[edward1849]

Tony An special album – Look Blank

01 Wallet
02 Absentmindedly
03 I Thank Even Loneliness
04 Wallet (Saxophone Version)
05 Wallet (Inst.)

Purchase this album

Whether in H.O.T, JTL, or going solo, Tony An has found success. This year, Tony has released another mini-album "Look Blank". This mini-album is more ballad-oriented as compared to his previous mini-album last year that generated the hit song "Melody". Looks like mini-albums are going to be the trend in Korea. While a lot of singers have switched to digital singles, a mini-album offers fans something they can physically own, at a lower price. It also lets us album reviewers produce faster output as we have to listen to fewer songs.

We don't hear Tony singing ballads too often, but this time he has pulled it off nicely. The title song "Wallet" is a listener-friendly sad ballad with a nice piano arrangement. We can hear Tony's sad and emotional vocal expressing well the lyrics of this song. Track 4 is the same song with a saxophone arrangement, adding a jazz feel, while track 5 is the instrumental of the title song. Track 2 "Absentmindedly" is another good ballad in which Tony wrote the lyrics himself. Track 3 "I Thank Even Loneliness" is the most "up-tempo" song of the mini-album, but it is still considered a ballad. It is written by a foreign songwriter.

Despite Tony's popularity, this mini-album went by mostly unnoticed. Maybe it is due to Tony not coming out to perform, thus affecting the popularity. Still, for fans of Tony, this album is a must-own. For fans who like ballads, you may consider adding this to your CD collection too.


4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet.

[dihei]

ALEX - MY VINTAGE ROMANCE



01 어느새 Eoneusae (Soon)
02 그대라면 Geudaeramyeon (If It's You)
03 넌 언제나 (feat. Thomas Cook) Neon Eonjena (It's Always You)
04 기다리게 해서 미안해요 (Sorry Because you had to wait)
05 발끝을 적시는 눈물 Balkkeuneul Jeokshineun nunmeul (Tears that wet the tip of my toes)
06 Feel Like Making Sunshine
07 깍지껴요 (feat. Gaeko from Dynamic Duo) Kkakjikkyeoyo (Empty shell ____)
08 Waltz lesson (feat. whale)
09 연인 Yeonin (Lover)
10 사랑하오 Saranghao (I love you)
11 기분 좋은 날 Gibun Joeun Nal (A Good Day)
12 Daydreaming
13 Miss. Understand (feat. Simon Dominic)
14 데이지 Deiji (Daisy)
15 화분 (Bonus track)

Purchase this album

Known for his romantic, velvety and sexy voice, Alex of Clazziquai has just released his very first solo effort titled "My Vintage Romance". Befitting his romantic image, this album consists mainly of love ballads that are interspersed with songs from a variety of musical genres such as soul, R & B, rap, modern rock and jazz. The album features various collaborations with groups like Loveholic, W, My Aunt Mary and Dynamic Duo.

01 어느새 Eoneusae (Soon) [5 stars]
I absolutely love this track. It�s actually my favourite track in the album. Definitely a fitting opening song for the album. I love how the song begins with Alex�s vocals and accompanied by just the guitar in the background. I love how the various musical instruments mesh together to create that beautiful and harmonious acoustic sound. What really stands out here is Alex�s vocal performance which is raw, pure and crisp as he sings this song with such aplomb. Definitely pure vintage Alex here!

02 그대라면 Geudaeramyeon (If It's You) [5 stars]
This is the title song of the album. When i first listen to this song, it seems to lack the rawness and �oomph� of Track 1. But, when I close my eyes and listen to it a second time, I finally understand why it has been chosen as the title song of the album. It�s one of those songs that grows on you as you listen to it more and more. Alex really pours his heart and soul into singing this song. It is so rich in feeling and emotions that it just makes me want to fall in love over and over again.

03 넌 언제나 (feat. Thomas Cook) Neon Eonjena (It's Always You) [5 stars]
Wow, another favourite of mine. I guess this is what they call �modern rock�. When I first heard it, it absolutely blew me away. I�m assuming Thomas Cook plays the guitar and sings the back-up here because his vocal part is really minimal towards the end of the song. It�s absolutely catchy and refreshing, one of those songs that I would like to sing along to even though the lyrics are Greek to me. I wish there were more tracks like this one in the album but sadly, there are none.

04 기다리게 해서 미안해요 (Sorry Because you had to wait) [3 stars]
Aawww, anyone who's a fan of "AlShin" in the Korean variety show called 'We Got Married' would have been able to identify with this song. Btw, to all the �AlShin� fans out there, Alex wraps up this song with the two magic words �LOVE YOU�. Oolala!

05 발끝을 적시는 눈물 Balkkeuneul Jeokshineun nunmeul (Tears that wet the tip of my toes) [4 stars]
Definitely the track with the most creative title. Another lovely ballad from Alex that is sung straight from the heart. Man, he sure knows how to touch our hearts with his soft, velvety and romantic voice. Gives me the feeling that he�s singing this song just for me. Absolutely awesome.

06 Feel Like Making Sunshine [4 stars]
Another up-tempo, upbeat and catchy song that makes me tap my feet, drum my fingers and sway my head left and right as I listen to it. It�s absolutely light, breezy and sunny. This one really makes me light-headed and happy. Check out the English lyrics in the chorus � feel like making love songs for you; one for me; one for you; one for all of us � Aawww!

07 깍지껴요 (feat. Gaeko from Dynamic Duo) Kkakjikkyeoyo (Empty shell ____) [4 stars]
One of two R&B/rap-influenced songs in the album. Very soulful and funky. I can�t help but snap my fingers and move my body as I listen to it. I think Alex did really well here although I think he�s more of a pop ballad singer rather than an R&B one. Love his falsetto here as well. As for the repetitive �Come with me� in the background, you will either love it or hate it.

08 Waltz lesson (feat. whale) [3 stars]
This song is really easy on the ear. Makes you feel like dancing the waltz with your beloved while listening to it. It also has a really playful feel coupled with a tinge of childishness and innocence. Alex sounds like a little boy taking his first lesson in waltz. I love the part where Alex lets out an amusing laugh before launching into his trademark falsetto tone. Don�t know why they bother featuring Whale in this though � her part is really negligible.

09 연인 Yeonin (Lover) [3 stars]
A typical run-of-the-mill love ballad. My least favourite track on the album. It really is a bit too slow and dull for me. Alex's vocal performance here is just so-so for me.

10 사랑하오 Saranghao (I love you) [3 stars]
Another typical run-of-the-mill love ballad. However, if you�re in love and would like to spend a quiet, romantic evening with your beloved, then this is the song for you. Vocal wise, Alex does pack dollops of sweet, saccharine love and longing for that special someone as he sings this.

11 기분 좋은 날 Gibun Joeun Nal (A Good Day) [5 stars]
Whhooaaa, now we�re talking. Was almost falling asleep after Track 10. I absolutely adore this track. It is just so cute, like Alex himself. If there�s one song that represents who or what he is, then this must be IT. It�s cute, cheerful and playful � I think you pretty much get the idea. I love the part where he whistles as well.

12 Daydreaming [3 stars]
A soft jazzy tune, another refreshing change in an album dominated by love ballads. I love the piano that accompanies Alex�s singing here. Vocal-wise, I would say that Alex�s voice is just too soft for him to pass off as a jazz singer. Definitely not his genre.

13 Miss. Understand (feat. Simon Dominic) [4 stars]
The other R&B/rap-influenced song in the album. Not as funky and upbeat as Track 7, but definitely more soulful. Absolutely have no idea what Simon Dominic is rapping about but I think he sounds better than Gaeko from Dynamic Duo. The surprising part is how well the rapping blends in with the melody of this song.

14 데이지 Deiji (Daisy) [5 stars]
Other than Track 1, this is my other favourite love ballad in the album. I love how the momentum of this song is built up as it goes along and how the various instruments come together to create that beautiful and mesmerizing melody. There's so much feeling and emotions in this song. Another song that you can appreciate better if you were to listen to it with your eyes closed and imagine that Alex is singing it just for you. Definitely a fitting finale to an album that begins on a slow, acoustic manner and ends on a rich, orchestral note.

15 화분 Flowerpot (Bonus track) [6 stars]
Aawww, what more can I say about this song that hasn�t been said already. A classic rendition by Alex in that rich, velvety and emotional voice of his. All that love and longing come across so beautifully in a heartfelt manner. I tell ya, I just can�t get enough of this song even though I�ve been playing it to death ever since I first heard it on �We Got Married�.

Overall, if you're looking for an easy-listening and romantic album in various genres to spice up the night with your beloved, then this is the one for you.

OVERALL RATINGS : 4/5. I would have rated it 5/5 if the title song had more of a �wow� factor in it. I don�t know if the title song of an album should be something that grows on you rather than one that hits you with a �wham, bang and slam� effect. I just feel that Track 1 or Track 14 would be a better title song for this album.

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet.

Er, I don't know if this is good enough to be added to soompi's main site but, if you think so, then by all means! If not, it's ok by me too.

[motoway065]

I Like It Hot (Hellcats) OST



01 Warming Up – Kim Sang Hoon
02 R.P.G (Rocket Punch Generation) - Whale
03 Cappuccino, No Sugar and Lots of Foam – Han Jae Won
04 Shocking Pink Rose (So Long DJ Kan-G Mix) – W/DJ Kan-G/Whale
05 I’ll Remember – Bae Young Joon, Han Jae Won
06 Come Back Kim Hung Soo
07 Amore E Del Corazon Garota - Kim Sang Hoon
08 Life is Like This – Han Jae Won, Bae Young Joon
09 Most Comforting Romance – Lee Seung Yul
10 Because I’m Precious Kim Sang Hoon
11 Love is Like This – Han Jae Won, Bae Young Joon
12 A Cartoonist’s Deep Thinking Cat (Fish Bone Mix) - W
13 Walk Don’t Run – Bae Young Joon
14 Come Back (Law Like Sushi Mix) - W
15 I’ll Remember – W/Whale

There was much commotion about the release of the movie, I Like It Hot (Hellcats), particularly among Wonder Girls fans, as Korea’s little sister, Ahn So Hee, was cast as one of the three protagonists of the film. The original soundtrack for this movie was also released at the beginning of the year, with music produced by fusion electronica band, W.

The title track of the album is R.P.G (Rocket Punch Generation), which is sung by Whale. The song starts off with bouncy beats which lead to Whale’s soothing vocals. The song seems very Americanized, something that would come out of an American chick flick. I personally enjoyed this track and it was the one song that remained playing in my head after watching the movie.

The first song I want to recommend is track 4, Shocking Pink Rose (So Long DJ Kan-G Mix). The soothing vocals along with catchy beats would definitely attract listeners. Another song worth mentioning would be track 6, Come Back to Me, sung by actor Kim Hung Soo himself. Kim had played the role of a guy wanting to find a career through his guitar playing and singing, and this song definitely relives this character. The guitar instrumentals and husky vocals are worth listening. The rest of the songs were either memorable dialogue taken from the movie or instrumentals. Two instrumentals I particularly enjoyed were track 10, Because I’m Precious and track 11, Love is Like This. The guitar and other instrumentals are very relaxing and pleasing to the ear.

In conclusion, I felt that the soundtrack helped bring out the movie’s dramatic points through the use of instrumentals and vocalization, as well as dialogue. However, I felt that overall, there weren’t enough memorable tracks that would have persuaded me into purchasing the album.

3/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[jaefan]

CSJH The Grace The First Album-한번 더, OK?



01. 한번 더, OK?
02. 女友 (그녀들의 수다)
03. 女友 Interlude
04. Sweet Emotion
05. 그 사람... 욕하지 마요
06. RENEW
07. 4월의 첫 날 (April Fools' Day)
08. Dancer In The Rain
09. 아니기를 (Not To Be)
10. 하루만 (Just For One Day) Feat. Super Junior's Kyuhyun
11. Tonight Is On Me
12. Dancing Queen
13. 열정 (My Everything)
14. Boomerang
15. The Club Feat. RAIN 비

CSJH The Grace debuted in 2005, but their first album came out only in 2007, which was a long wait for many of their fans. Made up of four beautiful ladies, CSJH have a lot of talent when it comes to singing or dancing. The album includes their past singles [except for Too Good] and 9 new tracks.

The title song from this album, 'One More Time, Ok?' is a pop dance track which showcases their powerful vocals and has a very catchy chorus that gets you to sing along with it. I'm a little disappointed with the lyrics which, to me, don't have much meaning and relativity to the title track. Track 2, 'Girlfriend', is one of my favourites from this album. It is basically about the normal conversations between girls on the topic of love.The four girls once again showed off their powerful vocals, especially Lina and Dana [lead singers from the group], who had many strong adlibs at the end of the song. A sweet song that will tend to lift one's mood.

Other songs that I recommend are 'My Everything', a very addictive ballad, and track 5 그 사람... 욕하지 마요 (Heartbreak), also a very sad ballad. 'Dancer In The Rain' has a rather fast tempo and it gives me goosebumps whenever I listen to this song. Boomerang and 4월의 첫 날 (April Fools' Day) are also worth a listen.

Fans of CSJH The Grace should definitely get this album because not only is it a good one, it is also their first full-length album. If you have been tracking this group for a long time, you should get this album too.

Rating:4.5/5

i dont mind if this is posted at the main site of soompi.

[motoway065]

Various Artists – Soul Romance into the Rainbow



01 This Winter – Brown Eyed Girls (Miryo & Narsha)
02 Couple – Son Dambi & J. Walk
03 Irrelevant Imagination – 8Eight
04 Living Life Forgetting
05 Lust – Yoon Hee Joong feat. Moon Myung Jin
06 Hypnosis – As One
07 100 Days – Jung Yun Joon
08 What a Wonderful World – JK Kim Dong Wook

Last winter, another volume of the Rainbow album series was released; this one is titled, “Soul Romance into the Rainbow.” Unlike previous albums, specific artistes were picked to sing the songs, which were meant to be heard during the winter season. Many senior artistes as well as newly popular singers were chosen to participate in the album - names included the Brown Eyed Girls, J. Walk, Son Dambi, 8eight, and As One. A mixture of new songs as well as remakes is included in this series. These songs range from pop, R&B, ballads, to popera.

The title songs which were used to promote the album were “This Winter” sung by Miryo and Narsha of Brown Eyed Girls, and “Couple” sung by Son Dambi and J.Walk. The girls sang “This Winter”, which was originally sung by Diva well. The instruments used in the background definitely brought out the winter feel and the upbeat beats and Miryo’s rapping skills make it easy for listeners to be in tune with the song. “Couple” was originally sung by Seckies, but J.Walk and Son Dambi did a fine job with their rendition. Dambi’s vocalization enhances the song and I feel the fans of Dambi and J.Walk won’t be disappointed.

Other songs worth mentioning are 8eight’s “Irrelevant Imagination,” “Lust,” by Yoon Hee Joong and JK Kim Dong Wook’s “What a Wonderful World.” Fans of Shinhwa’s Andy are probably familiar with the song “Irrelevant Imagination”, which was originally sung by Jinu. I personally enjoyed 8eight’s rendition as their vocals were much stronger and more energetic. The feel of the song is also very wintery, perfect for the winter season. “Lust” by Yoon Hee Joong is an R&B track with rap. From the beginning of the song, the fast beats and the vocals caught my attention rightaway. I feel that listeners would especially enjoy this track. The last track I would like to recommend is “What a Wonderful World”, sung by JK Kim Dong Wook. Everyone should be familiar with this song, originally performed by Louis Armstrong. I felt that JK did a pretty great job himself with this song, and I hope people would give his rendition a chance.

Overall, I feel that this compilation album did a great job bringing out the wintery mood, which was its objective. The choice of singers and songs were also smart as people unfamiliar with the older songs were able to hear them through their favorite singers. The only problem I had with this album was that there were only eight tracks, not enough for an album.

3/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[motoway065]

Shin Hye Sung & Lyn – He Said She Said



01 It Was You
02 That Man’s Story (He Said…)
03 Echo
04 That Woman’s Story (She Said…)
05 My Man
06 WISH
07 Even If It’s Erased
08 Greet (Hyesung’s Version)
09 Already Know Everything (Lyn ver.)
10 It Was You (Inst.)

It’s been about a year since Shin Hye Sung and Lyn’s first duet collaboration with the song, “Love…After.” With their talent and charisma, the two renowned artistes were able to gain even more recognition with the track. This year, the duo has released a full ten-track album titled “He Said She Said”, which includes not only a second duet track but their own songs and remakes.

The title track of the album, “It Was You”, is a duet by the two artistes. This ballad is very smooth and relaxing from the beginning as they croon love messages to each other. Their harmonization skills are great and match well with the background instrumentals. Though I feel that this song fails to beat “Love…After”, listeners should still give this song a chance.

As fans of both Shin Hyesung and Lyn, I felt that they did justice to their own solo tracks in the album. Track 3 (Echo) and track 5 (My Man) are of the same melody; the difference being that the songs are arranged a bit differently and that the first track is sung by Shin and the latter by Lyn. In addition, the two singers wrote the lyrics to their respective versions. Both versions are worth listening; Shin’s being a bit more to the ballad side and Lyn’s being on the R&B side. Being an R&B fan, I personally enjoyed Lyn’s version more (and it is also my favorite track of the album).

Tracks 6 and 7 are the artistes’ respective solo tracks and I enjoyed “Even If It’s Erased”, which is another R&B track by Lyn. The instrumentals are very catchy and the chorus of the song is also very pleasing to the ear. Tracks 8 and 9 are remakes of each other's songs. “Greet” is originally a song by Lyn from her sophomore album and “Already Know Everything” is from Shin’s second album as well. I feel that both artistes did justice to each other’s tracks.

In conclusion, I feel that Shin Hye Sung and Lyn did a great job collaborating and performing their own respective tracks. It may have been better if there were more duets but covering each other’s songs was pretty creative as well. I feel that ballad and R&B fans will be interested in this album and vocalization is not a problem, since both artistes know how to make music.

4.5/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[Hitorijime]

Jang Ri In / Zhang Li Yin (장리인 / 張力尹) - Star Wish (I WILL)

1. Intro
2. First Love
3. A Flame for You
4. Star Wish (I WILL)
5. The Left Shore of Happiness
6. After
7. Wrongly Given Love (feat. Kim Jong Hyun)
8. Believe in Love
9. Perfect Love (feat. Song Bing Yang)
10. One More Try
11. Y (Why...)
12. Timeless
13. I WILL (Korean)
14. Lovers (Korean)

Jang Ri In has sparked interest ever since her debut in late 2006. Timeless, her first single, turned out to be a decent hit. Unfortunately after that, it seemed that nothing big would come anytime soon from the singer except for songs in the annual SMTown albums. Finally, in February 2008, fans became excited with the March release of her first album. Star Wish (I WILL) is Ri In's debut album and for those expecting some Kpop, you might surprised to hear that the album is sung in Mandarin, except for the bonus tracks. Those who are looking for ballads, you've come to the right place.

The title track, Star Wish (I WILL), is definitely the strongest song in the album. It's a ballad that does Ri In's vocals justice. Unlike the promotional tracks in her Timeless single, Ri In sounds far more comfortable and her vocals are extended to the maximum. She sings with a sincere grace and is able to control her voice quite well. The arrangement is quite gorgeous in the sense that it remains quite calm even as Ri In sings with power. The piano foundation, with the addition of the bass, synths and perfectly matching strings, definitely provide the song with the standard ballad feel, but with an extra boost.

Like I’ve said earlier, fans of ballads will love this album. First Love, the first song of the album is the perfect song to set the mood. The song starts off quite subtly, but builds as it progresses, both in music and in vocals. Ri In’s vocals are strong and the emotion felt through them is insane. Still, an album still can’t be without its upbeat songs, or it wouldn’t be able to catch a listener’s attention. One More Try is probably the best and only song with a slightly more upbeat R&B sound. Ri In still does a great job adapting to the change and style. Classics, such as Y (Why…) and Timeless are also included to provide fans with Ri In’s debut hits.

With a slew of newcomers popping up in Korea, it’s great that Ri In is being marketed in China, so she can have a chance to gain some recognition. Her voice is different from many newcomers in the Chinese industry and though she’s mainly ballad-oriented, she has proved that she can easily adapt to other genres. It’s no doubt that Ri In will definitely gain more steam as time goes on.

4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[edward1849]

Shinee (mini album) – Noona’s Pretty

01 Noona’s Pretty (Replay)
02 In My Room
03 Real
04 Love Should Go On
05 Noona’s Pretty (Replay Boom Track)

Purchase this album


Over the years, SM Entertainment has launched many successful boy bands in Korea. From the early days of H.O.T, Shinhwa and Fly To The Sky, to the current roster of DBSG and Super Junior, now we add Shinee to this list. They are the latest boy band launched by this entertainment giant. Like all other SM boy bands and girl groups, they have already received a lot of hype, and of course fans, even before their debut.

Shinee consists of five teenagers ranging from the ages of 14 to 18. The members are Jonghyun, Minho, Taemin, Onyoo, and Key. Unlike other SM boy bands, their music is more contemporary, and primarily R&B songs with good rhythm. Therefore, some people refer to Shinee as "SM Entertainment version of Big Bang".

Like all SM debutants in recent years, Shinee started with a mini-album. Their title song "Noona's Pretty (Replay)" is a mid-tempo R&B song with a good rhythm to dance along with. This song showcases both Shinee's vocal and dance skills. It has the kind of addictive melody that young female fans will love. The song is doing very well on music charts. It also has a different version on the last track on this mini-album with a different arrangement.

Track 2 "In My Room" is an R&B ballad which is heavy on vocals, but Shinee pull it off nicely. It has great potential to be the 2nd single. Track 3 "Real" is perhaps the most up-tempo song of the mini-album that fans can dance to. Track 4 "Love Should Go On" is a very American-style R&B mid-tempo song. We have heard of a lot of this kind of R&B songs in k-pop. Fans who are fond of songs of this style will certainly like this one. Overall, all the songs recorded on this min-album are good quality k-pop songs.

Having had so much hype before their debut, I'd say Shinee have lived up to their high expectations so far. Listening to their songs, you would think that they are in their early 20s but in fact they are much younger. It tells us that they are well trained and have maturity beyond their age. Music-wise, their 1st mini-album is heavily R&B. Whether they are going forward in this direction remains to be seen, because in the past, we've seen other SM groups like DBSG and CSJH evolve into different genres after a while. One thing for sure, Shinee are certainly one of the top rookie artistes so far in 2008.

4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[edward1849]

Miho (single) – Secret

01 Where’s The Secret (Yangpa & Miho)
02 To Not Stop (Sam)
03 Lovely S.Y (Lee So Yoon)
04 I (Yoo Young Suk, Star Love Fish)
05 I (Acoustic Version)
06 Where’s the Secret (Inst.)
07 I (Inst.)

Purchase this album

Songwriter Miho came to the forefront and released a mini-album "Secret". There are four songs in the album, all composed by Mihol. The other 3 songs are different versions of instrumental tracks. Miho also wrote the lyrics of the songs "Lovely S.Y." and "I" and participated in the vocal part of "Where's The Secret". All 4 songs are of different styles, showing the musical talent of Miho.

With the help of Yangpa, one of the top female vocalists in Korea, the title song "Where's The Secret" is a duet between the two. It is about how secrets are part of life. However, unless they have similar voices, I can hear that Yangpa sang most parts of the song. Nevertheless, this is a very nice ballad with a good piano intro. It is not like a vintage Yangpa ballad which has a lot of highs and lows throughout the song. Instead, this song is very smooth the whole way through.

Track 2 "To Not Stop" is another ballad sung by male vocalist Sam. Track 3 "Lovely S.Y." is an up-tempo song sung by Lee So Yoon. I guess S.Y. stands for So Yoon in this case. Track 4 "I" is a light-rock ballad sung by Yoo Young Suk and Star Love Fish, aka Kim Do Yeon, who also wrote the lyrics of Track 1 and 2. Yoo Young Suk's charming voice makes this song even better.

This is a mini-album you have to listen more to appreciate the music. At first, I didn't like it that much, but the more I listened, the more I liked each song. Like I said, the best thing about this min-album is that all 4 songs are of different varieties. If I rated it after the first time I listened, I would have only given it a 3. Now I am giving it a 4.


4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[edward1849]

SG Wannabe Vol. 5 – My Friend

01 Lalala*
02 A Neat Breakup**
03 Because I Love You
04 I Miss You***
05 Her News
06 Melody
07 Kiss
08 Hello
09 How to Love (feat.Mario)
10 Keep in Touch
11 Happy!
12 Crime and Punishment Part II
13 Very Beautiful
14 I Miss You (Japanese Version)

* Album title song
** 2nd single
*** released as digital single prior to album release

Purchase this album


Over the past 3 years, when it comes to Korean album sales, SG Wannabe are second to none. They are also doing very well in their songs, generating hit after hit after hit. This album marks a change in membership, as Chae Dong Ha has left the group and is replaced by Lee Suk Hoon. Chae only participated in the song "I Miss You" and performed with the group one final time during their TV comeback special. All members had teary eyes and the scene was very touching.

Korea's top songwriter and producer Cho Young Soo is once again the mastermind behind this album for his top client. Other musicians who participated in this album are all familiar names: Ahn Young Min, Kim Do Hoon, Min Myung Ki, Choi Kap Won, etc. All of them have written at least one hit song for SG Wannabe in the past.

During the last album, SG Wannabe diverged into more traditional sounds for their song "Arirang". This time they went even further as the title song "LaLaLa" has American country style written all over it. Cho Young Soo is a genius in music arrangement and it shows again in this song. That combines well with the smooth vocal of SG Wannabe, producing an instant hit song that fans will remember for a long time.

That Track 2 "A Neat Breakup" was chosen as the second single is a bit of a surprise. This is an up-tempo song to SG Wannabe's standard. While the trio had recorded this type of songs before in past albums, they were not promoted, so you can say this is another first for SG Wannabe. Maybe we are getting into summer and fans need an upbeat song. It is not a bad song, but still there are other better songs in this album.

Like all other SG Wannabe albums, each song is worth listening. "LaLaLa" is not the only song with an American country theme, "Her News" and "Hello" also have similar arrangements. With the success of "LaLaLa", I would have thought one of these songs to be the 2nd single. If you like more vintage style SG Wannabe R&B ballads, "Because I Love You", "I Miss You", "Keep In Touch" are your choices. SG Wannabe usually release 3 singles per album, and I think "Keep In Touch" (track 10) is an excellent choice. Another song worth mentioning is "Melody". Written by Min Myung Ki, it has a very familiar melody indeed and I am thinking it may be a remake of another song.

This album was released at the same time as Epik High and MC Mong's new album. Now it looks like this album has the most staying power as it is still in the top 5 in the album sales chart. Looks like a change in membership has not affected SG Wannabe's popularity.


4.5/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[EricXL]

Wonder Girls (원더걸스) ★ So Hot


Purchase this CD

01 So Hot
02 This Time
03 You're Out
04 Tell Me (Rap Ver.)

You'd think after 2007's #1 hit "Tell Me" the Wonder Girls would be sick of dancing to some crazy addictive tune, sparked from the creative mind of JYP, right? ... Wrong.

JYP's five-girl wonder group are back with "So Hot," their latest attempt to take over Korea all over again. As its lyrics suggest, "So Hot" brings attention back to the Wonder Girls after their long-deserved break early 2008. The repetitive synth, infectious claps, and playful lyrics woo audiences both male and female, alerting them exactly of who they are idolizing. I just wish this track were a little longer... Three minutes isn't long enough! Nevertheless, we have a summer hit, folks!

Unfortunately, tracks 2 and 3 lack the momentum "So Hot" brings out for display. "This Time" is a downbeat R&B ballad that remains one-note and rather lackluster for the most part. The group's vocals are nice throughout but the song's seemingly under-done production lulls the listener to sleep, not because of its peace but because of its boring melody.

"You're Out" starts off seemingly well, reminiscient to The Wonder Years' "Headache" and "I Wanna." As you listen more into the song's verses, you expect a catchy chorus but it never comes. The instrumental remains minimal with a basic synth thrown in with a simplistic beat and some special sound effects thrust in randomly. I feel this song would fit in better with the Wonder Girls' first album, rather than with this single.

As to remind you why exactly the Wonder Girls are explosively popular, a CD-quality version of "Tell Me" including Yoobin's rap is included! I may be biased since Yoobin is my favorite member of the group, but I felt that "Tell Me" without the rap was definitely less impacting than with it. Not a new song, of course, but still a great addition! I wonder why JYP didn't bother to add a remix or two?

Overall, this single contains a killer summer track with two not-so great songs, alongside last year's greatest hit. Let's hope the Wonder Girls have something even greater coming with their next album!

RATING: 3.5/5

----------

don't mind if this ends up on the front page.

[motoway065]

TaeYang � Hot



01 HOT - Intro
02 Prayer (Feat. Teddy)
03 Look At Only Me
04 Criminal
05 Baby I�m Sorry
06 Make Love (feat. Kush)

Big Bang�s main vocalist, TaeYang has finally released his solo mini album, which was one of the most anticipated albums of the year. In this album, there is a combination of R&B and hip-hop tracks, showcasing TaeYang�s vocal and rapping skills as a solo artist. In addition, the six track album is packed with YG artist collaborations and composing, making it enjoyable for a wider audience.

TaeYang already made two music videos for this album; one for �Prayer� and the other for the title track, �Look At Only Me.� �Look at Only Me� is a medium tempo R&B track which showcases TaeYang�s smooth vocals. The background instruments are very catchy and go well with TaeYang�s voice.

The album starts off with an �HOT,� an intro, something very typical of YG artists to do. Despite the fact that it is just an intro, many times, I find myself listening to this song more than the others; it is very catchy from the start. TaeYang�s voice is computer altered, but that just makes this upbeat track more appealing. This song was written by fellow Big Bang member, G-Dragon. The next song is �Prayer� which was co-produced by Teddy of 1TYM and KUSH of Stony Skunk. Teddy is also featured in the song as the rapper. Like the Intro, this song likewise computerizes TaeYang�s voice in the bridge. It has a fast-tempo and Teddy�s rap flows with the songs well. Overall, the song is catchy but I felt that it was not anything too unique.

I also enjoyed �Baby I�m Sorry� and �Make Love.� Both songs are of the R&B genre and it showcases TaeYang�s vocal skills. �Baby I�m Sorry� also gives TaeYang a chance to rap, showing fans a new side of him. The lyrics were written by G-Dragon. �Make Love� on the other hand is one of my favorite tracks off the album and Kush is featured as the rapper in the song. This song is once again very smooth and easy to listen to; it ends TaeYang�s mini album well.

Overall, I felt that TaeYang was able to show fans a different side of him from Big Bang. He was able to prove his ability to not only sing, but rap and dance. This album confirms that TaeYang has the skills to go solo. I especially enjoyed the styles and sounds of the songs in this album. It was very T-Pain-like with the computer altered sounds and the beats of the songs were in general very catchy.

5/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[YBLH]

^^Finally someone posted a review of Tae Yang's album!
Of course, I agree with most of what you said especially about how he was able to separate himself from Big Bang.
However there is a minor misunderstanding about he album: G-Dragon did not write lyrics for "Make Love." He wrote lyrics for "Baby, I'm Sorry" and co-wrote lyrics for the Intro. Kush composed/wrote lyrics/arranged "Make Love." I don't think G-Dragon did any producing for this album.
Yeah. This is just a minor detail.

Something constructive about the thread: I like the idea because it gives me a preview of music out there, but kind of a pitfall is that most members will only post reviews of artists/albums they like so the rating system to me becomes irrelevant and unhelpful. I noticed most reviews got 5/5. However some were perhaps objective. Just pointing this probably obvious thing out. I really have no solution! Thanks for the reviews ya'll!

[edward1849]

Actually most of the albums that we are reviewing is provided by our sponsor YesAsia. So, sometimes the choices may or may not be artists we like, but we'll try to stay as neutral as possible.

Of course, we welcome all members to post their reviews as well.

[motoway065]

^^Finally someone posted a review of Tae Yang's album!
Of course, I agree with most of what you said especially about how he was able to separate himself from Big Bang.
However there is a minor misunderstanding about he album: G-Dragon did not write lyrics for "Make Love." He wrote lyrics for "Baby, I'm Sorry" and co-wrote lyrics for the Intro. Kush composed/wrote lyrics/arranged "Make Love." I don't think G-Dragon did any producing for this album.
Yeah. This is just a minor detail.

Something constructive about the thread: I like the idea because it gives me a preview of music out there, but kind of a pitfall is that most members will only post reviews of artists/albums they like so the rating system to me becomes irrelevant and unhelpful. I noticed most reviews got 5/5. However some were perhaps objective. Just pointing this probably obvious thing out. I really have no solution! Thanks for the reviews ya'll!

My bad, Yea I mixed up my translations for the album previews. I wrote G-Dragon wrote Baby I'm Sorry but for some reason I switched it for the review. Thanks for the catch. As for HOT, it was a gift from G-Dragon and that was what I meant. Sorry for not being clear enough. Fixed it. =)

And yea for the rating, I think most albums got scores ranging 3-5. And no, we don't review what we always like =)

[maharu.]

I wonder if this review is alright? I wanted to do a japanese single by a korean singer so...

Dong Bang Shin Ki (To Ho Shin Ki)
どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう? (Why did I fall in love with you?)



1. どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう?
2. Box in the ship
3. どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう? (アカペラver.)
4. どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう? (Less Vocal)
5. Box in the ship (Less Vocal)



Dong Bang Shin Ki finally released their single, どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう?, which was anticipated by many fans.
This single includes 2 songs: the sad but refreshing, どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう? and the upbeat and summer filled song, Box in the ship.

どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう? is a track that stood out the most.
The song's melody, the tempo, the feel of the vocals made me really feel as if I was in a part of their 'world' for a second.
It was a nice surprise because I honestly have a hard time being impressed by Dong Bang Shin Ki's songs.
But this song just really grabbed my attention immediately even though I didn't even know it was their song when I first heard it.
So maybe if you aren't a fan of Dong Bang Shin Ki's music, this song can be a worth to try.

Box in the Ship is the second track in this single.
What took me by surprise is that, I expected another ballad to follow up to the main song.
But it wasn't at all.

Box in the Ship is a summer filled upbeat song that takes the listener away from the depressing first track and livens the listeners up for the summer.
After listening to the first track for a while, this pirate styled song was a nice change from questioning myself, "Why did I fall in love with you?"

But the other problem that this track has is that, its a standard upbeat Jpop song. So you can listen it to it for a while and eventually get bored because it's really generic.


But other than that, I fairly enjoyed this single.
But if I were to buy it...that would be a different story.
These two songs are addictive and captivating for a while but then, its gets a bit dry and boring.
Its a sad thing because DBSK has such wonderful Korean songs that keep my attention for a long while but their Japanese singles just don't match up to that standard.

I'll give this a 3/5 because its not bad but its not amazing.


5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet.

[motoway065]

Monday Kiz � Vol. 3 - Inside Story



01 Intro
02 Mirage
03 Shouting With the Heart ft. Rhymer
04 Scar
05 Footstep
06 It�s Like This
07 The Day You Left
08 Under the Sun
09 Sad Request
10 Only Have You
11 In Front of You
12 Outro

Monday Kiz has finally returned to the music scene with their third studio album this year. Previously, the duo, Lee Jin Sung and Kim Min Soo had been gaining much recognition through various project albums and soap opera soundtracks. Unfortunately, a month later after the release of their new album, member, Kim Min Soo passed away due to a fatal motorcycle accident, bringing much sadness and mourning onto the music scene. This album, which incorporates various genres ranging from R&B ballads to hip-hop is seen as the last gift from Monday Kiz as a group.

Shouting With the Heart,� which is an upbeat song with hip-hop beats, is the title track of the album. Right from the start, Rhymer, who is featured in the song, starts his rap, which leads to Monday Kiz�s passionate singing. It continues with the chorus which the duo sings with much emotion, �shouting with the heart� like the title suggests. This song definitely showcases what Monday Kiz is known for: their vocals.

The rest of the album consists of a couple of appealing tracks, with the rest being typical K-pop ballads and R&B songs, reminiscent of what SG Wannabe would sing. There were however, three songs in particular that caught my attention. The first one is �Mirage� which is a medium tempo upbeat song. Monday Kiz�s vocals are very soothing in this modern rock track. The electronic and acoustic guitar sounds are prominent. The song, overall made me feel very relaxed, and I personally listened to this song a couple of times before switching to the title track. The second track is �Footstep� which is also an upbeat song. The accordion and violin sounds can be heard throughout the song, and it matches well with melody. This song is very dramatic and Monday Kiz�s high vocals can be heard in this song. The last song I would like to mention is �The Day You Left.� I felt that this song was very generic, yet it caught my ears. It reminded me very much of Kim Min Soo�s passing, making this song extra special. Overall, this song is very smooth and less upbeat than the previously mentioned tracks.

In conclusion, this album had both its good and bad. No one can deny Monday Kiz�s talent in singing. However, I felt that the songs didn�t do them enough justice. There were however, a handful of catchy songs, which fans and non-fans alike would enjoy.

3.5/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[motoway065]

Kim Jin Pyo � Vol. 5 Galanty Show



01 Start
02 My Fist ft. Beige
03 Difficult Loaded Base Homerun
04 Still, You� ft. Jang In, Gil
05 Thump Thump ft. Park Jung Hyun
06 Jotka
07 Shadow Play ft. Bobby Kim
08 Wandering Romanticist
09 In Accordance to a Pose ft Lee Haneul, Lisa, Leo, Dynamic Duo
10 Boonga Boonga
11 Don�t Look For Me
12 Let�s Carry and Play
13 Moral Hazard Romance
14 Regretful Song

Kim Jin Pyo has come back with his fifth studio album after four years. This time, Jin Pyo took charge in composing, producing, and writing the entire album (with the exception of the lyrics for �Wandering Romanticist�), thus taking him over three years to finish. Included in this album are fourteen tracks of various genres, ranging from gypsy to trance sounds. Although the basic genre of the songs is hip-hop, these extra sounds will entice listeners. In addition, there were many famous artists featured in the album, including Beige, Park Jung Hyun, Bobby Kim Lisa, and Dynamic Duo.

The title track of the album is �Shadow Play� which features Bobby Kim. The song starts off with sounds of the subway and soft beats, followed by a sad melody. Kim Jin Pyo�s rap flows well with Bobby Kim�s voice as they talk about not being able to do anything, not getting attention from anyone, and being alone. The song definitely brings out the depressing mood.

The album starts off with the introduction, �Start� which is a short rap that basically summarizes Kim Jin Pyo�s life from when he was a kid to the days he became a singer. It includes various parts of his life such as his first kiss and his school days. The song is very upbeat and catchy, a good way to start off the album. The album continues on with various songs such as �Still�You� which features Jang In, Gil. I personally liked the beginning, which the smooth beats and fast rap. It seemed very dramatic as the song maintains its momentum with female vocals.

A song I enjoyed was �In Accordance to a Pose� which features Lee Haneul, Lisa, Leo, and Dynamic Duo. The background beats were very catchy, with a bit of an electronica flavor. Lisa�s vocals flowed well with the different rappers, each showing their skills. Another song worth mentioning was �Don�t Look For Me� which is a hip-hop song that begins with sounds of various cameras clicking, soon followed by haunting female vocals which begs for no one to look for her. The song is once again pretty dramatic, and people who like dark sounds may particularly enjoy it. �Moral Hazard Romance� on the other hand has a more techno tone to it and �Regretful Song� which is the last track, ends the album with a lighter happier song. The song is more lively, and relaxing. Kim Jin Pyo�s rap blends well with the female vocals and a cat crooning in the background.

A song that I found very distinctive was �Let�s Carry and Play� which uses traditional Korean sounds along with hip-hop beats. The male and female vocals are very representative of a traditional Korean circus where they beckon the audience as well as pump up the crowd.

Overall, I felt that this was a great album in which Kim Jin Pyo was able to successfully produce his own album. Despite the fact that there were many songs that were similar in style (rap with female vocal), they were all worth listening. I feel that fans of artists such as MC Mong or fans of hip-hop and rap will enjoy the songs Kim put much effort in.

4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[motoway065]

The Nuts � Vol. 3 Could�ve Been



01 One or Two Times
02 Look at Me
03 Broken Love
04 Dot Dot Dot (pop version)
05 Long Wall
06 Happy Tears
07 I�m Alone
08 We Again
09 I Love You
10 Dot Dot Dot (rock version)
11 Broken Love (Instrumental)
12 Dot Dot Dot (pop version) (Instrumental)
13 Happy Tears (Instrumental)

Purchase This Album

The Nuts, which consists of members Kim Hyun Joon, Park Joon Shik, and Jin Hyun Woo, has returned to the music industry one year since their digital single. This time, their album revolves around the theme of love and the album consists of nine ballad tracks, a rock version of the title track, and three instrumentals.

The title track is �Dot Dot Dot� which was written by singsong writer, Kohmi Hirose who is known as the Winter Queen in Japan. This song is a typical ballad which showcases Park�s sweet vocals. The lyrics are about how a person wants to confess to a loved one the simple phrase, �I Love You� but is unable to, due to shyness. Thus, he is to just watch her from afar. The album includes two versions of the song, a pop and rock version, though the two sound very similar with each other.

The one song I personally enjoyed listening to was �One or Two Times� which is another ballad. The song starts off with soft vocals, leading to the powerful chorus. The guitar sounds are also prominent in the background, making the song more enjoyable.

Overall, I felt that this album lacked a bit. Most of the songs seemed too generic for my taste and excluding the title track and �One or Two Times,� the other songs failed to stick. Fans may enjoy the album, but I don�t think people new to the group may.

3/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet

[motoway065]

Various Artists - Love 101



CD 1
01 . For the Reason of Love � Song Chang Ui
02 . April Has Come - WAX
03 . Confession � Park Hye Kyung
04 . Love Pom - M.C the MAX
05 . The Heart Protects Love PART II - BUZZ
06 . Tears Are Coming Out � Lee Soo Young
07 . One Day � Kim Bum Soo
08 . Say it After Seeing the Tears - V.O.S
09 . Only Love - J-WALK
10 . To a Bride - Yurisangja
11 . I Believe � Shin Seung Hoon
12 . Serene Me � Yoon Jong Shin
13 . One Love � Park Sang Min
14 . I LOVE YOU - Position
15 . Sorrow - Ilac
16 . Rush � Lee Ssang
17 . Only Until Today � Kim Jo Han

CD 2
01 . Beauty � Lee Ki Chan
02 . First Love - Vink & Shim Eun Jin
03 . Now? After All This Time � Kim Dong Ryul
04 . Similar Thought � Shin Hye Sung
05 . I Want to Live � Brown Eyed Girls
06 . Are There Men Like This � Lee So Eun
07 . Piano � Jo Sung Mo
08 . Fireworks � Jang Hyejin
09 . Life Is Beautiful � Lee Ssang
10 . Moon Light Girl � Cherry Filter
11 . Gae Hee�s Song � Lee Sora
12 . On the Streets � Jo Gwan Woo
13 . Violet � Yoon Sara
14 . Innocence - Joanne
15 . To J - J
16 . Lovers - Linae
17 . The Road to You � Kim Jin Woo

CD 3
01 . To Me Again � Rumble Fish
02 . Even if I�m Alone � Epik High ft. Clazziquai
03 . Again - Jewelry
04 . ByeBye Bye � Monday Kiz
05 . Is It a No? � Baek Ji Young
06 . To Eun Young - KCM
07 . Slow Walking Kid � Go Yoo Jin
08 . Separate Life - Lyn
09 . Baby Baby 2007 � Jo Gyu Chan
10 . Do You Remember � Baek Ji Young
11 . No Regretting Love - Position
12 . At that Time, the Girl� � Jo Gyu Man
13 . A Jazz Bar - Turbo
14 . For You � Kim Hyun Sung
15 . The Street Love is Leaving � Shim Eun Jin
16 . Last � Lee Jung Bong
17 . Like Me � Lee Sang Gyu

CD 4
01 . My Sadness � Lee Soo
02 . Don�t Leave � Lee Seung Chul
03 . Love�After � The Name & Choi Jini
04 . Implore � Park Sang Min
05 . One Man � Kim Jong Gook
06 . Crying � Son Ho Younh
07 . I�m a Man - Monday Kiz
08 . The Day After Separation � Lee Hyun Woo
09 . Burying Hurt � Park Hyo Shin
10 . A Shot of Soju � Lim Chang Jung
11 . I Still Love You - Ilac
12 . Crying - Flower
13 . I Need Time (feat. Park Jung Hyun) � Kim Jin Pyo
14 . To My Love- Bank
15 . Truth � So Chang Hwi
16 . Love I Can�t Let Go � Soul Diva
17 . The Love I�m Doing � Oh Suk Joon

CD 5
01 . Love�After � Hyesung and Lyn
02 . Crazy Love Song - Seeya
03 . Loving One More Time � Lee Ki Chan
04 . Forgotten Season � Kim Bum Soo
05 . Separation � Park Hwayobi
06 . Between Love and Friendship - Pinocchio
07 . It Should Get Better - Lee Juck
08 . Sad Song - key's piano
09 . It Is Up to Here? - Flower
10 . Not Ending Story � Kim Jin Pyo(feat.BMK)
11 . Be Happy � Jang Nae & Jung Taewoo
12 . Practicing Breakup � In Soonee
13 .Continuously � Shin Jae Hong
14 . Everyday � Go Yoo Jin
15 . Love Love - Bizou
16 . Evening Glow�s Love Song � Joo Young Hoon
17 . Because I love You � So Min

CD 6
01 . Love Is Feeling � Tei & Hye Roung
02 . Love Is � The Name
03 . Black and White Photo - KCM
04 . Fairytale- Kim Hyun Joong
05 . Forever � Jun Jin
06 . Happy Day � Cherry Filter
07 . Happy Days � Jang Hyejin
08 . Hoping It�s not the End � Yoon Do Hyun
09 . 1000 Years of Love � Park Wan Gyu
10 . The Sadder it is, the More Beautiful - K2
11 . Recollection - Turbo
12 . Last Love � Park Ki Young
13 . Missing You � Lee Hyun Woo
14 . Invitation to You � Jung Kyung Hwa
15 . Rainbow Light � Park Hak Gi
16 . Chun Sang Yun � CAN

Purchase This Album

This year, a compilation of Korea�s 101 hit songs have been packaged into a 6-disk album called, Love 101. Ranging from past hits to newly released songs, the songs included in this volume deal with various love themes, something for everyone to relate to. Artists that are part of this special collection range from senior singers such as Lee Sora, Lee Ki Chan, Kim Bum Soo, and In Soonee to teen idols, Jun Jin, Kim Hyun Joong, and Seeya.

There is no particular title track in this album, as this collection purely consists of hit songs, all hand-picked. When I was given this album to review, I was only given a diskful of the songs, and therefore, only had the chance to sample fourteen of the 101. Out of the songs, the ones that stood out were �To Me Again� by Rumble Fish, �Love�After� by Hyesung & Lyn, �Beauty� by Lee Ki Chan, and �Is It a No?� by Baek Ji Young.

The first song, �To Me Again� by Rumble Fish was released as a single last summer. It is a very relaxing song with the guitar and piano instruments playing as accompaniment. One can quickly start daydreaming about lying on the grassy hills with a loved one when listening to this song. The lyrics are as mentioned, love themed, the vocalist basically telling her past love to simply come back to her without hesitation.

The second song I enjoyed was one of my favorite songs, �Love�After� by Hyesung and Lyn. This was originally released as a single in late 2006 and was part of the music drama, �Fairytale� featuring Eric of Shinhwa. On first listen, the song seems like a typical dramatic song. Yet, the two vocalists were able to harmonize well and make this song work. This song was also the start of the two singers� duet career, as they released a second single together earlier this year. The lyrics to the song are about a person who has ended his relationship, but can�t forget his love.

The third song I want to mention is �Beauty� by Lee Ki Chan, which was included as the title track in his album last year. It is a ballad song that highlights Lee�s vocal skills especially during the chorus. Lee Ki Chan is very expressive as he sings about not being able to forget his past love and hating himself for being unable to forget.

The last song is �Is It a No?� by Baek Ji Young. This is a ballad song that was for the drama series, �What Happened in Bali.� This song about unrequited love is very heart wrenching and Baek is able to make this plain to listeners with her vocals.

In conclusion, I felt that this collection is very helpful for those who aren�t familiar with many Korean artists. With 101 hit love songs to choose from, listeners are able to get a taste of popular singers, both from the past and the present, and hopefully broaden their tastes. This collection is also money�s worth compared to its cost, and I recommend people to check it out.

4/5

5/5 - Even if you're not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 - If you're a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 - I don't think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 - You might as well just flush your money down the toilet