Let's Learn Together: Dancing Queen // 소녀시대

Let's Learn Together:  Dancing Queen // 소녀시대

Song:  Dancing Queen

Album:  I GOT A BOY

Artist:  소녀시대  //  Girls' Generation  (少女時代)  //  SNSD)

Lyrics:  music.naver.com

Photo:  images.google.com

Company:  SM Entertainment

English:  9 / 10

Translation Difficulty:  1 / 10

Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast."

Just A Few Words:
The song that could've been!  However, I'm glad they stuck to "Gee" instead of this song.  Since it is a remake of Duffy's "Mercy," Girls' Generation may not have been the powerhouse that it is today!

English:  9 / 10
Since all the lyrics written in English are spoken by Girls' Generation's two English speakers, the pronunciation is fine (I don't count the Konglish words written in Korean as it is expected they will be pronounced in a "Korean" way like 파티 as "pah-tee" instead of "par-tee.")  The only issue I have with the song's English is the "dancing queen."  A dancing queen is usually an insult used toward guys who dance that questions their sexuality.  I would assume they would be talking about a girl, but the song is too sexy to be from girl to girl.  So what does "Dancing Queen" actually mean?
The grammar is fine even though it is in the vernacular.

Translation Difficulty:  1 / 10
This was pretty easy, but there was some guess work involved.  Sometimes song lyrics tend to omit "known" information.  This is okay if you (think) you know where the song is going, but otherwise it's a headache.

10 Words:

1. 무대 (noun):  "stage"
2. 평범하다 (adjective):  "ordinary" or "common" or "normal" or "average" or "plain" or "run-of-the-mill"
3. 인생 (noun):  "(human) life"
4. 지루하다 (adjective):  "boring" or "bored" or "dull" or "tedious" or "tiresome" or "wearisome"
5. 일상 (noun):  "everyday life" or "daily life"
6. 하룻밤 (noun):  "one night" or "single night"
7. 사로잡다 (verb):  "captivate" or "fascinate" or "win (one's heart)" or "knock sb out"
8. 화려하다 (adjective):  "fancy" or "showy" or "splendid" or "colorful".  Also "impressive"
9. 솜씨 (noun):  "skill (at/in)" or "ability" or "dexterity" or "knack"
10. 아찔하다 (verb):  "dizzy"

Credit:  dic.naver.com

Politeness Level:

Casual

The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.

Review: SM The Ballad - Vol. 2 "Breath"

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait!  (School rocks for education and learning but sucks for side projects and hobbies...). Since none of us are music critics, Rachel came up with a simple rubric to grade the album in review. Click here for the rubric. 

(source)

S.M. The Ballad is back!!!  They're back, but with different members. The Ballad was always meant to be a rotating group and all, and I'm happy and sad about that.  Now that Jay is in the military, Jino is in undebuted purgatory (aka, some musical in Japan), and Kyuhyun is busy keeping his variety show king title, Jonghyun is left as SM's resident male balladier and the only "original" Ballad member to remain.  But watch out Jonghyun, Yesung is back from the army...

Interestingly, the first album is pure instrumental - a very curious and refreshing addition to SM material.  It's a good musical introduction to "Breath" if you're into listening to compositions as a whole, but I suspect that most K-Pop fans will skip over it.

This particular album is interesting in the fact that SM has released a Korean, Chinese, and Japanese version of the title song "Breath."  My little gripe is wondering where in the heck is the English version?  Ballads may be SM's way into the English-language market and it wouldn't really matter how well it did as a single, since the Korean version is their main focus.  They could get Henry and Amber to sing it and it would be perfect.

Breath

Rachel: I really like this song.  I'm not a music critic or even a music major so I can't be all technical, but I like this song.  Personally, I'm biased towards the Chinese version.  First, I'm glad to Zhang Liyin coming out of the dark and lonely SM dungeon. Second, I love how her lighter and airier voice contrasts with Chen's deeper and richer voice.

The Korean version, Jonghyun and Taeyeon, is my neutral choice.  After hearing the contrast between Zhang Liyin and Chen, I didn't feel that Jonghyun and Taeyeon had voices that contrasted enough. They seem to be in the same range/register (sorry, not a music expert!) and vocal "flavor", and the voices sounds eerily similar during the harmonies. When Kyuhyun and Tiffany did "아름다운 그대에게 (Rise & Shine)," they had similar registers but different vocal "flavor." 

My least favorite version was the Japanese version.  While the voices contrast nicely like the Chinese version, I don't think the voices fit this particular song.  Changmin was and is TVXQ's power vocal. His specialty seems to lie in belting and this song really isn't built for a belt-er (say that ten times fast). This ballad also doesn't really suit Krystal's voice.  I personally think that BoA should have been Changmin's partner, seeing as she knows Japanese more intimately, but I understand SM's desire to include a member from f(x). (I would vote for J-Min to get back in the spotlight, but BoA has enough charisma to stand up to Changmin while J-Min does not).  BoA can do breathy, but Krystal's voice seems more...grounded?  But then and again, she's no Jessica.  Her voice is more suited for songs like "좋았던 건, 아팠던 건 When I Was… When U Were..."

Hara: Just as Rachel mentioned above, none of us are music critics/majors, so I would like to keep it simple :) My opinion on "Breath" is basically the same as Rachel's. There's just something about Chen and Zhang Li Yin's Chinese version which really stands out more than the rest. When the video teasers first came out, my little SONE heart was sure than our adorable kid-leader, Taeyeon, was going to dominate but I have to give it to Zhang Li Yin on this one. Also, it's amazing of Chen to be able to stand his ground against a power-house vocal like Li Yin, despite only at 2 years into his debut. Even though I did enjoy the Korean version with Jonghyun and Taeyeon, it's like a half/half for me. Also similar to Rachel, the Japanese version was my least favorite however, mega props to my girl Krystal for improving so much! 

Lisa:

When I Was...When U Were...

Rachel: "좋았던 건, 아팠던 건 When I Was… When U Were..." is one of my favorite songs.  Krystal and Chen's voices are perfect for this.  This actually is my favorite song on the album.  They're both relatively young so I think their youth brings a little bit of innocence and energy to this song.  This song is in the same vein as Jessica and Onew's "One Year Later" (parted lovers who meet again) but their voices give a more puppy love/first love feel than Jessica and Onew's mature and serious love. 

Hara:

Lisa:

A Day Without You

Rachel: "하루 A Day Without You" is good as a song, but once again I wish they had picked different voices.  Jonghyun and Chen have such similar voices that they should have chosen one or the other.  Heck, when EXO covers SHINee who ends up getting Jonghyun's parts and sounding like a dead ringer?  Chen!  There's no denying they aren't good singers, but to a casual listener (or the first listen) it's difficult to distinguish who is who.  I keep this on repeat because I like the song, but if my music is on shuffle, I find myself forgetting this is a duet and not a solo.  Personally, I would have liked a Chen/Baekhyun duet (one from EXO-K and one from EXO-M ;)), but I can only wish.  ^^

Hara:

Lisa:

Blind 

Rachel: "Blind" is Yesung's "re-debut" after being in the army.  While he's still in the army until April, this is a way to get the public reacquainted with him and to get them to anticipate his return to Super Junior (who should be making a fall comeback if the rumors are to be believed.)  I must be biased toward Chinese or I'm just excited the ZhouMi is back in ring, but I prefer ZhouMi's version over Yesung's.  :/  I also think SM should have taken the opportunity to "debut" Yuta, an SMRookie and SM's only Japanese signee.  They did it for Jino last time.  But then again, thanks to SM's total lack of information on the Rookies, I have no idea if Yuta can even sing (what if he's a rapper or dancer like Shindong and can't sing at all...?).

Hara:

Lisa:

Overall

Rachel: Excellent. SM needs to work on its voice pairings but otherwise a well put together piece of work.

Hara:

Lisa:

SM's Future and Possible New SM Girl Group in 2014?

2014 may be a big year for SM Entertainment.  According to the Shinhan Investment Corporation's predictions, there are lots of albums predicted to being dropped.  TVXQ and Girls' Generation in the first quarter, SHINee and EXO in the second quarter, and Super Junior and a new girl group in the third quarter.  Also, f(x) is rumored to be making a comeback curtesy of Teddy Riley, plus two new surprise projects, one being TOHEART (Key and Woohyun) and the other probably being S.M. The Ballad's comeback with new members.  On top of this, Girls' Generation also says they're planning to release their fifth studio album sometime this year.

If Girls' Generation releases their fifth studio album then any new girl group might be pushed back until 2015 or 2016.  SM Entertainment wouldn't risk de-emphasizing a Girls' Generation album by releasing a new girl group, nor would they risk dampening the potential of a new girl group by debuting them under Girls' Generation's star.

If SM is truly planning on debuting a girl group, they are at least one member short of the smallest group SM has produced.  Their next girl group would have to be the successors of the Girls' Generation torch, much like EXO is the successor of Super Junior's.  This means they need more girls.  Wendy, Irene, and Seulgi are almost guaranteed to be debuting with this group and their two other female SMROOKIES are too young to debut.  Jeesu is older at around 12-14 and Lami is 10.  Seeing as how much backlash SM received for Sulli and Krystal's young debut, they probably wouldn't risk it with these two.  SM may be planning to add in one or two girls collected during Global Auditions, but such a quick debut would eliminate all except those who were already fluent in Korean (getting rid of the possibility of a non-Korean group member) unless they have more trainees up their sleeves that they are planning on introducing.

There is one more possibility.  Zhang Liyin and J-Min.  True, they are both solo artists, but they haven't had much success.  Not only would it boost SM's new group to five members, but it would be assured that this group would have talent.  Wendy can sing, judging by her Mimi OST release and so can Seulgi (sorta...her Christmas carol really isn't much right now) and Irene seems to only be pretty face.  They also won't be lacking too much in dance; Irene, Wendy, and Seulgi have shown off their dance skill through a dance clips released on SMROOKIES and the ABC special and Zhang Liyin almost made it into Girls' Generation.  

On top of that, Zhang Liyin speaks Chinese while J-Min speaks Japanese.  Wendy speaks English so that would make the group SM's most multi-lingual.  They're looking into the Japanese market and this would be a great way to keep the door open to Japan, China, and North America.  While these girls are older, so is Irene.  Even if they release Irene, Seulgi, and Wendy as a trio, they would still be 23, 19, and 19 (Wendy's rumored age), much older than most of the debuting girl groups today.  Zhang Liyin and J-Min are both 25 and it wouldn't be much of an age different as they're only two years older than Irene.

Interestingly enough, in the little we know about Wendy, SM makes sure to emphasize the fact she plays multiple instruments, including the guitar and flute.  J-Min also plays guitar...do I see an interesting set-up in the future?

So what do you guys think?

Credit:  Shinhan Investment; popdust

Let's Learn Together: Mr. Mr. // 소녀시대

Let's Learn Together:  Mr. Mr. // 소녀시대

Song:  Mr. Mr.
Artist:  소녀시대  //  Girls' Generation  (少女時代)  //  SNSD)
Album:  Mr. Mr. - The Fourth Mini-Album
Lyrics:  naver.com
Photo:  en.wikipedia.org
Company:  SM Entertainment

English:  7 / 10
Translation Difficulty:  4 / 10




Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast."
[Edit:  3/21/12]

Just A Few Words:
As much as I loved "The Boys" and "I GOT A BOY" (yeah, I know, one of a few...), "Mr. Mr." is where Girls' Generation hits the mark.  It has the maturity and catchiness of "The Boys" but the funkiness of "I GOT A BOY."  One of my new favorites!
I also have to credit my sister for the "diamond in the rough" line.  I got to the "turn coal into diamonds" and she mentioned that saying.  :)

English:  7 / 10
There's not that much English in this song, other than the titular "Mr. Mr."  "You so bad" is grammatically incorrect but correct in the vernacular.  So I'll let that slide.  But the line "My Mi, Mi, Mister" hurt.  Yuri already has a thick accent so on the first listen I thought it was "My mean mean Mister" but that would be incorrect within the context of the song.  But the lyrics on Naver Music say "Mi, Mi"  Not "Mi-Mi" (which would indicate they were trying to split up the word) but "Mi, Mi."  Huh?

Translation Difficulty:  4 / 10
I also think that my Korean is getting better...this was easier for me!  Yay~!  Hopefully this means I can get more translations out, quicker.

10 Words:

1. 재다 (verb):  show off
2. 앞서 가다 (verb):  go ahead (first); go before
3. 최고의 (adjective):  top; number one; top-notch
4. 유리조각 (noun):  a broken piece of glass; glass splinter
5. 빛내다 (adverb):  {enhance, honor, acclaim}
6. 열쇠 (noun):  key (to), clue (to)
7. 소년 (noun):  boy
8. 끌어안다 (verb):  embrace
9. 치열하다 (verb):  fierce, intense
10. 이뤄내다 (verb):  clinch; nail (down)

Credit:  dic.naver.com

Politeness Level:

Casual

The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.

Let's Learn Together: Oh! // 소녀시대

Let's Learn Together:  Oh! // 소녀시대

Song:  Oh!
Artist:  소녀시대 [Girls' Generation // SNSD]
Album:  Oh!
Photo:  images.google.com
Lyrics:  music.naver.com
Company:  SM Entertainment

English:  7 / 10
Translation Difficulty:  2 / 10




Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast" when using the English translation.
[Edit:  3/18/14]

Just a Few Words:
I found a faster way to translate!  I use a whiteboard to help me get my thoughts in order so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth between browser pages.  Hopefully, this means I get things up faster!!

Anyway, I love "Oh!"  It's one of the few K-Pop songs that I know how to dance to and, besides, it's really catchy.  (I say that a lot, don't I?)  "Oh!" also helped solidify Girls' Generation as a hit maker.

English:  7 / 10
So the pronunciation is fine - most of the English is done by the group's two native English speakers, Jessica and Tiffany.  The English by itself is fine, but when globbed together with the Korean, the grammar could be tweaked.  Brand New Sound isn't wrong, but since the Korean sentence before it is complete, it's just a noun and a few adjectives hanging around with no verb.  And so on...

Translation Difficulty:  2 / 10

10 Words:

1. 전에 (adverb):  "previously" or "formerly"
2. 새롭다 (adjective):  "new" or "fresh, original"
3. 좀 (adverb):  "{a little bit}" -->  indicates a degree of politeness
4. 말투 (noun):  "one's way of speaking [talking]"
5. 콧대가 높다 (verb phrase):  "to have a sharp nose."  Also:  "{snobbish}" or "{conceited}"
6. 놀리다 (verb):  "tease, provoke" or "kid, pull one's leg" or "make fun of, poke fun at, play a joke [prank, trick] on sb"
7. 잠깐만 (phrase):  "just a minute / moment / second"
8. 후회 (noun):  "regret"
9. 전혀 모르다 (adverb + verb):  "know nothing of" or "have not the slightest [faintest] idea" or "be quite ignorant of"
10. 미루다 (verb):  "to delay" or "postpone" or "put off"

Credit:  dic.naver.com

Politeness Level:
Casual
The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.

Let's Sing Together: 소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Let's Sing Together:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Song:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie)
Artist:  Girls' Generation
Album:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) [EP]

Original English lyrics by:  angelsfallfast
Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast" when using the lyrics.

Just tell me whatcha wish!

I wanna know your wish, even the little ones.

Imagine your ideal type is standing by your side -

Then you gotta trust in me.

Cause I'm your Genie, your fantasy Genie, yeah!

Get into your dream car, fly away!
I'm at the wheel, you're by my side.

Lean back, relax and leave this all up to me!

Even if you feel you can't go on, please don't get down, just let it go!

'Cause right now I'll give you the whole wide world.

brainStorMing: Girls' Generation's Image Transformation

photo cr: Mezor

Girls’ Generation marked their first image transformation with the release of their 2013 hit single, “I Got A Boy”. Previously known to sport matching outfits and refrain from utilizing rap in their songs, Girls’ Generation offered individuality and sleek hip-hop style elements to incorporate rap and strong choreography with “I Got A Boy”. This was also the first time Girls’ Generation performed with sneakers since their debut

Initially, the transformation actually began with “The Boys” even though there were small changes rather than an overall modification. This was also the first time they integrated the use of rap in their music. Although they made a sleek transformation and shifted to a more mature concept, the image style remained the same with their fresh beauty and similar (if not matching) wardrobe.

The large-scale alternation with “I Got A Boy” led to many fans and non-fans to question the marketing logic behind S.M. Entertainment’s closed doors. Many speculate for SM to switch concepts between Girls’ Generation and f(x) especially with the news of f(x)’s Amber, who is famous for her boyish charms, growing out her hair. However, I believe that Girls’ Generation’s style change is a concept preparation for S.M. Entertainment’s future girl group, or as I like to call them, female EXO.  

S.M. Entertainment is eminent in the music industry for establishing male and female versions of the same concept. Previous artists include Super Junior and Girls’ Generation, SHINee and f(x), and now EXO and female EXO. With EXO being large in number, it seems to me that female EXO is also going to be large in number  and strikingly similar to Girls’ Generation especially because S.M. Entertainment launches its idol groups into the industry as fresh- faced beauties, similar to their debut days. The comparison isn’t as applicable with f(x) because although they too had a fresh image, they were smaller in number and had a vibrant and livelier image.

photo cr: as watermarked 

If SM intended on continuing Girls’ Generation’s concept and plans on marketing female EXO similarly to them, there wouldn’t be any significant difference in image and style between Girls’ Generation and female EXO. Not to mention the fans, who would think of this as an outrageous idea and most likely become anti’s of female EXO. This is why, in my opinion, the style shift with a “I Got A Boy” was an essential necessity. 

If you have your own speculations as to why S.M. Entertianment transformed Girls' Generation, comment below and let us know!

Let's Learn Together: 소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Let's Learn Together:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Song:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie)
Artist:  소녀시대  //  Girls' Generation  (少女時代)  //  SNSD)
Album:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) [EP]
Lyrics:  music.naver.com
Photo:  Wikipedia
Company:  SM Entertainment

English:  7 / 10
Translation Difficulty:  3 / 10



Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast" when using the English translation.
[Edited:  3/1/14]

Just A Few Words:
Next to "Gee" and "Oh!", this definitely is one of their biggest hits!  As far Girls' Generation goes, this was the first K-Pop song I heard from them.
I also happen to love this song and it's a pretty easy song to translate, which is what I need over finals week. XD

English:  7 / 10
The English is pronounced fine, but the phrasing of the "Genie" lines are awkward.  The article "a" should have been added before "Genie"  (I'm [a] Genie).  "For your world" and "for your dream" are grammatically correct, but we don't use phrasings like that in English.

Translation Difficulty:  2 / 10

10 Words:

1. 이상형 (noun):  ideal type
2. 그리다 (verb):  draw, paint, sketch; describe [portray] ( /sth as sth), depict; imagine, picture (sb/sth as sth, sb doing sth)
3. 달리다 (verb):  run, dash, gallop; drive, gallop
4. 이끌리다 (verb):  be led, be guided; be driven (by), be carried away (by)
5. 던지다 (verb):  throw, pitch, cast, toss, fling, flip; throw oneself (into); throw; cast
6. 믿다 (adjective):  believe, credit; trust, believe in; believe in, have faith in
7. 열정 (noun):  passion, ardor, fervor
8. 이루다 (adjective):  achieve, accomplish, fulfill, attain, realize
9. 깨어나다 (verb):  wake (up), awaken, awake; come around (to), regain [recover] consciousness; be disillusioned
10. 들어주다 (verb):  grant, accede (to)

Credit:  dic.naver.com

Politeness Level:
Casual
The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.