Jpop: Daoko & Yasuyuki Okamura - Step up Love (ステップアップLOVE)

Stylish Daoko is back with the ending theme for the anime "Kekkai Sensen & Beyond", in a duo with musician and singer Yasuyuki Okamura. I really love the theme of the song, a kind of one-on-one song competition taking place in a basketball court. To be honest I think Yasuyuki's emotional song tops Daoko's, but it is the two voices together that really makes this such a enjoyable track.
By the way, doesn't she really sound like Komuai in this song?

• Daoko & Yasuyuki Okamura - Step up Love (ステップアップLOVE)

Kpop: VIXX - Shangri-La (도원경)

VIXX is back and again they deliver on the drama in their video - which has ever been their signum. I am hard presssed to remember when I last saw such a aesthetically pleasing video. It reminds me somewhat of Sistar's "I like That" last year with its Chinese inspirations, but this looks better. Musically they have done better, but this time it doesn't matter as this is a celebration of the korean excellence when making the whole package. Enjoy it, because in one sense the kpop wonder as we know it is already fading (or evolving depending on how you see it).

• VIXX - Shangri-La (도원경)

Kpop: PSY - New Face & I Luv It

The first above and two first below is from "I Luv It", the rest from "New Face"

PSY will ofc never top his super hit "Gangnam Style" from back in 2012 (getting close to 3 billion views!), but he still pushes out videos that gets 10s of millions of views. The two new releases from the new album "4x2=8" is "I Luv It" & "New Face". I think they don't quite come up to "Daddy" and "Napal Baji" from the last album, but they aren't bad and the videos are still very fun to watch. And if you wonder, it is Son Naeun from A Pink and the "Pineapple Pen" guy of viral video fame, Pikotaro.

• PSY - I Luv It
• PSY - New Face

Jpop: Sakanaction - Maybe, Wind (多分、風)

How it is possible, I don't know, but I managed to miss out on this early winter single from Sakanaction, the Japanese synth band that has over the years given me the most musical enjoyment (forgive me, Perfume, but that's the truth). Their bittersweet but still soft sound is healing for the soul, and this song is no exception. And, oh, the video is just so great too!

• Sakanaction - Maybe, Wind (多分、風)

Kpop: K.A.R.D. - Rumor

Since the start it was K.A.R.D.:s hot dance moves and that they are a mixed group, quite unusual in kpop, with the boys J.Seph and B.M together with the girls Somin and Jiwoo delivering not only superb choreography but also great songs. The new "Rumor" may be the best so far, where they put their male/female contrast to great use.

• K.A.R.D. - Rumor

Kpop: Girl's Day - I'll be yours

You may struggle, you may fight it, but sooner or later you will succumb to the viles of Girl's Day. I tried for a month, but this week I had to admit failure - I can't help but be charmed by their video "I'll be yours". It's pure eye candy, and the song fits it perfectly.

• Girl's Day - I'll be yours
• Girl's Day - I'll be yours (Areia remix)