Introduction to K-Pop: Ten Albums that Should Be On Everyone's Playlist

The history of TVXQ also known as DBSK can best be described in terms that would normally be reserved from relationship breakups. How DBSK split into TVXQ and JYJ is one of the most difficult and lengthy situations to explain to new fans of K-Pop. When EXO performed Mirotic at the 28th Golden Disk Awards, they incorporated the complex harmonies that made song so wonderful when performed by the original formation of DBSK. To appreciate the original lineup of DBSK is to love both JYJ and the current duo that is TVXQ.

DBSK's 2008 release 'Mirotic' was recently covered by EXO for the 'Golden Disk Awards' and is an example of the characteristic sound of SM Entertainment.

DBSK's 'Rising Sun' off the 2005 album 'Rising Sun' is a classic amongst K-Pop releases.

To understand the rising popularity of GOT7 and the desire for new artists on JYP Entertainment to succeed, one needs to explore the catalog of J.Y. Park (Park Jin Young). In 2013, I had the unique experience of watching J.Y. Park perform before only two hundred people at his restaurant Kristalbelli in Manhattan. The performance was a benefit concert for a local Korean charity and was intended to commemorate his career in the Korean pop industry. He played around five songs and most of the crowd left. With around fifty people remaining, he succumbed to audience requests for an encore performance. The experience of seeing J.Y. Park perform before such a small audience truly transformed my life. In this setting, I was able to appreciate the genius that is J.Y. Park, the man who is responsible not only for his own career, but the careers of Wonder Girls, 2PM, Miss A, and Rain.

Fans of SM Entertainment whose introduction to Korean pop has come by the way of EXO should look at the group with which the newest edition to SM is modeled after, Super Junior. Super Junior helped to lead SM into a new era of K-Pop as the successors of H.O.T. The members of Super Junior have begun to complete their military service, but with their large numbers the group continues to maintain its popularity. Super Junior has led SM Entertainment into the new era of K-Pop by having a strong fan base in South America, Europe, North America, and Australia. Sexy, Free, & Single was the sixth album to be released for Korea. The album reflected a more modern, cosmopolitan sound for the group through the title track and the electro swing release SPY.

Super Junior's 'Sexy, Free, &Single' album provided a club anthem for those who were single and seeking a partner.

Super Junior's label mates Girls Generation (SNSD) are responsible for the most popular song of a decade in Korea with Gee. Gee was the first mini album from Girls Generation and the release was a pivotal one for the K-Pop industry. Although, other groups have evolved into more rated concepts, Girls Generation has maintained an image that has garnered appeal from audiences beyond K-Pop for their upbeat, positive pop concept.

Girls Generation's album 'Gee' catapulted the SM Entertainment girl group into stardom.

YG Entertainment's Yang Hyun Suk was a member of the famed Korean hip hop group Seo Taiji and the Boys which channeled the sound of American rap groups like Cypress Hill for a Korean audience. To understand the origin of the founder of YG Entertainment's early work is to comprehend the foundation of future artists such as Big Bang. The 1995 single release Come Back Home from Seo Taiji and Boys IV was a Korean gangster rap single that was intended to appeal to runaways.

Seo Taiji and The Boys pinnacle release 'Come Back Home'.

Following the break up of Seo Taiji and the Boys, Yang Hyun Suk went on to become the founding father of YG Entertainment. As the CEO of YG, Yang Hyun Suk has helped to deliver the highly successful male group Big Bang and the girl group 2NE1 to K-Pop fans, worldwide. For fans of Big Bang, the song 하루하루 (Haru Haru) is a recognizable anthem. The acoustic version of Haru Haru can be found on the 2008 release Remember, which also contains the tracks Sunset Glow, Strong Baby, and a remix of Lies.

The music video for Big Bang 'Haru Haru ' featured actress Park Min Young, who is known for her roles in the dramas Sungkyunkwan Scandal and City Hunter.

YG Entertainment's 2NE1, who are poised for a comeback with All or Nothing debuted in 2009 with their first mini album 2NE1. The album was produced by YG Entertainment's Teddy Park, who was a member of the group 1TYM. The self-titled release yielded the 2NE1 hits Fire, In The Club, and their collaboration with Big Bang, Lollipop. However, 2NE1 is most known for the releases from their second mini album which included the girl power anthem I am the Best, along with the songs Ugly, Lonely, and Hate You.

2NE1 'I am the Best' from their second mini album.

The repackage album of INFINITE's Paradise provides an example of why the group is so beloved by INSPIRITs. With an eighties throwback sound, INFINITE stands apart from other K-Pop artists in both in their sound and intense synchronized dance moves. The repackage album yielded the songs Paradise and Cover Girl, which are without fail two of the best songs in K-Pop.

INFINITE's 'Paradise' from the repackage of the 2011 album 'Over the Top', which was entitled 'Paradise'.

For those who are just becoming acquainted with K-Pop, there are plenty of artists on the market to choose from. However, the genre has its roots in what is often referred to as the big three, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment. In 2014, all three agencies have demonstrated their determination to be the leading agency in Korean pop music. While these albums provide a foundation for a K-Pop library, one should not conclude their library with the releases.

Tags
TVXQ
Super Junior
Girls Generation
Seo Taiji and the Boys
Big Bang
2NE1
INFINITE
j.y. park
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