K-pop

Unsure if inspirational lyrics like these can ever be interesting, but is there something to be said for how loyally it sticks to flipping the 'Beautiful' script 180 degrees around? "I am ugly, no matter what you say". Whether I'm getting exactly the nuance they're going for, I'm not sure, even if the words are simple. At least there's an attempt to make things interesting.

Thought "Unpretty" and "Don't Let Me Get Me" hit pretty hard back in the day, the latter especially with Pink sounding ripped-up from the inside, not blaming this entirely on the patriarchy.

"Ugly" also does a nice 180-degree flip on "I Am The Best"'s "Even if you were me you'd envy my body." I am positive that the very same people who chant "NAE GA JE IL JAL NA GA" whenever they hear it will sing along with "Don't lie to my face, I know that I'm ugly," and feel the exact same liberation when singing either one.

Haven't yet gone looking for English translations, to try to locate nuances, though a translation may miss them as well, assuming there are any. But what we've got instead of nuance are tensions between song and singers, between this song and other 2NE1 songs, complications that appear whether the song acknowledges complication or not.

(The Korean Music Copyright Association lists Lydia Soo Paek as co-writer of "Ugly" along with Teddy Park (whose name they spell "Te Di"). And she's listed as co-writer of "Don't Cry," also with Teddy. I've no other information about her.)

Lydia is apparently a dance crew member and singer, and a friend of Shaun Evaristo, who's done choreography for YG. Here's the story which I just found through Google http://letsplay2ne1.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/article-quest-crew-member-lydia-paek-co-wrote-and-co-produced-park-boms-dont-cry/

I came across these girls dancing to TVXQ, a clip previously removed from youtube, and it's so so amazing

Yes, awesome. What's the story with the clip's removal and return? It would be great if, with their normal looks and weight, they could get a shot.

Listened to the Teen Top album once and was hugely disappointed, since "Supa Luv" had shown promise. Even on that one the singing was too feeble, but the song had a nice glide, making the pale voices not a big problem 'til the embarrassing speaking bit at the end. This second listen to "Don't Spray Perfume" makes me think I underrated its tune a little, and of course I had no idea it had such words. Probably still doesn't rate higher than "interesting," but if I were to revive my "problematic Korean videos" series, this one would surely belong.

I don't know, it just disappeared and I had to watch it on a Korean site for a while. They should apply to Korea's Got Talent.

It's SNSD's 4 year anniversary today. Here are some clips from a recent Seoul concert, doing Britney, Madonna and Janet.

Sunny
Yoona & Yuri
Jessica

Sunny's '3' performance again, since it was removed.

Also SuJu's new single... as the biggest Bonamana fan here following the same formula for a third time in a row is pushing it. And the video is so bland and grey and typically SM lame.

With a few tweaks maybe it could be a modern country chorus, and better than most of what's on country radio this year...

I definitely agree, and actually I get much more out of the song by watching <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRVr6_Fl5g>;solo acoustic youtube covers of it</a> - stripping the bombast out of the chorus makes it seem less teen-angsty to me, although I suppose being teen-angsty isn't necessarily a bad thing. (I'm sure the single would have spoken volumes to me at that stage of my life.) Matt of Totally Amazing has some good insight into the meaning of the song vs. the meaning of the video <a href=http://totallyamazing.tumblr.com/post/8192716256/2ne1-ugly-well-i-was-just-talking-about-how>;here</a>.

As for the new SJ single, I'm disappointed the video doesn't look anything like the teaser pictures and I'm disappointed that the song is unworthy of forming a trinity with Sorry Sorry and Bonamana. Haven't listened to the rest of the album, but I generally ignore SJ's music past the singles.

crap, messed that up! but all the links are visible anyway?

I get the link to Totally Amazing, but not any acoustic covers.

ok, here is the acoustic cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRVr6_Fl5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AqF8AiCNcs

Was going to post that on lj last night if I hadn't been too sleepy. Will probably do so today. HyunA's relative stillness makes her just as steamy as she always is, and Zico just kills it. I think his rap in the middle is entirely new - doesn't seem to match DOK2's on the EP. And he improves it.

The Block B EP starts strong with "Halo" and then blands out; too much mediocre boyband singing, but Zico's rapping is sterling; unfortunately, he doesn't get many chances to stretch out as he does here.

Evidently he's got a mixtape. Hope he doesn't feel the need to be too tough and real.

haven't caught up with this thread yet but just stepping in to agree that the dubstep breakdown in Bubble Pop is AWFUL A-W-F-U-L

maybe someone can do an edit? :\

I certainly don't think there's an agreement on that.

Tea and cakes at the Blue House looks like an awkward affair

http://i.imgur.com/6QFcd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Bgssz.jpg

sweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe_J_tcu3QE

Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 Launches; Sistar Is No. 1 on New Korea Chart

Billboard goes K-Pop today (Aug. 25) with the launch of a new chart, the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100. The tally, which ranks Korea's top-selling songs, kicks off with girl group Sistar's "So Cool" grabbing the No. 1 slot and beating out second-place Leesang and 2NE1, who land not only at No. 3 (with "Ugly") but also No. 14 ("Hate You") and No. 21 ("I Am The Best") on the chart dated Sept. 3.

The Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart, launched in conjunction with Billboard Korea, is based on digital sales via leading websites as well as downloads from mobile service sites using an industry-standard formula and the most credible music data sources within Korea. The K-Pop Hot 100 debuts simultaneously here on Billboard.com, in the international chart section of Billboard.biz, in Billboard magazine, and also on Billboard Korea's website, billboard.co.kr.

"The launch of the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart is a milestone event, as it will provide the Korean music market with what we believe is Korea's most accurate and relevant song ranking," says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard's Director of Charts. "We're excited to be expanding Billboard's globally recognized Hot 100 chart franchise into this country, and look forward to enhancing the K-Pop Hot 100 chart in the near future with additional data as well as creating new charts that showcase the breadth of Korean music."

finally caught up with this thread. the 4minute album is nice!

'ugly' really bothers me, seems not good for people with self esteem issues.

sorry if its already been mentioned, but this is amazing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty4g27YHZ-Q

New U-KISS single, Neverland. Of note because it was written and produced by JD Relic, an American who is mostly known for posting English-language covers of K-pop songs on Youtube.

It sounds pretty North American to me, though maybe that's just because the "shiny club beats" trend is happening everywhere anyway. Also if you're unfamiliar with U-KISS this amount of English used isn't unusual for them - part of their deal has always been that they have a fairly high ratio of native English speakers (3 out of 7 members).

My favorite is "Someday" from the new U-Kiss album. It's the anthem of non-successful K-Pop acts.
They really stepped up with this one.

Re their English, probably because of the native speakers, even the others are above average English speakers.

caught up with the TSJ reviews and can I just take a moment to point out that korea and japan are not the same? really getting tired of japanese references (i.e. harajuku girls, hello kitty) making their way into k-pop reviews.

Kara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pPrZ-QN4Iw

video is down

it was working like 45 mins ago

this should work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYoYoBtLqOY

my eyes hurt

thanks for the link!

The bridge to Step feels like an injection of morphine.

it's like "bang!" for people who think after school are too scary

great thread guys. kinda love this:

A Pink - It Girl

the outfit coordination in that kara video is next level

my friend just sent me this from 2009

http://www.youtube.com/v/EHWklhbVXSw&fs=1&hl=en

this is properly amazing

I always thought "Where U At" sounded better with the beat from a Justin Bieber song under it.

I like A Pink's Protect the Boss song as well. I know this is blasphemy, but they're like a (vocally) improved version of SNSD to me.

I wish Jay Park sold better...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmPMZlsDlVY
Perfect.

Also I can't get over Someday. It's so touching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwSQVbxOa6w

woah!! 'abandoned'!!

Yeah, I was spinning that a lot. His EP is solid.

Blasphemy or not, I really don't see how A Pink is a vocally improved SNSD. If they are they haven't got any chance at showing it off with that cutesy affectation on every track. They're kinda similar to Kissing You-era aka shitty era SNSD , though, I'll give you that.

Omg there's an English version of SNSD's "Born To Be a Lady" on Demi Lovato's new album.

So much feel-good energy in this performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em3E3n5dLu0

Brown Eyed Girls, finally back. Stepped up their badassery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgJVNAbkTwc

Great gender-switching performance of buzz single 'Hot Shot'
Sixth Sense live

WHO RUN THE WORLD (BROWN EYED GIRLS)

The new SNSD album was originally set to be released on 10/04, but evidently that's been pushed back a couple of weeks to work out better international distribution deals.

The teaser trailer (which, why isn't this a more common practice globally?) is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeiB3Pq_5dY&feature=player_embedded

I hope that the music sample is actually taken from the album and isn't just filler, because it sounds fantastic.

the trick to 'bubble pop' is to listen to so much shitty brostep that the brostep breakdown seems good by comparison.

the production on this song is really great, balanced but the attack is quick.

by contrast, on the 4minute album they often sound like they're using a webcam to record.

Many different opinions about SNSD's Korean/worldwide comeback single The Boys. More on that later. You can't deny though that they naaailed their first perfomance. This song really allows them to show off themselves as powerhouse vocalists, and the choreography is really powerful as well. It's all very cool image-wise. Seohyun is AAA here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9YFncRmZdM

I see thread contributor descriptivist is disappointed with the Korean lyrics on her tumblr. Yes, maybe I agree, it's not like it should be their place to cheer on the boys. But the lyrics don't really come off as simple as that. Sunny says as much in an interview:

Sunny – “The lyrics’ (meaning) are up to the interpretation (of the listeners'). Rather than just the simple meaning of girls giving boys support, it can be interpreted in many ways. The girls could be telling the boys that we’ll take the lead, giving off a more tough image. It could also be interpreted as girls telling the boys to get their act together and cheer up. (laughs) The song is also aims to give courage to people, whether they’re girls or guys, who are tired out (by life).”

Then there's the rap thing and the Athena reference..

I found this song really plodding and without melody imo

k-pop just can't pull off these bangers

don't really know what 'these bangers' means here

okay, well, aggressive, dirty sounding assertive bangers

kpop has been a big internet fad for a lil while huh

yeah

check this version of the boys out btw. I like it better than the final mix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq2-YQxsAPA