Okay-Pop’s first era is commonly referenced as the inspiration for the trade we take pleasure in now, however there aren’t sufficient good English-language sources that give its music the main target it deserves. I’m hoping to alter that with a unbroken flashback collection, spotlighting private highlights from the period – each iconic and obscure.
The period in query is commonly thought-about to run from the debut of Web optimization Taiji & Boys in 1992 to the emergence of TVXQ in late 2003. The music featured on this collection will largely match inside that time-frame, give or take a couple of years on both facet.
It was a time of bonkers tune buildings, wild vogue, slamming techno beats, unhealthy reggae impressions, flagrant use (theft?) of American hip-hop samples, hearty energy ballads, foul language, the growliest rapper tones you’ll be able to think about and an anything-goes scrappiness that’s unimaginable to pigeonhole. To borrow the title of a preferred second-gen act, these years have been the “massive bang” of an rising musical powerhouse, nonetheless discovering its footing and throwing all the things on the wall.
Try different “Again to Okay-pop’s First Era” opinions right here.
South Korea’s obligatory enlistment for younger males stays a thorny subject, but it surely was no extra consequential to the Okay-pop panorama than in 2002 when widespread Yoo Seung-jun was banned from the nation for acquiring U.S. citizenship and thus evading his conscription. It’s a wild story, as he went from one of the vital profitable stars of the period to a blacklisted afterthought within the annuls of Okay-pop historical past. I don’t search to cross judgment on this case in both route, however I do need to shine highlight on his wonderful discography.
Aside from his music’s cringey obsession with “west facet” gangster language, his six albums of this period are filled with hits and buried treasures. 2000’s Summit Revival is my private favourite album, however I’d prefer to function the lead single from his 2001 follow-up Infinity at the moment.
This tune represents a lot of what I like about Seung-jun’s sound. He’s a gifted vocalist, rapper and dancer and his music usually constructed upon the ‘new jack swing meets industrial funk’ sound acts like Michael Jackson and Bobby Brown constructed within the early 90’s. WOW is a cavalcade of rhythms, staccato and harsh and made for sharp choreography. The melodies are equally participating, jabbing and punching in a method that may turn into extra widespread in Okay-pop’s second era. Actually, I assume BTOB’s 2012 hit Wow is a little bit of an ode to this tune. The titles can’t merely be a coincidence, proper?
For reference, I’m linking the “Pt.2” model of WOW right here. It’s the superior model and the one he promoted. For some purpose, the music video makes use of “Pt.1”, which is principally a distinct tune. I’ll embody that too, but it surely’s not practically pretty much as good.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.5 |
Grade: A