As y'all k idol lovers, or k idol fans, or k idol watchers out there know about the situation of Idols in Kpop. Eilah bahasanya lol. Yes! I'm talking about the baby boom of K-Idols: rookies!! There has been so many of them popping out and, honestly, I'm getting kinda fed up of rookies. The KPop market is already over-saturated with boybands and girlbands! They don't need no more of them! .... ahem .... maybe I'm being a bit unfair. I'm not saying that those with dreams shouldn't go after those dreams, rather what I'm saying is "please stop being generic and produce something unique".
Ok, let me make one thing clear from the start: 1) I'm just a loud-mouthed KPop fan who doesn't actually understand Korean, 2) I mainly just watch the MVs and listen to the promotional song, 3) I hardly ever truly like girlbands and 4) I don't care for rookies. You can call me any
Anyhow, there are many rookies who debuted this year and not many of them entered my radar, so I won't be ranting about those who did not catch my attention. I will be ranting in an alphabetical manner about A Pink, B1A4, Block B, Boyfriend, Dal Shabet and X-5. (WARNING: this is a RANT post not a REVIEW post. I'm not reviewing the groups, I'm just stating what I think of them. So this is A SUBJECTIVE POST PEOPLE! lol
#1 A PINK
a 7 member girl group from A Cube, a subsidiary company of Cube. When I first heard of A Pink I went like "*groan* not another girl group... they better not be like ***** or ******" (I censored the names out cos I don't wanna bash XD) but yeah, they weren't like that at all. When I saw their debut stage and they sang the first song, I wasn't interested but when they sang I Don't Know ... that was when my interest was piqued. They have a kind of freshness that I like. Their voices are cute, they are pretty (but really, most girls from girlgroup are pretty). They are interesting enough for me to actually want to know their names (and match those names to faces) which is rare, especially if it's a girl group. But, no, I have not learned and remembered their names.
They released several MVs which are I Don't Know, Wishlist and It Girl. In terms of the song: personally, I like Wishlist better than It Girl but so far, my favorite is their debut song I Don't Know. In terms of the Video: I Don't Know wins hands down
Speaking of I Don't Know. Why did this MV attract me so? Because the song is catchy. And A Pink have the cutest voices! Not only that, their choreo is also cute. Here is the video:
This girl group adds another plus point to Cube Entertainment, because so far, I am liking their artists. Though I hope for a more lively and varied MV from A Pink. Because, frankly speaking, Wishlist is so-so and It Girl, even though prettier, is just blah. Nevertheless, I look forward for more songs from this girl group.
#2 B1A4
a 5 member boyband from WM Entertainment. A less-known agency I guess. I wouldn't have listened to them EVER if not for my Nee-chan. She loves the rookies (namely B1A4 and Boyfriend) and she was on a mission to make me like them too. From the two that she showed me, B1A4 was the one that made the bigger impression.
The first time I saw B1A4 was not through the debut MV, but the performance (much like when I did A Pink). I was not excited or pleased to be watching them - remember my lack of interest in rookies? - but as the song progresses I find myself liking it. The chorus is catchy, and I really like the dance move they did for when they sang 'you' and also the dance they did when they sang the bridge. Not only that, I noticed one member that piqued my interest because of his cuteness. So ... yeah, my first impression of B1A4 is a good one.
See, for me, there are those who have "rookie faces" (call me shallow and superficial. Yes, go ahead. Do it.) such as Taemin when SHINee debuted. And I don't like those with "rookie faces" ... well, except for Taemin. This is one of the reasons why I am liking B1A4. They don't have "rookie faces". In fact, I'm quite pleased with them in terms of looks. They have quite the pretty faces! Not only that! Their voices are also very pretty~
So far, they have only released 2 MVs, which are: OK and Only Learned The Bad Things. The second MV, Only Learned The Bad Things, is a slower and less-energetic song if compared to OK - but it's not a lesser song. In fact, I'm really liking both songs! Although, if I had to pick between them, I would choose OK. In terms of song and video OK beats Only Learned The Bad Things. Not only that! I like how they put the members names in the OK video. It kinda introduces the members and makes it easier to remember each members. To be honest, I'm quite confident I can tell who is which member. Here is the video:
This is a great debut song. It showcases their voices and dancing well. But the second MV shows their vocal even more - and there is a particular member whose voice sorta impressed me. Remember the member that I said had piqued my interest because he was cute? It turns out that his name is Sandeul, and it was also his vocals which had impressed me. Figures.
In the end, I'm not going to say that I "like" this group because I still just don't like rookies that much. I'm going to wait until they release more MVs before I decide whether I "like" this group or not.
#3 Block B
a 7 member boyband created by Cho PD under Brand New Stardom. I was actually looking forward to see Block B's (and X-5's) debut song and stage when I watched Music Bank that day. I don't know why but I was kinda anticipating their stage, but I'm sorry to say that I was ... disappointed.
Block B performed Freeze and my first impression of it was not good. Why? Because for me, the song is just so-so. It might be catchy, but ... no. It's just not good enough for me. But their dancing is pretty good, and that was the only silver-lining I saw. I'm sorry if I'm being so cold to this group, but remember that I don't care for rookies.
In short, my first impression of Block B isn't that good. But then I saw that Block B released a new MV, so I decided to check it out and give these guys a second chance. Aaaaaaaaaaand my opinion of them improved! The second song is actually pretty good. Freeze was meh but Tell Them was better. It was upbeat and kinda more cheerful. And after I watched the MV I decided to give Freeze another shot. It was still so-so, but I'm noticing the rapping. And they're good at that. Oh wait, what am I saying? Of course they are good at rapping, they're a hip hop group, are they not? As I was saying, the guy with the dreadlocks - Zico, is it? - has rapping skills. Now that I'm paying more attention, his rapping intrigues me.
In some ways, Block B now reminds me of Big Bang. Mainly it is so because of the rapping. I don't know why but Zico's rap reminds me of GD. I say that as a form of compliment, 'kay?
So my chosen MV for Block B is Tell Them. Here it is:
My best wishes to Block B! I seriously did not like Freeze, but Tell Them really told me that Block B has potential. I look forward
#4 Boyfriend
a 6 member boyband from Starship Entertainment. Apparently, the twins are my nephew because my Nee-chan says they are her kids. Yeah, she likes Boyfriend a lot ... unlike me.
I first saw Boyfriend on their Music Bank debut stage. When I first heard their group name, I giggled. I mean, seriously, a boyband named Boyfriend? Pfft. That's cute ... but at the same time it has the WTFsocheesy factor. And guess what! Their debut song is also named Boyfriend! I was lol-ing. And then I saw their stage. Their choreo and dancing was okay - cute even! They were hyper and all over the place, it was entertaining to say the least. The song also may also be addictive, but it lacks a certain .... gist that makes addictive songs addictive.
The MV was ... okay, I guess. They were cute and all, but ... hmm ... they look too much like SHINee for some reason. They have yet to show their vocal prowess. Oh, remember what I said about "rookie faces"? It is in my opinion that Boyfriend has them. Yeah, every member. But there is one member that stood out. Guess who? Minwoo. Yep, I think that guy has potential to be hot. Oh, and I don't know why, but I see a little of Nichkhun in Minwoo.
Surprised that I remember his name? Psh, blame that on my Nee-chan. But I only know Youngmin, Kwangmin and Minwoo. The rest is .... blah. Anyway, here is the MV:
Good luck, my nephews! I hope you grow out of your rookie faces like Taemin did! I look forward to the day when that happens. Love, your aunt.
#5 Dal Shabet
a 6 member girl group created by E-TRIBE under Happy Face Entertainment. I don't have much to say for this group other than: they doesn't suit my taste. I'm sorry, but I just don't like them that much. For me, they just feel like any other k-girlbands.
Dal Shabet debuted with Supa Dupa Diva, and then they released Pink Rocket. I didn't really like Supa Dupa Diva in terms of MV and song. Pink Rocket was ... even more "uhm ... what?" for me. If I had to choose the between the two, I'd pick Supa Dupa Diva. Pink Rocket has a bigger WTF factor with the plants and purple wigs and that random pink monkey-man thing. In both song and MV I'd go with Supa Dupa Diva. So, without further ado here is the video:
Nevertheless, I wish them luck!
#6 X-5
a 5 member boyband from Open World Entertainment. They are the only rookie boyband so far who debuted with a different concept, a much mature one. It fits them. They did not have rookie faces - far from it! And that is one of the reasons I like them.
I first saw them on the debut stage on Music Bank, performing after Block B. I actually preferred their debut stage than Block B's. X-5 performed Fantasy and Don't Put On An Act (or is it The Show is Over? rargh). As for the song, I prefer Don't Put On An Act than Fantasy. Fantasy is just too ... too techno ... yeah, something like that. Don't Put On An Act is actually addictive! And I am also totally liking the dance! Um ... maybe not the entire choreo.
As much as I am liking their debut concept, I also think that it's ... too much for a rookie, newly debuted group. I mean, come on, hip-thrusts on the debut stage? It's just too much. Want to know something more surprising? The oldest of the group was born on 1989 and the youngest is 1995. The age difference is ... large.
Not to mention their debut MV! It was just ... no. I guess X-5 is really daring, having a concept like this for their debut. So, instead of showing their MV, I'm going to embed their performance. Here it is:
X-5 is really something. I'm not saying I "like" them, though. lol. Anyway, I will happily wait for their next MV and song. Btw, doesn't one of the members look like Zhou Mi?
Now, I've ranted about A Pink, B1A4, Block B, Boyfriend, Dal Shabet and X-5. I'm trying to decide which one I like best. Let's see... here goes the rankings!
Favorite Debut MV: OK - B1A4
Favorite Debut Song: OK - B1A4
Favorite Debut Stage: Wishlist & I Don't Know - A Pink
Favorite Debut Choreography: Fantasy & Don't Put On An Act - X-5
Rookie With Potential: Block B
Most Anticipated Career: B1A4
AND THAT WRAPS UP MY ROOKIE RANT!!!!!
And to end this post, what best other than some more rookies? ;)
The rookies that ended up to be one of the most popular and influential boyband in Asia. SAY IT WITH ME, BIGBANG BIGBANG! WE BACK AGAIN ONE MORE TIME SAY NO WAY NO WAY! lol. Big Bang's MV from long ago in the year when they were still rookies A Fool's Only Tears.
There are rookies, and then there are rookies. SHINee will always be my forever rookies. They have grown beautifully to follow in their senpais' footsteps to debut in Japan. The Japanese remake of their debut song, Replay~Kimi wa Boku no Everything~, shows just how much they have grown from cute rookies to hot hallyu stars. And shows you how hot Taemin can be once he shed his rookie face.
Enjoy!
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