K Pop Obsession: After School's First Love

Restarting this blog back up with a good, old fashioned K-Pop obsession! Yay! Remember After School? Now, I realize looking back at some of my posts, I talk a lot about After School (including sub-unit Orange Caramel), I am After School biased and with good reason! The former leader, Kahi, has "graduated" on to other solo things and has been succeeded by JungAh. The group has remained quiet since the release of their last single, "Flashback" and finally released their comeback single, "First Love." I was shocked by the music video in all the right ways. I didn't think the progression of their comebacks go from drumlines to tap dancing to pole dancing?! Gotta admit, the pole dancing takes the song to a whole new level. That "na na na na na na na nahhhh..." just gets into your brain and stays there. Way to go girls! I know you suffered a lot to pull this off and I'm oh so proud of you!

It's worth a watch:

K-Pop Obsession: Gain's Bloom

K-Pop obsession is back after a long hiatus! And it's none other than sexy Gain from Brown Eyed Girls to grab my attention. I have loved Gain ever since I saw her on the Korean reality show, "We Got Married" with Jo Kwon. Gain is cute, sexy and fun loving! She has always done very sexy and controversial roles in her solo and group comeback music video. There was the sexy sex scene in "Abracadabra", drama filled solo "Irreversible", beaten and bruised in "Sixth Sense" and now loosing her virginity in "Bloom?!" This completely shocked me, all of the sudden there's a sex scene! Perfect banning material *heeheehee*

Honestly, it's a little reminiscent of IU's "You and I." Because they share the same producer, I guess it can't be helped. I also didn't care for how white Gain is and how white the whole set was, I miss her dark hair so much! And the dancers freak me out. Eek!

SKIP TO 1:15 TO GET RIGHT TO THE MUSIC VIDEO.

K-Pop Obsession: Orange Caramel's Lipstick

Been a while since my last obsession post so to kick it back up, it's Orange Caramel's "Lipstick". Usually this group is a bit too cutesy for me, but I love love LOVE the concept for this video; which is ping pong! Yay! Hilarious ping pong! Can I say I've seen those crazy neon yellow teddy bear shoes on a customer recently? They seem to fit right in with this video. And it's also hard to believe, but these girls are a subunit from the girl group After School, who just finished promoting their sexy single "Flashback."

K-Pop Obsession: After School's Flashback

So this week's obsession is After School's comeback song, "Flashback." Now the leader of After School, Kahi, has officially "graduated" and has gone on to do solo things. I miss her so much! I really think she put a lot of creative energy and input into the group (like Bang and Shampoo). I wasn't too impressed with After School's comeback this time, they usually do something that requires a lot of training for a great performance. Yes, they are one of the hottest girl groups out there, they really turned up the heat in this one. But the song is only meh. Nothing extraordinary or really exciting...just really really sexy and confusing...why is that guy tied up? Why did you shoot him sexy Uee?

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥.5/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: f(x) Electric Shock

I've been bad. Not posting as much as I should have...oh well...A bunch of music videos have been released lately. SNSD (Girl's Generation Paparazzi), Boyfriend (Love Style), and U-Kiss (Believe). None of them I'm really crazy about, but f(x) just released their new album and single "Electric Shock". I am more crazy about their concept photos than their actual song. The music video isn't very creative, but the song still gives you a beat to dance to! Amber is still my favorite out of the group, I was surprised she didn't do any rapping, but actual singing.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥.5/5 English Usage: ♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: BigBang's Monster

For the release of BigBang's Alive repackaged album, the boys have a new music video called "Monster." Very different outfit choices and odd accessories. I still love the song, some of the rapping sounds a bit odd. The word "monster" is really emphasized by the lightness of their eyes. Go BigBang! I love you!

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: ♥♥♥.5/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: Sunny Hill's Is the White Horse Coming?

So many great music videos are coming out this month! I'm still laughing over Girl's Day "Oh My God" music video! LOLz! And B.A.P. is coming back with their new single "Power" this Friday! What's even better is my favorite group, Sunny Hill has comeback with "Is the White Horse Coming?" I'm soooooo happy they're back and they do not disappoint. Sunny Hill always likes to change up their style and be totally different from what the K-pop world is doing. Is the White Horse Coming? questions/makes fun of the "prince charming" or "lovely princess" ideal. You rock Sunny Hill!!!

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥.5/5 English Usage: ♥♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5/5

K-Pop Obsession: Girl's Day Oh My God

OH MY GOSH! It's Girl's Day! Back with a music video that carries on from "Twinkle Twinkle." And it is hilarious! I love in the beginning how she grabs that guys face (teheeheeheehee). These girls are hilarious, they're really good a slapstick! Some of the worst Engrish I've ever heard, but the song is catchy and the video is so funny!

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥.5/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: 4Minute's "Volume Up"

This week's obsession features a group I don't often listen to, it's 4Minute's newest single "Volume Up." They went for a vampire kinda theme, I mean it seemed more vampire in their teaser but it didn't really get transfered to the music video. SISTAR also just released "Alone" and that one is just as sexy as this one. I still preferred 4Minute because it has a very good dance beat. Honestly, I always get 4Minute and Sistar confused because I find them to be so similar. Hyunah toned it a bit down on the sexy vibe, I like her out of all the members but it's nice to see the rest of 4Minute as well.

Visual Concept: ♥♥.5/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: N/A

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥.5/5

K-Pop Obsession: B1A4's I'm Sorry Baby

It's already time for the obsession of the week! I can't believe it! I'm sorry I've only had time to do one post in between (eek!). This week features B1A4!!! I'm not a huge fan of their stuff, to be honest I've never really followed them. But I gave them a chance when they came out with I'm Sorry Baby and it's great! I really love that hard techno beat! Love it!

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥.5/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: ♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: NU'EST's Face

It's been a while since the last obsession and not because I haven't had any! BigBang's album Alive is one of the best albums this year so far. I wish I could feature all of the songs on their album and in truth, Fantastic Baby was well, fantastic! But this weeks obsession I'm going to feature rookie group, NU'EST and their single, Face. Their debut was not too bad, room for improvement, but what really caught my eye was one of their members, Ren. Very androgynous but with his hair style he looks like a girl!

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥.5/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥.5/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥.5/5

K-Pop Obsession: BIGBANG's Blue

BigBang is back! Yes! Their new single "Blue" is a really great techno-guitar song that has the backdrop of New York city. Listening to it, I feel so calm and happy. Ever since G-Dragon's marijuana scandal, the group has been on the downlow on group promotions. The boys look great, I'm really liking their new looks. Of course, G-Dragon looks a little more out there with his electric yellow bangs.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: N/A

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: After School's Shampoo

Obsession Wednesday is none other than After School's "Shampoo." Now this was released last year, but I've always had the melody stuck in my head. This was their last comeback and they focused on the theme of tap dancing, it's so great! If you want, make sure to check out their teaser video Let's Step Up.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥.5/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: N/A

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥.5/5

K-Pop Obsession: B.A.P's Warrior

This weeks obsession is "Warrior" from the new rookie group B.A.P. Let me say, I'm just blown away by their debut. It doesn't even seem like they're newbies!!! B.A.P. stands for Best Absolute Perfect, not Blonde Asian People. Yes I know, what a random set of words to put together. I watched Simon and Martina's (EatYourKimchi) review of the video and there are other boy bands with crazier acronyms (MBLAQ - Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality). I'm so glad they didn't start out with the "cute" image, they're so confident and talented! Way to go boys!

Before B.A.P. some of you have probably seen Zelo and Bang Yong Gook perform their other songs "Never Give Up" and "I Remember." I love, love, love "I Remember" but I don't think Bang Yong Gook's voice being so deep??? Bang Yong Gook is the leader and Zelo is the maknae (youngest member) of the group, you might recognize him for his cute curly hair, eyeliner and mask look. The group's mascot is this sort of Deadmau5 bunny figure, each member has their own specific bunny.

The video is well done, great production and quality. This song will creep into your brain with it's "diggy diggy dum diggy duuuuummm" repeats. I don't always care for Asian people with blonde hair, but this didn't bother me at all. I always look at Zelo because I think he has such adorable curly hair (he's 15)! Some of the rapping style I didn't much like but they are all talented dancers and singers.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: Miryo's Dirty

Before I get started, I hope everyone got to see SNSD make their US Network debut yesterday on the David Letterman Show and their morning show debut on Live! With Kelly. Their performance was a little awkward on the Letterman Show, but they actually got the chance to talk and interact with Kelly today. I just wish they had a better English song to debut with...

Today's obsession is Miryo from Brown Eyed Girl's debut song "Dirty." I don't really like to listen to rap or R&B but I have a soft spot for the BEG girl's and Miryo is one of the strongest Korean female rappers out there. Have you seen some of her debut pictures? They are so cool, I don't know many women who can pull off blonde and brown hair like that!

First of all, the introduction to her music video is a little too familiar...I mean, it's almost exact to Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night." I really just sigh at that, I really don't want to read anymore comments about how Korean artists are copying Lady Gaga. We all know creativity is inspired by other works and it's really hard to be truly original. At first, I didn't think much about this song but after reading the translation, I think it's very fitting. Somehow, the music around me seems to fit exactly how I'm feeling right now.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥.5/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: ♥♥♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: Sunny Hill's The Grasshopper Song

I'm very excited about this weeks obsession!!! As anyone who lives with me knows, I've been super annoying, making sure everyone has seen it. I love Sunny Hill and every music video they've done I've just been floored with. This group and their MV director really have put a lot of effort and energy into making all their music videos successful and most importantly supportive of the messages in their songs.

The Grasshopper Song uses Aesop's tale of "The Grasshopper and Ant" to shake up people and get them to think about their lives. Life can't be all work or all play. You need to find a balance to ensure your life is a happy and full-filling one! Great job Sunny Hill! The video is awesome, the song is awesome, the costumes are awesome, and the dance is awesome!!! Ling-a-ling-a-ling (it's supposed to be ring-a-ring-a-ring)!

Here is the translation of what the narrator is saying in the beginning:

Grasshopper and ants are famous bugs we know.
We all know the tale of the "Grasshopper and Ant" very well.
Here is the Ant.
He receives many awards and thoroughly prepares supplies.
Ah, the sound of someone leaving.
There is the Grasshopper, that is the problem.
This seems to be the scene where the lonely Grasshopper leaves.
It's state looks bad.
Some ants are making a fuss.
The feeling is different from the story we know.
She's got to beg or die of starvation.
She will be dead, indeed?
Really, she has to beg today or die tomorrow.
Here is the Grasshopper, she has something to tell us.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥♥♥.5/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: BoA's Eat You Up

I'm not a huge fan of BoA but I do admit she has a great voice and range of skills that make her an international star. Unfortunately, there have not been many successful Asian pop stars in the United States. I guess we can sort of count Far East Movement (Who are, by the way, big fans of BoA)...but what have they done lately that has been a big hit? Eat You Up is BoA's first English single released back in 2008. It's 2012 now and not a lot of Americans know about her yet... This pick is very unusual for me, since I'm not a huge R&B listener or even care for her style too much, but I really do enjoy the infectious beat and her dancing. It's very Britney Spears...

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥.5/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: ♥♥♥♥♥/5 English Usage: ♥♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: CN Blue's I'm a Loner

I'm digging up an old classic, one of my favorite Korean rock bands, CN Blue's hit "I'm a Loner." Dddaribiriddaradu! Their image has changed a little since their first hit single but I think they have grown immensely. CN Burning Lovely Untouchable Emotional.

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: ♥♥♥♥/5

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥/5

K-Pop Obsession: T-ARA & Davichi's We Were In Love

The first obsession of the year is the sad, yet beautiful ballad "We Were in Love." The collaboration of label mates T-ARA and Davichi came out beautifully and despite it's sad feeling I think the song is perfect for the winter season. I felt a real connection to this song and feel that it's going to help me get past whatever heartbreak I encounter...

Visual Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Video Concept: ♥♥♥/5 Singing Talent: ♥♥♥♥/5 Music/Sound: ♥♥♥♥/5 Dancing: N/A English Usage: N/A

Overall Rating: ♥♥♥.5/5

My Top K-Pop Songs of the Year!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012! I desperately hope this year will be better than the last, let's be better and get some resolutions done! Just for the New Year, here are my personal list of top ten k-pop songs of the year. My decision was based mostly on the sound of the song and then by music video coolness. Lol.

#10 LOVE GIRL - CNBLUE

I have always loved CNBlue and this song was from their latest Korean album, FIRST STEP. Unfortunately, the boys are doing a lot of promotion for their Japanese album right now so nothing really new has come out for them in the last couple of months. The only thing is, this song really doesn't follow the "bad boy" image of their first hit from this album and is quite over the top with "cuteness".

#9 YOU AND I - IU

I only just started really listening to IU within the last couple months, but I think she is such a talented singer. She really pulls off the whimsical/fairytale look. Her album Last Fantasy just came out and it is great! The stress of producing it made her hair fall out but it was definately well worth it!

#8 TONIGHT - BIGBANG

These boys are the best! So talented and weird! This music video was shot in Vegas and San Diego, can't you tell?! Despite being set back with a slight scandal (G-Dragon caught smoking marijuana) their fans have been crazy supportive. And if you're wondering who's G-Dragon well, he's always the one with the weirdest outfit. LOL.

#7 BUBBLE POP - HYUNA

I consider this my personal summer song. Despite all the sexiness of the music video I believe Hyuna has major talent, dancing and singing. The song just creeps into your head and you catch yourself singing Bubble Bubble Bubble Pop! The English words in the music video make no sense...

#6 FICTION - B2ST

I don't really follow B2st but I just fell in love with this song when I saw the music video. It's easy to follow and has a great sound. The penguin/zombie/shuffle dance move really fits in with the song.

#5 IN THE NIGHT SKY - AFTER SCHOOL RED

I wish After School would continue to promote their sub units RED and BLUE. I just love the sound of After School RED and they're super sexy! This music video came out really hipster but I love this sub unit the best! Big fan of Nana!

#4 TROUBLE MAKER - TROUBLE MAKER

Cube Entertainment is coming out with a bunch of subunits formed from the groups currently under their contract. Hyuna from 4Minute and HyunSeung from Beast make up the group Trouble Maker. Their single TroubleMaker has a great sound, I love the whistling in the beginning and the Thriller tribute dance in the middle of it. Once again Hyuna plays up her sexy image, this time I think they were being a little unfair and should've given her an awesome dance too!

#3 SIXTH SENSE - BROWN EYED GIRLS

BEG! BEG! BEG! I love this group, all the members are going to be going solo, but will still maintain their group status. Every song they have come out with I have loved. It's been a while since they had a comeback, but it was well worth the wait! And that high note near the end is in three parts.

#2 BE MINE - INFINITE

Such great dancers and performers! I actually had three of their songs on my list but decided I should get a little more variety in here. I have never seen a group of people perform so n'sync before! Wonderful!

#1 I AM THE BEST - 2NE1

And of course! 2NE1!!! It was a huge year for these girls, they had some of the best singles out this year! You are the best! Keep it up girls, I hope see new and exciting things from 2NE1 in the New Year.