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 […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/b0034105_4eccd9ff4022a.png10561700Tarahttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTara2015-01-02 18:01:192015-01-03 19:55:17Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works
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 […]
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 […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/b0034105_4eccd9ff4022a.png10561700Tarahttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTara2015-01-02 18:01:192015-01-03 19:55:17Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works
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 […]
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.
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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/b0034105_4eccd9ff4022a.png10561700Tarahttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTara2015-01-02 18:01:192015-01-03 19:55:17Why ‘Yoo Heeyeol’s Sketchbook’ Works
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. Got7A
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. EXOOverdose
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. TVXQSomething
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. VIXXEternity
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.
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 NastyKnock
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. TaeminDanger
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.
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. TVQXSpellbound
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:TFELTAin’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.
