#akmu-commercials

[akmu-archives]

[240821] Adobe Creative Cloud Korea x AKMU CF

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-> Download Hi-res images from Google Drive

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Advertising Creatives

Commercial Films

[Variation 1] AKMU's imagination becomes reality! Generate your Imagination with Adobe (AKMU의 상상은 현실이 된다! Adobe와 함께 상상을 생성해봐)

[Variation 2] Chanhyuk Universe, Made with Dreams! Generate your Imagination with Adobe (꿈으로 만드는 찬혁 유니버스! Adobe와 함께 상상을 생성해봐)

[Variation 3] Suhyun Universe, Created from Imagination! Generate your Imagination with Adobe (상상으로 만드는 수현 유니버스! Adobe와 함께 상상을 생성해봐

[symeraid-s]

2022 Retrospective: Best Music Video

Kenshi Yonezu – KICK-BACK

This music video is just so random, that it’s almost perfection. There is so much weirdness going on and it somehow still manages to stay completely coherent. Like, of course, he’s working out. Of course, he gets jealous and wants to impress the cute guy in the gym. Of course, he steps back into the road and accidentally gets pelted by a truck. And of course, is the guy imaginary. The only nitpick I have with this video is that I can’t picture Kenshi Yonezu ever working out like this.

Changmin – Maniac

As a big lover of Hitchcock and Stephen King, I really appreciate the vibes of this video. The transitions are really fantastic, the way it’s filmed is really nice and Changmin is just the cherry on top. His expressions are just top tier, and he also gave me my reaction pic of the year with this video.

ONEW – DICE

This video is just so much fun, it’s like Onew incarnate. There are a lot of throwbacks to other SHINee and Solo music videos of them and I love that. And then there is Lemon Lady. The entire Shawol-dom immediately had a crush on her, and I completely support that. Lemon Lady is cute. I also lowkey ship her and Onew.

Kenshi Yonezu – POP SONG

Another Kenshi Yonezu video and it’s even more random than KICK-BACK. This was for a playstation commercial and though I can see why they choose the song, this music video is a fever dream. It’s the epitome of “I have no idea what I watched, but it was awesome”. Kenshi Yonezu also really rocks the dress, tights, fur jacket and pig tails look, which should be impossible. Yet he makes it look cool. It also makes me wanna steal his gender.

DPR IAN – SERAPH | 1 SHOT | MOOD | RIBBON | OFFICIAL MIITO MOVIE PART 1

Rolling Stone India named this the best Korean Music Video and honestly, they are not wrong. DPR IAN is an absolutely amazing artist, and his entire artistry is on full display here. The entire video is a display of his bipolar disorder and it’s simultaneously heart-breaking and hypnotising to watch. He manages to tell a story with four songs, that is completely cohesive and builds up to an almost terrifying climax. DPR IAN is also a fantastic actor.

Stray Kids – CASE 143

I’m not the biggest fan of this song and it’s still kinda jarring to me, that they actually sang a love song, but video made me smile so much. The transitions, as usual for them, are perfection, especially the little member jumps in the chorus. Where POP SONG is uncontrolled chaos, this is controlled chaos.

PURPLE KISS – Nerdy

Where memeM didn’t really use its Witch concept film to its full potential (or at all…) this one finally leans into it. But in a cute and funky way instead of a creepy one, which is rare. I also really love their expressions.

Lee Chanhyuk – Panorama

While I’d rather have an AKMU comeback than solos from them both, this is fine. The song is okay. The music video though is art. I think it might be about suicide and therapy, but I’m not sure. What I can say is that this is probably one of the best music videos to come out of YG. Chanhyuk really went all out for this, and I love his bizarre promotions he did so much.

MINHO – CHASE

This mini album was a really pleasant surprise to receive at the end of the year and I was rooting for a music video that shows of his acting and dancing so much. And we did get a music video that shows off his acting. It’s also beautifully shot and well directed. The only problem I have with it, was that I was really worried, that he was going to shoot himself at the end which would have been… weird all things considered. But hearing him talk and explain the music video and scene was really cool.

[convenience93]

IZ*ONE’s Jo Yuri, An Yujin & Jang Wonyoung: The Youngest Members Shining As Idols

Translated from the source:

https://realsound.jp/2019/11/post-447367_2.html

Starting from the oldest members, this series has been introducing each IZ*ONE member one by one but now, we have reached the final segment where we’ll introduce the three youngest members: Jo Yuri, An Yujin and Jang Wonyoung.

Born in 2001, Jo Yuri focused on learning and practising the piano until she was 13. However, her family’s financial situation made it difficult for her to continue pursuing the piano in a specialist school, so she switched routes to become a singer. The first idol survival show she participated in was Mnet’s Idol School. She ranked at 15th place and thus was unable to make her debut. Subsequently, she joined Stone Music Entertainment as a trainee. After 9 months of training, she participated in PRODUCE 48, clinched 3rd place, and became an IZ*ONE member.

Even though she is only in her teens, she is in charge of the main vocals of the group with her rich timbre and powerful vocals. Her vocals go more toward the neutral side, characterized for being slightly boyish instead of pretty and girly. This gives her voice a unique charm. Her singing and dancing skills have now grown tremendously compared to time she was on Idol School without an agency. She has even garnered praise from musicians renowned for their outstanding singing abilities such as Moon Heejoon and AKMU. On top of that, it is true that her dance skills may not stand out as much compared to members who are main dancers. Despite that, she is known to have a good sense of rhythm from her experience in learning instruments and having to act flexibly.

Personality wise, on one hand, she is a perfectionist that gets too fixated on her problems but on the other hand, she is also emotional and moved easily to tears. She is one of the members that the rest love to mess around with the most. As she is from Busan, she tends to speak in a distinct Gyeongsang dialect, and this according to Korean fans adds to her unique charm. On Idol School, she hid her dialect and spoke in Standard Korean as much as possible but ever since her debut, she began to make use of it in order to express her individuality and character.

Born in 2003, An Yujin, a Starship Entertainment representative who had been training for 1 year and 4 months, participated in PRODUCE 48 and debuted as a member. Before going on the show, she made many appearances in the MVs of the senior artists in her company such as in “Rain” by SISTAR’s Soyou &  EXO’s Baekhyun as well as “Oppa” by Yu Seungwoo and B1A4’s Sandeul among others.  She is known for her height and amazing proportions even within the group, and has experienced being a model for cosmetics commercials several times including one with ASTRO’s Eunwoo. 

Rather than excelling in a particular area, Yujin is described as an all-rounder idol with a high level of skills in many different areas as well as having good visuals. She tends to stand out in dances that make full use of her long and unconstrained limbs. She is also capable of coming up with her own choreography, and is acknowledged to be one of the best dancers in the group after Chaeyeon and Eunbi.

Personality wise, she is known as a cheerful beagle-dol (a term used for bright, loud and boisterous idols) that actively plays around with even the older members. While putting her height into consideration, the members have even likened her to a Golden Retriever. Among the members, she can be said to be the most outstanding in variety alongside Yena. According to Miyawaki Sakura, Yujin is like a “sun that radiates with energy”, making her a happy virus that is infectious even to her own fellow members.

Born in 2004, Jang Wonyoung is the youngest member of the group at the age of 15. Despite that, she clinched 1st place on PRODUCE48 and sat on the center seat while being the maknae or youngest participant of the show. Scouted on the streets, she was a trainee with Starship Entertainment for 1 year and 2 months prior to her participation in PRODUCE 48. Before debuting, she made an appearance in the MV for LOVE IT LIVE IT by YDPP who are from the same company as her. 

With her fresh, gorgeous looks and long limbs brought to life in performances, she is said to be one of the members who has the most outstanding idol qualities overall. She was even called a “Nobel Idol Prize” winner by Japanese fans. This is something that gets frequently cited in Korea too. Although she is the youngest, she looks like a grown-up with her tall stature especially when lined up alongside Yujin. Because of her appearance and tall stature, she can pull off performances even for songs looking to portray a mature female image as their concept.

On one hand, she may have an adult-like appearance, but her personality in comparison is characteristic of a youngest child. She doesn’t hold back when she is around the older members, and would let them pamper her while she charms them with her aegyo. She plays around with a child-like purity, and it is easy to tell how she is feeling because it shows on her face due to her innocence. In order to focus on her entertainment related activities, it was officially announced that she had withdrawn from her middle school in April this year and will take the qualification exams privately.

Currently, Mnet’s survival shows which incorporate audience participation through voting such as all the past PRODUCE seasons and Idol School have been alleged to be rigged, and some of these allegations have already been confirmed to be true based on police investigations. As a result of the aftermath, the groups that are currently active and debuted from the Produce series namely X1 and IZ*ONE faced a heavy restriction in their activities in Korea. Even IZ*ONE’s Eyes On Me Movie that was scheduled to be screened has also been called off in cinemas in Japan. This means even their activities within Japan are starting to get affected. 

However, the shining presence of the debuted participants as idols and the time they shared with the fans are things that will not fade away. I’m wrapping up this series while praying that their future activities can become something that doesn’t leave behind any regrets.

[solplparty]

[360VR] AKMU (악뮤) ‘ALIEN (에일리언)’ _ 360° Video https://youtu.be/2p7WddlaVbQ I'm LIVE presents the Music & Lyrics Special in celebration of its 4th anniversary! And the last guest of the special trilogy is the super-talented sibling duo AKMU. The two burst into the K-pop scene in 2013 through the competition program "K-Pop Star Season 2" and pleasantly surprised the public with their unrefined, pure musicality. After being crowned the winners of the season, they made their official debut in 2014 with the album, "PLAY." The elder brother, LEE CHANHYUK, is known for his exceptional songwriting skills, and the younger sister, LEE SUHYUN, is famous for her crystal clear voice, and together they exude a great synergy that makes them one-of-a-kind in the highly competitive K-pop scene. Then in 2015, the duo won the Best Pop Album at the prestigious Korean Music Awards and once again proved that they enjoy both critical acclaim and commercial appeal. They are on the 7th year of their debut and still touch listeners with their creative interpretations of everyday life stories. In this episode, AKMU performs "ALIEN," "DINOSAUR," "How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You're The One I Love," "LAST GOODBYE," and "GIVE LOVE" to showcase the lyrical beauty of their music. Tune in to I'm LIVE and meet these two talented siblings! 손닿을 듯 가깝고 생생한 음악을 선물하는 도심 속 라이브 콘서트 [I'm Live]. 실력 있는 뮤지션들과 공연을 사랑하는 시청자들의 사랑을 한 몸에 받고 있는 [I'm Live]가 4주년을 맞이해 [Music and Lyrics] 특집을 준비했다. 4주년 특집 마지막, 3탄의 주인공은 재치 있는 상상력과 노랫말로 사랑받고 있는 현실 남매, 악뮤이다. 2013년 K팝 스타 시즌2에 출연하여 정제되지 않은 개성 있는 찬혁의 자작곡에 청아하고 사랑스러운 이수현 목소리가 더해지자, 대중들은 이들의 생기발랄한 매력에 신선한 충격을 받으며, 결국 이들은 우승을 차지, 2014년에는 정규 1집 [PLAY] 로 가요계에 본격적으로 데뷔하게 된다. 이듬해 [2015 한국대중음악상] 최우수 팝 음반 부문을 수상하며 대중과 평단의 지지를 동시에 거머쥔 악뮤는 올해 데뷔 7년차임에도 불구하고 여전히 악뮤만의 개성을 잃지 않은 채 획일화된 일상에서 쉽게 지나칠 수 있는 순간들을 창의적으로 재해석하며, 일상을 진솔하고 따뜻하게 표현하며 큰 사랑을 받고 있다. 악뮤는 [I’m Live] 무대를 통해 대표곡 ‘어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지’, 오랜 날 오랜 밤‘, ’GIVE LOVE‘ 등을 선보이며, 악뮤만의 감성을 생생하게 전달할 예정이다. #VR #악뮤 #아임라이브 #AKMU I'm Live - 아임라이브

[thediebutterfly]

FAVOURITE K-POP ALBUMS OF 2017

I was tagged by @bestabsolutesuperjunior, @creepersdongsaeng  

Thank you for the tag! ♡ ^^

Alright, so I know some of these aren’t album albums but each has at least two tracks on them, so I feel no shame lol. Also, I don’t really listen to commercial kpop albums beyond B.A.P and YG stuff in general so this was..tough ^^ There's really no comparing any of these (except maybe the two WINNER albums..) so they are genuinely in no particular order:

( but let’s be honest, B.A.P takes spots 1 - 4 ^^ )

B.A.P - EGO

B.A.P - BLUE 

B.A.P - Dae Hyun X Jong Up

B.A.P - ROSE

AKMU - Summer Episode 

WINNER - Fate Number For

WINNER - Out Twenty For

IU - Palette

Heize - /// (너 먹��름 비)

I’m tagging: @roses-for-jongup @bap-time @daehyuns-beautiful-golden-skin @daehyuns-lip-ring @kitty-dae @zainbap @happy-daes @lightning-loving @dreamgukkie @daehyunny @daehdream @bangyongpin @moonyeyedwalrus @aegyo-chan @mooncakesjongup @heart-baek-bleed @anna-something @bestabsoluteshitposts @daehnii and anyone else who wants to do it ❤

[kimchikallaloo]

NEW POST! S02E02: Trinis Talk KPOP Pt. 1| 트리니다드 사람들이 말하는 KPOP 파트1

얼마 전에 저희는 KPOP과 한국드라마를 사랑하는 트리니다드 팬들을 몇몇 인터뷰 했는데요, 어떻게 그들이 한국 엔터테인먼트에 입문하게 됐는지, 한국 문화가 좀 더 세계의 많은 사람들한테 사랑받기 위해 어떻게 하면 좋을지 등을 얘기해 보았답니다:)

타마라는 이제 막 KPOP에 발을 담그려는 한국 드라마 왕 팬…르네는 오래전부터 한국음악, 드라마를 사랑해 온 친구이구요. 새이드는 Got7 팬이에요ㅎㅎ

좋아요! 공유! 구�� 해주세요!!!

In recent years Kpop and Kdramas have attracted a growing fanbase of loyal and enthusiastic Trinis.

Join Heaven & Sarina as they sit with a few to discuss what drew them into the world of Korean entertainment and their thoughts on its global appeal.

Meet Tamara, a fanatic of K-dramas who is now dipping her toe into the world of Kpop, Renee (a longtime enthusiast of both) and Sade (GOT7 4 LYFE)

*********************************************************************

THIS EP: Trinis Talk KPOP PT. 1 

Intro Track: SEVENTEEN(세븐틴) – 울고 싶지 않아 (Don’t Wanna Cry) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEkg4…

Outro Track: JJ Project(제이제이 프로젝트) “내일, 오늘” (Tomorrow, Today) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdql…

FEATURED ARTISTS (in order):

• 2NE1 – 내가 제일 잘 나가(I AM THE BEST) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lS…

• Super Junior(슈퍼주니어) – SORRY, SORRY – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QA3…

• WINNER – ‘ISLAND’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRj4t…

• Girls’ Generation(소녀시대) – Holiday – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwN-C…

• EXO – Ko Ko Bop – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idssu…

• 블락비 (Block B) – YESTERDAY – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q22S…

• BTS – BLAZE_TIME (extended commercial)ㅣ방탄소년단의 유쾌한 일탈, 푸마 블레이즈의 새로운 시작 90” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih0j…

• SHINee(샤이니) – RingDingDong(링딩동) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SlSC…

• WINNER – ‘LOVE ME LOVE ME’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppOWR…

• GOT7(갓세븐) “Never Ever” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ1t7…

• IU(아이유) – “Zezé” (제제) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfRs5…

• 에디킴(Eddy Kim) _ 팔당댐(Paldangdam) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7smqL…

• 수지(Suzy), 백현(BAEKHYUN) – Dream – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfYgb…

• SISTAR(씨스타) “SHAKE IT” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9-TI…

• EXO – 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAal8…

• SEVENTEEN(세븐틴) – 울고 싶지 않아 (Don’t Wanna Cry) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEkg4…

• BLACKPINK – ‘마지막처럼 (AS IF IT��S YOUR LAST)’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amq-q…

• 지코 (ZICO) – Artist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obzb7…

• FTISLAND – “Wind” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhPOw…

• AKMU – ‘DINOSAUR’ – https://youtu.be/8Oz7DG76ibY

• JJ Project(제이제이 프로젝트) “내일, 오늘” (Tomorrow, Today) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdql…

*********************************************************************

VIEW ALL THE VIDS IN OUR KPOP/DRAMA ROUNDTABLE! 

Full Playlist:

#1: Trinis Talk KPOP PT. 1 – https://youtu.be/oRTugrIlrq4

#2 Trinis Talk KPOP PT. 2 – https://youtu.be/3rgs3xg6RuY

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The post S02E02: Trinis Talk KPOP Pt. 1| 트리니다드 사람들이 말하는 KPOP 파트1 appeared first on Kimchi x Kallaloo.

from S02E02: Trinis Talk KPOP Pt. 1| 트리니다드 사람들이 말하는 KPOP 파트1

[graniel05]

[ARTICLE] “We don’t write scores when writing songs, we just write short memos”

Brother and sister duo “AKMU” released their third full album

A product of unique way of creation based on novel ideas and fresh rhythm

“Even though we stop writing songs right now, we can release albums for the next five years. What is important is not the number of songs, but the quality of songs.”

I met AKMU on January 4, at the recording studio of YG Entertainment located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. While listening to LEE CHAN HYUK(20)’s answers to questions, I had to doubt my ears. The interview was about AKMU’s third full album “WINTER” released recently. AKMU is a duo of big brother LEE CHAN HYUK and little sister LEE SU HYUN(17). After winning audition show “K-Pop Star” in 2013, AKMU has released three full albums. When including songs used for TV commercials and campaign songs, AKMU has released more than 40 songs so far. “LAST GOODBYE”, the title track of AKMU’s third full album, is enjoying enormous popularity, staying in No.1 on four music charts since its released on January 6. I asked about the AKMU’s secret of writing hit songs.

◇ Never write scores

Big brother CHAN HYUK plays guitar and sister SU HYUN plays piano. However, the brother and sister do not write any scores when writing songs. LEE SU HYUN said, “Or course I can read scores, but I feel uncomfortable with using scores for writing or playing songs.” LEE CHAN HYUK writes songs by playing guitar and then just writes lyrics and guitar codes. He voice-records the melody he hums impromptu in his smart phone, but he never listens to it again. Because of AKMU’s unique style of writing songs only with short memos, those who arrange their songs sometimes get in troubles. However, AKMU’s novel way of writing songs that go away from conventional development of code, as well as their uniquely cheerful rhythm are all possible because of such different way of songwriting.

◇ Don’t want to write songs similar to others

LEE CHAN HYUK also said, “When a new melody comes up in my mind, I instinctively doubt about whether it is similar to other songs and I do my best to avoid such similarity.” That was a habit formed after LEE CHAN HYUK resolved to never plagiarize other’s songs, even from before his debut as AKMU. That is also the reason why he once did not write any songs for six months. He said, “The fact that our songs have different development of melody is an advantage in that it is new and fresh, but listeners would get tired of it more easily.” Regarding “LAST GOODBYE”, the title track of AKMU’s new album, LEE CHAN HYUK said, “These days, I try to write songs that everyone can sing easily at karaoke”.

◇ Listen to songs of all genres

Hip-hop is the genre that LEE CHAN HYUK enjoyed the most from before AKMU’s debut. In the interview, LEE CHAN HYUK mentioned the names of Korean hip-hop musicians including C Jamm, Beenzino, and EPIK HIHG. More recently, he listens to songs of a wider variety of genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues (R&B), rock and roll, and classical music. That may be why “SPRING” album released last year felt mostly like jazz and R&B.

◇ Write lyrics like writing diary

One of the biggest advantages of AKMU’s music is the lyrics filled with detailed and vivid descriptions. “Did you major in attractiveness?/You’re more attractive than fried chicken I see while I’m on a diet”(“You’re Attractive”), “I didn’t want to walk so I wiped here and there while lying on the belly. Then, I don’t need to wipe the floor with a mop” (“Is It Ramen”) are the lyrics that well-describe the details of small happenings in everyday lives. AKMU has an outstanding talent in writing lyrics with topics from ordinary everyday lives. While listening to such a compliment, little sister LEE SU HYUN teased her brother, saying, “You know, my brother never reads books…” and the brother and sister began to jokingly squabble, just like any other brothers and sisters. LEE CHAN HYUK gave a hint on his secret of writing those remarkable lyrics, “I make efforts to write lyrics just like writing diary, as much as possible”.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE

[deep-dark-andmysterious-blog]

Test muse: Cho Kimberly. She lived in Southern California until she was four, then moved back to Seoul with her family. That’s when she was thrown into everything. Acting auditions which led to her doing commercials. But she dropped doing child acting and commercials to try being a teen idol due to a personal incident. But she loved being a trainee and an idol, but eventually, she gave that up too. Now she’s a sugar baby and despises her past. She also hates her younger twin siblings’ band, it’s almost as if her parents have made her the black sheep of the family. open to: anyone! plot: Your muse recognizes Kimberly out in public back from when she was a teen idol. They can be a fan or not, and they’re free to mention her twin siblings’ duo band too (think of AKMU but identical twin boy and girl siblings).

  Nodding along to the stranger’s words, it wasn’t anything new to her. She’s been recognized a thousand times in public, whether it was for a childhood commercial, a movie she did when she was 10, or as a teen idol. Right now it just happens to be her being a past idol, which she just wanted to leave in the past. “Yeah, I’m Kimberly. I mean, I went by Kim on stage but you definitely have the right person.” A strained smile curls on her lips as she tries so hard to not make this awkward. “Would you like an autograph or a hug or anything?”

[vskpop]

July 2017 ⋅  It goes down down baby

Verse 2 - JJ Project

Ever since the return of JJ Project was announced, I’ve listened to their modern classic Bounce quite a lot. I didn’t think for a minute that JB and Jinyoung would go back to that kind of image after the role they have been carving for themselves in GOT7, but it was fun to imagine they would.

Verse 2 reminds me a lot of GOT7’s Fly and the rest of Flight Log: Departure, one of my favourite albums of 2016. At the same time it makes me think of my true JYP darlings, DAY6 - especially Tomorrow, Today; I was quite surprised that they had no credits in the album at all, because a lot of it really sounds like something they would do.

Honestly, what they came out with was exactly what I expected and at the same time beyond my wildest expectations - probably because I was terrified that they would release an album of ballads. Both the Js are incredible vocalists, and they managed to find a compromise between music that could show off their skills and something trendier that still had a connection to GOT7. I think this might be my album of the year so far.

The War - EXO

KoKoBop might be the comeback to finally dethrone Wolf as the worst EXO comeback of all time. Just the concept in itself is so problematic that I really struggle to watch a live performance (let alone the MV) and not think of how much SM messed up this time (more thoughts on the matter here).

Setting aside the controversial elements of the comeback, I thought that the production seemed strangely low-budget for EXO. There was only one music video (a step down from Monster + Lucky One), the styling seemed haphazard, the choreography not as well designed as usual, and even the teasers were just clips from the video (so long, Pathcodes).

I don’t think that KoKoBop was meant for EXO when it was written. The reggae-inspired verse has nothing to do with their musical style, and the EDM breakdown (which is instead very EXO) feels forced into the song. Even after dozens of listens, I can’t see how it relates to the ambiance of the rest of the song.

While there are a ton of catchy EXO singles, they were never as explicitly hook-y with their lyrics as they are with “Shimmy shimmy KoKoBop”, which sounds like it belongs in a NCT song (see “if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” in the recent Cherry Bomb).

All in all, I don’t hate it nearly as much as I thought I would, but it is definitely one of their weakest picks in terms of title songs, and not a very well composed track in general.

KoKoBop is a strange choice in every way. All the other songs on the album are coherent with what EXO did in the past; even the title The War, as ridiculous as it is, fits into the EXO brand - but there is nothing war-like in this comeback. If KoKoBop came with a matching album I would have taken it for what it was, but in this context it sticks out and, to me, it feels like EXO had an entire album planned and changed the title track and the concept last minute.

Literally any song on the album would have been more suitable as a title track; my personal choices would have been Forever, with a soaring chorus that makes me shiver every time, or Going Crazy, aka the song from the Exoluxion VCR.

Since Ex’act was amazing and the repackage Lotto was questionable, I hope that the situation will flip this time, and that the repackage will be everything I wanted from EXO.

Side note: I also hope that in the next few months we will get some clarity regarding Lay’s status within EXO. I know the Christmas single doesn’t count, but he really hasn’t been around for a long time now, THAAD and all.  

The Red Summer - Red Velvet

I don’t think I will ever not be suspicious about a Red Velvet comeback after Rookie and Russian Roulette. I thought I was more of a fan of the red concept comebacks, but at this point I find myself longing for a velvet concept album, even after The Red Summer, which is all in all harmless in comparison to Red Velvet’s previous production.

Red Flavor is a good comeback, as far as I’m concerned: the song is catchy without drilling the hook into the listener’s brain, none of the members is dressed like a preschooler, the lyrics border on nonsensical but aren’t too cringey. I still don’t think that this song gave enough space to the vocalists of the group, but it did confirm my theory that Irene is one of the best, if not the best rapper in SM.

The video was definitely the weakest part of this comeback. Large portions of it seemed to be taken directly from a fruit juice commercial, and the other segments were so mismatched they seemed to have been shot independently by different people and then randomly assembled. The weird fruit interviews, the girls dancing, the mega-random child-costume single shots, the dodgy party - most of these don’t even remotely go together.

As it’s been happening a lot with SM, I find almost all the b-sides more interesting than the title track. You Better Know would have made for a perfect summer single, provided Red Velvet had the chance to look a bit less whimsical and and behave their age. I love Mojito, and I love even more how Zoo echoes Red Velvet’s first single Happiness, but is way weirder.

Even though I enjoyed Red Flavor, I really struggled to enjoy this comeback’s promotion, mostly because of Wendy getting thinner with every performance (really, I double checked).

At the same time, Irene doesn’t even try to hide how much she hates what she was doing; I watched an insane full recording of a music show where she went through the whole performance six times and didn’t smile once (unfortunately it has been removed from Youtube and I can’t find it anywhere else).

I think Red Velvet will always be a weird group, because cute concepts will always be too silly for Irene and mature concepts always too out there for Yeri, but I think that if they went just a smidge more towards the mature side than Red Flavour, they will have something they can work with until the new girl group debuts and Red Velvet disappear into nothingness like f(x).

RAPID FIRE ROUND

Prequel - Dreamcatcher

While the (still really good) title track Fly High might be my least favourite Dreamcatcher song so far, this mini album is incredible. I appreciate so much that they are sticking with the ...metal-pop concept and didn’t just stick some random tracks in the album. Wake Up is a fantastic song that reminded me how much I want a pop-punk concept in k-pop.

 Summer Episode - AKMU

I adore AKMU. They always manage to bring something new to the table; even when they try to incorporate trends in their music, like with the EDM in Dinosaur, they make it fresh and unique to them. The pseudo-Stranger-Things-y video is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen this year.

Jelly - Hotshot

I’m a bit sad that Hotshot didn’t gain the immediate, roaring success that Nu’est did from humiliating themselves on Produce 101. It’s also true that Pledis has significantly different resources than Hotshot’s company, so I will take what I can get and rejoice that they got a decent song for their return to the scene after two years.

MORE SONGS OF NOTE

Forever Young - Bumzu & Han Dong Geun

Be Lazy - DAY6

Hello - Favorite

Sunday - GroovyRoom ft. Heize & Jay Park

Somewhere - GroovyRoom ft. Suran & ph-1

Gucci - Jessi

Hola Hola - KARD

Feel So Good - KNK

Black - Lee Hyori

Puzzle - LOONA Choerry

Newton - Monsta X

Why, You? & Moonwalk - Park Boram

The Star of Stars - Snuper

ABC - VAV

Kiss Me - WJSN

Anti - Zico ft. G.Soul

STRAYS

 I’ve been listening to this song obsessively; can Luhan do anything wrong?

Seventeen have been releasing a bunch of their concert VCRs and they are perfection

I love when Monsta X members put out totally random songs

EXO-CBX and soundtracks: the story continues

[akmu-archives]

[220530] KB Securities 2022 Campaign - 'The Birth of Kaebi Securities'

Photos

-> Download Hi-res images from Google Drive

Promotional Posters

[220530] Investment In a Snap! The Birth of Kaebi (투자를뚝딱! 깨비증권 탄생)

[220530] KB Securities My Data at a Glance! (KB증권 마이데이터로 한눈에 뚝딱!)

[220617] Convert to Korean Won In a Snap at KB Securities' Global One Market (글로벌원마켓에서 원화로 뚝딱!)

[220621] Investment In a Snap - The Birth of Kaebi (투자를뚝딱! 깨비증권 탄생) (Source: Instagram)

[akmu-archives]

[240530] KB Securities 2023 Campaign

Photos

-> Download Hi-res images from Google Drive

Promotional Posters

[230517] KB Securities - Direct Indexing (다이렉트인덱싱편)

[230622] KB Securities - Direct Indexing

[230703] 'Let's Be Lazy' (게을러지자)

[230705] 'Let's Take a Glance' (한눈을 팔자)

[231011] PRIME CLUB

[231218] KB Securities IRP Pension (KB 증권 IRP 연금편)

[231221] KB Securities - Direct Indexing

[240517] A Company Where Employees are Happy

Commercial Films

[230530] Chapter 1: 'Don't Use Your Head' (머리 쓰지 말자 | 깨비증권) (30s)

[230530] Chapter 2: 'Let's Be Lazy' (게을러지자 | 깨비증권) (30s)

[230530] Chapter 3: 'Let's Take a Glance' (한눈을 팔자 | 깨비증권) (30s)

Interview Video

Behind the Scenes

[akmu-archives]

[240523] KB Securities 2024 Campaign - 'Grow Up! In a Snap!'

Photos

-> Download Hi-res images from Google Drive

Promotional Posters

[240523] 'My Investment Skills, Grow Up In a Snap!' (내 투자실력, 커져라 뚝딱) - Key Visual

[240624] KB Securities' New Product - US Leading Growth Stock Investment Fund & Wrap

[241023] PRIME CLUB

[240701] KakaoTalk Emoticon Pack Event (Source: Instagram)

[240701] 'Everyone's Happiness, Grow Up In a Snap' (모두의 행복 커져라 뚝딱편) | KB Securities x 'Baemin Vacation Lunch Box'' (Source: Instagram)

[240705] 'Grow Up In a Snap! South Korea!' (커져라 뚝딱! 대한민국)

[240821] KB's Pick - Direct Indexing

[240903] 'Everyone's Happiness, Grow Up In a Snap' (모두의 행복 커져라 뚝딱편) | Social Contribution Advertising Illustration (illust. by Kim Jam)

[241015] 'Retirement Pension, Come to KB Securities In a Snap!' (직연금, KB증권으로 뚝딱! 오세요)

Commercial Films

[240426] Grow Up In a Snap! | KB Securities (커져라 뚝딱! | 깨비증권) (30s)

[240426] South Korea, Grow Up In a Snap! (대한민국, 커져라 뚝딱! | 깨비증권 | KB Securities) (15s)

[240426] IAHLL, Overturning the Idea that Investing is Not Fun | Kebi Securities (IAHLL, 투자가 재미없다는 뒤집다 | 깨비증권) (15s)

[240426] ⭐Everyone's Happiness, Grow Up In a Snap!⭐ KB Securities (⭐모두의 행복, 커져라 뚝딱!⭐ 깨비증권) (15s)

Interview Video

Behind the Scenes

[akmu-archives]

[191128] 'Kart Rider' Abyss Theme CF

Content

Advert song

Behind the Scenes Interview

Background banners

Advert song: "Drift"

[Credits]

Lyrics: Lee Chanhyuk Music: Lee Chanhyuk, Peejay Arrangement: Peejay

Theme song - Behind the Scenes Interview

Background banners (Sailing)

-> Download Hi-res Images from Google Drive

Source: Nexon Kart Rider Abyss Theme Song

[solplparty]

[360VR] AKMU (악뮤) ‘DINOSAUR (다이너소어)‘ _ 360° Video https://youtu.be/cIV36I2iygM I'm LIVE presents the Music & Lyrics Special in celebration of its 4th anniversary! And the last guest of the special trilogy is the super-talented sibling duo AKMU. The two burst into the K-pop scene in 2013 through the competition program "K-Pop Star Season 2" and pleasantly surprised the public with their unrefined, pure musicality. After being crowned the winners of the season, they made their official debut in 2014 with the album, "PLAY." The elder brother, LEE CHANHYUK, is known for his exceptional songwriting skills, and the younger sister, LEE SUHYUN, is famous for her crystal clear voice, and together they exude a great synergy that makes them one-of-a-kind in the highly competitive K-pop scene. Then in 2015, the duo won the Best Pop Album at the prestigious Korean Music Awards and once again proved that they enjoy both critical acclaim and commercial appeal. They are on the 7th year of their debut and still touch listeners with their creative interpretations of everyday life stories. In this episode, AKMU performs "ALIEN," "DINOSAUR," "How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You're The One I Love," "LAST GOODBYE," and "GIVE LOVE" to showcase the lyrical beauty of their music. Tune in to I'm LIVE and meet these two talented siblings! 손닿을 듯 가깝고 생생한 음악을 선물하는 도심 속 라이브 콘서트 [I'm Live]. 실력 있는 뮤지션들과 공연을 사랑하는 시청자들의 사랑을 한 몸에 받고 있는 [I'm Live]가 4주년을 맞이해 [Music and Lyrics] 특집을 준비했다. 4주년 특집 마지막, 3탄의 주인공은 재치 있는 상상력과 노랫말로 사랑받고 있는 현실 남매, 악뮤이다. 2013년 K팝 스타 시즌2에 출연하여 정제되지 않은 개성 있는 찬혁의 자작곡에 청아하고 사랑스러운 이수현 목소리가 더해지자, 대중들은 이들의 생기발랄한 매력에 신선한 충격을 받으며, 결국 이들은 우승을 차지, 2014년에는 정규 1집 [PLAY] 로 가요계에 본격적으로 데뷔하게 된다. 이듬해 [2015 한국대중음악상] 최우수 팝 음반 부문을 수상하며 대중과 평단의 지지를 동시에 거머쥔 악뮤는 올해 데뷔 7년차임에도 불구하고 여전히 악뮤만의 개성을 잃지 않은 채 획일화된 일상에서 쉽게 지나칠 수 있는 순간들을 창의적으로 재해석하며, 일상을 진솔하고 따뜻하게 표현하며 큰 사랑을 받고 있다. 악뮤는 [I’m Live] 무대를 통해 대표곡 ‘어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지’, 오랜 날 오랜 밤‘, ’GIVE LOVE‘ 등을 선보이며, 악뮤만의 감성을 생생하게 전달할 예정이다. #VR #악뮤 #아임라이브 #AKMU I'm Live - 아임라이브

[solplparty]

[360VR] AKMU (악뮤) ’How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You're The One I Love’ _ 360° Video https://youtu.be/ye0OtWxQU_o I'm LIVE presents the Music & Lyrics Special in celebration of its 4th anniversary! And the last guest of the special trilogy is the super-talented sibling duo AKMU. The two burst into the K-pop scene in 2013 through the competition program "K-Pop Star Season 2" and pleasantly surprised the public with their unrefined, pure musicality. After being crowned the winners of the season, they made their official debut in 2014 with the album, "PLAY." The elder brother, LEE CHANHYUK, is known for his exceptional songwriting skills, and the younger sister, LEE SUHYUN, is famous for her crystal clear voice, and together they exude a great synergy that makes them one-of-a-kind in the highly competitive K-pop scene. Then in 2015, the duo won the Best Pop Album at the prestigious Korean Music Awards and once again proved that they enjoy both critical acclaim and commercial appeal. They are on the 7th year of their debut and still touch listeners with their creative interpretations of everyday life stories. In this episode, AKMU performs "ALIEN," "DINOSAUR," "How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You're The One I Love," "LAST GOODBYE," and "GIVE LOVE" to showcase the lyrical beauty of their music. Tune in to I'm LIVE and meet these two talented siblings! 손닿을 듯 가깝고 생생한 음악을 선물하는 도심 속 라이브 콘서트 [I'm Live]. 실력 있는 뮤지션들과 공연을 사랑하는 시청자들의 사랑을 한 몸에 받고 있는 [I'm Live]가 4주년을 맞이해 [Music and Lyrics] 특집을 준비했다. 4주년 특집 마지막, 3탄의 주인공은 재치 있는 상상력과 노랫말로 사랑받고 있는 현실 남매, 악뮤이다. 2013년 K팝 스타 시즌2에 출연하여 정제되지 않은 개성 있는 찬혁의 자작곡에 청아하고 사랑스러운 이수현 목소리가 더해지자, 대중들은 이들의 생기발랄한 매력에 신선한 충격을 받으며, 결국 이들은 우승을 차지, 2014년에는 정규 1집 [PLAY] 로 가요계에 본격적으로 데뷔하게 된다. 이듬해 [2015 한국대중음악상] 최우수 팝 음반 부문을 수상하며 대중과 평단의 지지를 동시에 거머쥔 악뮤는 올해 데뷔 7년차임에도 불구하고 여전히 악뮤만의 개성을 잃지 않은 채 획일화된 일상에서 쉽게 지나칠 수 있는 순간들을 창의적으로 재해석하며, 일상을 진솔하고 따뜻하게 표현하며 큰 사랑을 받고 있다. 악뮤는 [I’m Live] 무대를 통해 대표곡 ‘어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지’, 오랜 날 오랜 밤‘, ’GIVE LOVE‘ 등을 선보이며, 악뮤만의 감성을 생생하게 전달할 예정이다. #VR #악뮤 #아임라이브 #AKMU I'm Live - 아임라이브

[solplparty]

[360VR] AKMU (악뮤) ‘LAST GOODBYE (오랜 날 오랜 밤)’ _ 360° Video https://youtu.be/a7TZ2lJQeLo I'm LIVE presents the Music & Lyrics Special in celebration of its 4th anniversary! And the last guest of the special trilogy is the super-talented sibling duo AKMU. The two burst into the K-pop scene in 2013 through the competition program "K-Pop Star Season 2" and pleasantly surprised the public with their unrefined, pure musicality. After being crowned the winners of the season, they made their official debut in 2014 with the album, "PLAY." The elder brother, LEE CHANHYUK, is known for his exceptional songwriting skills, and the younger sister, LEE SUHYUN, is famous for her crystal clear voice, and together they exude a great synergy that makes them one-of-a-kind in the highly competitive K-pop scene. Then in 2015, the duo won the Best Pop Album at the prestigious Korean Music Awards and once again proved that they enjoy both critical acclaim and commercial appeal. They are on the 7th year of their debut and still touch listeners with their creative interpretations of everyday life stories. In this episode, AKMU performs "ALIEN," "DINOSAUR," "How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You're The One I Love," "LAST GOODBYE," and "GIVE LOVE" to showcase the lyrical beauty of their music. Tune in to I'm LIVE and meet these two talented siblings! 손닿을 듯 가깝고 생생한 음악을 선물하는 도심 속 라이브 콘서트 [I'm Live]. 실력 있는 뮤지션들과 공연을 사랑하는 시청자들의 사랑을 한 몸에 받고 있는 [I'm Live]가 4주년을 맞이해 [Music and Lyrics] 특집을 준비했다. 4주년 특집 마지막, 3탄의 주인공은 재치 있는 상상력과 노랫말로 사랑받고 있는 현실 남매, 악뮤이다. 2013년 K팝 스타 시즌2에 출연하여 정제되지 않은 개성 있는 찬혁의 자작곡에 청아하고 사랑스러운 이수현 목소리가 더해지자, 대중들은 이들의 생기발랄한 매력에 신선한 충격을 받으며, 결국 이들은 우승을 차지, 2014년에는 정규 1집 [PLAY] 로 가요계에 본격적으로 데뷔하게 된다. 이듬해 [2015 한국대중음악상] 최우수 팝 음반 부문을 수상하며 대중과 평단의 지지를 동시에 거머쥔 악뮤는 올해 데뷔 7년차임에도 불구하고 여전히 악뮤만의 개성을 잃지 않은 채 획일화된 일상에서 쉽게 지나칠 수 있는 순간들을 창의적으로 재해석하며, 일상을 진솔하고 따뜻하게 표현하며 큰 사랑을 받고 있다. 악뮤는 [I’m Live] 무대를 통해 대표곡 ‘어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지’, 오랜 날 오랜 밤‘, ’GIVE LOVE‘ 등을 선보이며, 악뮤만의 감성을 생생하게 전달할 예정이다. #VR #악뮤 #아임라이브 #AKMU I'm Live - 아임라이브