Sunday, March 25, 2012

Kim Bo Kyung Asks 'What Are You Doing?' In Her Latest Single


South Korea's own Kelly Clarkson, Kim Bo Kyung, has released yet another digital single which has moved the hearts of many.

Titled What Are You Doing?, the song is a sad and mellow ballad which describes the pain from the insincerity of a lover who only gives false exclamations of love.

Listening to the song, you can picture the tough situation of wanting to break up with the insincere lover through Kim Bo Kyung's emotional delivery.

Here's the audio clip to the awesome track:



P/S: Click on the song title above in bold for the English translations and romanization of the lyrics. Credits go to http://kromanized.wordpress.com

The author was introduced to Kim Bo Kyung through her hit song Day by Day. Ever since then, her every single release is a must listen. She has never failed to disappoint, and is one great singer that you should check out!

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Friday, March 16, 2012

2AM Mesmerizes with 'F. Scott Fitzgerald's Way Of Love'

2AM is finally back after a year and a half's hiatus from the K-pop scene. With the anticipation levels high, listening to this mini album titled F. Scott Fitzgerald's Way Of Love (what a mouthful!) actually did deflate my great expectation of a great release.

Nevertheless, their new style of singing only ballads and not dance tracks is also great as it showcases their awesome voices and harmonization. In this album, they are going back to their roots of belting out ballads.

Fans of 2AM will definitely agree that Even If I Die, I Can't Let You Go and You Wouldn't Answer My Calls are their best ballads that has become their trademark songs.

In their latest album, they are sticking to the same formula that have been proven successful by making their title track I Wonder If You Hurt Like Me.

The song is a heartwrenching ballad that shows that 2AM can really sing. This is a tough song, even Seulong had trouble getting his pitch right on a variety show when they were supposed to perform the song for the audience.

The music video mainly focuses on Jinwoon, the 'new' actor in the group, who recently appeared in Dream High 2. Jinwoon in the music video is a person who just lost a loved one (whether through a break-up or death I am not sure) and is slowly losing memories of them together.

The best part that the video shows that memories can fade and the metaphor of someone breaking apart into pieces can happen. Do you think love can make a person hurt and break into a million pieces? Well, do watch the video below and judge for yourself!



Other songs on the album includes You Were Mine, Erase All Our Memories, One More Second, and How To Break Up Well, which revolves around the theme of heartbreak and are more sad sounding.

I personally loved the feel of How To Break Up Well, the intro is reminiscent of old music box tunes, and the slow melody climaxes to a part where Changmin takes over and kills the note. Definitely gave me the sad emotional feeling whenever I hear this track.

However, I Love You I Love You, the last track on the album, gives a more optimistic feel and is more uplifting, emanating the loving vibe.

2AM couldn't ask for a better way to attract more ballad-loving fans through this release, but I must admit that their mellow release is overshadowed by Big Bang's Alive which was an instant hit upon its release. A better timing for their next release, perhaps?

The author is a fan of 2AM since listening to the melancholic Even If I Die, I Can't Let You Go.

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

John Park 'Knock'ing The Korean Charts

John Park, the Korean-American American Idol contestant who is best known in Korea as the second runner-up of Superstar K2, has finally released his debut album titled Knock.

After releasing his first single, I’m Your Man, Park went on a hiatus, compared to other Superstar K2 contestants such as Huh Gak who went on to release albums.

The singer admitted that he felt a lot of loneliness during the time he was working on the album and this somber mood influenced the final material in Knock. Producer Kim Dong Ryul worked hard with Park to ensure that the resulting sound was uniquely his.

Upon its release, John Park's Knock has been praised by Girls' Generation's Yoona, veteran Korean singer Lyn, and respected musician Jung Jae Hyung, who all tweeted about the quality of the songs on Knock.

Knock opens with the breathtaking lead single Falling, a musical collaboration with Andy Platts of British soul funk band, Mama’s Gun, with lyrics written by Park himself. In this song, Park’s emotions are raw, and it is a song heartbreak, which the lyrics describe of the sense of longing for a lover who has since left.

Falling is a warm lead single that captures John Park’s resonant voice and goes on to deliver it in this beautiful casket of guitars, airy nuances, and dreamy vocal layering. The music video is equally dreamy and airy, and shows Park falling in stages, only to pick himself up in the end. Do check out the music video to Falling below!

Other songs on the album prove that Park still has a bit of jazz in his song choice, as well as a John Mayer-ish influence on his singing style.

Knock sold 13,000 copies within the first day of its release and has
topped the Hanteo chart, and has reached the top 10 of several digital music sites.

Overall, Knock is a fresh and immensely gratifying album from a rookie, putting him apart from other Superstar K2 contestants. Definitely one of the most unexpected and underrated release of the year!

The author fell in love with John Park's mesmerizing voice while watching him on American Idol years ago. Finally he has released an album!

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