The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for male idol groups!
The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community indexes of various boy groups, using big data collected from May 12 to June 12.
BTS topped the list for the 25th consecutive month with a brand reputation index of 8,562,921 for June. High-ranking phrases in the group’s keyword analysis included “Billboard,” “YouTube,” and “7th anniversary,” while their highest-ranking related terms included “congratulate,” “apologize,” and “donate.” BTS’s positivity-negativity analysis revealed a score of 69.05 percent positive reactions.
NCT rose to second place in this month’s rankings with a brand reputation index of 2,674,099, marking a 17.38 percent increase in their score since May.
Finally, EXO held onto their spot at a close third with a brand reputation index of 2,611,909 for June.
Due to ongoing concerns over the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic, Coachella will be cancelled this year.
Previously, BIGBANG and Epik High were both announced in the lineup of performers to take the stage at the popular U.S. music festival. The event was supposed to take place in April, but it was eventually postponed until October.
However, it has now been decided that Coachella will not take place at all this year. Cameron Kaiser, a public health official in Riverside County where the events would have taken place, said, “I am concerned as indications grow that COVID-19 could worsen in the fall. Given the projected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward. These decisions are not taken lightly with the knowledge that many people will be impacted. My first priority is the health of the community.”
According to Johns Hopkins University, the United States has now recorded more than 2 million COVID-19 cases.
While tattoos are still technically frowned upon by some in Korean society, many K-pop idols have chosen to break from the norms and ink their bodies. Tattoos are just another form of self-expression, and there are lots of idols whose tattoos hold deep significance. Without further ado, here are just 10 of them!
1. AOA’s Jimin
AOA’s leader and rap genius has tons of tattoos, both large and small. She has ELVIS, the name of AOA’s fanbase, tattooed on her fingers, and a joint tattoo with fellow AOA member Seolhyun that reads “mate” to symbolize their everlasting friendship. However, she says that her most meaningful one is an image of her childhood toy that she always carried, which is now always with her in the form of a tattoo.
Another group leader with an affinity for tattoos, Zico has numerous tattoos all over his body and isn’t shy about showing them off. One of his most meaningful tattoos is on his upper left arm, and is a yellow ribbon that represents the Sewol Ferry disaster. Over 300 people died as a result of the ferry sinking, including a Block B fan. Zico had the ribbon tattooed to memorialize the victims of the disaster and as a reminder to always be better.
Soojin has had tattoos even since before (G)I-DLE’s debut, and her collection just keeps growing! In addition to an adorable heart-shaped friendship tattoo, main dancer Soojin has a meaningful tattoo along the back of her left arm that reads “self love is the best love.” She’s struggled with hate from netizens in the past, so it’s likely that the tattoo holds a very special meaning for this shy and sweet idol. The statement speaks for itself!
Jinhwan of iKON also has a fair number of tattoos to his name, but he’s been pretty mysterious about them – keeping fans guessing. He’s always adding to his ink, but perhaps one of the most memorable (and beautiful!) tattoos he has is the French phrase “renaitre de ses cendres,” which means to rise or be reborn from the ashes. It’s definitely a powerful statement, but only Jinhwan knows the real meaning it holds for him.
Multi-talented soloist queen HyunA is well-known for her spunky and sexy stage presence, and her colorful variety of tattoos definitely adds to her image. Despite her carefree persona, the star is very thoughtful with her family, friends, and fans. She’s clearly got a lot of love to give, and she even got her love for her mother tattooed on her body – the text inked on her upper back reads “my mother is the heart that keeps me alive.” How sweet!
EXO’s happy virus Chanyeol has always been very outspoken about his love for the group’s fans, but he really took his dedication to the next level. He has “L-1485” tattooed on his wrist, representing the date that the EXO-L fanbase was established: August 5, 2014. Chanyeol fully revealed the tattoo at a concert, saying to the audience that “all of you will always be a part of my body until the day I die.” You really can’t deny how much he loves his fans!
Moonbyul, the main rapper of MAMAMOO, has a couple of tattoos – and they all hold special meanings to her. The outline of her family members inked on her arm is particularly memorable, and represents the importance of her family in her life. However, the timeline of significant moments in her life that is tattooed above her ankle is perhaps the most meaningful. Her date of birth, the group’s debut date, and the date she started to work for her dreams are all represented.
Johnny had NCTzens dying to know if the cute little sunflower tattooed on the inner part of his arm was real or not during NCT 127’s recent online concert, and Johnny didn’t leave the fans hanging – he revealed in an iHeart Radio interview that the tattoo is, in fact, real, and that it’s more than just a pretty picture. Sunflowers always turn to face the sun, so Johnny tattooed the flower on his arm as a reminder to stay positive and keep moving towards the light.
Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation has a number of small and delicate tattoos that she regularly shows off on her Instagram. The clean and simple appearance of the ink matches her elegant aesthetic, and many of them hold significance as well. The one above her right elbow reads “serenity,” with the TY (her initials) emphasized. The English word has a very similar meaning to her Korean name, and definitely seems to fit her sweet personality.
K-pop icon and artistic genius G-Dragon has acquired many tattoos over the course of his career, forming a sort of life journal inked on his skin. The red heart tattooed on his forearm holds perhaps the most significant meaning; inspired by the work of American graffiti artist Keith Haring, the tattoo is associated with causes of social activism including support for the LGBTQ+ community, opposition of nuclear warfare, and ending racism.
Do any of your favorite Korean stars have tattoos with a special meaning? Let us know in the comments!
As part of the call for an end to violence and systemic racism towards the black community, the Blackout Tuesday campaign (also known as #TheShowMustBePaused) was started by music industry executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang as a way to symbolically take a pause, stand in solidarity with the community, reflect, and find ways to help the movement.
Many stars have joined in the event on social media to show their support, while others continue to express their thoughts and share their donations for the Black Lives Matter movement.
BTOB’s Eunkwang posted on Instagram with the #blackouttuesday tag and wrote, “We are all people who breathe the same air under the same sky. I earnestly pray that everyone will feel the same.”
Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany posted with links to organizations people can support, explaining that she plans to donate to them after Black Out Tuesday.
A post shared by Tiffany Young (@tiffanyyoungofficial) on
B.A.P’s Jongup wrote on Instagram, “I understand that I will never understand. But I will see you, hear you, mourn with you, and I will fight for you. #blacklivesmatter,” and he shared a link to more information about the Black Lives Matter movement in Korean. He also showed a receipt for a donation he made to the Black Lives Matter Global Network.
CLC’s Sorn wrote, “Hello everybody, I’ve been taking some time to learn about everything that is happening in the world right now, and it is time for all of us to speak out and make sure that we are heard for the greater good of the world. Let’s stand together and keep using our voices to promote equality and make change happen finally. All lives do not matter until black lives matter. There is only one human race.”
The band 2Z posted a photo of themselves kneeling, and they wrote in the caption, “No racism. No violence. We want peace. #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #icantbreathe.”
Heize shared in her Instagram stories that she made a donation to Black Lives Matter Global Network.
KARD’s Somin posted the Korean illustrated story about George Floyd’s death (also previously posted by Jiwoo) that has been shared to explain the story behind the movement, and she also posted a link to the Black Lives Matter Carrd.
Jessica wrote, “It saddens me. In taking a moment to reflect on and realizing, as a society, how much we still have yet to go: I’m at a loss for words. My hope is that we unite as people of the world to overcome injustice and inequality, putting aside our differences for a change. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” – MLK. #WeCanDoBetter #blackouttuesday.” She also added the Black Lives Matter Carrd to her bio.
#TheShowMustBePaused#BlacklivesMatter Mont will be joining the Black Tuesday Movement on June 2nd today supporting everyone who has suffered from racism and violence
Mont will always be there for you.
Todays moonlight vlive will be canceled and will continue again next week.
As part of the call for an end to violence and systemic racism towards the black community, the Blackout Tuesday campaign (also known as #TheShowMustBePaused) was started by music industry executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang as a way to symbolically take a pause, stand in solidarity with the community, reflect, and find ways to help the movement.
Many stars have joined in the event on social media to show their support, while others continue to express their thoughts and share their donations for the Black Lives Matter movement.
BTOB’s Eunkwang posted on Instagram with the #blackouttuesday tag and wrote, “We are all people who breathe the same air under the same sky. I earnestly pray that everyone will feel the same.”
Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany posted with links to organizations people can support, explaining that she plans to donate to them after Black Out Tuesday.
A post shared by Tiffany Young (@tiffanyyoungofficial) on
B.A.P’s Jongup wrote on Instagram, “I understand that I will never understand. But I will see you, hear you, mourn with you, and I will fight for you. #blacklivesmatter,” and he shared a link to more information about the Black Lives Matter movement in Korean. He also showed a receipt for a donation he made to the Black Lives Matter Global Network.
CLC’s Sorn wrote, “Hello everybody, I’ve been taking some time to learn about everything that is happening in the world right now, and it is time for all of us to speak out and make sure that we are heard for the greater good of the world. Let’s stand together and keep using our voices to promote equality and make change happen finally. All lives do not matter until black lives matter. There is only one human race.”
The band 2Z posted a photo of themselves kneeling, and they wrote in the caption, “No racism. No violence. We want peace. #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #icantbreathe.”
Heize shared in her Instagram stories that she made a donation to Black Lives Matter Global Network.
KARD’s Somin posted the Korean illustrated story about George Floyd’s death (also previously posted by Jiwoo) that has been shared to explain the story behind the movement, and she also posted a link to the Black Lives Matter Carrd.
Jessica wrote, “It saddens me. In taking a moment to reflect on and realizing, as a society, how much we still have yet to go: I’m at a loss for words. My hope is that we unite as people of the world to overcome injustice and inequality, putting aside our differences for a change. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” – MLK. #WeCanDoBetter #blackouttuesday.” She also added the Black Lives Matter Carrd to her bio.
#TheShowMustBePaused#BlacklivesMatter Mont will be joining the Black Tuesday Movement on June 2nd today supporting everyone who has suffered from racism and violence
Mont will always be there for you.
Todays moonlight vlive will be canceled and will continue again next week.
BIGBANG’s “BANG BANG BANG” MV has reached a new milestone!
The group’s music video for their hit “BANG BANG BANG” was released on June 1, 2015 as the second single in their “MADE” series.
On June 2 KST, “BANG BANG BANG” reached 450 million views, only a day after the fifth anniversary of its release! It is now BIGBANG’s first music video to achieve the feat.
BIGBANG’s Taeyang talked about getting through a slump, while his groupmate G-Dragon described how he’s changed as an artist.
On May 28, the fourth episode of Taeyang’s documentary “White Night” was released, and it features him on his solo “White Night” world tour.
Taeyang talked about a time when he was struggling and considered quitting his career. He said, “Honestly, at that time I didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t want to be a singer; even with music, I didn’t want to keep doing music that way. The reason I felt that way was…”
After the episode’s opening title, Taeyang continued, “After BIGBANG would come my solo activities. And after I was done with my solo, BIGBANG would make a comeback. I was constantly being pushed one way, so I was doing very badly mentally.”
He went on to say, “But at the same time, I can’t say I have regrets about that time, because it was a period for me to learn and think about how I should work and how I should treat people, and for me to understand what’s more important in life. I thought a lot and learned, and I found answers. If it weren’t for that time, I don’t think I would be who I am today.”
The episode went on to include fellow musicians talking about Taeyang. One of those artists was G-Dragon, who said, “Taeyang would always say that he wants to pursue the type of music he wants to do. The type of music he always wanted to do. If in the past he wanted to show how hard he tries, I think he’s now relaxed and tries to interpret all his songs and stage his performances in his own way, a bit more like a true artist.”
The documentary also showcased clips of Taeyang interacting with his fans and showing his gratitude for their support. This included a stop in Los Angeles when he welcomed YouTuber Ysabelle Cuevas on stage with him after seeing her cover online, and the “White Night” documentary shared footage of them backstage.
Check out the full episode with English subtitles below!
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual idols!
The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of 1,332 idols, using big data collected from April 23 to May 23.
BTS’s Jimin maintained his position at the top of the list this month with a brand reputation index of 7,730,300. High-ranking phrases in his keyword analysis included “Filter,” “ARMY,” and “album,” while his highest-ranking related terms included “surpass,” “record,” and “heartwarming.” Jimin’s positivity-negativity analysis revealed a score of 86.06 percent positive reactions.
BTS’ Suga shot to second place on the list after seeing an impressive 115.49 percent increase in his score since last month. Suga’s total brand reputation index came out to 6,128,317 for May.
Finally, EXO’s Baekhyun rose to third place in the rankings with a brand reputation index of 5,619,532, marking a 72.78 percent rise in his score since April.
Kim Min Joon tied the knot with Dami Kwon last October and is currently gearing up to star opposite Song Ji Hyo in a new JTBC romance drama. Meanwhile, after being discharged from the military last fall, G-Dragon recently renewed his contract with his longtime agency YG Entertainment.
Dating rumors surrounding BIGBANG’s T.O.P and Kim Ga Bin have surfaced online, and YG Entertainment has responded.
On May 20, Chinese media outlet Sina reported that T.O.P was in a relationship with Kim Ga Bin, who appeared on Mnet’s romance reality show “Love Catcher 2” last year. Sina’s report shows a photo of T.O.P smiling with his arms around Kim Ga Bin’s shoulders. The photo had been uploaded onto Kim Ga Bin’s Instagram account and deleted. The report also includes photos of Kim Ga Bin taken in a room with an ocean view that she uploaded on her Instagram account, alongside photos of a similar ocean view that T.O.P had uploaded to his own account. It was also pointed out that the two appear to own pajamas of the same design.
Following the report, a source from T.O.P’s agency YG Entertainment stated to Newsen, “We cannot confirm the details of our artist’s personal life. We ask for your understanding.”
Meanwhile, Kim Ga Bin signed with SM C&C and announced plans to promote as an actress in February.
Dating rumors surrounding BIGBANG’s T.O.P and Kim Ga Bin have surfaced online, and YG Entertainment has responded.
On May 20, Chinese media outlet Sina reported that T.O.P was in a relationship with Kim Ga Bin, who appeared on Mnet’s romance reality show “Love Catcher 2” last year. Sina’s report shows a photo of T.O.P smiling with his arms around Kim Ga Bin’s shoulders. The photo had been uploaded onto Kim Ga Bin’s Instagram account and deleted.
The report also includes photos of Kim Ga Bin taken in a room with an ocean view that she uploaded on her Instagram account, alongside photos of a similar ocean view that T.O.P had uploaded to his own account. It was also pointed out that the two appear to own pajamas of the same design.
Following the report, a source from T.O.P’s agency YG Entertainment stated to Newsen, “We cannot confirm the details of our artist’s personal life. We ask for your understanding.”
Meanwhile, Kim Ga Bin signed with SM C&C and announced plans to promote as an actress in February.
[뉴스1=고승아 기자] G-DRAGON and T.O.P of group BIGBANG congratulated TAEYANG’s birthday.
On May 19, G-DRAGON uploaded a photo on his social media account with a heart emoji.
The uploaded photo showed TAEYANG and G-DRAGON being active as unit group ‘GD X TAEYANG’ with their song ‘GOOD BOY’, back in 2014.
It seems that G-DRAGON has made the post to congratulate TAEYANG’s birthday, which was May 18th. T.O.P also captured G-DRAGON’s post and uploaded it on his own social media account with an additional heart emoji to reveal his friendship towards the members.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG renewed their contract with YG Entertainment for the third time back in March.
May 18, the first episode of Taeyang’s documentary “White Night” was unveiled through BIGBANG’s and Taeyang’s official YouTube channels.
The episode features footage of Taeyang from before the release of his third studio album “WHITE NIGHT” in 2017.
Fellow BIGBANG members and staff members talked about Taeyang, saying, “He is very clear on his own opinions and views, but he’s also very considerate of others,” “He always has an optimistic point of view,” and “He’s so human.”
On what values he’s pursuing as a person and artist, Taeyang said, “I have to always progress. I need to people to see me as my real self. That’s ultimately the reason why I make music, and why I make art.”
People close to Taeyang further commented on the singer. His old friend and colleague said, “He’s an open person, and he always works hard. It’s great seeing how he never changes.” One bodyguard said, “[Taeyang] is a model person. He’s up early in the morning and is out and about at the same time.” Taeyang’s tour manager added, “I could clearly see how he takes care of the production staff, dancers, and the band [on tour], and it made feel just how good of person he is.”
On the day of his album release, Taeyang said, “I’ve decided to leave everything to the heavens.” He shyly added, “This is the first time I’ve been this nervous.”
When asked if he has a prediction for chart performance, he said he doesn’t know and commented, “I just hope that the results are as great as the process. More than anything, I hope the people that I worked with are happy.”
People around Taeyang gave further testimony on his work ethic, saying, “When he starts on a project, he’s focused 24 hours a day,” and “When people see how hard he works, they push themselves to do better.”
Taeyang said, “Whenever I release an album, I treat it like it’s my last. I’m a realistic person. I always think it could be my last.”
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual boy group members!
The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, communication, and community awareness indexes of 630 boy group members, using big data collected from April 14 to May 15.
BTS’s Jimin topped the list for the 17th consecutive month with a brand reputation index of 7,496,181. High-ranking phrases in his keyword analysis included “Lie,” “Filter,” and “ARMY,” while his highest-ranking related terms included “perfect,” “join,” and “reveal.” Jimin’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 80.83 percent positive reactions.
EXO’s Baekhyun rose to second place in the rankings this month, scoring a total brand reputation index of 5,608,321 for May.
Finally, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo took third place with a brand reputation index of 5,406,125, marking an impressive 78.15 percent increase in his score since April.
K-pop is a music genre that welcomes and encapsulates all other genres within. Aside from Korean rock bands like Nell and Hyukoh, K-pop/rock groups such as DAY6 and CNBLUE, and idol groups known to have mastered the rock genre like DreamCatcher (to name a few), some other idols — soloists and groups — have experimented with rock.
To look more in-depth into their versatility, here is a list of K-pop artists who gave rock a try (and rocked it!).
1. Kim Heechul (ft. TRAX’s Jung Mo Kim) – “Close Ur Mouth”
Kim Heechul paired up with TRAX’s Kim Jung Mo to form “M&D,” which stands for “Midnight and Dawn.” The duo picked rock as their signature style and released a fair share of songs where they showed off their talent. To take you back to where it all started, check out their first-ever single “Close Ur Mouth,” composed and played by Jung Mo and written and performed by Heechul.
2. Younha – “Dark Cloud”
Younha is no stranger to rock. Her music is heavily influenced by the genre that her signature sound is a mix of piano rock and modern ballads that she has carried with her since debut. This following sweet tune would appeal to ballad and rock lovers alike.
Another idol to bring back laid-back rock music to the table is Suho in his debut release as a solo artist. In his title track “Let’s Love,” he sends us on an emotional journey through warm lyrics that perfectly match the slow-tempo instrumental.
G-Dragon has explored many concepts throughout the years, and rock is no exception. In fact, “Crooked” from his album “Coup D’Etat” happens to be one of his most memorable releases. The single embodies a pop-ish punk rock sound that is vividly represented through the lyrics, the instrumentals, and the visual performance.
5. INFINITE’s Sunggyu – “60 Sec”
Sunggyu’s story with rock started way before he became an idol. When he was in high school, he was part of a rock band called Coma Beat. Later, he auditioned in the hopes of becoming a rock singer but he ended up being signed as an idol. Nonetheless, Sunggyu’s passion lived as he finally got to make his dream come true via his solo debut “60 sec,” where he got to become one with his favorite genre.
Hyunsik is yet another group member who chose to venture into rock music as a solo artist. Infused with an indie vibe, this is the perfect combination for fans who appreciate both genres. The sentimental track sends listeners on an emotional rollercoaster while being serenaded by the mellow beat.
Throwback to BTS’s early years during the “Skool” trilogy era, where they made quite an explosive comeback with their promising hit “Boy In Luv.” The septet stays true to their musical identity, as they usually fuse genres just like they did with hip hop and rock in this track. Combine these two with a powerful performance and a rebellious attitude, and you get yourself quite the rock show!
8. JJ Project – “Tomorrow, Today”
If you ever want to host a rock-themed concert during a long drive, you definitely want “Tomorrow, Today” on your playlist. The drum intro alone beautifully encapsulates the genre, followed by the inspiring lyrics co-written by Jinyoung and JB. Adding their smooth vocals to the mix makes this duet a soft rock song that is simply perfect for field trip days.
Before WINNER came to be and Kang Seung Yoon became their leader, he briefly debuted as a soloist in 2013. He integrated rock in his early releases, namely “Wild and Young,” which literally screams rock n’ roll. This genre fits perfectly with Seung Yoon’s strong vocals and matches his wild and young aura. Enjoy the nostalgia!
10. B.A.P – “Bang X2”
B.A.P has always been known for their energetic and fiery style, and they have delivered again. Co-written by Bang Yong Guk, this song adopts a typical rock concept and invites the audience to party hard rock star-style and to keep their worries behind.
Pentagon has given us a taste of many genres throughout their music releases, and incorporating rock was only a matter of time. Behind the cheerful spring vibe lies a fun, alternative rock melody that was composed by Kino. It goes without saying that this song is set to get you on your feet and jam to it carefree!
What other K-pop idols have pulled off the rock genre? Let us know in the comments below!
Esmee L. is a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast.
K-pop is a music genre that welcomes and encapsulates all other genres within. Aside from Korean rock bands like Nell and Hyukoh as well as K-pop/rock groups such as DAY6 and CNBLUE to name a few, some other idols — soloists and groups — have experimented with rock.
To look more in-depth into their versatility, here is a list of K-pop artists who gave rock a try (and rocked it!).
1. Kim Heechul (ft. TRAX’s Jung Mo Kim) – “Close Ur Mouth”
Kim Heechul paired up with TRAX’s Kim Jung Mo to form “M&D,” which stands for “Midnight and Dawn.” The duo picked rock as their signature style and released a fair share of songs where they showed off their talent. To take you back to where it all started, check out their first-ever single “Close Ur Mouth,” composed and played by Jung Mo and written and performed by Heechul.
2. Younha – “Dark Cloud”
Younha is no stranger to rock. Her music is heavily influenced by the genre that her signature sound is a mix of piano rock and modern ballads that she has carried with her since debut. This following sweet tune would appeal to ballad and rock lovers alike.
Another idol to bring back laid-back rock music to the table is Suho in his debut release as a solo artist. In his title track “Let’s Love,” he sends us on an emotional journey through warm lyrics that perfectly match the slow-tempo instrumental.
G-Dragon has explored many concepts throughout the years, and rock is no exception. In fact, “Crooked” from his album “Coup D’Etat” happens to be one of his most memorable releases. The single embodies a pop-ish punk rock sound that is vividly represented through the lyrics, the instrumentals, and the visual performance.
5. INFINITE’s Sunggyu – “60 Sec”
Sunggyu’s story with rock started way before he became an idol. When he was in high school, he was part of a rock band called Coma Beat. Later, he auditioned in the hopes of becoming a rock singer but he ended up being signed as an idol. Nonetheless, Sunggyu’s passion lived as he finally got to make his dream come true via his solo debut “60 sec,” where he got to become one with his favorite genre.
Hyunsik is yet another group member who chose to venture into rock music as a solo artist. Infused with an indie vibe, this is the perfect combination for fans who appreciate both genres. The sentimental track sends listeners on an emotional rollercoaster while being serenaded by the mellow beat.
Throwback to BTS’s early years during the “Skool” trilogy era, where they made quite an explosive comeback with their promising hit “Boy In Luv.” The septet stays true to their musical identity, as they usually fuse genres just like they did with hip hop and rock in this track. Combine these two with a powerful performance and a rebellious attitude, and you get yourself quite the rock show!
8. JJ Project – “Tomorrow, Today”
If you ever want to host a rock-themed concert during a long drive, you definitely want “Tomorrow, Today” on your playlist. The drum intro alone beautifully encapsulates the genre, followed by the inspiring lyrics co-written by Jinyoung and JB. Adding their smooth vocals to the mix makes this duet a soft rock song that is simply perfect for field trip days.
Before WINNER came to be and Kang Seung Yoon became their leader, he briefly debuted as a soloist in 2013. He integrated rock in his early releases, namely “Wild and Young,” which literally screams rock n’ roll. This genre fits perfectly with Seung Yoon’s strong vocals and matches his wild and young aura. Enjoy the nostalgia!
10. B.A.P – “Bang X2”
B.A.P has always been known for their energetic and fiery style, and they have delivered again. Co-written by Bang Yong Guk, this song adopts a typical rock concept and invites the audience to party hard rock star-style and to keep their worries behind.
Pentagon has given us a taste of many genres throughout their music releases, and incorporating rock was only a matter of time. Behind the cheerful spring vibe lies a fun, alternative rock melody that was composed by Kino. It goes without saying that this song is set to get you on your feet and jam to it carefree!
What other K-pop idols have pulled off the rock genre? Let us know in the comments below!
Esmee L. is a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast.
BIGBANG’s Taeyang’s has shared an exciting sneak peek of his upcoming documentary series!
On May 14, Taeyang’s first solo documentary “White Night,” which will follow the singer over 215 days in the time leading up to his military enlistment, released a trailer ahead of its premiere. The upcoming documentary will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the production and release of Taeyang’s 2017 solo album “White Night,” his ensuing solo world tour, and his marriage to actress Min Hyo Rin.
The newly released trailer begins with Taeyang declaring his desire to keep working and growing as an artist, followed by those around the singer describing his passion for music and impressive work ethic. The clip also gives viewers a glimpse of other sides of the star, like his love of food and his outspoken personality—as well as a frightening incident in which he was injured during his world tour.
Taeyang also talks about why he decided to marry his wife Min Hyo Rin, remarking, “Even now, she’s the only person who continues to change me as a person. And I think those changes always make me into a better, more fully-formed person. So I thought, ‘Ah, I need to spend the rest of my life together with this person.'”
He ends the trailer by remarking, “Rather than saying that I want people to recognize and see my true self, I just think it’d be good to naturally let them see who I am as a person. In a way, that’s a goal I want to achieve.”
“White Night” will premiere on May 18 at 7 p.m. KST. In the meantime, watch the full trailer for the documentary with English subtitles below!
