Favorite Korean Artists

BIG BANG

This is self explanatory. Seriously, would not even attempt to write down a mile long list of the things I love about BIGBANG. Haha.

Most of the songs that I am drawn to are their recent songs – they have tons of hits but the MADE album has more ballad and TOP singing. Let that sink in. TOP. SINGING.

They released majority of the songs as single releases in 2015 and they were awesome. Tons of reaction videos, requests, and so on. When they announced that a full album with 2 new songs will be released, I was giddy like a kid on Christmas. I think that was the first time I wanted to buy a physical copy so badddd. Mind you, this is the album prior to TOP enlisting so a lot of fans really anticipated and BIGBANG delivered big time. This is the type of album that you’ll love each track equally – they are that good.

If I really have to choose, my favorite of the bunch would be If You and Last Dance because of TOP. Yes, obviously I am a TOP bias so those choices are solid. I enjoy how bassy his voice gets when he raps but believe me you need to hear him sing – smooth as butter yo! Not even ashamed to admit that I cried the first time I heard Last Dance.

Another would be Fxxk It for another reason. Daesung and Seungri usually have short parts but when I saw the MV of Fxxk It and heard them singing longer – I clapped like a seal. YAAAAASSS! Finally!

BTS

I was kinda hesitant to get into this group for a petty reason. Okay, first off I don’t want to offend anybody and I don’t want any hate because this is my opinion and yours wouldn’t change mine. Just wanted to get that off for those die hard fans of the group.

When I first encountered BTS I knew I’d love their music but I got turnoff with their fanbase. They are a solid lot and there’s a reason why BTS is popular BUT some ARMYs are just too much (dear friends I’d like to emphasize on SOME). Too much even compared to another stressful fanbase *cough*. I seriously wondered if I wanted to get into the fandom and its kinda stressful reading all the hate and whatnot but I still ended up here. Soooo. Haha.

As I said, they are a solid group. One of the solid hitters when it comes to dancing and their songs are supper catchy. So catchy it gets stuck to your head if your playlist has it and you hit repeat for the whole day – happened to me with Fire and Blood Sweat & Tears.

If you’re like me who stopped in your tracks before stanning these babies, I recommend to push head on BUT refrain from reading the comments. That tactic seriously saved me from the stress. I am a new fan so my choices are mostly newish so if you have any to recommend, leave it in the comments.

The video below is one of my favorite because J-Hope. Anybody who has not seen J-Hope dance you are seriously missing out. He’s not the most handsome but dang he has killer moves. See that cutiepie with the ripped jeans in a loose stripped shirt – KEEP.YOUR.EYES.ON.HIM. I repeat, keep your eyes on him.

Got7

Now we have the group with the most flowerboys there is in the KPOP scene. Every single one is oozing with yumminess it’s like eating in a buffet and you don’t know where to start. Haha. If face value alone can put a price tag on a group, they are one of the bestsellers.

I encountered GOT7 watching Jackson on variety shows. This uber perky dude is like a walking billboard for his group and JYP. JYP most likely saved on advertising fees for his artists with Jackson alone.

BamBam and his dress shoes tho! And who’s not distracted by Jacksons arms?

Got7 is like dessert – although they are not a part of my main playlist, hearing their songs just gives me satisfaction like eating ice cream on a rainy day (yes love, I enjoy my ice cream when its freezing cold outside).

Like BTS their dancing is phenomenal because anybody who knows JYP knows how he is. If you watch their dance practice videos you’ll clearly see the effort they put into their music.

To anybody who is unfamiliar with Got7 let me give you a treat. This is a popular segment from a Korean variety show – if you mostly listen to KPOP watch Weekly Idol. And if you like JB like me, 1:57 – 2:02 will give you life.

AKMU

Here’s another YG artist, a sibling duo who became popular after winning K-pop Star 2. These two talented musicians are a gem in the industry. They have mad talent, quirky personality and just downright funny. They don’t have tons of hits given that they only debuted recently compared to the others in the list but their songs are just ear candy.

Lets start with a favorite of mine that I heard from their K-pop Star days and part of their Play album. Everything is written and produced by the brother (Chanhyuk). This song just showcases Suhyun’s voice in all its glory and hearing their voices merge just makes you an instant fan.

Although Papa YG really wants Suhyun as a solo artist, I think being a duo highlights their potential more since they balance each other out perfectly and are insanely insync. Chanhyuk is a killer producer and there’s no doubt that Suhyun will succeed as a soloist but as AKMU they are bomb.

If you want to hear them live, I suggest this one.

If you want to hear them prior to debuting here’s a couple of videos from the contest – I believe Chanhyuk rearranged everything for their stage.

Kiha & The Faces

Discovered Kiha & The Faces when I was watching an episode of Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook and I was instantly sold. I remember questioning myself how I manage listening to Korean music without bumping into them – he was a sweet buttery voice and his style is not the usual genre you’re familiar with yet its super addicting. Okay, let’s not talk about his ‘dancing’ though.

If you listen to Let’s Meet Now (around 1:07) you’ll definitely ask yourself whether he is rapping, talking or singing. That was my first thought the first time I watched him peform. Although this is a remake, this is their style and I love it. If you love British pop or older rock music, then they are a must recommend. I love the unusual vibe of Kiha and a die-hard fan.

Although I haven’t listened to all their songs yet, I can say that out of all the songs in my phone, theirs are the ones I know by first few notes alone. This is an older song of theirs and its awesome plus this is live so you can hear his voice clearly.

Okay people are we still alive? I didn’t anticipate this post to be this long but I still have 3 on my list. Oooops, sorry.

Zion T

Where do we start with this talent? There are a multitude of ballad singers in the Korean market with killer skills but Zion T is life. His style is more R&B/Pop but you can distinguish his voice from anybody. He has a distinct color to his music. Every one who listens to ballads know how hard it is to distinguish a singers style and voice but with Zion T it ain’t difficult. I can spam you like crazy with his videos and I can guarantee you’ll love each and every one of them.

This is one of his songs that I repeat endlessly (featuring a singer I also love but we can’t go on forever with this post right?)

Another song with a featuring of a musician I also love.

This one is from a variety show who does a festival special every two years and invites various artist. Anybody who does not know Infinite Challenge lives under a rock (or just not familiar with Korean entertainment). Was totally hyped with the lineup from the 2015 MuDo Festival so if anybody is interested look them up. 2015 spoiled everyone with the collabs.

Anyway, Ziot T. I’m sincerely and patiently waiting for his next album release – although we’re blessed with his singled, I want him to release a full album now.

Hyukoh

Like Zion T, Hyukoh became popularly known in the underground scene until the 2015 MuDo Festival. I think I watched them prior to MuDo in Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook but I’m not so sure. They definitely got attention recently and thank you for everything that is good and holy for that opportunity. They are a shy lot but gaaawd are they talented.

They recently signed with Tablo and HIGHGRND and damn they are on a roll. This is one of those groups that you need to just enjoy listening. My favorite of their songs is Ohio and if you haven’t listened to any of their songs, this is a great song to start – its English FYI.

They have 2 EPs so far and a number of single releases so I am also patiently waiting for a full album, hopefully soon. If you prefer a more upbeat song, then give this one a try. His sick vocals are just heaven.

Okay last leg. Last but not the least yo!

Nell

I use Spotify and listen to music when I am working – usually the discover playlist or indie ones. That’s how I usually bump into songs in addition to watching Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook. I occasionally listen to Korean stations but its harder to remember songs through that – gave me a major LSS with a Lee Sun Hee song that I couldn’t hunt down for 2 months. Okay went on a tangent, back to Nell.

Nell is more indie rock so not my usual cup of tea BUT dang their music is bomb. This is a band that I refuse to romanize their name so it’s harder to find them in my phone but when a song pops here and there, it will always make me smile and feel sentimental.

For anybody who likes to listen to moody and songs that have a nostalgic feeling (I know I do) here’s the first video.

Part of my “most played song” playlist is The Great Escape. I always listen to the original track but I found this acoustic version and its an absolute treat ya’ll.

Another from the same playlist is Green Nocturne which I think doesn’t belong to any album – correct me if I am wrong.

Let’s wrap it up with yet another song from my “most played song” playlist – Four Times Around the Sun.

Having only discovered Nell recently, I definitely missed other popular choices but hopefully these songs gave you an idea of how good their music is.

Anyway loves, enjoy and don’t forget to send me some recommendations of your own.