Playlist 7. Sweethearts (Boy Ver.)

Theme: Sweet
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

They're charmers trying to win your heart with sweet lovey-dovey songs! All these idols are k-pop boy-groups. The Girl version is here.

1. Seventeen - Q&A (Feat. Ailee)

Korean ♥

Seventeen's Woozi,Vernon and S.Coups study hard in Q&A. But they're not studying for school, they're are learning how to date! Ailee is featured in the song, her strong vocals contrast with Woozi's soft voice.

2. Henry - 1-4-3 (I Love You) 

Korean ♥

Henry uses an odd (but sweet!) way of saying "I Love You". 1-4-3 represents how many letters are used to spell it. Amber is featured in this track and I think they look like 2 peas in a pod.

4. Got7 - Just Right 
Korean

Got7 want us girls to know that everything about us is just right! "I’d find a flaw if there was even a flaw that I could see you dazzle, you have nothing missing". They definitely got the fan-girls with these lyrics!

5. Seventeen - Adore

Korean

They make it on this list again, but this time as a whole group. Honestly, Seventeen's whole concept is about sweet, charming boys. In this video especially they remind me of energetic puppies. It's so likable!

6. Ikon - My Type

Korean

'My Type' was a warm-up track released ahead of Ikon's album. It's casual and laid-back along with a charming chorus, "You’re my type even if you don’t say anything, I have a feeling." In the MV, Ikon are cute and funny, especially Bobby.

7. Block B - Her

Korean

I always thought Block B, were outgoing with loud stage personalities. This is no exception, but they showed a funnier side to them, rather than being tough. 'Her' is a really funky, chaotic jam. Brace yourselves for mindless behavior and bright colors in the music video!

8. Got7 - A
Korean ♥

I like you and I know that you like me. That's the meaning of this song. The music video is my favorite of Got7- it's so cute and humorous! And for you Twice fans, Sana is the girl that the boys are pursuing.

9. Shinee - Dream Girl

Korean

"Shinee's back!" No, this isn't a new release it never gets old. The genre is described as acid electro-funk and is accompanied with an equally jazzy, trippy music video.

Artists Profiles~f(x)

F(x) is a k-pop girl group that takes big musical risks and has an experimental genre. They debuted with five members, but as of now there are only four; Krystal, Amber, Victoria and Luna.

Girl Group

F(x)

K-pop/Korean

1. Red Light

F(x) overall has an asymmetrical theme, their music is chaotic and even though the girls are always dressed similar, there is something off. But that is what makes this group so unique! Especially, when k-pop is usually uniform. 'Red Light' is upbeat and edgy, just don't try to rack your brain trying to figure out the meaning.

2. Rum Pum Pum

I know this song has appeared on my blog already, but I must add it! F(x) keeps their askew concept and leaves us scratching our heads with the song's lyrics. "Hello, you probably heard of me at least once, your wisdom tooth."

3. Electric Shock

'Electric shock' was before f(x) pulled completely away from typical k-pop. It still has that quirky charm though and is in the electronic-dance genre.

Other Songs:
4. Beautiful Stranger

5. Ending Page

6. Goodbye Summer

Visual: Artists with Red Hair

Bright colored hair is a popular look in k-pop. Here's a list of idols who rocked red. I included the video in which they wore the style. Who's your favorite! ^^

Music Videos with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

Boys

Jimin (Bangtan Boys) 
 Dope/Sick ♥ 

Key (Shinee) 
Tokyo Dome 2014

G-Dragon (Big Bang) 
 Bang Bang Bang

P.O.(Block B) 
Very Good

Hyunseung (Beast) 
Beautiful Night

Luhan (EXO) 
Wolf Perf. ♥

Girls

Dasom (2EYES)
Pippi Pippi

Amber (fx) 
Red Light  ♥ 

Park Bom (2NE1) 
Clap Your Hands ♥

Krystal (fx) 
Rum Pum Pum ♥

Wendy (Red Velvet)
One Of These Nights

Sunny (SNSD)
Party

online surveys

Artist Profiles~Jessi

Jessi was a contestent on rap survival show "Unpretty Rapstar". She is a vocalist, rapper and member of co-ed group Lucky J. Jessi has been featured in songs with artists such as J.Y.P., Wheesung and Kangnam.

Female Soloist/Group Member

Jessi (Jessica Ho)

K-pop/Korean

1. Ssenunni

The lyrics of this song perfectly describe her career and appearance on 'Unpretty Rapstar' - no matter how strong her personality is, people still love her! 'Ssenunni' means 'strong sister' or 'tough sister'. Perhaps it doesn't show her greatest rap skills, but it's still a bop.

2. Excessive Love

I wasn't expecting this one - all vocals and no rap. It's a pleasant surprise though. 'Excessive Love' has traces of hip-hop and hints of piano. The MV is as elegant as the song and mournful.

3. I Want to Be Me

As a vocalist and rapper, Jessi is very versatile. The song begins with powerful vocals then cuts into a rap verse. I think she composed and wrote this herself which explains the raw honesty!

Other Songs:

4. Unpretty Dreams

5. No Love (Lucky J)

6. Can You Hear Me? (Lucky J)

Playlist 6. Sweethearts (Girl Ver.)

Theme: Sweet
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

A collection of sweet, lovey-dovey songs to raise your blood sugar! All the singers/groups in this playlist are girls, a boy version with the same theme is coming soon! 

1. AOA Cream - I'm Jelly Baby

Korean

AOA Cream is a sub-unit from Aoa, featuring members Hyejeong, Yuna and Chanmi. The MV is bright pink with a dessert theme and slightly inspired by Sailor Moon. Hyejeong gets jealous when she finds her boyfriend with another girl.

2. Red Velvet - Oh Boy

Korean ♥

Songs like these are why I am a Red Velvet fan! The song really showcases their vocal abilities in this r&b track. I also like how they experiment with the dance music genre.

3. Popu Lady - Love Bomb

Mandarin

Popu Lady is a k-pop-esque girl group from Taiwan. So if you're wary about listening to c-pop, you should start with Popu Lady. Their early songs are cute and bubbly with a concept similar to that of A pink. Not to mention 'Love Bomb' is incredibly catchy!

4. A Pink - LUV

Korean

A pink stayed true to their cute concept in LUV. It's safe to say this song is an A Pink classic. "Do you remember the time we spent together? L.o.v.e. Luv!"

5. Girls' Generation - Gee

Japanese ♥

'Gee' was my very first k-pop song! No doubt it paved the way for the recent K-pop era and is a well known classic. All this aside I prefer the Japanese version. Shinee's Minho is featured in both music videos!

6. Twice - Ohh Ahh

Korean

Monster rookie Twice's debut song. So far Twice only have one mini album, but their lead single crushed the charts. The members are bright and the song is catchy enough. I included the dance version.

9. Orange Caramel - Lipstick

Korean ♥

Orange Caramel is a sub-unit of girl group After School. I love all OC's songs and this is in my favorites. Raina, Nana and Lizzy sport orange jersey dresses and crush on a tennis player. At the end of the MV, they battle some sort of tennis princess. Funny!

10. Jolin Tsai - Phony Queen

Mandarin ♥ 

Everything about 'Phony Queen' is to die for; from the song, lyrics and even the weird outfits. Apparently, Jolin wants to marry a phone, because it's more tolerable than a real man. "Want to be in a relationship? As it turns out the real is inferior to the fake".

11. TTS - Good-Bye, Hello
Korean

TaeTiSeo (the third sub-unit on this list) are from Girls' Generation. They received a lot of attention for debut song 'Twinkle' however their non-title tracks deserve attention too.

12. f(x) - Rum Pum Pum

Korean ♥

F(x) ambush the one that they love in 'Rum Pum Pum'. "Ouch! your head will hurt, you won’t be able to sleep, you won’t forget me easily, your true first love that appeared." The MV is as bold and vivid as the lyrics - I want those plaid dresses!

Artist Profiles~Lee Hi

I'm introducing a new feature to my blog; 'Artist Profiles'! Each post will include a playlist of 6 songs with both title and non-title tracks.

Female Soloist

Lee Hi

K-pop/ Korean

1. 1.2.3.4.

Lee Hi struts through this video and tells him "It's over!" in this Motown-esque track. 

2. Hold My Hand

Perhaps the most unique k-pop MV that I have ever seen. There are pixel cartoon elements, pop-art clothes and cherry blossoms. As for the song, it's infectious and Lee Hi's perfect English is the cherry on top.

3. Breathe

The lyrics of this ballad are heart-warming, "It's okay to make mistakes sometimes because anyone can do so". The MV has relaxing cinematography and delicate visuals. Lee Hi's music isn't all fun and games, she's serious too.

Other songs:

4. World Tour

5. Special (Feat. Jennie Kim)

6. Turn It Up

Red Velvet: The Red v. The Velvet

Red Velvet is a k-pop girl-group with dual concepts 'Red' and 'Velvet'. I will be comparing the two concepts. (Also, note that all songs from 'The Red' album are red concept and all songs from 'The Velvet' are velvet. :)

Red

;bold, playful, bright and happy

'Red' concept songs include:

Dumb Dumb

'Dumb Dumb' is an upbeat song with a groovy sound and addictive hook. The lyrics describe how the girls act dumb and awkward in front of their crush. In the MV, Red Velvet dance like dolls in a mannequin factory. They're dressed like a mix of Pippi Longstocking and Raggedy Ann. It's pretty cool and amusing!

Ice Cream Cake

This sounds like it would have been perfect for f(x) , but it suits Red Velvet just as well. Ice Cream Cake is bubblegum pop with a twist. It's kinda bizzarre, but that's better than being typical! They dance around in the desert with light hair and pastel outfits.

Happiness

Debut track, 'Happiness' gained a lot of attention. It has a mild African-tribal sound, but is mainly pop. Also, this was before Yeri joined the group, so there are only four members here. My favorite part is their hair, the ends are dyed in different colors!

Velvet

;toned-down, serious, sophisticated and classy

'Velvet' concept songs include:

One of These Nights

'One of These Nights' is a slow song, with soft vocals. To me though, the MV is more memorable than the song itself. It's like a second version of Automatic but with lighter visuals. The girls wander through dream-like scenes very mysteriously and they parallel scenes from automatic like: all the members sitting at a table and riding in a car together.

Automatic

I'll describe 'Automatic' as a Janet Jackson-y, throwback r&b jam. Like I said in a previous post, the song is high quality and is reminiscent of old-school American r&b. The MV is dark and 'mysteric'. Basically it's an earlier version of the MV for 'One of These Nights', which is nice that the group has a cohesive concept!

Be Natural

This song was released after 'Happiness' which confused fans because they hadn't explained their 'dual concept' theme. Instead of bright colors, Red Velvet wore natural hair and sported tailored suits with heels rather than cheer-leading uniforms. 'Be Natural' is a remake of a song from 2000 and is jazzy r&b.

Playlist 5. Bloom

Theme: Flowers

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

Spring is near! So, here's a playlist with a flower theme and relaxing mood.

1. Lee Hi - Rose

Korean ♥

Lee Hi sings of the bitterness that hides behind the sweetness of love;"Every rose has its thorn". Her sass is toned down for this ballad, but Hi keeps her soulfulness. This song took a few listens for me to like, but now it's on replay.

2. Ailee - Ice Flower

Korean ♥

'Ice Flower' is part of the OST for the K-Drama 'Queen of Ambition'. It easily could have been a typical ballad, but Ailee made it heart-touching.

3. Xia (Junsu) - Flower

Korean

Not a fan of the music video, but the song is nice enough. It's serious, intense and works well with Junsu's baritone. Tablo is featured in 'Flower'. 

4. Ladies' Code - My Flower

Korean ♥

From the mini-album 'Myst3ry'. I feel like Ladies' Code poured out their hearts while singing this song, there are such heavenly vocals. I was a little disappointed they only released three tracks, but the quality makes up for it!

5. G.E.M. - The Rose

Mandarin ♥

Trans. from "寂寞星球的玫瑰"

A beautiful ballad from G.E.M. that's very emotional. I really admire that she's a singer-songwriter. Her songs never get old.

6. Ailee - Sakura

Japanese/English

Ailee is on this playlist again with an English cover of 'Sakura' by Ikimono Gakari. She calmed down her powerhouse vocals and sang this track more delicately. 

7. K.Will - Love Blossom

Korean

Happy, relaxing and upbeat, it's really sweet. L (Myungsoo) from Infinite stars in the music video.

8. A Pink - Flower Petal

Korean 

A Pink try to decide if they'll tell their crush that the like him while pulling the petals from a flower. "Should I tell you or not? Should I tell you I like you?" The music video is equally playful as the song.

This or That? {3rd Edition}

Ever hear a song that reminds you of another? This is a friendly comparison of videos and songs with similar genres, concepts and themes.
This edition is a multi-post. I normally only do one comparison, but today i'll do three. All of them are of similarities in the the MVs not the song.^^

Cosmic Girls Catch Me v. SNSD You Think

Cosmic Girls (WJSN) debuted recently presenting themselves like a combination of Sonamoo and Twice. However, their newest MV reminds me of SNSD. The charisma, edginess, dancing and concept are alike. Also, Cheng Xiao's flip competes with Seohyun's split.

• Cosmic Girls - Catch Me
• Girls' Generation - You Think

My Choice: I didn't like 'Catch Me' at first but after a while it grew on me. However, 'You Think' had me hooked at first watch! I choose 'You Think'!

2NE1 Missing You v. 4Minute Cold Rain

'Missing You' is a cinematographic masterpiece, with 2ne1 showing off their sophistication. A few years later 4minute released a very similar MV. In both, the girls are dressed in expensive coats, fur outerwear in leather of dark grays and blacks with splashes of color.

• 2NE1 - Missing You
• 4Minute - Cold Rain

My Choice: 2NE1 all the way, I prefer 'Missing You'.

SNSD 'I Got A Boy' v. Candy Mafia 'Cliche'

During SNSD's "I Got A Boy" era, the girls kicked off their high-heels for sneakers. Girls' Generation went glam hip-hop on us and showed us their best street style. Now, many SoNes who saw Candy Mafia's 'Cliche' say that they ripped SNSD off. But this is a friendly comparison, and I like CM's take on the concept! Both MVs include colorful street scenes, trendy outfits and similar camera work.

• SNSD - I Got A Boy
• Candy Mafia - Cliche

My Choice: SNSD is one of my favorite girl groups, but this time I prefer Candy Mafia's video.

Playlist 4. Mysteric

Theme: Mysteric
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

"An unfamiliar blue light shines, the thing that makes me dizzy. Mysteric." - f(x) 4 Walls. This playlist is based on f(x) 4 walls. I collected songs that have a similar sound and style. Enjoy!

1. f(x) - 4 Walls

Korean ♥

Aesthetically mysterious. F(x) is known for their experimental sound and this is no exception.

2. Ladies' Code - Galaxy

Korean ♥

It's a new style for Ladies' Code; no longer bubbly, but rather laid-back. That's understandable considering the death of two of the members. On the bright side, this song is a masterpiece! Ladies' Code proved that k-pop can be classy and you don't need a repetitive hook to make a song catchy.

3. Taemin - Drip Drop

Korean

Taemin did it again. He stole Shawols' hearts with his smooth criminal style. Just like his solo debut, he channeled his inner Micheal Jackson. I'm impressed by the musicality.

4. Azin - Delete

Korean

I don't know who Azin is, or when she debuted, but she has an f(x)-esque sound. I stumbled across her while browsing on Youtube and figured she would be a nice addition to this list.

5. Shinee - View

Korean

I gave this song no attention during Shinee's comeback, and now I sorta like it. It has an infectious groove!

6. Red Velvet - Campfire

Korean

Another good song, that I didn't pay attention to. It's from Red Velvet's first album "The Red".

7. Red Velvet - Automatic

Korean

Music of this quality is rare in k-pop, in idol groups and (to be honest) SM. Red Velvet is one of the SM artists that I believe make the highest quality music. Even though 'Automatic' isn't particularly my taste, it's a sound not often heard in k-pop and well executed.

8. Exo - Hurt

Korean ♥

Probably the best song on Exo's 'Exodus". It's a non-typical song that paints a picture with its lyrics. 'Hurt' got buried under the hype of the album's title tracks but I advise you to listen to it after you've overplayed 'Call Me Baby'

Playlist 3. Petrichor

Theme: Rain
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

I know that I've changed the style of my playlists a lot already, but soon I'll decide on the right format. The entire playlist is below.^^

1. 4minute - Cold Rain

Korean

4minute show their soft and delicate side in this song. In the MV, the members are dressed elegantly with coats and fur accessories. Hmm...it kinda reminds me of 'Missing You'. This might be the next edition of 'This or That?'

2. Taeyeon -  Rain

Korean

Many SNSD fans we're thrilled with the release if Taeyeon's 'I', and while this isn't of the same caliber, it's still a nice follow-up to her solo debut. The MV is slightly glittery and the song gets better after a few listens.

3. Girls' Generation - Let It Rain

Japanese

I never paid much attention to SNSD's Japan releases, so i've been missing out. A lot of their Japanese music gives off a different vibe from their Korean releases.

4. BTS (Bangtan Boys) - Rain

Korean

It's nice that BTS can make upbeat music as well as chill tracks like this one. A large part of the song is rap by Rapmonster, Suga and J-hope. The vocal line-up sings a relaxed chorus in between. It's a good, laid-back song for ARMY's (fandom name) that need stress relief.

5. FEMM - Kiss The Rain

English ♥

Even though i'm not a fan of everything they do, FEMM has a pretty cool concept. Mannequin girls from Japan trying to take over the world, singing in English."An ocean in between us can never separate us, though we're a million miles apart..."

6. Jeon Minju, Yuna Kim - Goodbye Rain

Korean ♥

I loved this song from the first listen! Then later, I found out that these two girls debuted in a k-pop group last year (The Ark). It's a perfect combination of r&b and rap. A member from the boy group 'Bromance; is featured in the song too.

7. Ailee - Rainy Day

Korean

A go-to break up ballad. This song is more contemporary than her usual title-tracks with the same powerful vocals.

8. TVXQ - Everyday it Rains   

Korean

Part of TVXQ's latest release last year. No doubt this song (along w/ the rest of the album) thrilled fans because it was a treat before Max and U-Know's hiatus. The duo sings r&b and dance music as usual.