Kpop: Hyukoh (혁오)

Image above from Comes and Goes, the one below from Hooka.

Main singer Oh Hyuk from the band Hyukoh has figured like guest singer for Primary among others, but with the new soundtrack "Matsitnonsoul" for the korean version of Entourage, I think the group really steps up and deserves some real attention. It really got power and a sound you don't hear that often beyond narrow indie bands. Let's hope this reaches further.

• Hyukoh - Matsitnonsoul (맛있는술)
• Hyukoh - Gondry(공드리)
• Hyukoh - Hooka
• Hyukoh - Wi Ing Wi Ing (위잉위잉)
• Hyukoh - Comes And Goes (와리가리)

Kpop: Top 10 of the 3rd quarter of 2015

First I must mention the two songs with Anda (previously Andamiro) that I missed out on earlier this year, Mastering and Touch. Out of competition for this quarter but don't miss them.


10. Kim So Jung - Dance music. The solo singer jumps on the retro train with this colorful video.

9. Purfles - A Bad Thing. Not bad at all actually from this still relatively fresh trio.

8. JJCC - Where you at. Jackie Chan's boys does it well with the video that features the usual kpop boy band conflict over a common love interest.

7. Primary ft Lena Park - Hello. Primary has delivered another of his signature tracks where his guest star gets to shine without taking away his own contribution. Nice video too.

6. Stephanie - Black Out. The fascinating 90s sound that is both cool but also slightly stuffy together with a video that is so fixated on her "flexibility" that it becomes funny rather than sexy.

5. Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb. A veeery fascinating a well executed video where one feels the song and the visuals really was created organically for each other. But would I listen to this. No, probably not. And that's why it is only number 5.

4. Got7 - If You Do. With this they finally did a song worth my interest. Applause.

3. Girl's Day - Ring My Bell. This video is really something, ugly kitsch but also again proves the extreme charm of the four girls who, together with a seriously addictive refrain, to shine through the odd styling.

2. Stellar - Vibrato. Again they managed to produce a video that is both (slightly) provocative but at the same time carries with it a effective pop song.

1. Aoa - Heart Attack. I was actually rather sceptical at first when seeing the drama video, probably from having too high expectations, but then after seeing their Eye-contact video, my whole perspective changed and this became my favorite kpop song for this period.

Kpop: Primary (프라이머리)

There is no denying artist and music producer Primary is talented, but it has been a while since I heard a song that had the balance of rhythmic soulpop and hip hop (ie less of the latter), namely "See Through" back in 2012. This year has seen him releasing a steady stream of very slick and interesting videos, all with great guest artists making them musically vibrant, but it is the latest "Hello" with Lena Park as has struck closest to my heart.

• Primary ft Lena Park - Hello (네일 했어)
• Primary ft Zion T & Gaeko - See Through (씨스루)
• Primary ft ChoA & Iron - Don't Be Shy (아끼지마)
• Primary & Ohhyuk ft Lim Kim - Gondry (공드리)
• Primary & Ohhyuk - Island