Half a Million and Counting
by javabeans
Woot woot! I marked my 100,000th hit (well, I was lazy so it got pushed to 150,000) with some House Rulez. Speaking of whom, have you checked them out yet? They’re awesome. I still have them on heavy daily rotation.
Now this blog has seen 500,000 hits (I can’t even really wrap my head around that number; I feel like I’m blogging for about thirty people, lol) — and what better way to mark the event than with lots and lots of songs? Thanks everyone for reading along! It’s all thanks to you guys that I got sucked so readily into blogging. It’s an addiction, I tell you.
Whoever says Korean music is worse these days than it used to be isn’t looking hard enough. Sure, mainstream pop acts might be as trite and uninspired as expected, but I think Korean music is undergoing rapid diversification these days, splintering off into many previously unexplored genres and subgenres. It’s an exciting time to be experimental, I think. So here are some artists who are a little left of center —
Let’s kick off this shindig with relatively unknown band V.E.I.L.
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Vocals: Kim Wonjun
Guitars: Kang Sunwoo
Rap/DJ: Kim Wongee
Bass: Chung Hanjong
Drums & Programming: Lee Changhyun
V.E.I.L.’s club cyworld page
| V.E.I.L. – “Radio” I LOVE this song. You can watch the video on their site — it’s quirky and cute, like Donnie Darko meets the Teletubbies, only not as scary. [ Download ] |
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| V.E.I.L. – “I Wanna Know” [ Download ] |
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| V.E.I.L. – “하루” (haru / a day) [ Download ] |
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Buy the album “Lesson 01.”
I’ve just started listening to Younha, but I like her voice and her style. Maybe it’s because she got her start in jpop (despite being Korean), but her songs aren’t typical mainstream kpop, which is usually more R&B-influenced like American pop acts. But Younha can sing, and her style and clear strong voice reminds me a bit of Kelly Clarkson.
| Younha – “Password 486” [ Download ] |
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| Younha – “Delete” [ Download ] |
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Buy Younha’s debut Korean album “The Perfect Day To Say I Love You.”
If you haven’t heard of F.T. Island yet, you probably will very soon. Just like I don’t really like mainstream American music, I don’t really love mainstream kpop either, and this super-young boy band seems poised to launch into that market. But their music actually sounds different, and if I can believe my eyes, it would appear that these boys play their own instruments. Gold star for actual musical competence. And an extra point for infectious music that ain’t called “Cheerful Sensibility” (album title) for nuthin’.
| F.T. Island – “F.T. Island” [ Download ] |
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| F.T. Island – “마중” (ma joong / meeting). This song makes them sound a lot more mature than their tender years. They ought to have an interesting career ahead of them. [ Download ] |
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Buy F.T. Island’s debut album, “Cheerful Sensibility.”
If you haven’t heard of Clazziquai yet, you’ve been deprived. As Korea’s premier electronic group, their members, particularly Alex, keep busy in between albums with collaborations between other artists. To date, they’ve worked with groups like Epik High and Loveholic as well as new artists Rhyme Bus (see below), and for soundtracks such as MBC drama Que Sera Sera (both Alex and Horan had tracks on the OST), sleeper romantic comedy hit 200 Pound Beauty, and rom-com movie Seducing Mr. Perfect.
Their latest album just came out and it’s been a long wait, wearing out my previous albums. Clazziquai is cool like whoa.
| Clazziquai – “Romeo & Juliet” [ Download ] |
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| Clazziquai – “Sweety” (reposted from an earlier post) [ Download ] |
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Buy Clazziquai’s latest album, “Love Child of the Century.”
| Rhyme Bus – “Luv Game” (remix) [ Download ] |
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| Rhyme Bus – “Music of My Life” (repost) [ Download ] |
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Buy the album, Rhyme Bus’ Vol. 1.
A somewhat new band working in upbeat electronic music, Blue Sorbet is relatively on the downlow, with one album, a digital single, and two tracks on an OST (that are included on their full album). Their website’s incomplete and there’s a serious dearth of info on them. Let’s hope it’s just because they’re still pretty new.
| Blue Sorbet – “Crazy Love” [ Download ] |
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| Blue Sorbet – “Satisfy Me” (repost) [ Download ] |
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Buy Blue Sorbet’s first album, “Melodical Sounds of the Taste.”
BAY is a new group whose songs are mostly mellow, melodic rock:
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BAY – “Family” [ Download ] Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. BAY – “Saturday Night” (repost) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Buy Bay’s debut album, “Open the Road.” |
My Aunt Mary is one of my favorite Korean-music groups:
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My Aunt Mary – “S.E.O.U.L.” [ Download ] Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. My Aunt Mary – “랑겔한스” (repost) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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Buy My Aunt Mary’s “Drift” album (also recommend the previous album, “Just Pop”).
Tags: musicians
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1 popseoul
June 21, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Congrats Sarah for your half million hits! And thanks for the awesome music uploads. Keep up the good work!
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2 heyleadinglady
June 21, 2007 at 9:52 AM
hey congrats on reaching 1/2 million, im super sure you have fans from all over the worldC: youre definitely worth it, your reviews are amazzzzzing. more music more music! hahahaha thanks so much for the uploads, i can finally download new music. Thanks!
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3 Turtlegirl22
June 21, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Congrats!! I don't know how many times out of the 1/2 a million I have been on this site, but all I have to say is I love your blogs and music. Thanks for the many fun hours I have been readin on here and the many hours you have put into making th bloggs. Thanks again!!
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4 NC
June 21, 2007 at 9:23 AM
Congrats on reaching half a million. You should be clocking 1 million by summer end :)
Clazziquai is one of the few kpop acts that I listen to. And yep, they are awesome :) I think they got their first big kdrama hit with MNIKSS's 'She Is.'
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5 tsunamiblues
June 21, 2007 at 10:31 AM
JAVABEANS YOU MADE MY DAY!!!! MUCH LOVE!!!
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6 tsunamiblues
June 21, 2007 at 10:50 AM
does Bay have an album yet, tried to search them on google, their name makes it hard.
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7 its_trish
June 21, 2007 at 11:01 AM
OOOOOH CONGRATS!
half a million woweee *I definitely contributed to that number - on here everyday at the minimum*
So here's my heartfelt thank you for your summaries/recaps/music
I gave a listen to some of the songs posted above and I would have mistaken F.T. Island's last song for an OST one if you hadn't provided that little intro.. That song blew me away - they are definitely going places!
Thanks again
I will continue to visit and support your blogging venture - You are awesome! ^^
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8 ay_link
June 21, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Woooot wooot... 1/2 millions and counting! ^^ Amazing!
CONGRATS, sarahbeans hun... muah~~! so proud of youuuu kekeke...
Thanks for all the summary and cool music you posted =)
Clazziquai & Rhyme Bus = LOVE
(ah you posted the "Romeo and Juliet" heheh.. me luuuv that song, and currently stuck listening to their collaboration track in Rhyme Bus' album. Very awesome superb track!)
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9 javabeans
June 21, 2007 at 11:14 AM
thanks everyone!
tsunamiblues, good point -- i added links to each album at Yesasia if you'd like to buy the album or see the full tracklists.
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10 yakatoo
June 21, 2007 at 11:29 AM
proud to be one (++) of the 1/2million who clock in! congratulations! very excited to check out all the artists you've introduced. :)
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11 mangoicy
June 21, 2007 at 12:01 PM
You rock! 'nuff said.
~aand.. looks like it keeps growing hundreds by the minute.
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12 ginnie
June 21, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Donnie Darko meets Teletubbies...hmmmmmmm...
For a moment, I imagined Frank the rabbit as one purple or yellow Teletubbies instead and that is just so wrong! LOL *winks*
Back to the topic...500,000 hits and counting! How you spoil us, Javabeans! You give us these speedy reviews of k-dramas, articulate commentaries and now we have songs recommendations just because we visit your site that you've generously shared with us. Now..what can we do for you? =)
Congratulations!!!!
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13 melissa
June 21, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Congrats Javabeans!!
1 million wow...
My site recently just made 1,000 hits...not much...hehe
Thanks for the new music!!, i love Clazziquai!!
and Younha, i found a fan page of hers on myspace a while ago and i love her music, both japanese and korean....and i like the song "radio" by V.E.I.L
ive never heard of them but i like their sound...im always up for finding new songs/artists to listen to..
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14 obivia
June 21, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Congrats! You're the best--you not only provide us w/ awesome drama hookups, but also music ones, too! THANKS!!!
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15 pandapop
June 21, 2007 at 3:17 PM
Congratulations, Javabeans. When you build the field of K-dramas goodies, we addicts will follow. Just wondering…. How many hours a day do you write for this blog? I thoroughly enjoy your work. Thanks.
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16 Jessica
June 21, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Congrats Javabeans!
Thanks for creating this site to help us get our kdrama-fix :)
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17 prismaticstar
June 21, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Congrats! Your blog is spectacular to read!
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18 soonjap
June 21, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Finally! A new direction towards..GASP!...musicians who can sing? Is it possible in Korea Music Land? It's great to see a new shift happening in the music scene and the focus getting back to those who truly deserve it. It looks like rock/alternative is finally finding its footing with the resurgence of Boo Hwal (check out the 11th album - great lead vocalist!), Kim Jong Suh (not a fan, but writes interesting lyrics) and new acts like Younha. I'm relieved to see such musical diversity for once, instead of relying on the same-old, same-old. May great songwriters/musicians continue to thrive!
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19 Lovewls
June 21, 2007 at 6:57 PM
Congratulations for the half million hits!!! And thanks for your intro to K-music with the uploads. From the tracks you posted, I've only listened to my fave group, Clazziquai. But now, after listening to the sample tracks, I'll give My Aunt Mary, Blue Sorbet and FT Island a try. They sounded good, esp My Aunt Mary. Thanks again!
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20 rozramen
June 21, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Congratulations and Celebration! Wow...cannot believed it..1/2 a millions already? who can guessed that? anyway, you're the best blog ever...anyway...keep up with your good job..:)
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21 docmitasha
June 21, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Congratulations! I'm very happy for the success of your blog! You have an amazing talent, and I love reading your articles and your drama summaries, and I just think you're really something :) Thank you very much!
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22 mikejmu
June 21, 2007 at 8:03 PM
Hello,
We would like to do an interview with you about your blog for
http://www.BlogInterviewer.com . We'd like to give you the opportunity to
give us some insight on the "person behind the blog."
It would just take a few minutes of your time. The interview form can
be submitted online at http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview
Best regards,
Mike Thomas
BlogInterviewer.com
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23 lime9
June 21, 2007 at 8:17 PM
congrats and thanks for sharing~
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24 Mics
June 21, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Wow congrats Javabeans! =) I'm really glad you featured F.T. Island. I'm just a new fan, just this week =D I was hesitant to check them out eventhough I've heard a lot about them already. Eventually I gave in and went to esnips to listen to their songs. I was an instant fan! =) but still I was starting to go on a boyband diet lol because good looks are starting to affect my judgment in music so I tried hard not to look for F.T. Island pics but I stumbled upon them at soompi! And now I'm not just a fan of their music but a shameless noona (pedo) fan as well T____T. lol. It's refreshing to see a boyband that plays instruments in Korea. I know there are more out there but not as much as those that only sing and dance =) Plus their songs are good that I was really surprised when I found out about their ages! Thanks Javabeans!
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25 LP
June 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Hey Sarah,
You blog has become my daily ritual & I adore your diverse k-pop/ anti-pop music taste!
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