[K-pop 101 Guide] #1: Who’s Who in YG Entertainment?

[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 1^st 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 1^st Japanese Single (2005)’ and ‘Start Line – Style 2^nd Japanese Single (2005).

Hikari – Se7en

Start Line – Se7en

 In 2006, he made a comeback in Korea with ‘Lalala – Se7olution 4^th Studio Album (2006)’ that once again showcased his smooth and captivating vocals.

Lalala – Se7en

Se7en Mini Album Vol. 2 3^rd 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 1^st EP (2007)’ was BIGBANG’s break-out hit composed by G-Dragon.

거짓말 (Lies) – BIGBANG

Their most recent Alive 5^th 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 1^st 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 1^st Single Album’ in 2010.

I Don’t Care – 2NE1

Go Away – 2NE1

In 2012, the release of ‘I Am The Best – 2NE1 2^nd 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 5^th 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!

Until next time, 안녕!

♥ 하루