World of K-Pop: INFINITE Live Comeback Stage and Interviews


Infinite Backstage at M! Countdown Comeback for "The Chaser"

Infinite finally kicked off their live music program appearances with a comeback stage on Mnet's M! Countdown. The boys started off with their slow ballad, "Only Tears." I'm always nervous when a band sings ballads, because it targets individual vocal ability. Background vocals are either very faint or non-existent, and there are no dance movements to help the pacing of the song. In the live performance of "Only Tears," Infinite sounds pretty darn good... until Sungyeol hits a very wrong high note. His live voice and background voice didn't mesh well in what sounded like another member singing over his lines. I don't blame the guy, it's one of his first times getting some main lines, and his first time singing a ballad live, but I do hope he'll improve before his next performance. With Infinite's level of popularity, they have worked too hard for recognition to have commit anything other than very minor mistakes.

With that said, their live performance of "The Chaser" went without a glitch, and Sungyeol was actually singing quite loud in his part. What I like about Infinite is that they perform with full energy and conviction, so even without 'Mr. Removed 'videos, you can still hear their live voice through the microphone. Sunggyu, Woohyun, Dongwoo and Hoya stood out the most in live "The Chaser" performances- due to their vocal strength, volume and domination of parts. This time around, Sungyeol stood out more than L in the singing bits, and is rivaling Sungjong in terms of attention and fierce gaze. I like that Woollim Entertainment is trying to test and broaden their weaker members' strengths. Sungjong is learning the piano and singing with more gusto than soft air. Sungyeol got to try rapping in "Cover Girl" and is receiving more prominent singing parts. They're also having L sing with a wider range in more difficult parts.

They also had a lengthy interview with Mnet about their comeback, posted below. I'll post the English Subs version and more live performances as they come out. Let's see them improve, shall we?