Here comes the main event of the WAVE series! 2015 has been a jam packed year for K-Pop! 2015 is home to some of the finest group debuts we've had in years, ...
I haven’t posted here before but I will try this too.
I saw some good posts on tumblr about autism and communication. Like this one http://toreblogallthethings.tumblr.com/post/116894212751/into-the-weeds-a-note-to-everyone-who-interacts and some other ones.
And I was thinking too just about how much it is still a thing that we are not good at answering questions. A lot of the time asking us a question just makes us do a script. Sometimes it is what we want but sometimes it disconnects us from what we want. But questions are such a basic thing of how people talk to each other that it doesn't feel reasonable to ask for the accommodation of don't ask us questions in realtime. Also it is complicated sometimes questions work and I can't explain why or why not. Not a lot of people understand our communication style in the world. So it is a basic incompatibility with almost all the people in the world. But if it is impossible to be accommodated most of the time it leaves us mostly just pretending that we can do questions because it is easiest. And even being scared to talk about questions again because it is easiest not to and I don't want to worry people about a problem that can't be solved, but disappearing the problem never works either. I don't know what the solution to this is, I don't think there is one. But sometimes I remember the days when we were very very quiet even more than we are now, some of it was because if we had a reputation of being quiet people wouldn't talk to us and wouldn't ask us questions, and that was even easier but harder in other ways. Really I am not sure what to do with the problem of questions. It is a basic thing that almost everyone does a lot and it is invisible or forgettable to everyone that we do not always have the thinking and word style that lets us comprehend questions and comprehend our own opinions and come up with words and put all of that together consciously and answer a question. It is a very complicated and difficult thing that most people do quickly and with ease!
And then if you don't ask questions a lot of people will think you don't care. But it is caring to not do something that makes things cognitively inaccessible for actually understanding. I think in not asking or answering questions there is the spirit of answering and asking questions because it keeps things clearer to watch and have curiosity and learn the answers to things that way.
-e.
The fact that it's burning outside and all the gross bugs have come out must mean one thing: it's officially summer! Yaaaaaaay
So that means it's about time we start putting together our K-Pop playlists for the season, so to kick off the summer fun here are my 14 picks for my Summer K-Pop Playlist of 2014!
1) Catallena: Orange Caramel
Like last time, I’m gonna start with the bubbliest and poppiest end of the spectrum in the playlist. You have to hand it to Orange Caramel– they make consistently strong singles that are always catchy, lively, and fun. I think they need some more love This earworm of a single about a love/hate girl crush is their best single so far. The song and video both have more to them than at first glance, and are refreshing unique takes on what seems like a standard pop song at first. Just watch Eat Your Kimchi’s review of the song for a detailed explanation on actually how brilliant and creative the video is. .
2) Bubble Pop: HyunA
I don’t think I need to explain why this is on a summer K-Pop list. I think the annoying dubstep break is the only reason it didn’t make the last list.
3) The Day We Broke Up: ZE:A 5
Now shifting a bit from the in-your-face-pop from the ladies, we move to an upbeat and fun song from ZE:A. It’s not the most memorable song in the world but hey - cute boys dancing on the beach in oversized sweaters? That is the true meaning of summer.
4) One Love: F. Cuz
In a similar style, F. Cuz’s ‘One Love’ is next. This song seemed a little J-Pop to me in the very light and airy way that you’d probably find as the opening song for some cutesy monster-collecting anime. Right? Just me? Okay whatever. Either way, it’s cute and uplifting and has a summery vibe to it that earns a spot on this list.
5) Empty Room: GIl Hak Mi
This one has a similar dance beat but with a more somber tone. Who said the summer has to be happy bubbly songs all the time, right? This song still has a good beat combined with Gil Hak Mi’s emotional vocals to make a simple but nice addition to this summer playlist. It’s the kind of song that just sounds prettier each time I listen to it.
6) Tonight: SPICA
This way under-appreciated song from vocal powerhouse group SPICA would make a perfect summer anthem, knocking GD’s ‘Crooked’ out of the top spot for best song to play on a road trip, top down, yelling at the top of your lungs. It’s music video is essentially a long commercial for Urban Outfitters, with a montage of summery and hipstery scenes all ranging from the classic pillow-fighting to….. getting high in a tent? Either way, Lee Hyori apparently helped out with the song/video to help her label-mate group, so it has to be awesome.
7) Crooked: G-Dragon
Just because it comes in second place for best song to play on a road trip, top down, yelling at the top of your lungs doesn’t mean it can’t earn a place on the summer K-Pop list. The dance-able (or jump-up-and-down-able?) beat and the yell-able chorus are both perfect for any impromptu summer dance session. I can say this from experience. The video gets to show us GD at his craziest public disturbance spoiled brat character yet – and he’s fantastic. Whatever my opinion of him, the guy can perform (and act – from the over-the-top right down to the subtle helplessness that’s just pitiful to watch). It’s such a simple melody but oh so addictive, typical GD. This very standard pop song was the height of the trying-to-be-edgy Coup D'etat album, oddly enough.
8) Happy: 2NE1
Meanwhile, 2NE1 vastly superior album (schwingggg) brings the next song in our playlist – the teasing and bouncy song ‘Happy’. As their new album seemed to be a new and updated selection of all the shades of classic 2NE1, this song seemed to be the new and updated version of I Don’t Care in terms of style and beat. It’s a cheery and innocent break-up song, with all the fun they always promise. It also, unlike some of their recent stuff, isn’t a one-woman CL show with 3 back-up singers (double schwingggg).
9) Bloom: Ga-In
This song is a bright, cheery, but mature summery song about innocent love, sexual curiosity, and losing one’s virginity. Ga In handles the controversial topic with total class, even with sex scenes that are explicit by K-Pop standards. But enough of that – someday I’m going to go into detail on the greatness that is Ga In and this song and its handling of sexuality. Or something. The song is bubbly with an old-fashioned beat, it has almost a disco undercurrent that fits in with the older and cheesy theme of the video and makes for a stylish but offbeat addition to the list as we shift styles for a bit.
8) Ooh Ooh: Eric Nam
Speaking of offbeat throwback styles that are oozing with class let’s talk about Eric Nam’s latest hit for a second. It’s amazing. The style of the video is all from the decade of awesome. And Eric Nam is just overflowing with boyish charm. The opening 20 seconds of the video are just him slipping into clothes, showing off mickey mouse underwear, and hopping into tight jeans, and making it all look so cute – why can’t I do that, huh? Ok enough about Eric and the fabulous video. This song’s unbelievably catchy beat and chorus will keep you snapping your fingers and singing along (or trying to, in my case) all summer.
(Bonus: Eric Nam being adorable on Eat Your Kimchi).
9) Love Blossom: K. will
Sliding into the more laid-back section of the summer playlist is K Will’s adorable song with an adorable and… randomly fantastic video. At first glance it’s a typical boy-meets-girl video (featuring the cute as ever L from Infinite, daww look at himmm). Then all of a sudden there’s a silencer. And a dead K Will. But it still goes on in its happy adorableness focused on the happy couple. It’s hilarious, just watch it. The song is light and sweet, all set to K Will’s smooth and rich voice. It’s perfect for that summer stroll or biking in the park. If you’re active unlike me, that is. Good for you.
10) Rain: Lim Kim
Slowing down even a bit more, we slow the pace of that summer stroll to Lim Kim’s quiet and simple ‘Rain’. The indie star has such distinctive, gentle vocals you may actually just want to take a break altogether and go find the nearest hammock to chill in or something. You should really listen to her entire album. Save from a couple of weak tracks the entire thing is pretty great and Lim Kim’s vocals, creativity, and touchingly astute lyrics (from what I can tell in the English translation anyway) earn my complete respect for her as a young artist. It was very hard to pick just one song from the album (well, one besides the song that finishes off this playlist – that was guaranteed to be included anyway) so I’ll leave links to the 2 runners up as well. She even has acoustic covers of these songs that are just as smooth and as beautiful. ‘Rain’ was picked for a number of reasons, but most obviously for those summer rain showers – it’s perfect whether you’re indoors or out.
11) Falling: John Park
John Park has another soulful addition to this playlist, but he adds a more somber and strained emotion to his voice. “Falling” is another very gentle and breezy tune, but again like “Empty Room” still maintains a sad and longing tone that the video helps show. There’s a sense of loneliness and helplessness that sounds rather gloomy but still manages to come off lightly and delicately in the song. John Park’s nice falsetto certainly helps. Ok that’s way too many adjectives and adverbs for one description. Just ignore that and listen to the song. Or look at the pretty gif, ooooo.
12) The Cure: Drunken Tiger
I could go on for pages and pages on how purely awesome the trio of Drunken Tiger is. But I’ve already been talking too much and literally no one cares so I’ll just get the point. The hiphop trio, unafraid to stray into neighboring genres, brings us the elegant reggae-beat song about battling mental disorders and conditions, a controversial topic in Korea that’s virtually unheard of in its music. Yoon Mi Rae is lovely as ever, and her powerful voice shines even in these more tender choruses with an almost motherly touch that we don’t get to see as often. It fits perfectly in between Tiger JK and MC Bizzy’s melodic raps, again in the reggae style that works so well here. It’s another gentler addition to the playlist while filling in some of the richness that Drunken Tiger always brings to their work.
Okay because I love her so much here is a bonus gif of Mi Rae
FAVORITISMMM ok moving on
13) Story of Someone I Know: San E
Bringing in a song from my recent K-HipHop kick is San. E’s ‘Story of Someone I Know’. San. E has a very distinctive style. He doesn’t try to be too cool or too sexy, but goes for a younger and sillier vibe that leads to very laid-back and charming tunes like this one. And, like most of his videos, includes a twist at the end...They’re always worth a watch with English subtitles on for the sweet lyrics. Like Lim Kim, San. E had a couple of songs that almost made it to the list instead, but in the end I chose this as the best fit with the songs around it in the playlist at the moment. The easy-going beat fits in with the summer vibe, and it’s a bit more melodic than the others. I don’t want to use the word ‘standard’ here, but it isn’t quite as offbeat as his others. It keeps this little hiphop sidetrack here from derailing us too much as we finish up the playlist with…
14) Goodbye 20: Lim Kim
Again, best for last. I already gave this song its own post because I just adore it so much, so this is totally overkill. But what can I say? The tune is perfect, the lyrics are perfect, the video is perfect. I can’t say it’s my favorite K-Pop song as she really is a more indie artist (though this is the closest she’s gotten to ‘pop’), but I would say this is now my favorite Korean song, period. Sorry Lessang. It’s a perfect end to this summer playlist with its upbeat and, like I said, pop-indie vibe that always makes for good fun. Plus Kim’s vocals are at her best here, showing both her gentler side and her stronger ‘belts’ that she barely shows elsewhere. Plus the nostalgic theme, typical teenage worries and desires, the frustrating anticlimax that is adulthood: Truly the summer spirit.
Just needed to share this gem for anyone who had a year like this one.. Young adulthood is supposed to be a perfect happy time of your life right? Well, not always. Sometimes it just... is what it is. Not a child anymore but not an adult yet. But now you're wondering why kids are so eager to grow up - what happened?
I just discovered Lim Kim and she's great... and she even drops an f-bomb here so double great.This song was catchy and pretty easy to relate to in my opinion (Korean age 20 is 19 right? sure... so yeah we were in the same boat) and I just felt like I needed to put it here to appreciate it/her because reasons.
