First of all, I would like to say "Merry Christmas" to all of you who celebrated it. I know it's late, but it's better than did not say anything, right?
What did you guys do on Christmas?
Me and my big family were spending our quality time in staying at one of hotel in Jakarta. Eventhough we actually did not celebrate Christmas, but it feels nice to gather around with each other because we did not have much spare time to do that :)
Today, I was actually going to make another movie review. I was already prepared for it, but, suddenly, something came up to my mind. I discovered new idea and I can say that it is different from what I usually write. At first, I was hesitant to write about this, but then, I began to think that I have to do this now before I forget and get bored about it hahahahahahaha. Sorry for the next movie that I was planning to review, but it seems that you have to wait to be written at this blog :")
Okay, basically, today I am going to write a brief summary about several debuts and comebacks that happened in K-Pop music scene in 2012 which captured my attention. It's been one year since I followed this "blackhole" (hahahahahahahaha) called K-Pop. It was very interesting to pay attention about their promotion cycles which different from my own country, Indonesia, and America music scene. So, since 2012 is coming to an end, here is my brief summary about 2012 noticeable K-Pop debuts and comebacks.........
Starting from rookies, there are almost 50 of them that debuted this year (kpopstarz.com). Some of them were forgettable, some of them were noticeable. Among all of the noticeable rookies, we have six blonde guys with their strong-powerful image and of course, continuous promotion cycle, B.A.P, that debuted in January with Warrior. There are also a female singer that show us her powerful voice, Ailee, and Busker Busker, an indie Korean band which also happened to be the runner up of Mnet "Superstar K3" which able to captured many people's attention this year. Coincidentally, all of them come from a relatively small company.
From the "Big 3" rookies, SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment, three of the most popular and powerful company in K-Pop music industry, we have twelve boys from another planet which formed a boy group and had to be separated into Korean and Chinese market, EXO, from SM Entertainment. As for JYP Entertainment, they have three rookies this year which are the duo that makes your head bounce, JJ Project, a young female soloist which happened to be alumni of SBS "Kpop Star", Baek Ahyeon, and another soulful voice duo, 15&. Lastly, we have Lee Hi, a runner up of SBS "Kpop Star" which dubbed as "monster rookie" and Korean version of Adele from YG Entertainment.
For the group comebacks, there are four names that captured me this year. The first name is Big Bang, a boy group who successfully proved that they're still on top and it's not their time from disbandment yet after several last year's scandals. Beside Big Bang, there is another boy group who marked their 14th years anniversary this year and made a comeback after their long hiatus, Shinhwa. Another group is Epik High, a hip hop group who also had a comeback after long hiatus and this year, they started their new career in new company, YG Entertainment. And it does not feel like a 2012 K-Pop music scene without mentioning girl group, SISTAR, that have skyrocketing popularity this year, thanks to their song called "Alone" and "Loving You". Actually, there are still many popular groups that made a comeback this year. But, unfortunately, in my opinion, several of them have a so so comebacks, such as Super Junior, 2NE1, and SHINee.
This year also continued sub-unit trend in K-Pop. Some of them made a comeback, such as Orange Caramel from a girl group, After School with Lipstick. While some of them, debuting this year like Taetiseo (TTS) from one of the top K-Pop girl group, Girls' Generation (SNSD) with, Twinkle, and achieved many positive responds. It seems that the sub-unit trend will continue next year with Infinite H from Infinite, Double Yoon from 4Minute, and the comeback of SISTAR19 from SISTAR in January 2013.
For soloists who make their comeback, we have a male singer which also acted on MBC "The King2Hearts" this year, Lee Seunggi and Big Bang leader, G-Dragon, from the male side. From female side, we have K-Pop female solo singer/dancer, BoA, and the soundtrack queen, Baek Ji Young. 2012 also associated as "Gangnam Style" year, a huge phenomenal song by male soloist, PSY. Thanks to PSY, K-Pop has now become more and more widely known worldwide and everyone nowadays are trying to do the horse dance :D
Lastly, there is also another trend in K-Pop music scene this year. Many of the members of K-Pop popular boy and girl groups try to debut as a soloist. This is actually a good trend and I hope that it will continue next year. Beside G-Dragon, who already have his solo album in 2009 with Heartbreaker, that comeback this year, we have One Day brothers, 2AM Jo Kwon and 2PM Wooyoung, Beast main vocalist which happened to be my bias, Yang Yoseob, and Infinite main vocalist who tried to back with his root as a rocker, Kim Sunggyu. We also have Brown Eyed Girls youngest member, Ga In, with her controversial music video of her song called, "Bloom".
Overall, 2012 has been a colorful years of K-Pop. We have countless rookies that debuted this year, groups that have rising popularity, groups that made a comeback after long hiatus, and many other groups. 2012 also continued the current trend in K-Pop, sub unit, and it even make another "not so new" trend with many members of boy and girl groups debuted as soloists. K-Pop also become more global this year with Gangnam Style by PSY. Lastly, this year also proved that K-Pop is not just about boy and girl group with Busker Busker topping several music charts this year.
So, let's hope that there will be better things to come in 2013 Kpop music scene!
Personally, in 2013, I am still waiting for two of my most favorites group, 2PM and Girls' Generation, comebacks as a group. I also hope that SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment would make EXO and JJ Project comebacks as soon as possible for god sake!
For sub units, I am still waiting for the comeback of GD&TOP from Big Bang and another sub unit from Girls' Generation beside Taetiseo. I also hope that next year, we will have another boy and girl sub unit like Trouble Maker last year.
For soloists, I hope that many members of boy and girl groups continue debuting as soloist with completely different material from what they usually did like Infinite Kim Sunggyu.
And lastly, with the end of legal battle between them and SM Entertainment, let's hope that JYJ will be able to appear on South Korean television next year as a singer!
That's all I want to say. On my next post, I will write about what we should expect in January 2013 debuts and comebacks. So, stay tune for it!
Once again, Merry Christmas aaaannddddd..............Happy New Year!!!!!!
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