Moodboard & Playlist: BTS L'ATELIER des SUBTILS

Hello, It's been a while! I've been absent from my blog partially because of a creative slump, but recently, I feel a little more motivated. BTS just released a collection of perfumes through their collaboration with VT Cosmetics and French fragrance designer, Frederic Burtin. The fragrance line consists of 7 perfumes that embody the personality of each member. I felt inspired to try something new and create a different kind of blog post. For each perfume I made a mood board and (using my imagination) chose the BTS songs that I think would match the aesthetic of each scent!

1. Eau D'Ocean - Jungkook

#Aqueous #Ocean #Breezy

The soft smell of the sea on a clear summer day.

Notes: Bergamot, Lily, Algae, Rose, Moss, Cedarwood

Songs: Euphoria (Jungkook Solo), Sea, Mikrokosmos

2. Eau De Musk - V

#Musk #Soft #Addictive

Profound and mysterious, but soft.
Notes: Blackcurrant bud, Bergamot, Raspberry, Cumin, Neroli, Musk & more

Songs: Singularity (V Solo), Blood Sweat & Tears, 134340

3. Eau De Poudre - Jimin

#Powder #Ambery #Mysterious

Warm and sweet like vanilla.

Notes: Clover, Bergamot, Geranium, Heliotrope, Clove, Patchouli, Vanilla, & More

Songs: Serendipity (Jimin Solo), Dimple, Boy With Luv

4. Eau De Coton - Jin

# Cotton #Soft #Delicate

A delicate fragrance that reminds you of innocent, first love.

Notes: Blackcurrant, Bergamot, Apple, Melon, Jasmine, Rose, Plum, Violet & more

Songs: Just One Day, 24/7 Heaven, Love Is Not Over

5. Eau De Vert - Suga

#Green #Cozy #Intense
Fresh and cool like the summer wind.
Notes: Orange, Vanilla, Jasmine, Rose, Plum, Violet, Sandalwood, White musk & more

Songs: Spring Day, So Far Away (Suga, Jin, JK ver), Butterfly

6. Eau De Citrus - J-Hope

#Citrus #Fresh #Energizing

The sweet scent of happiness and hope.

Notes: Lemon, Elemi, Bergamot, Parsley, Nutmeg, White Musk & More

Songs: Just Dance (J-Hope Solo), Home, Fire

7. Eau De Bois - RM

#Woody #Warm #Elegant
Luxurious and elegant wood.

Notes: Coriander, Juniper, Ambrette Seed, Lavender

Songs: 4 o'clock (RM and V), everythinggoes (RM solo), Autumn Leaves

I have not smelled any of the perfumes yet but I tried my best to match the given descriptions. Which songs would you choose for the members' fragrances? 

Sources:

Info: VT Cosmetics,1,2

Images: tumblr, google search, twitter

August in Music

For the month of August.

1. IKON - Killing Me

Korean

Released: August 2nd

"Killing Me" is IKON's first official comeback after their massive hit "Love Scenario." This "New Kids: Continue" comeback had a lot of hype to live up to as "Love Scenario" earned the group their first Perfect All-Kill. Many enjoyed the light energy of "Love Scenario," but "Killing Me" takes a complete 180. It's a daunting break-up song that contemplates feeling regret after a breakup.  Since "Bling Bling," IKON hasn't returned to the swaggy hip-hop style that I so miss. But "Killing Me" still satisfies with its trap-dance genre and unusual, but pleasant tempo.
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 4.5/5

2. LOONA - FavOriTe

Korean

Released: August 7th

After over a year and a half of intense teasing, the girls of Loona finally show what they can do as a group act. Since Fall 2016, the Loona members periodically debuted as soloists and subunits, slowing gaining a following of fans. "FavOriTe" is Loona's pre-release single from their debut album that intends to show the group's signature style. From the beginning, "FavOriTe" captures you with its barrage of sounds which include brassy instruments and energetic adlibs. Judging from the solo works, I always felt that many of the members' voices sound too similar, but that proves to be a major advantage. The voices of Loona's many vocalists meld together cohesively, instead of overwhelming the song with many different vocal tones.

 Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

3. Pentagon - Shine (Japanese Ver.)

Japanese

Released: August 29th

In April, I failed to notice when Pentagon released "Shine." But after the song became their breakthrough hit, I wondered what everyone was raving about and gave it a listen. The song is pure joy! It's quirky, catchy, and playful with its concept of nerdy boys confessing to a pretty girl (that's presumably out of their league). The K-pop hit's success led Pentagon to send it over to Japan and the Japanese version keeps the original's essence. As usual, there are little differences that make me prefer one version over other.  Extra effort was put into the Japanese music video, but the Korean Shine is still a better listen. Both are enjoyable nonetheless!

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 5/5

4. BTS - IDOL

Korean

Released: August 25th

BTS's Love Yourself series is a well-constructed narrative that explores falling in love and realizing that the love is fake. In the final conclusion. BTS discover the answer to their fictional narrative, an answer that can also be applied to their real lives - to love yourself! IDOL is an unapologetic ode of self-love that makes references to the hate they've received. The members show confidence in things that the media, haters, and even fans have tried to change about them. This loud and proud message is delivered with a sound that is equally as striking. IDOL a traditionally Korean and South African dance-pop track with blaring brassy instruments and bumping bass.

Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 2/5

5. NCT Dream - We Go Up

Korean and Chinese versions

Released: August 30th

NCT Dream is the NCT unit with the group's maknaes. They follow a juvenile concept that has gradually gotten more mature as the boys get older. "We Go Up" is an energetic anthem-like track that has 90s hip-hop influences and electronic bass. The song begins abruptly and has sharp transitions that make it sound as if two different songs were melded into one. This is not uncommon for NCT, as "Go" and "Cherry Bomb" are alike in the way. After getting over the strange transition, I began to really enjoy "We Go Up." The members' voices are maturing and, as always, they put on an impeccable dance performance.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5

6. Baekyun X Loco - Young

Korean

Released: August 31st

SM launched the third season of SM Station titled "Station Young" which is "a cultural project for the younger generation." Like the prior seasons, Station Young showcases collaborations with artists from other labels. "Young" is the second track of Station Young and is performed by EXO's Baekhyun and AOMG rapper Loco. The message is motivational, as it encourages youth to go their own path instead of following the path written for them by others. I like the music video's artistic expression of the theme and the unexpected mix of electro-pop and R&B.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

Sources
Info: 6a,b

Image: 1,2,*,4,*,*

* are screencaps I made myself

July in Music

Here are my picks for the month of July!

1. Yoon Mi-Rae - You And Me

Korean

Released: July 5th

Often hailed as the best female rapper in Korea, Yoon Mi-Rae (AKA Tasha) is actually a very versatile artist that can do more than just spit bars. Her latest song is a chill R&B number that showcases her pleasant vocals. "You And Me" describes having an ambiguous relationship in which romantic feelings develop, but he ends up getting friend-zoned. Yoon Mi-Rae's songs exude such an effortless vibe, which is probably because she is a senior in the music industry. I already knew that she sounded good in a group and features nicely on others' songs, but this reminded me how well Tasha shines is her solo work. "You And Me" features Tasha's labelmate Junoflo and the MV includes the rest of the "Feel Ghood Music" crew.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 2/5

2. Luhan - Catch Me When I Fall (R3hab Remix)

Mandarin

Released: July 10th

Luhan is back with his EP "Re:Play," which is a collection of his old songs that were remixed. The original "Catch Me When I Fall" was released almost two years ago and expresses Luhan's experiences and progress. To me, the lyrics mean that everyone faces obstacles, makes mistakes, or feels blue at times. As a celebrity, Luhan may be compelled to maintain a certain image but we are all imperfect. "They keep telling me that I'm the chosen one. So I have to act like the one. All the time, It's hard to confess all the weakness. When I start to tell, It's even more than I can take."  Dutch producer, R3hab added a dose of Trap and heavy EDM drop to the new version making it a club banger.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 1.5/5

3. Seventeen - Our Dawn is Hotter than Day

Korean

Released: July 16th

"Our Dawn is Hotter than Day" was released back in July along with the rest of Seventeen's comeback album "You Make My Day," but the dance video wasn't released until August. I much prefer this b-side over the album's title song because of its great beat. Filmed on a rooftop under the night sky, the choreo is perfectly synchronized (as expected of Seventeen!) The subtle movements are done so precisely and gracefully that it really enhances the emotion of the song. This is a good example of how a performance can still be powerful even without lots of fast jumping. 

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 5/5

4. Riri - Maybe One Day

Japanese

Released: July 27th

Last winter, Riri made her major label debut with an album and a single titled "That's My Baby," which I really enjoyed! It had a very Western feel due to being worked on by established American producers. Her newest song, "Maybe One Day" comes from the same vein of Pop-ish R&B and was likewise prepared in LA. According to her official website, "Maybe One Day" is summer anthem material that mixes "an emotional melody" with "dance music." The lyrics express the viewpoint of a girl who falls in love with her best friend, but he doesn't feel the same way. Unfortunately, the Youtube music video is not available worldwide, so here is a link to view it. However, both the Japanese and English version of this song can be found on Apple music!
Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5

5. Astro - Always You

Korean

Released: July 27th

Astro caught my attention with their cute performance of "Crazy, Sexy, Cool." However, then they went on hiatus and I became worried about their future at the news of their label's financial issues. Now Aroha's (their fandom) can rejoice because the boys have debuted a special album dedicated to them. "Always You" the title track, stands in stark contrast to Astro's former tunes. It's serious and mature, with an intensely captivating music video. I'll admit, I half-expected something sweet like "Crazy, Sexy, Cool" and was disappointed to find it completely different. But, it's nice to see Astro active on the scene again.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

6. Perfume - Let Me Know

Japanese

Released: July 30th

If you are familiar with Perfume, you'll know that their music is characterized by high-pitched vocals, game-changing bass drops, and fun electronic melodies. "Let Me Know" is pretty much that except it has a few additional characteristics -  the composition is noticeably Westernized and slower in tempo. This release also seems to have personal meaning to the members. Nocchi, A~Chan, and Kashiyuka take a ride on a bus and meet three girls who likely are intended to be younger versions of themselves. The bus ride may represent Perfume's career, and while on this journey, they have a message they'd like to convey to their past selves. Some of the lyrics go, "Don't tell anyone, because you're about to be somebody. Believe in yourself."

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

Sources
Info: 4.6

Image: *,*,*,4,5,*

* are screencaps I made myself

June in Music

It's a little late, but here are my picks from the month of June.

1. BTS - DD Ceremony (Ddaeng)

Korean

Released: June 10th

BTS had their FESTA which is an annual celebration of their debut anniversary. As part of their 5th-year celebration, they released a few free tracks on SoundCloud for fans! "Ddaeng" is a diss track aimed at haters and at those in the industry who ignored BTS before they were popular. The song includes clever wordplays surrounding the term "ddaeng," which has various meanings, and hip-hop beats with Oriental instruments. It's performed solely by the rap-line-up (Suga, RM, and J-Hope) and is very reminiscent of their cypher series! There is no official music video, but the members put on a fire performance and uploaded it on BANGTANTV.
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - N/A

2. Blackpink - Ddu Ddu Ddu

Korean

Released: June 15th

One year of absence has built a swelling of anticipation among fans for Blackpink's comeback. Finally, the girls returned with their first mini album that takes on a different sound while still keeping Blackpink's essential style. "Ddu Du Ddu Du" is a powerful hip-hop trap song that opens with whistle-y synths and later blends in the sounds of East-Indian percussion. The lyrics assert a strong personality and a "go-get-it" attitude of girl power. Jennie performs as a rapper this time and the music video serves a lot of sass and creativity. Was "Ddu Du Ddu Du" worth the wait of an entire year? Well, I can only think that in that span of time Blackpink could have had hit after hit, since they are capable of having content this high-quality.
Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 5/5

3. BtoB - Only One For Me

Korean

Released: June 18th

After their hit "Missing You" from last fall, BtoB switches things up for the summer season. Instead of a slow, sad ballad, the group treats fans to a happy love song that is more suitable for the warm weather. "Only One For Me" is a very easy listen - it has a breezy melody and some added tropical elements. Since its BtoB,  the song showcases the group's stellar vocals, which can make even a bland song sound pleasant. It's worth to mention that this may be BtoB's last project as a complete group for a while. This is because sometime after the album release, the main vocalist Eunkwang enlisted for his mandatory military service. In the meantime, I expect the other group members to perform without him or maybe promote as soloists?
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

4. Red Velvet - #Cookie Jar

Japanese

Released: June 21st

Red Velvet had their Japanese debut and (not surprisingly) its theme is food-related! They've had "Ice Cream Cake" and "Red Flavor," but this time the girls talk about another type of treat - cookies! Just like their Korean releases, "#Cookie Jar" includes the same cute, quirky charm that Red Velvet pulls off well. Though, at the same time, I find that the song feels very Girl's Generation-esque.  Its groovy beat and retro 60s feel remind me of SNSD's "Hoot," a favorite of mine! I'm happy to see Red Velvet back at their so-called "red" concept and I think this suits the Japanese market very much.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5

5. Nu'est W - Deja Vu

Korean

Released: June 25th

Nu'est W is a subunit of Nu'est that will promote while member Minkyun is active with the temporary boy group Wanna-One. In recent years, Nu'est has taken on an interesting musical direction - they focus on a mature sound and incorporate mysterious elements into their album concepts. "Deja Vu" is a mellow pop song with a Latin influence and acoustic guitar that makes for a tropical vibe.  It has an unexpected but pleasant tempo and a smooth chorus that captivated me at first listen. Interestingly, the light breeziness of "Deja Vu" contrasts with the dark aesthetic of the music video. 

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 3/5

6. Day6 - Shoot Me

Korean

Released: June 26th

"Vicious words hurt like bullets." This metaphor is the core theme of Day6's new single and is shown in the music video. "Shoot Me" expresses the feelings of a guy who is at the receiving end of his girlfriend's harsh remarks. He endures her verbal abuse and hot temper in hope that she will feel better by it. "Shoot Me" has a rich guitar and keyboard instrumental that brings back the exciting energy the band had in an older song, "How Can I Say." The abrupt drums and gunshot-like "bang bang" turn the energy up even higher and work as the most memorable part of the song. 

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3.5/5

Sources

Image: 1,2,3,4,5.*

* are screencaps I made myself

Asian Pop Stars with Orange 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 neon orange, scarlet, and tangerine hues!

1. Jane Zhang

C-pop

Group: N/A (solo)

Song: N/A

2. Doyoung

K-pop

Group: NCT

Song: 7th Sense

3. Hyuna

K-pop

Group: Triple H

Song: 365 Fresh

4. Seulgi

K-pop

Group: Red Velvet

Songs: Russian Roulette, Happiness

5. Jimin

K-pop

Group: BTS

Song: Run

6. Lisa

K-pop

Group: Blackpink

Song: As if it's Your Last

7. Hwasa

K-pop

Group: N/A

Song: You're the Best

8. Rainie Yang

C-pop

Group: N/A (solo)

Song: Angel Wings (天使之翼)

9. V

K-pop

Group: BTS

Song: Boy in Luv

10. Park Bom

K-pop

Group: 2NE1 (formerly)

Song: N/A

11. Sehun

K-pop

Group: EXO

Song: Ko Ko Bop

12. Mami Sasazaki

J-pop/J-Rock

Group: SCANDAL

Song: N/A

13. G-Dragon

K-pop

Group: Big Bang

Songs: Sober, Let's Not Fall in Love

14. Hebe Tian

C-pop

Group: S.H.E.

Song: N/A

15. Sojung

K-pop

Group: Ladies' Code

Song: Stay Here

16. Rosé

K-pop

Group: Blackpink

Songs: Playing With Fire, Whistle

17. Hyosung

K-pop

Group: Secret

Song: Into You

18. Meng Jia

K-pop

Group: Miss A (formerly)

Song: Good-Bye Baby

You may also like:

Asian Pop Stars with Pink Hair

Asian Pop Stars with Blue Hair

Image Sources

My Top K-pop Boy Groups

The K-pop music scene is dominated by groups - both male and female! There is much fanfare around groups because they have a line-up of members with various talents, styles, and personalities. Here are my top 9 boy groups in K-pop. I included an introduction with background information, my favorite members, and some recommended songs!

9. Day6

Debut: Congratulations (2015)

Members: 6 5

Day6 is a K-pop rock band under JYP Entertainment. Like any rock band, Day6 incorporates guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard into their performances instead of choreography. The group was named Day6 presumably because the original line-up consisted of six members, but one member left the band due to personal reasons. Recently, Day6 has been more present in the music scene through their EveryDay6 project in which they dropped two songs (a title track and b-side) a month for every month in 2017.

Favorite Member(s):
Young K

Recommended Songs:

For the third month of their Everyday6 project, Day6 came out with "How Can I Say". When I initially read the title, I imagined the song would be about trying to confess your love to someone, but it's actually the opposite. Day6 are singing about trying to find the right words to admit that they fell out of love and want to break up. It is a moderately heavy rock song (as opposed to heavy metal or soft rock) and may be enjoyable for people who typically don't like the genre.

Congratulations
I Wait
Hi Hello

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Wonpil, Sungjin, Dowoon, Jae, Young K
• The group's fandom name is My Day, after the title of one their songs.
• Day6 admire Maroon 5, U2, Coldplay, and One Republic.

8. Winner

Debut: Empty (2014)

Members: 5 4

Winner was formed through YG Entertainment's 2013 show WIN: Who is Next? and they competed against other trainees to debut. They won the competition, earning the name "Winner" and debuted as a five-membered group a year later. At first, listen, I could tell that Winner was like no other idol group. From the start, they played with different genres that strayed away from the K-pop trends. Their first album "2014 S/S" includes acoustic ballads and alternative rock, while their following single album includes a "blues-infused" song. One of the members, Nam Taehyun, left the group in 2016, and thereafter Winner redefined themselves as more mainstream. Whether on or off-trend, Winner continues to produce quality music.  

Favorite Member(s):

Recommended Songs:

Winner debuted with two simultaneously released singles, "Empty" being the lead single off of  "2014 S/S". "Empty" was written by B.I. (IKON), Bobby (IKON) and Mino (Winner) and co-composed by B.I. The song describes feelings of emptiness and loneliness after a break-up. It is alternative pop with hip-hop elements and has a mellow, subdued sound. "Empty" really highlights the different vocal colors of the members: Jinu and (former member) Nam Taehyun have light, sweet vocal tones while Yoon has a husky voice. Mino is a low tone rapper, while Hoony is higher.

Really Really
Color Ring
Fool

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Hoony (Seunghoon), Mino, Jinu (Jinwoo), Yoon (Seungyoon)
• The group's fandom name is Inner Circle and their official fan color is Nebula Blue.
• Winner was the first YG boy group to debut in 8 years since Bigbang.

7. Seventeen

Debut: Adore U (2015)

Members: 13

Seventeen is appreciated for being a "self-producing" idol group and having creative control over their music. They are a rather large group, with thirteen members. Interestingly, they are divided into three units according to their special talents. There is the performance unit (which focuses on dance), the hip-hop unit (which focuses on rap) and the vocal unit. Seventeen normally promotes as an entire group but occasionally, these units have their own separate projects. I find this unit concept significant because in large groups it's easy for some members to be overshadowed. Moreover, the unit system allows Seventeen to be more versatile and attract listeners with different tastes. Listeners who like rap may enjoy the hip-hop unit's songs "Trauma" or "Check In". Whereas those who enjoy ballads may prefer the vocal unit's "Pinwheel".

Favorite Member(s):

 Vernon, Mingyu

Recommended Songs:

Seventeen reveal a more serious and subtle side of themselves through this emotional EDM track. In "Don't Wanna Cry" a heavy American influence can be heard: there is a Chainsmokers-esque beat and the instrumental follows the recent Western trend of Tropical house. I particularly like how the intro is soft and restrained. Then, the song becomes more dramatic and slowly builds up to a satisfying beat drop.

Highlight (Performance Unit)
Thanks
Rock

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Jun, Dino, Hoshi, The8, Mingyu, Vernon, Woozi, Wonwoo, Seunkwan, Joshua, Jeonghan, S.Coups, DK
• The group's fandom name is Carat and the official fan colors are Rose quartz (pastel pink) and Serenity (pastel blue).
• Seventeen's name comes from the fact that there were supposed to be 17 members, but 4 never debuted. The group name was given a new meaning by the concept: 13 members + 3 units + 1 group = Seventeen.

6. Monsta X

Debut: Tresspass (2015)

Members: 7

Monsta X is from Starship Entertainment and the members were selected during the 2015 trainee survival program No.Mercy. They debuted with a hip-hop concept and are known for their signature powerful sound. Monsta X has proved to be very well-rounded because they are equally talented in dance and vocals. Additionally, their rap lineup is balanced between the high-pitched, energetic rapper Joohoen and the low, more monotone rapper I.M. 

Favorite Member(s):
Kihyun

Recommended Songs:

In May 2016, Monsta X started an album trilogy called "The Clan" series. The first part "The Clan 2.5 Part 1: Lost" focuses on "loss and hurt" and "the inner world of youths". "All In", the lead single of the album, is the complete package with a rhythmic rap, a catchy beat, and a chorus that just captures your attention. Like much of their music, it has a heavy-hitting electronic beat. The music video introduces The Clan storyline and the members are in a village that is facing conflict and unrest. Monsta X later revealed the choreography version of the video (included above).

Beautiful
Shine Forever
In Time

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Shownu, Minhyuk, Wonho, I.M., Kihyun, Jooheon, Hyungwon
• The group's fandom name is Mon Bebe and their official fan colors are Pantone 2221 c (Light Blue), Pantone dark blue c, Pantone 2405 c (purple).
• In their debut year, Monsta X received the "Next Generation Asian Artist Award" at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the "1theK Performance Award" at the Melon Music Awards.

5. EXO

Debut: MAMA (2012)

Members: 12 9

EXO is comprised of two sub-groups: EXO-K (who records music in Korean) and EXO-M (who records the same songs in Mandarin). By this method, EXO simultaneously targets audiences in both South Korea and China. They debuted in 2012 with twelve members after releasing two pre-debut singles "What is Love?" and "History". Since then, three members left the group but EXO has achieved great commercial success nonetheless. Each year, SM Entertainment promotes EXO in a systematic pattern: album releases in Spring/Summer, album repackages a few months afterwards, and a Winter Special Album in December. Because of this, EXO releases quite a bit of content each year and continues to grow in popularity. 

Favorite Member(s):
Sehun

Recommended Songs:

"Monster" is sung from the viewpoint of a man who focuses his interest on a girl that he likes. But, he is rather unapproachable and frightening, hence the lyric "You can call me monster." Not surprisingly, the song has a very intense instrumental and equally intense music video. EXO are depicted as beaten and bruised rebels with tough exteriors.

Overdose
Call Me Baby
Universe

More Facts:

• The members' names are: D.O., Chen, Baekyun, Chanyeol, Suho, Kai, Lay, Xiumin, Sehun
• The group's fandom name is EXO-L and their official fan color is Cosmic Latte (Gray)
• Exo's sophomore album XOXO was the best selling album of 2013 in South Korea. 

4. IKON

Debut: Rhythm Ta! (2015)

Members: 7

Prior to their debut, IKON (often stylized as iKON) was a 6-membered group of trainees called Team B. They competed against Team A (WINNER) on YG Entertainment's 2013 trainee survival show WIN: Who Is Next? but lost. Then the trainees were given a second chance on MIX & MATCH and were formed as an official group with the addition of one member. These shows showcased the individual talents in IKON some of which include the dance skills of Jay and the sweet vocal tone of DK. The group finally debuted in 2015 with Rhythm Ta. IKON's leader B.I. has written all and composed most of the group's music which is primarily hip-hop and dance-pop.

Favorite Member(s):
B.I., Bobby

Recommended Songs:

IKON tried a mix of rap and punk rock for the seventh single of their debut album. This is a style that has been tried before by other YG Artists (it was heard in 2NE1's "Ugly", Big Bang's "Sober", and G-Dragon's "Crooked") and I'm glad IKON gave it a try as well. "What's Wrong?" is about a guy being frustrated with his girlfriend because she is controlling and starts pointless arguments with him.

Airplane
Love Scenario
Apology

More Facts:

• The members' names are: June (Junhoe), Song (Yunhyung), Bobby, Jay (Jinhwan), B.I., DK (Donghyuk) and Chan (Chanwoo).
• The group's fandom name is iKONIC and their official fan color is Orange-red.
• IKON is the fastest K-pop group to have a Tokyo Dome Tour after debuting.

3. NCT

Debut: NCT U - Without U, Seventh Sense (2016)

Members: Infinite

NCT is an acronym for Neo Culture Technology and the name refers to a collective group with unlimited members and unlimited sub-units. As of now, there are three units, which all debuted in 2016 and an upcoming project called NCT 2018. First is NCT U, which has 6 members. They debuted with two singles of contrasting styles: "Seventh Sense" which is a trippy trap hip-hop song and "Without U" - a vocal-centered rock song. Next is NCT 127 which was revealed to be the "Seoul-based unit", as "127" is the longitudinal coordinate of Seoul. Finally, is NCT Dream, a unit of the youngest members who take on fun, juvenile concepts. The NCT project has a lot of uncertainty as compared to the typical boy group - there is no pattern to which the units comeback and there's no telling exactly when a new unit may debut. Because of this, fans are kept on the edge of their seats as to what's in store for the group.

Favorite Member(s):
Ten, Taeyong

Recommended Songs:

NCT 127 debuted as a seven-membered group in 2016 but returned in early 2017 with two additional members. "Limitless" was the group's first comeback and first release with main vocalist Doyoung and lead rapper Johnny. It is "urban hip-hop" and is accompanied by two different music videos - the performance version (shown above) and the rough version which is meant to look like homemade video clips edited together. Notably, "Limitless" highlight's NCT's dance and vocal skills because of the complicated choreography and intricate vocal harmonies.

Wake Up
Paradise
Back 2 U (1:27AM)

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Johnny, Yuta, Taeil, Win Win, Taeyong, Jaehyun, Doyoung, Mark, Haechan, Jeno, Jaemin, Renjun, Jisung, Chele, Ten, Jungwoo, Kun, Lucas
• The group's fandom name is NCTzen.
• NCT is a multinational group that includes members from South Korea, Japan, China, Canada, Thailand, and the United States.

2. BTS

Debut: No More Dream (2013)

Members: 7

BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeodan which translates from Korean to Bulletproof boy scouts. It also stands for "Beyond The Scene". The group debuted with a hip-hop concept in 2013 and immediately boosted the ambitions of youth through their lyrics. Since then, BTS has attempted more genres and lyrically addressed different social issues. For example, "Am I Wrong" is a jazz-pop/blues song that calls out people's lack of empathy towards problems in society. Meanwhile, "Baepsae" which is primarily rap, criticizes the divide between the privileged and the underprivileged. Such topics make the young men of BTS very relatable to all kinds of listeners, especially since the members themselves take part in writing and composing.

Favorite Member(s):
J-Hope, Jungkook

Recommended Songs:

"Save Me" is a single from BTS's compilation album "Young Forever"- the final part of their artistically intricate trilogy "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life" series. The song is a complete turn-around from their confident anthem "Dope" and shows a more vulnerable side to them. "Save Me" has a whistle-synth chorus and tropical house elements. The one-take music video is rather basic, which draws more attention to their bouncy choreography.

Spring Day
I Need U
Best Of Me

More Facts:

• The members' names are: Jin, Suga, Jimin, Jungkook, V, J-Hope, RM
• The group's fandom is A.R.M.Y. and their official fan color is Silver-Gray
• In 2017, BTS became the first Korean group to win a BBMA (Billboard Music Award) and the first to perform at the AMAs (American Music Awards). 

1. Big Bang

Debut: We Belong Together (2006)

Members: 5

Big Bang, sometimes referred to as the "Kings of K-pop", are known for their talent, individuality, and versatility. The five-membered group is made up of three vocalists and two rappers (who occasionally sing as well). Big Bang has written and composed most of the music in their over a decade-long career. This is in part why they have gained so much respect and admiration from not only their fans but from the public as well. Despite the sky-high international and domestic success, Big Bang has remained humble artists, as apparent by their single "Loser". According to the leader G-Dragon, "Loser" aims to remind everyone that celebrities are human too and are not above having negative emotions or difficult circumstances. Their discography also has some upbeat party songs (Bang Bang Bang and Tonight) and some soft, sentimental numbers "Let's Not Fall In Love" and "If You".

Favorite Member(s):
G-Dragon

Recommended Songs:

Big Bang is often associated with their hype party songs, but as I mentioned above, they have tried other styles and sentiments too. One particular song that I want to recommend to is "Blue", which proved to be even more successful than some of their more upbeat tracks. "Blue" is an electronic ballad with acoustic and synths. The song is very mellow and it's lyrics describe feelings of emptiness and longing. While Bigbang sings their blues, they wander through the cold alleys of New York City. The color palette of the music video is primarily muted hues, which further captures the melancholy feeling.

Bad Boy
Girlfriend
Let's Not Fall In Love

More Facts:

• The members' names are: T.O.P., G-Dragon, Taeyang, Seungri, Daesung
• The group's fandom name is V.I.P.
• With 150 million+ records sold, Big Bang is the best-selling boy band in history, outselling huge names like the Backstreet Boys and the Jackson Five.

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