Even if rare, K-pop songs that embodygirl power do exist, as we’ve noted in our four past versions of this list. And if this latest version of anthems is indicative of anything is that more and more women empowerment songs are coming out nowadays.Which is great! Because how many more silly songs about being head-over-heels […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Untitled-design-3.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-08-25 22:27:492015-08-25 22:27:498 K-Pop Girl Power Anthems Pt. 5
As another month comes to an end we can safely clock August as another great month for K-pop. To celebrate I’m going to look back at some b-sides that might have unfortunately gone unnoticed. With another slew of high profile releases there’s plenty to discover. This month we have lots of retro goodness, with influences […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/collage-bsides.jpg12001200Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-08-24 11:18:352015-08-24 11:31:59August’s Best K-Pop B-Sides
Even if rare, K-pop songs that embodygirl power do exist, as we’ve noted in our four past versions of this list. And if this latest version of anthems is indicative of anything is that more and more women empowerment songs are coming out nowadays.Which is great! Because how many more silly songs about being head-over-heels […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Untitled-design-3.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2015-08-25 22:27:492015-08-25 22:27:498 K-Pop Girl Power Anthems Pt. 5
As another month comes to an end we can safely clock August as another great month for K-pop. To celebrate I’m going to look back at some b-sides that might have unfortunately gone unnoticed. With another slew of high profile releases there’s plenty to discover. This month we have lots of retro goodness, with influences […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/collage-bsides.jpg12001200Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-08-24 11:18:352015-08-24 11:31:59August’s Best K-Pop B-Sides
Even if rare, K-pop songs that embodygirl power do exist, as we’ve noted in our four past versions of this list. And if this latest version of anthems is indicative of anything is that more and more women empowerment songs are coming out nowadays.Which is great! Because how many more silly songs about being head-over-heels for a guy and then completely devastated over a breakup do we really need? We do, however, need more songs that make women feel badass and capable, like the songs on this list.
1. Lee Hyori “Miss Korea”
In most of our K-pop girl power anthems installments, the queen Lee Hyori makes an appearance because women empowerment is one of the many things she embodies. And this time it’s time to talk about “Miss Korea.” Sure, beauty pageants don’t necessarily represent the most positive messages to girls, but Lee Hyori isn’t talking about competing with other girls over looks and “talents.” Oh no, the singer calls herself and anyone who is confident in herself “Miss Korea.”
Her opening line, “Hey pretty lady in that glass mirror, is something wrong?” is a bold and powerful statement, given that many girls don’t necessarily see themselves in a good light when it comes to their looks. “Miss Korea” builds up confidence in one’s looks, because even if it’s superficial, everyone has the right to feel pretty and desired and like they’re “the best girl in the world.” This song isn’t about her being the prettiest, it’s about everyone being “Miss Korea.”
2. 4Minute “Crazy”
Another song celebrating the self is 4Minute’s “Crazy.” In the song, they own and reclaim the negative term “crazy” and use it in their favor. People call you crazy? That’s fine because they think so too and they don’t think it’s something bad. To them, “crazy” equals being fun and having fun. By reclaiming the term that is often attributed to women when they display any kind of raw emotion, they’re really saying that your feelings are valid and being oneself is the only way to be. “Find your hidden self in the world before you tonight,” they sing, meaning that knowing and liking you who are is key.
Being a woman is a burden. We’re expected to act, dress, talk, and just overall be a certain way that society dictated a long time ago. And even with all the social changes and technological advances we’ve experienced over the years, some women are still being looked down upon for being “different.” No one encapsulates this feeling better than Amber with “Beautiful.” In the song, she talks about feeling trapped and words cutting deep into her heart, and yet, enduring it all. Because being a woman also means being strong. Despite the hate, Amber talks about rising above it all and continuing on, and there’s no more powerful message that a woman can emit than “I am happy to be myself.” Beauty standards, misogyny, racism and everything else can be against you, but if you’re comfortable with yourself, you have one less important battle to fight.
4. KARA “So Good”
There’s something very problematic about raising girls telling them they need to be “good girls.” But what does a “good girl” even mean? Is there a concept? A consensus? Probably not. So if a confident woman with agency attributes her own definition and owns it, it works out fine. Case point KARA with “So Good.” People talk about them because they’re confident in themselves and their looks. And it’s not that they’re cocky when they say they have “the most charm” or are the perfect girl with no imperfections and flaws. It means that, in a world where every magazine, movie, TV show or whatever makes you feel ugly, you laugh it off because you know you’re fabulous just the way you are and don’t have time for the haters.
5. Wonder Girls “Stop!”
Knowing one’s self comes with also knowing one’s worth and being confident, especially when it comes with dealing with the opposite sex or the same, depending on your preferences. Like 4Minute, people call Wonder Girls “crazy” for pushing away what they perceive as a “good guy” in their song “Stop!” “Stop!” is the song most leading ladies in romantic comedies should be singing because no one understands where this “love” came from all of a sudden. The girls don’t believe the guy truly loves them because they haven’t even know each other that long, and because of that, they’re telling him to swerve. But like every other entitled guy, he’s a pest and doesn’t respect their decision so Wonder Girls are left to tell him to just stop. Stop loving them, following them, having interest in them, and thinking about them because they don’t like it.
For some, being able to tell someone to piss off is second nature. But for a lot of women, this comes difficult to them, especially if the other person isn’t complying. So having agency and the confidence of saying all this is applaudable.
6. EXID “With Out U”
While on the topic of boys as significant others, more often than not, girls are the ones who get the short end of the stick. So if you need an f you song that’s unapologetic and shows a break up is not the end of the world, EXID’s “With Out U” is a good option. Because if you feel cheated (which is very valid, whichever the case!), you’re certainly entitled to let your dissatisfaction known. And what’s more satisfying than telling that boy you’re freaking good without him and moving on easily?
Few songs in K-pop embody intersectionality, which studies intersections of oppression, as Michelle Lee’s “Without You.” For this song, Michelle put out her life’s struggles for everyone to see. If you listen to this song and think it’s about a significant other, listen again. Michelle actually sings about growing up as a black Korean and being discriminated for it and acknowledges the pain it all caused her. However, she declares boldly “I’m beautiful without you/ I’m meaningful without you/ I’m still beautiful even if I wasn’t loved by you.” Having an ethnic background different than the norm of the country we reside while being a woman only adds to the grievances of our life experiences. So “Without You” represents those struggles for Michelle, while telling society to go f themselves because she’s much more than what they reduced her to. She knows she’s different, but still beautiful, inside and out, and she fully understands that now.
8. Kisum “#WhiteStyle feat. Kim Ho Yeon”
Unlike boys, girls aren’t born with automatic privileges. In some ways, being a woman can be a disability in some eyes (cough, cough, medical industry), so of course women need to be heavily encouraged. Telling girls they’re beautiful, capable, intelligent, strong is not feeding their ego, it’s reinforcing notions that we all need to strive in life, especially since society tell them everything but a lot of the times. And that’s what Kisum’s “#WhiteStyle” does. Even if the song is a CF for tampons and tells girls to be confident during their periods and wear white clothing, if we take the tampon context out of the equation, it’s still a pretty encouraging song. Girls need to be told from a young age and throughout adolescence that they’re stars and to have confidence always. “#WhiteStyle” is basically Kisum being a cheerleader for us all, and hey, some of us do need encouraging words and support.
Is there any other K-pop girl power anthem you like? 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.
As another month comes to an end we can safely clock August as another great month for K-pop. To celebrate I’m going to look back at some b-sides that might have unfortunately gone unnoticed. With another slew of high profile releases there’s plenty to discover. This month we have lots of retro goodness, with influences coming from all over the world giving a new lease of life to K-pop.
Primary feat Sunwoo Jung-A and Gaeko “Paranoia”
If there is one artist continually releasing great work this year it is Primary. He’s had songs out nearly every month since the start of the year and there has always been something interesting amongst them. These have culminated in the fantastic album “2” and my favourite from it “Paranoia”.
“Paranoia” is a wonderfully slow and restrained piece of trip hop. Primary has never been afraid to show off his parade of influences within the genres he has worked in. He invigorates these with a new modern life while never forgetting what made them special in the first place. This time he takes on that very British style of trip hop. The echoey drums recall Portishead and give the song its gloomy feeling. What really makes it though is Sunwoo Jung-A’s mournful voice and Gaeko’s energetic rap.They seem to be directly referencing the British artists of that time like Thom Yorke of Radiohead and rapper Tricky. It lends an authenticity but mostly makes the song work totally.
More 90s alternative influenced music here with B1A4’s “You Are A Girl, I Am A Boy”.
Okay that may be a bit of a stretch this time but it was the first thing that came into my head when I listened to this track. The reverb laden guitars immediately brought Sonic Youth to mind. This thought was quickly dispelled but that doesn’t lessen the effect of the guitar. It’s an entirely new sound to be found within K-pop and is why this song is on the list. This use of the live band sounds are what set apart B1A4 for me. Amongst many samey hip-hop influenced boy groups they stand out thanks to this and their distinctive voices.
SHINee “Chocolate”
Retro was certainly a major theme for august. SHINee as always delivered an amazing throwback with the whole of the “Married to the Music” album. Jonghyun’s effortlessly sexy “Chocolate” stands out.
“Chocolate” goes for retro synths in a big way. They sound almost 8-bit and hit with a strong but smooth force. There’s layers to them that feel almost physically tangible. The verses that change tempo and general intricacies of the song make it something more than your average album cut. It’s clinically sexy yet has delicate touches that elevate it above other sexy sounding songs.
Speaking of retro, I don’t think any K-pop group has ever pulled it off as well as Wonder Girls have with “Reboot”. With that “Reboot” and “I Feel You” they have released probably the best album and song of the year all while also learning and playing instruments for it.
With an album this good it’s hard to pick just one b-side. So I’m just going with my mood right now which means “One Black Night”. Ever since I first listened to “Reboot” I felt like it was a soundtrack album to some amazing 80s movie that never existed. If so then “One Black Night” would play when the main character is at their lowest point so they go out to get totally wasted for one black night.
The song starts off slow with a plodding piano and stripped back drum beat. It recalls member Yenny’s solo work as HA:TFELT, mixing solemn piano melodies in the verse with crashing electronic sounds in the chorus. The emotions are also similar, ones of pent up angst finally being released in cathartic acts. In this case drinking and embracing.
Girls’ Generation “Bump It”
Girls’ Generation came back again before the summer officially ended with their album “Lion Heart” and there’s a lot to get stuck into. Most may have assumed that with a double single release there wouldn’t be much left of interest. They would be wrong.
Album closer “Bump It” is the highlight as it cleverly walks the line between the Girls’ Generation we know and love and the Girls’ Generation many want to exist. By that I mean it starts off like a fairly standard sweet ballad before turning urban pop at Tiffany’s request. With the singles being a great signifier of what Girls’ Generation can be, this is the perfect song to close out the album.
What it does really well is using both styles within the song. Once the ballad part at the start ends it would have been easy to leave out but the piano remains and reinvigorates the song at the chorus. Similarly towards the end when Taeyeon is about to begin her crooning, Sooyoung cuts in with a rap to make sure one style does not win over the other. Girls’ Generation are at their best whee unpredictable like this.
Is there any other August K-pop B-sides you loved? 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/2015/08/collage-bsides.jpg12001200Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-08-24 11:18:352015-08-24 11:31:59August’s Best K-Pop B-Sides
