Kpop Continued: Because You Can Never Have Enough
On Tuesday I shared some of my favorite kpop songs. At the end of the post I started to make a list of "honorable mentions," or songs that I wanted to feature, but for whatever reason I decided to leave out of The Big List. Like, I didn't think it was really fair to list every T-ara song ever recorded, or to have Big Bang on the list four times, or for the post to go on until the end of time. So! Here's Part 2 of Sarah's List of Kpop Songs Worth Checking Out. Because there were just too many songs I wanted to mention, and because I couldn't think of anything else you needed this week. Again, these are just my personal faves. If you think any other songs are worth mentioning, I'd love it if you told me about them in the comments - I'm always looking for a new favorite song-of-the-moment.
Big Bang - Haru Haru
This song is basically a sad ballad that you can dance to. Oh, and it's awesome. When I think Big Bang, I think Haru Haru. I don't know why I consider this *the* Big Bang song, but I do. It's just so... Big Bang. And... I don't know where I'm going with this. Look, I personally think the music video is a little blah (and a total downer), but the song is mah-velous. (Like T-ara, I wanted to put about 18 Big Bang songs on this list, but I restrained myself. However, they will be showing up on this list later)
4 Minute - Volume Up
One of my favorite songs of this year. Although that smooth sax always makes me think of this. Plus this video is a little confusing for me. They're vampires? Or not? They're in some kind of sex cathedral? I don't know. But I do know this song has been in my regular rotation for the better part of 2012.
TVXQ - Mirotic
Mirotic: For when you want your kpop a little down and dirrty. Compared to the other songs on my list, this one is probably the grittiest. But like, sexy gritty. To put it another way, R Kelly would totally be the one to record the American version of Mirotic.
Ga In - Irreversible
Ga In is a member of Brown Eyed Girls, but this is a solo project. The touch of tango in this song really makes it stand apart from other pop songs, and is part of why I love it so much. I sum up my opinion of Ga In thusly: Ga In is an awesome solo artist and a sweet, loving beard to Jo Kwon.
Orange Caramel - Funny Hunny
I'm not a big fan of experiencing songs for the first time through music videos. I realize that's exactly what I'm doing with these kpop blog posts, but music videos are more interesting than some boring old audio clips, so here we are. My point is, sometimes the music video can distract you from the song, and possibly give you a bad first impression. This is why I recommended listening to Sixth Sense as audio-only in Tuesday's post, and why I originally didn't like Funny Hunny. I was introduced to the song through the music video, and it was just too much to process. Now that I've listened to the song a bunch, I can enjoy this fun, wackadoo MV and the song. But just a warning: If you're thinking of writing off this song, give it a listen on its own before you blow it off completely. I find myself singing it in my head all the time. It's pretty rad.
EXO - What Is Love
EXO, EXO-K, or EXO-M? I don't know the difference. (Edit: I do now.) But I do know that this MV features only two of them, and that combined with the mood of this song made me dub them the Korean K-Ci & JoJo. Now I know that there are virtually as many members of the EXO Empire as there are stars in the sky. Even so, I still think of this as Korean K-Ci & JoJo, and it (smoothly, seductively) rocks my face off every time I hear it.
Big Bang - Fantastic Baby
What more can I say? (I'm ashamed to notice I made a spelling error in that tweet. I swear I'm literate most of the time. I was in a "Wow. Fantastic baby." type of haze. I pray for forgiveness every day.)
Brown Eyed Girls - SIGN
This song got pushed off my original list because I figured I couldn't have three BEG songs hogging my list. OR COULD I? So here it is. I love Brown Eyed Girls. I mentioned that before, didn't I? Maybe once or twice? Anyway, I don't speak Korean, so maybe the lyrics of Sign relate to this video. Maybe it's a song completely about... prison violence? Chemical warfare? I really don't know what's happening in this MV. But the song is great! And possibly about some real grisly shit.
T-ara - Lovey Dovey
I wanted to put so much T-ara on this list, you have no idea. They're the definition of fun, carefree pop music, nonsense-English lyrics and all. Their music videos are always interesting, and they're willing to try out new and different things. Even if that means I'm expected to sit through the longest music videos of all time, I appreciate their originality. Anyway, I couldn't choose just one. I mean there's Yayaya (in this case I only endorse the song, as the video is shockingly racist), Ma Boo, Cry Cry, the list goes on...
There's even more I could have mentioned, but we need to put a pin in this for now. I hope you've enjoyed this fun foray into kpop. It may have introduced you to something new, or reminded you of your old favorites. Either way, you now know that kpop goes beyond Gangnam Style.
