Quick Reviews: Nah Youn-sun, Lee Soo-young, Pinodyne, Zion.T, Kwon Soon-kwan, CHEEZE, Taru, Lucia, Cho Yong-pil, Dear Cloud, Kim Bada, 4minute, SHINee, Geeks, and Younha
During the five weeks over which I’ve taken a break from reviews, we’ve seen some major releases make waves. In case you’ve missed some, here’s an even-quicker-than-usual overview of fifteen notable albums from that time period. (Full-length reviews and regular Quick Reviews will return next week.)
Nah Youn-Sun – Lento
Release: March 12, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Hub Music/Vitamin Entertainment
Genre: Jazz, blues
Reviewer Rating:
Nah Youn-sun‘s vocals are more charismatic and incisive than ever. The veteran jazz vocalist is a dazzle as she refuses to be outdone by an instrumental supporting cast as intense (Momento Magico) as it is exotic (Soundless Bye). She burns with passion, celebrates in fashion, laments with aridity, and evokes with acidity. There are enough breathtaking moments here to fill an entire discography; taken as a whole, it’s one of the most forceful, deliberate vocal performances in the history of Korean jazz. This eighth album is a spellbound moment and an early candidate for album of the year.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Lento
2. Lament
3. Hurt
4. Empty Dream
5. Momento Magico
6. Soundless Bye
7. Full Circle
8. Ghost Riders in the Sky
9. Waiting
10. Arirang
11. New Dawn
Lee Soo-young – 클래식: 더 리메이크 두번째 (Classic: The Remake, Second)
Release: March 28, 2013
Producer/Distributor: T Entertainment/Neowiz Internet
Genre: Ballad
Reviewer Rating:
Has it really been nine years since the first one of these? Lee Soo-young returns to pure ballad as she tackles another set of (newer) classics, and she’s as fluent as ever in the language of massive orchestration and gliding melodies. The sequel isn’t quite as good as the original: there are glimpses of ambitious instrumentation (most notably 희재 (Hee-jae) and 인연 (Serendipity)), but the exquisite balance enjoyed by the first Classic: The Remake (2004) is missing here, as is a mold-breaking curve ball like that album’s 누구라도 그러하듯이 (As It Is For Anyone). But while we’re waiting for Lee’s tenth studio release, this tender collection will do nicely.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. 사랑하면 할수록 (The More I Love) – Original by Han Sung-min, 2003
2. 희재 (Hee-jae) - Original by Sung Si-kyung, 2003
3. Donde Voy – Original by Tish Hinosoja, 1999
4. 제3한강교 (Han River Bridge #3) – Original by Hye Eun-yi, 2006
5. 인연 (Serendipity) - Original by Lee Seung-chul, 2004
6. 모처럼 (For Once) - Original by Yoon Jong-shin, 2000
7. 눈의 꽃 (Snowflake) - As remade by Park Hyo-shin, 2004; original by Mika Nakashima, 2003
8. 옛 이야기 (Old Story) – Original by Kim Kyu-min, 1991
Pinodyne – PINOcchio
Release: April 2, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Hi-Lite Records/Genuine Music
Genre: Hip-hop
Reviewer Rating:
Soul Fish and Huckleberry P both have sleek, easy-going styles, but production of the former kind is becoming more common (and even expected) in this scene. The lyricism is what sells this sophomore album, so it’s a great thing that Huck P is thoroughly entertaining. 걸리버여행기 (Gulliver’s Travels) puts cheeky metaphor and allusion to satirical use, while 손만 잡고 잘게 (I’ll Sleep Just Holding Your Hand) has a believably playful dynamic of sexual tension. When the rapper is not being funny, he excels at injecting listeners into a persona. We see from the perspectives of an allegorical Huckleberry Finn; a hitherto-sheltered young adult taking his first step outside; a younger brother who can’t live up to expectations set by his sibling; a single mom fighting for her child; and so on. It’s Huck P’s vivid language that makes these characters come alive and portray a snapshot of our lives.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Chapter 2. 다음 장으로 (To the Next Chapter)
2. 걸리버여행기 (Gulliver’s Travels) Part 1 – Featuring Evo
3. 캥거루 (Kangaroo) – Featuring Jerry.K, NuSoul
4. 허클베리 핀의 모험 (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) – Featuring Koonta
5. 오후 2시 (2 P.M.) – Featuring B-Free, Soul One, Paloalto
6. The Lotto
7. 토요일 밤 (Saturday Night) [Skit]
8. 손만 잡고 잘게 (I’ll Sleep Just Holding Your Hand) – Featuring Kwan, Satbyeol
9. 쓰다 (Bitter) – Featuring Kim Sa-rang
10. 벽 (Wall) – Featuring Ben
11. Re: 허풍쟁이 (Boaster) – Featuring Crucial Star
12. Pain – Featuring Junggigo
13. 고마워서 (Because I’m Thankful) – Featuring Soulman
Zion.T – Red Light
Release: April 9, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Amoeba Culture/Loen Entertainment
Genre: R&B, hip-hop
Reviewer Rating:
How do you stop something that’s unstoppable? It’s a legitimate question when it comes to this ridiculously prolific, uniquely gifted vocalist. Zion.T‘s long-awaited debut album meets all the hype and then some; it’s got bold directing, imaginative and polished beats, and freedom of flow without losing focus. Tying it all together is, of course, the man’s golden voice. He wields that inimitable croon like a motor boat, floating and bobbing along for the most part but sometimes steering with gusto. He often switches styles multiple times in the same song, and isn’t afraid to recruit a little electronic help to fill up space. We knew Zion.T had mastered the voice; now it seems like he’s mastering everything else. He’s still just twenty-four, by the way.
Tracklist (recommended tracks in bold)
1. O
2. Doop – Featuring Verbal Jint
3. 도도해 (Sassy)
4. She – Featuring Beenzino
5. Neon
6. Babay – Featuring Gaeko of Dynamic Duo
7. 지구온난화 (Global Warming) – Featuring YDG
8. 뻔한 멜로디 (Predictable Melody) – Featuring Crush
9. Doop – Instrumental
10. Neon – Director’s Cut
11. Click Me (2013) – Featuring Dok2
Kwon Soon-kwan – A Door
Release: April 11, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Happy Robot Records/Neowiz Internet
Genre: Pop, ballad
Reviewer Rating:
Almost every track on A Door is engaging within the first ten seconds. That’s a testament to the power of Kwon Soon-kwan‘s brilliance with instrumentation. Into a broadly pop-rock base, he brings in brass and strings, staccatos and fuzz. Under Kwon’s direction these become dense, highly complex tracks – for example, note the background activity in Keep Going - that still remain accessible for anyone by way of broadly stroked melodies and efficient layering. This sophistry sets the No Reply vocalist’s solo debut apart from other albums in the genre, and gives him a better stage to what he does just as well: tell fascinatingly evocative stories.
Tracklist (recommended in bold)
1. Home Again
2. 그렇게 웃어줘 (Just Smile Like That)
3. 우연일까요 (Is It Coincidence)
4. Keep Going
5. 건너편 (The Other Side)
6. 긴 여행을 떠나요 (Go On a Long Journey)
7. Tonight
8. 별 (Star)
9. One More Time
10. 변하지 않는 것들 (Things Unchanging)
11. A Door
CHEEZE – Recipe!
Release: April 16, 2013
Producer/Distributor: RealCollabo/CJ E&M
Genre: R&B pop, jazz
Reviewer Rating:
Recipe! is, I imagine, exactly the kind of album that RealCollabo was created for. CHEEZE examines slices of daily lives, ranging from love at first college project to falling asleep while getting over an ex. Vocalist Dalchongi‘s performance is appropriately sweet to accompany the two producers’ muted, sleek pop-ballad beats. The supporting cast (including Winterplay trumpeter Lee Joo-han) is discreet but adds crucially to the album’s quality. Recipe! is delightful through and through.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Intro – Narration by David a.k.a. Kim Sung-won
2. Have A Nice Day
3. 조별과제 (Group Project)
4. 망고 (Mango)
5. 개와 고양이 (Dog and Cat) – Interlude
6. 우리는 네발로 걷지 (We Walk on Four Legs)
7. 이 밤 (Tonight)
8. Sleep
9. 결혼해주오 (Marry Me)
10. 빠빠빠 (Ba ba ba) – Featuring Brothersu
11. From – Featuring RealCollabo
12. 누가 우리 치즈를 옮겼을까 (Who Moved Our Cheese)
Taru – Puzzle
Release: April 17, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Sony Music
Genre: Pop, ballad
Reviewer Rating:
Puzzle is decidedly more rock-focused compared to Taru‘s previous works – there’s a modern-rock and alternative undercurrent lasting the duration of the album. As a result, the album gains some of the driving power that was lacking in those older works, but it loses the moments of rawest emotion that 100 Percent Reality (2011) evoked. To me, this is a net loss. 기침 (Cough) does not quite replicate the gut-wrenching impact that 지금이 아니면 (If Not Now) or 여기서 끝내자 (Let’s End It Here) delivered. If we ignore this, Puzzle has some great moments (mostly in its up-tempo pop-rock variants) amongst a few duds. Encouragingly, she’s still sticking to her motto – making “music that comforts”.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Puzzle
2. Rachel
3. Kiss You
4. My Sun
5. 새벽의 저주 (Curse of the Morning)
6. 기침 (Cough)
7. Carrie
8. 너와 사귀어 주지 말걸 (Shouldn’t Have Dated You)
9. Bad Commenter
10. Ending
Lucia – 꽃그늘 (Flower Shade)
Release: April 18, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Pastel Music/Danal
Genre: Ballad, pop
Reviewer Rating:
Lucia doesn’t really seem to do sad songs – melancholy, sure, but not full-on minor-chord sorrow. (Here’s exhibit 1 and exhibit 2.) So it’s surprising to see a somber lead single from her: 그런 계절 (Such a Season) opens with a desolate intro not out of place in a tragic historical drama and builds with Lucia’s characteristically delicate lyrics. Before long, we have an impeccably detailed and aching waltz. Lucia returns to regularly scheduled programming soon enough, but with no true killing track out of those, Such a Season leaves a very lasting impression.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. 사과꽃 (Apple Bloom)
2. 그런 계절 (Such a Season)
3. 실편백나무 (Real Cypress)
4. 5월의 당신은 (You in May)
5. 담담하게 (Serenely)
Cho Yong-pil – Hello
Release: April 23, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Pil Records/Universal Music
Genre: Pop, ballad, rock
Reviewer Rating:
There’s not much more I can say about the artist; Cho Yong-pil is hands-down the greatest legend in Korean music, the country’s most famous and most widely respected musician. But for that matter, that’s not much new for me to say about the album, either. As one of the most anticipated albums of the last decade or so, Hello has produced quite a bit of informal literature to go along with explosive popular reactions. Let me say this, then: people are right that Mr. Cho’s 19th studio release is not the kind of masterpiece they were hoping for. Others are also right that his boldness in embracing electronica and pop-rock and his deftness using them are both impressive. Hello is still an excellent album, displaying in many ways the marks of an artist who most definitely knows what he’s doing. I think this album is likely to end up being transitional: a release that shows Cho Yong-pil’s creative juices haven’t gone anywhere and that he can adapt to changes, to be followed up by a 20th album that is the masterpiece that people are waiting for. That’s also the hope.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Bounce
2. Hello – Featuring Verbal Jint
3. 걷고 싶다 (Want to Walk)
4. 충전이 필요해 (Need Charging)
5. 서툰 바람 (Clumsy Winds)
6. 말해볼까 (Shall I Say)
7. 널 만나면 (When I Meet You)
8. 어느 날 귀로에서 (One Day on the Way Back Home)
9. 설렘 (Flutter)
10. 그리운 것은 (Things I Miss)
Dear Cloud – Let It Shine
Release: April 24, 2013
Producer/Distributor: MY Music/Mirrorball Music
Genre: Modern rock
Reviewer Rating:
Let It Shine is not too different from Bright Lights (2011); dreamy guitars, expansive melodies, and Nine9‘s reassuring husky tone all return here. Perhaps there’s a little more shade of post-rock, a little more shoegaze effect, a little more synthesizer. They are welcome additions, giving Dear Cloud’s music all the more scale and exhilaration. It’s not a real ambitious album, but that’s okay - See the Light and U are moving regardless. This band is already used to dreaming big.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. See the Light
2. 12
3. U
4. 하루만큼 강해진 너에게 (To You, Strengthened by a Day)
5. Polaris
6. 그대와 춤추는 밤 (A Night Dancing with You)
Kim Bada – N. Surf Part 1
Release: April 25, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Evermore Music/Mirrorball Music
Genre: Rock
Reviewer Rating:
As the man himself says, Kim Bada‘s EP is not of his more experimental ilk. It’s not quite like his Art of Parties work, either; N. Surf Part 1 is more mainstream-oriented, embracing electronica, pop-rock, and even a slow-jam ballad. It’s an unexpected turn for the power vocalist, and individual results are pretty impressive. Searching marries industrial and new wave into a heady mold, while 푸르게 떠나 (Leave in Blue) sees Kim subduing his edge and letting the Rhodes timbre fill the space. I think it’s too eclectic to be a cohesive body of work, but this EP manages to endow a 20-year veteran with the perception of limitless potential.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. N. Surf
2. Searching
3. 베인 (Cut)
4. 푸르게 떠나 (Leave in Blue)
5. 베인 (Cut) – Radio Edit
4minute – Name is 4minute
Release: April 26, 2013
Producer/Distributor: Cube Entertainment/Universal Music
Genre: Dance pop
Reviewer Rating:
As much as I seem to rag on the producer, I’ll grant that What’s Your Name? is leaps and bounds better than Brave Brothers’ other lead-single work of late. It’s got more life than Sistar19‘s Gone Not Around Any Longer and Son Dambi‘s Tears Flow put together. It inexplicably throws away all sustained buildup whenever it gets to the chorus, but there’s a good amount of tension elsewhere. That’s keeping in line with 4minute‘s return to aggressive club tune. Whatever allows Hyuna to show off some of the charismatic rapping she’s refined through Melting (2012) while also featuring the EP’s strongest vocal contributions. Gimme That and Domino are also relentless synth baths, which means this is a rare no-ballad release; that’s just as well, since ballads have often turned out to be filler for 4minute. Name is 4minute is loud and flashy – and thankfully, it doesn’t try to hide that.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. What’s My Name?
2. 이름이 뭐예요? (What’s Your Name?)
3. Whatever
4. Gimme That
5. Domino
SHINee – SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2. ‘Why So Serious – The Misconceptions of Me’
Release: April 26, 2013
Producer/Distributor: SM Entertainment/KMP Holdings
Genre: Dance pop, synthpop
Reviewer Rating:
The follow-up component of SHINee’s third album is qualitatively on par with its predecessor. Just as in The Misconceptions of You, it’s hard to pinpoint any real weaknesses in either SM Entertainment’s game (flawless instrumental polish and effective sonic devices) or SHINee’s (ability to do anything asked of them and increasingly convincing vocal acting). The Misconceptions of Me is more theatrical, starting with the zombie-themed adrenaline of Why So Serious? to scene-setting Excuse Me Miss, and it’s certainly emotionally darker. That means there’s a bigger onus on the vocalists to deliver more persuasive performances, and everybody – I mean everybody - passes with flying colors. I think this is actually a collection of better songs, if not a better collection of songs, compared to Chapter 1. I see now that throwing these parts together into one album really wouldn’t have worked, although a part of me does want to see an 18-track idol album in the 21st century. It’d be like H.O.T.‘s I Yah! without the talk tracks.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Nightmare
2. Why So Serious?
3. SHINe (Medusa I)
4. 오르골 (Orgel)
5. Dangerous (Medusa II)
6. Like a Fire
7. Excuse Me Miss
8. Evil
9. 떠나지 못해 (Sleepless Night)
Geeks – Backpack
Release: April 29, 2013
Producer/Distributor: WA Entertainment & Grandline Entertainment/KT Music
Genre: Hip-hop
Reviewer Rating:
There’s hip-hop lite and rap ballad galore in Backpack, which doesn’t exactly give Geeks the best genre advantage towards being taken as heavyweights. The duo seems okay with that, though, because they show remarkable focus in making this debut album as friendly and accessible as possible. Wash Away and 집앞에서 (At the Front Door) bring the impact early, but the remainder of Backpack is mostly laid-back production and mellow lyricism. Not a terribly interesting release just yet, but their passion is palpable.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Lights On
2. Wash Away – Featuring Ailee
3. 집앞에서 (전화 받지 마 Part 2) (At the Front Door (Don’t Pick Up the Phone Part 2)) – Featuring Crucial Star
4. It’s Raining (Skit #1) – Song by Stella Jang
5. 비가오네 (It’s Raining) – Featuring Park Su-min
6. Backpack
7. Getting on You – Featuring DJ Dopsh
8. 아마 (Maybe)
9. 어때 (How Are You) – Featuring Harim
10. 잉여인간 (Waste of Space) (Skit #2) – Song by Stella Jang
11. 잉여인간 (Waste of Space)
12. Siren – Featuring Swings
13. Love, Life 그 한가운데서 (In the Midst)
14. 헌신 (Sacrifice)
15. 유언 (Last Words)
Younha – Just Listen
Release: May 2, 2013
Producer/Distributor: wealive/CJ E&M
Genre: Ballad, modern rock
Reviewer Rating:
It’s two consecutive bold moves for Younha. Having carved out a modern-rock template for her future in Supersonic, she branches out a little further in this breather of an EP. Three tracks – Fireworks, 우리가 헤어진 진짜 이유 (The Real Reason We Broke Up), and 바다아이 (Ocean Child) – appear to be direct extensions of Supersonic’s atmospheric and driving musical themes, and these are all powerful. The one new trick displayed here, the reggae infusion in Just Listen, offers treats in the form of visceral groove and sophisticated arrangement. The other tracks are more predictable and bog the EP down, but this is another solid addition to a burgeoning discography.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. Just Listen – Featuring Skull
2. Fireworks
3. 우리가 헤어진 진짜 이유 (The Real Reason We Broke Up)
4. 봄은 있었다 (There Was Spring)
5. 아니야 (That’s Not It)
6. One Fine Day
7. 바다아이 (Ocean Child)
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the reviewer and not of hellokpop as a whole.
Agree or disagree? Or have a recent release that you’d like to see reviewed? Let us know with your comments below! Requested albums will be considered each week and may be selected to be reviewed in the subsequent week.
Sources: Photos – Daum Music
Wedding pictorial featuring Taecyeon and Lee Yeon Hee
Singer of boy band 2PM, Ok Taecyeon is making his debut on the big screen along with actress Lee Yeon Hee in a romantic comedy movie called The Night before the Wedding.
Their wedding pictorial for the movie has been released and Taecyeon is seen wearing a white shirt with black rolled up slacks while Lee Yeon Hee wears a beautiful lace wedding dress with a long train. The photo was taken in a casual and cosy environment, with natural poses along with warm and affectionate smile portraying a sweet and lovable couple.
Taecyeon will be taking the role of Won Chul, a capable chef and fiancé to So Mi, a nail artist, played by Lee Yeon Hee. The movie will be directed by Hong Ji Young, who made his debut in 2009 with Kitchen. Fans can also anticipate many other famous actors and actresses such as Ko Jun Hee from the TV drama King of the Ambition and Kim Kang Woo from recent the TV drama Lover of Haeundae.
DTMG & PUMASHOCK teams up for ‘mind-blowing’ SHINee cover
The first multicultural American band to professionally cover K-Pop, Dave Tauler Music Group (DTMG), has become a hot topic among US K-Pop fans in the last year due to their awe-inspiring and interesting twists on some of K-Pop greatest hits.
With past remixes of songs such as 2NE1‘s Lonely, Big Bang‘s Blue, and PSY‘s Gangnam Style, they have managed to grab the attention of fans all over the world in record numbers. DTMG has set out to release a remix that not only paid homage to the genre and culture that they truly respect but also to give the fans something to remember.
Their newest remix is sure to have all the SHAWOL‘s out there cheering and dancing along as DTMG officially released their remix of SHINee‘s latest hit Dream Girl today featuring another Star King alumni and YouTube sensation, Pumashock (aka. Natalie White).
Natalie White has garnered massive amounts of success on her YouTube channel with her remixes and covers of Kpop super hits such as JYJ‘s Ayy Girl, 2PM‘s I’ll Be Back, Kara‘s Step, Super Junior‘s Mr. Simple, TVXQ‘s Mirotic, Wonder Girls‘ No Body, and Girls Generation‘s Gee and has been highly praised for her amazing and emotion-stirring vocals.
DTMG and Pumashock’s dual collaboration music video was shot at Studio 51 in March and was directed by Brad Baerwald and assistant director Christian Oh, the co-founder and executive director at Kollaboration DC. DTMG’s Lead Vocalist David Tauler was joined by his regular band-mates Teo Lee (bassist), Tim Kim (pianist), Paul Eldridge (lead guitar), Kyra Koh (main backing vocals) along with their latest additions to the group, DeJuan McCrimmon (keys), Brian McFarly (drums), Andrew Glaros (rhythm guitar) and Shervonne Brown (backing vocals).
On the eve of the release of their latest cover, DTMG members Dave Tauler and Teo Lee, along with Pumashock, sat down with us to discuss how the collaboration came together and what it was like working together.
What was your first impression of one another when you first met?
Natalie: “The most surprising thing was when we first actually got together on the phone. I understood it was a business call but, honestly, as soon as we got on the phone, I felt like I was just talking to a bunch of old friends – just catching up. There were a lot of laughs. It was a really, really cool conversation. I really like these guys. It was awesome. I was so happy and stoked to work with them. My expectations were very high when meeting DTMG in person and I think my expectations were completely met –if not completely exceeded. It felt very organic. We all hit it off right away. ”
Teo: “She looked exactly like she does on her Facebook page. She was all glamorized and all shiny.”
Dave: “For me it was a surreal experience because I have never gotten to know someone as well as I have gotten to know Natalie (through social media and by phone). Later on we became friends on a personal level. We talked for a long time (ten months), and then all of a sudden, there she was getting off the plane. I said, ‘Oh-my-gosh, that’s her.’ She had a big smile on her face and I could tell she was an artist right away.”
Natalie: “I’m still weird-ed out by about how much we (David & I) share in common, and to think that we’re both here in America, but the thing that brought us together was the Star King stage. I think that’s the coolest thing about our friendship, this creative connection that we made, is that Star King is what brought us together – all the way from Seoul.”
Were you at all worried whether or not your vocals would meld well with one another?
Dave: “Once I started hearing Natalie sing for real in the studio, when we put the mic on her, I was like, ‘Oh My Gosh, I’m going to have to bring my A-Game.’ She is a brilliant vocalist. I had a small idea, but what she brought to the table that day, just blew all of our minds. For me, I knew right then and there I had to step up. I wasn’t too worried about our voices working well together because, the one thing about Natalie I respect so much, is that she is a true musician. She has a lot of soul and strangely enough a rock edge too. (laughs) I was just trying to keep up. Her stage presence blew my mind. The second thing that blew my mind was her vocals, it (the music video), only took two takes and that’s phenomenal. She murdered it.”
Natalie: “The thing I was concerned about, my only fear was, ‘Don’t let me be wasting these people’s time and money. Let me be an asset to this process.’ It was very intimidating for me because I’ve been a one-woman-show for so long. I would love to be in a band and I love playing with other musicians. It’s been a really long time since I’ve had the opportunity to perform with other people and here I’m coming into this situation where the group is just meshed, cohesive, solid and full of first rate musicians. They’ve got a sound and I have to find a way to become a part of that. That was my only concern. I wanted to add to the process and not slow them down in anyway.”
Teo: “We paid careful attention in our (DTMG) rehearsals to try and wrap the sound around what we imagined Natalie’s vocals were going to be like. We had to find something that had that edge, but was still sexy and cool, that would support her vocals. It was so nice to hear it all come together.”
Why did you choose SHINee’s Dream Girl?
Dave: “We loved this song. I loved it for so many reasons it was hard to really say what we could bring to the table to make this even more special. The challenge is that the song is called Dream Girl and ultimately, when you look at SHINee and what there singing, they singing about their dream girl. It can be pretty awkward when you have a song that’s so gender driven. If you listen to the lyrics (with our performance), I’m really singing the guy lyrics and the lyrics that Natalie’s sings works from a girl’s point of view. So it doesn’t get weird in that regard.”
When you were in the studio, what was the atmosphere like?
Dave: “I knew something special was happening. It’s not every day that you’re going to have this many people who otherwise wouldn’t be together if it wasn’t for music and K-Pop. We have all kinds of different people from different backgrounds. We have Korean speakers, Korean, non-Korean, and non-Korean speaker, yet were all there together – not just in front of the camera but behind the camera as well. We had Brad Baerwald -a Grammy nominated engineer, and who is he working next too, but this distinguished filmmaker and film professor, Christian Oh, who is Korean. We’re all in it together. That, by itself, made this one of the most special experiences for me. They all brought their A game and everyone was having fun. It was just good to be there. It never felt like a job.”
“The reason why we do this is really because of K-Pop fans. K-Pop fans are the coolest fans that we know. They genuinely care deeply about the music and those who support the movement. We love K-Pop fans and K-Pop. We can’t wait to share this (the music video) with the K-Pop world. We do this for the fans.”
Pumashock, what was it like for you working with a live band?
“Oh, it was incredible. It felt natural to me. That’s what I want to be doing all day, every day. Hearing other musicians who are at the top of their game, feeling the base, hearing the drums kick in, and the guitars rippin’ – that just excites my soul. That’s my element. I absolutely love performing with a live band.”
In three words or less, how would you describe your collaboration and music video to the fans?
Dave: “Absolutely unique, 대박”
Teo: “Way Cool, exciting”
Natalie: “Mind-blowing-ly rad”
Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans before we let you go?
Dave: “팬 여러분! 너무 사랑합니다 (To all the fans! I love you.) I love you. I really do. K-Pop Fans make making music more special than it already is.”
Natalie: “I just want to say thank you! Everyone is so supportive. I’m getting ready to come back and, it’s all because of the fans support, that I’ve gotten this far. I’m going to work really hard to bring them good music and keep spreading the K-Pop wave.”
As we reported earlier, Pumashock has now officially signed with Billboard Entertainment Group LLC under the tutelage of Tyrone “Niddy” Buckner. For both DTMG and Pumashock the news doesn’t just stop here. Pumashock will be guest judging Kollaboration Atlanta‘s talent showcase this weekend, where the winners will be in the running for a $20,000 grand prize at Kollaboration Star later on this year.
DTMG will be performing as the headliner act at this Friday’s Tasa Night Market event at Princeton University with another longstanding friend of hellokpop, SNRG. DTMG will also be headlining Mayor Gray‘s 2013 Asian America and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at Washington, DC’s historic Lincoln Theater on May 30.
For more information about DTMG check out their website, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
For more information about Pumashock, hit her YouTube, Facebook, and twitter.
Source: Video: DTMG, Photos Provided By DTMG/Melting Earth.
U.S. A&R Exec signs African-American K-Pop artist and reveals ‘true’ side of JYJ
Exclusive: U.S. Artist and Repertoire Executive/Producer ‘Niddy’ talks about signing the first African-American K-Pop artist and opens up about working with JYJ.
When you talk to K-Pop fans in the U.S., their biggest complaint is usually centered around the lack of attention the genre gets in the mainstream music scene and how the aforementioned oversight has become a detrimental obstacle to the path of wide-scale K-Pop tours in the U.S. While K-Pop is slowly starting to gain a foothold in the country’s market, many labels and producers still have not had the chance to fall in love with the genre.
I had never seen an ethnicity that could perform soulfully and physically on the level of any other mainstream pop artist here in America and have the audience that K-Pop has.
As we delved deeper into this unfortunate issue, we came across an individual who has not only worked with K-Pop artists in the past, but who also shares an overwhelming passion with K-Pop fans. With his love for the genre driving him, he has set his sights on correcting misconceptions about K-Pop, and is endeavoring to bring K-Pop to the U.S. mainstream music market in a big way.
Tyrone “Niddy” Buckner, head of Billboard Entertainment Group LLC and freelance Co-Producer/A&R for C-JES Entertainment, started out in the business at a young age, as an aspiring artist/rapper in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from high school, Niddy studied music and film at Full Sail University and earned a degree in both film-making and the recording arts.
Niddy began his career as a A&R talent scout for Transcontinental Records/Fashion Rock, working with groups like the N’SYNC and the Backstreet Boys. He has worked with huge names such as Pitbull and Nelly/St. Lunatics on music-based film projects and has now gained the attention of the K-Pop fans worldwide with his work with CJeS Entertainment’s own Xia/Kim Junsu, from JYJ.
Recently, hellokpop sat down with Niddy via satellite, from the Qubeey headquarters in Los Angeles, to discuss how he got into K-Pop, what the genre means to him, what it was like working with Kim Junsu, and his plans and aspirations for the future of K-Pop in not only the U.S., but also around the world.
How were you introduced to K-Pop?
Niddy: “I was working with an artist by the name of Francis Kim. He is a really good friend of mine. When I saw him perform, he was just this amazing K-Pop artist. When I heard his voice, I was like, ‘Man, this kid is just amazing.’ So, he’s the one that kind of introduced me to K-Pop. Then, as I started learning about the genre, I was even more amazed. I was so surprised when I started to look at the American pop charts and realized that not one K-Pop artist was on there.”
What was it about K-Pop specifically that made you fall in love with the genre?
Niddy: “The performances of K-Pop artists themselves. I had never seen an ethnicity that could perform soulfully and physically on the level of any other mainstream pop artist here in America and have the audience that K-Pop has. It was this that specifically peaked my interest. I looked at it and I realized that the Asian community in the U.S. really didn’t have their own niche in popular music here, and I wondered why. Music transcends race, gender, ethnicity and everything. So, I felt like K-Pop truly deserved a place in the mainstream market, because it’s dope.”
How did you end up working with CJeS Entertainment as a freelance co-producer and A&R Exec?
Niddy: “While working with Francis Kim, I was asked by Dr. Dre to bring in some songwriters for a new record. So, I brought in Francis. We spent nine hours in the studio with Dr. Dre. After that, he introduced me to CJES.”
I got to see just how powerful and amazing JYJ truly are. I’ll never forget that moment for as long as I live.
With the collaboration between Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer and Kim Junsu for his solo English album, Uncommitted, you were heavily involved with its creation. Can you tell us a little about how that project came about?
Niddy: “At the time, as A&R for CJeS, I had about seventy-five track submissions from different producers and songwriters. I was introduced to Automatic through a friend, and he sent me a couple of tracks, one of those being Uncommitted. When I heard it, I was like “Aw man, this is a banger. This is right up their alley.” The funny thing is that track actually was originally submitted for JYJ [as a whole]. It just so happened that CJeS Executive Ray Yeom loved it and wanted to do it for Junsu. It almost happened accidentally.
CJeS hadn’t even announced that they were going to do a solo album for Junsu at the time. So, I thought they were going to use it for the boys. But it ended up being for Junsu’s solo project instead, which was a really good thing for myself, Automatic and the company, because it became a very successful English record. I’m so very proud of that record.”
Can you tell us a little about what it was like working with both Automatic and Kim Junsu in the studio?
Niddy: “The actual experience in the studio was amazing, because it was the first time I got to really hang out with Junsu. It was really exciting, because he has this really cool vibe. He’s got great energy and he smiles a lot. The funny thing about Junsu is his smile. You know when he’s in a good mood, in a good place, and when he’s around good energy, because he always smiles. He was totally a really great and fun person to work with. He worked hard and diligently. He wanted to make sure that record was really good. It was amazing.”
Recently JYJ held their “The Return of JYJ: Tokyo Dome” concerts in Japan. Afterwards, Uncommitted hit number one on Japan’s Amazon K-Pop charts. How did you feel when you found out the news?
Niddy: “I was actually at my son’s track meet when I got the call from Automatic. He was like “Yo Niddy! We’re there son! We made it baby!”, and I was like, “What happened?” He told me that Uncommitted hit number one on Japan’s Amazon K-Pop charts, and I was amazed. I was so excited about it, because it was a great accomplishment, considering what JYJ has been through over the last few years. To see the fight starting to show a winning phase felt really good.”
How did you feel when you found out that Junsu performed the track in front of 210,000 Japanese fans?
Niddy: “The first time I ever saw JYJ perform, I was in Peru. I had the privilege to be sent to Peru by CJeS to see them perform in front of about eighteen thousand fans. When I got there, I got to see just how powerful and amazing JYJ truly is. I’ll never forget that moment for as long as I live. There were thousands of fans with glow sticks in the air. It was dark, and they’re screaming and chanting JYJ’s name. My heart was just pounding, because I knew that one day they would be singing a track that I was a part of, that I did.
When I saw the fan-cams of Junsu performing Uncommitted in front of the fans at the Tokyo Dome, it was overwhelming, because it brought me back to that feeling I felt in Peru. It was amazing to see all the effort that we had put into this track was paying off and that the fans were loving it. I was ecstatic.”
At that moment, Mr. Automatic popped into the studio to say hello to Niddy and to check out what he was up to. You could tell that the two were truly great friends by their interaction with one another. We asked Automatic if there was anything he would like to say to our readers about Niddy, and he gladly responded with the following statement:
Automatic: “I’m happy for my boy Niddy and for being a part of this team. InRage Entertainment loves CJeS and JYJ. This whole experience has been phenomenal, and it all got started with my man Niddy. It’s just an incredible camp, and I’m proud to be a part of it! He’s about to do some big things. So, watch out for it.”
We then steered the interview to the subject of K-Pop fans and discussed how Niddy feels about being a K-Pop fan himself, how he views the other fans of the genre, and how the fans have treated him since the release of Uncommitted.
While K-Pop music itself can boast a wide range of accolades, it’s the genre’s dedicated and loving fans that have become the heart of K-Pop. What is it about this genre’s fans that you like the most?
Niddy: “As professionals, we always try to find a way to get back to the essence of the real fan. When I ran into the K-Pop fans, I saw a rebirth of that essence. I saw the real fan–the fans that cry, that fight for their artists and believe that their artists can do no wrong. They love their artists unconditionally. They love their music and they are willing to fight for their cause and what the music stands for. So, that deserves a place in our music industry.
That’s why I love K-Pop fans. They’ve embraced me. They tell me about their dreams, hopes, stories, aspirations, what they love about K-Pop, what they want to see happen in K-Pop, what they’re willing to do to make it happen. They are active themselves. I haven’t seen a community of fans like that in a very long time. I think that if the ‘big’ people in America could really get an eye on K-Pop fans and really see them, then they would truly see the power of this music and how it really deserves a place here. These fans deserve a place here.”
K-Pop fans always love to share their favorite artists with their friends. As a fan yourself, who are some of the K-Pop artists you enjoy and why?
Niddy: “I’ll have to go with my boys JYJ first, because I’ve worked with them and they are just extremely talented. Aside from them, there’s another group that I really think is dope: Big Bang. I really love Big Bang. They’ve got a track called Bad Boy that I like, and the music video is dope. I also like BoA, Girls Generation, 2NE1, Tablo, Wonder Girls, 2PM, Aziatix, and definitely Jay Park. I want to do something with Jay Park, because he’s amazing. I want to do a couple things with that dude.”
Have you ever wondered if your favorite artist really reads fan letters or appreciates fan gifts? We had been discussing K-Pop fans for a lengthy amount of time, when Niddy was reminded of a very interesting incident that happened while he was on tour with JYJ in Peru. He decided to share it with us. Listening to his story epitomizes the very essence of why JYJ is so loved the world over.
Niddy: “When I was in Peru, I had the opportunity to witness the gift-giving portion of the fans’ love. The fans, once again, because they are so incredible, take time out to create all kinds of fan gifts–from bag and posters to even buying merchandise–for the group. It was the last day of the tour in Peru, and we all went out to take a tour of the city. When we were leaving the hotel, there were fans everywhere, putting gifts for the group in our hands–asking us to give them to JYJ, and even throwing them through the window of the bus. After the boys stopped to pick up some new Samsung tablet phones and pairs of Beats By Dre,we got back on the bus to finish the tour.
When an artist gets that big, you know fans always wonder if they really keep that personal connection with their fans.
I was sitting on the bus and Junsu was sitting right in front of me. I asked him to check out a record I was listening to. So, I handed him my phone. While he was checking out the record, he reached over into the seat next to him and starting going through the fans’ gifts and reading the letters. I thought that was kind of cool. because I knew he was still a real person, that he was still down to earth, and that he truly cared about his fans. I just thought that was so cool. That was one of the greatest experiences of my time with them, before I got to know them better, and I wanted to let the fan fans know. The JYJ members are all like that. The really do love their fans.”
After Niddy finished his heartwarming story about Junsu, he introduced us to one of his closest friends and fellow K-Pop fan, super producer Jukebox.
Jukebox has become a highly successful producer in the music business with his work with renowned artist and actor Will Smith. He’s most well known for producing mega hits like Swizz Beatz Everyday Birthday, featuring Chris Brown, Ludacris and Jukebox, and the pop sensation Whip My Hair, by Willow Smith. We asked Jukebox what he thought about what Niddy was doing for the K-Pop market and he had this to say:
Jukebox: “(laughs) He’s the “Diddy” of K-Pop. I think what Niddy is trying to do is huge for music in general. He has a really innovative mind, and he’s really looking to bring that genuine love back to music. I think that’s one crucial thing that needs to happen, especially in today’s American music.”
As our interview began to wind down, we wanted to get a little more insight into what his company does, what their goals for the future are, and what they plan to accomplish for the K-Pop music market. He also gave us an exclusive on a very exciting, never-before-released announcement about a new artist that Billboard Entertainment Group LLC recently signed.
Could you explain a little about what Billboard Entertainment Group LLC is all about? What is your company’s mission statement?
Niddy: “We’re an across-the-board service company. We provide entertainment and music services such as marketing, A&R, management, and major distribution for artist and labels–especially for those international companies out there who are looking to tap into the U.S. market and global distribution. Our mission is our client’s mission.”
Would Billboard Entertainment Group LLC be interested in signing K-Pop or J-Pop groups in the near future? If so, is there any particular style of artist you are looking for?
Niddy: “Absolutely. We’re definitely going to be looking to sign some K-Pop artists and J-Pop artists. We’re looking for the same style as we would for American pop music. If I found an artist that’s an R&B K-Pop artist, and he or she is really great, then I’m going to want to work with them. If it’s a Soul artist, a Neo-Soul artist, a Pop artist, a Hip-Hop artist, a Rap artist, or even if there’s a Country K-Pop artist, I want to work with them all. I’m open to it all.”
What is Billboard Entertainment Group LLC’s vision for the future of K-Pop, and what do you want to do for the genre?
Niddy: “The vision of my company, within K-Pop, is to become another support system, another leg for K-Pop stand on, from the business side and the creative side as well. What we want to bring to K-Pop is to help companies and artists that are trying to work with producers and songwriters in the U.S. (or wanting to work on features with American artists), help artists from the U.S. who want to work with K-Pop artists, and kind of facilitate that convergence on both sides. I want to be able to offer the same services that we offered to CJeS (and more) to anyone that wants that opportunity. That’s the part that Billboard Entertainment Group LLC wants to play.”
How does it feel to be considered one of the most successful African American companies in K-Pop?
Niddy: “That’s very flattering statement. I’m proud that I’m an African American in K-Pop. It make me very proud to be recognized, both my company and myself, as a leader from the African American side in K-Pop. My company and I still have a lot to prove to K-Pop and the K-Pop fans. I don’t want to jump. I want to take my time. I want the fans to let me take my time. I want the K-Pop industry to allow me to take my time to prove myself, so that when those accolades come, they will really be deserved. That’s whats important to me.”
You recently posted on your social media, that you had a big announcement coming up with regard to signing a new artist. Could you tell us about her?
Niddy: “This is probably the most exciting announcement, and I’ve been holding it in for so long. Actually, we weren’t even supposed to be announcing this right now, but some really great things have come up. So, we’ve taken the position and made the decision to release this news to hellokpop first!
DTMG & PUMASHOCK teams up for ‘mind-blowing’ SHINee cover
My company, Billboard Entertainment Group LLC, has signed the first female African American K-Pop artist in the world, commonly known as the Queen of K-Pop Covers. She is Pumashock (aka Natalie White). Pumashock is amazing on every level. She has covered some of the hottest songs in K-Pop. She has millions and millions of views online. She’s the only African American female K-Pop cover artist to appear on the Korean television show Star King and others. I think she going to make a huge impact on K-Pop. So, I’m very happy and proud to announce that we have signed Pumashock. I am looking forward to some great things that you guys are going to get to see in the next couple of days. She’s getting ready to release a huge feature with DTMG, which is another great K-Pop cover group. You’re about to see her star power.”
Before we let you go, is there anyone you’d like to thank? Do you have any special message that you want to leave for the fans?
Niddy: “I’d like to thank C-JES Entertainment Inc., music executive Jerrold Thompson and Qubeey.com. Also, a special thanks to hellokpop’s Adrian Cheng, for the opportunity to talk about K-Pop with the fans. Thank you to the fans for taking the time to read this interview, and for tapping into all the links that are in this interview, and I want you guys to continue to support me, because I will continue to support K-Pop.”
We would like to graciously thank Niddy for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us and for giving us some insight on what he is doing in and for the K-Pop world. It was an absolute pleasure, and we are looking forward to a very bright future for K-Pop in the U.S. with him and this genre and its fans.
For more information on Billboard Entertaiment Group LLC or Mr. Buckner please check out their official website, Twitter, and Facebook
For more information about Pumashock, hit her YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
[UPDATE] Check out our exclusive coverage of Pumashock’s feature with DTMG right here.
Sources: Video: CJESJYJ, Photos provided by artist and Melting Earth.
*A&R REFERS TO ARTISTS AND REPERTOIRE: A DIVISION OF A RECORD LABEL OR MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TALENT SCOUTING AND OVERSEEING THE ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF RECORDING ARTISTS AND/OR SONGWRITERS.
**QUBEEY: QUBEEY IS YOUR SOCIAL AND BUSINESS NETWORKING SOLUTION. IT ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE REAL TIME ACCESS TO MOST OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND BUSINESS SITES AND ATTRIBUTES ON WEB, ON DESKTOP AND ON MOBILE FROM ONE EASY-TO-USE PLACE. THE QUBEEY PLATFORM IS FLEXIBLE, ROBUST, AND FUN! IT BRINGS ALL YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE PROGRAMS INTO ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION DIRECT FROM YOUR DESKTOP, IPAD OR MOBILE DEVICE. WHETHER YOU ARE CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY OR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AROUND THE WORLD.
‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind’ to be held in Malaysia
Concert organisers Running Into The Sun and Woohoo! Experience are pleased to bring one of the most highly-acclaimed K-pop solo artist, G-Dragon, to Malaysia as part of his ‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind’ concert tour.
The leader of Korean superstars BIGBANG who put on an explosive performance in Malaysia at their one-night only concert last year, is back this time with his first-ever solo concert, to be held on 22 June 8pm, at Stadium Nasional. This will be the only outdoor concert of his tour, and Malaysian fans can look forward to an exhilarating night of high-energy performances bolstered by this unique open-air experience.
‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind’ concert tour is G-Dragon’s second solo concert tour and first world tour, and will feature songs from his latest solo release, One of a Kind, which ranks as the top selling solo album in Korea after G-Dragon’s first solo album in 2009. Heartbreaker. One of a Kind included two chart-topping hits, Crayon and That XX, with the latter dominating the major online Korean music charts shortly after its release.
Apart from being a celebrated composer, lyricist and producer, G-Dragon is a widely-regarded fashionista, winning numerous accolades for his fashion style, and has also achieved the distinction of being the only male artist to feature on CNN’s ‘50 reasons why Seoul is the world’s greatest city’ list. Constantly proving his mettle for producing chart-topping hits, G-Dragon has won various awards for his music including the digital bonsang for One of a Kind at the recent ‘27th Golden Disk Awards’ held in Kuala Lumpur, Korea’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards.
Managing Director of Running Into The Sun, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, said: “G-Dragon is one of the top solo acts in Korea and is highly-regarded for his musical ability and trend-setting ways. We’re immensely thrilled to be bringing him to Malaysia where fans can look forward to a dynamic performance by the multi-talented entertainer”.
‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind’ concert tour kicked off in Seoul on 30 March 2013 at the Olympics Gymnastics Arena, with confirmed stops in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. This tour also marks the first time that a Korean solo artiste will be holding concerts in four of the Japan’s domes.
‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind’ is co-organised by Running Into The Sun and Woohoo! Experience and managed by YG Entertainment and Live Nation Entertainment.
Photos from the Seoul’s concert:
