might not be the most talented singer, but just as Britney Spears who made a career out of slaying performances and being hot, Hara has the potential to be an icon once she releases a solo.
Hara is hot and cute. The girl can dance and looks absolutely flawless on stage. A solo project would cement her as a superstar performer. And at 24-years-old, the idol can take a few more liberties, i.e., a sexier stage in the likes of her former group mate Nicole.
4. VIXX’s Ken
In VIXX, Leo is the superstar vocalist. However, anyone even fairly acquainted with the group knows that he can be… distant… and awkward… So also being a main vocalist in the group, Ken comes out as the better candidate for a solo because he’s more charismatic on stage and on t.v. appearances. Leo generally uses the other members as buffers, but Ken holds his own.
And, as a matter of fact, Ken has already been recognized for his individual talents. He’s not only an actor, but is slowly racking up the OST contributions, such as The Heirs’s In The Name of Love and Fated to Love You’s My Girl. With these gems on his resume, a solo project might not be so surprising.
5. Girls’ Generation’s Sunny
Girls’ Generation is a big group of women, with some being more talented than others in different fields. For example, the group’s main vocalists were given their very own sub unit, TaeTiSeo, so they could flaunt their talents without having to share the parts in the songs. After Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun, the next token vocalist was Jessica, but with her out of the picture, the runner up for fourth best vocalist is Sunny.
Girls’ Generation and even TaeTiSeo have a feminine princess image, and Sunny, of course, follows suit. However, in her individual appearances, Sunny always had the aegyo image that served her right with her cute looks and small size. Fast forward a few years, Sunny is now a be woman and is the curviest SNSD member. For a solo debut, it would serve Sunny right to go the sultry route rather than the glamorous diva like TaeTiSeo. Sure, she still has her aegyo, but it has a touch of sexiness.
Sunny has the body and moves to kill a body roll-filed choreography and has already demonstrated that she can take on Jessica’s parts and even deliver them better. Even if she acts like a total derp in variety shows, we all know she has a vixen alter ego waiting to be let out.
6. BTS’ Jungkook
BTS’ rapid shot to stardom was largely due to the combination of all the members’ talents. Rap Monster has a spit-fire flow, Suga’s songwriting is great, V’s vocals are flawless, Jimin’s abs are awesome, etc. Every member has their role in the group defined clearly and they deliver the heck out of them. However, it’s the maknae who, kind of like Minzy, displays the best well-rounded artist qualities.
Every other BTS song opens up with a rap verse by Jungkook and later followed by a melody part in the hook or chorus. He also kills the choreography, second to only J-Hope and giving Jimin a run for his money. He might not be as good as a vocalist as V or can write his own spit like Rap Monster and Suga, but he’s getting there. He might only be 17-years-old, but this boy is merely a diamond in the rough. Like a fine wine, Jungkook will only get better with age. So a solo project further down the line is inevitable for him.
7. f(x)’s Krystal
Amber might have beaten her members to the punch with the solo debut, but just like SHINee, she can’t be the only one in f(x) to go on this venture. Sure, Luna has the pipes and the sweetheart personality, but Krystal’s popularity definitely triumphs over talent. While Luna has been busy with musicals, Krystal has been under the spotlight with her CFs, dramas, and even her participation in the most recent S.M. the Ballad comeback.
Among the f(x) members, Krystal is one of the fan favorites. She’s also beautiful and has a killer body. And it’s because of that tall and slender frame that designer clothes look great on her and why she’s so coveted for magazine editorials. And while SM Entertainment loves to make Krystal sing ballads (S.M. the Ballad and her My Lovable Girl OST), her small, high-pitched voice seems to be better suited for upbeat songs, as seen with f(x).
All of these factors make the perfect case for a Krystal solo. The maknae can hold a tune, dances flawlessly, and already has the established fandom to support her. It’s impossible for SM not to know and consider all this already. That’s why it’s safe to assume she’ll be the next f(x) member to have a solo.
8. B1A4’s Baro
With more and more K-pop boy groups debuting, it’s hard to stand out from the rest. However, B1A4 came into the seen pushing their quirky boys next door brand and proved to be very successful. Not to mention that their members were crazy talented, starting with Sandeul’s vocals and Jinyoung’s songwriting skills. Their popularity also rose because, as seen on their several web shows, they’re just a bunch of adorable dorks.
And even though the older hyungs give off a manlier image than the maknaes, it’s Baro who has the husky voice to back it up. The group’s rapper might be young and slim, but he has a certain genuine swag that’s rare among idol rappers. On stage, he’s very active and fun, which make him a great entertainer. Plus, the group as a whole has a reputation for outstanding fan service, so you know Baro’s a certified crowd pleaser.
These factors make the case for a Baro solo. His rapping is better than his singing and dancing, but no matter what he does on stage, you can be sure it’ll be fun and entertaining.
Until recently, EXID was one of the most underrated K-pop girl groups. It took a video of their performance for Up & Down to go viral before they went onto win music shows and appear on t.v. programs. However, their talent has been there for years, especially rapper LE’s who’s still a very underrated artist.
Even if the audience hasn’t fully recognized LE’s talent, other artists in the mainstream have. She has an innate talent for rapping, and even went onto release a 19+ song with BEAST’s Junhyung and BIG STAR’s Feeldog, You Got Some Nerve, where she excelled and proved she can hold her own with other talented idol rappers. Moreover, she’s also a lyricist, writing songs for EXID and even her friend Hyuna.
LE is a boss and can quickly pick up where CL left off if her American career takes off. She has a nasal tone unique to her. Moreover, her artist authenticity puts her light years in front of other female idol rappers whose role is just for show. LE is the real deal, and as Korean hip hop is getting more and more popular, she can truly rise to the top with a solo.
10. GOT7’s Youngjae
GOT7 debuted only last year, so a solo project for any of the members is unthinkable. But let’s entertain the thought for just a little bit. Jr. and JB already went down that road prior to the group’s debut with JJ Project, but sadly that wasn’t successful. The foreign members, Jackson, Mark, and BamBam, are crazy popular, but are still young and haven’t mastered Korean. That leaves the door open for future solo projects for pretty much any member. However, even if GOT7 is full of talented and charismatic guys, its Youngjae who shows great promise.
He might not have gotten a proper part in their debut song Girls, Girls, Girls, but with the A comeback, Youngjae got a stellar part in the chorus and finally got to promote his talent. He might be young, but the kid has pipes, and being under JYP, you know he’s on the way to craft that voice soulfully. His voice has already been recognized in the industry, he got to sing a cover of TVXQ’s Mirotic with B.A.P’s Daehyun, BTOB’s Eunkwang, and VIXX’s Leo, all talented vocalists. Before we know it, he’ll start busting out the OSTs, because he’s that good, it’s inevitable!
What K-pop artist do you want to see go solo? 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/2015/02/Untitled-design.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-02-04 22:13:502015-02-04 22:13:5010 Popular K-Pop Members We Want to See Go Solo
Film school was crucial to the formation of the Korean New Wave and the type of film that came out of it. It developed a new mindset for later Korean filmmakers, one which was more progressive and innovative than earlier filmmakers. So, in the midst of examining this era of cinema in Korea, I think it might be interesting to take a short look at some of the work that came out of university. To do this, I’m going to look at director Bong Joon Ho’s (The Host, Snowpiercer) graduate film from the Korean Academy of Film Arts, Incoherence.
Incoherence is actually a series of short films about three respectable men who make bad choices, and the consequences of those choices. Made in 1994 when Bong was only 25 years old, Incoherence shows many traits that Bong would go on to use in his future career. Black humour, clashing tones, and slower moments all come up in each episode and are fundamental to Bong’s cinema. Luckily the whole project is on Youtube so let’s get going with episode 1, Cockroach.
Cockroach follows a university professor who after leaving a copy of Penthouse in plain sight on his desk, sends a young female student of his to fetch some other papers on his desk. When he realises what he has done he rushes dramatically to stop her.
There is undoubtedly a simple style being used here, it’s evident that it is an early film of Bong’s. That does not mean it is not as interesting however, as the simplicity of this film is what makes it work. The slow, meditative opening lulls us into an easy feeling and we expect a film that reflects this. This is immediately contrasted with the odd image of this respectable looking man reading a porn magazine. The tone is again heightened when he has to run to his office. His sprint is shot in slow motion to make it seem more dramatic than it really is. This showcases the type of fun Bong likes to have with audiences’ expectations when it comes to the apparent tone of a scene.
Episode two is called Up The Alleys and is about a jogger who steals milk from a porch daily, but one day gives some to a newspaper boy who gets caught by the owner of the house. The newspaper boy then chases the jogger through the maze like alleys of the small village in a comically slow fashion as he still has to deliver his papers.
Up The Alleys has a similar comic feeling to Cockroach but this time we see the consequences of the protagonists actions laid out before us in an orderly way. The paperboy first gets scolded by the old lady so he gets angry and wants to get revenge on the jogger. This causes the jogger himself to have a hard time running away from a spritely young boy. The old lady too loses out because she cancels her newspaper subscription due to a misunderstanding. Lastly the jogger is also shown to also feel the consequences because of his actions in the epilogue of the film.
The third episode, The Night Of Pain, shows a drunken suit-wearing man and his desperate search for a toilet in the middle of the night. When he finally finds a way to relieve himself despite the resistance of a security guard, the man decides to take revenge on the guard for treating him like a commoner. He shouts at the guard “Do you know who I am?”
The humour works best in this episode and it’s down to the great acting from the lead. He stumbles, mumbles, and shouts his way through a drunken stupor with glee, not holding back in favour of subtlety. The photography is also more varied as Bong uses a shot of pipes as the opener and brings the same shot back once the symbolic nature of it is known to us. Like in the other two episodes Bong lingers on some shots longer than most short films would, allowing us more time with the characters. It helps us better understand their nights and days of pain.
Like I said before, these three episodes come together in an epilogue which cannot be embedded so you can watch it here.
In the epilogue we see a television show about the moral crisis in Korean society. The guests discussing this are the three protagonists from the previous episodes. The professor is a social psychology teacher, the jogger is editor-in-chief of the Daily Chosun and the drunk man is a public prosecutor. Each of them talk about their disdain for the current state of Korean society and its loose morals.
They each hilariously comment negatively about the very wrong doings they committed themselves. The professor says there is too much sex and violence in today’s media and declares happily that the Korean version of Penthouse was banned. The public prosecutor talks of how minor violations like jaywalking and public urination are a problem. The editor just repeats that the problem starts with education and the home life in between taking drinks of milk. The camera then cuts back to reveal the paperboy who was set up by the editor, going about his daily life. It then shows the other two characters involved in episodes 1 and 3 doing the same as the televisions play in the background. These final shots showing that these important, respectable men have really no idea what life is like for the average person. They are themselves the moral crisis of Korea.
Incoherence is a great introduction to the career of Bong Joon Ho. Not only is it an interesting work in itself, it also maps out many details that show up in his later films, in which these details are executed even better than they are here. It also provides a good look at a student film, which is where many of the big players in the new wave cut their filmmaking teeth. The vast improvement from this to his later work is apparent and gives us an insight into how a director grows.
I’m going to take a closer look into the career of Bong in the coming weeks as he certainly warrants it, and he is my favourite of the lot. But first let me know what you think of Incoherence and if there is anything you’d like to know with regards to the Korean New Wave.
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https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/bong-joon-ho-black-cr-top-10-unsung-directors-working-right-now.jpeg17722951Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-02-03 21:06:072015-02-03 21:06:07The Incoherence of Bong Joon Ho
First thing’s first- cleanse, toner, serum, moisturizer. At least, that’s what Christine Chang, the co-founder of Glow Recipe, says is the secret to great skin. Based out of New York, Chang sat down with KultScene to discuss how their natural Korean products are exactly what everybody needs to get dewy, radiant skin.
Glow Recipe sells natural Korean facial products to international audiences. Rather than going for cutesy makeup, Chang and her fellow co-founder Sarah Lee carefully find the best skin care products in South Korea to bring to their audience, the kind of thing that would rival that seen in Aspect Dr reviews online. Everything that is sold on Glow Recipe is not only Korean, but also natural and good for your skin. And they don’t just sell anything that is popular in the Korean market. Glow Recipe’s staff carefully cultivates products for their audience and uses a multicultural panel of testers in order to match the multicultural U.S. market. Even though Glow Recipe is based in New York, the company has started shipping around the globe.
Why Korean beauty? Chang and Lee worked in the cosmetic industry for around ten years, and saw that a lot of innovation was coming out of Korea and that the people around them in both the industry and their personal lives were noticing. With their unique insight, having experience in both the U.S. and Korean beauty markets, the two started Glow Recipe to bring people the best that Korean technology, ingredients, and innovation can bring.
“Korea has a really long heritage of natural beauty, dating back to palace literature, and a lot of those [ingredients and remedies] are present here with natural makeup. And a lot of those [things] are present in Europe but they weren’t coming over to the U.S. We wanted to bring those over to the U.S. to bring people great brands and teach really good practices,” explained Chang.
Is it another part of the Korean wave, Hallyu? “I think it’s hard to separate culture and music and pop culture and celebrity from beauty because they talk about it and use it and their fans around the world hear it,” said Chang. “And, if anything, I think the products going forward, will have more integration with Korean celebrities, Korean dramas, it’s almost like a seamless package… I can only imagine what will happen going forward.” She brought up 2013-14’s Korean drama, My Love From The Star, which caused a lipstick craze that led to Yves Saint Laurent selling out of a color worldwide; Korean skin care isn’t far behind.
The primary differences between Korean and American beauty routine? In Korea, beauty and skin tone are closely connected. The goal of Glow Recipe isn’t to give your skin the matte look that is often desired by America, covering up with makeup; the goal of Korean beauty is to treat the skin, to make a radiant, dewy look even before applying any makeup. Perhaps pairing it with a dark spot diminisher deal to promote a smoother base on which to place this makeup. Korean women are willing to try just about anything to get beautiful skin, so Korean products are much more adventurous than what the American market is used to. Because of this, Korean skin care may be daunting. But Glow Recipe makes it easy for even a beginning.
Many people may have seen the fabled Korean ten-step skin care routine, one of which is on Glow Recipe’s website, split between morning and evening regiments. “To us, core steps are the cleanser, the toner to prep and hydrate your skin. Then you have the serum, which is designed to penetrate deeply into your skin to treat the concern, and then there’s the moisturizer to seal it in. Those four things are essentials when we talk about a basic routine,” said Chang, regarding women’s daily routines. And for men? Exfoliating, because of stubble, and using SPF are key.
Chang also suggested that people take off their makeup as you would change into pajamas: As soon as you get home.
Masks, essences, exfoliating ampoules, mists, etc. are also necessary for a regular routine, but hydrating and cleaning skin are the most important thing. Along with the four steps, Christine Chang said that SPF is essential for daily use. No matter how often you apply your City Beauty products or other Korean skincare products, you might want to apply them for at least 4-6 weeks so that your skin goes through a whole cycle of renewal.
I was so intrigued by Glow Recipe’s routine and products that Christine Chang showed me some things, and gave me a few testers to try at home. All this information might make us feel overwhelmed, but Glow Recipe makes the Korean skincare routine look easy with some links on their blog. Having spent half a year living in South Korea, I thought that I knew the Korean beauty industry. I was wrong. I tried out a sample of Glow Recipe’s products, and within a few days, I noticed how the natural products were doing much better things for my skin than my normal products.
No matter how often you apply your City Beauty products or other Korean skincare products, each time so that your skin gets a chance to rejuvenate itself.
Tamar Trying Glow Recipe’s Hydrogel Masks for KultScene
Here are some things that Glow Recipe suggested specifically for KultScene’s readers, all of which you can find at www.GlowRecipe.com.Glow Recipe also makes custom sample kits for its customers, so that you can try out whatever you’d like. Added bonus: Use the code KULTSCENEGLOW to get $5 off on your first Glow Recipe purchase.
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Do you use Korean facial products? What other Korean products would you like to learn about 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/2015/02/glowrecipecofounderssarahandchristine.jpg10001000Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-02-02 16:38:492015-02-03 00:59:48Cosmetic Hallyu: Glow Recipe Helps Understand Korean Skin Care
When people initially think of K-pop they picture bubblegum pop, bright colors, and lyrics as sweet as sugar. Whether it comes as a surprise or not, K-pop actually offers much than the saccharine coated lyrics. Villains make their appearance in many forms and styles throughout K-pop songs. For this week’s Playlist Sunday we pay ode to those villainous songs.
If you combine cute, good looks with a made for variety TV dorky persona, and rap-songwriting skills, what do you get? Not an idol, that’s for sure. Or at least not in Giriboy’s case. The up-and-coming not-so-underground-anymore Korean rapper with his big rimmed glasses and soft, melodic flow has been creating a flawless bridge between this genre and K-pop since his debut in 2011.
Signed under Swing’s label Just Music Entertainment, Giriboy has been taking the Korean entertainment industry one step at a time by releasing several solo albums, stacking up the featurings on other artists’ songs, and appearing on TV shows. Many might remember him from his participation in the hip hop competition program Show Me the Money 3 and as a mentor and judge on Mnet and Starship Entertainment’s survival show NO.MERCY.
Hong Si Young’s stage name translates to “to see the way” in Korean, which, to him, means that no matter what he does, the things in front of him are bright and promising. “Giriboy” serves as the best metaphor for the multifaceted rapper and singer. Because even if he’s signed under the Show Me the Money 2 fierce winner’s label and on the roster with artists like Vasco, Nochang, CJamm, and Black Nut, Giriboy is the type of rapper the ladies love. No, seriously, he has a big female following…
via imcheol @ Tumblr
As opposed to what’s trending in hip hop nowadays, Giriboy’s style is similar to that of Crucial Star. His flow is soft spoken and tender, and the music and beats he tends to rap over are feel-good with melodies at the hook that are easy to sing along to. Which, in theory, completely clashes with the notion that Swings consistently features on most of his songs, starting with his debut single You Don’t Look Good To Me. And yet, Swings puts the yang in Giriboy’s yin. Swings generally kicks back and delivers a slower paced rap, never diminishing Giriboy’s style. In last year’s Camp, both artists contrasted swag with emotion seemingly effortlessly.
The thick rimmed glasses wearing rapper’s discography includes Fatal Album and Sensual Album, while his latest solo release is Evil Cut. As is accustomed by rappers, many other of his acclaimed peers have collaborated on songs for his albums, such as You’re a Chemical with Beenzino and 계획적인 여자 with Zico.
Last year, critics speculated that his distinct style might have been the reason why he didn’t perform as well as the other contestants on Show Me the Money 3. But even if he didn’t survive long among traditional rap heavyweights, he quickly won Tablo as a fan, who was eager to work with him, but Giriboy ultimately chose YDG’s team and the Epik High leader often sulked about it. Moreover, upon his increasing popularity, the mainstream rapidly jumped on his mellow flow. Some of his K-pop collaborations include Anticipation Note with NS Yoon-G and Arm Pillow with SISTAR’s Soyu and NO.MERCY trainee Kihyun, and this is only the beginning.
Giriboy’s voice and flow are a great alternative to the traditional hard, jumpy, EDM infused hip hop that’s so hot right now. His assertiveness lies in his lyrics, proving that you don’t have to spit aggressively to be a valid rapper.
via huckleberryb @ Tumblr
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New York City’s Snowmageddon-that-wasn’t couldn’t keep FTISLAND from performing its first solo concert in the city on January 28th.
The Korean quintet FTISLAND (short for Five Treasure Island) brought a dynamic range of energy that K-pop fans have been waiting years to see in New York at their FTXH tour stop. The band headed cries of East Coast Primadonnas, FTISLAND’s fans, and flew to Washington D.C. and drove to New York in order to make the concert after a blizzard shut down New York City airports. It was freezing outside, and snow was all around midtown Manhattan, but inside Best Buy Theater, FTISLAND brought fans from all over the region together to forget about the chilly winter.
Lead singer Lee Hongki’s powerful vocals and strong personality dominated the evening, but Lee Jaejin and Song Seunghyun’s backing vocals stood their own, while leader Choi Jonghoon and Choi Minhwan’s skills as versatile musicians were undeniable. Each member of the band was given time to shine, with vocal and instrumental solos dispersed throughout the night. Even though they looked exhausted at times, and made it clear that they were uncomfortable with speaking English to a native-speaker-filled crowd, FTISLAND brought a memorable performance to NYC.
The group has a large following in Asia, and expressed multiple times how shocked they were to discover American fans had been listening to their songs, while fans sang along with Hongki. Even though some fans weren’t able to make it to the show because of the poor traveling conditions, the audience was clearly filled with people who loved FTISLAND’s unique mix of K-pop and instrumental music.
The band opened the show with Last Love Song, and filled the night with hits like Madly, Memory, and switched it up by performing unplugged, acoustic versions of some of their most iconic songs, including I Hope and I Wish. The performances were stellar, and if they made a mistake, nobody in the crowd noticed. But the few non-musical aspects amidst the concert shone a light on FTISLAND’s intimate thoughts, something that is often missing at K-pop concerts in the U.S.
With humorous tones when some of the members teased Hongki mid-show and the female translator wowed Hongki, FTISLAND’s members opened their hearts to the New York City Primadonnas. The lead singer made it very clear that the group only recently had started really performing music that they loved, and that what people saw on television about the five wasn’t always the truth. Even as Hongki brought his large personality to the stage, it was very clear throughout the night that, first and foremost, FTISLAND was there to play the music that they personally wanted to perform for their fans. The biggest surprise of the night was when Hongki announced FTISLAND’s upcoming album, to be released in March or April. The band ended the night with a new song, On My Way for the encore performance, differentiating FTISLAND’s NYC show from recent shows in Europe and Latin America.
The concert clocked in at less than two hours, but FTISLAND’s vigor-filled concert lacked nothing. As the band members walked off stage, throwing guitar picks into the audience, it was clear that even though this was FTISLAND’s first performance in New York City, it didn’t disappoint.
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What’s your favorite FTISLAND song? Have you ever seen FTISLAND perform live? Share your experience 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/2015/01/ftisland-hongki-kultscene-.png600800Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-01-29 20:49:402015-01-29 20:49:40FTISLAND Give Vibrant Performance in NYC & Announce New Album
