Welcome back to another edition of Best of Weekly Music Shows! This week Big Bang stepped out of the spotlight to prepare for the next round of their comeback, and Shinee took their place as the weekly champions. We saw the return of Kara and CLC, and long rumored boy group Seventeen finally debuted with “Adore U.” Unfortunately, Music Core didn’t air this week due to a baseball game, but worry not, the other music broadcasts had more than enough to entertain.
In case you missed it, here are some of my picks for the week:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmbjPqPXZSA]Moon Myun-jin, “Byul-li” (Kim Soo-chul). KBS Immortal Song 2, May 30th, 2015
Immortal Song 2 celebrated their 200th episode this week and honored legend Kim Soo-chul. Moon Myun-jin’s performance of “Byul-li” is so raw and emotional; I don’t think it’s possible to not feel something while watching him perform (I admit to tearing up from the 1 minute mark forward). His soulful vocal style and connection to the song fill the stage more than any fancy performance ever could. This is hands down one of the most impressive Immortal Song 2 performances I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTE0MjBWL10]Seventeen, “Adore U.” KBS Music Bank, May 29th, 2015
With a couple years of teasing and marketing before their debut, rookie group Seventeen had the bar set pretty high for their debut — and they did not disappoint. Everything about their debut performance was fun, from the choreography to the members’ genuine excitement to be on stage. Much like initial reactions to Super Junior and Exo, the number of members was slightly overwhelming. However, the group dynamics are already very impressive for a rookie group, and I look forward to watching them evolve throughout their first performance cycle.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TiHx_EZiAg]CLC, “Like.” SBS Inkigayo, May 31st, 2015
It seems the ladies of CLC will never have a break in promotions. This week they returned with “Like” amidst sequin dresses, colorful sets at full saturation and cutesy choreography that is hard to not enjoy. Though “Like” may not be my cup of tea musically, the ladies of CLC perform like seasoned veterans and not the rookies they are — which deserves acknowledgement.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Ei5CcCx20]Boa & Eddy Kim, “Double Jack.” KBS Yu Hui-yeol’s Sketchbook, May 29th, 2015
While I’m still unclear on what it means to be someone’s “Double Jack,” I know for a fact that I loved this performance. Boa’s breathy high tones and Eddy Kim’s smooth vocals blend in a way I never would have anticipated. It was a treat to see Boa in such a laid back performance, and hopefully there will be more duets in her future.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TkNwWQIVQ0]Shinee, “View.” KBS Music Bank, May 29th, 2015
This entire Shinee comeback has been blessing us with lovely views. This performance though, we were given the best one yet; Minho‘s thighs. Neomu areumdaun-daun-daun-daun view indeed. The honey thighs were so lovely (and the shorts so exquisitely short), that Minho actually topped Korean searches and trended on Korean Twitter for an hour or so after the performance. Thighs aside, what I really love about this performance is how comfortable and confident Shinee looked the entire time. The camera work and the excited fanchants made the performance all the more enjoyable.
