Album Review: Oksangdalbit (Dalmoon) – Where
Release: May 6, 2013
Producer/Distributor: MagicStrawberry Sound/Mirrorball Music
Genre: Pop, ballad
Reviewer Rating:
The indie pop scene is blessed with a number of talented female duos – Lucite Tokki, J Rabbit, Lalasweet, and Mukimukimanmansu are just a part of the overflowing riches. Oksangdalbit (or Rooftop Moonlight or Okdal or Dalmoon, take your pick) is probably the busiest of this bunch. You could attribute the duo’s popularity to their creative, often humorous subject matter and lyricism (look at that cover! Wilma and Wenda?), but it’d be more apt to point out how easy it is to identify with their music. Dalmoon’s stories have identifiable sensibilities and frank language; this is a band that knows what to say and how to say it.
That hasn’t changed in Where. Dalmoon still give voice to today’s twenty-somethings with piercing insight. A theme of warm gratitude strings together 괜찮습니다 (It’s Okay) and 유서 (Last Will), manifestations of a our need for companionship and empathy. Tickle and Anew are quintessential Dalmoon love songs, light on the flowery adjectives and instead full of activity and vivid imagery.
But there is also a new sense of poetry in this sophomore album. In 공중 (Midair), Kim Yoon-ju and Park Se-jin harmonize in serenity: “Falling galaxies, silent lights // Pure snowflakes that cover my sins”. (This motif reappears in album-closing 숲 (Forest).) Help opts for minimalism, telling a larger story in a couple short stanzas.
Sometimes, the mundane becomes extraordinary; something that by no means should be meaningful – a long-forgotten relationship, an errant figment of imagination, an obscure piece of art – grabs hold of us for an enraptured moment, and we don’t know why. 하얀 (White) describes this, and it is the emotional peak of Where. A quiet night turns brooding as “without closing our eyes // we had so many thoughts”; in that moment, “the sky looked like it was about to cry” and “even warmth itself laid down on the floor”. In many ways it’s hard, if not impossible, to explain why these moments happen, and Dalmoon try to articulate the emotions without tackling the “why”. The result is not the most satisfying, but it does leave a deep impression.
White is helped out by a dreamy piano pulse and ambient backdrop. This is an example of the nuanced arrangement found throughout Where. Light pop is still the band’s forte, and they show flawless execution in Anew and It’s Okay, in particular. However, more interesting are those tracks that dare to branch out.
Last Will starts out the same old way, all staccato and bouncy beat, and seemingly ill-befitting of the title. The musical transition, like the lyrical one, is devious. The piano bulks up a little as the duo softly harmonizes “goodbye”, and suddenly there is heavy cadence and a boom of string and brass to finish the track in adorably stirring fashion. Midair’s distant melody is reminiscent of Small o‘s recent EP, and Hero features an exquisite layering of sound detail and vocals upon modulated guitar.
It goes to show the amount of maturation that’s occurred for Dalmoon in just a couple short years. Their growth in Where is not unlike that of Lucite Tokki’s in Grow To Glow; both showcase increased scope in motifs and arrangement and further development of existing strengths. I think this album is actually better than that release, which is saying something. Where is pretty, witty, and smart as always, with newfound maturity to boot. Dalmoon are becoming more complete musicians, all the while pushing the envelope for the Hongdae-borne pop bands. Like I said, this scene is blessed with riches.
Tracklist (recommended tracks listed in bold)
1. 딩동 (Ding Dong)
2. 새로와 (Anew)
3. 괜찮습니다 (It’s Okay)
4. Tickle
5. Children Song
6. 유서 (Last Will)
7. 공중 (空中) (Midair)
8. 히어로 (Hero)
9. Help
1o. 하얀 (White)
11. 숲 (Forest)
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: Photo – Daum Music; Videos – msberrysound, hansulgt on YouTube
‘Running Man’ HaHa & Reggae Skull to hold first Singapore fan meet
Korean music duo HaHa and Skull will be in Singapore for the first time from July 19 to July 21. The two musicians collaborated in the album, Busan Vacance, released in July 2012.
The German-born South Korean, HaHa (a.k.a Haroro) is a multi-hypenate talent, wearing the hats of reggae recording artist, actor, presenter and stand-up comedian with ease.
In 2007, he released his single album, You’re My Destiny. The single reached number one on the Gaon chart, South Korea’s national record chart, similar to the US Billboard charts.
Since 2010, HaHa has starred in the immensely popular variety show Running Man. He was lauded with the Best Entertainer Award at the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards for his outstanding performance on Running Man. He wowed the audience with the performance of his single Rosa at the award ceremony.
HaHa also acted in the following movies and dramas:
- Holy Daddy (2006)
- Who Slept with Her?
- My Boss, My Teacher (2006)
- Love in Magic (2005)
HaHa’s musical partner, Skull, is a culture-fusing phenomenon. The Korean artist has been making waves in the US market, especially among Urban and Caribbean audiences by singing in own unique interpretation of a Jamaican patois. The release of his first single Boom Di Boom Di and accompanying 3-D animated video were well-received in the US.
In the US, Skull is signed under Morgan Carey, Mariah Carey’s brother. His new single will be released on August 14 and promises to be an intriguing aural journey, with renowned DJ and honorary Beastie Boys member, Mix Master Mike lending a hand in its production.
Fan Meet details:
‘Running Man’ HaHa + Reggae Skull First Singapore Fan Meet
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2013
Venue: Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Road, Singapore 169420. Tel: 6738 2988
Time: 7pm (door opens at 6pm)
Free Standing
Pricing:
Cat 1: S$128 (Event day: S$138)
: Includes priority entry / meet & greet /autograph session / photo-taking
(Limited numbers only)
Cat 2: S$88 (Event day: S$98)
: General admission Only
Family package A: S$300
: Admission for 2 adults and 2 kids from age 7-12 / priority entry / meet & greet / autograph for 2 members / photo-taking.
(Limited numbers only)
Family package B: S$230
: General admission only for 2 adults and 2 kids from age 7-12
*Family packages are NOT available on event day
Early Bird Special: Cat 1 at S$115 & Cat 2 at S$79 from now till 27 May 2013 (11:59pm)
There will also be a pleasant surprise awaiting early bird ticket holders.
Tickets are available through EventClique here.
For the latest update on the fan meet, follow LEAP IMS Facebook page here.
Pr: LEAP IMS
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
Spilling the beans about Secret
Spilling the beans about Secret
It was indeed a Good Friday for all Secret fans when the Korean girl group graced the Lion City Singapore with their presence at Marina Bay Sands that evening. Performing songs from Poison, Madonna, Love is Move, My Boy, La La La, Shy Boy, Together, Magic to their most recent hit Talk That, members Jeon Hyosung, Jung Hana (Zinger), Song Jieun and Han Sunhwa kept the fans screaming (and crying) throughout their two hour ‘Secret Live in Singapore 2013′ show.
What exactly went behind those closed doors last Friday that made fans unable to hold back their tears? Just the fact that their long-cherished Secret finally revealed themselves in person for their first concert here.
Discovering secrets
What do you think of your Singapore fans?
Jieun: They cry really easily. Please don’t cry!
What Singapore food do you like? Sunhwa and Hyosung: Chili crab! Zinger: Fresh fruits!
Jieun: Seafood!
Zinger, you were badly injured in the car accident last year. How are you feeling now?
Zinger: I’m OK! We’re OK! I’m now able to give 98% of my energy on stage.
Do you girls have any special kind of diet or exercise you do to keep in shape?
Sunhwa: I like climbing mountains.
Would you mind having a Singaporean boyfriend?
Hyosung: I don’t think nationality is an issue. Any nationality is fine with me!
Jieun, what is your favorite song from your album and why?
Jieun: There is one song which we performed and I really like this song because it is beautiful and full of hope. That song is Together.
Dark Horse
Throughout the concert, Secret definitely did not leave fans in the dark about their abilities, going all out to win over their audience with their power-packed performances. To sum them up simply, the Secret members reek of professionalism. While they all are dark horses in their own right-having charms that initially seem commonplace, but later proving that they were able to succeed in the competitive industry –ultimately forms a group that is a dark horse which has emerged as a strong contender to become one of the top groups that represent the Hallyu wave. Hyosung stands out with her ‘bagel girl’ image, Jieun for her astoundingly sweet vocals especially while singing live, Sunhwa for her fun-loving and honest image on ‘We Got Married’, and Zinger for her recent makeover and fortitude revealed through the car accident. Although many could argue that other girl groups do not pale in comparison, one has to admit that as a group Secret really has proven to be quite a dark horse, not only being consistent in delivering songs that are well-received, but also in being able to garner good results despite not being able to appear for their comeback live last year. There is indeed more than meets the eye.
Holding their tongues about their not-so-far-off future plans, but dropping hints-a secret from each of the members
Jieun: I am working hard on the next album now!
Sunhwa: I am working hard in the area of music!
Zinger: I am learning English now. I hope to be able to speak to all of you in English soon!
Hyosung: I have started learning the piano!
Other details seem to have been kept under wraps for now, but the Secret members have definitely let enough cats out of the bag to keep the Singaporean fans on their toes and ready to welcome them should they come back again anytime soon. Aptly, the idiom ‘open secret’ fits Secret well: a group, Secret, which is paradoxically both Secretive (or rather, full of mysteries) and widely known to people around the world. Go on and puzzle over them- the enigmatic members from Secret- till we see them again.
Source (Picture): blogs.xin.sg
Lunafly melts hearts at fan meet in Malaysia
Lunafly met Malaysia Lukies (official fanclub name) during the public fan meeting held at The Square, Publika Shopping gallery on March 29, on the same day right after the press conference.
Lunafly, consisting of three talented artists; Sam, Teo and Yun, presented themselves at the press conference held at Overtime, Sunway Pyramid, followed by a live broadcast with local television station 8TV. Despite the tight schedule, the band still held a public fan meeting at Publika Shopping Gallery to meet their ardent fans.
Fans’ enthusiastic chants brought Lunafly onto the stage, with the chanting went louder when the trio appeared on the stage, casually dressed in Korean fashion brand, Evisu. The show of the night began with each member introducing and greeting to all the fans. Without further ado, the boys took the stage with their debut single, Superhero. Just like a magical spell, fans were immediately mesmerized by the live performance of their favorite Korean band, to which they also finally get to watch them live for the first time in the country.
The show moved on with the interactive game session, which allowed lucky fans to have up close interactions with the boys. Six lucky fans were chosen through lucky draw to be on stage for a game which they could request the members to do anything in five words. Through this fortuitous session, the fans tried hard to squeeze all possibilities into five words, just so to get their special requests met by the boys personally. One request that any die-hard fan would ever want to ask for; “Can you sing for me?” was fulfilled unconditionally when the boys sang a snippet of Bruno Mars‘s Just The Way You Are.
Next, it was a game of charade with another group of lucky fans. Despite the language barrier, Teo and Yun managed to speak in a little mixture of English and Korean, trying hard to beat other groups eagerly. Teo’s group won, however the fans looked the most triumphant ones instead, for the only good reason that they got to interact with Sam, Teo and Yun up close much to the envy of the other Lukies. Throughout the game sessions, maknae Yun maintained his seriousness but did not forget to show his sweet and warm personality when he was seen helping to carry one female fan’s bag on his shoulder as it might obstruct her during the game.
Lunafly concluded the fan meeting with their last song, Seeing you or missing you. After a short break, they came up on stage for the last segment; the high-5 session with fans. To the fans, it was more than just a celebratory hand gesture; it was the best moment that they could all finally get close to their favorite idols and marked the idol-fan relationship in the unforgettable night.
About F.Y.I on Stage:
F.Y.I on Stage is a series of events which introduce and highlight talents of undiscovered artists. F.Y.I on Stage aspires to bring together high-profile social network sensations who have been at the forefront as influential pioneers in New Media with the hope that they will inspire young people to purse and live their dream. Lunafly is the first Korean act to be part of this series of events, which will introduce and highlight talented undiscovered artists in the new media.
Special thanks to Inspire.Me for the media invite.
Event covered by Seckvoon @hellokpop
