So recently I had my iphone at work and was listening to songs on it, when a curious co-worker said "What song you listening to?" I, being proud of my taste in music handed my iphone over with the head phones and said "Why don't listen for yourself?" She sifted through my songs and said "What are these songs? They look like Chinese since the writing looks like it?!" I enlightened her with the fact that the songs I listened to were in fact Korean and that I absolutely had a love for them. She gave me a weird look and said " Do you even understand Korean?" and I told her that no I did not, but that is where youtube and its english subbers came in handy for me to understand the language. Even after all the explanation she gave me a look of OOOOKAAAY. In all honesty though, alot of people I approach have mistaken Korean music for Chinese and I find it quite amusing that people usually reply "What's the difference? They are both the same almost." To which I really want to respond "So I guess Americans are the same as British right?" Two different continents, two different cultures, and differing in dialects. Don't get me wrong I have not only kpop(another name for korean pop) on my ipod, but also Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian all on my ipod, but I find a I have a certain affinity for Korean music. So while I sat down today thinking about what to post next on my blog I decided I'd provide people with a little insight on Korean music and give them my favorites in this area. To those Kpop and Korean music experts out there, I ask for forgiveness in advance, four years of listening to Korean music hasn't made me an expert at it, but I have found a sense of happiness in the Korean music industry, more than that of even the American music industry. So Let's Begin my little adventure of my top favs on the Kpop scene! Before we begin though I'd like to give people a bit of background on Korean music. Mainstream Korean music can be split up into 3 genres: pop, trot, and rnb (is that how you spell it?).
Korean trot music can be considered what we as American's look at in the history of music as the classical music of kpop. It is the shortened form of foxtrot and though I'm not very familar with this genre of kpop I do know that I only know one singer that has absolutely won my heart in this genre and that is Park Hyun Bin. From Kondeure Maeundre to Pa Ra Pa Pa he starts to grow on you with his strong vocals and cheesy music, but it was Oppaman Mideo that won me over to him. Though Park Hyun Bin is an acquired taste for foreign listeners I've grown to love his vocals and his personality through watching various variety shows. He is one of the few young singers that has carried on the history of the fast fading trot genre of music of kpop.
PARK HYUN BIN MUSIC VIDEO HERE
Moving on to recent evolving of kpop I have found that the Korean music scene over the past few years has been taken over by idol groups (the American definition of Boy and Girl Bands/Groups) since there are SOOOO MANY. I'm only going to list my top 6 idol groups in order.
1. DBSK/TVQX: At the top of my list is this absolutely fabulous group know as Dong Bang Shin Gi or Tonshinki in Japan. This group is made up of 5 absolutely AMAZING vocalists. The groups name translates the "Rising Gods of the East" and in all honesty they are. They started of in Korea and have risen to popularity all over Asia and especially Japan. Most of their songs are must listen too songs and they had the highest votes for the international star most wanted on her show! These boys can not only sing, but they can also dance! They are a package deal and really are the epitome of true performes. My favorite all time song of this group personally is Mirotic!
2. Big Bang: In second and in close to DBSK is Big Bang. This group of five boys have never let me down with their music. Whether they sing as a group or have separated as individual artists the group has always wowed me with their vocals and performaces. The group shot to fame wit their single Lies, but it was Haru Haru that totally won me over with these boys. The group has show their versatility in music by parting in their individual works and still come back to provide their fans with music that never gets old!
3. 2NE1: pronounced as "To Anyone" this four girl group debuted in 2009 with their single "Fire" and has acclaimed fame more than any other group that debuted with them. Not only can these girls sing, but their sense of style and dance is something refreshing to any music scene. These girls stole my heart with their song "Fire" and has won me over with their new song "Clap Your Hands". Known as the girl version of the Big Bang there was no way I couldn't put these girls right after their male counterparts!
2NE1 CLAP YOUR HANDS MUSIC VIDEO HERE!
4. SNSD: In at number four is So Nyuh Shi Dae or better known in as Girls Generation. To be honest this group didn't wow me with their debut song "Gee" I'm not too fond of the cutesy songs, but for some reason the song and dance got stuck in my head. I can understand why Korea was taken by wildfire with the "Gee" dance. It's absolutely addicting. These girls have their strengths and weaknesses in my opinion. I think their image sets an unrealistic expectation for young girls in South Korea and to be honest I think that some of their songs are not really that amazing vocally. I put these girls on my list though because they really wowed me and have grown vocally when they performed their song "Run Devil Run". The song and their performace is by far one of my favorite kpop ones of all time!
SNSD RUN DEVIL RUN MUSIC VIDEO HERE!
5. Wondergirls: In at number 5 is Wondergirls of JYP entertainment. They shot to fame with their song "Tell Me" to which South Korea was overcome with the "Tell Me" dance wave. The video was cute and the dance is addicting, but these girls seem to still have alot of growing to do vocally. I put them on my list because these girls have REALLY improved since their tell me days and have worked hard to become global stars in the U.S. too. These girls may seem familar to you because they debuted in America with "Nobody"on tour with the Jonas Brothers and did make it on to the American Billboards. Some may have seen them in Limited Too clothing stores tv screens (since thats where I seem to see them whenever I do at the mall). They recently released their new US and Korean sing "Two Different Tears" to which the video guest stars comedian Bobby Lee. The girls wowed me with their vocals on this song and I absolutely find the video humorous!
WONDERGIRLS 2 DIFF. TEARS MUSIC VIDEO HERE!
6. 2pm: Last, but not least I added 2pm. Thesebefore 7 boys and now 6 were all over the place when they debuted with 10 out of 10. Their vocals were weak, but their leader Jay Park excelled in both areas. Their dance was what held these boys together and really shined throughout their debut, but it wasn't until Again and Again that these boys shot to fame. The song was amazing and the dance even more amazing! Though they seemed to have still been weak during Again and Again performance they really brought on their dancing! I added these boys because even with so much controversy involving their leader and going on as a no leader group this group has consistently become stronger and improved in their singing. I really give these boys credit for holding up to all of the netizens backlash and really coming together even after losing their leader!
2pm AGAIN AND AGAIN MUSIC VIDEO HERE!
Now since I made the kpop list so long I promise to make the rnb genre as small as I possibly can!
- Wheesung: One of Korea's well-known R&B artists. Wheesung won my heart with the Craig David's korean remake Insomnia. His vocals are flawless and so are his performances. No one can top his music in my heart and to add on to it he has written many famous songs for korean idols such as "I go crazy because of you" & "I'll Back Off So You Can Live". Recently he came out with his song "I thought to marry" which has been playing on my ipod NONSTOP! He oozes with talent and one can't help to fall in love with his voice
WHEESUNG'S INSOMNIA MUSIC VIDEO HERE
2. Hwayobi: At number two, is this absolutely down to earth, but AMAZING singer. She looks like ones aunt next door on a normal day, but on stage she sets an aura of beauty around her. Her singing makes you love her and just stare at her in awe. Her vocals are one of the most amazing out there and whenever she sings all I can relate her to is Whitney Houston. She makes you feel one with her songs and I fell in love with her with her song "Rose" and recently fell in love her song "BYE BYE BYE". Her voice engulfs you in the emotion and the story of each of her songs and I cannot tell you how much one falls in love with her on stage and off stage personality. She is the epitome of an awesome vocalist out of the girls in Korea
HWAYOBI BYE BYE BYE HERE!
Brian Joo: Starting with the group Fly to the Sky, Brian broke off as a independent artist. Though many of is korean songs were big hits. I absolutely fell in love with him when he sang Jason Derulo's korean remake of "In My Head". He sang it better than the original and his voice and dance moves captivated me completely. He is someone I've been trying to look into, but haven't had the chance to, but his voice is OOH LA LA!
BRIAN JOO'S IN MY HEAD MUSIC VIDEO HERE
4.Lyn: As I said before I'm not one to really like cutesy songs, but it was Lyn's "Honey's Baby Love" that made me catch interest in her. Though the song has a subtle underlying cuteness, her vocals and stage presence gave a mature touch to the song. I looked her up on youtube and found that she has done many renditions of kpop artists and her voice is to DIE FOR! The girl does wonderful renditions and can sing and I look foward to her future works!
And there was my list of kpop songs! Hopefully you guys were enlightened and not too bored, but as I wanted to spread the interest in this type of music I hope many of you will grow to love my love! Until next time! Ciao!
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