Saturday, September 25, 2010

2NE1 Coming To America? YES!


Korean pop group 2NE1 is coming to America! Well, it's not official yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. There are a lot of reasons to suspect that the YG is preparing the girls for an American debut in the upcoming years. They just announced that they will be uploading the first and second season episodes of 2NE1 on their YouTube channel later. The videos will be copyrighted, so they won't be taken down by the YouTube police, and will also have legit English subtitles! Finally international fans (like me) will be able to understand them. The group has already received some support for their future album by producer Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

I guess this video was the start of the rumors, but the new sound of the group has also gotten fans buzzing about an American tour in the future. Well when ever you come, I'll be here to support you! Let's go BlackJacks!
~Chan
TOKYO - MAY 29: 2NE1 perform during the MTV World Stage VMAJ 2010 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on May 29, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
Come 2011, They'll be rocking like this in the US.

*UPDATE!  It appears that the group is definitely going to make an American debut, and they've only just released their first studio album in Korea! According to an article on omgkpop.com they have already made ten American tracks for a new English album with Will.i.am's help and will come to America in 2011! Sadly the group won't stay in America too long since they will also be promoting in Japan and keeping up with their fans in Korea. I can't wait! And believe me, I will do everything I can to make sure they don't flop like other Asian artists have, and if they water down their talent like this artist did , I'm gonna be P.O.ed! They better perform on BET, MTV,VH1, and anywhere else they must to be a success! Below is a sample of how they'll sound in English.

~Chan

UPDATE!: click here to read an interview with 2NE1 posted on allkpop.com.



  

2NE I'm Busy, 난 바빠

I've been listening to this all day over and over again! I really want this album, although I've already heard a few of their new songs earlier in the year. I wish They'd make a video for this one soon,or at least have a performance of this posted! But the romanized lyrics are from Lyricsmode.com while the English translation is from this site. The video is being used for promotional purposes only. Buy that Album! 2NE1 fighting!
*If this video doesn't come up in case it's taken down, go on Youtube and look for it! This song is amazing!*
 Nan bappa, very bappa
Nan bappa, damn bappa
Nan bappa, very bappa (x4)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go

Let me go!
Sohn jom nwajweo jungmal gwanshim eopseo
Maleul anhaedo ni bbeonhangame
Boy, I heard it before
Shigan eopseo bounce jigeun nan bappa
Jigeut jigeut-han ni jipchakae heundeullijin ana
(Damn bappa, very bappa)



Niga ipeul yeol ddae mada deullinun geon blah, blah, blah
Gwiman apa ow! Turn around, joyonghee ga, ga, ga
Naega eereol ddaemada namjadeul da
They be like damn, d-damn
Shigan eopseo bounce, jigeun na bappa

So baby, bounce bounce bounce, keep groovin' let's go!
Geunyang munghagae seo-itji malgo
(Bounce, jigeum nan bappa)
I ain't got time, time, time for you jungshin charyeo
Jungmal noonchi eopneun babo
(Get out the way, yo! )


Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go


Dodaechae wae jakkujakku nal gwaeropineundae
Talk to my hand, dashi malhaejulgae, boy, I don't care
Niga aneun yeoja wa naneun dalla (Yuchihan)
Jangnan geuman deo eesang nan mot chama


All my ladies feelin' naughty
That don't need no man to p-party
Dugeungeorineun speakers
Cheoreom twinggyeo meori, deung, heori


Choomeul chugo shipeundae namjadeuli banghae hal ddaen
Eereokhae nal ddara haebwayo stop- bikyeojullae



So baby, bounce bounce bounce, keep groovin' let's go!

Geunyang munghagae seo-itji malgo
(Bounce, jigeum nan bappa)
I ain't got time, time, time for you jungshin charyeo
Jungmal noonchi eopneun babo
(Get out the way, yo! )

Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go



Nan bappa, damn bappa
Nan bappa, very bappa (x4)
Y'all already know
2NE1 like you never heard it before
Let's go


Turn it up, it's goin' down
Get out the club if you ain't feelin' this sound


Get out the way, yo way
Get out the way, yo way, way
Get out the way, yo way, way
Get out the way


Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go

~English~
I’m busy Damn Busy

I’m busy Very Busy (x4)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Get outta the way!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~



Let me go! Let go of my hand I really don’t have interest in you
Your game is obvious even if you don’t say anything
Boy, I heard it before
No time bounce! Right now I’m busy
I won’t get shaken by your tiresome obsession



Whenever you open your mouth I only hear
Blah Blah Blah
It only hurts my ears ow! Turn around quietly go go go
Whenever I act like this all the men
They be like damn d damn!

No time bounce! Right now I’m busy
So baby bounce bounce bounce
keep movin’ let’s go!

Don’t just stand there spacing out
(Bounce! Right now I’m busy!)
I ain’t got time, time, time for you, Get a grip
You really are a fool with no wits (Get out the way yo!)

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~
Why are you keep bothering me?

Talk to my hand
I’ll tell you again boy “I don’t care”
I’m different than the girl you know
Immature jokes, no more I can’t stand it anymore

All my ladies feelin’ naughty
that don’t need no man to p party
The thumping speakers Boom! Boom!
Bounce your head, back, and waist like the speakers

When men bother me when I wanna dance
Like this “Try to follow me” stop. Get outta the way
So baby bounce bounce bounce
keep movin’ let’s go!

Don’t just stand there spacing out
(Bounce! Right now I’m busy!)
I ain’t got time, time, time for you, Get a grip
You really are a fool with no wits (Get out the way yo!)

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~

Y’all already know,
2NE1 like you never heard it before, let’s go
Turn it up, it’s goin’ down, get out the club if you ain’t feelin’ this sound!

Get out the way yo way,
get out the way yo way way
Get out the way yo way way,
get out the way~~

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~

Sunday, September 19, 2010

2NE1: New Music, New Look!

Makeover! The girls pose for the cover of their new album "To Anyone"
       Ladies and gentlemen, 2NE1 is back and they're flier than ever! The all female Korean group released their album "To Anyone" September 9 and they are flying up the American and Canadian iTunes charts, placing in the top three* they haven't even toured North America yet! I can't really speak about the album quality (since I don't know Korean) but a lot of sites are giving the new album great reviews. From what I've heard so far, I must say that this album has a different sound than their first one. There is a lot of auto tune - something I had to get used to- and more of CL and Minzy rapping. Profanity is used in some of the songs, but the group still manages to keep up the great music their fans have grown to love. CL also throws a little humor in with a line from Go Away saying "Fiancé? Beyonce! I’m walkin’ out of destiny" using the reference to refer to a relationship. Videos for their songs "Can't Nobody", "Clap Your Hands", and "Go Away"can be seen on Youtube, (or my play list on the right)  while another for "It Hurts(Slow)" will be revealed soon. My favorite songs so far are "Can't Nobody" and "Clap" which reminds me of "Fire" from their first album.
 

 New Look
Along with a brand new sound the group is premiering a new style and you have to admit that they've changed a lot! All of the ladies have under gone a makeover and are rocking bolder edgier styles than before. So far I like all the looks and think the girls look great, especially CL. I promise I had no idea who she was when I saw her. I thought she was Dara or Bom, but I must say that she looks great with her blond hair. She's also getting more attention from the cameras than before and dressing in more form fitting feminine styles. Just check out anyone of their new videos to see her new wardrobe and hair. Her attitude seems to be a bit more "I'm too fly for you" or is that just me? Lovin it either way!
Minzy's (Minji's) hair has grown, and she has noticeable extensions in their new video. She still has her bangs which we know and love her for. Her hair has changed from a pretty red to a rich black. I personally like this look better than   the previous style she had before. She looks more natural and the contrast between her fair skin and dark hair bring more attention to her face. She is also seen wearing blue contacts.  Like the others, Minzy's style has gotten a lot sexier too- a bit too sexy for a sixteen-year-old. This is especially true in the "Can't Nobody" music video were she wears a tight revealing piece and does some suggestive dancing. I understand that Minzy is in a group with older females and if the whole group gets a makeover,she should too, but the clothes she's wearing look a bit ridiculous. Not to mention she doesn't seem to comfortable wearing some of the styles and is it me, or those she need a bit more practice in heels. Don't get me wrong, I love Minzy, she's my favorite in the group, but that's why I'm disappointed in some aspects of  her wardrobe. If the manager or the PR consultant wanted to give the girls a new look, he/she should have done so with the youngest member's age in mind. Other than that, I love Minzy's look, style, and her as artist in general.
She looks like Michlle Phan!


Bom (right) is rocking a fierce red do and bangs. I like the new color on her. It's dark enough not to damage your eyes yet rich enough to subtly demand attention from everybody. Bom always seems to be in the background compared to the other artist . She's always singing the hooks or the chorus and I think they should give her more spotlight. She has great singing abilities and should be considered more than just a pretty face.

  Dara's makeover isn't as bold as the others are. Truthfully, I didn't even know she had done anything different , but she has a warm brown color in her hair that compliments her skin nicely and the  braided look is gone. I like this look on her, although I think that she really needed a makeover- she's pretty the way she is. I also love her street look in Clap You Hands, she looks so unbelievable gangster.
Upgrade!


   I love most of the new styles the girls are wearing, although some of them should tone the look down. The blond is working on CL and  doesn't to get Minzy's spiked jacket!
  To get more info on the group and to see sneak previews of their music and videos, join their fan page on Facebook.  You can also buy their album on iTunes

*I'd also like to point out the fact that Christian rappers Lecrae and TripLee are on the list*

I do not own 2NE1, their albums, or any of that other stuff. I just really like the music. Photos taken from this site unless noted otherwise. ~Kay?:D
~ Chan

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

K-pop! Favorite Groups and Break Downs


I've been a Korean pop fan for almost a year now and I must say I can't get enough of it! I'm adding new artists, groups, and songs to my play list everyday and I don't see an end to it!. Who knew that accidentally stumbling on one video would have made me an addict? Although I haven't been a fan for a long time, I have started to notice some trends that a lot of K-pop groups seem to follow. For instance, almost all of the  k-pop groups with few members follow the same format of rappers and singers, and then there's the "trip to the dark side and back"  trend I've seen in a lot of videos. Then there was the really huge difference I found in Korean music that really differed from American music, like super groups. Below are a few of my findings.

The Format (2NE! Example):
 Most of the K-pop groups I have listened to follow a very basic format that usually works in groups of three or more. All of the members usually possess the ability to carry a note. Usually there are two main leaders in the group that contribute to most of the vocals. For example, in the group 2NE1(pictured above) Sandara (Dara) and Park Bom (Bom) are the vocal leaders. They are usually the ones dominating the chorus or hook in the song. The third member of the group usually spends his or her time switching between vocalizing and rapping. Minji (Minzy) takes this role in the group, and is also the dancer. Last comes the rapper. This is the person who spits most of the hot rhymes in the group. They also contribute to the vocals, but only a minimal amount. CL is the main rapper in 2NE1 and has the best flow and most air time most Korean rappers in groups.  The rappers usually have a tom boyish style and will rarely be as seductive as the other members of the group, but love to boast about how they are the best rapper in the city/country (kinda like American rappers).


Super Groups
For some reason, Korean music producers like to create Korean Super Groups that usually have 8+ members. I have no idea how they do it, but somehow it seems to work. Groups such as SNSD (nine members)or Girl's Generation, and the all male group Super Junior( ten), both pictured below and to the left respectively, are just two examples of the super groups that have K-pop fans going wild. I don't deny these groups are favored across seas, but I don't really like these types of groups. I actually like to learn about the artists that I am listening to, and I do not have time to learn all thirteen members' names and try to point them out when I'm watching their videos.
Many groups have tried to help fans with this confusion by giving their members edgy cuts, bold colors, and making their talents standout in the group (the dancer, the rapper, the back up rapper, the sweet one, etc.) Although this might help some, I still fail to remember their names. I also wonder how the group feels when most of the fans only  favor certain members and act as if the others don't seem to exist. Are they all able to get equal camera time or sing equal parts? I would highly doubt it. Membership is also another concern with me. Recently a few members have become inactive in the groups I listen to. For example Super Junior has shrunk from thirteen members to 10, and if rumors are right, one of the members in SNSD has either quit or been dropped. Maybe it's a sign to the producers ...
Split Personality: Videos
I have noticed that most K-pop groups usually start off the same way: really cute, happy, bright colors, and seem to be really sweet. Then as their career takes off they begin to ... change. They ditch the happy pinks and blues for darker, more serious colors in their videos. Their songs no longer are about having a crushes or other topics of the sort, instead they go to hurt, betrayal, and seduction.

      One example of this would be the girl group Kara. They transitioned from sweet girly videos like "Rock You" and began to do more sexy videos like the ever popular "Mister" and "Lupin" (both of which I love, BTW). Note that I have only really seen this in girl groups, but I don't doubt that the boy groups do the same. I know that groups are supposed to grow and try to change their image, but it seems as if most groups follow this formula. Start out sweet and innocent, turn into sexy and seductive. It seems that Kara switches back and forth between the two styles. Wonder Girls is the only Korean Group I have heard that hasn't really done this, but since I haven't seen all of their videos, I can't really say for sure (Buy Wonder Girl's English album at Justice stores or online.)

  
Translation Videos Lie
One last thing I know about K-pop is that direct translation videos sometimes make no sense at all. Listening to English covers of the songs can also be tricky. Some of the people who make the English cover have no idea what they are (singing) about and makeup their own lyrics to the songs while keeping the original chorus or hooks. If you want to know what  a song really means or to see the direct translation find a reliable sites that shows the lyrics. Also remember translations in English may not be the same in Korean since some Korean words may not have a meaning in English,or may have multiple meanings.

PS. I Still Love J-POP! It was my first love and I will  never let it go!

(Korean and Japanese artists and songs You should know)

  • 4Minute- "I,My,Me,Mine", "Hot Issue", "HUH"

  • 2NE1-anything by them

  • After School-  "Because of You"

  • BigBang- "We Belong Together" check out their English version also, "Lollipop","Wedding Dress"

  • BoA- "Possibilities" "Love Letter","ID :)", "Touched" ,"Eat You Up" English album available

  • Kara- "Mister" "Rock Your Body"

  • Pumashock- listen to her covers of Korean songs as well as her own music.

  • SNSD- "Gee" "Oh" "Chocolate Love"

  • Utada - "Sanctuary", "Simple and Clean", Japanese versions are better in my opinion, she also has English albums.



* I accidentally deleted my play list, but in it's prime it had over 80 songs, both K-pop and J-pop
~Chan