Credits: hyunjoongkajeablover.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Single Review: Kim Hyun Joong "Lucky Guy"
Credits: soompi.com
After releasing "Break Down" earlier this year to commercial success, Kim Hyun Joong is back with a fresh new sound. How does "Lucky Guy" fare? Not bad, not bad at all.
"Lucky Guy" is all about quirk, attitude, and chaos -- fun chaos. It sounds like something straight out of a TV sitcom opening song from the early 2000's, with the finesse and production technology of 2011. The song is fun to listen to, and rather than barraging listeners with all these fancy auto-tune variants and overused synth loops, we're given actual instruments playing actual melodies.
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"Lucky Guy" starts rather simply, but another thing that draws in listeners is how fast the dynamics change. They don't change every two seconds or anything; you're still able to take in all the individual parts, but before you get bored, something changes, leaving you at the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's going to happen next.
After releasing "Break Down" earlier this year to commercial success, Kim Hyun Joong is back with a fresh new sound. How does "Lucky Guy" fare? Not bad, not bad at all.
"Lucky Guy" is all about quirk, attitude, and chaos -- fun chaos. It sounds like something straight out of a TV sitcom opening song from the early 2000's, with the finesse and production technology of 2011. The song is fun to listen to, and rather than barraging listeners with all these fancy auto-tune variants and overused synth loops, we're given actual instruments playing actual melodies.
The quirk of this song is highly dependent on the instruments - that gutsy electric guitar line and those raw, yet clean and smooth drums, but surprisingly, Hyun Joong's vocals do a lot for the overall effect too.
Let's be honest. Hyun Joong has never been the best singer in K-Pop. He's easily out-sung by many, many other idols. However, he's always been consistently okay, and sometimes he has his good moments -- and "Lucky Guy" is one of them. His light and airy vocals are a good contrast to the arrangement, and prevent the song from going all over the place. All the other elements of the song are so intense that if someone with a bigger, sharper voice were to sing it, the song would be too much.
"Lucky Guy" starts rather simply, but another thing that draws in listeners is how fast the dynamics change. They don't change every two seconds or anything; you're still able to take in all the individual parts, but before you get bored, something changes, leaving you at the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's going to happen next.
The hook is also consistent with the entire theme running through the song -- it sticks with you, but it's not too repetitive. It's a hook you can actually hum to yourself, because you remember it and because it's humanly possible to sing it without fancy studio tricks. And that's what can, and will, ultimately make this song popular -- the fact that other people can sing it too.
There's no arguing that technology has done things we would've never been able to do otherwise, but as time passes, new advances will come, and what is new now will become obsolete in the distant or near future. What will transcend time and remain are creative songs, strong arrangements, and melodies. And that's what "Lucky Guy" has -- a strong arrangement and an actual, sing-able, melody.
Kim Hyun Joong on Expectations for “Lucky Guy”, Going Solo, and SNSD
Credits: allkpop.com
Source & Images : KoreaTimes via Naver
SS501‘s Kim Hyun Joong is making a comeback with his second solo mini-album, ‘Lucky Guy‘. For this latest work, he experimented with a variety of genres, from the punk-rock feel of “Lucky Guy” to the sweet ballad, “I’m Your Man“.
The star recently sat down for an interview with the Korea Times, where he revealed his thoughts on ‘Lucky Guy’, his solo promotions, and the overabundance of idols in the industry.
Check it out below!
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▲Do you have any particular expectations for this album?
Kim Hyun Joong: “I just hope a lot of people listen and enjoy it. I’m interested in hearing what the public has to say about it, more than my actual fans. The sales for ‘Break Down‘ weren’t bad, but I wasn’t satisfied, which is why I focused a bit more on the music this time.”
▲You are only promoting your album for three short weeks. Is that enough time?
Kim Hyun Joong: “I wish I could promote it a while longer, but I have a performance that was scheduled prior and wanted to release the album before then. It’s too bad, but I’ll work hard during the time I have.”
▲Which song is your favorite?
Kim Hyun Joong: “Lucky Guy”. Why? Because it’s the title song (laughs). I want to have a good time performing this song on stage, because I couldn’t when I was performing “Break Down”.
▲Is it lonely performing as a soloist after being in a multi-member group?
Kim Hyun Joong: “Not at all. I want to focus on making a phenomenal album, and when it’s all said and done, I’ll put on a free concert for my fans.”
▲What do you mean, when it’s all said and done?
Kim Hyun Joong: “The career of a dance artist is short-lived. It’s not realistic for me to be in my mid-thirties and dance to 20 songs in a row on stage. I want to hold a final concert for my fans, while I’m still in my prime.”
▲Rain has just enlisted in the military, meaning that there is now a void in the ‘male solo-artist’ domain. Are you looking to become the next Rain?
Kim Hyun Joong: “Rain has accomplished so much during his career. It’s a little different for me though, because I debuted with a group. Although it may not be me, there will be a solo artist who will surpass Rain’s achievements.”
▲Don’t you think that K-Pop these days focuses too much on the music of idol stars?
Kim Hyun Joong: “I too was an idol star, but I don’t really have any particular thoughts about that. The music the idols are performing now might just be the music pushed by their agency. The stubborn ones will probably break out and produce a solo album to do the kind of music that’s right for them.”
▲Have any junior idols caught your attention?
Kim Hyun Joong: “Not sure, I didn’t really watch any music programs, except when I was promoting “Break Down”. I’m keeping a close eye on SNSD though, because I know they are making a comeback at a date similar to my own.”
▲Aren’t you a little intimidated to go head-to-head with the SNSD girls?
Kim Hyun Joong: “No, not really. I’m not trying to win against SNSD, I just think that the industry will be more lively with their comeback. There will be people who will listen to my music, despite SNSD releasing a new album.”
▲Any plans to go back into acting?
Kim Hyun Joong: “I think I could maybe in June of next year. Nothing specific has been decided yet, but looking at my schedule, I think that would be best. I played two gentle roles for the last two, so this time I want to play the rough, bad boy.”
▲What appeals more to you, acting or singing?
Kim Hyun Joong: “Both have their own appeals. With my music, I can show you what I’m about, but when you act, you live the life of another person. When I sing, I want to act, and when I act, I want to sing (laughs). It’s just hard to do both, is all. With singing, though, you get rated once a week on music programs so it definitely keeps you grounded.”
▲What are your plans for this album?
Kim Hyun Joong: “The media and the public shocked me by asking if I was really releasing another album already. I thought maybe I rushed myself, but it’s something I put a lot of effort into and I want to work hard until early next year. I thank my fans for always keeping up with me, and if you have $0.70 to spare, how about you download my new single, haha.”
(Article) Kim Hyun Joong Releases Full MV for Lucky Guy
Credits: allkpop.com
After teasing fans with a total of three music video teasers over the past week, the full music video for Kim Hyunjoong's title song "Lucky Guy" has finally been revealed. Kim Hyunjoong released his 2nd mini-album "Lucky" early this week and has so far done very well on music charts online.
Just a few hours ago, Kim Hyunjoong teased fans yet again by releasing a dance practice video, revealing the full choreography to "Lucky Guy" prior to his comeback stage.
The music video first begins with a chic gangster looking Kim Hyunjoong taking his perp photo. He is then seen driving a car and actress Hong Soohyun makes her appearance.
Credits: soompi.com
After releasing a dance practice video for “Lucky Guy” earlier today, Kim Hyun Joong returned with the full MV!
The music video starts off with an officer yelling at Kim Hyun Joong to take his line-up pictures properly, and the star responds by giving the camera a cheeky smile. The rest of the video tells of his adventures in a casino, where he goofs around at the dice table. As for the lady…
Credits: koreaboo.com
Just a few hours ago, Kim Hyunjoong teased fans yet again by releasing a dance practice video, revealing the full choreography to "Lucky Guy" prior to his comeback stage.
The music video first begins with a chic gangster looking Kim Hyunjoong taking his perp photo. He is then seen driving a car and actress Hong Soohyun makes her appearance.
Credits: soompi.com
After releasing three different teasers last week and a dance practice video, Kim Hyun Joong has finally revealed the full music video of his new song, “Lucky Guy.” The video reveals Kim Hyun Joong living it up in a casino and enjoying the high life.
“Lucky Guy” is an upbeat dance track that gets you in the mood to shake it up like Hyun Joong does in the music video. The song also includes the sounds from a rock band which reflects Kim Hyun Joon’s style.
Kim Hyun Joong’s second mini-album, “Lucky” was released earlier this week and is doing well on music charts. Kim Hyun Joong will make his comeback stage on Mnet’s “M! Countdown” this October 20.
Kim Hyun Joong Daegu Fan Sign Event Time
Credits: henecia.com
Lovekimhyunjoong.com
▶ Date/Time : 2011. 10. 19. (Wed) PM 7:00
▶ Venue : Daegu Science University
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