I like listening to podcasts or music whenever I work. Although there are days when I hate the distraction, music is great for background noise. For whatever reason, KO music in particular helps me concentrate. Since I am not versed in Korean, I appreciate the music more. With English music, my brain immediately tries to understand the song. And for me, that takes effort that I don’t want to exert. With Korean, that’s not the case. Press play is all that I have to do.
I had my share of comments about Korean music. No, you don’t need to remind me about the fact that I’m listening to something I don’t understand. I’ll just re-iterate that music can be enjoyable despite its foreign.
On most days, my default choice would be opening up iTunes and turn on shuffle. Sometimes, I would go to Spotify and listening to new release so I can be aware of what’s new. But lately, I notice that I am developing a habit. Listening to some songs and repeating them endlessly. Sometimes, to a point that I get sick of it. No genre or artist in particular. If I like how it sounds or if its an artist that I like, it becomes part of my day.
Here’s my current rotation, in no particular order:
Like The Mighty Salmon Swimming Up The River – Kang San Ae
This song came into my radar after hearing a clip in Instagram of Bobby in KoMS. First off, I love Bobby as an artist. And this song is great! Song is kind of old, but for me the older the better. I love discovering these songs because TBH newer ones can’t compare to the quality.
For anyone curious, here’s Bobby performing the song.
The Night – F.T. Island
Next up is from a recent album of F.T Island. Yes on 10 years!! I got into FTI after listening to CNBlue. I love both but if I need to pick one, I’d go with F.T Island solely because I love the music they put out. How much I love Hongki’s raspy voice comes in a close second.
The moment I heard this song, it felt funny. Then I went and looked at the lyrics, I understand why this song spoke to me. And yes, I did drink that night. Haha.
Been looking for a live version of this so thank you so much for this fancam!
The Real – N.Flying
N.Flying is the brother band of F.T Island and CNBlue. I loved their 기가 막혀 (Awesome) release but sadden when they didn’t blow up because they sound so good. So much energy, so much potential. They added a new member this time around and I hope they get the recognition they deserve.
Blood, Sweat, Tears – BTS
Nothing in particular. Its just a good track to hype my bored soul. They even released a new album Love Yourself: Her but never got over this one.
MOMMAE – Jay Park
Andddd another I’m still not over! A 2015 song from Jay Park. He is one of those artist who’s generous in releasing singles and man do I love him.
All I Wanna Do – Jay Park Ft. Hoody, Loco
Meanwhile, for a more recent song added to my playlist.
Discovered this song while I was watching videos of Na Haeun’s dance covers. If you don’t know Na Haeun, you should check this kid out.
Really, Really – Winner
Continuing with the upbeat tracks, I highly recommend Really, Really by Winner.
I’ve been a fan of Winner ever since their inception. Originally a 5 member group until Nam Tae-hyun left last year. My heart sank but TBH, I think everyone is happy with the outcome. NTH is doing his thing and happy with South Club and Winner keeps releasing hits.
Winner released both Fate Number For & Our Twenty For this year and both album rocks! Both album is hot but of all the tracks Really, Really just stayed in my playlist.
Russian Roulette – Red Velvet
Girl groups are not my thing. As in you will hardly find any gg songs in my phone. But on rare occasions, there will be that one track that just makes me smile and will listen to it until I get sick of it. This is one example of those songs. Prior to this it was Lion Heart by Girls Generation.
2x version because they are just so fun to watch ~
And July – Heize FT Dean, DJ Friz
This was a LSS for me and the first time I listened to this I failed to catch who the artist was or what the title was. It hurt my brain searching around YT but it was fruitless until I listened to her And July album.
Ever experienced that nagging feeling that you know the artist because of how familiar they sound? It happened to me with this song and I felt so stupid afterwards. Dean has such a unique voice so I’m not sure why I didn’t make that connection.
Okay, let’s go with a little hip hop to gain energy but story time first. I used to watch Show Me The Money but not so much these past few years. The last time I watched was when Basick won so season 4? My initial purpose was to watch and support Mino sooo.
The track that I’ll share though is from the winner of season 5. No, I didn’t watch the season but I regret that because BewhY and heard good things about that season.
Red Carpet – BewhY
This is from Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook (if you want to discover new artists, check the show!) with BewhY as a guest promoting for The Blind Star which you should definitely check!
Red Carpet with its killer hook is around 37th minute mark …
Gucci – Jessi
From her 2017 album Un2verse, Gucci is a big IDGAF about you song. Haha! Jessi delivers whether its a rap song or a ballad. If you heard her sing, she actually has a nice voice. Velvety yet powerful.
Not a fan of her styling in this comback but who cares? That’s Jessi. A lot of people don’t like her for one reason or the other but I love her. She’s uber sweet in variety shows and her charisma on screen is insane. So if you haven’t listen to her, please do.
Gettin’ By – One
One originally debuted with 1PUNCH but moved to YG after they disbanded. One is like the 1% in the music industry – he’s a complete package. This dude exudes visual and talent. He’s that guy you like to hate because not only is he gorgeous but he can sing.
Its pretty obvious that I am a YG bias if you base on this playlist alone. There’s no company that I like almost everybody. Well come to think of it, I like all their artist. I don’t mind the long comebacks, which a lot of fans bitch about. Artist in the dungeon this and that. I’d prefer them taking their time and dropping a bomb than doing a comeback often and tank.
But with that said, I’d like a Lee Hi comeback soon though because that girl deserves to sing her heart out. I believe she’ll do one soon so I’m uber excited because Seoulite was lit!
Dang, Dang, Dang – Suran
Remember Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook that I was talking about earlier? I discovered Suran through that show and I am forever thankful. YHY has this nack of finding good artist to feature and the moment I heard Suran, I was inlove.
Dang, Dang, Dang actually reminds me of a song that I can’t pinpoint. It has the same vibes but without Suran’s unique voice.
You might have the same thought so if you know what that song, let me know in the comments.
1+1=0 – Suran Ft. Dean
Shamelessly admitting that I’m recommending this mostly for Deans part. =)
KO KO Bop – EXO
For a lil’ reggae vibes and mandatory EXO recommendation. I actually like a number of their songs but despite my crush on them, I’m not jumping in the fandom still. Let’s just agree that I’m content admiring them from afar. Haha!
KO KO Bop is different from their usual stuff but still has their signature vibe. For me, its all about their vocal line. Chen and his oh so very nice platinum hair.
There’s really nothing much for me to say other than check it out.
Gashina – Sunmi
Similar to And July, Gashina was a song that I heard but couldn’t get the artist or the title. Then I saw a gif of a male artist dancing to it but still couldn’t find the song or artist.
Then I saw an article in Soompi re: Lia Kim and it dawned on me that I did see this as a recommendation by YT sometime ago. Silly me, I didn’t click. Baaah!
I gave it a listen and I’m hook! A track where a dance is more popular than the song itself. Looks easy but damn its hard. Haha.
Anyhoo Gashina, dance twist for those hot lesbian feels.
Let’s try wrapping up now. I have 6 more songs to recommend from 2 (well technically 3) artists that I think should be in your playlist.
Up – Bobby Ft. Mino
For Bobby’s offical solo debut we have Love and Fall. This is a 10-track album and if you check the Wiki page on this, Bobby was busy. Lyrics + music by Bobby (and a few help here and there), well given that he’s a rapper that’s expected. But still that’s amazing given the quality of the whole album.
I’ll recommend the entirety of the album but I’m sharing 3 for starters.
First up is UP. I think this is self-explanatory. Bobby + Mino
Next 2 songs is because I was undecided which I like more between Runaway and Firework.
I love when a rapper can belt a good song. There’s tons of idol rappers who can do this but Bobby in particular is a favorite. So much character and charisma. Runaway and Firework showcases Bobby’s raspy voice that I loved since his Show Me The Money days. His singing voice is too raw for others but for me, it just perfect.
Runaway – Bobby
Firework – Bobby
So let’s wrap this post with Highlight because as I said, they are bomb! They are currently my favorite group and I don’t think any artist can change that for now.
What You Like – Gikwang
If One doesn’t wet your . . . . . *cough* *cough* I offer you Gikwang from Highlight. The moment I heard this song, I had to double-check that I was breathing. This song was so fire!
Let’s not talk about the whole Beast|Highlight ruckus earlier this year. There’s so much nasty things that happened that shouldn’t have. But I’m glad my boys are hands down victorious in this hoopla. Glad that they did what they did and became more successful! YazzZzz. Makes you admire them more TBH.
Their success is the biggest in your face for their previous agency. Even Wikipedia doesn’t separate the boys from their name because the page for them states “is a South Korean boy band formerly known as Beast”. Ha! I seriously wish no other group experience the shitty things that happened to them.
On another note, they seem happier now. IMO.
Ribbon – Highlight
I said that I like YG artists because of how talented they are with their vocals – same reason applies to Highlight. Whether its their rapper line or vocals, they deliver everytime.
Already saw tons of their performance and I have to say that I am amazed each time. They sound so gooood! Plus the fact that they are solid as a group. They are fun in variety shows whether its for laughs or to showcase their songs.
This particular video is them singing Ribbon while tipsy. I believe its the concept of the show but seriously, listen to them.
Plz Don’t Be Sad – Highlight
I can’t even tell you how many times this song plays in a day! As in I lost count on how many times this comes in repeat. I’ve watched every guesting, radio show, variety show clips – you name it. This song doesn’t get old and I love it each time it plays. Shows their character. I just can’t help bounce and “sing” along.
When they won and charted, it was a big FUCK YEAH!
Ohhhh I almost forgot, bonus video.
I didn’t want to add this after EXOs video since I want you to absorb as much of its awesomeness as I did. Gummy is a well rounded ballader and when I saw this clip from reddit, it blew my mind.
It’s a performance in JYP Party People. You need to check that show if you haven’t yet. I keep on re-watching when I remember it.
KO KO Bop, Gummy style
So that’s it for me and my go to work playlist as of late. Given that its already October, its just a few months before 2018 hits. New year, new releases, new artist(s).
So what are you currently listening to? Let me know below so I can check those as well.
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