My History With K-pop
If you were anything like me, you’ve probably found quite a few reasons to never give k-pop a chance.
“I just don’t like the way it sounds”
“I can’t understand what they are singing about”
“I can’t stand the annoying k-pop fans”
“I’m a hipster so I hate anything that’s in”
Those were my reasons, and i’m sure some of you can relate, but as I dived deeper into the world of k-pop, I realised:
- I had only been exposed to a very specific part of k-pop so far, BUT k-pop as a genre is very wide with a diverse spectrum of sounds, and there are vastly different styles from indie, hip-hop to your candypop stuff.
- I could just google the lyrics and also, sometime ya don’t have to understand the song to feel the pain in someone’s voice when they sing 😥
- Just don’t be an annoying k-pop fan
- You can still be a k-pop hipster
Before my conversion my exposure to k-pop had been transient at best, I could recognise some classics like “Fantastic Baby” or “Gangnam Style” from all the times I’ve heard them play in malls, and other random location.
I never thought much about them because it just wasn’t something that clicked with me.
But then something changed, something truly amazing had completely destroyed all my preconceptions of the genre and broke down the barriers to a brand new world of some really great music.
I discovered the one and only IU.
The IU effect and why she should be your entry point into k-pop
My first exposure to IU wasn’t actually a song, I was browsing through Netflix, and I saw Hotel Del Luna.
The concept of a ghost hotel intrigued me so much I decided to give it a shot.
I was of course, completely smitten by IU within the first episode, but in my defense i’d challenge anyone to not be after trying it out too.
I eventually went down the YouTube rabbit hole of IU videos one lonely night, and I haven’t looked back since.
Here’s what I’d recommend to you first:
Step 1: Recognise the talent – Good Day
Good Day was the first video I actually saw, and it completely painted a new image of what she was capable of.
The song is one of IU’s original hits released a decade ago in 2010, and it’s the song that put her on the map.
While the style of the song is not really reflective of the music she makes today, it’s extremely light-hearted and pleasant to listen to.
But the one thing in this song you really need to stick around for is the infamous triple high note in the final chorus.
The power displayed in that final chorus is insane, and I was fucking gasping, each time I thought her voice couldn’t go higher, she went there!
If you’ve ever had a doubt if these k-pop girls could actually sing, this song will destroy those preconceptions.
Step 2: Recognise the themes and emotions – Eight
Eight was released earlier this year in May and it’s currently my favorite IU song.
If you’ve just come from Good Day, you’ll probably notice right away that this song sounds very different.
And that’s what I meant when I said that k-pop was such a diverse spectrum of sounds.
Even within a single artist, her style has changed so much over the years and you get to experience vastly different parts of her performance.
ANYWAY BACK TO THE SONG
The thing that really gets me about the song is the context and the story behind it.
In essence it’s a song she wrote for 2 of her friends who lost their lives to depression and suicide.
The song is about her thoughts and feelings surrounding their deaths and her hopes and dreams for them now that they have passed on.
The song is just so beautiful, I couldn’t help but tear up when I finally understood what it was about.
I definitely recommend this if you think the themes in k-pop songs are banal or just about romantic love all the time.
Check out this video for a full explanation:
There’s also an acoustic version which again shows off her amazing voice:
3. Step 3: The full lovey dovey life cycle – Through The Night & Ending Scene
OK it’s about love too sometimes a lot of the time, but the songs are still really good.
In essence, Through The Night is for when you’re still in your honeymoon period, and Ending Scene is for the breakup.
Through the Night is really chill and easy to listen to while Ending Scene is the kinda song where you feel the weight and pain behind every lyric, so take your pick.
Step 4: Recognise the sass – 23 & BIIBII & Palette
IU’s brand in the early days was always of sweet innocence, but as she grew more famous and earned more creative freedom, her songs also evolved to reflect some of her true feelings and maturity.
23 and BIIBII are perhaps her most off-brand songs – 23 is about her being confused and deciding what kind of person she wants to be – it’s a coming of age song way more so than say 22 (by Taylor Swift), which very barely explores party vibes and young love. It’s still an enjoyable listen, but I think you’ll be able to delve deeper thematically with IU’s work.
BIIBII is basically a song she wrote for her haters telling them to back off and leave her alone. I absolutely love the style of this video.
And finally Palette is not as sassy as the other 2. It’s another IU birthday song, Palette is about her turning 25, she’s a little less confused, knows what she wants and has come to terms with who she is as a person. It’s also one of my favorite IU songs!
Step 5: Recognise the writing talent – Dear Moon
One of my favourite IU songs is one she wrote but wasn’t actually originally performed by her.
Dear Moon was written as a theme for My Mister a Korean drama she starred in, and one I also strongly reccomend it’s a cry fest and a drama that doesn’t follow traditional tropes – the lead characters don’t fall in love with each other, it’s depressing as hell but also very sweet and hopeful.
The song was performed instead, by Jehwi, a long time friend and partner who has worked with her to compose multiple songs including Through The Night.
The lyrics are incredibly moving and it’s a song I always get shivers listening to.
The moon is a different metaphor for the different characters in the show, some see it as a sign of hope or in the main character’s case, someone she loves.
Check out this video of her explaining her creative process behind the lyrics wrote if you wanna see some genius at work:
Other k-pop artists you should listen to
Ok 1 thing right off the bat that you’re going to realise going thorough the rest of this list is that most of these artists are female.
It’s mostly because of the way YouTube algorithms work but also I can’t resist clicking on a bunch of good looking girls, SUE ME.
Taeyeon
Taeyeon is a name that comes up a lot when you talk about the best solo vocalists in Korea, and it’s not hard to see why, her voice is absolutely amazing and her live sets will send shivers through your timbers.
She’s been active for a very long time, and as a new fan I haven’t heard them all – but what I can tell you what I really enjoyed:
My Favorite Taeyeon song – Rain
The first few seconds of this song will already get you hooked because it’s just that good.
The footage is from a Korean TV show (Begin Again) about Korean bands going overseas and performing to an audience that has absolutely no idea who they are, and I would highly recommend it because so many of these live performances are amazing!
That Hotel Del Luna song – All About You
Ah one of the many tragically romantic songs that comes on whenever something sad happens in Hotel Del Luna.
It’s a good song, even better when you have emotional baggage left from the show.
All Night Long
A very fun sounding song, and yet another live performance from Begin Again worth recommending.
Unfortunately, the recording is a little flawed and most of the audio only comes out from the left, but here’s the Spotify link.
Again, i’m not too familiar with all her work, so feel free to ping me if you think there any other tracks I have to try!
LEE HI
This girl tho holy crap, what a voice. I’ve been told she has a new talent agency now that’s getting her a lot more work than before and thank god for that.
If you like a huskier voice full of depth and character that can still hit those epic highs, this is the voice for you.
The Tear-jerker- Breathe
This song was originally written as a gift to Lee Hi by Kim Jonghyun, a former member of the boy band SHINee who unfortunately lost his life to suicide.
The lyrics are heartbreaking and it’s about the lowest part of our lives, learning that it’s ok to make mistakes and being there for the people you love even if you can’t possibly understand what they are going through.
GREAT song to listen to after a particularly tough day.
Her Latest Single – HOLO
Another depressing song – this one is about being comfortable with being alone and getting out of a state of self-loathing or pity.
It’s not all sad… – Rambling Rose (live version)
I kinda wish they released this version of the song on Spotify because i prefer this one sooooo much more than the original version.
Also check out 1:37 when she smirks like she’s thinkin “yeah I see those jaws droppin I know I’m good”.
She is though, she really is.
Bolbbalgan4 aka Bol4
Formerly indie darlings, Bol4 has since risen to immense popularity in Korea.
The duo who make up the band recently went their separate ways, but one of them is still releasing new tracks under the same name.
Bol4’s , tone drifts toward the sweetness and innocence, but the lead singer Ahn Ji-young’s voice is so distinctive and sweet that I think you should give it a shot.
Bol4 is also one of the first k-pop bands i listened to and a serious culprit behind my descent into the genre, so ya gotta give them props.
I don’t really have too much to add to any of there songs so i’m just going to list the ones I really enjoyed.
Workaholic
While most of Bol4’s songs are the lover-dovey types, Workaholic is an exception.
I don’t have to tell you what it’s about because it’s pretty obvious, but I’d just like to say this girl looks way too good in blue hair.
I TOLD YOU I WAS A SUCKER.
Some
Bom
Tell Me You Like Me
Red Velvet
OK FULL ON GIRL BAND TIME.
I’m starting with Red Velvet because they have a couple of songs that are very easy to recommend to people moving into k-pop from English songs.
My sister has repeatedly warned me not to listen to Zimzalabim because it’s for trash people so I will respect her wishes.
Psycho
BONUS here’s a live version too:
Bad Boy
Happiness
I think Happiness is the band’s first single? But don’t quote me on that.
Also, for anyone who cares, Seulgi is my top grill in this band.
Russian Roulette
TWICE
You can’t talk about k-pop girl groups and not talk about TWICE.
Everyone knows them, everyone loves them.
I’ve heard that they can’t actually sing live, but whatever they put out is super catchy and upbeat.
Their songs just make you wanna move and make you feel happy.
There are just too many Twice songs on my playlist right now, but if I had to pick, these are my top 3.
Also, my top girlls here are: Dahyun, Chae Young and Sana and Nayeon and god damn it idk they are all very attractive.
Like OOH-AHH
Yes or Yes
Fancy
YOU MADE IT TO THE END
I hope you enjoyed my list, had a lot of fun making it, and if you’re still not a convert after this I DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL DO IT.
With that imma leave you with some other random songs that have ended up on my playlist recently:
Flower Way – Sejong
That Day – Lovelyz
Glass Shoes – fromis_9
LOVE BOMB – fromis_9
Perhaps Love – Eric Nam, CHEEZE
Today’s Mood – CHEEZE
The Millennial Geek 