Best of Weekly Music Shows: 10/15 - 10/21

Welcome to another recap of the best performances of this week’s music shows! Just when you thought last week was the week of comebacks, this week we saw comebacks from miss A, Ailee, Seo In-young, Block B, and Epik High, along with a follow up performance by BtoB. Here and there, groups like TOXIC and Wonder Boyz also made their debuts. Below are my favorite performances of the week. Don’t forget to share your favorites in the comments as well!

BtoB’s “I Only Know Love,” KBS Music Bank, Friday, October 19th

The group’s follow up song is giving me some slight trot vibes. If there was a little bit of vocal talent or practice spread out among more group members, this song may have gone straight for direction. But BtoB is clearly growing. They’re still a little rough around the edges, especially when it comes to live performances, but this is a little cleaner than previous performances have been.

Block B’s “Nillili Mambo,” KBS Music Bank, Friday, October 19th

Although I liked the aesthetic of Thursday’s performance better, the boys were stronger vocally in this one. Since their music video had very little choreography aside from angry shoulder and fist shakes, I was curious about how their performance would go down. Despite Zico‘s floral-print coat and Kyung‘s bib, they still owned their parts…though I wouldn’t expect anything less from them. And let’s all take a moment to appreciate P.O. just striding to the front in that majestic red coat. And U-Kwon‘s existence in general.

Ailee’s “I Will Show You,” KBS Music Bank, Friday, October 19th

I haven’t really been into Ailee’s music, but this girl’s got a set of pipes even in her live performances. Half the time I feel like that microphone is going to shatter from the pure power of her sound. I also liked the change in clothes that mimicked the music video as well as the style in general of the second outfit–long blazer and mini-dress. It looked good, and the entire performance was a pleasure to watch.

Seo In-young’s “Anymore,” Mnet M! Countdown, Thursday, October 18th

The above clip has both “Let’s Dance” and “Anymore,” but the one I’ve been waiting for is “Anymore,” which is the first song. Even though all she really did was stand at the microphone stand and sing, she still had such great presence that made the performance come alive. And the backup dancers didn’t hurt at all, especially with their formations like the ring they formed around Seo In-young.

Epik High’s “Up,” SBS Inkigayo, Sunday, October 21st

I was hoping 2NE1‘s Park Bom would not be performing with them, mainly because I didn’t like the use of her voice in the song. And thank goodness she didn’t. The stage became just about Epik High, not any other group, as they messed around on stage and performed as if it hasn’t been three years since they’ve released music and performed as three, having not had a group performance since DJ Tukutz enlisted in 2009. And speaking of DJ Tukutz, I always enjoy when he joins the fray after being in the back for most of the song. And also Mithra Jin — it was good to hear and see him rap live for the first time in a while.

Epik High’s “Don’t Hate Me,” SBS Inkigayo, Sunday, October 21st

Yes, yes, I realize there’s already been one Epik High song. But I just couldn’t pick between the two performances. This one features Tablo in a shopping cart and this guy in a pink apron that is probably the best guy to ever have at a party. Voluntarily trying to dance in the middle, but has to be bodily removed from the scene? Check. Rolling under Tablo’s legs on a skateboard? Check. Just rolling by multiple times like you completely belong there? Check. What both “Up” and this stage shared was energy, just so much that you can’t help but smile or feel compelled to watch the performance through.

(Mnet, SBS, KBS, OfficialEpikHigh, KMusicLiveKBS, TanVuMnetLiveHD, bugfany3)