Kissable U-Kiss

In 2008 NHMedia formed a 7 member group by the name of “U-Kiss” introducing members Alexander, Soohyun, KiBum, Kiseop, Eli, Kevin and Dongho. UKISS actually stands for “Ubiquitous Korean International Super Star”. Originally Kevin and KiBum were members of boy band “Xing” but left to join U-Kiss, Personally i think it was a better move, and they seemed to have gained more fame in U-Kiss than when they was in Xing!

U-Kiss debuted in japan in august of 2008, the group released their first Mini-album “N-Generation” with the Single release “Not Young” then later on released the same song in South Korea. Many of the boys have studied abroad at some point, and can speak many different languages, with Alexander beingn able to speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese Fluently along with French, Portuguese and Spanish! With other members being able to speak Chinese and English the members have no problem communicating with international fans.

Early 2009 U-Kiss made a comeback and released their second Mini-Album titled “Bring It Back 2 Old School” with the single release “I Like You” This album unfortunately didn’t receive much love and didn’t gain much popularity. Later in 2009 U-Kiss made a more “Manly” comeback with their newest Mini-Album titled “ContiKiss”. With this Mini-Album they managed to secure themselves some popularity with their title track “Man Man Ha Ni”, and this was when i discovered U-Kiss. The dance routine for “Man Man Ha Ni” was known as the “Strong Man Dance” and became a instant “Must Do” dance around South Korea, Obviously, I had to learn it too.

2 Years after debut, U-Kiss officially opened up their Official fan club named “KissMe”. The official U-Kiss KissMe fan colour is Pearl Pink. Then in February of 2010, U-Kiss highly anticipated full length album “Only One” was released. Unofficially the track “Without You” was supposed to be the released single, however it was changed to “Bingeul Bingeul (Round and Round)”. With the release of “Bingeul Bingeul” U-Kiss gained the most popularity than they had ever received since debut, the new looks and fresh sound certainly spoke to new listeners and existing fans, and the Bingeul Bineul dance was given the name of “The Tornado Dance”. The album consisted of 5 new songs and remixes from previous songs. The first full album is definitely worth a listen too, and seems to be a place where the U-Kiss boys have found a sound that’s unique to them.

In May 2010, the boys started new promotions for their follow up song from their “Only One” album titled “Mworago (What)” and with their new dance move named the “outcry”, it gained U-Kiss even more popularity. In June the boys had their first ever concert and thus began their overseas promotions. During the many months the U-Kiss members had many promotional activities in South Korea as well as Overseas, many TV show’s was made featuring the boys, which gave you a little in look to how the boys lived and worked together. During these promotional times U-Kiss guest starred at Bi Rains “Intensity” concert in the Philippines, the concert was filled with lots of controversy due to the fact that only a estimated 2,500 “clouds” (Bi Rains fan club) turned up, whilst 8,000 “KissMe” (U-Kiss fan club) turned up. Even though this controversy was hanging in the air, the concert ran smoothly and a fun night was had.

Now the boys have decided to release another Mini-Album called “Break Time”, it’s rumoured that either “Shut Up!” or “Avater” are going to be the singles released, but at the moment i don’t know, and the Music video should be released any day now.

My overall view of U-Kiss is very high, these boys have worked their butts off trying to get recognised, and instead of turning away after not getting any recognition for the first 2 years, they battled on and tried harder than most groups i know. They have had their equal shares of highs and lows, but i can sense these boys goin on further now that they have a sound they are used to and everyone knows them by.

U-Kiss Break Time Mini-Album

This is just a small review of U-Kiss newest Mini-Album, which you can pick up right now.

Track 1: Before Yesterday (Intro) - As a “Intro” song, it definitely sets a feel that they have all grown up, this is another era for the boys, and one to show how much harder they have worked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAcUyMzFKGM

Track 2: Shut Up! – This is the single being released from the mini album, and personally, i think it was a great choice! When i first heard the teaser for this song, it sounded like a ballad song, and not as fun as their previous songs, but boy oh boy was i wrong! This song has a brilliant vocal sound, fair do’s they are computerised, but with the back beat and the “Blade Rave Scene” backing track, it certainly gets your head, hands and feet bopping to the music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQ6c_zaU34 (Audio)

Track 3: Light It Up! –Again, another song that definitely has a U-Kiss feel. But there is a certain change to the music style, they have seemed to have gone for a clubbier feel, and they have definitely pulled it off. This is another one on the album that i would love to see as a single release with a music video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giAW9C--3WQ

Track 4: Rock Ya Body! – I can’t help but feel this has a similarity to Super Juniors “A Man In Love”, they both share that same “clapping” back beat. But again the U-Kiss boys have bought their own feel to the clap beat, and again another song well worth listening to. If the chorus doesn’t get you clapping along or even singing along, then there is something wrong :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4WHTPFAnPw&feature=related

Track 5: Avater – Again the audio teaser video sent out before the release was totally misleading! When i first heard the teaser i was not impressed, but now i have the whole song, i am thoroughly impressed and think that this is a nice new sound for everything that’s come out recently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYhOnsOED2k

Track 6: Shut Up! (Instrumental)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02rENEWG2FY

My overall thought of the album is one very unexpected. Its obvious now that the members have settled into a sound they like and still it gives a fresh feeling, yet some points there are some real big similarities, that are maybe too samey. A friend of mine named Sako said her review would be “"Good album. Too much auto-tune. Sounds alot like the last album though." Sako is a “KissMe” and well, i really do agree with what she has said, it sounds similar to their last album, and there is a hell of a lot of auto tunning, but i don’t know, there is something about the allnum that really pulls me to listen to it just that one more time, and before i know it, ive listened to it for the 15^th time. As a whole id say a good album, deffinately if u hear one song you know your listening to U-Kiss, and its good to see them back again.

Well hope you enjoyed reading through, and i hope to see people giving them a little try. Next review is Beast with their newest mini-album “Matermind”

Ciao

xXx Kimi-Chan xXx

SHINee – The Brightly Shining Boy Band

*contains the urge to totally fan girl* In all honesty I’m not a massive fan of SHINee, but recently they made their comeback with their newest album and single of the same name “Lucifer”, and it totally blew me away. SHINee is a five member boy band containing Onew, Key, Jonghyun, Minho and Taemin.

The band was formed by SM Entertainment and in 2008 made their promotional single “Noonam Neomu Yeppeo“ but known to the English speaking as “Replay”. SHINee are considered to be fashion icons as they started off the “Shinee Trend”. Their fashion consisted of high-top sneakers, colourful sweaters, skinny jeans, and bright colours; this style has led them to product endorsements such as Reebok.

In 2008 SHINee featured in their own Korean variety show called “YuHaNam” which ran for 12 episodes and featured the 5 boys going on dates with older girls to be voted on at the end of the episode for a solo date. Then in 2010 SHINee starred in the second season of “Hello Baby” where the SHINee boys had to take care of a 3 year old boy named “Jung Yoogeum”. I recommend both shows, as I have watched them myself and laughed through both of them till I have had tears in my eyes.

On may 23^rd 2008 SHINee’s first Mini-Album “Replay” was released, debuting at number 10 and peaking at number 8 on the Korean music charts. In the first half of 2008 it sold 17,957 copies. The boys then went on to perform at the 2008 Dream Concert, performing with a lot of big named bands. Along with performing at the Dream Concert, they also debuted themselves at the “SM Town Live 2008” which showcases all the SM Entertainment singers. Along with doing mini concerts, the boys won the June 2008 “Rookie Of The Month” award, then won the Mnet 20’s Choice Awards “Hot New Star 2008” award.

On august 28^th 2008, SHINee released their first full album “The SHINee World” which debuted in the charts at number 3 selling just over 30,000 copies. The first song to be released from the album was “Love Like Oxygen” which was a cover of Martin Hoberg Hedegarrd’s “Show The World”. No guessing on which version was better in my opinion. From the whole album there is one song that i absolutely adore, it’s called “Y Si Fuera Ella” and is actually sung by Jonghyun. It is definitely a song for your more romantic/chilled out times. On September 18^th 2008, SHINee’s “Love Like Oxygen” was number 1 on M!Countdown! (One of Koreas versions of Tops Of The Pops). The song then went on to win a “Mutizen” award on SBS’s “Popular Songs”. 2008 seemed a very good year for the 5 shining boys as they then went on to receive a “Best Style Icon Award” from the 2008 Style Awards, and a “Best New Artist” award along with Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo from the 5^th Asian Song Festival. To top off 2008, SHINee then went on to win the “Best Male Rookie” award at the 10^th annual MNET Music Festival beating highly anticipated newcomers 2PM,2AM, and U-Kiss.

on May 2009 “Juliette” was the first single released from their newest 2^nd Mini-Album “Romeo”. After some health problems and minor setbacks to the comeback date, SHINee managed to perform their newest single on stage, and managed to receive a award for “Juliette” ranking first place. On October only 5 months after releasing their 2^nd Mini-Album, SHINee then released a 3^rd Mini-Album titled “2009: Year Of Us”. The single from this Mini-Album was the big hit “Ring Ding Dong”. This song has a very addictive tune, and sounds similar to the Crazy Frog song. This then brings me upon the newest album “Lucifer” which was released in the middle part of July 2010. The new album definitely shows a new image, although they had a big change in style for their “Amigo” days, it just seems to me that the boys are trying to show that they are growing into men; and boy oh boy do they know how to impact that. At the moment SHINee are getting lots of praise for their live singing, as usually with vigorous dance routines and with lots of words to sing, you get a breathless voice, and sometimes what u hear on a CD never sounds the same live. But the boys have proven it can be done.

Track 1) - Up & Down : - The intro song in honesty doesnt really set the begining for me , it doesnt edge you into the album, but instead plonks u directly into what your about to whitness. It does have one very unusual style to itself, and sounds slightlyly christmas like dureing the chorus. Not one of my favorites on the album but it does give a nice relief to find that this song is COMPLETELY different to what they usually do.

Up & Down

Track 2) - Lucifer :- I cannot get enough of this song!! Period!! The beat and rythm is continous throughout the song, apart from the interval where they repeat the words "Loverholic, Robotronic", dont ask me what they mean, as i have no clue, i just know that this song is perfect. The catchy tune and lyrics are deffinately a Hook-Line-And Sinker job. If you dont find yourself dancing or singing along to this, then there is personally something terribly wrong with you! (i joke, honestly ><)

Lucifer

Lucifer - Official Music Video

Track 3) - Electric Heart :- The beginging of the song reminds me of a Justin Timberlake song (shoot me now for actually knowing who he is ><), but as the song goes on it seems to go into a slow/sensual chorus, you can hear each indavidual voice very clearly and determine who is who. Vocally i dont think this song does much, beat wise, ive heard better, as for being a different style it definately has a misture of different styles, but i cant put my finger on which one is more prominent.

Electric Heart

Track 4) - A-YO :- The opening to the song is very unique, and really set the mood for the song, as the beat and rythm sets in, it make sit slighly hiphop/gangster-ish with the "hey"'s in the background. again, vocals are strong, but this time the tune and beat really gets you tapping your feet and in no time you find yourself singing "A-Yo"

A-Yo

Track 5) - Obsession :- This song is one of my personal favorites on this album. Apparently there is a hidden message in the lyrics, and things arn't as obvious as they seem. The begining knocks me every time, and as soon as i hear it i get excited. The actually rythm is slow, the electronic musical style is continuous, and the vocals are just beautiful. If any of the previous songs didnt manage to get you hooked, then this song will.

Obsession

Track 6) - Quasimodo :- Not one of my favorites, unfortunately it reminds me too much of their previous albums, instead of showing a different style with their whole album, they revert back to their Ballad days. Obviously if your very good in one area, include it in the album, and seeing as this is possibly the only one i dont like listening to they havent done to bad. The song starts slow, with soft vocals and works up louder with a slightly increased pace for the chorus's, again vocals are possibly the only things that really take me on this song, as for the backing of the song, its nothing i havent heard before.

Quasimodo

Track 7) - Shout Out :- The begining part with the monkey screaming, it was instant id like this. Then to hear Jonghyuns "Moans" in the background, this whole song is a Turn-Me-On type song. the raps and lyrics a fresh and clean, and again a style i havent heard before. Its so different from what they usually do, and really has a more adult theme to it. The base and beats are very storng, yet the vocals over ride it which prooved the backing music isnt always needed.

Shout Out

Track 8) - WowWowWow :- A lot of auto tuning and computerisation on the voices and background music was used on this song, but then it still gives a fresh feel and makes u want to listen to it. It doesn't sound like all the recent song that have auto tunning in it, and doesnt have a sound that sounds like its from a mould. vocals in this are quiet sweet, and is deffinately a summer chill out style.

WowWowWow

Track 9) - You're Name :- To start with all the "lalala's" gives it a very chilled summertime ballad feel, birds tweeting in the background, gorjous voices serenading you into the medium beat, with a occasional high pitch tone that reminds you of birds singing along. Its a very pretty song for when driving, and one song i listen to when im just trying to relax.

You're Name

Track 10) - Life :- This song has a similar feel to "Y Si Fuera Ella" but includes all members of the group. It has a ballad feel, but then the old style Love song attributes are there to. This is still newer than those that have been on previous albums, but still has similarities to other works. Especially 2AM's work, but with the vocals, they make this song their own, and with a slight beat increase it makes the song fit enough for a K-Drama OST.

Life

Track 11) - Ready Of Not :- This is some style i have never heard of before, instead of singing they sound like they are saying there words but in tune, until u get to the chorus where they belt out those vocals. It sounds slightly dancey,electro,rap. Its hard to put my finger on it, but it instantly grabs you due to not hearing a song remotely similar to this. this is deffinately a unique style and a unique song.

Ready Of Not

Track 12) - Love Pain :- In expressing how their love hurts, the lyrics are very smooth, the rythm, tuneage, and beat are all relaxed yet upbeat. It has a similarity to older songs, but its more grown up.

Love Pain

Track 13) - Love Should Go On :- For a ending song, this deffinately delivers, and does have a good send of vibe. This has more of a 80's mixed with Millenium beat, possibly a kind of "on holiday" kind of feel.

Love Should Go On

On whole, the album is a deffinate breakthrough for the boys, as for showing a new side to them, there are some songs that could possibly be improved slilghtly to show a more masculine side, and there are a few songs that seem to want to revert back to their "colourful" days, but apart from a few blunders, this is one Extremely good album. Other SHINee songs for you to look out for are “A.Mi.Go” and “Jo Jo”. SHINee give a very fresh look, but sometimes can feel a little too old school boyband. Obviously its not a bad thing, but for my personal tastes it can go on a little to much, but with the new album they certainly give off a new vibe, and one that i like VERY much.

Well next week i shall be reviewing SNSD (Girls Generation) which i know a few of you fan boys out there will enjoy. But for know i thank you for taking the time in reading, and look foreward to seeing or hearing from you in the near future.

안녕 – Goodbye
Xx Kimi-Chan xX

Se7en – A “Dgital” Bounce

This week we are looking at Se7en, real name Choi Dong-Wook, who started training at the age of 15 with YG Entertainment, after 4 years he debuted in 2003 with his 1st album “Just Listen”. This album produced 3 singles for the singer. “Come back to me” ”Once, Just once” and “Baby i like you like that”. The album didn’t have a good start but gradually rose to have its highest position at #4 in the Korean Monthly Album Chart. For the end of year chart of 2003 the album actually surprised many for a rookie and positioned #10.

Se7en then had his 2nd album “Must Listen” released in 2004. Then in 2006 for the first time, Se7en was allowed to contribute to his songs by writing and composing lyrics for his 3rd album “24/Se7en”. Lastly he released another album in the later part of 2006 called “Se7olution”.
Se7en has gotten his name known all around Asia, particularly Japan, Thailand and China. Not only Asia but also in the U.S.A performing in Los Angeles (at the Hollywood Bowl), New York (Madison Square Garden) and Washington in D.C.

There was going to be a English album released in 2007, yet due to somebody leaking information about his American Debut song “This is my year” which featured Fabolous, it seemed to have caused some changes in his U.S Debut. Se7en isn’t new to the American scene, as many have heard him before but probably did’t know of it. Se7en was actually featured on Amelie’s “Because I Love It” album back in may 2007. He was listed as a featured guest on the song “Take Control”. You may also have heard of his English single release called “Girls” which featured Lil’ Kim. The song has a very chilled RnB beat and with the range of vocals Se7en delivers it makes it a very good cruising tune. Lil’Kims presence in the song i say wouldn’t have been necessary, but her presence in the video definitely gives it that kind of PG13 type of sexiness.
Se7en isn’t only a talented singer and dancer, he has also done acting, and more than noticeably in one of the biggest Asian drama spin offs “Goong S”. Although Se7en got slated for his acting skills, I still believed it opened up a new window for him to fall back on.

On July 21st 2010 Se7en released his newest Korean album “Dgital Bounce” as well as the single of the same name and another single from the album “Better Together”. He has collaborated with Big Bangs T.O.P (insert fangirlie scream here) and can honestly say that “Dgital bounce” is one of the best albums im lucky to own.. Obviously any new song that is released from an artist that I haven’t heard from in a long time gets me excited. And even if I’m not a Mahoosive fan of Se7en, the vocals and beats in this album will definitely get you up and boogieing, i even let my parents hear this album, and got the comment i always want to hear “its not too bad” lol

Track 1) Intro - Reset - The intro song is what you definitely call a intro with style. It sets the scene for the whole albums style and flow, and leaves you begging for more. its a very techno beat with se7ens vocals over the top, and as soon as you hear his voice, you know he means serious business with this album.
Se7en - Intro - Reset

Track 2) Dgital Bounce (Ft T.O.P of Big Bang) - Obviously as soon as i saw and heard that T.O.P was a part of this song, i knew instantly it would be a hit and something i would love and adore. And i wasnt wrong, Again keeping with the Intro's theme of club like techno beats, it has a very computer programme disco party feel. Se7ens vocals definitely bring more to the beat, and with the added vocals of T.O.P's rap piece, it makes the whole song a dance worthy track, and definitely shows the world is going digital. This song is one of my favorites on the album for dancing to.
Se7en Ft T.O.P - Dgital Bounce (Live)

Track 3) Better Together - I have a thing for songs that have sirens in them, and with the use of different vocal patterns and sirens in this tune, it keeps you hooked and wanting to hear more. It starts of very computerized, but then turns into a ballad with a beat like song for the chorus, which brings me back to the 90's style pop ballads. In total its a mix of Computerisation and 90's pop ballads.
Se7en - Better Together MV

Track 4) Im Going Crazy - Unfortunately this isnt a winner for me, and is one of only 2 songs i am not really liking on the whole album. It seems for this song he has gotten back into his old routine of doing a song that would appeal more to the American fan base. Its a typical slow RnB ballad, the same beat and slow rhythm, the only thing i do like is the lyrics.
Se7en - Im Going Grazy

Track 5) Money Cant Buy Me Love - originally i didnt like this song, but it has actually grown on me a lot. This is more of a informational song, and is sung in English. It has a very "Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River" feel to the whole song, with a possible added bonus of some cute pronunciations of "Engrish".
Se7en - Money Cant Buy Me Love

Track 6) Drips - The start reminds me of a game that your waiting to start, the lyrics are a little bland, but the beat and rhythm of the song really gets you wanting to dance. The chorus is something you could definitely dance to in a club. The whole song seems to burst with some kind of sexual innuendo.
Se7en - Drips

Track 7) Roller Coaster - The beinging of the song reminds me of the feeling when you see the videos and intros of the roller coaster you are goin on, and the feeling when you get locked in and your heart is beating fast waiting for the ride to start, the chorus then brings you that feeling of actually riding the roller coaster. The beat and repetitiveness of the actual lyrics makes this a song you cannot forget. As for a ending song, it definitely leaves you wanting more, and kind of down that the album has finished, but if your anything like me then you will have the whole album on replay for a good few days.
Se7en - Roller Coaster

Well this has been my Review for this week have a check of some of Se7ens works, if you’re into RnB with a little bit of a dancey chillout tunes, then you will like Se7en. I was actually torn between reviewing Se7en and Shinee, and went against my inner fangirl and chose Se7en. But do not fear, i shall be reviewing Shinee next week as they have released their newest album “Lucifer” (Yes Please Insert Girlie Fangirl Scream Here!)

If You have any questions, or suggestions please don’t hesitate to reach me on either facebook under the name “Kpopkimi-Chan” or my hotmail address "Kyoheikun@hotmail.com".
Thank you for reading. And look forward to seeing you all again.

안녕 – Goodbye
Xx Kimi-Chan xX

What is K-Pop?

Well just like J-Pop, K-Pop is a shortened word for Korean Pop Music, Specifically from South Korea.
At the moment there seems to be a big increase of Korean music spreading around the world which is now know as the “Korean Wave”

My love for Korean music started back in the year 1998 with the band known as Shinhwa at that time I was heavily into the J-Rock scene and had only clicked a anime music video on YouTube to hear a most amazing song to accompany the video.
Obviously I had to go and search for this band and see if they had anything else I liked, after finding out about all of their music I then found out that they were Korean and not Japanese, this then led me to search for other similar Korean artists.

My fandom of Shinhwa wasn’t a big one, but it led the path for my fandom of bands I found after.

In 2003 DBSK (Dong Bang Shin Ki) translating to “The Rising Gods of the East” came to light with 5 members U-Know Yunho, Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu, Max Changmin, Micky Yoochun, this band was signed under one of the biggest talent agents in South Korea, SM Entertainment.
To date “The Rising Gods of the East” are one of the highest ranking Korean bands as well as one of the biggest grossing bands to be known worldwide.

The problem with K-Pop is that you don’t just like one genre, or one group/solo artist but you find yourself loving one or two groups a little more than others.
The difference between Korean, Japanese and English music isn’t that big, but then they all have their sections in the music industry.
The Japanese have awesome Visual Kei/Heavy Metal/Punk music, English have some amazing Rapping/Ballad/Dance music, where Korea seems to have a awesome line up for Boy Bands/Girl Bands/Pop/RnB.

Korean bands all seem very similar, yet they all have their own quirks, for instance 2PM are known as the beastly and manly boy band, Showing off their muscular bodies, doing back flips, and break dancing; where as the boy band Big Bang are known as trend setting fashionistas, their fashion sense is always a hot topic, as well as not doing many dances but excelling in their rapping skills.

At the moment I do have a couple of bands that I am a little obsessive over.
One is actually in the Guinness Book Of World Records as having the “most amount of members for a boy band in the world”. This band is known as Super Junior and consists of 13 members, 15 members if you include the sub groups of Super Junior.
The band debuted in 2005, they have earned seven music awards from M.Net Asian Music Awards; eleven from the Golden disk Awards and are the second singing group to win Favourite Artist at the 2008 MTV Asia Awards.

The band is very well known in Japan, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and even in America with their 3rd album “Sorry, Sorry” had over 150,000 copies pre-ordered, and was in the number 1 spot in Korea, Japan, and Malaysia for over 30 weeks.
On the first day of sales over 30,000 copies was sold making the album release one of the biggest albums in the bands career.

The “Sorry, Sorry” dance has become a big thing all over the world, and was a very big topic on most websites, the dance is very addictive as well as the song itself.

I did notice whilst walking around the London MCM Expo stalls that a few are now selling
K-Pop posters, stickers and even DVDs, photo books and other great merchandise, obviously I bought a heck of a lot of the stuff that was for sale, and am really looking forward to seeing more at the next expo.

Well I hope you have enjoyed reading a little bit about the reason I’m in to K-Pop and I hope that you will follow my weekly blogs of up to date information of new and upcoming acts in the K-Pop world. I will be reporting on all the news and gossip, as well as reviewing many new songs with a few reviews of older songs and albums.