Jpop: Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ)

It is probably inevitable that one sooner or later comes to Ayumi Hamasaki when blogging about jpop, as she is one of the most popular pop stars in Japan due to her lyrics and being more active in her own music production than most japanese pop idols.

• Ayumi Hamasaki - part of Me
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Song 4 u
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Because of You
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Ballad
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Fairyland
• Ayumi Hamasaki - Marionette

Jpop: FEMM - Unbreakable

So when new rising jpop stars FEMM are nearing the end of the current arc of a half year of basically unprecendented high quality videos, "Unbreakable" is the first ballad of theirs. It *is* obvious to me that though the visual qualities are still very high, the last few videos have songwise been what we could call "the B-side" but it is still interesting to see them do another type of track. And again, visually they are top notch.

• FEMM - Unbreakable

Kpop: Gavy NJ - Farewell Cinema (이별극장)

I usually isn't that into kpop ballads, but there is something special about Gavy NJ's "Farewell Cinema". Which is strange as it is really just your typical korean ballad. I'm not sure, but it strikes something in my combined sentimental and at the same time ironic 70's roots. It's like, they are both serious but at the same time you feel they are kidding you a little. There is really not much going on in the video, but they do sing passionately. Far be it for me to reject a song if my gut tells me I like it. ^_^

• Gavy NJ - Farewell Cinema

Kpop: BoA - Disturbance

"I feel a disturbance in the force"...well, yes I had to make that joke, since in BoA's latest single she actually doesnt dance. And its a ballad. How often does that happen? But since its the queen of kpop, whatever. She  still pulls it of with her personality and presence.

• BoA - Disturbance