‘Tis the season for award shows galore, but, alas, that means less fresh material for the weekly music shows. Despite this small setback, there were some notable performances that are sure to brighten up anyone’s day. A Pink continued their dominance in the music show circuit, gaining more wins for “Luv.” Congrats to them!

Although this week lacked in strong stages, here are a few favorites that stood out for me.

“Erase,” Hyolyn x Jooyoung, MBC Music Core, December 13, 2014

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzzt4QXwM8Q?rel=0]

With each appearance, the chemistry between these two is steadily improving. Hyolyn’s sultry vocals blend well with Jooyoung’s smooth timbre, giving us a sensuous mix that sounds soothing to the ears. They really seem into each other for this, giving viewers a tantalizing performance.

“Best Girl,” Ulala Session, MBC Music Core, December 13, 2014

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPhCWfhJY0s?rel=0]

I enjoy high-energy stages, and this one was a lot of fun. The members all looked like they were having a great time, making for a lively set that would have anyone dancing. I also appreciated their audience interaction, cheering for them to sing along. It’s wonderful to have a group let go and just have fun on stage!

“Piano Man,” Mamamoo, MBC Music Core, December 13, 2014

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknXmHXgLKI?rel=0]

Clearly, Music Core was on fire this week as they held some of the best stages. Mamamoo was exceptionally fabulous, as usual, sparking up the set with their fiery performance. Their bubbly tap dancing added to the flirty, swing-era feel, showing how much spunk this group has. With each stage, this group proves why they are the female rookies to watch from 2014.

“The First Snow’s Falling,” Sonnet Son, Arirang Simply K-pop, December 11, 2014

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t-V_z97e5U?rel=0]

This artist is new to me, but she will definitely make my playlist now. Normally, holiday songs turn me into a scrooge, but this jazzy, mellow number mixes things up with some Latin beats. Her scatting is quite lovely and adds to the bluesy feel of the song.

“At Close,” Kyuhyun, SBS Inkigayo, December 14, 2014

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVmrUZTZCo?rel=0]

As a follow up from his debut album, this song was a great choice for music shows. It’s quite tender, as is Kyuhyun’s voice, lulling one into the gentle vibe of this song. His vocals really stand out the best here, powerful, strong, and unwavering. The atmosphere is completed with a beautiful arrangement of lights, bringing out the somber romance of the song.

What were some of your favorites this week? Any new performers that caught your attention? Share them in the comments below!

(YouTube [1][2][3][4], SBS, MBC, Image via SBS)