Happy February, readers, and welcome back to the Best of Weekly Music Shows. This week saw some pretty heavy hitters making their comebacks, most notably 4Minute and Winner. Anticipated new boy group IMFACT made their debut with “Lollipop”. The biggest congratulations, though, goes to Gfriend, who won every music show in an impressive clean sweep with “Rough”. These are some of the stages this week that caught my eye.
Yezi‘s “Cider,” MBC Show Champion, February 3, 2016
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsC9LXg9itk]Fresh off her stint on Unpretty Rapstar, Yezi has made her solo debut with “Cider”. What really stands out in this stage is her ability to command attention with nothing but her flow. Her backup dancers are going insane, there’s actual fire going off, and yet looking away from Yezi is near-impossible. She hold’s the eye of everyone watching her with nothing but bitten-off words and a killer death glare.
Winner’s “Baby Baby,” Mnet M!Countdown, February 4, 2016
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yNlmeC8q-I]I have to confess that Winner has never managed to pique my interest before, but “Baby Baby” might just turn me into a fan. The song and vocals are as smooth as silk, and by pairing it with casual mic stand- focused choreography, “Baby Baby” comes off as classy and timeless. Even with a mid-tempo beat, the boys of Winner have such intensity that it practically radiates through the screen.
Teen Top‘s “Warning Sign,” KBS Music Bank, February 5, 2015
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HqL2aElZEo]“Warning Sign” is another song that oozes smoothness and class, but it carries an undercurrent of sleaze that provides a needed bite. Teen Top performs the intricate choreography with aplomb, weaving in and out with slick polish. One of the strongest elements of this stage is that it’s almost too slick; the excess of ease creating tension. And of course, suits.
The Legend‘s “Crush On You,” MBC Show! Music Core, February 6, 2016
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAB5d4o6AwY]The main thing that “Crush On You” has going for it is that in a time of minimalism and midtempo songs, it’s an energy bomb of fun. The choreography is ridiculous and unrefined, sloppily executed, and impossible to watch without smiling. The energy of The Legend only adds to that feeling; it’s not tightly focused and intense, but rather loose and chaotic. “Crush On You” is the perfect midwinter pick-me-up.
Gfriend’s “Rough,” Mnet M!Countdown, February 4, 2016
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlbqFMuQjRg]Gfriend won every single music show this week, and it’s not hard to see why. They may have an innocent image, but it’s by no means pigeon-holing their sound. The choreography for “Rough” is on point, hard-hitting and powerful, yet tempered with grace. In many ways, they are the true female counterpart to Infinte, in that their songs are good, but their dancing is so far out of this world, it’s in the Andromeda Galaxy.
Those are my favorite stages of the week, readers. If there are any you loved, please add them in the comments!
