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Posted on Jul 24, 2016

Songs From Korea That You'll Wish You'd Heard Sooner

Korean music from 2016 which will heal your ears. There are a lot of genres here: rap, RnB and reggae just to name a few!

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Tiffany is a singer from monster girl group Girls Generation, arguably one of the most successful girl groups to come out of South Korea and certainly a leader of the Hallyu wave. She recently made her solo debut with I Just Wanna Dance, which is also worth a listen! Simon Dominic is the co-CEO of AOMG who has been active as a producer and rapper since 2009. He recently took part as a producer in the latest season and led his team to victory!
Why I chose this song: this song was addictive! Tiffany has a beautiful voice and the rap fits so well into the song, I couldn't stop replaying it when i first heard it :D Recommended songs would be: "4 Walls" by F(x) and "Love You to death" by Taeyang — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Tiffany is a singer from monster girl group Girls Generation, arguably one of the most successful girl groups to come out of South Korea and certainly a leader of the Hallyu wave. She recently made her solo debut with I Just Wanna Dance, which is also worth a listen! Simon Dominic is the co-CEO of AOMG who has been active as a producer and rapper since 2009. He recently took part as a producer in the latest season and led his team to victory!
Why I chose this song: this song was addictive! Tiffany has a beautiful voice and the rap fits so well into the song, I couldn't stop replaying it when i first heard it :D Recommended songs would be: "4 Walls" by F(x) and "Love You to death" by Taeyang

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Tiffany is a singer from monster girl group Girls Generation, arguably one of the most successful girl groups to come out of South Korea and certainly a leader of the Hallyu wave. She recently made her solo debut with I Just Wanna Dance, which is also worth a listen! Simon Dominic is the co-CEO of AOMG who has been active as a producer and rapper since 2009. He recently took part as a producer in the latest season and led his team to victory!
Why I chose this song: this song was addictive! Tiffany has a beautiful voice and the rap fits so well into the song, I couldn't stop replaying it when i first heard it :D Recommended songs would be: "4 Walls" by F(x) and "Love You to death" by Taeyang

Day 6 is a 5 member band from JYP entertainment. They debuted in September 2015 with "The Day", a mini album.
Members: Sungjin, Wonpil, Dowoon, YoungK and Jae
Why I chose this song: My first thought when I heard this song was that this would be so successful in my country if Day6 were promoting here! I was completely blown away, I wish it was a title track! If you like this song I recommend "The Hunt" by Day 6 and "The Truth is" by Jay Park — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Day 6 is a 5 member band from JYP entertainment. They debuted in September 2015 with "The Day", a mini album.
Members: Sungjin, Wonpil, Dowoon, YoungK and Jae
Why I chose this song: My first thought when I heard this song was that this would be so successful in my country if Day6 were promoting here! I was completely blown away, I wish it was a title track! If you like this song I recommend "The Hunt" by Day 6 and "The Truth is" by Jay Park

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Day 6 is a 5 member band from JYP entertainment. They debuted in September 2015 with "The Day", a mini album.
Members: Sungjin, Wonpil, Dowoon, YoungK and Jae
Why I chose this song: My first thought when I heard this song was that this would be so successful in my country if Day6 were promoting here! I was completely blown away, I wish it was a title track! If you like this song I recommend "The Hunt" by Day 6 and "The Truth is" by Jay Park

Loco is a rapper under AOMG, a popular South Korean hip hop agency. He won the first season of survival show "Show Me the Money" in 2012, which has since grown into a rap phenomenon in Korea and among international fans. Cha Cha Malone is a singer and former dancer also under AOMG. He was born in Seattle and has been releasing music with Korean American friend Jay Park and other artists since 2010.
Why I chose this song: this song helped me feel good about myself when I was going through a tough time. Other than that, Loco's smooth rap style and Cha Cha's feature make this a laid back track that is not to be missed! I recommend "Just Do It" by Gray and "Breathe" by Lee Hi if you liked this release — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Loco is a rapper under AOMG, a popular South Korean hip hop agency. He won the first season of survival show "Show Me the Money" in 2012, which has since grown into a rap phenomenon in Korea and among international fans. Cha Cha Malone is a singer and former dancer also under AOMG. He was born in Seattle and has been releasing music with Korean American friend Jay Park and other artists since 2010.
Why I chose this song: this song helped me feel good about myself when I was going through a tough time. Other than that, Loco's smooth rap style and Cha Cha's feature make this a laid back track that is not to be missed! I recommend "Just Do It" by Gray and "Breathe" by Lee Hi if you liked this release

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Loco is a rapper under AOMG, a popular South Korean hip hop agency. He won the first season of survival show "Show Me the Money" in 2012, which has since grown into a rap phenomenon in Korea and among international fans. Cha Cha Malone is a singer and former dancer also under AOMG. He was born in Seattle and has been releasing music with Korean American friend Jay Park and other artists since 2010.
Why I chose this song: this song helped me feel good about myself when I was going through a tough time. Other than that, Loco's smooth rap style and Cha Cha's feature make this a laid back track that is not to be missed! I recommend "Just Do It" by Gray and "Breathe" by Lee Hi if you liked this release

Dean is a Korean-American song writer and RnB singer, who has helped pen tracks for popular groups Exo and Vixx. He made his official debut as a singer in 2015 with "I'm Not Sorry" and gained even more traction with his collaboration with popular Korean rapper Zico "Pour Up". Bonnie Clyde comes from his first full album "130 Mood: TRBL".
Why I chose this song: this song makes my ears feel good, just listen to his voice at 1:22, it's just uh*
I recommend this entire album and "Inferiority Complex" by Park Kyung if you like this vibe — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Dean is a Korean-American song writer and RnB singer, who has helped pen tracks for popular groups Exo and Vixx. He made his official debut as a singer in 2015 with "I'm Not Sorry" and gained even more traction with his collaboration with popular Korean rapper Zico "Pour Up". Bonnie Clyde comes from his first full album "130 Mood: TRBL".
Why I chose this song: this song makes my ears feel good, just listen to his voice at 1:22, it's just uh*
I recommend this entire album and "Inferiority Complex" by Park Kyung if you like this vibe

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Dean is a Korean-American song writer and RnB singer, who has helped pen tracks for popular groups Exo and Vixx. He made his official debut as a singer in 2015 with "I'm Not Sorry" and gained even more traction with his collaboration with popular Korean rapper Zico "Pour Up". Bonnie Clyde comes from his first full album "130 Mood: TRBL".
Why I chose this song: this song makes my ears feel good, just listen to his voice at 1:22, it's just uh*
I recommend this entire album and "Inferiority Complex" by Park Kyung if you like this vibe

Drug Restaurant is a rock band active in South Korea since 2014. They used to go by the name JJY Band, after the lead vocalist Jung Joon-young, however they changed the name in 2016 as he did not want the band to completely centred around him. The members were brought together at the wish of Joon-Young, whose former band were forced to breakup due to visa issues. The other members are well established indie musicians and former members of relatively successful bands. Members: Jung Seok-won, Jo Dae-min, Lee Hyun-gu and Jung Joon-young.
Why I chose this song: the lyrics are really relatable and the music video is even more so! The reason I didn't link it is because of some *cough* kinda gross *cough* sound effects they add to the audio. I recommend "Sexy Bomb" by Drug Restaurant — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Drug Restaurant is a rock band active in South Korea since 2014. They used to go by the name JJY Band, after the lead vocalist Jung Joon-young, however they changed the name in 2016 as he did not want the band to completely centred around him. The members were brought together at the wish of Joon-Young, whose former band were forced to breakup due to visa issues. The other members are well established indie musicians and former members of relatively successful bands. Members: Jung Seok-won, Jo Dae-min, Lee Hyun-gu and Jung Joon-young.
Why I chose this song: the lyrics are really relatable and the music video is even more so! The reason I didn't link it is because of some *cough* kinda gross *cough* sound effects they add to the audio. I recommend "Sexy Bomb" by Drug Restaurant

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Drug Restaurant is a rock band active in South Korea since 2014. They used to go by the name JJY Band, after the lead vocalist Jung Joon-young, however they changed the name in 2016 as he did not want the band to completely centred around him. The members were brought together at the wish of Joon-Young, whose former band were forced to breakup due to visa issues. The other members are well established indie musicians and former members of relatively successful bands. Members: Jung Seok-won, Jo Dae-min, Lee Hyun-gu and Jung Joon-young.
Why I chose this song: the lyrics are really relatable and the music video is even more so! The reason I didn't link it is because of some *cough* kinda gross *cough* sound effects they add to the audio. I recommend "Sexy Bomb" by Drug Restaurant

BeWhy is on his way to becoming a leader of the next generation of rappers in South Korea. He is the winner of Show Me the Money 5 and part of rap group Sexy Street with his SMTM5 rival CJamm. Shalom came out in April of this year.
Why I chose this song: it sums up BeWhy's style as a rapper pretty well; slightly creepy but powerful beats, clean rap with unconventional but effective use of the beat. His voice is also pretty distinctive, something that helps trying to stand out on the scene. I recommend "Forever" by BeWhy, "Illusion" by CJamm and "MiChinNom" by Sharp Gun if you like this — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

BeWhy is on his way to becoming a leader of the next generation of rappers in South Korea. He is the winner of Show Me the Money 5 and part of rap group Sexy Street with his SMTM5 rival CJamm. Shalom came out in April of this year.
Why I chose this song: it sums up BeWhy's style as a rapper pretty well; slightly creepy but powerful beats, clean rap with unconventional but effective use of the beat. His voice is also pretty distinctive, something that helps trying to stand out on the scene. I recommend "Forever" by BeWhy, "Illusion" by CJamm and "MiChinNom" by Sharp Gun if you like this

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

BeWhy is on his way to becoming a leader of the next generation of rappers in South Korea. He is the winner of Show Me the Money 5 and part of rap group Sexy Street with his SMTM5 rival CJamm. Shalom came out in April of this year.
Why I chose this song: it sums up BeWhy's style as a rapper pretty well; slightly creepy but powerful beats, clean rap with unconventional but effective use of the beat. His voice is also pretty distinctive, something that helps trying to stand out on the scene. I recommend "Forever" by BeWhy, "Illusion" by CJamm and "MiChinNom" by Sharp Gun if you like this

Wonder Girls is a popular Korean Girl Band active since 2007. They have gone through many lineup changes, due to members leaving the group for various reasons (although the girls are still friends today!). This is their first release since their hiatus began in 2014 and it has been well received, recently earning them first place in music shows.
Why I chose this song: I love the blend of reggae and pop/rock in this track. The girls also have a really beautiful blend of different vocal colours, which I love!
Recommended for this song are "I Feel You" by Wonder Girls and "Life in Colour" by Beenzino — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Wonder Girls is a popular Korean Girl Band active since 2007. They have gone through many lineup changes, due to members leaving the group for various reasons (although the girls are still friends today!). This is their first release since their hiatus began in 2014 and it has been well received, recently earning them first place in music shows.
Why I chose this song: I love the blend of reggae and pop/rock in this track. The girls also have a really beautiful blend of different vocal colours, which I love!
Recommended for this song are "I Feel You" by Wonder Girls and "Life in Colour" by Beenzino

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Wonder Girls is a popular Korean Girl Band active since 2007. They have gone through many lineup changes, due to members leaving the group for various reasons (although the girls are still friends today!). This is their first release since their hiatus began in 2014 and it has been well received, recently earning them first place in music shows.
Why I chose this song: I love the blend of reggae and pop/rock in this track. The girls also have a really beautiful blend of different vocal colours, which I love!
Recommended for this song are "I Feel You" by Wonder Girls and "Life in Colour" by Beenzino

Yezi is a member of Korean girl group Fiestar who debuted in 2012. She released her solo track "Cider" following her participation in the survival show Unpretty Rapstar (a show where female rappers compete against each other and can release tracks in the process.)
Why I chose this song: I am a big fan of supporting women who spit fire (like Yezi) and I loved this release. It has wide appeal and I can imagine myself playing this at a party or hearing it a a club and being able to dance to it for ages feeling like a boss
Recommended for this one are "Superfly" by 24K and "I'm Him" by Song Mino — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Yezi is a member of Korean girl group Fiestar who debuted in 2012. She released her solo track "Cider" following her participation in the survival show Unpretty Rapstar (a show where female rappers compete against each other and can release tracks in the process.)
Why I chose this song: I am a big fan of supporting women who spit fire (like Yezi) and I loved this release. It has wide appeal and I can imagine myself playing this at a party or hearing it a a club and being able to dance to it for ages feeling like a boss
Recommended for this one are "Superfly" by 24K and "I'm Him" by Song Mino

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Yezi is a member of Korean girl group Fiestar who debuted in 2012. She released her solo track "Cider" following her participation in the survival show Unpretty Rapstar (a show where female rappers compete against each other and can release tracks in the process.)
Why I chose this song: I am a big fan of supporting women who spit fire (like Yezi) and I loved this release. It has wide appeal and I can imagine myself playing this at a party or hearing it a a club and being able to dance to it for ages feeling like a boss
Recommended for this one are "Superfly" by 24K and "I'm Him" by Song Mino

BTS is a 7 member boy group under Bighit entertainment who debuted in 2013. The release of their 3 MV's "Young Forever", "Fire" and "Save Me" mark the end of their Youth: the most beautiful moment in life series, which began in 2015 with "I Need U" the track which saw the group rise to fame. Since then BTS has been gaining popularity, with an unbelievably strong international following and a good status in South Korea.
Why I chose this song: this song was undeniably overplayed, but I can't get enough. for an in depth analysis of what makes this song so unique see this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2G1H6Msr4
and that ending rap has me on the floor every time.
Recommended songs with this one are "Young Forever" by BTS and "Fly" by Got7 — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

BTS is a 7 member boy group under Bighit entertainment who debuted in 2013. The release of their 3 MV's "Young Forever", "Fire" and "Save Me" mark the end of their Youth: the most beautiful moment in life series, which began in 2015 with "I Need U" the track which saw the group rise to fame. Since then BTS has been gaining popularity, with an unbelievably strong international following and a good status in South Korea.
Why I chose this song: this song was undeniably overplayed, but I can't get enough. for an in depth analysis of what makes this song so unique see this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2G1H6Msr4
and that ending rap has me on the floor every time.
Recommended songs with this one are "Young Forever" by BTS and "Fly" by Got7

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

BTS is a 7 member boy group under Bighit entertainment who debuted in 2013. The release of their 3 MV's "Young Forever", "Fire" and "Save Me" mark the end of their Youth: the most beautiful moment in life series, which began in 2015 with "I Need U" the track which saw the group rise to fame. Since then BTS has been gaining popularity, with an unbelievably strong international following and a good status in South Korea.
Why I chose this song: this song was undeniably overplayed, but I can't get enough. for an in depth analysis of what makes this song so unique see this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2G1H6Msr4
and that ending rap has me on the floor every time.
Recommended songs with this one are "Young Forever" by BTS and "Fly" by Got7

Winner is a five member group under top label YG entertainment. The group debuted in 2014 following the survival show WIN: who is next? and are the first boy group under their label since legend group Big Bang debuted in 2006. Although Winner went under a hiatus in 2015 *seethes* other than solo activities and concerts, the group came back with a great album in January of this year. We have yet to see the release of the 2nd part of the album *seethes* but this recent album saw success and earned Winner a music show win.
Why I chose this song: y'all need to hear this. If i could play this on the street, out my car window, in the park, everywhere, I would. It makes me want to get up and jump on a table and dance my heart out! To this day I don't know why this wasn't a title track. I reccomend "Kill This Love" by Epik high and "How People Move" by Akdong Musician with this one! — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Winner is a five member group under top label YG entertainment. The group debuted in 2014 following the survival show WIN: who is next? and are the first boy group under their label since legend group Big Bang debuted in 2006. Although Winner went under a hiatus in 2015 *seethes* other than solo activities and concerts, the group came back with a great album in January of this year. We have yet to see the release of the 2nd part of the album *seethes* but this recent album saw success and earned Winner a music show win.
Why I chose this song: y'all need to hear this. If i could play this on the street, out my car window, in the park, everywhere, I would. It makes me want to get up and jump on a table and dance my heart out! To this day I don't know why this wasn't a title track. I reccomend "Kill This Love" by Epik high and "How People Move" by Akdong Musician with this one!

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Winner is a five member group under top label YG entertainment. The group debuted in 2014 following the survival show WIN: who is next? and are the first boy group under their label since legend group Big Bang debuted in 2006. Although Winner went under a hiatus in 2015 *seethes* other than solo activities and concerts, the group came back with a great album in January of this year. We have yet to see the release of the 2nd part of the album *seethes* but this recent album saw success and earned Winner a music show win.
Why I chose this song: y'all need to hear this. If i could play this on the street, out my car window, in the park, everywhere, I would. It makes me want to get up and jump on a table and dance my heart out! To this day I don't know why this wasn't a title track. I reccomend "Kill This Love" by Epik high and "How People Move" by Akdong Musician with this one!

Babylon is a singer and former vocal trainer who debuted with "Pray" in 2015. He featured in rapper Zico's release "Boys and Girls" which was a hit in Korea and internationally. This release features rapper Dok2 of popular label Illionaire. Dock also took part in Show Me the Money 5 with fellow rapper The Quiett as team Illionaire.
Why I chose this song: Babylon, like Dean, has a beautiful and unique voice. I hear a mix of Dean and Zion T in him, which is pretty much a match made in heaven for me! Recommended songs with this are "You Know" Jay Park and "You Deserve Better" by Verbal Jint — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Babylon is a singer and former vocal trainer who debuted with "Pray" in 2015. He featured in rapper Zico's release "Boys and Girls" which was a hit in Korea and internationally. This release features rapper Dok2 of popular label Illionaire. Dock also took part in Show Me the Money 5 with fellow rapper The Quiett as team Illionaire.
Why I chose this song: Babylon, like Dean, has a beautiful and unique voice. I hear a mix of Dean and Zion T in him, which is pretty much a match made in heaven for me! Recommended songs with this are "You Know" Jay Park and "You Deserve Better" by Verbal Jint

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Babylon is a singer and former vocal trainer who debuted with "Pray" in 2015. He featured in rapper Zico's release "Boys and Girls" which was a hit in Korea and internationally. This release features rapper Dok2 of popular label Illionaire. Dock also took part in Show Me the Money 5 with fellow rapper The Quiett as team Illionaire.
Why I chose this song: Babylon, like Dean, has a beautiful and unique voice. I hear a mix of Dean and Zion T in him, which is pretty much a match made in heaven for me! Recommended songs with this are "You Know" Jay Park and "You Deserve Better" by Verbal Jint

NCT U is the first sub unit of SM entertainments first ever rotational group. Of over 40 trainees, these 5 were chosen as the first representatives of NCT. This means that they have officially debuted but will not necessarily be in every song or music video. What's more, SM wants to aim the various sub units at different countries, potentially even aiming for a US debut. So far NCT U and NCT 127 have debuted (members Taeyong and Mark appeared in both comebacks, whereas the other members were rotated out for new ones).
Why I chose this song: I first listened to a day or so after it came out because I was interested in the rotational group concept, and no lies, I haven't stopped playing it since. It may not be musically very unique, but there is something addictive in that opening beat that makes me want to keep playing it!
I recommend "Drip Drop" by Taemin and "Monster" Bby Exo if you like this — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

NCT U is the first sub unit of SM entertainments first ever rotational group. Of over 40 trainees, these 5 were chosen as the first representatives of NCT. This means that they have officially debuted but will not necessarily be in every song or music video. What's more, SM wants to aim the various sub units at different countries, potentially even aiming for a US debut. So far NCT U and NCT 127 have debuted (members Taeyong and Mark appeared in both comebacks, whereas the other members were rotated out for new ones).
Why I chose this song: I first listened to a day or so after it came out because I was interested in the rotational group concept, and no lies, I haven't stopped playing it since. It may not be musically very unique, but there is something addictive in that opening beat that makes me want to keep playing it!
I recommend "Drip Drop" by Taemin and "Monster" Bby Exo if you like this

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

NCT U is the first sub unit of SM entertainments first ever rotational group. Of over 40 trainees, these 5 were chosen as the first representatives of NCT. This means that they have officially debuted but will not necessarily be in every song or music video. What's more, SM wants to aim the various sub units at different countries, potentially even aiming for a US debut. So far NCT U and NCT 127 have debuted (members Taeyong and Mark appeared in both comebacks, whereas the other members were rotated out for new ones).
Why I chose this song: I first listened to a day or so after it came out because I was interested in the rotational group concept, and no lies, I haven't stopped playing it since. It may not be musically very unique, but there is something addictive in that opening beat that makes me want to keep playing it!
I recommend "Drip Drop" by Taemin and "Monster" Bby Exo if you like this

Zion T is a RnB singer under YG entertainment. Until recently he was under Ameoba Culture, with whom he released Red Light in 2013. His first studio album receive high praise and he has risen to the top of the Korean entertainment industry since then, being recognised for his unique and emotional vocals. This song was released during the producer round of Show Me the Money 5.
Why I chose this song: this is a beautiful and emotive release which makes me feel like I'm sitting under a moonlit sky. If you like this song then "Eat" and "Yanghwa Bridge" will be worth your time for sure, as well as "Beautiful Tonight" by Jong Hyun. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Zion T is a RnB singer under YG entertainment. Until recently he was under Ameoba Culture, with whom he released Red Light in 2013. His first studio album receive high praise and he has risen to the top of the Korean entertainment industry since then, being recognised for his unique and emotional vocals. This song was released during the producer round of Show Me the Money 5.
Why I chose this song: this is a beautiful and emotive release which makes me feel like I'm sitting under a moonlit sky. If you like this song then "Eat" and "Yanghwa Bridge" will be worth your time for sure, as well as "Beautiful Tonight" by Jong Hyun.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Zion T is a RnB singer under YG entertainment. Until recently he was under Ameoba Culture, with whom he released Red Light in 2013. His first studio album receive high praise and he has risen to the top of the Korean entertainment industry since then, being recognised for his unique and emotional vocals. This song was released during the producer round of Show Me the Money 5.
Why I chose this song: this is a beautiful and emotive release which makes me feel like I'm sitting under a moonlit sky. If you like this song then "Eat" and "Yanghwa Bridge" will be worth your time for sure, as well as "Beautiful Tonight" by Jong Hyun.

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