Lip Syncing and K-Pop Idols

Over the years, lip syncing has been noted as a serious offense. It shows to fans that artists are "fake" and can't be trusted. And it tarnishes the reputations of other artists who have a real passion for their craft.

Take for example one time R&B dance duo, Milli Vanilli, from the late 1980's and early 1990's. Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus had a breakout with their hit, "Girl You Know It's True" and it took the world by storm. And they soon followed with other hits, "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" and "Blame It On The Rain". But after speculation began to surface about whether or not Fab and Rob could barely speak English, let alone sing it, critics began to probe into the background of the duo. The heat was on when they had been performing "live" to "Girl You Know It's True" and the track kept on repeating, "Girl you know it's...girl you know it's..." over and over. This forced Milli Vanilli to run off stage. It was then revealed that they were lip syncing their songs and they were stripped of their Grammy.

So, in a nutshell, you are committing social suicide if you get caught lip syncing like these guys, you will not be deemed worthy. Period.

When I got into K-Pop years ago, I was initially pulled into the dancing and bright lights and choreography. The songs were catchy, but I noticed that not everyone were singing during the performances. A friend of mine explained later that it's impossible sometime to sing and dance to the choreography at the same time, so some groups perform to tracks.

Oh, the conflict of emotions that had passed through me back then! On the one hand, I could understand why they lip synced because some of the moves really were complicated. But on the other hand, it was the whole Milli Vanilli thing. Argh argh argh.

To me, sounding out of breath while you're singing and dancing is understandable. And honestly, very much appreciated! Who cares if you have hair flying all over the place and sweating like a hog? Why do you practice 18 hours a day only to sing on a track?? Argh argh argh.

Recently, a Korean music show, "Show! Music Core" stated that they would only have groups perform at least 50% of their songs live. No matter how small the part, they are taking the stance that if you're an artist, you should be able to sing. Well, hallelujah, amen and can I get a "thank you Jesus!" on that! Again, why do you practice 18 hours a day only to sing to a track? And for those groups with instruments, like FT Island, CNBlue and AOA, let me just say that it was really refreshing to see CNBlue actually go onstage "plugged" into their speakers. THAT. IS. LIVE. MUSIC. And I'm glad their company, FNC, was going with it.

CNBlue Bassist Jung Shin and drummer Min Hwan on tour

On the flip side, Super Junior's Ryeowook, made an interesting point through his Twitter:

"To singers, brilliant stages and lights are just as important as sound systems are.. It's true that performance-centric idol singers just lipsyncing is a problem as well, but I think it's tyranny to emphasize just live performances without any improvement..".

This, I can only take to mean, is that if shows are going to make groups sing live, then these shows have got to step up their game and make sure the sound system is working. There have been many times when mics haven't worked, not everyone could get a mic to themselves, or the sound had been sub par. Ryeowook's vocals are known to sound exactly the same as the recorded track. Can you imagine not being able to hear him because of a bum sound system? Unacceptable! Good point, Ryeowook!

Super Junior's Ryeowook

I am torn on both sides. But honestly, I have to say, I would love to see more live show performances. How they do that, I dunno. But I feel strongly that if you're dedicated to your craft, you have pride in what you do, you will want to make sure your best work is heard. The fans deserve it.

Source: Super Junior Ryeowook's Personal Twitter and AllKpop

Will the Cast of "Glee" Be Able to Pull Off Psy?

This is what I'm wondering after seeing AllKpop's article on this.

ABC's hit musical drama, "Glee", will be airing their take on Psy's famous hit, "Gangnam Style".

Everyone has done the horse dance by now. Why not the cast of "Glee", too?

Cast admits it was a challenge learning the song in Korean. Let's see what America, the world, and especially the Koreans think about this latest copy.

Just remember, mimicry is the most sincerest way to compliment someone.

Click here for the link to the article with a teaser.

Source: AllKpop

Lee Hong Ki Wants to Do Music He Wants to Do

FT Island Vocalist Lee Hong Ki

If there is one drawback to being a contracted star, it's the creative limitations put on you.

Lee Hong Ki, the lead vocalist for K-PopRock group FT Island, expressed his concern over being scared about not being able to produce the music that he would like to produce.

On the show, "Do Dream", he expressed that "The music I want to do and the music that the general public likes are different."

I would just like to say, that not everyone agrees with that sentiment. I am not sure if he's talking about the public in general or the audience in Korea, but I, for one, have many varied musical interests and I wouldn't mind hearing the type of music that he would like to put out. Not everyone likes to hear the mainstream stuff. In fact, fans get bored of hearing the same sound over and over. That's why FT Island has become so popular, their sound is different! Instrument playing K-Pop artists? Who would have thought? Not dance pop techno music? Awesome! Some of the biggest hits in music have come from artists that went against the mainstream likes. You never know until you put it out, Hong Ki.

Now, whether or not that is possible is a different story. Like I mentioned before, one of the drawbacks to being a star under contract is that you are limited by your contract. If FNC Entertainment says that he has to sing whatever they put in front of him, well, Hong Ki is sure out of luck.

I hope he will be able to come to a compromise with his agency if that's the case. And I hope he trusts fans, like myself, and will be able to put out music that he likes soon.

Source: KpopStarz

FT Island's Song Seung Hyun Kicks Off Musical

Has anyone heard about what FT Island's maknae (youngest member) is up to now?

Well, it looks like he's joining the rest of his hyungs (older "brothers") as an actor.

In one of my earlier posts, I wrote about how surprised I was that Song Seung Hyun could actually sing. Apparently, he can sing pretty well. Well enough to be cast into role of "Daniel" in the musical "Jack the Ripper".

Now, I'm waiting for the jury to come out on whether or not this guy can act. But if his singing is any indication, he may surprise us.

But...and it's a small favor to ask...can someone talk to the make-up artists, let them know that the guy is actually good looking. And that he doesn't need all that pancake make-up in order to look good.

Hey, I'm all for stage make-up, it worked wonders for me. But if you don't need a lot of it, please lay off. For one, it makes you look like a ghost, another is that it gets very itchy. And lastly, if you start to sweat, you begin to sweat rivers of pancake make-up. Trust me when I say that it doesn't look very good under hot lights.

Take a look below and tell me, does he look like he needs this much make-up? *have to disclose that I don't own this picture. I took it off of allkpop, so rights go to them*

The poor guy has so much make-up he looks like a woman and just shy of a clown. Give the guy a break, please?

Song Seung Hyun...like your hyungs told you, work hard and do well! Hope you have a successful run that will lead to many more opportunities!

Psy's Gangnam Style!

OMG, this song and it's music video is everywhere here. From radio stations, to Facebook posts to covers, it's becoming extremely popular!

I'll admit that this song is super catchy. The beat, the catchphrase "Oppa Gangnam Style!" is so repetitious you'll be saying it in your sleep. And the dancing, good lord the dancing, I can totally see a new dance craze.

But wait! Why does that dance move look so familiar?? Oh yeah! It looks like the galloping horse dance from back in the early 2000's. Only now, it's updated to use two hands to "hold the horse" instead of one.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing Psy for coming up with a repeat move. I just find it funny that a version of the horse dance is making a comeback so soon. Can you just imagine a whole flash mob dancing to this? That would be so cool!

I really like the lyrics. It's interesting cause it's level headed lyrics, but weird because it's with off key scenes.

The lyrics talk about how he is the type of guy, like the guys from Gangnam, that likes girls that are clothed more without any bare skin showing. Like Gangnam guys, he finds girls that are like that sensible, but sexy. Totally his style. Got to respect that. (I'm paraphrasing only a section of the song by the way)

It's hilarity but with a good message.

"Oppa Gangnam Style!" LOL!


I do not own this video. All credit goes to PSY. What a guy that PSY.

SISTAR "Loving You" Drum Cover

I have a good college friend who loves to do drum covers of songs from famous artists.

After some, ok lots, of begging, he's starting to do covers of K-Pop songs again. Yay!

One of his new drum covers is by popular girl group, SISTAR!

I love this song and I love the scenery. It was shot in and around one of my favorite places to blog, a beach park in Hawaii!

I wanted to share this with all who come by. He's an awesome drummer and I want him to keep doing K-Pop! If you have a moment, stop by the "Xymbalreborn" page on YouTube. And show him your love for this song by liking it.

By the way, if you've ever seen a TV show called "Hawaii Five-0", he does a pretty good drum cover of that, too. It's one we all know too well, haha.

Check out his video below!