This Week in Kpop: October 11-17, 2015

This Week in Kpop may just shock you when we tell you that BTOB is the real deal! Don't believe us? Well, you haven't even heard our reasons yet, so that's rude! But anyway, we're here to prove you wrong. Let's get started!

BTOB is Way Back Home!

And they haven't even been gone too long! This summer's "It's Okay" was a smooth R&B classic with a plot-heavy (sometimes ridiculous) ultimately uplifting music video. Many fandoms decry their respective idols' underrated state, but no group may have more of a claim on this title than BTOB, in the era of groups like BTS and Exo and VIXX, BTOB can fulfill their own niche of this new Boy Band era, with excellent releases like "Beep Beep..."

Or the ridiculous "You're so Fly" here:

Or how about the amazing "Wow" which is just...wow?

So what is that niche? While they started with more traditional extra poppy boy band releases like "Insane," they've recently shifted their focus, slowing their tempo down considerably. They've released songs like this week's "Way Back Home," another smooth, soft pop single that may not light up the charts, but serves well as a counterpart to the "harder" hip hop turn that groups like Block B and BTS are shepherding. We're talking silky smooth vocals here.

Even the music video is longer than most, as BTOB practices their acting chops with this eight minute tale that degenerates, somehow, into a free-for-all brawl. Which is to say that we had to watch "Way Back Home" (without the benefit of understanding Korean) multiple times to get an idea with what was happening. But maybe that's part of BTOB's new charm - they require you to work a bit more, to pay attention a little longer - their soft tracks may not hook you immediately, aren't flashy in the least, but give them time and, as we so often say, listen harder. The rewards will be plentiful (TRUST US).

Twice Teased

Just about all year we've been waiting for the killer girl group debut, and while we've been impressed with the likes of G-Friend, Sonamoo, and, recently, Oh My Girl, there wasn't a real girl group that has truly captured our attention, or our hearts. But could that girl group finally arrive with the likes of Twice? We've been teased all week with pics, videos of the individual members, and now an instrumental track list, which just shows how invested JYP is into this group's success (a built-in fandom won over by his Sixteen reality show sure will help). The video, as we are led to believe by all the various teasers, will also feature zombie, which seems to have worked out for 4Minute and T-ara.

Fingers. Crossed.

Mamamoo Knows How to take a Break!

Speaking of rookies, 2014 rookies Mamamoo are showing just what to do in between major releases! You don't hide a group away for a year right when they build momentum (cough*AKMU*cough), you have them do OST's, like the stunning Solar here (cough*BIAS*cough) or feature Moonbyul in collaborations with singers like U Sung Eun. Mamamoo has already had an amazing 2015, but while they take a break between releases it's smart they remain active and present, building their fanbase further and further. Just saying.

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 7: Obsession

This week Tim and Zander continued their Guy's Night In with a look at obsessions. Why do we love what we love? We take a look at one of our favorite music video's ever, NS Yoon-G's "I Got You," as we try to unravel this mystery! You can take the journey with us here!

October 11-17, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! Still don't believe BTOB is the real deal? Think Twice is going to bomb? Let us know in the comments! Until next week, have fun and be safe!

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 7: Obsession

On today's episode, it's another guys' night in! This time, Tim an Zander focus their attention (and their mental faculties) on one song: "I Got You" by NS Yoon-G. Obsession is the operative word, and it's something that every Kpop fan deals with at some point or another. So sit back, relax, and listen as Tim and Zander analyze a single song as a metaphor for the much larger Kpop world. Be sure to check out the music video for "I Got You," too!

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 7 by Critical Kpop on Mixcloud

You can subscribe to the Critical Kpop Podcast on iTunes, or check this and future episodes out at www.mixcloud.com/CriticalKpop. You can expect a healthy serving of news, reviews, and critical analysis in every episode. The Critical Kpop Podcast is the only podcast that invites you to LISTEN HARDER.

This Week in Kpop: October 4-10, 2015

This Week in Kpop was a ray of sunshine in these dreary fall days, friends. Topped by the delightful return by Kpop's own Akdong Musician. Sure, it may seem like a cruel tease, but this special video was just what the doctor ordered! But enough with the introductions! Let's get started already!

AKMU Returns! 

Sometimes you don't realize how much you've missed someone, until they've returned. With Akdong Musician's special video commemorating "Hangul Day" the first real sign of them all year, we're seeing now just how much Kpop needs the sibling duo. Their incredible debut album, Play, was released in April of last year (AKMU won our rookies of the year for 2014), so when you really think about it, it's not entirely unreasonable that they haven't released a new song immediately after their tour de force.

If they were, say, American idols, they'd probably still be promoting from that very first album, and there would be no expectation of new releases for years. But Kpop, as we know, is a different beast with a far different cycle, and even though it's unreasonable to expect a new album every year, to not use Akdong Musician in even cameos or collaborations, just to build on their killer momentum, is something close to a crime.

Remember Hi Suhyun?

Of course you do. Suhyun and poor, forgotten Lee Hi's subgroup was pure gold and a perfect follow up after Akdong Musician's early success. We know that YG is notorious for taking their time with their artists, but why not have another subgroup release, with Hi Suhyun or maybe a different one featuring Chanhyuk, carefully placed between Big Bang releases? Just look at the year SM is having compared with YG. When was the last time SM didn't have a major release circling music shows? They're throwing every artist they have out there. We know that Big Bang's MADE is a special circumstance, but did it really have to be at the expense of the rest of their lineup?

But ANYWAY, we're just happy that we're getting a special release here, because better late than never, right? There's really nothing like AKMU (in popular Korean music), and their bright energy and playfully raw personalities give an authenticity (or, at least, the illusion of authenticity) to their releases that are irresistible. It helps that this song, even at a brief two minutes and some change, is a fun, energetic jam, just special enough to give us that extra push to the final months of 2015.

Clash of the Girl Groups: Oh My Girl vs. Melody Day

Okay, okay, we're not making these two girl groups clash - we just wanted to call attention to two groups that you maybe haven't heard of yet. We're especially impressed with Oh My Girls' "Closer," which is just a beautiful song, but was paired with a visually stunning, fairy tale-esque music video. Their debut release, "Cupid" was more standard fare, but was another great song, so maybe it's safe to say that Oh My Girls is the real deal here.

And what about Melody Day, who debut in 2014? Well, they've had a solid 2015 too. Did you hear/see "#LoveMe?" We even missed it when it first came out, but now it's our groove. "Speed Up" doesn't reinvent the wheel here, but is a fun song with a catchy hook. So, yes. They're the real deal too.

Lil Boi and Basick's "Call Me" (featuring Hwa Sa)

Talk about jams and real deals! Lil Boi, Basick, and Hwa Sa shine here with a release that will cause you to jump out of your proverbial seats. We're loving that Mamamoo's Hwa Sa is a part of this collaboration, as her sultry voice really makes the chorus pop. What else is there to say? Just watch this already!

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 6: Guys' Night In

"But wait," you're saying, "Why haven't they discussed Taeyeon's solo debut? What type of hacks are these Critical Kpoppers anyway? More like Critical K-Crap!" Well, first of all, calm down. Stop being so quick to judge! Second of all, we've talked about Taeyeon's release extensively already - in the return of the Critical Kpop Podcast. She's not the only release we tackle, friends, as our Guys' Night In covers a wide range of topics, from Ailee to iKon. Why not take a listen right here? 

October 4-10, 2015 

And that was This Week in Kpop! Are you as happy as we are for getting more AKMU? Or are we getting too worked up over a two minute special video? We can't help what we feel, but we'd love to get your take! We'll be back next week, but until then - have fun and be safe! 

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 6: Guys' Night In

On today's episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast, it's guys' night in! Join Tim and Zander as they pop open a beer and discuss which "buttons" a debut solo release should push, comparing Taeyeon with Goo Hara and Amber. Also reviewed is new music from Ailee and iKon. And who has had a better year: YG or SM? Listen and find out!

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 6 by Critical Kpop on Mixcloud

You can subscribe to the Critical Kpop Podcast on iTunes, or check this and future episodes out at www.mixcloud.com/CriticalKpop. You can expect a healthy serving of news, reviews, and critical analysis in every episode. The Critical Kpop Podcast is the only podcast that invites you to LISTEN HARDER.

This Week in Kpop: September 27-October 3, 2015

This Week in Kpop is LOADED. There's just TOO MUCH KPOP for This Week in Kpop! We don't even know where to begin, so we'll begin with a tease and a queen...

Taeyeon Teases!

Of course we have to start with Taeyeon here. The Queen Bee of the ultimate Kpop Queens, Taeyeon is finally going to get her solo release. It's a long time coming. A long, long time. Fans have wanted Taeyeon to branch off on her own for so long that Taeyeon may have inadvertently stole much of Amber's thunder when she was featured on "Shake that Brass." But with a voice like Taeyon has, the glamour, and the undeniable (unavoidable) presence she exudes (she only sings for what - twenty seconds in "Shake that Brass?"), Taeyeon is at risk of overshadowing just about anyone.

So what happens when she gets her own release? Tears of joy? Certainly, from her legions of fans. But we're hoping for something more in the lines of Taemin's solo release last year, something that will really let loose a side of Taeyeon that maybe we're not as familiar with, instead of the quieter, more bland (sorry/not sorry) release from Amber earlier this year.

The teaser gives no indication of what direction this release will go, except for the possibly of some retro-looking film cut with beautiful closeups. But we're expecting big things, because how much bigger can you get than Taeyeon?

GOT7's Big Year

How great of a year is GOT7 having? "Just Right" was just what we needed after experiencing increasingly vapid and visual-conscious releases all year - while also being catchy, addictive pop. So what do you release after alternatively slaying and emotionally sucker punching their fans? "If You Do," dummy! Where "Just Right" was uplifting and light (with an important message), "If You Do" is sleek and sexy, dark and lovelorn, with a ridiculous English interlude, the terrible girlfriend daring GOT7 to break up with them because, "I don't care," and "I'll just go to sleep."

In short, "If You Do" is more in line with a traditional Kpop release, and that is by no means a slur (we are a Kpop site, after all). It also helps that "If You Do" is just as good a song as "Just Right" (two sides of the same coin here), and we're loving the sharp, leg-centric choreography as they dance on ruined earth. You don't need us to declare that GOT7 is the real deal. But, LISTEN. GOT7 is the real deal.

Lovelyz' "Ah Choo"

Oh, Lovelyz. Only you could get away with having "Ah-Choo" in your chorus! This video has so much syrup that we almost drowned in sugar, but the song itself is enjoyable, and if you're into super sweetness, you'll love this. Even we have to admit that there are some cute vignettes in this video, though, again, we'll never quite understand this sphere of the Kpop world. We'd love to have someone write a comprehensive piece on the appeal here, so if you're itching to prove their greatness, feel free to send us a proposal for an article already! Goodness!

iKON Slays?

Now, this is what we're talking about! "RHYTHM TA" is more of the jam we were waiting for from iKON. While there are still some balance concerns between members, and a lot of comparisons to "Good Boy," this seems like a more exuberant release than the more sedated "My Type." iKON is just killing it on the charts, so maybe we're being too critical here? They are rookies, after all. That being said, even "Airplane" seems more soulful to us than "My Type," and we're glad that YG is rolling out these videos so we get a fuller picture of what iKON is all about (though we would have released "RHYTHM TA" first). There's no doubt about one thing: With YG's backing and support, and the talent they hold, they're going to be a huge Kpop group for years to come, friends.

Ailee is Back!

Ailee is back, but is she better than ever? We covered her in last week's quiet This Week in Kpop, and we wondered if she'd get the killer song that her talents deserve. And she does, kind of. We're still getting a "Don't Touch Me" vibe from "Mind Your Own Business," but no matter how you look at it, "Mind Your Own Business" is a far superior song and concept. The video, even though it doesn't go far beyond the standard "vengeful lover" Kpop trope, is a lot of fun, and Ailee shows a lot of personality here, especially when she doesn't quite pull off the badass she's trying to be (slinking into her carseat when the police arrive).

What the real gem here is "Insane," with a simple music video and an old school vibe. It probably won't get the hype of "Mind Your Own Business," used here as a peripheral release, but we're loving the simplicity here, both in song and video!

Don't Sign a Petition Against TGM. Register a Complaint.

You've heard about the disastrous events TGM Events has put on in America? Well, the real question is how can we hold them accountable? You can sign as many petitions as you want, but we have some ideas how we can hit TGM where it really hurts! You can check that out here.

MV of the Month: Red Velvet's "Dumb Dumb"

Your prayers are answered! Red Velvet gets our MV of the Month for September with "Dumb Dumb!" But how does it rise above all others? You can find that out right here!

September 27-October 3, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! We had a lot of releases that we rushed by, so probably missed some good points! Anything you want to add? Feel free! That's it for us - until next week! Until then, have fun and be safe!

Don’t Sign a Petition against TGM. Register a Complaint.

My heart goes out to all the Kpop fans out there who are pulling their hair out over TGM Entertainment’s handling of the BTS Highlight Tour, the Kim Tae Woo concert, or the Eric Nam tour (I'm one of them). I feel terrible for the bands who have been forced to disappoint some of their most loyal fans. And, frankly, I’m tired of TGM Entertainment getting away with it. It’s time to get up off our collective asses and do something. No, not sign a petition. It’s time to really do something.

Signing a petition isn’t a bad thing. It’s just not going to accomplish anything in this case. The problem with Change.org is that it is built on a model of swarm culture. Once a petition gains hundreds of thousands of signers, it typically garners enough media attention that the inequity they seek to address becomes politically burdensome to the organization in question. I’m sorry to say, but 10,500 signers (last checked October 2) is not going to register as even a blip on the radar. The story has been picked up by a few Kpop news sites, but it’s depressingly under-reported. Even if this petition manages to give TGM a black eye, it’s nothing that a successful marketing campaign couldn’t overturn in a matter of days. In this instance, Change.org isn’t going to bring any change.

There must be a better way. And there is! So sit right down in front of your computer and follow along with me. Step one. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB, while not perfect, has been mediating disputes between customers and businesses since 1912. The BBB should not be confused with a government agency; it doesn’t have the kind of power that many people assume. It is, however, very successful at mediating disputes and pressuring companies to practice honest business.

As of the writing of this article, TGM Entertainment is not yet in the BBB system (don’t worry, I added them). In the next few days, you should be able to search for TGM Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA (where they are registered), and file a complaint. In the meantime, if your search returns no results, you can still file a complaint here. You’ll need a bit of info about TGM. Here’s their business filing for the state of California.

Please note, I do not post this in any attempt to “dox” anyone. I condemn the practice of doxing or using any information to make another person fear for their safety. The information that I am posting is the actual business filing for a limited liability corporation.

The best email and website I can find for TGM are hello@tgmevents.com and http://tgmevents.com. The website is especially useless, but it’s good to include in any complaints.

So, after you’ve either selected TGM or added their info, list your complaint. Be as detailed as you can in your complaint, but do not put any personal info into the narrative description. After you submit your narrative, there will be an opportunity to release your order number, ticket purchase price, etc. to the BBB, should you choose. Make sure you save your BBB narrative, as you can reuse it in steps 2 and 3!

Okay, we filed complaint number one. Guess what’s next? Another complaint! This time, with the California Department of Consumer Affairs. This is actually the more important of the two so far, as this department does have the potential to revoke a license or penalize TGM in some way. File your complaint here. Use the same TGM info listed above, and complete the form. That simple.

Step 3. Guess what, it’s another complaint form! This time, we’re hitting up the State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General. In other words, the lawyers. This is specifically a consumer complaint against a business. Start your complaint here, and once again, fill out your info, TGM’s info, and copy and paste the narrative. And there you have it.

Straight talk, here. These steps are not guaranteed to produce results. I can’t promise that anyone will get their money back. But I can promise that the Better Business Bureau, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, and the State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General will all do everything in their power to resolve your issue with TGM Entertainment. At the very least, TGM will have three very powerful agencies knocking on their door asking for an explanation. That’s a lot more than I can promise with Change.org.

[Update: This article has been updated to correct the number of petitioners signed on Change.org.]

Zander Stachniak is a southern-born, Chicago-based writer who first discovered Kpop through ShoutCast Radio. His biases are f(x) and Block B.

MV of the Month: Red Velvet's 'Dumb Dumb'

Admit it. You know you can't get the song out of your head. Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb, Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb, Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb...

And that's just one of the reasons why Red Velvet's "Dumb Dumb" has received our coveted Music Video of the Month for September! Get out the cheese puffs! Trash the office! Red Velvet has finally arrived!

Make no mistake, "Dumb Dumb" is a pop fantasia. While the song is by no means a masterpiece, and some have even bemoaned "Dumb Dumb" as another messy SM release, what works for this song is that this chaos builds so beautifully and quickly that before you know it, Irene's rapping Michael Jackson song titles while billie jean is splashed on the screen. And, if you have a heart, you're loving it. And if you don't love it, listen to the song again. Watch the video again. If you still don't love it, we have to ask: Do you even have a heart?



Because "Dumb Dumb" might be a mess of a song, but it's a mess in the way that Pollock made a mess of the canvas. And yes, we're calling this pop art, and ten years from now, we'll stand by this. And still you doubt. Have you even seen the music video?

Take a still, just about any still, and you can frame it on your wall. It's not just the poses, those glamour shots. Red Velvet bursts with charisma and confidence even when they don't crack a smile. While "Happiness" impressed, and "Ice Cream Cake" blew so many people away (it didn't wow us, personally), amidst all of the mayhem of "Dumb Dumb," we feel like this is the first time we're truly seeing Red Velvet as the superstar idols that they're destined to be.

We're talking personality, friends. And this video is loaded with it.

And maybe, just maybe it started with Yeri joining the group? While we've been big Joy fans since Red Velvet's inception, and the group seemed fine with just four members. Yeri has brought a youthful energy and charisma that balances perfectly with the rest of the girls. In fact, we'd argue that her inclusion has shot that infusion of personality into the group, and not just because she has killer stares or can brighten a room with a wink.



But, really, it's not any one member that can be completely attributed with Red Velvet's rise. While our heart beats for Joy and everything that she does, Irene is a killer rapper, Wendy's energy is electric, and Seulgi is a bonafide dancing queen.

Everyone has a chance to shine here, and if anything is missing from this video it's more of the hyper-ecstatic choreography, but don't worry, we got you covered! WATCH NOW.

We haven't even discussed what the video may mean - probably because we have no idea! Everything with the robot girls and factory work reads like a meta-commentary of manufactured pop and the beleaguered "studio system." While that's all well and good and a theory that could fill pages and pages of your undergrad dissertation (let alone two or three articles here at Critical Kpop - which you can write and send to us, we need more writers already!), we somehow doubt that SM Entertainment would be so provocative, or self-aware enough to question their own means of production.

But...maybe?

Perhaps SM is saying something between the lines, and we would be the first to make that observation, but even if there's not a single cohesive narrative here or even an inkling of societal commentary, "Dumb Dumb" is a triumph. It's ecstatic, it's mesmerizing, and now we can finally say that Red Velvet's "Dumb Dumb" is our MV of the Month for September!