Aziatix release special video for second debut anniversary
On March 21 2011, R&B super group, Aziatix, debuted with their first official track, Go. To celebrate their second anniversary and show love to all the fans that have been supporting them from the beginning, the group have released a seven minute video giving a quick tour of their home base in Seoul, Astar Inc, to thank fans for all their support.
Check out the video below.
Aziatix is currently working on a new album since their signing with YMCMB earlier this year. The album is currently rumored for release within the next few months. To learn more about Aziatix, you can check out their official Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or website.
Stay tuned to hellokpop for more updates on Aziatix and help us congratualate the group on their first two years. Drop your congratulatory messages in the comments section below.
Don’t forget about the elders of K-Pop
Age is a frequent topic in K-Pop. While some criticize the young age at which members start the training process, others are also concerned about “old” K-pop members, those 30 and over. However, there is nothing wrong with being in K-Pop and being over 30. In fact, they are some of the most productive people in K-Pop.
Apparently, 30 is the new 90. It tickled me when I read how someone expressed surprise at the success of the 30-something members of Shinhwa, as if the members are ready to go to the K-Pop Retirement Home. The media marveled at PSY‘s success in Western countries, partly because of his age: “One Guardian columnist wondered if PSY, rather than breaking the K-Pop mould, had reinforced stereotypes of socially challenged, middle-aged east Asian men” (McCurry).
One reason for the shocked responses surrounding K-Pop groups and artists has to do with the centrality of youth in K-Pop. Groups continue to debut with young, teenage members. Some groups, like Boyfriend, featured members in their mid-teens when they debuted. The logic goes: K-Pop appeals to teenagers because it features teenagers.
But older K-Pop artists and industry folks, which I lovingly refer to as Old School, are still active and appreciated by K-Pop fans. Let’s start with the godfather of K-Pop, born in 1972 : Seo Taiji. Although you don’t see him much, you hear about this 40-year-old often because of his continued influence on K-pop. From career management to marketing, people are still following Seo Taiji’s example.
Right up there with Seo Taiji is Tiger JK.Born in 1974, Tiger JK continues to be active and vocal on a huge number of issues. In March 2012, he responded to several well-publicized incidents involving racial comments and behavior:
However, I think it’s time we should let the kids learn on what’s the right thing to do, and what’s wrong and what not to do. I think we should try to provide them with enough information and opportunities to change their minds regarding racial prejudices. Racial discrimination and prejudices used to exist in any country throughout the world. But now the world has shrunken into a small global community. Korea is currently enjoying attention around the world with the K-Pop phenomenon along with other human resource (Tiger JK).
One of my favorite members of the Old School is Kangta. Nobody expected a kid with a bowl cut to eventually become an executive at SM Entertainment. Not looking a day over 33, he also has a respectable catalog of material, and rumors persist around a Kangta comeback.
Everyone in Shinhwa is over 30, but that has not prevented the group from selling out their comeback concert and members like Minwoo and Hyesung selling out their own concerts. They have enough energy to star in several dozen episodes of Shinhwa Broadcast. In the episode below, Shinhwa meets SHINee, and even though old jokes occur throughout the program, you can tell that SHINee still has respect for the veteran group.
Old School K-Pop people also branch out into other areas of entertainment as a way of continuing their careers. Lee Hyori, 33, has not put out an album in a while, but she frequently does photos shoots for major publications. Former S.E.S member Eugene, 31, appeared in the Kdrama Baker King Kim Tak Goo. Also 31, Yuri Sung, maknae of Fin.K.L, starred in Hong Gil Dong, and most recently, Feast of the Gods.
Many of the producers behind your favorite K-pop groups are in their 40s. Yoo Young Jin, 41, has been involved with some of SM Entertainment’s biggest hits by H.O.T, S.E.S, TVXQ!, Super Junior and SHINee. In an interview, Yoo indicates he is in K-pop for the long haul: “I want to be a helper to SM and all of its singers. A helper who always does everything that he’s been given to do. I think I’d be very happy if I could sit down in a studio even when I’m eighty and still be creating rhythms” (Kang).
The man behind YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun Suk, 41, continues to be a force in the music industry long after his stint in Seo Taiji and Boys. Most recently, he has presided over the meteoric and global rise of Psy, as well as successful U.S. tours of Big Bang and 2NE1. He shows no sign of stopping, as SuPearls is only the latest group whose career he has managed: “Yang Hyun Suk is avidly doing what he can for the girls, training them to have amazing musicality and star quality similar to that of female vocal group Big Mama who has in the past worked with YG” (Leesa86).
Jae Chong, former member of Solid, one of the first R&B groups in Korea, currently produces Aziatix. He has an equally impressive track record at 40. He worked with an international array of artists, including BoA, Kim Gun Mo and JYJ. Chong recognizes his that years in the industry provides insight. In a recent podcast, Chong noted: “Most people that listen to Aziatix, a lot of them were born after Solid, or they were like, you know, still in their diapers….a lot of our fanbase back then are now in their mid-twenties, approaching their thirties or even in their mid-thirties” (“All Day With Jae!”). That’s right: not only are K-Pop artists and producers over 30, so are fans.
If you are listening to K-pop and are human, you too will eventually become “old.” So perhaps we should lay off all the criticism of K-Pop’s elders. Let’s not break out the walkers and canes just yet.
Is your favourite K-Pop artist/group over the age of 30? Tell us what you think about the central youth theme in K-Pop. Is it writing out the old K-Pop idols?
References
- Image: Shinhwa Cosmopolitan, Lee Hyori Marie Claire
- Video: [ENG] ShinHwa Broadcast EP 13 wit SHINee[part-1] 9th of June, YouTube
- ACAST Episode 7: All Day With Jae!, Aziatix
- Kang, Myeong-Suk. “[Interview] Record producer Yoo Young-Jin, Part 3,” Asiae
- Leesa86, “YG Entertainment to debut SuPearls & new girl group 2012 comes to a close,” allkpop
- McCurry, Justin. “K-pop stars: the lowdown on South Korean pop,” The Guardian
- Tiger JK, “[OP-ED: Guest Post by Tiger JK]A simple suggestion on Racial Prejudice,” allkpop
All Aziatix members join the Twitter-verse
Most of our Aziaddicts out there have been well aware that Aziatix member Flowsik and producer Jae Chong have had personal Twitter accounts for quite some time. Fans have been wondering if and when Eddie Shin and Nicky Lee would ever make their own, and this week fans got their answer.
Earlier this week Aziatix announced via their official Facebook page that Eddie Shin had in fact created a Twitter account on Tuesday, and today the group announced that Nicky Lee has also opened his account. With the addition of Nicky, the entire group is now officially on Twitter. Check out all of the group’s official accounts, which are listed below, and make sure to follow them.
Jae Chong: https://twitter.com/jacey714
Flowsik: https://twitter.com/flowsik
Eddie Shin: https://twitter.com/Aziatixeddie
Nicky Lee: https://twitter.com/nickylee1126
Aziatix (English): https://twitter.com/aziatix
Aziatix (Korean): https://twitter.com/aziatixkr
Currently the group is working on various projects and performances in Korea. Earlier this week the group performed at Seoul’s NetKAL GALA and snapped this photo with renowned instrumentalist Kenny G. Flowsik recently announced that he is currently working on a collaboration track with JYJ‘s Kim Jaejoong and Eddie Shin has also been featured on G.NA‘s latest album OUI with the English version of Things I’d Like To Do With My Lover. Check out the audio of that song here.
Aziatix holds first official TV performance on KBS2
R&B global sensation Aziatix has been tearing up the international music scene since their debut in early 2011. With a string of viral hits, four album releases, and a win at the 2011 MAMA‘s in Singapore; the group shows no signs of stopping. Today, the members of Aziatix had their first official television appearance on Yoo Hee Yeol‘s Sketchbook that airs on KBS2.
The group’s opened up their segment with a live performance of their hit rock version of Be With You. Dressed to the nines; Eddie Shin, Nicky Lee, and Flowsik gave a break-out performance to the cheers of the fans in attendance.
After their performance they had a interview segment with Yoo Hee Yeol, where they discussed several topics including how the group was formed. Included in the interview was a quick performance of each of the members’ vocal talent, including a rendition of Look At Me Now by Flowsik. The group ended their segment with a performance of their debut track GO.
Almost instantly, Aziatix became the number one searched topic on Nate and Naver.com. Did you guys catch Aziatix’s Korean television debut?
Photo and Sources: Converse Korea, Aziatix
Video: Aziaddicted
*Screen cap provided by author.
Converse Korea releases MV for ‘#Peepshow’
As we’ve previously reported, R&B group Aziatix recently participated in Converse Korea‘s latest 3 Artist, 1 Song campaign with Korean artists Jaurim and Idiotape. The track, released in late May, has garnered a lot of attention from fans around the world. Converse Korea officially released the music video for the song collaboration called #Peepshow. Check out the music video below.
Along with the release of the music video, Aziatix, Jaurim, and Idiotape recently performed at the Converse 3 Artist 1 Song showcase in Korea.
What do you think of the new video staring Aziatix, Jaurim, and Idiotape?
Photo sources: AziaddictsTW, Aziatix
Video Source: Converse Korea
