Rooftop Prince: Ratings That Hit The Roof

One of the most anticipated dramas of the season is Rooftop Prince, which is pitted against King2Hearts and Equator Man in the same drama timeslot in South Korea. What makes the race to garner high ratings more tense is the fact that all 3 dramas, from SBS, MBC and KBS respectively, happen to start airing their first episodes on the same day!

The main reason that attracts me to Rooftop Prince is none other than JYJ’s Park Yoochun of course! Ever since his debut in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I have been a huge fan of his acting as well as music. In Rooftop Prince, he plays a modern day character and a Joseon Crown Prince.

The teasers for Rooftop Prince promises a drama full of hilarious moments as well as mysterious circumstances. And they sure did live up to their promises! Here’s the teaser to Rooftop Prince to convince those of you who still have yet to watch the drama!

Rooftop Prince’s storyline starts off with Yong Tae Moo (Lee Tae Sung) meeting up his cousin Yong Tae Yong (Park Yoochun) in the States and asks him to return to Korea with him on their grandmother’s request. While on a yacht, an incident sparked Tae Moo to hit Tae Yong, throwing hi overboard. Tae Moo’s greed and jealousy set in, and he left Tae Yong to drown while he plans to return alone to Korea and claim Tae Yong’s position as his own.

Meanwhile, in the Joseon era, Crown Prince Lee Gak (Park Yoochun) pines over the death of the Crown Princess (Jung Yoo Mi) who mysteriously drowned in the lake overnight. Lee Gak gathers 3 trustworthy fellows to help him solve her mysterious death: Song Man Bo (Lee Min Ho), Woo Yong Sool (Jung Suk Won), and Do Chi San (Choi Woo Shik). While on a trail to discover the truth behind the Crown Princess’ death, the four fall off a cliff and lands straight into the rooftop house of Park Ha (Han Ji Min).

Park Ha tries to shoo the 4 men in Joseon costumes by bringing them to the Palace, but they get into all sorts of trouble with people and the law. There were many hilarious moments where the 4 men are like fish out of water, and I couldn’t stop laughing although I was already clutching my stomach in pain!

As the 4 men adjusts themselves in the modern world with Park Ha’s help, they came to realize they have crossed over 300 years to the future because they were looking for a solution to the Crown Princess’ death. The Crown Princess’ modern day lookalike is Park Ha’s step-sister Hong Se Na, who happens to be the secretary to Tae Yong’s grandmother.

Meanwhile, Lee Gak finds out that he resembles the missing Tae Yong and assumes the latter’s identity in his bid to get closer to Se Na and also solve his wife’s mysterious death. Tae Moo is convinced Lee Gak is just an imposter and wants to reveal Lee Gak’s true identity. Will Lee Gak eventually get to convince Tae Yong’s grandmother that he is who he claims and solve the mystery at the same time?

Tune in to ONEHD on Astro B.yond Channel 393 every Monday and Tuesday at 9pm to watch the drama unfold itself!

The author is smitten with the drama’s cast, storyline and even the OST by notable singers such as Baek Ji Young, Ali, Jay Park, and last but not least JYJ’s Junsu!

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TaeTiSeo Shines Like A Star With 'Twinkle'

After seeing so many sub-unit debuts from girl groups the past 2 years, nothing catches my eye more than the debut of TaeTiSeo, the sub-unit from the famous Girls' Generation. TaeTiSeo comprises of Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun, and their unique unit name is a combination of the first syllable from each member’s name.

TaeTiSeo shows that sometimes less is more, and their album Twinkle is the proof of that. Although they have taken on a retro concept, something that Girls Generation has never done before, they seem to fit in that genre and come off quite convincing too.

  

The title track Twinkle is an upbeat retro-styled song, quite in similar vibe to Secret’s Love is MOVE, albeit a much toned down version. The lyrics tell us that everyone wants a piece of their idol, assuming that the girls are diamonds or gemstones that ‘twinkles’.

The music video for Twinkle is quite fun, showing the girls in retro outfits, singing and dancing. It’s practically KARA’s Step, colourful outfits and backgrounds, just with less prancing around. Look out for cameos by EXO-K’s Kai, Sehun, Chanyeol and Baekhyun! Enjoy the music video!

One of my favourites on the album is Goodbye, Hello which really brings the retro vibe whenever I put it on. It’s a happy-go-lucky song that really gets you bopping your head along.

Other retro-influence songs on the album are OMG (Oh My God) and Library while Baby Steps and Love Sick are slower ballads that show off the girls’ vocals.

Somehow, the final track Checkmate didn’t quite end the album on a great note for me. It’s quite a rocky number and didn’t really have the retro vibe. But all in all, it wasn’t really a bad song after all.

TaeTiSeo is proof that Girls' Generation doesn’t need 9 members, as 3 members were sufficient enough. Or probably the more talented members are grouped in this sub-unit? But I digress.

Love this album, and love their new concept. Wonder when will it start appearing on Malaysian music racks? Definitely gonna get myself a copy!

The author is a fan of Girls Generation ever since she heard Run Devil Run and couldn’t get the tune out of her head for weeks.

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4Minute Pumps the 'Volume Up'

4Minute is back with their latest album Volume Up! With the ladies glamming up as female vampires this round, things are looking a tad boring if not sexy. Their faces say it all on the cover, right?

Volume Up is the title track for the album, and while it's a pretty decent track, I probably expected more since I loved more of their older stuff such as Hot Issue, I My Me Mine and Mirror Mirror.

In Volume Up, the 2 most prominent things I noticed is the saxophone sounds in the background and the use of Hyuna's 'Oh oh oh oh' from Bubble Pop included in the track. While the song sounds sexy and all, their voices are a bit too high-pitched to be sexy, and a bit annoying when it comes to the 'Oh oh oh oh' part.

Here's the music video to Volume Up, which sees the members playing bored female vampires!

I personally preferred I'm OK and Dream Racer to the title track. The former is a ballad that showcases the members' vocal range, and does away with the annoying high-pitch sound that 4Minute tend to have on fast-paced songs. Dream Racer reminds me of a cheerleading song. It's cheery and fun, perfect as a mood-lifter.

Other songs on the album include Get On The Floor, Say My Name, Femme Fatale and Black Cat.

Overall, 4Minute's recent release isn't too bad, it's just a waste they promoted a song that isn't too great, in my standards. Hopefully they will pick a better title track next round!

The author is a huge fan of 4Minute's Mirror Mirror dance. Doesn't it represents most girls' favourite actions in the powder room? 

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Urban Zakapa Releases New Album 'Beautiful Day'

For someone who constantly awaits K-pop releases, I somehow found that the Korean indie scene actually churns out more decent songs than mainstream K-pop. Lately, indie bands have also started to release new music, partly since all the big names have already released theirs or are busy promoting their material overseas.

Korean indie bands have a more folk, pop rock sound, as well as acoustic. I must say that although sometimes their material sounds so raw and unplugged that you feel as though you are hearing them live.

My latest Korean indie fetish happens to be Urban Zakapa, a band unknown to me till last year when I happen to chance upon their album 01. Though they sang mostly in Korean, with English phrases peppered all over their songs, they could very well pass off as English natives.

Their latest album Beautiful Day takes off from where they let down their previous album. Their unique style and sound is still the same as ever in this new release, and I fell in love again with this band as soon as I listened to it.

Their title track Beautiful Day is an easy listening piece, somehow I feel like I am running on a beach with the wind beating against my face whenever I hear this track.

Check out the music video for Beautiful Day below. Enjoy!

Something Special is a mellow R&B track while 그댈 안은 목소리 is a slow dancing number full of high notes. Let It Rain is a slow and relaxing number, perfect for winding down on a rainy day, just as the title suggests.

Meanwhile, Just The Two Of Us is a wonderful acoustic version of the famous jazz number. Just A Feeling is a previously released single, which is a song which is a tell-tale Urban Zakapa track, as it just has that particular feel that only they can produce with their smooth vocals and acoustic instruments.

The author is currently listening to Standing Egg and Busker Busker, two more indie bands which recently released new albums.

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'Mirror Mirror' Gives A New Twist To Fairy Tale

Tarsem Singh’s latest take on the Snow White fairy tale is one of the most hilarious versions I have ever seen. By chance, I decided to go to the cinemas and one of the available movies was Mirror Mirror. Now, I have watched Snow White for more times than I can count with my ten fingers, but yet somehow, I still wanted to watch this updated version of the fairy tale.

I admit that I am a huge fan of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, although there were many other newer versions of the fairy tale. Mirror Mirror however, is one of the gems that has given a new breath of life to the age-old tale.

Told from the perspective of the Evil Queen, the story starts with Julia Roberts’s narration of how the story is all about the Queen, instead of Snow White.

Lily Collins, daughter of Genesis’s Phil Collins, plays Snow White. She’s exactly how I picture Snow White, jet black hair with skin as fair as snow. And not to mention, her really red lips!

In Mirror Mirror, the King mysteriously disappears, leaving the Queen to govern the kingdom with lots of help from the King’s loyal servant Brighton (who is a real funny character!). Her spendthrift ways plunged the kingdom into debt, but the arrival of the wealthy Prince Andrew Alcott (Armie Hammer) gives her an idea. If she throws a ball in his honour and convince him to marry her, all her debts would be gone and she can have more parties!

At the ball, the Prince can’t tear himself away from Snow – perhaps it’s that smile, or those eyebrows, or the fact she’s wearing a swan-shaped gown, complete with wings and a beak. Not to mention, every outfit in Mirror Mirror is a masterpiece. The vivid colours all give more visual eye candy to the viewers, enhancing the storyline.

The Queen discovered that Snow White had been crashing party and ordered her killed out into the wilderness. Brighton falters and compassionately (well, more like cowardly) let her go and she is taken in by the seven dwarfs, a troupe of bandits-slash-acrobats who chase down stagecoaches on spring-loaded stilts. Together, they plot to save the Prince from the Queen’s spell and their impending royal marriage.

Mirror Mirror is a film where bee-stung lips are achieved with real bees’ stings and puppy love can make a man behave like an actual puppy. Definitely a wonderful twist to the well-loved tale.

The author has loved Snow White since young, and fairy tales are the stuff of her dreams. The next re-adaptation of the fairy tale will be released later this year, starring Twilight star Kristen Stewart. Looking forward to catch it when it is released!

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SHINee Turns Into 'Sherlock' For Latest Album

After a hiatus of 2 years, the boys of SHINee are back! (Even the opening line for their title track says so!) Fangirls and fanboys alike have been clamouring for another addictive dance track after Ring Ding Dong and Lucifer, and they have finally come around to release a new album after a stint promoting in Japan.

Titled Sherlock, the album contains 7 songs which are in typical SHINee style. The title track Sherlock is a mash up of the second and third track on the album, Clue and Note. According to SM Entertainment, Sherlock was supposedly a ‘hybrid remix’, thus two songs being combined into one.

Ironically, Sherlock sounds better than Clue or Note on its own. The flow of the combined songs is as if it is one, and the person behind this hybrid remix deserves the credit for doing this.

Sherlock, as the title suggests, is all about investigation and mystery. Even the opening sounds of the track seems like it is taken off a mystery movie’s soundtrack.

Their music video for Sherlock, like all SM productions, are flawless and beautifully shot. The only part I didn’t really fancy was Taemin’s effeminate look in the music video (what’s up with the long hair?). Jessica from Girls’ Generation guest stars in this music video as... wait for it... a beautiful ghost! Be sure to check out the music video below and judge for yourself. Enjoy!

Alarm Clock and The Reason are some of the album fillers which are more R&B in style. Meanwhile, Stranger is more upbeat track and is reminiscent of Ring Ding Dong and Lucifer with its heavy bass.

Honestly ends the album on a rather mellow tone, compared to the hype and energy that starts the beat of the album. This track is an acoustic ballad that brings out the vocals of the members, as well as showing that they are capable of handling songs that are out of the K-pop track.

Overall, the album is worth the wait for the fans as SHINee managed to show their improvement over the years. But I think their concept for this album is a tad too hippy looking. Maybe they should come back as suave gentlemen in their next release and sweep me (and many other girls out there) off my feet. And probably sell more records along the way. Don’t you agree?

P/S: Click on the song title for Sherlock above in bold for the English translation. Credits go to www.popgasa.com

The author was introduced to SHINee when Jeon Mu, the host to Star Golden Bell Challenge (which series has since ended) did a really funny parody of Lucifer on the show.

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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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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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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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