The Korean Invasion
5 MUST-HEAR GROUPS:
Ready to dip your toe into the Korean Wave? Here are the top five South Korean acts that will help immerse you in the world of K-Pop:
2NE1
Unlike other Korean girl groups who capitalize on sex appeal or being saccharine and cutesy, this group rose to the top of the charts for their anthems on girl power and boy bashing. When they aren’t dominating the charts in Korea and Japan, the group — Dara, Bom, Minzy and leader CL — are making a statement in the fashion world. Often described as “fierce,” this fearless foursome express their style through fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Proenza Schouler, Balmain and Jeremy Scott, who has become one of the band’s biggest supporters. Catch them repping South Korea as one of the Best Bands of the World nominated by MTV Iggy.
Download this: “I Am the Best,” a catchy electronic beat with a bass-friendly undertone.
Big Bang
After debuting their signature hip-pop sound in 2006, the five-member team dominated the South Korean charts and later did the same in Japan. First topping the charts with the upbeat single “Lies,” the band has since become one of Asia’s most recognizable acts. And with a collaboration with Major Lazer’s Diplo on one song by members G-Dragon and T.O.P. called “Knockout,” it seems like Asia’s not the only place they’re receiving attention.
Download this: “Tonight,” a perfect mélange of rock and electronica
with a bumping beat.
Two members remain from the quintet TVXQ. Concert fans. (SM Entertainment)
Super Junior
How do you get attention from tween girls everywhere? Stick as many good-looking guys as possible on a stage. The 12-member Super Junior has already been deemed one of South Korea’s biggest “hallyu” groups by the BBC and they have a far reach of fans from Slovenia to Peru, where they were named one of the 30 “Sexiest Men in the World.” Their heavy pop tracks and slick dance moves have already made them nationwide sensations with an international presence.
Download this: “Sorry, Sorry,” a heavy pop track that comes with entertaining choreography that was once a South Korean craze.
2PM
While other boy bands captured attention through their pretty-boy images, this group capitalizes on their masculine look. Each member sports six-pack abs, regularly revealed onstage to the delight of thousands of screaming fans. The six-member group focuses on heavy acrobatics and intricate dance moves and has become almost Chippendale-like — without the cheesy bow ties.
Download this: “Heartbeat,” a dramatic track that starts out with a melancholy piano riff.
TVXQ
The Backstreet Boys in their heyday have nothing on this band. After some member drama last year, where three performers decided to leave, the two survivors, Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho, carried on. With tight choreography and impressive pipes, this dynamic duo has become the epitome of K-Pop: slick dance moves, stellar musical productions and big voices to boot.
Download this: “Before You Go,” a soft ballad that showcases just how refined and beautiful voices in Korean pop music can be.
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Make That 6 Must Hear Groups. Let’s Include JYJ (Kim Jaejoong, Kim Junsu, and Park Yoochun)
Comments on the Article The Korean Invasion in The New York Daily News.
Chaelwest 4:30 pm. Oct 23, 2011
We all know who performed last year in New York–only our own JYJ — and they performed in Canada, and L.A, and New Jersey, and .. The difference here is that SME isn’t being ignored or prevented from getting the word out. I love HoMin and I am happy over their successes–I just don’t want any illusions out there as to who the trailblazers really are.
WildMuffins
1:45:38 PM
Oct 23, 2011
It’s true that K-Pop has a different sensibility that is often fun to watch and listen to; but…. it IS often very formulaic. Much of it can be considered a manufactured industry with limited artistic freedom for the performers; and it has a dark underbelly that includes serious exploitation of the artists and payoffs to improve popularity chart rankings. For example, the article mentions “some member drama” with TVXQ when 3 members decided to leave. In fact the 3 members – now a popular trio known as JYJ – sued SM Entertainment. The Korean Courts ruled in JYJ’s favor saying their contract with SM Entertainment was invalid because it amounted to a “Slave Contract”. The only thing left to settle with regard to the lawsuit are the damages owed to JYJ from SM Entertainment. In the meantime the Court ordered SM Entertainment to stop interfering with the activities of JYJ. Despite the ruling SM Entertainment continues to use their influence to prevent JYJ from renting venues for l
WildMuffins
1:47:48 PM
Oct 23, 2011
(continued from above) Despite the ruling SM Entertainment continues to use their influence to prevent JYJ from renting venues for live performances and appearing on Korean music programs – even the state-owned KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) network still refuses to honor the Court’s decision. SM Entertainment has had similar issues with other popular groups in the past. The Korean courts, Korea Fair Trade Commission, and even members of the Korean Parliament are involved in efforts to break the seeming monopoly that a few K-Pop industry giants have over the popular music sector in South Korea.
shiroyamacah:37:20 PM
Oct 23, 2011
wildmuffins is right. sadly, in korean music, the big one, sme, just because bring the best they find and do TONS of promotions, became the most feared one to by radios and tv channels. if these companies don’t do like sme want, they will not receive their idols. KBS did the most of the bad stuffs to YG Ent. and JYJ just because they wanted the exclusivity and the idols of sme. and sme take all the liberty during the first year of their rookies, own ALL songs and do the best to own the groups name. plus to be out of sme is terrible! the person don’t receive much and hav to pay more than 30 times what will receive during all their contract.
shiroyamacah
2:40:28 PM
Oct 23, 2011
not just sme, but others are known for stuffs like that. KARA needed to do something just to have DSP Media making a better deal. and bekah, that decided to graduate from her group After School showed that they asked too much for their idols, making them have a lot of stress. korean idols, sadly, most of the time work. 3 hours sleep is pretty much common there. it without counting that at least in sme, the vacation times was just a week per year. beeing a korean idols is, sadly, hard and very tiring. most of the times too they have to take medicine and such just to perform.
shiroyamacah
2:47:09 PM
Oct 23, 2011
even if sme method is good, sme do it just to appears that they creat the idols, when they already have the talent and the will to become even better. plus, sme isn’t this good in using the idols talent right. snsd have at least 4 wonderful dancers, but rarely they have a song that these 4 can really show their talent. plus sme have a really bad thing about just doing stuffs that are “trending” inspide of doing what the group like more, as 2NE1 and BigBang do. sme have a very bad tendency of bringing the best groups and ending them. H.O.T, Shinhwa,TVXQ…. sme just can’t keep the best together, and they always complain about sme because the exactly same thing. however, sme always put their rights as being selfish and traitors, not humans.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2011/10/23/2011-10 23_the_korean_invasion_new_yorkers_are_screaming_for_the_new_wave_of_pop_stars.html#
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