BLACKPINK’s debut single: ‘Square One.’

BLACKPINK, a female quartet, has finally made their highly-anticipated debut with two music videos, “WHISTLE” or in Korean, “휘파람” and “BOOMBAYAH,” in Korean – “붐바야“, part of their first single album, Square One.

The song begins with a gentle whisper, “Hey boy,” and is immediately followed by a hip-hop beat made of snaps accompanied with a melody of whistling. The hook also begins around the same time with its catchy lyrics and rhymes, “Make ’em whistle like a missile/Bomb, bomb/ Every time I show up, blow up (uh).” The first verse begins with light and feminine vocals and then a tight rap before the instrumental changes into a pop-like song with its percussion and guitar melody combination and as it gets closer to the chorus, there is an increase in clap beats. The instrumental of the chorus is the same as the hook in the beginning with the exchange between distinctive whistle sounds and snaps. The chorus is simple, with a constant repetition of “휘파람” which means “whistle.” After the second chorus, the song dives into the bridge, where it returns to the instrumental of a pop song like earlier before in the song. This is followed by an intense remix of the chorus, that is used as the dance break (as seen in the music video and live performance).

Lyrically, the song is love-call to the boy the girl is interested in. The “whistling” in this song has two meanings: one, the “whistling” is used to describe the melody that the racing heart makes; two, the way the girl wants the boy to call out to her. The meaning of the song is your typical girl-has-a-crush-on-boy song, and honestly, the meaning is mediocre at best. However, one line that was memorable was, “I hope we won’t pass like the wind” which gave the lyrics more depth than the cliche of when a girl wants to stay by the guy’s side forever. It was a simple but good metaphor to express the girl’s desire for a lasting relationship between her and her crush. Another thing that stood out was – I found it a strange for the girls to ask the boy they like to “whistle” to them. It seemed to create a glorified and glamorized perception of when guys whistle at girls, or to put it crudely, catcall at women. However, that might just be me looking too deeply into this song.

Visually, the music video is full of bright colors and various sets and flashing lights – the core of many K-pop videos. The video leaned towards a performance video, with no real plot or significant symbols. However, all the sets are captivating, from the red-lit corridor, to the empty laundry room, to the white room with only windows and many plants, to the casual living room, and even to outer space. My favorite sets would be the one where the members sit on the Earth and the parking lot that has a glass chandelier hanging from above it.

Overall, this song has fierce raps and a simple yet addictive hook. The harmony of whistles and snaps makes this song memorable.

You can watch their live performance of this song here:

You can check out the other song they debuted with here:

Currently, the music video has over 13 million views. It also debuted at number one on almost all South Korean music charts. Even now, it is still ranked number one on the Music Melon Chart, a real-time music chart of one of South Korea’s top digital music provider, even after ten days from its release. BLACKPINK is a four-member girl group under YG Entertainment. They are the second girl  to debut under YG Entertainment, after the well-known 2NE1. Although they made their debut, they are said to have more songs and music videos released later this year. Make sure to keep tabs on them by following them here:

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Album cover for VIXX’s sixth single album – Hades.

VIXX has returned after four months with their new music video, “Fantasy” – the title track for their sixth single album, ‘Hades.’ Their previous comeback was “Dynamite” which is part of their “Zelos” album from back in April. This album is the second part of their year-long trilogy: VIXX 2016 Conception, which is based off of Greek names.

This song with its slower and somber melody contrasts from their previous song, “Dynamite” which was upbeat and colorful, containing vibes perfect for spring. Their new concept is dark and slightly frightening, which accommodates the upcoming fall season. The darkness and the forest background of the music video is reminiscent of their sinister song “hyde” from three years ago. In both songs there is a lack of self-control and a constant inner struggle with their own selves. And, although they are aware that they need to remove themselves from this dangerous dream, they are too addicted to their fantasy.

The video also reminds me of “Chained Up” – a concept that focused on leather chokers. In this video, instead of leather, they have crowns, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces constructed out of thorns, asserting their agony that “comes up like thorns” as a result of their fantasy. This is also taken literally in the video, as their fingers become pricked by the thorns as they pass through the forest.

The song begins with a sad piano melody and soft vocalizing. The first verse continues with a solemn mood before the suspense is built up, with repetitive snaps and then heavier and more rapid percussion. When the forceful chorus starts with “It’s just a fantasy,”  it’s like a sudden wake of realization of the reality that  their love was only sustained within their imagination. However, in the chorus, they sing that they wished their fantasy would “save them.” Therefore, they choose reside in their distressful delusion, because it is the only connection between their lover and themselves. As long as they fuel their fantasy, they will be able to maintain the memory of their love.

The main setting of the music video is in a forest which is suitable for the concept of self-delusions. The dark and misty woods is a common setting in fantasy genres. An empty forest also often emphasizes the loneliness and gloominess of the one alone in it. Moreover, as one continues to stay in a secluded situation, they only have their imagination of self-created fiction to survive.  Throughout the video, there are various cuts of the members who are suffering alone in their thoughts, as the other members try to help or are pleading for help. There are also moments where one of the members is struggling to escape as they are tied up in a chair in front of many vials of chemicals. This reveals the possibility that they have gone so far as to using experimental solutions to induce their fantasy. Towards the end of the video, there is a quick instance where the members are about to wear black masks. This is indicative of the dark delusion they have succumbed to. The music video concludes in a creepy and fitting manner – there is only member in the forest and as it rains, he sings, “It’s all mine./ It’s my fantasy” as the somber piano melody repeats from the beginning in the background before it abruptly ends.

The music video currently has over 900 thousand views. It is also ranked #7 on the Melon Music TOP 100 Chart, a real-time music chart by one of South Korea’s top digital music providers. This song and album is available for download on iTunes. VIXX is a six-member boy group currently signed to Jellyfish Entertainment. They made their debut in May 2012. So, if you enjoyed VIXX’s most recent track, be sure to give them a glance here:

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B.A.P returns with their fifth single album, ‘Put ‘Em Up.’

B.A.P has returned after six months with “That’s My Jam,” an EDM song, as the title track for their fifth single album, ‘Put ‘Em Up.’ Their previous comeback was “Feel So Good” that was released earlier this year in February. This song is different from their past singles, as they started out originally with a hip-hop style and eventually some ballads and rock songs.

The summer vibes start immediately when the song begins. It has a heavy bass sound that just makes you want to groove. The song begins with the hook “Yeah, that’s my jam/Burn it up” and jumps into the first verse with Bang Yongguk’s low-tone rap. It continues with some vocals and before each chorus repeats, both the rappers say, “Ah yeah,” twice, and “Ay, Everybody y’all hands up” in the background. The second verse is led by Zelo’s higher tone rap and continues with smooth vocals. The chorus repeats, and then there is the bridge that is sung by both Jongup and Youngjae. The song ends the way it begins, with the chorus.

My favorite part of the song is the bridge, which slows down dramatically, in contrast with the rest of the song and the lyrics are:  “Get on that star/ Bring them all home/ Lady, lady, lady/ You’ll regret if you let this time go/ I’ll take you there/ Everyone insane/ Shine them bright.” The bridge decreases in tempo and mixes the sultry vocals of Jongup and Youngjae, which calls for some body-rolls. I wish that part of the song could have been longer.

The music video was amusing and well-made. It starts with an old-fashioned television on a wooden stand in a beach-like setting. In the music video, there are various parodies of National Geographic and The Tonight Show. They also make references to their past single, “One Shot” while shooting guns in a drama-like show, to their first studio album, ‘First Sensibility,‘ and their previous single, “Feel So Good.”Apparently, the bar they are partying at is called “Sloppy Joe’s Bar,” probably a reference to the bar, by the same name, in Key West Florida. The music video ends in a comical manner, as the weather is hot, the members mischievously enter the freezer room and unfortunately, for them, get locked in. Their misfortune is broadcasted on a news channel as they are seen shivering with frost forming all over their bodies. On the parody set of The Tonight Show there is a pause and play button on the glass table. The members originally are seen as bored and tired, but once Daehyun, as the host of “The Daehyun Show” presses the play button, they begin dancing and jamming to the song. Once the pause button is pressed, the members also pause their dancing. But before the video ends, Zelo presses the play button again, and they resume dancing and having fun.

This music video matches very well with the upbeat song. One of my favorite parts is when they play with fireworks during the night-time. The visuals created by the fireworks and sparklers is simple but beautiful. It also goes along with the bridge of the song that is more R&B-like, slower in tempo and mellow. I also liked the funny ending of the video where they are shown freezing and suffering in the locked freezer room.

This song and the album is currently available for download worldwide on iTunes, so feel free to check out the other songs on this album.

B.A.P is six member boy group currently signed under TS Entertainment. They made their debut in January 2012. Over these past four years, they have made comebacks with various styles of music. If you were jamming to this new song, make sure to give a listen to their other songs:

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HyunA comes back this summer with fifth mini-album ‘A’wesome.’

Yesterday, HyunA, sexy and popular solo artist, made a return to the summer K-pop scene with “How’s This?” or in Korean, “어때?,” as the lead single of her fifth mini-album A’wesome. Her previous single was “Roll Deep” ft. Ilhoon which was released a year ago, in the summer as well.

The song is an upbeat, hip-hop dance song with a catchy hook that includes repetitive and rapid claps, in the first part, and in the second part of the chorus, the line “어때?” is echoed. The music video takes place in a crowded club with lots of crazy dancing, drinking, and a whole lot of fun. There is also plenty of grooving and clapping to the beats, as well as twerking, booty-shaking, pole-dancing, and grinding among the party-goers.

This song is the perfect bop to bounce along to, while jumping around and shaking your booty. So, make sure to turn up this song on high volume!

The song debuted at #4 on the Melon Music Chart, one of the top music providers charts in South Korea, that is updated in real-time, and it is currently ranked  #4. Unfortunately, for international fans, the song is not yet available for download world-wide, but should be soon, as her previous singles were made available on iTunes. If you want to sample her other tracks from the same mini-album, take a listen here:

HyunA is currently signed on with CUBE Entertainment. She used to also be part of 4Minute, a popular five-member K-pop girl-group; however, they disbanded earlier last month. This is HyunA’s first comeback after her group’s disbandment and her first single as an official solo act. If you liked HyunA’s latest release, check out more of her here:

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PENTAGON, a ten member Korean boy-band from CUBE Entertainment, released a music video for their first official track “Young.” However, on this song, only five of the members sing because it was part of a team mission (two teams of five) on episode eight of their survival reality program called Pentagon Maker. Nevertheless, all ten members do appear in the new music video.

The song opens with a strong rhythmic percussion that reciprocates with clap beats which creates a strong start. Then, one of the rappers, Wooseok, sings, “Young, young, yeah” and does three lip trills. It continues with the first verse sung by three of the members, Kino, Yeo One and Hui, respectively. It is followed by a simple hook, “We’re still young, young, young,” which is repeated twice. The following verse is Wooseok’s rap and the chorus again. The bridge is only Wooseok repeating the hook once and Hui vocalizing to the instrumental as it is the dance break of the song. The last verse is Yuto’s rap, with the chorus repeating once more to end the song.

One of the lines I liked is “Err’day we live for freedom (freedom)/ We’re like stains in this pitch-black world.” This part of the song is relatable because most people try to live as “freely” as they can. To live is to be able to enjoy freedoms and without liberties, we may not be able to live the way we desire to. Frequently, it seems like the people that crave to live freely, and those who are more adamant about creating new freedoms or protecting past ones are the youth. The line “We’re like stains in this pitch-black world” may be referring to how youths are the ones to leave an impact in the world that is already very dark and seemingly hopeless.

Another line I liked was during the rap, “We don’t obsess over success, I have a lot of time before I turn old/ Money’s good, but doesn’t matter, I do what I do and it will roll right in/I wouldn’t have started if I aimed to be average/ A new leaf’s turned and it’s nothing like you’ve seen.” These lines are meaningful because for many, parents and older generations constantly express the importance of finding careers that provide high incomes. However, for new generations and many younger people, they value their passions more than financial security or are able to combine both with self-made businesses and entrepreneurship. Also, I like how the lyrics “I wouldn’t have started if I aimed to be average” reveal Wooseok’s personal ambition and aspirations, as an eighteen year old, to be the best at what he does as a rapper and idol. The next line “A new leaf’s turned and it’s nothing like you’ve seen” may be referring to himself as well as PENTAGON’s upcoming debut and how they will be an original group with refreshing charms. This song proclaims powerful encouragement as well as a message that speaks to the strength and reiterates the resilience of the youth.

The music video is a parody of the popular and only Korean hip-hop survival program in South Korea, Show Me The Money or SMTM for short. This concept was probably chosen because the song was produced by Dok2 (pronounced Dok-ee), a well-known Korean hip-hop artist and producer. He is also the co-founder and co-CEO of independent hip-hop label Illionaire Records. He has been one of the judges for SMTM – for season three in 2014 and this year’s fifth season. So as a spoof, instead of Show Me the Money or SMTM, they changed it to Show Me The Young and SMTY. More specifically, they only parodied the first and second rounds of the survival program.

The music video is humorous because there was a grandmother and grandfather-aged contestant (which has happened on the real show) and while they were able to pass the audition round, getting gold necklaces,  some of the “young’ members of the group were unable to pass. They as participants parody the exaggerations of some of the contestants on the real show who throw tantrums or become upset when they don’t pass. Another amusing highlight from the video was the random guy who was cartwheeling while other contestants were waiting for their turn to be judged.

If you’re interested in how this song was created, you can watch it here:

They also had a live performance of the song:

Unfortunately, these boys have not yet made an official debut as a whole group, but will be debuting soon. You can keep track of them with the following links. Please anticipate their debut!

https://www.facebook.com/pentagon.unitedcube/

https://www.instagram.com/cube_ptg/

http://www.vlive.tv/channels/F2C18D

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SEVENTEEN, a popular thirteen member Korean pop boy band returns with “아주 NICE” or “VERY NICE” in English, after two months from their previous single “예쁘다 (Pretty U).” “VERY NICE” is the title track for the repackaged version of their first full album Love & Letter that was originally released in late April. Their first full album was very successful, selling almost two hundred thousand copies. Like their past songs, “Adore U,” “Mansae,” and “Pretty U,” this single continues the theme of innocent teenage love.

Like many K-pop music videos, SEVENTEEN’s “VERY NICE” is full of different colors as seen through the pastel backgrounds and the multi-colored outfits of the members. Like their previous singles, the theme of this song and video is youth and more specifically, the teenage feelings of romance and dating. The video is reminiscent of “Mansae” where the setting was within a school, inside the gymnasium and classroom. Here, two of the members play basketball and boxing (like they do in “Adore U” and “Mansae“), sit on the swings outside and are playing on the rooftop of what seems to be a school. These settings and activities reiterate the school romance of one’s youth. However, the members try to exude a more mature feeling as they wear casual suits with suspenders. In their past songs, their outfits were either casual street-wear or school uniforms. As they pursue a more sophisticated look, they adorn formal and classy attire.

This video iterates the reasons I enjoy listening to K-pop. All of the members are adorable and suit the concept well, even though some of them are twenty-one years old. Nevertheless, they accurately adapt to the teenage romance concept. I also like how the camerawork constantly shifts, matching well with the upbeat and fast-paced chorus. It switches back and forth between the choreography and the moments of the members with the female lead. From the snippets of the choreography seen, it is chic and classy as they effectively use the suspenders in their formal attire. I’m not very sure what the plot of the music video is supposed to be though. And I’m not a fan of the harem theme where all the guys chase after the same girl. This happened in their previous music video “Mansae” as well and is a rather recurring motif in many K-pop songs that are about love.

Other parts of the music video that I liked was when confetti and pink flower petals exploded from the hearts of the members. It was strange, but comical as it seems to be a literal expression of the metaphor “heart bursting.” The burst of the petals and confetti may also be referring to the lines is “My whole body feels ticklish and fluttering” that it literally blows up with happiness and nervousness. Ironically, throughout the song, there is a strong percussion melody that emphasizes the heartbeat of someone who is in love, but also nervous.  However, the ending was confusing as it ended with one of the members being exploded into a cloud of smoke. I’m not sure what the meaning of that was either, but it was a memorable scene.

My favorite lines from the song were, “Then the starting can be the end/ So that it starts with you and ends with me/ Like the circle in our hands that are held together/ there is no end to us.” These lines may seem cheesy but it is very romantic. Another line I appreciated was, “The path going to you becomes a flower path.” These lines capture the ideal aspects of love one might feel in their youth when there is constant anxiety but also joy during the beginning of a new relationship and more specifically before they go on a date with their first love. This feeling is hard to describe, but in this song, it is captured into “[a] VERY NICE [feeling]” that the members all sing together during the chorus.

I recommend this song for anyone who wants to reminiscence their loves and relationships in their teenage years or anyone who wants to appreciate the light-hearted but nerve-wrecking moments of a new relationship. Overall, this song is “VERY NICE.”

SEVENTEEN is currently signed to Pledis Entertainment. The music video has almost two million views on their official channel and is currently ranked number thirty on the Melon Music Chart, which is constantly updated in real-time. Since its release, it has maintained its position in the top fifty of the Melon Chart. For international fans, this single is also available for download on iTunes.

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SISTAR, a famous Korean pop quartet, who has continuously done well in digital sales, returns with their lead single “I Like That” for their fourth mini album, ‘Insane Love’ for summer 2016. For the past five years, with the exception of 2012, they have regularly returned in the summer season. However, in contrast to their past hits of summer-themed songs including “Touch My Body” and “Shake It,” they have returned to a concept similar to their other past hit singles “Alone” and “Give it to Me” for a darker and more mature pop ballad.

The music video focuses on flowers and the colors, pink and red. Recently, K-pop has been expanding into other countries, including China and Japan. The Chinese characters tattooed onto one of the member’s back as well as the Chinese lanterns decorating the background, may be seen as an appeal to the Chinese audience. The color red often represents love and passion, but for the Chinese, it is also a symbol of good fortune or good luck. Ironically, this song expresses the mocking attitude of a woman towards the man who has cheated and lied. However, as seen within the rap lyrics of the song, the girls may be wishing “good luck” to their former lover.

When I first watched the video and listened to the song – I loved it. However, I am not simply saying this because SISTAR is my favorite girl group within K-pop. I was disappointed with their previous single from last year “Shake It,” despite the song’s relative success. Last year, they had released pictures and teasers of a concept with DC characters as their theme through their personal Instagram. However, once the song was released – it was nothing like what many fans had thought. It was a catchy tune, regardless, but not my cup of tea, with its repetitive refrain “Shake it, shake it, shake it for me.” In contrast to their previous single, this song and music video is more sophisticated and more pleasant. It is seductive and sexy without being overdone. Their pink chiffon skirts highlight the independence and femininity expressed throughout the song lyrics and choreography. The ending of the music video also has a vague interpretation as all the four members lie together on a bed, and two of the members, Bora and Dasom gaze flirtatiously with one another. One line of the song says: “Loving someone and trusting someone/ Won’t be easy for me now, because of you.” This may suggest a hint of homosexual love between the girls because the narrator feels as men are all the same and that heterosexual love cannot be trusted. Or maybe I’m just being deluded.

In terms of the song, I wished the rap was longer – it was only four lines and with its good flow, it fit well with the disdain the narrator feels. I was also glad that the youngest member, Dasom, who usually gets only one line had more lines that complemented the song very well with her light and sweet voice. The main singers in the group, Soyou and Hyorin have rather husky voices but Dasom’s voice is more airy and feminine, which fit well. The bridge “I’m so fine, I’m so fine/ If you care about me, don’t touch me” was the catchiest part of the song. I am glad they returned with a revival of a more sophisticated and mature sound like their “Alone” era, which can be arguably said to be their most successful song to date. I will be reviewing their album and live performances once they become available.

Earlier today, “I Like That” was number one on all eight major Korean music providers. It is currently number two on the Melon music chart, an online Korean music provider, which is constantly updated in real-time. Their music video on YouTube has garnered over a million views as well.

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