5 Surprising Idols

Hello, everyone! How’s the first week of 2016 going for you? Hopefully, you can manage the good spirit until the end of this year J

Last year, I started 2015 posts with the list of next generation boy and girl groups. It turns out to be spot on because most of them manage to become bigger or maintain their popularity in 2015. I guess I have talent on that hahaha.

This year, I will start with another list, but it’s more light and unique. I called it surprising idols. Why is it a surprise? Because in the early days of their career, nobody would have thought these five idols will get it big among their teammates. Also, it’s a surprise because some of them gain recognition in the most unusual way.

So, here is my list of five surprising idols that gain fame in these past several years………

1.     EXID Hani

           

Hani is one of a kind case. People started to pay attention to her when her solo focus fan cam went viral in 2014 and gathered 18 million viewers until now. Her alluring charisma captivated people, which also made them take interest to her group, EXID. The most surprising thing is the song in the fan cam, Up & Down became a massive hit in late 2014 despite released 3 months earlier.

Hani’s popularity skyrocketed too. She scored various endorsement deals like  with video game Clash of Kings, hosted and guested in various shows such as My Little Television, Crime Scene, and Law of the Jungle, and became cameo in drama The Producers. Her smart and funny personality is a reverse charm to her sexy personality on stage.

She started 2016 with a bang through her dating news with JYJ Junsu while also planning to become a regular member in another variety show Sibling Love with her brother.

2.     BTOB Sungjae

It took three years for Sungjae to achieve huge success like today. Since debut, he is one of the active members in BTOB. He appeared and hosted several shows while also acted in some dramas. However, not many people aware of his name.

It was until he showcased his powerful singing voice on King of Mask Singer where people began to know him in 2015. This followed by his appearance in drama Who Are You: School 2015 that created buzz because of his acting and chemistry with Kim So Hyun. Sungjae started to receive endorsement deals and offer to become variety show cast, music show host, and to act in another drama, The Village: Archiara’s Secret. His popularity also helped BTOB where their single in 2015, It’s Okay, topped various music charts upon its release for the first time.

           

2015 is surely a busy year for him and this year, he will continue his appearance in variety show We Got Married with Red Velvet Joy and music show Inkigayo.

3.     Girl’s Day Hyeri

Girl’s Day Hyeri showed that it’s possible to hit it big two times. In 2014, her aegyo video to army instructor in variety show Real Men became a hot topic. It has one million views in three days despite the aegyo only lasted three seconds. Her popularity boosted, even made her fan sign event cancelled because there are too many people who want to see her in 2014.

In 2015, she starred as a female lead in popular drama installments, Reply 1988. Hyeri successfully changed people’s negative views about her acting when she turned into the lovable and funny Deoksun, her character. Thanks to both Real Men and Reply 1988, she is now having 17 endorsement deals. There was still no information about her career plan in 2016, but it would be interesting to see whether she could maintain her popularity this year.

4.     SISTAR Soyu

Soyu used to be the least popular member in SISTAR, but now, who doesn’t know her? People began to notice her husky voice after collaborating with Geeks through a remake of Tamia’s song, Officially Missing You in 2012 and with Mad Clown for single Stupid in Love in 2013. But, it was her duet song with JungGiGo, Some that made her well known. Some was a huge hit in 2014 where it won various awards and became the longest chart-topper song in the same year.

The success of Some helped increasing Soyu’s popularity. She made various show appearances, even became the new host of beauty program Get It Beauty in 2015. She also consistently releasing collaboration songs such as The Space Between with Urban Zakapa in 2014 and Closer with 10cm Kwon Jung Yeol in 2015; both of them shared similar success. She also took part in the soundtrack    of 2015 popular drama, She Was Pretty. Currently, Soyu is still resting through her injury. Wishing her speedy recovery, so she can grace us again with her   lovely voice in 2016!

5.     2PM Junho

If we look back to the early days of 2PM, we will never think that Junho will be as big as nowadays. He isn’t as handsome as Nichkhun or as funny as Taecyeon. His vocal and dance often overshadowed by other members too. But, he proved us wrong. He is the hidden gem of 2PM.

His success may seem under the radar for most K-Pop fans since his career focus is in Japan. Apparently, he is the first 2PM member to release Japanese solo album. He has three Japanese mini-albums that topped ORICON daily chart and held Japanese tours for each of his album. He then released his Korean album, ONE, and hold two days solo concert in South Korea last year.

Not only music, he also expanded his career in acting. He has acted in several movies along with popular star such as Cold Eyes with Jung Woo Sung and Han Hyo Joo, Twenty with Kim Woobin and Kang Haneul, and Memories of the Sword with Jeon Do Yeon and Lee Byung Hun. He will try his luck in drama this year through Memory along side Lee Sung Min while also prepare for 2PM Korean comeback and Japan tour.

It’s always exciting to see how these idols find a success in a most unexpected way. I think that is a part of K-Entertainment charm. I will definitely look forward to what they will bring in 2016!

Do you guys have another name, a surprising idol in your opinion?

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[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] 2PM - My House (2015)

2PM is the next boy group joining the summer comeback. They had a blast last year with the party anthem, Go Crazy. This year, they go back to their root with sexy R&B track, My House. Check out my review of their newest single below…………………………………………

My House is 2PM second title track with member, Jun K., as the composer. Once again, he proved his capability in creating diverse type of song. In the past, he already made a ballad, electronic, and hip - hop song. With My House, he brought back the R&B genre.

My House is a simple, yet catchy song. It has the usual K-Pop song formula with repetitive words in several parts, making it easier to sing and memorize. But in terms of music, it’s different. Most of K-Pop songs now rely heavily on noisy electronic song. My House takes the opposite way by going simple.

It’s simple because it only has guitar and bass sound in most of the part. This type of sound is refreshing because it’s rare in recent K-Pop songs. Beside that, the guitar and bass sound brought the R&B element of this song. To avoid making the song becomes boring with the guitar sound, Jun K made different melody in each verse. The differentiation added more dynamic to the song flow.

In terms of vocal, all of them nailed their part. What I love the most from 2PM is that each member able to show their strength and cover each other weakness in terms of vocal. Each of them could shine. There is no member who overshadowed others. But still, I wish I could hear more Nichkhun in this song. I also feel that Taecyeon’s rap is awkward in some part of this song.

My House music video is one of 2PM best music videos. It represented the song lyrics where 2PM wants to take the girl to her house. The girl may looks ignorant, but the boys know that she actually wants to go too. To make the music video more interesting, 2PM put a spin of various fairytales on it.

I find the fairytale aspect interesting for boy group with mature image like 2PM. Fairytales often associated with childhood. Beside that, most of the fairytales has female as the main character, which is why only female artists that mostly done this concept. It’s quite unique for a boy group to have this kind of concept.

The music video began with Cinderella references. A girl is running away from the ball because it’s already twelve in the midnight. But then, each of the boys began to approach her and persuade her to go home with them. Each of their scene represented different fairytale.

Taecyeon became a wolf (The Red Riding Hood), Wooyoung let the girl to eat an apple (Snow White), Junho walked through a corridor where the talking rabbit hide (Alice in Wonderland), and Chansung has a monster-like hand (Beauty and the Beast). I am not really sure about Jun K and Nichkhun’s scene, but many have pointed out the Rapunzel and Cinderella references.

The fairytale storyline accompanied by beautiful visual in this music video. I love the color tone, setting, and costumes. It represented the classy and glamour image of the story and 2PM image itself. I also like the fast editing at some part. It added the mysterious aspect to the music video.

Overall, My House is an enjoyable song to listen in the summer. It’s simple and catchy. It also brings back 2PM signature style in sexy R&B music. The music video is one of their best too. It put a twist on classic fairytales.

Rating                         : 4/5

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[MUSIC REVIEW] 2PM - Going Crazy (2014)

Six men of 2PM are back! On September 10^th, they released music video for their newest single called Going Crazy. However, the album itself will be released on September 14^th. With this single, 2PM made the second attempt on making party anthem after Hands Up in 2011.

Going Crazy will be the first 2PM title track with Jun K as its composer. Jun K has known to often compose songs for 2PM, his solo track, and other JYPE label mates. He has solid track record, so it is a bit unexpected that he only able to compose the title track after six years debuted with 2PM.

So, are you ready to go crazy with 2PM? Check out their music video below!

Going Crazy will get your attention since the first listen. It is a super catchy song with addictive chorus and enjoyable beat.

This song opened with a beat that sounded like 80s disco music. There is synthesizer, bass, and guitar sound on it that emphasizes the funky vibe. Then, it followed by Wooyoung, Chansung, and Junho’s vocal part. The song flows really nicely between the verses. It is enjoyable to listen.

But, my favorite part would be the chorus part. Going Crazy shows how to make a good chorus for K-Pop song. It has simple words with addictive hook without sounds repetitive. The formula is effective and I am sure that you will not get the chorus out of your head after listening to this song. I have to give applause to Jun K for this because it is not easy to make a song that will instantly get your attention since the first listen.

Moving on to the members’ vocal, their vocals also suit the song. Even Taecyeon’s rap sounded good on it. I give another applause for Jun K that able to showcase each member’s strength.

As for the music video, it is really suit the lyrics, which is about going crazy at the party. When I first watched it, I was like, “What the hell is this???? Hahahaha”. It is a really weird music video, yet hilarious at the same time. I think the whole music video it’s like 2PM hangover dream after the party.

There are various settings that being usage on the music video such as garage and living room, which are quite simple. There is also a studio scene with bright blue lights for their dance scene. But, the most memorable part would be the fake moon setting. It is really surprising, but this able to capture the crazy element of the whole song theme.

Then for the styling, Junho, Taecyeon, and Chansung look really good with their laid back style. But at the same time, they need to change Nichkhun and Jun K’s hair. For Wooyoung, well he really defines the crazy concept through his style hahaha.

As for the dance, it also fits the crazy theme. It still highlights 2PM signature acrobatic dance, but this time, they seem to make a spoof version of it. The highlight part would be the motorcycle dance on the chorus, which is hilarious and unique.

With Going Crazy, 2PM is really going crazy. It is a catchy song with addictive beat and hook along with fun music video that suit the whole theme. It also proves how 2PM able to make another party anthem after Hands Up.

But, the most important thing is I love how they decide to leave out their beastly image and go carefree on this comeback. It really affects the viewers too. After all, you will not care about how weird the music video, choreography, and the styling is. You just laugh, sing, and dance along with them. You too are going crazy with 2PM ;)

Rating: 4/5

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