[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!

[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!

[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.

[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] 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!

[FILM REVIEW] I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay (2006)

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‘I’m a Cyborg, But That’s Okay’ is a 2006 film directed by Park Chan Wook – someone you might be familiar with through the hugely successful film ’Old Boy’ from his ‘Vengeance Trilogy’.