Media
20111023_seoulbeats_chatbox

SB Chat Box #6: K-pop in Japan and if I were an idol…

45
Written by On November 24, 2011

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!

This week, Subi and I discuss:

  • T-ara‘s comeback (0:40)

  • DBSK as influences? (7:38)

  • Famous people and courtesy (8:40)

  • The infamous “but he/she improved!” argument (10:06)

  • J-pop vs. K-pop (15:44)

  • K-pop in Japan (21:54)

  • If I were an idol… (30:20)

  • BoA‘s career (34:29)

  • Subi’s ideal K-pop group (37:03)

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.

Download the podcast here.

Shouts this week goes to Lubrro for guessing all the songs from last week’s chat box. Songs shouldn’t be that hard this week — guess away!

As always, check out our past podcasts here. And we do read your comments so let us know what you want us to talk about next time.

Have a great holiday, and until next time…!

Related Posts

TAGS: , , , , , ,
  • Klim7254

    T-ara debuted with lies.  Just pointing it now….

  • http://twitter.com/chiwawa__ Chiwawa

    Now i’m gonna be one of those persons.Sure idols should be able to hold a note something that Sohee couldn’t do for dear life a couple of years ago, she has improved slightly now but that’s not the point.

    Instead of blaming the individuals I personally feel the blame should be shifted to the management that decided to debut idols that are lacking in the vocal department. And to some extent i’m fine with some less talented idols debuts as the face of the group because that’s just how it is as long as they got good vocals in the rest of the group.

    Regarding the last part with which idol you would want to be. I wouldn’t want to be Kahi considering how rough her life was before she debuted. There’s plenty of idols that comes from families that are well off and are talented as well.

  • Anonymous

    More than 50% of Korean idols don´t sound good singing alone either and the fact is that J-pop is not just about Johnies.

  • RedOcean

    XD Lady Gaga’s Kpop equivalent? Kim Heechul, a.k.a. Lady HeeHee.

  • Anonymous

    Well, in defense to Kim Hyun Joong, he’s one of the most stable performers I have seen in kpop. His voice is not very strong or memorable, but he is still able to hold a note and hold it while dancing. His live and mr-removed performances sound pretty much the same as his recorded songs, and not many other idols can say that.

    So I don’t really see what you guys see is the problem with his performances. But then again, I’ve just been following him recently, so maybe there’s something I’m missing…? Because I haven’t seen a single terrible performance from him yet. 

    • http://twitter.com/miss_subi Subashiny

      I’m so used to seeing him perform with SS501 and honestly dude, in comparison to his bandmates, he barely made a peep. Maybe it’s a benefit of going solo but for a majority of his singing career, which as of now, has been with SS501, he withered in comparison. And it’s not like SS501 is an amazing vocal powerhouse either. 

    • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

      I honestly love Kim Hyun-joong to death but he is ALWAYS breathless in lives. Have you seen his “Love Like This” and “Love Ya” performances with SS501? He is so awful compared to the rest of his bandmates.

  • Pingback: Ride2esc: » SB Chat Box #6: K-pop in Japan and if I were an idol… | seoulbeats » Ride2esc - About / Photo / Video / Comment.

  • Anonymous

    I always enjoy these chat boxes! I’m starting to wish you’d guy make a video, though. Like, so we can see your expressions and how you look and everything. It was interesting to hear you two chat about Jpop, because I’m very unfamiliar with Jpop. I mostly agree with you guys on everything, especially the “they tried really hard” thing.

    I love Key but I don’t think he’s that amazing. I think he’s well-rounded in dancing, singing, and rapping, but not especially amazing in any of those categories. I mainly love him for his personality. I have to disagree with you guys on this duet with BoA. To be fair, I’ve never actually watched it and I wasn’t at SM NY, but I’ve seen some up-close gifs and pictures of his duet with BoA and I thought he looked a little awkward. As in, he’s gay and doing a duet like that with BoA was a little weird for him. I suspect that Key is gay, and I don’t mean that as an insult in any way.

    I wanna be Beyonce, too. I’d love to hear your commentary on Western artists but this is a Kpop blog so I’ll probably never know your thoughts on Western music (UK & USA).

    I wanna see Subi do a dance cover.

    Edit: btw Amy, I think you’re taller than all of SHINee.

  • Anonymous

    Love the podcasts guys!  It’s great hearing k-pop being discussed in English.

    I loved the j-pop tangent.  I’m a huge Arashi fan and it’s not for the singing (except Ohno!!). They just make me happy. For some really good j-pop artists try Daichi Miura, Matsushita Yuya, and Yui.  

    • frou-frou

      Don’t forget Utada Hikaru and Shiina Ringo. Not idols, but spectacular examples of J-pop done right.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

    I just dislike how all these idols are infiltrating dramas TT^TT 

  • http://leechanghwang.blogspot.com/ sung yuri

    great discussion! Keep it up!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

    Oh, could you guys talk about IU’s comeback? I want to hear your opinions :D

  • Pingback: debt reduction

  • http://colourmesplendid.wordpress.com Ree

    …

    Matsujun is my favourite. 

    STOP

    WHY

    *SOB*

    EVERYONE KNOWS ALREADY

    WHAT DO YOU ACHIEVE

    /cuts self

    /shuns

    /blubbering mess

    Also, Key. He COULD do everything really well. Have you heard his singing lately? *cringe* He would fit into Kanjani8 seamlessly.

    • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

      Hey, I LOVE Matsujun (prolly one of my faves in J-pop cuz he’s such an adorable loser) but he needs to be ragged on because something is UP with his gross ass singing and dancing. We are equal opportunity critics, we don’t discriminate :)

  • Naia

    Agreed with the “improved” argument. My professor was going about about
    how she appreciates effort but this isn’t something that can be
    legitimately judged and have a value placed on it. That’s why exams are
    in place. Because this is a solid way of placing value on something,
    though of course tests has its own problems but it is the only thing
    that can be judged solidly.

  • mija

    Im so jealous of how u guys get to discuss kpop with each other cause i have no one to talk about it with. anyway keep the chats coming! 

    • http://twitter.com/miss_subi Subashiny

      You know, you could always tweet and talk to me about it. 

      • mija

        Cool! what is ur twitter name?

    • Alice20

      There are loads of ppl online that are eager to chat with others about kpop. Blogs, FB groups, chatrooms, etc. Go find ur niche. :)

  • Anonymous

    First of all T-ara debuted with Lies not TTL.  Their first song ever was “Good Person”, but their official debut with their final members was “Lies.  I just thought I should clear that up. I really like TTL because it was a good song with good vocals, I just wish CCM would give them better material because they have the talent to perform better material. I agree about the improve argument, frankly I would prefer that they come out talented to begin with rather than improve over time.  If they need to improve so much in the first place they shouldn’t be performing or acting.  For example, most of the idol-actors from SME shouldn’t be near a kdrama with a 10 foot pole and it sucks because there are some really talented up comers and rookies that are losing opportunities to get their abilities out there idols that get roles solely based on their popularity and their company’s influence. I agree with Hyunjoong, how the heck does that guy get acting jobs., he is an adorable guy but yeah he shouldn’t be acting. I agree about what you said about kpop in japan and korean entertainment exagerating things but I do think KARA is actually doing pretty well in Japan partly because they actually took the time to learn the language and are really trying to adjust to the jpop market much more than other groups. If I could be in a group I would like to be in 2ne1 because I would love to be in YGE and I actually like a lot of the clothing they wear and I would love to be CL.  

    Wow Amy I never knew you were that tall, I think I am either the same height or maybe an inch shorter.  I love wearing heels though….which sucks for my friends since most of them are significantly shorter than me and with heels I am about 6 ft tall. 

  • madgal29

    About the ‘but he/she improved’ argument, I think that since these Idols have already debuted which their obvious lack of talent and gotten so much flak about it, we should stop putting them down for it. There is nothing that can be done about the fact that So Hee can’t sing; it’s not like if we complain enough she’s gonna pull out. It will only make her feel bad, when she sees all the comments against her. We should credit the fact that she improved and is trying to sing more lines live. 

  • HelloHello

    Ugh, I hate how people always use the doctor argument for things. Personally, I don’t think it’s a fair comparison. I like to think of it as someone on their first day of a new job. For example a cashier, they still aren’t expected to work as fast as the more experienced workers yet are still getting paid for what they do…

    • Anonymous

      I do think their other two examples were valid though. Additionally, they weren’t talking about the debut of bands or something. These members have been training for some years and do have experience.

  • Hanakim_jYpnation

    BEG – How Come  (Ocheda Ocheda…!!)
    YMGA – What
    SS501 – Lalala
    Taegoon – Betrayed (I love this SONG!! .. He is so underrated.) WAIT…I hear 2PM…Dang it’s 2PM – TIRED OF WAITING!! (Love that too.)

  • Mes

    with K-pop vs J-Pop, you also got to bring the fans point of view too sometimes because like the media the fans hype up Korean bands going into Japan. Also some of the K-pop fans are ignorant how the Japanese media works,and are tyring to push Kpop to the JPOP fans.

  • http://twitter.com/MakeNoteOfIt Maria L

    I just want to start by saying that your chats are great. I’ve done
    podcasts for JPHIP before and they’re quite fun but keeping up a weekly
    conversation can get hard! Working for other KPOP blogs, I’ve always
    suggested/partook in things like this because it brings a sort of class when you
    can portray your knowledge of a subject well and pulls readers to
    comment/suggest stuff. So props to you guys for keeping this up!

    Anyway, now it’s my turn
    to be on the other side of the spectrum and ask… If you could be
    friends with any celebrity, who would it be and why? I chose a fairly
    easy one to do since I’m sure I’ll be asking more intellectual or “brain racking” ones in
    the future :p

    -sLaVe

    • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

      “sLaVe”…I haven’t seen that username in a while! ;)

  • Anonymous

    For someone that has so many gripes with T-ara you guys certainly do talk about them a lot! FYI, you’re butchering their names…if you’re going to try and use Korean inflection when you try to say Korean words and names it wouldn’t kill you to actually learn how to enunciate correctly. Otherwise you come off looking ignorant. Example: Eunjung is pronounced Uhn-Joong. Eu and u are not pronounced the same. And for God’s sake, say Roly-Poly. Lolly-Polly is not the name of the damn song. You’re an American using Engrish and you sound stupid. THAT is more offensive than any concept T-ara has ever done because you’re simply perpetuating a stereotype that Asian people are unable to accurately pronounce certain words in English, and it sounds like you’re making fun of them for that.

    By the way, I’ve noticed a lot of holes in your knowledge regarding K-Pop and certain groups in your articles. It would help if you guys kind of knew about its history a little bit more, because for all of your attempts at trying to sound intellectual and like real music critics you oftentimes sound more like bitchy valley girls who are more interested in slamming girl groups for their fashion while putting your boy band biases on a pedestal.

    Wait, never mind…you sound like every other ridiculous boy band-obsessed fan girl on the internet. My bad.

    • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

      I like how you call us bitchy valley girls who are interested in slamming other girls when you are…doing the very same exact thing to us.

      By the by, I love T-ara. Yeah I have gripes with them, but it’s not okay to like a group and have gripes with them at the same time?

    • Anon

      This was excellent and more appealing and worthwhile to read than what most of these girls type up in the first place. Very lulz-worthy.

      Funny how the bitch couldn’t even provide a good retort. (Oh, sweetie don’t get butthurt now ‘mmkay?)

      It’s pretty ironic when you compare it to any other TL;DR article here.
      I expected a wall of text containing excuses and generic arguements that sound intellectual but is ultimately pulled straight out of their ass.

  • Anonymous

    T-ara stuck with that late 90’2 – 2000′s pop sound that was okay at first but just bothers me now.

  • Luckypoof

    BEG – How come 
    YMGA – What
    SS501 – A song calling for you2PM – Tired of Waiting

  • Pingback: video production web

  • Pingback: direct response tv marketing

  • Pingback: cool caravans

  • Pingback: television show production

  • http://twitter.com/KimcheeSushi フェィシア

    LOL SUBI. i love your love for yunho. it’s so cute. 
    I have to say.. I think it’s suicide for kpop groups to debut in korea, have like.. one debut song then head off straight to japan just because they have ‘learned the language’. Like, at least build some decently strong fanbase in korea so you know.. in case you fail you don’t just blump into the blackhole where nobody ever hears them again. Just because DBSK, SNSD, and KARA are successful and is raking in money doesn’t mean that because you’re korean you’ll get the same thing. And the remakes… at least be genuine about it. Get a new song, remakes are very very insincere imo. 

    oh if only i can dance. i cant even like… move my right hand and left feet and alternate unless i concentrate for the first 3 minutes >.>

  • Pingback: buy guest beds

  • Pingback: Martin

  • Pingback: Buy Facebook Fans

  • Pingback: outdoorWickerBarStools

  • http://twitter.com/4M_kellyxo Kelly~

    OMG. Kim Hyun Joong is a better actor than Matsumoto Jun?!? HEELL NOOOOO. Have you ever watched Hana Yori Dango? Kim Hyun Joon can’t even portray Hanazawa Rui/Ji Hoo well and you tell me he’s a better actor. Really.