Tag: Jay Park

Rewind: March 2015

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Through this new segment (Finally got to use that one word), we will be looking back at the third month of 2015. I get to rank my top 10 songs. But we also get to look back at other events that happened in the Korean music industry. This way, I can talk about big events in the KPOP industry and rely my thoughts to you all.

Lee Min Ho and Suzy Dating

This by far is the biggest news of March 2015. Just a few days ago, it was confirmed by both companies that Miss A’s Suzy and Hallyu actor Lee Min Ho are officially dating. More importantly, JYP (Suzy’s company) have announced that Suzy would not avoid questions regarding the couple. Now, usually companies try to “Hush” the rumours, so I thought it was a little wierd that JYP would say Suzy would be answering all questions. Though I get that both companies would have to confirm due to the evidence presented, but I think JYP is milking everything they can out of this big piece of news. Dating in the industry is going to be hard but I wish the very best for the two. Now let’s move along with Miss A‘s comeback, shall me?

Red Velvet First Win

The subheading says it all. Congratulations to Red Velvet on their first music show win. At the time I am writing this, they actually have won 4 music show awards. Their latest song is ________________________________________________________________. Sorry. Let’s leave this here and wait for the review to come out. Soon. I promise. I am not YG. It will come soon. Like next week probably.

2AM Members Change Companies

Another big piece of news with the 2AM members splitting up with their company. No, they are not disbanding (though it sounded a lot like it at first) but 2AM members have decided to go with different companies. Jo Kwon decided to stay with JYP Entertainment. Seulong decided to go with SidusHQ and Jinwoon decided with Mystic Entertainment. Changmin signed with Big Hit after his contract ended with JYP last year (I think?). This kind of says something about JYP Entertainment, but at the same time, we should be glad the ballad group are not going away for now. Let’s hope 2AM comebacks with a new song with this different formation with companies. (On a side note: all 2PM members – contract ended around the same time – resigned with JYP).

Comebacks for April

BIG BANG HAS BEEN CONFIRMED!!! Though, not exactly sure when the comeback is exactly. But BIG BANG HAS BEEN CONFIRMED to be the first YG artist making their comeback in 2015. On top of that, EXID will be making their comeback. Miss A and EXO just made their comeback at the end of the month. Dal Shabet, Mamamoo, Cross Gene have also be confirmed. SNSD (Girl’s Generation) will also be making their comeback in May BUT they will be releasing a track during April in both Japan and Korea.

Yewon and Lee Tae Im Scandal

This scandal I am not familiar with. Essentially what happened is that Yewon spoke informally to Lee Tae Im. After Lee Tae Im got angry and left, Yewon decided to curse out at Lee Tae Im, and hence causing this controversy. Essentially, Yewon is more of a younger person in the industry, so she had to be formal. I get it sometimes. I come from as Asian background and sometimes I don’t think the formality thing is right. Just because they are older does not mean they are right. Imagine this: the older person is cursing the daylights out of you and your loved ones, and you “disrespectfully” defended yourself and your family. Is the older person right and you are at fault? Though this is not what had happened, it seems like the industry zooms in on one part and leave the rest out for every bad situation. We don’t know 100% what happened. We will never know what 100% happened. Something could have happened before that got both angry. Those are just my loosely put together thoughts on the whole thing. Maybe Yewon is in the wrong. But what if she isn’t? Remember I am not siding with her. I am just being “opened minded” about things.

Top 10 songs of the month

1. Paradise Lost – Gain (Brown Eyed Girls)

2. Between Night n Music – B.I.G

3. FM – Crayon Pop

4. You’re Pitiful – Fiestar

5. Donghae & Eunhyuk – Growing Pains

6. I Am A Woman Too – Minah (Girl’s Day)

7. Ice Cream Cake – Red Velvet

8. Apple – Gain (Brown Eyed Girls) ft. Jay Park

9. Growing – K.Will

10. Bounce – Boyfriend

Apple – Gain (Brown Eyed Girls) ft. Jay Park

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Gain, from Brown Eyed Girls, have returned after a year since Truth Or Dare, which was released early last year. This time around she has got another 19+ rated music video for this song. Don’t know why but I will discuss it later. Her album this time has two title tracks and have proven to be a big hit in the industry. Though there are some criticisms and some of which I might add are double standards. But hey, that is what is known as an industry. Her other title track, Paradise Lost will also be reviewed. Most likely released tomorrow. Don’t quote me on that. That or next week when I finally go on my break.

This is a really nice summer song. It was refreshing and had a nice summery cooling effect on you. I think that was an oxymoron. But that summery effect was there, but it managed to cool you down. The song itself got slapped a 19+ rating by KBS. Don’t know why but KBS cited that the song had lyrics that suggested of a sexual relationship. Hmmm… Well, I think most songs need to be banned because a love song even though it is sweet, will lead to a sexual relationship in the end. In other words, KBS is not being making much sense. Music is meant to be up for interpretation. We don’t need people to tell us what this song means and what it doesn’t. Jay Park is an exceptional rapper and sounds amazing in this song. Gain has a really cute voice in this song. Something we don’t see much from her in her career. Together, I think they had really nice chemistry and would love to see this collaboration again in the future. Is it the best song out there? Probably not. But it really gives Gain a new side to her.

The music video also got a 19+ rating. I don’t see anything 19+ about this music video. Gain also wanted to challenge the rating on the music video. Yes, she wears extremely short shorts that resembles underwear and she holds a hose as if it was her d***. But beside it, it was a video that matched the summer feel of the song. She looked quite cute throughout the video running around after a ball and riding her bike. She obviously looked like she enjoyed herself. There was a lot of emphasis on the butt area, but like every other KPOP video out there that involves girl groups, don’t you think South Korea would be immuned to it by now? It was disappointing to know that the music video was quite short. Also, I rewatched the video. The music video was reassessed and given a 15 rating. At least we know these ratings are not final. Which means some bands can take unnecessary 19+ ratings if they want to.

As for the dance, we haven’t see much live performances of this song. Because it has been banned by so many broadcasting stations. However, last night, Gain performed Apple for the second time (as a full song) with the help of F(x)’s Amber. The cuteness also runs in the dance as well and Gain looks like she enjoyed her time on the stage. Not a memorable dance. but it fitted the song.

In conclusion (this whole review sounded more like an essay than a review), if you are going to ban songs, watch and make sure what ou say make sense. And remember music is very subjective. Overall, Gain did pretty well with Apple and it (alongside Paradise Lost) was a solid comeback.  9/10

Unbreakable – Kim Hyun Joong ft. Jay Park

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Source: http://www.hallyusmash.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/kim-hyun-joong-unbreakable-badass-11.png
Source: http://www.hallyusmash.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/kim-hyun-joong-unbreakable-badass-11.png

Kim Hyun Joong recently made his comeback after consecutive Japanese promotions and releases, without a song in Korea, leaving fans swooning for him. According to my friends, they have been dying to hear a new song from the artist himself and was overcome with joy when he released this song, featuring the one and only Jay park. Woo! Anyway, the song was pre released ahead of his mini album on the 18th of July. Since then, and after his mini album was released, he has reached the top of so many charts, including Billboard. Wow! That is one big achievement there. Let’s continue shall we?

Okay, I am really torn about the song. I do like it, but it is not as great as his previous singles. Same go for “Your Story” which is his other title track. I expected some kind of hardcore party song, not something fierce and dominate. It is a great song, but I find it not for me. Yeah, crazy right? The song has its RnB roots and the vocals are pretty good. It is powerful and hits you across the face. The only thing I like about the song is the “Unbreakable, Unbreakable” part at the end of each chorus. I do also like Jay park’s part in the song. I don’t know, I did not like Break Down and this song is quite similar to that other song, in terms of style. Yeah, I am not impressed. The vocals of the verse are lacking the proper appeal which I found in Please and Lucky Guy. That “Woahh~” part at the end was really annoying and kind of came out of nowhere for me. I am not big on the whole instrumental of the song as well.

The music video is quite artistic. I do like the addition of the tradition Korean parts to the video, which seems really foreign in my mind. I think the last artist to do that was in B.A.P’s No Mercy, with the traditional fusion dance part. It was dark which really fitted the song’s style and I actually prefer the music video to the song itself. I like the large scale set of the music video and those ninjas were pretty cool. I think this is the first time I am going to say this, but I have this thing with a car turning into something else. That car just turned into a freaking cow. Yeah, I have not searched up the lyrics but a cow? Also, given tops for the addition of the drums, they add something new to the video that is quite different from the Lamborghini and the cow. Jay Park’s addition was pretty cool as well. And Kim Hyun Joong shirtless, yeah, I don’t what to say. Disappointed? Satisfied? Don’t care? But I hate that red filter and the raindrops and those slow motion parts. Sadly the only movie or video that should attempt slow motion is The Matrix, nothing else.

The dance is really so and so. Nothing great about the dance. It matches the dominate feel of the song and pretty much matched the style of the song as well. There was power and a lot of abs on the MCountdown stage on Thursday. What? It is the video I chose to add to the playlist anyway.

3.5/10. Not that great for me. I am sure others will love and like it But this comeback overall was not for me. That also includes Your Story. I think the only song which I liked was “Let’s Party”, mainly because I liked it on the Japanese album and now it was remade to Korean.