More #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist
NCT U - The 7th Sense https://youtu.be/3UGMDJ9kZCA
cw: aggressive flashing
I feel like I'm always posting about this song, but for good reason: as the debut of NCT, this was something Noticeably Different from the trends at the time and remains one of the hardest dances in Kpop. Mark being a literal baby & holding his own with his hyungs is a whole thing, too.
Since they're connected, I'm contractually prohibited from not posting both. XD #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist
NCT U - BOSS https://youtu.be/0AUFyFEt35g
cw: surrealism
As noted, this was shot in Kiev, so a snapshot of a previous world. Also Lucas's official NCT entrance alongside Taeyong, Doyoung, Mark, Winwin, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo. And an example of why I still struggle to name all of NCT.
I'm being a bit cheeky with the CWs but those two are menaces nine days a week
also, this was shot in Kiev at the same time as BOSS (coming shortly). One suspects the locations in both MVs have since been bombed. Certainly this one, being an arts college, has to have been targeted.
We've had one "banned" song for #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist but what about second banned song?!
SuperJunior - Sorry Sorry https://youtu.be/x6QA3m58DQw
cw: flashing, earworm
And by banned, we mean this is not allowed on broadcasts during national exam weeks due to the extreme earworm-ness of the chorus. AFAIK, this ban is still in effect even now, though possibly a bit pointless since it doesn't apply to streaming services.
Ok, one more super old school for #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist and then I swear I'll move on
H.O.T - Candy https://youtu.be/3NUaXU1d-NY
cw: flashing stage lights, lens flares
CC in ENG+KRN
With an original release date of 1996, this predates the Hallyu Wave that kicked things off, but has now been retconned as 1st Gen. Being very obviously influenced by American hiphop of the era, it's quite typical of this period of Kpop. & then got a modern remake by NCT Dream.
If you think I'm on an older Kpop kick, you're not wrong....
1TYM - Without You https://youtu.be/Fn1hSDVRbwA
cw: lens flares, boxing-induced disability, dripping wet Danny, blood/injury, religious imagery (Catholic)
Another cornerstone of 1stGen/1stWave and an anchor of YG Family of the time, 1TYM hit both hip hop and emotional ballads. Officially they're still on hiatus, but AFAIK, only Teddy and Danny are still working in music.
And now for something completely different for our #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist - The TRAX
The TRAX - Paradox https://youtu.be/IqnscuWhDic
cw: aggressive flashing
CC in ENG+KRN
Did you know? "Kpop" covers all the music genres considered popular, so here's some hard rock in between all the dance pop and R&B. The band has since gone on hiatus, though at one point, Jay was teasing a comeback as a duo.
Next up for #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist, absolute chaos!
DBSK - Balloons https://youtu.be/rdTVb64pfMs
cw: flashing, surprisingly violent penguins, baby Moonbin
Recognize the baby tiger/baby!Yunho? If you're new here, of course not, but yes, that's ASTRO's Moonbin in his first kpop appearance. This may be stereotypical in sound, but it's too adorable for me to skip.
Fast forward a few years and we get Kpop's first play for a US domestic release, so of course I have to add it to #KpopMonday #KpopIntroPlaylist
BoA - Eat You Up https://youtu.be/OLnr2u_nj10
cw: lens flares, flashing, dripping wet BoA (fully clothed)
In the end, the US wasn't ready for our queen, but this track still slaps and still stands up as a solid example of BoA's dance side along with Kpop's tendency for lush/theatrical MVs
If we're talking #KpopIntroPlaylist, we have to start with the head of the Hallyu Wave
BoA x DBSK x TRAX - Tri-Angle https://youtu.be/GM8wZRaHXTg
cw: lens flares, flashing, supernatural elements (gods, magic)
CC in ENG+KRN
BoA was already an established crossover star in Japan when Yoshiki got involved with SM to co-sponsor this piece of absolute art. & if you think that sentence was a ride, play the video.
The Kpop Abuela 🪷