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Post by IceCat on Mar 3, 2016 9:35:44 GMT
Herein is a brief summary of the year so far in the K-pop scene. The first two months were relatively quiet between the holiday songs slowly exiting the charts in January and the slowdown in releases around Lunar New Year, but there have been a few noteworthy releases.
The first bona fide hit of the new year is that rarest of rarities: a collaboration between two artists from different labels. Even more significant is that they were from two of the so-called big three. The senior member of the duet was Suzy from missA (JYP Entertainment); her younger male partner was BaekHyun of EXO (SM Entertainment). The song "Dream" debuted at #1 on the weekly Gaon chart and remained there for three weeks, within which time it also won twice on KBS' Music Bank and three times on SBS' Inkigayo during January.
The sophomore girl group known as Gfriend released their third EP in late January in the wake of winning best new artist or best new female artist at the MelOn Music Awards, the Gaon Chart K-pop Awards, the Seoul Music Awards and the Golden Disk Awards over the winter. The lead single "Rough" won fifteen times on the various TV music shows during February, including a sweep of all five which still have charts in two different weeks (MBC's Show! Music Core did away with their chart late last year).
Two significant comebacks took place at opposite ends of the past month. The 1st of the month saw the release of 4Minute's seventh EP "Act 7". The lead single "Hate" was produced and co-written by Western EDM producer Skrillex and to date has over 11 million views on YouTube, featuring for two weeks on SiriusXM Hits 1's "YouTube 15" show. Since it was competing with Gfriend's new song it failed to win a single TV music show.
Perhaps the most significant comeback of all is the now-three member girl group Ladies' Code. The mini album "Myst3ry" and its lead single "Galaxy", released last weekend, are their first since the tragic car crash in September of 2014 that claimed the lives of EunB and RiSe and left the remaining three members, Sojung, Ashley and Zuny, with physical and emotional wounds which took months to heal properly. Given the sensitive nature of this particular comeback their appearances will be limited to showcasing the music.
A recent addition to my required listening is the new podcast put out by Jeff Benjamin, who writes about K-pop for Fuse TV and Billboard magazine. Teaming up with fellow Fuse TV staffer Tina Xu, they discuss the latest happenings in the genre. This week's episode includes their first ever interview as CL was in New York during their Fashion Week.
www.fuse.tv/videos/2016/03/podcast-k-stop-episode-4
Kevin
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Post by IceCat on Mar 16, 2016 8:07:48 GMT
 Mamamoo and Zion T headline this year's K-pop Night Out at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX tonight.
Dates have been announced for this summer's KCON in both Newark and Los Angeles in the wake of CJ E&M's successful staging of its inaugural KCON on Jeju last November. Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will host their first KCON this coming 25 March while Chiba, Japan stages that country's first on 9-10 April.
Newark comes first in the order and in their second year expands to a two day event: 24-25 June at the Prudential Center. Staples Center and the neighboring Convention Center in Los Angeles will host 29-31 July. Artists will be announced at a later date.Kevin |
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Post by IceCat on Apr 5, 2016 8:49:40 GMT
The first two artists confirmed for the East Coast KCON in Newark were revealed last week: the sophomore girl group Mamamoo and the rookie boy group Seventeen.
I'll have an update soon on the some of the new releases from March, but the main focus of this post is the news that broke just today: Gong Minzi has chosen not to renew her contract with YG Entertainment and will leave the mega-popular girl group 2NE1 when her current pact expires next month. The other three members (Bom, CL and Dara) have renewed with YG and will return as a trio this summer.
The official statement from YG reads as follows:
"We apologize that we are bringing unfortunate news to the 2NE1 fans who have been waiting for such a long time.
We would like to officially announce that 2NE1’s maknae Gong Minzy will not be continuing with the group.
With 2NE1’s contracts ending on 5/5/2016, we met with each 2NE1 member to discuss contract renewals and terms but unfortunately Gong Minzy did not go forth.
Sending away someone who has been with us for 11 years since her trainee days is difficult for all but due to the sudden hiatus 2 years ago, Gong Minzy had some hard times that we fully understand. Rather than feeling upset, we are apologetic towards her.
There were uncertainties as to what would happen to 2NE1 since Gong Minzy’s departure, but Yang Hyun Suk states that 'No matter what happens, I want to continue 2NE1...During the hard times it is important to join forces to get through it.'
The other three members renewed contracts with the goal of releasing new music this summer, and there are no thoughts of adding a new member.
As 2NE1’s world tour proved, 2NE1 is a group that debuted 7 years ago that has Korean fans but also international fans who await their new songs and comeback.
Even when looking at a global scale, it is hard to see a group to promote together for 7 years. It is very difficult and almost impossible to do so without difficulties.
2NE1 is in the situation where a sudden hiatus took place 2 years ago due to unfortunate events, and one member out of the four has decided to leave. We will try our best to overcome this.
This is a promise to the fans who have waited and trusted in 2NE1’s music for this long time. We will return with the most 2NE1-like.. The most 2NE1 style music.
Thank you.
"
kpopselca.com/forum/korean-celebrity/minzy-to-leave-2ne1-group-to-return-as-3-for-a-summer-comeback-t49025/
www.fuse.tv/2016/04/2ne1-to-lose-minzy-summer-comeback-three-members
Kevin
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Post by IceCat on May 10, 2016 9:15:54 GMT
This is your March and April update from the world of K-pop, but first an update on the big news that broke a month ago.
Gong Minzi, formerly of 2NE1, broke her silence by way of a handwritten letter posted to her Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_VtHtk5c4
Minzi wasn't the only member to leave a long established group last month. Cube Entertainment announced that Jang Hyun Seung (pictured above) had fallen out with the other members of Beast over "creative differences". The signs were there for those who chose to notice them that Hyun Seung wasn't fully committed to the group the past few months. While Beast will now carry on with the remaining five members Hyun Seung, who had a solo debut last year, is still under contract with Cube and will continue as both a solo artist as well as half of the coed power duo Troublemaker (with Hyuna of 4Minute) that debuted in late 2011 and has two EPs to date.
Now onto the musical highlights of the past two months:
The four member girl group Mamamoo, who will be among the artists performing at KCON in Newark next month (more on that event later), dominated the music shows in mid March with the brassy tune "You're the Best" off their first studio album "Melting", which is their fourth release overall.
March saw the long awaited comeback of YG's female solo R&B singer Lee Hi, who first burst to stardom as a contestant in 2012's first season of SBS' K-pop Star (finishing as runner up to Park Jimin, now of JYP's female duo 15& as well as co host of Arirang TV's After School Club). Her first album since her debut in 2013 featured the track "Breathe", which won on MNet's M Countdown and SBS' Inkigayo the week of the 17th.
Speaking of After School Club, the Atlanta-born K-pop star and TV presenter Eric Nam, who had been the live weekly K-pop interview show's main MC from its debut three years ago, decided to step aside from that role to focus on his music and other projects. He also released his second mini album which included the song "Good for You" and is currently the TV "husband" of Mamamoo member Solar in the MBC reality series We Got Married.
Side note on Eric: he holds a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from Boston College and is fluent in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese in addition to Korean and English.
While the preceding songs were in promotions the actual music charts were dominated by songs from the wildly popular KBS drama Descendants of the Sun. Most noteworthy is the ballad "Always" by Yoon Mi Rae.
As the calendar flipped from March to April the JYP boy group GOT7 returned to the charts with "Fly", winning five music shows over a two week period.
Not to be outdone, the head honcho of JYP Entertainment had a comeback of his own. Above is the title track from JY Park's new EP "Still Alive", a collection that also includes the song "Fire" which he famously recorded with visiting American stars Conan O'Brien and Steven Yuen (referenced in another thread).
Winning six music shows over a two week period in mid April is "You're So Fine" from the boy band CN Blue. Observers of these threads will note that I use the literal definition of "band" to mean a group that plays their own instruments.
Two other male groups had comebacks in late April. After hearing a lot from Block B's main rapper Zico as a solo artist over the past few months the entire group returned with their 5th mini album "Blooming Period" and an unusually downbeat (for them) lead single "Toy"...
...while VIXX also returns with the single "Dynamite".
After blowing up the charts late last year with their debut track "Like Ohh Ahh", the nine member JYP girl group Twice returned a couple of weeks ago with "Cheer Up" off their second mini album.
The full lineup for both KCONs were completed with the announcements last week that BTS (Bangtan Boys) would be playing both Newark and Los Angeles. Also playing LA with them in late July will be Block B, Twice, GFriend, CN Blue and the Girls' Generation subunit TTS or TaeTiSeo (comprising members Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun). My plans are to attend Newark next month once I learned that the diva from Jersey herself, Ailee (pictured below), will be making a homecoming appearance. In addition to Ailee, BTS, Mamamoo and Seventeen the male groups BTOB and DAY6 will also be playing the Prudential Center over the weekend of 24-25 June: which artists will be playing which nights will be revealed sometime this week since package tickets go on sale this Friday at 1pmEDT.
Kevin
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Post by IceCat on May 14, 2016 10:36:30 GMT
Note to self: book tickets off my phone rather than my laptop in future. It seems to be where most of the action is nowadays.
Why that lesson is relevant to me is that I was on my laptop right at the stroke of 1pm Friday trying to score a category P1 combo seat for KCON in Newark but the best that would come up was P2. I hardly believe that the Platinum and P1 combos would sell out that quickly but now I've learned my lesson. Mobile device next time!
Any who, I have a P2 combo in section 18, row 23, seat 1 just to the left of the main stage. With the Ticketmaster fees it came out to over $387.
There were last minute additions to the lineup prior to the sale date and the artists for each night was posted. On Friday the 24th it will be Ailee, BTOB, Dynamic Duo along with Crush and then Seventeen. Saturday the 25th has DAY6, Eric Nam, Mamamoo and BTS. I only get one guaranteed fan engagement session with the P2 vs two with the P1 and they come in the form of a scratch off ticket so if I don't end up with a ticket into Ailee's session I'll have to find some way to trade with someone. I'd already booked and paid for an Airbnb close to a light rail station so I had to make sure I had a KCON combo ticket as well, so bottom line: I'm going!
More info as I get it
Kevin
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Post by IceCat on Jun 15, 2016 10:24:46 GMT
Since EXO recently released a new album expect them to dominate the rest of this summer. Before I get to them let me get you caught up with what else has been happening since the 1st of May.
The biggest news of recent vintage broke just within the past few days: all but one of the members of 4Minute (above) have chosen not to renew their contracts with Cube Entertainment, effectively disbanding the popular girl group after seven years. With their most recent album not living up to expectations perhaps the renewal terms weren't favorable but even so many fans were shocked at the news. The one member who has renewed with Cube is HyunA, who was the most active member of 4Minute since not only does the rapper have a viable solo career but she also comprises one half of the duo Troublemaker with Hyun Seung, formerly of the boy group Beast.
The month of May began with the return of the mega-popular boy group Bangtan Boys, or BTS for short, with their hit "Fire" off their compilation album "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever". The single won three music shows during the week of 12 May. The album topped the Gaon charts in Korea and placed as high as #107 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US.
The long awaited comeback of YG Entertainment's brother-sister vocal duo Akdong Musician, sometimes shortened to AKMU, followed a couple days later. The two singles above from their EP "Spring", "Re-Bye" and "How People Move", reached #1 and #3 respectively on the Gaon singles chart. After the current promotions don't expect to hear anything from them for another two years as Lee Chanhyuk, the lead vocalist, rapper and older brother of the pair who is also the main songwriter, will begin his mandatory military service fairly soon. His younger sister Lee Suhyun will probably be kept busy somehow in the meantime; she has previously been in a collaboration with soloist Lee Hi (no relation).
Next up are an intriguing pair of solo debuts within two days of each other. The first is Tiffany of Girls' Generation with "I Just Wanna Dance" while the second is FORMER Girls' Generation member Jessica with "Fly".
Tiffany's EP reached #3 on the Gaon album chart while the single won two music shows the week of 17 May. "With Love, J", the debut album from Jessica, hit #1 on Gaon but so far as I am aware she never appeared on any TV music shows. Why is not known but I hope it isn't because her former label SM Entertainment had any say in the matter.
The first of June saw the release of EXID's 1st full album and third release overall, "Street", which peaked at #2 on the Gaon album chart. The lead single "L.I.E." has so far won three TV music shows.
The 7th of June was doubly special for the boy group U-KISS and member Eli Kim. On that date the group released their 11th Korean mini-album and 15th release overall, "Stalker", including the single of the same name. As well Eli and his wife announced the birth of a baby boy.
Now coming full circle back to the present, I present to you the lead single "Monster" off EXO's third full album "EX'ACT", released just six days ago but already racking up over 15 million views on YouTube. Expect to hear more from these guys in the coming weeks.
It is now 8 days before I drive down to Newark for KCON. Since I'm not scoring the PakPicker next week I should be free to provide updates on what I'm experiencing at the Prudential Center, beginning with the Club KCON dance party Thursday night in the Devils' practice rink next door.
Kevin |
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Post by IceCat on Jun 15, 2016 10:46:31 GMT
This recent release BARELY qualifies as K-pop, but frankly I don't know where else to put it.
The description on YouTube says it all: "The result of five guys who can't sing, dance or really speak Korean and try to start a kpop band." YouTube star Ryan Higa and four of his pals from WongFu Productions came together to form BgA, or Boys generally Asian. The title of the song "Dong Saya Dae" translates roughly to "I got to take a (dump through the porcelain throne)", so watch with caution.
Kevin |
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Post by IceCat on Jun 24, 2016 4:20:45 GMT
Seems I remembered to pack everything I need for my trip to KCON - except the cord for my laptop. (grrrrrrr) I therefore have to use it sparingly as I don't want to run down the battery but I do want to pass along this: both Friday's and Saturday's concerts will be live streamed on the KCON website beginning at 7pm EDT (US, Canada and Mexico only).bit.ly/KCON2016NYstreamKevin
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Post by mr3putt on Jun 24, 2016 17:51:34 GMT
Kevin
Considering you're a veteran at these KCON events...you should fly out to the one in LA and help fanofseri find a hot Korean wife...and believe me...this guy needs A LOT of guidance.
I'm sure fanofseri will buy you dinner at the Blue Dolphin for your assistance.
I saw a youtube vid that white guys attend these events to meet Korean gals....lol.....YELLOW FEVER.
Have fun in Jersey.
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Post by IceCat on Jun 25, 2016 17:04:50 GMT
It's Saturday and I'm sitting in the shade on this warm June afternoon composing a few brief thoughts on my phone.
In response to Mr3putt's comments: there is quite a diverse crowd that shows up at KCON (I was in LA in 2014 as well) but the overwhelming majority skew young, teens to late 20s, so anyone older stands out and I in particular am practically a dinosaur.
I'll have more to share and show once I get my laptop home and plugged in, but I can tell you that I did accomplish at least one thing this weekend. I did finally meet Fuse TV writer and podcast host Jeff Benjamin in person at one of the panels yesterday and after I gave him a Se Ri Pak bobblehead I explained how she, Grace Park and the other Korean ladies on Tour were my gateway into Korean culture. The panel had posited that there were 4 facets of the Hallyu Wave: dramas, music, movies and food. I suggested a 5th be considered: sport.
Again, much more to come from this weekend.
Kevin
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Post by mr3putt on Jun 25, 2016 17:50:51 GMT
In response to Mr3putt's comments: there is quite a diverse crowd that shows up at KCON (I was in LA in 2014 as well) but the overwhelming majority skew young, teens to late 20s, so anyone older stands out and I in particular am practically a dinosaur.
I bet a lot of people think you're there either dropping off your kids or acting as a chaperone....lol. Where did you get the Se Ri bobbleheads?.....ebay?...how much?.....I'm really tempted to buy a "Make America Great Again" hat off Amazon...only $8 free shipping.....lol. Have fun....I assume there are some Korean food trucks? Oh ya...how much for a hotel room???......$170+/night....likely no Phil special flea bag motels nearby....did you drive?...if yes...how much to park your car......$40/day? |
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