I should probably specify that I’m going to be reviewing the Korean versions of all the songs, thus EXO-K. But I’m still going to refer to the group collectively as EXO, and how the significance of their debut opens a new chapter in SM Entertainment‘s history. More on that later.
I first wanted to write a review for EXO when they released their debut single “What Is Love” back in January. And so, I began working on an image:
I created this image on 30/01/2012... but didn't use it until now
I thought “Nah, I’ll just wait until they release their album”. Nearly three months(!) later, here I am, finally working on this review. SM has released more teasers for EXO in the last few months than the number of K-pop groups who have debuted since January. Which in K-pop these days implies a lot! The number of teaser videos were turning into a joke and I started to care less and less about EXO. But now, after the album finally released, all I can say is nobody – including me – can ignore EXO’s presence in K-pop! Continue reading “EXO – ‘MAMA’ album review: SM Entertainment enters a new era” »
So there’s another new boyband in the market. This time, it’s from Cube Entertainment, the company behind B2ST, 4Minute, G.Na and A-Pink. Since B2ST is a six-member boyband, Cube can’t put out another six-member group, right? Presenting seven-member boy group BtoB, which stands for ‘Born to Beat’ – not ‘business-to-business’ as is the usual parlance.
Not going to comment about their looks... because they look like what you would expect a k-pop boyband to look like
BtoB was officially announced and made their debut in the same time it took EXO to come out with five teasers. And the only reason I’m writing about a rookie group like BtoB is because, well, I quite liked their music.
The first ever single from BtoB to be accompanied by a music video is “Insane”:
The song won me over on first listen itself. It’s not a fantastically original song by any means, but I guess that’s why I liked it. At a time when labels like SM and the like are ever increasingly working with Western producers for a ‘new’ sound in a bid to crack the international market, a song like “Insane” is pure unadulterated K-pop. The music video stars A-Pink’s Chorong and the concept of the MV is, erm, her cheating on all seven of them? I don’t know, but the MV is nothing great. The choreography is serviceable and BtoB’s first live performance showcased they’re actually pretty damn good vocally. I’m rating “Insane” a 4/5.
The second single is the ballad “Imagine”:
… and this too won me over on first listen! Sure it reminded me of B2ST for a second, but judging the song on its own merits, I love the chorus, the beats and the persistent hook throughout the track. The only negative to point out is the English lines being murmured during the bridge. It’s clear the guy isn’t fluent in the language, but jeez, at least put some emotion in during the recording process. Other than that, “Imagine” is another finely crafted song (by k-pop standards). – 3.5/5
Both songs may sound fairly similar to what B2ST may sing, but that’s because both of BtoB’s debut tracks were produced by Seo Jae Woo, who has composed songs for other Cube artists such as 4minute and B2st. That’s expected of Cube, who would dig through material B2ST never ended up using and give it to BtoB. Even if the songs were hand-me-downs, BtoB has done a good enough job to make the songs theirs.
BtoB are the only rookies I’ve written about after AA (who also debuted with a two-song release), so you know I’ve added them to my k-pop radar. I just hope they don’t take misstep like B1A4 did this year and continue down the strong path they have made with their debut.
Let me say this straight off the bat: SHINee’s 2012 comeback is one of my most anticipated comebacks in Korean pop! In 2010, the Korean boyband released “Lucifer,” a song I considered the best k-pop song of 2010 and in my opinion, still one of the best k-pop songs ever! SHINee are also one of my top picks if someone were to ask me who the best boybands in K-pop are. (My personal bias lies with INFINITE though)
That said, that same year also saw me pick 2AM’s ‘Saint O’ Clock’ as the best k-pop album of 2010. I awaited 2AM’s recent comeback with much anticipation too, but when they released their new album, I was quite disappointed. Would SHINEee’s comeback disappoint as well? After all, SHINee are part of SM Entertainment, who I don’t rate highly as far as producing great albums are concerned.
