tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post724817287613957327..comments2023-08-24T23:30:51.610+08:00Comments on Pop Reviews Now: [April 24, 2011] SBS Inkigayo Highlights + CommentaryNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00694821607097421310noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-19678147406763939202011-04-29T03:16:28.987+08:002011-04-29T03:16:28.987+08:00Nikki,
Regarding Japan, I think I would only agre...Nikki,<br /><br />Regarding Japan, I think I would only agree with you about half way. SNSD has long shown progress of improvement and competency before advancing to Japan, and their desire and effort to improve are self-motivated and not Japan-induced. They're under pressure to be better because they're the representative Korean girl group, they don't want to let their country and fans down and they're also expected to live up to the reputation of their seniors, but most importantly their desire to improve comes from within, it wouldn't matter where they advanced to because they would've done the same if they had gone to China or Europe instead. It is convenient for you to say that Japan did this to them but you should also know that correlation does not always imply causation.<br /><br />Also, I was wondering if you could specify exactly what Japan demands that are different than Korea's? Is it production style? Vocal ability? Marketing, image or perception? Ability to work with different people speaking different languages? A combination of many things? Maybe, but the fact is, regardless of borders or nationality, whenever a creative team works with an artist, it's always a collaboration, not a one way street. I don't think the SM A&R people are going to hook SNSD up with a creative team that tells them "it's my way or the highway", so it behooves the creative people in Japan to come up with something that works and fits the artist. At the end of the day, it's pop music, and Japanese people are already in love with Kpop. Kpop acts nowadays don't need to change and adapt to Japan to the same extent TVXQ & BoA did, because people already like them the way they are (thanks largely to the trailblazing efforts).<br /><br />From a business perspective, just because Japanese music industry has been around longer doesn't really mean much to Kpop acts. Japanese power brands like Sony and Toyota have been around a lot longer than Samsung and Hyundai, but they’re no longer considered superior to the Koreans. In my humble opinion, most Kpop acts don't really *need* anything from Japan besides more fans and more album sales. The notion that Japan is some kind of Shaolin Temple for musical improvement is difficult if not impossible to justify.<br /><br />In short, I agree with your view that Japan being a catalyst for SNSD's improvement, but I don't agree with your reasons behind it. All in all, I wish some times you would credit the artists a little more for their improvement versus crediting the environment or other intangible factors, even if you didn't like the artist per se. Just my two cents.RageXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17171815906668436387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-87747857815534036612011-04-26T01:00:26.334+08:002011-04-26T01:00:26.334+08:00ZE:A - I don't know wether I like or dislike t...ZE:A - I don't know wether I like or dislike this group. I get excited when I hear they're going to release new material, hoping that this time they'll get it right. When I finally hear and see their new material I'm always as disapointed as the previous time. Not a very memorable performance. <br /><br />A Pink - I had high expectations from this group seeing that they're under Cube (well, A Cube if you're picky). I listened to their mini album on my way home from school and I think you could feel my disapointment spreading through out the whole train compartment I was in. Their voices are on the border to annoying chipmunk voices to me. Ugh...<br /><br />CN Blue - I don't hate their new song, but I'm not in love with it either. I prefer their album songs like Lie where Jonghyun has more parts. I even find myself getting irritated when I hear Yonghwa sing live, and the reason usually is him either over doing it or his failed attempts at singing in Enlish. The album songs have a lot of English lines so First is a total cringe fest even though the songs are catchy. When you pronounce heart as "hurt" you should consider getting a better English tutor or a refund.Thomas Nguyennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-81470022190427873492011-04-25T18:13:13.530+08:002011-04-25T18:13:13.530+08:00@LaurenLCD: I have nothing to say LOL.
@mycorrhiz...@LaurenLCD: I have nothing to say LOL.<br /><br />@mycorrhizoid: they really are something, aren't they?<br /><br />@Anonymous: Regardless of their age, they should be able to do what the industry demands. It's not because of their age, because there are some young idols who have really stood out. If they can't do it, I seriously suggest them going back into training.<br /><br />@RageX: LOL. Me? Train? Since when? o.O<br /><br />It's not the management that will whip them into shape, it's not the people around them, it's the entire industry - this isn't Korea - this is Japan. The Japanese industry demands a lot of other things that the Korean industry does not (the same way Korea demands things Japan doesn't), especially in live performance and whatnot. People did not whip SNSD into shape - the change of environment, and industry did. They got more practice, exposure to different environments, and that helped them grow on their own at a much faster rate than they would've had they stayed in Korea. I agree that at this point, wherever they are, they must grow - but Japan accelerated the entire process.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11709918197463554205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-40699427882034865672011-04-25T17:11:29.485+08:002011-04-25T17:11:29.485+08:00I agree with pretty much everything Nikki says, by...I agree with pretty much everything Nikki says, by god you have trained us to be *tough* listening critics. Although I doubt I'll ever be as tough as you. I especially agree with what you said about Rania, I'm glad you saw through the controversy and judged them for their talent. It was hard seeing TVXQ say goodbye, these boys seriously deserve more wins than they got but oh well, with the separation of JYJ and HoMin their popularity was expected to go down. Yes, OT5s ATKF, next time I hope their return will be 5, but I'll take HoMin/JYJ for now, even separated they're still unmatched.<br /><br />I'm not sure why you and some of the commenters seem to think Japan somehow "whipped" SNSD into shape. I don't think there's much of a management style difference between SME Korea and SME Japan. Could the no-name Nayutawave Records did something to them vocally? Nah. They're forced to grow up and mature regardless, even if they don't advance to Japn, their expectations in Korea are as out-sized as anybody these days. Honestly this Hoot performance wasn't even their best, it was good, but I've seen better, trust me I have all of their performances saved in .ts/.tp 1080p quality videos.<br /><br />P.S. According to Wikipedia Mr.Taxi was written by a group of Western composers. It's probably arranged by someone in-house at SM. Whoever directed the vocals deserves a big pat on the back. Can't wait to open the single to see the credits on it.RageXnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-88869668858051034302011-04-25T11:11:34.436+08:002011-04-25T11:11:34.436+08:00Rainbow's stepping up their game! So now more ...Rainbow's stepping up their game! So now more members are able to sing. I feel like they're still obscure because we don't get to know the individual members. The girl that you like is Jaekyung, the leader. Her and two others are the only ones whose name I know.<br /><br />Rania gets so much hate but they have potential/talent. Their song is just so monotonous. Aw, no more hot leather outfits :( :P<br /> <br />A Pink is meh to me. I like their song, but there are so many comparisons of "old-school" SNSD to them so I have some stuff to say. The song may have a similar style, but I don't remember SNSD having such a lack of unity even at debut. <br /><br />I wonder if the girls were only recently put together as opposed to SNSD where some have known each other for 3+ years before debut. The average age is different as well. A Pink - There are some 15 year olds here. SNSD - The youngest was 16 while the others were all pushing 17-18.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-52509064478719996022011-04-25T02:16:01.596+08:002011-04-25T02:16:01.596+08:00It's kind of amazing how a few small changes t...It's kind of amazing how a few small changes to Rania's song/choreo/wardrobe make me like it so much more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017678973431004838.post-49951425901696640962011-04-25T01:02:01.130+08:002011-04-25T01:02:01.130+08:00I'll only comment on the groups I know/know ab...I'll only comment on the groups I know/know about...<br /><br />A-Pink: Either work together or <b>quit</b>! With the exception of a couple of them, they wouldn't last solo, so they need to stop being Beyonces when the group consists of more than themselves!<br /><br />f(x): If you told me they mimed the entire time, I'd believe you.<br /><br />4Minute: Even without having heard the recorded version, I know that they were off at some spots. Not bad, but could have been better.<br /><br />Rania: how sad is it that despite the lacking sound system and partial miming, Rania stands out amongst the other girls today when they're rookies?<br /><br />Dal Shabet: Once again, this is the first time I'm listening to this having not heard the recorded version. *winces and shudders*<br /><br />SNSD: Can I meet the people they worked with in Japan and thank them with a 90 degree bow? And can we send some of today's acts over to them as well?<br /><br />Big Bang: <i><b>What the hell happened?!?!?!??! What is this?!? Excuse me. I need to rant.</b></i> <br /><br />Know what? They don't need to go to Japan. They need to go to bed, even if I have to strap them down and give them sedatives. Anytime Taeyang, the one with the least stage endurance is out singing <i>everyone</i>, even <b>Daesung</b>, something is wrong. I know that TOP and GD aren't vocalists and I don't expect them to be on par with Dae, but c'mon now! <br /><br />TOP was off. <br /><br />Ji! Out of breath on the first line? Really, Ji? Did you leave your diaphragm in the dressing room? <br /><br />Dae, are you losing your voice or at least your range? You're slipping...<br /><br />Seungri: if you're that sick, please lipsync or don't perform at all. This is coming from someone that injured their cords in high school from a dozen sinus infections and a bout of laryngitis. Don't do that to your cords.<br /><br />HoMin: Superb. Nothing else to say. If they ever become 5 again: Domination. That is all. As a Cassie and VIP, I'm feeling such a polarity at this moment.LaurenLCDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13261033037026902041noreply@blogger.com