Yep, I’m again to writing about Okay-pop’s year-end festivals. They had been a few of the earliest occasions I lined on this weblog however over the previous few years I steadily misplaced curiosity in them. This 12 months, a lot of my favourite music got here from acts who will really seem on these broadcasts, so I’m diving again in with renewed pleasure.
First up is KBS’s particular, which has re-branded as a “International Okay-pop Competition” since I final wrote about it. Actually, they will preserve the “world.” Okay-pop places on a gazillion world occasions all 12 months lengthy. I’d quite these year-end specials be a extra intimate affair in Korea.
Nevertheless, we’re world to remain, that means KBS’s competition stretched throughout two nights – one in Japan and one in Korea. On the plus facet, this allowed them to highlight a ton of artists and provides others the possibility to carry out a number of songs. However, this additionally meant the complete broadcast was well-over seven hours lengthy. That’s like… a full work day.
So far as staging for the primary night time, it’s all the time enjoyable to look at exhibits carried out/filmed at a dome. The size is simply so immense, although a lot of the camerawork was unbelievable shut. For the Korean broadcast, the venue was fairly a bit smaller, providing a special temper. Nevertheless, the stage felt disproportionately massive for the Korean half of the published.
Unrelated to the music, the plethora of dramatic viewers photographs through the competition’s first night time was concurrently amusing and distracting. I imply, everyone knows how thrilling/emotional live shows could make us, nevertheless it felt like each 5 seconds there was a close-up shot of somebody creaming themselves within the viewers. After awhile it will get to be a bit a lot.
General, I assumed this competition was very sturdy. The standard was persistently excessive throughout each nights, making this the longest rating I’ve made for one among these end-of-year occasions. What I beloved most about this 12 months’s present was its many nods again at Okay-pop’s previous – particularly first gen acts.
As all the time, this rating represents my very own ideas, that means it is going to closely favor music I loved this 12 months in addition to performances that re-arrange or remix present songs. And for the 12 months 2024, how about… 24 phases?
24. Kiss Of Life – Get Loud / Sticky
You’ll all the time get me with a Michael Jackson impressed routine. I actually loved the remodeling of Get Loud. It additionally seems that Sticky works simply as properly in winter as summer season.
23. ZEROBASEONE – Sweat / En Garde / Good So Unhealthy
A stable set from the blokes. Performing a monitor from Boys Planet was a cool thought, even when I’m not an enormous fan of En Garde. I beloved that we received to listen to Sweat, although. And Good So Unhealthy is so nice on this massive reside setting.
(this video features a particular stage on the finish that was not a part of this unique efficiency so isn’t included within the rating)
22. RIIZE – Unattainable / Love 119 / Increase Increase Bass
RIIZE simply barely wind up on this rating as a result of these are three of my favourite songs of the 12 months. I used to be particularly joyful to see Unattainable. Nevertheless, the efficiency didn’t range in any respect from their regular variations of those songs. It’s comprehensible given their workload, however a little bit disappointing from a viewer’s perspective.
(this video features a particular stage on the finish that was not a part of this unique efficiency so isn’t included within the rating)
21. ITZY – Born To Be / Imaginary Good friend / Gold
I’m not an enormous fan of a few of these songs, however they’ve a scale appropriate for a dome efficiency and I really like when there’s a bunch of background dancers on the stage. Imaginary Good friend felt particularly majestic. The added guitar was a pleasant contact.
20. (G)I-DLE – Revenge / Tremendous Girl
I actually just like the styling right here and the sturdy presence of this efficiency. The heavier mixture of Tremendous Girl labored properly and Revenge is a superb lead-in.
19. NCT Dream – Smoothie / Skateboard / Once I’m With You
Smoothie stays godawful, however I completely beloved the prolonged Skateboard breakdown that tied the 2 songs collectively. Such nice power! I want Once I’m With You may have saved up the depth.
18. tripleS – Ladies By no means Die
They pulled out the rock combine once more for this track. I appreciated it final time however couldn’t recall if this one was any totally different. It appeared barely much less bombastic in locations. Perhaps it was the distinction in venues. This combine nonetheless bangs, although.
17. TXT – Thursday’s Youngster Has Far To Go
The longer a set lasts on these exhibits, the much less I are usually as a result of it simply seems like a standard live performance. Most of TXT’s performances had been as anticipated, however I really like that they pulled out this wonderful b-side and carried out it in a freewheeling rock model. It feels unsuitable with out Soobin, although.
16. Jinusean – Telephone Quantity (with BOYNEXTDOOR) / Inform Me (with Wonyoung)
I really like how this 12 months’s competition absolutely embraces first-gen Okay-pop legends and the pairs them with new-gen artists. Jinusean nonetheless have charisma to spare and their stage with BOYNEXTDOOR was particularly enjoyable.
15. Child V.O.X – Get Up / Coincidence / Killer (with Kiss Of Life)
The nostalgia continues with a Child V.O.X reunion. They give the impression of being and sound nice and the traditional tracks nonetheless work very properly. I really like that we even received a dance break! Their collaboration with Kiss Of Life was a sensible match-up.
14. Ten – Nightwalker (Remix)
I would like Okay-pop producers to deliver the power of those stage mixes to the principle mixture of their songs as a result of this guitar-heavy association was so significantly better than the unique. I would like a full model.
13. Xikers – Bittersweet
The instrumental was amped up a bit right here and I appreciated that. The manufacturing is fabulous to start out with and including extra guitar simply makes it higher.
12. TWS – Final Competition (Website positioning Taiji cowl)
That is so enjoyable! A canopy of the unique track that impressed TWS’s single of the identical identify. That is the way you do a canopy stage. Decide one thing a little bit extra obscure (a minimum of to world audiences) and put your personal spin on it.
11. DJ Koo, UNIS, tripleS and Kep1er – First Love (Clon cowl)
I really like this Clon track however by no means anticipated to see it lined on a present in 2024! It’s so cool to see so many performers on the stage without delay. The vocal association felt a bit karaoke, however the dancing was enjoyable.
10. Miyeon, Jungwon, Jay, Liz & Sungho – Highway (g.o.d cowl)
What a traditional track! I really like listening to modern idols make it their very own and I particularly love a mixed-gender vocal efficiency. This was stunning.
9. ENHYPEN – No Doubt / Introduced The Warmth Again / Daydream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3P1fosFKhY
Introduced The Warmth Again was nice however actually it’s the dance breaks right here which are stellar. I need them to launch music as energetic and compelling as these dance breaks!
8. Woman Group Particular Cowl Phases Medley: NMIXX – Electrical Shock / ILLIT – Atlantis Princess / STAYC – Mister
I’m going to mix these three phases into one rating as a result of they had been all of comparable high quality and felt like a pure sonic trilogy.
Electrical Shock match NMIXX like a glove, making me understand they may actually turn out to be a contemporary f(x). They’d pull the pontificate so properly.
In the meantime, Atlantis Princess is among the greatest Okay-pop songs ever so I’m all the time joyful to listen to it. Once more, if ILLIT had been releasing music like this I’d be so all for them. They will definitely carry out it properly!
Then, STAYC quenched my urge for food for Sweetune with a traditional Kara monitor. My god, whoever selected these three songs definitely is aware of their stuff. It’s so good to listen to these classics carried out by the brand new era.
7. EVNNE – Ugly (Rock model)
Actually, I’m a simple mark. Simply throw some rock guitar on an present track and I’m bought. I want Ugly was stronger as an precise track, however I appreciated the depth of this efficiency.
6. NCT 127 – Kick It / Stroll
I don’t significantly take pleasure in Kick It anymore, however even I’ve to confess this heavy metallic combine was cool. I really like that the power carried via to the dance break after which into Stroll. Electrical guitar appears to be on this 12 months.
5. ONEUS – Now
What a cool, theatrical efficiency! There’s a lot happening right here within the staging and I like the marginally beefed-up mixture of the track, too. This feels just like the definitive model of their cowl of the Fin.Okay.L traditional.
4. Hanbin x Hanjun x Shinyu – Fragrance (NCT Dojeajung cowl)
Of all of the covers of current songs, this was my favourite. It’s simply so slick! It is a nice trio. I really assume I’d take pleasure in this model greater than the unique, which infrequently occurs on the subject of cowl phases.
3. n.SSign – Lucifer (SHINee cowl)
n.SSign is aware of the place it’s at, selecting a SHINee traditional! I actually beloved their mixture of Lucifer, giving it an enormous EDM makeover. This made it really feel extra like a reinterpretation than a straight-up copy. This was wonderful – in all probability the very best cowl of each nights.
2. Bada – Mad (with CRAVITY) / Subsequent Degree / Goals Come True
A real Okay-pop legend! I’m so glad she was a part of this competition. She brings such a special power than many of the acts – and actual vocal character. The efficiency of Mad was suitably unhinged. In actual fact, her entire set was unhinged in a really surreal means. She and CRAVITY made such an ungainly pairing however that was a part of the enjoyable.
And what a enjoyable transfer to cowl Subsequent Degree, given the truth that aespa lined one among her group’s most well-known songs. And talking of that track, I’ll by no means not love listening to her bust out Goals Come True. After this, I believe we want an enormous Bada comeback in 2025.
1. TWS – hey! hey! / Final Competition
I’m sorry that this weblog has principally turn out to be a TWS fan web page this month however they’re actually giving me the whole lot I need. Actually, I may kiss their artistic administrators. I imply… my favourite track of the 12 months rearranged as an orchestral model? Dozens of dancers flanking them? Flags?! They’ve definitely received my quantity. This was beautiful.
I additionally respect the deal with Jihoon in each the intro and transition between songs. You heard it right here first: he’ll turn out to be one among this Okay-pop era’s defining dancers. He’s so, so good and the solo choreo was very dramatic. The intro gave me critical Infinite vibes. If that is the bar TWS are setting for themselves, I can’t wait to see what they’ve in retailer for the opposite networks’ festivals.
(Sadly, for some motive KBS hasn’t but uploaded the complete set of this efficiency, which suggests the wonderful transitional dance solo will not be captured in these movies. I’ll replace when it turns into out there. For now, I’d suggest in search of out the complete present in the event you can. It’s value it!)