Hot Korean bands right now? Bi info.?

[Gudrun]

I'm a newcomer to both Kpop and Kdrama. What groups or soloists are the most popular in Korea right now? And what kind of music does Bi (Rain) do? (I know that question sounds crazy given his popularity...) I would really like to listen to more Kpop, either by purchasing CDs or going through iTunes, but I'm not sure where to start.
Advice appreciated!

Courtney

[rooraa]

Gudrun, welcome to the world of Kpop!

Two years ago I stumbled upon it and I've been loving it ever since!

I'm not a big fan of 비 (Rain) but I would describe his genre as being dance. As far as I know his most current song is Rainism, which I have to admit is really addictive although the lyrics leave much to be desired "I gotta be a bad boy"

But I wholeheartedly recommend DBSK/TVXQ (동방신기)!!! In my opinion, they are korea's number 1 boyband =]

Here are some suggestions to start you off

Korean songs:
-Hug (their debut song and it's still going strong!)
-Balloons 풍선 (the happiest mv ever)
-'O'-正.反.合
-Rising Sun 순수
-Purple Line
-You're My Miracle
-Love in the Ice (this the korean verison of the Japanese one of theirs)
-Wrong Number
-Flower Lady
-Mirotic 주문 (there's a Japanese version too)
-You're my Melody 넌 나의 노래
-Hey! (Don't Get me down)

Japanese songs:
-Why Did I end up falling for You (this is one of my favorite songs)
-Choosey Lover
-Step by Step
-Proud (the performances are amazing)
-Summer Dream
-Forever Love
-Beauiful You
-Kiss the Baby Sky
-Survivor
-Bolero

Big Bang is also really popular and they're a boy hip hop group
-Lies 거짓말
-Sunset Glow 뷹은 노을
-Day by Day 하루하루
-Oh My Friend
-So Fresh, So Cool
-Lollipop (a collab with 21)
-Last Farewell 마지막 인사
-Crazy Dog

-Super Junior is a boyband with 13 members and trust me, it's always a lot of fun when they go on variety show XD (There's subgroups too- Super Junior Happy, Super Junior KRY, Super Junior Mandrian, and Super Junior Trot but I just mixed their songs down below)
-Happiness 행복
-U
-Dancing Out
-Sorry, Sorry 쏘리 쏘리
-Don't Don 돈 돈!
-Rokuko!!! 로꾸거!!!
-Miracle
-Why I Like You 니가 좋은 이유
-Marry U
-Cooking? Cooking! 요리왕 Cook King
-Pajama Party 파자마 파티
-The Night Chicago Died
-SHINee 샤이니 is a relatively new boyband but their popularity is just shooting up ^-^
-Replay 누난 너무 예뻐 Noona is So Pretty
-The Shinee World (Doo-Bop)
-Amigo 아.미.고
-Stand by Me
-Love like Oxygen 산소 같은 너 You're Like Oxygen
-Forever or Never
-Bodyguard 보디가드

SS501 is another great boyband
-Snow Prince
-Warning
-Coward 검쟁이
-Deja Vu 데자뷰
-Radio Star
-I Won't Be A Coward 비겁하지 않겠어 卑怯者にはならない
-A Song Calling Your Name 널 부르는 노래 (I like the remix version)
-Making A Lover 애인만들기
-Because I'm Stupid 내 머리가 나빠서
-U R Man
-Want it
-Distance～君とのキョリ (Japanese)

-SG Wannabe is a FANTASTIC ballad group -their vocals are so powerful and emotional
-Crime and Punishment 죄와벌
-Partner for Life 내 사람 My Person (TT__________TT Love this song to death!)
-Crime and Punishment 죄와 벌 part.II
-But 하지만
-Arirang 아리랑
-Forever in Jisang 지상에서 영원으로
-Beautiful in this Way 이토록 아름다운
-La La La 라라라
-Cool Separation 멋지게 이별
-Hello? 여보세요?
-How to Love (ft. 마리오)
-I Loved as Much as I Could Die 죽을만큼 사랑했어요
-Separation That's Not a Separation 이별 아닌 이별

Epik High 에픽 하이 is ..........genius
-Fan
-Fly
-Paris (ft. 지선)
-One (ft. 지선)
-Breakdown
-Music (ft. 케이.윌)
-1 Minute 1 Second 1분 1초
-Umbrella 우산 (ft. 윤하)
-Love Love Love
-Olympic Song 올림픽 되고송

2PM:
-10 Points Out of 10 Points 10점 만점에 10점
-Only You
-Angel
-Again and Again

Se7en:
-La la la 라 라 라
-I Will Do Well 잘할게
-Can You Feel Me (ft. G. 드래곤)
-Get Up And Dance
-All Night 밤세도록
-Girls (his American debut song)

FT Island 에프티 아일랜드is acutally a boyband that play instruments lol =] Sadly, one of the members, Wonbin, left but I really like the replacement guy ㅎㅎㅎ
-Lovesick 사랑앓이
-I'm Happy 행복합니다
-Heaven
-Primadonna 프리마돈나
-Reo Reo 레오 레오
-F.T Island
-The Cool vs. The Pretty 멋쟁이 VS 예쁜이
-I Think I Saw Love 사랑을 보았나봐

8eight 에이트:
-Relationship 사이 (ft. 선예, 예은 ＆ Pdogg)
-Come Back 돌아와줘
-Forget Love and Sing 사랑을 잃고 난 노래하네
-Can`t Stop
-Dala Song 달라송 (original)

A'ST1 에이스타일:
-1.2.3.4. Back
-You
-Yearning of the Heart 아쉬운 마음인걸

AJ 에이제이:
-Dancing Shoes 댄싱 슈즈

Ajoo 아주:
-1st Kiss 첫키스
-Alarm 06:00
-Wealthy 2 Generation 재벌 2세
-Paparazzi 파파라치 (ft. 윤하, 태완 a.k.a C-Luv)
-Lady Lady
-Crazy Love (ft. 현무 of Tresspass)

->I'll more if you want but right now I better do my homework or else i'll stay up unitl midnight T-T

............I just realized that you didn't ask for any song recommendations......
>_________________________________> well I hope you at least check out some of the songs XP

[smorriskc]

Super Junior (슈퍼주니어) is really popular and also really hated. Since the release of "Sorry Sorry" they have become more popular. Some people are joking now that "Sorry Sorry" is the Korean National Apology song! They are a really fun, HUGE group, so there is a member for everyone to like without having to fight over it too much ^_^ (Saranghaeyo Kangin and Yesung oppa!!!)

Roora pretty much nailed all of the popular groups. I love Big Bang (Day By Day/Haru Haru=loooove). They have a new song out for a phone CF called "Lollipop" with the group 2NE1 and it's pretty addicting, I won't lie..

Recently my Korean students (I teach at an boarding high school) love any song from the dramas "Boys Over Flowers" also known as "Kkotboda Namja" (꽃보다 남자 ) or "Beethoven Virus" (베토벤 바이러스) which if you haven't watched either of those...you really should!!!!! They also like the girl groups Kara, Girl's Generation (SNSD or 소녀시대), Davichi (다비치 ) and Son DamBi (손담비).

BOA is a female singer...she's trying to make it big in the US, just like Se7en. She's pretty good, but just not my style.

[pucca246]

Hi
I totally agree with rooraa - javascript:emoticon DBSK/TVSQ are one of the best! (they are my insperation for learning korean and travelling to Korea!!) and I have all their albums, a know a good site where you can download almost anything (free!)it seems the best way to check out an artist before committing to buying album (although DBSK's MIROTIC album is definately worth buying!)
My personal favourites, apart from DBSK, and in addition to the ones rooraa mentioned are Ha Dong Kyun - (great voice) and for "pop" The Wonder Girls - the track So Hot always reminds me of last summer in Korea!
Once you start listening to Korean Music - you will be hooked!!

[se80]

If you're into indie k-pop/rock, which is the genre I like most, go for Cloud Cuckoo Land, My Aunt Mary, Mary Story, Jaurim, Dear Cloud. Casker and The ratios are also good. I'm new to K-music as well so I'm looking for stuff like this.

Also? Clazziquai, but I can't label that band in any way. It's just awesome!

PS: I'd rec Sogyumo Acacia Band which I discovered a few days ago, but it's indie-acoustic-new ageish? IDK. It's not everybody's cup of tea, imho, but I like it.

PPS: I'd check other singers/bands who signed under Pastel Music.

[Gudrun]

Thanks so much for the detailed responses. I'm really psyched! Could anyone give me advice on where to purchase Kpop CDs (someplace that will ship to the U.S.) and where to download Kpop music? I really want to "immerse" myself and have fun.

Thanks to all who replied!

Courtney

[se80]

yesasia.com or Itunes

Uh, yesasia may be addicting. Browse it carefully!

ETA: Epik High's latest album can be found at http://mapthesoul.com/

[smorriskc]

Yesasia.com is REALLY addicting...I should know. I just spend like $200 on stuff from there.

As for downloading music iTunes, at least for me, doesn't have a lot of downloadable songs from Korean artists. I have had to extract songs from youtube videos via vixy.net until I can get an album.

[pucca246]

Hi,

Yesasia is the main site for korean bands but also HMV do music - (sometimes good to compare price) Just a word of warning - check the different editions of cds - the japanese versions are sometimes more than double hong kong version for the same things!
The site I use most for downloads is

http://www.4shared.com/network/search.j ... archmode=3

It is a free file sharing site - just type the name of the singer/band/song into search bar at top and it will give link to songs etc.

The page i sent link for contains music by DBSK just click on the one you want then another page appears - click download -(it only takes aminute then a download button appears ) download to ITunes or whichever music player you use!) This is a good way to try out different bands without committing to buy - just in case it is not to your taste!

[smorriskc]

I was going to mention 4shared, but I wasn't sure how well that was going to be received on a public forum....

[pucca246]

Hi
If I am doing wrong here - please let me know and i will remove the link!

[Gudrun]

Has Epik High's latest album been released on CD yet? I see it listed on iTunes but not on Yesasia. I followed the youtube link and now I'm hooked. I have to get that new CD! Can anyone recommend other Epik High CDs?

Thanks.

Courtney

[se80]

Courtney, go to http://mapthesoul.com/ That's Epik High's official site and they're selling their stuff from there. It's been a HUGE thing when Tablo & Co started the Map the soul project...as far as I know, they're probably the only korean band trying not to rely on anyone but themselves

[matthew254]

rooraa, you're awesome. great response!

[momomossop]

The reason I'm learning Korean is Big Bang... They got me into all things asian ^^