K-pop Duets: Boy X Girl (Part II)

Here is a list of romantic duets that are perfect for the blooming season of spring! See also: Part 1

1. Taeyeon X Dean - Starlight

Taeyeon and Dean become a romantic couple in "Starlight". The Girl's Generation vocalist and Alternative R&B soloist collaborated on this 90s inspired R&B track which appeared on Taeyeon's second mini-album "Why". This was a very welcomed duet because both of the singers' voices meld together perfectly and float along the light melody! Listeners can also appreciate the feel-good vibe and the fluffy, romantic lyrics. "You are my starlight, I can’t hide it. When we’re together, it feels like my heart is dancing. You are my starlight, I’m so thankful. Your love is like a dream."

2. Jimin X Xiumin - Call You Bae

Jimin and Xiumin show the love interactions between a boy and an immature, but sincere, girl. "Call U Bae" is full of cute and silly chemistry. In the video, the pair jump from scene to scene, encouraged by people with cartoonish emoji faces. What puts "Call You Bae" apart from being completely cookie-cutter is Jimin's high pitch rap. The AOA main rapper offers a vocal tone like no other, and that can be good or bad depending on whether or not you like the sound of her voice. Either way, this duet is a thing of interest for AOA and EXO fans. It shows Jimin and Xiumin taking on a concept that they normally don't when in their respective groups!

3. Yuju X Jihoo - Heart Signal

Yuju is a rather familiar face and name - she's the main vocalist of the very popular girl-group GFriend. However, Jihoo is much lesser known - he's the lead vocal from rookie group IZ that debuted in September 2017. The two come together in this mid-tempo song about the butterflies a boy and girl feel when they meet. The song subtly incorporates jazz and swing sounds into its instrumental. Together, Yuju and Jihoo are cute, silly and sometimes a little awkward!

4. Baekhyun X Soyou - Rain

"Rain" is a ballad recorded by two especially talented vocalists: Baekhyun (from EXO) and Soyou formerly from Sistar. The lyrics detail a person who is reminded of a past relationship with the rainy weather. For them, the rain provokes pain and nostalgia. Neither Baekhyun or Soyou appear in the music video. Instead, the video show scenes of a high school student who is by herself on a rainy day.

5. Eunha X Chunji - Hold Your Hand

In Part I, I talked about the spring duet between Yuju (Gfriend) and Sunyoul (Up10tion), which was the first part of "The Best Friends Project" between TOP Media and Source Music. "Hold Your Hand" by Eunha (Gfriend) and Chunji (Teen Top) is the second part of the project and portray the pair as a lovey-dovey "campus couple". Hand in hand they walk together in the autumn breeze like two college students. And what's more, Eunha and Chunji performed "Hold Your Hand" live on MCountdown in the form of a special stage!

6. Eric Nam X Wendy - Spring Love

S.M. Station is a music project from S.M Entertainment which intends to showcase collaborations between the company's artists and artists from other labels (though they do so quite often anyway).  As the fourth single from S.M Station Season 1, "Spring Love" is sung by S.M. girl-group member Wendy and soloist Eric Nam. The duo sing the acoustic ballad while having fun at an amusement park like good friends.

7. Doyoung X Sejoung - Star Blossom

Sejong is a former member of I.O.I. and is a current member of Gugudan. However, I find it that she shines the most in projects like this, in which she is able to showcase her own vocals without a plethora other voices. "Love Blossom" is a vocal-based SM Station ballad between her and NCT's Doyoung. This romantic song opens with the sounds of a music box and moves into a jazzy, piano-based composition. The duo has an entertaining chemistry - Sejeong exudes her charming, bright personality and Doyoung is perfect boyfriend material!

8. Sungjae X Namjoo - Photograph

Sungjae and Namjoo are from BtoB and Apink, respectively, both of which are groups that boast great vocals! "Photograph" is actually produced by the same team that produced 4minute's Crazy and Cold Rain, but it quite different from those two. One verse that captures the charm of the song "Let's smile like in the photograph, your smile is as sweet as ice cream" Funny enough, Sungjae and Namjoo aren't very focused with each other- instead, they are focused on melting the hearts of viewers!

Sources

Info: 1, 5

Images:1,2,3,4,*,6,7,*
* are screencaps I made myself

Collage: a,b,c,d,e,f

English Songs by Asian Pop Artists (Pt 1)

There are some cases when Asian pop artists deviate from their usual language and make a song in English, whether it be to reach a wider audience or to treat their international fans. Here is a list of completely English tracks by K-pop, J-pop and C-pop artists. Some of these songs are exclusively English, whereas some are an alternative version to the original. Please anticipate a part two!

***On December 18th Kim Jonghyun, member of Shinee died tragically from suicide. The whole Korean entertainment industry is still in shock and mourning from this sad incident.

1. Henry - That One

K-pop

Henry Lau is looking for the one he can adore in this piano-based R&B track. Co-written and co-composed by the singer himself, "That One" is just more proof of Henry's talent.

2. Dean - I'm Not Sorry

K-pop

Before Dean started his singing career in Korea, he debuted in the United States with "I'm Not Sorry", featuring Grammy-winning artist Eric Bellinger.

3. Jane Zhang - Dust My Shoulders Off

C-pop

Jane Zhang is carefree and confident in "Dust My Shoulders Off". The song, produced by Timbaland, takes on a style different from Jane's previous music and proves her versatility as an artist. The music video gives this another touch of uniqueness for its appreciation and playful use of art.

4. Namie Amuro - Heaven

J-pop

Namie Amuro is no stranger to singing in English, despite not being fluent in the language. "Heaven", a single from her second bilingual album, is a futuristic EDM track produced by the famous European DJ ZEDD.

5. K.A.R.D. - Don't Recall 

K-pop

As part of their pre-debut project, KARD would have a "hidden card" or a special surprise for fans with each song. After the release of "Don't Recall", KARD rereleased the song in English in the following month.

6. Luhan - Skin to Skin

C-pop

"Skin To Skin" is a mid-tempo synth-pop song with soft vocals and intriguing whistle beat.

7. Ten - Dream in a Dream

K-pop

NCT member Ten goes solo for this SM Station release. With Ten's breathy vocals, synths. and Asian instruments, "Dream in a Dream" is an ethereal listening experience.

8. Wonder Girls - Like Money

K-pop

The Wonder Girls have quite a few songs that were geared towards an international or Western audience, this being the last one in their career. "Like Money" is a collaboration with American rapper Akon that takes on the dance-pop genre.

9. Diana Wang - Home

C-pop

Taiwan-based singer Diana Wang gained the attention of the Chinese audience with her single "Home" despite it being entirely in English. The lyrics are about wanting to return to one's safe haven for security and familiarity.

10. Odd Eye Circle - Loonatic

K-pop

Odd Eye Circle is a sub-unit of the k-pop girl group LOONA. "Loonatic" shows the cuteness and quirkiness of the three members and references the group's moon concept.

11. Amber X Luna - Heartbeat (Eng)

K-pop

This is the English version of a song released through SM Station. The f(x) members teamed up with Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten and Korean producer Kago Penchi for this EDM number. "Heartbeat" has a relaxing melody and explores the softer side of the electronic dance genre.

12. Thelma Aoyama feat. 4minute - Without U

J-pop, K-pop

"Without U" is a beautiful collaboration between Japanese soloist Thelma Aoyama and k-pop girl group 4minute. This ballad was initially released in Japanese.

13. Cindy Yen - Fighting For Love

C-pop

In 2016, Cindy Yen came out with the Mandarin theme song for Cotton USA, titled "I Love Myself". Recently, she came back with an English version which is renamed "Fighting for Love". It has an electronic composition, while the former is more piano based.

14. Jannine Weigel - Finish Line

T-pop

As a T-pop singer, much of Jannine's music is in Thai. However, in 2016, she came out with her first English song "Finish Line" with the intention to break into the American market and reach a wider audience. "Finish Line" features a sound that is often used by Western producers making me believe it would perfectly suit American radio.

15. Wonder Girls - Nobody

K-pop

"Nobody" was a huge domestic and international success for the Wonder Girls. After the single became a smash-hit in Korea, the group released the song in three other languages. The English version landed number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the Wonder Girls the first Korean group to do so!

Sources:
2,3,4,8,14,15

Top 20 Most Handsome K-pop Idols

Here's a list of the top 20 best-looking male k-pop idols. They are ranked in order of their birth year (youngest to oldest). Note: This list is based on my personal opinion. Who's your favorite on the list? And who do you like that wasn't included?

20.

Name: Han-Sol Vernon Choi

Nationality: Half Caucasian, Half Korean-American
Birth Year: 1998

Group: Seventeen

19.

Name: Dong Si-Cheng

Nationality: Chinese
Birth Year: 1997

Group: NCT

18.

Name: Kim Mingyu

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1997

Group: Seventeen

17.

Name: Koo Jun-hoe

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1997

Group: IKON

16.

Name: Jeon Jungkook

Nationality: Korean 
Birth Year: 1997

Group: BTS

15.

Name: Kim Seokwoo

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1996

Group: SF9

14.

Name: Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul

Nationality: Thai
Birth Year: 1996

Group: NCT

13.

Name: Lee Taehwan

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1995

Group: 5urprise

12.

Name: Lee Taeyong

Nationality: Korean 
Birth Year: 1995

Group: NCT

11.

Name: Kim Taehyung

Nationality: Korean 
Birth Year: 1995

Group: BTS

10.

Name: Jung Jaewon

Nationality: Korean 
Birth Year: 1994

Group: Formerly 1Punch

9.

Name: Oh Sehun

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1994

Group: EXO

8.

Name: Jackson Wang

Nationality: Chinese (Hong Kong)
Birth Year: 1994

Group: Got7

7.

Name: Matthew Kim

Nationality: Korean-American
Birth Year: 1992

Group: K.A.R.D.

6.

Name: Kim Myungsoo

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1992

Group: Infinite

5.

Name: Kwon Hyuk

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1992

Group: N/A (Soloist)

4.

Name: Park Hyungsik

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1991

Group: ZE:A

3.

Name: Im Siwan

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1988

Group: ZE:A

2.

Name: Ok Taecyeon

Nationality: Korean 
Birth Year: 1988

Group: 2PM

1.

Name: Kwon Ji-Yong

Nationality: Korean
Birth Year: 1988

Group: Big Bang

Honorable Mentions:

***Upcoming***
Top Handsome Korean Actors
Top 20 Most Beautiful K-pop Idols

Sources:
Wikipedia, Kpopinfo144
Images

February In Music

We had some big comebacks in February including Red Velvet, Twice and Taeyeon. Overall, they weren't to my liking, but there were plenty of songs that I did enjoy!

1. NCT Dream - My First and My Last

Released: February 8th

Korean & Mandarin Versions

This is the groups' follow-up to their debut song 'Chewing Gum'. 'My First and My Last' is about a young boy's first love. The song is kind of choppy and is influenced by the bass of new jack swing (a genre of 90s music). It has a lighthearted melody and the members dance a quirky, cute choreography, that is much like that of their sunbaes Shinee. I included the dance version, I enjoyed it more the regular music video.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5

2. BTS - Spring Day

Released: February 12th

Korean

BTS are poetic as they use the weather to symbolize their emotions. Meeting the one you miss feels like a spring day in the dead of winter. But missing someone can feel like winter in the middle of summer. 'Spring Day' is such a touching display of friendship: the scenes are gloomy when the members are alone, but bright when they are together.

Review: 4.5/5 MV - 5/5

3. Dean - Come Over (Feat. Baek Yerin)

Released: February 16th

Korean

Dean is an outstanding musical artist. Every song he has written and composed for others has his stamp on it and is undeniably his. With that said, it's always nice to see Dean make music for himself. However, 'Come Over' isn't a heavy hitting song, in fact, it took a few listens to grow on me. The smooth vocals of Dean and 15&'s Baek Yerin are what makes it worth listening to. As for the music video, it's a black and white sketch animation. Creative, but rather boring.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV- 1.5/5

4. K.A.R.D - Don't Recall

Released: February 17th

Korean & English Versions

A very fitting follow-up to their debut, which I deemed one of the best songs of 2016. It's an extension of 'Oh Na Na' both sound wise and visually: both songs are tropical house and have the same music video aesthetic. Lyrics from the girls' point of view express wanting to get away from the guy. They pretend not to remember the good times in the relationship. In reply, the guys are trying the persuade the girl to come back and say that they were good together.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4.5

5. Luhan - What If I Said

Released: February 22nd

Mandarin

'如果 What If I Said' is a laid-back electronic song with smooth, unprocessed vocals. Its duration is rather flat, in that it doesn't reach a climax, but this factor makes the song even more chill. The music video has very subdued colors and natural visuals: vintage furniture and mirrors in a sand-filled room with rays of sunlight shining through the windows.

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

6. Faky - Surrender

Released: February 22nd

Japanese

I'm very familiar with this J-pop quartet, and this time they wowed me. 'Surrender' is an emotional plea to their boyfriend to stop fighting. It's perfectly chaotic: shifting from smooth vocals with little background sounds to a barrage of sounds and fast verses. To top it off, the rough & smooth sound of 'Surrender' is complemented by the girls' sporty, grunge outfits.
Review: Song - 4.5/5 MV - 3/5

Sources:

Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Info: 1,5