Visual: Sports Concept

Some k-pop and c-pop music videos with sporty themes! :)

1. Twice - Cheer Up!
Cheerleader

2. Ikon - Rhythm Ta

Basketball

3. AOA - Heart Attack

Lacrosse

4. Popu Lady - Lady First

Basketball

5. EXO - Love Me Right

Football

6. Girls' Generation - Oh!

Cheerleader

7. Orange Caramel - Lipstick

Table Tennis

8. Apink - Mr. Chu

Tennis

Big Bang & 2NE1

         Big Bang and 2NE1, under YG Entertainment, are K-pop royalty. When every one else is trying to fit into a certain concept, the kings and queens just be themselves. People have often referred to 2NE1 as the 'female-Big Bang', and it's true that they parallel their oppa sunbaes (seniors). It's not in a copy-cat way, they just give a similar vibe. I will be talking about the singles that I think reflect each other.

'Loser' and 'Ugly'

           Everybody has their insecurities. Sometimes the view of ourselves is an accurate portrayal of our faults and other times it's because we're having a low moment. Big Bang really exposed their hearts for Loser, especially the lyricists which include G-Dragon and T.O.P. Listening to this song, there's a part of me that wonders "Why would you say those things about yourself?" and the other part that respects the raw honesty. "At some point I started looking at the ground more than the sky, It’s hard even to breathe I hold out my hand But no one holds it." 'Loser' is a uptempo-track and is some-what emo. As popular as this song is, I still think that it's underrated.

           Like Loser, Ugly is emo-pop. The lyrics are also vulnerable but all too real. "I’m getting angry again, why can’t I ever be perfect,I simply put the blame on my ugly appearance in this broken mirror." It expresses the insecurities that some girls (but all people really)feel about their appearance and envy of those who are pretty.

           "I think I’m ugly and nobody wants to love me. Just like her I wanna be pretty, I wanna be pretty. Don’t lie to my face tellin’ me, I’m pretty." The lyrics also show the narrow view that we may have of ourselves. Just because a person is ugly, that doesn't mean no one will love them. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so that person who called you pretty may have told the truth.

'Blue' and 'Lonely'

           Blue is solemn. There's no musical stunts, the melody just rides you along. When I listen to this song, I picture a sad guy just strolling on the sidewalk. "It’s cowardly but I’m hiding because I’m not good enough. Cruel breakup is like the end of the road of love. Far from a dance track, 'Blue' is slower than most Big bang songs.

           I think Lonely is like 'Blue'. But to be exact, 'Blue' is a combination of 2NE1's 'Lonely' and 'Missing You'.The sentiment is the same, though the reasons are different."I must be lacking when it comes to love, please forgive this horrible person I am." 'Lonely' reaches a point of intensity (unlike Blue) but this is one of 2NE1's most mellow songs.

'We Like 2 Party' and 'Do You Love Me?'

           Now I don't want you to think that Big Bang and 2NE1 are depressive people. In fact, most of their music is upbeat like these songs!

           We Like 2 Party is fun song. I wouldn't call it thrown together, but it wasn't carefully calculated-not a bad thing! No, that doesn't make it a bad song, just casual. For this summer hit Big Bang used reality footage as the music video.

              Do You Love Me? is also a very casual summer hit. There's no sound similarities to 'We like 2 Party', but the fun-loving concept is the same. 

So what do you think? Were my comparisons too far-fetched? Am I the only one who thinks Big Bang and 2NE1 are alike? :)

Playlist 9.//ERROR 404//

Theme: Computer/Robot

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

/System malfunctioning...Error 404/ a collection of songs with robotic voices, computer sounds and auto-tune. These singers are no longer human...they're cyborgs!

1. Got7 - Stop, Stop It

Korean ♥

Somebody has replaced Got7 with robots! Well, not really but the heavy auto-tuned chorus make their voices unrecognizable. There are human vocals in the song too, and it's a nice contrast to the computerized sound. Jackson, Bam Bam and Mark add their unique rap verses to the song as well. Basically, a girl that they like doesn't like them back. They beg her to stop making them like her.

Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5 

2. Wonder Girls - Like Money (Feat. Akon)

English

Wonder Girls tried to break into the American Market with this song, it failed but fans got English songs like this one. In the lyrics, the girls express that they want to be loved. Loved and cherished as much as money.

Review: Song - 2.5/5  MV - 2/5 

3. FEMM - The Real Thing

English ♥

Speaking of the American music industry, 'The Real Thing' could compete with many songs in the States. It's in English, like most FEMM songs and gives a 2012-Rihanna vibe. Basically, FEMM wants real face-to-face love. A relationship based on the phone or computer has no meaning to them.

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 2.5/5

4. Girls' Generation - Catch Me If You Can

Korean

A typical EDM song that left fans disappointed, but I was pleased. It builds suspense until the girls taunt "Catch me if you can" in the chorus, followed by a dubstep/trap break. 

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5 

5. Angela Zhang - OK Bandage

Mandarin ♥

"Ok bandage" is a love song, but not lovey-dovey in any way. In fact, it's cold and emotionless- which goes well with Angela's cyborg theme. The world is a harsh place, so maybe it's better to be a robot? But what happens when a robot falls in love? The song isn't available on youtube, but you can listen to the audio here.
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 5/5 

6. EXO - Heart Attack

Korean

'Heart Attack' doesn't have the impact for a title track, but it's far too good to be called a filler. I keep getting early-2000s-Justin-Timberlake vibes from this. Not that it's r&b, it's just that EXO impresses me with their smoothness.

Review: Song - 3/5

7. VIXX - After Dark

Korean

'After Dark' compliments Ravi and the main vocalists the most. The song fits VIXX's dark serious concept well.

Review: Song - 2/5

8. Jolin Tsai - The Great Artist

Mandarin ♥

'Love will be your muse.' 'The Great Artist' is pop song layered with many sounds and catches listeners by surprise. There's electric guitar riffs, bass, synths and auto-tune-which used in any other way would be a cover for lack of vocal talent. Jolin gives us a nudge of encouragement that is confident but not too bold. 'Wake up! Do it now!'

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 3/5

9. F(x) - Airplane

Korean

'Airplane' is an electronica track laced with f(x)'s signature quirkiness. It's a fun, light-hearted song that bites from popular producers- Zedd, Calvin Harris anyone? The song itself is abstract and has no logic. How do 'airplanes' go together with 'love'? Doesn't matter, it's f(x).

Review: Song - 3.5/5  

10. Perfume - Display

Japanese ♥

Perfume released a short PV version of 'Display'- and it's epic. The beginning has some pop-synths that hint at the song's intensity. However, the energy doesn't really go anywhere and the song turns out to be rather easy-going. 'Feel it through my world' makes it sound like a futuristic lullaby.

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 5/5 

Artist Profiles~Big Bang

The kings of K-pop, Big Bang are a five member group including; G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, Seungri and T.O.P. They constantly cross the genre borders and have earned respect for writing and composing their own music.

Boy Band

Big Bang
K-pop/Korean

1. Bang Bang Bang

'Bang Bang Bang' is an explosive track that is best described as a jumble of trap, rap and electro-pop. My ears were jerked back and forth with the sound switches! Big Bang fool around in neon scenes wearing leather and fur with epic swag! Brace yourself.

2. Love Song

So raw and bare basic-no heavy beats or complicated dances. 'Love song' is laid-back but still maintains some emotional intensity. Like always, each Big Bang member represents himself in the song rather than being clones of each other.

3. Bad Boy

This work is reminiscent of old-school r&b. 'Bad Boy' is chill, but upbeat enough to dance along to.There's some questionable fashion choices in the MV that make people ask 'Why?' in which Big Bang seems to playfully answer us 'Why not?'

Other Songs:

4. Still Alive

5. If You

6. Feeling

Artist Profiles~G.E.M

G.E.M. is a Chinese singer-songwriter who switches between pop, ballad and rock genres. She is known for her powerful voice and always delivers quality music.

Female Soloist

(Gloria Tang) G.E.M.

C-pop/Mandarin/Cantonese

1. New Heartbeat

'New Heartbeat' is a pop track with the sentiment of a ballad, and is somewhat like a Kelly Clarkson song. It's an up-building anthem for people who stand out and the video is really sweet. I like that G.E.M. includes different races of people with various interests.

2. Blindspot

This song is also from her new album 'Heartbeat'. In the lyrics G.E.M. regrets not seeing all his good qualities, they were in her blind spot. It's honest, and in my opinion one of Gem's best. The music video is pretty stunning too.

3. You Gotta Say

An older song from 2009, Gem sings in Cantonese. Say what you want, I don't care - is the gist. It's a jab at the media and I can't blame her! Especially after seeing the annoying paparazzi in the video.

Other Songs:

4. In My Heart (美好的舊時光)

5. I Don't Know Love (我不懂愛)

6. Goodbye (再見)

Playlist 8. Pretty Rapstars

Theme: Unpretty Rapstar

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

Songs by contestants from the rap survivor show Unpretty Rapstar, seasons 1 and 2. I included a link to the English translation of the lyrics if the video has none. (The song's lyrics are clean.) Enjoy!

1. Gilme - Success (Don't Kill My Vibe)

Korean ♥

Gilme gives us a hip-hop heavy track that's better called K-rap than K-pop. In her lyrics, she expresses herself as misunderstood and tells how people try to control her. "Don't kill my vibe!" Lyrics

2. Kitti B - Doin' Good (Feat. Verbal Jint)
Korean ♥

'Doin' Good' is about how a girl is successful after breaking up with an abusive boyfriend. This quality track deserves more attention as it empowers girls' self-reliance. The MV shows some domestic violence, so here's the audio if you prefer not to watch. Lyrics

3. Cheetah - My Number

Korean

Groovy and hip-hop-y at the same time. Cheetah gives us a more commercial rap song rather than her signature flow. The lyrics are somewhat lazy, which reflect Cheetah's annoyance at boys asking for her number.

4. Yezi - Sse Sse Sse 

Korean ♥

Yezi collaborated with Kittib, Ahn Soomin and Gilme - and the result is fire! Somehow their verses contrast nicely instead of clashing. The "clap clap clap" matches the heavy-hitting lyrics!

5. Jessi - Sssenunni

Korean ♥

"You think you flowsik, but my flow more sicker!" Like I mentioned here, this isn't a lyrical masterpiece, but good nonetheless!

6. Yezi - Cider

Korean ♥

By 'Cider', I think Yezi means tough and gritty-which could definitely describe her. She delivered the song well and the MV seems to be a reference to her time on Unpretty Rapstar.

7. Tymee - Super Flower

Korean

The rap starts off chill, intensifies then breaks into a nice chorus. Supposedly, Tymee wrote "Super Flower" after forgetting her lyrics on Show Me The Money 3. This is empowerment after facing an obstacle. Lyrics

8. Adoonga - Feedback 
Korean

A lot of rappers were squeezed into this song; Jace, Kisum, Lil Cham and Bora. I don't know who Adoonga is, or how this collab came about, but it gives each rapper a time to shine.

9. Kisum - You And Me (Feat Jooyoung)
Korean ♥

Kisum is the queen of cutesy swag. The song is about a girl hopelessly stuck on a boy. The video has a high-school-girl-innocence that isn't forced. The MV is dreamy and charming, I like it.

10. Jace - Not Enough (Feat. Kisum)

Korean

Jace is on this list for the second time and Kisum for a third. The lyrics criticize gold-diggers who are never satisfied. Lyrics

Visual: Idols With Pigtails

Here's some k-pop ladies with ponytails/pigtails. ('Visual' posts are image heavy as usual.) ^^

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

1. Sana (Twice)

Ooh Ahh (Dance Version)

2. Hyuna (4minute)

Hate ♥

3. CL (2ne1)

Happy ♥

4. Yeri (Red Velvet)

Ice Cream Cake

5. Bora (Sistar)

Shake It!

6. Dasom (2EYES)

Pippi Pippi

7. Tiffany (TTS)

Twinkle

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