Seventeen [last post]

Hi everyone!
Today I'm going to tell you about another famous kpop band. It's called Seventeen, also known as SVT.

Seventeen is a South Korean boysband formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015.
Starting in 2013 Seventeen appeared in regular live broadcasts of a show "Seventeen TV" on the online streaming platform UStream. During broadcasts fans could watch Seventeen training in their practice room. The show had many seasons during which the trainees were introduced to the public, and probably that started creating their fame.
Seventeen debuted on 26 May 2015 with song "Adore U". Their fandom name is known as Carat.
The group is separated into three sub-units, each with different areas of specialization: a "Hip-Hop Unit", "Vocal Unit", and "Performance Unit". Name "Seventeen" can be misleading, but the band has actually thirteen members:
- S.Coups (Leader, Rapper, Hip-Hop Team Leader)
- Jeonghan (Vocalist, Vocal Team)
- Hoshi (Dancer, Vocalist, Performance Team Leader)
- Jun (Dancer, Vocalist, Performance Team)
- Woozi (Vocalist, Vocal Team Leader)
- DK (Main Vocalist, Vocal Team)
- Joshua (Vocalist, Vocal Team)
- WonWoo (Rapper, Hip-Hop Team)
- MinGyu (Rapper, Face of The Group, Hip-Hop Team)
- The8 (Dancer, Vocalist, Performance Team)
- Seungkwan (Main Vocalist, Vocal Team)
- Vernon (Main Rapper, Hip-Hop Team)
- Dino (Main Dancer, Rapper, Maknae, Performance Team) 

Here you have links for my two favourite songs that Seventeen released:

 

https://youtu.be/J-wFp43XOrA
 

https://youtu.be/zEkg4GBQumc

And that was actually my last post here, now someone else will write posts. I will miss it a little, it was great to have a chance to be a part of this blog.

See you... soon?

Red Velvet

Hello again!
The last kpop band for today is Red Velvet, I hope you'll know more about them after reading this post :)

Red Velvet is, of course, another kpop group, which is quite worldwide popular. This girlsband was created by SM Entertainment in 2014. They debuted on 1 August 2014 with their single "Happiness".

The band debuted with four members:
- Irene (main rapper, main dancer, leader, face of the group)
- Wendy (main vocalist)
- Seulgi (vocalist, dancer)
- Joy (rapper, vocalist).
In March 2015 the fifth member Yeri (maknae, rapper, vocalist) was added to their group.



The group's name represents its concept, defined by two different images ("Red" and "Velvet"),  well showed in their music and all performances. "Red" signifies their vivid and bold image, whereas "Velvet" reflects their classy and toned-down side.

I can recommend you one of my favourite songs produced by Red Velvet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glXgSSOKlls

I really like all those girls, because they are awesome, but if I had to choose one I would definitely pick Irene. Don't ask me why, she's just amazing and I love her voice :D
See you soon!

GOT7

Hello!
The next kpop group I will tell you about is GOT7.

GOT7 is a kpop band formed by JYP Entertainment in 2014. They debuted in January 2014 with the release of their first EP "Got It?", which peaked at number two on the Gaon Album Chart and number one on Billboard's World Albums Chart. GOT7 started to be famous and known from material arts tricking they were doing during performances.
In late 2014 Got7 signed with Sony Music Entertainment Japan and ventured into the Japanese market to release their first Japanese single "Around the World".  In March 2017 on of their music videos for song "Just Right" reached 100 million views on YouTube, making Got7 the first JYP Entertainment boysand that achieved this milestone.

The group consists of seven members:
- JB (leader, vocal, rapper)
- Mark (main rapper, vocal)
- Jackson (rapper, vocal)
- Jr. (vocal, rapper)
- Youngjae (main vocal)
- BamBam (rapper, vocal)
- Yugyeom (vocal, maknae)






On 13 March 2017 GOT7 released their sixth EP "Flight Log: Arrival", featuring the single "Never Ever." I think this song is great, also dance and all MV is awesome, so here is a link, you can check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ1t7CwfvEc

See you soon!

ZE:A

Hi!

Today we're going to talk about one of another "senior" kpop bands. They are known as Children of Empire, but their most popular name is just ZE:A.

ZE:A is a South Korean boysband formed by Star Empire Entertainment in 2010. Star Empire Entertainment created them, but they are also under other companies, for example Happinet Music (Japan), Sony Music Entertainment (Asia) or Warner Music Chinese Mandarin Group (China). The group released their debut single album Nativity with lead single "Mazeltov" on 7 January 2010. The group debuted on KBS's Music Bank on 15 January 2010.

The group consists of 9 members:
- Kevin (vocal, rapper, dancer)
- Kwanghee (vocal, face of the group)
- Siwan (vocal)
- Lee Hoo (leader, main vocal)
- Taeheon (main rapper)
- Heechul (rapper)
- Minwoo (vocal, dancer, rapper)
- Hyungsik (main vocal)
- Dongjun (vocal, maknae)



They have also a sub unit called ZE:A-FIVE and it consists Dongjun, Siwon, Minwoo, Hyungsik, and Kevin.

See you soon!

Sistar

Hello everyone!
I haven't been here for a long time :D

Today I'm going to tell you more about South Korean bands. First of them is Sistar.
Sistar is (actually was) a kpop girlsband formed in 2010 by Starship Entertainment. They debut song was released on 3 June 2010, its title is "Push Push". Girls started their group activities early in 2010 with commercials and magazine photoshoots. Sistar's first album "So cool" was released on 9 August 2011. Their second and probably the most known and popular album "Give It to Me" was released on 11 June 2013.

The group consisted of four really talented girls:
- Bora (main rapper, vocal, main dancer)
- Hyorin (leader, main vocal, rapper)
- Soyu (vocal)
- Dasom (vocal, maknae, face of the group)



Sistar released a teaser photo revealing that they will be making a comeback at the end of May this year. On May 22, Starship Entertainment confirmed that the project will be the last comeback for Sistar and they will officially disband after their 7-year promotions as a group.

I'm really sad cause Sistar is not a band anymore. I was listening to them from the beginning of my adventure with kpop. Even though I hope that girls won't stop creating music.

Here you have a link to their last song, which is (in my opinion) one of the best songs of this group:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbXV2R_Yd1E

See you soon!

Seo Taiji and Boys

Seo Taiji and Boys was a South Korean group active from 1992 to 1996. They were highly successful and are credited with changing the South Korean music industry. Some people say that they are a part of the history of kpop.
Seo Taiji and Boys consisted of 3 members:
- Seo Taiji (lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, leader, main songwriter)
- Yang Hyun-Suk (backing vocals, choreography)
- Lee Juno (backing vocals, choreography).
This group experimented with many different genres of popular Western music.

For a long time Korean music relied on its traditions of ballad songs and Trot songs' beat. Songs spoke of the past wars, saying goodbye to loved ones and the separation of North and South Korea. In the eyes of South Koreans, American culture was always associated with war or the fact they knew too much. So the idea that American music could have a collaborative connection to Korean music was completely unheard of and a feat that no-one dared try... until 11th April 1992.

Seo Taiji and Boys performed their first single "Nan Arayo" on a Korean broadcast station. Combining American rap, techno and metal music with Korean lyrics to make an authentic Korean sound, the trio created the first hybrid of modern and traditional music from opposing sides of the world. Seo Taiji and Boys debut performance was the beginning of the new musical genre – kpop.



Here is a link to their first MV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3DWZijTbVY

It's really different from present-day kpop, but at the same time it's the real beginning of that special genre.
See you soon!
/Karotka

Block B

Block B is a Korean boysband created by Cho PD, under Stardom Entertainment. The band debuted on 13th April 2011 with MV "Freeze!". In 2013 they left their agency and signed with Seven Seasons. Block B's fandom name is BBC (shorthand from Block B Club) and their official fan colours are black and yellow stripes.
The group consists of seven members:
- Zico (leader, main rapper, vocal, face of the group)
- Taeil (main vocal)

- B-Bomb (main dancer, vocal)
- Jaehyo (vocal, visual)
- U-Kwon (dancer, vocal)
- Kyung (rapper, vocal)
- P.O. (rapper, vocal, maknae)



My bias from Block B is Zico. I really like his look and characteristic voice. On 7th November 2014 Zico released his official solo debut single entitled “Tough Cookie” featuring the rapper Don Mills. Here is a link to that song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2RLb-RryEs&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DP2RLb-RryEs&has_verified=1

See you soon!
/Karotka

24K

24K is a South Korean band, which was formed by Choeun Entertainment in 2012. They debuted on 6th of September 2012 with the extended play "Hurry Up". 24K's fandom name is 24U.
At the beginning the group had a problem with popularity, becuase they weren't well-received in Korea. Most people in that country really like sweet, calm songs about love. 24K always had their own, original concept. They were a hip hop band and that's why their albums didn't sell out well in South Korea. They started to be quite famous after their first world tour. Their fandom is bigger in other continents, especially in Europe.
The group consists of 7 members:
- Cory (leader, mainvocal)
- Kisu (vocal)
- Jeunguk (main rapper, dancer, vocal)
- Hui (vocal, dancer)
- Changsun (vocal)
- Jinhong (vocal, dancer, rapper)
- Hongseob (vocal, rapper, maknae)
Two members from 24K are currently on hiatus. Their names are Sungoh and Daeil.



My bias (famous member) from 24K is Daeil. I like him so much because he always has a lot of energy and he dances very well.
Hope you'll like this band too.
See you soon!
/Karotka

B.A.P

Hello everyone!
Today I will tell you some facts about other k-dramas and Korean bands. I'll start with not that famous, but still great group called B.A.P, what means Best Absolute Perfect. This boysband was formed in 2011 by TS Entertainment. B.A.P made their musical debut with the single "Warrior" on 26th January 2012. The group consists of 6 members:
- Yongguk (main rapper, leader)
- Himchan (vocal, rapper, visual)
- Daehyun (main vocal, face of the group)
- Youngjae (vocal)
- Jongup (main dancer, vocal)
- Zelo (rapper, dancer, maknae).
B.A.P's fandom name is Baby and their fan colour is spring green. They are one of a few kpop bands which were in Poland during their world tour. All boys enjoyed it and they are planning to come back here during their next tour.



I really like one of their song called "WAKE ME UP" and I recommend it to you. Here is a link to the MV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku_FYERiHC8

See you soon!
/Karotka

Homme

Hello!
In this post I will tell you about famous musical duo really popular in South Korea. They are called Homme and they were created by Big Hit Entertainment like Bangtan Boys.



Homme is the collaboration between, 2AM's member, Changmin and 8eight's leader Lee Hyun. The song "Bamman Jal Meoktteora" reached #13 on the Gaon 2010 digital yearly charts with 2,533,104 copies sold and was named Song Of The Month in August 2010.
Both Changmin and Lee Hyun are vocalists, so most of their songs are rather calm. They debuted on 28th July 2010.
I can recommend all of their songs, but especially this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrR_gaatQoM

There are only two bands under Big Hit Entertainment. I think BTS and HOMME are colleagues. Two members of BTS, Suga and J-Hope (SOPE), made a funny cover of one of their songs. Here you have a link for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nac1hoha570

BUT BE CAREFUL!
Don't listen it without using headphones, but not on the maximum volume, trust me :D

I hope you'll enjoy their music and start to isten them too.
See you soon!
/Karotka

K.A.R.D

K.A.R.D is a Korean a co-ed band under DSP Media. They hasn't debuted yet, even though they are so popular. Before their official debut they are planning to release three project singles (with every new release a hidden member will also be revealed). On December 13, 2016, they released their first project single titled K.A.R.D Project Vol. 1 with the track Oh NaNa.
K.A.R.D consists four members (+ one who is hidden):
- J.Seph (main rapper, vocal, dancer)
- B.M (main dancer, rapper, vocal)
- Somin (main vocal, visual)
- JiWoo (main dancer, vocal, maknae)
Why their band is called K.A.R.D? It's quite interesting, because every member suits another card and another letter.
J.Seph represents the letter A and the Ace card.
B.M represents the letter K and the King card.
Somin represents the letter R and the BlackJokeR.
Jiwoo represents the letter R and the ColourJokeR.
Heo Young-Ji is their secret member and she participated as a "Hidden Card" in their first single "Oh NaNa".



Few weeks ago they realesed an English version of their song "Don't Recall" and I really recommend it too you :)
See you soon!
/Karotka

Monsta X

Hi everyone!
Today I will tell you about another of my favourite kpop bands which is called Monsta X. This great hip hop boy group was formed by Starship Entertainment through the survival show NO.MERCY on Mnet in 2015. They debuted on 14th May 2014 with music video for "Tresspass". I think their the most popular song is "Hero". For me it's super, so I'll leave you a link for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ9lJ5ctd0s

Monsta X is composed by seven members:
- Shownu (leader, main dancer, vocal)
- Wonho (vocal, visual)
- Minhyuk (vocal, face of the group)
- Kihyun (main vocal)
- Hyungwon (vocal, dancer)
- Jooheon (main rapper, vocal)
- I.M (rapper, vocal, maknae)



I really like their music and they are one of the first kpop bands I started listen to.
My bias (favourite member of band) is Minhyuk, but all of those boys are amazing.
I hope you'd like them too :)
See you soon!
/Karotka

Korean kitchen

Hello!
Today guys I will tell you something about Korean kitchen. Food in South Korea is very special and unique. In Korea they have their own culinary traditions typical for their country as we have in Poland. Some famous Polish dishes are for example bigos or pierogi. Korean people generally eat rice and pasta, what is really popular in Asia.

Their traditonal national fare is spicy kimchi, which is made from sauerkraut and many other vegetables. In Korea people eat kimchi every day as a starter and it's quite important for them.
Another traditional dish is bulgogi. It's made of thin, marinated slices of beef or pork, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle. It is also often stir-fried in a pan in home cooking.
Really famous Korean fare is also bibimbap. The word bibimbap literally means "mixed rice". It is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste), soy sauce or doenjang (a fermented soybean paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. The hot dish is stirred together thoroughly just before eating.



In the future I want to travel to Korea and taste all those dishes.
Hope you enjoyed my post :)
Next time we'll come back to kpop.
See you soon!
/Karotka

4Minute

4Minute was a South Korean girlsband formed in 2009 by Cube Entertainment. They released albums primarily in South Korea and Japan. The group debuted in June 2009 with its first single Hot Issue. In December 2010 girls released their first Japanese album Diamond.

4Minute had five members:
- Jihyun (leader, vocal, visual)
- Gayoon (main vocal)
- Jiyoon (vocal, rapper)
- Hyuna (main rapper, vocal, visual, main dancer)
- Sohyun (vocal, rapper, dancer, maknae)

On 13 June 2016 it was announced that the group would disband following their contract expiration and only Hyuna will renew her contract with the management agency. Hyuna is now a soloist and she is really famous. Even if I like her so much, it's sad that their band fell apart.



I recommend to you one of their most famous songs - Hate. Check it.
The next time I will come back to korean dramas and culture of Korea.
See you soon!

/Karotka

Super Junior

Super Junior is one more legend k-pop band created by SM Entertainment in 2005. They are also known as SUJU. The group officially debuted on SBS's music program Popular Song on 6 November 2005, performing their first single Twins.

Super Junior was the best-selling k-pop artist for four years in a row. Their best-selling song was released in 2009 and its title is Sorry Sorry. In their whole career Super Junior have earned thirteen music awards from the Mnet Asian Music Awards, sixteen from the Golden Disk Awards and they are the second singing group, which won Favorite Artist Korea at the 2008 MTV Asia Awards
When the group debuted, there were 12 members. Now boysband has 13 members:
- Leeteuk (leader, vocal, rapper)
- Heechul (vocal, rapper)
- Yesung (main vocal)
- Kangin (vocal)
- Shindong (rapper, dancer)
- Sungmin (vocal, dancer)
- Eunhyuk (rapper, vocal, dancer)
- Donghae (vocal, dancer, rapper)
- Siwon (vocal, visual)
- Ryeowook (main vocal)
- Kyuhyun (vocal, sub-dancer, maknae)
- Zhoumi (vocal, rapper)
- Henry (vocal, rapper)



I really recommend their song Sorry Sorry, it's great. I will leave you a link of its music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QA3m58DQw
See you soon!
/Karotka

Shinhwa

Shihwa is another band formed by SM Entertainment. This group was created on 24 March 1998 and now it's managed by Shinhwa Company. The group is the longest-running boysband in the history of k-pop and one of the pioneers of the k-pop idol culture. We can say they are seniors of k-pop.
Shinhwa is a Korean word, which means myth or legend.

Shinhwa is also the first k-pop band, who leads a successful career after leaving its original agency. Ever since Shinhwa left SM Entertainment, the group had fought a long legal battle to win the trademark rights for the band name "Shinhwa".

Shinhwa consists six members:
- Eric (leader, main rapper)
- M (vocal, main dancer)
- Dongwan (vocal)
- Sonic (main vocal)
- Junjin (vocal, rapper, dancer)
- Andy (rapper, maknae)



In the next post I will tell you about Super Junior.
See you soon! :)
/Karotka

Big Bang

Hello everyone!

Today I will tell you again about some k-pop bands. I could talk about it all the time, because there are so many famous groups in South Korea, but I will recommend you only the best ones in my opinion.

First really talented band is Big Bang. Big Bang is a boysband formed by YG Entertainment. The group oficially debuted on 19 August 2006. It consists five members:
- G-Dragon (main rapper, leader, composer, visual)
- Taeyang ( main vocal, main dancer)
- Daesung (vocal)
- T.O.P (rapper)
- Seungri (vocal, dancer, maknae)

Many people say those five men are the Kings of k-pop and I totally agree with them.They are legends of Korea. In 2007 they realeased their new album called "Always" with main song Lies. The song went on to top major Korean music charts for a record-breaking seven consecutive weeks, and won the group the Song of the Year award at the 9th Mnet Korean Music Festival.
Their the most famous songs are Fantastic Baby and Bang Bang Bang.



Now Big Bang won't release any new songs for a while, because some of its members go to the army.
Here is a link to their latest song, which I love so much:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIPH8LFYFRk

I think you should check their music, I hope you will like it.
See you soon!
/Karotka

Hwarang: The Beginning

Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth is a kind of historical drama. It's based on the true history of inception of the Kingdom of Silla. It was the first K-drama I started to watch. All dramas I've recommended to you are already finished, but not this one. Till now they've sent out 13 episodes of Hwarang. It airs every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 on KBS2. First episode was emited on 19 December 2016.

This drama tells a story about warriors Hwarang (what means Flower Boys - Hwarangs have to be as beautiful as flowers and as manly as real warriors), who have to protect royal family during the dynasty of Silla. The main character Moo Myung and his best friend Mak Moon go to the capital of Silla to find Mak Moon's family. They can see that in the capital people are governed by the bone rank system and every person, who isn't on the top of that system is treated as a worm. Silla is reined by the Queen, whose husband died. She doesn't want to devolute authority to her son Sam Meak Jong, the real crown prince. She decides to create Hwarang to protect the nation and reserve King's identity hidden. She doesn't know that Maek Jong doesn't want to live ulteriorly anymore.



I really recommend this drama to you. It's gripping and sometimes really funny.
Check it!
See you soon
/Karotka

High Society

High Society is another K-drama I would like recommend to you. I started to watch it because of one of my favourite actors Park Hyung Shik who plays Yoo Chang Soo. I didn't expect that I would totally fall in love with this drama and other actors.

This drama is about hard life of four people who are from different social stratums.
Jang Yoon Ha is the youngest daughter of cheabol's family. She would like to meet a man who will love her because of her personality, not cause of her family and money. She decides to hide her rich background and starts working in the Food Market. Yoon Ha's executive, Choi Joon Ki, is in complitely different situation. He has enough of living as a poor person. He is so desperated, that he thinks about marriage with a rich woman, who could help him. Yoon Ha becomes friends with her colleague from work Lee Jin Yi and she meets Yoo Chang Soo, who owns Food Market. Chang Soo is accustomed to coziness and women's attention. He is interested in Yoon Ha, but she doesn't notice him. Will Yoon Ha find true love or maybe she would find out that money and love aren't things you can easily devide?



You should watch it! I am sure that you would enjoy it.
Next time I would tell you about Hwarang.
See you soon!
/Karotka

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a really popular K-drama. This drama is based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua. It was an international co-production - also American Universal Studios put money into Moon Lovers. It has 20 episodes and it's from romance and historical genre.

This drama tells about a 25-year-old 21st century woman, Go Ha Jin whose life is quite difficult. She lives in neoteric Korea. During a total solar eclipse Ha Jin travels back in time to the Goryeo era. She wakes up in the year 941, in the body of Hae Soo and there, she encounters the many royal princes of the ruling Wang family. She initially falls in love with the gentle and warm 8th Prince Wang Wook, and later Wang So, the fearsome 4th Prince who hides his face behind a mask and is widely known as "wolf dog". Meanwhile, rivalry and politics ensue among the princes, in a fight for the throne, as Hae Soo finds herself unwittingly caught between it all.



I won't tell you more about this drama, you have to watch it! I think it's one of my favourites. But I warn you! You shoudn't watch it without big packet of tissues. This drama leaves an empty place in your heart, so be careful.
See you soon!

/Karotka