My Favorite, Recent K-Pop Trends

OG COMEBACKS 

From g.o.d to Jinusean, many K-Pop originators have been releasing new music putting the youngsters to shame with reminiscent tracks that not only attract the older K-pop fans but also excites the newer generation.

HIP HOP/R&B

That's right, this has become a trend in K-Pop. Though a lot of K-Pop songs have always had a rapping portion or some sort of R&B influence, these days that influence is getting stronger and stronger. Whole groups have been composed with the main members being rappers instead of singers. Also Hip Hop and R&B singers that long dwelled in the underground indie scene are starting to get a lot more attention.

90's THROWBACK

A lot of songs these days have a 90's sound to them. However the 90s sound isn't exactly from Korea, instead it's more in the vain of American 90s R&B and Hip Hop. Though there are similarities between the two countries, 90's American R&B and Hip Hop has a more grimy street vibe where as 90's music from Korea has a lot of pop twisted into it. Either way, there are a lot of great songs that have taken on this sound. One of my favorites is Life by Rubber Soul. 

SINGLE SUB-UNITS

These days instead of someone being the featuring artist, artist are creating sub units for one single. The trend seemed to pick up serious steam after Soyu's successful collaboration with Junggigo for Some and now the collabs won't stop. The most recent example of this is Jimin N J.Don of FNC. Of course, who can forget GD X TAEYANG, one of the best collabs of 2014.

SOLO ALBUMS/PROJECTS

A lot of talented group members have been flying solo. Some even have solo tracks on their group's album. With the formal introduction of band members' stellar talents many fans have been impressed over and over again by not just veterans but also rookies.

Trends that should stop:
1. Rookies: Is it just me or is there like a new rookie group every week these days. I like that more and more people are debuting and getting into the rotation sooner rather than later, but there's so many that it is hard to keep up with which ones are which. Also I think a lot of them can get lost in the shuffle. I've been trying to stay on top of it as much as possible but as soon as I grab one, another one knocks them out. I think agencies should slow down a bit and really look for the most optimal time to release their new artists. From their standpoint that might be exactly what they're doing but I'm not so sure that peak season is always the best season.

2. Nonsensical videos: I really hope that music videos in general will start to match the songs at least a little bit. There's nothing wrong with an artistic video or a video that showcases the good looks and smooth moves of a group but I think that a great music video could be made with sticking to a cohesive and thought provoking story line too.

3. Disbandment & Member Losses: I know am not alone in hoping that the groups that are together stick together until the end. I know that sometimes people have to think of themselves first but it's so sad to see your favorite groups get shaken up and broken down. It's sad and I hope that it doesn't happen too often this year because last year was crazy.

Trends that I'm Excited to See:
I am hoping that as 2015 progresses that there will be a rise in Rock music from Korea. It's already starting with the comebacks of F.T. Island and Lee Moon Sae. And you can't forget the solo debut of Jung Yonghwa. Also, last year we saw the return of 10cm and other residents rock groups of Korea. Jung Joon Young made an awesome comeback recently and the Indie band Hyukoh is steadily on the rise. I think that it's safe to say that Korea is ready to rock out.

I must also note that with the debut of Hip Hop/Rock Band, N.Flying, and Rock/Hip Hop tracks from a few other groups that the mix of the two genres might be a popular one this year. I am looking forward to it.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: January to April

Korean Music has been so good to 2015 so far. We're only 4 months in and the list of songs that I have on repeat is almost endless. And much like 2014 we've heard epic comebacks and impressive rookies, making the selection of songs vast and varied. Check below for my favorite songs of 2015 from January to April, in order of most listened to, and linked. Also, just so you know this isn't even all the songs I liked from these four months, but I thought 52 songs was enough. 

1. Cheers by Gaeko x Yankie ft Babylon & Beenzino - Had to start of the list and of course my year. This is what I think we can all refer to as a "Turn Up Song." Every thing about it gets you in a celebration mood, from the sound to the lyrics, to the feature artists.

2. Good Times by Paloalto ft Babylon - Love the instrumental for this song, especially the intro. It gives off a cool west coast hip hop vibe but it feels unique to 2015.

3. Your Love by Elo - You really can't go wrong with something produced by Gray and of course Elo's smooth vocals just bring it all home. This song helped me convert a friend so I hold it in high regards.

4. Just by Zion.T & Crush - I honesty have some sort of disorder. Every time I hear this song and watch the MV I just want to cry, it's that amazing. If you've seen it you know how simple everything is for Cruch and Zion.T: all you need is smooth vocals, a slow and bouncy jazz/blues instrumental, and a black and white video. All the fancy sets, flashing lights--don't need 'em.

5. Deja Boo ft Jonghyun ft Zion.T - This is one of many songs from Jonghyun's BASE mini-album that I loved, not liked, loved. First off the jazz funk combination is becoming a mainstay in K-Pop and it's a sound that lends itself well to Jonghyun's vocals. Also, having Zion.T feature is like icing on cake, it's just as smooth but is doesn't overshadow the main artist.

6. You by G.Soul - 15 years! That's all I can think about sometimes when I listen to this song. I have to say that the 15 years of "training" didn't go to waste. G.Soul has an amazingly soulful voice, making the emotional R&B ballad hit home in more ways than one.

7. Interstellar by No. Mercy ft Yella Diamond - I didn't follow MONSTA X's journey into being through No.Mercy, however I will say that the show put out some pretty great music. I like that the song is upbeat and has a raw hip hop feel while taking full advantage of the brass band sound that a lot of songs are incorporating these days.

8. My Type by Jessi, Cheetah, & Kangnam - This song is great in so many ways. Not only does it feature two of the best female rappers that Korea's ever seen but it also showed off Kangnam's unique but steady vocal skill. I also can't leave out the fact that Verbal Jint produced a hard-hitting, club worthy track. It's hard not to like this song.

9. My Love by Eddy Kim - This song is so romantic and if the lyrics weren't enough to make you swoon then Eddy Kim's beautiful voice will. I like that it had a Beatles kind of sound too it, soft but still a bit rock n roll.

10. Mileage by Jun Yong Hwa ft YDG - Such a fun MV. The song is really cute and Yonghwa sounds amazing, but the MV is everything. It's cute, funny, colorful, and just plain awesome. A must watch.

11. Man of the Year by Hanhae ft D.meanor - This may not be the most unique song on the list but I like it for it's throwback sound. This song totally reminds me of early 2000s R&B/hip hop songs. It's slow but has a good beat, and Hanhae's flow with D.meanor's soulful voice is a great combination.

12. Life by Rubber Soul ft Mad Clown - If you've ever listened to a TLC song or watched a TLC video then this song will give all kinds of flashbacks to the 90s. At first I didn't really like it, but the more I listened the more it grew on me. Much like Man of the Year, I like that it reminds me of the songs I grew up listening to in the States (in the 90s) and of course the lyrics have a nice message.

13. Island by Primary & Oh Hyuk - I am so glad that Primary is back, it's been too long. Anyway, this is a very thoughtfully produced song. A lot of Primary's songs go for a R&B/hip hop/funk/jazz feel, but this one was a bit different. It definitely still had those elements in them but I feel like they were downplayed so that OhHyuk's voice and the lyrics could take center stage. I think that if you are a Sam Smith fan then you'll like this song, it has that feeling.

14. Automatic by Red Velvet - Red Velvet completely transformed themselves and I am not mad at them for it. This song is so sultry and smooth. Also, they killed their choreography.

15. Love Is Madness by 15& ft Kanto - So, I don't think you can ever really go wrong with a 15& song. The ladies just sang so well, I am in awe every time.

16. Zero Gravity by Zion.T - So, upon first listen this song doesn't seem like much. It's a typical Zion.T song--slow, jazzy, but incredibly catchy. Although the song isn't much of a break from Zion.T's usual offerings it is still an amazing song. The vibe is so chill and the video is really nice.

17. Apologize by Eddy Kim - Eddy Kim's go-to blues/soul style does not disappoint in this song. It's perfect for a break up song. I also really liked the video, it gave Eddy Kim a different and stronger image.

18. Pretty by Infinite H - I thought the video was really entertaining and I liked the 90s hip hop feel of the song.

19. Buckubucku by MFBTY - The greatest thing about this song is that they stuck to the basics and made something that any hip hop fan would like. And can I just say that though this was an MFBTY song, Rap Monster practically stole the song with his verse.

20. One Fine Day by Jung Yong Hwa - Yonghwa's voice must have been made for ballads. He sounds so beautiful and that's really all that matters.

21. Auditory Hallucination by Jang Jae In ft NaShow - I wouldn't usually include an OST (Kill Me, Heal Me) in this list but I had too. For one, the sound and lyrics of the song perfectly reflected the emotions in the drama. A lot of OSTs tend to be cheesy and sound really similar but this one was very fresh especially considering the drama.

22. Pillow by Soyu & Giriboy ft Kihyun - Soyu's beautiful voice, Giriboy's melodic rapping, and Kihyun's smooth vocals was a really nice combination, one that is really enjoyable to listen to weather you're a fan of Starship Entertainment's survival program or not.

23. Call Me Baby by EXO - Aren't we all just a little bit happier now that EXO's back? Well, I am. The kids killed it, from the sound of the song to the choreography. I found myself crying from joy after watching it the first time--that's how sick it is! A. MUST. LISTEN.

24. Unpretty Dreams by Jessi - Jessi's rapping is amazing but I have to say that her vocals over Gray's instrumental is what truly makes this song special. Somehow Gray managed to make a complicated instrumental easy to listen to and Jessi rapping on top of that made the song even more catchy. More than that though are the lyrics about Jessi's struggle and journey to success.

25. Your Number by SHINee - I didn't realize how much I missed SHINee as a unit until I saw this video and listened to the song. It's not actually K-Pop because the song's in Japanese but I liked it so much that I couldn't miss an opportunity to talk about it. For one thing SHINee killed their choreography--it was so smooth and they were so in sync that it made me really appreciate them as a group again. The song had the same effect--they were in such amazing harmony.

26. Ice Cream Cake by Red Velvet - The music box intro goes well with their sweet image and the song is furthered with a more pop sound that kind of reminds me of f(x).

27. Bawling by Primary & Oh Hyuk - The jazz sound I've come to love is back and I am glad to say that I still love it. Primary and Ohhyuk make such an amazing combination of smooth that it's hard to dislike. The pairing perfectly conveys the emotions of this song about growing apart.

28. I'm Bad by Nu'est - I don't know what it is about Nu'est that I find appealing. This song isn't all that special but there's something about it that makes it worth listening to. Maybe it's because the members actually sing really well. I haven't heard them live but when listening to them in music videos their vocals are always good.

29. Just Do It by Gray ft Loco - Had to have him on the list. These days it wouldn't be a favorites list if Gray isn't on their somewhere. I like that this song is exactly in Gray's style: bouncy hip hop with a mix of electronic and real instruments, a great beat, and melodic rapping.

30. Bang Diggy Bang Bang by MFBTY - This song is more on the pop side, but I'm not mad at it. It's a fun dance track with just the right amount of hip hop influence that gives it a bit more strength (trying to avoid the word "swag").

31. Too very so Much by MYNAME - So, the sound's a little typical, but it's still a fun song.

32. Lovekiller by Niel ft. Dok2  - Very unexpected collaboration but it totally works. Niel has a very unique voice (among idol singers) and it goes well with the sound of the song which is highlighted by guitar and accompanied by a very trendy snapping sound. Dok2 did a great job, he added a little edge to the song.

33. Coach Me by SanE, Hyolyn, Jooheon - A sensual R&B song that is taken home with Hyolyn's vocals, and SanE and JooHeon's rapping.

34. So What by Beenzino - Beenzino uses a very nice sound in order to tell people to leave him alone.

35. Bounce by Boyfriend - Now that Boyfriend's narrowed down their concepts to be more fantasy/fairy tale they seem to be gaining more traction in the industry. I think the 80s pop mixed with the brass band sound that's typical of funk was a good combination and one that look forward to hearing more of it's done this well.

36. Sniper by Shinhwa - Great comeback. I like this comeback because it's right on trend with current idol songs and concepts. Though I praise other OG idol groups for their throwback sound, the more modern sound is really attractive on Shinhwa.

37. Young by Giriboy, Mad Clown, Jooyoung ft No.Mercy - I don't think this one of the most unexpected combinations but is was a really good one. Each of the rappers had strengths that the others didn't so with each new verse there was a different feel. 

38. Take Care of You by Giriboy - I'm actually a big fan of Giriboy. This song is a great display of his charm which is a very melodic rapping mixed with singing that can only be done by him in his songs. Though the song is quite simple it sounds quite deep and full and it goes perfectly with the words.

39. Tell Me One More Time by Jinusean ft Jang Hana - I really love this song. I like that Jinusean brought it back in not only the sound of the song but also the video. Jang Hana may still be a trainee but I think she did an amazing job in this song. I also found all the celebrity cameos in the MV super entertaining.

40. Break Up with Break Up by Pretty Brown ft Kanto - It's an upbeat R&B song with a lot of soul. The video trend these days seems to be the fish eye effect (Also in NC.A's Cinderella Time)--it's kind of fun. 

41. blu by IRON ft. Babylon - Iron's long awaited debut finally comes to us. He's been keeping busy with many features, but his single was a great way to solidify his place in Korean hip hop. Though the song has a lot more pop and rock influence than maybe one would expect, it worked. It also seems that Babylon is also carving out his niche as a sought after feature artist on hip hop tracks. This is the third time he's on this list so who knows what more we can hear from him. I look forward to more of the both of them.

42. Ahh Oop! by Mamamoo ft eSNa - The 60s R&B sound that Mamamoo does so well is alive and well in this song. The song also has a bit of an edge that their other songs didn't have so it feels fresh.

43. See You by Primary ft BSK & Gaeko - This is Primary going back to basics and because it's him it works so well. Besides the funky sound Kim Bum Soo's vocals are just perfect for this song: their smooth but powerful so the song has a lot of soul.

44. Flower by Junsu (XIA) ft Tablo - A very powerful song in sound, lyrics, and delivery.

45. Me You by San E ft Baek Yerin - I honestly think San E is like the king of sweet hip hop collabs. Much like his collaboration with Raina (A Midsummer's Night Sweetness) this song is about a relationship and features an amazing female vocalist. A great springtime song.

46. Love Game by Lim Kim - If I am not mistaken this song is Lim Kim's first dance track. It's definitely more on the dance pop side of music but her unique vocals separate it from most mainstream dance pop songs.

47. Awoo by Lim Kim - I love it and if you're like me you'll love it to. She did a great job of making the song sound as flirtatious as the subject matter. I also feel like this song would be played a lot on American radios (you know if it were in English).

48. I Need U by BTS - I have to talk about the music video first. I am calling it the sequel to their Danger MV. It's kind of dark and has their usual theme of angst but it also reminds me a lot of B.A.P.'s One Shot, and the drama Shut Up Flower Boy Band. It's basically like their a bunch of punks that love being around each other, however somehow they sneaked in "I need you girl" which to me makes the MV a little weird but.... Now the song, it's a bit different from what they usually do but it's still a nice song and it showcases everything we love about BTS--great rapping, great vocals, and an edge that other idols groups may not have.

49. Apple by Ga In ft Jay Park - So, it's not that hard to decipher what this song is about, but I like the jazz/funk sound, it works well with Gain's voice and it goes well with Jay Park's rapping.

50. Spring Breeze by Lee Moonsae ft Naul - I truly love this song. This is my first time listening to a Lee Moonsae song (I think) and it's stirring a fan up inside me. The song is perfect for spring and has a chill surf rock vibe like The Beach Boys. Also, the music video is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

51. EOEO by UNIQ - Didn't know I'd like this song as much as I do before clicking on the link. The sound is kind of standard for many idol groups these days - hip hip/electro, but I still think this song has a great beat and the rapping is on point, so I am pleased.

52. Bae Bae by Big Bang - I had to include this on the list (just in time). For one thing, the video was just weird, I can't describe it any other way. You can go look in the comments because I am not alone in thinking that they were on something. Despite that, and the sexual nature of the song, I actually really like the sound of the song. It has a bit of a reggae undertone to it but it's also kind of electro-funky. It's good and it's so Big Bang.

KPOP: TVXQ Comeback Singles

The "Kings of K-pop" are back and they are really killing it, at least to me they are. Their first two singles from their new album Tense and it's repackaged version Spellbound are already making waves. Tense, released on January 6, 2014, debuted at number one on the Goan Album Charts and number four on the Oricon Album Charts (Japanese), while Spellbound which was released on February 27, 2014 debuted at number 2 on the Goan Album Charts.

This marks their 10th year as entertainers, and Changmin and Yunho's third year as a duo. These singles have a much a different sound for the duo and it is amazing, but if you listen to the whole album you'll hear tracks that sound similar to tracks of their previous albums.

I'll talk about their second single "Spellbound" first since it's the most recent release. This song was released on February 28, 2014 and it is the title song from the repackaged album. The first music video for the song was published on YouTube on February 26, 2014 and the second version was published on March 4, 2014.

Spellbound M/V First Version

Spellbound M/V Second Version

So, as if it wasn't enough that the song was amazing, the video is freaking out of this world. I prefer the first version, but both versions feature the duo dancing their butts off to their hit song. I have to give them props for the amount of energy they bring to their performances. It is awe-inspiring. The song's sound is different from their last album's focus on electropop, being more of a groove/funk sound with a great R&B undertone that TVXQ is known for. Their harmony is tight, as usual, and the lyrics are sound. The song is about being re-captivated by an ex-girlfriend and only wanting and looking at her after being unfaithful before. But I must put more emphasis on the video: they are killing the choreography and anyone, K-pop fan or not can agree to that. 

The song that was first released from their newest album was "Something" which was released on January 6, 2014 and it's video was published on YouTube January 1, 2014. 

Something M/V

The song has an awesome jazz/big band sound that is drastically different for the group. It's a great change of pace for the group and gives off a more mature vibe. The song is basically about how they are too hot for any average girl, and how there's a girl that has that "something" but it's still not enough. The video is quite spectacular, mixing the setting of a 20's jazz club with these mystical, illusion type effects. You really have to see it in order to get the full effect.

Overall, I'd say that their comeback is looking very, very strong. The music is solid and the videos are hypnotizing. You can't deny that they are indeed the "Kings of K-pop."

KPOP: Miss A's Comeback Single--HUSH

After a very long wait, Miss A has finally returned. YAY!

Since their youngest member, Suzy, is now of age the group can go with a more mature look and they indeed did. The video that was released on YouTube on November 5, 2013 has already reached over 3 million views and seems to be promising. The video is super sexy but is also mysterious and minimalistic. The ladies are featured dancing provocatively in many dark and dingy sets. The choreography is much more grown up and fits in well with the sound of the song.

The song itself is quite different from some of Miss A's past songs. It has a bit of a softer sound and is definitely more mature. The group's voices shine, however I wasn't all that impressed with the instrumental. It is missing something, a little umph that would have made more intense. Eventually the song got a little bit more exciting but for some reason I was expecting something different. Not sure what, but...

Although I wouldn't say it is a bad song I wouldn't say it is a great song. Once you listen to it though it will probably get stuck in your head. The simplicity of it makes it easy to follow and pick up on, especially the chorus.

If you haven't listened to it yet or watched the video you can below. I'm definitely anxious to see what else will come from the group. Miss A is one of the few K-Pop female groups I like so I'm really hoping for some winning songs and music videos.

Tell me what you think of their new look and new song in the comments below. Thanks for reading!