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Epik High - Lovescream
Epik High
The poets and poster boys of Korean hip-hop, Epik High seems to have mastered the game when it comes to maintaining both mainstream appeal and underground credibility. Considering the group's album sales, chart-topping hits, screaming teen fanbase, and television exposure, Epik High has long reached pop idol-level fame, only without the pop idol stigma. Even while making the variety show rounds and rolling out perfectly produced tracks for the Mnet generation, the group still manages to be convincingly hard, if not exactly hardcore, and more than willing to court controversy with outspoken lyrics. Ultimately, the secret to Epik High's dual success comes down simply to their ability to... [read more]
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Big Bang : 3rd Mini Album - Stand Up
Big Bang
After the curious strategy of trying to enter the Japanese market with English albums, Big Bang has returned to their native fighting ground where their quirky fashion, oversized sunglasses, and ridiculously catchy rhymes are best appreciated. The group's third mini album Stand Up largely follows the formula of last year's Always and Hot Issue, which means six hip-pop dance numbers that get stuck in your head very fast. The integration of rap and hip-hop into mainstream pop has long been a unique aspect of K-pop since the days of Seo Tai Ji and Boys, but Big Bang has really embraced the genre and taken it to a new commercial pop high. Title track Stand Up (Track 1) and the following Haru... [read more]
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Pia EP - Urban Explorer
PIA
Straying farther and farther from their origins with every release, PIA's new album Urban Explore again sees the band evolving and embracing a new amorphous identity. By now, I've almost forgotten that PIA started out as a metal band as they haven't been doing too much screaming lately. Compared to their 2001 debut album Pia@arrogantempire.xxx, Urban Explorer sounds like the work of a completely different band. If their music has gotten less defined over the years, it has also become more agreeable and diverse, indicative of the band's willingness to explore and experiment with new styles and elements. Seo Tai Ji continues to be an important influence over PIA as he serves as executive... [read more]
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Super Junior - Happy 1st Mini Album - Cooking? Cooking!
Super Junior
Every time I turn around, a new Super Junior unit has sprouted from nowhere. Certainly with three Super Junior albums released in about a month's time, it seems Father SM is testing the patience and wallets of even the most faithful. At first gander, Super Junior Happy does have the suspicious air of being slapped together - an antidote to occupy members not in Super Junior M and to distract fans still chanting "Only 13" - but their mini album has turned out to be a very agreeable release. If pop music is meant to be happy, harmless, and entertaining, then Super Junior Happy's Cooking? Cooking! passes with flying colors. In comparison to the picture-perfect boy band image of Super Junior M... [read more]
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On Air OST (SBS TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack |
Song Yoon Ah |
Park Yong Ha |
F.T Island
It's been awhile since I came across a drama that really caught my attention - so much so that I fell in love with its soundtrack as well. A drama within a drama, On Air takes you behind the making of a fictional Korean soap opera while dissecting the intricacies involved in carrying out a TV production. The story revolves around the personal and professional lives of four key players in TV entertainment - an actress (Kim Ha Neul), a manager (Kim Bum Soo), a writer (Song Yoon Ah), and a director (Park Yong Ha). By offering heaps of hilarious parodies and flashy cameo appearances by stars like Jeon Do Yeon, Lee Seo Jin, and Lee Hyo Lee, the drama instantly became somewhat of a sensation in... [read more]
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Baek Ji Young Single - Gypsy's Tears
Baek Ji Young
Sometimes when I'm really down, what gets me going is a strong, heavy dose of depressing music. Sounds rather kooky, but these sad songs actually work their magic by turning their ears to my private sobs, becoming very much like my dream therapist - effective and cheap. In my own collection of therapeutic songs are many of Baek Ji Young's ballads including all three tracks from her latest mini album Gypsy's Tears. While her earlier hits were predominantly Latin-influenced dance numbers, Baek successfully transformed from a sexy dancing queen to a ballad diva with her 2006 hit Sarang ahn hae("I Won't Love") which drowned me in a flood of tears for days. The reason behind her appeal goes... [read more]
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Davichi Vol. 1 - Amaranth
Davichi
A few weeks ago, I lost my voice due to a nasty cold. Though weeks of fatigue and sleep deprivation drove me bonkers, one good thing came out of the misery - the husky voice that I had always wanted. Quickly preparing myself for what I envisioned to be my best karaoke performance, I started making a mental list of those who bear the likeness to my newfound sexiness. Several artists crossed my mind such as Lee Hyo Ri, Baek Ji Young, Park Hwayobi, and of course, Davichi. A female pop and R&B duo consisting of members Lee Hae Ri and Gang Min Kyung, Davichi made their debut in early 2007 with Amaranth. The richness of their distinctive, husky vocal timbre and the depth of emotions give the duo... [read more]
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Kang Chae E Vol. 1 - Addicted To Love
Kang Chae E
Some people just have the knack for picking out the next American Idol out of a massive pool of contestants - me. From Kelley and Ruben, to Fantasia and Taylor, I nailed them as the winner right from the get-go - along with millions of other viewers, right? Recently, I came across a new singer discovered by Yang Hyun Suk and I knew exactly why the renowned producer had given this young girl a shot at her own music. Her name is Kang Chae E which bears the meaning of "two colors", or even "diverse colors". Incidentally, her musical talent is just that - multi-faceted. (A reminder to all would-be-parents: put some careful thoughts into naming your child). Filled with down-to-earth folk ballads... [read more]
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Lovers in Prague Original Soundtrack (2CD+DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
Pictures and music go hand in hand, as seen in the well-crafted soundtracks for hit dramas like The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, Dae Jang Geum, and Winter Sonata. Another soundtrack that beautifully renders its partner's appeals is the Lovers in Prague OST. A contemporary Korean version of Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday, Lovers In Prague sees recently crowned Cannes queen Jeon Do Yeon playing Korea's First Daughter who falls in love with a quirky but charming detective portrayed deftly by Kim Joo Hyuk. Speaking of love that conquers all, Lovers in Prague entrances you into the romantic, historical atmosphere of Prague for which the drama does an excellent job as tour guide. Musical director... [read more]
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The Melody Vol. 1 - The Melody
The Melody
The Melody reminds me of Mary Poppins. Which is perhaps not what the typical indie rock band is aiming for in their music, but The Melody is certainly anything but typical. Genre labels like pop rock and indie pop really fail to describe the band's bright and airy melodies and arrangements, soft sentiments with rough edges, and hardy, funky, endearing cheer. The Melody makes music that puts a spring in your step, great for a morning commute soundtrack. The closest equivalent that comes to me would be the J-pop act Section-S, but The Melody is even better. The album starts on a bounce with a busy, playful, circus-like opening instrumental track that channels happy thoughts and content smiles.... [read more]
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Koyote - Dance Best and 9.5
Koyote
Famous for their trademark catchy dance/pop songs reminiscent of '80s music, Koyote has emerged as the genre's enduring darling over the last decade. Their long standing career stems from the ability to retain mainstream appeal with their addictive sounds, unassuming and down-to-earth mannerism, dynamic and vibrant stage performances, and last but not least, Shinji, their lone female member and the group's lead vocalist. Almost ten years have passed since she made her singing debut at the tender age of 18, but Shinji certainly needs no tuning up. The multi-talented singer digests every high key with such ease and finesse, delivering her signature husky, splitting tones whenever needed. Not... [read more]
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Brown Eyes Vol. 1 - Already a year...
Brown Eyes
There are very few albums out there that you can listen to over and over again and never feel the need to push the skip through button. This is just that album. The originator of the Korean mid-tempo R&B ballad, Brown Eyes offers a good blend of Korean sentiments and R&B soul music. Their soulful sound stands out amongst the monotonous humdrum of R&B. Earning themselves a diverse fan base, the duo set the stage for the birth of a mid-tempo ballad phenomenon in Korea. Undoubtedly, current chart-topping ballad groups like SG Wannabe, See Ya, and KCM owe a great debt to Brown Eyes. In the wake of pop heavyweights like Kim Gun Mo, Brown Eyes' 2001 debut album Already a year... ranking in at #5... [read more]
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The Legend (AKA: Four Gods) OST (MBC TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack |
Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ)
Four Gods OST is one to gush over and rave about. Almost all of its 19 tracks (and I will explain later why I say "almost") are bathed in the mystical warmth of a historical fantasy. It offers plenty of evocative sounds that capture the essence of this year's blockbuster drama Four Gods (a.k.a. The Legend) starring Bae Yong Joon (Winter Sonata). The instrumental score is definitely pleasurable on its own as orchestral music. Although the songs will resonate better if you have watched the drama, the score alone tells the whole story. The score for the drama has been raising eyebrows ever since Four Gods first aired in September of 2007. Joe Hisaishi, arguably Japan's most prolific and... [read more]
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Kim Gun Mo vol.7 - Another days...
Kim Gun Mo
No, this is not the latest release by Kim Gun Mo. But start digging into your memory all the way back to the year 2001. Remember the song "I'm Sorry"? If you just said yes, then you must be as old as I am! In those days, you could not walk the streets of Seoul without hearing Kim Gun Mo's hit song "I'm Sorry", or step into a karaoke without seeing a middle-aged man chugging down soju while serenading "I'm Sorry" to his wife, who was probably leaving her twentieth "where-the-heck-are-you?" message on his mobile phone. The all time best selling album in Korean history to this date goes to Kim Gun Mo's third album Wrongful Meeting, which has sold over 2 million copies in 1995. Kim's success has... [read more]
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Kim Sa Rang Vol. 3 - U Turn
Kim Sa Rang
Kim Sa Rang seems to have missed the memo on how to stage a proper comeback, K-pop style. He doesn't have a snazzy new stage name or new look or new musical style or marketing gimmick to offer. His album cover doesn't even have his picture on it. Instead, for his first album in six years, Kim Sa Rang is still swinging his guitar and sticking to what he does best - music. Not only did he produce, compose, and write all the songs in U Turn, he also handled all the instruments, recording, and mixing. The result is a clean, expressive, and earthy alternative rock album, the kind of which is in too short supply in the Korean music scene. Kim Sa Rang, welcome back. You've been sorely missed. U... [read more]
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The 1st Shop Of Coffee Prince OST (MBC TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack |
Casker |
Lee Seon Gyun |
Humming Urban Stereo
I would typically hesitate to recommend a drama soundtrack since liking the soundtrack is often dependent on liking the drama, and Korean dramas just aren't for everyone. But The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince OST is really one of the best OSTs I've heard and a great choice for music fans. In a rather inspired personnel move, the music director for the soundtrack is Park Sung Hoon, better known as Liner from indie act Tearliner. He has put together a refreshing selection of indie pop and instrumentals that go perfectly with the coffee shop mood. Tearliner's excitedly titled Go Go Chan!! (Track 4) is a fast-paced, mellow, feel good indie pop number featuring Yo Cho's soft and soothing vocals. The... [read more]
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EVAN Vol. 1 - Hard To Breath
Click-B |
Evan (Yoo Ho Seok)
One of the most pleasant surprises mainstream K-pop has served up this year is the debut album of former Click-B member Yoo Ho Seok. I was never a Click-B fan and my main impression of Yoo Ho Seok from his boyband years was that he had a slightly whiny sounding voice. Five years after leaving Click-B, he's back with a new name - Evan - a new look, and most importantly, a new voice. Not only have his vocals, range, and singing style greatly improved, his vocal quirks have matured into a true asset, distinctive characteristics that make his voice immediately recognizable. Complementing the voice is an accomplished album fusing jazz, urban pop, and R&B elements into contemporary K-pop, offering... [read more]
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Vanilla Unity Special Album - Farewell & Tonight
Vanilla Unity
A dash of punk, a pinch of emo, a dose of screaming, and we get Vanilla Unity. A fairly new and young name in the scene, the band has found a fair amount of attention with its Westernized rock, and it's easy to understand why. Though their musical style is not particularly innovative - basically an energetic, eclectic, emo sound that would fit right into the American alternative mainstream - the band's delivery is spot-on. Their brand of alt-rock is safe and soulful enough to appeal to a wider audience, irreverent enough to bounce to, and not emo enough to annoy. Working in a genre that's gotten rather bloated in recent years, they've still managed to put out some very listenable and... [read more]
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YounHa Vol. 1 - The Perfect Day to Say I Love You
Younha
Having never listened to Younha the J-pop singer, I initially wasn't all that interested in Younha the K-pop singer, and was ready to let this album go by. Fortunately, I had the chance to see her perform live last month, and I was immediately won over by her strong, clear voice and earthy stage charisma. Given that the recent wave of female pop idols has largely displayed more flash (or flesh) than substance, it's certainly refreshing to hear a young singer who can actually sing. Though the album itself could still use some tweaking, the sound Younha offers comes at just the right time. Her up-tempo rock pop and piano ballads fit squarely into mainstream sensibilities, while providing a... [read more]
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Radio Star OST
Korean Movie Soundtrack |
No Brain |
Park Joong Hoon
In 2006, King and The Clown director Lee Joon Ik followed up his mega period blockbuster with a seemingly very different kind of film, the life-affirming and heartwarming Radio Star. But Radio Star is really, at its core, again a movie about men in love. Without the grand narrative and controversial undertones, the film spins a smaller, safer, and unabashedly cheesier story, but it is one filled with a quiet understanding of life's journey and a clear appreciation for the music that has accompanied it. The Radio Star soundtrack brings together some rather unlikely names into one album. Listening to the soundtrack feels a bit like a walk through the decades, visiting the ups and downs of life... [read more]
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