Welcome back to Best of Weekly Music Shows. October has been quite a month of K-pop to remember. There must be some trends that dictates when every group decides to make comebacks – last year it was during the summertime – and this year October and November seem to be the months to make your mark in. This week, we saw comeback stages from Ailee, Monsta X, and Shinee. SF9 held their debut stages while High4 20 and Sandeul made their unit and solo debuts, respectively. Got7 swept the awards this week.
Without further ado, these are my picks of the week. Please be sure to include yours in the comments below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Ge1yiNl9U
Infinite’s “Destiny” and “Bad,” KBS Yoo Hee-yeol Sketchbook, October 8, 2016
Infinite brought some extra flair and Infinite H showed up with the dancing skills to boot for these abridged versions of “Destiny” and “Bad.” What I love about Sketchbook is that the audio systems are extremely clear. You can hear the boys with more clarity and they are steady in their performance. Add in the toughness of the routine and the quality of the additional dance breaks and you have quite a show.
Shinee’s “Prism,” Mnet M! Countdown, October 6, 2016
While “1 of 1” is full of 90s charm and nostalgia, I preferred “Prism.” While the song sounds like it is in overdrive because of the quick drum machine beat, I just love all the little adlibs that are layered over. The harmonies are glorious. The dance is smooth and hits at all the right moments and that’s just one reason to love a Shinee comeback!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I_GE_F8rPs
Ailee’s “If You,” KBS Yoo Hee-yeol Sketchbook, October 8, 2016
I enjoy this little change up from Ailee. It’s a ballad that doesn’t go overboard. There is a confident restraint that is shown here that speaks to the maturity that Ailee is going for. I especially love the first verse leading into the chorus because she’s just easily navigating through these notes with ease and presence. This is the type of thing that I wanted from Ailee and she delivers it. There’s a connection to the music that is brought out, and it feels authentic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDOubMdVKAM
Dalshabet’s “Fri. Sat. Sun,” SBS Inkigayo, October 9, 2016
This is not my favorite Dalshabet comeback – even from this year; however, they continue to impress me. “Fri. Sat. Sun” is a super fun type of track. Dalshabet add their brand of confident sexiness that accentuates the right beats to add some punch to their lyrical delivery. These four girls are doing it right, and I hope they find the right combination in the next comeback to get that recognition again.
AOA’s Seolhyun, EXID’s Hani, and Twice’s Tzuyu covering Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me” and “Nobody,” MBC DMC Korean Music Wave Concert, October 9, 2016
Three extremely popular visual members from their respective groups join together for a cover of two popular hits from the Wonder Girls. I’m not going to speculate on who my favorite performer here is, but this was a fun cover from these three ladies. As they entered amongst the K-Tigers dancing along to “Tell Me,” they showed why they’re considered three of the top visuals in the industry. Icons in their own right covering a hit from contemporary K-pop legends – what more can you ask for?
Apink’s Eunji and Seo In-guk’s version of “All For You,” TVN 10 Festival and Awards, October 9, 2016
Born from the drama that helped set TVN apart from other cable networks – in terms of ratings – this pair of Eunji and Seo In-guk continue to show the type of chemistry that made watching Reply 1997 so addicting. They have this quirky cuteness that underlies their talent. These two are powerhouses that can do it all: sing, act, and exude charisma. It’s no wonder they headlined a drama that would set off the goliath that is the Reply series.
