2009: Year of The Man

During the mid-months of 2009, there has been numerous girl groups popping up in the K-Pop scene. 4minute, T-ara, f(x), 2ne1, and HAM, just to name a few. Although, many of these groups left behind their cutesy acts and adapted the rough, tomboyish looks. We can not be fooled. Our boy bands have held it down for the year of 2009.

As the year 2009 begins to come to a close, there are more releases from our new and old boybands. With these releases, it only reminds us of how much talent they have. So, it is not strange that they have a growing fan base.

However, there has been a common theme for a majority of the boy bands out there: Sauve Beast

These male groups that have Sauve Beast written all over them are what makes 2009: Year of The Man:2PM, only debuting a year ago, has taken the K-pop scene by storm. They are the creators of the term BEAST. They may be having some issues, but they are pushing strong by releasing their first full album that not only showcases their beastly talents, but them as everlasting trendsetters. This album will set them right back in first place. Who wouldn't want to follow their lead?

1:59PM

01. My Heart
02. Heartbeat
03. 기다리다 지친다
04. 너에게 미쳤었다
05. Gimme the light
06. Back 2U
07. All night long
08. Heartbeat (Red light mix)
09. 10점 만점에 10점 (10/10)
10. Only you (Acoustic mix)
11. Again&again
12. 니가밉다 (Lounge mix)
13. 돌아올지도 몰라 (Bossa nova mix)

Uh-oh! U-Kiss is definitely "Not Young" anymore. They are a lovable group and has been since their debut. However, they are breaking into a new concept that shows off their more mature side and the most common trend black. There new concept fits them and their new single "Man Man Han Ni" shows how much they have grown. They went from candy pop with vibrant colors to aggressive pop with deep, dark colors. I like them singing this sort of stuff. It shows off their talent. Alexander, however, will never be a bad boy no matter how hard he tries. He is too much of an angel. Dongho has grown and his new hairstyle is the best he ever had. Soohyun...Yes, Soohyun is the best. ^^

ContiUKiss

01. INTRO
02. 만만하니
03. O.K. (오케이)
04. 만만하니 MR

Now, how could I forget FT Island. They may be young, but we have known this group for sometime now. Their songs are different from the usual K-pop. They are a fusion of ballad, rock, pop, and sometimes a little rap on the side. Their beats are calming. I never noticed too much auto-tune used when they create a song. It's very natural. Thus, proving they are definitely a great band. You can catch Hongki acting on one of the new dramas, "You're Beautiful." Oh yes, he is beautiful and so is everyone in the group. Hongki's voice sure is different from others and it is a good thing. I could recognize that voice in a loud crowd anywhere. As you see, they are rocking the forever trendy color black and is totally BEAST in their album cover.


FTIsland – One Date
01. Lie
02. 사랑이 왔나봐
03. A song for you
04. 빙빙빙
05. 바래
06. 미우나 고우나
07. 천사와 나무꾼
08. 소녀를 만나다(소나기)
09. 결혼해줘
10. 꼭은 아니더라도…
11. 첫눈에 알아
12. 보내주기
13. 못난이
14. 남의 속도 모르고

FT.triple – Two Date
01. 러브레터 (타이틀 곡)
02. 멀리멀리
03. 꼬집어 봐도

SHINee has finally toned it down. Don't get me wrong. I loved their colorful skinnies and shiny jackets. I even bought some shiny sneakers in gold and silver because of them. However, it is nice to see them take it down a notch and go with dark colors. The splash of red is okay, as well. They wouldn't be SHINee without some color. Their new album showcases how much they have matured, but there are hints of that candy pop that they love so much. I previously did a review on how much their new album had me seeing them in a different light. Hopefully, they continue to head in that direction and knock the competition out.

2009, YEAR OF US


01. Y.O.U.(Year Of Us)
02. Ring Ding Dong
03. Jo Jo
04. Get Down
05. SHINee Girl
06. 내가 사랑했던 이름

Okay...I like this group. They are giving off that 2PM feel and it's a good thing. They literally have the name BEAST. Although, how they write or spell it still confuses me. However, "Bad Girl" is a really good debut song for them and the MV for it was spaztastic good in my opinion. Compared to SHU-I "Bomb Bomb Bomb MV, their company really pushed them to do their best and be shown as the best. Hopefully, I will see lots more of them in 2010. They are definitely on the radar. Plus, DooJoon is in a group now and that makes me feel good that he can finally showcase his skills.

Beast is Best

01. Beast Is The B2ST
02. Bad Girl
03. Mystery
04. 아직은
05. Oasis

MBLAQ is definitely beast in their concept photos, but I still can't feel anything from them. They have potential, but I think Rain could have done a little more promoting for them. MBLAQ debuted around the same time as BEAST, so it was like a competition between the two. Who would come out on top? In my opinion, Beast came out on top for this round. plus, the guy with the goatee is too adorable to resist or forget.

Just Blaq

01. Oh Yeah
02. G.O.O.D Luv
03. My Dream

Since, 2PM has released their full album, there is bound to be some tough competition between the boy bands. U-Kiss seems to be gaining more fans and I think they have the talent to go up against 2PM. However, I am always reminded 2PM is the definition of BEAST. I like both groups and FT Island is in a league of its own. So, if I had to order the groups from 1-6 on who made the biggest impact on me for the year of 2009:

1. U-Kiss: They came back with something I would never think they would do. I thought they would be on a long hiatus, but I was proven wrong. They came back and entered the game again as mature young men.
2. 2PM: The only reason they are #2 is due to the fact that U-Kiss shocked me with their release of their single that is fantastic. However, there is no doubt in my mind that 2PM is and will always be one of the best groups in recent years. They are different and they are tight bonded. Even though, they have bumps in the road-they are fighting to get back where they were. I think this album will definitely put them there because they are BEASTS.
3. FT Island
4. Beast
5. SHINee
6. MBlaq

Remember, drop a comment on how you feel about these groups or if you think there are other groups that should be recognized!! ^^
Interested in these albums? Want one? Visit YesAsia where you can pre-order or buy these albums.




Take out with full credits.
Credit:OMGKPOP