Welcome to this week’s set of performances from the weekly music shows and more! Most prominent this week was the 2013 MelOn Music Awards held on November 14th, the awards set that primarily uses digital sales and online voting to determine winners for categories. Taking away the largest prizes were Shinee, Busker Busker, and Exo, the three winning Artist, Album, and Song of the Year, respectively. On the music show circuit, Trouble Maker continued their winning streak by taking trophies on Mnet M! Countdown and KBS Music Bank. miss A managed to stop them on SBS Inkigayo, taking their first win for “Hush.” The other two shows did not announce winners. Below are my favorites for the week, but please do comment with your own as well!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqYepXfp00&start=13311s]Dynamic Duo‘s “BAAAM,” 2013 MelOn Music Awards, November 14, 2013
Out of all the performances of the MelOn Music Awards, Dynamic Duo’s takes the cake for creativity. The use of an active set and flaying legs was more than amusing and added a little spice to what was essentially a rehash of the year’s performances. Major accolades go to the guys controlling the fake legs and pretty much any person dressed in all black for the situations they pulled off. (Video should start at the start of their segment, but if not, it’s at 3:41:51.)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKQT8Sw9NKg]
Taeyang‘s “Only Look at Me,” Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook, November 15, 2013
It’s a been a while since Taeyang took the stage solo, and it was nice to see him perform some of his older hits on Sketchbook. It was also nice to see this flattened-mohawk/mane rather than the braids.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYD3TFrWU7I]Choi Min-soo and B1A4‘s Sandeul‘s cover of Shin Jung-hyun‘s “Woman in the Rain,” KBS Immortal Song 2, November 16, 2013
I had no idea that actor and Running Man‘s professional grasshopper hunter could sing. Choi Min-soo’s voice made for great contrast against Sandeul’s smoother one, together bringing the audience a groovy piece. The biggest delight is when the song picks up around the four minute mark and slows only thirty seconds later, tapering off into a smooth ending. In addition, it’s incredible to see the growth in Sandeul’s voice as he applies it to a variety of songs through Immortal Song 2. The difference between the songs he’s been able to pull on the show and his solo in the group’s last full-length album is remarkable and only makes me excited for their January comeback.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd1wlVD8hto]Shinee’s “Everybody,” MBC Music Core, November 16, 2013
The group ended their promotions for “Everybody” this week as it’s soon time to get back to their Arena Tour in Japan. The choreography for “Everybody” is one that I’m still impressed with, and the cameramen have slowly gotten somewhat better at incorporating shots of injured Onew. I admit, this performance was chosen solely out of the rest based on the playful moves around 1:45.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WhjPXUcLCc]miss A’s “Hush,” MBC Music Core, November 16, 2013
“Hush” has proven to be far more addictive than I thought it would be on first listen, the performance similarly captivating. There aren’t many large movements, but it doesn’t matter since it’s the smaller, precise ones that make the greater impact and add to the sensuality of the song.
