Stellar – “Rocket Girl”
Lyric that says it all: Baby, I wanna go higher / On a small rocket in between the stars…

Corynn: So in this version of the future we’ve got everything from mechanized hearts to stun guns, but everyone’s got the same sunglasses? What’s up with that?
Janine: Not true! It looks like Eric Mun‘s got the monopoly on stylish shades. I guess in the future you get a free set with every heart transplant. Who would have guessed?

Teen Top –  “Supa Luv”
Lyric that says it all: Even if the sky and ocean are big and wide / They can’t do as much as my heart…

Janine: Wait a minute! What is Eric Mun doing in yet another futuristic music video? Is he stuck there? Like do we need to get Doc Brown and a DeLorean together to get him back from the future?
Corynn: Or did he start there to begin with? Did he change the future by coming to the past which is now our present? Oh, wow, I’m confused….

BoA – “Copy and Paste”
Lyric that says it all:We’re gonna hit Ctrl C for copy /And then we’re gonna hit Ctrl V for pasting / And create the man of my desire…

Janine: So in BoA’s future you can copy and paste yourself a man? Oh the possibilities….
Corynn: Function keys in everyday life? I vote we should also get Ctrl F to find all the headphones and wireless mice I keep misplacing.

Se7en – “Tattoo”
Lyric that says it all: No matter how I try, oh / These memories won’t let go…

Janine: You know I kind of have a problem with this future. There are like literally no colors anywhere and even if you own a Segway, you still have to do your own ironing.
Corynn: If that robot had time to wiggle around and dance to the song, it certainly had time to steam Se7en’s desaturated wardrobe.

2NE1  — “Can’t Nobody”
Lyric that says it all: Even if you block me / I’ll break through and keep going

Corynn: You know what’s really in the not-so-distant future? 2NE1′s US debut! I actually heard the English version of “Can’t Nobody” in a New Jersey restaurant this week!
Janine: I guess “nobody” really can stop 2NE1, even when they want to blast off into space.

So what did you think about these super-modern music videos? Have you come out of hyperspace or are you still somewhere in orbit? Be sure to leave your comments whenever you make it back, below.

The first time we actually got a chance to see 2NE1 in action was before that Inkigayo performance. Some fans may remember them premiering alongside Big Bang in a commercial for LG Cyon phones, with the addictive, colorful and flirty song, “Lollipop.”

All Photo Credits to YG Entertainment

But when it came time for their first promotions, the girls bashment party, infusing reggae and hip-hop inspired sounds for the song “Fire,” which released with two different versions. Remember the “Space Version” MV? It was a mix of colors and dazzling sets. And who can forget Bom playing a Vegas Bunny inside a gigantic Ace of Spades playing card?

The “Street Version” MV of “Fire” was more down to earth, but just as fun and inviting.

Then came “I Don’t Care.” While other K-Pop girl groups were too busy worrying about boys, 2NE1 had other plans. Take their lyrics for example: “From now on don’t come to me and cry, and cling on/cause I don’t care…” Because of the track, 2NE1 was getting recognized as one of the most kickass female groups out there.

Enter “Try To Follow Me,” which showcased wild fashions and a catchy hook in the edgy MV. And while it was obvious that CL went gaga with a bedazzler, the video surprised many when YG let it drop without any notice. Talk about a surprise? In true “Follow Me” fashion, YG’s stunt read: “Keep up or be left behind.”

Then suddenly 2NE1 dropped their full-length album, To Anyone, which hit us with three amazing singles. First up was the MV for “Can’t Nobody.” Minzy’s looks were “so bad bad” (like totally badass with all that leather and metal), and the song was so totally “good good”.

“Go Away” came next, breaking down the image of the world’s baddest female. CL had more than a few relationship problems, but that is of course, until her abusive boyfriend got what was coming to him.

“Clap Your Hands” revived a hip-hop feel we hadn’t really seen from them since their debut. Because really, what’s more hood than matching designer jackets?

“It Hurts (Slow),” another single from To Anyone hit later, with perhaps one of their most outlandish concepts to date. We’re still not quite over Dara’s hair, but then again are we ever really not surprised with Dara’s hair? That girl can pull off anything.

Oh and then there was “Lonely.” The slow acoustic song, that was über intimate, while the MV was less in your face with crazy props and sets. The concept featured the girls in slightly calmer fashions, but still with a superior sense of style.

Then came a total turnaround. Blackjacks were reminded that though these girls were once “Lonely,” they were still the best. “I Am The Best” busted onto the scene and set 2NE1 right back to where they left off. And as always their outrageous approach to fashion helped kick this MV out of the park. And CL with a baseball bat? How convenient….

And then finally, one week after animated versions of the ladies appeared in the MV for “Hate You,” the MV for “Ugly” dropped. As if 2NE1 didn’t look good enough, they totally went against the grain and the lyrics of the song with super fluorescent colored clothing. Seriously, what can’t 2NE1 do?

As one of the most influential groups in the Korean pop industry today, it’s no wonder why the girls who take fashion, music and female empowerment to new heights are simply the best in the game. Here’s to at least three more years of idol stardom.

Stay posted on MTV K for updates.

Branching out to eight cities in five different countries, YG may be coming to a place near you sooner than you think. Wondering whether you have what it takes? Looking for anyone between the ages of 11-19 from any race or nationality, their first stop is London, England in mid-June. And since this is YG’s largest global audition in the past 16 years, it should come as no surprise that Big Bang had something to say about it. Straight off of YG Entertainment’s official You Tube page, check out Big Bang’s message below along with the official global audition dates.

London, England: Saturday, June 16

• Korean Cultural Center

Berlin, Germany: Saturday, June 23

• Koreaniches Kulturzentrum

New York City, New York: Saturday, July 7

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (between Fort Lee, NJ and NYC)

Toronto, Canada: Wednesday, July 11

• Dosan Hall Gallery

Seattle, Washington: Saturday, July 14

• Korean American Broadcasting Hall

Los Angeles, California: Saturday, July 21

• Korean Cultural Center

Tokyo, Japan: Friday, August 24

• Location to be announced

Osaka, Japan: Sunday, August 26

• Location to be announced

Deadlines to hand in your applications are quickly approaching. Download them here and be sure to hand them in soon!

European applications can be sent to euro@ygmail.net before Friday, June 8 at 4:00pm.

American and Canadian applications can be sent to uscanada@ygmail.net before Wednesday, June 24 at midnight.

Japanese applications can be sent to japan@ygmail.net but the deadline has yet to be announced.

Photo Credit: Jay Park's Twitter @JAYBUMAOM

FreshA!R-Breathe!T  has already been getting tons of positive feedback all over Jay’s Twitter, because the variety of tracks is so good (something we haven’t seen since his album Abandoned) and ultra assertive. Powerful tracks like “Hopeless Love” and “William Hung” show a bravado we like from Jay on this six-track mixtape. We guess the once sugar-coated 2PM heartthrob isn’t mincing his words anymore either. Lyrics like, “I’m gonna put you on a sofa/And do just like I told yah/And work that body right” from “Do What We Do” comes right at you and is brazenly unexpected. All in all, this mature side of Jay absolutely makes for an extremely promising mixtape.

By the way, no need to worry about searching for all of the tracks. They’ve all been released thankfully on Jay Park’s official You Tube page.

01 You Know How We Do (prod.LODEF) feat. Dumbfoundead

02 BODY2BODY (prod.CHACHA)

03 Do What We Do (prod.CHACHA)

04 Be With Me 2Night (prod.CHACHA)

05 William Hung (prod.LODEF)

06 Hopeless Love (prod.LODEF) feat. Cha Cha Malone

What do you think of Jay Park’s new mixtape?

According to Naver, fans responded pretty well to the “Voice,” the previously released single, while the teaser for the “Good Boy” MV attracted well over 500,000 views on YouTube. Sounds like Baek should do upbeat songs more often. Lyrically “Good Boy” is all about a boy who has gotten a little big-headed from one too many compliments, and needs a little reminding about who’s the boss in the relationship. In the rap sequence, Junhyung provides the voice of the good-boy-gone bad, making light of her annoyance to prove that he has no master.

GOOD BOY TRACKLIST
01. “Good Boy” ft. BEAST’s Junhyung
02. “Voice”
03. “Today, More Than Yesterday…”
04. “Good Boy (Acoustic Version)
05. “Voice” (Rap-less Version)
06. “Good Boy (Instrumental)
07. “Voice” (Instrumental)

The mini-album has four tracks in all, starting with high-energy dance track “Good Boy,” moving into the ballad “Voice” and eventually into the mid-tempo “Today, More Than Yesterday.” The album’s highlight is the acoustic version of “Good Boy.” It’s an epic guitar-and-drums play that almost didn’t see the light of day, but luckily for us Loen Entertainment decided to just go ahead and throw it in with the initial release.

GOOD BOY CONCEPT PHOTOS

Photo Credits: Loen Entertainment

Stay tuned to MTV K for more K-pop updates!

Ah, yes, the early ’90s. Baggy clothes, chaotic camera work and a very distinct dance style characterize a time period when hip-hop was just coming out of its exclusivity to the Aftrican-American community. And while they weren’t the first Korean group to use hip-hop and New Jack Swing in their songs, they were one of the first to fully dedicate themselves to it and get Korean audiences to embrace this new imported style of music.  Deux laid out the blueprint for modern Korean pop/rap; trends like rhyming English words with Korean words and inserting a rap verse into a song began with this duo.

DEUX – “TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT ME” MV

Once you get past the general cheesiness of just about every music video in the late ’80s and early ’90s, you’ll notice that Deux had some pretty slick dance moves. Unsurprisingly, Lee Hyun Do and Kim Sung Jay began their entertainment careers as backup dancers, so they most definitely had some serious skills. So much so that the sequence from the chorus is extremely popular and widely performed by club goers, and the song has been covered several times over,  including by more recent dance idol groups.

Here’s a video of the dance in its entirety from SBS’s music show Inkigayo:

DEUX – “TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT ME” 1993 INKIGAYO PERFORMANCE

Stay tuned to MTV K for more K-pop Throwback Thursdays!

Making a name for himself with Epik High when they debuted in 2003, Mithra and the group’s success didn’t really get off the ground until late 2005. The release of Swan Songs marked the group’s most crucial point in their career; the moment they stabilized their footing in the Korean hip-hop industry. A difficult feat given that South Korea’s mainstream audiences were at one point disinterested in hip-hop, Epik High helped to convert nonbelievers who eventually warmed up to the witty and soulful group.

Mithra rose to Epik High fame with his potent lyrics and fast-paced, thoughtful style. After performing with the group on numerous occasions before going on hiatus in 2009, we’re wondering what is in store for him and the group these days now that he is home. And since Tablo has secured himself a contract with YG Entertainment, things are looking a little different than his pre-military days.

Mithra has said that he would work hard on a new album this year, if given the opportunity. Now all that’s left to see is whether or not DJ Tukutz, who was also released from the military, but last August, is up for a reunion. Only time will tell.

Stay tuned into MTV K for more updates.

Sure Broken Valentine has been around since 2002, but it wasn’t until 2008 that the band’s five members were solidified. Drummer Koopa, bassist Sunghwan, vocalist Van and lead guitarists Ansu and Byun G made the final line up. Together they finished in the final 16 in last year’s band survival competition, KBS’s Top Band.

“Down” was released in December last year but in promotion for Shade, and its accompanying MV was uploaded to their official YouTube channel on April 30. In this track, Broken Valentine makes it clear that they have no patience for those who are fake, and that they spare no words when calling people out on their bullcakes.

BROKEN VALENTINE – “DOWN” MV

SHADE TRACKLIST
01 “Royal Straight Flush”
02 “Shade”
03 “M.K. Dance (Radio Edit)”
04 “This Time”
05 “Noname”
06 “Answer Me”
07 “You Never Mind”
08 “Down”
09 “Dual-Log”
10 “Life”
11 “What U Need”
12 “Noname (Piano Version)”

Shade is an entirely self-composed and written collection of past singles as well as new releases, that remain impressively consistent considering the songs were released over a span of 10 years. Broken Valentine stay true to their post-grunge sound throughout, even while alternating between agressive and straightforward tracks like “Down,” “M.K. Dance,” the 2007 hit “Answer Me” and more poetic and melodic tracks like “Noname” and “Life.”  And just in case you didn’t know, “Answer Me” won the band the Grand Prize and Best Composer Award (written by Byun G) at the 2009 Asian Beat Band Competition in Hong Kong.

Image Credit: Broken Valentine's Official Website

Stay tuned to MTV K for more K-Music updates!  

Coming a long way from the controversy surrounding her departure from SeeYa (now disbanded), as well as LEDApple’s cyborg impression, her own vocals which we haven’t heard for a whole seven months ring clear in this latest ballad. Solid and sweet, her voice is the perfect match to the somber lyrics of an unrequited love affair. The musical accompaniment is not far from the other ballads she has sung in the past, but it’s still good to see that her classically smooth style has not gone anywhere. Showing emotional investment with her silky voice, this track produced by MIHO sounds like it could fit into any drama or film looking for a heart-wrenching, well-performed love song.

Quickly branching out into Chinese markets with tons of acting offers left and right, “That Man” is Nam Gyuri’s musical return to the Korean spotlight. But seeing how her upcoming Chinese drama My Amnesia Girl starring former H.O.T member Jang Woohyuk is keeping her in the spotlight just fine, this track is sure to skyrocket her even further into fame. Take a listen and tell us what you think.

OK, let’s list some things that just aren’t news anymore: the sky is blue, grass is green and Infinite is a well-oiled, dancing Autobot.  The MV for “The Chaser” alternates between intricately choreographed dance sequences, and various scenes involving motorcycles and a car in a painfully slow-motion barrel roll. Remind me never to let Myungsoo drive me anywhere. It looks like the guys have undergone a visual change as well. There’s a lot more eyeliner and hair dye this time around. The lyrics for “The Chaser” meanwhile, are from the perspective of a guy who tells the girl he loves to stop hurting and come be with him instead.

INFINITE – “THE CHASER” MV
INFINITIZE TRACKLIST

01. “Infinitize”
02. “The Chaser”
03. “Feel So Bad”
04. “Summer”
05. “Only Tears”
06. “I Like You”
07. “With…”

Woollim Entertainment was nice enough to gift fans with an audio teaser for the mini-album, sharing snippets of all seven tracks over two and a half minutes. Producer Sweetune, who worked with Infinite for past hit “Be Mine,” as well as KARA, f(x), SS501, Nine Muses and Rainbow, collaborated with the guys again on INFINITIZE for title track “The Chaser.” Is it just me, or would a few of the synth-pop songs on the album sound right at home on an RPG video game soundtrack?

INFINITE – INFINITIZE OFFICIAL AUDIO TEASER

Stay tuned to MTV K for more K-pop updates!

Photo Credit: Cube Entertainment

Eye-catching in a way that isn’t as out and out “hot” as the title suggests, this teaser image is sexy but editorial at the same time. Seeing as how her last “Top Girl” and “Banana” concepts seemed hot enough, if this comeback is going to be “2 Hot” even for G.Na, we wonder what she’s got up her always fashionable sleeves. The mini-album also set to drop on the 22 is named Bloom and features the “2 Hot” dance track.

Bloom Album Jacket Cover- Photo Credit: Cube Entertainment

According to Herald News the song will display her strong vocal abilities right alongside her mature feminine charm. The album itself features “2 Hot” composed by Lee Hyun Seung and Kim Do Hoon, and also has a bit of flavor from Jay Park and Mighty Mouth‘s Sangchu. So now that G.Na’s set to come back in full bloom, who knows what to expect with this album.

Be sure to tune back to MTV K for more information regarding G.Na’s comeback, set to premiere closer to the end of this month.

With the release of Dalmatian’s teaser pictures for this concept, it was clear that there was a total overhaul of their image; and the tattoos! So when the teaser finally dropped, shock turned to interest, though previous fans were wary of the change-up. That’s when the full-length MV debuted and the group’s talent was made perfectly clear, thanks to whatever they’ve been doing to greatly hone their skills.

The pumping dance track is sung and rapped with much finesse. It was absolutely the last thing anyone would have expected from the formerly cuter group. (Props to new rapper Simon, who’s added sound alongside fellow rapper Inati is amazing) And the sobering image of the members laid out on gurneys at the morgue also came as quite a shock. But despite the morbid effect, “E.R” does not symbolize the group’s death, but their rebirth. Alive, edgier and powerfully succinct in the execution of their choreography, their new sexually charged image shows that the dogs have grown up and are ready to be taken seriously.

Don’t believe it? See for yourself.

The show, hosted by 2PM’s Taecyeon, KARA’s Seungyeon and ZE:A’s Siwan showcased everyone from Girls’ Generation’s Taetiseo sub-group to heavy hitter TVXQ. The rest of the setlist included performances by 2PM and 2AM, SECRET, SISTAR, MBLAQ, Beast, 4minute, Infinite, Boyfriend, T-Ara, Ailee, KARA, B1A4, ZE:A , Davinchi, Teen Top, Rania, A-Pink and EXO-K. This mega concert is South Korea’s way of celebrating music and inspiring youth to pursue their own dreams of stardom, with proceeds being donated to charity to help under-priveledged youth. And this year’s concert did not disappoint. Highlights included EXO-K’s spiffy (and suited up) homage to Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry,” Davichi being accompanied by a female orchestra as they sang “Don’t Say Goodbye” and MBLAQ’s explosive performance of “It’s War” — complete with pyrotechnics. One of the best entrances of the night would be that of Teen Top who popped onto the stage trampoline style, while the best exit goes to TVXQ who ended the night with the ever riveting single, “Rising Sun.”

While packing so many artists into the World Cup Stadium in Seoul might seem like an impossible feat, South Korea takes the tradition in stride. This year’s concert was a mega success, so we can only imagine what next year will bring.

Stay tuned on MTV K for more news on K-pop.

Adding on Paris, France to their tour, SMTOWN’s official Facebook released the news last November that Super Show 4 would be touring many major cities in “the Americas, Europe and Asia.” However 3^RD Wave Music, the Christian music organization that follows the tour, tweeted from Tokyo’s Super Show 4 May 12 performance: “Last day of concerting! Last SS4 Int’l tour! Let’s make this one memorable.” Also, on Super Junior’s official SMTOWN schedule, there aren’t any Super Show 4 concerts listed in the Americas. The only way anyone stateside can get to see Super Junior is at SMTOWN 2012 in Los Angeles on May 20. Greatly saddened, many North, Central and South American ELF started various petitions to bring Super Show 4 to the western hemisphere. But considering Super Junior’s long touring schedule that started just last year on November 19, and how Super Show 4’s May 5 date in Australia was cancelled, the forecast appears grim.

According to SM Entertainment a 10,000 signature petition must be created in order to warrant a Super Show 4 stop in any country. But knowing the power of international ELF, we don’t really think Super Show 4 is really going to end in Seoul next weekend….

Stay tuned for updates on MTV K.

01. 19-Nineteen   [Crime/Drama]
Starring: T.O.P and Seungri (Big Bang)

In the wrong place at the wrong time, three teenagers get caught up in a girl’s suspicious death and decide to make a run for it in this coming-of-age drama. Gratuitous T.O.P rapping in this one, and it was a trip to see Seungri playing a nerdy, stalker-ish type character.

02.  Heaven’s Postman   [Melodrama / Romance]
Starring: Jaejoong (JYJ)

Along with crime drama 19-Nineteen, this melodramatic tearjerker was part of the Telecinema joint project between Japan and Korea. It was first released theatrically, then subsequently split into parts and later aired on TV.

03.  Attack on the Pin-up Boys   [Comedy / Ridiculousness]
Starring: Super Junior

In a nutshell, good-looking guys are being targeted by a …er… waste-slinging hitman. This somehow translates to “getting targeted proves that I’m top dog” in the minds of the popular guys at a high school, played by Super Junior members. …Wow.

04.  Mr. Idol [Drama]
Starring: Jay Park

Jay, playing former Mr. Children member Zio, fits in well in this rag-tag group of troublemakers.  Yu-Jin may be lead vocal, but  Zio steals performance scenes with his powerful dance skills.

05.  I’m A Cyborg, But That’s OK   [Drama / Fantasy / Romance / Comedy]
Starring: Rain

What’s a cyborg to do when everyone else in the mental hospital thinks you’re just insane? Everyone except for fellow patient Il-Soon (Rain), that is.

06.  White: The Curse of the Melody   [Horror]
Starring: Eunjung (T-ARA)

For all of you horror buffs out there, this one is best enjoyed with the lights off. Desperate to become a star, Eun-Joo (Eun-Jung) discovers a tape with a song that’s sure to become a hit. What’s the secret behind the cursed melody that sends idols to their deaths? Watch the film to find out…

Stay tuned to MTV K , your K-Pop culture destination!

Debuting with a side of JYJ we haven’t seen before, this is a bold step for Junsu. We’re guessing his flair for the macabre came from his time as Death in Elisabeth. Junsu’s androgynous sexuality (that was him in the wig wasn’t it?) is both in-your-face and unapologetic. And while we’re not really sure where Junsu was going with all of this, we liked how he got there. This fiercely sexy video shows that C-Jes Entertainment has a few things to say about Junsu’s well known “angel” image. Where Jeri Slaughter’s choreography shows a bolder, sexier Junsu not seen since his “Intoxication” days (the Korean version of “Intoxication”on the album notwithstanding), Aziatix member Flowsik’s rap blends with his lyrical finesse. Lilting electronic vocals mixed with a dark cello, coupled with a mix of interracial back-up dancers, show’s C-Jes’ obvious nod toward international audiences. As if the word “Tarantallegra,” Harry Potter‘s i.e. dancing curse, wasn’t international enough.

We’re interested if South Korea is ready to handle Junsu’s ambitious debut. We’re also interested in what you think, so check out the video and leave your comments below.

To put focus on the members’ vocals before their visual appeal, you never actually see A-JAX in their pre-release music video, “Never Let Go.” In fact, the star of the MV is none other than label mate KARA‘s Goo Hara.

A-JAX -– “NEVER LET GO” MV

Leading up to the air date for the reality program Making the Star: DSP Boyz, DSP released individual teasers for members Hyeongkon, Jaehyung, Yunyoung, Hyojun, Sungmin, Seungyub and Seungjin. On April 23, the group’s temporary name was dropped, revealing the new one– AJAX— as the official name. According to TV Daily, in order to become “heroes” in the unforgiving world of idol entertainment, the name was chosen to reference the mythological hero that helped bring victory to the Greeks in the Trojan War.

DSP BOYZ (A-JAX) -– MAKING THE STAR TEASER #2

On May 1, DSP also revealed plans through SBS News Center to debut A-JAX in Japan this August, immediately after their promotions in Korea. Since the disbandment of A’st1 (A-Style) in 2009 and the expiration of SS501‘s contract in 2010, A-JAX is DSP Media’s first boy group in almost five years. The new guys will be joining KARA, Rainbow and a future DSP girl-group as label mates.

Stay tuned to MTV K for more K-pop updates!