K-POP FAVES X CHELSSOLOGY PLAYLIST
It was a Thursday night. 2012. My roommate and I went to the local bar and was entertained with quite the performance by party goers and dancers alike. This eclectic uplifting beat blared through the speakers, and foreign words followed.
Uhhhh, this isn't English...right?
What the **** is this?
Crap, did I just say that out loud..
The beat is kind of catchy though...
What is that dance everyones doing?
LOL WHY ARE THEY GALLOPING?
Who could forget Gangnam Style? Thank you, Psy, for the many nights of semi-coordinated dances and slurred melodies. Beyonce's twins and the Kardashians' nudes got NOTHING on the K-pop song that quickly broke the Internet and holds the title of Youtube's most watched video since 2012.
Marilyn Monroe visits Korea and speaks to the troops in 1954.
Source: Korean History
K-POP: BACK TO BASICS.
"What is K-pop?" you ask..
Well, K-pop originated from South Korea in the '90s and covers an array of music from pop to R&B. Western culture has a large influence on K-pop, as the American stars performed for troops during the Korean war and introduced South Korea to the unique style of American pop culture. Often, the stars would feature popular glamorous figures in their performances, and further integrate Western pop culture into the South Korean music scene.
Today, K-pop has evolved into a young and vibrant subculture that continues to appeal to millennials. Both K-pop music videos and performances are characterized by moderately difficult dance routines, synthesized music, vivid vibrant backgrounds and exaggerated high-fashion costumes.
Facebook has this golden thing called memories. My status from October 2015 reads, "Travelling to Korea. I strive to be besties with Keith Ape." If the name doesn't ring a bell, or the phrase It G Ma, then you're not UNDERWATER $QUAD. Keith Ape is great and all, and definitely is to thank for my developing interest in the Korean music scene, but there is sooooooo much more. Fast forward to 13 months of living in South Korea, and many opportunities to satisfy my ear, I compiled a list of some of my current favourite K-pop songs.
#KBOYTOYS
OASIS X CRUSH FT. ZICO
Justin Timberlake, is that you?
It's no surprise Crush's 크러쉬 single Oasis is at the top of my list. The South Korean R&B and hip hop singer partnered with Zico and the pair later won the 2015 Best Collaboration Award at the 17th Met Asian Music Awards for their project. And yes, I did just refer to him as the Korean JT. You're welcome. If you like this track, another honourable mention is his R&B ballad Sometimes (가끔).
YES OR NO X ZICO FT. PENOMECO & THE QUIETT
Zico reaped the success of the hit single Oasis, and hit us with a club banger. I heard Yes or No for the first time at a bar, and man oh man, did it get people hype. If you're tryna dance, this is your track. The song that introduced me to Zico, Boys And Girls, is your perfect K-pop summer ballad, so be sure to check it out too!
POUR UP X DEAN FT. ZICO
So I clearly like Zico. Yet again, here's another Zico feature with my other K-bae, Dean. Their single Pour Up won Best R&B and Soul Song at the 2016 Korean Music Awards. This is probably my #1 current favourite k-pop song. Let me know what you think!
YOU KNOW X JAY PARK FT. OKASIAN
Oh, Jay.
I can write an entire blog post on Jay Park alone. He's my South Korean Justin Bieber, and I promise the ladies will fall in love with him just like I did. Jay Park is the perfect bridge between Korean and American culture, and his music continues to grow in popularity. You have to check out his club banger Mommae. It gets me amped EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.
#KGIRLGANG
WHISTLE X BLACKPINK
Bands a make her dance. Literally.
In the K-poposophere, a band is only as good as their moves. And their looks. Can't forget their looks. As South Korea generates an average of 60 bands a year, it's hard to ignore the success and appeal of K-pop bands.
My current favourite K-pop girl group is definitely Blackpink. Their choreography is sassy and stylish, and their outfits are trendy and always on point. The music video for their debut Whistle is so00o0o0 cool I can't even deal. You have some Miley vibes with the neon pink game controller and tadpoles, and then some cool Jenny from the block vibes with the decked out girl gang riding round on old school bikes. I love it. I love it all.
OOH-AHH X TWICE
Another one of my fave #girlgangs is Twice. The young girl group made their debut in 2015 through the South Korean reality show Sixteen. After discovering this song and music video, it was the annoying little sister I loved to hate. I caught myself singing "OOOH-AHHH OOH-AHHH" at all hours of the day like a broken record.
Who knew one would find themselves dabbling into the world of K-pop? Let me know in the comments section which song/video was your favourite!? And all recommendations are welcome :)
Good vibes your way.
Chelsea.