[June 2, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

Aside from the line-up being ridiculously packed, today's recap is extra, extra special because McRoth of McRoth's Residence and I plan to take over the world with it! Just joking. Partially. If you're sick and tired of only me doing the babbling during my music show recaps, then you're in for a treat, because yes, McRoth is joining us tonight! What's the occasion? Nothing, actually. But since when did I ever need an occasion to pull in blogger friends of mine?

I know that a lot of you guys who read Pop Reviews Now also read McRoth's Residence, for the simple reason that McRoth is amazing at what he does!

Nikki: After we're done I think you'll have enough time to go take a nap LOL.
McRoth: lmao. I’m wide awake. Might eat breakfast.
Nikki: ^_^ And I slept for half the afternoon so I'm wide awake.
McRoth: this is gonna be a loooooooooooooong post :o
Nikki: T_T
McRoth: Readers' scroll bars will be in pain by the end of this.
Nikki: I wonder if it's longer than the one I did with Mel.
McRoth: what did you write about with her? I forgot.
Nikki: ...DBSK.
McRoth: OH.
Nikki: We fangirled over a few songs.
McRoth: No way is this longer. Anything DBSK will always trump everything else.
Nikki: The one I did with Ree was pretty short.
McRoth: It was, that's why I was able to read most of it lol.
Nikki: the one I did with Mel was just a block of text.
McRoth: o.o I think I remember that

None of the videos are ours, credit as tagged. Let the world domination begin!

A-Jax - "One 4 U"
McRoth: Okay. IM HITTING PLAY.
Nikki: ME TOO.
McRoth: I don't know names, btw.
Nikki: Me neither.
McRoth: lol
Nikki: Anyway. Mmkay.
McRoth: glad to see we're in the same boat
Nikki: I'm getting serious EXO vibes from them. And I don't like it.
McRoth: I'm getting EXO vibes, visually, but generic everything else
Nikki: Yeah, they sound like SS501 rejects.
McRoth: that ballad was a snooze-fest. I can't even remember it, and I just listened to it
Nikki: Me neither. I don't know how to feel about "One 4 U", honestly
McRoth: I like that it's extremely thematic, like the orchestration is big, but everything else is so not amazing.
Nikki: It reminds me of a worse "Love Ya". And they're lip-synching.
McRoth: Ew
Nikki: WHY IS EVERYONE LIP-SYNCHING.
McRoth: ROOKIES ARE SCARED.
Nikki: JJ PROJECT ARE ROOKIES!
McRoth: I love them ._. But we'll get to them soon.
Nikki: I do too. But back to A-Jax.
McRoth: lol
Nikki: Performance-wise they're pretty generic too.
McRoth: Okay, about the orchestration, I take that back. This song is incredibly repetitive
Nikki: As expected.
McRoth: that I'm taking something back? are we bringing up my Junsu fail from 2011?
Nikki: No no. That the song is repetitive LOL
McRoth: lol. GOOD
Nikki: But even if they're lip-synching, they don't make me want to watch them -- and that's the problem.
McRoth: I'm kinda not even watching lol, I'm watching the backup dancers
Nikki: LOL!
McRoth: or is that the group??
Nikki: The backup dancers are in black?
McRoth: This song felt like one giant pre-chorus.
Nikki: DSP has truly lost it's touch.
McRoth: And its heart. There was no soul in that -- at all
Nikki: Yeah, even "Tri-Angle" had emotion
McRoth: lmao
Nikki: It's true!
McRoth: It did, this had no feels
Nikki: Can you not feel the emotion from Changmin's spiky hair?
McRoth: I can almost feel him poking me
Nikki: At least it's over. Phew.
McRoth: yeah.

She'z - "I Feel Like It"
Nikki: I like the idea of She'z
McRoth: NEVER HEARD THESE BROADS, so this is my first.
Nikki: But they're so cheap, it hurts.
McRoth: I like their voices
Nikki: Although they kind of drag their notes too much, so it ends up sounding sloppy. I blame that on a lack of training.
McRoth: one of them looks like Park Bom, as in she looks like her face will slide right off any second now/
Nikki: LOL! They remind me of Black Pearl.
McRoth: oooh, BP!
Nikki: Which is kind of an insult because Black Pearl is irrelevant T_T
McRoth: what happened to them!? T_T
Nikki: I have no idea. They're lip-synching today though
McRoth: She'z is good, with some training they'll be good.
Nikki: And better material please.
McRoth: I can't tell if they're live or not :o
Nikki: D:
McRoth: blame it on the fact that I haven't listened to their song yet :x That wasn't terrible, but the song isn't amazing
Nikki: The vocals saved it. They need better material, and better outfits.
McRoth: definitely. they have a strong set of vocals. Haha yeah, I wasn't digging the Candyman outfits. Candy CANES, more like it.
Nikki: T_T And the choreography was... questionable
McRoth: I thought they were just making random formations. So… what choreo? lol
Nikki: Touché.

JJ Project - "Bounce"
Nikki: I'm ready to fangirl. I have it loaded already :D
McRoth: oh haha ok.
Nikki: See? JJ Project loves me.
McRoth: lmao
Nikki: so I love them back ^_^ Play!
McRoth: PRRRAY
Nikki: They are SO fun, without compromising their vocals.
McRoth: I love their energy.
Nikki: I've sang and jumped at the same time before. It's not easy.
McRoth: It saves this song, because honestly, Bounce isn't exactly amazing. composition wise, it's verging on bi polar.
Nikki: LOL! Yes. They carry it so well. And it takes a lot to carry something as whacked out as this.
McRoth: I think the song is no bueno, but I agree that they sell it like effing hot cakes. Totally.
Nikki: And they've always sang live. Unlike SOME people. *ahem*EXO*AHEM*
McRoth: Haha AND ALL THE ROOKIES WE JUST WATCHED. What I love about this is that the material is age appropriate, youthful, and plain ole fun to listen to.
Nikki: It is!
McRoth: The energy transcends the shittiness of the song :x
Nikki: It's just the right amount of repetitiveness that it's not annoying. At least, I'm not annoyed.
McRoth: I'm not either, which says a lot. this is kpop after all. Aw, it's over. I want to see “Hooked” live so bad.
Nikki: I do too! It's a different kind of fun.
McRoth: THAT IS MY JAM.
Nikki: I'd like to see how they pull off "Before This Song Ends" though
McRoth: ooh, me too
Nikki: Because the recording is all over the place, but with their presence it can possibly be really good.
McRoth: Yeah. Considering it's JYP though, they may not be getting proper vocal lessons. Just listen to Miss A. they sound terrible
Nikki: They do they get all these gorgeous arrangements, like the SBS Gayo one, but their vocals can't carry it live.
McRoth: They don’t know how to sing them. :o
Nikki: Oh JYP.

Hello Venus - "Venus"
Nikki: Hello Venus have gotten boring. I realize that maybe I only liked them because they were new.
McRoth: I like Hello Venus, but this song has gotten stale.
Nikki: Yeah and I hate that the choruses are practically lip-synched because of the backing track.
McRoth: Yeah I hear that too. And by hear that, I mean I don't hear them at all, so yeah.
McRoth: I think if they were singing this live adding ad libs and stuff, it would spice it up
Nikki: Definitely.
Nikki: I like that Lime can sing though -- she's not the useless rapper type.
McRoth: I like Lime too.
Nikki: But they've gotten comfortable on stage, which is always a good thing.
McRoth: I think they showed edginess in their mini, but I don't see it here at all.
Nikki: Yes! I genuinely enjoyed their EP
McRoth: I hope we get to hear a bit more edge and sass later down the road, because they have what it takes to transition smoothly to it.
Nikki: But Pledis almost always screws their A&R up.
McRoth: lol. Oh lPedis. I'm frightened to see what they do with AS this year.

EXO-K - "MAMA"
Nikki: I still don't like EXO-K.
McRoth: I like them, I just don't like them on this song, or their live vocals.
Nikki: They're not the world's most amazing singers to start with, and to top it all off they move with no grace.
McRoth: DO is inconsistent, as is the rest of them. They still lack fluidity.
Nikki: I don't expect them to do body waves or anything, but like, you're human, aren't you?
McRoth: They're thinking too much about how they look.
Nikki: That's exactly why I can't stand Joon, but even he has some fluidity.
McRoth: LMAO
Nikki: If I may say so
McRoth: I don't know why they lip sync 3/4 of the song and the 1/4 they do sing live is that weird screamo bit.
Nikki: LOL
McRoth: They're not confident singers, and that worries me.
Nikki: The problem I have with EXO is that SM set the bar too high for them.
McRoth: Exactly.
Nikki: If it had been lower, they'd be average. But they're supposed to be the "biggest thing since anything", when they can't even carry themselves on stage
McRoth: It feels like they know that, too, so they're kind of scared of themselves. I have faith in them though, because there's talent in there. they just need to know how to execute it properly.
Nikki: I... don't.
McRoth: ;_;
Nikki: Until they give me a promo cycle that's worthy of all the hype.
McRoth: Yeah, true. I think M's sheer superiority proves that somewhere at SM someone is teaching them the right ways of doing things. K needs some of that.
Nikki: Yes! I actually enjoyed M's performances more, because they were confident without being arrogant.
McRoth: They're my fave of the two. :o

My Name - "Hello & Goodbye"
Nikki: Sad Song?
McRoth: Apparently.
Nikki: That's what Seohyun said LOL.
McRoth: LMAO. D:
Nikki: It's an okay song. That guy looks strange. MJ strange. O.O
McRoth: Nothing amazing about this so far. LMAO. PEDO ON THE LOOSE. HIDE YO OPPARS HIDE YO NOONARS.
Nikki: HAHAH. How many of them are there?
McRoth: I don’t know, like 10 thousand. so many people on stage.
Nikki: 4?
McRoth: five?
Nikki: five.
McRoth: three?
Nikki: Dance Break?
McRoth: they copied Suju's dance break for “Mr. Simple” LOL.
Nikki: I haven't seen a dance break on a music show in ages, but LOL.
McRoth: OMG I JUST SAW MJ! Itotally see what you're talking about
Nikki: I TOLD YOU. Seriously. IT'S THE NOSE
McRoth: This song is nothing special at all.
Nikki: It's generic.
McRoth: Rather boring, in my opinion.
Nikki: And their stage presence is meh.
McRoth: That dude needs to open his vocal chords. MJ, I mean.
Nikki: From now on I'm calling him MJ.
McRoth: Me too lmao. That nose is hella pedo MJ.
Nikki: Most interesting part of the performance...
McRoth: ... was his nose. I agree.
Nikki: So creepy.

M.I.B. - "Only Hard For Me"
Nikki: Is he singing?
McRoth: I think so? Yes, yes he is.
Nikki: Okay now he is. It’s an interesting voice -- stable.
McRoth: It's an interesting voice.
Nikki: His timbre sounds kind of Japanese.
McRoth: I hear it too.
Nikki: Right? Like Arashi or something.
McRoth: Definitely. Slightly whiny, slightly nasally. I’m not feeling the rap sections. EW.
Nikki: Me neither.
McRoth: That rapper in black is awful on the ears.
Nikki: Thiis song is painful.
McRoth: The only saving grace is that dude's voice.
Nikki: Yeah.
McRoth: This is getting uglier.
Nikki: Where did these guys come from?
McRoth: iI's falling apart. I don’t know, the streets of Korea.
Nikki: LOL
McRoth: That was not pleasant. It fell apart half way through and never recovered
Nikki: My ears, I don't know where they went.

B1A4 - "Baby Good Night"
Nikki: I caught on to "Baby I'm Sorry" pretty late, but I hate this new song. Where's the singing?
McRoth: I didn't like “Baby I'm Sorry”, but I dislike it LESS than this new song.
Nikki: I hate the chorus -- it's cheap and annoying.
McRoth: The entire thing is mediocre, at best.
Nikki: What makes it worse is that it's trying to be subtle, so it gets even more annoying.
McRoth: They should have left out Baro's rap.
Nikki: Whoever he is, I agree.
McRoth: it's already an unstable song, why make it even more so by adding rough rap?
McRoth: Some of them aren't even singing.
Nikki: Exactly!
McRoth: As in they're not moving their lips -- AT ALL. This song is terrible.
Nikki: I actually liked them when they debuted -- they were fun.
McRoth: It's like eating a sour strawberry
Nikki: But after "Beautiful Target" which was painful on all levels...
McRoth: I HATED THAT SONG
Nikki: I HATED THE CHOREOGRAPHY. WHAT THE HELL. WERE THEY DOING.
8:26 PM
McRoth: I don’t know, B1A4 aren't really cutting it anymore. They need to take a good year off and think about their wrong doings.
Nikki: LOL! We need to sit them down and knock some sense into them.
McRoth: Or knock them across the head, literally. :x
Nikki: I nominate myself for that. I need to release some anger.
McRoth: The floor is all yours then haha.

Dalmatian - "E.R."
Nikki: I see potential in the song, but they have to start singing!
McRoth: I'm not even going to lie, I love this song. BUT it's not exactly the best on stage. it doesn't translate well, especially since it's so falsetto at the chorus.
Nikki: Yeah.
McRoth: They do need to sing louder.
Nikki: Falsettos are only good in small doses, if they aren't sang amazingly well.
McRoth: The chorus is good, though. This song sounds good on recording. Live, not so much.
Nikki: I haven't heard their album yet.
McRoth: O_O They sound really good.
Nikki: I should listen to it after this.
McRoth: Which is sad, because they're not showing that in these lives stages. Anyway. Yes. I'm still not convinced with them as as live performers. But it was better than last week.
McRoth: So, overall, I think this stage was one of their better lives. But it's still very lacking.
McRoth: Yeah, I agree. The fact that they're jumping like crazy monkeys doesn't help.

A Pink - "Hush"
McRoth: I don't like them anymore, they've been fucked over so badly.
Nikki: I loved “My My”.
Nikki: But this is just...
McRoth: This is disgraceful.
Nikki: Cube is such a disappointment this year, I don't even know where to start.
McRoth: TELL ME ABOUT IT.
Nikki: But it better end with A Pink, because BEAST cannot be screwed up.
McRoth: 4minute, A Pink, and BtoB. How many times can one company fuck over their artists?!?!
Nikki: Ugh Cube, so much potential.
McRoth: A Pink have completely lost their charm with this song.
Nikki: Such crap material
McRoth: They had something really unique going last year, and that all has been sent through the kpop shredder.
Nikki: I know! “My My” was brilliant, and catchy, and so them. Now they're bad at being plain.
McRoth: This is an insult to their artistic identity and to my ears.
Nikki: ...they had one?
McRoth: They were old-school, synth-pop. :o
Nikki: Oh. That identity. Okay, fair enough.
McRoth: Now they're generic nobodies.
Nikki: Like everyone else.
McRoth: this is like watered down coca cola. WATERED DOWWWWN
Nikki: blegh
McRoth: to the point that it tastes nothing like soda
Nikki: So now you're using food analogies too? ;D
McRoth: OMG I AM aren't I?! Can we just use food analogies from here on out?
Nikki: I TOLD YOU. THEY WORK.
McRoth: They do!
Nikki: And everyone can relate to them
McRoth: And they're so easy to understand too lol. Exactly!

G.NA - "2Hot"
McRoth: I still don't know how I feel about this song.
Nikki: I have the urge to throw things across my room whenever I hear it.
McRoth: It's better than "Top Girl", but it still sucks. "Top Girl" was atrocious, this ... is less so.
Nikki: They both suck.
McRoth: This one is just boring.
Nikki: It pains me so much, that I don't even want to know which one sucks more.
McRoth: lmao
Nikki: I LIKED G.NA. AND I WANTED TO KEEP LIKING HER.
McRoth: ME TOO. She has the potential, but Cube continues to screw her over with crap music. I'm losing faith in her. Which is sad.
Nikki: I've lost faith in Cube. Tt's not her fault -- I just keep telling myself that.
McRoth: I think Cube has the means and brain to do great things, but that hasn't shown this year.
Nikki: Honestly I think they only have the means to do one good release a year. Last year it was BEAST, and this year it’ll be BEAST too. IT BETTER BE.
McRoth: because that's the one group that has seen the most success across the board. OK IM WATCHING THIS MESS NOW.
Nikki: But if they don't give everyone else decent material, they're not going to get anywhere!
McRoth: I agree, they can't be biased like that.
Nikki: I hate how slutty they're making G.NA.
McRoth: I hate the choreography to this.
Nikki: And slutty in a cheap way. I'll admit, there's classy slutty, this this is sad.
McRoth: She looks so uncomfortable.
Nikki: G.NA sounds like a five year-old.
McRoth: A five year old on crack.
Nikki: LOL
McRoth: A bratty five year old.
Nikki: This is why she never wins anything.
McRoth: A five year old who is trying on mom's clothes, and pretending she's a diva.
Nikki: HAHA!
McRoth: The heels don't fit, honey. She won’t win anything. There's no consistency in her work, and her work is really effing terrible.
Nikki: Maybe that's the consistent part?
McRoth: LMAO. That's just depressing.
Nikki: Cube's trying to cut corners, so consistency is now in how horrible their material is.
McRoth: I guess they're going back to battling out with CCM to see who can bust out the worst material.
Nikki: Don't even get me started on CCM. Although “Cry Cry” was pretty good last year.
McRoth: Both companies are failing so hard this year. It was decent on T-ara standards.
Nikki: But that's it. PHEW. It’s over.
McRoth: YES

Teen Top - "Baby U" + "To You"
Nikki: I'm still really neutral towards Teen Top. Sometimes I hate them because Niel's voice annoys me.
McRoth: Me too.
Nikki: But I liked this song.
McRoth: Niel's voice is ... an acquired taste
Nikki: LOL! He looks like someone I know too, which freaks me out majority of the time.
McRoth: hahaha
Nikki: But yeah, their vocals on this one were pretty strong.
McRoth: I love me some ricky, I just wish he had an actual voice worth listening to :x They don't sound bad.
Nikki: I don't even know who Ricky is. And seeing that I like the song to start with, this wasn't half bad!
McRoth: He's the one with the glasses!
McRoth: I think they're starting to grow as unit -- chemistry is growing.
Nikki: It better! They've been around for a few years now. And Infinite has slayed them.
McRoth: What I really love about TT though, is how strong of dancers they are. They give it 100% :o
Nikki: I hate how it reminds me so much of "Alone", because I hate "Alone".
McRoth: It IS “Alone”, basically
Nikki: Oh Brave Sound.
McRoth: But that's Brave Bros. for you
Nikki: One minute I love you for making "Because Of You", the next I hate you for everything else.
McRoth: Recycling material is his hobby
Nikki: It's his livelihood. Sad, really. Their vocals are surprisingly strong though.
McRoth: This isn't that strong for me, but they don't sound bad. They're moving so much. O_O
Nikki: It's not as painful as I was expecting it to be.
McRoth: How do they have the air to sing? All this sexual frustration won't fair well with noonas.
Nikki: LOL
McRoth: They sound good, but they're starting to get outta breath. Which always happens with them since their choreo is crazy as hell.
Nikki: At least it's not has bad as Miss A though, who are out of breath from the beginning.
McRoth: Oh, don't get me started on them lol
Nikki: Hahah!
McRoth: This wasn't bad at all
Nikki: I'm pleasantly surprised!
McRoth: Me too. I've always liked Teen Top. They just need to diversify their material and stop letting Niel take all the lines.
Nikki: ...I was on team Infinite.
McRoth: I’m still on team infinite lol.

Infinite - "The Chaser"
Nikki: On a musical level, I stan Infinite. They have identity.
McRoth: I stan them on all levels.
Nikki: They bore me to death on variety. D: But yeah. THIS is how to move with sophistication.
McRoth: I never watch variety programs, so I can't say much about them there. They know how to perform, and how to perform well
Nikki: That's my basis for stanning after music. They do! So classy, this entire package.
McRoth: Definitely, I also like that their songs are NEVER OUT OF THEIR RANGE, meaning they can sing it all.
Nikki: YES!
McRoth: Perfectly.
Nikki: Unlike idols who sing other people's songs better than their own. I'm looking at you, SNSD.
McRoth: I know, right. They're incredibly consistent, and that's respectable. They're also incredibly good looking. :x
Nikki: Oh McRoth :D
McRoth: Whaaat, all of this bare chest action is teasing the hell out of me T_T And those arms. *fans self*
Nikki: Trying goes a long way. That's why I like them and BEAST -- because majority of them are average, but they make up for it with good material and conviction.
McRoth: Definitely!! I can't wait for BEAST T_T I need them back in my life.

SNSD (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun) - "Twinkle" + "OMG"
McRoth: Alright. Sooyoung is in this one, apparently.
Nikki: Yup, she dances at the beginning.
McRoth: I'm watching that now. She's so skinny.
Nikki: I know! I can see her bones, it's scary.
McRoth: I can't see her at all in that black dress lol. I just see a head bobbing around
Nikki: LOL. Taeyeon sounds glorious.
McRoth: Alright, Taeyeon is clearly in her element. This is the kind of music that works for her, imo.
Nikki: It is! Tiffany sounds less like a 3 year-old, but she could've done a lot better.
McRoth: SEO EMPRESS RULING LIKE THE EMPRESS SHE IS.
Nikki: I don't like her on this song. She's technically on-point but she only gets the intensity for like one second then BAM it's gone.
McRoth: >:[ I have to agree, this genre isn't for her. at all, actually.
Nikki: And when she's beside someone like Taeyeon.
McRoth: She wasn't a good fit for this unit, especially with this song.
Nikki: Ree was saying that Seohyun has the personality of a potato chip -- and I agree.
McRoth: HOW DARE SHE. HOW DARE YOU TWO DEFY MY EMPRESS LIKE THAT >:[
Nikki: ^_^ She has a gorgeous voice though.
McRoth: She sounds amazing, even if this song sucks.
Nikki: It's just not for these kinds of songs.
McRoth: This song was good for about a day, then I got over it.
Nikki: I never liked it, so anticlimactic.
McRoth: YES. It leads nowhere. I’m a big 'direction' guy, and this has one, but it leads no where.
Nikki: And SM production weighed it down Like, Taeyeon has soul, but the rest of the song has absolutely none.
McRoth: i call these kinds of songs circle songs, in that they drag you around in one big circle rather than leading you to a destination. I agree, Tae Tae is perfect on this song. Tiffers sounds ... Odd.
Nikki: She sounds like a pre-schooler.
McRoth: SEO EMPRESS ... needs to slay the person who added her to this unit, because she's not a good fit.
Nikki: But none of the others are good enough.
McRoth: Maybe Sunny?
Nikki: ....no. Please.
McRoth: LMAO
Nikki: God no.
McRoth: REE WOULD MEAN MUG YOU RIGHT NOW
Nikki: SHE KNOWS HOW I FEEL. If they turned Tiffany into a toddler.
McRoth: SHE'S MEAN MUGGING YOU RIGHT NOW
Nikki: They'd turn Sunny into a newborn
McRoth: LMAO

JYP - "You’re the One"
Nikki: The first time I saw this live was during K-Pop Star.
McRoth: :o
Nikki: And he was lip-synching.
McRoth: This is live.
Nikki: Yeah.
McRoth: And he's wearing weird leggings -- it's creeping me out.
Nikki: O.O They're like the ones JJ Project had last week, only more distracting because he's in a suit and he’s old and can’t carry it.
McRoth: LMAO ARE THEY SHARING WARDROBE?!
Nikki: I think it's kind of bad that we're talking about the clothes more than his performance.
McRoth: He has a great command of the stage, which comes naturally - OMG THE BACKUP DANCERS ARE WEARING THE SAME THING.
Nikki: THEY ARE.
McRoth: They distracted me lmao.
Nikki: MY EYES.
McRoth: I was about to say ... he's very natural on stage
Nikki: I... don't see it. I'm sorry.
McRoth: He's also very awkward .. this is getting awkward.
Nikki: I never really followed JYP as a performer. Like, I watched all the classics like "Honey” but that’s it.
McRoth: lol his voice cracked at the very end
Nikki: OMG LOL it did. Oh JYP.
McRoth: This wasn't a very memorable performance. I want JJ Project back, please.

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McRoth: that was such a terrible way of ending this recap T-T
Nikki: Well technically this isn't the end of the recap, but JYP isn’t that glorious and end either.
McRoth: Oh, haha. I agree.
Nikki: Aaaand we're done!
McRoth: AWESOME
Nikki: YAY!
McRoth: That was all over the place, but still fun.
Nikki: That's where the fun is. ^_^
McRoth: lmao
Nikki: We should do this more often. WE SHOULD RE-START THE KPOP PANEL. T_T
McRoth: Yesss. Mel, if you're reading this - COME BACK TO US D: The panel does not exist without you. ;_;
Nikki: It doesn't. We need youuuuuuuuu
McRoth: alright, that's a wrap!
Nikki: Whoot!
McRoth: I'm gonna go eat something now, im starving

But wait! There's more! When McRoth and I sat down to do this, we also did a lot of random talking, and it would be a waste to not include some parts of them. I present to you, the outtakes!

Nikki: It better be epic. I bought "Fiction and Fact" without batting an eyelash
McRoth: LMAO ME TOO. I have it right next to SHINee's "Lucifer" album. Yes, I bought it. >.Y
Nikki: I had “Rising Sun” and “Lucifer” bought for me in Korea.
McRoth: D:
Nikki: I keep them in my shrine beside my TSC DVD LOL
McRoth: LOL. SHRINE.
Nikki: TSC IS THE SINGLE BEST LIVE DVD BY A KOREAN ACT OKAY. IT DESERVES MUCH MORE THAN A SHRINE.
McRoth: HA :P It deserves a room to itself. OKAY.

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Nikki: It would be painful. I can imagine it already. Sunny needs to sing age-approriate things, like her duet with Miryo.
McRoth: I think they would keep her at the same level of excruciating cuteness, though.
Nikki: But SM doesn't get that.
McRoth: Ohh that song was pretty.
Nikki: IT WAS
McRoth: She sounded so nice on that one.
Nikki: IT WAS GLORIOUS. I loved it.
McRoth: Probably my fave track on that entire mini next to revenger. The rest flew right over my head.
Nikki: Really? I only liked the Sunny song and “Party Rock”. Guilty pleasure D:
McRoth: That one was okay. I did NOT LIKE the lead single
Nikki: Eh. Hated that.

------------

Nikki: No? Links?
McRoth: O_O Let me check.
Nikki: My Name and MIB. That's it! And we’re done. Then I have to do some massive editing.
McRoth: LAMO. LMAO ok. We did not plan this out so well haha.
Nikki: It's okay LOL. I edited horrible gramamr my entire senior year.
McRoth: *grammar lmao
Nikki: Yeah LOL. Sorry.
McRoth: That was less of a typo and more of a scrambled word.
Nikki: T_T
McRoth: :P MIB or MN first?
Nikki: You gave me My Name. That sounded strange.

------------

Nikki: But the line-up this week is really packed compared to some of the others.
McRoth: I noticed. The more we talked, the more of a cluster fuck it became. So many rookies.
Nikki: LOL!
McRoth: @_@
Nikki: And I can't believe that Infinite is second to the last in terms of seniority. Oh wait. Third. We did JYP.
McRoth: lol. That's just odd. They're a 2010 group. HOW ARE THEY SENIORS ALREADY?
Nikki: T_T
McRoth: I feel so old, too, with all of these babies running around.
Nikki: Ugh tel me about it
McRoth: Dalmatian has old members though, one of them is 30 O_O.
Nikki: REALLY? O.O
McRoth: Yeah o_O
Nikki: Gahee's around that age too, right?
McRoth: 31 I think. Inati of Dalmatian was born in 1981 O_O
Nikki: O.O

[May 26, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

I don't know what it is with Saturdays, but up until just now, I wasn't planning on writing a recap. But then I realized that if I didn't write one, I'd just bum around the house, complaining about how bored I am and how my laptop is overheating because it's so hot. So, here I am. Debut week continues for JJ Project and VIXX, as well as comeback week for G.NA. Quite a few absences today from She'z, A Pink and F.Cuz, but Girls' Day are on again.

Video credit goes to shu35151229.

VIXX - "Super Hero"
So I listened to their EP after yesterday's show, and material-wise, I'm actually starting to like these guys! It's very Infinite-esque without being a complete rip-off -- classy in the low-budget kind of way, but classy nevertheless. Their vocals are okay for a rookie group, nothing special, (and what the hell was that rap part and why was the guy's voice cracking left and right?) but if they can work on that and at the same time sustain their good material, that would be great. I'm keeping my eye on them for now.

JJ Project - "Bounce"
One of the best parts of my "job" is when I get to watch, and talk about, groups like JJ Project. Seriously, they're probably the only rookie group since I got into K-Pop, that has managed to make me smile within five seconds of stepping on stage. Their stage presence is really, really strong, and even if it's what the song requires, they genuinely look like they're enjoying themselves, and that turns into fluidity and sophistication. Today's performance was a lot shakier than yesterday's, but their foundations were still firm, which is what's important at this stage. JB looked really distracted during his solo parts, which I find strange. He has to fix that by tomorrow, because the more he does it, the more it will stick.

Hello Venus - "Venus"
This is the point where their performances start to bore me, not necessarily because of the group themselves because when I actually watched the performance they were pretty much all spot-on, but because the song itself was never really that good. It was okay, and considering the circumstances it was released in I had no qualms about it, but once all that wears off and you're left with just the song, and girls who aren't the world's best performers -- it gets boring.

EXO-K - "MAMA"
I'm still really bothered by the fact that K is still so robotic when they perform. Like, fine, put it down to nerves when they first debuted, but it's been over a month already, the nerves should have settled long ago. Seriously, I stand by my statement that whether or not they really do enjoy the stage, they sure don't show it.

Dalmatian - "E.R."
Aaaand the whispering is back. Things were looking up for you, Dalmatian, why did you have to go in and ruin it? Today's performance was right in between "okay" and "painful", so one more performance like this and you guys are off my "to watch" list.

Girls' Day - "Oh! My God"
The best compliment I can give Girls' Day at this point is that I prepared a barf bag specially for their performance today, because seriously -- the combination of the girls and the song, and basically everything about this song, makes me want to puke.

G.NA - "Summer Star" + "2Hot"
"Summer Star" and "2Hot" are complete disasters, again. No surprise there, seeing as this entire promo cycle is a joke.

Infinite - "The Chaser"
Their performances just keep getting stronger and stronger every time. Stage presence, check, stable vocals, check, fluid movement, check, and group dynamic, check. It's such a joy to watch performances like this, because instead of complaining about every single detail I can just sit back and genuinely enjoy them.

SISTAR - "Alone"
A few seconds in, the YT video of this I was watching muted. Was that a sign that this performance was going to be boring anyway so why bother? I mean, I won't deny that I think it's a really good thing that people other than Hyorin are actually stable live singers now, but for a girl group for their stature, and considering everything they've won with this, I expect much, much more from them, and from the song. Such cheap performances, trying to pass for "sophistication".

SNSD (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun) - "Twinkle"
Did I just hear Seohyun put that much more power into her belting just before the first chorus? Did I? I think I did! Granted, it's not much, but there's a part of me that really wants her to do well. But anyway, today's performance made me realize that I actually have a hard time imagining SNSD as nine, or TaeTiSeo in SNSD, partially because my ears are having such an amazing time hearing three girls who can actually do more than just hold a short melody, even if the song is meh. I don't know if that's good or bad, but for now I say it's okay.

[April 21, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

Today's show featured comebacks from Girls' Day and Supernova, and goodbye stages from CN Blue, who I'm not recapping today, and SHINee.

And before we start, I just really want to thank you all for the support you've put in to the return of these recaps, all your comments and the discussions you engage in because of my posts somewhat drive me to keep writing these recaps. To know that people still actually take time to read my work means a lot to me. But enough of the mush.

EXO-K - "MAMA"

I've half-figured out and made sure of why EXO look so stiff on stage -- it's because they've overdoing it, to the point where, again, they don't enjoy it. While I understand that it's natural to over think performances, and it's actually for that reason that I stopped performing, EXO are supposed to be in it for the long run. Or at least that's what I assume. If they themselves cannot start genuinely enjoying their performances, then their audience won't either.

BTOB - "Insane"

Now the problem with BTOB has something to do with dynamics again. There are seven of them on stage, but it seems like there are more, like the stage is crowded, because they're not moving as a group. Their vocals are fine, their song is so-so but fits them, but they have to work on their group dynamic.

Spica - "Painkiller"

Their vocals were ever so slightly slipping today, but nothing majorly bad and/or painful happened, and the song is still as bland as it was yesterday, despite the girls' efforts.

Girls' Day - "Oh My God"

I'd love to say that their vocals were actually consistent and that I just really hate them, but then... what vocals? They sound like three year-olds begging you to buy them something. All of them.

SISTAR - "Alone"

In fairness to SISTAR, Soyu (is that her name?) sounds a lot better, and thus that much more relevant today. At least Hyorin's not the only one properly carrying the melody during live performances anymore. Other than that though, I practically fell asleep during today's performance. The song itself is a song that needs to be carried with both grace and attitude, and while SISTAR do have attitude, it's not coupled with grace, so it just becomes boring.

Supernova - "Stupid Love"

When Supernova were promoting "On The Days I Missed You", I adored them. They were a b-list group with lots of potential, and above all, brilliant material. It was a shame that they weren't more famous in Korea. However, this time around, it seems like they've degraded, and now they're just another b-list band with sub-par, generic material. "Stupid Love" sounds a BEAST reject, rejected because it was too cheap, even for Cube. And it's obvious that this song doesn't fit them, because they can't sing it live. It's not that they're completely untalented, because they're actually all pretty okay, and Sungje reminds me of a cross between a young Hyesung and a young Jaejoong, who are both gods in their own right, it's that they need good material or else they'll just disappear in the sea of b-list acts.

4Minute - "Volume Up"

So I see we're still turning the backing track way too high during the parts that matter, huh, Music Core? The performance itself was consistently okay today, and if there's one thing 4Minute knows how to do, it's carry a song with the right kind of attitude.

SHINee - "Sherlock"

I liked the camera effects they put in today's performance, a lot more than the spinning cameras everyone used to use. It's subtle and tasteful, it wasn't over-the-top and that sense of "live" still remained. Vocals were consistent today -- again, not as powerful as I'd like them to be, but good enough for me not to be in any pain.

Shinhwa - "Venus"

In all honesty, for the songs that Shinhwa are doing now, Minwoo should take over lead vocals. While Hyesung's voice is godly and we should all worship it, it's very picky, and rather shaky live. They need a lead singer who can not only sing well, but who is versatile and stable enough to carry the band, regardless of what kind of material they get. But that's just me. On the performance side, again, they are so good at performing that it looks effortless, it feels effortless, and they have total control over the audience.

[April 14, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

And we move on to today's episode of Music Core. Music shows are getting more and more enjoyable these days, which is really good! And, surprise, surprise, MBC's sound system seems to be getting better as well. Or, they put someone better behind the system. Today's show features EXO's debut, and comebacks from 4Minute and SISTAR.

Video credit goes to shu35151224@YouTube.

EXO-K - "History" + "MAMA"
Looks like someone took my comment on them singing together too seriously, because now it's 80 percent backing track, 10 percent random mumbling in the background, and another 10 percent belting out unnecessary notes. However, the parts which weren't drowned out by the backing track were much, much, better today. There are still so many major problems with their performance though. First off, the six of them are still singing and moving for themselves rather than for EXO as a whole, and so the performance is so robotic. I believe I said this before, but they don't look like they're happy to be on stage, like it's a privilege -- they look like they were pushed on stage against their will. You don't need to smile to show joy, or prance around not caring about anything to show effortlessness, but their performance has no emotion whatsoever. Which leads me to believe that these guys aren't in it for the music, but for the popularity. And I'm extremely disturbed by that. And secondly, I was telling Ree just a while ago that pretty much all of the SM bands have a very obvious "lead singer" figure from the very beginning. While that figure can change through time (like Junsu and Jaejoong in DBSK), it is always present, and very obvious, even to the untrained ear. I don't see that with EXO. In fact, listening to them now, if I didn't know any better I wouldn't think they were an SM group. They don't move like one, they don't act like one, and they don't even sing like one either. All of this is very strange.

BTOB - "Insane"
I never thought I'd say this, but honestly, BTOB sound much better than EXO, because for one thing, at least they, or some of them, can sing their own song. Yeah sure they murdered DBSK's Love In The Ice, but EXO murdered their own song.

NU'EST - "FACE"
NU'EST fulfill one of the most important traits in a new group -- if you don't have good material, if you don't have amazing voices, at least pull of what you have, so much that you keep people's attention on you until the day you do get good material and you do become brilliant singers. And really, they pull this song off so well, that I had to do a double-take to see if they were lip-synching, which they were not. I have my eyes on you, NU'EST, you better not disappoint.

Spica - "Painkiller"
Another strong performance, however, again, I'm more concerned with what they're going to release next than I am the song they're currently promoting. These girls need an explosion of a song to show off their vocals!

B1A4 - "BABY I'M SORRY"
Seriously, B1A4, after a disastrous singles last year, you're quickly turning into a band I'm keeping my eye on for quite a long time! They all look like they genuinely enjoy being on stage, on top of consistently pulling off a strong performance. The song matches their vocals, and they all know how to perform it as well. Pretty good, B1A4!

SISTAR - "Lead Me" + "Alone"
To answer the reactions to my comment on their performance yesterday, there are three other members in SISTAR, are there not? Hyorin is not the only member of SISTAR. But, I'm glad they didn't lip-sync Alone today. My problem with SISTAR has always been the combination of their performances and their material, and how they can never seem to pull them off with a sense of finesse. The same goes for today's performance.

4Minute - "Dream Racer" + "Volume Up"
So far, 4Minute are creaming SISTAR in terms of live performances -- from song selection to stage presence and the consistency of their vocals. The middle 8 of Dream Racer was really sloppily done, but the rest of it was pretty good. And for a second there I was really surprised at HyunA's not painful vocals, then I realized that this performance was overdubbed and double-tracked, very badly may I add. Which is suspicious because this could possibly mean that they can't pull this song off for three days straight, which will ultimately make them lose to SISTAR, who we know can pull their single off. Hmmm. We'll see.

SHINee - "Sherlock"
Strong, consistent performance today. Very effortless but accurate and snappy at the same time. Everyone sounds good, Taemin and Onew in particular. But then again, I expect nothing less from SHINee.

Shinhwa - "Venus"
A lot more stable than yesterday, but of course, performance-wise they're still consistently effortless, as individuals and as a group. They look not only like they belong on stage, but like they love being on it, they love performing. That's something new groups have to learn and take to heart, because it's one of the most important aspects of a live performance -- if you can't sell what you have, no matter how good you are people won't be convinced.

[November 5, 2011] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

YAY! I made it through another recap! I'm pleasantly surprised with the sound and mics on today's show, MuCore is actually ahead of MuBank in terms of sound guy-competency this week! I really have been away for that long.


Video credit goes to CrazyCarrotNew210.

Boyfriend - "Don't Touch My Girl"
Well I guess their vocals are that much better than they were yesterday, but their vocals have no punch, and the song is lazy to start with, so it does nothing to hide that fact. I almost fell asleep while watching this, I'm afraid.

B1A4 - "Beautiful Target"
We'll talk when all of you go back to actually singing, B1A4.

Orange Caramel - "Shanghai Romance"
When the Taekwondo back-up dancers rolled onto the stage, I LOL-ed. When they just disappeared after a while, I LOL-ed again. That was probably the best part of the entire performance.

Infinite - "Paradise" + "Be Mine"
I will say this until your ears bleed, but I was on the Infinite bandwagon before everyone else, and I'm so proud of how far they've come, music-wise! Of course there are still members who can't sing, like their maknae, but the members who *do* sing, have gotten miles better, and really, as performers they really deliver. They have the material, some of them have the voice, and they have that unity on stage. The makings of a great band - it's all a matter of time. And more better material.

Secret - "Love is MOVE"
I admit that I was never the biggest fan of this song, nor was I jumping for joy over the video, so I never really bothered watching their live performances. I was dead wrong through, because this song is made for the stage. Secret's vocals have become increasingly better, and very consistent, which makes it even better to watch live. Even if their material has strayed from what I personally like, they pull it off well, they can sing, and they know what works for them.

U-Kiss - "Someday"
I believe that, once again, I predicted a post-album single. However, I do not have the honor of predicting that their live vocals will be a complete and utter disaster. Gorgeous song, but my God, what kind of vocals are those, U-Kiss, seriously. You've been around as long as SHINee, and they can sing something like this without batting an eyelash (and Jonghyun screaming his way though, but we'll save that for another time). I mean that guy in the glasses is fine, and the guy singing at the chorus (who I assume is the guy who has a throat problem so he can't sing that much) is great, so is the guy who does the middle 8, but everyone else, which is like, more than half of the band? Yeah, NO.

Davichi - "Love Oh Love"
Oh Davichi, you two are brilliant as always. Even if you get double-tracked like hell at the chorus you still push through and fight the stupid idea. YAY. Flawless performance, pretty song, why isn't this winning anymore. Oh right, because this is a popularity contest. I'm sorry, I forgot.

SNSD/Girls' Generation - "The Boys"
Apart from the fact that the entire intro was mimed and Jessica's mic didn't work until much later, I CANNOT BELIEVE MY EARS AM I HALLUCINATING OR SOMETHING. Because SOMEONE has finally gotten the levels on an SNSD performance right. This is how they should sound, and believe me, if they sounded like this all the time I wouldn't hate them as much as I do. I understand that their previous blunders had a lot to do with stupid sound guys behind big, shiny equipment they probably don't know how to use, but nothing is an excuse for bad singing, and if you are talented you will find a way. But the past is the past, and now you can actually hear their voices over the excessive bass! Best music show performance of this song so far.

[July 9, 2011] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

Guess who's back? And with a recap at that! It's been a while, and I'm starting to get a hang of college life (even if I still have a gazillion assignments to finish this weekend) so I thought I'd do a music show recap this week. And besides, there's a lot to talk about the acts who performed this week - ESPECIALLY CSJH! Even if it's just Dana and Sunday, it's still CSJH!


An explanation first as to why I these music show recaps keep going on and off - for the record, I've never officially said that I'm never going to do them again. This series is something that has done a lot for PRN and has established my writing around kpop circles in general, so it's not something I'm ready to let go of just yet. When I do pause from writing them, it can be due to any or all of the following reasons. One, I'm too busy. I just started college last month and every weekend I'm literally submerged in schoolwork - readings, papers, research - these are things I can't not do. I have priorities, I have to get a degree, I have to do well, I have to do this and that - PRN is one of my priorities, but there are more important ones for me. Two, there aren't enough idol groups with material I have something to say about. When there is a lul in releases from idols, I stop doing recaps because I don't want to do a recap with just 2 or 3 performances. Three, when the line-up gets boring. If, say, there are around 9 acts and all of them have been performing for several weeks now with no one coming back and no one saying "goodbye" - I get bored. And when I get bored, I tend to say the same things over and over again - I'm sure you guys don't want to read a recap that's exactly like the one last week. So I stop.

But now I'm back. I can't guarantee you that I'll go all the way to the end of the year with this "tranche", but remember that I'm not going to completely stop doing these recaps altogether.

Video credit goes to CrazyCarrot270.

N-Train - "One Last Cry"
Weak harmonies at the chorus, the guy who sings first isn't that strong a singer. The guy doing the high notes at the end is OK. The guy who sings second (the bridge?) is amazing though, and so is the guy doing all the gymnastics at the chorus. It's a bland song to start with, with whimpy vocals at the chorus, and if you aren't really concentrating on the performance it's pretty boring until that one guy starts screaming.

Rania - "Masquerade"
These girls can sing, and they've proven that they can sing and dance at the same time and still deliver strong vocals, but honestly, sometimes their performances are far too theatric - like today's. It's perfectly fine to have gimmicks and whatnot because that's what pop is in the first place, but I do wonder now what people are watching Rania for - their material or the choreography. Of course a lot of people watch music in general for the visual aspect, but in Rania's case it's a waste to market them as a "visual" group, so to say, because they have the talent to be more than that. We'll see.

Boyfriend - "Boyfriend"
Before anything, let me just say that their eyes freak me out, especially Blonde guy's. But anyway, their performances so far have been somewhere in between orchestrated to the last step and "let's go prance around stage and have fun" - their vocals are so-so, nothing to rave about, but not especially bad. They did a remix today, and it's a lot edgier than the original, but it's good that their movements and, to a certain extent, their vocals have retained the fun-ish part of the performance. Not bad - just stop freaking me out with your eyes.

Girls' Day - "Hug Me Once"
Too much pink, too much winking - too much pink in general. And it's a waste because the hook isn't half bad when you think about it, it's just that I want to strangle these girls because they're TOO CUTE. It's so annoying, and it's not like any of them have drop-dead vocals hiding under that horrid facade, nor do they have outstanding material. Take me back to "Nothing Lasts Forever", please.

Rainbow - "Sweet Dream"
Wow, their vocals have gotten a lot better since I last watched a live performance. They aren't the best to start with, but their live vocals are a lot more stable now. And add to that the fact that I like the song - Rainbow, I am liking you the more I see you. So now that you have the vocals part pretty much fixed and the material all accounted for, you just need to keep getting better. Which you are. YAY.

f(x) - "Hot Summer"
I expect nothing less than a strong performance from f(x) - and I got it. Surprise of all surprises - Amber sings with a feminine timbre! They tried to hide it in the recording, but live vocals don't lie! Krystal's vocals are getting less and less like her sister's, THANK GOD, and hopefully she develops a nice timbre in the near future. Luna's voice is still as stable and stunning as ever, Sulli's back to getting parts that don't show off her now-existent voice, but Victoria's still getting better and better. A bit more pushing f(x), and you'll be amazing. Hopefully.

Hyun A - "Bubble Pop"
I laugh when people say that Hyun A's a good singer. Like, really laugh. I saw someone comment on a performance of "Bubble Pop" saying something like "OMG she's so good at singing - she's not even a singer!" - seriously? How can you be on a music show and not be a singer? Everyone knows she's not a singer, and it didn't show that much on the recording (for obvious reasons - I'd like to know how much Cube paid to make her sound like she had some semblance of a voice) but my god the presence of a backing track over her non-existent vocals make it even more obvious that she can't hold a melody. At all. Let alone sing. There are lines that she doesn't even sing - period. In all honesty, she's a disgrace to idol group singers. It's so bad, that even if the performance is 90% backing track, 10% Hyun A, you hear the Hyun A over the backing track. Please go back to rapping - you singing makes me actually like "Change".

ZE:A - "Watch Out!"
I actually like this song! The live vocals are a total letdown though, and it's freaky watching them all smile-y with that ridiculous choreography. Will ZE:A please decide what they want to do with their music and image, because I swear, if they release that song on the teaser it's going to be very confusing. And I don't like acts who don't even know who they are.

T-Ara - "Roly Poly"
Still dependent on backing tracks, T-Ara? Not a big fan of the song, the performance, or the vocals, but at least they don't make the throw up with all the cuteness. It's bearable song, and a bearable performance, if you don't think of the heavily backing tracked-vocals.

2NE1 - "I Am The Best"
Not really a big fan of the song, and their hairstyles are ridiculous and distracting, but whatever I do I can't deny the fact that these girls know how to put on a show. What they do, they do well, and that's something to commend. They're not afraid to do all these wild things (with their hair as well), and some people like what they're doing - as long as they have stable, strong vocals and a sense of unity, all of which they have, I'm good. Watching them, regardless of what song they're performing, makes you want to jump around your room like them.

2PM - "Hands Up"
I've never seen 2PM as the "let's just forget everything and jump around stage" band, but it's good that they pull this song off in somewhat an "organized mess", which is a very 2PM-approach to this. The song's insanely catchy, both a blessing and a curse seeing as it goes nowhere if you really listen to it well, but it's perfect for performing. As a whole it's a strong effort.

CSJH (Dana And Sunday) - "One More Chance"
I'm waiting for the official single release with the official audio track before I do a review, but if things work out, I will be doing one - so as much as possible I'll refrain from talking about the song proper too much. But anyway - CSJH ARE BACK. Half of them, at least. On one hand I really wanted Lina and Stephanie to be with them one, because they're my two favorite members and two, because the four of them together are epic in every possible way. That's not to say that Sunday and Dana aren't talented though - their comeback shows all these newer, some of them incompetent, girl groups how things are done around here. Today's performance was much more stable than yesterday's, even with the crappy Music Core sound, which they are immune to (thank goodness), and Dana's vocals, bar the shaky part at the beginning (because that part is virtually un-singable in the first place), are flawless and stunning, and Sunday's much stronger today. The entire performance, even with parts that aren't my taste, has ever step, every note, calculated down to their last breath and pulled off like it's second nature to the girls. Because it IS second nature. A performance in the truest sense of the word.

[May 7, 2011] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

I don't know if this is just me, but I'm rather disturbed that the likes of After School, f(x) and 4Minute are the most senior performers on today's show. All 3 groups debuted in 2009. OK, I'm VERY disturbed. If U-kiss were on I might've been a bit less disturbed, but disturbed nevertheless. Mmmm. But anyway.


Video credit goes to CrazyCarrot270@YT. Some things never change.

B1A4 - "OK"
The song is SO JoBros/Disney sitcom opening song. I just had to say it sorry. Mimed performance today, so it's an instant no, but the performance itself was pretty good. I noticed something in the way they move though - they move like a less practiced, more chaotic Infinite. And I like the way Infinite move on stage - it's very clean and sharp. So not bad, guys. Scrap the miming and you're good to go.

A Pink - "Don't Know"
Stop acting like 10 year-olds, A Pink. You're a lot older, even if you guys ARE pretty young. I'm your age and I would never be caught dead singing like that. Never. Ever. Actually, some of them have gorgeous vocals, it's just that like a lot of other groups it's getting masked by a crap song and an order from their agency to act like a bunch of kids.

Block B - "Wanna B"
I now realize that the reason why I don't like this song, never have, is because majority of the song is rapping, mock rapping, talking, or the hook. When people actually sing, it's not bad, it's actually pretty strong, but it's not my cup of tea. And is it just me or are their performances a little too chaotic? Or is it the stupid cameraman trying out new angles again? A little of both maybe.

Rania - "Dr. Feel Good"
If you want manufactured girl groups at their best, Rania is it. Their live vocals are rather interesting, to the point where I don't know how to accurately describe them. The melody is correct, and I believe they're singing in key, and you hear the timbre of their vocals, but it's as if they're singing to you behind a thin paper wall. BINGO - the vocals are muffled. You know they're singing, and you know they have strong vocals, but this could be more of a technical problem than anything else - their vocals are muffled, they're not crisp.

Dal Shabet - "Pink Rocket"
There comes a time when a crap song just fades into the background and my brain just automatically shuts off when I hear it. This is that time.

SISTAR 19 - "My boy"
Now I gotta hand it to them for being consistent in their performances so far, and it's a lot better than them getting worse, but being consistent means being consistently boring. To the point where it's actually painful seeing vocals like that wasted on a lifeless performance. Now I know the song is laid-back and cool and all that, but apart from the vocals, everything else lacks urgency and/or grace.

Rainbow - "To Me"
Miming? Just when you were getting good, you pull this. And I was just about to say how much I liked blonde girl with long hair's voice. Hmph. I'm starting to like the song a lot more though. I just need Rainbow to convince me.

f(x) - "Danger"
Really not used to the fact that f(x) closed the show today. And I'm kinda disturbed by how clean their vocals are today. Partially because there was no live audience, but was this performance pre-recorded and overdubbed or the vocals mixed before broadcasting? Because it's not identical to the recording, but it's far too clean to be an actual live performance, no matter how good a singer you are - the levels are too even and it's freaking me out. Either they tinkered with the recording, or the girls are neither tired, nor do they have fans disturbing them. I really don't know what to think, to be honest, but I'm leaning more towards the overdubbing theory.

4Minute - "Heart to Heart"
Hyun A sounds a lot less annoying today, but she still annoys me. Magnae is getting better, and her hair helps too. Jiyoon. Oh Jiyoon - can't you just sing the entire song yourself please? PLEASE?!? Melodic really doesn't work for 4Minute - can't we turn back time and have "HuH" again please? But I gotta admit, that little twist towards the end was sneaky and kinda cool. And leader girl reminds me a lot of Victoria f(x) during early 'Danger' promo in terms of vocals.

After School - "Shampoo"
Sorry, I'm really not used to After School being the most senior group of all the performers today. Usually the last performance on my commentaries are reserved for the outstanding - the likes of Rain, DBSK/HoMin, Big Bang, BoA. You know, people who have been around? That's not to say that After School haven't been around, but you know what I mean - they still have a long way to go. Anyway. Their vocals have really improved, and by the end of the performance today I wasn't cringing like I usually do. Of course UEE should just go back to standing there and looking pretty (kinda) and Jooyeon is such an uninteresting and weak singer, but Jung Ah and Raina were on top-form today. Even Gahee and Bekah. New girl is really shaping up as well - she needs more lines.

[April 30, 2011] MBC Music Core Highlights+Commentary

Sorry for being MIA yesterday, I had still to take care of and I wasn't feeling very well. Even now I have this horrid horrid migraine that even extra strength, "fast-acting" Advil can't remedy and any second now I'm gonna cry out in pain LOL. But enough about me. Today's MuCore was pretty bare, but that's mainly because a lot of the acts have already said goodbye, and some are just missing LOL.


Video credit goes to CrazyCarrot270@YT.

X-5 - "The Show Is Over"
You know, for rookies like them they're outstanding. Not just kinda good, outstanding - one of the best new bands I've seen in a while. What made me say that? Their consistently strong vocals on all three music shows - this is MuCore, which dooesn't have the best sound in the world, and they're using handsfree mics. To sing live. While running around stage and dancing their asses off. I mean they slip up sometimes, but a lot less than your regular rookie. The song is strong for a group of their stature as well. I mean they can definitely do better, but for their debut this is really good. Good to know the truckloads of money spent on them went to a good cause.

A Pink - "Don't Know"
K so I'm writing this now with one of the worse migraines I've had in months and the stage is hurting my eyes - I had to invert the colors of my screen just to watch it without crying out in pain. Today's performance was mimed, thankfully for my ears, but not for them. They need the practice, and they need to be able to prove themselves in the near future - miming is like the worse thing to do at this point. A big no, A Pink.

Infinite - "Nothing's Over"
Awww, I can't believe they're already doing their last round of live performances this weekend - I actually liked this song! And thankfully, everyone's singing it pretty consistently now - the vocals are pretty much as strong as they can get for a song as melodic as this. And you have to hand it to them - the chorus is pretty tricky. It sounds easy, but it's not that easy to sing. The way they cut the song into like 2+ minutes was kinda sloppy and awkward too.

Rainbow - "To Me"
Their vocals are kinda soft today, I blame it on the handsfree mics, but they're actually pretty consistent and not half bad. They're getting used to the song (it's about time) and they're getting used to performing it - all of them.

CN Blue -"Love Girl"
The stage today was.. interesting. The cinematography was.. more like for a commercial. The vocals were.. Yonghwa. And once again, the guitars weren't plugged in. You know MuCore, it's bad to zoom in on the drummer, and his sticks, when someone like me is watching. I'll leave it at that LOL.

f(x) - "Danger"
After winning MuBank yesterday (Yay! Happy for them. :D), it's like everyone's vocals suddenly went up really close to the 6-member (and less) SM band standard, which is incredibly high. And considering that this is a song you can't really sing, that's really good. Luna's high note got hella strong, and Sulli's voice is starting to shine. Ooooh I can't wait for the day they get a song that'll turn non-fans into fans and fans into rabid fans - they're pretty close!

4Minute - "Mirror Mirror"
Outdoor performance, eh? Hyun A's improved A LOT, Jiyoon is still brilliant, I still hate the maknae, and Gayoon sounds the same. They're a lot more comfortable singing the song now, but that's about the only change. The attitude is there, the presence, the grace (one way or another).

After School - "Let's Step Up" + "Shampoo"
Yay! They're back! The intro was cool, even if I liked their outfits better yesterday. It was oozing with After School presence, and everything about it makes you wanna stop what you're doing and just watch. The vocals on 'Shampoo' today were definitely a lot better than yesterday - UEE sounds like less of a mess (but still is one), there is in fact a voice hidden under new girl's still-weak live vocals, Nana has actually held a melody, Bekah has gotten a grip on herself and delivered, Raina sounds a lot stronger and you can actually hear Jooyeon now! Looks like I'll have to do a lot less begging to Pledis now that their vocals aren't a complete mess anymore. Yayyy.

Big Bang -"Stupid Liar"
Well, it looks like this chapter of k-pop is coming to a close - HoMin are gone, and Big Bang/Infinite are at their goodbye stages already. It was a good phase, if I may say so. Like I always say when they do this song, it's literally like Big Bang just dropped everything, ran to the stage, and had a blast. You just wanna have fun after watching this. The vocal parts, minus GD's pseudo-vocals, were strong again, as they should be.

[April 23, 2011] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

Yes, I will be returning with the regular three music shows a week - this is serious, until I once again get too busy to keep up. Today's MuCore had a pretty good line up, and surprisingly, MuCore sound has greatly improved! A lot of debuts today, as well as f(x)'s comeback and HoMin's farewell stage.

Let's get right into it! Read on for the recap.


Video credit goes to CrazyCarrot270@YT. Brilliance, I tell you, brilliance!

B1A4 -"OK"
You know what this song reminds me of? The theme song for a Disney-type teenage sitcom by someone like McFly, or the JoBros in their early days. Or the theme song for something like "God of Study". It's not bad, in fact since it's the kind of music I was surrounded by growing up, I'm kinda feeling it. But to be honest with you their vocals, their presence and their over-all performance is over this type of songs that I honestly just want them to get over this phase and give me brilliance. Did I hear fanchants? And loud cheers? For a debuting group? And did you see how they just prance around stage like it's nothing to them - but end up putting out pretty strong vocals? Right now, it's between them and X-5 for new boyband supremacy, and the competition is pretty damn fierce, if you ask me.

A Pink - "Don't Know"
Ugh. Them. Once again, everyone is trying to out sing, out dance and out cute each other. It's like this is a competition between members for them and the one who has the cutest expression or the sharpest hand movements wins - it's not. And because everyone is still trying to outdo everyone else, I cannot pinpoint an effortlessly amazing voice yet. Today's performance was very robotic - no feeling, no spark. Boring.

Block B - "Freeze"
I know a lot of people have been gushing about Block B, but to be honest with you I don't see the hype. The song is generic and they're not the best singers I've seen either. The guy with the hand mic, who I assume is their lead vocalist, can belt notes alright but there's something off about the way he sings. It's like he's trying to be Taeyang, Seulong, and Jay Park all rolled in one - he's not any of them. And is it just me is one of the rappers trying to look, and rap, like TOP? Give me a better song and work on singing before I take notice of you, please?

Rania -"Dr. Feel Good"
To be honest with you, I don't really get why they're being criticized. I mean OK the choreography is rather suggestive, but for heaven's sake it's not like we haven't seen something like this before. And my god are these girls talented - they can sing like THAT while dancing themselves into oblivion? I'm impressed. Yeah sure majority of the performance was the hook(s), but their solo lines were near-perfectly delivered. With handsfree mics. While dancing like that and lying down on the floor and everything. If it's between X-5 and B1A4 for the boybands, it's definitely a war between Rania and the Brave Girls. Oh dear why is this generation of new groups so damn good.

Dal Shabet -"Pink Rocket"
You know Dal Shabet, you didn't need to come back so quickly after "Supa Dupa Diva". That's code for "I don't want to see you on music shows. preferably never again, but I'll bargain for a few months". But nooooooooo, they just HAD to come back with this disaster of a single that they obviously cannot sing. Their vocals today were an absolute pain to hear, I'm sorry.

Rainbow - "To Me"
Rainbow are the perfect example to girl groups starting out that if you really want it and you really try, you can turn out pretty decent. From what I've seen, I really like the girl who's in the middle for majority of the choruses - the one singing "na reul bulreo bwa"? Yeah, her. Nice voice. And around 3 others have nice voices, but not enough technique to carry them live. Today's performance wasn't as good as yesterday's, but it's definitely a lot better than majority of the performances of their previous singles. I wouldn't willingly watch this again, but I won't cringe to death if I watched it again. We're making progress, Rainbow, let's hope DSP lets you stick around long enough.

Orange Caramel -"Bangkok City"
I refuse to talk about the song again, and subject myself to anger and annoyance LOL. But to be honest with you the vocals weren't bad, if you take in consideration how the verses fit none of them and the chorus is 90% backing track. Next song, please? My ears hurt.

CN Blue -"Intuition"
The only difference this has from yesterday's performance is that Yonghwa isn't wearing shades, he has a guitar, and the song's shorter. That's basically it. Vocally strong, as always, unplugged guitars, as always, and an alienated drummer. Although we're making progress - maybe 2 feet closer to Yonghwa and I'll be happy.

f(x) - "Danger"
Oh wow. Where do I start. Well, considering that SM refuses to give up on the "NU ABO"/"Chu~" vocal treatment that I would like them to set on fire for the world to forget, I think this song is a good compromise. It's not that cutesy anymore, it has a bit more epic-ness to it, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SING THE SONG NOW! SME I'm so proud of you! LOL. And another thing - it fits all their vocals perfectly. Luna's vocals are degraded here and there's no epic high note to make up for it, but I now realize that they could've done worse. The gap between the better and the worse in f(x) is getting closer and closer - Sulli and Victoria's vocals are much much stronger now, and are catching up to Luna and Krystal. And may I say that I'm beginning to like Sulli's voice. Whether or not they're all using handsfree mics today, it was a strong performance.

4Minute - "Mirror Mirror"
I like the outfits today! Jiyoon was good today, although her vocals still a bit too throaty, but I'd take her over Gayoon any day. Now if only we can get Gayoon's fluidity and Jiyoon's technique and put it in one voice - that would be perfect. Although, Jihyun wasn't half bad today. And their presence is slowly, but surely, getting stronger and stronger - if before they owned the stage, now it looks like home of them. They're still really bringing it, but it's slowly getting effortless. Now just work on your vocals and BAM.

Big Bang -"Stupid Liar"
Performers in every sense of the word. Not a big fan of the song, but I can't help but watch - they're having SO MUCH FUN and you can't keep your eyes off of them. It's like, screw caring about our vocals, screw trying to hold the audience in the palms of our hands - we can do that like clockwork now - we are going to prance around this stage and have fun and no one can stop us. And my god what a show that makes - it makes you just want to prance around like they are. I'd watch this at least a dozen more times.

DBSK/HoMin - "Before You Go" & "Keep Your Head Down"
If Big Bang went the "screw everything we're having fun here" route, which perfectly matches who they are, HoMin went with the "we're gods, we know - keep worshipping us" way, which also perfectly matches the songs. They know they're good, they know they're practically immortal in k-pop, and they know the fans will go to ends of the earth for them - they're turning that into a performance. The result? A spectacle - a feast to all your senses. Everything about this performance was formulated, calculated, painstakingly practiced, but they're so good, so experienced, that they make it look like all you have to do on stage is stand there and look pretty. And maybe that's why so many new idol groups are so lazy and lack effort - because when they see people like DBSK and Big Bang on stage it looks so easy. It's not, they just make it look like it os. EXCUSE ME WHILE I ABUSE THE REPLAY BUTTON.