[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.

[Review/Single] BolBBalgan4 - Galaxy (2016)

Youtube URL: https://youtu.be/9U8uA702xrE

Wiki: http://kpop.wikia.com/wiki/BolBBalgan4

If someone tells me to choose which K-pop rookie is the most lovely, I will not hesitate to pick BolBBalgan4(볼빨간사춘기). BolBaalgan4 means 'red-cheeked puberty, which was made with the idea that the members wanted to make music as straightforward and pure as girls in puberty. The team consists of two members, who are Jiyoung(lead vocal) and Jiyoon(Guitar & Sub-vocal).

The reason why I see BolBBalgan4 as the most lovely rookie in this year is their own music with artistic creativity that sends out extremely positive energy in all directions. Their songs keep bouncing up and down, letting listeners' hearts up and down as well. And they are so lovely and refreshing that listeners can't help smiling while listening to them. 

'Galaxy' is the most striking single that shows what I'm saying about BolBBalgan4. It's really lovely and fresh. The electronic sounds that they use in 'Galaxy' mix well with Jiyoung's voice and Jiyoon's guitar play. Fresh groove is caused by sticky beats and Jiyoung's vocal technique, which makes the song even better.

Its lyrics are one of the best factor of 'Galaxy.' The Lyrics written by the two members show pure love that young girls fall in. That's why the song evokes sympathy from young Korean girls. They began to share it in their Facebook/Twitter, causing BolBBalgan4 to gain popularity in a short time.

As well as 'Galaxy', the other songs in their first album are all good and show their musical excellence and fresh originality. Refusing to listen to their songs might be the wrongest choice in your recent life.

by Kamnamoo

http://youtube.com/user/Kamnamoo

[Review/Single] Park Hyo Shin - Beautiful Tomorrow (2016)

Youtube URL: http://youtu.be/Gyoyz08f_O8
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Hyo-shin

'Beautiful Tomorrow' is included in Park Hyo Shin's 7th album, 'I am A Dreamer', released on October 3rd, 2016. It is the title song whose genre is Korean Pop Ballad. If you are the one who usually listens to K-Pop songs, you can be aware of what Korean Pop Ballad is. In general, it consists of dramatic piano and string sounds, and emotional lyrics about topics such as love. In this sense, 'Beautiful Tomrrow' perfectly follows generality that most of the Korean Pop Ballad songs have in common.

'Beautiful Tomorrow' has really strong musical advantages that Park Hyo Shin has been showing the public for 17 years. In other words, it shows that Park Hyo Shin is still a excellent 'singer' who has his own singing style that anyone cannot mimic. But that's not all in the song. As you might know, Park Hyo Shin's singing style has been changed since his debut, and I convince that the change moved toward the desirable direction. It seems that 'Beautiful Tomorrow' proves it. The new singing style that was first introduced in 'Wild Flower'(2014) is now at the peak of outstanding musical excellence. You can agree with it after you listen to and compare with his old and new songs. Although that depends on which singing style you prefer, it is obvious that his new singing method is lighter and smoother than the old one.

I am paying him a compliment on his excellent singing style. However, there are some more things that you must know. For example, 'Beautiful Tomorrow' was mostly written and composed by Park Hyo Shin. He is not the one who only sang it, but the one who totally made it. It means he is not only a singer, but also a good singer-song writer. He has an ability to express his emotions and thoughts by making his own songs. Considering that there are few major ballad singers who make their own songs, Park Hyo Shin can be regarded as a kind of treasure that we must not lose.

He rarely shows himself in a TV show, because he is too introverted to sing a song in front of lots of cameras. But recently he set up a plan to appear on some TV shows, showing gratitude for strong supports of his fans. Although I don't belong to his fan club, I am really happy to watch him sing his own songs.

by Kamnamoo

http://youtube.com/user/Kamnamoo

ps. Below is 'Beautiful Tomorrow' that I covered.