Melon Top 100 Newbies: Week 3 of November 2013 (18-24)

Tags

79, Big Brother, C-luv, Choi Jin Hyuk, Clover, ElectroBoyz, F.T. Island, G.O, gummy, Hi.ni, Kim Jin Ho, Lena Park, Lim Jeong Hee, MBLAQ, Park Shin Hye, Park Sihwan, Rose Motel, San E, Seon Woo Jung Ah, SG Wannabe, Shin Ji Hoon, Standing Egg, Wax, YB, Yurima

Total Chart
Newbies from 1st place to 25th place here
31. YB & Lena Park – December
36. 2BiC – She (feat. 79)
45. Clover – Trickling
52. FTISLAND – Madly
53. Hi.ni – Can’t Have You OST
63. San E – To My Ex-Girlfriend (feat. Seon Woo Jung Ah)
64. Shin Ji Hoon – Hurtful
65. Rose Motel – Marrying Man, Marrying Woman
67. Standing Egg – Break Up For You, Not Yet For Me (feat. Park Shin Hye)
85. Wax – Love Wind OST
92. Lim Jeong Hee – I’ll Be There OST
93. Kim Jin Ho (SG WannaBe) – The Best Of Me (Korean Ver.)
95. Choi Jin Hyuk – Don’t Look Back OST
98. Gummy, Big Brother – Only One
100. 100% V – Missing You

Song Chart
85. G.O (MBLAQ) – Play That Song (feat. Yurima & 2FACE)
92. San E – Wish You To Be Unhappier
95. Electroboyz – Busted (feat. C-luv)
96. Park Sihwan – My Love
100. San E – My Girlfriend’s Mama

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I didn’t even realize the first song was featuring YB. I really loved Mystery, which deserved way more attention than it got. And it’s quite good actually. It’s not the greatest song there is, but it’s good and I’ll try listening to it a few more time to see if it entices my mind somehow. Lena Park has a really great voice too.

2BiC is always somewhat good, just because both singer have such great vocal. This song is cute and it’s kinda good also (in the way it’s not full of long complaining acrobatics vocals stuff in a deeply sad song and all). But I feel like it lacks something somehow. It’s good and fun, but, and that’s the case with 2BiC for me most of the time, it’s never enough for the song to catch me entirely.

Trickling is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting much since there’s no MV and I don’t know this band. But it’s quite good and I’ll go and search more about Clover, the album and their previous work. It’s hip-hop/R&B a bit, but soft, with parts where it much more singing that just rapping. The music is good, not too upbeat, not too weird or typical hip-hop-ish (even though it’s not a bad time sometimes). It’s worth checking out.

Madly… Gosh, I think I have a big problem with FTISLAND lately. Or was it always. I don’t really know. I think the only song I really like about them was I Wish. Except from that, I feel like they just did really sad-ish or whiny song (and I kinda hate that). The only thing that kinda save it (a bit), is Lee Hongki’s voice. But really, please, next time, I really want a more upbeat song.

Can’t Have You is from Reply 1994. Most of Reply (any year) OST bored me to hell. This one is quite boring too, really OST like… So if you don’t watch the show, don’t bother. Or maybe just if you feel like wallowing and sobbing over yourself or something like that (bit even then, I feel like it’s not powerful enough).

Let’s talk about San E : I don’t like his music. So I have a hard time talking about the few tracks that are here. To My Ex-Girlfriend doesn’t even deserve the position it’s at right now. It’s terribly boring and too typical for standing out from, well, anything. Wish You To Be Unhappier, even though I like the title of the song, is even more boring than the previous one. And it’s vulgar when, with this title, I would have expected (and maybe even enjoy) witty lyrics and upbeat funny stuff over stupid vulgarity and complaints. My Girlfriend’s Mama is a bit less boring since it’s more upbeat, more fun, more what the previous one should have been. It’s almost good enough for me to ponder my impression about San E. But it’s still quite hard with how crappy was Wish You To Be Unhappier. And at one point, I still get bored.

Hurtful is just bleh. I have no other word. It’s sound like those reunion song for a cause, but with the great song to make all the voice come together (and it’s not that there’s many singer in this one, it’s the back chorus that makes it sounds like that). The sound feels outdated or cheap. I really don’t like it. I don’t hate it, but it makes me feel weird and I would prefer not having to listen to it.

Rose Motel’s song is fine. It’s a smooth song, but it’s also nothing special. It’s just a good song to listen to while doing something else maybe. Like in the afternoon. But the last part really screw the first feeling of it, so it’s not that nice.

Wax is one of the “ballad goddess” of Korea. You can understand, as I do, even though I don’t like ballad. This song is both a ballad and from a OST. I don’t like it. It has everything a OST ballad is supposed to have… That said, I’m really interested in the drama it was done for, Empress Ki.

I’ll Be There is about the same as Wax’ song, but it’s maybe a tad more on the modern side.

SG Wannabes are really not doing for me. The Best of Me is a really classic vocal ballad. Not my style.

Don’t Look Back is a bit different for a OST song, but it’s still not all that great. I guess you need to watch the drama so you can related to the song. Even though I feel like it’s a ballad, it has a little rock twist to it.

Missing You, by 100% V (a sub-unit I guess), is a ballad. It’s fine, but again, I feel like it has nothing special or nothing that stands out.

G.O solo is good. It’s not the best song there is, but it’s fine and you can listen to it like the song from Rose Motel. It has a more “late night” vibe to it, like taking a bath or drinking some wine while finishing diner or something. It has this little “snap” sound following 2 or 3 hit-hat sound, like a sexy groovy song, you know?

Electroboyz’ Busted is good. In fact, about all the Electroboyz’ song I’ve listen to since their collad with Bigstar for the K-Food Day song are great. There’s always something catchy enough but not too intense for me to get “attached” too somehow.

My Love was intended for a Superstar K show. It kinda sounds like it too since you feel like it was made to perform, with some move and intense expression while you sing it… I’m not really into it since I feel like it’s a song for this purpose, but that doesn’t move me and, and it usual does not. But if you’re into performance like this or, like, American Idol stuff, you should check it out. Maybe browse around and find the performance itself on youtube, it might be a bit better that way (or maybe worse, since I’ve seen so many performance that were so-so in those kinda show in Korea).

That’s all folks!

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My Pick for the EYKA 2013 – Most Bizarre Kpop Video

Tags

A-jax, B1A4, Bilasa, Block B, Chansebi, Cho Yong Pil, Daejun, G-Dragon, Honey G, Hyungdon, J.Fla, Kim Sarang, Myu myu, Norazo, TOP, YB

Most Bizarre Kpop Video of 2013

Nominees:
Cho Yong Pil – Hello
Norazo – Wild Horse
B1A4 – What’s Happening?
Chansebi – Ura Cha Cha
Honey G – My Love
Kim Sarang – ICU
T.O.P – Doom Dada
Block B – Very Good
A-Jax – Insane
G-Dragon – MichiGO

My pick: I would go with either ICU or Wild Horse.
Why: ICU is as bizarre as you get, I don’t even understand what’s the concept about. Wild Horse is more understandable, but still weird as hell. I really like the song of Insane though.
Left out: Maybe Myu Myu, with Welcome To This Wonderful Mart, or J.Fla’s Story even though the first is weird mainly because it’s so low-budget and the second is weird because of the use of politics in a somewhat humorous concept. But they most definitely forgot Mystery, by YB, and Hyungdon & Daejun’s Meet Me.
Prediction: TOP, who else?

Top 10 KIndie Songs of Summer 2013

Tags

As One, Bebop, Dynamic Duo, Humming Urban Stereo, J Sun, Jung Hwan, Kim Beggar, Lee Na Rae, Lim Kim, Miss $, Odd Eye, Primary, Slow Diving Table, verbal jint, WHOwho, YB

For this one, I thought less of the overall popularity than how those songs actually marked my summer, how many of them are still on my “recent songs” playlist (it’s a playlist of never more than 50 songs so I need to regularly dropped some songs to add new ones, but I keep a few favorite – even songs that were release in April or old song I’ve just (re)discover) and how they fit in a summer theme playlist (kinda). It also has to do with my overall appreciation of them.

Almost made it : Lee Na Rae – Raining In Amsterdam
I thought it wasn’t fair to put it in the Top 10 since it was release too late in September to actually be a “summer song”. But my god this song is pretty. Yes, sure, it’s a lot like Lim Kim’s Rain, but I prefer Lee Na Rae’s song. I feel like Lim Kim has a more “earth-y” feel to her song and that Lee Na Rae is more “air-y”. And I think I prefer the music behind the voice of Raining In Amsterdam. Both song are more on the bright side even though they talk about rain, but Lee Na Rae is “lighter” maybe. There’s still a jazzy side to it though. Ok, maybe it’s just because I terribly love the intro with the whistles…

10. ODD EYE – Follow Me
This one I listened to it a lot. I really like it, a lot more than the few others (or just one, I don’t remember). I feel like it was good for this summer because of the chorus : the music is light and the singers have very crystalline voices. The violins are cool too. The MV is fine.

9. Kim Beggar – Tightwad
This one is an underdog. The first time I’ve listened to it, I was like “yeah great”. Then I’ve listened to it a few more times and it really grew on me. The MV is a but dull though. But I feel like this song was perfect for summer, it has an outdoors feel to it, like walking on the beach or next to a lake or something.

8. As One – Awkward Love
This one is really sweet. The MV is basically just a lyrics MV, but they did a great job at it, put a lot of effort in it. It’s kind of a really light ballad, but with a little happier twist.

7. YB – Mystery
This one I don’t get how it has not more views. The MV is awesome and the song is awesome. I just seriously do not get it. I really love this song and I listened to it a lot. You should check it out, it’s really really good. It’s more on the “rock” side, but it’s still kinda stay in the “easy listening” field somehow.

6. Bebop & Humming Urban Stereo – Maem Maem
I had a hard time to like this one. I was not sure about it somehow. But after a while, it really grew on me. It’s really fun and the dance feel to it is awesome. I’m not that sure about the MV exactly, but it’s not too bad.

5. Miss $ – You were not the… (Narr. Verbal Jint)
I really really like Miss $. I don’t know why they’re not more popular than this. The last MV I’ve seen from them wasn’t really great, but this song AND MV are really really good. I like the concept of the break up, not because they don’t like each other, but because he’s not the one. It gives a different twist to usual love song with all of the “saranghae” here and there. The great strength of Miss $ is the combo of both the vocals of the main singer and the rapper who’s really not bad at all. And, even though I’m not always into Verbat Jint, he’s doing a good job here.

4. WHOwho – Her
This one I instantly loved. It’s just a good old indie upbeat song. It got everything you want : synth, guitars, a good singer and a catchy chorus. It’s mostly in English so you can even sing along easily! The MV is basic, but who cares really? This song is good enough that they could have just put up a lyrics MV and it would still be awesome.

3. Primary – Happy Ending
This one was troubling because the MV is really boring. But the music caught me from the start so I was able to overlooked the never-ending jazzy dancing. It’s really smooth and the rap part fits well with the song. I’m still listening to it as of now. It’s a great song for drinking a glass of wine with friends while eating or having some fancy cheese or something. Or when you just want something not too calming so that you want fall asleep, but not too upbeat so you won’t get distracted. They should make more songs like this.

2. J-Sun – The Day Gently Melt (feat. Jung Hwan)
This one is THE underdog. It’s not the greatest song there is, it’s not the most outstanding. But it fits so well with summer! Mostly because the voice of the main singer feels like a cool breeze and the music is really refreshing too. It’s perfect also for the early and the end of summer because there’s something in the voices and music that is cool yet warm at the same time. It’s really hard to describe how much this song is really great in a subtle way. You really should check it out even though summer is gone. I still listen to it and enjoy it. Somehow, it feels like a grown up lullaby or something.

1. Dynamic Duo – BAAAM
How not to choose this song for number 1? I don’t know. Not only do I still listen and enjoy it a whole lot, it’s been my ringtone for a while now. It’s just one of the greatest song of the year, really. The chorus is so good it’s hard to understand. The only thing is the girl saying “bad girl gone badder” but sounding like she’s saying “bad girl gone better”. But even so. And the beat, gosh! It’s not just electronic stuff done by a program design to make catchy background rap beat (yes, that’s why they all sound a bit similar), but they worked on it. Freaking perfect is what it is.

I also want to mention the new album of Slow Diving Table, who is just awesome from the first track to the last. You really should check it out, there’s 2 MV available on YouTube, and they’re is a preview of about every track on the pastel channel too. It’s a great album, maybe even the best they made yet.

K-Blend of Awesomeness (Part 6) – June/July 2013

Tags

4minute, A-jax, After School, Ahn Young Mi, Ailee, Andamiro, AOA, B.A.P, B2ST, baechigi, BATOOST, BEAST, brown eyed girls, Bumkey, Chocolat, Crayon Pop, Double K, Dynamic Duo, f(x), girl's day, HaHa, Han Hee Jeong, Heart Rabbit Girls, Henry, Heyne, INFINITE, J Sun, J-Rabbit, Jay Park, Jinbo, Jung Hwan, Junsu, Kim Beggar, Kim Hyun Joong, Ku Hye Sun, Kye BumJoo, Kyuhyun, Lee Hyori, Lee Jung Hyun, Lee Yu Rim, Litter, MBLAQ, Miss $, Moowoong, Muzie, Nell, Neon Bunny, Odd Eye, One Way, Quincy, Say Yes, Secon Session, sistar, Skull, Smells, Sogyumo Acacia Band, Somdef, Taehun, Taemin, Tahiti, UV, verbal jint, VIXX, Xia, YB

8traks playlist

01. MBLAQ – Smoky Girl
02. Andamiro – Waiting (feat. Double K)
03. Henry – Trap (feat. Kyuhyun & Taemin)
04. Sistar – Give It To Me
05. Chocolat – Black Tinkerbell
06. INFINITE – Destiny
07. 4minute – Is It Poppin’?
08. Heyne – Dalla
09. One Way – Beautiful Day
10. Kim Beggar – Tightwad
11. Han Hee Jeong – Ground
12. J Sun – The Day Gently Melt (feat. Jung Hwan)
13. Sogyumo Acacia Band – Danyeoon Story
14. Ku Hye Sun – It’s You
15. B.A.P – Coffee Shop
16. Miss $ – You Were Not The… (Narr. Verbal Jint)
17. After School – First Love
18. Lee Hyori – Going Crazy (feat. Ahn Young Mi)
19. Brown Eyed Girls – Kill Bill
20. Ailee – U & I
21. Nell – Ocean Of Light
22. Crayon Pop – Bar Bar Bar
23. Heart Rabbit Girls – Round And Round
24. Girl’s Day – Female President
25. BATOOST – Shadow
26. Verbal Jint – Walkgin In The Rain (feat. Bumkey)
27. Dynamic Duo – BAAAM (feat. Muzie from UV)
28. Odd Eye – Follow Me
29. Smells – Listen To Your Heart (feat. Neon Bunny)
30. Somdef – Circus (feat. Jinbo & Taehun from Second Session)
31. YB – Mystery
32. Litter – Breakers
33. Skull & HaHa – Ragga Muffin
34. 2NE1 – Falling In Love
35. Jay Park – I Like 2 Party
36. Xia – Incredible (feat. Quincy)
37. Lee Jung Hyun – V
38. A-Jax – Insane
39. B.A.P – Hurricane
40. Kim Hyun Joong – Unbreakable (feat. Jay Park)
41. f(x) – Rum Pum Pum Pum
42. Tahiti – Love Sick
43. AOA – Moya
44. Lee Yu Rim – Call My Name
45. VIXX – G.R.8.U
46. Say Yes – Feel Good
47. Kye BumJoo – The Ceiling (feat. Moowoong of Baechigi)
48. Sogyumo Acacia Band – Moment
49. J Rabbit – Light Sleep (I Will Be Your Love) [also known as “Snooze”]

—

Much more song in this one. That said, maybe I’ve been a bit generous with some song, though if I really look at the listing, there’s maybe 5 or 6 songs max I know kinda hate or really don’t want to listen to anymore. I also feel that, when I’ll do a top 10 at the end of the year, most of the song will be from this summer.

There’s a lot of indie track also, and I think there’s none I dislike as of now. I still listen and enjoy most of them. The new Sogyumo Acacia Band album, “Slow Diving Table”, is just totally awesome.