2009 seems to be the year of the girl groups in Korea and partially in the UK (new releases from the Sugababes and The Sats!) so with that comes a whole mob of new Korean ones.
Of the ones that have recently debuted and are about to debut, my frontrunners are 2NE1 (I Don't Care is fantastic) and this new SM girl group - f(x). With SNSD Jessica's sister, Rain's ex-co star and some real talents in the band, I have absolutely no doubt that they will eventually succeed one way or another.
f(x) has been dubbed the female SHINee for reasons I agree with - the number of members and their ages, emphasis on dancing (their leader starred in a Rain video as a dancer) and vocal strength. By this one video, there are girls in this group who can REALLY SING. Like other groups though, I've already spotted the token 'pretty face' (don't know her name but she's there.).Lachata is a pop song - that's probably the best way to describe it. The song has a novel hook (Lachata doesn't actually mean anything), a repetitive but insanely addictive melody, smooth vocals and catches on easily - it's something that's easy to hum/sing along to. Towards the end of the song, the tomboy-ish member starts rapping but you know, I don't mind at all. It sounds tasteful and it complements the song - it doesn't take the spotlight off the music like a ton of other songs.
Speaking of the tomboy-ish member, my one frustration about this song is the fact that she isn't highlighted as a vocalist when SHE CAN DAMN SING. She gets one short and overlooked line towards the end but it's enough for me to say that the girl can sing - not as good as the best one (Luna, judging by this video) but better than the pretty face. And she has appeal - she was one of the first members I really paid attention to throughout the video.
4.6/5
This is the first time I've watched the video and while the song is OK, it was nice to see the members up close. I'm a bit slow into the f(x) fandom because of GD's current debuting, but I'm looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteI was also expecting to see some more of Amber, but I guess we'll have to wait for the live stages to see more of her.
I think this single is all about getting the buzz. It's good to a certain extent but I'm afraid that if I listen to the song way too much I might get sick of it.
ReplyDeleteAGREED! She's intriguing and even with the few lines she got on the song, the talent was just overflowing. hahah.
I'm not surprised about the performance it's SM afterall so they have a knack at creating good pop songs and finding talents. However the only thing I can think of right now that separates them apart from other SM groups is that inclusion of Amber as a rapper. Hopefully this time SM gets to have this group as a keeper because back in the day they had a really good group called The Grace who were really talented but are now pretty much fending for themselves. The only thing I would say that would surprise me or shock me about the group is if they did some R&B type of songs other than that they could just be a younger version of BEG or Jewelry with their pop songs.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know The Grace are still active to a certain extent but I haven't heard anything new from them - their past stuff isn't my type either.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of indicators in the song and their image that they'll go the R&B way but they seem to be doing a good job selling and executing their image right now so I wouldn't be surprised either if they keep on doing what they have now. After all, SM needs a future record-breaking standard 5-member group the complete their roster for now.
Either way they work as a package - flexibly talented members do that to the group, I think.
Yes,true true this group is very talented adding to that three members know how to speak english I believe. Alas no matter how talented they are it's really how well SM is going to promote them. I think they are gonna get a lot of fans since there is a lot of SM fans out there and by the looks of it they could hold their vocals pretty well so that might get peoples attention. However they still remind me of BEG because of the rapper and the vocals just younger but have more choreography. These type of songs aren't really to my liking but they are talented so I'm wondering if their album is going to contain different types of genres in their music or just sticking to pop.
ReplyDeleteOoo... I'm currently addicted to this song too. Don't really get that excited on 1st listen but it has grown on me. The video is just the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteI like Amber too, She's stylish, got a unique look going on. I can hardly differentiate between the rest. They look almost alike. Can't wait to see them perform live tho.
Excatly! hahah - 'Genie' was like that to me as well, only it took a few weeks instead of a few listens. hahah.
ReplyDeleteIt's a skill I've picked up after memorizing and naming by face with different hairstyles and make up all of SNSD, Big Bang, DBSK, SHINee and nearly half of Super Junior. Heck, I can name f(x)'s members by face and it's only been like a day since I saw the video! hahah.
=.="
ReplyDeleteI bet that ability to distinguish each member individuality helps in your K pop knowledge huh? LOL
Have you watch the live performance? Its good~
I didn't think it was that important before but at the moment, it helps me decipher who has the right to be in a band and who has absolutely no talent whatsoever! hahah.
ReplyDeleteYup - Luna (the girl who sings the first few lines of the first verse) is AMAZING. That voice - DAMMIT. hahah.