The third, full week of January has passed, and it’s time for a recap of the week’s music shows! All but Mnet‘s M! Countdown aired this week. Winners were TVXQ on M! Countdown and B1A4 taking down TVXQ, Girl’s Day, and Ailee amid their chart manipulation scandal on the other four shows. Also, SBS Inkigayo MCs Lee Hyun-woo and Girl’s Day’s Min-ah are stepping down and will be replaced by actress Lee Yoo-bi and Exo‘s Suho and Baekhyun, making the MCs in total a set a four. Below is a list of my favorites from the week, but don’t forget to comment with your own!
Kiss & Cry‘s “Domino Game,” KBS Music Bank, January 24, 2014
Kiss& Cry released their debut music video three days ago, and I’m already hooked. Their strengths are clearly their vocals, but they bring a good deal of charisma to the stage as well. I’m definitely looking forward to whatever else they bring to the table.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jksbxw2bVA&start=48s]
B1A4’s cover of Geenie‘s “What Is This?,” KBS Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook, January 25, 2014
I think B1A4 and rock genres are a perfect match. From their pop rock cover during the Gayos to this, they have more than enough energy on stage to pull it off.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctb_9l3kxRM]B1A4’s “Lonely,” MBC Music Core, January 25, 2014
B1A4’s latest has such a soothing stage, from the song itself to the choreography. Like their previous songs, “Lonely” is so distinctly B1A4 in all aspects that it makes watching their performances all the more enjoyable.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHvz6vFJluI]AOA‘s “Miniskirt,” MBC Music Core, January 25, 2014
What’s best about this performance is just how aesthetically pleasing it is. The colors and the outfits make for a neat and sleek stage. The choreography isn’t anything special, and the song is solid but generic, but it all comes together oddly well on stage. though I hope that AOA don’t abandon their band concept if this one is successful.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZhn-ldTDbY]Puer Kim‘s “Manyo Maash,” KBS Yoo Hee-Yeol’s Sketchbook, January 25, 2014
Mystic89‘s newest made her first major broadcast appearance on Sketchbook. Her voice has a haunting note to it that contrasts with the cheerier instrumental. I hope she’ll be able to perform at least a little more on the major music shows as well.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0_1S7iOAA]Dickpunks‘ cover of Baek Nan-ah‘s “Wild Rose,” KBS Immortal Song 2, January 25, 2014
Dickpunks pulled out all the stops for the Lunar New Year Special. They were playful, committed to their concept, and definitely put their Dickpunks flair on the song. As a whole, it was a celebration on the stage that truly fit the special.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=741Xc4BSYcE]GOT7‘s “Girls Girls Girls,” SBS Inkigayo, January 26, 2014
This group is really rocking the young, 2pm circa “10 Points Out of 10” vibe, right down to the vocalist that seems to only get adlibs. And it works on so many levels for them. That playful mood on stage, when done with the right song and appropriate choreography, can really grab viewers or fans because it makes it enjoyable to watch. The acrobatics could use better incorporation into the performance, but I’ll take what I can get.
