Album Review : Mamamoo Hello

1. Hello

In just 43 seconds, 7 lines, this intro is good enough to capture attention of it's listeners. I particularly don't enjoy the rhythm but it's good introduction to the group styles. 

2. Mr. 애매모호 (Mr. Ambiguos)

Their title track, retro seems to be their concept but I don't get Wonder Girls vibe whom are synonymous to retro concept. I start to see the color of Mamamoo voice, it has a lot of characters in it and I thought it reminded me of musical without the over the top flare. The rap part was good but I can't help to laugh because it feels like it was so random. Mamamoo does a lot of harmonization, I think it would be interesting to hear them doing acapella.

3. 히히하해호 with Geeks ( Hihihahaeho)

The intro was so catchy. I know this will be another favorite. Like the playfulness of the title, it makes me feel happy. Geeks part is long.. I guess that's why it's title as "with" not "featuring". My favorite part is the whisper part. I don't understand much of the lyrics but I never really bothered about lyrics.. I mean, I listen to Korean pop without being fluent you think lyrics are a big deal for me? Anyway, I hope it has a clever meaning, though if it's all fluff, it's fine.

4. Baton Touch 

Maybe it's in the title but this song felt like a cheerleading song. The rhythm is fast and cheerful and it does make people move along to beat. Mamamoo lyricist seems to like to add their name in songs. I'll forgive because this is their first mini album as I think the intention is to get people to remember the group name. When the song slowed down, I wasn't liking the song anymore.. I think it's best to keep the upbeat because it made song seem lazy, it's like make one paragraph and then the rest is just filler for ending. The aong is under 3minute but it felt longer.

5. 내맘이야 [HwaSa solo] (my heart)

I have yet to familiarize with the members voices so I do enjoy solo singles to give attention to members. The song has a different vibe than the other songs in the song. It's a hiphop track through and through.  It does feel like this song is odd to be in the album but I think we can expect something diverse from them in the future.

6. 행복하지마 with Bumkey (Don't be Happy)

This is my favorite song of the album, and the reason is pretty obvious. I am in love with Bumkey's voice. The video only contain a snippet of this song so this full version is very welcoming to me. Bumkey started of well but I thought the transtition to Mamamoo's part seems odd. It made sense in the video but in the song it just end and started like two songs. I feel that there should be two version. 

God Gift 14 days

I think my brother enjoyed this drama more than I did.

First 7 episode was okay. It had all the suspense, I literally had a pillow over my face because it was intense. I thought after that it was just dragging.

I love all the main characters except Saetbyul. Gosh, I don't blame Lee Bo Young wanting to punish the child for running away. That girl is a nightmare.

Ki Dong Chan stole my heart. He is all scruffy and rugged but I could see how beautiful heart he had. Daesang winner, Lee Boyoung was exceptional again in this drama. Another Daesang worthy performance indeed.

I don't mind the lack of romance, The duo had great chemistry anyway. I wish we had a better ending.

Birth Secret

Between being sick and busy.. I really wanted to write more but physically I'm in bad shape. I'm feeling better..and while I am better I'm going to write a lot!

So this is a drama I have finish long time ago. I wasn't expecting much from this drama and probably that help me enjoy the drama better.

I decided to watch it because I am interested with genius photographic memory characters. I thought Gal So Won is such a sweetheart to I continued watching.

Of course, all drama has their loopholes. I don't enjoy the fact the scriptwriter made chaebols as lunatic. It has a good message but I thought that they push it too much.

For a drama with a title "Birth Secret'' I was expecting more realistic twist. I have to put my logic aside and accept the scriptwriter logic.

Yoon Jun Sang had a loveable character but the chemistry with Sung Yuri was not working for me. Spoiler Alert : what are the odds of two suicidal people meet each other before dead?

Depression does mess with your head but it's just feel weird. Kdrama should banned amnesia or any mental disability ... it feels like they don't represent the actual thing.

I enjoy watching the drama but I won't watch it again.

Champagne & Candle What's My Name

As usual Brand New Music is KILLIN IT! 

Debuting a brand new duo, Champagne & Candle (CnC) are not just visually great but comes with talent too! Their introduction track has that wow factor and yes, it is so apt as an intro because people are wondering why such names. Damn, they look similar and has baby face. Good.. Cannot choose bias. Haha

I first saw their news on blogs...but since the names were weird, i thought oh boy, why the name? I didn't bother to look into the news because well.. I really don't have enough time to know every single debut you know...but then I got to know today that they are from Brand New Music! OMG. I stan BNM so of course I had to check them out. They look like idols but they sound like top quality underground hip hop duo. 

Their raps are smooth and I love their voices. I love the fact they produce their own song. I don't mind singers who don't produce their own song, but for rappers, I like it better when they produce their own song because rappers tend to rap better when it's their own song and rap is all about their expression.

The beat is awesome. It's cool trendy kind of beat but easy on the ears. Along with their voice, insfant gratification. It sounds too good to be true that a rookie is producing this kind of beat. I am looking forward to their debut and can't wait to watch their live performance.

This is Brand New fan, right here! Yo! 

LOL. 

I'm hating Wheesung Night & Day

There are few highly regard vocalist in Korea that I don't share the same opinion on. I'm just not a big fan of Korean deep voice. Yes, specifically Korean because it seem they share the same technique singing.

That singing method is so prominent in this song, I was annoyed through out the song. I sort of get why he sings it like that but just not my taste. For me, singing should sound comfortable and that kind of singing feels painful to hear.

I expected more from Wheesung as he is a good singer and I did enjoy some of his previous work. This time, maybe it's just not for me.

I'm loving Jay Park Metronome feat. Simon D & Gray

Typically, I like song done simple so initially I wasn't feeling the song as it was filled with a lot of sound effects and heavy bass. I did love the chorus so I had to listen more of it and I grew to love this song!

I love the construction of the song, maybe if I could change it... Simon D rap part was a little too long for me. His rap part is totally necessary though. It adds that extra special meaning to the song.

Jay Park vocal is great as usual bit what surprise me more was Gray. I don't know if he naturally sound like that or it was helped by computer but it was my favourite part of the song. Another favorite part was Jay Park ad-lib towards the end of the song. Those high notes? I can hear it all day, it was that good.

I hope they could maybe released or at least performed a more strip down version of the song. I think it does sound perfect already but it would be interesting to hear it.

Kris leaving EXO?!

First of all, if you have been following this blog and wondering where the heck I was, I decided to take hiatus since K Entertainment was in hiatus and I got no mood to write either.

Anyway back to the topic. I was shocked to read about this incident. I didn't see it coming as I'm just a normal fan of EXO. I thought no way he's doing this while in promotion but everywhere is reporting so this is it.

I don't know if it's because of this incident, I actually thought of it yesterday, EXO aren't really close with each other. I have watched several group videos and I am obsess with it because I love my bromance. EXO does nothing for me. I wanted to watch EXO showtime but one clip and I was bored. I thought, maybe EXO is not made for variety..well except EXO M.. But I guess I'm wrong again.

I somehow enjoyed EXO M more on variety than EXO or EXO K. Maybe I didn't get the right video or didn't search enough. Whatever it was, that was my impression of EXO. 

Every article mention about how Kris is the second HanGeng and I was like putting the puzzle together. Kris is the leader of EXO M and third oldest. HanGeng is the leader of SuJu M and third oldest! OMG! 

I don't know which side to take but I think Kris choose a bad time to terminate contract. Maybe it could mean he is THAT desperate to get out.  The group is in the middle of promotion and the 1st concert is coming, I just think WHY?! If you decided to be in this industry, don't you ever wish to have a concert? I mean, isn't that every singers dream? A CONCERT?! 

Another thing, he maybe called the Second Hangeng, but I am placing my bet that he won't be as successful. I totally cannot see him doing solo. 

Swings featuring Jay Park Fallin

I always thought that rap has to be fast paced. Swings rap sounds slower than usual but the impact feels intense that has that scary intimidating vibe. I feel the tempo was intentional, I've check the translation and the meaning was deep. Sometimes when raps goes too fast, it's hard to catch the words. Swing was like threatening you to listen every word properly.

The intro completely grab my attention. The sound of electric guitar isn't common in Kpop so I was pleasantly surprise. Jay's part was my pick for the highlight. I've been a fan of Jay's RnB vocals and it couldn't be more perfect than this. Every single line was perfect. If I had to tweak anything, perhaps the secondary part had better enunciation. I wanted to know what is he singing. It does sound like "Nobody,nobody"

Swing is not my favorite BNM artiste however, this does make me more interested in learning more on his music.

I'm Loving Baechigi 뜨래요

When female idols do retro, the public can't help but to compare with Wonder Girls. After all, Wonder Girls did make it big with retro concepts.

Thanks to my parents, I am very familiar with retro genre. I'm not a big fan but what's not to love good ole retro?

BaeChigi's Ddeuraeyo is a fun retro concept. I think the featured singer, Angli of 3B is amazing. He made the song fun and his voice is addicting to listen. This song needs him, I can't imagine another vocalist to do this song.

I love the music, it has all the essence of retro. If this song was released back in the disco em, it won't feel out of place. The only modern element of the song is the rap parts.

Hip hop is a great genre, it mash well with so many other genre.

I'm Loving Lee Michelle Without You

Although Kpop is known for having western influence, I don't feel Kpop is similar to western at all. I believe that Kpop is a genre that can stand alone.

As I listen to Lee Michelle's Without You, I guess you can't deny this song has that strong RnB influence. The song has a familiar feel that is easy on the ears.

I'm glad kpop has the chance to have Lee Michelle, she's an amazing vocalist that deserve attention despite color.

She may have similar background with Insooni & Yoon Mirae. I hope Lee Michelle can stand proud without their shadows.

I hope to hear more from Lee Michele.

One warm word

I want to say I hated it but in some ways I don't exactly hate it. 

I had no expectation towards the drama because it wasn't recap by dramabeans. It's kinda weird but I tend to watch dramas that dramabeans don't recap and skipped the ones they did. That's sort of good since I can watch more..usually after reading recaps, I don't watch it much unless it's good like You Who Came from the stars. 

The trailer got me intrigued because Ji Jin Hee is part of the cast, and I was assuming that it might be about rekindle love or something really sweet. Well spoiler alert, you got them at the last episode. I probably stayed for JJH, but I grew to love Han Hye Jin and Lee Sang woo interactions.

Their daughter is so adorable, though some parts are too hurtful to be real. The girl needs some counselling because there are things that kids should never hear. 

The drama made me hate  Ji Jin Hee... which is bad. It's an iffy character. He seems like wholesome person but he doesn't have any sense of remorse. The dongsaeng couple are cute but we already know what's coming, so it was a bit regretful.

The drama taught me one thing, don't watch another drama that have affairs.

Album Review: SoReal Story

As I listen to this mini album,I got confuse as what SoReal suppose to be. The album felt experimental because it doesn't feel like an album for a ballad group. Then again, I don't usually listen to albums that much.

l. Missing You feat. Choi Hyun Jun.
Gaps! A full English song and it's acapella?! Okay it is under a minute but I love acapella! The English usage seems easy so none of those Konglish. (Not that it matters.) I wonder why they had to include Choi Hyun Joon, but it does sound good.

2. 심장이 말했다 (Shimjangi malhaettda)

The main title song. Refer previous post

3. 뻔히보여 (bbeonhiboyeo)
This song sound like a typical idol song that probably suits the clubs with it's heavy beats and electronic sound. I really like Jang Moon voice against the electronic sound. While I like him singing ballad, he does sound great in Pop genre. It's weird that the other members sound like generic ballad along with the rhythm.

4.남자답게 (namja dabke)

My favorite track of the album, I'd say they should have gone with this song as their main title. This genre is on trend and it sounds great. It even has a great hook on the chorus. I think this song shows more strength on each members better. I guess it's on the upbeat tempo that requires dance routine.

5.  한마디 (han madi) One Word

This would be another good main title song. This is the textbook definition of Kpop ballad song. The thing about ballads, it's a 50-50 chance. It's either a memorable track or not. Ballad tend to sound similar so unless it has an element that makes it memorable, it's boring. I assume they didn't choose this track as the main because it's forgetable and suits autumn best. It's not a bad song just boring

6. My heart says (inst)

It's worst without the vocal. doesn't make me want to sing along.

Soreal

Star Empire song choices has always felt lackluster. Despite knowing that, I can't deny I'm less than happy with the song choosen for SoReal.

My Heart Says is a bright ballad song that sounds like a Christmas carol. The song starts with Jang moon and my heart squeals in happiness. I will try to memorize the other members name. I think the group voices matches each other well. Honestly this song bores me to sleep. For a debut song, if it wasn't for my love for Jang Moon, I probably ignore it. It would have been better if they debut during autumn, the season of sappy ballads. Now it's like the worst time to debut for ballad type group.

In the seas of idols, I hope that this group will become popular because we need singers that focuses more on vocals.

Troy

As more I learn about Troy, I find everything surprising. I know bits of Troy through Bumkey and Kanto since these two are more involve in music where as JaeWoong and ChanWoo are mostly cameo.

I didn't really have any expectation but I trust BNM to bring in good music. I knew Kanto and Chanwoo are rappers but I didn't know JaeWoong is one too. So that's 3 rappers 1 vocalist? The opposite of idols...lol.

As I look on their profiles, I find out that Bumkey is the second youngest! I know Bumkey was the leader so I thought he was the oldest considering he is 84 line born and since Kanto is 94 line.. I kinda assume Chanwoo and Jaewoong is similar to Kanto's age. Now we know BNM doesn't age discriminate.

I'm enjoying Green Light more than I normally would, as the genre is not my favorite. I love the dynamic of the song and the synergy between member seem smooth. The voice and style of each rappers are actually different which is easy to differentiate. Kanto's style is aggressive, Chan woo's more laidback and Jaewoong's sneaky? LOL that's what I get from this song.

Good to know that Bumkey is involved in producing the song. As usual, I love his voice. As much I love his solo works, I do look forward for more new songs by Troy.

Long awaited debuts!!!

I am just really excited that two of my long awaited groups have finally debut! Brand New Music's Troy and Star Empire's SoReal.

I have been waiting for SoReal debut sooo long I actually blog about it several times. I wanted Jangmoon to redebut since the disbandment of A'ST1 which was like 4 years ago. I'm so happy, you have no idea!

As for Troy, they were going to debut last year but Bumkey's solo work was great so it got postponed. Anyway.. I trust BNM to bring me more great news.

I will try to do reviews later. So excited.

I'm Loving CN BIue Can't Stop

I'm not big on bands because I'm more of a Pop genre fan but it is always good to switch it up a little.

After their successful debut with "I'm Lonely" I was a fan but after that their music seem similar that I lost interest for a while. Can't Stop change that, this song is fresh and I'm loving it.

The music is rich with instruments, I love seeing Yong Hwa on the piano. I'm a little upset I didn't see orchestra on the video because it would add glamour on the MV.

Speaking of the MV, the model was gorgeous! I love the random props on the video and the set is beautiful. I wish there were more shoots of other members, I know Yong Hwa is the main vocalist but give some love to other members!

I'm not sure how well this song chart but it goes against tough competitors! I hope it charted better.

Mr.Mr

If I don't write anything about the Queen of Idols, I'm a freaking lousy blogger! Joking.

I just watched the MV and as usual, I am mind-blown by SNSD beauties! All of them are so pretty and their outfits, 0MG made for them. Perfect hairs! That messy puffy hair on Sunny is gorgeous! My only complain is those horrible effects. Novelty, yes but it's covering too much of SNSD beauty... Imagine how much beauty without those blinding effects! DIE!

At first, I wasn't loving the song because of the heavy beats and sound effect but I do like it better than IGAB. As I listen to it more, I find the charm in it. I am pretty sure the performance will be better. I can't wait for them to perform this song and slay every idols.

To: Simon & Martina

I still read eatyourkimchi blog because I'm curious if they are going to change for the better now that they had more "Haters".

I can't be bothered by their videos anymore for many various reasons. I share a lot of similar opinions on Unpopular EYK opinions on Tumblr.

Their recent KMM has cause a number of angry posting that got me wonder if it's really bad. I kind of want to watch the video on how bad it could be but I'm going to restrain myself because I don't want to give them more views!

Part of me thinks that I'm jealous of them because they are basically living the live I want. Living in Korea and do bunch of videos? I practically have another live as a Korean (seriously I think I probably was a Korean in my past life, if it exist) and I learned multimedia in college.

Maybe S&M have valid reasons that I can't see through my jealousy? #sarcasm

I think the problem that lies in eatyourkimchi is they do what they think makes more views rather something they actually like. I dislike how they made their own rules but break it anyway. They created a chart for people to vote and yet they refuse to follow it. Isn't it the same as you voted A for president but the party decided B would be president?

My dad once told me "Go back to your roots if you feel like you're going to hit rock bottom'' because you need to refresh on what makes you do the things you do.

I want EYK crew to stop looking at the stat and look back on the old videos. They don't want to be professional and I get that but there is a reason why you gain "Haters".

One Thousand and four

In Korean, thousand four and angel has the same character; 천사 (cheonsa) hence the title meaning of B.A.P. latest track.

I don't exactly remember my first impression of the song but I do love the song now. Eversince Bang Yong Guk's I Remember, I always wanted rock element in hip hop track. . I love the angst in rock genre against the expressive hiphop.

1004 has a rich musical ensemble that makes the song felt impressive. Particularly the intro guitar is attention grabbing. I feel that each part of the song is carefully thought out because the dynamic between members seem smooth.

Congratulation to B. A. P. for their win for this song. I hope more songs like this.

I'm loving Brown Eyed Soul Pass Me By

Soul is a genre that is in the middle for me, I dislike if it's gone to Jazzy but combine it with RNB or Hip Hop, I love it.

Brown Eyed Soul is highly acclaimed vocalist group in Korea so naturally I got intrigued by the news of their comeback. To be honest, I only know 3 of the four. Sorry dude, so I won't talk about the members much.

The intro seems boring and I was close of not listening to it anymore but I wanted to hear SungHun voice so I kept on listening, by the end of the song it is on repeat.

I've been listening to it all day and I can't figure out why this song felt addicting. It doesn't have that typical repetitive hook. I thought the song made me feel calm.

Perhaps it lies in the rhythm? I love the beat and the music has soul. Thank your soul? Lol.

I guess because I'm a big fan of Boyz II Men, I find the music pleasing to the ear.