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

Mandopop: Liu Han Ya / Aya Liu (柳翰雅)

Aya Liu from Taiwan takes on one of China's national dishes, the hot pot, the spicy fondue that is a great way to socialize (like most dinners in China actually). She has always been a funny and expressful singer but here she really takes it to the top. A great video!

• Aya Liu - Hot Pot Song (火鍋爽)
• Aya Liu - Female man (女漢子)
• Aya Liu - Who's naughty (誰不乖)
• Aya Liu - Ding-dong (叮噹)
• Aya Liu - Fantastic (妙妙妙)
• Aya Liu - Call me

Mandpop/Indie: AM444 - Dark Show

Chinese/French indie duo AM444 made one of my favorite Mandarin songs of 2014 with "Détache Toi / Shen Jing Mo Shao". The new "Dark Show" from the new EP Dark Show (KaiGuan/Believe) is similary interesting and with the same distinct unique style.

• AM444 - Dark Show

Kpop: Big Bang - Bang Bang Bang (뱅뱅뱅)

Last week I said to a younger kpop fan that Big Bang's career is probably mostly over, at least in regards to new hits like the ones you saw some years ago (like "Fantastic Baby"). The new songs that was released in May very much confirmed this as they was polished and slightly interesting but not hit material. But with the new "Big Bang Bang" I may have been proved wrong, as "Bang Bang Bang" is full of that energy and more than that, synergy between the members. They use each other strengths and character to make a great video and song that is pretty damn close to the classic Big bang hits!

• Big Bang - Bang Bang Bang (뱅뱅뱅)