T-ara are finally back although not as we know it! Launching as a sub-unit we have Jiyeon, Eunjung, Hyomin and Areum joining forces to become T-ara N4. So while we’re missing Boram, Qri and personal favourite Soyeon, we’re stilling enjoying T-ara’s characteristic sound and performances – high energy dance routines to go with infectious chorus hooks and random words. But whilst we’re missing T-ara proper, how does T-ara N4 measure up? Keep reading for the review of their performance on Music Core and let me know your thoughts!

Style & Staging

It’s great to see the girls in styles that actually look like they were planned and thought out. T-ara have developed a reputation for charming yet kitsch stage costumes. From the kitten paws that launched them into stardom, to the very odd Native American concept for YaYaYa and then to the mannequin concept for Sexy Love, sometimes it all just gets too much even for us Queens (I laugh on so many levels).

So, for Countryside Life, the girls are back to their hip hop inspired (I use this term loosely…) styling and I think it works well. The concepts where the whole band wears the same outfits never really appeals to me (here’s looking at you Kara; just saying…). So I personally enjoyed this look.  Plus, Jiyeon looked bloody cool! She needs to wear mesh vests and orange coulettes more often…

Overall rating for Style & Staging – 5 / 5 stars.

Choreography

The infamous bunny and dinga dinga dance! I don’t think it’s going to quite catch on as much as Gangnam Style did but hell it looks cool. I kind of just watch and stare like this: (⊙_◎) because I have no idea what they’re doing. Too many different body parts are moving at different times. Those arms!

I love the little toil all day section – it’s charming and what I’ve come to expect from T-ara. They don’t take themselves too seriously which is often welcome when you work a stressful job. Plus, they always know how to build drama with a bit of Jiyeon’s talk to the hand:

Bitch please.

Overall rating for Choreography – 5 / 5 stars.

Vocals

Aw, where to begin?! T-ara are often overlooked for their vocal ability and their lead singer, Soyeon, is not as popular as other lead sings. Their songs will often negate the need for a vocal at all because they’re just… catchy. But I do think something is missing without Soyeon here. She has such a distinctive, soulful sound that is unique amongst the other groups. You can instantly recognise her voice even though it may not be the most powerful. I heart her.

Nonetheless, Hyomin and Eunjung are both solid vocalists and would do better if they weren’t reduced to rap segments or lead chorus vocals. Areum continues to go from strength to strength. Her voice isn’t stand up and listen amazing, but I’m sure with time she’ll develop and grow as a singer.

Overall rating for Vocals – 4 / 5 stars.

Overall Score

The Overall Score for T-ara N4′s Countryside Life/Jeon Won Diary performance on Music Core is… 4 / 5 stars!

Review Conclusion

This weekend so the long awaited return of T-ara and the launch of their first sub-unit – T-ara N4! T-ara N4 stands for ‘T-ara Brand New 4′ (don’t ask me why it’s not T-ara BN4…?) and it’s clear that after the scandal that plagued the group for much of 2012, Core Contents Media’s move will either save the brand or do little to reverse their falling popularity.

Yesterday saw the sub-unit debut on Music Core. I’m not a T-ara anti, in fact I love em. They may not be the most polished group but they work unbelievably hard and have to deal with one the more challenging agencies. I don’t want to go too much into the scandal of last year because too many people don’t know how to have a civilised discussion about something ¬_¬; Nonetheless, you can’t help but feel T-ara N4 wouldn’t have existed if Sexy Love was the monster smash it should have been (or even if Hwayoung was still in the band).

Who’s in, who’s out?

Lots of people have written about T-ara N4 but I’ve not seen a whole lot of analysis on the members that were included. It’s clear to me that CCM have played all their cards with T-ara N4. Jiyeon, Eunjung and Hyomin continue to probably be the agency’s biggest and most popular stars – their acting deals and international popularity effectively ensured their inclusion in any sub-unit that was going to be formed.

But, what’s more interesting are the people that aren’t in – Qri, Boram and Soyeon. I think everyone knows there’s a clear divide between the most popular members and the others (I guess a bit like Nicole Scherzinger and the Pussy Cat Dolls but less neurotic) but has CCM made the right decision to note include them?

Qri was often heralded for not being involved in the bullying scandal last year, Boram makes up for her height and singing ability with her aegyo (arguably cuter than Jiyeon’s) and Soyeon is the voice of the band. These three, although not the most popular round out what would otherwise be a pretty fearsome group.

Areum’s inclusion is interesting. She joined at the most intense time and there’s no doubt she’s not talented. I’m happy that she’s getting a chance to show her talent. I just can’t help but wonder if CCM has a back up plan. If the triple threat of Hyomin, Jiyeon and Eunjung, and the new blood of Areum can’t save the band – what will?

The song, the styling

Let’s not forget that we’re talking about a music group here and at the end of the day it’s all about selling records. While T-ara may not be the most popular idol group or the most well known, let’s not forget they have reached the upper echelons of the yearly Gaon charts for the past two years. They might not be guaranteed to win a triple crown, but their music sells.

So, what’s Countryside Life like? Well, it’s what we’ve come to expect from a T-ara smash. It’s catchy beyond belief, the lyrics are gibberish in points, and it carefully strikes the balance between retro-pop rifts and current urban-esque music trends. I think the song lacks the powerhouse vocals of Soyeon and the vocals sound like an album filler track but the melody is just as catchy as any of their most popular hits.

When it comes to the styling – I think the girls are playing it correctly. Their last single had an odd… dollhouse, French maid styling concept that often made them look bizarre (I can’t forgive red, blue and yellow pom poms). But harking back to their last hit, Lovey Dovey, they’ve opted for a more current style. That’s not say they get it 100% right (they still can’t beat 2NE1 in the fashion stakes), but thank god it isn’t pom poms or cat tails.

What next?

CCM have already announced that the number of physical copies will be limited to just 40,000 for this release – perhaps they’re already anticipating a lacklustre performance. Or perhaps the whole point of T-ara N4 isn’t to introduce a new band to the world, but to remind Koreans why they first fell in love with T-ara and that although things are (brand) New, things aren’t going to change and it’s okay to like T-ara again.

Either way, I sincerely hope the sub-unit doesn’t supplant T-ara proper as I’m not sure if I’d be such a huge fan without Soyeon (´；ω；`)

I know it’s been a while since I last wrote a review but I moved house and didn’t have the Internet for the longest time *sad face* (╯︵╰,)

But I’m back and I couldn’t be happier to write my next review for Miss Lee Hi’s brand new song, Rose!

I love Lee Hi, since her debut with 1, 2, 3, 4 (you can read the lyrics here) I’ve been a huge fan. To me, Lee Hi’s vocals sound unique against the rest of the K-pop industry. She has a very soulful voice and YG have done a great job crafting a retro, R and B infused sound that matches her voice to a T. It also works because it sounds completely unique to the majority of K-pop’s biggest hits right now. Of course, the song has been highly produced but her sound sounds so much more authentic compared to a lot of the ‘clean’ songs. Anyways, I’m rambling now – check out her performance on Music Core above and read the review below!

Style & Staging

I think Lee Hi always looks cute. Yes you have haters that comment about her being short (wha…?) or that she never smiles but she’s a performer. She delivers emotion when she sings and connects to the music so for me, that’s not a problem.

Lee Hi has looked gorgeous throughout the First Love promotion cycle, even with her It’s Over performances, although I think her current styling for Rose is absolutely beautiful. From the MV to each stage performance, she has served fierce silhouettes accompanied with bold colours and floral prints. I’m a stickler for a floral print.

Although today’s outfit has been my favourite, she still looks like such a star! And for someone that doesn’t dance, she has got such great stage presence that you can’t help be mesmerised by her. I miss her purple eyes though…

Overall rating for Style & Staging – 5 / 5 stars.

Choreography

Lee Hi has never been a huge dancer when she performs. That’s not a bad thing; some people are singers, some people are dancers. However, I think the choreography for her Rose performances are beautiful. Her backing dancers always look so elegant and of course you have to love the drama with the male dancer.

It’s nice to see Lee Hi getting involved with the choreography, I think it’s only a case of time before she takes a greater role in performing. But, you can’t fault her for being flawlessly elegant with every move!

Overall rating for Choreography – 4 / 5 stars.

Vocals

Lee Hi’s vocals are always perfection! I can’t get over how old she sounds. She has such a soulful voice – a voice that sounds old but in a good way. She sounds like she’s been singing for decades, her voice belies how young she is. I wish I could sing like her!

I love the fact that Lee Hi doesn’t rely on a backing track or lip syncs any of her performances. She can sing softly and controlled but her voice is absolutely deathly when she goes for a big note. Nevermind being one of the best voices in K-pop, I think she has one of the best voices in pop music at the moment.

Overall rating for Vocals – 5 / 5 stars.

Overall Score

The Overall Score for Lee Hi’s Rose performance on Music Core is… 5 / 5 stars!

Review Conclusion

Whoa! It’s finally arrived! Mothers, fathers, gentlemen – watch PSY’s Gentleman MV! Do you love it?

PSY – singer of global phenomenan, Gangnam Style, returns with his hot new hit – Gentleman! What do you think? Will it be as big as Gangnam Style? No doubt in Korea it will be huge. Check out the Romanised Lyrics below:

PSY – Gentleman Romanised Lyrics

Allangga molla wae
Hwakkeun haeya haneun geonji
Allangga molla wae
Malkkeum haeya haneun geonji
Allangga molla arikkari
Hamyeon kkarihae
Allangga molla we like
We we we like party hae

Itjanha mariya
I sarameuro malsseum
Deuri jamyeon mariya
Yonggi paegi ttolkki meot jaengi mariya
Neoga deudgo peunmal
Hago peunge nande mariya
Damn, girl – you’re so freakin sexy

I-I-I-I-I’m a-
I-I-I-I-I’m a-
I-I-I-I-I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman

Allangga molla wae
Mikkeunhaeya haneun geonji
Allangga molla wae
Ssaekkeunhaeya haneun geonji
Allangga molla dalling
Ppalli waseo nanrihae
Allangga molla nanri
Nanri nasseo ppallihae

Itjanha mariya
Neoui meori heori dari jongari mariya
Good feeling, feeling good!
Budeureobge mariya
Aju geunyang heogsori nage
Agsori nage mariya
Damn, girl – I’m a party mafia!

I-I-I-I-I’m a-
I-I-I-I-I’m a-
I-I-I-I-I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman

Gonna make you sweat
Gonna make you wet
You know who I am
Wet PSY!
Gonna make you sweat
Gonna make you wet
You know who I am
Wet PSY! Wet PSY! Wet PSY!
Wet PSY! PSY! PSY! PSY!

I-I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman
I’m a-
I-I’m a- I’m a mother, father, gentleman
Mother, father, gentleman
Mother, father, gentleman

- Sing it with me ‘I’m a mother, father, gentleman!’

Nae sarangeun saebbalgan rose
Jigeumeun areumdabgettjiman
Nalkaroun gashiro neol apeuge halgeol

Nae sarangeun saebbalgan rose
Geurae nan hyanggi robgettjiman
Gaggai halsurok neol dachige halgeol

Geureon gabyeoun nunbicheuro nal chyeodaboji malajweoyo
Hamburo sarangeul swibge yaegihajima
Nae mameul gatgo shipdamyeon nae apeumdo gajyeoya haeyo
Eonjenga badeusi gasie jjilril tenigga

Nal neomu midjima
Neon nal ajik jal molla
So just run away, run away
I said oh oh oh

Nal saranghajima
Neon nal ajik jal molla
I said run away, just run away
Dagaojima

Nae sarangeun saebbalgan rose
Jigeumeun areumdabgettjiman
Nakaroun gashiro neol apeuge halgeol

Nae sarangeun saebbalgan rose
Geurae nan hyanggirobgettjiman
Gaggai halsurok neol dachige halgeol

Jashingame chan ni moseubi
Nae nunen geujeo ansseureoweo
Nal hyanghan sshiksshikhan balgeoleumi
Oneulddara chorahae boyeo

Gamjeong sachiya naegen
Sarang jibchakeui best friend
So run away, just run away

Cause you and I must come to an end

Every rose has its thorn
Every rose has its thorn
Every rose has its thorn

Nal neomu midjima
Neon nal ajik jal molla
So just run, away run away
I said oh oh oh

Nal saranghajima
Neon nal ajik jal molla
I said run away, just run away
Dagaojima

Nae sarangeun sabbalgan rose
Jigeumeun areumdabgettjiman
Nalkaroun gashiro neol apeuge halgeol

Nae sarangeun saebbalgan rose
Geurae nan hyanggirobgettjiman
Gaggai halsurok neol dachige halgeol

Check out the lyrics below!

Lee Hi – It’s Over Romanised English Lyrics

Haneure bitnaneun jeo manheun byeol
Ije urin ibyeoringayo

Swipge boji mayo nal geureoke
Nege mameul jun ge keun silsuyeonnayo
Heunhideul deureogal ttaewa naol ttae
Dareudaneun uimiga baro igeongayo
Geudaeege jimi dwaennayo
Charari naeryeo nohayo

Ni sseuldeeomneun gojip imman beollimyeon geojit
Eonjena ni mamdaero da meotdaero
Myeochiljjae oeroi teongbin gireul geotji
Nan idaero ni gyeoteul tteonagallae

Huhoehalgeoya neon ttangeul chil geoya
Got alge doel geoya neoui jalmoseul
I never wanna ever see you again
I never wanna ever see you again

It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini nae moksori It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini i hanmadi It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Apeuro du beon dasi du nun garigo ul il eopgetji

I said, I said, I said oh oh oh
I said, I said, I said oh oh oh

Siheomi kkeutnan deut holgabunhae
Ijewa doraboni nan jeongmal bulhaenghaenne
Pureun haneul arae onjongil garyeojin
Neoui geuneureul beoseona nal chajagallae
Geudaeege jimi dwaennayo
Charari naeryeo nohayo

Ni sseuldeeomneun gojip imman beollimyeon geojit
Eonjena ni mamdaero da meotdaero
Myeochiljjae oeroi teongbin gireul geotji
Jeoldaero nan neoege dasi doragaji anha

Huhoehalgeoya neon ttangeul chil geoya
Got alge doel geoya neoui jalmoseul
I never wanna ever see you again
I never wanna ever see you again

It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini nae moksori It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini i hanmadi It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Apeuro du beon dasi du nun garigo ul il eopgetji

I said, I said, I said over
I said, I said, I said over

Sarangi sigeotdamyeon nam jugi akkapdago japji marayo
Sarangi sigeotdamyeon nam jugi akkapdago japji marayo

It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini nae moksori It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye
Deulli deulli iiini i hanmadi It’s over, It’s over so baby good-bye

Haneure bitnaneun jeo manheun byeol
Ije urin ibyeoringayo

Check out T-ara’s performance of Bunny Style at Niihama Aeon Mall in Japan! The girls are so cute!

Check them out below:

The Girls are back! Girls’ Generation have returned with their infectious new song, I Got a Boy. Taken from their hit new album of the same name, I Got a Boy hit the top spot across all the music charts and became an All Kill instantly.

It’s been a while since the band had released a new Korean song so there was much anticipation for their new track and they didn’t fail to impress! Girls’ Generation have always been one of my favourite bands. They are flawless! They always bring their A game for every performance and I can never fault them.

Style & Staging

I’m really enjoying SNSD’s style for their I Got a Boy promotions. I love the bubblegum pop colours that they’re using. It’s also really nice to see them bring a bit more edginess to their fashion. They’ve been rocking some fierce chic outfits recently – especially for their Japanese releases – but I’m really enjoying this more urban look.

But, as always, the girls give a little bit more for any S♥NE! Flaunting their toned stomachs was sizzling! SNSD hwaiting!

Overall rating for Style & Staging – 5 / 5 stars.

Choreography

Whoa, where to start! The choreography for I Got a Boy is fierce! I think they’ve really stepped up their dancing skills for this song. I love their routines – Gee, Oh!, Genie are some of my favourite songs. I even learnt some of the Gee dance routine.

But I Got a Boy is taking it to the next level. It’s not just the dance routine, but also the whole staging and story that they tell. I Got a Boy has been criticised by some because the song has so many different elements. Just like the song, the dance routine is also made up of different dance elements – some cute moves (<3 Seohyun's aegyo) but also fierce dance moves.

Overall rating for Choreography – 5 / 5 stars.

Vocals

Girls’ Generation are popular for their many charms – they can dance, perform, are charismatic and with some members have some of the most powerful vocals in K-pop. Taeyeon, Seohyun and Tiffany are all widely praised for their strong vocals.

Whilst I Got a Boy is more of a dance song, we still get to hear some pretty impressive vocals from Taeyeon, she has such a strong voice!

Overall rating for Vocals – 5 / 5 stars.

Overall Score

The Overall Score for Girls’ Generation’s I Got a Boy on Music Bank is… 5 / 5 stars!

Review Conclusion