2015 was a year chock full of K-pop goodness, both for groups and for solo artists. In particular, there were many idols who made their solo debuts this year. While some of them were well-received in Korea and on international charts, there were also some others who didn’t garner so much attention. As with most […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PicsArt_1451054804154.jpg20482048Anna Cheanghttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2015-12-25 06:52:542015-12-25 15:12:135 Underrated K-Pop Solo Debuts of 2015
Becoming a popular K-pop girl group is hard. Not only does a new group debut every other day, but female artists have to compete with male groups who get most of the attention from the fan girls. Definitely, not an easy task. However, Apink stood the test of time and is now one of the […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Untitled-design-8.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-12-24 15:39:202015-12-24 15:39:208 Apink Songs to Hype You Up for their North American Tour
2015 was a year chock full of K-pop goodness, both for groups and for solo artists. In particular, there were many idols who made their solo debuts this year. While some of them were well-received in Korea and on international charts, there were also some others who didn’t garner so much attention. As with most […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PicsArt_1451054804154.jpg20482048Anna Cheanghttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2015-12-25 06:52:542015-12-25 15:12:135 Underrated K-Pop Solo Debuts of 2015
Becoming a popular K-pop girl group is hard. Not only does a new group debut every other day, but female artists have to compete with male groups who get most of the attention from the fan girls. Definitely, not an easy task. However, Apink stood the test of time and is now one of the […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Untitled-design-8.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-12-24 15:39:202015-12-24 15:39:208 Apink Songs to Hype You Up for their North American Tour
2015 was a year chock full of K-pop goodness, both for groups and for solo artists. In particular, there were many idols who made their solo debuts this year. While some of them were well-received in Korea and on international charts, there were also some others who didn’t garner so much attention. As with most K-pop related things, album sales largely have nothing to do with the quality of the music produced, so here are five underrated solo debuts that deserve more love.
1. G. Soul
At the start of the year this soloist made headlines when he finally made his debut after 15 years as a JYP Entertainment trainee. With his album “Coming Home,” G. Soul thoroughly showcased his vocal abilities and charmed listeners with his silky emotive voice. His lead single “You” was also a strong track complete with wonderful composition and a catchy chorus. He even released an acoustic version of the song subsequently, which further highlighted his amazing voice, and it was this version that made me a fan of his.
Unfortunately, despite releasing three EPs and singles over this year (most recently in September), he is still relatively unknown in the K-pop industry. With almost zero promotions on music programs and variety shows, it’s not very surprising that he’s unable to compete in popularity with other idols who are very active in the entertainment scene. However, one of his newest songs, “Beautiful Goodbye,” has been gaining attention recently because of EXO’s Kai, who performed a cover of the song during their concert.
Hopefully this trend will continue in the future and he will become more well-known. With the quality of music that he’s been creating and his voice, he certainly deserves all the respect and more that he’s getting now. In fact, he recently made Kultscene’s Top 50 Songs List for the year with his latest release “Crazy For You.”
2. Mckay Kim
I’ve watched this soloist since his early days on “K-pop Star Season 2.” Mckay Kim‘s voice was so charismatic that I fell in love with it (and him) almost instantly. From his wonderful partnership with Brian Shin and Kim Min Suk (Raccoon Boys) on the competition to his solo debut earlier this year, his music has always been amazing. He debuted with a collaboration with Jeff Bernat, a Filipino-American singer songwriter who is quite well-known in Korea, and their voices blended together perfectly through the song “Angel 2 Me.” Kim, in particular, has a soothing and smooth voice that is so comforting to listen to. Whenever I listen to this song, I feel relaxed even if I’m on a crowded public bus or doing math problems in my room. The harmonies and chill beat of this song are therapeutic but still alluring and charming.
Mckay also came back with another track in June, appropriately titled “Month of June,” but this release gained even less attention than his previous one. It’s a sweet song filled with the light-heartedness of summer and being in love. On his own this time, Mckay was able to show off even more of his vocal skills and musical ability, which is why it’s even sadder that this song wasn’t as well-received. Both in terms of natural talent and music quality, Mckay has the potential to become a mega star in this K-pop industry, he just needs a chance to break out now, and the sooner the better. I can’t wait for his future releases (he really needs an album) and I’m confident that he’ll continue releasing great music.
A member of K-pop girl duo 15&, Park Jimin made her solo debut in March this year with her title track “Hopeless Love.” Despite having amazing vocal talent and good songs, she has been an underrated singer ever since her debut in 15& and as a solo artist. Another alumni of “K-pop Star,” she won the first season of the show in 2012 but has been relatively low-profile since then. With “Hopeless Love” however, she brought something new to the table with this ballad that isn’t really a ballad. With her strong high notes and charismatic voice, Park Jimin brought out the various emotions that are presented through the lyrics of the song. In particular, one line that sums up the pain of having an one-sided love: “Even though it hurts I just can’t turn away.” It’s a great release and solo effort so it’s such a pity that she didn’t get more attention for it. As of August this year, she formed a project group called M.O.L.A with Seungyoun of UNIQ and another rapper Nathan with whom she released tracks showcasing her rapping skills as well. For a singer as talented as Jimin, she deserves so much more success in her career so I’m hoping that this won’t be the end of her solo efforts!
4. Minah (Girls’ Day)
Unlike 15&, Girls’ Day can’t be said to be unknown or underrated, not by a long shot. So what is Minah, the popular main vocalist of the girl group doing in this list? She has made her name as a soloist a long time ago with the various drama OSTs she has released and has already acted in several dramas herself but her solo debut earlier this year largely went under the radar of most K-pop fans. While she did debut at a time filled with several other hot comebacks like EXO and Miss A, I fail to understand how she received so little praise and attention from the public.. With “I Am A Woman Too” Minah showed off her impressive vocal talents and her ability to sing strongly and yet gently at the same time. However, her release received criticism in regards to the choreography, which netizens complained looked awkward. In terms of song quality however, this song was produced well and is catchy. While Minah does shine even within the rest of her group, her solo effort was a chance for her to showcase different sides to herself and in my opinion she managed that. I hope that this debut’s lack of commercial success would not affect her chances for a comeback in the future because I’m eagerly waiting for it!
I’m not saying this just because I’m a Hottest but Junho’s solo debut was one of the best and yet most underrated debut I have ever seen. As the lead vocal of 2PM, Junho’s charming voice has been showcased ever since their group debut but he’s been continually improving his vocal skills over the years, something which is evident in their later releases. Apart from just working on his singing, he’s also been composing and writing songs for the group, the most recent of which is “Nobody Else” from their latest Korean album “No. 5.” As a solo artist, he debuted in Japan two years ago and has produced three Japanese albums since then. He only made his solo debut in Korea this year however, with his album “One,” which he promoted for a short period of music shows. This album, with title track “Fire,” displayed not just his amazing singing but also his compositions because he wrote almost all the songs on the album.
With an addictive chorus “Fire” isn’t just a good song it also thoroughly shows how self-aware Junho is as an artist. He knows his voice and abilities very well and is able to present the best side of himself through his songs. In this album he also tried more rapping to very satisfying results, as evidenced by tracks like “Pressure” (the rap starts around 3:12).
Thankfully for Junho it seems like JYP recognises his potential as a soloist so here’s to more amazing albums in the future!
What do you think of these underrated soloists? Who else do you think should have made the list? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PicsArt_1451054804154.jpg20482048Anna Cheanghttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAnna Cheang2015-12-25 06:52:542015-12-25 15:12:135 Underrated K-Pop Solo Debuts of 2015
Becoming a popular K-pop girl group is hard. Not only does a new group debut every other day, but female artists have to compete with male groups who get most of the attention from the fan girls. Definitely, not an easy task. However, Apink stood the test of time and is now one of the most popular girl groups and Korea. Said popularity has spilled abroad recently, with them touring China, Japan, Singapore, and now their “Pink Memory” North American tour is just around the corner!
The lovely girls of Apink are headed to the US and Canada early next year. Their stops are Vancouver on January 5 at the Orpheum Theatre, Dallas on the 6 at the Verizon Theatre, San Francisco on the 8 at the Regency Ballroom, and Los Angeles on the 9 at Club NOKIA. Tickets have been on sale since November and they go from $50 for general admission, to $250 in Vancouver and $215 for the US stops for the VIP meet and greet. You can buy them here.
Thanks to big shows and festivals like KCON and the Korea Times Festival we’ve been able to see a wide arrange of Korean acts over the years, but Apink’s concert will be the first time since 2012 that a female K-pop group holds a solo concert in the States and fans are ecstatic. But to add to the excitement, let’s revisit eight of their songs to get us hyped up for the upcoming shows.
1. “Mr. Chu”
Among the standouts release by the sextet, the one that shines the brightest is no doubt “Mr. Chu.” While still sticking to their overall cute and feminine concept, “Mr. Chu” is one of those feel-good dance songs you can’t help but cheer up when you listen to it.
Apink has its fair share of earworms, but none gets into your brain and refuses to leave like “No No No.” The chorus and the point dance moves, of course. “No No No” is one of those songs you just can’t sit in your seat and clap along to. You must get up and sing and dance along with the girls.
3. “Hush”
After becoming one of the standout rookies when they debuted, they came back with “Hush.” Unlike a lot of Apink’s singles, “Hush” relies a lot on the electro pop beats that were very popular in K-pop when it came out. Even if the song differs from what we’re used to from them, it’s a nice change that breaks the sameness of their cute and girly songs.
4. “I Got You”
This B side from “UNNE ANNE” followed the same sound as “Hush,” being an electro pop extravaganza. In true Apink fashion, the song is incredibly catchy and easy to sing along to. However, the song stands out for being a cool mix of their usual concept with this new electronica concept. “I Got You” would’ve made an awesome single. But since this wasn’t the case, we’re left with a true hidden gem only fans or people who take the trouble of listening to the whole album know.
5. “Like a Dream”
But not everything is a dance party. With such talented vocalists, we obviously have to include a mid-tempo ballad. It’s a little reminiscent of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” but with Apink’s signature sugary and youthful vocals.
6. “My My”
When one thinks of Apink, songs like “My My” is what comes to mind; innocence, femininity, and a bit (or a lot) of cheesiness without tapping into the ridiculous. “My My” is a complete throwback for its bubblegum pop reminiscent of S.E.S or other ‘90s Western pop acts. The melody goes perfectly with their sugary vocals, creating an uplifting, feel-good song.
Fast forward a couple of years, the girls of Apink are not so young anymore, and we got a glimpse of their transition into womanhood with “Luv.” Still cute, still feminine, but this song has a touch of maturity we hadn’t seen before from them, stating that these girls are growing up. The girls are now singing about deeper kinds of love and seem more in tune with said feelings. “Luv” is a nice break from the lively tunes, showing us that Apink is not only about the rainbows and unicorns in life.
8. “Remember”
Having their cake and eating it too, “Remember” starts off as a sweet ballad but then turn into a fresh pop synth symphony. It sounds completely different from anything Apink has done before, but at the same time, it’s familiar. After “Luv,” the girls went back to their cute concept, but the flavor in “Remember” is seasoned differently. Like it was left to marinate longer and now has a more flavorful and rich taste to it. It’s a great summer jam, making it a great song to dance and have fun to at the show.
What’s your favorite Apink song? 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Untitled-design-8.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-12-24 15:39:202015-12-24 15:39:208 Apink Songs to Hype You Up for their North American Tour
