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!
Summer wrapped up with the month of August but these groups and soloists made sure the season ended with good music.
1. Girls' Generation - All Night
Korean
Released: August 4th
2017 marks a decade since Girls' Generations debut, bringing them to drop an album in commemoration of their 10th anniversary. "All Night", one of the two album singles, is accompanied by a documentary-style music video in which the members share their thoughts and sentiments through mini-interviews. The song is disco-pop with a groovy beat and a hook typical to bubblegum-pop music. It's catchy enough, but I personally think SNSD's album release is weak and underwhelming for something as special as a 10th anniversary.
Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2/5
2. Taeyang - White Night
Korean
Released: August 9th
Taeyang, whose stage name means "sun", released his third studio album with the clever title and theme "White Night" (which is a night when the sun never sets). Ahead of the album, Korea's "Prince of R&B" released the intro of the same name. "White Night" is an enchanting r&b track with electronic sounds and a climactic chorus. The music video is very mesmerizing and features scenes filmed on the icy coasts of Alaska, presumably under a white night which is a normal occurrence in that part of the world. My only issue with this is that it's not a full song, as it deserves to be!
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 3.5/5
3. Anna - Party Crasher
Mandarin
Released: August 16th
Anna is the 16-year-old niece of popular Taiwanese singer A-Mei. She has been referred to as "the strongest monster rookie" due to her promising talent, specifically her dance skills. In the MV for "Party Crasher", Anna was able to show her powerful moves with dances that were choreographed by Kiel Tutin (who has previously worked with artists such as J-Lo, Jolin Tsai, Big Bang and 2NE1). This fun hip-hop performance was paired well with the energetic trap beats of the song.
Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 4/5
4. Taeyang - Wake Me Up
Korean
Released: August 16th
Taeyang doesn't want to wake up from his dream-like love. As mentioned earlier, the Big Bang vocalist returned with an album after four years. "Wake Me Up" was released alongside "Darling" as the lead single from the LP. This track is American-style synth pop, but it has been noted that the best utilized "instrument" is Taeyang's own voice. His vocals add a point of interest, to what otherwise, would be a bland listen.
Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5
4. MERA - Born
Mandarin
Released: August 16th
MERA is a five-membered girl group based in China. They officially debuted on August 3rd as the first female group under their record label Mai Rui Entertainment. In "天生", the girls of MERA perform in a very k-pop-like style, and I mean that in the best way possible. The song is fun, their outfits are cute and there's and underlying empowering theme. I must say though, the melody reminds me of something else that I can't quite put my finger on.
Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5
5. Faky - Suga Sweet
Japanese
Released: August 20th
Faky squeeze in one last summer song before the season ends! If your sweet tooth hasn't had enough after their sugary single "Candy" released back in 2015, then you'll be delighted with this fun bop about sweet love. "Suga Sweet" is a digital single made available through Spotify, and has yet to have a music video, but the song itself is enough to entertain with talk of Hershey's kisses, ice cream, and peanut-butter cups.
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - N/A
6. Kassy - Let It Rain
Korean
Released: August 25th
Kassy's career path can be comparable to that of Heize. Both soloists were contestants on Unpretty Rapstar, carved a hip-hop persona for themselves, but then softened their musical genre and image for their career thereafter. I think that this is very smart move as Kassy has a beautiful vocal color and is less awkward singing than she was rapping. "Let It Rain" is an acoustic ballad in which Kassy's airy voice carries the melody and song's emotions smoothly.
May 2017 was an outstanding month for k-pop. Aside from the enjoyable music, this month stands out because BTS (Bangtan Boys) made history as the first K-pop group to attend, get nominated for and win an award at the Billboard Music Awards! If you need more reminders as to why May was great, check out the songs below!
1. Euna Kim X Exy - Love Therapy
Korean
Released: May 4th
Euna Kim was a member of the girl group "The Ark" who debuted in 2015 and disbanded soon after. Then, to restart her music career, Euna Kim participated in season 2 of Unpretty Rapstar, alongside Exy (Cosmic Girls) and other female rappers. Some months after the show, Euna Kim and Exy collaborate in this laid-back love anthem. Together they rap about the push and pull of a relationship. As a final treat, solo singer Zia lends her vocals to the chorus. Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 2.5/5
2. Luhan - Say It
Mandarin
Released: May 14th
"Say It" is Luhan's second single off of his is single album "Imagination", which is the second to last release of his compilation album "XXVII". It is an EDM track with R&B elements and it's lyrics celebrate relieving oneself from the worries of a busy lifestyle. In the music video, a camera follows the daily routine of the main character, all the while, making viewers dizzy. Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5
3. Ikon - Bling Bling
Korean
Released: May 22nd
After a long absence, Ikon released a double single album, just like their senior group Winner did last month. It includes the hip-hop number "Bling Bling" composed by the group leader B.I. and rumored member of YG's new boy group, Millennium. "Bling Bling" has an energetic backdrop of brassy horns, hype chanting, and heavy bass. Ikon prove themselves to be "total cool kids" with all the bells and whistles! Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5
4. Seventeen - Don't Want To Cry
Korean
Released: May 22nd
Seventeen is a group that I remember for its myriad of members and their trademark brassy-pop songs. This time around Seventeen switched gears for an emotional EDM track that seems to have been influenced by the American pop duo, the Chainsmokers. "Don't Want To Cry" is about just that: not wanting to cry from heartbreak despite having so many tears. It's complete with eye-catching choreography that effectively conveys the song's emotions. Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 4/5
5. Faky - Someday We'll Know
Japanese
Released: May 23rd
Faky pre-released their second single of 2017 ahead of their upcoming mini-album. It follows the popular trend of tropical house that has been seen often in K-pop this past year. "Someday We'll Know" is a song that showcases the members' vocals and has backdrop music that is up-tempo and fun, but not overpowering. Anna, Lil'Fang, Akina and Mikako roam the streets of (what appears to be) Tokyo and showcase their dance moves in bright summery clothes! Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 4.5/5
6. Kriesha Tiu - Trouble
Korean
Released: May 23rd
You may know Kriesha Tiu (or Chrisha Chu) as the runner-up of K-pop Star 6 and a member of the on-show girl group KWINS. She is notable for her bubbly personality and for being the first Filipino-American idol. Now she has made her much-anticipated debut as a solo singer (despite her ability to perform very well in a group)! "Trouble" is a fun, Disney/Nickelodeon-eque song that is fitting for a teen like Kriesha. It's about being in "danger" when you fall for someone: thinking about them all the time and becoming dizzy when you see them. Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 3/5
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
Here's a list with a few of the many popular Japanese girl groups. 1. Morning Musume
Debut: 1997
Members: It Varies
Morning Musume has continuous line-up changes in which new, younger members are added each "generation" to replace the members that grow up. The group's name means "morning girls" or "morning daughters" and their theme is a young girl's virtue.
Perfume primarily makes electro-pop music and is known for their artificial sound. Despite having vocal talent, they heavily use auto-tune and vocoders. Often, their electronic songs are paired with a colorful, geometric music video.
Is part of the collective girl group E-Girls along with sister girl groups Happiness and Flower. The group has has several line-up changes since their debut and has four members as of 2013.
AKB48's concept is "idols you can meet" and the group has their own theater. "AKB" comes from Akihabara, the area in Tokyo which the group originated, and "48" is how many members the group was initially supposed to have.
Not a group, but more of a band, Scandal was formed from four high-school girls who were noticed by a record company from their street performances. They have performed theme songs for many anime shows including: Shoujo S, Bleach and Pokemon.
Debut: 2008 Members: 5
Momoiro Clover Z are like a group of power rangers because each member has a official color and their performances often include energetic action moves. They are well-known for creating the intro themes of anime including Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z.
Members:4
Faky are an edgy, trendy girl group whose message for girls is, "Do what they want, the way they want." Their name is a combination of the words "fantastic" and "Tokyo". It is also a play on the word "fake" as their goal is to bring fresh realness to the Japanese music scene.
The name Juice=Juice exudes freshness and personality. Each member has assigned color and fruit: grape (purple), yellow (lemon), orange, melon (green), apple (red) and peach (pink).
Members: 3
Color-Code was created by a Italian-Japanese fashion director. The group members were selected in Pop Icon Project Tokyo auditions to find a Japanese Lady Gaga.
Members: 5
Formed by the famous K-pop producer Brave Brothers, Cherrsee received help from Kpop girl group AOA. The groups name is a play on the words "cherry seeds" and there are four Japanese members and a Thai member.
