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Playlist Sunday: Summer 2014 Hits

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It’s the last day of summer for those of us in the Western Hemisphere, so the KPOPme staff is dedicating this week’s playlist to the songs that came out this past summer. Some of these songs are from the very start of the sunny season, while others were released within the past few weeks. But from 2PM to Big Byung, these songs will always make you reminisce about Summer 2014.

Even though Big Byung was just a project group for the MBC show Hitmaker, Stress Come On was the one summer song that realistically spoke to me. Composed and written by Weekly Idol’s MCs Defconn and Jung Hyun Don, Stress Come On is a, loosely, gangster rap-style song about everyday stresses. Chicken with no cola? Parents pressuring you to get married? Unequal pay for the same job? Yeah, we can all relate to those!

Moreover, I really liked seeing a new side to BTOB’s Sung Jae, and VIXX’s N and Hyuk, since they are not rappers in their respective groups like GOT7’s Jackson. In the show, you could see that rapping didn’t come as natural to the VIXX members, so it was great seeing that they pulled it off in the end product. The song, music video, and especially the reality show are all very funny. However short-lived the project group was, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and aspect of it.


–Alexis

Yes, we talked about BEAST’s Good Luck more than a few times, but it’s such a good song that we just can’t help it. With this week being about the bests songs of the summer, I couldn’t pick any other song other than Good Luck. If there’s a song that is my summer jam, it’s this one. It was definitely my favorite from all the releases of summer 2014.
The song itself is quite addicting, and that intro with Yoseob’s beautiful voice melts your heart away. The video, the song, the styling, and the synched choreography all came together to create a spectacular production by BEAST. Can’t wait for their comeback!


–Alejandro

For our ode to Summer hits this week, I’m choosing 2PM’s Go Crazy!. The song and the video, as the title states, are both crazy, but extremely fun and entertaining. To me, that’s what summer is all about. We have the chance to take more vacations, hang out in the sun, break it down on the dance floor, and of course, for those of age, hitting up the party scene.

The good thing about Go Crazy! is that although it was technically released in Summer, it isn’t a Summer-specific song. If I play Go Crazy! in the middle of January with sub-degree weather and snow up to my waist, it won’t feel out of place. In fact, it will make me dance and therefore warm up. No matter what season, Go Crazy! is a great party song to listen to.


— Tara

The summer’s pretty much over, but I’m still listening to the refreshing song Cup Of Water by B1A4. The quintet always has fun songs that I can’t help but sing along and dance to. After seeing B1A4 perform the song at KCON, using super soakers to spray the crowd with water, I just can’t help but think of a hot, sunny summer day and a nice water fight when I listen to this song. The refrain is really catchy, and even if you don’t understand the lyrics, it’ll get stuck in your head.

And the best thing? The song was originally called Cup Of Alcohol based on the similarity between “mul” (water) and “sul” (alcohol,) but B1A4 wanted young fans to be able to enjoy the song.


–Tamar

What’s your favorite summer 2014 song? Be sure to share it and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Playlist Sunday: Sleepy-Time Songs

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Don’t let the title of this playlist fool you. The songs below do not make us fall asleep because they are boring. Instead, they aid us as we try to relax and unwind from a strenuous day. Or when we just feel like being taken away to another, peaceful world.ep. For some music inspiration, this week’s songs are all mellow in their own way, and we invite you to enjoy our collection of easy listening K-Pop songs as we get ready to start a new work and school week.

Even when I want to fall asleep, the normal lullaby bores me. However, No Min Woo’s song Can I Love You? from the Midas soundtrack is the perfelend of softness with a slightly-rock sound. Starting off with a simple piano accompaniment to No Min Woo’s heartfelt vocals and lyrics, the song grows to include simple guitar chords and light drum beats, making it mimic the complexity of a relationship where the two people don’t love one another the same way.

The poignant lyrics of the song are heart wrenching, including lines like, “May I love you? Can I embrace you?” It’s not a simple love song, but someone who is unsure if they’re even allowed to love. Hearing No Min Woo’s soft doubting question turn into a powerful statement (the last lyrics are “I will protect you, I love you”) is the perfect thing that lulls me to sleep.


–Tamar

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CNBlue’s Sleepless Night will, unlike the title, help you fall into a blissful and peaceful sleep. Yonghwa’s vocals start off soft and are soothing and calming. Typical of a CN Blue song, we are presented with rock elements throughout the song, but nothing that will affect you as you drift into dreamland. The mellow music and vocals put me into a relaxed state as I fall into the song. Even if you aren’t asleep after Sleepless Night, you at least listened to a great song.


— Tara

When I think about soothing K-pop songs, I tend to go the road less traveled: outside of K-pop. Everything about Eddy Kim’s The Manual is tender and easy. From the uncluttered music video sailing on a boat in a river and roaming through Amsterdam to the sweet lyrics talking about his love interest. The music video is so simple and romantic that it allows Eddy’s soothing voice to shine through. Furthermore, the lack of clutter continues with The Manual only using one instrument, the guitar. I love listening to this song when I write or when I just want to relax, but it could definitely send me off into REM sleep with ease too.


–Alexis

SHINee’s Sleepless Night is a beautiful and soothing ballad that makes you feel that they are just whispering in your ear. The boys did an outstanding job while recording the song; you can really hear the power in their beautiful vocals. The song talks about the feelings of wanting to be back with the one you love. Despite of all the bad times, you still miss them and are longing to be with that person again.

Everytime SHINee releases a ballad, they are beautiful. Onew and Jonghyun’s vocals really shine on ballads, and this is one of my favorite by SHINee. Take a look at their live performance of this, so you can hear their powerful vocals sans the studio editing.


–Alejandro

What’s your favorite sleepy time song? Be sure to share it and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Playlist Sunday: Tribute to Ladies’ Code

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For this week’s Playlist Sunday, we wanted to pay homage to the group Ladies’ Code upon their terrible tragedy. Countless tributes have been delivered, from celebrities to music shows to the overall media. KPOPme wants to remember the girls through their incredible work at much happier times.

Here’s a list on our favorite songs by Ladies’ Code, and may EunB and RiSe be in better and more peaceful place.

I’m going to be completely honest… Before EunB and RiSe’s passings, I had never listened to a Ladies’ Code song. So when the tragedy happened, I wanted to see for myself what the world was missing out on. As I clicked through Youtube videos, I was surprised to see that the girls are all pretty talented vocalists. However, I especially liked their heartfelt performance on Hate You.

The music video is very pretty aesthetically, with its dark undertones that highlight the despair behind the song’s message, while the pops of color romanticize it at the same time. Similarly, the styling was on point with a sartorial glam concept that the girls pull off flawlessly. I didn’t really understand what was up with the dolls, but it definitely makes for an interesting plot.


–Alexis

Like Alexis, I too had never listened to Ladies’ Code. As I was listening to their songs, their debut track Bad Girl stuck to me for a few reasons. The beginning of the song starts off with a piano introduction played by member Sojung. The production of the song is appealing in that they incorporate strings and the big band sound with the horn section into the song. The ladies’ vocals are amazing and I love, love, love their outfits. This is great debut song for the talented group that really showcases their vocals.


— Tara

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I listened to Ladies’ Code’s Pretty Pretty after hearing it included in a SHIMMixes song. Even though only a few short words were included in the remix, the song caught my attention and I became addicted. Ladies’ Code’s powerful vocals surprised me from the first listen, and I wanted the girl group to be successful.The song’s a declaration about girls being pretty since birth, and, in a weird way, is empowering- girls so often worry about their looks that I thought Pretty Pretty was a nice change of pace.


–Tamar

Ladies’ Code released Kiss Kiss this past August, and the song is really fun and bubbly. It’s really reminiscent of their song Pretty Pretty; even the music video has similar colorful contents! Their great vocals really stand out on the bridges of the song. Moreover, the chorus is very addicting especially when they go, “Oh Oh Kiss Kiss”.

The girls are battling in their minds that they really want to kiss the guy but it’s not time yet. I love this song because of that, it’s a very relatable situation and the girls delivered it very well. The art direction in the music video and the styling are also beautiful. They really make you pay attention to every detail of the music video, thus making it very entertaining.


–Alejandro

What’s your favorite Ladies’ Code song? Be sure to share it and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Playlist Sunday: Super Junior Edition

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With the long-awaited release of Super Junior’s Mamacita, there was unanimous agreement that this week’s KPOPme Playlist Sunday would be dedicated to the super group. With seven studio albums since debuting in 2005, Super Junior has something for everyone, and KPOPme’s staff members each have our own favorite song.

Super Junior was and remains my favorite Korean group ever since 2009 when I listened to It’s You. This song was the follow up track to Super Junior’s hugely successful track Sorry Sorry, which I thought was extremely catchy, but wasn’t what did it. It’s You‘s sound, mixing a dance track with a melodious, heartfelt melody, is one of Super Junior’s most underrated songs. Each member of the group has his own time to shine, with clear, distinct vocals that blend into the chorus of the song when they all come together to create a beautiful sound.

This song is also dear to my heart since it’s the last music video that features Super Junior’s 13 primary members (Sorry Sorry Answer was released afterwards, but filmed prior to It’s You). Kim Kibum appears as an actor, and this is the last song that Han Geng (known then as Hankyung) promoted with Super Junior. The song’s poignant, yet dramatic, sound perfectly suited the end of an era for Super Junior.


–Tamar

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In all honesty I do not know a lot of SuJu songs, but I do enjoy their sound. I chose Superman for this week’s playlist for a number of reasons. To begin with, that intro… whoa, so strong and great. It immediately draws you into the song. The beat throughout it is constant and fits perfectly with the guys’ deep voices.

Superman keeps it simple musically so we can fully appreciate the array of vocals throughout the group. Every time I listen to this song I turn up the volume and bob my head to the beat. It may not be their best song vocally or production-wise, but it is definitely worth a listen or two.


—Tara

The first time I roamed through Youtube watching K-Pop videos, all it took for me to become a hardcore fan was one Super Junior music video. I mean, 10+ guys dancing and wearing awesome clothes? Yes please! This groups is definitely my favorite in the genre, and while it’s hard for me to pick favorites, I just have to go with Bittersweet from their previous album Sexy, Free, & Single.

All it took for me to get hooked on this song were Kyuhyun’s breaths at the beginning. Oh my god, my feels! This song is KRY at its best, complemented by Sungmin, of course. Yesung, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun are some of the best vocalists in all of K-Pop, and deliver a powerful, heartsick ballad with Bittersweet. Even if you don’t understand Korean (or have read the lyrics’ translation, for that matter), you can feel the heartache conveyed in the song. And that’s what singing is all about!


–Alexis

Super Junior has a very special place in my heart. Even if they are not my favorite boy band out there, I truly love what they do. In their recent comeback album MAMACITA, there’s a song that really captured my attention, Evanesce. The song is an uptempo ballad that got me right away.

The start with Kyhyun’s beautiful voice gives me chills, and the chourus comes into the song very smoothly. You can hear in their vocals their suffering when they sing, “tell me why, don’t know why!” The instrumental for the song is amazing –very ‘90s R&B. And that synthesizer really gives me life, which is why I love this song so much.


–Alejandro

What’s your favorite Super Junior song? Be sure to share it with us and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

Playlist Sunday: All Guys

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We already went over our favorite girl group songs, so why not move on over to the guys for this week’s Playlist? The ladies definitely hold their power in the K-Pop industry, but let’s not forget about the guys who also demonstrate powerful vocals and release addicting songs! Here’s our picks for what we’re currently listening to for male idols:

VIC‘s 굴 (Oyster) is not only emotional, but it shows off his amazing vocal skills and accompanies quite a depressing music video. It’s such a shame that he’s not an extremely popular artist, because I can’t seem to find the translation of these lyrics! This doesn’t take away from the powerful feelings of anger and anguish you get from VIC, though. I remember when I first watched this; I didn’t know why, but it hit something inside, and I ended up with moist eyes afterwards. I have a special place in my heart for this song, even if I can’t really understand it, and I think that’s one of its best attributes.

–Thuc

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    Last week, I finally downloaded Crush‘s Crush on You album, and I have been listening to one song on repeat since then. Hey Baby featuring Zion.T is (so far) my favorite song off of the album. The song begins with Crush beat boxing and his beautiful falsetto. Then the beat comes in and suddenly I feel like I’m listening to an 80s Michael Jackson track. As you listen to the song it is clear that Crush was influenced by MJ for this track. At one point Zion.T even says “MJ baby”.

    Crush’s vocals are amazing in anything he sings. Zion.T adds his flair throughout the song as well. I love this pairing of Crush and Zion.T. This song is super upbeat and a fun song to listen to and sing along to. I’m never disappointed with anything Zion.T does and Crush has already proved to me that he’s an extremely talented artist and producer.

    — Tara

    A lot of people know Seo In Guk as an actor, but I’ve liked him ever since I heard My Baby U. I’ve lately found myself listening to his romantic song Tease Me, for no apparent reason other than the fact that it’s playful, yet the melodious sound is exactly what I think a good song should sound like. Seo In Guk’s smooth vocals asking to fall in love slowly is absolutely beautiful.

    The music video depicts Seo In Guk as a stuntman who falls in love with the lead actress, who ignores him. He thinks they’re a perfect fit, but she teases him because they’re so far apart in the film industry. However, when he performs a stunt where his car overturns, the audience, and singer, sees that she actually likes him also. The nervousness in the confessor’s voice as he sings repeated lyrics makes it clear that this isn’t a song just about a stuntman and an actress; Tease Me is a song for anyone who’s ever felt that they’ve been teased by someone they’ve had a crush on.

    –Tamar

    One day, while binge watching all of 2PM’s Youtube videos, I stumbled upon Jang Woo Young’s solo Sexy Lady, and instantly fell in love with it. The song might not be much vocally, but the beat, catchy chorus, and dance moves lured me in on the first listen (or watch, for that matter). Moreover, there’s just something about a guy singing about lusting over a sexy woman over a demure one that just gets to me! And strangely, I completely dig that blonde look on Woo Young; he looks like a sexy man himself.

    –Alexis

    After watching B1A4 at KCON 2014, I fell more in love with them. Each members’ personalities really stand out and they are very funny. That’s why I love their comeback song Solo Day. If you tie in the video, the choreography, and the song, it’s a perfect combination. The video is very funny and has a quirky ending. Their vocals in the song are very soothing and make the upbeat ballad lift you up and lets you know it’s ok to be solo. Beware, after you listen to this song you will end up doing the whistle and singing along to the addicting chorus.

    –Alejandro

    Who are some of your favorite male idols and artists? Share them with us in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

    Playlist Sunday: All Girls

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    K-Pop is a genre mostly dominated by the male idol groups or soloists. It’s hard to find girl group fandoms as dedicated and loyal as ELF or VIP –unless you’re Blackjack or SONE. But K-Pop girl groups are so much more than just Girls’ Generation and 2NE1, even though we also love them. So for this week’s playlist, we’ll focus on girl groups that need a little more love and attention.

    This week I cannot get enough of f(x)’s Milk, their lead-off track on their Red Light album. The songs starts out kind of quirky with the sounds of a cat meowing and a dog barking, as the cat swats at the dog and it whimpers. We also hear glass break and then we hear a gun being cocked. From there we go right into the vocals. The song has a chill, laid-back vibe in the beginning. The girls’ vocals compliment each other extremely well, especially during the harmony parts.

    I honestly can’t pick a favorite part of this song. The whole thing is so different and interesting from the other K-Pop songs out there that I haven’t tired of listening to it yet. And I don’t foresee that I will tire of it anytime soon. At first listen, it may seem a bit strange, but trust me when I say that by the end of the song, you’ll most likely hit the replay button.


    –Tara

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    Right when Miss Korea began with the smooth guitar riff, I knew I was in love with Lee Hyori‘s comeback last year. It’s a perfect blend of classy and sexy, along with an interesting style in clothing. The music video is grayscale and brings up a retro feeling, especially with some of the outfits and dance sequences that she uses. The chorus is addicting, and the entire song is absolutely mesmerizing. I definitely love and prefer her sultry tone! What makes this even more marvelous are the lovely drag queens she performs with in one of the scenes.


    –Thuc

    If Girls’ Generation and f(x) where to have a child, the result will be SM’s newest girl band Red Velvet. They just debuted this week, and I can’t get enough of the group’s song! The title is Happiness, and it suits the track very well. I find myself feeling very happy and bubbly when I listen to this song.

    I really love Happiness because it’s very easy to listen. Seulgi’s rap is very good and doesn’t show up in the song randomly. I also really like the whole seapunk feel of the track. The tropical sounds and drums give it a very unique feel. From the bridge and into the chorus there is a perfect transition, and that chorus is so catchy.They barely debuted and I feel like I already fell in love with these girls.


    –Alejandro

    When it comes to speaking about the girls, I can’t help but think of Girl’s Day’s Female President. One of the most empowering songs out of K-Pop in recent years, Female President reminds women that there’s a female president in South Korea, so why shouldn’t every girl do whatever she wants? There’s no reason to be coy, or play hard to get; just take what you want.

    The video breaks all of the stereotypes of most K-Pop songs, with the members stripping in silhouette in the beginning, and then two of the members dressing up as a couple questioning its relationship. The whole thing was extremely shocking at the time of its release, portraying Girl’s Day as both sexy and powerful women. And if that wasn’t enough, Yura’s dress gave the misconception that she was actually naked.

    Female President’s catchy sound and message led to the song being a major success. Take a listen, and try to resist standing up and thinking (male or female) that you can do every and anything that you want.


    –Tamar

    I’ve never been a big fan of miss A, despite them having better messages in their lyrics than most girl groups. But once they released Hush, I began paying them more attention. That’s how one day while listening to Seoul FM, I spotted a miss A song that I now play regularly on my own playlist, Lips.

    I like how their voices sound very sultry throughout the song as they fantasize about kissing the boy they like; it makes for a very sexy song to sway your shoulders to while singing. Moreover, the chorus and bridge are very easy to follow. My favorite part is the boom boom la la li lala negero, but the whole song is great, really.


    –Alexis

    What’s your favorite girl group song? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

    Playlist Sunday: Goofy Tunes

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    In an industry where highly processed and staged music videos are the staple, it’s refreshing to see something with a goofy plot or props. That’s why for this week’s playlist we’re going the funny route, check it out!

    Nothing get’s me more excited than the beat for Crayon Pop’s Uh-Ee; it has something that makes me really happy (I even have it set up for my alarm). Crayon Pop always makes the goofiest and most fun dances, and I love how easy they are to follow. After meeting Crayon Pop in their 1st USA Fan Meet and watched their opening performance for Lady Gaga, I feel more in love with them. They give out so much energy in their performance and they are really nice. The video that accompanies the song is also very funny and I find myself cracking up every time I watch it.


    –Alejandro

    Bigstar’s Run&Run is a song and video that I can never get sick of. The first time I saw the video, I instantly fell in love with Bigstar. It was the first video I had seen of theirs, and the fun video and song got me hooked. In general, I’m a sucker for bright colors and patterns, and the music video for Run&Run has all of that more. It’s a fun and quirky video that almost everyone can relate. The video shows the aftermath of a night of epic partying, all complete with a catchy chorus and an impressive dance routine.


    –Tara

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    Not only did this song stalk me throughout my stay in Seoul, (I wish I was joking), it is one of the weirdest, most hilarious songs that K-Pop has created in a long while. While Orange Caramel is meant to be slightly odd, B1A4 turned out to be a goofball of an idol group just by having the members acting like themselves. The song is catchy for it’s random lyrics and tune, with breaks that seem a bit atypical for the song but actually match the whole feeling.

    The music video involves the B1A4 acting as the directors of a love relationship. But this isn’t just a normal romance; the man and woman wear masks that make them appear creepily like Barbie and Ken dolls. The title What’s Happening is very apt, considering that the music video is bizarre and confusing, but it’s definitely one of my favorite songs.


    –Tamar

    Rather than Super Junio-Happy, this Super Junior subunit should be called “Cute.” And it is because Pajama Party is an explosion of cuteness that it is consequently goofy: I mean, seriously, here you have some of the “manliest” members of the group living in a comic book and being scared of a gorilla who’s trying to get into the apartment!

    From their cute pajamas, to the cute choreography, to their cute expressions; there’s just no way you can take these guys seriously in this setting. Pajama Party is just a fun song to dance and sing along to. It’s safe to say that the music video is a huge fan service to ELF, similar to everything they do on their Super Shows and thus why I love them ( ˘ ³˘)❤.


    –Alexis

    Who else is goofier in their music video than G-DRAGON singing CRAYON? From his outrageous outfits to his equally crazy antics and the addicting get your CRAY on chorus, there’s not really much that isn’t strange in this video. At some parts, he’s sports a devilish grin, and at others? Well, he’s just… loopy! There’s also nothing wrong with being quirky, either, because it’s completely hilarious watching him goof off. I kind of want to join in, because it looks like he’s having a bunch of fun! Why should life be a total bore when you can let go and not be so serious?


    –Thuc

    What’s your favorite silly song? Share it with us! Don’t forget to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

    Playlist Sunday: I Wanna Dance

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    You know those songs that just make you get up and move? Well, for this week’s playlist we have each picked K-Pop tunes that always make us move our feet. Whether it’s BIGBANG or Ailee, there are plenty of dance-worthy K-{op tunes out there for all to enjoy. Here are our picks for this week.

    If there’s a song I love blasting on my laptop while getting ready to go out, it’s Orange Caramel’s Bangkok City. Even though I’m not a big fan of the rave concept with the clown hair and outfits, it’s a great song to dance and sing along too. Plus, this is probably the group’s song that showcases Nana’s voice the best without making it cutesy fake to fit their overall concept. And that’s another thing! Even though they wear the little top hats and oversized bows, Bangkok City is probably the least cute song they have. Don’t get me wrong, I love Orange Caramel’s weirdly cute concept, but it’s refreshing to see another side to them while still remaining true to their brand.


    –Alexis

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    I Will Show You is one of the most fun, powerful songs that I’ve heard in a while. Ailee‘s powerful vocals and the beat are amazing, and the revenge message of “I will show you,” is extremely empowering. Ailee’s change from a bit of a nerd to a sexy woman to prove to MBLAQ’s G.O that he shouldn’t have broken up with her (once he got hot) is comical, but it’s something that many people with broken hearts probably feel like doing.

    However, I do have one small problem. At the end, G.O wants her back, but not because he realizes that he likes the old Ailee, but instead because he likes the new Ailee. Not cool. Love her for everything she was and is, not just what she’s changed into. The song is great, but the ending message is a bit lacking. Sure, Ailee knows she has him wrapped around her finger, but what about when she gets a bit old and can’t fit into those shiny dresses?


    –Tamar

    f(x) is one of my favorite girl bands, and listening to their newest album Red Light, I fell in love with 뱉어내(Spit It Out). Everytime f(x) releases a song like this, it makes me remember why they became one of my favorite bands. They always have songs that make me want to blast them in my room, and of course, dance along and create my personal choreography to the song. This song has the element that I love about them, the way they blend different music genres together. The track has a lot of electronic and dance elements, and the way they all sing together at the chorus is what makes an f(x) song. My favorite part is when Amber yells “Spit it out” right before the beat goes up. Get your dancing shoes and get ready to dance!


    –Alejandro

    A surefire way to get everyone up and jamming is to blast BIGBANG’s Fantastic Baby and watch the party begin. The eccentric fashion and totally hypnotizing lyrics (BOOM SHAKALAKA, anyone?) pulls you into this music video, and the addicting beat and chorus (Wow, Fantastic Baby) come in to make you stay. Every time this song comes up on my iPod, I get to have a little moment to myself and dance a little.

    Who could also resist TOP’s mesmerizing role as the vocal bass, or Taeyang’s powerful voice that lies in the bridge, tying the verses and the chorus together? Whether you’re a big fan of BIGBANG or not, it’s difficult not to move along when Fantastic Baby comes up!


    –Thuc

    One song I can’t stop listening to is Jump by BTS. I first discovered the song during the showcase for their Skool Luv Affair album and haven’t stopped listening to it since. The rapping is what makes this song.

    Aside from great rapping from Suga, J-Hope, and Rap Mon, the overall tone of the song is upbeat and energetic. If you turn on Jump there won’t be anyone standing around. The whole song keeps an upbeat and fast tempo, which gets me in such a good mood and so energized and excited to do whatever I’m about to do. I listen to Jump almost every morning on my way to work to get my day started off right and to give me energy for the day.


    –Tara

    What’s your favorite dance song? Share your opinion with us! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

    Playlist Sunday: Provocative Tunes

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    Some K-Pop songs are cute, some K-Pop songs are sexy. And there are a few that stand out for their sexy, provocative messages. The KPOPme staff sat down and picked of their favorite provocative tracks ,and this is the playlist we came up with.

    When I first saw the teasers for Red Light, I was very surprised. The girls of f(x) were looking very strong and very sexy. Then I read the tittle of their comeback song, Red Light, and I instantly thought, ” Wow, this is gonna be provocative”. Giving that there is a Red Light District in Amsterdam, I thought the song was going to be about prostitution.

    But then the song was released and after watching and reading the English translation of the song, I realized that I had been deceived. Nevertheless, I love this song and I love the different sounds in it. And for me, this is a very refreshing track (specially the parts with trap) . I always love how f(x) always miles real instruments with electronic beats. And I can’t take the, “Ay ay is a red light” out of my head. I love this song and I can’t stop listening to it.


    –Alejandro

    One of the first K-Pop music videos I ever saw was TVXQ‘s Mirotic. And, wow. If The Wonder Girls hadn’t done it for me, those five handsome men would have. TVXQ’s last Korean music video as a quintet was banned because of the suggestive dance and seductive lyrics. “I’ve got you, under my skin,”  is still one of the most famous K-Pop lyrics nowadays for its desirous meaning.

    Not only was the song provocative with it’s alluring video and lyrics, but the song actually provoked quite a response from the Korean Commission of Youth Protection, which determined that Mirotic was dangerous to the youth of Korea. SM Entertainment had to change the lyrics to TVXQ’s song. And that’s why we love it so much.

    –Tamar

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    I can’t really remember when I first heard Trouble Maker‘s Trouble Maker, but I can surely remember I was in shock. I was new to K-Pop, and while the music video would be standard protocol for Western artists, I had learned that outright sensuousness had little presence in the genre, so this music video caught me off guard.

    Performed flawlessly by Cube Entertainment’s staple sexy duo, Hyuna and Hyunseung, Trouble Maker is a song about lusting over someone and not wanting to repress said feeling. A provocative choreography accompanies the equally provocative music video and song, which, of course, the media had a field day criticizing it. Despite this, Trouble Maker succeeded in the market and was highly parodied by other artists on variety shows.

    –Alexis

    Brown Eyed Girls‘ Sixth Sense comes to mind when we talk about provocative; from the sexy outfits and choreography to the deeper conflicts between North and South Korea, this music video brings forth many emotions. Ga-In starts off the first verse, sitting on a throne and crooning words like touch, bitch, and guilty. Combine Ga-In with scantily clad Narsha, close-to-drowning JeA, and rebel leader Miryo, and what do we have? The perfect combination of provocative!

    I could feel the anger and the tension coming from these ladies as they faced their opponents, and their powerful vocals further added to these strong emotions. That high note not only was breathtaking, but it also seemed to represent an inner cry for war! This group never fails to impress me.


    –Thuc

    I first heard After School‘s Dressing Room a few months ago, even though the song is over a year old. The beat of the song got me hooked right from the beginning. Naturally, I looked up the lyrics and discovered the song is about a secret love taking place in the dressing room… scandalous!

    It was probably a smart choice not to choose Dressing Room as a promotion song because it’s a safe bet to say that their lyrics would have to be altered for being too provocative. Especially this part:

    Take me, come to me, feel me closer
    Wherever your hand touches, make me so hot.

    One can only imagine what the choreography would be if this song had a video and that would most likely also have to be changed for censorship purposes. Although After School didn’t promote this song, it’s still one of my favorites on their First Love EP.


    –Tara

    What’s your faveorite provocative song? Share your opinion with us! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.

    Playlist Sunday: Stalker Idols

    /in , /by

    Even though having a stalker or an obsessed ex-lover can be  traumatic experience in real life, in the K-Pop world it seems to be harmless and cute. This week’s playlist is dedicated to the emotions that rise when yearning for another person. Our picks range from creepy to adorable. You decide which one is which.

    I really, really didn’t like History‘s Psycho during the first listen. The group has no consistency in style, and I fell in love with its debut song, Dreamer. Psycho couldn’t be farther apart in sound from Dreamer, but after a few listens of the former, I realized that both songs, all of History’s songs in fact, had different styles but displayed the member’s vocal talent in unique ways. This way, every member is able to play to his skills, expressing himself in whatever genre of music suits him. History debuted as a group with a few strong vocalists, but Psycho shows off even the “weakest” members have powerful lines that resonate with the listener.

    The music video for Psycho is creepy with stalker plot; the song is influenced by the Alfred Hitchcock film, so this is expected. But it also has some amazing (i.e. sexy) dancing, especially from my favorite member Kyungil. The way that man thrusts his hips was so X-rated that they had to tone down the dance for broadcasts, disappointing fans all over the world.


    — Tamar

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    Similar to Tamar’s experience with Psycho, the first time I saw the video for GOT7‘s A, it really didn’t leave a lasting impression with me. I never thought it was bad, I just didn’t make much of it. It wasn’t until I saw After School Club earlier this week with them as guests that I paid better attention to the song and them as a group.

    The ending result, of course, involved me playing the song all week and even choosing a bias in the group (hey JB!). I’m regularly not into the cutesy, pedo-noona inducing concepts, but it’s hard not to fall for the boys’ charms. Who knew GOT7 could make stalkers seem harmlessly cute?  Moreover, the song’s chorus is incredibly catchy, same goes for the choreography.


    — Alexis

    Ever since I heard Taeyang’s song Eyes, Nose, Lips from his newest album Rise, I became obsessed. Then Tablo made a cover and it obsessed me even more. Tablo’s cover is in English, written by him and featuring Tayeang at the end. Tablo’s rap throughout the song really takes us to the anger in the song. I really love when Taeyang sings in English, his voice sounds beautiful.

    Furthermore, the lyrics are powerful. The song talks about a lost love, while still seeing their lovers face, which sounds a little bit like an obsessed ex to be quite honest. But you have to give it for the guys. It does hurt to see the person you still love and know that you lost them. It this case, the other person in love seems to had done something very bad because there is a particular very intense line (which is my favorite line from the song) that says:

    You wish me well, I wish you hell.


    — Alejandro

    Flower is a mid-tempo R&B song composed and produced by none other than Yong Junhyung. I was excited to hear about the Beast member’s solo debut in December, and he did not disappoint. The music video for Flower perfectly matches the tempo and feeling of the song. Junhyung compares his love to the scent of a flower even long after they have drifted apart. One of the lines of lyrics translated says:

    Even after time passes, the thickly settled scent remains.

    Clearly he cannot get over his former love. He still smells her and feels her arms hug him and lips kiss him. As the song progresses, he loses these senses and wishes to gain them back just once more. Although the memories of her touch, smell and kiss grow faint, Junhyung just wants to feel them one more time. Flower is his request just to be held by his love once more.


    — Tara

    I swear I’m not on an EXO rampage, but when it came to our theme of stalker idols, I was instantly reminded of the group’s entire drama series for Wolf. Albeit a little cheesy, the plotline for this drama involves some major creepiness. After being stalked by some bad guys, Luhan plays the stalker role by following his ex-friends as they visit D.O in the hospital. I couldn’t keep a straight face as I watched this, but I did enjoy how SM actually made a pretty long dramatic interpretation of the group’s comeback.

    Wolf itself was not my favorite song, but it slowly grew on me; when EXO came to KCON in 2013, I found myself cheering and singing along just as loudly to Wolf as I did for their other songs. The dubstep is a tricky and risky move for the company and group, but the song was still popular with fans. My favorite part was probably when they howl, because it is just so darn fun to pretend I’m a wolf myself.


    — Thuc

    What stalker-y song is your favorite? Share it with us! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.