Here’s introducing my new-found love, MAMAMOO! Don’t they have an interesting name?
MAMAMOO is a new 4-member R&B girl group under WA entertainment. The members are Solar, Moon Byul, Whee In and Wha Sa. MAMAMOO, being an R&B group (very seldom is there a female R&B group), is able to jazz up the K-pop industry with their fresh new look and sound.
Clockwise From Top Left: Solar,Moon Byul,Wha Sa,Whee In
I got to know them with their debut song ‘Don’t Be Happy’ featuring Bumkey (♥ 3♥). It’s MAMAMOO’s first epic collaboration!
‘Don’t Be Happy’, featuring Bumkey, is a soulful and jazzy single that shows how heartbroken the singer is and how she hopes the ex will never ever be happy with another. This unique black and white MV has the song starting at the second half of the official version. Hence, you probably can’t hear much of Bumkey’s voice.
But that is understandable because the MV is meant to showcase the vocal talents of each member.
Don’t Be Happy – MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO’s second epic collaboration is with K.Will (♥ 3♥) and Wheesung – ‘썸남썸녀(Peppermint Chocolate)’! This song is vastly different from ‘Don’t Be Happy’ as it is has an upbeat disco sound to it! Other than the 2 big shots featured in this song, the MV also has cute cameos from VIXX’s Hongbin and N!
A splash of colour can be found in this MV as compared to the full black and white ‘Don’t Be Happy’ MV.
썸남썸녀(Peppermint Chocolate) – MAMAMOO
After listening to both ‘Don’t Be Happy’ and ‘썸남썸녀(Peppermint Chocolate)’, I am really impressed with MAMAMOO for having 4 very talented members! We are talking about members with remarkable vocals and have the ability to portray a modern, classy and independent image.
My eyes are fixed on this group ^^ I can’t wait for their next song!
After a 4-year hiatus, 2NE1 finally dropped their 2nd studio album ‘Crush’! The long awaited comeback studio album consists of 10 tracks, with 5 of them being written and composed by CL herself!
The album name ‘Crush’ is chosen by YG to portray 2NE1’s strong image. In addition, their comeback street fashion style further enhances the girls’ tough persona and individualities.
‘Crush’, being a double-titled track album, saw 2 music videos being released on 3 March 2014 – ‘Come Back Home’ and ‘Happy’.
For the production of ‘Come Back Home’ MV, YG invested approximately 500 million Won (roughly 470,000 USD)! A blockbuster flick can probably be produced with that amount! The exceptional amount of money invested sure proved its worth as the MV is amazing!
High quality graphics and complicated (slightly confusing for me) plot makes this MV a cut above the rest. Furthermore, what are the chances of finding similar MVs in the K-pop industry? Hardly any i must say.
‘Come Back Home’ starts off with a slower tempo and picks up about a minute later. The song speaks about a girl missing someone dearly and waiting for him to come back to her side.
Come Back Home – 2NE1
‘Happy’ has a bright and cheerful tune to it but is actually a pretty sad song. The singer hopes her ex will be happy because she is definitely not. Pretty odd for a song with sad lyrics to have such an upbeat tune.
Happy – 2NE1
Other tracks include:
Crush
Gotta Be You
If I Were You
Good To You
MTBD (CL solo)
Happy
Scream (Korean version)
Baby I Miss You
Come Back Home (Unplugged version)
Like usual, 2NE1 is able to produce a diverse range of music. Listening to their songs is like going on a roller coaster ride; high on energy at one moment, feeling blue and down at the other.
As I am a huge fan of 2NE1, it is clear that I would recommend this album. However, this album is definitely worth listening to as songs from 2NE1 is vastly different from the usual suspects in the K-pop scene. 2NE1 embraces being unique and boy am I glad they do so because they always bring a breath of fresh air to the K-pop scene.
Enjoy the sounds from the queens of the future. Until next time, 안녕~!
GD One Of A Kind Concert was held at Singapore Indoor Stadium on 30 June 2013. It was so awesome to be standing in the mosh pit and screaming my lungs out! Therefore, when I heard that there was going to be a movie screening of his concert in Seoul, I immediately went to get the movie tickets! I wanted to relive the concert once more! Maybe a little more comfortably this time round ㅋㅋㅋ
The movie is only shown at selected Golden Village (GV) cinemas at very limited timings. Prices of the 3D concert movie ticket: $24 (non-GV members); $18 (GV members). Though I am a GV member, $18 is still pretty steep for a movie ticket!
GD One Of A Kind (OOAK) Final in Seoul 3D Movie Screening didn’t show the full concert as there were some interviews with GD included. Not that I mind looking at his handsome face~ The whole movie experience was pretty good… except for the fact that making it into a 3D film was pretty redundant. The 3D glasses did not fit properly and kept falling off my face, so I was unable to fully enjoy the movie. The only 3D experience I got was a headache and a sore hand from holding onto the glasses throughout the 1.5h movie.
The concert movie screening is a great way to experience a concert in a comfortable environment but nothing beats attending a real live concert! The enthusiastic fellow fans, the live music and singing and the interactions that the idols give make a real live concert unforgettable! I am pretty much addicted to concerts by now.
Speaking of which, there is something brewing in the air this March school holidays…
Stay tuned for the next episode of [K-happenings in Singapore] because I’ll be THIKINNG OF YOU~ (hint hint ^^)
Bam (밤) translates to “night” in Korean – and will also come to stand for the time of the day where I will post on this site.
As Haru has already made her introduction in the posts before, I shall also indulge in a quick self-introduction:
I am currently a student in one of Singapore’s art colleges, doing my degree in Fashion. It is a long story as to how I’ve came to pursue this, despite the violent objections (which I credit to the conservative expectations of Singapore’s society and education standards). Yet I stand by my decision –do what you love!– and as cheesy as it may sound, Korea, KPOP and all her associated “swag” had inspired me in so many ways.
I have always been in love with Korean culture, be it music, fashion or people.
I packed my bags for Korea in 2012 as I got bored with the singularity of living in one’s home country for too long. I wanted to figure out my next step to take as an adult, and inevitably as a student who had just graduated.
During that time, I applied to a university in Korea (fact: G-Dragon’s school!) and got accepted; only to withdraw last minute before winter term began. I freaked out upon the prospect of studying 4 years for a degree I probably wouldn’t and could not love.
Simultaneously, I also studied in the acclaimed full-time Korean Language program in Sogang University (Sogang KLEC).
Now being back in Singapore is falling a little bit short of my expectations, but I have finally found something I enjoy studying. Undeniably, I miss the life I had in Korea and I wish to transport a bit of that passion and love into the articles I will be writing for HARU&BAM.
Similar to Haru, I admire and love the Korean music scene, particularly singers like Tablo, Leessang, Akdong Musician, EXO, BEAST, 2NE1 etc.
I also especially believe that the less-known indie music scene in Korea is one of their greatest gems despite being heavily over-shadowed by Kpop.
As such, I hope to be able to provide good articles that are informative and objective, yet fun to read.
[K-pop 101 Guide] #1: Who’s Who in YG Entertainment?
If you are new to K-pop scene, you will probably need to know that there are a jillion K-pop solos and groups out in the market! Debuts appear regularly, and so do disbandments.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you are scratching your heads on how to start exposing yourself to the K-pop music scene.
[K-pop 101 Guide] #1 is here to let you know about the first of ‘The 3 Bigs’ in the K-pop industry (YG, SM, JYP) and some of the more prominent artists under each of them! Each artist’s basic introduction will be accompanied by their popular tracks~
Hopefully by the end of this post, you’ll be checking out one or two of them! 가자 (Let’s go)!
-YG Entertainment-
The founder and main producer of YG Entertainment is Yang Hyun Suk (aka Papa YG). He has developed and nurtured numerous talented musicians who are able to consistently roll out new trends and stay on top of the K-pop scene.
SE7EN
The single ‘Come Back to Me – Just Listen 1st Studio Album (2003)’ was Se7en’s debut track that showcased his vocal and dancing skills.
Come Back To Me – Se7en
Not long after, he broke into the Japanese market with ‘Hikari – Hikari 1st Japanese Single (2005)’ and ‘Start Line – Style 2nd Japanese Single (2005).
Hikari – Se7en
Start Line – Se7en
In 2006, he made a comeback in Korea with ‘Lalala – Se7olution 4th Studio Album (2006)’ that once again showcased his smooth and captivating vocals.
Lalala – Se7en
Se7en Mini Album Vol. 2 3rd EP (2012) was his last EP released before he enlisted in the army in March 2013. It included the hit songs ‘When I Can’t Sing’ and ‘Somebody Else’. The title track ‘When I Can’t Sing’ written and produced by JYP, making it the first ever official collaboration between YG and JYP.
When I Can’t Sing – Se7en
Somebody Else – Se7en
Se7en is currently fulfilling his duties in the army, hence his inactivity in the music scene.
BIGBANG (HARU’S FAVE!!!♥)
BIGBANG debuted in 2006 and consists of G-Dragon (Kwon Ji Young), TOP (Choi Seung Hyun), Taeyang (Dong Yong Bae), Daesung (Kang Dae Sung) and Seungri (Lee Seung Hyun). Ever since they debuted, BIGBANG has been self-producing and composing most of their songs. This makes their music truly exceptional.
‘거짓말 (Lies) – Always 1st EP (2007)’ was BIGBANG’s break-out hit composed by G-Dragon.
거짓말 (Lies) – BIGBANG
Their most recent Alive 5th EP (2012) includes chart toppers such as ‘Fantastic Baby’, ‘Bad Boy’ and Blue’. This ‘Alive EP’ is the first Korean album to be charted on Billboard 200. [1]
Fantastic Baby – BIGBANG
Catchy tune that makes you go ‘WOW FANTASTIC BABY! WHOOOO~!’ non-stop!
Bad Boy – BIGBANG
Blue – BIGBANG
All BIGBANG members have also engaged in their own solo activities that showcased their individual talents and personalities. All 5 members are equally successful in their solo efforts as they are as a group. This proves their endless talents as the kings of K-pop.[2]
삐딱하게(Crooked) – GD
Doom Dada – TOP
Ringa Linga –Taeyang
I Love You (Yutaka Ozaki cover) – Daesung
할말 있어요 (I Have Something To Say) –Seungri
In a nutshell, they are AWESOME!!! (Cause I say so ㅋㅋㅋ^^)
2NE1
2NE1 is made up of CL (Lee Chae Rin), BOM (Park Bom), Minzy (Gong Minji) and Dara (Sandara Park). They burst into the music scene like a meteorite with their debut single ‘Fire – 2NE1 1st EP (2009)’. 2NE1’s unique fashion style and music differentiates them from the usual sweet or sexy images of girl groups.
Fire- 2NE1
From 2NE1’s fierce ‘Fire’ to their reggae, holiday-feel ‘I Don’t Care’, 2NE1 shows that they are able to deliver a diverse range of music to their audience. That is further proven by the release of electronic dance music ‘Go Away – To Anyone 1st Single Album’ in 2010.
I Don’t Care – 2NE1
Go Away – 2NE1
In 2012, the release of ‘I Am The Best – 2NE1 2nd EP (2011)’ showcased their overflowing charisma and self-confidence. The song also cemented their status as the reigning queens of K-pop and that they have the world right under their feet.
I Am The Best – 2NE1
PSY
One sentence: ‘OPPAN GANGNAM STYLE!”
강남스타일(Gangnam Style) – Psy
This is the song that shot him to international fame, but not many people know that he has been in the music industry for more than 15 years. His other domestically renowned track include ‘Right Now – PsyFive 5th Studio Abum (2010)’.
Right Now – Psy
Of course, the list above is not exhaustive. Other artists under YG’s management include EPIK HIGH, Lee Hi and WINNER. YG is also possibly debuting 4 new groups in 2014, so do keep an eye out for them!
안녕하세요! 내 이름은 하루입니다! Hello! I am Haru, one of the writers for this page!
Let’s start with a little self introduction, shall we?
I’m 22 years old this year and I lurve K-pop (K-pop here referring mainly to Korean music)! It has been 5 years since I entered into a relationship with K-pop. It was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’ve not looked back since ^^
-First Encounter-
I was first introduced to K-pop in December 2008 when I started working at a store. From when I opened the store in the morning to when I pulled down the shutters at night, K-pop was always by my side. Even after 5 years, I could still remember the very first song from K-pop…
누나너무예뻐 (Replay) – SHINee
My curiosity was piqued and I wanted to find out more about K-pop. That was how I began my journey with K-pop.
Okay, enough of my romance story ㅋㅋㅋ
-Finding The One-
The myriad of songs and artistes that greeted me when I first ventured into the unknown world of K-pop made me go, “WHOA~~~”. Mind you, I was completely clueless about K-pop at the time. With so many idol groups and solo artistes, my ears were spoiled for choice.
In late 2009, I stumbled onto this:
Lollipop – BIGBANG
I was absolutely blown away. BIGBANG stole my eyes, my ears and my heart. I became a VIP. And once a VIP, forever a VIP.
-Moving On-
Being such a K-pop enthusiast, I don’t limit myself to listening to only BIGBANG songs. I’m also open to checking out songs by other artists and groups.
K-pop has become such an integral part of my life now; I cannot go a day without indulging in it. K-pop has brought me so much joy that I want to spread the love to more people around the world! Okay, maybe just Singapore firstㅋㅋㅋ
I will be sharing about the latest K-pop news and happenings, as well as K-pop events in Singapore! Do stay tuned for my first ‘official’ post! Thank you for your attention thus far and I’ll see you again! 안녕!
