This week was rather uninspiring without a single odd-named band debuting and with only two comebacks: BtoB with “You’re So Fly” and Juniel with “I Think I’m in Love.” Show Champion was replaced by the Asia Idol Festival this week, while Music Bank went for a “Bio Industry Expo Osong Korea 2014” special. Music Core too presented an Incheon special while M!Countdown showed a highlight of older performances. TaeTiSeo emerged victorious on M!Countdown and Music Bank. Music Core did not announce a winner. I have chosen my favourites but do mention yours.
[youtube http://youtu.be/bhTIczE-4gQ]VIXX‘s “Eternity” on MBC Music Core, Saturday, October 4th, 2014
VIXX have always been consistent in their performances, and this one was no different. Clad in suits, they brought the eerie and the mysterious even while drowning in enthusiastic fan chants. Ah, the fan chants; they were a performance in themselves. The BTS fan chants came to a close second.
[youtube http://youtu.be/fGTv76lfeqM]Soyou and Urban Zakapa‘s “The Space Between” on KBS Music Bank, Friday, October 3rd, 2014
Although, Urban Zakapa did hit some jarring notes, Soyou managed to mollify those sharp edges. Soyou is slowly becoming a collab favourite, and why not when she has a distinct voice quality which doesn’t overshadow the main artists’. Sadly, the latter is becoming a bit of problem in this song with Soyou being rendered as a background vocal.
Perched upon walls, this performance has been their cutest yet.
[youtube http://youtu.be/Dvfs2YgBU5I]Puer Kim‘s cover of Corinne Bailey Rae‘s “Like A Star” on KBS Yoo Hee-yeol‘s Sketchbook, Friday, October 3rd, 2014
Puer Kim’s uniquely captivating voice almost merges with Corinne Bailey Rae’s in this song. Initially a pre-debut cover, this performance charts the finesse and skill developed by her as a singer over the years.
[youtube http://youtu.be/DMN-4nJcdNg]Kara‘s “Mamma Mia” on MBC Music Core, Saturday, October 4th, 2014
Somehow fireworks turn into sparkly crystals when Kara performs. I have always been of the opinion that “Mamma Mia” is not a song for small stages; it needs large ones like this. The whole performance demands a lot of utilization of space, and a tiny stage does not allow for that. On a passing note, Gyuri looks so regal!
[youtube http://youtu.be/a7ZkmEx8uCE]Sistar‘s “Touch My Body” on KBS Music Bank, Friday, October 3rd, 2014
The Music Bank stage was honestly too large and oddly shaped for groups who have tight-knitted choreography. BTS was sharp as usual but they looked like a tiny cluster in the centre. Same goes for Teen Top. However, Sistar made good use of space. Their song is a fun track which allows them to roam around the stage and interact with fans, which is exactly what they did.
[youtube http://youtu.be/oaggQ6cD2TU]Bada‘s cover of Choi Ho-seop‘s “As Time Goes By” on KBS Immortal Song 2, Saturday, October 4th, 2014
Taking a break from her diva mode, Bada went for a mellower but more challenging number and had the audience in tears. I am not a big fan of her voice, but she landed every note so well and with so much patience that it was difficult not to feel a bit cheated when she didn’t win against Kim Kyung-ho.
