Welcome to this week’s recap of the regular music shows! This week featured comebacks from 4minute and Lim Chang-jung and a debut from the Jackie Chan-produced JJCC. Winners were scattered with 2NE1 taking M! Countdown, Sistar‘s Soyu and JungGiGo mounting a comeback to take Music Bank, and Girls’ Generation winning the remaining three. MBC Music‘s Show! Champion also had a special episode to celebrate their 100th episode, bringing back some older songs to commemorate the occasion. I’ve chosen my favorites below, but don’t forget to comment with your own ones!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ew83c1aCA0]100%‘s “Beat,” MBC Music Core, March 22, 2014
I’m enjoying how fluid these “Beat” performances are. My favorite parts are when the moves and/or singing are done in pairs, like at around 1:21 on, or are staggered properly. “Beat” feels very much like 100% yet not in a way that’s too repetitive, largely due to the choreography.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O54i0fOTBnI]
Orange Caramel‘s “Catallena,” MBC Music Core, March 22, 2014
If there’s anything you can say about Orange Caramel, it’s that they commit. That have that wide-eyed, doll look down pat for their individual shots which adds an extra sense of novelty to their performances. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one waiting for Nana to one day do that scream from the dance practice video.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT9vPY04GAk]Toheart‘s “Delicious,” MBC Music Core, March 22, 2014
Toheart’s performances are lively and always a pleasure to watch. I love that the sections with the flowers have such flexibility as to which part each is playing and the flowers or bouquets involved. Also bless Key‘s facial structure for allowing him to pull off the dreaded part when it’s somewhat contained by his hat.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeX5vVBWuRs]Soyu x JungGiGo‘s cover of Cool‘s “All for You,” MBC Music Travel Yesterday, March 22, 2014
This pair managed to have more chemistry in these cover than in all of their performances of “Some.” Perhaps they’re more confident after their slew of wins. Regardless of what it is, this stage was surprisingly engaging despite the limited movement, something I credit largely to the nature of the song they’re covering. It also allowed the two to step away from the lighter notes and harmonies that they’ve been restricted to for “Some.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARJ5bXkof30]Lee Young-hyun‘s cover of Big Mama‘s “Resignation,” MBC Music Travel Yesterday, March 22, 2014
There’s nothing like hearing one of the originals sing a song from her own group. I almost didn’t include this performance, but there was something captivating about the way Lee Young-hyun emotes for this song. It’s a song that’s over 10 years old, and it’s only gotten better with time.
