[Review/Single] Lee So-ra - Don't Tell Me It's Not Love (사랑이 아니라 말하지 말아요)

Youtube URL: https://youtu.be/7WHy1_-VhLE
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_So-ra_(singer)

To foreign K-pop fans, Lee So-ra, I convince, is an unfamiliar singer. That's why I also convince that you might be shocked if you first listen to this song, which I'm now trying to review.

At first, I'd like to introduce Lee So-ra to you. Lee So-ra, born on December 29, 1969, debuted in 1991, and got known for songs like 'The Blue In You'(그대 안의 블루, 1993), 'I Am Happy'(난 행복해, 1995), 'Please'(제발, 2000), 'The Wind Blows'(바람이 분다, 2004). In my opinion, her strength is an unusual artistic sensibility she's developed and showed off through her music. The sensibility is like that of a sorrowful woman who has been left alone. Under the view that singing is to express a certain emotion to blow listeners' mind, Lee So-ra should be regarded as one of the best singer in the world.

'Don't Tell Me It's Not Love' contains Lee So-ra's typicality I said above. She's still sorrowful. Her voice has power to make listeners cry, but it's not excessive. Her voice flows like a calm river listeners want to swim in. Piano and strings flow beneath her voice, which are played with great sensibility.

I always thought that Lee So-ra's voice fits best to the winter. Some more days remain until the winter begins. Waiting for the winter to come, I'd like to comfort my heart listening to 'Don't Tell Me It's Not Love.' I'd like to enjoy being blue.

[Review/Single] TWICE - TT (2016)

Youtube URL: https://youtu.be/ePpPVE-GGJw
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twice_(band)

If you are recently interested in K-pop, it's hardly possible that you don't know TWICE. TWICE is one of the hottest girl groups in South Korea. TWICE's first title song, 'Like OOH-AHH'(2015), and the second one, 'CHEER UP'(2016), hit the jackpot, drawing keen public attention. 'TT', the title song of the 3rd mini album, made people's eyes shining with great expectations, as soon as  it was said that TWICE's new song would be made public.

Let's cut to the chase: did TWICE live up to public expectation? I'm not sure if they did, since I am not an expert on K-pop. However, at this time I would like to hazard a guess that they didn't. Of course, from a performance perspective, 'TT' is a great success. As you know, it has been ranked number one since its publication. But, concerning the  musical quality of the track, it might not. For example, the sound of hand clapping, used in the track, is harsh to the ear. In other words, the song doesn't have any impact at all because of the weak clapping sound. It contrasts with their previous tracks. 'Like OOH-AHH' and 'CHEER UP' has really strong beats, causing TWICE and their songs to look cheerful and healthy. Even though 'TT' captures a part of TWICE's strengths, it is obvious that it sounds less cheerful and healthy.

I can't enforce constancy on TWICE, but I think that they're really penny-wise and pound-foolish at this time. In conclusion, they're like a charmingly decorated doll. Unfortunately, they got weaker. I expect their new song to get more confident, and to show their entire charm.