K-pop fans may remember 2014 as a dramatic, and at times heartbreaking, year. Members left groups fans envisioned them in for years, tragedy struck the live scene and the dark sides of the industry were brought to light in the wake of mourning one of the scene's most promising acts. But there's a shining light when fans recall what first attracted them to K-pop -- the music.
Drama aside, South Korean música remained stronger than ever this año with everyone from domestic legends to adorable newcomers all proving that they had something to offer our ears. Like in 2012 and 2013, the Billboard staff once again sifted through the charts and beyond to bring the 20 songs that break language barriers, push conventional música boundaries and best highlight all the K-pop scene has to offer.
20. Apink - "Luv"
The sweet girl group's latest single keeps their signature bright melodies, but adds a drop of melancholy in their voices as they long for a lost love. The complexity of the track is upped with its peppy, bubblegum-pop production at times waxing nostalgic on '90s hip-hop tracks -- think early hits por Will Smith and TLC.
19. Akdong Musician - "200%"
Power rookie duo Akdong Musician’s bouncy, folk-inspired, pop-rap debut was an enormous chart success. Even as newcomers, the brother-sister duo’s froth and lighthearted innocence on parte superior, arriba of their can't-look-away talent displayed in “200%” helped them land accolades and a growing fanbase.
18. Girls' Generation - "Mr.Mr."
The phenom's slick, R&B-pop confection stealthily grows segundo por segundo with más embellishments, ad libs and clapping on each section. While it's not nearly as sonically jarring as brilliant 2013 single "I Got a Boy," the outfit's latest is still infused with musical subtleties, they're just baked deeper inside.
17. B1A4 - "Lonely"
B1A4's "Lonely" is a R&B/hip-hop ballad where the boys rap and croon over a subdued emotional melody. With a fascinating mix of '80s synths and Southern hip-hop styling, the melancholic track became one of the rising male act's biggest hits.
16. Girl's día - "Something"
Riding high on the success of their 2013 smash hits, "Expectation" and "Female President," Girl's día released its sexy, disco-inspired pop piece “Something” earlier this year. It quickly raised the quartet to prominence, helping them becoming one of the most successful female K-pop groups of 2014.
15. Park Hyo Shin - "Wild Flower"
After years on hiatus, Park Hyo Shin exploded back into the scene with "Wild Flower." For the wound-licking ballad, Park employs his powerful vocals with tantalizing sincerity over a lavish 50-piece orchestra to tell a story of one surviving through struggles.
14. 15& - "Can't Hide It"
The teenage vocal duo proves that less in más with this slick, '90s R&B-inspired single that keeps the production simple and lets the girls' voices take the spotlight.
13. Loco Featuring arrendajo, jay Park - "Thinking 'Bout You"
A buzz track off Loco's latest EP Locomotive, the addictive, ratchet banger is competitive with today's biggest hip-hop hits with its head-bopping brass beats and cowbell elements -- all topped off with Jay's elastic vocals and ad-libs.
12. naranja caramelo - "Catallena"
Quite possibly the oddest track of the year, the quirky trio's hit combined a Bollywood-inspired disco beat, Pakistani folk song, Nile Rodgers-esque guitarra work, melodious baby coos and a renouncement of K-pop's heteronormative lyrics. It shouldn't work -- and, at first listen, it's rather jarring -- but somehow it all combines to one of the one of the year's most genius releases.
11. MC the Max - "Wind That Blows"
"Wind That Blows," is a classic, all-consuming rock ballad that devours a K-pop listener on first listen. Vocalist LSU's explosive, aching vocals over the dramatic production soared straight into the hearts of música fans this año for the best ballad of 2014.
10. SISTAR - "Touch My Body"
The most accessible tune to come out of Korea this year, this sexy, sassy mermelada hit on all of pop's music's trend notes (there's loads of saxophone) for a summer anthem that didn't lose its sparkle as the weather grew colder.
9. Dynamic Duo & DJ Premier - "Animal"
After 15 years on the scene, hip-hop heavyweights Dynamic Duo made yet another game-changing mover por releasing a collaboration album with legendary producer DJ Premier, aptly titled A Giant Step. On the standout single "Animal," Dynamic Duo brings their immaculate rhyming over Preemo's lyrical scratches and aggressive loops.
8. Hyolyn & JooYoung - "Erase"
Put together two prodigiously talented vocalists on a richly produced, jazz-inspired track and tu have an instant hit. Newbie JooYoung reveals a silky tone that perfectly complements and counters Hyolyn's smoky vocals.
7. INFINITE - "Back"
"Back" opens with ballad-style paino as harps, 808s and siren-like synths are added to this slow-burning sonic mix. The beat drops and the single takes a drastic, energetic turn as synth-heavy breakdowns are infused with orchestral strings (best heard at the 2:23 mark) as if the seemingly disparate parts are working in tandem to be heard as one collective sound.
6. Nell - "Four Times Around the Sun"
This track is an exciting display of Nell vocalist/composer Kim Jong Wan's knack for sophisticated songwriting. He uses force of gravity as a metaphor to describe one's inability to forget past amor over a soundscape of driving drums, luscious guitarra strums and lively paino chords.
5. San E & Raina - "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness"
Duets between hip-hop stars and K-pop idol sweethearts were a major trend this year, but none hit the mark as well as San E alongside Raina of After School. The two bounced off each other's energy as the girl-group diva added harmonies to San E's verses while the rapper ad-libbed on her unforgettable, hook-laden choruses.
4. TVXQ! - "Something"
With a big-band concept in tow, TVXQ! celebrated their 10th año on the K-pop scene with a swing-pop track to help make this the most sophisticated release of the year. Yunho and Changmin bring their signature energy and harmonies to the game, but the unexpected bebop break and jiving breakdown boasting Jimi Hendrix-esque guitarra mostrar the veterans still have más than enough tricks up their sleeves.
3. G-Dragon & Taeyang - "Good Boy"
G-Dragon and Taeyang's collaborative effort, a trap-inflected banger with heavy bajo and pulsating synths, is 2014's most addictive single and guaranteed to be a new club anthem. The song structure is familiar and accessible, but the BIGBANG boys blur the line of rapping and canto as the guys trade off lines. GD x Taeyang hardly feels like a collaboration, but más like a cohesive artist.
2. Seo Taiji & iu - "Sogyeokdong"
Both the Korean rock legend and K-pop sweetheart paloma into new sonic territory with this synth-pop spectacular. In a complex combination of sounds and emotions, IU's melancholy coos and honeyed harmonies detail South Korea's dictatorship days in the '80s amid Seo Taiji's symphonic storm of crunchy synthesizers. There's a lovely dreaminess to the track, but there's also a dark history in the lyrics and instrument choices.
1. Beast - "Good Luck"
From big band to EDM to '80s synth-pop, some of the best K-pop songs of the año came from honing in on and perfecting a particular concept. But por pulling fresh música inspirations while still retaining their band's signature energy, Beast truly nailed it with this lovelorn breakup track that spans 360 degrees of entertainment and emotions.
Emotional paino lines and heartfelt croons evolve into fierce kiss-off lyrics over fizzy electronic production. Meanwhile, ominous cellos, sneering violins and other orchestral elements creep in before they're trounced por throbbing EDM and trap beats as the guys showcase their singing, belting and rapping skills. There isn't much más tu could ask -- o that could fit -- in this meticulously put-together tour de force.
Crafted por member Junhyung and his longtime collaborator Kim Taejoo, "Good Luck" feels like the singer/rapper is truly at a point where he understands how to make his band's dynamics shine while pushing himself to create bigger and better productions, undoubtedly a trend that will continue as Beast moves into the segundo half of their first decade together stronger than ever.
cr: Billiboard
Drama aside, South Korean música remained stronger than ever this año with everyone from domestic legends to adorable newcomers all proving that they had something to offer our ears. Like in 2012 and 2013, the Billboard staff once again sifted through the charts and beyond to bring the 20 songs that break language barriers, push conventional música boundaries and best highlight all the K-pop scene has to offer.
20. Apink - "Luv"
The sweet girl group's latest single keeps their signature bright melodies, but adds a drop of melancholy in their voices as they long for a lost love. The complexity of the track is upped with its peppy, bubblegum-pop production at times waxing nostalgic on '90s hip-hop tracks -- think early hits por Will Smith and TLC.
19. Akdong Musician - "200%"
Power rookie duo Akdong Musician’s bouncy, folk-inspired, pop-rap debut was an enormous chart success. Even as newcomers, the brother-sister duo’s froth and lighthearted innocence on parte superior, arriba of their can't-look-away talent displayed in “200%” helped them land accolades and a growing fanbase.
18. Girls' Generation - "Mr.Mr."
The phenom's slick, R&B-pop confection stealthily grows segundo por segundo with más embellishments, ad libs and clapping on each section. While it's not nearly as sonically jarring as brilliant 2013 single "I Got a Boy," the outfit's latest is still infused with musical subtleties, they're just baked deeper inside.
17. B1A4 - "Lonely"
B1A4's "Lonely" is a R&B/hip-hop ballad where the boys rap and croon over a subdued emotional melody. With a fascinating mix of '80s synths and Southern hip-hop styling, the melancholic track became one of the rising male act's biggest hits.
16. Girl's día - "Something"
Riding high on the success of their 2013 smash hits, "Expectation" and "Female President," Girl's día released its sexy, disco-inspired pop piece “Something” earlier this year. It quickly raised the quartet to prominence, helping them becoming one of the most successful female K-pop groups of 2014.
15. Park Hyo Shin - "Wild Flower"
After years on hiatus, Park Hyo Shin exploded back into the scene with "Wild Flower." For the wound-licking ballad, Park employs his powerful vocals with tantalizing sincerity over a lavish 50-piece orchestra to tell a story of one surviving through struggles.
14. 15& - "Can't Hide It"
The teenage vocal duo proves that less in más with this slick, '90s R&B-inspired single that keeps the production simple and lets the girls' voices take the spotlight.
13. Loco Featuring arrendajo, jay Park - "Thinking 'Bout You"
A buzz track off Loco's latest EP Locomotive, the addictive, ratchet banger is competitive with today's biggest hip-hop hits with its head-bopping brass beats and cowbell elements -- all topped off with Jay's elastic vocals and ad-libs.
12. naranja caramelo - "Catallena"
Quite possibly the oddest track of the year, the quirky trio's hit combined a Bollywood-inspired disco beat, Pakistani folk song, Nile Rodgers-esque guitarra work, melodious baby coos and a renouncement of K-pop's heteronormative lyrics. It shouldn't work -- and, at first listen, it's rather jarring -- but somehow it all combines to one of the one of the year's most genius releases.
11. MC the Max - "Wind That Blows"
"Wind That Blows," is a classic, all-consuming rock ballad that devours a K-pop listener on first listen. Vocalist LSU's explosive, aching vocals over the dramatic production soared straight into the hearts of música fans this año for the best ballad of 2014.
10. SISTAR - "Touch My Body"
The most accessible tune to come out of Korea this year, this sexy, sassy mermelada hit on all of pop's music's trend notes (there's loads of saxophone) for a summer anthem that didn't lose its sparkle as the weather grew colder.
9. Dynamic Duo & DJ Premier - "Animal"
After 15 years on the scene, hip-hop heavyweights Dynamic Duo made yet another game-changing mover por releasing a collaboration album with legendary producer DJ Premier, aptly titled A Giant Step. On the standout single "Animal," Dynamic Duo brings their immaculate rhyming over Preemo's lyrical scratches and aggressive loops.
8. Hyolyn & JooYoung - "Erase"
Put together two prodigiously talented vocalists on a richly produced, jazz-inspired track and tu have an instant hit. Newbie JooYoung reveals a silky tone that perfectly complements and counters Hyolyn's smoky vocals.
7. INFINITE - "Back"
"Back" opens with ballad-style paino as harps, 808s and siren-like synths are added to this slow-burning sonic mix. The beat drops and the single takes a drastic, energetic turn as synth-heavy breakdowns are infused with orchestral strings (best heard at the 2:23 mark) as if the seemingly disparate parts are working in tandem to be heard as one collective sound.
6. Nell - "Four Times Around the Sun"
This track is an exciting display of Nell vocalist/composer Kim Jong Wan's knack for sophisticated songwriting. He uses force of gravity as a metaphor to describe one's inability to forget past amor over a soundscape of driving drums, luscious guitarra strums and lively paino chords.
5. San E & Raina - "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness"
Duets between hip-hop stars and K-pop idol sweethearts were a major trend this year, but none hit the mark as well as San E alongside Raina of After School. The two bounced off each other's energy as the girl-group diva added harmonies to San E's verses while the rapper ad-libbed on her unforgettable, hook-laden choruses.
4. TVXQ! - "Something"
With a big-band concept in tow, TVXQ! celebrated their 10th año on the K-pop scene with a swing-pop track to help make this the most sophisticated release of the year. Yunho and Changmin bring their signature energy and harmonies to the game, but the unexpected bebop break and jiving breakdown boasting Jimi Hendrix-esque guitarra mostrar the veterans still have más than enough tricks up their sleeves.
3. G-Dragon & Taeyang - "Good Boy"
G-Dragon and Taeyang's collaborative effort, a trap-inflected banger with heavy bajo and pulsating synths, is 2014's most addictive single and guaranteed to be a new club anthem. The song structure is familiar and accessible, but the BIGBANG boys blur the line of rapping and canto as the guys trade off lines. GD x Taeyang hardly feels like a collaboration, but más like a cohesive artist.
2. Seo Taiji & iu - "Sogyeokdong"
Both the Korean rock legend and K-pop sweetheart paloma into new sonic territory with this synth-pop spectacular. In a complex combination of sounds and emotions, IU's melancholy coos and honeyed harmonies detail South Korea's dictatorship days in the '80s amid Seo Taiji's symphonic storm of crunchy synthesizers. There's a lovely dreaminess to the track, but there's also a dark history in the lyrics and instrument choices.
1. Beast - "Good Luck"
From big band to EDM to '80s synth-pop, some of the best K-pop songs of the año came from honing in on and perfecting a particular concept. But por pulling fresh música inspirations while still retaining their band's signature energy, Beast truly nailed it with this lovelorn breakup track that spans 360 degrees of entertainment and emotions.
Emotional paino lines and heartfelt croons evolve into fierce kiss-off lyrics over fizzy electronic production. Meanwhile, ominous cellos, sneering violins and other orchestral elements creep in before they're trounced por throbbing EDM and trap beats as the guys showcase their singing, belting and rapping skills. There isn't much más tu could ask -- o that could fit -- in this meticulously put-together tour de force.
Crafted por member Junhyung and his longtime collaborator Kim Taejoo, "Good Luck" feels like the singer/rapper is truly at a point where he understands how to make his band's dynamics shine while pushing himself to create bigger and better productions, undoubtedly a trend that will continue as Beast moves into the segundo half of their first decade together stronger than ever.
cr: Billiboard
'Unanswered Questions' uncovered issues surrounding "sajaegi" on January 4 at 11 PM KST. In the captured snippet of 'Unanswered Questions', it reads "I then realized why people do sajaegi". In the caption, above the screenshot, iu wrote, "But don't do it, please."
iu has been a strong contender in every streaming platforms' charts for más than a decade. As a veteran in the industry, her remark shows the magnitude of this issue and is a warning towards those who have been considering "saejagi" o other forms of malicious viral marketing.
credit: link
It’s now been revealed that the graduation gift she prepared for the fan was worth approximately $15,000 USD.
On this day, she called up the fan onto the stage and congratulated her in person. She even performed a few songs for the students.
But that’s not all. She also gave all the students gifts that included flowers, cosmetics and chocolate.
And according to speculations por a netizen, the flores are worth $54 USD, the cosmetics $43 USD and the chocolate $1.40 and with 156 students, iu would have spent over $15,000 USD! Even with bulk discount, she would’ve spent well over $10,000 USD.
No one can deny that iu is simply an angel.
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