KPop Reviews Girl Band Recommendations
Dear readers,
Many of you as there are, this is Lillian checking in. This blog has turned into my venting space, so as a Kpoper I hope to vent-slash-share my love of kpop with the web.
First of all- i should establish what is Kpop?
Anyone reading this blog post either searched REALLY hard and probably already knows what kpop is. But none the less- kpop is a shortening of the word korean popular (pop) music. Pop music is a huge umbrella for all the different types of genre of music that can be-kpop includes hip hop, electronic, bubble gum pop music. It encompasses a vast variety of genres. So if this blog post does convince you to start listening to kpop prepared to be surprised.
difference between American pop bands and Korean pop bands in that there is a huge divide in america between those who can who rap and those who can sing, although there are collaborations there aren't many bands (or bands that i listen to where these roles are well established). This is a distinct factor within kpop, even within Girl's Generation [they may not look it but those girls CAN BREAK IT DOWN no seriously check out their award winning MV for 'I got a boy' -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq7ftOZBy0E]
Within f(x) Amber is one badass rapper. Another band to look to when looking at bands that do not promote an aegyo image would be GI-Global Icon. It is a shame that they are not as huge as they should be. They are a huge break from the sterotype in that they promote a Amber-tom boy look.
Although there are those who claim that they this is not an accurate way of describing them as before f(x) the tom boy look was actually very prominent within kpop before Amber-WHATEVER I GOT IT IM GONNA USE THE TERM- the girls all debuted with their single 'Beatles' -[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1E5DKVPr0] If you watch the video you can establish that they are not aegyo they are very much so not your bubblegum pop music-although they are very pretty as you can see below. As can be seen by the way they dress, they are promoting a more sharper/harder image of what girl bands can be. Their music takes on a take on a more masculine attitude and style, opposed to feminine concepts many girl groups have. The concept usually described as boyish.
It is unfortunate that they have not been able to become big despite their more original concept. However despite recent members leaving, and despite the future looking murky i look forward to seeing what they can do for us in the new year. GI HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 2015.
Another element of kpop that I would like to promote through this is that more than just pop music, there are also bands that like to promote songs with a more jazz or soul feel. The band I am currently talking about is Spica. I would be lying if I said they were the only band that promoted this kind of music. OF COURSE there are other bands who have already exhausted this concept-however their recent mini album and singles such as 'I'll be there' and it's MV[www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXugfiaxLYQ] are heavily musically and visually influenced by soul music of the 1960s. Another MV I would recommend is there song 'You don't love me-it has a lovely swing or jazz feel to it with a beat that will have you swinging your hips in time to it. [www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1RwpRfbT0]. IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED that girls bands can do more than happy upbeat songs. Other recommendations I have would be:
Fiestar
Girl's Day
Brown Eyed Girls
Stellar
After School
Kara
Rainbow Blaxx
Sistar &
WONDER GIRLS
Anyway I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog-or just looking a the pretty pictures-hopefully more to come-for me at least-please do watch and support these bands kpop is a growing craze so be sure to jump on the bandwagon because i guarantee it's a fun ride
XOXO
Lillian out!
P.S. There are millions of bands coming out so feel free to explore-Eat your Kimchi is a good source of information and for which bands to look out for-YOUTUBE is the oasis of info
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ-2ZLjGnYI]
Some more useful links for anyone who is curious for kpop:
Youtubers react to kpop-[www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekJ-ldOD0TQ]
Youtubers react to kpop #2-[www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VI1fGKcU8]
Reaction Videos & General Source of Knowledge JREKML [www.youtube.com/user/JREKML1]
Weekly Idol-Variety Show that promotes kpop idols and groups [www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7udkpYz_aQ]
A Handy Article on What to look out for [http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6032628/top-10-k-pop-girl-groups-korea-sistar-2NE1-girls-generation]
Many of you as there are, this is Lillian checking in. This blog has turned into my venting space, so as a Kpoper I hope to vent-slash-share my love of kpop with the web.First of all- i should establish what is Kpop?
Anyone reading this blog post either searched REALLY hard and probably already knows what kpop is. But none the less- kpop is a shortening of the word korean popular (pop) music. Pop music is a huge umbrella for all the different types of genre of music that can be-kpop includes hip hop, electronic, bubble gum pop music. It encompasses a vast variety of genres. So if this blog post does convince you to start listening to kpop prepared to be surprised.
 |
| 'The Beatles' of Girl Kpop Groups |
 |
| Hello Venus when they were still aeygo |
The stereotype of kpop is something that can be defined as bubble gum pop music. As in that it is happy-fluffy and bright colored songs-usually performed by many girls. The korean word for cute being aegyo-so aegyo filled. The most prominent girl band and well known globally is Girl's Generation (otherwise known as SNSD) (left). Originally a 9 member group, now 8 after Jessica had left earlier this year- Boohoo very sad about that by the way :'( have helped to cement this stereotype with their hit MV-Gee with around 132 million views. It should be clarified that within the kpop market there is a huge for aegyo, in that a lot of girl bands start with a cutesy image, and are able to sell albums based on that. One example of this is girl group Hello Venus [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoHUKollIaA]. Although their recent single '헬로비너스_끈적끈적(StickySticky)' as well as the teaser for their new song for 2015 'Wiggle wiggle', presumably a dedication to Jason Derulo's 'wiggle wiggle' has led others to believe they are reinventing their image with a more sexier appeal. There is controversy by fans over this. IT SHOULD NOW BE ESTABLISHED-that this is not the only type of girl band or boy band in kpop there is.
As said before there seems to be a theme of reinvention when each band come backs with a new MV-single, mini album or album. Girl's generation have reached their peaks through aegyo filled MVs bands such as f(x) have had sucess not promoting this cuter image as well as 2NE1. Within f(x) tomboy member-Amber is both girly but acts as a central figure of this idea that not all girl members of kpop have to wear short dresses, be incredibly girly and cute (although she is incredibly loveable). Furthermore IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED-there is a set mould for most bands in which there are members who can dance, members who can sing, and members who can rap. This is a significant
As said before there seems to be a theme of reinvention when each band come backs with a new MV-single, mini album or album. Girl's generation have reached their peaks through aegyo filled MVs bands such as f(x) have had sucess not promoting this cuter image as well as 2NE1. Within f(x) tomboy member-Amber is both girly but acts as a central figure of this idea that not all girl members of kpop have to wear short dresses, be incredibly girly and cute (although she is incredibly loveable). Furthermore IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED-there is a set mould for most bands in which there are members who can dance, members who can sing, and members who can rap. This is a significant
 |
| 'The Rolling Stones' Of Girl Kpop Groups |
Within f(x) Amber is one badass rapper. Another band to look to when looking at bands that do not promote an aegyo image would be GI-Global Icon. It is a shame that they are not as huge as they should be. They are a huge break from the sterotype in that they promote a Amber-tom boy look.Although there are those who claim that they this is not an accurate way of describing them as before f(x) the tom boy look was actually very prominent within kpop before Amber-WHATEVER I GOT IT IM GONNA USE THE TERM- the girls all debuted with their single 'Beatles' -[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1E5DKVPr0] If you watch the video you can establish that they are not aegyo they are very much so not your bubblegum pop music-although they are very pretty as you can see below. As can be seen by the way they dress, they are promoting a more sharper/harder image of what girl bands can be. Their music takes on a take on a more masculine attitude and style, opposed to feminine concepts many girl groups have. The concept usually described as boyish.
Another element of kpop that I would like to promote through this is that more than just pop music, there are also bands that like to promote songs with a more jazz or soul feel. The band I am currently talking about is Spica. I would be lying if I said they were the only band that promoted this kind of music. OF COURSE there are other bands who have already exhausted this concept-however their recent mini album and singles such as 'I'll be there' and it's MV[www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXugfiaxLYQ] are heavily musically and visually influenced by soul music of the 1960s. Another MV I would recommend is there song 'You don't love me-it has a lovely swing or jazz feel to it with a beat that will have you swinging your hips in time to it. [www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1RwpRfbT0]. IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED that girls bands can do more than happy upbeat songs. Other recommendations I have would be:Fiestar
Girl's Day
 |
| Wonder Girls-The Girls that i feel started it all |
Brown Eyed Girls
Stellar
After School
Kara
Rainbow Blaxx
Sistar &
WONDER GIRLS
Anyway I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog-or just looking a the pretty pictures-hopefully more to come-for me at least-please do watch and support these bands kpop is a growing craze so be sure to jump on the bandwagon because i guarantee it's a fun ride
XOXO
Lillian out!
P.S. There are millions of bands coming out so feel free to explore-Eat your Kimchi is a good source of information and for which bands to look out for-YOUTUBE is the oasis of info
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ-2ZLjGnYI]
 |
| Girl's Day-awww aren't they cute??-[www.youtube.com/watch?v=akPDKYwIoVk] |
Youtubers react to kpop-[www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekJ-ldOD0TQ]
Youtubers react to kpop #2-[www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VI1fGKcU8]
Reaction Videos & General Source of Knowledge JREKML [www.youtube.com/user/JREKML1]
 |
| Spica-AGAIN but seriously this picture.....damn all that dancing paid off |
A Handy Article on What to look out for [http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6032628/top-10-k-pop-girl-groups-korea-sistar-2NE1-girls-generation]
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| Brown Eyed Girls promoting a more sexier and mature appeal |
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| Stellar-again with the sexy not cutesy |
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