Playlist Sunday: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

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Snowstorms in the Middle East and Texas are not exactly normal, even in January, so this week’s Playlist Sunday is dedicated to everyone suffering from the unusual cold weather. Here are some songs that will definitely warm you up or remind you of the coldness in the world.

Even though it’s cold outside, ice eventually thaws. Nobody knows that better than TVXQ in Love In The Ice. The song is not only one of TVXQ’s most vocally impressive ballads from pre-2009 split, but relates feelings to the seasons; that narrator of the song sings about wanting to melt his lover’s heart that is frozen from past failed love. “A single ray of light will swoop down into the darkness,” sings the quintet, which can apply to both heartbreak and the dark, cold winter months.

–Tamar

Also on KultScene: K-pop Fashion Predictions: Spring-Summer 2015

If you’re going outside in this terrificly cold weather remember to wrap up well like Brown Eyed Girls in the video for their song L.O.V.E. The warm feeling of this song will also help as you walk through bitter winds with your headphones on. L.O.V.E, like the majority of Brown Eyed Girls songs, is a masterclass in line distribution. Each member is perfectly suited to their parts and pull them off accordingly. They have some of the best vocalists in all of K-Pop with Jea’s showstoppers, Narsha’s falsetto and Ga-In’s huskier tones. Yet, Brown Eyed Girls are the type of group with enough range that they can let their rapper, Miryo, take the majority of a song like in L.O.V.E and it still be great.

–Joe

Eric Nam’s Melt My Heart is a very fun upbeat ballad that will surely melt your heart and keep you warm. In this track, Eric serenades a girl that he loves but it’s not part of his life anymore. Every winter reminds him of her, when the snow falls he just can’t help to think of her. He wants to know if this girl still feels the same as he does. Even though the song’s lyrics are sad, the track keeps a very happy beat. Eric’s vocals and cute looks will surely keep anyone warm specially if his serenading you in your ear.

–Alejandro

Akdong Musician’s Melted describes instances of cold, ice, frozen feelings, shadows, gray skies and more in a metaphoric way. Either way, the song and the music video portray people who are cold toward each other. The somber violin throughout the song lends to the feeling of being sad, lost, and confused. The duo’s vocals perfectly depict the characters’ (of the song) feelings. They sing, “If the ice melts, a warmer song would have come out. But why is the ice so cold? Why is it so cold?” In the music video, the old man’s drink in the beginning is full of ice as he looks out over the city. We then see his experiences as a younger man, and at the end, he finally found compassion and thoughtfulness from someone. As we flashback to the current old man, his ice has melted in his drink as he thought of the kind man who helped him. During these cold months, remember that there is warmth all around us in many forms.

— Tara

Also on KultScene: SM Entertainment Goes Disney

Coldness is probably one of the best metaphors to describe an aching heart post break up, and that’s exactly what 2NE1 use in Missing You. The music video in itself evokes a cold and somber feeling by utilizing dark colors, and the styling is also winter themed. Also, the snowing throughout several scenes is the most explicit sign of coldness. The lyrics, for their part, talk about yearning over a past lover inspite of feeling negatively towards him. When Bom and CL sing in the chorus, “My cold heart is still missing you” we get a raw, heart wrenching confession of the complicatedness of the break up. Furthermore, the girls’ demeanor throughout the video is also cold and distant, as if trying to not appear sad and heart broken. All of this serves as the perfect metaphor of describing how a relationship turns cold when it meets its end and how the effect lingers even after some times passes.

–Alexis

What are some of your favorite songs that warm you up during the cold days? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

K-Pop’s Cringiest Moments of 2014

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K-pop had not seen a worse year than 2009 in terms of scandals and shocking news. But then 2014 and the so-called K-popcalypse came, and 2009 didn’t seem like such a nightmare anymore. And while members leaving groups and fatal accidents were the biggest headlines of the year, not all scandals were sorrowful. Truth is, most of the scandals made us face palm and experience third person embarrassment for idols and their companies. These controversies involved cultural insensitivities, misogynistic messages, entitlement sentiments, and uncalled for beef, and they all prove that if K-pop wants to compete in the worldwide market, changes must be enforced.

Hyomin’s Nice Body

Back in June, T-ara member Hyomin released her solo song Nice Body, which was well-received by the public. Many publications complimented her for her even slimmer body and provocative dance moves. However, this, to other publications, proved to be a disconcerting release and reaction. Nice Body seemed to be a song about wanting to have a fit figure, but a closer look at the lyrics and music video revealed it to be a misogynistic mess.

Nice Body objectified and promoted the idea that a woman’s body’s sole purpose is to serve men. It also promoted girl-on-girl hate, comparing a fat and a skinny girl (even though both characters were played by Hyomin), while highlighting the latter as the ideal one and shaming the former as undesirable.

But even if the song was cringeworthy for its overall offensive and destructive message, the public’s acceptance and lack of understanding of this was even more alarming.

BTS’ First Few Episodes of American Hustle Life

BTS embarked in, most likely, the most challenging and important journey of their careers in 2014, when they spent a month in Los Angeles under the mentorship of hip hop legends. The boys were set to learn about hip hop culture and history through a boot camp-like reality show. By the end of the program, BTS learned new skills like beatboxing, intricate choreographies, and soulful singing, which they displayed in a showcase with fans. All of this sounded great, but anyone who saw the show can attest to the awkwardness and downright embarrassment of the first few episodes of American Hustle Life.

For starters, nothing promotes black stereotypes like having a bunch of African Americans simulate a kidnapping and take BTS to a safe house in Compton, California (“the ghetto”) while scaring the life out of them. And who can forget the most cringiest moment when V spouted out words he had heard in rap songs but had no idea what they meant at Coolio? Or Rap Monster cosplaying as Stevie Wonder, by donning a wig and acting blind. Those scenes were highly edited, but it was impossible to miss how pissed off Coolio was.

american hustle life coolio bts

via jungsoojung @ Tumblr

bts american hustle life coolio v

via cutthroatcitycutthroatcity @ Tumblr

By the end of the show, BTS did show they had learned a lot about what American hip hop music and culture is all about, but those first few episodes will forever make audiences face palm.

Zico’s Tough Cookie

Another person who spouted out English words that he had heard in Western rap songs and recreated them in his own song was Block B’s Zico. In 2014, the rapper released his solo track Tough Cookie, which sounded and looked more “hip hop” than his stuff with Block B. The music video included a whole lot of faceless women shaking what their mommas gave them, Zico decked out in jewelry, and, of course, violence. But even if this imagery is somewhat problematic, the bigger issue came with the rappers use of the “f word” in his lyrics.

The outrage, as expected, began in the West. Audiences were baffled that a K-pop idol used an offensive and derogatory term for homosexuals. And yet, Zico had previously come under fire for similarly using the “n word” in his lyrics. In this instance, after fans educated him on why the usage of the term was problematic, the rapper changed the word, only to bring it back later on. Zico’s agency claimed he had no knowledge of what the word actually meant and didn’t want to disrespect anyone; he never personally apologized.

With this situation, there are two options: either Zico genuinely thought that word was just another cuss word or, like many Western artists, knew and meant it. Either way, Zico should’ve apologized personally, not through his agency, and changed the lyric. And since this is Zico’s second offense, he should really be schooled on foreign cultures or at least properly research what the words he writes mean.

Also on KultScene: SM Entertainment Goes Disney

Red Velvet’s Wendy Black Stereotypes Impressions

Another artist who recently came under international criticism was Red Velvet’s Wendy. Back in November, the group was featured in a radio program and, as is typical in Korean shows, when the hosts asked the girls to show off a talent, Wendy proceeded with her impressions. While many singers often imitate actors or comedians, Wendy chose to imitate female and male black stereotypes. For women, she acted sassy and stressed that their eye expressions were important. As for the men, she went as far as to say they were thugs and acted “gangsta.”

A non K-pop international publication caught wind of the video and called the singer out for her ignorance and racism. However, K-pop fans knew that this wasn’t just another case of Koreans not knowing Western culture. Wendy is from Canada, a country as diverse as the U.S., and should’ve known better than to go off to a country where people are not as well acquainted with black people and promote stereotypes. Neither the singer nor SM Entertainment apologized for the situation.

Pritz‘s Nazi Costumes

Continuing on the downward spiral of cultural insensitivity, we find rookie group Pritz. A video of one of their performances made headlines around the world due to the resemblance of Nazi imagery in their outfits. The girls wore a red arm band that featured a logo similar to the Nazi swastika: a white circle with a black cross.

pritz nazi arm bands

Even if their intention was not to push Nazi propaganda, the international press was baffled at the idea that not a single person involved in the creative process of putting Pritz together thought that the armband was a bad idea. With matters of cultural insensitivity, audiences often defend idols by saying “they didn’t know better” or that they’re not obliged to know about every country’s history. World War II, however, is world history, and at least one person in that company must have seen a picture of Nazis at least once in their lives.

Pandagram, the group’s agency, contested with complete surprise. They admitted they didn’t even understand why people would think the logo drew Nazi comparisons and said that was never the intention. They also explained the logo was actually a Korean speed limit traffic sign. They never edited the music video to take out the arm bands.

Red Velvet’s Happiness Music Video

Prior to Wendy’s scandal, Red Velvet debuted with a bang of public outcry last summer. The music video for Happiness was mostly a collage of colorful images that showcased the girls’ youthful energies. However, a closer look at the music video revealed two problematic images. The first were a set of American newspapers triumphantly announcing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The second pertained to the burning Twin Towers from the 9/11 attacks in New York City, while one of the members played with a toy plane atop. As expected, not only were American fans upset, but also Japanese. You know, the two largest music markets in the world, where the real money is.

red velvet hapiness controversy twin towers

SM Entertainment responded rather quickly to the controversy and stated that the director had used generic imagery for the music video. The company also announced that it would edit the images out and re-upload the video. And while in this particular case the girls weren’t at fault, they did come under criticism. Like with the Pritz issue, audiences were incredulous at the fact that no one caught the images before the release and that such headlines would be a generic image.

Netizens Response to Taeyeon and Baekhyun’s Relationship

Earlier last summer the K-pop world was shaken with the news of SNSD’s Taeyeon and EXO’s Baekhyun’s relationship, which SM Entertainment later confirmed. Taeyeon followed group mates Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Yoona in going public with their relationships, and yet, hers wasn’t smoothly accepted by fans. Sones and EXO-L went on a rampage, searching both artists’ Instagram accounts for clues of their relationship before it was announced. What they found was a whole bunch of vague codes which fans claimed proved that the artists had deceived them. They claimed that Taeyeon had opened her Instagram account for her fans, but since they claimed she had actually used it to post code messages with Baekhyun, she had essentially betrayed them.

Fans bullied Taeyeon to the point where she was spotted in an airport apologizing to fans and crying. SM Entertainment never addressed this particular issue, but kept Taeyeon from appearances and Baekhyun continued with his world tour outside of Korea.

The fans’ reaction to the relationship and the faux scandal of the Instagram betrayal only proved that not all fans are ready to see their idols date. Even if Taeyeon had indeed used her Instagram account to communicate with her boyfriend despite her vow that the account was for her fans, fans should’ve given her her right to live normally, at least through SNS.

Also on KultScene: Playlist Sunday: New Year’s Edition

Diss Battle

One of the most bizarre collective scandals of the year included a spark in diss tracks throughout K-pop. In the summer, Kemy from rookie group A.KOR released a diss track directed at 2NE1’s Bom for her drug scandal. She called the singer out for having her company bury the story, plastic surgery, getting preferential treatment by law enforcement, among other things. And while the rap has some truth to it, audiences viewed the track as uncalled for and disrespectful given that Bom is her sunbae (elder in the music world).

Another rookie idol believed to be causing trouble last year was YG Entertainment’s Bobby, who had gained recognition from the hip hop community for his rapping while filming the competition show (which he won) Show Me the Money. Although it wasn’t confirmed, fans dissected a series of raps throughout the year and claimed that Bobby had dissed rappers in BTS, VIXX, and Boyfriend. Shortly after the diss, VIXX’s rapper Ravi responded with his own track, putting him in his place as a sunbae and pointing out how he was an idol rapper as well. Then, without being addressed, M.I.B’s SIMS jumped into the situation by dissing Bobby as well.

The whole diss battle seemed to come out of nowhere and for no real reason. Both instances included rookie artists insulting their sunbaes in the name of rap. And while this practice is often seen in America, it’s important to point out that the U.S. doesn’t have a rank society like Korea. Bobby and Kemy are both rookies and might think they’re above idol-dom, but they should be aware of their place and realize they are, indeed, idol rappers as well.

What K-pop scandal or piece of news made you cringe the most in 2014? 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.

[Renders by: Kate1710, 4ever29, VipArmy, Neilchannn]

Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works

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Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook has been on air since 2009, which is quite a feat for any television program. Since day one he has had many well known singers, artists, and K-pop groups on the show, which attributes to some of its success. And yet, Yoo Heeyeol himself is the main reason why the show is still on the air and why the audience capacity is always full.

Yoo Heeyeol came onto the scene in 1992 after he won a contest. A few years later, he started a duo group called Toy. After his military service, he continued Toy as a one-man band and continues to release new music. Yoo Heeyeol writes, produces, composes and is also a member of SNL Korea. His many musical and artistic talents already make him a perfect host for his show. But, the fact that he is funny and personable is why it has lasted.

Every week, Yoo Heeyeol has 3-4 guests on his show. They are usually artists who have recently had a comeback and released new music. They are big names that many people in Korea recognize and many people internationally know quite well also. They’re also artists from different musical genres. This is not strictly a K-pop only show; there are hip hop artists, K-pop artists, solo artists, indie artists, and much more. Some artists that have been on the show include Epik High, Beast, Jang Kiha and the Faces, and many many more.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook beezino

via Tumblr

Also on KultScene: Korean Drama Trends To Look Forward To In 2015

Each guest gets an introduction from Yoo Heeyeol before they perform one song, usually a well-known older one. Then comes the sit down on the stage with Yoo Heeyeol, where he does a brief interview asking them about their new music and sometimes some personal things. The one things he does extremely well during the interviews is that he connects with the artist he is sitting with as well as the audience. He engages the audience with quick comments where they can easily answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or react in unison. Engaging the audience with himself and the artists is a great quality, because he is not only an interviewer, but a host of a show with a live audience; he doesn’t neglect anyone.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook 2ne1

via neur0leptykneur0leptyk @ Tumblr

When Yoo Heeyeol interviews his guest, it seems like we’re watching a private conversation. He always holds eye contact and responds where necessary when his guests answer his questions and share their own anecdotes. His questions are usually about the process for the current work of music, but he also digs deeper and wants to know story behind the creation of all it. In a caring and non-imposing or threatening way, Yoo Heeyeol sometimes shares his own experiences with writing music and performing. There are many instances where both Yoo Heeyeol and his guest(s) at the time poke fun at each other, but it’s clear that it is not done with a malicious intent. It’s just some fun banter to keep everyone laughing and relaxed.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook girls' generation snsd

via Tumblr

After the interview portion of each guest segment, they perform one or two more songs for the audience. These songs are usually from their new music collection, and it’s clear that the artist performing on stage and the people in the audience are all enjoying themselves. It’s a smaller venue for the artist, which make for a more intimate show, both for the performer and the audience.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook taeyang

by tearthisalldown

Also on KultScene: Brave Brothers And The Culture Industry

Yoo Heeyeol’s experience in the music industry and long-lasting career make him a perfect host for this type of show. His warm and happy demeanor ensures that every guest is comfortable and enjoying their time on the show. Yoo Heeyeol, as mentioned above, keeps his audience interested in the show by including them (as a whole) in some questions/comments during the interview portion. Here’s to 10 plus more years of Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook.

Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook

via Tumblr

Do you enjoy Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook? Who are some of your favorite guests that have been on the show? 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.

Top 10 K-Pop Dance Performances of 2014

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Dancing is hugely important to a complete K-pop performance. It is what sets them apart from western pop stars and is one of the biggest draws for western fans. So it is appropriate that we celebrate the year in dances and showcase the best K-pop has to offer. There is a great amount of variety on show here from the most personal of dances to beautiful teamwork. Check out our top songs, videos and albums of the year along with this to get a sense of what we thought of this year in K-pop.

10. Got7 A

JYP rookies Got7 start off this list with their bubblegum hit A. While it is not as powerful or intricate as the rest of this list, A’s dance perfectly balances a sense of fun with great choreography. The boys effortlessly move from chit-chatting in a group to their proper moves all while retaining the fun side. The dance moves are simple, fresh but with quick timing. The choreography matches up with the youthful feeling of Got7 seamlessly.

 

9. EXO Overdose

With a group as big as EXO’s, the positioning of the members is always going to be hard. As they have released more songs though, they have gotten better and better at their use of the stage. Overdose furthers their reputation of delivering original choreography and inspired use of 12 members. Even after the loss of Kris and Luhan, EXO adapted and continued performing this song to the best of their ability. Plus, with someone as charismatic as Kai leading your dance it’s hard not to look good.

 

8. TVXQ Something

When it comes to choreographic perfection in K-pop you may look no further than the reigning kings, TVXQ. Something adds to this with a gimmick of microphones and strings. Yunho and Changmin are first held by the strings so they can lean back and look cool. They then use them like the strings of guitar in a charming way to start off the song. Apart from the gimmicks, the choreography is performed to perfection as usual. These boys are up there with the best pop performers in the world, not just K-pop.

 

7. VIXX Eternity

VIXX are known for their imaginative and relevant choreography and this year they delivered that on two singles. Eternity stands out over Error because of the sheer kinetic prowess on display. Everything that the members do seems connected from the lifting of the members at the start to the intense chorus. The energy and physicality VIXX brings to their performances is unparalleled. They even do the scorpion move made famous by INFINITE and make it seem like no big deal.

 

Also on KultScene: VIXX and its Successful Use of Themes

 

6. INFINITE Back

INFINITE’s members are easily some of the best performers in all of K-Pop. Of course, they are always helped out by excellent choreography and Back is no different. Their second single of the year marked a return to form in song and dance. They use classic techniques like the shadowing of member Hoya at the beginning and their own techniques like the first post-chorus breakdown, which is spectacular in its originality, to great effect. Also, the drop is EVERYTHING.

 

5. Nasty Nasty Knock

Star Empire’s experimental sub-group consisting of ZEA’s Kevin, Nine Muses’ Kyungri and trainee Sojin beat Trouble Maker at their own game this year with their single Knock. Nasty Nasty took Trouble Maker’s concept of the co-ed duet to portray a relationship in a performance but added another girl to up the ante. What sounds like a possible conceptual disaster turned out to be one of the sexiest and best performances of the year. The smooth moves are perfectly performed by the three with Kevin exuding charisma he’s unable to show in ZEA, Kyungri maturing into a confident star, and Sojin showcasing great potential.

 

4. Taemin Danger

SHINee’s maknae well and truly became a man with his debut solo release Danger. Taemin channels his inner Michael Jackson in the song and dance, and pulls it off as well as we might have expected. He brings power and precision to original, intricate moves. The dance moves from bouts of restraint before exploding into powerful actions for the climax. Taemin brought his energy and identity to his solo work and it paid off enormously.

 

Also on KultScene: Why Taemin Was First In SHINee To Go Solo

 

3. Nicole MAMA

Former KARA member Nicole’s debut song MAMA may not have been a huge hit but its lyrics about sexual frustration and choreography that matches were some of the best of the year. The whole focus of the song seems to be on the choreography, as Nicole knows where her strength lies. The dance plays as a symbolic move from the sweet, innocent Nicole of KARA to the confident, sexy Nicole we now see. She is alluring with the female backup dancers and is sought after with all the male dancers. Her stage presence and execution has only gotten better since leaving KARA. We may have the next BoA on our hands.

 

2. TVQX Spellbound

If TVXQ are some of the best pop performers in the world then they had to make two appearances on this list right? Both Spellbound and Something were incredible dances but Spellbound wins out because it does away with gimmicks. In it both Yunho and Changmin are given time to shine on their own with the best use of backing dancers in K-pop yet. The two really shine when together though, as in the incredible moves during the chorus and the breakdown that comes three and a half minutes in. This is the best executed performance of the year so what could possibly have beaten it to number one?

 

1. HA:TFELT Ain’t Nobody

In deciding a number one for this list it came down to measured brilliance or raw personal energy. Ultimately, Wonder Girl Ye Eun’s alter ego beat out TVXQ as she offered up something we had not yet seen before from any idol. Taking cues from Sia’s Chandelier, the choreography is interpretive and full of emotions. Feeling comes out of every slight movement of Ye Eun’s body which coupled with her intense voice makes Ain’t Nobody a truly complete performance. Every aspect of her performance created a personal story which has never been encountered in K-pop. For once, we are witnessing art rather than a product.

What 2014 K-Pop dances are your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

SM Entertainment Goes Disney

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Bright colors and big eyed? Check. Songs that explain the meaning of life and love? Check plus. Handsome princes and beautiful princesses? Check plus plus. Criticism about the way things are being run? Check plus plus plus. Disney, or SM Entertainment? Check me confused.

The Walt Disney Company and SM Entertainment may be two different sorts of entertainment companies that are thousands of miles apart, but there are some striking similarities between the two companies.

Conceptually, SM Entertainment and Disney provide their audiences very essential forms of entertainment. Disney provides heart-warming stories and, more often than not, songs that are meant to become the next big thing. What SM Entertainment does isn’t so far off, considering that K-pop idols do more than just sing; they put on a whole show. Every facet of their lives is manufactured, and SM Entertainment’s artists in particular are so well trained that even daily actions are turned into something that fans monitor closely.

EXO In Disneyland via Genie Korea

EXO In Disneyland via Genie Korea

The same can be said about Disney Channel, which is available through cable companies like infinity dish, where Disney takes young aspiring actors and morphs them into clean cut, family-friendly personas that attract young viewers. Once their careers at Disney ended however, many former Disney Channel stars, including Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus, revealed that their personality and concepts were purely manufactured by Disney. They then became celebrities in their own right with very different identities than their clean-cut Disney images.

The same sort of faux persona is widespread in K-pop, and SM Entertainment’s recent issues with idol group members leaving show that what the idols seem like is very different from who the idols actually are. Clashes of SM’s persona and idols actual personality have become apparent from two particular instances. First, a former EXO member went by the name “Kris” while under SM Entertainment but resorted to his Chinese name, Wu Yifan, reflecting how even his name was a concept of SM. Secondly, former Girls’ Generation member Jessica admitted that her desire to pursue a fashion career was one of the reasons that SM Entertainment removed her from her group.

Visually, Disney is the company that created the modern idea of princesses in animated films and pop royalty with the Mickey Mouse Club, and SM’s artists are generally considered K-pop royalty, and they act and dress the part.

SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment

In comparison to artists at YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, both of which have hip-hop influences, SM Entertainment’s singers more often than not create concepts that are often filled with regal suits for the male artists and soft, princess-like adornments for the females, particularly Girls’ Generation. Even f(x) and Red Velvet’s concepts tend to be more feminine than sexy, which is a selling point of Disney. Disney sells love, romance, and stories; sex is rarely even implied in Disney and the same is true with SM Entertainment.

SM’s artists also typically have the body proportions that Disney favors for its cartoon heroes and heroines- tall, good-looking, big-eyed, and almost inhumane body proportions.

And last but not least… SM Entertainment and Disney share something else- that people love to hate the two companies.

2014 is almost over, and SM Entertainment is still reeling from the plague-filled year where there were scandals with every idol group at SM Entertainment except for TVXQ and SHINee. The company’s stock prices plummeted and have yet to rebound due to the constant flux of the company, despite multiple popular album releases this year. So, it’s a good idea to learn how to buy disney stock instead because their stock prices have historically been very reliable.

Every website and blog devoted to the Korean entertainment industry seems to be writing year-end articles about how bad the year was for SM Entertainment, and many are both worried about the future of K-pop if SM’s reign is up while at the same time fascinated by the mess that SM Entertainment has to get itself out of. One list even called SM Entertainment the worst entertainment agency of the year–while admitting that it was also tied for the best with YG Entertainment.

This complex relationship, where K-pop writers and fans of K-pop hate on SM Entertainment even while still acknowledging that SM is a major powerhouse of K-pop is reminiscent of the love-hate relationship many people have with Disney.

Disney is childhood, but as people grow up they start to question. SM Entertainment is similarly a company that produces pretty packaging, but has had enough issues that people start to question what goes on behind closed doors.

Heechul as Anna

via Kimheenim Instagram

The Disney Princesses aren’t diverse enough, the early Disney films put too much emphasis on the damsel in distress, Disney is anti-progressive thought, Disney is racist, sexist, etc…. The list goes on.

Frozen was easily one of the biggest hits in Disney’s recent history, but criticized in many ways because still kept the doe-eyed lead females despite its progressiveness. The movie’s plot and characters made headlines, but then there was backlash against Disney’s previous animated films.

The same sort of thing happens when it comes to K-pop and SM Entertainment. SM is responsible for many of the aspects that makes K-pop what it is today.

Lee Soo Man, SM Entertainment’s founder, created the idol training system that is so prevalent today, but the same SM system is now continuously criticized for being too difficult and occasionally illegal. While people still listen and enjoy the music that SM artists produce, it’s always criticized as not being what SM music was once like, or just an attempt to make money from already loyal fans by reusing similar song styles rather than giving SM singers free artistic range.

SMTown Snacks via Svnnynight Instagram

SMTown Snacks via Svnnynight Instagram

SM Entertainment’s recent pop-up stores to peddle goods with pictures of SM artists on them, and now the news that SM Entertainment open and SMTOWN cultural space in Seoul’s Coex Artium have been called blatant plots to get money from fans. But opening up a place to sell company products to fans who are eager to own something that reminds them of their favorite singer isn’t something new. There are multiple Disney Parks and Disney Stores around the world, and Disney’s characters are recognized around the world.

Both SM entertainment and Disney have multiple problems that they’re dealing with as large entertainment companies. But time and time again each company produces fantastic products, whether it is movies, television shows, music, or merchandise. SM Entertainment is not Disney, nor is Disney SM Entertainment. But the two are both iconic cultural creators in their respective country, and there are a lot of similarities.

Is SM Entertainment South Korea’s Disney? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 20 K-Pop Albums of 2014

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Wrapping up our series of year-end lists comes the top K-Pop albums of 2014. Every day in the business brings a new song, a new group, a new comeback, etc., and that’s why not everything is always good or that different. But just as there’s some bad releases, there are even more outstanding ones out there. Listed below, some of the best albums range from veteran artists, to up-and-coming rookies, to consistent top players. 2014 also proved to be YG Entertainment’s, and that’s news to no one who follows K-Pop. And since Hallyu has been broadening its horizons in the last couple of years, the top albums picked include typical K-Popers, rappers, and rockers. K-Pop delivered more than one sound in 2014, and that’s what made this year great. The albums on this list were chosen by the KultScene staff merely based on our tastes and preferences.

20. g.o.d Chapter 8

An all around great album, the fifteenth anniversary album is really g.o.d’s gift to their fans. As one of K-pop’s most popular first generation acts, g.o.d doesn’t disappoint. With an opening that sounds like something you’d hear at a musical or in the very beginning of a movie, which gradually turns into a more industrial tune, Chapter 8 builds up the anticipation for g.o.d’s songs. The members introduce the album, and discuss being together for fifteen years together through music. The album’s tracks are a combination of new songs and revamped versions of g.o.d’s hits; Sky Blue Promise is an ode to g.o.d’s fans based on one of the group’s most famous songs, One Candle. Chapter 8 introduces new and old fans to the diverse styles of songs that g.o.d have performed over the year; the beautiful ballads, the upbeat dance songs (Saturday Night,) the iconic raps-Chapter 8 has them all.

19. Royal Pirates Toxic Love

Royal Pirates’ mini album Love Toxic is short, sweet, and the perfect thing to sit down and take a listen to. Haru’s soft melody draws the listeners in with its crooning before Royal Pirates springs the more upbeat Love Toxic on the audience. The final three songs are all great, but the English version of You is really the standout track. Royal Pirates bring together their rock sound with the synth sounds that have been prominent in K-pop in 2014 to create an addictive album.

18. Girls’ Generation Mr.Mr

Mr.Mr really brings together everything that Girls’ Generation has worked on for the
past seven years. The album has the Girls’ singing dance tracks, ballads, and experimental songs with funk elements that they wouldn’t have dreamt of including even three years ago. The title song is the epitome of Girls’ Generation’s chart-topping songs with powerful dances, while the other songs on the album, like Back Hug, Goodbye, Europa Soul have the Girls’ showing off their vocal prowess through a variety of different musical styles. With a multitude of sounds and small moments you’re likely to glance over, Mr.Mr demands to be listened to over and over again so that you don’t miss a single element.

17. After School Dress to Kill

After Kahi’s departure, After School looked like they were on the way down but with the incredible pole dancing choreography of First Love and this amazing Japanese album they are completely revitalized. The two singles taken from Dress to Kill, the disco smash Heaven and the 90’s electro inspired Shh, are two of the best Japanese K-pop singles ever released and cemented After School’s return to quality, if not sales. The album overall sounds more like a Japanese group than a Korean group and it’s a sound that perfectly suits the girls’ voices. The album kicks off especially with the title track, Miss Independent and Triangle having particulary J-Pop electro sounds, with Lizzy especially perfectly executing her parts on Triangle. There is not a bad track on the album and enough variation to keep it interesting all while sticking to the original sound. All the changes in the world to After School’s line up won’t matter if they keep making music like this.

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2014

 

16. Ga-In Truth or Dare

Ga-In’s mini album Truth or Dare was one of the most underrated releases of the year. The unusual concepts (mockumentary music video) and controversy (cursing-dol!) failed to catch attention so K-Pop fans missed out on some great songs. Ga-In reunites with Lee Min Soo on lead single Truth or Dare which is a smooth R&B pop track that is an indirect fxxk you to the haters. Pre-release single Fxxk U is even better and really makes Ga-In stand out from other idols, like any Brown Eyed Girl member should. The song’s plucking guitar, strange backing choir, and lyrics about a destructive relationship mesh together perfectly to create the highlight of the album. The rest of the album retains the quality and identity of Ga-In. It even has an interesting ballad featuring her former We Got Married faux husband, Jo-Kwon.

15. Kyuhyun At Gwanghwamun

Following two debuts from the Chinese members of Super Junior-M, SM Entertainment finally gave Kyuhyun his much deserved solo album this year, and boy was it everything we had hoped for and more. Being a gifted vocalist, Kyuhyun’s strength lies with ballads, which mostly comprise At Gwanghwamun. Super Junior’s maknae (youngest member) kept the music arrangement soft and simple, making his powerful yet warm voice take the spotlight. Songs like the title song, At Close, and My Thoughts, Your Memories soothe the listener’s’ senses and make them fall for Kyuhyun’s charming little album.

14. WINNER 2014 S/S

YG Entertainment finally debuted their new and much anticipated boy band in 2014. After their appearance as Team A on WIN:WHO IS NEXT? and winning the competition, Team A gained the title of WINNER. Their debut album was modeled after a high fashion campaign, and was even named 2014 S/S like the spring/summer shows in fashion week. The album has many stand out tracks like their sad debut ballad Empty, Mino’s solo song I’m Him, and the funny reggae-pop very reminiscent of fellow YG act 2NE1’s sound, Don’t Flirt. The full album was penned and produced by all the members of the WINNER, with arrangements by The Fliptones, Choice 37, and Teddy. WINNER changed the game for the new rookies to come and we can’t wait to see what direction they take when they come back with new material.

12. GOT7 Identify

After a debut and a comeback, with their respective mini album, JYP Entertainment’s latest boy group finally released their well-deserved full length album by the end of the year. With Identify, GOT7 properly showed how they’re 2PM’s second coming plus a futuristic Y2K millennium vibe. The album ranges from hip hop and futuristic hybrids like Gimme and Stop Stop It, but also showcases the vocalists’ talent in She’s a Monster and Moonlight. GOT7 proved with their first album that they’re here to stay.

12. Taemin Ace

Taemin, SHINee’s first member to go solo, proved with his mini album Ace that he was up to the challenge of releasing a solo album. Taemin’s vocals have improved immensely since his debut and his dancing skills have only grown with him. Ace showcases the maknae’s talents and is a great debut solo album for such a young veteran. Each song has a different feel and vibe, yet they all feel like Taemin. HIs confidence, stage presence, and overall knowledge of the music industry has no doubt helped him with this debut mini-album. It’s a great album that showcases the young man’s talents.

11. Seo Taiji Quiet Night

Heavy on the industrial-styled rock mixed with electropop, Seo Taiji’s Quiet Night is like a dream brought to life via music. Sogyeokdong is like a daydream, the title song Christmalo.win is like a nightmare, The Fighter In the Forest is like a whimsical fantasy dream, Prison Break sounds like an adventure-filled dream where you have to battle adversaries, etc. All the random quirks in Seo Taiji’s songs require multiple listens, but the retro-styled Quiet Night is a fantastical, experimental, pop-filled album that is clearly one of the best releases of 2014.

10. 2NE1 CRUSH

2014 saw the comeback of 2NE1 with their second album CRUSH. Bom, Dara, CL, and Minzy came back to the music scene crushing everyone else with their smashing single Come Back Home that mixes reggae, pop, and trap, and making an all kill in the music charts. CRUSH even saw international success and made it to the 61 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. 2NE1’s second album came packed with amazing tracks like Gotta Be You, the tittle track Crush, CL’s second solo song MTDB, the Korean version of their Japanese smash hit Scream, and powerful ballads like Good To You and Baby I Miss You. The album was produced by Choice 37, Teddy, Choi Pil Kang, Dee.P, while four songs were written by CL, one by Big Bang’s G-Dragon, and the rest by Teddy. 2NE1 came back with a bang and they never cease to amaze us.

9. INFINITE Be Back

The repackage album can prove to be a blessing or curse depending on what exactly is getting repackaged. They can prove to be an incoherent mess or a fully realized album. Fortunately for INFINITE, fate landed them on the blessing side with Be Back. The idol group shows a growth in their capabilities with a great variety of songs. The singles Last Romeo and Back are two of the best boy group songs of the year and are a great return to form after two disappointing singles. They also showcase ballads, hip-hop and solo songs by Sunggyu and Woohyun along with songs by INFINITE’s two subgroups, INFINITE H and INFINITE F. Be Back ensures INFINITE place as a top tier boy group.

8. Akdong Musician Play

Akdong Musician (AKMU) came into the K-Pop music industry like a breathe of fresh air. Their youthful and innocent album Play swept the Korean music charts and made non K-Pop fans interested in K-Pop just because of their album. AKMU felt more like an indie artist than the fabricated idols we are used to see in K-Pop. The siblings Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun gave us an album that makes us reflect in our past and think about the future in fresh new ways. The album was fully written and produced by Lee Chanhyuk, and we are expecting many great things to come from AKMU in the future.

7. Epik High Shoebox

There’s a lot to say about Shoebox, but we’ll just stick with the basics. A lot of people say they don’t like Epik High’s music now that they’re at YG. Maybe being in a new environment with so many talented people has influenced their songwriting and producing. But isn’t that the point of being a musician, continuing to grow in one’s craft? Almost every song on the album has at least one featured artist, including their anthem to all of the haters, Born Hater. The songs in the beginning of the album are slower and more emotional, reminiscent of older Epik High songs, while the second half has a different, more fast-paced style, but each song has its own quality and aura. Shoebox as a whole is a great album.

6. Beast Time

Time is Beast’s second mini album of 2014. The album showcases the guys’ emotional and mature side compared to other releases. The songs are not as upbeat and dance worthy as Good Luck or We Up. But Time does boast jazz influences and the whole album really showcases the guys’ vocal and rapping talents. The album tells a story of a man, and all the different stages of his breakup and the emotions that he goes through during that time. Rapper Junhyung has produced a beautiful album yet again that incorporates different musical genres quite well.

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Music Videos of 2014

 

5. Super Junior Mamacita

For the past two years, Super Junior had gone into an unofficial hiatus following Leeteuk’s enlistment to the army. The group focused on subunits and solo and duo projects while they waited for their leader. But with Mamacita, the kings of Hallyu came back with a bang. Or more like with an “ayayayayay.” While the title song was signature adorkable and cheesy Super Junior, the rest of the album was legit. They kept the high energy with Too Many Beautiful Girls, Shirt, and Let’s Dance, but also showcased their growth as artists and a more mature side with power ballads like Evanesce and This is Love. There’s even a hint of sexiness with Midnight Blues, which only further proves the fact that Super Junior can do it all and do it well.

4. Beenzino Up All Night

Beenzino came out in 2014 with his second mini album Up All Night. The five track EP takes us on Beenzino’s artistic journey that he started when he released Dali, Van, Picasso in 2013. Beenzino states once again his love for art, women, and fashion. With stand out tracks like the dance ready How Do I Look? and the break-up track Up All Night, Beenzino shows us once again his artistic sensibility and his amazing rapping skills. We know here at KultScene that he will be an artist to keep an eye on for 2015.

3. f(x) Red Light

f(x) were always going to have trouble bettering their last album Pink Tape, the best album of last year but they came close to equalling it with Red Light. It starts off incredibly strong with the title track and the wonderfully weird Milk and Butterfly. The highlight is the Will Simms produced Rainbow, which was the unknown song of the summer. The rest is an excellent bunch of heavy electro pop that can be grating at first listen but once you know it’s coming it can be enjoyed to the max.

2. BEAST Good Luck

If there’s a song that has consistently ranked high on KultScene’s end of the year lists, it’s BEAST’s Good Luck. And not only is it a great song and a great music video, but it’s a fantastic album. Unlike Time, Good Luck had its equal share of ballads and signature BEAST dance pop and R&B tracks, and then something in between. Such was the case of the album’s title song by the same name and Sad Movie, which showcased their powerful performances vocally and dance wise. Slower tracks like History and No More felt more vulnerable given the lack of intrinsic beats. With the utter success of their two albums released this year, BEAST proved that 2014 was their year.

1. Clazziquai Project Blink

Clazziquai Project’s 10th studio album is full of beautifully produced electro-pop tracks that all connect to each other, but each have their own, unique flair and flavor. Blink isn’t as flashy as some K-Pop albums, but its a near perfect album that represents Clazziquai Project’s many virtues. The instruments and style of music on Blink creates an album that explores the blending of different sounds and vocal styles. Alex’s and Horan’s vocals are, as always, on point and perfectly depict the emotions for each song. There’s no question that Clazziquai Project has created an absolutely perfect album.

Track 7: Come on and Go with Me

Track 8: Life etc.

What 2014 K-Pop albums where your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Playlist Sunday: New Year’s Edition

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The last Sunday of the years means two things: that New Year’s is just around the corner and that this edition is KultScene’s last for the year. And in order to ring in 2015, as it has become a custom, we’ve come up with a list of songs around this theme. Our picks range from songs about new beginnings to saying goodbye.

U-KISS’s Tick Tock (Out of Time) is the ultimate New Year’s Eve theme, both the Japanese and Korean versions of the songs. January 1st brings a new start, but it also brings an end that’s poignant. The clock theme relates to New Year’s Eve countdowns, but the connection doesn’t just stop there. With lyrics like “Tonight we gonna party like we’re out of time,” and “Time flows so let the memories pass,” U-KISS does the New Year right.

–Tamar

miss A‘s is the embodiment of a powerful and independent girl group, and Over U continues that theme. The song is essentially a breakup song for a man who continuously convinced the girl to stay in the toxic relationship. Finally she realizes that he’s bringing her down and she’s ready to be free of him. She’s ready to be happy, like she was before she knew this man. The girl is ready for a clean slate and to forget about that horrible relationship. And doesn’t a new year mean a lean slate?

— Tara

Also on KultScene: Top 20 K-Pop Music Videos Of 2014

This year in K-Pop had too many bad days, so as a song to welcome the New Year, IU’s Good Day is perfect. It is the most joyful, hopeful and wonderful song you could ever find. IU’s voice is just as good especially at her famous three octaves in one note part. We must see things in a new light just like the lyrics of this song as we look forward to 2015 and hope that we have good days then.

–Joe

Lee Hi’s song It’s Over talks about the end of a tumultuous relationship. This year was known as the K-Pop Apocalypse and this song is the perfect metaphor to say goodbye to this catastrophic year. The video comes with a super cute teddy bear as Lee Hi’s ex-boyfriend is dressed as the members of BIGBANG, paying tribute to her label mates and seniors. Lee Hi’s strong vocals and the very cute age appropriate image of this music video create an interesting combination that makes her stand out from other solo artists. So on this last Sunday of 2014, let’s say goodbye and cheer for an amazing 2015!

–Alejandro

Also on KultScene: Korean Drama Trends to Look Forward to in 2015

Whether 2014 was a good or bad year for you, with a new one coming up there’s a sense of letting the old one go once and for all. And there’s no better song out there to say just that than Super Junior-M’s Go. While the song is about a relationship (what K-Pop song isn’t?), us English speakers can ignore all that and just focus on the chorus. Let’s encouragingly bid farewell to 2014 while singing, “Go! Just let it go! Go go go go go!” The new year brings with it a metaphorical new slate, so past troubles should be left behind with the memory of the past year.

–Alexis

What songs are on your New Year’s Eve playlist? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 20 K-Pop Music Videos of 2014

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Following our stride of year-end list, we have arrived at the top K-Pop music videos of 2014. Similar to our top songs of the year, entertainment companies stepped their game up and dropped serious cash for the music videos. It seemed that everyone was competing for the best and most innovative video this year, as they seemed to get better and better as the year progressed. This, of course, is great news for K-Pop fans who have developed a taste for well-thought out and produced videos, rather than your average boxed one. But with that also comes the hard decision or picking our favorites and then ranking them. And yet, someone has to do it. Our picks are merely based on the KultScene staff’s taste and preferences and shouldn’t be taken as the absolute truth.

20. Eddy Kim Darling

Because Eddy Kim is not your average K-Pop idol, he took the liberty of coming up with a music video like Darling. On the surface, it’s a cute, pastel colored video where he sings about being head over heels about his lover, with the unknown girl touching and pulling on him. However, on a closer look and listen, the song and video are filled with innocent sexual innuendos, such as the split screen with the girl’s torso and the two oranges or the girl biting at a hot dog while Eddy is lounging in a bathtub. And while this might be shocking if an idol group did it, Eddy is free to put out age-appropriate videos that depict how the actual life of a 25-year-old might be like. The singer comes off as too sweet that you can’t help but fall for him and wish he sang that song to you.

19. Crucial Star Three Things I Want to Give You

The video for Three Things I Want to Give You by Crucial Star is very innocent, yet mysterious and alluring at the same time, making it a real pleasure to watch. The fisheye lens connects the viewer to the video, in that we see what this person sees when they see it. The colors are pastel, light, and airy to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The circle theme can be interpreted in many ways, allowing the viewer to develop their own perception of what is happening in the video. And the ending is quite adorable.

18. Block B HER

Block B came back with a funky song and video for HER. The video stood out for its amazing use of color and sets. There was an incredible amount of attention to detail in the boys’ styling and every decoration in the background. They even wore amazing pieces by Juun J, Versus by Versace, and Vivienne Westwood, like true K-Pop superstars. The music video even has a very funny skit where Block B is being interviewed and they are just being their awesome dork selves. Who can forget about the random ostrich in the music video? And just when you think the video couldn’t get any funnier, the members keep surprising the viewers with an array of crazy imagery paired with the crazy choreography that makes it an amazing video.

17. HA:TFELT Ain’t Nobody

Former Wonder Girl Ye Eun’s solo debut makes more of an impact than most because it is personally driven by Ye Eun herself. Ain’t Nobody is about an ex boyfriend who cheated on her and the video parallels this. In it, Ye Eun herself walks around aimlessly and without emotion until the chorus kicks in and she dances passionately and like an animal. After her break up, music is what she turns to to regain feeling. A key part of the video is the butterfly that follows her around. In Asian culture, a butterfly symbolizes love, specifically young love. At the start of the video, Ye Eun lets out her own butterfly to fly free, she was ready to love. When she reaches her boyfriend’s house at the end of the video however, hundreds of butterflies fly out as she opens the door. He apparently had no regard for love while for Ye Eun it was true. As she reaches his room, her butterfly returns to her. Her love was well and truly over.

16. WINNER Empty

YG Entertainment debuted WINNER this year in a very different way, without the characteristic swag that the companies artists have. In contrast, the members’ styling became very polished fashion looks. Even their first album’s name was based on the concept of a fashion show. With the music video for Empty, WINNER was able to convey the feelings of the song. A man longing for his lost lover and feeling completely empty after the break up. The video shows each members in different scenarios that are beautifully created sets that showcase each members feeling lonely, with flashbacks of the lost relationship shown in between. By the end of the music video, all the boys gather in one room to reminisce together. The cinematography for the music video is stunning, the lighting and the soft color palette add to the feeling of sadness in the song. WINNER surely raised the game for rookie groups with their debut music video.

Also on KultScene: Korean Drama Trends To Look Forward To In 2015

15. AKMU 200%

First-time crushes are really memorable and beautiful, but in 200%, innocent love isn’t all that it seems. While the music video starts off just cute and simple, there’s a twist at the end that reveals AKMU’s Suhyun is in love with a boy who is already in a relationship and she’s merely imagining going on dates with him. Cute and heartbreaking all at once, the music video suits AKMU’s debut song perfectly.

14. 2NE1 Come Back Home

2NE1 finally came back with their much anticipated album CRUSH, and their first single Come Back Home came with an amazing music video. The video shows the girls in a post-apocalyptic future where everybody is more interested in the virtual world than the real one. A couple portrayed by Dara and an actor showcase how the ambition for the virtual world is a problem in their relationship. You can see her being sad throughout the video while her partner just connects into the virtual world. 2NE1 decides that it’s time to stop this craziness and create a revolution. They go into the virtual world and get rid off it. Not only does the video have a very interesting plot, but it’s also a social commentary on how people are more emerged in their social media and their phones than the real world nowadays.

13. Hi Suhyun I’m Different (feat. Bobby)

Lee Hi and Akmu’s Soohyun didn’t take the top spot for best video, but they sure do for cutest. The music video follows a storyline of both girls being smitten by the same guy, Bobby. They follow him around give him presents like sasaeng fans until he arranges for them both to see him with his actual beau. The video shows the girls at their cutest, and even though they’re kind of obsessed with Bobby, it’s very funny and cute. Moreover, we saw a more age appropriate Bobby devoid of all the hip hop excess and swag. The video was so unlike YG Entertainment, but it only goes to show they can show diversity.

12. U-KISS Stop Playing

Step aside, girl groups and your sexy concepts. There were some shirtless Korean idols heating things up this year. U-KISS brought out the big guns for Stop Playing and definitely proved that they’re not young anymore, but sex-loving, threesome-wanting men. Sensuality definitely sells this music video, but it’s not just all about sex. It’s about the dances, the lighting, and the rawness that the song portrays. Even if, at times, it feels like you might be watching a video on an adult website like collegeporn xxx. Done in a tasteful, sultry way, U-KISS makes this list for doing age appropriate sexy right.

11. TVXQ Spellbound

The music video for Spellbound is, in its most simple form, another signature video-in-a-box from SM Entertainment. However, the company found a way to spin their frequently used techniques in a way that felt different and new. TVXQ pulls off the use of the one-shot camera while incorporating their choreography perfectly. Not only does Spellbound showcase the duo’s talents, but it also brings the backup dancers into the limelight where they show off their talents as well. Truth is, the combination of the choreography and the dancers is what drives the whole music video; the dance is absolutely delightful and seems a bit like sex on the dance floor. The on-point clothes and the black and white theme adds class and sophistication to the video, showing TVXQ’s maturation as idols who debuted eleven years ago.

10. Clazziquai Project Still I’m By Your Side

Still I’m By Your Side uses the split screen beautifully throughout the video to create a piece of true artwork. From the opening scenes, it seems that the couple in the video are connected to each other. And throughout the video, they retrace each other’s steps without knowing and then realize they are meant to be. It isn’t until the end that the viewers realize that the story is about two different couples. Clazziquai Project‘s video shows, in a really inspiring way, that many people may be going through the same things you are; we’re not always alone.

9. Ga-In Fxxk U

Between Bloom and Fxxk U, Gain has confronted sex in K-Pop better than any idol. The video is about a tumultuous relationship between Gain and her real life boyfriend Joo Ji Hoon. Directed by Hwang Soo Ah (the best music video director in K-Pop), the story of this video is about domestic violence and how unclear it might seem to outsiders. It is never explicitly shown, but the body language of the two and how they react to each other tell us everything we need to know. It is awkward and aggressive, but, in a sick and dysfunctional way, sexual and loving. There are some incredible images, like the sex scene behind the shower curtain and the bloody bathroom towards the end. Gain loves this man and can’t leave him, even though he hurts her and the consequences of this are displaced but certain.

8. IU/Seo Taiji Sogyeokdong

The video for Sogyeokdong is a love story between two kids in 1980s South Korea. It was split into two versions, one sang by Seo Taiji from the young girl’s perspective and one by IU from the young boy’s perspective. It is an incredible piece of storytelling as the videos work well by themselves, but even better when put together. They perfectly evoke that turbulent time in Korea and achieve a vintage look by using a 4:3 aspect ratio and a classic filter. It is at the same time a damning indictment of the former government and a universal look at how love can blossom in any situation.

7. BEAST 12:30

12:30 takes the song’s title and meaning and depicts it perfectly, with constant representations of clocks and the depiction of lovers having difficult, just as the song lyrics describe. The nostalgic, cinematic music video depicts a relationship falling apart in a heart wrenching way, with the plot that moves according to the hour hands on the clock. There are many K-pop songs that have music videos that have very little to do with the songs actual lyrics, but BEAST’s 12:30 goes above and beyond the norm to create a dark, beautiful piece of artwork.

6. BEAST Good Luck

One of the groups that consistently delivered great comebacks this year was BEAST, with not only the beautiful music video for 12:30, but also with its predecessor Good Luck. If there’s something that Junhyung excels at is writing heart wrenching break up songs, and Good Luck. The music video has dark and blue undertones that set the cold atmosphere for this tale of telling a lover goodbye after a tumultuous relationship, despite his feelings. You can really appreciate how each of the guys is at war with his emotions, and the music video shows the rawness of it with each of their individual scenes. If the overall cinematography wasn’t enough, BEAST brought their A game with the powerful choreography and awesome fashion. Some K-Pop videos are good for their fashion, others for the plots, and others for their dance sequences, but BEAST combined everything and delivered one of their best videos to date.

Also on KultScene: Brave Brothers And The Culture Industry

5. AKMU Melted

The video for Melted takes a much more cinematic route than most of the other videos on the list and it is all the more better for it. In leaving out images of the group, the video can focus on its story, which is about a young boy who is hitchhiking through an unknown city. However, he has trouble with it, as the people he meets are more focused on themselves than to help him. This is what the video is really about, the selfishness and intolerance of people in a modern world. Each person he encounters on the way seems to want to help him, but once a part of their lives gets in the way, they forget about him. Melted was shot with lots of dark grey and blue colors to show this modern world as cold. While it ends on a happy note, you can’t help but feel it is an ultimately cynical view, and this is what makes it stand out.

4. Beenzino How Do I Look?

Beenzino released his music video this year for How Do I Look? with the help of the Korea’s Next Top Model models. The contestants appeared as models portraying different situations that could happen in a laundromat. From a teenage couple making out after a party, a gorgeous model washing her dress or a gay couple just flirting with each other. Beenzino becomes an expectator in the music video. What’s more, the rapper’s love for fashion comes through in the music video with it being beautifully styled, which go appropriately with the lyrics. A very interesting switch between camera angles and screen sizes plus the colorful set make the music video a very unique and interesting.

3. Epik High Born Hater

Epik High utilizes the seven deadly sins in their rap anthem dedicated to all of the haters, making a really cool music video, unlike most Korean music videos. The video was shot in a vertical 9:16 format, like a cell phone video, which is new look for K-pop. The entire setting is made up of bathroom stalls decorated according to a certain rapper and the deadly sin they represent, in a far-out-there kind of way. The symbolism throughout Born Hater matches well with the lyrics and creates a different and welcomed viewing experience.

2. Orange Caramel My Copycat

The music video for My Copycat may be one of the most fun Korean videos of 2014. With games like I Spy and Where’s Waldo (Wally)? embedded into the film, My Copycat is more than just the average K-Pop music video. Colorful outfits and sweet but sexy dancing aside, the interactive nature of My Copycat makes it number two on KultScene‘s year end list.

1. Orange Caramel Catallena

This year was undoubtedly Orange Caramel’s. From their multiple appearances in variety shows to rising popularity to some of the best songs and music videos of the year, the girls came on top in 2014. The trio doesn’t only grab the number two spot on this list, but comes triumphantly at the first as well. So why is Catallena the best K-Pop video from 2014? Where do we even begin? The storyline is genius, from depicting the girls as mermaids in the sea, to packaged seafood at a market, to sushi pieces at a restaurant, the video is not void of comedy; we are talking about Orange Caramel after all. What’s more, the styling also stayed true to their brand by bringing us over-the-top, colorful, and cheesy costumes that added to the theatricality of the video. Just like My Copycat, Catallena is beautifully shot in vivid colors that add to the fun-ness of it all. Orange Caramel have their brand and niche well defined within K-Pop, and as we’ve seen up until now, it’s a sure winner.

What 2014 K-Pop songs are your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Korean Drama Trends to Look Forward to in 2015

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It’s time to say “goodbye” to 2014, and “hello!” to 2015. In other words, there will be many more Korean dramas beginning in the next few months. There will be some really great dramas to come in 2015, and even more semi-disappointing ones. KultScene ’s done some digging and here are some trends to look forward to in the beginning of 2015.

Psychologically Driven Dramas

The 2014 hit It’s Okay, That’s Love handled psychological problems in a way that hasn’t been well-represented in Korean dramas in the past, and the show was so successful that several other therapy-based dramas are in the works. Kill Me, Heal Me, starring Ji Sung (Secret Love), Hwang Jung Eum (Endless Love), and Park Seo Joon (Witch’s Romance), is about a man suffering from Dissociative identity disorder (also known as Multiple Personality Disorder). Heart to Heart is about a woman (7th Grade Civil Servant’s Choi Kang Hee) with social phobia falling in love with a psychiatrist (Reset actor Chun Jung Myung) who has his own issues, while the two work through their problems together. Dr. Frankenstein will also feature a character with multiple personalities.

Heart to Heart Drama

Webtoon Adaptations

Based on the success of this year’s Misaeng, webtoon-based dramas are here to stay. Which is great news, considering that South Korea has some really great online comics that deserve more attention. Two upcoming dramas, circus-based Hyde, Jekyll, Me, starring Hyun Bin of Secret Garden and Han Ji Min of Rooftop Prince, and Ho-Gu’s Love, with Lee Soo Kyung, Choi Woo Shik, and Uee, are both based on webtoons. Misaeng is also rumored to be getting a second season, which brings us to…

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Hyde, Jekyll, Me Cast Reading

Hyde, Jekyll, Me Cast Reading

Continuations of Popular 2014 Dramas

Series with multiple seasons are very rare in South Korea, but a few cable networks are trying to change that. TvN, in particular, has implied that popular dramas Liar Game and Misaeng will get second seasons. The same station also announced that Let’s Eat will get an additional season. Broadcast networks in South Korea haven’t announced anything yet, but it seems like, as dramas get more and more of a following, drama writers will try to write open endings to keep an additional season open.

Liar Game

Mothers Will Rule Their Daughter’s Lives

A few recently announced dramas for 2015 will prominently feature mother-daughter relationships. Angry Mom will be about a still mother (unconfirmed who is playing her as of yet) sneaking into her daughter’s (Love Cell‘s Kim Yoo Jung) school to help defend her against bullies, while Equator’s Flower will be about a woman, Kim Sung Ryoung, who encounters the daughter she once abandoned, played by It’s Okay, That’s Love‘s Lee Sung Kyung. Unkind Woman with Lee Hana and Song Jaerim will be about several generations of women living together with one another-grandmother, mother, and granddaughter.

love cells korean drama

There are many other different types of dramas coming out in 2015, but these are some of the most noticeable trends. There will be some fantasy based dramas, some medical-based shows, and something that will surely surprise us all.

Do you like the sound of these trends? Is there something else that you’d like to see in dramas in 2015? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2014

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After the many debacles that plagued the K-Pop industry this year, with scandal after scandal, it seemed like 2014 was the worst year since 2009, and possibly even worse. With members leaving well-established groups, personal scandals, and lost lives, 2014 was not a good year. However, we must not diminish the greatness in music that artists in 2014 delivered. One of the things that made 2014 great was the fact that companies and artists experimented with their sounds and there was little sentiment of repetition among the releases. This year saw outstanding comebacks, entertaining subunits, rising underdogs, and shocking debuts. Because, even if 2014 will go down in history as K-popcalypse, there’s no denying that we also got some great releases. And after much thought, KultScene came up with our list of top 20 K-Pop songs of 2014. The picks are simply based on our personal tastes and preferences and is only intended to recognize extraordinary singles of the past year.

20. INFINITE Last Romeo

Ending out our list is INFINITE’s Last Romeo, a song that is dramatic and theatrical. Heavy percussions and repetitive vocal sounds like “nanana” and “woohoo” open the dark pop song with an 80’s style synth-rock sound. Even without seeing a performance of the song, the chorus audibly builds up to powerful moments that were made with INFINITE’s perfectly synchronized dances in mind. INFINITE’s songs are typically very strong, and the sound and style of Last Romeo shows the group’s growth as a performance group in the best way possible.

19. Taeyang Eyes, Nose, Lips

After releasing Ringa Linga, Taeyang came back to his roots as an R&B singer with Eyes, Nose, Lips. The sad ballad starts with a melancholic piano tune, quickly transitioning into Taeyang’s heartbreaking voice for the first verse. Throughout the song, he makes the listeners feel as the man of the story from the song. He lets the listeners feel the sadness and anger of the situation stated in the track. The song was so popular that it gained recognition around the world, and was followed by covers by fans, K-Pop artists like Eric Nam and even YG Entertainment released a series of covers with Akdong Musician, Tablo, and Lydia Paek. This is Taeyang’s most vulnerable song and one that will go down as one of his best songs.

18. WINNER Empty

WINNER debuted this year differently than other bands. Usually when a new boy group debuts, they do so with an upbeat song and not a ballad. But WINNER came out with the sad ballad Empty, which talks about a man who feels completely empty after breaking up with his lover. The track starts with Mino rapping very softly with a very vulnerable voice. Then Kang Seung Yoon starts singing with his raspy voice, followed by the rest of the members to the beautiful soothing chorus. Nam Tahyun’s high falsettos in the background accompanied by guitar riffs and basses add to a very spectacular song.

17. Sunny Hill Here I Am

A soft ballad that rapidly develops into a tumultuous, whirlwind of a dance song before returning to a slower pace, the quartet’s Here I Am is one of the best songs of 2014. Here I Am is a storm of emotion that builds up gradually before settling down again before swiftly picking up. Sunny Hill’s range of vocal styles come together, soothing and heartfelt one moment then raspy and strong the next to emulate the swift changes of emotion that the lyrics describe. Sunny Hill has tried out many different styles of music throughout the years, and Here I Am is the zenith of that experimentation.

16. Girl’s Day Something

Girl’s Day fully embraced the sexy concept with the flawless Something. The song is smooth, sensual, and uses traditional instruments like guitars and pianos in an interesting and effective way. Having fully embraced their style, Girl’s Day have also found their most sophisticated sound. The video, which is an homage to Park Ji Yoon’s Coming of Age Ceremony, is also a defiant statement that this is their style.

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

15. Rain 30 Sexy

Rain’s 2014 comeback was highly anticipated and he did not let us down with 30 Sexy. Rain’s smooth, alluring vocals and phenomenal falsetto make 30 Sexy one of the hottest songs of 2014. Although the music is repetitive, one hardly notices it over his singing. Rain is in his 30s, he’s sexy, and this song perfectly showcases his vocal ability and musical talent. I still think he says “dirty sexy” instead of “30 sexy”, but either way the song is top notch.

14. Crucial Star Paris

In a year where trap and other EDM music styles reigned supreme in music releases, there was a more mellow yet strong undercurrent that challenged the hype. Rapper Crucial Star, void of the club sound, released Paris this fall. The track, with its calm beat, is all about the rapper’s soft vocals and verses about comparing a girl to the city of lights. Paris is a refreshing song that stands out for its simplicity and emotion rather that an over production.

13. K. Will Day 1

K. Will gave us the perfect upbeat ballad this year with Day 1. The song talks about a guy that fell in love with a girl and he’s letting her know that out of all the ugly guys, he’s the best looking one and he wants to let her know how crazy she makes him feel. The song is an honest ballad that makes the listeners relate to it. The song showcases K.Will’s beautiful voice, with those heart melting falsettos. His singing is amazing and when he hits those high notes, he makes us fall in love with this song over and over again.

12. GD X Taeyang Good Boy

Offering the antithesis to BIGBANG’s Bad Boy, lyrics and sound wise, the group’s BFF ‘88 liners teamed up this year and delivered the EDM/hip hop hybrid Good Boy. GD and Taeyang showcased the awesomeness of their friendship and teamwork by coming out with such an outstanding, shoulder swaying, twerk inciting club jam. GD’s rap paired with Taeyang’s R&B vocals and melodies deliver the perfect pop song of the year. Expect to see similar songs next year…

11. Purfles 1, 2, 3

The three Purfles girls smashed onto the scene without much warning with the excellent 1, 2, 3. This sexy, confident electro banger showcased how good a rookie group can be. The vocals and choreography are executed perfectly and the high energy catchiness makes it infinitely listenable. Watch out for these girls as they have the potential to make a storm in the K-Pop world.

10. HA:TFELT Ain’t Nobody

Wonder Girls’ Yeeun’s solo song starts off pretty slowly with some simple instrumentals and then suddenly jumps to become an intense, dubstep-infused song that’s different than anything we’ve seen from her in the past. Wild jumps between soft singing and powerful belting makes the Ain’t Nobody seem all over the place, but the song’s diverse elements come together to be an evocative song about heartbreak.

9. BTS Boy in Luv

Boy in Luv starts off with the guys’ hard hitting and masculine vocals. The rapping is on point, the singing is on point, the dancing is on point. Boy in Luv showcases what boys in high school do when they want their crush to know they like them. The music has elements of rock, hip hop, and pop, which makes for an inviting song for many listeners. The breakdown toward the end of the song displays the softer side to BTS, but only for a moment, then it’s back to the hormone raging boys.

8. Girls’ Generation Mr. Mr.

It’s easy to forget that SNSD released a song this year ever since we’ve been crying ourselves to sleep every night since Jessica left. They did however put some music out, and boy was it good. Mr. Mr. marked the final move away (despite the lyrics) from the cute girls they became famous for. Now, they’ve embodied the strong women they have perfectly grown into. Mr. Mr. is a glossy urban pop delight, and vocally, the girls are at their best ever. Hopefully SNSD can get past all the hardships and get back to making more music like this next year.

7. Beenzino How Do I Look?

This year proved that the spotlight is no longer just on K-Pop and it is not the only exciting music coming from Korea. Korean hip hop took center stage in 2014, and in the middle of it all was Beenzino and his smooth, swagtastic track How Do I Look?. In his music, and especially How Do I Look?, Beenzino does the whole Drake thing by singing and rapping on his tracks, giving us one of the coolest choruses (in English, mind you) to sing along to all year.

Also on KultScene: Why Are K-Pop Year-End Comebacks Scarce & Disappointing?

6. EXID Up & Down

EXID’s catchy jam grabs you right from the beginning of the song. LE’s rapping is, as always, on point and perfectly fits the tone and rhythm of the song. The chorus changes pace slightly, but just enough to keep you interested and wanting more. The girls of EXID show off their vocal talents with this fun and addicting song. Up & Down was a strong debut release with their new entertainment company this past summer. And even though it gained recognition months after its released, the attention was well-deserved.

5. Hi Suhyun feat. Bobby I’m Different

Following a much suspenseful series of teasers featuring two girls and a guy, YG Entertainment debuted the sub unit Hi Suhyun comprising of Akmu’s Soohyun and Lee Hi, with Bobby delivering a rap verse. I’m Different is a cute jazzy and funky song that highlights the vocalists’ powerful voices, something reminiscent of Lee Hi’s 2012 solo work but paired perfectly with Soohyun’s light harmonies. What’s more, Bobby’s quick but decisive verse added that je ne sais quoi that brings the soulful song to a full circle. The song, while atypical from YG, won the ex K Pop Stars contestants their first number one on a music show, proving K-Pop is not only about the club banging hits.

4. Kyuhyun At Gwanghwamun

When it comes to idols debuting as solo artists, Kyuhyun’s At Gwanghwamun sets a high bar. The song begins in a soft, melodious way that builds up to an impressive show of Kyuhyun’s wide range of vocals. Soft piano and strings are a mainstay of the song, but powerful beats play a role later on. Kyuhyun’s breathy, emotive singing and the heartfelt lyrics of At Gwanghwamun made the song a hit in Korea, and earned it a spot in the top five of this list.

3. f(x) Red Light

When it comes to experimentation in K-Pop, we can always count on f(x) for that, and Red Light is the perfect example. The song uses jarring music and vocal changes within a fairly standard structure to keep us on our toes and make a statement. The siren-like electro riffs that run throughout the song act like a call to end conformity in music. The verses gradually become more normal before the chorus comes crashing back in. Innovation alone is enough to warrant Red Light’s place on this list, but the incredible production and delivery from the girls guarantees it.

2. KARA Mamma Mia

After losing members and gaining a new one, KARA came back with an amazing song this year. Mamma Mia showcased the powerful vocals that we are accustomed to from the members. The song is full of techno beats and seems come out of a late ‘70s, early ‘80s disco music video. Despite KARA returning with a member line-up change, the fans seemed to love the song and happily stated that KARA was finally back after a long hiatus. As the song says, “Hit the lights, let’s go!” So grab your dancing shoes and get ready to bust out to this wonderful track by KARA.

1. Beast Good Luck

Following the success the group received with Fiction, the guys seemed to had finally found their niche and spot in K-Pop, and Good Luck is a continuation of exactly that. The song utilizes multiple instrumentals and EDM sounds to create a unique overall sound not heard in K-Pop before its release. The guys’ vocals are rippling with emotion and the hook and chorus are easy to pick up and so much fun to sing at the top of your lungs. Not to mention the choreography is pretty killer for this track. Junhyung did his bandmates and fans well when he created this gem, proving to be the crown jewel in their discography. Or at least up until now. If Good Luck and 12:30’s success is indication of anything is that veteran groups like Super Junior, BIGBANG, and TVXQ! should watch their backs because BEAST is quickly escalating to the top spot in Hallyu.

Check out KultScene‘s top 20 K-pop songs of 2014 video compilation here:

What 2014 K-Pop songs are your favorites? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.