Sunday’s come and gone, and an avid KultScene reader may have realized that we didn’t publish our usual Playlist Sunday list. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget! We were just busy making sure that we covered every single moment at KCON LA 2015 to make sure we let you in on all the details. Instead, the three KultScene writers who covered the event picked our favorite songs of each night’s M! Countdown concert.
On the first night of the show, Super Junior performed a variety of songs from throughout their decade-long career. As a longtime ELF, or Super Junior’s Everlasting Friend, I couldn’t handle myself the minute I realized they were performing “Shake It Up.” The pump up party song is one of Super Junior’s most fun songs (in my opinion) and it seemed like everyone in the Staples Center on August 1 was stomping their feet and clapping along to the members’ antics.
During the second night, the final song of the first set was my particular favorite (barring Shinhwa, because let’s be honest, Shinhwa is a legend). When the opening chords of Red Velvet’s “Happiness” began, it seemed like everyone immediately began singing and dancing along. The song’s popularity and the relatively easy dance moves reminded me of a lot of circa 2009 K-pop songs, which thrived on their iconic dances, like Girls’ Generation’s “Gee,” Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry,” and Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me.” As the opening act for the second night of “M! COUNTDOWN Feelz In LA,” Red Velvet got everyone moving and that’s nothing more than I could ask for.
— Tamar
As mentioned in our KCON 2015 in Los Angeles recap, on the first night of the concert, sapphire blue lights illuminated the Staples Center to welcome K-pop kings Super Junior. And since L.A., and overall America, craves the Super Show, Suju treated attendees to a medley of some of their most fun songs. But one of the most random if not mind boggling track choices was Donghae and Eunhyuk’s latest release “Can You Feel It.” Even if it was a quick snippet, the song was completely unexpected but completely appreciated, given that we got to see ALL of the guys derping around doing the choreography. Seeing this performance, along with the rest on the medley, only made us crave a Super Show even more and proved that audiences receive even their less known songs well.
As an ELF, Saturday completely drained me of everything inside of me. Sunday was going to be a night for me to sit back, chill, and watch performances by groups I wasn’t heavily invested in. Sure, I liked some Block B songs, but I didn’t consider myself a big fan… that is until their sub-unit BASTARZ came out and performed “Zero for Conduct.” P.O, B-Bomb, and U-Kwon, literally, gave me life and got me lit as soon as the opening siren came out the speakers. I was dancing and completely vibing throughout the whole performance even though I didn’t know the lyrics of the song. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is by definition how you put on a great show.
— Alexis
Although the lively Jackson wasn’t in attendance at KCON LA with his group, GOT7 made sure to still put on a dynamic show for the crowd! The anticipation was already high since all the iGOT7’s (GOT7’s fan club name) knew the guys were going to sing “Just Right,” their newest single. But GOT7 took it to another level when they performed “Bounce,” which was the debut track for members JB and JR when they were JJ Project. “Bounce” is always such an enjoyable performance to watch, with all the crazy head bobbing, infectious frolicking as they run wild around the stage, and, of course, the cute “shake it shake it for me” butt shakes. What started as a two-person song and performance has now evolved into a song that the entire group can genuinely enjoy performing together!
Going into Sunday’s night’s concert, I already knew I would’ve been content with whatever setlist SHINHWA played. A part of me expected 80 percent of their set to be songs off of “The Return,” “The Classic,” and “WE,” considering these albums were all released within the last three years, with of course an addition of the song that brought them to their stardom, “T.O.P”. My predictions for their set was rather on par, but what blew my Changjo (SHINHWA’s fan club name) mind was when “Hey, Come On!” started playing. The crowd was already hyped and the energy was already through the roof, so can you imagine what it was like when the beat dropped for this song? The choreography for the songs they performed prior to this were all relatively mellow and synchronized versus the constant jumping and arm waving choreography for “Hey, Come On!” These legendary idols couldn’t have put together a better set list! Let’s just say the Changjo in me sobbed happy tears that night.
— Tam
I have never been a devoted fan to BLOCK B but I have always liked them due to their aesthetics and their funny, big personalities. After seeing them perform live at KCON LA 2015, I become a hardcore fan of the group. As soon as they began to perform “Very Good,” I went crazy. I started dancing and singing like crazy along with BLOCK B. Seeing them do all of their funny gimmicks and the unforgettable choreography of the song while commanding the huge stage at the Staples Center was a blast to my eyes and ears. The energy of the night got pumped up by BLOCK B making it a night and performance that I will never forget.
— Alejandro
What song would you enjoy seeing performed live? Let us know your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_0567.jpg448900KultScenehttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2015-08-06 07:23:582015-08-06 11:46:43The Best Songs At KCON LA 2015
In its fourth year, KCON LA expanded to add an extra day from last year, and headed to a larger venue at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Between July 31 and August 2, fans and purveyors of Korean culture in the United States kept busy with a variety of different activities.
Expo
This year, KCON LA’s booths became a full-on expo. Previously, KCON had featured only a handful of vendors, websites, and fa clubs. But this year, there were many more booths, plus an added business conference on the first day. The expo area was divided into different sections, including CJ Street featuring a variety of CJ E&M booths, the Marketplace where attendees could free up their dollars, the K-ICT Dream Zone featuring technology, and the K-Goods Zone, selling an array of Korean products.
Some of the most prominent booths included Verizon, Asiana, MBC America, Nongshim, and Toyota, sponsors of the event, but Korean beauty and technology brands, like Iope, K3I, The Face Shop, and Kakao, also were spotted throughout the event. People walking around could sing karaoke, try out virtual reality goggles, purchase Korean oriented clothing or ridiculously cute t-shirts, check out booths hosted by Korean channels like Mnet and TvN, buy K-pop posters and albums (and, of course, official KCON souvenirs!), and practically anything Korean wave related. Websites like Soompi and Glow Recipe also hosted their own booths.
Fanclubs played a big role in this year’s expo, with many K-pop fanclubs organizing fans in a variety of special events planned for artists during the concert. One Super Junior fanclub planned a banner event with the members of the group, while another handed out blue headbands that led to the first night of KCON 2015 appearing like a sapphire blue ocean. Fans of the show “Running Man” set up a Running Fan corner of the expo, where KCON-goers could try to reenact their favorite games of the variety show. Red Velvet fans sold jewelry featuring the members, and even fanclubs of artists who weren’t appearing at the show made themselves known. Fanclubs of groups like EXO and MYNAME were also there, gathering in North American fans.
Along with the expo panels themselves, there was a central stage that featured performances throughout the three-day event, including Roy Kim, Buzzfeed’s The Try Guys (!), performance group Double The Fire, and violinist and dancer Jun Sung Ahn. GOT7 even surprised the convention on the second day by putting on a fashion show in collaboration with the Korean fashion brand Beyond Closet. Designer Ko Tae Young also appeared at the event, and GOT7 wore the clothes for multiple events throughout the day.
Panels
With a whole three days to fill, there were a lot more panels at this year’s KCON, and a lot of interest. Many panels were cram-packed with people who wanted to hear what was going on, with multiple lines wrapping around the corner of the convention center as fans tried to get seats close to their favorite panelists.
Korean drama producers, fashion icons, actors, YouTube stars, writers, and other sort of industry insiders made their rounds, giving their thoughts and opinions on a variety of subjects. Panels addressed the meaning of K-pop, Korean indie music, cultural clashes, behind the scenes of websites and dramas, K-Pop’s LGBT fandom, and a lot lot more.
KCON attendees were also able to learn the dances of their favorite songs, cook food, learn tips about applying Korean beauty products, and a lot more. For more culturally inclined people, KCON-ers could try on traditional Korean clothes, watch a Korean wedding ceremony, and learn about traditional Korean tea.
Several Korean dramas and films also were aired during the convention, including “Twenty,” “Emergency Couple,” and the premiere of “Mr. Baek The Homemade Food Master,” featuring KCON guest So Ho Jun. One event that gained a lot of attention on the Internet post-KCON was an 18+ fan fiction open mic, hosted by KCON’s Hoon Bae.
Fan Engagements
One of the highlights this year for many fans at KCON was the success of the fan engagements. In previous years, there were issues with meet and greets being too limited so that many fans couldn’t attend, poorly timed events, cancelled events, or not enough interaction between fans and their favorite idols. But this time around, KCON LA got everything very right.
Many of acts who would appear at the M! Countdown concerts, including SHINHWA, AOA, Monsta X, Red Velvet, Got7, and Block B, held fan engagements with their fans. All of the meet and greets featured question and answer sessions, and most featured hi-touch events. After initial confusion on the first day, when two fan meets had to swap their times due to scheduling issues, all of the rest ran orderly and the majority of fans possible were able to enjoy. Morover, attendees also got involved in the KCON meet and greet black market, where you could trade tickets and, maybe, make a bit of cash. It was hard to walk through the convention without hearing “Looking for GOT7 hi-touch tickets!” or “Who wants a Roy Kim audience ticket?”
Food
Let’s talk about the grub. Along with the standard convention center fare of hot dogs, pizza, and coffee, there were free McDonalds samples being given out throughout the majority of the weekend and Korean cooking lessons from brands like Bibigo, where KCON-ers learned how to make bibimbap, a Korean meal in a bowl. There were also food trucks and stands from several Korean-oriented companies, like Tous les Jours and Shin Ramyun.
Klub KCON
While there were three days of KCON LA 2015, there were only two nights of concerts, so for the first day KCON introduced something brand new. Klub KCON opened up in the convention center after the expo ended for the day on July 31, giving attendees a place to party. SISTAR and Monsta X performed at the event, surprising KCON-ers in the intimate atmosphere with tastes of what they were going to perform the next night at the Staples Center.
KCON App
One of the most innovative things at KCON LA 2015 was an app that people could download to their phones, which would alert KCON attendees about events going on and schedule changes. People could look up the location and time of events and even make planned out, personal schedules for themselves.
Red Carpet
The Red Carpet was the highlight for many fans, since artists like Super Junior and Kim Soo Hyun had not held fan engagements, meaning this was the event to get close to them before the actual concert. But let’s not bore you and go straight to the pictures from that day of all of Korea’s top celebrities.
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Did you go to KCON or wish you had gone? Share your experience 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_0738.jpg481800Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-08-05 14:30:012015-08-05 16:59:09Inside KCON LA 2015 [PHOTOS]
In early 2005, SM Entertainment’s founding chairman Lee Soo Man announced his plans for a rotational twelve member boy group – ten years later that group is still going strong. SM has long since scrapped the rotational concept, but we still witnessed the comings and goings of its members. At their peak, the group boasted a total of a whopping fifteen members, becoming the largest Korean act at the time. Not to mention that over the course of a decade, the boy band also managed to achieve international fame and numerous music awards. Of course, who else can this be but none other than the talented and well-rounded Super Junior?
In light of their upcoming album “Devil” and their tenth anniversary since debut, let us take a walk down memory lane and look at their past hits that crafted them into the successful entertainment giants they are today. Since their debut in late 2005, the group released dozens of music videos, including those from their Chinese (Super Junior-M), trot (Super Junior-T), ballad (Super Junior K.R.Y), and “happy” (Super Junior-H) subunits amongst many others. Unfortunately, it would be nearly impossible to cover all bases, so we can only give attention to their original singles (still, do check out their other works!). Even after all these years, Super Junior demonstrates to ELFs – their fandom – that they are a group that knows how to have fun while maintaining the stern and unyielding side to them that they debuted with.
“Twins (Knock Out)” (2005)
Super Junior made their official debut with “Twins (Knock Out)” under the name Super Junior ’05, indicating that this would be the first wave of Super Junior before their turnover the following year. Given the time period and resources available to them, the music video featured many black backdrops, unconvincingly edited flames, and slow-motion animation, all in an effort to create a strong, beastly image for the fresh faces. It also matches well with the fighting spirit of the rock-inspired song. The members, donning their best baggy jeans and bird’s nest hair, are what the female fans look for in a man and what male fans aspired to be circa 2005. Although the song is quite forgettable among the many titles to come, it left a lasting impression and gave fans a taste of what Super Junior had to offer.
“Miracle,” “U,” and “Dancing Out” (2006)
Super Junior continued to promote as Super Junior ’05 with their happy-go-lucky song “Miracle.” Flashing their most adorable smiles and displaying their humorous personalities during the dance break, it was a total 360 degree from their debut song. The song celebrates the joyous moment when one is with his/her lover, and condenses it into one phrase: “life couldn’t get better.” The little jumps in the air and the “heys!” in the background were borderline High School Musical, but showed that they are more than just intense glares. Instead, they are budding teens capable of understanding love, putting the junior back in Super Junior.
Following that we saw the induction of Kyuhyun, the thirteenth and youngest member, into the group later that year. SM decided hey, maybe the rotational concept was not so great after all, and ditched the ’05 suffix for the simple Super Junior we all know today. The company never looked back since and, as a result, fans were able to watch the fixed members grow with an easy heart.
With the addition of Kyuhyun’s tenor vocals, the group came back with “U” and “Dancing Out.” “U” revisits the cheesy editing style and fashion of “Twins (Knock Out)” as seen in the members’ vanishing gimmicks and in their cargo pants paired with camo print. The song is heavy on the acoustic guitars and, unlike “Twins (Knock Out),” has more of an R&B feel. As they sing and dance to woo a young Girls’ Generation’s Yoona, they present yet another new side to them, a suave side.
On the other hand, “Dancing Out” keeps in line with their other song “Miracle” from the previous year. Set to funky beats and a bit of gospel back-ups, it’s an entertaining song to listen to during the summertime (or anytime of the year, for the matter). Again, the members could not look any happier dancing on the streets of Malaysia, where the music video was shot. In regards to the cinematography, everything is blue – from the sapphire pearl color of their clothes to the clear skies and waters of the lush city. Blue, as ELFS would know, is Super Junior’s official fan club color, but here it also serves to create a crisp and beachy aura. Indeed, this is one music video that utters tropical getaway.
Off of their second studio album, “Don’t Don” is an edgier, more hardcore version of “Twins (Knock Out).” It retains the same fire motifs, yet here they look more legitimate. The rock influence is even stronger in this song about our artificial world as well, as evident in the electric guitar riffs and low-key screams at the outro. Some of the members even traded in their bed hair for a shaved head or side shave cuts, a more macho digression from past concepts. Despite receiving some mixed reviews, the song is actually well put together, especially with the violin interlude played by the soon to be Super Junior-M member, Henry Lau. The boys are forever working hard to show fans their tenacious demeanor.
Also from the same album is “Marry U,” a sweet, slow tempo tune about the unconditional love in marriage. It takes a step back from the either aggressive or upbeat nature from their previous singles, and focuses on a more heartwarming theme. The effortless harmonies of the members, accompanied by their all-white suits and rings of iridescent lights, lets us know that they are tough guys, yeah, but they are also inwardly romantic individuals. The music video is very charming in itself, following the daily life of Yoona – again the female lead – in a miniature paper town. Little did we know that this is the Super Junior that we will continue to see more of in the future…
“Sorry, Sorry” and “It’s You” (2009)
This is it. This was what made Super Junior blow up into THE Super Junior they are today. In March 2009, Super Junior released their third studio album, “Sorry, Sorry” and with it the lead single of the same name. “Sorry, Sorry” is Super Junior’s declaration into manhood – their hair is considerably less voluminous and their fitted plain black and white suits need not the chains and prints from a time long forgotten. While some may be critical of their excessive use of autotune, they would be lying if they did not find it the least bit catchy.
Moreover, the black and white, stripped-down box set in the music video actually works in the group’s favor since it focuses viewers’ eyes onto the choreography, the main attraction. The iconic “apologetic” and tutting dance was emulated all throughout the world by fans and dance enthusiasts alike that year, and was what I considered the definition of a collective body in K-pop. Super Junior never came off as a dance group, but with this comeback that turned thirteen individual bodies into one synchronized force, it is difficult not to reconsider that notion.
Apparently, the success of “Sorry, Sorry” was not quite enough for Super Junior when two months later, the group revealed the music video for their second promotional single, “It’s You.” Up until this point, this track is probably their most melancholic and passionate. In a song that uses lots of synths and mishmash of other sounds, the power vocals of the main vocalists were never once lost. The chest pumps, the lens flares, the washed-out videography, the meaningful lyrics about faith in love… this song and dance really could do no wrong. Even the early attempt at a one-take camera style reflects the group’s status as a trendsetter. As much of a treat as “It’s You” was for ELFs, it would also be the last time members Kibum and Hangeng feature in their albums and music videos.
“Bonamana” and “No Other” (2010)
“Bonamana” rides on the success of “Sorry, Sorry” and is an obvious effort to recreate the success of the latter song. With its monochromatic cinematography and upbeat autotunes, the song and music video is nothing particularly experimental. And considering how two members had left the group and Kangin was missing in action due to his mandatory military service, playing on the safe side is especially crucial. Regardless of their dwindling numbers, the boys-turned-men still managed to carry over their charismatic flair from the previous year to the production of this music video and song. “Bonamana” went on to even outsell its predecessor “Sorry, Sorry.”
Refreshing is a word that is overused to death when it comes to describing K-pop concepts, yet that is the only term that comes to mind when I think of their other hit from 2010, “No Other.” Just when the group had their fans fooled into thinking they are now mature men, they return back to their youthful roots with a brightly lit music video about the different ways we show love. Plaid, acid washed denim, and muscle tees take over this pleasant dance-pop track; without a doubt the members had come a long ways in terms of fashion and musical genre.
2011 saw a funkier side to Super Junior with the release of “Mr. Simple,” the synthpop lead title track off of their award-winning fifth studio album. The song encourages us to live life, well, simply. To put it another way, think of it as the lyrical rendition of the Latin aphorism, carpe diem, or to seize the day. With this music video, we also notice Super Junior’s introduction into bold colors and statement pieces. Consider the fuchsia and baby blue jackets which add a pop of color to the always drab box sets or the colorful cords of rope hung around their necks. The Kings of K-pop? More like the Kings of Vogue.
Super Junior’s fifth studio album was a repackage edition of ‘‘Mr. Simple, titled “A-Cha”. They released music videos for “Superman” and “A-Cha” within exactly a month of each other. The former featured new sounds, including influence from Gregorian chants and powerful trumpets that parallel the resolute attitudes of the members. I mean which other group refers to themselves as self-proclaimed supermen in their own song? Though the music video is just a highlight reel of their annual Super Show tour and behind the scene footages of the “Mr. Simple” album jacket photoshoot, it is nevertheless still fun to watch.
In contrast, “A-Cha” harks back to their familiar and reliable “Mr. Simple,” “Bonamana,” and “Sorry, Sorry” synth lines, making for an extremely addictive track. Even though it is not that much different from their previous hits, the members remain looking chicer than ever. Again, whoever styled them needs to be commended as the music video brandished the bedazzled suit jackets and diamond encrusted half-gloves of each of the members.
“Sexy, Free, and Single” and “Spy” (2012)
For those fans who were continually disappointed at Super Junior’s lack of sexy concepts, “Sexy, Free and Single” was the answer to their prayers. In this empowering Eurohouse single, the members describe the freedom that comes with being single. In good old Super Junior fashion, the vocalists and rappers all deliver a dynamic performance, not to mention a sexy one too as some of the members bare all in leather armor-esque pieces. The style here is a bit questionable, then again it might just be too avant-garde for me to understand. Props to SuJu for experimenting with different looks though!
The group then followed up with “Spy,” whose bombastic and brassy chorus draws from the James Bond soundtracks and whose verses throws interesting carnival-like horns to the mix. Once again, the members offhandedly give off sensual vibes in another black and white production, this one highlighted by the occasional deep crimson backdrop. This music video, which makes use of espionage themes, only marks the beginning for more concept-centric productions to come.
“Mamacita,” “This is Love,” “Evanesce” (2014)
After making rounds on their world tour and promoting in Japan in 2013, Super Junior came back even sillier than before (if that’s even possible). Each member took on different personas, from bartender to sheriff to fruit shop owner, in the comedic Western styled music video for “Mamacita.” After being in the music industry for nine years, this is probably their first music video that closely followed a plot of any kind, so kudos to the group. Furthermore, the unique song is a paradigm of how one can infuse two totally different sounds – jazz and Latin – to yield a K-pop hit. Is there anything the guys have not tried yet?
Finally, the most recent music videos we have seen from Super Junior were “This is Love” and “Evanesce” from the special edition of their seventh album. The two were shot using the same set and both editing styles allowed for monochromatic and red hues, yet, other than that, could not be any more different.
With “This is Love” the members are seductive and masculine, gently caressing the microphone stands before them. They casually walk from one fancy room to next, singing along to the soulful tune about how love is embedded in the small things in life. It’s a nice departure from their more recent heavy stuff and takes us back to the old soulful sounds we know and love from them.
“Evanesce,” however, did not feature that same leisurely presence we observed in “This is Love.” There are lots of broken pieces – loose petals, dead twigs, leaves – on the once pristine set. It’s as if to say that this is the aftermath of the love they spoke of not too long ago in “This is Love.” The song is wrought with emotion. As the guys leave us on this depressing note, we cannot help but wonder what is next from them.
It is now 2015 and to commemorate ten years of accomplishments and good music, the group has revealed their plans for a special album release. Titled “Devil,” it is a medley of works from all their subunits, including those we have not heard from in a while (here’s looking at you, Super Junior-T). “Devil” launches on July 16, but in the meantime check out the official trailer and teaser for their lead single of the same name. Updated
We have watched them grown from idols to MCs, actors, and radio hosts, from young teens to fully mature men. We’ve heard them shout out “urineun syupeo juni-eyo” (we are Super Junior) countless times. Seeing how far the members have come since their debut days only makes the group all the more deserving of their success and their future endeavors. Congratulations Super Junior on a long ten years!
Which Super Junior era was your favorite? Are you looking forward to “Devil?” Leave your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Super-Junior.jpg7681024Shelley Foohttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-07-11 20:17:472016-01-13 05:50:17Super Junior’s Music Video Evolution
Producer, DJ, and musician iDR spoke to KultScene about becoming a producer in the K-pop world in the first part of our interview. iDR also spoke to KultScene about working with SM Entertainment, including upcoming releases from top girl group Girls’ Generation, details about the thought process behind EXO’s latest song, and some insight into an upcoming group.
EXO’s June release “Love Me Right,” the title song on the repackage, or re-release, of the idol group’s May album “EXODUS,” is an upbeat song. It’s also iDR’s first single with the widely popular boy band EXO, and one filled with a lot of subtle meaning even though it wasn’t initially planned for EXO. “I wasn’t aiming for EXO when I was writing it because it’s more of an uppity, happy, ‘let’s go, we’re up’ song and their [EXO] stuff is what I thought of as a little more aggressive.”
In the past, iDR’s written other songs for EXO, such as “Peter Pan” and “The Winter’s Tale,” but this is his first title track for the group. Their previous singles like “Growl” and “Overdose” were hugely popular across Asia and EXO is one of the world’s most popular boy bands. But in 2014, former members Kris (Wu Yi Fan) and Luhan left EXO to focus on personal careers in China, and a third member, Tao, appears to have followed the same path in 2015. When iDR was asked to write a song, he thought that the happy, very un-EXO sounding song would be perfect.
“The thing is, and I’m sure a lot of people realize, they [EXO] have gone through a lot of drama, lost a few members, and I think, I felt and the SM staff felt, that they needed something that isn’t such a dark and aggressive track. Something that’s upbeat and happy will put a spin on the whole thing and allow them to say, ‘Hey. We’re good, we’re cool, we’re moving on, and there’s nothing to be sad or upset about. Let’s keep it up, let’s keep it moving.’ And when we came up with that feeling and that concept, that track seemed to fit, and boom! We kind of knew as soon as we had it with the A&R’s input that this would be, if not the single, one of the single’s on their [repackage] album. I’m really happy that it turned out that way too.”
Even though “Love Me Right” was a new style of song for EXO to promote as a single, the track did well in Korea. But nothing is certain, and iDR was excited to see how well the song, and style, did. “It was one of those ‘will it really happen?’ When it [“Love Me Right”] came out, I saw the video and heard the final mix and mastered version, and I was kind of blown away. You know, there’s always that little inkling inside that says ‘I feel like this is the one,’ and I had that feeling for sure. I didn’t really speak about it until this minute. I had the feeling, and I was hoping that it would turn out this way.”
Not only was “Love Me Right” successful, it helped EXO achieved multiple milestones, including becoming the first K-pop male group in many years to sell over one million albums.
Along with working with EXO, iDR has had experience working with other SM Entertainment acts. His first K-pop song ever was Super Junior’s “No Other,” and now he’s working on songs for Girls’ Generation and SM Entertainment’s next male idol group.
When asked if he could say anything else about the upcoming songs, iDR admitted that everything is under tight wraps. “I will say that the rookie group is going to be something SM fans haven’t seen before, a new twist on a group, not the typical group that they [SM Entertainment] would put out. [And] The Girls’ Generation project is also something they are really excited about. Expect to hear a mature, seasoned Girls’ Generation with their signature spunk and flare.”
Check out the first half of our exclusive interview with iDR right HERE.
What do you think about what iDR’s shared? Let us know 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/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-4.23.07-AM.png6111047Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-07-04 17:44:372015-07-04 17:45:46Meet iDR, The Man Behind EXO’s “Love Me Right” And Other Upcoming Songs From SM Entertainment [INTERVIEW PART 2]
Just about every K-pop fan living in the United States has been waiting anxiously to find out who will be heading to KCON 2015, held this year for the first time on both sides of the continental U.S. Now that we know a few more acts, here’s KultScene’s second annual fantasy versus reality playlist for KCON. The convention heads to Los Angeles’ Staples Center on July 31-August 2 and Newark’s Prudential Stadium on August 8. KCON Los Angeles will feature Super Junior, Shinhwa, SISTAR, Got7, Roy Kim, Block B, and AOA, while KCON NY, held in New Jersey, is in its inaugural year and will star Girls’ Generation and VIXX.
1. Super Junior Fantasy: “Can You Feel It?” is a song by Super Junior D & E (Donghae and Eunhyuk,) which is technically just a subunit of the group, but it’s honestly one of the most fun songs from 2015 and it wouldn’t be difficult for the group to sing together. A lot of fans may not know the dance, but if Super Junior wants to get the place moving, a quick lesson will get everyone at the Staples Center standing up and flailing their hands all over the place. We wouldn’t be adverse to oldies like “Miracle” either.
Reality: “Mamacita” is super Junior’s latest title song, so unless the group throws a curve ball and announces a comeback before they come stateside, it’s a safe bet to say that everybody at KCON LA will be shouting “HEY! Mamacita” by the end of the night. Also Expect: “Sorry Sorry” and “This Is Love”
2. Shinhwa Fantasy: “Eusha! Eusha!” is old fashioned, but any old school fan of Shinhwa will want the group to play some of their iconic songs. We’d also kill for “Wild Eyes,” or a newer song that we at KultScene personally love, “On The Road.”
Reality: “Sniper” is Shinhwa’s most recent song and is absolutely amazing, so we won’t mind that they’ll perform it. They may perform “T.O.P,” one of Shinhwa’s most popular songs ever, but due to the age of many of the fans, the group may pick to some of the newer, arguably safer, sexy songs. Also Expect: “Venus” and “This Love”
3. Roy Kim Fantasy: A new English song. Yes, it may be asking too much, but Roy Kim is talented and spends part of the year in the United States at Georgetown. So it wouldn’t be such a stretch for him to debut a brand new song at KCON, like the ones that helped Roy Kim achieve success as a singer.
Reality: “Home,” there’s no question about it. Roy Kim will definitely sing this beautiful song about the feelings of being home. Hopefully he’ll bring the dog from the music video. Also Expect: “Love Love Love” and “Spring Spring Spring”
4. SISTAR Fantasy: While it was popular in 2014, it’s unlikely that SISTAR will perform “I Swear,” since “Touch My Body” was a much more popular song. If they do, it will be a nice chance to hear them focusing on their vocals more than some of their more sultry dance tracks.
Reality: We’ll likely see a performance of SISTAR’s yet-to-be-released summer track. The girl group is making a comeback in June. Also Expect: “Alone” and “Touch My Body”
5. AOA Fantasy: It would be absolutely fantastic if AOA performed “Get Out.” The girl group used to perform as a band, and have done so occasionally, but it’s unlikely that we’ll see a band performance from them. We’d also love to see “Confused” performed.
Reality: Since hitting success, AOA has a lot of successful songs (and a new song coming out so we’ll see that,) but nothing is as defining for the group as “Like A Cat,” their sexy, dark song. Jimin may also perform a solo song. Also Expect: “Short Hair” and “Miniskirt”
6. VIXX Fantasy: Let’s see VIXX perform “Love Equation.” It’s a remake of R.ef’s song from the 1990’s, but this 2015 release went under the radar and is too cute to be ignored. “G.R.8.U” would also be a nice way to lighten up the stage from some of VIXX’s darker songs.
Reality:Whatever VIXX performs will be good and be filled with an interesting concept.The group will definitely perform “Error,” one of their most dynamic songs to date. Also Expect: “Eternity” and “Voodoo Doll”
7. Block B Fantasy: “Conduct For Zero” is another song by a subgroup that we love. Block B’s Bastarz subgroup is just three members, but we’d be fine if Block B’s other members left the stage to see the trio perform this dynamic song. And if they refuse to perform a song by a subgroup, Block B should attempt to silence the Staples Center by performing their vocally impressive song, “Be The Light.”
And can Zico please perform at least one solo song?
Reality: “Her” is a slightly psychotic, fun to dance to song and the audience at KCON LA had better join in on clapping along with Block B’s song. Also Expect: “Jackpot” and “Very Good.”
8. Got7 Fantasy: Got7 is still a new group and a lot of their lesser known songs deserve some love. If the seven member group performs “I Like You” or “Gimme,” the audience at KCON may be surprised, but we’ll be pleased.
Reality: There’s no doubt that Got7 will perform “Stop Stop It.” The group is widely popular among American fans, so expect many people to be singing along. Also Expect: “Girls Girls Girls” and “A”
9. Girls’ Generation Fantasy: “I Got A Boy,” because they didn’t perform it at KCON LA last year and we still can’t get over that.
Reality: Their brand new song that we’re eagerly waiting for, and perhaps a few new songs off of their new album. And “Gee.” Because they wouldn’t be Girls’ Generation if not for “Gee” Also Expect: “Catch Me If You Can” and “Mr. Mr.”
What songs do you want to see performed at either KCON this summer? 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. Read more
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/소녀시대-7.jpg16002400Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-06-11 22:08:492015-06-11 22:08:49Fantasy Vs. Reality Performances To See At KCON 2015
A few weeks back I wrote about the idea of authenticity that YG Entertainment uses to sell its artists. While I stand by most of my opinions, I feel it comes across as too one sided. I was ready to slam YG and I didn’t stop to consider the ideals of other companies. By other companies I really mean SM Entertainment. They are the yang to YG’s yin. My YG article clearly misses that yang, there is a sense that I prefer a different approach to the YG one, but don’t touch on it. I don’t know if I prefer the approach, but I do prefer SM’s music, so that probably influenced my opinion.
The Asian idol system is a thoroughly transparent one. Fans are allowed to see all elements of how an idol comes to be, their extensive training in not just singing and dancing but acting, PR, and fitness. It is not an entirely glamorous regime, but it’s what it takes to be a star. This transparency means, however, that fans are also under no illusion as to the creators of the music and its authenticity. SM makes no attempt to hide this or push their artists beyond this. So why is SM so popular and yet have no discernible musical figureheads?
Another writer on KultScene got to the heart of this when she wrote about how SM and Disney are very similar companies. It wasn’t totally positive either, equating the recent controversies of SM to Disney’s own troubles with diversity and such. In the context of the companies actual content though, for me, it boils down to the “brand.” These companies are loyal to their brand and what will make their brand the most money. SM has time and again shown that the overall company is more important than any individual. From apparent slave contracts to over-worked idols, no company has had as many high profile departures than SM. The amount of cases show it be a serious problem for young idols and show a lack of understanding from an imposing company.
While groups like Shinhwa and Fly To The Sky left SM after their contracts expired and achieved much success, leaving SM Entertainment prior to the end of the contract has meant difficulties.
The worst of all, of course, is the case where three members left former-quintet TVXQ, which left Junsu, Jaejoong and Yoochun (who formed JYJ) unable to attend any Korean television programs. If they do, the station that shows them will potentially not get any SM coverage in the future, losing the station a ton of potential viewers. So JYJ is essentially blacklisted (although Junsu just performed for the first time on television in six years, thanks to EBS.)
Like Disney, people have grown to essentially worship the brand of SM. Even after all these controversies, loyalty remains and the fans nearly always side with the group and not the individual. This sort of attitude can lead to a company becoming a Disney-like juggernaut, and that’s a problem. If SM continues growing and accumulating smaller companies, like Woollim Entertainment, they can build a possible monopoly. This might not seem so bad since Woollim has been proceeding business as usual with their affairs, but they’re still under SM’s control. If this continues, the whole Korean music industry would revolve around SM, making it possible that if SM goes under, so does all of K-pop.
Let’s steer away from the dramatics for now and back to a real, current problem for SM: the treatment of individual stars. Maybe it’s not a problem, but just a clear difference in style to YG. Emblematic of SM’s love of the brand, they prioritize cohesive groups over individual talents. It was actually listening to F(x)’s Pink Tape and realizing how replaceable they are as a group that gave me the idea for this article. Yet I still think it is one of the best full length albums in K-pop history. Apart from TVXQ and to a lesser extent, SHINee, all of SM’s groups feature members that could be left out and would make no difference to the quality of their music. Similarly, no group has a defining creative head like G-Dragon, CL or even Bobby, whenever iKon debut. Even TVXQ who are possibly the most talented group in K-pop history, do not have a creative head, merely extremely proficient singers and dancers. This lack of strong individuals shows SM are not interested in people who leave the group or company, in order to shine on their own right as solo artists, overshadowing their previous SM-related efforts. When one of them threatens to possibly do this, they are swiftly taken care of, like former Girls’ Generation member and head of fashion line Blanc & Eclare Jessica Jung.
What about the music these large, anonymous groups are releasing though? This is where it gets tougher to pin SM down. SM is known for creating songs it dubs SMP, SM Music Performance. This is a type of song that is created together as a complete song and performance, which cannot be separated. Essentially, these are incredibly complex songs that go above and beyond what a pop song is expected to be. Examples are SNSD’s I Got A Boy and TVXQ’s Rising Sun. What’s really interesting though is that these are the type of songs that big brands would never dream of releasing. They play with structure in strange ways and swap genre without any notice. Pop songs were designed to lull you into security, make you feel at ease so you won’t go against the system. SM does the opposite and its makes for an interesting case.
To find out why SM does this though, is not easy to find out. We can look at the producers of the songs. A lot of them are outside producers, people like Teddy Riley, Will Simms and The Stereotypes. SM would not let them produce such weird tracks without their consent though, and probably would have even specifically picked out songs like this. This comes across as more of a negative in reality, as it makes SM seem uninterested in even their own artistry not just their groups. Always using outside producers gives them an image of business people rather than musicians, but this is not wholly true either. There are many in house writers and producers like Yoo Young Jin, who has worked on almost every great SM song since its inception.
My last and most likely theory has more to do with the Korean public than the music itself. South Korea did not have pop music as we know it until 1992 when Seo Taiji and The Boys burst onto the scene with their musical fusion. They mixed rap, metal, dance, and many more genres to create something never heard before in the country. At the time they used this music to criticize Korean society (see Gyosil Idea,) which Seo Taiji still does to this day, and it worked thanks to the genre mashing and structure bending forms of their songs. They were so popular, however, that this style of music eventually became commonplace in K-pop. So maybe SM’s songs today are not as strange and revolutionary as I thought, but merely the norm in the country.
One thing I can be sure of though is that SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment have completely different ideologies when it comes to their brand. Of what I have written about, they do share at least one thing in common, having lots of great, artsy teasers, but not delivering with the final product (WINNER for YG and EXO for SM) and I hate them both for it. Ultimately, I don’t know what side I come down on in favor anymore. I prefer SM’s music, but I don’t respect any of their individuals as much as I respect CL and her brazen individuality amongst idols. Either way I’m supporting a big brand whose only goal is to make lots of money.
Let’s support neither of them. Go find a smaller company whom you can get behind and encourage by rewarding quality music and artistry with your support. Like Chrome Entertainment, home of Crayon Pop, whose DIY attitude is already changing K-pop or Source Music who have been accused by netizens of making deals with journalists so G-Friend can get on the charts or any other of the large number of smaller, less corporate companies currently struggling to stay afloat.
What do you think of SM Entertainment’s system? Who do you prefer SM or YG? 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.
[This article was updated on April 21, 2015.]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/10906533_837674149608754_5341130028121151619_n.jpg640960Joe Palmerhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2015-04-20 17:14:412015-04-21 03:29:53SM Entertainment: The ‘Brand’
Kisses and kissing aren’t always openly talked about in the K-pop music scene. But there are many songs about first kisses and kissing in general. They can be as innocent as a peck on the cheek or as steamy as a full on lip-to-lip, tongue-to-tongue contact. Sometimes these kissing songs aren’t as blatant as others, but one thing we know for sure is our K-pop idols love to sing about kissing.
Like many before her, Jeon Hyosung used her solo career as a way to show off her large, um, charms. Her solo venture turned out to be just as successful as bandmate Jieun’s but offered something completely different. Goodnight Kiss is an hypnotic trap lullaby for a boy whom Hyosung sings to goodnight. Yet she clearly doesn’t really want to go to sleep but to just kiss and kiss him. Updating fairytales and lullabies is popular these days and this song does a better job of it than most. The song comes off as a reworked lullaby to perfectly suit Hyosung’s sexy image. It starts off relatively innocent but becomes sexier with each part before finally hitting that trap drop. We forget about the lullaby element after a while as it becomes stranger and sexier. It all comes together to create something quite sophisticated and shows that given the right material Hyosun could become a soloist on par with Ga-In.
Dara’s Kiss is filled with ridiculous yet catchy engrish lyrics, yet there’s one line that I’ll occasionally find myself singing to in public; I just wanna kiss, I never wanna miss. Kiss is a fun and rather playful song whereas the music video, which features actor Lee Minho and if you look closely, Kim Woo Bin is also featured, is rather on the dramatic side; I guess that’s what happens when you feature actors in your music video, it suddenly turns into a short drama! Aside from the dramatic acting from both Dara and Lee Minho, the overall production was entertaining and to me, it felt like a commercial!
— Tam
If we talk about kisses, what’s better than a french kiss? Hyuna’s song French Kiss recounts a story at a scandalous party. Hyuna meets a guy and it;s like love at first sight, or maybe lust at first sight. Right then and there she wants to be only with him, alone. The chorus is very addicting and the part where Hyuna whispers “Let’s french kiss” sounds so seductive and sexy. It almost makes the listeners feel that you are the man she lusts over and she is whispering those words to them. The song has a great beat and it’s a great song to just dance let loose and make out.
— Alejandro
Rather than celebrating love, Super Junior‘s My Love, My Kiss, My Heart mourns it. The song is the classic tale of missing an ex lover post break up while reluctantly trying to move on. You know, when it still hurts. The boys lament the love lost, saying they will bury their love, kiss and heart through a heartfelt ballad.
X’s are for kisses, sings EXO in XOXO. The song is an adorable, upbeat, jazzy ode to the woman EXO loves, filled with sweet lines about dreaming of hugging and kissing the one you love. EXO’s vocals really shine in the song, with enough lines for EXO’s multitude of members to express their own individual vocal colors.
— Tamar
miss A’s Hush actually uses the word ‘kiss’ in the chorus. The ladies sing about their steamy wants and desires. And at the top of the list is kissing, which is a great way to get to know someone intimately. Hush takes things a few steps further than kissing, but the sexy ladies of miss A know what they want and clearly depict all of that in this song. Aside from the content of the song, Hush has an infectious chorus and sultry dance moves perfectly executed by the quartet.
— Tara
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A lot happened at SM Entertainment in 2014 and very few of those things were good. Multiple artists leaving the company in very public scandals reflected badly on SM, as opposed to its main rival YG Entertainment that has kept stock prices high despite a few scandals of its own. That’s why in order to maintain its place as one of the top entertainment companies in K-Pop, SM Entertainment needs to have an extremely solid year in 2015.
In case you missed what happened during the tumultuous year, here are a few things that happened to the company itself and its artists that you should know before reading KultScene’s analysis of what 2015 will potentially bring.
2014:
January -Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation confirms relationship days after YoonA confirmed to be dating Lee Seung Gi
February -Baljunso, an indie music label, acquired by SM Entertainment
April -Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany confirms relationship with 2PM’s Nichkhun -Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon reported for assault on ex-boyfriend
May -Kris (Wu Yifan) leaves EXO -SM Entertainment stock falls 10 points
June -Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and EXO’s Baekhyun’s relationship confirmed
July -Sulli goes on hiatus from f(x) -Super Junior’s Leeteuk discharged from army
August -Red Velvet Debut and Music Video Controversy -Sulli confirmed to be in relationship with Dynamic Duo’s Choiza
September -Girls’ Generation renews contracts with SM -Jessica removed from Girls’ Generation
October -Luhan leaves EXO -SM stock falls 10 points -SM Entertainment releases statement implying outside forces are affecting EXO
-Zhoumi debuts as solo artist -SM Entertainment surpassed in market value by YG Entertainment
November -Kyuhyun debuts as solo artist
December -Super Junior’s Sungmin gets married -SM Rookiez Taeyong’s cyberbully past exposed, SM Entertainment releases apology
Separate entertainment agencies’ (Woollim, Baljunso) artists under SM not included in this list.
Until April, everything was developing fairly well for SM Entertainment. Artists were releasing music, appearing in dramas, variety shows and films, and holding concerts. The dating scandals, once devastating to idols’ careers, were accepted with grace by fans. Even Hyoyeon’s potentially devastating assault case was relatively quiet.
Starting in May, SM saw multiple members leaving from some of the top groups; Girls’ Generation, EXO, and f(x) all lost members. But the company has seen mass exoduses before. In 2009 three members of TVXQ (who are now known as JYJ) and a Super Junior member (Hangeng) left their groups while two others went inactive (although Kangin has returned to the group).
How did SM get over the changes that time? It promoted different groups like Super Junior and SHINee to fill the void when TVXQ’s two members were almost entirely inactive. Super Junior, despite members leaving, is a large enough group that it was able to make up for the losses. EXO may very well do the same this time around, but with further rumors that members will be leaving, SM Entertainment may change its entire format for the upcoming year. Furthermore, Sulli’s hiatus from f(x) and Jessica’s departure from Girls’ Generation are also troublesome for the company, which has lost serious face.
The ongoing struggles between artists and the company have led stocks to drop extremely low, and both shareholders and fans have little faith in it. SM Entertainment needs to make 2015 one of its best years ever, otherwise face the signs that it may not be the top entertainment company in South Korea anymore.
What SM Is Likely To Do:
-Release a new SHINee album in the first quarter of 2015. SHINee is SM Entertainment’s only group, other than Red Velvet, that hasn’t seen any lineup changes since it debuted in 2008. The group’s stalwart songs will likely be well received and raise faith in SM. A SHINee member is likely to debut as a solo artist, joining the youngest member of the group.
– Debut more solo artists. SM Entertainment has confirmed that f(x) rapper Amber and at least one male artist will promote as soloists in 2015. EXO and SHINee members are likely options due to popularity.
–TVXQ: Yunho will likely join the army in 2015, which means that TVXQ will probably release at least one song, possibly an album, before his enlistment. There are some rumors that Changmin will be attending the army at the same time, but it is possible that he will join the list of SM artists who have been going solo.
-Girls’ Generation:Two options-
1. Nothing will change. Despite Jessica’s departure, Girls’ Generation has been doing well, holding concerts in Asia. More members will likely have acting roles in dramas, films, and musicals. Girls’ Generation’s nine members, including Jessica, renewed contracts with SM in September.
2. Girls’ Generation will disband. The girl group’s members will stay under SM and subgroup Girls’ Generation TTS may stay active. Many of the members have their own lucrative specialties that they may take as their sole career as they get older.
–TRAX: Both members of SM Entertainment’s only band group are out of the army. Jungmo has been visibly active at the company, and will likely release a song on his own if not with fellow member Jay. TRAX has a small but strong fanbase, and SM needs to remind older fans why they like the label.
–Super Junior: Super Junior will be holding Super Show 6 around the world. Members will continue to appear on variety shows, dramas, and radio shows. The group will likely release a new album at the end of the year. Leeteuk will appear on more and more variety shows to return to the role he held before the army, possibly gaining a MC spot. Siwon, for his part, will appear in a drama or film, and Kyuhyun will release a follow up to At Gwanghwamun probably at the start of the year. At least one member, if not more, will head to the army.
Sungmin’s marriage is problematic, but he had few solo activities that will be affected. If he leaves the group, it will be traumatic for fans. But Super Junior will likely continue on as it has, unless other members decide that the group is too old to promote.
– SHINee: See above. Barring any scandals where a member leaves, the group will likely become SM’s headline group in 2015.
–f(x): Amber will release a solo album in the first half of 2015. With or without Sulli, f(x) will continue on and most likely promote Krystal even further into the spotlight. Luna will possibly appear on variety shows and Victoria will continue on with her activities in China. The group will make a comeback in the summer.
–EXO: The group is once again in the midst of rumors, hinting to further member’s suing SM Entertainment, and rumors are already flying about their disbandment.
EXO should be another Super Junior-esque situation, but it’s turning more and more into a TVXQ-like one, where fans have lost faith in SM Entertainment’s management. TVXQ took nearly a two-year hiatus when three of its members left. The group is planning a 2015 comeback, but things in EXO can change at a minute’s notice. If the rumors prove true once again, SM Entertainment may very well move the group to a backburner and have individual members promote without forcing the whole group together.
–Red Velvet: With Girls’ Generation and f(x) in trouble, Red Velvet will likely start appearing in dramas and variety shows. They will probably make a comeback in the second quarter.
–SM Rookies: Due to EXO’s issues, SM Entertainment may release a new boy group sometime in 2015.
Woollim Entertainment: Also under SM are INFINITE, Nell, Tasty, and Lovelyz. INFINITE and Lovelyz are technically rivals of Red Velvet, SHINee, and EXO, so they’ll likely not promote at the same time. INFINITE will probably make a comeback shortly after EXO does, and the same with Lovelyz following a Red Velvet comeback. Tasty will probably release Chinese music, but the duo hasn’t been overly popular in Korea so its unclear whether there will be a comeback. Nell needs to become SM’s rival to YG’s Epik High, as a group that attracts more mature listeners.
Everything, essentially, is up in the air. Some groups are more stable than others, but many of SM Entertainment’s groups have a lot of question marks.
What do you think SM Entertainment needs to do to make 2015 the reverse of 2014? 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/2014/12/SM-Family.jpeg9001600Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2014-12-11 16:49:072014-12-11 16:49:07What Will SM Entertainment Look Like In 2015?
Super Junior finally made its long awaited comeback with Mamacita today, making fans worldwide sigh in relief for it being a really good song. Cheesy, of course, but good. Because, even though SM Entertainment released numerous good songs one after another as of late with artists like SHINee, f(x), and EXO, Super Junior seemed to be pushed to the back burner since leader Leeteuk left for the army two years ago. But with Mamacita, SM finally threw SuJu a bone. And, boy it is epic.
The arguably kings of Hallyu went into a semi, not really, but yes really, hiatus following Leeteuk going into the army. Sure, the subgroups still released projects, but Super Junior as a whole waited for their leader to come back, and instead released new material via the subgroups and abroad. They promoted as a whole in Japan and had releases from Super Junior-M, Donghae and Eunhyuk, and even debuted Henry as a soloist. Business, obviously, continued as usual with other SM artists.
Since 2012, SM has definitely raised the standard in terms of the production behind the music that its groups have put out. EXO’s Growl was so popular and its style is still unmatched in the genre, while Girls’ Generation’s I Got a Boy gave us about three songs in one while exploring different styles, and TVXQ brought big band back with Spellbound, just to name a few. Needless to say, SM has been cooking some good stuff.
On the other hand, Super Junior’s subunit releases during Leeteuk’s absence weren’t on the same level as, say, f(x)’s Rum Pum Pum Pum or even Electric Shock. Super Junior-M’s Break Down was a dubstep mess (in contrast, TVXQ’s Catch Me was better executed), and what was up with the Japanese releases Hero and Blue World? Just, agh! And this is coming from an ELF…
Sure, Henry’s releases were, indeed, good. Fantastic is, well, fantastic, and Trap is just as interesting for their incorporation of different instruments and not relying solely on electronic beats. Super Junior KRY’s releases were flawless, but they are after all a vocal subunit.
Furthermore, the Eunhyuk & Donghae Japanese project relied on the dancing and visuals more than their vocal capabilities (however limited they are, let’s be real here). Motorcycle is great, but those honking sounds and the hook pretty much ruin the flow of the song. Not to mention that they looked like G-Dragon and Taeyang at times during the music video… Similarly, Skeleton is a pretty cool song, but the chorus is, for a lack of a better word, lame.
So fast forward a few months after Swing (which was also not that great) and Fantastic (is Henry still promoting?), we now have Mamacita, and it’s better than anything we could’ve hoped for.
Super Junior’s staple is cheesiness; we all know that and love them because of and in spite of that. Mr. Simple, Spy, Opera, No Other, all cheesy, all great! But it’s inevitable to see how Super Junior’s quality went down after Leeteuk’s leave of absence, and how it picked up with his return. Is there a direct relationship? Probably not, but maybe a correlation; it’s great that they’re back and doing what they do best.
Mamacita is the group’s revindication and product of SM finally sharing the good ish with them, and not giving the “goods” to all to the rest of its acts. The music video? Fun, and surprisingly with a plot (a drama version will be released too!). The sound? A revival of swing mixed with a piano melody and prominent percussion. Cheesy? Of course! But in a good way. Super Junior’s members are all past 25-years-old; they need to follow through with being their adorable dork selves to stay relevant in the business.
According to the Korea Times, Leeteuk explained during a press conference for the track:
Our goal with this new album is to have a good time.
… Which is obviously apparent with Siwon playing sherif, going around town looking for Leeteuk the bandit, with Heechul as the bartender being the real crook, etc.
They also claim that they wish to promote a manlier side to them with this comeback, which is entirely true. There probably isn’t a music video out there where the entire group has looked as attractive and sexy as in Mamacita. Their stylists hit a home run with the looks chosen for each member: Eunhyuk is back to blonde, Kyuhyun has darker hair, Sungmin has that Cruella De Ville hair which weirdly suits him, and Siwon got rid of the moustache… Just kidding, he’s just as hot with it.
All in all, let me just say (in a SHINee opening type of way,) Super Junior’s back! Their album comes out September 1st and their comeback stage will be held on Music Bank on the same day.
What did you think of Mamacita compared to Super Junior’s previous releases? 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.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Untitled-design1.png7681024Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelumhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngAlexis Hodoyan-Gastelum2014-08-28 21:32:422014-08-28 21:32:42Super Junior Makes Epic Comeback
Super Junior recently announced that it would return with its seventh album. It’s been almost two years since the SM Entertainment group released a Korean album as a whole unit. And how is ELF taking the news? Well, it’s safe to say that we’re all like:
Despite this unofficial hiatus, Super Junior as a whole was very active in the Japanese and Chinese market. The group released both Japanese album Heroand the Japanese single Blue Worldin 2013. Their subgroups were also very active. Super Junior K.R.Y (Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung) released a single, Promise You,also in Japanese. Morover, in 2013, Super Junior-M released Break Downin China, and in Swing in 2014.
Donghae & Eunhyuk for t heir part released I Wanna Dancein June 2013, and was the only subgroup to have a Korean release in 2013 with the single Still You. Super Show 5 ran between March 2013 and February 2014. The group also appeared at SM Town Live World Tour III. So what has each member been up to?
Leeteukheaded into the army shortly after Sexy, Free & Singlewas released in 2012. He will finish his military service on July 29, and appears to be returning to Super Junior for the 7th album. So, pretty much, they’ve been waiting for their dear leader. Think about that for a minute.
Heechulcompleted his military service at the end of last August, and made his Super Junior comeback in Blue World.He’s also appeared on We Got Married Global Edition Season 2,with a fake marriage to Taiwanese idol Puff Guo. Heechul is currently appearing in the drama Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit.
Kanginreturned from the army and to normal Super Junior promotions on Sexy, Free & Single.The strongman became the host of MBC’s Show Championin 2014, and is playing the lead role in the upcoming film Cat Funeral.
Shindong continued his career as a host, appearing on The Beatles Code 2and his own radio show, ShiShimTaPa.In preparation for the album and his upcoming enlistment, Shindong ended his stint as ShimShimTaPa’s DJ in early July. In 2013, he won the Radio Category Top Excellence Award for the radio show at the MBC Entertainment Awards.
Sungmin, along with his activities as a Super Junior-M member, has made himself known in the musical scene. He appeared in the musicals Jack The Ripper, Summer Snow, and The Three Musketeers since 2013. He also hosted Super Junior Kiss The Radio show with Ryeowook, but stepped down in April 2013 to focus on his musical activities.
Eunhyuk not only appeared at all of Super Junior’s concerts, but he was continuously active in two subgroups, Super Junior-M and Donghae & Eunhyuk. In addition, he appeared on several variety shows, including Barefoot Friends.
Donghae‘s activities were pretty much the same as Eunhyuk for many parts, but he also opened up a restaurant in Seoul and appeared in the movie Rumor and the popular drama God’s Quiz Season 4.
Siwon partook in Super Junior-M activities and was busy acting. He appeared in the Hong Kong film Helios, and was cast in the film Dragon Blade, which he will act in alongside Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody, and John Cusack. Siwon also appeared in the music video for Donghae & Eunhyuk’s song Motorcycle.
Ryeowook has been busy with subgroup activity with Super Junior K.R.Y and –M. He also sang songs for several soundtracks, and appeared in two musicals. Ryeowook took over as the sole host of Super Junior Kiss The Radio after Sungmin left, and he also hosts the Mnet show Super Idol Chart Show with Beast’s Dongwoon.
Kyuhyun participated in subgroup activities with K.R.Y and -M, and appearing in the 2014 reiteration of SM The Ballad. He also appeared on Henry’s solo song Trap. Throghout part of 2013, he was a host of the show Mamma Mia. Kyuhyun also acted in four musicals since 2013, and is currently appearing in Singin’ In The Rain.
Yesungwent into the army in May 2013. Herowas the last albumin which his vocals appeared on. Before enlistment, he also sang Carbon Paperfor the drama That Winter, The Wind Blows.
[Disclaimer: These two are members of Super Junior-M officially and many people consider them official Super Junior members so I am including them on the list.]
Zhou Mi promoted with Super Junior-M and SM The Ballad, and he, wait for it… Was the mastermind behind the lyrics of not only the title song Swing but also Fly High! He also hosted a Chinese radio show with Miss A’s Fei and Jia.
Henry promoted with SuJu-M and became SM Entertainment’s first male solo artist in over a decade when he debuted in 2013 with Trap. He also appeared on numerous variety shows to promote himself and SuJu-M, including MasterChef Korea Celebrity and Real Men. Henry also acted in the movie, Final Recipe. He’s currently gearing up for his comeback with Fantastic.
Pretty much, the members of Super Junior have been busy, but now it’s time for them to release something new. SM Entertainment has shared that the group will release a new album in September, and have a concert at the end of that month.
Are you excited for Super Junior’s comeback? Or do you like their solo activities more? Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Super-Junior-2014.jpg9401688Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2014-07-10 13:51:492014-07-11 01:26:24What’s Super Junior Been Up To Between ‘Sexy, Free, & Single’ & Now?
Sunday’s come and gone, and an avid KultScene reader may have realized that we didn’t publish our usual Playlist Sunday list. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget! We were just busy making sure that we covered every single moment at KCON LA 2015 to make sure we let you in on all the details. Instead, the three KultScene writers who covered the event picked our favorite songs of each night’s M! Countdown concert.
