The year in Kpop: 2013 signals new faces acceding to the throne

[cherrypop.livejournal.com]

Last year I wrote an article titled Let's face it: 2012 was not Kpop's best year ever. I could have gone a negative route again with 2013, since I thought 2013 in the year of Kpop was basically a lot of hype for bland and basic comebacks - if not for the fact that the newer artists delivered.

Crayon Pop

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Crayon Pop rolled in with a huge influx of rookies back in 2012 and as a result their name was lost in the pile. I thought Crayon Pop started out with a pretty strong image - "Saturday Night" and "Bing Bing Bing" were both catchy.

Still, it seemed at that time that Crayon Pop would simply be "one of those rookie groups." Holy crap was I wrong! Not only did "Bar Bar Bar" become a viral hit, it earned them their first music show win on KBS Music Bank. Not bad! Because of "Bar Bar Bar" they now have a slew of new fans, plus the eyes of the public are eagerly anticipating their next single (well there was that Christmas single but... come on Crayon Pop - where's the REAL new single?).

EXO

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We can talk about Kpop in 2013 until we're blue in the face but it would be nothing if we didn't mention EXO. Call it the power of EXOTics (not an official name) or the power of SM, but "Growl" was easily and by far the most played out song in Korea. Believe me, I know. I was there and when I say it played everywhere, I mean it played everywhere. It still does in fact.

"Wolf" came out earlier and was well received, but not everyone was pleased with the result. "Growl" came out and not only pleased the EXO fans - it won over the critics. Tons of accolades and enough airplay to seal their popularity for the next decade.

Girl's Day

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Girl's Day isn't that new. They debuted in 2010, but up until this year their singles haven't made a memorable impact on the charts or radio waves. "Expectation" and their biggest single to date "Female President" changed all of that. "Expectation" caught the public's attention with its racy suspenders dance and the follow up digital single "Female President" seized the airwaves. Right in line with everything that had fallen neatly into place, Girl's Day won their first award on SBS Inkigayo for "Female President".

VIXX

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VIXX have been absolutely amazing this year, and in this author's personal opinion - they delivered the best package out of all the idols this year. VIXX was busy from January to December, releasing single after single after single - funky "On and On" followed by the dark, haunting chaos of "Hyde". Next a catchy collaboration track titled "Girls Why?" and then the song which won them their first award "Voodoo Doll." Every concept and performance has been sharp and on point.

It's no wonder VIXX was able to headline their own tour, fill the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium and win their first award all in the same year. All I can say is amazing work! Keep it up!

B.A.P.

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B.A.P. were another group that just didn't catch a break, but they sure did deliver a lot of quality singles this year. From deep and heavy "One Shot" to the dark, hip hop reservoir of "Badman" - B.A.P. kept our eyes on them. Having debuted in 2012, it's hard to even imagine that they've been around for only 2 years considering they have as many singles as seasoned veterans and the stage presence of top stars.

Block B

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Considering they debuted in 2011, Block B have experienced a high number of difficulties - an interview sandal in Thailand, a lawsuit against their company (which they lost) and the subsequent suicide of the company's CEO...

Its been tough times for Block B, but they came back under a new label this year with a vengeance!! First with "Be the Light" and then "Very Good" for which they won their first music show award on Inkigayo. The path might have been rocky, but Block B has definitely stamped their mark on Kpop loud and clear.

Sunmi

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Sunmi's no new face on the Kpop scene. She was with the Wonder Girls until 2010, being a part of all their most memorable hits "Tell Me" "So Hot" and "Nobody." But while the Wonder Girls made no new moves this year, Sunmi came back as a solo artist. "24 Hours" was a huge hit in Korea. It was #1 on almost every chart (yes we're talking about that highly sought after "all-kill" effect). The "24 hours" dance has been reenacted on Korean television multiple times and the song itself received a wide amount of airplay. So considering it's her solo debut, I'd say it was pretty successful. Looking forward to more from her!

BTS (Bangtan Boys)

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Bangtan Boys are an all around entertaining group - lots of energy on stage with performances that make veteran groups pale in comparison (watch and learn folks).  They had their debut in May of this year and won over fans and artists alike with their rap skills and showmanship. It all culminated in BTS winning the New Artist of the Year at the Melon Awards. Much deserved. As a side note - saw them at the Incheon Music Festival a few months back. They stole the show hands down.

In retrospect, some of the more established artists did well too. SHINee did phenomenally well this year. G-Dragon also became a more globally familiar name, for fashion as well as music. And who can say, no matter how you feel about the song, that "I GOT A BOY" wasn't one of the biggest music video hits of the year??

Last year I wrote that I expected to see some of the artists I had criticized come back strong with new singles. Well, most didn't. What I didn't expect is that so many of the newer groups would come out on top. If 2013 is any indication, the new kings and queens of Kpop are already here.
Source: Greenteagraffiti

Comments

[torontok.livejournal.com]

I actually agreee with everything on this list.

[footballfina.livejournal.com]

"Growl" was easily and by far the most played out song in Korea. Believe me, I know. I was there and when I say it played everywhere, I mean it played everywhere. It still does in fact.

pretty much this. Growl is the highest charting male single from SM since Sorry, Sorry and if SM doesn't make the same mistakes they did w/ suju and rather go down SNSD's road (w/ Genie after Gee) than EXO's ceiling is ridiculous

I also agree w/ almost everything here (but I think they should've mentioned A Pink tbh)

[heygurlhey93.livejournal.com]

BAP releasing quality singles this year? I'm going to have to heavily disagree with that. They should learn from VIXX how to have multiple comebacks in one year and actually have it pay off. They did it the right way. Their people clearly know what they're doing.

I don't know if Bangtan will make it much bigger than what they are now only because their image is kinda "been there, done that" in kpop. But we'll see.

I love my EXO, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Nothing is "sealed" yet, they still have a long way to go.

I agree with most of this though.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

BTS aren't big though, they haven't charted very high so they can only get bigger imo

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for Bangtan to slay this year.

[elementree.livejournal.com]

+1!!!!

[hitthoselightz.livejournal.com]

girl's day and sunmi truly slayed 2013, no one really expected such good songs from them
they easily have the best releases of the year

and yes to exo, slay a bit tbh

[martha-sal.livejournal.com]

Block B had a slaying comeback with "Very Good" so I can't wait to see what they have in store this year!

[ironicmustache.livejournal.com]

crayon pop was a breath of fresh air.

[neiko-chi.livejournal.com]

+1

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Agree with everything except Crayon Pop. I don't get it.

[diet-pork.livejournal.com]

Seriously me too.

[miwa201.livejournal.com]

i'm just so happy for sunmi, 24 hours was my jam

[pimpmysneaks.livejournal.com]

Bless this article. Nugu and newer groups have been delivering in all the places that their seniors have been failing badly. 2013 has proven that not having past success to coast on is the biggest blessing for an idol group. It makes them strive harder and put more effort into their releases.

[achan123.livejournal.com]

WHERE THE FAAAK IS APINK IN THIS LIST!!!?!?!?!?
AAARGHHHH!!!

[bowtoureonnies.livejournal.com]

im actually suprised they arent on the list. besides that i agree with everything

[toshi830.livejournal.com]

list is accurate but eh forever at block b

[racquelle2005.livejournal.com]

Nah. They all have had good singles this year but I wouldnt put them over their seniors. Well maybe exo but not the others

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

Well only time will tell for the others.

What level of popularity do you think Girl's Day and Crayon Pop, Sistar level, 4minute level? Miss A level, 2ne1 level or GG level?

And for the guys the levels that they can reach are Infinite, Beast, SHINee, Teen Top(But it doesn't seem like that would be such a good level to be at, not sure why, but this is what I feel, can't really explain, sorry) or SUJU level?

[fantaesticbaby.livejournal.com]

haven't listened to any of those boy groups (besides EXO).

I still hate Wolf and their mini album was boring as fuck but Growl is a decent song.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

BAP was such a letdown this year. It's like they lost all the momentum they had in 2012 and it all went to EXO.

Yes to Sunmi! And yeah, EXO really was played everywhere. My friend went to Seoul a few months ago and came back a total EXO fan just because she kept hearing Growl everywhere.

[bowtoureonnies.livejournal.com]

I'm actually glad. They needed rest they were coming back every three months back in 2012

[elementree.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of this list. BTS, BLOCKTOBER <3. I liked VIXX's releases, Sunmi's single, and just now getting into Girl's Day.

However, B.A.P. and Crayon Pop are not my thing.

Love 'em or hate 'em EXO really were the big thing of the year it seems. I didn't like them when they debuted, but having them all together for Wolf and Growl made me a fan. I still like Wolf better than Growl though, hahahaha. Yes, I'm probably the only one.

[neiko-chi.livejournal.com]

you're not the only one ;)

[shintotchi.livejournal.com]

Everyone on the list after Vixx got in my wallet this year, so I can definitely agree with your list. I wish History had made more of an impact, but I really hope they catch on more in 2014. I hope Bangtan reach Epik High levels, and BAP reaches Shinee's level. I feel like Bangtan focuses more on rap than BAP, and will be able to pull in more fans. While with BAP I feel like they have almost put themselves in a niche and limited the amount of fans they could get. They constantly evolve though, so I hope they also become really popular.

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

I love Exo and they def outsold Block B, but Block B had the best comeback this year by far. They were in the right position and under the right circumstances to just completely disband, but instead they came back with two really great songs and their fans embraced them with open arms. I don't get Crayon Pop's appeal at all but they were pretty popular this year. This list is definitely missing A Pink though.

[edanz-castle.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. I think Block B had one of the most interesting comebacks. After all that happened they still came back strong.

[donttakethebait.livejournal.com]

vixx made me such a proud stan last year. they worked so hard and everything was so solid ugh my bbs :')
my stanning aside tho ia w/this whole list. 24hrs was flawless and growl & expectation were pretty fab too.

[gabbeeee.livejournal.com]

Agree with everyone that A Pink needs a mention, also B1A4 who had their first win this year too.

[hearttaek.livejournal.com]

It was a good year for nugus to make a name for themselves so props to those who took advantage of that window because 2014 is looking like a big year for top groups.

[thesundayaffair.livejournal.com]

lmao out of all the mvs here exo's mv is probably the cheapest lol SM YOU CHEAPO it's high time you produce something around Block B or BAP's standard

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

but onetake is what pretty much sold it <3

[oppameansit.livejournal.com]

the best thing apink did this year was cover expectation at the gayos tbh

i'm so here for the end of their cute baby phase

[neiko-chi.livejournal.com]

me too I want a more mature concept for their next comeback~

[neiko-chi.livejournal.com]

this made me realize the total lack of the big name groups during 2013.. I hope we get more variety this year. Most of the younger groups didnt appeal that much to me or I lost interest in them (block b)

[hearttaek.livejournal.com]

Bless jelpi for taking advantage of the absence of big names in 2013 and promoting vixx well with solid concepts and timing. Hoping for 2014 to be good year for my bbs. Basing on all the new year predictions made by "professionals" on hakyeon's fortune, 2014 is going to be promising for vixx,