Best of Weekly Music Shows: 6/23 - 6/28

Welcome back to Best of Weekly Music Shows! It is the time of the week where we reflect on the performances over the last seven days and select the cream of the crop!

As close out the month of June, we are on the cusp of a slew of big comebacks coming in the next month, but since it’s also the midyear point, this week was full of special performances rather than regular programming. KBS Music Bank held their half-year special this week, while other shows took the week off. However, BEAST took home 1st place trophies on MBC Music Core, KBS Music Bank, and Mnet M!Countdown. The 2014 Korea Festival in Los Angeles broadcast this week on KBS as well.

So with so many performances to choose from, let’s get into the best of the week! Be sure to include your picks in the comments!

BTS’s “Something,” KBS Music Bank, June, 27, 2014

The great thing about music show specials are when idol groups cover other group’s songs. It’s interesting to hear and see how different a song can be with other faces and voices creating the song’s stage, and I must say I would have never guessed that BTS would perform a song by TVXQ, let alone do it in a way that felt natural. This was a fun cover to watch and the boys did a great job of bringing that BTS flavor into “Something” with the raps.

Mamamoo and K.Will’s “Peppermint Chocolate” featuring Ravi of VIXX, KBS Music Bank, June 27, 2014

Mamamoo has been such a standout ever since they debuted recently, and their stages of “Mr. Ambiguous” have been dazzling me ever since. With that said, I still want to highlight their special performance of “Peppermint Chocolate” on Music Bank this week. I’m a big fan of the song, and I love how the funky feel translates to the stage. I loved the way Mamamoo moves to the song, even if the choreography is somewhat understated.

Infinite’s “The Chaser,” KBS L.A. Korea Festival Broadcast, June 22, 2014

To be honest, I wasn’t too impressed with the majority of the performances at the L.A. Korea Festival, but Infinite was the key exception. Their performances were high-energy and the members treated it as if the festival was a major music show performance. Infinite’s stage presence is made up mostly of their dancing, which they sold so strongly in “The Chaser.” Without a doubt, Infinite was the standout of this concert.

AOA’s “Short Hair,” MBC Music Core, June 28, 2014

I don’t think “Short Hair” is the strongest of songs from AOA, but the music show performances have given it a major boost for me. I generally think AOA has good-to-great command of the stage, which has kept them on my radar for the last year. They are good at selling a song onstage, and “Short Hair” actually has a slew of great high notes that a few of the members pass around.

Taeyang’s “Body,” “1 AM,” and “Love You To Death,” 1theK’s Wonder Live, June 24, 2014

The fact that Taeyang performed some of the strongest tracks from Rise this week is a major treat. Taeyang’s performance style is suited by these more intimate stage settings where he doesn’t have to fill up as much space, and he’s in full form in these three performances, including my favorite track “Love You to Death.”

BEAST’s “Good Luck,” MBC Music Core, June 28, 2014

So, how impressive has BEAST been with this comeback? Very. “Good Luck” has a strong set of choreography and everything the members do onstage feels big, powerful, and on the mark. BEAST has come back with incredible focus and charisma. They’ve easily earned all of their wins thus far. I’ve especially been pleased with Yoseob’s confidence and energy, and he plays a major part in contributing the song’s energy onstage.

(1theK, KBS. MBC, YouTube [1][2]3[4][5][6])