Trouble Maker (HyunA & Hyunseung) Trouble Maker Album Review

We've finally had the chance to listen to the Trouble Maker Album. Trouble Maker are a co-ed subunit comprising of 4minute's HyunA and B2ST's Hyunseung under CUBE Entertainment.

Here's what we make of the songs:

1. Trouble Maker

Hmm, this song is interesting. When I first heard the beat in the teaser, I didn't think they would use the beat in the actual song so when I heard the song at first I didn't know what to make of it. I have a feeling this song will sound great when it's performed. At first I wasn't too fond of the song but it's slowly growing on my although I still don't think I'll have it on repeat.

2. 듣기 싫은 말

A complete contrast to the Trouble Maker single, it's a lot slower. Personally I prefer this song a lot more than Trouble Maker. I’m used to HyunA singing pop songs or rapping so seeing this almost ballad side of her is quite refreshing. The bridge is personally my favourite part. 

3. Time (feat. 라도)

Another slow song on the album starting with ‘Time’ is repeatedly being echoed. I’m really liking 라도’s voice, he sings quite a lot in this song that I got confused about when Hyunseung actually sings – sounds a bit like DooJoon. Hyunseung sings in the chorus.

4. 아무렇지 않니

The beat of this song sounds pretty R&B to me, which is great because I love my R&B songs. I can actually imagine Hyunseung dancing all slick to this song. Hyunseung’s solo track.

Honestly, when this album was released I was really excited about the fast upbeat songs they might have on the album, however, the title song Trouble Maker isn’t the one I favour. I‘ve got all the slower ballad-like songs on repeat instead. So far, my favourite track on the album is Time. I’m singing along to it already.

You can purchase the Trouble Maker on: Naver , Melon

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M Signal – 옷자락이라도 (1st Mini Album) [Review]

Look who I just discovered: M Signal!

I'm still wondering how I only just found out about them. M Signal are a two member Korean ballad group comprised of Jun GeunHwa and Gyun Woo. They've been making songs since 2005 however none of their previous songs got the attention they deserved.

But now their back debuting under one of the big guns, FNC entertainment, the same entertainment group as FT Island and CN Blue.

Today they released their debut album 'Thread of Your Clothes' 1st Mini Album. Time to check it out~!

Album consists of:

1. 옷자락이라도 (Threads Of Your Clothes)

An emotional filled ballad which is reflected through the captivating and touching video.

Afsana instantly realised the MV's main lead as Bae SuBin who starred in 49 Days and Shining Inheritance. Along with the main actress, Yoon JinSeo, the MV shows the heartbreak of a man who's lover is dying yet all he can do is stand by and watch.

The first half of the video shows the lovers enjoying each others company but then disaster strikes. A grime reaper like-figure, the guy in the red tie, seems to be after her and towards the end of the video the mood of the video dampens. The main female lead is dressed in funeral attire and her lover is frantically trying to chase her. Once she reaches her destination, she tells him 'I would like it if we again once please'. She then leaves with the grime reaper guy and the love looks distraught. The music video ends with the lover heartbroke in bed alone.

2. 고마운 내 사랑

In our opinion this song could very well be a drama OST. It could probably be played at the moment where two lovers part due to unforeseen circumstances. Another great song.

3. 악마 (feat. AMEN)

The song initially starts off very soothing but there is a sudden burst of rapping which adds flavour to the song to make it stand out from the other ballad songs on the album.

4. 다 아니까

Although this song displays the groups vocals, it's not very memorable.

5. 모르나 봐

This song was an OST for the Korean drama 너 내게 반했어 (Heartstrings). We've seen people covering this song on YouTube and we know why. It's a beautiful song of a man expressing his love or a woman who doesn't know how he feels.

Korean Food: Seoul Bakery

What's the next restaurant that we shall review? Seoul Bakery.

55 Giles High Street

London

WC2H 8LH

07763278681

Closest station: Tottenham Court Road Station

Contrary to its name, it actually sells savoury food, which was a little disappointing. I was actually looking forward to trying steamed bun with red bean paste, you know the ones you see on Korean dramas, but that didn't go as planned. But the food was amazing

We went here with my two Korean friends and the interior was really unique (unfortunately I completely forgot to take a picture inside). Customers write comments on the wall which make the restaurant feel really homey.

We orders vegetable kimbap and kimchi fried rice with tuna while our friends had bolgogi. I must say the food was scrumptious and they gave so much kimbap that it was hard to actually finish it.

Overall another terrific Korean restaurant. Bear in mind that SHINee actually dined in this restaurant which gives it a shrine-like feel now. Have I persuaded you enough to visit it? SHINee did leave a message too which is up on the wall someone. Check it out~!

We visit Korean restaurant so often that we might as well learn to cook all these dishes. Haha.

Decoding Korean [비번] #4

It's about that time where try to crack Korean again.

The word of the day is:

비번

Pronounced: Bi-Beon

It's an abbreviation of '비밀 번호' where 비밀 means passwords and 번호 means number.

Although most major Korean websites such as Naver will tend to use 비밀 번호, you might hear your Korean friends say 비번.

Electroboyz - Rebirth

So now it's time to appreciate one of the Korean groups that we think is super underrated - Electroboys. They released their album Rebirth in mid-November and I am still in love with all the songs on the album.

Here is a break down of the album and our views on each song:

1. Oh Yeah

The piano at the beginning starts off the song nicely and the rapping slowly comes in. By the end of the song, you nodding your head to the beat. The only downfall is, it's not long enough. I guess I'll have to play it on repeat.

P.S. Anyone hear them say 'Maboos.. a.k.a. bra strap popper'. o.O Haha.

2. My Boy 2 (feat. Hyorin from SISTAR)

A continuation to SISTAR19's My Boy, this song is playful and upbeat. Some of the lines that stick in my head is 'I want to see you my girl, just give me a holla'. Haha. Chakoon, the newly added member of Electroboyz's, has a voice that complements Hyorin's voice nicely.

3. 한참을 울었어 (Cried For A Long Time)

Once again the intro is just beautiful which is followed by soft whispers. The rapping is emotive and and you can you can feel the sorrow in their voices. The flow of the rapping and singing seems almost effortless. Honestly, this is our favourite song on the album.

Overall, this album is amazing. The is a wonderful mix of songs that you can't get bored of. Unlike their debut song, Telephone, which is really more of a dance song, this album consists of songs that are much more emotional.

This album is available to purchase at : YesAsia

Decoding Korean [헐] #3

The next word we shall decode is:

헐

Pronounced: Heol

This word is used when someone is slightly shocked or surprised about something. It is usually used by teenagers in Korea.

From my own experience, I remember hearing several high school students saying this when I was taking them on a tour of my university. I showed them a wooden box that contained Jeremy Benthams corpse and all I heard was '헐'. Haha.