English Songs by Asian Pop Artists (Pt 2)

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. Here is Part 1.

1. Jane Zhang - 808

C-pop

"808", the English version of "心電感應808", is a promotional song that Jane Zhang recorded for Budweiser. She performed this EDM banger live at the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and subsequently, it charted at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs!

2.  Wonder Girls - 2 Different Tears

K-pop

As I mentioned in part 1, the Wonder Girls have quite a few English songs aside from their hit "Nobody", this being one of them. "2 Different Tears" was released shortly after "Nobody" and continues the retro concept that was in the former. The five Wonder Girls dance in an 80s inspired music video and sing about the joy of a relationship and the pain of it's ending.

3. CL - No Better Feelin'

K-pop

CL still hasn't started her American music career full-fledged, but in the meantime she recorded an official soundtrack for The My Little Pony Movie. In this, CL shows off her powerful vocals, which is something she doesn't always get to do as a rapper. One may expect that a song for an animated children's movie would be juvenile, but "No Better Feelin" is quite enjoyable for all ages.

5. Taeyang - Wedding Dress

K-pop

The English version of "Wedding Dress" appeared on the International version of Taeyang's first solo album. With this, Taeyang proves true to his title of the "Korean prince of R&B" and sings bitterly about his love who is walking down the aisle with another man.

6. Utada Hikaru - Come Back To Me

J-pop

"Come Back To Me" is a single off of Utada's third English album. The song is an R&B ballad that has a similar sound and meaning to Mariah Carey's We Belong Together.

7. Diana Wang - Skinny Love

C-pop

On her debut album, Diana Wang included a beautiful cover of Birdy's "Skinny Love". Wang added her own charm to the British singer's piano ballad.

8. Henry - Monster

K-pop

Henry has been dropping singles here and there for the past year, each with different sentiments. "Monster" (also released in Korean and Mandarin) is an angsty song about a a man's change of emotions during or after a relationship. Henry, yet again, shows he's a great songwrtiter by writing such emotive lyrics. "And if you listen to me, Hear all the words that I speak, Trying to hold it but the pieces are falling, I just can’t stay by your side, I just have to live my life I’m not the monster."

9. Tiffany - I Just Wanna Dance (Remix)

K-pop

Girls' Generation Tiffany made her solo debut in 2016 with the 90s inspired "I Just Wanna Dance". A bonus English remix of the song is available for download on specific platforms, and unlike the original, it's written and composed in part Tiffany herself.

10. Miss A - Love Alone

K-pop

"Love Alone" was created as a promotional song for the Olympic figure skater Yuna Kim. Miss A peformed the song at Yuna Kim's "Ice Show" in 2011. It was accompanied with a music video in which the ladies are shown performing and getting their make-up done behind the scenes.

11.  Jolin Tsai - I Wanna Know

K-pop

Taiwanese pop sensation Jolin Tsai was featured on Swedish DJ Alesso's "I Wanna Know". This is actually a remake: the original is between Alesso and Nico &Vinz. "I Wanna Know" has a groovy house compostition and its lyrics were re-written to be from a woman's point of view.

12. Jay Park X Yultron - Forget About Tomorrow

K-pop

Jay Park teamed up with Los Angelos based producer Yultron for "Forget About Tommorow". Jay Park is American himself and often has an explicitly Western sound in his music that is especially apparent in this EDM track. He recently signed with Jay Z's record company "Roc Nation", so I am curious to see whether he will make more English songs like this to promote under the label!

13. Tablo X Taeyang - Eyes, Nose, Lips

K-pop

Soon after Taeyang came out with "Eyes, Nose, Lips", his record company held a YG Family cover project in which his labelmates perfromed their own rendition of the hit song. Epik High's Tablo turned the piano ballad into a rap song and delivered clever lyrics about a failed relationship. Contrary to the orginal, Tablo's lyrics are in English and hold animosity for his former lover.

Sources
1,2,4,6,9,10,12,

Solos and Sub-Units in Girls' Generation

Members of a group often have their own solo projects, and as popular as Girls' Generation is, it's no surprise to know that some of its members can stand on their own. Currently, four members have had their official solo debut including Taeyeon, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, and Seohyun. There is also an official sub-unit, TaeTiSeo (TTS) which consists of the most vocally talented members in the group.

Soloists

Taeyeon

Kim Taeyeon was the first member to make her solo debut, and she did so with massive success. As of now, Taeyeon's discography is comprised of 1 full album, 2 mini-albums, a digital single, an SM Station single and several OSTs.

1. Rain

Rain is often used in music and art to reflect sadness. That is true for this ballad, in which Taeyeon feels the 'rain' even indoors as she sadly longs for a past relationship. It has a jazz and r&b composition and maintains a light-hearted, sweet melody, despite the heart-rending lyrics. The music video is as mellow as the song: Taeyeon sits in a room full of mementos as the "sadness" floods in.

2. Why

Taking a complete 180 from 'Rain', 'Why' is a tropical house track about freeing yourself from burdens and worries. It has r&b, EDM, and acoustic guitar rifts all wrapped in the audio. In the sunny, bright music video, Taeyeon is depicted enjoying California in all its glory; all the while showing off her voice register.

3. I Got Love

Basically everytime Taeyeon releases something, it features a different sound or a different combination of genres. 'I Got Love' is nothing like the tropical EDM of 'Why', the stagnant acoustic of '11.11' or even the mellow r&b of 'Rain'. This track, which was a pre-release of her full album, is urban-r&b with a suspenseful production. Taeyeon and SM Entertainment didn't play it safe with this sound. Though, they did step out of bounds; the song is interesting but has some undesirable elements.

 Other Songs:

4. Fine

5. 11.11

6. I (Feat. Verbal Jint)

Tiffany

The second member of SNSD to go solo, Tiffany established her individual music career with 1 mini-album and an SM Station single. True to her Californian roots, Tiffany's music is influenced by American pop music.

1. I Just Wanna Dance

This track is like a refurbished 90s electronica song: it's retro and modern at the same time. The sound can be compared to that of American singer Carly Rae Jepsen, while Tiffany's vocals are somewhat like Ariana Grande's. The tempo is rather lukewarm; not fast enough to be considered a dance track.

2. Heartbreak Hotel

Tiffany is sick of being alone, so she checks out of 'Heartbreak Hotel'. The storyline is one heard all too often: a girl falls hopelessly in love with a bad boy who breaks her heart. In the rap by Simon Dominic, we get the guy's point of view: he thinks their relationship is a burden. His part not only adds dimension to the song lyrically but also soundwise: the rough, rugged rap that adds contrasts with Tiffany's smooth vocals.

Other Songs:

1. I Just Wanna Dance (English Version/Remix)

2. What Do I Do

3. Talk

Hyoyeon

Hyoyeon made her solo debut through SM Station. She currently has only one song, but she has been a featured artist on one of Taeyeon's b side tracks and has participated in a couple collaborations. 

1. Mystery

Hyoyeon wants to hypnotize you with her dancing, and rightly so since she's considered one of the best female dancers in K-pop. 'Mystery' has an exotic tune, almost like the music that is played to charm snakes. Personally, I'm not a fan of the repetitive, word chopping chorus, but I can appreciate Hyoyeon's solo effort!

Seohyun

The group's maknae, Seohyun, has a solo discography that consists of 1 mini album and a few OSTs. Several of the tracks on Seohyun's debut album were penned by the songstress herself.

1. Don't Say No

As the youngest Girl's Generation member, Seohyun was always viewed as an innocent young girl. With 'Don't Say No', she painted a more mature image of herself but kept the femininity. Also, there is a rather dark theme in the music video. Seohyun seemingly poisons her ex, perhaps because he said "no" to getting back together and found a new girlfriend? Despite the random plot and visuals of the mv, 'Don't Say No" is a rather cohesive dance-pop track with r&b elements and a resonating piano backdrop.

Other Songs:

1. Love & Affection

2. Hello (Feat. Eric Nam)

3. Magic

Subunits

TaeTiSeo (TTS)

Comprised of the groups most vocally talented members, TTS is Girl's Generation's only official sub-unit. The name 'TTS' comes from the names of the members: Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun. As of now, they have 3 mini albums.

1. Twinkle

In 2012 SM Entertainment gave fans a very glittery surprise: an SNSD subgroup! The music video portrays Seohyun, Tiffany, and Taeyeon as red-carpet starlets and the song is just as flashy. It is a very bubblegum pop interpretation of funk from the 1970s and 80s.

2. Holler

TTS continue their sparkly, glamorous concept with 'Holler'. This song has a funky rhythm as well and shows the power of the girls' voices even more so than their previous release. The lyrics are about making a connection with a boy through eye-contact and wanting to break the ice.

Other Songs

1. Baby Steps

2. Checkmate

3. Whisper

survey tools

Sources

Info: 1,2,3,4,5,

Images: a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n