If you’re lucky enough to have warm weather during the summer in your neck of the woods, going to the beach is a must. Whether it’s sun bathing, swimming in the ocean, playing in the sand, a good time is most likely guaranteed. And since the weather has been the perfect beach weather for some […]
When we think of K-rappers, the usual soloists comes to mind – Jay Park, Tablo, Verbal Jint, San E – and for good reasons. Their sick flow and quick wit are second to none, so I suppose that’s why they are featured as judges in rap competition shows such as this season of “Show Me […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Untitled-design-2.png7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-22 13:16:232015-08-22 13:16:235 Underrated Male Korean Idol Rappers Who Caught Our Attention
If you’re lucky enough to have warm weather during the summer in your neck of the woods, going to the beach is a must. Whether it’s sun bathing, swimming in the ocean, playing in the sand, a good time is most likely guaranteed. And since the weather has been the perfect beach weather for some […]
When we think of K-rappers, the usual soloists comes to mind – Jay Park, Tablo, Verbal Jint, San E – and for good reasons. Their sick flow and quick wit are second to none, so I suppose that’s why they are featured as judges in rap competition shows such as this season of “Show Me […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Untitled-design-2.png7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-22 13:16:232015-08-22 13:16:235 Underrated Male Korean Idol Rappers Who Caught Our Attention
If you’re lucky enough to have warm weather during the summer in your neck of the woods, going to the beach is a must. Whether it’s sun bathing, swimming in the ocean, playing in the sand, a good time is most likely guaranteed. And since the weather has been the perfect beach weather for some of us, this week’s playlist is dedicated to it.
Even if the song’s actual meaning has nothing to do with the beach (it’s actually about longing after a love interest), Hyukoh’s “Mer” sounds as if it were recorded underwater. This creates an instant incredibly mellow pleasantness when listening to it. Every time I listen to it, It always makes me think about that scene on “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” when he goes into the bathtub with the egg and listens to the mermaids’ chants (underwater, of course!). That’s what “Mer” sounds to me, mermaids singing underwater.
What I’d give to be one of the girls sitting on Baker Beach watching Fly to the Sky in “Sea of Love” as they play tag football (alongside some hunky shirtless guys). It’s not too often that we see a music video be filmed in correlation with it’s lyrics, so it’s always a sweet surprise for me whenever I watch a music video that was filmed with the thought of the lyrics in mind, even if it’s the slightest bit. In “Sea of Love,” Fly to the Sky sings about a shriveled up love that’s been dumped off at sea and although there wasn’t anyone to play the love interest, instead of moping around about a love long gone, Hwanhee and Brian (FTTS members) displayed a playful side by having a good time at the beach with the guys and better yet, enjoying each other’s company. Hey, if that’s what it takes to get over a broken relationship, then why not right?
— Tam
Take a cutesy trip to the beach with Secret before the summer ends. In the video for “Yoohoo” we see them washed up on a tropical island beach. They look for a way off and naturally enough cute and fun adventures ensue. “Yoohoo” was a slightly larger success than Secret are used to now. The cute sound and image are consistently popular in Korea, so it’s easy to see why. Internationally though, most saw them as being too old to be doing this sort of thing, as if that actually matters in pop music. Mostly it is a super fun song that perfectly suits its concept. Which means if you don’t like cute K-pop songs, steer clear. If you do, then please join me on the beach as we rejoice over Song Jieun’s perfect voice.
— Joe
To get a little sexy while at the beach, there’s no better K-pop group than SISTAR. “I Swear” is all about wanting to hear the words “I love you,” but the upbeat, horn-infused song is perfect for the beach, and the music video and lyrics of the song highlight that. The music video takes SISTAR to a variety of situations, including them dancing on the beach. “I’m waiting for you, writing your names down on the sand,” SISTAR sings, luring us into imagining ourselves listening to this song while laying on the sand.
Even if you don’t have time to make one last trip to the beach before the summer comes to an end, Super Junior’s “Carnival” will instantly make you feel like you are at one. This fun Caribbean number features an amalgam of tropical instruments, including the xylophone and drums, perfect for the theme of the song which centers around creating happy memories with a lover at a sandy resort. Even the lyrics “have fun with this song” invites us to let go and take off on a well-deserve getaway. “Blue ocean and white sand, warm sunlight; that’s Coconut Island,” the group continues to sing. Super Junior need say no more. I’ll have a one way ticket to this “Coconut Island,” please.
— Shelley
What’s your favorite K-Pop beach song? 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.
When we think of K-rappers, the usual soloists comes to mind – Jay Park, Tablo, Verbal Jint, San E – and for good reasons. Their sick flow and quick wit are second to none, so I suppose that’s why they are featured as judges in rap competition shows such as this season of “Show Me the Money.” But rarely do we consider the Korean idol rapper line in our musings, and when we do, it’s the well-known Zico’s, G-Dragon’s, and Rap Monster’s of the K-pop world. With an association with their boy band images, Korean idol rappers certainly have it tough and are not taken seriously enough. Fortunately for them, this Kultscene writer is able to look past the “idol rappers aren’t real rappers” stigma in order to give them the recognition they deserve. Here are just five talented yet underrated male Korean idol rappers entitled to some more loving.
BTOB’s Jung Ilhoon
Many may remember him as the guy who started the whole Gwiyomi player trend, but one listen to BTOB’s Ilhoon’s spit-fire raps and listeners might divorce him from his iconic aegyo (cute display of affection). Like his Cube Entertainment label mate Yong Junhyung of Beast, Ilhoon has been featured in numerous tracks, including HyunA’s latest single “Roll Deep,” where he turned up the swag, and G.Na’s hit “Oops,” where his smooth as silk raps made G.Na sound like his back-up singer.
As one of the most versatile rappers in the K-pop industry, it always baffled me that his rap skills are not acknowledged more often. He’s got the speed, rhythm, and emotions to make it as a soloist so why not, Cube? And after he had the honor of closing his group’s first full-length album with his lulling outro “Everything’s Good,” it only proved that he has the competency to.
BTOB seems to be really popular in the rap department because their other rapper also made the list. Also known by his pre-debut stage name Heota, Lee Minhyuk has a style similar to Ilhoon’s, especially when it comes to some of his more aggressive works. His deep voice when he delivers his raps betrays his boyish, good looks; he is a man more about the power than the agility. So perhaps it should not come as a surprise that Minhyuk/Heota used to collaborate with Block B’s rappers Zico and Kyung during their underground rapper days.
Recently, Minhyuk returned to his roots as Heota when he featured in Postmen’s track, “I’m Ok,” which also marked his first time lending his voice on another artist’s track since debut. Besides complementing the ballad with his bold raps, he also demonstrated his talent by writing his own lyrics.
Block B’s Kyung
Speaking of Minhyuk and his fraternization with Park Kyung, the now Block B member is yet another rapper that deserves more props for his artistry. Although leader Zico often steals the limelight as main rapper, thereby overshadowing his role as the lead rapper, Kyung actually captivated me slightly more with his familiar rap style that is a bit reminiscent of Jay Park’s. The two may not have the gruffest of voices to suit the genre, but their wordplay surely makes up for it. I mean, just listen to his song “Energizer,” off of his pre-debut mixtape with Zico, where he low-key disses Jay Park’s former group by declaring that he’s “not a 2PM fan, but [he’s] the Hottest.” With clever lyrics such as these, Kyung is one rapper that fans should continue to look out for.
BTS’s Suga
BTS’s Suga is still another case of what happens when your leader is usually regarded as the group’s best rapper instead of yourself. This is a bit puzzling seeing as how Suga’s raps are just as dynamic as Rap Monster’s. His deep voice and his haughty flair when he spits out his verses is a match made in rap heaven, and if you’ve ever given his old predebut stuff a listen, where he does not have to share the spotlight with six other members, you’d understand. Still unconvinced? Check out his self-produced track “MIX Final” below where he gives listeners secondhand swag with his confidence that is only comparable to American rap legends such as Kanye West. As someone who has consistently contributed his song-writing and producing ability to his group’s albums, Suga is a powerhouse of his own.
When it comes to idol rappers, SM Entertainment definitely has the worst end of it. They’re a company mostly known for their visuals and friendly pop music, so what would real rappers be doing under SM? Well, if anyone recalls, the company also once housed the now popular Block B’s Zico and Big Bang’s G-Dragon, and is about to once again break the preconceived notion that they can’t produce any authentic rappers with EXO member, Park Chanyeol. He might be an unlikely candidate for this list, but given his meaningful rap that he wrote for and absolutely slayed on his group’s song “Promise (EXO 2014)”, he easily rises to the forefront of SM rappers in my eyes. Even today, I still can’t get over the surge in his voice and how much it was overly wrought with angst.
Moreover, Chanyeol’s bassy voice falls into the same vocal range as K-rapper Simon D, which is why the idol would naturally cover some of his works. Whether it’s bringing the mood up with his rendition of Supreme Team’s “Dang Dang Dang” (poor fellow member Kai never stood a chance against Chanyeol’s booming voice) or bringing it back down with the sultry “Lonely Night,” Chanyeol is able to cover all bases. Even Simon D has commended the EXO member on his execution of his songs. Without a doubt, Chanyeol is the savior of the rapper line within his group and, arguably, his company.
Who’s your favorite Korean idol rapper? 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/2015/08/Untitled-design-2.png7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-22 13:16:232015-08-22 13:16:235 Underrated Male Korean Idol Rappers Who Caught Our Attention
