Half a Million and Counting
by javabeans
Woot woot! I marked my 100,000th hit (well, I was lazy so it got pushed to 150,000) with some House Rulez. Speaking of whom, have you checked them out yet? They’re awesome. I still have them on heavy daily rotation.
Now this blog has seen 500,000 hits (I can’t even really wrap my head around that number; I feel like I’m blogging for about thirty people, lol) — and what better way to mark the event than with lots and lots of songs? Thanks everyone for reading along! It’s all thanks to you guys that I got sucked so readily into blogging. It’s an addiction, I tell you.
Whoever says Korean music is worse these days than it used to be isn’t looking hard enough. Sure, mainstream pop acts might be as trite and uninspired as expected, but I think Korean music is undergoing rapid diversification these days, splintering off into many previously unexplored genres and subgenres. It’s an exciting time to be experimental, I think. So here are some artists who are a little left of center —
Let’s kick off this shindig with relatively unknown band V.E.I.L.
.
Vocals: Kim Wonjun
Guitars: Kang Sunwoo
Rap/DJ: Kim Wongee
Bass: Chung Hanjong
Drums & Programming: Lee Changhyun
V.E.I.L.’s club cyworld page
V.E.I.L. – “Radio” I LOVE this song. You can watch the video on their site — it’s quirky and cute, like Donnie Darko meets the Teletubbies, only not as scary. [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
V.E.I.L. – “I Wanna Know” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
V.E.I.L. – “하루” (haru / a day) [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy the album “Lesson 01.”
I’ve just started listening to Younha, but I like her voice and her style. Maybe it’s because she got her start in jpop (despite being Korean), but her songs aren’t typical mainstream kpop, which is usually more R&B-influenced like American pop acts. But Younha can sing, and her style and clear strong voice reminds me a bit of Kelly Clarkson.
Younha – “Password 486” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Younha – “Delete” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy Younha’s debut Korean album “The Perfect Day To Say I Love You.”
If you haven’t heard of F.T. Island yet, you probably will very soon. Just like I don’t really like mainstream American music, I don’t really love mainstream kpop either, and this super-young boy band seems poised to launch into that market. But their music actually sounds different, and if I can believe my eyes, it would appear that these boys play their own instruments. Gold star for actual musical competence. And an extra point for infectious music that ain’t called “Cheerful Sensibility” (album title) for nuthin’.
F.T. Island – “F.T. Island” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
F.T. Island – “마중” (ma joong / meeting). This song makes them sound a lot more mature than their tender years. They ought to have an interesting career ahead of them. [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy F.T. Island’s debut album, “Cheerful Sensibility.”
If you haven’t heard of Clazziquai yet, you’ve been deprived. As Korea’s premier electronic group, their members, particularly Alex, keep busy in between albums with collaborations between other artists. To date, they’ve worked with groups like Epik High and Loveholic as well as new artists Rhyme Bus (see below), and for soundtracks such as MBC drama Que Sera Sera (both Alex and Horan had tracks on the OST), sleeper romantic comedy hit 200 Pound Beauty, and rom-com movie Seducing Mr. Perfect.
Their latest album just came out and it’s been a long wait, wearing out my previous albums. Clazziquai is cool like whoa.
Clazziquai – “Romeo & Juliet” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Clazziquai – “Sweety” (reposted from an earlier post) [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy Clazziquai’s latest album, “Love Child of the Century.”
Rhyme Bus – “Luv Game” (remix) [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Rhyme Bus – “Music of My Life” (repost) [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy the album, Rhyme Bus’ Vol. 1.
A somewhat new band working in upbeat electronic music, Blue Sorbet is relatively on the downlow, with one album, a digital single, and two tracks on an OST (that are included on their full album). Their website’s incomplete and there’s a serious dearth of info on them. Let’s hope it’s just because they’re still pretty new.
Blue Sorbet – “Crazy Love” [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Blue Sorbet – “Satisfy Me” (repost) [ Download ] |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
Buy Blue Sorbet’s first album, “Melodical Sounds of the Taste.”
BAY is a new group whose songs are mostly mellow, melodic rock:
BAY – “Family” [ Download ] Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. BAY – “Saturday Night” (repost) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Buy Bay’s debut album, “Open the Road.” |
My Aunt Mary is one of my favorite Korean-music groups:
My Aunt Mary – “S.E.O.U.L.” [ Download ] Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. My Aunt Mary – “랑겔한스” (repost) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
|
Buy My Aunt Mary’s “Drift” album (also recommend the previous album, “Just Pop”).
Tags: musicians
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 popseoul
June 21, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Congrats Sarah for your half million hits! And thanks for the awesome music uploads. Keep up the good work!
Required fields are marked *
2 heyleadinglady
June 21, 2007 at 9:52 AM
hey congrats on reaching 1/2 million, im super sure you have fans from all over the worldC: youre definitely worth it, your reviews are amazzzzzing. more music more music! hahahaha thanks so much for the uploads, i can finally download new music. Thanks!
Required fields are marked *
3 Turtlegirl22
June 21, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Congrats!! I don't know how many times out of the 1/2 a million I have been on this site, but all I have to say is I love your blogs and music. Thanks for the many fun hours I have been readin on here and the many hours you have put into making th bloggs. Thanks again!!
Required fields are marked *
4 NC
June 21, 2007 at 9:23 AM
Congrats on reaching half a million. You should be clocking 1 million by summer end :)
Clazziquai is one of the few kpop acts that I listen to. And yep, they are awesome :) I think they got their first big kdrama hit with MNIKSS's 'She Is.'
Required fields are marked *
5 tsunamiblues
June 21, 2007 at 10:31 AM
JAVABEANS YOU MADE MY DAY!!!! MUCH LOVE!!!
Required fields are marked *
6 tsunamiblues
June 21, 2007 at 10:50 AM
does Bay have an album yet, tried to search them on google, their name makes it hard.
Required fields are marked *
7 its_trish
June 21, 2007 at 11:01 AM
OOOOOH CONGRATS!
half a million woweee *I definitely contributed to that number - on here everyday at the minimum*
So here's my heartfelt thank you for your summaries/recaps/music
I gave a listen to some of the songs posted above and I would have mistaken F.T. Island's last song for an OST one if you hadn't provided that little intro.. That song blew me away - they are definitely going places!
Thanks again
I will continue to visit and support your blogging venture - You are awesome! ^^
Required fields are marked *
8 ay_link
June 21, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Woooot wooot... 1/2 millions and counting! ^^ Amazing!
CONGRATS, sarahbeans hun... muah~~! so proud of youuuu kekeke...
Thanks for all the summary and cool music you posted =)
Clazziquai & Rhyme Bus = LOVE
(ah you posted the "Romeo and Juliet" heheh.. me luuuv that song, and currently stuck listening to their collaboration track in Rhyme Bus' album. Very awesome superb track!)
Required fields are marked *
9 javabeans
June 21, 2007 at 11:14 AM
thanks everyone!
tsunamiblues, good point -- i added links to each album at Yesasia if you'd like to buy the album or see the full tracklists.
Required fields are marked *
10 yakatoo
June 21, 2007 at 11:29 AM
proud to be one (++) of the 1/2million who clock in! congratulations! very excited to check out all the artists you've introduced. :)
Required fields are marked *
11 mangoicy
June 21, 2007 at 12:01 PM
You rock! 'nuff said.
~aand.. looks like it keeps growing hundreds by the minute.
Required fields are marked *
12 ginnie
June 21, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Donnie Darko meets Teletubbies...hmmmmmmm...
For a moment, I imagined Frank the rabbit as one purple or yellow Teletubbies instead and that is just so wrong! LOL *winks*
Back to the topic...500,000 hits and counting! How you spoil us, Javabeans! You give us these speedy reviews of k-dramas, articulate commentaries and now we have songs recommendations just because we visit your site that you've generously shared with us. Now..what can we do for you? =)
Congratulations!!!!
Required fields are marked *
13 melissa
June 21, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Congrats Javabeans!!
1 million wow...
My site recently just made 1,000 hits...not much...hehe
Thanks for the new music!!, i love Clazziquai!!
and Younha, i found a fan page of hers on myspace a while ago and i love her music, both japanese and korean....and i like the song "radio" by V.E.I.L
ive never heard of them but i like their sound...im always up for finding new songs/artists to listen to..
Required fields are marked *
14 obivia
June 21, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Congrats! You're the best--you not only provide us w/ awesome drama hookups, but also music ones, too! THANKS!!!
Required fields are marked *
15 pandapop
June 21, 2007 at 3:17 PM
Congratulations, Javabeans. When you build the field of K-dramas goodies, we addicts will follow. Just wondering…. How many hours a day do you write for this blog? I thoroughly enjoy your work. Thanks.
Required fields are marked *
16 Jessica
June 21, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Congrats Javabeans!
Thanks for creating this site to help us get our kdrama-fix :)
Required fields are marked *
17 prismaticstar
June 21, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Congrats! Your blog is spectacular to read!
Required fields are marked *
18 soonjap
June 21, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Finally! A new direction towards..GASP!...musicians who can sing? Is it possible in Korea Music Land? It's great to see a new shift happening in the music scene and the focus getting back to those who truly deserve it. It looks like rock/alternative is finally finding its footing with the resurgence of Boo Hwal (check out the 11th album - great lead vocalist!), Kim Jong Suh (not a fan, but writes interesting lyrics) and new acts like Younha. I'm relieved to see such musical diversity for once, instead of relying on the same-old, same-old. May great songwriters/musicians continue to thrive!
Required fields are marked *
19 Lovewls
June 21, 2007 at 6:57 PM
Congratulations for the half million hits!!! And thanks for your intro to K-music with the uploads. From the tracks you posted, I've only listened to my fave group, Clazziquai. But now, after listening to the sample tracks, I'll give My Aunt Mary, Blue Sorbet and FT Island a try. They sounded good, esp My Aunt Mary. Thanks again!
Required fields are marked *
20 rozramen
June 21, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Congratulations and Celebration! Wow...cannot believed it..1/2 a millions already? who can guessed that? anyway, you're the best blog ever...anyway...keep up with your good job..:)
Required fields are marked *
21 docmitasha
June 21, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Congratulations! I'm very happy for the success of your blog! You have an amazing talent, and I love reading your articles and your drama summaries, and I just think you're really something :) Thank you very much!
Required fields are marked *
22 mikejmu
June 21, 2007 at 8:03 PM
Hello,
We would like to do an interview with you about your blog for
http://www.BlogInterviewer.com . We'd like to give you the opportunity to
give us some insight on the "person behind the blog."
It would just take a few minutes of your time. The interview form can
be submitted online at http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview
Best regards,
Mike Thomas
BlogInterviewer.com
Required fields are marked *
23 lime9
June 21, 2007 at 8:17 PM
congrats and thanks for sharing~
Required fields are marked *
24 Mics
June 21, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Wow congrats Javabeans! =) I'm really glad you featured F.T. Island. I'm just a new fan, just this week =D I was hesitant to check them out eventhough I've heard a lot about them already. Eventually I gave in and went to esnips to listen to their songs. I was an instant fan! =) but still I was starting to go on a boyband diet lol because good looks are starting to affect my judgment in music so I tried hard not to look for F.T. Island pics but I stumbled upon them at soompi! And now I'm not just a fan of their music but a shameless noona (pedo) fan as well T____T. lol. It's refreshing to see a boyband that plays instruments in Korea. I know there are more out there but not as much as those that only sing and dance =) Plus their songs are good that I was really surprised when I found out about their ages! Thanks Javabeans!
Required fields are marked *
25 LP
June 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Hey Sarah,
You blog has become my daily ritual & I adore your diverse k-pop/ anti-pop music taste!
Required fields are marked *
26 Eric
June 21, 2007 at 11:10 PM
I think I'm the only guy posting here, but whatever. Congratulations on 0.5 million. You are awesome.
Required fields are marked *
27 lime9
June 21, 2007 at 10:26 PM
me again~ i just want to say a big THANK YOU! i had just bought something from yesasia and when i saw the ft island i didn't give the band another thought but after listening to the songs you posted i'm definitely going to buy their album and that of v.e.i.l.~ now i just have to wait for bad couple and flower for my life OST to make my next purchase. love your blog not only for the drama summaries but also for the intro to new artists. THANKS again!
Required fields are marked *
28 Suz07
June 21, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Wow, 1/2 hit...its truly amazing! C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! Sarah. Thanks for sharing the songs. Shenny introduced me to Rhymes Bus a few days ago and I have played their songs non-stop...in my car, at work and on my iPod. Youhna rocks too.
Required fields are marked *
29 tsunamiblues
June 21, 2007 at 11:39 PM
okay thanks, will check them out!
Required fields are marked *
30 Luv
June 21, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Wow...Congratulations javabeans!
Your blog is so awesome.
I enjoy reading every single entry.
Thank you so much.
Best wishes.
Required fields are marked *
31 Tsuki
June 22, 2007 at 3:18 AM
Thanks for posting all this music. It's reaalllly good, and nothing like all the other korean mainstream sh.. I just found the perfect music to listen to this summer, again thanks.
Required fields are marked *
32 julier
June 22, 2007 at 4:47 AM
Congrats javabeans! I stop by often and love your blog. In addition to your postings, I love following all the comments. Thanks for all the music links. I've fallen behind on following k-pop, so I will check out these links. The QSS OST is one of my favorites! Again, congrats!!
Required fields are marked *
33 thunderbolt
June 22, 2007 at 5:53 AM
You rock, sarahbeans! Your blog not only educates and inspires me, it makes me giggle (even guffaw at times). From you I've learnt to be bolder in my own K-related ramblings and to call things as they are instead of tip-toeing lest I offend people. In short, to be true to myself.
I love your wit no matter how acerbic. Don't change your style, deal?
Here's to 1,000,000 hits (with moi contributing at least 365 of them since I come here everyday). *muahk*
Required fields are marked *
34 javabeans
June 22, 2007 at 9:03 AM
^ because i'm an idiot. sorry, it's fixed now!
Required fields are marked *
35 bored
June 22, 2007 at 9:01 AM
umm. may i ask why is the link for rhyme bus's luv game and music of my life the same?
Required fields are marked *
36 x]
June 22, 2007 at 9:36 AM
Congratulations! I've never left a comment before but I love your blog! Thanks for all your great posts!
Required fields are marked *
37 KLIP
June 22, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Congratulations for keeping 500,000 K-fans (like me) alive! Thanks for your great blog!
Required fields are marked *
38 kodoque
June 23, 2007 at 7:51 PM
sarah,
thank you for the music!! (I sound like an ABBA song..^^)
I have been in love with Clazziquai since I heard their songs for My Name is Kim Sam Soon! and has been forever in love with them ever since.
So great that they're getting more recognition now!
Because of fans like you...helping spread the lovee!!
Required fields are marked *
39 bored
June 23, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Thanks!
Required fields are marked *
40 christine
June 24, 2007 at 9:28 AM
thanks for maintaining a constantly updated site, i love your episode summaries the best. and your choice in music.. younha is great, i wouldn't consider liking her music either ..but there's some element about her that you can't just deny yourself from listening to it. haha. i think it's even amazing that she's only 19!
thanks again~!
Required fields are marked *
41 Awesome
June 24, 2007 at 9:50 AM
I truly enjoy visiting your site.
One non-mainstream group you might want to consider is "Candyman". It's hard to find their stuff, but I love what I've heard so far.
Required fields are marked *
42 catinmyfridge
June 25, 2007 at 3:05 PM
Hahaha,
Now put on some ads and you're all set, :)
Required fields are marked *
43 amareally
June 26, 2007 at 8:53 PM
Thanks for the YOUNHA sample ... I recently watched her on Dream Concert, and I think she's bringing something different to the K-Music world which I like... and Congrats on your 1/2 Million
Required fields are marked *
44 carol
August 2, 2007 at 12:37 AM
holy crap .. i didnt know clazziquai's musics were so GREAT. they are so soothingg!!! i only heard one song before in the drama my name is kim sam soon, but the new ones you posted are fabulous! THANKS :D
Required fields are marked *
45 kimone
August 7, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Wow you have so many music recommendations here. I am listening and writing down the names in order to purchase them later.
Required fields are marked *
46 Carol
August 10, 2007 at 3:56 PM
First time posting a comment, but definitely not the first time visiting your blog. I love your posts, and the music you put up (I download them all and put them in my iPod). You're site is very refreshing and your entries-summaries/comments/music always puts a smile on my face. Keep up the good work and thank you for putting some much time and effort into this website. :]
Required fields are marked *
47 Marisse
August 11, 2007 at 8:51 PM
Hey!!!
Thanx for all the songs that u posted here!!!!...
Ive got a problem though, i cant seem to open younha's song "password 486" =(...
it just displays "error opening file"
hope i could somehow be able to open this song....
Thanx again and more power!
Required fields are marked *
48 Gramps
August 12, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Marisse If the version in this site has a problem, there are load of other places on the net where you can find a working copy. For people with little or no Korean ,
http://www.esnips.com/_t_/kpop
is a good place to start. In theory, you have to sign up (free) to download rather than just play the online streams, but if you know, or learn, a little JavaScript and take a peek at the page source, it's not too difficult to download without supplying any particulars if you really want to.
But hey, why not get a legal copy and send some cash Youn Ha's way? I think she's the finest new pop-rock talent to emerge in recent years, and I like her so much I actually bought both versions of her first CD, even though most of the tracks are the same. The repackaged version comes with a cute little photo album (though why they superglued it to the CD case instead of making it a pull-out beats me) which is also great for people like me who need practice reading handwritten Hangul, since it has facsimile jottings by JH around the pix and lyrics. You can get the newer "repackaged" one (I think the original is sold out now) from YesAsia. Better still, click through to YesAsia from javabeans ad. on this site so that way you'll be supporting dramabeans financially as well as Youn Ha.
Required fields are marked *
49 D
September 3, 2007 at 6:56 PM
THANK YOU--really appreciate you for this site. I have to echo the remarks by 'Carol' up there. First time posting a comment but definitely not my first visit. Thanks again...
Required fields are marked *
50 tiffany
September 15, 2007 at 4:20 PM
thanks for all the songs you posted here =)...
I am chinese, and i live in britain, but i love korean songs...and of course korean dramas.. when i was in hongkong, i watched a bit of that "hyena" drama...and i like some song on it... but i can't seem to find it anywhere! However i do know that it always came up when when the woman would cry...it was a sad song..quite slow.. "accustic" like.. do you know the song name??
Thanks again
tiffany
Required fields are marked *