Kpop music thread. Stan talent, Stan-all.

Hey y'all, it's been pretty quiet this past week, but next week? Hoo boy! It's about to pop off around Valentine's Day, so get ready. In the meantime, let's slake our Kpop thirst with another Throwback Thursday! We're going back to 2011 with one of my favorite tracks from T-ara, Cry Cry. Depending on the day this might be my top pick from their repertoire; they've got some great ones to choose from though so I hate to rule some of them out. I dunno, I just really love the vibe on this song, and of course Jiyeon's knee slide move is iconic! Anyway, please enjoy the performance MV (the actual MV is about 15 minutes but feel free to look it up if you're curious).

T-ara - Cry Cry

Is this from before they were artificially cancelled?

Grenn wrote:

Is this from before they were artificially cancelled?

Yes, but not much before. This was released in November of 2011 and the controversy started around the summer of the next year.

Well, I did warn you about this week being big, and we're starting Monday off with a bang: three new MV releases! I knew about the first two here, but then XG came along and dropped an MV for the B-side of their most recent single as well. Ah, I'm soaking it all up like an over-dry sponge.

tripleS - Rising

LimeLight - Honestly

XG - Left Right

Yo, it's Day Two of the Valentine's Kpop Deluge and we have two more MV drops to check out from Tri.Be and StayC. I'm digging them so far; neither is going to usurp my favorites from either group but they're both strong comebacks IMO. Check 'em out!

TRI.BE - We Are Young

StayC - Teddy Bear

Antichulius wrote:

Momoland is disbanding. I’ll add links when I’m less sad.

Well, after a couple weeks of complete silence from the members and company, it seems all sorts of official now. The members all posted a hand written letter confirming that they are each going their own way and thanking Merries for their support and patience.

I'm heartbroken they didn't get a farewell song or finale album. Their last release was a collaboration song, Yummy Yummy Love, over a year ago. And the release before that was another collab in February of 2021. Their actual last solo work was the Ready or Not single in 2020. And they never did release a new mini album after the restructuring unless you count Starry Night (which was 1 new song and 2 Korean versions of previous Japanese only songs). Which takes us all the way back to I'm So Hot in 2019 for their final fully original mini-album.

Ouch.

It's been such a slow and painful slide by the company, but Momoland kept a decent and loyal fanbase even with little activity for the past 3 years (which is half of their entire run, essentially). When I went to KCON in 2019, there were disbandment rumors like there's always been it seems, and I went in part because it might have been my last chance to see them. Turns out it was. They returned to the states last October for KAMP LA, but health issues prevented me from even considering the travel. Makes the KCON time all the more special to me.

It's sad to see my ultimate group dissolve, knowing there won't ever be another group that touches my life like Momoland did. But I'm so happy for the members, who can finally move on after so many years of performing the same Bboom Bboom at every concert, after so much of their passion for music has been locked away by a company uninterested in the group, after what I can only imagine is a massive pent up eagerness to just get out and -do- something professionally.

I can't wait to see where they each land, and I hope beyond hope that they look back with fondness at their time as Momoland. I know I will.

We're winding down on the Valentine's Day release window; I think this might be the last one, but it's a doozy! I was really excited about the Purple Kiss comeback since they topped my 2022 list last year, and this new MV doesn't disappoint. The instrumentation is really interesting on this track, kind of minimal in parts and really strings heavy which you don't hear too often. Anyway, check it out!

Purple Kiss - Sweet Juice

I really like this Purple Kiss track, and hopefully after a few more listens I'll stop snickering every time they say the title.

Tscott wrote:

I really like this Purple Kiss track, and hopefully after a few more listens I'll stop snickering every time they say the title.

Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter. It's a reference to the Apple of Eden (I actually don't know what it's referring to but it could be the Apple of Eden based on the lyrics. It could just be a 'forbidden fruit' sort of reference but that also is vaguely lewd so I'm gonna stop talking now).

Except I CAN'T stop cuz it's Throwback Thursday! #tbt *airhorn noises* I strongly encourage everyone to post some throwbacks this week if you're feeling nostalgic about a group. I know there's been a ton of new releases lately but it's good to go back and remind yourself of why you got into Kpop in the first place. If you're wondering how to make a good #tbt post, don't sweat it. You just do it like this:

Wonder Girls - Like This

That was fun! I haven't heard that song before, and the video made me nostalgic for back when flash mobs were a thing.

gurusloth wrote:

Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter.

Sorry, I blame EXID. They ruined me ever since I heard their song "Cream"*. Here's a live performance of the Korean version of the song for my Throwback Thursday submission.

Spoiler:

* Just kidding I was ruined long before I ever discovered that song.

New Kep1er video just dropped! I really like this one, the video is cute and the song is very fun and upbeat. Check it out!

Kep1er - I do! Do you?

Hello y'all, it's time for another Throwback Thursday! But before we get to the #tbt, we need to shout out Fifty Fifty's new comeback. The video just dropped and I gotta say I'm really vibing on it! It's upbeat and kinda dreamy sounding and the vocals are just smooth like butter. Great rap break too! If you've been sleeping on this rookie group it's time to wake up.

Fifty Fifty - Cupid

And now for the throwback, we're going back to 2012! This group was not super-popular, but I really liked a few of their songs and this was probably my favorite, although I can admit it does get a bit repetitive and I'd love to hear a new version that incorporates a bit more variety within the song structure. That being said, the sax slaps and the hook is very good, and if we're being honest, their visual is amazing. Hyoseong might be my all-time visual bias. Anyway, check it out, and prepare some antidote in advance!

Secret - Poison

OMG I'm in love with Cupid after one listen. Apparently Fifty Fifty also just announced their fandom name, Hunnie, which is too cute. They're half (Fifty) and their fans are the other half (Fifty) and together they are whole (100, or a hunnie).

lilli lilli - Murphy

Antichulius wrote:

lilli lilli - Murphy

that's so weird, I got this video in my Youtube algorithm and while I was listening to it and considering whether or not to post about it I popped in here and saw your post. It's a nice track; the 'f' bomb out of nowhere is a bit off-putting but otherwise I like it. I haven't heard of this group before, though, are they new?

Don’t know much but it looks like they’ve been around since at least 2021, though only a couple releases in that time. I thought I was just mishearing the f-bomb, but after you heard it too, I checked the lyrics, and sure enough. Odd choice within such a bright sound.

They debuted over a year ago with a song called Bar Code. This might be the first thing they’ve released since then.

Forgive me for linking to a youtube short:
The cutest thing ever (Twice Jeongyeon and Nayeon)

Hello and welcome back to another Throwback Thursday! It's been a bit quieter lately (I'm expecting some fun new comebacks next week-ish so keep an eye out here for those) but right now let's go with the flow and play it a bit more laid back with this track from 2012. I showed off a duet a few months ago featuring Suhyun from AKMU and Lee Hi, but Lee Hi has a ton of great songs even up to and including this, her debut release. It sets the tone for her musical direction going forward and really complements her vocal style. I'm sure if you're a fan of hers you've probably heard it before, but I don't think it's been featured in the thread before so let's correct that. Please enjoy.

Lee Hi - 1, 2, 3, 4

P.S. You're right, Tscott, that short was super cute!

---EDIT---

It seems I may have spoken too soon regarding new releases! This one slipped under my radar a bit since it wasn't posted on the the group's main Youtube page, but I got tipped off on Twitter to a new solo release from Alice member Sohee. Check it out!

Sohee (featuring XINSAYNE) - YoYo

Jeong Hyo Bean - I'm not alone

A-plus - Candlelight

Very enjoyable! This is another Howon University project from students majoring in K-pop. Similar to the group AZER which I posted a while back. This project which was written, produced, performed, and choreographed by students in this program.

Here's a release I just found out about that was released a few days ago.

Lim Kim X Jamie - Love Me Crazy

Something a little different from Cherry Bullet.

Cherry Bullet - P.O.W. (Play On the World)

I've given it a couple listens and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Tscott wrote:

Cherry Bullet - P.O.W. (Play On the World)
I've given it a couple listens and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Ahh, I just came in to post about this. I was really anticipating this Cherry Bullet comeback but I gotta say I'm not the biggest fan of it. I love the concept, they look great in the video. The song itself is...not hitting for me.
The pre-chorus is quite nice, but generally speaking I don't care for the chorus or the bassline throughout the rest of the song. It's a bit discordant, kind of like the Billlie debut song Ring X Ring, where they play that siren noise and it's meant to be kind of jarring but I know a lot of people didn't really like that part; in P.O.W. I feel the same about the way it sounds. I can tell it's intentional but I don't like it. I recommend 'Whistle Like That' off the new EP, it's not breaking a ton of new ground musically but it's fun and the whistling on the track reminds me of Gugudan's 'The Boots' so if you have any fondness for that song check it out!

Tscott wrote:

Lim Kim X Jamie - Love Me Crazy

This one I liked! Also it's from SM Entertainment? Is Lim Kim or Jamie now signed with SM? Not sure about that one, but I'm digging the song. Kinda chill but with a club vibe on the percussion. It's a nice bob-your-head-while-driving kind of song.

Lastly, I saw former Gfriend member Yuju has a new EP, here's the MV from it:

Yuju - Without U

She sounds great, but the song is a bit too ballad-y for me; some of the other songs from the EP seem a bit more upbeat though, so check it out, it's on iTunes (and Spotify, probably).

gurusloth wrote:

The song itself is...not hitting for me.

I totally get that. It took a second listen before I started vibing with it. And some of my enjoyment was in knowing it would eventually grow on me even more. It just has that feel for me that makes me think in 2 weeks I'll be thinking - "oh, yeah, I totally get this now".

Speaking of another song like that, I kind of liked STAYC's Teddy Bear but quickly forgot it until it showed up on shuffle a few times and then got wedged in my head.

And I just found out they of course did a performance video with Bellygom:

it's #tbt time once again, y'all! We got some great releases this past week but now it's time to go back to 2010 with the debut of an iconic JYP group, miss A. They were active for about 6 years and during that time really turned out hit after hit; I would say looking at the MV list on their Youtube page they really don't have a single that didn't pop off at least somewhat, and most of them were bona fide bangers. I will definitely be returning to this group for future throwbacks! Their debut song is still perhaps their most iconic, and this is back when a lot of groups were not hitting right out of the starting gate like they do today. Anyway, enough chatter, let's get to the MV!

miss A - Bad Girl, Good Girl

New song by Twice. Their new Mini-album should be out at the usual places too.

TWICE - Set Me Free

Funny you post Bad Girl, Girl Girl. It's the only song I know from miss A. I really like it but I haven't searched for more by them yet. Now I'm curious what else I should check out.

So, uh, is anyone watching the SM and LSM corporate/hostile takeover stuff??

I'm pretty sure there would be anti-competition rules in play if it were other parts of the world but I'm watching this with interest. I mean, these are huge contributors to the hallyu movement.

Tscott wrote:

Funny you post Bad Girl, Girl Girl. It's the only song I know from miss A. I really like it but I haven't searched for more by them yet. Now I'm curious what else I should check out.

Good Bye Baby, I Don't Need a Man, Hush, Breathe, and Only You are all great. AKMU did a fun cover of Breathe when they were on KpopStar you can find on Youtube as well (members of miss A were in the audience so it's fun to see their reaction); check out the original first of course.

Bfgp wrote:

So, uh, is anyone watching the SM and LSM corporate/hostile takeover stuff??

I'm pretty sure there would be anti-competition rules in play if it were other parts of the world but I'm watching this with interest. I mean, these are huge contributors to the hallyu movement.

Nope, first I'm hearing about it. I googled and got this article that is summing up the situation. If you've got any other links I'd be curious to check it out.

new Pixy! It's very good; check it out.