AsiaPlayList: 4minute

Showing posts with label 4minute. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Asian Pop Stars with Pink Hair

Pop stars tend to be daring when it comes to fashion and with hairstyles too. These K-pop, J-pop and C-pop stars pulled off hairdos with bubblegum, pastel, and hot pink hues!

1. Taeyeon

K-pop

Group: Girl's Generation/SNSD

Song: Party

2. Jolin Tsai

C-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: N/A

3. Zelo

K-pop

Group: B.A.P.

Song: Power

4. Minzy

K-pop

Group: 2NE1 (formerly)

Song: Falling In Love

5. Suda Anna

J-pop

Group: E-Girls & Happiness

Song: Call Me Now

6. G-Dragon

K-pop

Group: Big Bang

Song: N/A

7. IU

K-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: Palette

8. Gilme

K-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: Don't Kill My Vibe

9. Ann

C-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: What's Next?

10. Gayoon

K-pop

Group: 4minute (formerly)

Song: N/A

11. Jimin

K-pop

Group: BTS

Song: Spring Day

12. Yenny

K-pop

Group: Wonder Girls (formerly)

Song: Why So Lonely

13. Chen Zi Tong

C-pop & K-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: Last Shot

14. Kihyun

K-pop

Group: Monsta X

Song: Fighter

15. Akina

J-pop

Group: FAKY

Song: You

16. Irene

K-pop

Group: Red Velvet

Song: Happiness

17. Jane Zhang

C-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: N/A

18. Haein

K-pop

Group: Laboum

Song: What About You?

19. Taeyang

K-pop

Group: Big Bang

Song: Bang Bang Bang

20. Hyejeong

K-pop

Group: AOA & AOA Cream

Song: I'm Jelly Baby

21. Taeyong

K-pop

Group: NCT

Song: Cherry Bomb

22. Thelma Aoyama

J-pop

Group: N/A (Solo)

Song: Pink Tears

23. Meng Jia

K-pop

Group: Miss A (formerly)

Song: Bad Girl Good Girl

Image Sources

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Playlist 12. Girl Power Pt.1

Theme: Girl Power

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

Respect the girl! This one is for the ladies, a collection of empowerment songs when women come out on top.

1. Girl's Generation - You Think

Korean ♥

'You think you're real cool - you're not!' This is Girls' Generation's most 'ssenunni' release since 'Run Devil Run'. It's confident, not coy, fierce not flirty, and had edge rather than aegyo. They tell an overconfident boy to leave them alone.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

2. Kittib - Doin Good
Korean ♥

This track, by underground-rapper Kittib, promotes women's self-reliance. It is about how a girl is successful after leaving her abusive boyfriend. The music video has some domestic violence so you can listen to the audio if you are uncomfortable.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

3. Lee Hi - 1,2,3,4

Korean ♥

Lee Hi is all sass and spunk. "1,2,3,4" is a Motown-esque song that expresses one message: "It's over!" The cute girly music video clashes with the attitude of the song. Lee Hi, only 15 years old here, seems like a young girl with attitude!

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

4. Ailee - Mind Your Business

Korean ♥

Ailee is a strong sister and speaks up against her ex-boyfriend. She is known for her girl-power anthems and "Mind Your Business" is no different. In the music video, this tough girl confronts her ex (rather aggressively) and even breaks out of jail! Like always, Ailee sings her story with a powerful voice.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5

5. 4Minute - Cut it Out

Korean ♥

4minute was always edgy, but they really turned tough in this song (and on this album). "Stop at the first verse" in other words, they don't want to hear what haters have to say. In the lyrics, they come out on the top, even when a particular person didn't think that they could.

Review: Song - 3/5

6. A.Kor Black - How We Do

Korean ♥

A.Kor Black is a sub-unit of A.Kor made up of rappers Minju and Kemy. They take it back to old-school hip-hop and girls spit fire at an ex-boyfriend. To be honest, the music video seems hip-hop-costumey but the effort is there.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

7. Miss A - I Don't Need A Man

Korean ♥

Part of Miss A's "Independent Woman Pt III", this track is just what the title implies. According to the lyrics, this girl can take care of herself and earn her own money. It's a perky, empowering pop song!

Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 4/5

8. Kara - Damaged Lady

Korean ♥

Feeling broken from a break-up, Kara get it together even though they still feel somewhat pathetic. My interpretation is this song tells us to "keep out head held high" even when we feel like a damaged lady.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5

9. 2NE1 - I Don't Care

Korean ♥

I can't have a girl power k-pop playlist without 2NE1! They are the "ssenunni" queens. An older one of their releases, it's about a problematic boyfriend whose antics have gone on for too long. So, she decides to break-up and not care anymore.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Playlist 11. Love & Hate

Theme: Love & Hate

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

Hearts and X's. They're really opposites, but can there be a fine line between love and hate?

1. Miss A - Love Song

Korean ♥

'Love Song' is definitely stimulating as it takes unexpected turns. Like when the bass drops, instead of more bass, we are graced with violin synths! Not to say the song is completely disjointed, but it does take a roller-coaster-like musical path. And that makes it a good listen!

Review: Song - 3.5/5

2. 2NE1 - Hate You
Korean ♥

'Hate You' is an in-your-face electronic pop song. CL dominates the repetitively looping chorus and Minzy, Dara and Bom sing the in-between verses. The music video is fully animated - 2NE1 become bounty hunters and catch a bad guy.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2/5

3. BY2 - Love You Love You 2020
Mandarin ♥

Singapore's twin duo act is cute and quirky in this video that seems to emphasize the number twenty. Perhaps they turned twenty-years-old? Either way, it exudes youthfulness and is fun to dance to!

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2/5

4. Lucky J - No Love

Korean ♥

After gaining popularity from Jessi's solo, Lucky J released their k-hip-hop sophomore single. It combines sounds from a folk string instrument with piano and melds it with r&b. This trio really compliments each other and they show themselves to be polished artists.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5

5. 4Minute - Hate
Korean ♥

Ironically, I have a love-hate relationship with this song. 'Hate' produced by Skrillex, is a seamless follow-up to their last release 'Crazy'. It starts with soothing vocals from Gayoon and Hyuna's rap leads to the turning point - the drop. Then it breaks into an explosion of angry trumpets and violent bass. I feel like the producer patched together a ballad with EDM. The music video visuals switch from dramatic to fierce along with the song.

Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 4/5

6. Big Bang - Love Song
Korean ♥

As mentioned in a previous post, 'Love Song' is raw Big Bang. There's no elaborate electronic synths or bass and that's fine! The song is simple and relaxed as well as the music video. The members wear black suits and express how much they 'hate this love song'.

Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 4/5

7. Ladies' Code - Hate You

Korean ♥

The song opens with the mellow sounds of an acoustic guitar then speeds up with pop elements. The lyrics portray a toxic relationship that they can't leave. Ladies' Code's efforts to completely hate him are futile. 'I really hate you, but I love you.'

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

8. Ailee - I Love You, I Hate You

Korean

This is also about a relationship gone sour, Ailee apologizes to him in this slightly up-tempo ballad. There are soft vocals, and as usual, Ailee uses her powerhouse vocals for emotional intensity.

Review: Song - 2.5/5

9. 4Minute- No Love

Korean

This r&b track is about hating an ex and the feeling of not wanting to fall in love ever again. It is really a platform for vocalists Gayoon and Jihyun, but we do get some rap from Hyuna and interjections from Jiyoon.

Review: Song - 3/5

10. 2NE1 - I Love You

Korean ♥

All love, no hate here! 'I Love You' has a crooning chorus and theme that is unlike 2NE1's usual ssenunni concept. At times it's sporadic, but the end result is a quality love song with an elegant music video to match.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Top Ssenunnis in K-pop

'Ssenunni', meaning 'tough sister' or 'strong sister' is a big contrast to the cutesy concepts in K-pop. Here are some girls who don't wait for oppa and become their own heroine.

1. Ailee

Ailee is a powerhouse vocalist known for her girl-power anthems. She exudes independence in "I'll Show You", "Don't Touch Me" and "Mind Your Own Business".

10. Jiyoon (4minute)

Jiyoon has been overshadowed by her unni Hyuna but gained more attention during 4minute's 'Crazy' era. She furthered her image on Unpretty Rapstar Season 2 with her pen name Jenyer.
Hate

9. LE (Exid)

Most popular from being with EXID, LE was part of an underground group called the 'Jiggy Fellaz' before her debut.

8. Hyuna (4minute)

Hyuna is a pillar in her group and has established herself as a soloist.

7. Yezi (Fiestar)

Fiestar has been around for a few years, with little popularity until Yezi brought them out of the shadows. Her "Crazy Dog" appearance on Unpretty Rapstar 2 showcased her insane skills a rapper and had people wondering "Where as she been all this time?" She didn't win first on the show, but her rising popularity seemed to snatch the trophy anyway.

6.Cheetah

The winner of Unpretty Rapstar, Cheetah's bold charisma and lyrical fluidity captivated viewers.

5. Jessi (Lucky J)

Jessica Ho is a vocalist and rapper with a tough exterior. Her husky voice contrasts with other Korean female artists and she shows her versatility while still maintaining her signature style.

4. Lee Hyori

Rather than a tough image, Hyori has music that seems to bite at stereotypes of women. Often referred to as the "Nation's Fairy", she has her share of girl-empowerment hits, notably "U-Go-Girl" and "Miss Korea". As the oldest unni on this list, her career has been ongoing for over a decade and she proved her fierceness all along the way.

3. Miryo (Brown Eyed Girls)

Miryo showed her rapping skills in her works with Honey Family and in her solo projects. However, her strongest point is her songwriting ability, which she utilizes with Brown Eyed Girls and for other artists.

2. CL (2NE1)

Lee Chae-Rin, The Baddest Female, is the rapper and leader in 2NE1. The "female G-Dragon" in terms of swag, CL is definitely a style icon. Her charisma is explosive on stage and Gizibes are anticipating her upcoming American debut.

1. Yoon Mi-rae

Mi-Rae or Tasha Reid is the top ssenunni with veteran status and perhaps is the best Korean female rapper! Tasha is not really K-pop, but she does contribute to mainstream hallyu music. She sings ballads, r&b and is part of the hip-hop trio MFBTY. Also, Tasha always has the fiercest hairstyles!

Honorable Mentions
Hyoyeon (Girls' Generation)
Yubin (Wonder Girls)

Sources
Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
Info: 9.Wikipedia

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