So I’m back with
the next ten (finally)! I’ll try to get the rest posted asap, soon followed up
by my review of January 2014! So without further rants, let’s get to it! Once again, here is the link to the video playlist on YouTube!
39.
Block B – Very Good [171 Points] Released: October 2, 2013
I
was excited for Block B’s comeback with their new company. I loved what they
did with Very Good, just the craziness I’ve come to like and love from Block B.
The song is very fun, as well as the music video. I like the almost 50/50 split
between rap and vocals, and boy do they have some talent from both spectrums.
It just has me dancing and singing along. Releasing this album also got me back
into their older songs and I became addicted to Go Crazy again (probably my
favorite of their songs so far). As for the rest of the song, on a more ballady
side they also released a music video for Be The Light. It’s a slower song, but
still powerful, just not in their usual way. I liked it a lot, just not as much
as Very Good. If you haven’t see any of their videos and like some of the more
hip-hop styled K-pop, definitely check them out!
39.
Lee Hyori – Monochrome [171 Points] Released: May 21, 2013
The
return of Lee Hyori definitely started off the summer hits. I was excited to
see what she was coming back with and I wasn’t disappointed at all. She
pre-released Miss Korea and it completely blew me away. The message just said
more than anyone could’ve possible expected, and even though I’m a Caucasian
woman living in America, I found a lot of perspective and empowerment through
Miss Korea. Hyori’s next music video release and promotion song was Bad Girls.
This music video was gold. With the comic book styling and just outrageous
situations I was hooked. The song was really good as well and every time I
heard “bad” I would instantly sing “b-b-b-bad girls” in my head. She also
released another music video for Going Crazy which included Hyori cross-dressing. I
found the music video entertaining, but I think I was more impressed and hooked
with Miss Korea and Bad Girls. Below I have Bad Girls, but if you want to check
out Miss Korea or Going Crazy, click one of the links posted throughout this rant!
38.
MBLAQ – Sexy Beat & Love Beat [176 Points] Released: June 4, 2013
So I've included the repackage here since they’re pretty much the same album (as I
did with other repackages), but this album has one of the best songs of the
Summer (in my opinion). Smoky Girl just hooked me right from that first beat
and the R&B flavored with smooth vocals and dancing quickly morphed into a
type of electronic club song and you couldn't help but start dancing.
37.
Master’s Sun OST [182 Points] Released: August 2013
Oh,
Master’s Sun. This drama was magic and the soundtrack was as well. First of
all, I think Master’s Sun is the best drama of 2013, and I even got my roommate
Billy to watch it with me! And she doesn’t watch Korean Dramas. Funny side
note, I was watching Answer Me 1994 the other night on the Roku, and she turns
to me and says, “I want a second season of Master’s Sun.” How cute! I think I
got her hooked! Anyways, the soundtrack really brings a lot of good fluffy
memories back for me, both in the drama and the experience of watching it!
Probably my favorite song on the compilation is Seo In Guk’s single (big
surprise). Tasha a.k.a. Yoon Mirae’s song also popped out of nowhere and
surprised me completely. I knew she could sing, but I’ve mainly only heard her
more R&B and rap stuff she’s put out, but I loved her drama ballad florae. Other
notable artists from the soundtrack are Gummy, Hyorin (SISTAR), Jung Dongha,
and Melody Day. I’ll post Seo In Guk’s glorious ballad, but definitely check
out the other songs I've linked too if you enjoy drama soundtrack songs!
36.
Hong Jin Young – Boogie Man [183 Points] Released: March 22, 2013
Boogie
Man is a piece of Trot amazingness. I am a fan of trot, Korean’s almost
precursor to pop music. It’s more of a traditional type of music, but I love it
soooo much. Especially this song. I will say this was my favorite Trot song
released this year. As soon as it was released I had this song on repeat. It’s
just good Trot, and a little modernized to attract younger crowds. I just wish
she would release more. Here’s hoping Hong Jin Young will release something
else in 2014! If you like Trot and haven’t heard this song, definitely check it
out! Plus she sang it this year at one of the Daejun’s! Totally surprised me!
34.
Arashi – LOVE [185 Points] Released: October 23, 2013
Oh
Arashi. This album honestly should be a lot higher in the rankings. If only it’d
come out sooner in the year. Starting with the main song PARADOX, oh my
goodness fangasm. The moment I watched the PV for PARADOX I 100% back on the
Arashi train. I always love Arashi, but PARADOX has such a great beat and melody. On top of all that,
the dance is sexy and Sho’s low register rap, holy cow! I don’t want to fangirl
too much, but oh my gosh is this song good. On top of collecting their single
released since their previous full album, we also got a small collection of new
songs, including solo songs for each of the members. I think my favorite solo
song would have to be either MatsuJun’s Dance in the Dark or Sho’s sugar and
salt. I think besides those my other favorite song of the album is Rock
Tonight. Also, as a side note it has been officially 11 years since I first
listened to Arashi. And this year in September will be their 15th
Anniversary. If you haven’t joined the Arashian fandom, please join me now! I
promise it’s awesome!
34.
Henry – Trap & 1-4-3 [185 Points] Released: June 7, 2013
Another
Happy Birthday to Me this year was Henry’s first solo EP. I was super excited
for Henry to get some more spotlight in Korea, and I was completely blown away
by this EP. I love Trap, especially the different openings he did on the music
programs. I love the original piano opening, but the violin one also had a
special twist to it. Also, his back-up dancers wear Bronco Jerseys in the video
(and on a couple live performances). GO BRONCOS AT THE SUPER BOWL! Anways, I
also really enjoyed 1-4-3. I placed them together since 1-4-3 was on Trap, but
then later released as a digital single. The digital single included an Englishversion of Trap as well as an acoustic version and remix of 1-4-3. And as those who
know me are aware of, I love acoustic versions of songs. It’s just so magical.
Anyways, I’m linking 1-4-3 so definitely check it out beside Trap!
32.
f(x) – Pink Tape [186 Points] Released: July 29, 2013
First
of all can I just say I was skeptical of the promotion song Rum Pum Pum Pum
since I am not a fan of The Little Drummer Boy, AT ALL. But I was pleasantly
surprised with Rum Pum Pum Pum and that there were no other references to
Drummer Boy. f(x) really hit it out of the park with their quirky style again.
I love this song, both through the awesome metaphor and the cool round robin
verse they had in there (my favorite part of the song). For those that haven’t
seen lyric translations of the song, it’s drawing similarities between first
love and someone’s first wisdom tooth. Hence the headache lines and such. I
also enjoyed Shadow off the album, but my favorite song is Rum Pum Pum Pum.
32.
Dal Shabet – Be Ambitious [186 Points] Released: June 20, 2013
“Boys
be ambitious!” This was another song that was a summer anthem for myself. Dal
Shabet returned with another mini-album of amazing. I really like Be Ambitious.
I found the music video hilarious, and just enjoy the more disco-y feel of Dal
Shabet’s sounds. I was excited to see what they were going to release since the
last thing they did was Have, Don’t Have (also made of amazing). I wasn't let
down at all, and still listen to Be Ambitious quite a bit. The other song I
really enjoy is Let It Go, which actually had the lyrics written by Serri, one
of the members! Please join me in the amazingness that is Dal Shabet! (Side
note: They’ll be in my January countdown with their new song B.B.B. Preview: I
love it!)
31.
Seo In Guk – I Can’t Live Because of You [187 Points] Released: February 4, 2013
Bringing
up the end of Part 2, I bring you Seo In Guk’s single I Can’t Live Because of
You. This song features Verbal Jint, a good rapper and perfect for this song
opposite Seo In Guk’s vocals. I can’t tell you specifically what it is about
the song I like the most, but this is most likely my favorite of all of the
songs Seo In Guk has released so far. I love this song, it almost has a ballady
feel, but it’s a little more up-tempo and has a little bit of a pop feel to it.
It just makes me feel happy and warm when I listen to it and I can’t help but
sing along and give in to the feels!
Okay,
well this wraps up part 2. Look for part 3 soon (very soon) since I’ll want to
finish posting them before I start on January’s countdown! Here is the link for the YouTube playlist one more time! Till then!
Stasi
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