Mandopop: Seven Sense (七朵组合)

Anyone who visits China for a longer time and/or interacts with people in China cannot miss how popular korean pop, kpop, is there. It affects many aspects of chinese everyday life like beauty ideals, fashion and, of course, local music. There has been many more or less successful tries to copy kpop (or korean companies focusing on China) and therefore Seven Sense girl group (with seven members ofc) is a little interesting as they combine training, looks and visuals that is as polished as kpop with a sound that is distinctly chinese. I honestly don't think it will be successful as the lure of kpop as with all other music in part is its difference from the everyday stuff, but I find it's promising that they try finding their own feet.

• Seven Sense - Five Tone Scale
• Seven Sense - Jade Smoke

Kpop: Hong Jin Young - Love Wifi (사랑의 와이파이)

I have liked Hong Jin Young's updated trot songs (like Boogie Man)which retain the clear and folksy melodies while sounding modern still, and the new "Love Wifi" is as charming as ever. The video and the music matches well and there is no reason in the world to deny oneself enjoying this modern retro pearl. You know you like it deep down anyway... ;-)

• Hong Jin Young - Love Wifi (사랑의 와이파이)

Jpop: Wagakki Band - Ikusa (War/戦)

The Wagakki Band with their traditional instruments in a modern setting is back, this time with another theme song for the Samurai Warrior/Sengoku Musou anime. As usual the video is pure eye-candy for anyone into Japanese historical/fantasy culture.

• Wagakki Band - Ikusa (戦)

Jpop: NeoBallad

I just love Omodaka's combination of synths and electronic sounds with enka singing, and therefore I have been hoping for NeoBallad to produce some songs up to the same standard. The duo consists of singer Wakasa Sachi and songwriter/drummer Kamiryō Wataru, and the new Hachinohe Kouta finally delivers, and even if its not as inventive as some of Omodaka's wor, it gives me such a bliss to hear.

• NeoBallad - Hachinohe song (八戸小唄)

Jpop: Wagakki band - Fireworks (華火)

Before, Wagakki band from Japan has made brilliant, but still, covers of songs in versions where they play them with traditional instruments in historical dresses (kind of - fantasy versions more like). Now they release their first original song, Fireworks (Hanabi).

• Wagakki band - Fireworks (華火)