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On Air OST (SBS TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack | Song Yoon Ah | Park Yong Ha | F.T Island
Picked By UniG (See all picks by this editor)
 a fine memorable soundtrack Friday, May 30, 2008
It's been awhile since I came across a drama that really caught my attention - so much so that I fell in love with its soundtrack as well. A drama within a drama, On Air takes you behind the making of a fictional Korean soap opera while dissecting the intricacies involved in carrying out a TV production. The story revolves around the personal and professional lives of four key players in TV entertainment - an actress (Kim Ha Neul), a manager (Kim Bum Soo), a writer (Song Yoon Ah), and a director (Park Yong Ha). By offering heaps of hilarious parodies and flashy cameo appearances by stars like Jeon Do Yeon, Lee Seo Jin, and Lee Hyo Lee, the drama instantly became somewhat of a sensation in... [read more]
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Davichi Vol. 1 - Amaranth
Davichi
Picked By UniG (See all picks by this editor)
A gentle pat on your back Wednesday, April 02, 2008
A few weeks ago, I lost my voice due to a nasty cold. Though weeks of fatigue and sleep deprivation drove me bonkers, one good thing came out of the misery - the husky voice that I had always wanted. Quickly preparing myself for what I envisioned to be my best karaoke performance, I started making a mental list of those who bear the likeness to my newfound sexiness. Several artists crossed my mind such as Lee Hyo Ri, Baek Ji Young, Park Hwayobi, and of course, Davichi. A female pop and R&B duo consisting of members Lee Hae Ri and Gang Min Kyung, Davichi made their debut in early 2007 with Amaranth. The richness of their distinctive, husky vocal timbre and the depth of emotions give the duo an edge over other numerous newbies. Using less falsetto, and more chest vocals, Davichi pulls and sustains the high notes with much control. Their debut album contains mostly easy listening and mid-tempo ballads with lyrics that speak volumes about love's pain, loss, and sorrow. Interestingly, many of the album's lesser-known tracks wound up as my favorites. Ibyeore Bandaemal ("Separation's Opposition") is a country-style pop number that invites you to self-retrospection. Adorned with Davichi's silky, viscous vocals, the song carries out a sweeping melody of past regrets. Exuding similar outpourings of sentiment is Keureongeoni ("Keureongeoni"), a smooth, jazz-tinged ballad shimmered with layers of gentle piano and guitar arrangement. Before swelling to its climax, the song makes a momentary pause;... [read more]
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The Melody Vol. 1 - The Melody
The Melody
Picked By Sanwei (See all picks by this editor)
It's all in The Melody Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Melody reminds me of Mary Poppins. Which is perhaps not what the typical indie rock band is aiming for in their music, but The Melody is certainly anything but typical. Genre labels like pop rock and indie pop really fail to describe the band's bright and airy melodies and arrangements, soft sentiments with rough edges, and hardy, funky, endearing cheer. The Melody makes music that puts a spring in your step, great for a morning commute soundtrack. The closest equivalent that comes to me would be the J-pop act Section-S, but The Melody is even better.
The album starts on a bounce with a busy, playful, circus-like opening instrumental track that channels happy thoughts and content smiles... [read more]
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Koyote - Dance Best and 9.5
Koyote
Picked By UniG (See all picks by this editor)
cheer up with Koyote Monday, December 31, 2007
Famous for their trademark catchy dance/pop songs reminiscent of '80s music, Koyote has emerged as the genre's enduring darling over the last decade. Their long standing career stems from the ability to retain mainstream appeal with their addictive sounds, unassuming and down-to-earth mannerism, dynamic and vibrant stage performances, and last but not least, Shinji, their lone female member and the group's lead vocalist. Almost ten years have passed since she made her singing debut at the tender age of 18, but Shinji certainly needs no tuning up. The multi-talented singer digests every high key with such ease and finesse, delivering her signature husky, splitting tones whenever needed. Not... [read more]
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Brown Eyes Vol. 1 - Already a year...
Brown Eyes
Picked By UniG (See all picks by this editor)
simply exquisite... Friday, November 30, 2007
There are very few albums out there that you can listen to over and over again and never feel the need to push the skip through button. This is just that album.
The originator of the Korean mid-tempo R&B ballad, Brown Eyes offers a good blend of Korean sentiments and R&B soul music. Their soulful sound stands out amongst the monotonous humdrum of R&B. Earning themselves a diverse fan base, the duo set the stage for the birth of a mid-tempo ballad phenomenon in Korea. Undoubtedly, current chart-topping ballad groups like SG Wannabe, See Ya, and KCM owe a great debt to Brown Eyes.
In the wake of pop heavyweights like Kim Gun Mo, Brown Eyes' 2001 debut album Already a year... ranking in at #5 on the bestselling album of the year - not to mention yielding a series of track hits - was simply miraculous. What is more remarkable is that their songs quickly found their way onto the mainstream route despite an unusually daring publicity stunt that kept the listeners in the dark in regards to their identities. Fans who fell in love with their music turned to their music videos, which featured a row of popular, trendy actors instead of the duo. Fans had to keep on guessing who they were.
But by now, we all know the faces behind the mystery. (By the way, those Brown Eyes don't refer to their eye colors). The duo, consisting of Na Ul and Yoon Gun, form an excellent harmony. Na Ul provides the supple soulful vocals;... [read more]
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The Legend (AKA: Four Gods) OST (MBC TV Drama)
Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ) | Korean TV Series Soundtrack
Picked By UniG (See all picks by this editor)
Hisaishi scores BIG time! Friday, November 02, 2007
Four Gods OST is one to gush over and rave about. Almost all of its 19 tracks (and I will explain later why I say "almost") are bathed in the mystical warmth of a historical fantasy. It offers plenty of evocative sounds that capture the essence of this year's blockbuster drama Four Gods (a.k.a. The Legend) starring Bae Yong Joon (Winter Sonata). The instrumental score is definitely pleasurable on its own as orchestral music. Although the songs will resonate better if you have watched the drama, the score alone tells the whole story. The score for the drama has been raising eyebrows ever since Four Gods first aired in September of 2007. Joe Hisaishi, arguably Japan's most prolific and influential... [read more]
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