Les Mis was pretty popular in Korea. So popular that the Air Force decided to make a parody. There are some great voices (which is unsurprising, since there is conscription in Korea so everyone must be in the army for 20 months. Even music majors). They released the video with English subtitles. Pretty enjoyable.
Psy's music video for Gangnam Style just came out yesterday. The music video is ridiculously awesome. I particularly like it because the dances are so dorky and amateurish... it looks like something that I'd make with my friends (like Party Rock Hong Kong). Psy (born Park Jae Sang) is an interesting artist. He was educated at Boston University and Berklee and made his debut in Korea back in 2002. He is known as the Bizarre Singer because of his style and appearance. I can dig that.
I used to live in the Gangnam area, so let me assure you that it isn't full of horses or garbage flying in the air. It is definitely one of the affluent areas of Seoul. Psy poking fun at it makes this song all the more enjoyable. Plus, I feel like I can actually learn the dance for when I hear it in the street. Bonus points.
Oppa is Gangnam style Gangnam style
A girl who is warm and humanle during the day A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes A girl with that kind of twist
I’m a guy A guy who is as warm as you during the day A guy who one-shots his coffee before it even cools down A guy whose heart bursts when night comes That kind of guy
Beautiful, loveable Yes you, hey, yes you, hey Beautiful, loveable Yes you, hey, yes you, hey Now let’s go until the end
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
A girl who looks quiet but plays when she plays A girl who puts her hair down when the right time comes A girl who covers herself but is more sexy than a girl who bares it all A sensable girl like that
I’m a guy A guy who seems calm but plays when he plays A guy who goes completely crazy when the right time comes A guy who has bulging ideas rather than muscles That kind of guy
Beautiful, loveable Yes you, hey, yes you, hey Beautiful, loveable Yes you, hey, yes you, hey Now let’s go until the end
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
On top of the running man is the flying man, baby baby I’m a man who knows a thing or two On top of the running man is the flying man, baby baby I’m a man who knows a thing or two
You know what I’m saying Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is Gangnam style Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
I went to Hong Kong and Macau back in February, but this music video was put on the back burner for a while... I'm not really sure why. When C and I finally go down to editing it, it only took about a couple of hours. It's pretty silly and low quality, but we had a lot of fun making it. Enjoy!
I love this new song: Run by Younha (고윤하). Sure, it is kind of just another love song, but check out the music video.
The cinematography is great. Add in ET and a whale and how could you not love this video?
This is the first single I've heard from Younha. Apparently she is really popular in Japan, where her songs have been used in animes and dramas (this video looks a lot like something you would see in Japanese animation, doesn't it?).
Her newest album, Supersonic, was released last week (July 3rd). Something about this song isn't as K-poppy, and I love that. Many of her other songs are slower ballads, nice in their own way, but she also has some rockier and jazzier tracks. I'll be keeping an eye on her for sure.
Today's K-pop song is just a catchy, up-beat tune from Chi Chi.
I love these music videos with the English and Korean subtitles. ^^
This is a good summer hit and will be fun to hear in the clubs. Then again, it is a bit repetitious. I got it. Love is energy. In your heart. But that's what makes songs catchy, huh? Their relationship with this (assumed) guy is a little strange. He has all these secrets, he doesn't return your calls, he doesn't understand how you feel, yet you know you'll be in love forever. If only it were that simple.
The dance is basic and fun; the hand dance above the head has to be my favorite part. Super cute. I don't like the dub-step bridge, though, or the dance during the bridge. It just didn't fit into the song. Even though these dub-step sounds are getting big in pop music, it doesn't work for me. After the bridge, the key change is also really awkward.
I'm probably not going to download this song, but I'll be happy to dance to it in the clubs or when it is playing in the streets.
I love this song. And the semi-scandalous dancing in the music video. The vocals (those who ho hoos) and the piano chords that are repeated throughout the song are effective, and I love its disco sound.
The group debuted in 2010, and I think one thing that sets them apart is they definitely go for sex appeal. Even though their So Cool was cute, it definitely had a bit of the overt sexuality you can see in Alone.
Anyway, here are the lyrics for Alone:
Whoo .. (I don't wanna cry)
Whoo .. (please dry my eyes)
Whoo .. (I'm fallin' down)
Whoo .. (without you I'm fallin' down)
Do you have as many memories as me? What are you up to?
I'm still the same, just in case you come back
I'm really not this kind of girl, I've never done this
But love is too potent, I guess I still can't wake up
Deceived by your oh so sweet words
Now alone, I'm falling down, I'm falling down
I shouldn't have even met you, i didn't know it would be like this
Are we finished so easily?
Why am i eating alone again, watching movies alone
Singing songs alone, like this i cry and weep
You left and you're not here, even if i regret it there's no use
Today alone I...
Whoo .. Whoo
I walk the streets alone, I watch tv alone
I try to get drunk alone, like this everyday I cry and weep
Your love was so sweet, inside the shadow of separation
Today again I can't sleep
Whoo .. Whoo
Don't tell me it's over
Embrace me, why are you being like this to me?
Oh ma boy (whoo whoo whoo)
Today I sit through the night in tears again
Deceived by your oh so sweet words
Now alone, I'm falling down, I'm falling down
I shouldn't have even met you, I didn't know it would be like this
Are we finished so easily?
Why am i eating alone again, watching movies alone
Singing songs alone, like this I cry and weep
You left and you're not here, even if I regret it there's no use
Today alone I...
Whoo .. Whoo
I walk the streets alone, I watch tv alone
I try to get drunk alone, like this everyday I cry and weep
Your love was so sweet, inside the shadow of separation
Today again I can't sleep
Whoo .. Whoo
I was deceived again by your frequently blatant lies
I was bewitched by your cheap smile, did you have fun playing with me?
Now what can i do? I'm locked up in yearning all alone
You dumped my heart and now it's blank, it feels like an empty street
Whoo .. (i don't wanna cry)
Whoo .. (please dry my eyes)
Whoo .. (i'm fallin' down)
Whoo .. (without you i'm fallin' down)
-------------
Since the lyrics are so repetitive, I think I should try to memorize them. It would be good for my Korean, and also fun for noraebang ^^
Baek Ji Young, one of Korea's older pop stars, has a new single. It wouldn't have popped up in my radar but it has caused a little bit of controversy because of the lyrics.
Man of Korea, a rights group for, you guessed it, men, has filed a lawsuit saying that the song is degrading to the male species. Baek Ji Young is apparently comparing men to dogs, and that they need to be tamed.This quote is from an AllKPop article:
“Young men that listen to them obediently as well as dogs may be the
fantasy of old women out there who dream of zooerastia, but normal,
healthy men feel absolutely offended by songs like these. Even during a
time where men ruled the world, men never treated women like dogs.”
Seriously? When men ruled the world, they never treated women like dogs? They just treated them like maids, vacuum cleaners, chefs, nannies, baby makers, but never like dogs. Yes, I could see how the references to this song could be a little degrading to men. But when you look at every other societal factor, men seem to still have the power here in Korea (and most places in the world). I think the lyrics are pretty much just saying that if she treats you well and you don't respond in kind, then you don't deserve her sweet touch. Makes sense to me.
You’re a good boy who listens to me well You do everything that I ask you to do
But when you cause trouble, you’re a bad boy
When I compliment you, you become cockier
So after I started to treat you well Who do you think you are to try to play me?
Oh oh oh oh oh mama
If you try to scheme, it’s over for you
Love is cruel, I’ve always been cruel
If you think girls are easy, you’ll get hurt
I’ve been saying yes to you, I’ve been complimenting you
And you really think it’s for real
Crazy in love, hurt by you
An obvious conclusion to love
Your words got rougher (what are you, a tough guy?)
Everything you say is a lie (your face doesn’t even change)
But you play on the palm of my hands
Who are you trying to deceive? (Stop being a child)
So after I started to treat you well
Who do you think you are to try to play me?
Oh oh oh oh oh mama
If you try to scheme, it’s over for you
Love is cruel, I’ve always been cruel
If you think girls are easy, you’ll get hurt
I’ve been saying yes to you, I’ve been complimenting you
And you really think it’s for real
You hold me and let me go, however you want
I’m not yo mama, this damn drama
You hold me and let me go, however you want
I’m not yo mama, this damn drama
I hate this love game
I treat you like a queen
But since when did you become my master?
It’s always ok for you but not for me
I’m always being pushed and you always push
Stop saying that I’m young, the things you do are so childish
What you say blah blah blah blah
Oh mama oh mama boy
I’m just a piece in your well cut out puzzle
(Aren’t you past puberty? This is so immature. Stop blabbering)
You’re like a piece of ice under my feet, I’m getting tired of this now
(Huh… I treat you well and this is how you repay your master?)
Love is cruel, I’ve always been cruel
If you think girls are easy, you’ll get hurt
I’ve been saying yes to you, I’ve been complimenting you
And you really think it’s for real
You’re the same, and I’m pretty frustrating too
I’m more pathetic for trusting and giving my heart to a guy like you
I’ve been saying yes to you, I’ve been complimenting you
And you really think it’s for real
You hold me and let me go, however you want
I’m not yo mama, this damn drama
You hold me and let me go, however you want
I’m not yo mama, this damn drama
JJ Project just debuted with Bounce, which kind of has this nice mixture of hip-hop, rap, some rock, electronic and, probably my least favorite genre right now, dub-step.
I'm not that impressed with the song, but I do kind of like that the chorus is all in English... I feel like this would be a great song to use in elementary school to teach some commands; students could dance and sing along. 'I want to make your body move,' 'Baby, let your body groove,' and 'bounce,' seem innocent enough.
This song is a little more than a month old, but I just saw the music video today. I like the chorus and the beat, but the music video doesn't seem to really match the music video. The song is all about pumping the volume up, but then you have this very vampiresque dark music video.
The song is a good song to dance to musically, but I don't really like the Kenny G style saxophone rips in the background... it sounds too much like a jazzy Christmas.
Not my favorite 4 Minute song. That honor is held by 2010's Muzik (even though the beginning sounds like Lonely Island's I'm on a Boat.
This ad popped up while watching stuff on youtube today. It is pretty ridiculous. Particularly the chorus. O-raen-ji fanta! Pa-i-nae-peul fanta! Po-do fanta! It does kind of make me want a fanta...
This isn't the only time they've used K-pop to advertise products. LG's Chocolate phone had their own music video (and a sexy one at that) this time performed by the ever-popular Girl's Generation. The chorus was pretty catchy. Chocolate Love was often heard in clubs when it originally came out.
Chocolate Love doesn't really make me think of cellphones, but inter-racial relationships. Is that just me?
Big Bang and 2NE1, two groups I really like, also made a song and music video promoting the Lollipop cell phone. Aptly named Lollipop, the song was a big hit. Plus, the outfits in this music video inspire my wardrobe today.
I also really liked this Son Dambi and After School music video that was all about Samsung's AMOLED phone. The first time I heard this song, I really liked it but did not understand what the heck they were singing about. Then I realized it was an advertisement. Still, I heard this song a lot in clubs back in 2010.
Are these phone commercials jingles or legitimate songs?
This beer music video / commercial is pretty interesting as well. The dance includes making the X's of the 2X Cass Beer. X bringing up images of the so-called X-line that some women strive for in Korea (and if you want to read more about the X-line, check out The Grand Narrative (one of the best blogs about Korea)). I like the music video though because it includes one of my favorite Korean actors: Lee Min Ho.
All of these music videos are pretty smart advertising. Not only are the songs earworms, but they also can be purchased. And you get tons of free advertisements from clubs and bars that play your songs.
I doubt the Fanta song will have the popularity of these other cell phone songs. It just isn't as catchy. Also, singing a song about cell phones may be cool, but singing about drinking Fanta instead of going to school is just, well, lame.
I like this new video from B.A.P. even though it isn't my usual Kpop fare. The dancing is pretty darn good. However, I don't really get what they are trying to say halfway through the chorus (check the 1:30 mark). It sounds almost like they are saying 'hey, Jew'. Maybe they were going for 'hey, Jude' or 'hate you'. . . Anyways, check out this single:
I like Girl's Day... well, both of the songs that I've heard. There new music video is kind of ridiculous and cartoony, but still catchy. I've never seen a K-pop video with so many silly sound effects. And I love there outfits: very Korean. I don't think it is as good as their last single, but still worth checking out.
The guy at the beginning of this music video was the love interest in Twinkle Twinkle (반짝반짝). Apparently, he isn't popular anymore? Their earlier single is a lot catchier.
I love this video... tracing the roots of K-pop to the Joseon dynasty. Ha! Almost as good as the Mr. Pizza advertisement. Keep up the tongue-in-cheek advertisements Korea!
This video is for a campaign for Buzz Korea that includes winning tickets to visit Korea for five days, and a 5000 dollar gift certificate. Too bad I already live here.
Man, this music video is epic. The song is awesome as well.
The opening sequence is pretty ballah. It reminds me of my favorite fantasy movies from the 1990s. I guess this single was released five days ago and is the official debut of EXO. I'm a little confused by this group. Apparently, EXO is a twelve member group that breaks down into sub-groups: EXO-M and EXO-K. EXO-M perhaps is releasing their singles in Mandarin, while EXO-K produces music in Korean. But released at the same time? Is that right?
Anyways, this song is hardcore. I can't really see how this will work on the dance floor, but maybe we'll have some good remixes soon.
