So, I’m sitting here sipping on iced coffee tonight, expecting a busy day tomorrow. In an effort to keep myself calm and collected, I stalked around YouTube to listen to JYJ‘s material in Yoochun‘s latest Kdrama Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Why? Because I know they’re fabulous singers and can basically whip up gorgeous songs in their sleep.
The first song I listened to was Xiah Junsu‘s ‘Too Love‘ and all I have to say is, GOD, this man is after my heart. This song sounds so inspirational to me, and I don’t even understand a lick of what he’s singing. I enjoyed the layering of his vocals throughout the chorus. I haven’t heard that done in a while, so I’m already skipping with joy.
Junsu really brings those beautiful vocals to full power by the second time he sings the chorus. I mean, the man knows what he’s doing. He sings beautifully. The Earth is round. The sky is blue, etc. I can’t listen to this, though, without the reality of what he and the rest of DBSK is experiencing right now, crawling in the depths of my mind. Honestly, it’s some sad stuff.
But moving right along to Hero Jaejoong‘s song ‘너에겐 이별 나에겐 기다림’, which nailed me when he started venturing into his falsetto and head voice. I love, love, love how he finishes off the second verse. He’s the lead vocalist for a reason – Jaejoong can work it like no other.
I could do without the electric guitar, though. The strings, piano and choral is enough to compliment his impeccable singing, so that small detail could have been tossed out and the song would still end up perfect.
Here are both songs.
Very short and sweet, this time. I’ve fallen behind on my Kdramas this month. the last one I watched was Coffee House but I’m thinking of picking one up again – is Sungkyunkwan Scandal good? Any recommendations would be great.
Thoughts on these songs?
was turned off by the heavy instrumentals in Junsu’s song, but Hero just made me flip out. the amount this guy vocal-wise has improved is inSANe. junsu was born a fabulous singer with insane technique (look up his SM audition… 9 years old and a musician), but i admire the effort jaejoong puts into improving.
Dramas:
DO NOT EVER touch Boys Before Flowers even with a nine-foot pole. DO NOT EVER touch Full House even with a nine foot pole. and DO NOT EVER touch the season dramas even with a nine-foot pole.
but embrace these with a warm hug:
Kim-Samsoon: once you warm up to how S.Korea is used to portraying female characters, you’ll realize how amazingly funny this drama is. it veers in the melodrama direction once in a while, but it is a whole lot of fun.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal: I’ve heard it’s good quality… and Micky Yoochun’s acting is supposedly getting good…
Evasive Inquiry Agency: Best Drama Ever. No explanations.
Time Between Dog and Wolf: Low budget, cliched action drama… but somehow i love it to pieces.
Girlfriend is a Gumiho: oozing with cheesiness but oh so much fun. from the Hong Sisters, who wrote You’re Beautiful. still airing.
Kmovies are even better. I’m A Cyborg But That’s Okay(w/ Rain), 3 Iron, Memories of Murder, Mother, Barking Dogs Never Bite, Oldboy…. i thought there wasn’t anymore about korea to love and then i found them. one of the best if not the best film industries out there.
I adore all 5 members of DBSK, but these two just make me feel all sorts of nice things when they sing. It’s definitely insane how near perfect these guys are.
And many thanks for your recommendations! I’m really considering picking up Skk Scandal, especially since I keep reading that Yoochun is actually a good actor.
And you know what, I’ve never watched a Korean movie. Ever. Where’s a good place to watch them? Preferably with English subs :P
mysoju.com has a ton of Korean movies with English subs. I’ll second the suggestions of Sungkyungkwan Scandal, and My Girlfriend is A Gumiho – if you liked the style of You’re Beautiful, then you’ll like MGiaG. The OST’s not bad either. Also, don’t just watch SKKS for Yoochun – he starts off dull and gets better, but the other actors are good too. It’s funny, and smart and also really nicely shot… As for movies, again I’ll second I’m A Cyborg, But That’s Okay. Just prepare to be confused for most of it – the lines between reality and fiction (in the film) are blurred a bit. I stumbled upon it randomly before I got into k-pop and k-dramas – it’s pretty good.
I’m also watching I Am Legend, which is about a woman who divorces her high society husband and starts a rock band with her friends. It’s mainly a drama drama, so might not be up your alley, but the OST’s really good. They do a mean cover of SNSD’s Genie :)
Thanks for the link and awesome recommendations! I made up my mind – Sungkyunkwan Scandal it is. I’ll actually be starting it once I’m done posting this reply.
And I gotta get into Kmovies now. Definitely taking note of these titles. :D
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3MeAIBtBNA
this is why i adore junsu :)
2. :) glad you can get started on them now.. a lot of movies are on youtube too.. that’s where i’ve seen most of them
drama/movie blogs that do recaps and reviews:
http://www.dramabeans.com/ and http://thundie.wordpress.com/
http://koreanfilm.org/
i’ll recommend more movies if i see any soon :) they are definitely pieces of art.
3. have you ever checked out Brown Eyed Soul?? Naul has one of the best voices in korea and they just have an awesome style/sound
i second heywatchthis about Brown Eyed Soul. amazing music and songs, also Naul’s solo ventures are great. (Naul is also a good friend of Changmin from DBSK haha)
i started watching SKKS with lowered expectations, actually for 2 reasons:
1) i’m not such a big fan of korean historical dramas
2) as much as i love Yoochun, he’s still new at acting. i was slightly disappointed with his Japanese acting before, unlike Jaejoong’s J-dorama which i enjoyed
after the first few episodes of SKKS, i can honestly say that i genuinely enjoy the drama now =) they’re awesome!