K-Music Week In Review Part 1: Minseo, Red Velvet, Park Kyung and more

K-Music Week In Review Part 1: Minseo, Red Velvet, Park Kyung and more

1 comment 📅27 June 2018, 13:26

R&B, hip-hop and reggae are the releases this week. Some great comebacks from some legendary artists, to some new names we can’t wait to see more from. Our Weekly K-music Review posts are here to give you a helping hand and a quick look back to the notable releases from Korean artists in a weekly format. This article looks at releases and comebacks from June 21–24 2018.

Minseo – Is Who
Released: June 21

We love the artists who are willing to try new styles and genres of music. Sadly one of our favourite groups disbanded who were known for being unique, but it seems Minseo is channelling her inner Sunny Hill and has explored the realm of Texas Swing with a Korean flare. The music video is really fun and choreography-heavy with clever camera work and lighting. Vocally Minseo shows her strengths, and we really would like to see more music like this in the charts – it’s so very intriguing.

Skull & HAHA – Laugh
Released: June 21

Bringing the reggae vibes back to Korea, Skull & HaHa have shared their chilled out tunes with the release of a creative music video. The video is fully animated and truly shows the personalities of the duo whilst keeping with that Caribbean/Korean combination. We are suckers for vocals that are rough around the edges, and it’s very easy to swoon for Skull’s deep vocals and HaHa’s husky tones. Now sit down with a cold drink, in the sun, with your headphones on full blast and take in the reggae emotions.

Red Velvet – #Cookie Jar
Released: June 21

With their comeback earlier in the year, Red Velvet is back with a follow up to their previous single Bad Boy, this time choosing to go for the complete opposite theme to their last release which was dark and cold. Now they opted for a sugary sweet and bright theme that is well suited to the song title #Cookie Jar. The video is captivating, and we must mention that the chorus and hook of the song is very addictive. There is a warning though, you will end up humming this all day from the first listen!

Ele – On Half
Released: June 21

Taking an extremely artistic stance in terms of the music video, the cinematography is of the standard that you would expect to see in a gallery in the Tate Modern. Yes, it’s slightly trippy, but strangely relaxing. Vocally Ele gives off a very calm and dreamy vibe, which is coupled with the backing track. There is something about the song that has a very slight retro 70’s styling, but it is also extremely modern and falls into the same category as Bjork’s works.

Park Kyung (Block B) – Instant (FEAT. Sumin)
Released: June 22

Finally making his solo comeback, Park Kyung shows that he is just as strong as a soloist as he is in the boy group Block B. Showing his true personality, style and flare he really lets loose and goes full out in a jazz, rap and pop fusion. The music video uses clever angles, backing lighting, moving sets and CGI to create a storyboard for the lyrics. Sumin’s collaboration with the song gives a nice contrast and helps with the jazz vibes.

Moonshine x Ha Min Woo – Anywhere
Released: June 22

Mixing dance and hip-hop in a lyrically east meet west collaboration, Moonshine and Ha Min Woo are out to start their own trend. Modern, fresh and fun we wouldn’t be surprised if this song was being played throughout the fashionable boutiques in Korea. The song definitely has a pick me up effect and is bouncy with great mellow intervals. Perfect once again for those lazy summer days, or even for a car ride with the windows down.

Hanyoung – Calculation (FEAT. Min)
Released: June 23

Taking indie music to a new level, Hanyoung has worked together with Min to create something haunting, mechanical, yet beautiful all at the same time. Reminiscent of the dark works of the Vocaloid Miku Hatsune, the opening is a dark journey into a deep rabbit hole. The vocals are heavily reminiscent of Placebo, but just as you are lulled into a sense of calm, the music intensifies and you’re back on that rollercoaster of noise that is rather enthralling.

Park Yun Ha – Find Me
Released: June 24

We opted for the live video version of this release because we wanted to show the power and control behind Park Yun Ha’s vocals. With a jazz backing track from a live band, Yun Ha goes all out with emotions that tell the story of the lyrics. The music video itself is extremely simple, personal and emotional in its own way, opting for dark mood lighting, close-ups and unstable camera direction. You truly feel as if you are sat in the audience watching a live show. A truly beautiful piece both musically and visually.

Jindoggae x Willyeom – Bad Is Good/ Good Is Bad
Released: June 24

Taking dance music to a deeper and darker realm, Jindoggae and Willyeom have created a fusion hip-hop EDM sound that is completely addictive. The feeling we get from this is the same when watching the bloodbath disco scene from the movie Blade. It’s repetitive, it’s catchy and totally catwalk ready. This song is a complete power song, great for motivation, and one that will embed itself in your head and leave you humming it for the best part of the day.

JUSTHIS, Kid Milli, NO:el, Young B – IndiGO
Released: June 24

Bringing Korean hip-hop to the forefront of the music scene once again, JUSTHIS, Kid Milli, NO:el, and Young B prove their rapping status by completely ripping up the vibe with their individual styles. Speed in rap doesn’t mean anything, but having the ability to create rhythms, sounds and proving you have something different to everyone else is a huge thing. And these guys have perfected that! We would class this rap style as more aggressive and dark than what many are used to, but we highly recommend you have a listen.

As there have been a lot of releases this week, be sure to check back for the second installment of  K-music week in review, which will look at releases from June 25 – 27 2018

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1 Comment

  1. Mikayla
    08 July 2018, 09:08 Mikayla

    Sorry, but about the Park Kyung one, he’s had like 4 solo comebacks before this one…

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