The Superior K-Pop of 2011
2011 has been a good year for K-Pop so far. It seems that all of the 239,382 groups that debuted last year have finally captured their style and are releasing decent music, while the veterans have given us quality releases without flopping too hard. I myself have been a K-Pop addict this year more than ever, and I’m not as ashamed of it as I used to be(it doesn’t help that J-Pop is a bit zzz lately).
So, let’s look at what I think are the most superior, legendary songs released this year!
4minute sluts – Mirror Mirror
Jfc can 4minute release fierce-ass music when they feel like it. Mirror Mirror even surpasses the flawless creation that was Muzik in my book! I absolutely loved everything about this release. Well, minus Jihyun’s fat and overall boringness. Fierce, flawless, Sohyun and beautiful electronic K-Pop. <3 My favorite song of the year so far.
f(x) – Hot Summer
Not gonna lie, I was never a big fan of f(x), especially after Zzzinocchio(Our career is in Danger) came out. Talk about a dull, repetitive song. Then Hot Summer came out and I absolutely fell in love. The concept is nothing extraordinary, but the song is just so firetrucking delicious and amazing. I’m so in love with this song, it’s crazy. Though it has to be the MV version which features those stomping noises which just makes everything work so much better(I have the MV version on my iPod, forget the normal version).
Heck, I can even stand Krystal and Luna in this MV.
RANIA – DR FEEL GOOD
Dark, lustful, sexy, whores in leather. That just about describes DR FEEL GOOD. I remember when this song first came out and I watched about 30 seconds of the MV before closing it thinking “Oh god, another new, generic girl group.”. Thankfully my friends reintroduced me to the group since they became the rage all over here in my K-Pop community. The song features those identical 12 blaring sounds over and over and fucking over, but it’s not too bad(although it’s what first drove me away from the song), but the leather, choreography and lyrics more than make up for it.
Fun fact: Did you know that this song was actually going to be sung by Lady Gaga but she turned it down claiming that it wasn’t her style?
RAINBOW – To Me
Let’s step away from all the sex, leather and synth and head over to the less recognized side of K-Pop, the side that makes music that is not only beautifully arranged, but that also clings to it’s K-Pop roots. That exactly what the mastermind of DAISH DANCE created with To Me. Decent vocals + Japanese producer + natural talent and *beauty + K-Pop equals something truly quite beautiful. The way everything about this song and how it was released just tickles my fancy. <3
Oh and here’s a live they did that I think everybody should see at least once ’cause it’s absolutely stunning! Click!
After School – Shampoo
After School can own so many different styles and this also goes for Shampoo, which is the second single that the group has performed which isn’t really up-beat or your typical K-Pop style(though Bang! and Because Of You were also pretty unique). The song was also produced by DAISHI DANCE, which is why you’ll find it similar in beautifulness to To Me. Clean, unique, rapping, good vocals and interesting choreography. <3
BEAST – Fiction
Finally some Korean sausage. BEAST music has been a bit stale for my taste lately. They were interesting when they first came out with their smexy members and everything, but eventually their music got all depressing and uninteresting. Release after release. With Fiction they continue to release this wrist-cutting music but they finally changed it up with the best damn synth in K-Pop this year.
2NE1 – I Am The Best
The last song in the list if of the fierce and attitude queens of Korea 2NE1! Now I know that 2NE1′s singles(Can’t Nobody, Try to Follow Me, Don’t Stop The Music) have all started to sound really similar, but this one has to be the best one so far. Oh, and the videos are looking pretty similar too actually. Anyway, a fierce song from 2NE1 and the best in their current style.
Teen Top – No More Perfume On You
Teen Top is a relatively new group but all their singles so far have been pretty amazing. Their latest song is no doubt their best though. In a way it’s your typical K-Pop song but it has a certain feeling/mood that’s a-typical these days. In a way it’s similar to RAINBOW’s Sweet Dream. Oh, and hot Korean guys is always a plus. ;D
So, what has been your favorite K-Pop song in 2011 so far?
*we know all those bitches be prastic fantastic
I still need to follow more K-pop groups but I think MBLAQ’s Mona Lisa was pretty good.
Forget debuted groups. The groups that have been out for a while are the focus. 4minute’s Mirror Mirror is actually a song I dislike to be honest. :/ I want to know why they made Sohyun’s hair that short, SHE LOOKS OLD AND SHE’S THE MAKNAE. Muzik is still #1 to me and HuH is better than Mirror Mirror.
Love f(x)’s Hot Summer and Rania’s song but the situation with Rania is just mjfelaknfaj LONG.
After School’s Shampoo is beautiful and lovely. I’m just upset that Bekah is not in the group, it means they took out one of the fearless members. FICTION is okay…
I AM THE BEST is a great song on their latest album along with LONELY and UGLY.
OH MY! SAVE ME FROM TINTAP!! Or uh…Teen Top. The only boy group that I am being a pedonoona to except C.A.P.
First of all…hello, I’m a newbie here! Congratulations, your blog is so nice and very-well-made! I too think that 2011 has been a pretty good year for k-pop! There are many recent songs that I like a lot, but these are my favs:
- SISTAR -So Cool: I loved the video, the song and the girls (they’re so gorgeous!) from the first view!
- Sunny Hill – “Midnight Circus” and “Pray”: I think they’re the revelation of year…ok, they’re not beginners in the k-pop world, but they’ve never done such amazing songs! In particular, I think that the pv for Pray is one of the most touching pvs I have ever seen…if you haven’t already watched it, watch it! :D
-2ne1 – Lonely: well, I’m a hardcore fan of 2ne1, and I love (almost) all their songs, but this song has impressed me so much because of its simplicity. You know, they’re used to sing all those noisy songs with a massive use of autotune…so, making a song so peaceful, in which we can only listen to girls’ voices and to the acoustic guitars, is the biggest gift they could have ever done.
- W&Whale – Break it Down: I think they’re one of the best electro-pop bands in Korea, together with Clazziquai, and Break it Down is a great tune!
- Soul Dive – XXX (Desire of Desire): they’re not properly a k-pop band, they’re hip-hop, but I love this song so much, so I think they’ven should been included in my list!
- Davichi – Don’t say Goodbye: what a nice duo! I think they’re are a really powerful duet female group, and this song is very sweet…a must for depressing moments, LOL!
- f(x) – Hot Summer: yeah, I loved it too! I don’t like f(x) so much, but I found this song very nice, better than other songs of them!
That’s all! =)
Welcome to StK! *-* Thank you for being one of the few who comment! :D
I gotta agree, a lot of the songs you named are really really good, especially that Midnight Circus song and Lonely. <3 I probably didn't include Lonely 'cause I'm in an electro-fix. :P