Mizz Nina staged ‘Around The World’ with Jay Park
On 18 May, Malaysian global pop artist, Mizz Nina, staged her first ever major concert with an unique theme entitled, Around The World. For this explosive concert, K-pop star Jay Park flew in to Kuala Lumpur as special guest to perform alongside for their previous collaborative track, Around The World, which has garnered massive thumb ups by fans; both Mizz Nina and Jay Park’s alike.
For a more grandeur show, Mizz Nina’s former hip- hop group Tek Tarik Crew, her husband Noh Salleh, and Hidayati Yusop from Ahli Fiqir were also invited to the stage, formulating a winning list of artistes’ appearances to the delight of the concert-goers.
Eagerly, Mizz Nina started her 90-minute concert first with a series of English songs such as Just Do It, Hit Me Up, Away With You, What You Waiting For and Take Over. She took mesmerizing control of the fans with her distinct vocal, along with skillful dancers, and had the fans chanting along as she performed passionately on that one spotlight. With many changes of eye-catching stage outfits, Mizz Nina had certainly won well-deserved praises from fans for her utmost efforts to make this concert a special one.
Prior to the opening of the segment of Malay songs, Mizz Nina thanked sincerely to all fans as she was surprised to see many fans coming for her first major concert, and not forgetting her respectful parents who were watching her from the second floor of the venue, supporting their gorgeous daughter.
After expressing her gratitude to everyone, she then took the stage with her husband, Noh Salleh of band, Hujan, with a sweet and warming song titled, Kurnia, accompanied with guitar playing by her husband. With blue soft lights illuminating upon them, the whole venue instantly turned into a romantic scene where love was presented among the artists. Fans were absorbed into the sweet surreal scenic as the couple performed a duet, creating unforgettable around-the-world moments.
Before everyone started to forget Jay Park’s presence, the atmosphere was then brought to another level when the song Around The World came on. Fans started screaming as they knew that it was finally their K-pop prince’s turn to spin their world.
Jay Park made his first special appearance of the night with Mizz Nina for the hit collaborative track, Around The World. Both artists heated up the stage dynamically as they also grabbed the chance to showcase their unique dance choreography for the first time on stage together with more than ten dancers. Fans were all pumped up because they knew they were now the only first few fans ever to witness the two performing together on the same stage live.
Right after, Jay Park continued to take over the stage with his recent release, Joah, melting fans’ hearts, especially with lyrics ”You know that i love you, I’ll always be with you baby”. He then later turned up the party mood with an upbeat track, Nothing On You by B.o.B. Jay Park continued to heat up the stage with his final and last track for the night, an English version of Girlfriend. Fans could hardly restrain themselves as Jay Park displayed one of his most highly well-known creative skills, b-boying, and wowed everyone with energetic and smooth moves.
After Jay Park’s solo performance, Mizz Nina reappeared back on stage, dressed in dazzling outfit for another few more songs before wrapping up the concert.
It was one of such unforgettable nights that fans can always remember fondly in which they were finally being taken Around The World by Mizz Nina and Jay Park together. The experience was out of this world, fulfilled.
Hellokpop: We express our congratulations to Mizz Nina for having successfully held her first ever major concert, and special thanks to YZ International for the media invite.
Event covered: Seckvoon@hellokpop,
Editor: Adrian@hellokpop
Ultimate K-Pop Survival Guide: Lee Hyori
The second installment of our Ultimate K-Pop Survival Guide focuses on The K-pop Diva herself. Lee Hyori is someone we don’t really have to introduce to K-pop lovers, unless they are very new to the genre.
Disasters may change your life forever
Lee Hyori’s life story is that of a true Korean dream. Coming from a poor family, where her strict father wouldn’t even let her eat more rice than served, just to save money, she went on to be a sex symbol, fashion icon and celebrated emcee. She initially gained fame as the most beautiful member of iconic girl group Fin.K.L, passing auditions in 1998 without even having to sing. In 2003 she launched her solo career and immediately rose to the top of the charts and conquered the hearts of millions. She co-hosted popular variety shows like Happy Together and Family Outing. Just like most superstars of her standing, she also could not escape smaller scandals, like the notorious radio call-in from Rain or the plagiarism accusations of her 2006 song, Get Ya. However, the worst was yet to come.
In 2010, in her desperate attempt to outdo herself and her previous success, Lee Hyori vowed to become a producer for her fourth album, H-Logic. However, after the release of her successful title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, netizens started to notice that other songs on her album had striking resemblance to foreign artists’ works. It turned out that six of her songs were compromised, or to state it bluntly: simply stolen from other singers. The “songwriter” of these six songs was a rookie musician named Bahnus, whose songs were selected by Hyori and her then-agency Mnet Media from 200 submitted demos of the same songwriter. In their hurry to produce the album (as Hyori admitted later on) they failed to properly screen his background and the songs. Bahnus apparently not only plagiarized the songs but also forged documents to support a false educational background in music. He was sentenced to jail time.
The events, however, did not stop here. Though Hyori thought she was a victim of Bahnus’ trickery, some critics attacked her, saying she delayed response to plagiarism claims and “fooled the public”. As she stated in SBS’ Healing Camp show, she felt embarrassed and ashamed and ended up drinking her sorrow away.
The rules of survival for Lee Hyori were as follows:
1. Get yourself together. When you reach the pitfall, it’s easy to give yourself to self-pity and do as Hyori did: drink. She needed the help of a good friend to realize she had to seek advice from a psychologist.
2. Get the best out of the worst. As her perfectly built ivory castle crumbled, she started to see the world in a new light. She realized how much she depended on what others thought about her and how little she cared for her own needs. She began to write for newspapers and became a columnist, getting praised for her sense of humour, her wit and her clear writing style. She discovered the joy of giving and became an advocate of animal rights and the well-being of the elderly. She gradually came to appreciate smaller pleasures of life over money and fame.
3. Turn your world upside down. During her self-reflection, Hyori’s world literally turned upside down. She sold her glamorous car and luxury villa and moved to a less spectacular house. She started to date an “ordinary” man who was unlike any of her previous boyfriends. She became a vegetarian and adopted a stray dog.
4. Dare to restart. After the collapse, Hyori dared to show herself again. First only on television programs and in advertisements, then news surfaced that she would be coming back with a brand new album.
After a three-year hiatus and multiple release pushbacks, Lee Hyori finally reappeared with a new song, titled Miss Korea (co-written by her boyfriend), and immediately swept the charts. Her 5th album Monochrome is due on the 21st of May.
What can we learn from Lee Hyori’s story? Well, as you could see, sometimes the worst that could happen to you might bring you a chance to transform your life for the better and realize the essence of happiness lies in small joys.
Banner created by Sovany Nguon
Photo source: B2M Entertainment
Sources: SBS Healing Camp ep. 39, 40, The Korea Times
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
Event director talks about TVXQ concert in Malaysia + fans’ interview and reaction
Exclusive: Event director of JPM Music, Alicia Lo, talks about the coming TVXQ concert in Malaysia, the company and its future plans, fans’ interview and reactions, and coverage of the road show held in anticipation to the concert.
Event organizer JPM Music and joint presenter Magnum turn on the Cassiopeia’s heat to an all-high when they held the first road show at Tropical City Mall on 28 April for the coming TVXQ concert later this month. TVXQ! Live World Tour ‘Catch Me’ Concert in Kuala Lumpur is confirmed to be held on 18 May, 6pm at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam.
On 28 April, hundreds of Cassiopedia turned up in red and attended the road show at Tropicana City Mall in Selangor. The passionate fans participated at various game sessions and competition that included singing and dancing.
Three individuals and groups of contestants took part in the competition and put up their utmost effort with their personal unique vocal and energetic dance moves to the tune of the songs of TVXQ. The fans competed against each other with the hope of walking away with privilege passes to the press conference of the concert. Lucky for two young and talented siblings who performed to TVXQ’s Catch me, they successfully won the praises of the judges and were rewarded with a pair of passes to meet Yunho and Changmin up close. The show moved on with an Q & A session of a series of questions regarding to the group and the concert.
Into the next segment of the show, 13 participants were eliminated down to three, with each required to sing a snippet to any of TVXQ’s song. A lucky female participant who sang Hug, emerged as the winner and won for herself a copy of TVXQ’s album.
JPM Music wrapped up the road show with a lucky draw session. Fans who were presented, were definitely in luck to have won the prized concert tickets for themselves as the organizer generously conducted a special tickets’ giveaway draw in return of the fan support for the concert.
Coming to less than 2 weeks before the TVXQ concert, fans who have yet to purchase the tickets can still do so through here - Ticketcharge.
Hellokpop has the pleasure to sit down with the event director of JPM Music, Ms Alicio Lo, after the road show for a short interview about the company, future plans and TVXQ’s concert.
L: Seckvoon (hellokpop), R: Ms Alicia Lo (JPM Music)
JPM is relatively new to Malaysian fans. Would you mind telling us more about your company?
Alicia: JPM Music is part of the JPM Group and is an event management company driven by a dynamic team of professionals who have a passion for great music and bringing together memorable events. JPM Music specializes in bringing K-Pop talent to Malaysian fans for spectacular live performances. Whilst new to the scene, we are making a bold statement by inviting K-Pop legend TVXQ to Malaysia to ‘wow’ their devoted fans.
Many have thought that TVXQ may have gradually lost their market in Malaysia. Why is JPM still willing to invite them for a concert?
Alicia: It’s easy to assume that the artists and music people enjoyed when they were young will no longer interest them many years on. However in actual fact, that’s not the case. Ask anyone who was a fan of a boy-band or girl-band as teenager if they would be excited to see their favourite group return for a live performance and the answer would undoubtedly be YES. Acts like TVXQ are classics that remain loved through generations. Their fans remain fans for life and in the process of rejuvenating their career they also gain new fans. TVXQ have made a comeback and are now bigger and better than ever.
What do you think of JPM’s advantage or strong point as compared to other organisers?
Alicia: Our experience in handling grand-scale events definitely gives us a ‘leg up’ on other organisers. In bringing together big events such as the Super GT which also involve a musical performance element in event organisation, it’s essential that you have a strong and supportive team to be successful.
Is this the JPM’s first time working with Korean companies? Can you share your thoughts about working with SM Entertainment?
Alicia: This is our first time working with Korean companies to bring Korean talent to Malaysia. It has certainly been a positive experience and it’s inspiring to see how professional they are and committed to their projects.
Other than K-Pop, will JPM bring other foreign artists to Malaysia? Why?
Alicia: Not for the moment but we shall see what the future holds. If anything, we would most likely bring in European artists as part of our JPM Group events.
Can JPM reveal to us what your upcoming plans are?
Alicia: In the next few months, we will once again be bringing back the Super GT and we also hope to present Malaysian fans with a few more K-Pop acts live in concert this year and next year.
Before the show began, we also interviewed two Cassiopeia, named J’lyn and Catherine, who have been fans of TVXQ for more than five years.
How long have you been a fan of TVXQ?
J’lyn: 7 years!
Catherine: Since 2007, it is been almost 5 to 6 years.
What is it that TVXQ has attracted you to become their fan?
J’lyn: I saw the promotion advertisement on the television when they were scheduled to hold a concert in Malaysia in year 2006. Actually I was attracted to them because of a word, ‘Hello’ spoken by Yunho when he picked up the phone and I thought this guy(Yunho) was good-looking. Then I went online to check out more about them.
Catherine: I have to admit that it was because of their appealing looks when I first discovered them in a magazine. I don’t know why but I just feel like they are kind of my taste. So I went online to find out more about them and slowly developing love and support to them.
Which is your favorite TVXQ’s album and why?
J’lyn: Rising sun because it was the first album I know when I get into them.
Catherine: Mirotic because when they were in Japan when I discovered them and I merely can watch them. Mirotic has left me with the most impression.
What makes TVXQ different from other groups?
J’lyn: Dancing and their singing!
Catherine: I think it is their staging charisma and also that they really care about their fans.
What do you expect to see in the concert? (Besides the red ocean)
J’lyn: I am really looking forward to listen to Changmin to perform the Chinese song Ting Hai by A-Mei (Tran: Listen to the Sea)
Catherine: Yunho’s Honey Funny Bunny and definitely Mirotic too!
Is there anything TVXQ said or have done motivated you or inspire you to do something?
J’lyn: I am now majoring in Korean Studies in University of Malaya. It is because of TVXQ that I chose to study this course. I am in my third year now and have visited Korea as an exchange student under this program for three times already. I will be going to Seoul this September for internship.
Catherine: I remember Changmin has once said this, ‘学习并不是人生的全部。但既然连人生的一部分―学习也无法征服，还能做什么呢’( Tran: Life is not all about learning. But if you can’t even subdue learning as part of life, what can you do in life?) It motivates me to study whenever I feel tired during the exam period.
Hellokpop expresses our thanks for the opportunity and time given to us for the road show and look forward to more K-pop events in Malaysia organized by JPM Music!
Event covered by seckvoon@hellokpop
How to be a K-Pop star, or maybe not
We’ve all heard stories about life being a K-pop star, but the K-pop industry is tough and you may or may not want to pursue it after reading this.
How to be a K-pop star?
With agencies churning out rookies one after another, one might pose the question: what is exactly needed to be a K-pop idol? If you aspire to follow your bias into the music industry, here is what you need, based on the analysis of contemporary singers.
BOYS WILL BE BOYS … or maybe not
If we were to become a pop star 15-20 years ago, it would have been the macho type of male. You know, be manly, sweat like a horse, be hairy and have a deep, deep voice or at least a very masculine one. Sort of a second Freddie Mercury. Nowadays, however, the trend is for boys to be more … ambiguous. Girly, even. If you cannot sing, you better be a good dancer – or a rapper.
You have two choices. If you are a more feminine type, you don’t need abs. They will be delighted to look at your face only. If you are a more masculine type, abs are unavoidable. Be prepared for long hours in the gym. Then there are the mixed types, the baby faces with a body builder’s muscles. Those are the freakiest, frankly.
The uninitiated would never be able to tell he’s a boy (Ren from Nu’est).
POLES FOR PIN-UP GIRLS
As for the girls, besides being perfectly pretty, you have to be thin. Some agencies time and time again try to launch bands or singers who do not look like the average pole thin beauty – these are the rare exceptions (like Big Mama or Lee Hi). Long legs are a must, as basically every girl band goes for the shortest possible outfits. Curiously enough, it seems like you cannot have your upper body revealed, so tops and shirts would always be high or as closed as possible, but legs can be shown as much as you like. The requirement nowadays seems to be a double standard for girls; you need to be cute-innocent and bitchy sexy at the same time. Preferably, you should sing like a 12 year old and dance like a stripper, at the same time.
Girls bring the… legs out… (Girls’ Generation)
10+1 RULES:
Be young. Well, above 15 but preferably below 25. Agencies are not very much known for recruiting “mature” men and women. Probably because kids are still formidable and easier to govern. If you are lucky you may be in the business for a long time, like Shinhwa, and then your age would not really matter much. But for starters, if you are 30, it will be difficult to sell you to predominantly teen audiences.
Cutesiness or aegyo is what a new K-pop idol should be capable of. Even those macho rappers show their tender sides from time to time. But don’t be extreme. Syrupy aegyo will be too much for foreign audiences. If someone is naturally cute in certain situations, that can be a big plus in endearing themselves to people. Overflowing aegyo may have reverse effects with older audiences. If you strive to engage a wider audience, you need to know when to do aegyo. If you are fine with 12 year olds or uncle fans only, just do it.
Some stars are simply not suited for aegyo… (Yunho)
You have to be fashionable, though some newbies might take it to the extremes in the company’s desperate attempt to ‘stand out’. Some stars, like G-Dragon are able to pull of the most extreme fashion styles and look good even in a potato sack but you need to keep in mind that this requires a certain natural personality. If you are only trying to look cool in certain fashion items, it will show. The best is to harmonize your fashion with your personality. Some agencies have concepts for artists and you might need to wear items you are uncomfortable with, just to build up an image. In the long run, fake images will be destroyed one way or another. Take Jaejoong for example, whose initial image was an Ice Prince dressed in ridiculous otherworldly clothes. Soon fans learned the guy is far from being icy.
The Ice Prince image forever shattered… and we all love him for his goofy side, don’t we?
You have to have a pretty face. No more Shindongs in the industry. It’s very rare for agencies to give a chance to guys like Shindong. The trend shows that you have to be very pretty and if you are not, either you are not accepted or told to go under the knife. For sceptics, do you really think every K-pop idol is born with a perfect ratio face? Currently there are more than 200 active K-pop bands on the market, with an average of five members. A thousand naturally perfect faces?
Have some talent. Truth is you don’t have to be the next Michael Jackson or Jennifer Lopez to be discovered by a K-pop agency. As demonstrated by some of the newest rookies, it is not necessary to possess the best singing skills. Some bands employ one or two members who actually can sing, and they are given the most difficult parts. The rest can sing whatever they can, and there is always autotune to help out. Very few bands are capable of delivering a live performance without pre-recorded audio. Dance skills can be basic too, as the company will always select some members who are great dancers, and they will pull it off in a way you won’t notice that the rest are just doing basic formation routines. Of course this is not always the case, as some agencies (big or indie) prefer talent over everything else. If you are very talented and happen to be pretty (or don’t mind if they make you pretty), you have bigger chances to become really famous and admired.
Endurance and patience are key words in the industry. Even if you are perfectly pretty and gifted as a singer/dancer, if you cannot endure harsh environments and slave work, you better not dream about becoming a K-pop star. Even though training periods have radically gone down compared to what had been the norm before, training is still nerve-wrecking. Trainees work long hours, besides going to school, and they need to deal with the mental hardships of rude criticism from their trainers. Even after debuting you might work your buttocks off and not be paid (well enough) for a certain period of time until your performances pay the investment back to your agency. Cramped in idol dorms, you might need to live like this for years before you would be able to afford to buy a flat. If you happen to be cast in an average band, you might not be able to earn as much as you dreamt about.
Is the K-Pop industry too tough? Let us know about your thoughts in the comments.
Be smart. If you are not smart, you will quickly end your career with any stupid move. Where trainees abound like a flock of sheep, you are quickly replaceable. Think before you act and keep in mind that the whole world is watching you. You are an idol, literally speaking: a role model for young fans. What you do, how you speak and how you act affects ductile young followers. Don’t underestimate this!
Fame doesn’t last forever. At least, not in K-pop, where bands come and go and can easily be forgotten. Don’t neglect your studies, you might need that degree 10 years later when nobody remembers your face anymore. Even the most famous and richest idols plan ahead, they invest their hard-earned money for their future. They buy property, they open shops, restaurants or otherwise build up a business, so they have an income after fading out as an idol.
Smart boy: Junsu is known to be the richest idol in terms of real estate property.
Be versatile. Nowadays, if a K-pop idol is merely a singer or a dancer, it is difficult to compete with look-alikes and the constant stream of up-and-coming rookies. There is not a minute of rest in K-pop. Many idols seek opportunities in variety shows, television dramas and movies, because the more feet you stand on, the more stable you are, and the more visible you become to industry leaders and the audience alike. True, as my colleague Brandi pointed out, this carries the danger that you are not able to focus on one area of expertise and become superficially trained in multiple crafts. On the other hand, competition is so huge nowadays that K-pop idols need to grab whatever opportunity comes along, simply to stay alive. The luckiest will achieve new heights this way, like Yoochun did, others will stumble and fall. Like a natural selection process.
Loading ...Be emotionally stable. It’s difficult. It’s difficult when you have to keep up the pace, follow strict schedules, fight sasaeng fans, deal with constant criticism, and you cannot see your family as often as your soul would need, either. You will be tired, and you will eventually face depression. Even some of the biggest stars have to go through this phase now and again. Have friends you can confide in. Keep your original surroundings as much as you can, try to stay on the ground and play it cool. If you take things too seriously, that’s going to have a toll on your mental stability. We all know about the celebrities who committed suicide because they were no longer able to cope. Seek professional advice if you feel down. It’s not very much accepted in Korea but you have to think of your own health and not what others think is right.
Kim Hyun-joong tells how friendship helps him cope with stress.
Eat well! In the desperate fight for survival in the industry, many K-pop idols resort to torturing diets and workout programs. Unfortunately, many girls as well as boys feel they need to be pole thin to be pretty. This comes down to the stupidity of the ‘fans’, actually, who point out even the slightest weight gain, even if the person is not overweight or unhealthy looking at all. But as public figures, K-pop stars are the ones who can change this. If they advocate healthier diets that show a balance, eventually fans will approve. If the idol resorts to eating almost nothing for weeks, fans will think this is the normal way to live.
Would you still want to be a K-pop star? Let us know about your thoughts in the comments.
Photo sources: WordPress, Geocities, 10wallpaper, All about Korea, Wikimedia Commons (cc-by),
Video Sources: Youtube (1, 2)
