EXP Edition's Sime Kosta covers Boohwal's "Never Ending Story" on Immortal Songs 2

[torontok.livejournal.com]

source: KBSKpop

I clicked this fully expecting to cringe but he was...actually really good

Comments

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

umm, what the hell?

[tsubaki874.livejournal.com]

This was really good wtf?

Wait is this EXP or a subunit or? I'm still so confused what happened with that whole thing, also wow they've been performing on Show Champion good for them?

edit: they're all actually fluent in Korean I just saw their My Good Neighbor Charles episode??? There's no way this is the same EXP meme?????

[abcd123.livejournal.com]

The band name isn’t EXP it’s exp edition - people probably just call them EXP since the meme was EXP is a rip off of EXO.

Honestly, they started out as a meme but in my opinion genuinely wanted to just be a band in Korea so they’re doing all the things a typical kpop boy band would do - including variety shows and music shows.

[tsubaki874.livejournal.com]

When they launched their kickstarter and teasers there were 6 members? That's whats making me so confused, they're down to the 4 light skinned members, did the other 2 get discriminated out or something?
https://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/16109693.html

I mean I was genuinely shocked and impressed when I saw them speaking so fluently, assuming they've been in Korea since the kickstarter succeeded, that's what 2-3 years? That's pretty impressive and they sound way better from what I've seen with their Show Champion performances in January this year compared to that awful kickstarter promo.
Still cringey but they're better than some groups I've seen on stage I'll give them that

[abcd123.livejournal.com]

i actually didnt know they were six members and i really hope it wasn't discrimination that led to them being dropped

i myself dont follow them but i have a friend who casually does and she says that once the whole wtf factor kind of faded out it was pretty clear they were serious about pursuing careers in korea. according to her they've been living in korea since that kickstarter and are encouraged to speak korean even among each other.

I hope you don't mind me sharing but i was asking her about what she thought about his performance after seeing it on omona and that kind of led into a discussion about them in general, and something she said stood out to me. EXP edition started off as something like a social experiment since it was someone's thesis project, and that is really what people have a problem with - how it seems like the thesis girl (and by connection, these guys) were "looking down" on kpop and kpop fangirls/boys. However, if they didn't have this whole controversial history to them, and they were just four guys who moved to korea to pursue a career together, she feels that the hate would have been much less as people realize how genuine these guys are.

of course, i still have mixed feelings on the group and am starting to think she's not as much a casual fan, but i digress. pretty impressive that they're still going for it imo, since i'm pretty sure they haven't missed all the hate comments they've been getting.

[tsubaki874.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm glad you shared that! I was thinking the same thing, I think they would be more ambitious, awkward guys instead of American men capitalize on the Kpop Boom kind of deal. I'm glad to see such dedication and effort put into this, it's endearing in a way? They seem really genuine about it so I don't hold any ill will against them since they've moved well beyond the initial plans of the kickstarter
edit: typos, too excited haha

[abcd123.livejournal.com]

"ambitious awkward guys" is such a good way to put it and now i really wish they didn't have the start that they did because i just watched a bit of that my neighbor charles episode and can't say i didn't feel sad seeing them talk about the hate they get and how they still keep trying

[abcd123.livejournal.com]

I know everyone likes to shit on exp (myself included) but like - these guys are genuinely trying their best - they work hard to learn Korean and Korean customs honestly. I always have mixed feelings when I see people hate on them because they’re doing a hell of a lot more than some other attempts in Korea so...

[juhli.livejournal.com]

honestly...kudos to their continuous efforts.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

That was amazing, how what ...I'm shocked there's such a good vocalist in EXP Edition. And his Korean sounded so good (to my amateur ears), it definitely makes me want to give the band another look next time they have a comeback. Also, one of the members tearing up at the end was really sweet.

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

i am shocked???? this was honestly so good, wow.
i expected them to flop but i'm surprised that they keep getting invited to these shows

[jasmineakaiumi.livejournal.com]

colour me VERY surprised

[tsuyoi-hikari.livejournal.com]

Iol I always thought this song is an original Lee Seung Chul's song when he went solo. :P

[tjmok125.livejournal.com]

I can't be the only one who thinks he looks like handsome squidward?

Otherwise he has a nice clear but powerful voice. He would make a great musical actor.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

mte, you can really hear all the space his voice has!

[jasmineakaiumi.livejournal.com]

I got musical vibes as well! I saw a lot of korean comments calling him a disney prince and I can see why - his voice gives off that kind of vibe to me.

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

i didn't go into this expecting anything but wow i'm actually shocked

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

damn his voice is gorgeous, he probably should go into musical theatre. it's SO clear. i have a lot of difficulties with clarity of voices (a lot of western singers slur their words when they sing, and i, as a native english speaker, often have massive troubles working out wtf they're singing) and yet with sime you can hear every syllable super distinctly.

anyway it sounds amazing.

[tsubaki874.livejournal.com]

I think part of it has to do with him being Croatian.
Not sure if it's necessary to share, but from my experience hearing the language (some of my co workers speak Croatian and some speak Russian) I've noticed that it's way easier to hear Croatian clearly than Russian, even though they speak quickly, you can hear every syllable much more clearly compared to Russian. I find it easier to parrot Croatian phrases because the syllables are so clear it's really cool. So, I'm guessing he applies his native way of speaking to his learned Korean, he speaks really clearly on the variety shows too, he could be a teacher tbh lol

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

thank you! phonetics is fascinating, and i love learning more about how it's applied to other languages.

[jasmineakaiumi.livejournal.com]

that was really interesting to read!

[pourtant.livejournal.com]

damn, that was nice. his voice is so much more suited to this kind of material than the pop stuff exp is doing