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
Kpop Statistics Germany reveals ranking polls result
Recently, a statistical organization about Kpop in Germany, K-Pop Statistics Germany, has created a poll in seven different categories: top 25 boy groups, top 25 girl groups, top 10 male singers, top 10 female singers, top 10 hip hop artists, top 10 indie artists, and top 10 Kpop entertainments.
About 2,065 Kpop fans from Germany participated in the polls, with 96,1% correspondents are female and 42,35% of the age range from 15 until 17. Most of the correspondents have started to listen Kpop since 2008-2011.
The result has been announced continuously from April 1 until April 5.
The first place of top 25 boy group category goes to Big Bang with a total 38.12% votes, followed by B.A.P. on the second place with 31.45% votes and Super Junior on the third with 30.99%.
For the next category, 2NE1 ranked first for top 25 girl groups category with 54.83% votes followed by Girls’ Generation with 47.73% and SISTAR with 28.35%.
Big Bang’s G-Dragon secured the first spot for the top 10 male singer category. K.Will became the second with 14.20% and JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong seized the third spot with 13.08%
The best female singer goes to Ailee with a total 41.51%, beating BoA and Hyuna on the top 10 female singers category.
Epik High saved their first spot for the best 10 hip hop artist category. The trio won against Jay Park who ranked second and G-Dragon who ranked third.
Nell won against Busker Busker and 10cm for the top 10 indie artists category with a total 40% votes.
The last category is top 10 Kpop entertainments and the first place goes to YG Entertainment with 68.68% votes. S.M. Entertainment ranked second while Cube Entertainment ranked third.
Congratulations to all the winners who made the lists!
source: K-Pop Statistics Germany | FB (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
Block B’s Zico interacts with Jay Park on Twitter
Block B‘s Zico showed his support to Jay‘s latest release track, 1HUNNIT, featuring Dok2.
Singer-rapper, Jay Park dropped the music video for his new track, 1HUNNIT, featuring Dok2 yesterday via his official YouTube account. Jay shared his new MV’s link on social network platform Twitter and within a minute, fellow rapper Zico from Block B, retweeted the link with words ‘ Damn~~~!!!!!that shit crazzzzzzzzzzzy.’ as a token of support. Jay quickly expressed his gratitude with his reply ‘Thanks homie~!!!’ to Zico.
Jay and Block B were first spotted interacting on stage during the Nalina era. The recent interaction on Twitter between Jay and Zico has garnered a lot of interest from the fans as the fans responded to them, hoping for a possible collaboration between the rappers.
@zico92 Thanks homie~!!!
— JAY BUM PARK (@JAYBUMAOM) April 5, 2013
Jay Park drops MV for ’1HUNNIT’ featuring Dok2
Jay Park has dropped the music video for his new track, 1HUNNIT, featuring Dok2.
1HUNNIT is a track off Jay Park’s upcoming single album titled JOAH, which means ‘I like you’. The single album will be released on the 10th of April.
While waiting for the release, check out the video for 1HUNNIT below:
Source : Jay Park’s official Youtube
Images : Jay Park’s official Facebook page (1), screenshot
Jay Park: “Work Hard, Play Hard”
Jay Park Live in Singapore 2013 -
Jay Park indeed worked hard and played hard in Singapore on the 18th and 19th of January 2013: firstly working with the media in The Butter Factory for a press conference, and then playing hard with his fans in The Star Theatre the next day. For a highly sought-after idol, this is an exemplary show of work and life balance, and it is no wonder then that many have already been infected by Jay Park’s enthusiasm both on and off stage.
Check out the following interview with Jay Park in Singapore below:
This is not the first time you’ve been to Singapore, so what do you have to say to your fans once again?
“I love coming to Singapore, and that’s why I’m back again! I’ve probably done the most shows in Singapore other than in Korea. I love coming back!”
Your first album, titled New Breed, was released last year. You will be coming up with another album and but the title is for now “To Be Advised”. You wrote on your twitter as well, saying “I do not know what to call my album”. Are you anywhere close to getting any inspiration for the title right now?
“I still don’t know. After getting all the songs together, I’ll probably listen to them and see how I feel then, and probably name it then.”
What can fans expect at this concert?
“I won’t call it a concert. I will call it a long showcase, a showcase where I can showcase my skills and my performances and entertain you guys for a long period of time. It is more like a preview for a concert. You can expect me to rap, sing and dance and I will sing my heart out for Singapore (laughs).”
What is the food you like the most here in Singapore?
“I have tried chicken rice, beef rice and fried rice. But I still like chicken rice best.”
K-pop is now very popular here in Singapore. What advice would you give to the youngsters here who want to break into the K-pop scene?
“If you like dancing and singing, enjoy it and work hard at it. If one works consistently, I think that person will be bound to succeed someday. It is, however, of utmost importance that you enjoy the process.”
Resolutions for the new year
Is there anything is particular you want to achieve this year, in terms of album, work, love life?
“I want to put out a very very good second album. And after that, I would like to venture out and do some things in the States, and though I cannot really say much right now, if it is finalized it will become big news.”
You are 25 years old now, where do you see yourself in another five years’ time (when you are thirty)?
“By the time I am thirty, I will be an established artiste everywhere. I hope people around the world will know my music and I hope to get a chance to perform in countries I have not performed in, for example, South America, Africa, Europe-I have not been to Europe yet-and hopefully be the same guy, but much more established.”
Collaborations
You are a self-professed YouTube freak. You have done collaborations with Clara Chung and Ryan Higa, who was here in Singapore last year in September. We do have some local YouTube celebrities as well. How open are you to doing collaborations with them?
“I’m definitely open. I did one with Dennis Yin in Malaysia. If I get the chance to meet them, and if they are cool, I’m definitely open.”
A couple of weeks ago, a picture of you and BIG BANG member G-Dragon caused an uproar. Some of the reactions to the picture:
“Oh my god, Jay! Are you guys going to sing together?”
“Please have a collaboration!”
“I love you guys!”
Would that be happening?
“Yea, hopefully it will! I’m definitely open to it, and he’s open to it. We just have to get the right song together, and hopefully it will happen in the near future.”
Are there any other artists that you are looking forward to collaborating with as well?
“Definitely. I met up the producer of Primary, so there will be something on their album. I’ve also been doing some stuff with Cha Cha Malone, Dok2, The Quiett. I am also writing some (songs) with E-Sens from Supreme Team and also with Jeon Goon. These are the people you’ve seen from the first album and there will be many more.”
Would you do collaborations with fellow Americans or Canadians K-pop stars like Ailee?
“I’ve known Ailee for three, four years already, even before she came to Korea and became a K-pop star. She is very talented and I am a big fan of her works. I definitely collaborate with her, and actually, I was trying to get her on this album and have been trying to talk to her company. I did collaborations with G.NA with her on her album, so, sure, I’m open to doing these collaborations with anyone.”
Jay Park’s take on television and acting
Episode 4 of Jay Park TV was broadcast on the 3rd of December last year. When will the next episode be out? When can we expect it?
“As of now, I’m doing more music. I’m trying to plan and shoot a lot of music videos this time. I have a free song coming out soon, and we’ll be shooting a music video for that. I’m focusing more on music and bringing out content music videos rather than going around and doing shows.”
Can we expect some of the experiences in Singapore to be on Episode 5?
“Definitely! I brought my cameraman and he’s been filming and you can definitely expect to see some of it on episode 5.”
You recently hosted SNL Korea. Can you tell us how the experience was like, and why you decided to go on it?
“I was watching it, and there is no show like SNL Korea in Korea. It pushed the limits, it is very edgy so I wanted to go on it and show my comedic side. It was very good experience, but it was really hard. The preparation was crazy, we only a couple of days to learn all the lines, to rehearse and to memorize all the characters and all so I had a new-found respect for the cast members in SNL as they do it every week. Having to do it for just one week was difficult for me, it took a lot for me to do well on SNL. But it was a really good experience, and I had a lot of fun in the meantime.”
Would you consider venturing into acting in the future, in the same way other artistes are doing?
“Well, definitely focusing more on music right now. I want to put out music in English and Korean, and that’s already much more work to do for me. I won’t rule it out, it’s definitely a possibility. I enjoyed my time on SNL a lot, but for now, it’s music.”
Your SNL Korea appearance brought in a new high viewer ship rating. How would you rate your comedic performance on SNL Korea? Did you have a hand in scripting the parodies and deciding on what was done?
“SNL did a good job of giving me characters that I could portray well, and they did not gave me that many lines as I’m not too good with memorizing lines. I don’t think I did too badly. I did my best, and focused a lot. I wrote in a song, oh..well I wrote in a different song actually and submitted it, but they said it was too much for TV and changed it. For the characters, there was one which I did not really script, but I made up the character in some way. He was not originally supposed to chew gum, but I tend to chew gum and so it just came out like that. Other than that, SNL gave me a script which I could do well with, so I’m thankful.”
Can we expect to see you on more comedic shows next time?
“Yeah, well you might see me again on SNL!”
The New Album
Since you are in the midst of producing your new album, what is the creative process like when you write new material? Do you do a lot of homework, for example, listen to hundred songs a week?
“I do listen to music, I don’t listen to music just to get inspired, but I do get inspired while I listen to music and it definitely helps. Lately I’ve been going to the studio with Jeon Goon, and we’ve been listening to beats and writing songs together. But for the most part, I do it at home by myself, catch the little [beat] that might me going on (in my head) and make melodies and write lyrics right there. Right now, it is progressing well. I have only started working on them for a couple of months, but I have eleven songs done so for, and I plan to do another five or six more.”
Last year, your last album achieved the Top 10 best-selling albums in Korea. Do you wish to achieve this feat again this year?
“Yes, of course! It’s funny though because there weren’t many solo artistes in the Top 10. I was very honored and very surprised that I was given the Top 10, as I produced the whole album myself. Just to have that accomplishment meant a lot to me. Hopefully this time, with the music being better, and with much more content, much more music videos, people will pay attention to each and every song and appreciate the variety of the album. Hopefully, it will get better sales and better reviews from people around the world.”
Work hard, play hard: the singer, rapper, producer and humble guy
You achieved so much in two years, what is the motto you live by which has got you this far thus?
“YOLO? (laughs) Basically, for me, I try to enjoy what I do and work hard. Back then, I would just “work hard, work hard” and wasn’t really having fun, I was really serious and work all the time. Right I’m trying to keep it cool, keep it relaxed. Basically, it is “work hard, play hard”.”
Do you have any pre-show ritual that you do in preparation?
“I drink Red-Bull and sort of..hop around? I also do vocal exercises and maybe say a little prayer for the show to go well. I don’t do anything specific. Just basically little exercises like that.”
You move around a lot due to your busy schedule, what must you have around with you in your bag wherever you go?
“It depends on where I am going. I have my cellphone and wallet everywhere I go. Sometimes, I’ll have protein shakes with me when I work out, my laptop when I’m going to the studio as my lyrics and all are in there. Basically, that’s it. That’s all I need. I don’t have things I must bring with me regardless of where I go.”
What is your regular day like when you are not busy with training?
“For me, it’s not really training. I don’t have the company telling me “you have to record, you have to dance, you have to do that do that do that”. I do everything on my own because I enjoy it. I work out, and I get stressed out if I can’t work out for more than a week or two. I try to work out often. I tan to make the muscles look good, but lately I didn’t get a tan, so I’m really pale right now. I practice with the guys b-boying, I enjoy b-boying. I practice splits at night, as I have to incorporate it into my b-boying and on the stage. I write songs and raps, I do YouTube stuff. Basically I can’t stay still.”
How do you think you have grown, as a singer, rapper and producer?
“I haven’t been doing this for very long, and it has only been two years that I have been solo. New breed came out in 2011 so I have only been producing songs for two years and I’m definitely getting a feel of it-every song I make and every person I meet and every song I listen to-and time will tell (how I’ve grown). If you listen to the new album when it comes out, you’ll definitely see how I’ve grown as an artist. Even with New Breed, the writing the rapping the singing was way better (than I was before).”
As a songwriter, are there songs you wish you had penned?
“Yeah, of course! Well, all the number one hits! (laughs) There are songs I enjoy as of late, and there are definitely songs I wish I had done. Chris Brown’s type of music-I wish I had done it first. If I could write all those songs, I would have, but I’m not there yet.”
Since becoming a musician, is there anything that, if you could, you would have changed?
“You can’t change the past. What happened happened. You become who you are because of those events. I would not want to change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am because of those events.”
When did you get your first tattoo? How many tattoos do you have now, and which was the most meaningful?
“I don’t know how many tattoos I have, and I’m too lazy to count. I got my first tattoo in 2010, when I was 23 or 24. I have a lot of tattoos, as you can see, on my whole left arm. The most meaningful (tattoo)? A lot of my tattoos have meanings – my music, my family, my crew, what I stand for, my morals.”
What kind of person do you want friends to remember you as?
“I want them to remember me as an artiste, an artist who puts out great music but also as a humble guy, laid-back, just a regular person. I am well-known, but I’m not a celebrity – not the kind of guy people exclaim “OH MY GOD, IT’S JAY PARK!” at, but elicit a “oh! Its jay park” response. I’m like your friend, almost.”
Any last shout-out to fans?
“I’m probably going to meet you guys in a bit, thanks to those who came down to the airport at 1.30am last night. Hope to see you guys there and I hope you all enjoy the show!”
Jay Park Live in Singapore 2013 recap:
From the opening bow to the ending bow, Jay Park did everything possible to sweep his audience off their feet. Flashing his impish grin, playing with the microphone stand like a rock star, making heart signs, blowing kisses, flexing his biceps and emphasizing how his fans “make [him] strong”, b-boying, rapping and serenading the crowd for about an hour and a half, Jay Park clearly demonstrated why he remains a big favorite here in Singapore.
Performing hit songs Nothin’ on you, Girlfriend, Star, Do What We Do, I Love You, Carefree, Enjoy the Show, Jay Sean’s Down, Usher’s You Got It Bad, Up and Down , Body2Body and many more, Jay Park dazzled his fans not only by dancing with his crew Prepix, but also by giving sneak previews to his abs, which he promised would be upgraded after he works out more and “returns like Arnold Schwarzenegger”.
Fans held out the “Work Hard Play Hard” sign to pay homage to this one incredible singer, rapper, and producer. Using Singlish to address the crowd, Jay Park had jokingly warned, “Don’t play play”. Indeed, when one knows how to play as hard as one works, this person is a force to be reckoned with.
We caught up with one winner of hellokpop’s contest, Wendy, who was thoroughly pleased with the concert:
“The Jay Park concert was awesome! He totally showcased his charisma through his breaking moves and rapping fluently in his hip hop song choices as well as New Breed album tracks! I also enjoyed the way he tried to engage the audience with his candid speeches! He did not disappoint the fans by ending the concert with a fiery encore and I hope he comes back to Singapore soon!”
To all the Jay Park fans in the meantime, work hard and play hard too!
Event covered by Yunting@hellokpop
