Eric Nam will make a come back in January 2015

It has been a while from Eric Nam's "Ooh Ooh (feature Hoya)". What great news to know that Eric will be making a come back in January 2015 with a new album. Good luck to Eric with the new digital singles - Melt Me.

BtoB's Hyunshik - I will be your melody

Please check out BtoB's Hyunshik singing "If by Change", original sung by Jun Woo Sung. His sensual voice sparks deep emotional feeling in the song. Great for the holiday season.

K-Drama Recommendation

I haven't got a chance to share some recent great K-Drama. Here are a few that I recommend that are really good.

• Pride and Prejudice - Choi Jin Hyuk
• Pinocchio - Park Shin Hye and Lee Jong Suk
• Tomorrow's Cantible - Joo Won
• High School Love On - Woohyun and Sungyeol (from INFINITE)

December Program

This month we welcome Angela and Luisa to join our program besides our regulars. We were able to go through many new songs this month, however there were so many new ones that we did not get a chance to listen to so January will be an exciting program with many more new songs. Basically everyone like the playlist this month even the ones that I think was kind of mediocre.
Here is the playlist:

• BTS - M: War of Hormone
• Strawberry Milk (unit group of Crayon Pop) - OK
• Boyfriend - Witch
• LABOUM - What About You
• Cross Gene - I'm not a boy, not yet a man
• A.cian - Ouch
• Lovelyz - Candy Jelly Love
• DGNA - Rilla Go
• HI SUHYUN - I'm different

Recommended songs

After listening to VIXX's latest mini album. I definitely recommend the title song "Error" and "Time Machine". They are both catchy with an electronic futuristic feel. It is worth checking it out. My friend bought the album back from Korea for me and it also contains a small album with pictures of the group members and song lyrics. Another song that I recommend is 12:30 by BEAST. It has been hitting all the major music charts in Korea. Check them out!!

November Program

Today, we had so many songs to introduce to the teens. We were not able to go through the entire list. Some will just have to wait until December. Here is the playlist from yesterday's program:

• UNIQ - Falling in Love
• VIXX - Error
• MADTOWN - Yolo
• ZPZG - Go Crazy
• High 4 - Headache
• Super Junior - This is love
• B2ST - 12:30
• Secret (Ji Eun) - Twenty Five

There weren't any one particular song that really stands out but we enjoyed all of them. We also watched a short clip of the behind the scene making of the MV -- 12:30 by BEAST.

2 albums reviewed

Take you pick to see which of the two albums you like better. First one is VIXX's Error and the second one is B2ST's TIME.

UNIQ - Falling in Love

This new boy group came out with Falling in Love, check it out to see if you like it. The band is made up of 2 Korean members Sung Joo and Seung Youn, and 3 Chinese members Wen Han, Zhou Yi Xuan, and Yi Bo.

VIXX is back with 2nd Mini Album

VIXX makes a come back after 3 month with their 2nd Mini Album. Check out their interview on hashtag interview on 1theK and find out some of their nicknames.

October Program

Wow! I am so excited that several teens in the program actually know a lot about K-Pop. We had a fabulous time watching several new MVs. Here is the playlist from yesterday's program. Teens especially liked the first three below.

• 2 PM - Go Crazy
• Ailee - Don't Touch Me
• Soyu and Urban Zakapa - Space in Between
• Girls Generation - Holler
• WINNER - Don't Flirt
• Teen Top - Missing
• BtoB - She's so Fly
• Royal Pirate - Love Toxic

BtoB is back with "You're so Fly"

Btob (Born to Beat) is making their come back with You're so Fly. It has a very similar concept to boy after girl, but in this new MV, the scene is hilarious. The song may not be as catchy as Beep Beep, but it incorporates a lot more rap this time from Ihoon and Peniel. So check it out!

2PM - Go Crazy

I didn't realize that it was already two weeks since I last posted. Work has been so hectic and busy. I am still trying to keep up with the latest. So 2PM is making a comeback with both Korean and Japanese versions of Go Crazy, an upbeat and fun song to listen and to watch in the MV.

September Program

The program on Monday was so much fun. We get to see so many brand new MVs. They are all good!! Here is the playlist! We also get to check out INFINITE's practice video on Last Romeo, the boys dance so perfectly. They are famous for their exceptional dance skill, you can check it out!!

• Big Byung (A new unit consist of Hyuk and N (VIXX), Jackson (GOT7), and Sungjae (BtoB)) – Stress Come On
• Red Velvet – Happiness
• JJCC – Bing Bing Bing
• KARA – Mama Mia
• Taemin – Danger
• Sunny Hill – Monday Blues
• Super Junior - Mamacita
• VIXX - Superhero

OST

As I was watching several K-Drama, I discovered a few OSTs (Original Sound Track) to several very popular dramas. Please check them out!

• Crush - Sleepless Night in "It's Alright, This is Love"
• Yoon Mirae - I Love You in "It's Alright, This is Love"
• Ailee - Goodby My Love in "You Are My Destiny/Fate to Love You"
• Ken (VIXX) - My girl in "You Are My Destiny/Fate to Love You"

JJCC - One way

JJCC is back with a new song One Way aka "Bing Bing Bing". It is full of fantastic computer graphics (CGI) and a great electronic beat. The song is catchy and fits their style. Check it out!

August Program - Part 2

It is great that we have two programs this month. First week back in school already, so I was a little worry about attendance. However, six teens showed up for the program. I am so happy to see them. As promised this week's playlist is as follow. Also, don't forget to check out "Big Byung" -- Come on Stress from yesterday's program. Big Byung consists of BtoB's Sungjae, GOT7's Jackson, VIXX's N and Hyuk. It is a very fun MV. The teens really enjoyed Orange Caramel's new MV -- My Copycat. The MV features a split screen with two version of the song and viewers are to detect the difference between the two screens. It makes the video fun and enjoyable to look at.

• Sunny Hill - Once in Summer
• Orange Caramel - My Copycat
• Donghae & Eunhyuk - Skeleton
• Boys Republic - Dress Up
• LC9 - East of Eden
• Secret - Madonna
• Ladies Code - Kiss Kiss

Here is the link to more clips of the two days LA Memorial Sport Arena Concert from KCON. With performance by G-Dragon, VIXX, CNBlue, B1A4, Girls Generation, SPICA, and Teen Top.

Sunny Hill - Once in Summer

Sunny Hill used to be a five members group with four ladies and one gentleman, JangHyun. However, Janghyun has to fulfill military duty (mandatory for male in South Korea), so he left the groupin 2012 to enlist in the army. Now Sunny Hill will come back in August as a four-member girl group. I am looking forward to their new hit Once in Summer.

KCon Concert

If you missed KCon in LA this weekend, here is the hightlight to its first night's concert. Sadly to say, I had to miss it too! There were some great performance by VIXX, B1A4, IU, Teen Top and G-Dragon.

August Program

We had a great time watching the latest MV. One of the students wants me to start providing playlist so I will start including playlist for each program. Their Favorites are "Back", "Let's Love" and "Pop Beyond"

• M.Pire - Not that kind of person
• C Clown - Let's Love
• N Sonic - Pop Beyong
• JYJ - Back Seat
• Girls Day - Darling
• Mamamoo - Mr. Ambiguous
• INFINITE - Back

New Girl Group - Mamamoo

This group recently debutted on June 18, 2014 with their debut song Mr. Ambiguous. It is a four girls group -- Mamamoo. In their MV, many top singers has cameo appearance: Wheesung, K.Will, Lee Jung Hyun, Jung Jun Young, Rhymer, and Baek Z Young. The tune is catchy, and the MV has the retro feel, cute and chic!!

JYJ - Back Seat

It is so exciting to know that JYJ is coming back with Back Seat. It had been three years since JYJ has a new album. I already like two of the songs from this album: Its Title Track - "Back Seat" and "Sad Dawn". Check it out!

SM's new girl group

SM Entertainment has a new girl rookies group - Red Velvet. They will debut with a song called "Happiness".

K-Pop at Silver Lake Branch Library

I spent a fun afternoon with teens at the Silver Lake Branch Library. We learned about the history , background and latest trends of K-pop. Teens were excited and enjoy the Music Videos. Several we watched are:

• Vixx - Ethernity
• GOT7 - Girls, Girls, Girls
• INFINTIE - Last Romeo
• 15& - Sugar
• BAP - 1004 Angel
• A-Pink - No, No, No
• B1A4 - Solo Day
• Eric Nam - Ooh Ooh

It turned out everyone likes Sugar by 15& and Solo Day by B1A4. Hope everyone enjoyed the afternoon!

INFINITE - Back

When you thought INFINITE is done with their new album "Last Romeo", they are "BACK" with sometimes else. Their repackaged album "Be Back" and the video "Back" was even spotlighted by U.S. Billboard for its Dramatic Visuals.

N Sonic - Pop Beyond

N Sonic debut in 2011, has always been great with their dance moves. It is making a come back with a new song, Pop Beyond with powerful dance and electronic beats.

July's K-Pop program

The teens really had a great time yesterday with all the new MV. They like the following ones in particular:

• VIXX - Eternity
• B2ST - Good Luck
• GOT7 - A

We had to finish at 3:30 pm yesterday because they are making sugar skulls for the Day of the Death Program in October/November. Thank you teens!! Here is the playlist for today's program

• VIXX – Eternity
• 15& - Sugar
• 100% - U Beauty
• B2ST - Good Luck
• Boyfriend – Obsession
• GOT7 - A
• Ting G – Ice Baby
• f(x) – Red Light

JYJ will make a come back on July 29

JYJ is getting ready to make their come back on July 29. There are teaser regarding their new song Back Seat. They look sexy and mature in this new MV teaser.

100% is also making a come back

There are just so many groups making their come backs this summer. It is not easy keeping track of all of them. 100% is yet another one. Check out their U Beauty MV in the Making. Check out these 5 handsome guys with savvy dance move and great song - It is a very catchy tune!!
They will also be in Chiba, Japan for 100% 2014 Japan Cool Live concert.

B2ST is back with "Good Luck"

The six members group, B2ST, is back with a new album -- Good Luck, check out their behind the scene of the Good Luck come back. They looked many manly than before. In the clip, INFINITE was on before them, and you can hear "Last Romeo" just before BEAST's members get on the stage.

Talented Henry's Piano duet wtih Yiruma

The Talented Henry is showing off his piano skills with Yirum. Check out this articles and clip. You wil be in heaven after you listen to the duet.

Kim Hyun Joong - Beauty Beauty MV in the making

Check out the behind the scene short clip on the making of Beauty Beauty MV. It is funky and colorful. You will enjoy it.

Come back for B1A4 on July 14

B1A4 will be making a comeback on July 14 for their 5th mini album Solo Day. The Tracklist is as follow:

1. Solo Day
2. What does that make me? (What do I become?)
3. It's going well
4. A cup of water
5. Drive
6. You (feat. Sunmi)

History is also making a comeback - Psycho

History is no exception, they are also making a come back this summer with a different concept - Psycho. Checking out this segment.

More summer come back

Boyfriend is having a come back with their new song "Obsession". The boys are now more mature and powerful in their new MV. Davichi came back with "again". As always the wonderful duet captivates their fan with their sensual voices.

Come backs

So many groups are making their coming back in the summer. VIXX with "Eternity", BEAST with "Good Luck" and GOT7 is sending out teasers with "A".
The more I listen to INFINITE's album, the more songs that I enjoyed. I am totally mesmerized by Woohyun's great vocal for Close Your Eyes , and I also am surprised by the wonderful mixed voices of Sungyeol, Sungjong and L in INFINITE F's Going crazy. Finally, I found Rosinante is really upbeat and catchy.

B2ST's "No More" tops seven musical charts

Before Beast's real comeback, they have already top seven musical chart with their ballard -- "No More". Including MelOn, Bugs, monkey3, Cyworld, Naver, Olleh, and Genie!
I can't wait to hear their full album -- Good Luck. It will be released on June 16.

INFINITE wins show champion

In just one week of time, INFINITE wins Show Champion for Last Romeo. Check out their amazing dance and new song!

INFINITE's New Album

INFINITE will release a nuew album on May 21 -- "Season 2".

The track list includes:

1. Season 2
2. Last Romeo
3. Follow Me
4. Rosinante
5. Breathe
6. Light (Sunggyu Solo)
7. Alone (INFINITE H)
8. Memories
9. A Person Like Me
10. Reflex
11. I'm Going Crazy (INFINITE F)
12. Close Your Eyes (Woohyun Solo)
13. Shower

Eric Nam is back with "Ooh Ooh"

Check out Eric Nam's latest MV that features Hoya from Infinite. Hoya's rap added great depth to Eric's trendy and funky song. Also in the MV, cameo appearance of Kevin of U-Kiss, Brad of Busker Busker and Bo-a from SPICA. The song is catchy and distinctive. Enjoy!

APink's Mr. Chu

If you like APink's cute girls look and their music, you will enjoy the latest track -- Mr. Chu from their Pink Blossom album. Tt is within their traditional style but with a very catchy chorus.

April Program

At the program yesterday, I should never assume whether the teens will like or dislike a certain music video. To my surprise again, our teens actually like the following music video

• C-Clown - Justice
• Boys Republic - Video Game

dispute my personal favorite: MBLAQ's Be a Man. However, Super Junior M's Swing is everyone's favorite here!!

MBLAQ - Be a Man

MBLAQ is making a come back with a new song and mini album -- Broken. Check out their latest hit: Be a Man. It has a R&B feel with catchy lyric and melody. Mir also has a new hair style in this new MV.

Infinite members get new color

This is an interest article on Infinite, their fans actually voted online to give members their new colors.

Also check out the first Album Jacket photo shoot of Jackie Chan's first boy group -- JJCC (Double JC)

What's new lately!

It has been a really busy two weeks since I posted. I was at the Public Library Association Conference and there were several major events at the Central Library.
The K-pop industry is bursting with new artists and songs. Here are some that might be of interest to you all:

1. Choi Jin Hyuk from the K-drama "Emergency Couple" sang this OST - The Scent of Flower
2. Soyu and JungGiGo win #1 on Music Bank with their song - Some
3. Debute of a new group JJCC - JJCC is under the Jackie Chan Group Korea Agency. Members are in their early 20s, with average height of 180 cm.; four of them are Korean, and one is Chinese.
4. Orange Caramel has a new song - Catallena. They still look cute and adorable.
5. If you like SHINee and INFINITE, you definitely cannot miss "Delicious" by Toheart (It is made up of two powerful singer Key from SHINee and WooHyun from INFINITE)
6. 100% is coming back with another song - Beat

March 2014 K-Pop Prpgram with the teens

I am always so amazed about how much teens enjoy these K-Pop MVs. During yesterday's program we truly had some common favorites:

1. B.A.P - 1004 (Angel)
2. Donghae and Eunhyuk of Super Junior - Motorcycle
3. TVXQ - Something

Of course here are some of my favorites:

• BtoB - Beep Beep
• SPICA - You Don't Love me
• Lyn - My Destiny

BtoB will release 4th Mini Album

On February 17, 2014, BtoB will release their 4th Mini Album Beep Beep. It is so exciting that I can't wait and two of the songs are written by BtoB members -- Hello Mello and Melody. It is especially touching that Melody is written for its fans. Another fun news about BtoB is their "Ddui Ddui Bbang Bbang" Bus, roaming the street of Seoul. Check out this article.

Five Boy Groups will make come back in February

Five boy groups will make their come back and debut this February , BTS, B.A.P, BtoB, C-Clown, and WINNER. Watch out for their new albums this month. Each groups has their charismatic traits and styles.

February Program

We have a great group this time. All the teens are very enthusiastic about giving me feedback on the songs they heard. The top winners for this month are:

1. Miss A's Hush
2. Thriller by Btob
3. Lonely by B1A4

We also watched a trailer entitled "Make Your Move" with BoA. Her dance moves are amazing. We are looking forward to see the movies.

AJ from U-Kiss is mentioned on ABC

Wow! I can't believe it, K-Pop star is being mentioned on broadcasting news. AJ from U-Kiss was mentioned by ABC news on a morning broadcast this last weekend. The anchor called him a real life "Hannah Montana". A college student at Columbia University by day and a K-pop singer by night. It is under the Pop culture segment and truly because U-Kiss is a having concert this week in the United States. Their first stop is New York and then they will be here tomorrow at the Nokia Center on Tuesday, January 14. Good Luck with the concert!

January 2014 Program

What a great way to start out 2014!! There are so many teens at my first 2014 progam. I am just so energized. Surprisingly this is a first K-Pop program to many of them.
Teens enjoyed the last two songs the most out of all the ones we watched (including many from the last two months that we didn't get a chance to look at.) These two song are also my favorite: 1) Teen Top's Rocking and 2) Infinite's Destiny. Someone spotted right away that Destiny was filmed at Universal Studio here in Calfornia. Good Job!!

2013 wrap up

Happy New Year! 2003 had been a really exciting year. There were so many great songs that came out. Here are my favorites from 2013. Sometimes there are more than one in a category because I just can't decide. They are all so good!!

• Popular Male Group: Big Bag, Infinite, Beast, BtoB, SHINee, Teen Top, MBLAQ
• Popular Female Group:2NE1, Girl Generations, 4Minute, SISTAR, f(x), APink
• Popular Male Artist: Kim Jaejong, Kim Hyun Joong, Seo In-guk
• Popular Female Artist: IU, Ailee, Lyn,
• Popular Male Rookies: M.Pire, Boys Republic, BTS
• Popular Female Rookies: Crayon Pop, Besties, NC.A
• Best Song of the Year: Destiny
• Best Group of the Year: Infinite
• Best Comeback: Sunny Hill
• Best subgroup/collaboration: Infinite H, Trouble Maker
• Most Promising Group: B1A4, Tasty
• Most Promising Rookie: Boys Republic