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Weekly K-pop faves: Sept. 19-25

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weekly kpop playlist september songs released 2016

Summer’s officially done and that generally means the pace and concept for K-pop songs will change. This week marked the end of summer and the start of fall, so here are our faves from this transitional period.

“Thank You” by INFINITE (Released Sep. 19)

INFINITE made their long awaited comeback this week with sixth mini album Infinite Only and while their title track “The Eye” was a fantastic one, “Thank You” is my favourite track of the album, hands down. It sounded like a normal ballad on my first listen, but that was before I realised how vocally challenging the entire song was and how beautiful the lyrics of the song were. I was also hooked after watching Infinite perform it (flawlessly) on their first comeback performance on M! Countdown. It was probably the most relaxed yet sincere performance they had ever given and was full of bromance as well as fanservice. This group… is just perfection.

— Anna

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“Love Yourself” cover by Melon5 aka Super Junior-M’s Henry, B.I.G’s Benjy, N.Flying’s Jaehyun, Day6’s YoungK, and Astro’s Eunwoo (Aired Sep. 25)

The SBS live music show Inkigayo started doing this new Unplugged segment and this week’s episode featured the collaborative cover of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” performed by Melon5. For a music show without a lot of live music performances, this sweet rendition was really quite nice to hear. (Plus I’m a sucker for collaborative stages). Aside from the fact that the five men are all talented singers, you could see and hear the fact that they enjoyed being able to play instruments on stage. The highlight of the cover was clearly when Henry and (I think, sorry!) Eunwoo were having fun with their violins, using a variety of different techniques to recreate the song’s original style on stage. The only criticism I have is that YoungK only really got a chance to sing at the end, because he clearly has the most distinctive voice from within the group of otherwise similarly-toned singers. Not that it was a bad thing to hear the four others, especially Henry who is overdue for some new music either as a soloist or with Super Junior-M, but it seemed that, aside from YoungK, Melon5 was trying to emulate Bieber’s voice rather than to put their own spin on things vocally. Hopefully, we’ll get to see this grouping being a bit more adventurous in the future.

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: Which “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” prince are you? [Quiz]

“What Season Are You? (feat. Giriboy)” by Fromm (Released Sep. 25)

As we transition from summer to autumn, the mood for the season gets cozier and calmer. The perfect dose of comfort comes in the form of Fromm’s “What Season Are You?” Her long awaited comeback, as always, did not disappoint giving us just the right amount of melancholy paired with her sweet vocals and the haunting guitar that leads the melody. Moreover, Giriboy’s input in the song is interesting, since he sings a few verses here and there rather than rapping (thank god!). And we can’t forget about the music video; it’s absolutely visually stunning. From the colors to the photography, it’s simply breathtaking.

— Alexis

What was your fave K-pop release this week? Share your picks and 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.

Weekly K-pop faves: September 12-18

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kpop playlist september 2016 songs k-pop korean

2016’s been quite a year for K-pop, and each week our KultScene team aims to share some of our favorite releases of the past seven days. Over the past week, we discovered songs by the queen of hip hopYoonmirae, rapper Beenzino, and the boy band 2PM. Take a listen and let us know what your favorite song of the week was!

“JamCome On Baby” by Yoonmirae (Released Sep. 12)

Aside from the fact that Yoonmirae is a true queen of Korean music due to her immense versibility and fierce nature, I really love this song because I love puns. While the song’s title is “JamCome On Baby” in English it’s“잠깐만 Baby” or “Wait A Minute Baby” but the Korean word jjamkkamnon sounds similar to “JamCome On.” So let’s also give Yoonmirae the title of “queen of the punsters.” As for the song itself, I really love the fact that it melds electronic music, Yoonmirae’s sweet ballad tone, and her hip-hop flair into one four-minute song. The song is a sleepy banger with a pounding beat and inspiring lyrics and made to be listened to again and again.

— Tamar

Also on Kultscene: Which “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” prince are you? [Quiz]

“Time Travel” by Beenzino (Released Sep. 12)

I have to come clean about something. I was largely underwhelmed by Beenzino’s newest album “12,” especially since “Up All Night” was glorious. So when his newest music video for “Time Travel,” I had to go double check if the song was in said album, cause I was definitely digging it now. This, of course, is mostly due to the aesthetically pleasing music video. The rapper takes us into an Alice in Wonderland-like trippy, artsy world. The video is colorful, neon, weird, and just overall signature Tiger Cave studio. As for the song, what I initially thought was a forgettable release, together with the music video becomes this dreamy experience that’s really soothing.

— Alexis

”Promise (I’ll be) by 2PM (Released Sep. 13)

The (not-so) beastly idols made their long anticipated comeback this week after more than a year with their album “Gentleman’s Game.” The songs on their album, in particular title track “Promise”, definitely reflect how much 2PM has grown as artists. Penned by resident rapper Taecyeon, this song plays to the strengths of each member and has an extremely addictive chorus, along with one of the best raps I’ve ever heard in a 2PM song. The experimentation that 2PM has been carrying out in their songs continues successfully here with the song’s interesting mix of beats and sounds. The accompanying music video, while classy and appropriate for the song, also thoroughly drives home the point for fans that the boys are all fully grown men. This release was a great way to end off on a high note (at least till they return from the military) and while it hasn’t done exceptionally well on the charts so far, here’s hoping that the boys will get some recognition for it.

— Anna

What’s your favorite K-pop release of the past week? Let us know 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: August 8-14

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kpop playlist august 2016

This past week was an important one in K-pop given a certain girl group from a certain big three company finally debuted. And while those releases took a big chunk of the spotlight, believe it or not, other artists also dropped their songs. Don’t get us wrong, we’re all whistling and boombayaing, but we were also feeling other songs this week.

“Puzzle” by BewhY and C Jamm (Released Aug 11)

After finishing first and second place on Mnet’s Show Me the Money 5, BewhY and C Jamm graced us plebeians by collaborating on “Puzzle.” The rappers have been good friends ever since high school, and with their newfound popularity thanks to the show and their innate talent, it made sense that they would work together to deliver a fiery track. Devoid of the overproduction of the tracks they released via SMTM5, “Puzzle” has a more real, underground though never amateur feel and mixes BewhY’s signature solemn almost cathedral-like sound with C Jamm’s more hard-hitting yet relaxed approach. It’s a weird combination of an anthemic track with a bit of tropical flavor. It sounds crazy, but it works. BewhY and C Jamm are definitely K-rap’s future.

— Alexis

Also on KultScene: Intro to BlackPink

“Think About You” by Jun.K (Released Aug 9)

If you want sexy idol solos, come to JYP. After Fei’s tantalizing “Fantasy,” 2pm vocalist Jun.K released his own masculine sexy track “Think About You.” I had little expectations given his image as more of a ballad singer but this is a huge song of genuine passion. LAced with hip-hop and R&B sounds, Jun.K croons about a lost lover. Considering the build-up of emotion that is so tangible in his voice it’s easy to see this as a song actually coming from the man himself. Jun.K did write and produce alongside Boytoy and it’s great to see him trying something out. It really takes off towards the end as it becomes an almost total trap breakdown with Keith Ape-like sqwaks. Jun.K really woke us up from the hazy dream Fei lulled us into.

— Joe

“Baby Ride (feat. Hyunsik)” by Luizy (Released Aug 14)

Cutie pie Seungyoun from UNIQ, who uses his stage name Luizy whenever promoting solo, teamed up with honey vocalist Hyunsik from BtoB to give us a sweet summer love song, “Baby Ride.” I can’t help but want to sit back on a lawn chair by a pool, a beach, or anywhere by a mass of water really, let the slight breeze hit my hair with a mojito in my hand and simply relax whilst jamming out to this song. Feeling a little tense? Stressful day at work/school? Take a breather, unwind and let “Baby Ride,” with it’s cheerful and delightful beat alleviate you of all your troubles.

Seungyoun has been a busy body the last month, having recently also released “Recipe” featuring Flowsik, an edgier rap, which showcases his dominating rhymes, but he easily transitions over and becomes an an angelic like rapper in “Baby Ride” with his sweet verses in this summer tune. It’s also such a treat to see Hyunsik feature his charming voice in this song, especially since he hasn’t been able to use it to it’s full potential with BtoB’s recent releases.

Can I ride into the sunset with these two too? And oh, did I mention how evident and adorable their bromance is?

— Tam

Also on KultScene: Suran, Nine Muses A, & Up10tion: Single Roundup Review

“Whatta Man (Good Man)” by I.O.I (Released Aug 9)

I love a good fierce/hardcore/almost-sexy concept, and in this release, I.O.I’s subunit delivers in every aspect of fierce, hardcore and almost-sexy. With a great beat, strong vocals, and killer choreography, I.O.I has completely flipped its image for their second comeback, and I’m all for the versatility. Not only in concept, but also in the members themselves. Surprisingly, the vocal caliber of I.O.I skyrocketed after its two main vocalists, Sejeong and Yeonjung, withdrew from this release. The visuals have now become vocals, dancers have become centers, and some girls serve as main dancers and lead vocals (most notably Chungha, who choreographed the entire performance in all its glory). While many doubted I.O.I’s skills at the time of their debut (including myself), we were all proven wrong with this release, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

— Kushal

“Starry Night” by Onew & Lee Jin Ah (Released Aug 11)

Ever since the fourth season of K-Pop Star, I’ve adored the sound of Lee Jin Ah’s childlike voice. Bringing her tone together with SHINee member Onew’s mellow style is a bit of a surprise, but the sprightly ballad that the two put together is exactly the sort of thing you want to listen to when staring up at the “Starry Night” and thinking about the one you love. This is very much a typical coffeehouse style track that I don’t think will do very well outside of Korea (although it’s doing nicely at the moment on many Korean charts) since it is such a low key jazz song, but I’m going to enjoy listening to this song often in the foreseeable future. I was also completely won over by the cute animation of the music video, so even if you’re not a fan of either artist you need to check this out.

— Tamar

What was your favorite song released this week? Share your picks and 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: July 3-9

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kpop playlist songs july 2016

Each week, the KultScene team puts their heads together and discusses their favorite songs of the past week. This time around, K-pop saw new songs released by INFINITE, Glen Check, and Wonder Girls and they completely blew us away.

“That Summer (Second Story)” by INFINITE (Released July 7)

When it comes to fanservice, INFINITE has always done a lot of it and their latest release is just that: “That Summer (Second Story)” (also known as “Hey Hello”) was originally released as a hidden track on their “Season 2” album and dedicated Inspirits (the group’s fan club) have eagerly been anticipating the official version. INFINITE unveiled the full take of the song at their recent concert in Seoul and the rock-pop track, plus it’s accompanying music video, is so heartwarming for the summer time that it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with INFINITE again. That said, there was some upset about the fact that INFINITE’s summer return was merely a clean version of what was previously revealed. Here’s to hoping for this actually being a pre-release of their upcoming summer comeback and that this was just dedicated to their “That Summer” concert series.

— Tamar

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“Fakin’ (feat. Kim Ximya)” by Glen Check (Released July 6)

After joining a new agency, June One Kim of the indie electro duo Glen Check released “Fakin’” to commemorate the event. And while the other half of the band Hyuk Jun Kang sit this one out, Jun recruited the help of the XXX’s rapper Kim Ximya. True to Glen Check’s sonic aesthetic, “Fakin’” is a lounge-y and refreshing track that features a myriad of trap and deep house beats and sounds. Plus the addition of the rap instead of Glen Check signature sweet vocals creates an interesting and on-trend mix perfect for the summer.

— Alexis

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“Why So Lonely” by Wonder Girls (Released July 5)

Since its release on July 5th, “Why So Lonely” has been making K-pop fans everywhere say “they still got it!” with newfound excitement and pride. After some fans were disappointed by “I Feel You” last year (personally, I loved it, but that’s beside the point), the future of the Wonder Girls, as well as their new band concept, was left in the balance. But “Why So Lonely” put all of those worries away for good — the girls killed it with a catchy reggae-inspired retro track to cool you down on these hot summer days. This song is one of K-pop’s many breakup anthems, but adding a unique sound to an already more emphasized instrumentation makes this one stand out from the rest. Not to mention, the girls had a very large part in composing and writing this song themselves. Props to you, Wonder Girls — thank you for reclaiming your seat on the throne where you belong.

— Kushal

What was your favorite song of the week? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us onFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: June 27 – July 3

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kpop songs favorites june july 2016

With summer in full swing, K-pop acts have started to bring their A game with all their releases. It’s currently the time of year where the market is oversaturated with songs from everyone and their mommas. And while artists have more competition for sales and music shows, the fans enjoy every second of it. Here are our faves from the week:

“Shut Up” by Unnies (Uploaded June 30)

When I saw Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany share a video on Instagram featuring Min Hyo Rin and at JYP Entertainment’s building, I knew this was going to be amazing. Add in Ra Mi Ran, Kim Sook, Jessi, and Hong Jin Kyung, the other cast members of the show “Unnies Slam Dunk,” and I had a feeling this would be a big summer hit. The Unnies, or older sisters, appear together on the variety show and the girl group was formed to fulfill Min Hyo Rin’s dream of being in a girl group. Bringing in grade A producers like Park Jin Young and Yoo Hee Yeol, the song shows us just how fierce these maturer entertainers are and why they have survived the cutthroat Korean entertainment world. The Jazzy hip-pop number “Shut Up” is topping charts in South Korea, so maybe we’ll see even more collaborations between industry insiders… Plus, I feel like it’s been awhile since Park Jin Young has graced us with his “JYP… Introducing XYZ” intro.

— Tamar

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“Night” by Taeyeon (Released June 27)

Taeyeon has proven herself a solo artist to be reckoned with in the future. She’s been improving with every release, and latest album “Why” is a smash. Album closer “Night” offers something different to SM’s love of house music these. A groovy slice of R&B, it smooths over your ears with Hammond organs. Taeyeon’s vocals — which I at first thought were generic — are bending around a number of styles and none better than here. She speaks softly in the verses, wails in the choruses, and whistles her ad libs with gusto.

— Joe

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“NICE (VERY NICE)” by SEVENTEEN (Released July 3)

After “Mansae” and “Adore U,” I was keeping an eye out for SEVENTEEN. But then their latest releases rolled in and were complete lackluster. I lost a bit of hope. The boys had come out strong with their debut, but “Pretty U” wasn’t up to what I thought they were about. So you can imagine my delight this morning when I woke up to “NICE (VERY NICE),” which embodies everything they displayed with their first two singles: a familiar yet fresh perspective backed by the combination of the members’ individual talents. Matching outfits aside, “NICE (VERY NICE)” is flawless; from the funny music video involving a creepy/stalkery crush, to the rollercoaster of sounds in the song. “NICE (VERY NICE)” does well what EXO’s “Wolf” and Girls’ Generation “I Got a Boy” made a mess out of (#SorryNotSorry). SEVENTEEN’s song, while chaotic, is cohesive because, even at Woozi’s slow verse, is still fun and playful. I’m officially back on the bandwagon again.

— Alexis

What’s your favorite song of the week? Share your picks and thoughts with us 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: June 5-12

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favorite best kpop songs june 2016

Let’s just admit it. No matter how much we praise the K-pop songs released this week, they will all be overshadowed by EXO. Not to say their singles are the best, but they definitely have all the attention. Nevertheless, here are a couple other of our faves this week.

“Heaven” by EXO (Released June 8)

This track from EXO’s third album “EX’ACT” stands out instantly amongst the darker tracks in the album and is alluring from the get go thanks to Chen’s honey voice. The smooth transitions between the raps and the vocal parts in “Heaven” flow perfectly with the constant melody and rhythm of the song, making for an enjoyable listen. The light-heartedness of the instrumentals suits the sweet and cheerful lyrics of the song to a tee.

— Anna

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“Heartbreak Hotel feat. Simon Dominic” by Tiffany (Released June 9)

SM Entertainment’s Station project has been an interesting thing to follow. Most releases have ranged from generic to weak. At its best though, it offers some of their artists a chance to shine by themselves (Amber is still trying, bless her heart). With “I Just Wanna Dance,” Tiffany already proved herself capable, but with “Heartbreak Hotel,” she keeps up the pace. Her voice is at its best in the mellow verses, containing a melancholic tinge that she rarely gets to emote. Along with simple piano melodies and shimmering synths this space of torn hearts is created well. I can even forgive the rap because Simon D is good and the beat changes effectively before kicking back in before he finishes.

— Joe

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“Stalker” by U-KISS (Released June 6)

U-KISS break my heart. For such a long career filled with strong releases, they should be more popular than they are. But the resilience and innovation shown in “Quit Playing” is back with “Stalker.” The song is reminiscent of what Timbaland was doing for artists like Justin TImberlake in the mid-00s, and I live for it. Not to mention that each member was given the perfect part for their vocal range, so the song has no low moment. I especially love how they didn’t butcher it with a rap (sorry Eli). It’s a damn shame that they put out this song on the same week as EXO and has not even reached 200 thousands views in the six days since released. U-KISS will forever be an overlooked gem.

— Alexis

What was your fave K-pop song this week? Share your picks and 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: May 15-22

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weekly kpop favorite songs may 2016

As summer nears in, K-pop releases are turning up the tempo. So for the faves songs of the week, most of them got us dancing and vibing. Check them out!

“10 Seconds” by AOA (Released on May 16)

I think everyone was at least a little bit disappointed by the AOA’s comeback “Good Luck”. It doesn’t seem to have the growing power of “Heart Attack” either so we can be thankful that the mini album has a couple gems. Best of the bunch is “10 Seconds”, a glistening synth pop track that plays up AOA’s strengths. It’s the perfect soundtrack to an 80s erotic film with a slower pace that allows for sexier vocals and choreography than anything AOA have done yet. Main vocalists Choa and Yuna shine with whistling ad libs while the other members need not exert themselves, favouring sensual whispers.

— Joe

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“All In” by Monsta X (Released May 17)

I’ll be honest, I didn’t have much interest for Monsta X when they debuted (at the time, I was juggling way too many boy groups to deal with another one.) But after seeing then at KCON LA last summer, I can’t help but pinch myself for not having given them the time of day. The groups’ latest release “All In” has entrancing beats from beginning to end, making it impossible to sit still. The song only gets better and better with each listen. Both rappers in Monsta X, Jooheon and I.M add a cool pizzazz and zing to the song making it all the more intense, to go along with the cinematic music video. Watching “All In” is like watching a dramatic post apocalypse movie with a whole lot of great visuals; both in structures and members wise.

— Tam

“Aphrodite” by B.I.G (Released May 16)

I honestly don’t know anything about B.I.G. Since I had included one of their songs in a Misheard Lyrics article in the past, when their video for “Aphrodite” popped up in YouTube, it caught my attention. I can’t say I loved this song or anything, but having zero expectations, it did leave a good impression on me. While the music video and their overall styling seems like something we’ve already seen from other groups throughout the years (I thought of History, for some reason), the song was refreshing in that in evoked a past time in K-pop. The song isn’t swarmed by EDM or trap or even your now standard #Swag hip-hop beats. I was also entranced by the cool contrast in the member’s voices; the vocal line has a high pitch while the rappers have deep voices. I especially like how the song doesn’t go hard a la Monsta X or iKON, but stays perfectly situated within the pop realm where the hip-hop beat is merely an accessory to the overall sound. I don’t think “Aphrodite” is the song that will catapult B.I.G to K-pop royalty, but it’s enough to keep me coming back to see how they’re doing.

— Alexis

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“I Remember (How Are You These Days)” by KNK (Released May 16)

If it weren’t for the fact that I scrambling to look for something to write about for our Weekly K-pop Faves this week, I probably would have glossed over KNK’s surprise mid-tempo R&B track “I Remember (How Are You These Days).” It’s a shame really that the group chose not to promote the special release; the easy piano melody and friendly guitars makes it a perfect addition to any springtime themed playlists. It doesn’t go hard like their debut single “Knock” did, and it may be a safe song, but it’s pleasant enough to be enjoyed on its own. The longing vocals, added onto the similar instrumentals and sentimental lyrics pondering old love, reminds me a lot of the more ballad stuff that groups like BEAST has been putting out recently (that is, if they were still active). Throw in a few synths, and you just made yourself a spitting image of BEAST’s “At That Place.” Not to discount the song or the group, though. Despite still being in their awkward rookie group phase, KNK has proven in the past with their covers and now with this that their vocal capacity is anything but amateur.

— Shelley

“Save Me” by BTS (Released May 15)

BTS experimented and blended various genres for their latest album “Young Forever.” I am absolutely in love with the whole trilogy of “the Most Beautiful Moment in Life,” signature trademark of BTS and makes them stand out from the rest of the K-pop industry. “Save Me” is a sentimental track that holds various musical influences. This song consists of various EDM sub-genres from trance to techno and blending in with euro dance. The lyrics emphasize on redemption and desperation of love. For the music video, I was expecting something similar to “I NEED U,” sentimental and pessimistic. But “Save Me” is a dance choreography video with rhythmic moves. The video is shooted on a deserted landscape and gives a gloomy look, but it is aesthetically pleasing. The apparel is simple and elegant similar to the style of the “I NEED U” music video. “Save Me” is a soothing track with catchy chorus which is accompanied synth whistles that create an atmosphere of melancholy. All I can say is that this song is entirely different from “Fire” and I cannot get enough of it.

— Sana

What was your favorite K-pop song this week? Share your picks and 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.

Weekly K-Pop Faves: May 8-14

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favorite kpop songs may 2016

This week, we saw a slew of K-pop group and soloist comebacks and debuts. And while this column is all about picking faves, here are the ones that impressed us the most.

“Flower” by Subin (Released May 12)

Solo digital singles by lead vocalist members of idol groups released with little fanfare are my worst nightmare. Nine times out of ten they are the dullest form of ballad you can find. Companies obviously trying to capitalize on their groups’ downtime with a cheap and easy song that could catch on. All of that makes me appreciate Dal Shabet’s Subin so much more for her new track “Flower”. You could probably call it a ballad but “Flower” has enough going for it to make it not just worthwhile but my favourite song of the week. It’s the perfect summer slow jam with a number of musical flairs that bring it up a level. Joe Hisaishi-style pianos and reverbing fingersnaps make up the subdued rhythm of the track with organs and guitars adding the groove. Vocally as well it does not just go for the big moments, Subin whispers over the verses and has a kind of conversational style for the chorus refrain that immediately catches the ear.

— Joe

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“Talk” by Tiffany (Released May 10)

I’ve never really cared for Tiffany. I can appreciate some of her parts within a Girls’ Generation song, but her voice is a bit… forced… for me. However, every preconception and bias and prejudice went out the window when I found out Nicola Roberts from the epic now-defunct British girl group Girls Aloud had written “Talk.” Honestly, it could be any idol girl singing this song and I’d like it. However, I will give Tiffany some credit for her interpretation, for she does a sufficient good job on the sexy/longing front. Nicola has been writing songs for other artists for years, much to my dismay, but having her and K-pop collide is mind-blowing and I’m here for it.

— Alexis

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“Nodding” by Woohyun (Released May 8)

If Sungkyu got experimental on “27” (one of my favorite albums of 2015), Woohyun was set up to be the total opposite. And it is pure ballad perfection. Woohyun’s vocals have always been a mainstay of INFINITE’s songs, and his solo debut song “Nodding” is lyrical expressiveness at its best. His range is all over the place, bringing him to the highest falsettos at points, as he sings of the loss of love. A bit banal of a topic, but Woohyun’s sweet tone is like a warm blanket being wrapped around you when you’re feeling heartbroken. And the music video is so beautifully shot it deserves multiple viewings.

— Tamar

What was your favorite K-pop release this week? Share your picks and thoughts with us in the comment section and make sure to subscribe to the site, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Weekly K-Pop Faves April 3-9: Chen & Heize, Mamamoo, NCT U, & LABOUM

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kpop playlist kpop favorites

As we’ve been doing for the past three weeks, instead of our normal Playlist Sunday we’re listing our weekly K-pop faves from this week. With so many releases and comebacks, it was hard to choose. But hey, someone’s gotta make these hard decisions.

“3 Strikes Out” by LABOUM (album released on April 6)

Starting their third year as a group, LABOUM continue with the colourful and cute style they are used to. Since debuting, they have failed to hit the heights of their first two singles, but have been consistently solid. Their latest mini album “Fresh Adventure” does little to change this but has one nice B-side that can be singled out. “3 Strikes Out” is busier than lead single “Journey to Atlantis” with pianos, synths, and all manner of percussion sounds. Each element twinkles with just the right amount of sweetness, never straying into sickly territory. The vocal range is also superior to the single, with similar chants but more variations and some rapping which works well. It also has the best stupid spoken English intro I’ve heard in awhile, “Oh let me introduce my boyfriend, he’s a jerk”.

— Joe

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“The 7th Sense” by NCT U (released April 8)

Seemingly out of nowhere, SM Entertainment slayed the internet with its newest group NCT U and their single “The 7th Sense.” As a group, they’re a mix of SHINee’s look and tight choreographies, with EXO’s buttery R&B vocals and interactive moves, and iKON’s hip hop sound. Even if the members are kids, there’s just something incredibly sensual about “The 7th Sense” that makes it irresistible. It’s like a The Weeknd-meets-EXO song with better rappers (yes, I went there). Oh, because that’s a new development: SM has good rappers now, yay! Mark and Taeyong are just… *fire emoji x 100* Plus, I don’t know if they’re writing their own lyrics, but I think it’s public consensus that “And that’s a long ass ride” is probably the best English line in a K-pop song ever. Why SM decided to make this a subunit of their of their massive group project thing (does anyone even understand what they really want to do with that though?), and not have these kids promote and be a legit group is beyond me. I am, however, very happy this exists and will take what SM gives me.

— Alexis

“Lil’ Something” by Chen (EXO) & Heize (released on April 7)

The latest weekly release from SM Entertainment, “Lil’ Something” is a delightful track with an adorable music video. Featuring Chen as a lovestruck backstage crew member and Heize as a fashion show designer, the music video showed their developing romance and was successful thanks to the great acting of the two singers. At some moments Chen even gave me Baek Seung Chan vibes (Kim Soo Hyun’s character in “The Producers”). The instrumentals of this song were as rich as Chen’s vocals and Heize’s raps suited the upbeat tempo relatively well. While her raps could have been more prominent in the song, it was a good collaboration and I’m definitely looking forward to the next release.

— Anna

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“Woohoo” by Mamamoo (released April 4)

Although it’s only a promotional song for LG, “Woohoo” is set to be one of Mamamoo’s most memorable tracks of 2016. The melodious upbeat style of the song suits Mamamoo’s vocal line perfectly while the bright concept matches the spring weather Seoul is experiencing. The funk and synth-pop elements fit in smoothly into the rest of Mamamoo’s repertoire, which has grown immensely in the last few months thanks to this and their latest album. Moonbyul’s rap comes across as anachronistic from the song upon first listen and downright jarring, to be honest. But she doesn’t disappoint even though it’s a bit out of place amidst the overall sunny song the swag-filled rap portion ends up falling in line with the rest of the parts of “Woohoo.” Spring-time songs do well in South Korea (I’m looking at you, “Cherry Blossom Ending”), and the all around musical sound and visual concept of “Woohoo” makes this something I’d love to see doing well.

— Tamar

What’s your favorite K-pop release from this week? Share your picks and 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.

Playlist Sunday: Idols in the Army

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kpop artists idols in army military

Any longterm fan of the Korean entertainment industry knows that every once in awhile, it’s time to say farewell to some of the most popular men in the K-pop world. Due to the ongoing war with North Korea, all able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve a period of around two years in the South Korean armed forces or public service. Which means, unfortunately for K-pop fans, some of the most popular singers are currently serving. This week’s KultScene Playlist Sunday is devoted to all of those idols in the army.

Technically speaking, Lee Seung Gi isn’t serving in the army yet, but as of the first of February he’ll be enlisting as a Private and will be serving for the next two years. He will join thousands of other men and women who will be serving for their own countries, protecting them from the ongoing wars that are occurring all around the world. In fact, many of their families even decide to purchase something like these army flags for sale to show their support for all the serving soldiers, as well as those who have unfortunately lost their lives in combat. Lee Seung Gi will be doing his country and family proud. As a farewell to his fans, this actor-singer released a single “I’m Going To The Army” when his enlistment date was announced. With its melancholic melody and heartfelt lyrics such as “It’s only for a moment, I’ll be back soon” and “I’m leaving behind the words, I love you, I love you,” this song will surely bring tears to the eyes of listeners as it wholly expresses Lee Seung Gi’s love for his fans who will be missing him. The structure of the song is typical and even borders on boring, but these were Lee Seung Gi’s roots as a ballad singer and his strong emotive voice really made this song a moving one. The repetitive lyrics (especially in the chorus) also empathizes the fact that he will return soon and this promise is a great comfort to his fans. It’s going to be difficult surviving these next two years with his absence in the entertainment scene but I’ll definitely be a loyal fan and eagerly await his return.

 

 

— Anna

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Who told Park Yoochun (JYJ) that it was okay for him to hit me with all the feels the way he did while listening to “How Much Love Do You Have in Your Pocket?” This song was dedicated to his late father and brushed on their relationship. You live only to end up dying but what makes the biggest difference and what matters the most is what you do in between those two stages. Sometimes we can take those around us for granted, whether it’s a friend, siblings, parents, or any family member. The world is constantly revolving and we’re always moving at such a fast pace that there are times in which we’ll lose out on the opportunities to truly cherish the little things and the people in our lives. As if the meaning wasn’t deep enough, the song itself was even more heartwarming seeing how these were Yoochun’s inner and raw feelings before enlisting. Hopefully he’s not having too hard of a time on his own in the military and is able to channel his mind on happier thoughts!

 

 

— Tam

Super Junior is many things, but it’s also one of the only K-pop groups that has seen the most members heading off to the military. As an ELF (Super Junior fan), anytime a member goes, it’s a bit of a heartbreak for me personally, but luckily they’ve given us quite a few beautiful songs before going to the military. “A Short Journey” was released shortly after Kangin went into the army, and many of the members who are currently enlisted were featured on the song. “A Short Journey,” a melodious song dedicated to Kangin’s leave from the group, and a promise that the separation would be “short,” is a beautiful ode to a couple who is unable to be together at the moment. The song, which also acted as a way for Kangin to express his desire to regain the trust of his fans who he had disappointed (“I’ll go back to the place I once was”), is the epitome of Super Junior’s determination to return from the military to their fans once again. It’s a bit trite, but it’s beautiful and even years after Kangin’s return from the military, and the departure of several others, “A Short Journey” still makes me think of that first temporary exit.

 

 

— Tamar

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Before member Heechul enlisted in 2011, Super Junior released their “Mr. Simple” album. One of their b-sides, “Oops,” was his “see you later” song, and featured fellow SM Entertainment group f(x) and bandmates Leeteuk, Shindong, Eunhyuk, and Donghae, who wrote their raps themselves. Prior to his verse, Heechul states, “2 years, I’ll be back,” and while enlisted, Super Junior regularly performed the song at their concerts and featured a VCR of Heechul rapping while everyone saluted as they watched the screen. Out of the members featured, everyone except Heechul and Leeteuk, who already completed their stint, are serving their time in the military right now. Out of all the songs Super Junior has released prior to a member enlisting, “Oops” is the most fun and features Heechul as he is best known for: a narcissist. It also allowed Super Junior’s rap line to have a go at rapping, which is not always featured on most of their songs.

 

 

— Alexis

What’s your favorite song from an artist currently serving in the army? Share your picks and 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.