Saturday, December 13, 2014

KPOP STAR 4 - Audition Round (Part 1)

Hello everyone! It's the new season! Kyaaa~ I'm seriously excited to meet all the contestants. I will try to do my best in summarizing the list of all the contestants that passed the first round. ^_^

EPISODE 1

♦ Hong Chanmi, 22

She is the 6th child from 7 siblings. She has a passive personality so she don't dare to talk about pursuing music to her family.

(Free loop by Daniel Powter)

[X] JYP  : Your singing just passes over my head like a cloud and doesn't hit me here >>heart.
[X] YG   : It's good at first but after 20 sec, "When is the next part?".
[O] YHY: We should have singers who sing with simplicity like a cloud passing over.

*YHY gave her a WILD CARD

♦ Kwon Hye In, 15, New Jersey

She had performed at Amateur Night at Apollo before and won first place.

(Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys)

[X] YHY: You didn't feel like a pop singer but more like a musical actress.
[X] JYP  : You have to be true to yourself.
[O] YG   : To put it simply, you were pretentious.

*YG gave her WILD CARD

♦ Park Yoon Ha, 16, Seongnam

"I went to the preliminary round without any desire, thinking of it as a good experience. I passed, so I have more desire for singing now". This was her first audition ever.

(Desire and hope by As One)

[O] JYP  : A middle school student can sing well without imitating an adult.
[O] YHY: My heart was pounding as you sang, like a 17-years-old.
[O] YG   : You have a clean(?) voice.

♦ Na Ha-Eun, 6, Daegu

She was the youngest contestant EVER! Aigoo~ Kiyeopta~ "I want to be a singer who sing and dance well". According to her mom, she just want her to have fun on stage and hear the professional's opinions on her daughter's dancing skills.

(Do you want to build a snowman from Frozen OST & Watcha know bout me by Nicki Minaj)

[O] YG   : I'm seeing a miracle right now.
[O] JYP  : Even the adult dancers don't get the backbeat but it's incredible she does.
[O] YHY: It's our first gift to you, you passed.

*JYP asked her to free-styled dance to an impromptu song. And she nailed it!

♦ Jung Seun Hwan, 19

"I did get singing lessons but I quit because I think singing is not for learning. I was told that I looked cynical, that's why I wore glasses today".

(It Will Pass by Kim Bum Soo)

[O] YG   : Your favorite singers are John Lennon, Radiohead and YHY. I thought this guy is not normal. *laugh* But you sing like you're talking.
[O] YHY: I believe that you have an innate talent.
[O] JYP  : Every single person has something special. You just did your thing and didn't try to fit yourself to others.

♦ Nam So Hyun, 18

She did try out last season with her sister, Nam Young Jo, but she didn't get through the preliminary round.

(Only I didn't know by IU)

[O] YG   : You are good with emotion.
[X] YHY: You lack a distinctive feature. You sing all the high notes with falsetto.
[O] JYP  : I'm disappointed that you did the same mistakes as your sister.

*She was asked to sing the high notes again with her own voice.

♦ Grace, 27, New York

She has passed during Season 1's preliminary round but she got some VISA problem and she don't want to leave her mom behind. It took her 3 years to try out again.

(Fallin by Alicia Keys)

[O] JYP  : I don't like people showing off while singing, but it's okay if you did it well.
[O] YHY: You sing the best out of all the contestants.
[O] YG   : She would get a standing ovation if she performs in American Idol.

♦ Lee Jin Ah, 24

"I was always being teased by boys during my middle and high school years."
"My voice doesn't bother me at all in my daily life now."

(Time, slow down by Lee Jin Ah)

[O] JYP  : I was completely enchanted.
[O] YHY: I just saw a female musician I've been dreaming of.
[O] YG   : I think you will be the first to pave the path for other Korean Indie musicians.


My amateur comment:
    I'm rooting for Jung Seung Hwan, Park Yoon Ha, Na Ha Eun and Lee Jin Ah. But I know Na Ha Eun and Lee Jin Ah might not go further if they don't impress the judges next round. Plus, Na Ha Eun is just a baby~ I'm worried about her as much as I wanted her to do well. As for Lee Jin Ah, she don't really have a powerful voice, so it might be a disadvantage. But I trust her unique musicality!
    I had a bad impression on Jung Seung Hwan when he said he quit the singing lesson because singing is not to be learned (?). Doesn't that sound like you put too much pride on yourself? But in the end, his individuality does shine. And as for Kwon Hye In and Grace.. They are great at singing, but I hope they don't overdo it next time. I wasn't moved by their performances yet I was amazed by their high notes.. Sawry~ (Cheon Song Yi's style..) All the best for next round!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

KPOP STAR 4: Lee Jin Ah - Audition round

I have to admit that I was amused (and surprised) to hear her voice at first. Even the judges was taken aback when they heard her voice for the first time. Yoo Hee Yeol remarks was especially hilarious, 'Is that really your voice?'.

Lee Jin Ah is a singer-songwriter, aged 24, from Gwang-ju. She has already released an album titled 'Invisible' but it was a complete failure. Too bad that her musicality was not recognized.


She said she used to be teased by boys during her middle and high school years. But her voice did not bother her at all. She just wanted to be a singer-songwriter and let others listen to her song. Previously she did perform in Hongdae and even released an album. Nothing changed and she did not get much recognition.

She was worried coming to audition because her voice is not powerful enough for this competition. But the president of her former agency persuaded her to try out the audition for Kpop Star 4. Thankfully she did .. Honestly I am not a professional in terms of music but seeing how the judges respond to her song, it must be a big deal then. Actually she was in Mnet Tune Up before. I prefer her piano-playing version instead of the whole band version. You can check out both her performances below.



Lee Jin Ah: "I'm sorry but the feet pedal is not working"
Yoo Hee Yeol: "You pass! No need to sing. I'm already amazed by your musicality"



Time, Slows Down - Lee Jin Ah

When I am walking hand in hand with you
I always start to sing a song
Lala laa ~
Strangely, whenever I am with you
Time always flies away

When I am walking hand in hand with you
I always start to sing a song
Lala laa ~
Strangely, whenever I am with you
Time always flies away

[Chorus]
Oh Time, could you slows down a bit?
I think you're going to fast 
Could you go slower for me a bit
Just a little, a little bit
Slowly, slowly
Could you go by?

How can it be?
The day is over so quickly
With you by my side
How time flies
I think I'm going to be a grandma soon
Will this feeling last forever?

[Chorus] × 2

Monday, October 13, 2014

Bernard Park Debut 12102014

Great news! Bernard Park made his debut yesterday and today is the official album release, 'I'm..'.


The first time I listen to this song, I have to say it was a bit dragging.. And plus I don't understand the lyrics. But the MV is so sad.. My attention was shifted towards the MV but the scene on the bus was a bit too long.. Hehehe.. The actor and actress are really good-looking though. The second time I listened to it (during SuperKpop show at Arirang radio), I started to like the song. Sorry Bernard.. Some songs you need to listen to it a few times for you adjust to it.


The MV for 'Before The Rain' has been released today! Woohoo~ I really love the MV and song! No joke. Honestly, when I listen to him singing live yesterday, I wasn't really impressed.. It was OK but it's a bit lacking.. Huhu.. Turns out he was not in a good condition for his debut stage. (I got to know that after listening to him at Arirang radio. Well, hope he gets well soon..) The MV was much better because I think that is his usual voice.. The voice that I love~

Here is the snippets of each songs in his album. All the songs are mellow~ I like some of the songs but, like I said, I don't understand the lyrics. I'm more attracted to the melody and his voice.. ㅋㅋㅋ..


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

LOST

Life goes on like a bullet train
Yet I am the only one left behind
Not knowing which one is my station
Or even where am I going

I stand on this busy street
Everyone is rushing somewhere
Yet I hold on to my broken compass
Not knowing which way to head for

I look around
Looking for a glimpse of compassion
Seeking for a tinge of kindness
Begging for a trace of empathy

But all I got in return was dejection
The people is so cold
They never have a proper look
To realize the lost soul inside of me

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Jung Sae Woon - Day 1 [COVER]

Hello everyone!

Just wanna make a quick update. Jung Sae Woon makes a cover of K.Will - Day 1!!! Who's excited to see him again? I know I do! He is now an artist under Starship Entertainment!


Should I convert it to mp3? Let me know~ Bbyong~


'K-Pop Star 3's Jung Sae Woon has signed with growing agency Starship Entertainment!

Jung Sae Woon, who recently impressed with his cover of K.Will's "Day 1", will be joining K.Will and more as a new member of the Starship Entertainment family. Jung Sae Woon has been praised by the 'K-Pop Star 3' judges as a singer-songwriter and guitarist so fans are looking forward to the talent that he will bring to the K-pop scene.

Starship Entertainment announced on the 4th, "Jung Sae Woon has finished discussion pertaining to his contract and has officially joined the agency... Jung Sae Woon possesses a unique voice and guitar and producing skills, making him a gem. His debut date is still undetermined and we plan to gradually discuss his album."

Source: AllKpop

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Kpop Star 3: Chameleon by Something

During TOP 8 performance, the duo group Something performed their own song. They were under a lot of pressure as other contestants can performed other singer's song while they have to come up with their own song within such a short time. I truly pity them. The burden to do much better this time, as they had almost been eliminated before, is just soooooo... BURDENSOME. They had been pointed out before by the judges that they need to find their own 'colors'. So, they decided to wrote a song about 'Chameleon'.


Download link: Chameleon - Something

We don't know anything
What should I be when I grow up
All I need is Mom and Dad
That's all I need

Under 'My dream' in my elementary school yearbook
My dream was to be the president
That dark 13-years-old boy was like the color of the sky
But became an adult in the gray world
My dream is to be a civil servant
My dream is to be an office worker
I'm gradually losing my color
I like green color but the world is gray
I hide myself again today
I'm a chameleon

Chorus:
I hide my longtime dream
Kept it a secret
I want to shout it out
I'm going to stop crying
Tonight is black
I sing in the darkness
Chameleon

Rap:
After I wake up from that long dream
I won't see you again in the morning
The starlight clears, the sun shines
Should I go to sleep by singing?

Although I became an adult in this gray world
My dream here
I sing of my dream
I want to find my color green.. gray..
I hide myself again today
I adjust my color to reality
And I hide myself
I live today, even tomorrow
And maybe even the day after
I'm a chameleon

The commentaries were very discouraging. Again, they were pointed out by JYP that the song was boring. It was so frustrating to not show any improvement even when they did tried their best. I think they really played guitar well and the melody of the songs are addictive. It's just they need to learn how to compose a song properly. It's not easy.. They are still young and I think they will do better if they are being well-guided. In terms of fan base, I think they have a lot of people all around the world that are rooting for them. Jung Sae Woon & Kim Ah-Hyun fighting!!! Himnae-seyo!!!

Unfortunately, this was the last performance from them. Thank you all for supporting them and dropping by my blog!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Crazy of ZE:A Kevin

“buing buing~”
His attempt on doing aegyo~

Kevin: “Sarangheyo”
Me: Nadoo~

I love his hair style in this and smile.. *wink wink*