Welcome to another rendition of best of weekly music shows. There were some high profile comebacks this week with S, Epik High, Super Junior, Beast, BTS, B.I.G, and Topp Dogg all making their return to the stage. Also, a new girl group named Purfles made their debut on a couple of the major music shows. While no winner was announced on Show! Music Core this week, Vixx notched three wins for “Error” on Show Champion, Music Bank, and Inkigayo. The other winner this week was Gaeko who snagged a trophy for “No Make Up” on M! Countdown. I have selected a few performances that stood out to me this week, but please include your choices in the comments below!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYKFDcbq0w]Purfles’s “1.2.3” on SBS Inkigayo, October 26, 2014
This trio caught me off guard. For a debut stage, these ladies sure showcased a lot of confidence. Their singing was solid and shows potential. “1.2.3” has a catchy electronic bass line, and although there is definitely room for improvement, Purfles have made a statement with their debut song — you may want to keep an eye on this rookie group.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRohwhY4iCo]Epik High’s “Spoiler” on Mnet M! Countdown, October 23, 2014
It was difficult choosing just one Epik High performance to showcase this week. Their performance of “Fly” on Sketchbook was nostalgic and fun, but I especially enjoyed their M! Countdown performance of “Spoiler.” Tablo and Mithra Jin display their excellent flow and cadence in their rapping. The textured wooden backdrop coupled with the fallen leaves that are strewn about the stage bring a trace of autumn flavor to this rap ballad.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Y09wiBK6Q]Strawberry Milk’s “OK” on MBC Show! Music Core, October 25, 2014
This is probably the most saccharine song I’ve heard all year, and it would usually be something that I would cringe through. However, there is a reason this particular iteration of “OK” stood out: the fans. The chants were extremely loud, and as the camera cut into the crowd, we got to see some of their fans donning interesting headgear. Nonetheless, the twins seemed especially spunky buoyed by their audible fans.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOCtvn71MRw]BTS’ “War of Hormone” on KBS Music Bank, October 24, 2014
BTS has been a highlight on many music shows this year because of their ability to pull off complex choreography. Their dancing is not simply limited to the movement of their limbs, but they also carry their performance through their facial expressions. Their previous tracks may have limited their facials to looking like tough, brooding boys, but “War of Hormone” is a lighter song that has the boys hamming it up for the audience. Their expressions are hilarious and bring out another dimension of showmanship for the group. Of course, their dancing (including Rap Monster’s little solo bit) was sharp and on point as always.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ilD8rwiXWI]Jang Kiha and the Faces’s “Mine” on Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook, October 24, 2014
This was a master class in how to get a crowd moving. Jang Kiha’s freestyle dancing was entertaining to watch, if not a tad bit erratic at times. Despite his unpredictable movements, he always commands a firm control of the crowd. His dance moves can bring energetic cheers, his voice can call an audience to sing along, and an utterance of “stop” reveals how well he can orchestrate a crowd. Jang Kiha is simply electric and overflowing with charisma. The band completely rocks as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO4QmKS-DdU]Beast’s “12:30” on KBS Music Bank, October 24, 2014
“12:30” is Beast at their best, and I absolutely loved their stage on Music Bank. The bright white clock works wonders with the excellent lighting, which dimmed during key moments to add a dramatic flair. The winter clothing and fog crafted a sense of timelessness as if the boys were suspended in an emotional moment of their lives. The choreography is also very tight, and Beast’s intricate footwork and controlled spins accented the slower paced song with a classy debonair style. Even with all these other great elements present, the real showstopper here may be the vocals — in particular, Yoseob’s incredible high falsetto note at the end (just wow).
