The J and K-Pop Thread

[Shinano]

I was browsing this subforum today, and realized that a thread for these genres didn't exist yet, so I thought I could get the ball rolling. And don't worry, I came with plenty to recommend for you. I'll recommend one or two songs from each that should give you an idea of what their sound is. But some will need more than one, since style can vary pretty drastically, even from track to track.
Upbeat/Traditional Pop sound:
&Team: FIREWORK, We on Fire (Korean ver.).
Generations From EXILE TRIBE
INI (Could fall into either this or the next category): OURS, HANA 花.
BE:FIRST (Similar to INI in terms of being hard to categorize): Be Free, Rondo.
Fantastics From EXILE TRIBE: SUNFLOWER.
Ayumi Hamasaki: Just her first album. I don't have a standout recommendation.
More bass (But still Pop):
Psychic Fever From EXILE TRIBE: Hotline, Snow Candy.
The Jet Boy Bangerz From EXILE TRIBE: Jettin', Banger.
Le Sserafim: Blue Flame, EASY.
aespa: Savage, YEPPI YEPPI. (Production isn't very good on most of their stuff IMO. Just thought I'd add that as a warning).
Hiroto (INI): ROLLER COASTER, CRUISING.
Hip-Hop:
Doberman Infinity: Tomorrow Never Dies, Citylights. (They have so much variety, it can give you whiplash track to track).
Ma55ive The Rampage: Universe, Empire Code.
CB (Crazyboy): Pure Water, Everyday Bday.
Other:
Babymetal: おねだり大作戦, KxAxWxAxIxI.
So that's just a few artists/groups and recommendations from each. But I HIGHLY encourage you to listen to the albums/EPs, since these are just the tracks I thought summed up the respective group/artist the best (And also are some of my favorites). I can't wait to see everyone who comments with their favorites and recommendations, as there's so much I haven't even touched yet.

 

[Curvature]

 

[Shinano]

I was going to listen to her stuff after I finished Ayumi Hamasaki's catalog. IIRC, she had a special edition blank Minidiscs as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[hardisj]

Ha! I thought I was the only one who was listening to this in the "audiophile" world.

My daughter has been listening to K-pop for about 2 years now. At first I couldn't stand it. Now I listen to it on my own; in the car, walking the dog and at the gym.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

 

[Shinano]

Ha! I thought I was the only one who was listening to this in the "audiophile" world.

My daughter has been listening to K-pop for about 2 years now. At first I couldn't stand it. Now I listen to it on my own; in the car, walking the dog and at the gym.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

You'd probably like INI and BE:FIRST then (If you're not already listening to them). They're similar in production and style. I have to admit I stick more to J-Pop than K-Pop, but I have been venturing out a bit more

 

[Mort]

CHUNG HA, Yves,VIVIZ, ARTMS, TWICE are favs.

 

[Mort]

Ado is the queen. Was at Lolla this year.

 

[DanielT]

This one was a charmer. Spiced with a touch of funk and Latin jazz. It’s got a pretty good groove:

Yoru ni Kakeru (Racing into the Night) by YOASOBI

 

[JeffS7444]

It used to be easier for me to get exposure to jpop via Sony's Tofu Records, but it seems that label has been defunct since 2007. I still listen to The Brilliant Green from time to time. Also got a Crunchyroll subscription (Sony, again) but to date have not encountered music there that I felt compelled to explore further.

Orchestral: Joe Hisaishi's A Symphonic Celebration. I like this one lots.

 

[Hugo9000]

Mariya Takeuchi - Plastic Love

An old hit from the 1980s that was resurrected decades later, resulting in a later 'official music video' (although the singer does not appear in the video).

 

[Shinano]

I recently have been listening to The World EP.Fin Will by ATEEZ, because funnily enough, I found a CD copy at the thrift store! That was a fun surprise to see, and I've been really liking it! My favorite tracks on it are WE KNOW, Emergency, Silver Light, MATZ, and It's You. I logged in here today and was met by all these recommendations, which was nice after the thread went dead for a few days. I'll have to give some of these a listen!

 

[amirm]

She has a good voice but needs to fire the videographer who told her to sit in a yellow chair and squirm in, or in front of it....

 

[Labhound]

HALCALI "Tandum" has a paraody of the yellow chair

 

[egellings]

J-K flip flop (an electronic circuit).