Without a doubt, 2015 was Zico’s year. He featured on just about every other hip-hop and R&B release, he coached his own team on Mnet’s rap competition show “Show Me the Money 4,” and he released his positively-received album “Gallery.”. Indeed, the Block B member was everywhere — and deservingly so. In the last couple […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Untitled-design-1.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-04 19:31:362016-02-04 19:31:36Zico’s Singles Ranked Worst to Best
“Boys Over Flowers,” “Goong,” “Bridal Mask,” “City Hunter,” and other popular K-dramas are varied in their plots but they all have one thing in common: They’re based on a genre of comics known collectively as manga (or manhwa in South Korea). While webtoons are the current trend forKorean dramas to take cues from (“Misaeng,” “Orange […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/manga-to-drama.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-03 20:51:082017-09-01 14:03:305 Mangas That Need To Be Made Into K-Dramas
Without a doubt, 2015 was Zico’s year. He featured on just about every other hip-hop and R&B release, he coached his own team on Mnet’s rap competition show “Show Me the Money 4,” and he released his positively-received album “Gallery.”. Indeed, the Block B member was everywhere — and deservingly so. In the last couple […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Untitled-design-1.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-04 19:31:362016-02-04 19:31:36Zico’s Singles Ranked Worst to Best
“Boys Over Flowers,” “Goong,” “Bridal Mask,” “City Hunter,” and other popular K-dramas are varied in their plots but they all have one thing in common: They’re based on a genre of comics known collectively as manga (or manhwa in South Korea). While webtoons are the current trend forKorean dramas to take cues from (“Misaeng,” “Orange […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/manga-to-drama.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-03 20:51:082017-09-01 14:03:305 Mangas That Need To Be Made Into K-Dramas
Without a doubt, 2015 was Zico’s year. He featured on just about every other hip-hop and R&B release, he coached his own team on Mnet’s rap competition show “Show Me the Money 4,” and he released his positively-received album “Gallery.”. Indeed, the Block B member was everywhere — and deservingly so. In the last couple years, Zico has established himself as a rapper without the word “idol” being attached to the title. In addition, he’s also a pretty dope producer. Because even if he was very much involved in the creative process behind Block B, getting rid of the “idol” tag is hard when it comes to other career paths.
And after many trials and tribulations, we have now arrived to the era of Zico. In the short time since he launched his solo career, Zico has graced us with many instant classics and other less appreciated ones, to put it mildly. So now that the public has accepted him as an artist, let’s explore, what are Zico’s best and worst singles?
8. “Tough Cookie”
The tasteless use of the Confederate flag and derogatory term aside, “Tough Cookie” ain’t that good. I mean, we get it, Zico. You’re a legit rapper who got into an idol group to make it big. “Tough Cookie” is your first solo single as an established artist; this is your moment to show what you’ve got… Which apparently is a stereotypical parody of “what hip-hop is.” #ThugLife setting and attire? Check. Heavy bass? Check. Grillz and girls shaking their asses? Double Check. Hanging out with all the badass homies? You know it! However, there’s nothing less gangster than calling yourself a cookie, even if it’s tough.
The track itself is, at best, a basic hip-hop song. Certainly not the worst out there, but with all it’s negative aspects, it’s just better to overlook it altogether.
Fortunately, “Tough Cookie” is Zico’s only bad song. “Boys and Girls,” however, is an enjoyable song with a colorful music video. It was number one for the longest times on the Korean music charts, after all. And yet, I can’t help and think this sounds like one of the multiple singles that Korean-American rapper Jay Park released last year, while Zico released “Boys and Girls” in November. I’m not saying Zico copied Jay’s style, but the similarities to songs produced by Jay Park’s label, AOMG, is uncanny. Maybe hanging out with said crew rubbed off on him? And, again, adorning yourself with lots of girls around, very hep-hap.
Despite this, “Boys and Girls,” as mentioned before, is a fun little song with an easy-to-follow and catchy hook. Would’ve been perfect as a summer release.
6. “Yes Or No”
Dude, I know you’re really hot in the hip-hop scene right now and deserve your kudos, but why are you attacking me for a “Yes or No” answer? Moreover, the jarring beat enhances the aggressive feel of the song, and yet, it’s perfect to jam to in a hip-hop mosh pit type of thing. Not to mention the animated music video, even though short, has cool visuals. The video revolves around the theme that “Yes or No” is a sarcastically narcissistic single just for kicks. Hopefully, now that Zico has established that he’s a dope rapper and producer he can stop reminding us with every single how great he is and that he started out in an idol group. And yes, Zico, the answer is “yes.”
5. “Pride and Prejudice”
Within his discography, “Pride and Prejudice” is a breath of fresh air. The music video is not all about Zico, the lyrics don’t boast about his career and self, and the music is pretty chill. His flow is more laid back and allow Zicoto present his views on romance more effectively. Moreover, Suran’s addition at the chorus gave it a nice touch of soul and delicateness that stands out when compared to the previous songs I’ve discussed.
4. “Well Done”
“Well Done” is another slowed and toned down song that lets the lyrics and Zico’s flow take center stage. It’s difficult to go wrong with a song were you bare it all for the audience and talk about your struggles. Good thing “Well Done” has that rawness and realness that make these types of tracks special and relevant. This is the perfect way of showing off what you accomplished — by putting it into context with the hardships you went through. Because of this, “Well Done” seems authentic and not self-absorbed.
2015 was a good year for Zico with all his collaborations and he even saved the best for last by releasing the album in December. And within “Gallery” was another very popular chart topper, “Eureka.” I mean, how can you go wrong with Zion.T at the chorus? But regardless of the popular artist’s involvement, “Eureka” is pretty solid. Zico delivers his hard hitting bars while also delivering a Jazzy and bouncy beat. Also, having a fun music video for a stellar track only make the finished product all that much better.
2. “I Am You, You Are Me”
Visually, “I Am You, You Are Me” is the prettiest music video we’ve seen from Korea so far in 2016. The soft colors, the awesome styling, the cute little story; it’s ethereal. However, it doesn’t seem and sound very Zico-like. It made me think of softer rappers like Crucial Star. And yet Zico completely owned it, especially when he sped up the tempo in key places. And if this is a new direction he’s willing to include to his repertoire, I’m all for it! It would honestly be number one if not for the fact that, as of right now, it’s too unique and not very Zico. From Zico’s creamy vocals to the twinkling sounds and subtle percussion, “I Am You, You Are Me” is as smooth as they come.
1. “VENI VIDI VICI”
Now this is what we expect and love from Zico. “VENI VIDI VICI” is in fact the successful and cooler version of “Tough Cookie.” The revindication, if you will. They’re both hard hitting anthems where he disses the haters and promotes himself. I already went over why we should all forget about “Tough Cookie,” and “VENI VIDI VICI” helps with that. Where the former came off as aggressive and tacky, the latter features Zico rapping in a fast but nonchalant way, which reflects that he doesn’t have anything to prove anymore. It doesn’t rely on cheesy hip-hop concepts done millions of times to seem cool, it just is. Sure, this music video also features girls dancing around him, sure, but at least it exudes personality and, more importantly, originality. “VENI VIDI VICI” show show much Zico has grown in the last two years and how he’s learned from his mistakes (except for those braids… but that’s another story!).
He came, he saw, he conquered, indeed. This is Zico at his best.
What’s your best and worst Zico single? Share your picks and 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/2016/02/Untitled-design-1.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-04 19:31:362016-02-04 19:31:36Zico’s Singles Ranked Worst to Best
“Boys Over Flowers,” “Goong,” “Bridal Mask,” “City Hunter,” and other popular K-dramas are varied in their plots but they all have one thing in common: They’re based on a genre of comics known collectively as manga (or manhwa in South Korea). While webtoons are the current trend forKorean dramas to take cues from (“Misaeng,” “Orange Caramel,” etc.) there are still many mangas that have fodder for K-dramas to turn into absolutely amazing series. For example the One Piece manga series is doing incredibly well and you can even get your hands on figurines from the series, such as the one and only nico robin hentai. So, without further a do, here are five mangas that need to be made in K-dramas asap.
1. “Kare Kano” by Masami Tsuda
“Kare Kano,” or “His and Her Circumstances,” starts off as in innocent enough high school drama, with two rivals falling for one another. But the series quickly darkens in a way that fits a growing trend in K-dramas along the lines of “Cheese In The Trap” and “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” tackling mental health, family difficulties, abuse, etc. There’s a musical element and numerous subplots that tie back to the heartbreaking relationship of the main characters as the struggle through high school and unsettled childhood trauma that threatens the current state of their relationship.
The only thing that “Kare Kano” is missing is a romantic triangle or square, as K-dramas tend to do; this is the story of the two leads and the people important to them in their lives, nothing more. The tender, occasionally shockingly sad, manga has never been made into a drama despite being completed in 2005 and the Korean television industry is at the perfect point to create a show that appropriately represents the light-hearted and complex storylines of “Kare Kano.” (Come on tVN, let’s make this after “Cheese In The Trap” finishes!)
This manga takes place in a fantasy world where demons are very real and the heroine lives next door to a tengu, or a type of avian supernatural creature. And did I mention she’s the current reincarnation of something known as the senka maiden? Which means that she’s haunted by demons around her who want to eat her flesh. Don’t worry, the handsome tengu next door is there to protect her, until they realize that their romantic relationship may lead to her untimely death. This sort of drama is perfect for people who love shows like “Arang and The Magistrate” or “You Who Came From The Stars” with its fantasy twist on daily life and love.
3. “The Devil Does Exist” by Mitsubi Takanashi
Wealthy male teasing the poor female lead? Yup. Meddling grandmothers? Check. Random events trying to ruin a happy ending? Oh, yes! The fact that “The Devil Does Exist” hasn’t been made into a drama yet is positively shocking, given the fact that it is chock-full of K-drama tropes that hit us at the heart time and time again. The Taiwanese drama “Devil Beside You” shot Rainie Yang and Mike He to fame because of their portrayal of the loyal main couple in this drama, and it’s time that this series makes it way to Korean audiences. There’s laughter and heartbreak in this series that is sure to please K-drama fans around the world.
4. “Yona of the Dawn” by Mizuho Kusanagi
A fantasy drama that could easily be transposed to an early era of Korean history, “Yona of the Dawn” is about an immature princess who witnesses her father’s murder and has to escape with her life. The character development is key to this story, but so is the love triangle and fantasy elements as the manga is interspersed with references to Asian traditional mythlore as the princess and her bodyguard try to save the kingdom. Fans of “Rooftop Prince” or “Queen Seondok” will surely like this sort of manga-to-drama treatment.
You may be ready to shake your head and shout “already done!” at me, because the entertainment industry-based manga was already made into a Taiwanese drama in 2011, featuring Super Junior members Siwon and Donghae alongside Ivy Chen. But that version focused only on the first few volumes of the ongoing series, ignoring the more than 30 volumes that came after (as of publishing this article, there are 37 volumes released). The story of “Skip Beat” matures along with the character development throughout those latter volumes, exploring the struggles of a young woman to get revenge on a childhood crush by rising in the entertainment industry.
Unlike “Kare Kano,” there is a K-drama worthy romantic triangle going on throughout the series, as the heroine undergoes her transformation from country bumpkin to hardworking actress. There’s family members who stand in the way of happiness, rivalries, beautiful looking men, and overseas foreigners who speak the native language fluently for no apparent reason; “Skip Beat” was practically written to be made into a K-drama.
What do you think of these manga to drama ideas? Share your thoughts and suggestions 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/2016/02/manga-to-drama.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2016-02-03 20:51:082017-09-01 14:03:305 Mangas That Need To Be Made Into K-Dramas
