Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
It’s been three years since YG Entertainment has pushed forth projects involving new faces in the music industry, but as it’s been made clear this year, they’ve found enough established success with 2NE1 and Big Bang to finally move on to the next generation of YG superstars. The next chapter comes to us in the form of SBS “K-Pop Star” contestant and runner-up, Lee Hi.
Having already worked with K-pop hip-hop mega-trio Epik High and achieving all-kills and shit right out of the gate, it goes to show how quickly a career in Korea can take flight these days. It also makes enough of a point that The Big Three labels are still very well in command of mass consumer interest, as Lee Hi not only scored big in numbers, but the YG backing also helps her sit in comfort among high-profile names in K-pop today.
Of course, charting and popularity means very little when it comes to actually justifying musical value in the pop arena. Even then however, the fact that she has bounced off a singing competition, which takes musicianship and gifted merits into consideration, I think all of Lee Hi’s massive immediate success is well-deserved. One listen to “1, 2, 3, 4“, Lee Hi’s debut single, and all the momentum moving this rookie up the ladder makes for an even easier story to follow.
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I managed to catch bits and pieces of “K-Pop Star” as it was airing, and even back then it was very clear that Lee Hi’s musical identity was a soulful one, so it was a relief that YG stuck to that intuition in crafting the poppy yet feisty first single for the young chanteuse. “1, 2, 3, 4″ bares a strong resemblance to Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy‘s musical style, in that much like “Mercy“, it’s very 50s-60s inspired. The baseline and phrasing is undeniably Motown, with pipe organs clutching every off-beat and Lee Hi’s smoky vocals delivering a pleasant color unheard of from YG Entertainment until now. It’s a unique style for a rookie, but one that works for Lee Hi’s voice. Just listening to her reminds me of a younger, less intense Ali. She’s missing a lot of the emotional wherewithal, which is where I think Lee Hi’s music leaves the most room for polish.
“1, 2, 3, 4″ is a sassy single and Lee Hi delivers it well. The vocal performance is excellent, though if framed differently, could be surprisingly brilliant. I know it’ll happen eventually, and I’m hoping to hear it flourish on her upcoming debut album.
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I can’t see myself being entertained in a concert though if she ever had one. She has a great voice, but that’s about it in my opinion. I’m sure I’ll change my mind though once she has more singles come out
IKR?? She’s so fucking stiff and awkward in the music video, and wasn’t any better when performing live. I think she’s stunning when she just stands there and sing but she looks like she’s trying too hard when she’s dancing and stuff.
She’s still really young anw, she definitely can improve :)
Yeah. The thing is, I’ll enjoy listening to her for 20 minutes, but not for an hour or more. That’s the problem with people from singing competitions. Which is pretty much the reason why America’s “The Voice” is redundant and “X Factor” is better.
If Adele (overrated) can entertain at concerts, then Lee Hi shouldn’t have any problems
i agree
Sure, lets just cherry pick people who can sing and entertain.
Michael Jackson was pretty decent
@koreaboo
I love man hating Adele fuck you
personally this 50′s-60′s crap is getting old really quick.
Just saying she’s over hyped. On the reals, I hear better singing at church
Jackie Wilson – Lonely Tear Drops
That’s Michael Jackson.
I don’t think you’re understanding my point. I’m saying it’s rare/ difficult for people to be able to entertain with their voice alone.
A lot of American R&B singers only sing and fans have no problem. I want my singers to sing, not dance.
You just said American. Lee Hi is Korean. Get it now?
The standards for Korean entertainment is high, you have to do more than just sing. Even IU, she dances in her concerts.
This “standarts” are just for idols. There are lots of popular artists, who doesn’t dance at all – Busker Busker, K.Will, Kim Jong Kook etc. I’m sure Koreans still would love to see them live
Well, maybe Busker Busker is not legit example, they are a band (at least they don’t pretend to play instruments) but the point is there are many non-dancing popular performers (especially soloists)
Shut up bitch….Maybe she is overrated,but hey Adele voice is still unique and beautiful…
Haha Adele voice is far from unique
@koreaboo
that is cool boo not gonna hate
Adele is a different vocal texture
maybe you like Jill Scott sense you mention church but most r&b singers are lacking these days.
@MyBias
She has a hollow voice to me. It’s deep with no feeling.
Yeah R&B and Hip-hop has been on a huge decline since the early 2000′s. I’m still listening to Brian Mcknight and the only new dude I’m giving play is Miguel
Probably because she wasn’t raised in a test tube to be a dancer with swag.
Love Lee Hi, love the song …but at the same time I feel like YG made her debut kind of too predictable. It’s like they’re saying, “She’s Korean Duffy, let her sing Korean version of Mercy”. (Felt the same way about Ailee’s Heaven, which was pretty much the Korean version of Halo imo)
Really love her voice tho *___* Her and Baek Ah Yeon are my absolute favorites in the show
“The Big Three labels are still very well in command of mass consumer interest” – somehow JYP managed to flop with Baek Ah Yeon and Park Ji Min.
I didn’t like Lee Hi’s MV at all, it was so damn awkward and she barely moved her mouth, but I really enjoy her live performances, yeah, she’s still a bit awkward but idk… In a cute way maybe? At least it’s not disturbing to watch anymore and her voice makes it up for me
awkward music video. But she has a nice voice.
I heard that koreans already love her.
YG has really polished its aesthetics in every aspect of promotions.
Quite a charming, mellow tune. It’s not really my style, but I’ll admit that it’s at least refreshingly different. I picture a black and white video would go better with this, to complement the track more. Sounds like a good tune for a late autumn evening.
The new layout is cool, but the old layout was superb
I’m not diggin how the font looks on PC. It looks better on a tablet though
I like it. But yeah the font is kinda…ugh
this layout is more practical…i guess
You’ll get used to it.
i kinda hate the new look…the old one was more unique and ploished (just sayin)
I like the song, it’s something I would listen often. She looks awkward as hell. Like looking at a closeup picture of Bom awkward. Have to see more of her to be proven wrong.
Her wink kinda freaks me out….Good voice.. not a fan of the outfits they made her wear in the video, makes her legs look huge.
I like her voice, but she doesn’t have that special something that makes her stand out. In the video she looked awkward and like she was bored.
And I like the way the old site looked more than this.
Boriiiiiing….although Gain’s voice is just OK,but her song is better than this shit….
I thought Gummy could do this track more justice or its just to fucking dated?
Every time I read the title of her song, the song that immediately plays in my head is that Britney Spears song about threesomes o.o
ROFL, the same thing happens to me.
The music video was indeed awkward, I was feeling embarassed for her. The song’s enjoyable a few times, but I guess like someone else said, I won’t go to her concert. :/ She would be fine on stage without all of the dancing and stuff.
I’m not sure I should comment on this, but it’s the internet and I have no life, so why not?
Not really a fan, because I’m not really a die-hard fan of any ‘idols’ – wait, is she even meant to be an idol? Please say no. I totally agree with the Ali comparison, and Ali does not need to ‘dance’, so much as perform.
I think the idol craze needs to go, and so I really appreciate an actual singer launched into the same (can’t think of the word) platforms (?). The typical fans seem to think that she has to sing, dance and act totally pretentious (or whatever you call their typical variety persona) to be a singer. Uh, no. Idols are essentially entertainers. Most of them aren’t great singers, the dancing and the persona are kind of necessary for them to hold a candle to those that *are* great singers.
It’s silly to say that singing without the typical kpop extras won’t be enough – singing without charisma, maybe, and that is certainly something that she needs to develop. However, she’s incredibly young, she’s probably star-struck and she’s not in a group. If she gave off a totally confident vibe, I’d be really quite surprised. She has tons of time to grow.
Side note: she’s also very pretty, which is certainly a plus in Korea (and, by the looks of it, natural, which is practically unheard of).
YG, please don’t pin her to the 50/60s. Not that you will, but, just in case… don’t.
Also (nothing new) give her a MV with a story. She is not a dancing in boxes type, nor in the street, nor anywhere, really. Make the rarely seen music video that isn’t just a photoshoot in motion.
I hope YG doesn’t pin her with that either. It will be her demise much like the Wonder Girls.
I’m just glad YG is finally bringing out some new talents and plus with this girl around maybe I don’t have to listen to Park Bom whine all over everybody’s song.
I like her. Yes, she’s awkward, but she’s young (and she was sleep deprived during the mv shoot), so I’ll give her a pass for now. Idk if she’s gonna be in SuPearls, but if she is, then it’s obvious that they’re doing the same thing they did with 2ne1: debut the lead voice of the group, let the face out as a love interest in the guys’ mvs, let another voice out as a guest vocal sometimes, and then have them all debut with a mini album or something (actually YG’s been doing that since pre-Big Bang era).
Back to Lee Hi: she’s like Gummy. Give her good songs and have her work on her expression, emotion, etc. and it’s all good. She’s not a dancer – that’s pretty clear – but if she can give an interesting stage without dancing, then she doesn’t need to do the traditional ‘idol’ thing.
Dang. Not at all what I expected, and I mean that in a good way. A very good way.