Saturday 19 April 2008

New Singers to Watch for in 2008

Recently, there are many prominent new singers debuted in Korean music industry. These new singers will be the centre of attraction this year after Wonder Girls, Big Bang and Girls' Generation who have dominated the pop charts last year.

Let me specifically tell you the background of these new singers.



JOO - Young Woman 1st Single
Release Date: Jan.18 2008
Record Label: JYP Entertainment
Genre: Ballad

Through a SBS talent show in 2006, Joo was discovered by Park Jin Young, the manager of JYP Entertainment. After three-years of training, this 16-year-old singer debuted with her first single album "Young Woman" on Jan, 18. Her title song, Namja Ddehmooneh ("Because of a Man") was written and composed by Park Jin Young which topped the fourth place in 2 weeks.

However, Joo was soon targeted by the so-called “anti-fans,” who blasted her not so exemplary past showing her playing pool, wearing skimpy clothes, and even drinking and smoking with her friends during her middle school years. Apparently, her looks changed drastically from her present, strongly suggesting that she had plastic surgery.

Joo’s management company immediately went into damage control, explaining that she was too young and curious to know any better at that age and she has never touched alcohol or cigarettes once she started training with the JYP Entertainment. Because of these pictures, Netizens are now torn between supporting and criticizing the new singer.



DAVICHI - Aramanth
Release Date: Jan.31 2008
Record Label: Mnet Media
Genre: Ballad

Davichi was a R&B female duo consists of member, Lee Hae Ri (23) and Gang Min Kyung (18). Their debut album "Aramanth" was released on Jan, 31 which topped the fourth place in M-net Pop charts. With Lee Hae Ri silvery vocals and Gang Min Kyung huskiness vocals, and the line-up of top composers like Park Geun Tae, Jo Young Soo, Kim Do Hoon, and Park Hae Woon, this remarkable album will make a great success in the K-pop industry.

Not only that, the title song for this album Miwuhdo Saranghanikka ("Love You Even Though I Hate You") was well-received by the listeners. The music video of this song starring Lee Mi Yeon and Lee Hyo Lee whose provocative image transformation shocked many K-pop fans. Top-rated MV director Cha Eun Tek took the inspiration from the Hollywood movie Thelma And Louise to reel out a road movie that complements the ballad written by Ryu Jae Hyun of Vibe.



KIM DONG WOOK - Vol.1
Release Date: Apr.08
Record Label: Ponycanyon
Genre: Ballad

Kim Dong Wook is a South Korean actor. His latest role, Wang Sam Baek is for the KBS2 romance drama "Unstoppable Marriage" which is currently airing. His other role, Jin Ha Rim was for the MBC romantic comedy, "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" which was one one of Korea's most watched dramas of 2007.



PETER - Show Man Vol.1
Release Date: Feb.01
Record Label: Pan Entertainment
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B/POP/Jazz/Latin/Gospel

A 22-year-old korean newcomer, Peter Hyun was raised in Sydney, Australia. He started singing and dancing at the age of 8. From tap, jazz, modern dance to ballet and hip-hop, there was not a single dance category he has yet to master. He was the first person in history to hold the top trophy for five consecutive years at the Australian Dance Championship. Peter has distinguished himself as a eminent dancer.

His self-produced debut album titled " Showman" was released on Feb.01 which marked his talents in composing 7 songs in this album. Not only that, notable producer like Park Sun Joo, Lee Hyun Wook also participated in this album. This would be a breakthrough success for him.

Below is Peter's Live Performance at Musiccore on Feb.02 with his cover song "Showman". Enjoyed :)

http://www.mediafire.com/?2nxwmjzblxm
 

Artist of The Month - Kim Jong Wook

The artist for the month of May 2008 is Kim Jong Wook. Who is he?

He's a new singer whose clear and expressive singing left a great impression to me while watching his live performances at the SBS Inkigayo (a Korean music showcase). He's under
Doremi Media Co. Ltd, a music company who has popular artists like Park Hyo Shin and Park Hwayobi.

His debut album "For A Long Time" was released on 28 Feb 2008 and the cover song Gananhan saram ("A Poor Person") topped the Korean pop charts without doing any album promotion.

His soft and touching ballad "Poor Love" have rose to the No. 3 spot on the music charts, while the principal track for this album "Na Ppeun Namja" have shown great success as well.

Talented musicians from different countries was brought together for 3 years to make this album. Thus, you can imagine the quality of this album. With 12 new songs, Kim Jong Wook Vol. 1 marks a great beginning for the young artiste.

Now unveiling his identity, Kim wants fans to know that beneath this innocent, sweet facade lies four years of struggle due to his parents' opposition to his singing career and numerous problem involving his current management company. For a long time, top-rated producer Cho Young Soo collaborates with other talents like Min Myeong Ki and Kim Do Hoon, leaning more towards natural, acoustic sounds over thick instrumental sessions.

Kim Jong Wook Profile:
Name: Kim Jong Wook
DOB: 1st Feb, 1982
Blood Type: AB
Stats: 176cm, 62kg
Educational level: Geon Guk High School University (Industrial Engineering)4th Grade
Music he likes: Jazz, Trangy Music

Below is his live performance at Musicbank. Enjoyed :)