What I’m Listening To: 드라마 Drama (feat. Kim Sung-Kyu) by Primary

“드라마 Drama (feat. Kim Sung-Kyu)” is on Primary’s Pop EP (2017). As most people know, Primary (Choi Dong Hoon) is one of my favorite producers, working most often with musical acts on the Amoeba Culture label. With this release, however, he’s leaving his usual hip-hop environment to bring his groovy goodness to more pop-oriented fare. For “Drama,” he teams up with INFINITE‘s Sung Kyu. “Drama” blends Primary’s reliable rhythm-driven instrumentation with Sung Kyu’s melodious vocals that seem to have a bit more swing to them than with his work with INFINITE and his solo work. This is definitely working for me.

The What I’m Listening To series seeks to share deeper cuts and tracks that may be overlooked with the goal of expanding perceptions and enjoyment of K-pop music. 

Sources
1theK. “[MV] Primary(프라이머리) _ Drama (Feat. Kim Sung-Kyu)(드라마 (Feat. 김성규)).” YouTube. 30 Aug 2017. https://youtu.be/Z3QKQvaCJa8 (17 Jun 2018).

J.K. “Update: INFINITE’s Sunggyu Reveals More Photos For “10 Stories” Comeback.” soompi. 13 Feb 2018. https://www.soompi.com/2018/02/13/watch-infinites-sunggyu-reveals-first-teaser-comeback/ (17 Jun 2018).

“Primary(4).” Discogs. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1681239-Primary-4 (17 Jun 2018).

 

What I’m Listening To: “Call Me,” UP10TION

UP10TION

“Call Me” is from UP10TION’s 2016 EP Burst!

https://youtu.be/0VIXn3GJTxw

What I’m Listening To: “Hey Boy,” Wonder Girls

Wonder Girls

“Hey Boy” is from Wonder Girls’ 2012 mini-album Wonder Party.

Image: MsAudreyC. “I is for Idols.” MsAudreyC. 13 Apr 2016. https://msaudreyc.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/i-is-for-idols/ (28 Jul 2017)

What I’m Listening To: “The Manual,” Eddy Kim

Eddy Kim

“The Manual” is from Eddy Kim’s 2014 EP, The Manual.

Image: “Eddy Kim Profile.” KPopMusic. http://www.kpopmusic.com/artist/eddy-kim-profile (14 Jun 2017).

Video: 1theK (원더케이). “[MV] Eddy Kim(에디킴) _ The Manual(너 사용법).” YouTube. 7 Apr 2014. https://youtu.be/Y4mH2KvzUQ0 (14 Jun 2017).

What I’m Listening To. . . AOA, “너 때문에 [Help Me]”

AOA

“Help Me” is from AOA’s first full album, Angel’s Knock (2017).

Image: 1

Video: K-Pop Music For You. “AOA (에이오에이) – 너 때문에 (Help Me) [MP3 Audio].” YouTube. 1 Jan 2017. https://youtu.be/m_ksKZPW36M. (19 Mar 2017).

What I’m Listening To. . . Niel, “그런 날 [Disappear]”

niel_kpopmusic
Niel

“그런 날 [Disappear]” is from Niel‘s second solo album, Love Affair (2016). A member of Teen Top, Niel showcases his vocals on this track. Who knew Niel could get down like that?

https://youtu.be/ccAuU783NKI

Source: YJzKP. “NIEL(니엘) – 그런 날(On that day)[LOVE AFFAIR…](MP3).” YouTube. 15 Jan 2017. https://youtu.be/ccAuU783NKI, (21 Jan 2017).

What I’m Listening To: VIXX, “Spider”

VIXX
VIXX

“Spider” is from VIXX’s 2015 album Chained Up.

Image: 1

Video: kaiuos. “VIXX (빅스) – Spider (Colour Coded) [Han|Rom|Eng Lyrics].” YouTube. 11 Nov 2015. https://youtu.be/1qBYmiaCgH4, (8 Jan 2016).

What I’m Listening To……Trax, “아직은 나 [I Can Change]”

TRAX
TRAX

TRAX (Typhoon of the Rose Attack on X-mas), known for its more driving tracks, slows it down for “아직은 나 [I Can Change],” from their mini-album, Cold Hearted Man (2010).

https://youtu.be/POXY0nc0aec

Image: 1

littlestarzeo. “TRAX_04-아직은 나 (I Can Change).” YouTube. 19 Nov 2012. https://youtu.be/POXY0nc0aec, (27 Dec 2016).

What I’m Listening To: TVXQ, “Viva”

tvxq_joseiportrait_247kpop
TVXQ

“Viva” is a track from TVXQ’s 2012 Catch Me album.

Image: 1

Video: Oumae24. “TVXQ – Viva.” YouTube. 23 Sept 2012. https://youtu.be/a4WZ4NcYde0, (8 Jan 2017).

What I’m Listening To. . . Seventeen, “Highlight”

Seventeen
Seventeen

“Highlight,” an upbeat dance track, is from Seventeen’s 3rd mini album, Going Seventeen.

https://youtu.be/qWqxHSbExXk

Image: 1

WINGS K-pop Music Group. “SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) – HIGHLIGHT [MP3 Audio] [Going Seventeen – 3rd Mini Album].” YouTube. 4 Dec 2016. https://youtu.be/qWqxHSbExXk, (27 Dec 2016).

What I’m Listening To. . . . UP10TION, “Just Like That”

UP10TION
UP10TION

UP10TION departs from their usual upbeat tracks for “Just Like That,” from their 2016 mini-album, Burst, which has a slower tempo, sparse instrumentation and focuses on vocals.

https://youtu.be/fP5cotQJ9d4

Image: 1

Kpop Dls. “[AUDIO/MP3/DL] UP10TION (업텐션) – JUST LIKE THAT [5th Mini Album – Burst].” YouTube. 20 Nov 2016. https://youtu.be/fP5cotQJ9d4, (26 Dec 2016).

What I’m Listening To: Change by g.o.d

“Change” is from g.o.d’s 하늘속으로/Into the Sky album.

What I’m Listening To: “Rally Go Round” by Lisa

Nisekoi
Nisekoi

Ever so often, I like to share what’s on heavy rotation on my iPod. It isn’t always the newest thing, or the most popular thing, but for some reason this is the stuff that I’m grooving to.   It’s just what I like, and some info about it. Maybe you might like it too. Today, it’s “Rally Go Round” by Lisa.

What I’m Listening To

https://youtu.be/LBtyUVXhIJo

 

Why I Like It

This song fits the frenetic pace of the anime Nisekoi! One boy, several girls and a mysterious locket.

What I’m Listening To: “결혼하지마 [Don’t Marry]” by Fly to the Sky

Fly to the Sky
Fly to the Sky

Ever so often, I like to share what’s on heavy rotation on my iPod. It isn’t always the newest thing, or the most popular thing, but for some reason this is the stuff that I’m grooving to.  I make no distinction between idol and non-idol K-pop, popular and obscure, mainstream and indie. It’s just what I like, and some info about it. Maybe you might like it too. Today, it’s “결혼하지마 [Don’t Marry]” by Fly to the Sky.

What I’m Listening To

Who Does It

Fly to the Sky is a veteran K-pop duo. While the group began as an idol group which played on the good looks of its members, it developed into a group that showcased the talented vocals of Hwanhee and Brian Joo.  This track comes from the duo’s 2007 album, No Limitations.

Why I Like It

This song is Exhibit A for why a lot of fans like K-pop: the music. Without even knowing the lyrics, and even the title, the emotional energy of the vocals is clear, and complemented by the sparse instrumentation.