GIRL'S DAY Comeback with "Don't Forget Me"

         Female group Girl's Day is coming back with a new single album titled, "Girl's Day Party #5" with a track titled, "Don't Forget Me." This time around, the girls are going for a more mature, feminine concept. Member Jihae has left to pursue her studies, so the group now consists of only four members. Girl's Day is probably best known for bubbly and bright dance songs that showcase their aeygo, but many fans actually prefer their "Nothing Lasts Forever" song to tracks like "Twinkle" and "Oh My God." Their strengths lie in their ability to perform high-tempo, high-energy dance tracks without having to lip-sync, nor rely on background music to cover the chorus (they sing everything themselves). However, I'm not a big fan of their high-pitched baby voices when performing aeygo, especially in "Oh My God." That's why this new single, "Don't Forget Me," actually surprised me quite a lot, in that the members voices not only sound mature, but they sound good. I didn't realize their actual singing voices were so low and womanly. This leads me to think, why the heck would you give them those silly songs before, Dream Tea Entertainment? Though not everyone may have Minah's wide vocal range, they all sing well.

Girl's Day "Don't Forget Me" MV (Eng Sub)

Despite being able to hear their vocals, "Don't Forget Me" is not an impressive song. It's almost there- but by almost, I mean, almost catchy, and maybe even almost meaningful... but doesn't have that addictive factor that can make it a hit. Still, I think they're going in the right direction, so long as that direction includes more vocally suitable tracks that also deliver in its melody.

From left: Minah, Sojin, Hyeri, Yura

Though their outfits are getting steadily better for this promotion (simple, more form-fitting structure), some outfit fabric material are still too reminiscent of their "Oh My God" promotions. The members' black and green outfits still contain faux shiny leather material and Yura's safari-type vest with green plastic accents is not very flattering. The first outfit seen in the MV (a white, pink and lavender set), look quite feminine, though the color scheme looks too similar to A-Pink's "Hush Hush" outfits during their first comeback. Their flowy blouses and jeans are also a nice combination, but because they are sitting and have minimal accessories, they look more like homely housewives than K-pop artists.

Girl's Day has definite potential and are strong performers, but because of their agency, something is always off when they make a comeback or begin a promotion. Oddly enough, it always the outfits, song or dance move that overpowers the girls themselves, not allowing them to uncover more of that untapped potential. They still have a rookie feel to their group despite debuting for over a year now, so I hope they'll fight their way past the sea of new rookies from 2012 to show that it's not about how many members there are, but the qualities that each member brings to the table.

DAL*SHABET'S "Hit U" New English Lyrics

           I really like the dance music and femme fatale feeling to Dal*Shabet's "Hit U" track, but as there's no English version, I'd thought it'd be fun to create my own English lyrics. The lyrics below have some of the same translations but much of it is tweaked for flavor. Dressing up to look more attractive is not enough to make a guy regret leaving you, nor is it a very good idea. Neither is it useful to shoot said scumbag for his decit, but I guess they're just trying to highlight some bullet points. *Hehe* If a guy left only cares about image, then maybe he wasn't worth it in the first place (*ahem* Ailee's "I'll Show You"). Confidence and independence is the real winner when it comes to cheating, crappy exes, because it'll not only irk the jerkwad, but also contribute positively to a girl's future. How's that for "hitting" two birds with one stone?

 Dal*Shabet "Hit U" MV (Eng sub)

Dal*Shalbet "Hit U" New English Lyrics

I’ll hit you, I never never want ya again

I hate you, no matter matter what ya say
I'll hit you, I never never want ya again

I'll hit you, hit you, hate you, hit!

You see me lounging around our old haunts

You seem to think, I’m back

Keep dreaming, remove hands or I’ll hit you

Now I radiate confidence

How can it be?

Have you finally seen me?

It’s too late for regrets

No way don’t even try

Who’s diffident?

Just looking at your face

It’s pitiful

Eyes begging begging

No no no no

Sidling up to me

How’d I ever like you?

(Chorus)

Sorry sorry sorry there’s was never love

So hurry hurry turn your back and walk away

You did it before (hey)

You just a loser (hey)

Guess it’s my turn to show you

I'm stronger on the inside

(Chorus 2)

Dirty dirty turd get your hands off me

You’d probably do much better

Keep lying to yourself

It’s pitiful (hey)

You’re so simple (hey)

Love is null now, forgotten, “bye bye”

The tears have dried.

I begged, I tried, I guess we say goodbye.

Does it take dressing up for you to see?

That I’m beautiful?
Stupid

Compliments are only skin deep

I’ll hit you

Guess you’re even easier than I was

Played me for a fool

My anger's long cooled

I have my vindication

Love is just a cover

You’re a player

You’ll never get what you want

Hurting people

It hurt… (no no no no)

But some things do change

I’m the bigger person

Sorry sorry sorry I don’t believe your love

You must’ve mistaken, taken me for another girl

It’s a pity (ah)

Such a pity (ah)

You wouldn’t know real from plastic

Open eyes wider

(Chorus 2)

(Rap)

Hey, bad boy...

You’re still smiling at me

You’re still spying on me

Say goodbye say goodbye

Words won’t even reach me now

Your game was flawless

The greatest pawn was me

But I stopped playing games

I really hate you.

I hate you, I hate you, I tease you.

Please go away, far away, no…

No way!

(Chorus)

I’ll hit you, I never never want ya again

I hate you, no matter matter what ya say
I'll hit you, I never never want ya again

I'll hit you, hit you, hate you, hit!

In the "Hit U" music video, Dal*Shabet gives warning to all guys that a girl really means business when she dresses up. If it's not for a particular event or going out to have a good time, then she must have a really clear goal in mind, and that's probably to drive you crazy. In these cases, the goal is to be sexy, seductive, and irresistible. She wants to capture all male attention, (especially your attention), but will reject it the first chance she gets. It really gives another meaning to the phrase, "dress to kill."

REVIEW: Rookie group ACE OF ANGELS (AOA) debut

From left: Jimin, Mina, Hyejeong, Seolhyun, Chanmi, Yuna, Choa

        With the onslaught of new debuts in 2012, I've been more reluctant than ever to take new groups seriously. However, one of the groups that have caught my attention is a 7+1 member girl group called Ace of Angels (AOA), which debuted early August of this year. AOA is signed under FNC Entertainment, which houses pop/rock/idol bands F.T. Island and CN Blue. AOA would be their first-ever girl idol group. What first drew my attention to the group is their debut title track "Elvis." Though I scoffed that the lyrics have absolutely nothing to do with the famed icon Elvis Presley, the heavily instrumental background beat sounds unique and catchy, while the choreography amps up the fun. As a debut song, FNC really chose an attention-grabbing track. I was also surprised to see the group's live stages, and I say this in plural because they are the first group I've seen to split into two stages where five of the members perform as a live band while seven of the members perform as a dance group. One of the members, Youkyoung, is deemed as the add-on member (hence the "+1") because she only performs with the live band, playing drums. The fact that she's can't play drums and dance seems like a waste to me, but whatever floats your boat.

(AOA Band) From left: Mina, Youkyoung, Choa, Jimin, Yuna

Though it's a bit excessive, I like that there's a background story to their debut. Instead of just introducing them as new rookie girls with a catchy song, they also have separate angel names and an explanation to why they're here (on earth). Feel your eyes roll a bit? As their name suggests, members Choa, Jimin, Yuna, Hyejeong, Mina, Seolhyun, and Chanmi are "full" angels watching the earth through a crystal ball. Finding themselves enchanted by human music, they grant a key to Youkyoung, who is half human/half angel (because she doesn't dance with the group, see) who can access the heavens to share her musical findings from earth. Maybe it's safe to say that Elvis' hip thrusts drew them down from heaven?

An excerpt from their first single album "Angel's Story."

So far, I have mixed feelings about the group. Pros? Their live performances are fierce and very vocally strong. In fact, the first time I saw one of their "Elvis" live performances, I was physically blown back. Leader Jimin starts her rap so powerfully despite moving around so much, while Choa and Yuna solidly carry out the chorus. Generally, their background music leaves very little room for lip-syncing. Simultaneously, I'm awed at the high energy in which they carry out their choreography without looking the least bit tired. They truly look like a cohesive dance group. What I don't like is the suggestion of weak links in certain members, especially since the "face" of the group, pretty girl Seolhyun, doesn't have any parts in "Elvis." She doesn't even have one line in the song. Since it's their first track, I was irked but waited to hear Seolhyun's voice in the next single- "Get Out." Since the music video doesn't show her singing, I had to wait again until the live performance. The first few comeback performances were as a band, featuring only five of the members (or should I say, 4+1?) However, later promotions starting from October 19th had the rest of the members performing the dance version. Though Seolhyun sang a small three-second or so segment twice for the chorus ("Get out get out get out..."), I still didn't hear anything strong or special about her voice. Despite this, I was once again blown away by their high-octane dance stage- which showcased Choa and Yuna's vocal stamina despite singing most of the song (and a difficult one at that). Though they sounded shaky at first, their voices gradually became more powerful.

AOA is one of the few rookie groups I've seen that exude supreme confidence, and maybe they have reason to be. Their synchronization is precise, their dancing is strong, and all they need is to work out some pitch issues. As for their group image, they really can go either way- cute or sexy. So far, their dance choreography is flirty, suggesting that AOA will be introduced with more sexy and scandalous dancing in the future. Already, they have a lengthy, close-up "butt dance" in the "Get Out" music video. Though it makes me uncomfortable to see teen girls rolling their butts at me (and with the camera in such a close, upward angle!) I'm sure male fans will cherish the moment as if it really were heaven's blessing.

AOA "Elvis" MV

AOA "Elvis" Debut Stage on Music Core (120812)

AOA "Elvis" Live on M! Countdown (120809)

The track "Get Out" is also a pretty catchy dance track, with the girls cutely dressing up as main female leads from major motion picture films like Elle from Legally Blonde, Hermione from Harry Potter, Juliet from Romeo & Juliet, etc.

The AOA band performs "Get Out" live very well, though Yuna's voice can get a bit pitchy at times. Still, "Get Out" is a difficult song with many high notes, and the girls delivered the rocker band image well.

AOA "Get Out" MV

AOA band "Get Out" Live on Music Triangle (121010)

AOA band "Get Out" Live on Music Bank (121012)

AOA "Get Out" Comeback Stage (121018)

AOA band "Get Out" Live on Music Bank (121019)