Kpop: Fei(페이)

With Jia just having left miss A, the solo debut of Fei is interesting from several aspects as it may contain signs of what is to become of miss A. After seeing the excellent and modern track 'Fantasy', I can't say anything else than that it feels safe to say everything will be alright if it is good music you are after. Whatever happens to miss A, will happen, so let's just enjoy this virtual reality - themed video.

• Fei - Fantasy (괜찮아 괜찮아)

Mandopop: Qi Qi Ge (琪琪格)

Qi Qi Ge was born in Ordos in Inner Mongolia in 1984, and her mongolian heritage is very evident in her singing, with symbolism and texts very much praising the virtues of the prairie and its people. Still, she studied pop music in Beijing and particpated in a TV contest for music (in 2006) before releasing her first album. After that she has done musicals, acting and other performances. What caught my eye is the passionate "People of the Prairie", which she now even has made a dance edition of, perfect for teh KTV (karaoke) crowd. :-)

• Qi Qi Ge - People of the Prairie (草原上的哥哥)
• Qi Qi Ge - People of the Prairie (Dance edition)
• Qi Qi Ge - Love the prairie, Love you (爱上草原爱上你)
• QI Qi Ge - Ulan Bator's Night (烏蘭巴托之夜)

Kpop: Gavy NJ - Shubirubirub (슈비루비룹)

It has been a while since I last wrote about Gavy NJ, as they have been trawling along with songs that didn't do it for me. With the new single with the onomatopoeic name "Shubirubirub", it is a slight turn for the cutesy for the trio in their latest song, but the refrain is really just right so it is a thumbs up for me.

• Gavy NJ - Shubirubirub (슈비루비룹)

Kpop: San E & Raina - Sugar & Me (달고나)

With the success of San E & Raina's previous cooperation two year's ago, "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness", it isn't surprising that they came together again this summer for "Sugar & Me". And in both cases I didn't care, and especially with the new song where Raina only figured in a token short five secs at the start (to be followed by a anonymous model for the rest of the song). Then comes the charming Date version and -wham- I love it! The charm and presence is all there, and isn't there quite the chemistry too? ... :-)

• San R & Raina - Sugar & Me (Live/Date version)
• San E & Raina - Sugar & Me (달고나)
• San E & Raina - A Midsummer Night's Sweetness (한여름밤의 꿀)
• San E & Raina - A Midsummer Night's Sweetness (Acoustic ver)

Kpop: Kiha & The Faces (장기하와 얼굴들)

Jang Kiha and his band has made their own kind of retro sounding jazzy/funky/whatever music but with the new "The Smell's Gone" they really lifted themselves a step further with more passion, more catchiness and more fun. It's great and just so cool.

• Kiha & The Faces - The Smell's Gone (빠지기는 빠지더라)
• Kiha & The Faces - Blah (Kieuk/ㅋ)
• Kiha & The Faces - Blah (live. Must see!)
• Kiha & The Faces - The Most Beautiful Song (가장 아름다운 노래)
• Kiha & The Faces - Cheap Coffee (싸구려 커피, from 2008)