[GET THE LOOK] B1A4 - 'Tried to Walk' MV!

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Back in 2012, B1A4 released the single ‘Tried to Walk’. The thoughtful song features a quite seasonal theme, embracing flora and nature in general to help illustrate the change of emotions before and after a break up. The members are all wrapped up warm with thick coats and jumpers. This gives us a great source of fashion inspiration for this time of year.

[EDITORIAL] Should male K-Pop group members enlist in the military together?

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Before exploring this debate, it is important to clarify that a man or a woman’s military enlistment is, of course, a very personal matter. It is very easy for me as a British female to suggest when is and when is not a good time to enlist when I am not obligated to partake in military enlistment myself.

Conscription requires a lot of mental preparation and, as with any decision; there are many questions to be considered by the individual. For example: is now a good time for me to enlist? Are my family and close friends in a good place to be without me right now? Is there anything else I could be doing at this point in my life that is more beneficial for me at this time?

[GET THE LOOK] GOT7 - 'Stop Stop It' MV

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GOT7 have recently made a comeback with ‘Stop Stop It’, releasing their music video just a few days ago. The track has a very upbeat vibe and the style of this video channels the 90s looks exhibited by first generation K-Pop idols. This makes it a very interesting and unusual style for 2014, but nonetheless a quirky and simple look to take inspiration from!

[PLAYLIST] Catchiest K-Pop Songs

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‘Earworm’ is a term often used to define when a song or melody becomes stuck in your head – playing over and over again. Aside from sounding a little like a terrifying creature from a horror film, this term typifies the sense of annoyance that can sometimes come along with having a song firmly lodged in your head and being unable to remove it.

K-Pop is notoriously good at slipping itself into your mind and setting up camp, whether you want it to or not. This can even occur after the very first listen – aided by the catchy tunes and frequently English hook-lines.

We have decided to gather a selection of K-Pop that we find particularly catchy. Please let us know your own choices too!

A beginner's guide to South Korean Variety Shows!

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Experiencing foreign television programmes for the first time can be a very overwhelming and confusing experience. Each country has its own ways of editing, its own humour and its own ideas of what is and what isn’t entertaining. Place on top of this the need to read subtitles (if you are not fluent in the programme’s language) and you have quite a tough task on your hands.

Speaking personally and from an English background, I can certainly say that my first forays into this world were not completely smooth. So today, we have decided to gather some identifiable tropes of South Korean variety programmes specifically and provide something in the way of an  explanation. Hopefully this article will serve as a preparation guide of sorts for newcomers, but also serve to amuse even the most seasoned SK variety fan!

[GET THE LOOK] BEAST - '12:30' MV

BEAST recently released an MV for their beautiful track '12:30'. Their great vocals have once again ensured their winning of multiple music show awards and a lot of attention. Though of course, we are more concerned with their outfits for this article! Check out how you can replicate their looks for yourself!

[PLAYLIST] K-Music Covers

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Cover songs can be fairly over-looked in a world where new tracks are being released every day, but covers of old songs do have a unique importance in themselves. A cover can pay homage to a beloved artist, give a new lease of life to a forgotten track or show the versatility of a new performer. An artist can add their own style to a well-known piece of music, or simply try something different without committing to an entirely new concept.

Part of the beauty of covers is that you can potentially despise them wholeheartedly and feel they have butchered a song, or even prefer them to the original. We have gathered a selection of cover songs for this playlist for you to either enjoy or deplore!

[GET THE LOOK] Strawberry Milk - 'OK' MV

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After quite a lot of speculation and waiting, a Crayon Pop sub-unit was finally formed! Strawberry Milk are a super cute duo comprised of twin sisters Way and ChoA. As you might have expected, their image is sweet, girly and…slightly strange. This ‘Get the Look’ will be looking at their debut MV ‘OK’!

[PLAYLIST] K-Pop Collaborations!

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Nothing quite beats when two or more of your favourite artists come together to perform. Collaborations allow for a real mix and match to occur. Sometimes, two artists that you would have never previously put together can surprise with how well they coalesce. Hip hop is often the genre that includes the most collaborations, but of course, many other genres are open to experimenting to give a song a different feel and another layer. We have gathered only a few examples of K-Pop collaborations, so be sure to tell us your personal favourites too!

[EDITORIAL] A.KOR's Kemy: A justified fandom backlash?

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A few months back, rookie girl group member Kemy got herself into some considerable trouble for her track entitled ‘Do the Right Thing’ which was uploaded onto online hip-hop community HIPHOP LE. As all K-Pop fans must know by now, this track condemned 2NE1 member Park Bom for her controversy involving smuggling amphetamines into South Korea from the USA. It took a matter of hours for Kemy’s track to start causing a stir and incurring a backlash. However, this backlash not only targeted Kemy, but also her group A.KOR as a whole.

[GET THE LOOK] TaeTiSeo - 'Holler' MV!

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The Girls’ Generation sub-group TaeTiSeo are in the middle of promoting their second mini album ‘Holler’ right now. And their first MV release is full of their typical classy and girly style. There are also some great outfit ideas within the video for the upcoming party season!

[PLAYLIST] Confusing K-Pop MVs!

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K-Pop music videos are often big-budget extravaganzas designed to amaze viewers with inventive visuals, complex choreography and huge sets. Usually, the main aim of a K-Pop MV is to showcase the artist's talents and make them look extremely cool in the process. Although MV producers sometimes get a bit more inventive in their approach and give fans something very strange or unexpected.

However, there have been a few videos that have left us a little perplexed, asking questions or just downright befuddled! We have gathered a small selection of K-Pop MVs that have confused us either a little or a lot. Please do leave your own suggestions, opinions in the comments section too!

[GET THE LOOK] Ailee - 'Don't Touch Me' MV

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One of K-Pop’s most powerful vocalists – Ailee - is back with ‘Don’t Touch Me’! This week, we are exploring how you can emulate Ailee’s super feminine style on the British high street!

[PLAYLIST] South Korean Hip Hop!

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As a K-Pop fan, it can be easy to get so wrapped up in the world of infectious, addictive pop and idols that you can almost forget that there are many other thriving genres and sub-genres of music in South Korea.

Of course, one of these is hip hop! Though the genre is still fairly new in South Korean music terms, many artists have already taken it on as their own and made significant names for themselves as hip hop artists. Just a quick search through a few songs shows how much talent is actually present in this area.

So today, we offer you a selection of South Korean hip hop, which will hopefully please the already established Korean hip hop fans and pique the interest of potential new ones! Remember to also let us know of your favourites!

[GET THE LOOK: Unisex] WINNER - 'EMPTY' MV

 

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WINNER finally made their very long-awaited debut, and after all that tough reality show battling, fans were undoubtedly hoping that their debut releases would do well. Thankfully, the former ‘Team A’ have had a strong start in the industry and their first album release has been received well.

One of their first MV releases, entitled ‘EMPTY’, is a sweet and melodic ballad type song that still manages to contain some of that cool YG attitude. The outfits featured in the video are perfect for the transition into the colder seasons, so will be the focus of this week’s Get the Look!

[PLAYLIST] School Special!

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It's that time once again, the new academic year is starting and students everywhere are beginning or going back to school, university or college. It can be a time of happiness, nervousness and even dread for many of us. Those of us who are now full-time workers also probably look back upon their school years with mixed feelings of warm nostalgia and perhaps, a little relief that they no longer have to endure their most hated lessons.

Whatever your age, you have probably noticed that schools serve as a popular background for many a Korean MV, drama and film. It is easy to see why this is the case - a school setting can provide the perfect backdrop for drama, first love, friendship and fighting.

To celebrate this dynamic time of year, we have decided to select a few K-Pop MVs that feature a school theme. Do you have a favourite?

[GET THE LOOK] LABOUM - 'Pit-a-Pat' MV

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August is over and that means that the autumn season will soon be upon us. You may have noticed on your recent shopping trips that clothing lines are already changing in order to let us prepare our wardrobes for colder weather. However, we might have a few warmer days on the horizon left yet, so let’s try to grasp them while we can! Today, we are looking at newbie group LABOUM with their fresh debut track ‘Pit-a-Pat’ as the source from which to draw our fashion inspiration.

[PLAYLIST] K-Pop Debuts!

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An artist's debut single is a very important thing. The debut MV is the chance for them to really make their mark on the music industry and forge out their concept, image and identity. This is especially the case for K-Pop artists, whose debut is often highly anticipated thanks to multiple teaser photos, videos and member introductions. These artists have often endured extended training periods and have undoubtedly been left waiting with bated breath for their debut date to finally arrive, so showing your best is a given.

However, looking back at a debut of our favourite K-Pop soloists or groups can also be a very nostalgic experience. The debut MV serves as a snapshot of the past and one can often see how much the artists have grown and changed since that time both physically and musically. We have picked out a selection of debut music videos for a trip down memory lane, but be sure to comment with your personal favourites below this article!

[GET THE LOOK] HyunA - 'Red' MV.

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4Minute member HyunA recently made a big solo comeback with the single ‘RED’. True to her super sexy image, the MV is full of seductive imagery and an incredibly sexy and feminine vibe that shows us HyunA is the one in charge. This week, we are exploring how you can get her ‘RED’ style on the British high street!

[PLAYLIST] Beautiful Ballads!

 

 

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Music is something that can have a real effect on you emotionally, and ballads are sure to do just that. They allow a singer to show off their true vocal talent with minimal interference from auto-tuners and other modern post-production pop music tools. They are also the songs most often used in our favourite K-drama series as they can often capture the most complex of human feelings and emotions and illustrate them with near perfect eloquence through their sound and lyrics.

We have gathered a small selection of Korean ballads for you here, but be sure to comment with your favourites below the article. There are certainly a plethora to choose from! Lets get ready to get emotional!

[FILM REVIEW] My Boyfriend is Type B (2005)

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'My Boyfriend is Type B' is a 2005 film written and directed by Choi Suk Won. It stars Lee Dong Gun and Han Ji Hye.

[EDITORIAL] Can a famous boss damage a group's brand?

 

 

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Back when 5 member boy group MBLAQ where about to debut in 2009, there was much excitement. This was a group created by the one and only Rain - who is often dubbed the 'King of K-Pop'. Many people were curious to see what sort of group would come out from someone who has enjoyed so much success in the industry himself.

 

The group made their official debut at Rain's 'Legend of Rainism ' concert in October of that year and they were received well. A lot of their earlier singles and mini album tracks were written, composed and choreographed by Rain himself and enjoyed a good reception. As time went on though, it seemed that MBLAQ spent more time talking about Rain than they did about themselves.

[MV MONDAY] INFINITE - 'Back' MV

 

 

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INFINITE have returned with a repackage of their 'Season 2' album entitled 'Be Back', and yesterday their dynamic and cinematic music video for the additional track 'Back' was revealed. This great MV will be the focus of today's [MV MONDAY]!

SCAM! : TechSolutions4u

Honestly, I do not know if this company truly is a scammer, but based on my experience with them and the fact that I have been advised by someone from Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting service) to report them. I would advise everyone to NOT use this company! ( www.techsolutions4u.co.uk )

Please read on for my family's personal experience and reasons for my suspicions below.

[GET THE LOOK: Unisex] Henry - 'Fantastic' MV

 

 

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Super Junior M’s Henry recently made a comeback with his single ‘Fantastic’. We see him showing off his many amazing talents as usual. To get a more detailed look at the entire album, be sure to check out our recent ‘Tune In’ article on it.

Right now though, we are focusing on the clothing that Henry is wearing in the MV. Specifically, the more laid back and casual outfits. Keep reading to see how you can get this look on the British high street!

[PLAYLIST] Banned K-Pop!

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The banning or censoring of a song or music video in South Korea is a fairly common occurrence. These measures can be taken by particular broadcasting company or the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) for a variety of reasons.

Of course, censorship laws can vary widely from country to country - what might be seen as unsuitable for daytime broadcast in one culture can be perfectly normal for another and the respective boundary lines are forever being debated and changed. In this list, we have gathered a few examples of K-Pop songs that have been subject to banning and censorship. Some of the reasons behind these cases have been understandable, whereas some could be called downright laughable!

[GET THE LOOK] f(x) - 'Red Light' MV

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After what seems like an age, f(x) have finally made a comeback with ‘Red Light’ this month. Fans were clearly eager to see what the group would give them as the music video reached a colossal 1 million views in the first 12 hours after it was uploaded!

The girls have always had very interesting concepts, yet their clothing has still been quite approachable for even the shyest of dressers. It's also nice that each member usually has a particular twist in their individual look to suit their separate image. Let’s see how you can get their ‘Red Light’ look!

[PLAYLIST] Great K-Pop Choreography!

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Choreography is a huge factor in the K-Pop industry and most K-Pop songs with come along with a dance of one kind or another. The long training periods of many K-Pop idols can come to the fore most obviously through their moves and fans are often left dumbstruck and in awe of the dancing abilities of their favourite artists. K-Pop choreography is certainly something to behold, and very little can compare to the sheer amount of creativity and effort that goes into many of the dances.

However, this playlist is not just going to involve the best of the best in terms of dancing skills. We have also included some of the most creative, memorable and downright strange and silly K-Pop dances for your delight!

[TUNE IN - SINGLE REVIEW] HISTORY - 'Psycho'

Read on UnitedKpop.

HISTORY are a group consisting of 5 members that debuted last year under LOEN Tree (part of LOEN Entertainment). After quite a bit of teasing, the group have now come back with their 3rd mini album 'Desire' and the very cool and slick main single 'Psycho'!

[GET THE LOOK] 'SBS Running Man' - Casual Look

 

 

Read on UnitedKpop.

 

For fans of the South Korean variety programme 'SBS Running Man', the clothing the cast and guests wear will be quite familiar to you. However, those of you who are not fans can also see how to get a very comfortable, casual look that is perfect for the summer months!

[PLAYLIST] Sexy K-Pop Concepts!

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The 'sexy concept' in K-Pop surrounded by much debate and controversy. While it is fairly common to see scantily-clad pop stars wiggling and 'twerking' away on Western television, South Korea is still trying to set up boundary lines as they walk between Eastern and Western cultures. What is acceptable and what is not in a modern industry trying to package distinctly 'Asian' content for the global market?

Still, there is that old cliché: "Sex sells" that could be considered here, and even though K-Pop is still a relative newbie to producing sexualised content for mainstream consumption, many groups have had some very successful cracks at it. It is undeniable that most of the sexy concepts belong to the girls, instead of the boys though, which raises a lot of complex points about gender differences, patriarchal societies and female beauty expectations that we cannot go into here.

In any case, whether you look forward to the sexy concepts with excitement, or if they make you blush and gasp uncontrollably, we have a selection for you here. You have been warned though, things will be getting quite risqué from now on, and the more sensitive among you should prepare for a nosebleed of epic proportions...!

[TUNE IN: SINGLE REVIEW] PSY - 'Hangover' feat. Snoop Dogg

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It’s here! PSY’s latest single ‘Hangover’ featuring none other than Snoop Dogg himself! Given that this single is not actually a Korean release, it would seem that PSY has made the full transition into the American music scene. Whether or not this was the right move remains to be seen, as we take a deeper look at this crazy song, which at time of writing, has already reached a whopping 22.3 million views on YouTube!

[GET THE LOOK] TINT - 'Wolf Is Stupid' MV

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TINT are a five-member girl group under GH Entertainment that only debuted late last year. Their two singles so far have shown a very colourful, soft and girly image. For this particular get the look, we will be looking at their second release ‘Wolf Is Stupid’ released back in March. As you can see, the concept is inspired by the classic fairytale ‘Little Red Riding Hood’.

[PLAYLIST] Creepy K-Pop Concepts!

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Where our last playlist was celebrating everything cute and lovely, this week will be looking at the creepiest K-Pop concepts around. K-Pop is known to spare no expense when it comes to their music videos. This means that the production team and stars can afford to be incredibly adventurous and think outside the box with their concepts. The creepy/scary/gothic concept is fairly popular in the world of K-Pop. It is a theme that has a certain drama and theatrics to it, which makes it really enjoyable to behold. Costume and set designers can go all out with their contributions, and the artist themselves can express their darker sides through their work. Of course, this playlist isn't going to be too scary, but just in case, you might want to bare yourself for the shivers to be sent down your spine!

[GET THE LOOK - Unisex] C- CLOWN - 'Justice' MV

 

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For readers that are unfamiliar with C-CLOWN, they are a six member group under Yedang Entertainment that debuted in 2012. They began with quite a soft-spoken and suave image, but made an altogether very contrasting comeback with the single ‘Justice’ back in February this year. Check out how you can ‘Get the Look’ for yourself!

[PLAYLIST] Cute K-Pop Concepts!

 

 

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Whether you love them, or even if they infuriate you beyond words, the cute concept is a staple of the K-Pop genre. It is a style mostly saved for the girl groups, but it is also common for the males to turn on their aegyo-power in certain songs to show their versatility as performers. So get comfortable, and ready yourself to feel all squishy inside as we give you a selection of the cutest K-Pop around!

[COVERAGE] B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH Concert in London (27/04/2014)

 

 

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Since their debut in 2012, B.A.P have been almost consistently active. Since the start, they have been backed by their dedicated BABYz from all over the world. UK fans' desire to see their favourite group live in their home country was finally within reaching distance back in March when London was announced as one of the B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH 2014 tour stops. True to many previous K-Pop concerts' form, prices were indeed steep, but that didn't stop a great turnout on the 27th April at the O2 Academy in Brixton. We hope that this coverage of the event will bring back some good memories for all that attended, and fill in those who unfortunately could not.

[PLAYLIST] Funny/Parody K-Pop songs!

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Funny songs and parodies are quite commonplace in South Korea. The K-Music industry certainly knows how to make fun of itself and does so on a regular basis. Often the most popular songs will be subject to a silly re-creation before their year of release is out. There are also a few South Korean artists that openly embrace a less serious outlook on life and in their work, and these are the artists that will often create the most infectious and ridiculous tracks, solely aimed at making you smile. This is only a small selection of funny/parody K-Pop songs from the vast amount that exist, we hope you enjoy this playlist and leave your personal favourites and suggestions in the comment section below this article!

[GET THE LOOK - Unisex] Girl's Generation (SNSD) - 'Mr. Mr.' MV.

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Today, we are looking at Girl’s Generation (A.K.A SNSD)’s recent look for their ‘Mr. Mr.’ concept. As expected from such a big K-Pop name, the girls have many costume changes throughout the MV. However, we will be focusing on the bright pink and formal black and white looks for this article. Good news for the male readers also, we are exploring in-depth how guys can get the look too!

[GET THE LOOK - Unisex] B.A.P - 1004 (Angel) MV

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In anticipation of B.A.P’s London stop of their LIVE ON EARTH tour at o2 Brixton Academy tonight, we thought it would be good to base this week’s ‘Get the Look’ on one of their latest releases ‘1004 (Angel)’!

[PLAYLIST] K-Pop for beginners!

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So, your friend that is not very familiar with K-Pop has finally decided to give the genre a try and has asked you for some song recommendations. In your sheer glee at the prospect of sharing your fandom with someone who is open to receiving it, you become stuck for suggestions! You want something that will show them the true uniqueness of the K-Pop world, but also not overwhelm them or reinforce any of those awful Asian stereotypes. Of course, the world of South Korean entertainment can be pretty strange and overpowering to the K-Pop newbie. Here are just a few tracks that might help someone get to know this crazy area and ease them in slowly.

[INTERVIEW] Jason .R. Sol

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Jason R. Sol is a Korean-American actor, born and raised in the United States. A stuntman and model besides, Jason has been involved in many productions, most recently the Liam Neeson action-thriller ‘Non-Stop’ and the upcoming remake of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (due for UK release Friday the 17th, October 2014).

[GET THE LOOK] Apink - 'Mr Chu' MV

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The super cute and girly group Apink came back recently with their latest mini album entitled 'Pink Blossom' and have released from it the single ‘Mr Chu’! They give us another beautifully feminine concept that is perfect for the spring season. Let’s see how we can get a similar look on the British High Street!

[TUNE IN: Single Review] MBLAQ - 'Be a Man'

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MBLAQ are a 5 member group under J.Tune Entertainment that debuted back in 2009. They were actually created by K-Pop sensation Rain, which led to a lot of excitement during their beginning. They often embrace quite dark and cool concepts, but have also been known to show softer and sillier sides through their music. Anyone who has seen the guys unleashed on variety shows will be familiar with their strange humour and distinctive characters. Interestingly, 2NE1’s Dara is also a well-known MBLAQ fan (a.k.a A+), but this is not so surprising when you know that her younger brother is MBLAQ’s very own Thunder!

[STYLE STEAL] Toheart - 'Delicious' MV

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SHINee’s Key and INFINITE’s Woohyun have teamed up to form the duo named Toheart. The boys’ first single ‘Delicious’ is currently in its promotion cycle and doing well. Today, we will be looking at how to get a ‘Delicious’ inspired outfit for yourself!

[PLAYLIST] K-Pop songs for the Spring Season!

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Given that Spring officially began on the 20th March this year, we thought it would be nice to compile a playlist that will help get everyone the mood for the spring season. Of course, the UK weather never usually stays any particular way for longer than a few days, but given the terrible rain and floods we have had over the past few months, we deserve to embrace any fleeting moments of warmth that we get. So now, we shall endeavour to feel fresh and flowery with the help of these K-Pop songs!

[TUNE IN - SINGLE REVIEW] AlphaBAT - 'Ddan Dda La'

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AlphaBAT are a 9 member K-Pop boy group that debuted in 2013 under Simtong Entertainment. They have a quite pop/hip-hop flavour within their music. To date, they have released four singles and one mini album (entitled ‘ATTENTION’). Each member has a stage name that sits in alphabetical order (or should that be alphaBATical order? Hehe – sorry).

[STYLE STEAL - Unisex] Orange Caramel - 'Catallena' MV

 

 

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Orange Caramel debuted back in 2010 and are a sub-unit of the girl group After School. The group is made up of members Nana, Raina and Lizzy. They are known for a concept called ‘Candy Culture’, which means that they are always very cute and colourful with their style.

 

[PLAYLIST] K-Pop songs to help you relax

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In today's world, life can be full of a lot of stress and worry. We are increasingly expected to take on more tasks whilst working harder and longer in order to be successful or to get that wage we need. If you add on top of this the more general and personal difficulties life can throw at you, it can be easy to become completely overwhelmed with stress and anxiety at times. Whilst it is indeed important it is to deal with your educational, work or personal matters properly, it is equally important that you give yourself the time you wind down and chill out every so often. Everyone needs time to themselves and time to truly escape from the daily grind. Music, once again, is a great tool to help you do this. So, despite our last few K-Pop playlists being about helping you to pick yourself up and get going, this time around we are focusing on allowing yourself to settle and calm down. So, without further ado, let us begin the chill session!

[UNITEDKPOP SINGLE REVIEW] BESTie - 'Thank U Very Much'

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BESTie are a four-member girl group that debuted last year from YNB Entertainment. The group is made up of Hyeyeon, UJi, Dahye and Haeryung. Interestingly, all except Dahye are actually former members of the girl group EXID, but previously all left to either concentrate on their studies or to pursue an acting career. Let’s take a look at their latest single entitled ‘Thank U Very Much’!

[STYLE STEAL: Unisex] Jaejoong - 'Just Another Girl' MV

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Back at the end of last year, JYJ’s Jaejoong released an MV for his emotional song ‘Just Another Girl’. This song is part of his first solo album entitled ‘WWW (Who When Why)’ released at around the same time. Arguably, the most prominent outfit of this music video is the beautiful deep red suit that Jaejoong is shown storming around in. Instead of this outfit though, we will be focusing on how to mimic the more casual looks shown in this music video.