For Got7 fans still anxiously waiting to see their idols in Dallas, Texas, this quiz is sure to pump you up!
So let’s begin, shall we?
The quiz should be relatively easy for Got7 fans! But for those new to the group, perhaps you’ll learn a bit about them.
Question 1: Can you name all seven members by their full REAL names and stage names?
*Bonus* How did each member get their stage names?
Question 2: How many siblings does each member have?
Question 3: True or False: Every member is from Korean.
Question 4: What K-drama series did all Got7 members star in?
*Bonus* What was the name of the boy group in the series?
Question 5: List the members from oldest to youngest.
Question 6: What was the EXACT date that Got7’s first EP dropped?
Question 7: When did each member first make their appearance as idols?
Was it hard? I think some of the questions may be challenging. But give it your best!
ANSWERS BELOW: To reveal the answers, you have to highlight the white space below! Or click the link below the white space!
Question 1: Im Jae-bum (JB), Mark Yien Tuan (Mark), Jackson Wang (Jackson), Park Jin-young (Jr.), Choi Youngjae (Youngjae), Kunpimook Bhuwakul (Bam Bam), Kim Yugyeom
*Bonus* JB’s stage name is an abbreviation of his real name; Mark’s name is his birth name, as well as Jackson, Youngjae, and Yugyeom; Park Jin-Young has the same name as his producer, so he is thus called “Jr.” since he is the younger version; Bam Bam’s name comes from his mother who wanted him to be strong like the young baby in the cartoon “The Flintstones”.
Question 2: Mark (3), JB (0), Jackson (1), Youngjae (2), Yugyeom (1), Jr. (2), Bam Bam (3)
Question 3: False. Jackson is from British Hong Kong, China; Mark has lived in Paraguay, Brazil, San Francisco, California, USA; Bam Bam is from Thailand
Question 7: Jr. and JB first made appearances on the K-drama series Dream High 2. Yugyeom, Bam Bam, Mark, and Jackson first made their appearances on the 4th episode of the YG survival reality show Who is Next: WIN.
As you probably have guessed from my background and all of the Got7 articles, it is Got7 week on GN to honor Got7’s first tour in the U.S. Yesterday, San Fran enjoyed the presence of their favorite K-pop idols, Got7! In honor of San Fran’s visit, I created a fun read about Got7 as boyfriend idols.
Today’s article we will be enjoying Got7 TV! Got7 is known as a lively bunch of young men. JYP has made these qualities more pronounced through online videos called Got7 TV. It has had TWO seasons. So, today, we’re just going to enjoy our favorite K-pop idols act like lovable dorks. 😛
It is GOT7 week on GN. If you haven’t heard, mosey on over to this link —>Got7 WEEK
In honor of Got7’s first U.S. tour, I’ve decided to use this week to promote Got7 as much as I can. It is really amazing that Got7 decided to visit their western fans. Fans from the west really appreciate the hard work JYP and Jazzy Group U.S. did in organizing this event.
I told readers that I would be posting articles dealing with Got7 in honor of the week. This is the first one in preparation for San Fran’s event TOMORROW!
As San Franciscans prepare to be the first to enjoy an amazing performance by Got7, perhaps this article can pump you up!
So, hetero ladies and homo gents, which Got7 member is boyfriend material to YOU? If you are a hetero gent or a homo lady, which Got7 member is more YOUR style in flirting with girls?
This article is inspired from the Got7 music video “A”. For the music video “A”, Got7 released SEVEN story videos showing off their flirting styles towards one anonymous person. By watching these, you can determine which one you like best or which one suits you best.
In the video, JB is the cool leader of the Got7 group. His idea of “flirting” is showing off his amazing skills, and he has plenty of skills. To add, he tries to focus on his appearance, putting effort into looking nice for someone he is interested in. And he had quite an amazing wardrobe. I guess he couldn’t wait until he could meet her again. He is confident and direct.
As far as ideal types, JB claims that he has no particular preferences, but he prefers a someone that he can’t get out of his mind.
Mark is the oldest member, but the shyest. He is very mature, however. He is a man of few words. In the video, Mark shows off his charms in quiet ways. He may not say much, but Mark was very direct and simple when it came to asking the girl out in the video. He certainly wouldn’t let a girl sit around a man who doesn’t care about her feelings. He’d rather grab her out of that situation! You can say he’s a savior of sorts.
As far as ideal types, Mark says he likes someone that is unique-someone that makes him want to learn more about the person.
In the group and onstage, Jackson may seem pepped up with the most energy and confidence, but he’s quite mellow and shy around those he really likes. In this video, Jackson is taking a nice, intimate stroll with someone of interest. He’s laughing at this person, so the person must be funny to him. But as soon as Mark came, the antagonist of this whole story, he was determined to protect the person, even being a little bossy about it. You could tell he was very serious about protecting this person. In the end, however, he hesitated to put his arm around the person, showing his shy yet respectful side.
As far ideal types go, Jackson has said he likes healthy, athletic, sporty types.
Jr.’s video is a play on his name. In this video, he acts as a younger man who is interested in someone older (he called her “Nuna” which is how younger males address older females in Korea). Throughout the video, he is trying to hold back his laughter, possibly because of the fact that she is drunk, but he still takes care of her making sure she rests and sobers up. It can be dangerous for someone to be drunk and roaming the streets at night! Apparently, he picked her up as she was stumbling and led her to a bench. At the end, he is seen playing his video games and surrounded by youthful items (like the big kid Jr. is). But as soon as his phone rings, and I’m assuming that was the girl calling, he drops everything in a rush, putting on two different shoes! What a dork! But so lovable, right?
He said his ideal type is someone who smiles really big, as he believes you can see the real side of the person. He also likes somebody who loves their work because he believes you would see how a person loves with the way they love their work.
In Youngjae’s story, he plays the sweet, thoughtful boy-next-door. He takes a girl on a nice, quiet, small date to an ice cream shop. He thoughtfully remembers her favorite ice cream and gets it for her. Unfortunately, he eats more than she does. She didn’t seem to stay long enough to finish hers. Too bad. Afterwards, he seems to get the chills from consuming too much ice cream while left alone in the shop! Poor Youngjae! He’s so sweet. I’m sure there are plenty of girls out in the world who appreciate his generosity and thoughtfulness.
He says his ideal type is anyone who has a certain charm he likes.
In Bam Bam’s story, he takes a nice, quiet stroll with a girl in the park. He is very attentive, immediately noticing when the girl’s shoes are not tied. But he’s not just attentive. He takes the initiative, bends down, and ties her shoes for her! What a gentlemen! Of course, Bam Bam doesn’t hold back from teasing her about her clumsiness. Even when her shoe came undone once again, he noticed right away. He was probably paying very close attention anyway.
As far as ideal types, he says he likes a pretty smile.
Yugyeom, the handsome maknae, has also landed a date with a woman who is older than he is (just like Jr. XD). In his video, he managed to take her out to a restaurant/sweet shop (?) for cake and drinks. They seem to be sharing food and drinks. He drank his drink and hers. But he fed her some of his cake, which shows he is not selfish or stingy. Eventually, he shyly asked her what her feelings were for him. In the end, it is revealed that he rehearsed that moment over and over again. He must have been nervous about asking her about her feelings. Though he came across direct and confident, he also revealed a shy, cute side as well.
His ideal type is someone who seems off in her own world, possibly carries a bit of an enigma about her, but someone who has layers. He wants someone who has something hidden within, someone intriguing.
I hope you enjoyed the videos for Got7 week! Check back throughout the week for more Got7!
If you want to watch more charm from the “Boyfriend Idols”, check out their their promotional movie Dream Knight.
One of my FAVORITE K-pop groups, Got7, will finally make their tour in the U.S.A.! Woohoo! This is good news for Western fans who hardly get to enjoy their favorite artists in their own backyards.
Got7 will be touring San Francisco, CA first on Wednesday, May 6th 2015 at the Warfield, will fly eastward to Chicago, IL on Friday, May 8 and will meet with fans at the Riviera Theatre, then will fly back southwest to the Verizon Theatre in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, May 10, 2015!
VIP tickets were sold out within minutes for all three venues. Never underestimate the power of K-pop fans!
In honor of Got’s first U.S. tour, I’ve decided to dedicate this whole week to Got7 and its seven members!
Poll time!
Whichever Got7 member wins for each city, I will post their picture as my background the day of that city’s showcase! San Francisco, you have until midnight May 5, 2015, Chicago has until midnight May 7, 2015, and Dallas has until May, 9, 2015 CST!
This isn’t one of my informational articles. This isn’t an article that is truly objective at all. This isn’t a persuasive piece. This is simply me expressing a strong feeling and/or desire of mine.
SMTown IV Tour has recently made its way to Taiwan.
I’ve been roaming online looking at all of the amazing pictures. Of course, I was searching for f(x). If you readers don’t know about f(x) (and my obsession with this group), take a detour:
You should have seen the wide grin that spread on my face when pictures of four members, all with busy schedules, managed to show up on stage and perform a set of songs from their albums: “Jet”, “Vacance”, “Hot Summer”, “Rum Pum Pum Pum”, and “Red Light”. Amber, one of those members, also performed her solo song “Shake That Brass” and this time with SNSD (Girls’ Generation)’s Taeyeon.
Looking at my favorite K-pop group idols on that stage, I had a bittersweet moment. It was such a happy time, and yet, I could feel that it wasn’t going to last. It was over as quick as it had begun. f(x) was on the same stage for the first time in months, and then, afterwards, back to their usual separate schedules.
And that’s when reality set in. And my feelings… I just felt something. Guess what? I miss f(x). And four is just not enough. I MISS ALL FIVE MEMBERS.
The thing that really gets me is the fact that I just became a true blue fan of f(x) February 2014 (though I’ve been knowing about them since 2011). Because I’ve just become a fan, I feel like I didn’t really get a chance to know the girls as much as I would’ve liked.
My dream is to one day either see f(x) live in concert or BoA live in concert.
I have no control of circumstances. Things always change, and the ladies in f(x) are no exception. I’m in my 20s and I understand that, as adults, we all have choices. I understand that Sulli had to go on hiatus. I do. But last year was my first time experiencing an f(x) comeback. Those few weeks of anticipation meant so much to me. f(x)’s music has gotten me through rough times. Their music has cheered me up when I was down and even mellowed me out when I was hyped up. f(x) got me interested in Korean music, dramas, and ultimately, Korean culture.
With all of that being said, I REALLY am hoping for an f(x) comeback with ALL FIVE MEMBERS this year. Even if it’s the last one ever, I really do hope that I at least get one more chance to enjoy the true full-out f(x) experience.
Last year, I really fell in love with this group. Anyone who is into K-pop knows what I’m talking about. In fact, most of you fans are probably experiencing that “group idol comeback” bliss right now.
I hold on to that little hope of seeing them again. Seeing them on stage gives me hope.
There are two things that could stand in the way:
1) Fans, particularly Korean Netizens, Regarding Sulli
Last year, fans made things so difficult for Sulli she had to step away from the limelight. When Sulli went on hiatus, the comments and malicious rumors intensified. Even now, people will still have something crazy to say. As I said last year, her hiatus has less to do with SM and her boyfriend, and more to do with the way fans reacted to the situation of her dating a man who is older than her. Really, at the end of it all, the fans are the profits and they are the reason SM makes decisions the way they do. I worry that fans will tear the group apart. They will drive Sulli away and it will leave a sour patch in the f(x) group.
I was so happy when I saw Sulli with Luna at the Opening of the SM COEX Artium. I was extremely happy when I heard Sulli attended one of Amber’s performances at Inkigayo. And I was happy that Sulli appeared in High Cut magazine looking stunning.
I feel like this group has so much potential. I’d hate to see their gifts go to waste because of ridiculous scandals and negativity.
2) Krystal’s sister is out of SNSD (Girls’ Generation). What’s next for Krystal?
Krystal and Jessica were both asked to join SM at the same time. Jessica was older, so she was trained much sooner. With Krystal and Jessica working under the same label, the sisters were closer and had an easier time working on projects together. With Jessica out of SM, and in such a swift way, would Krystal want to stay under this label?
The sisters, despite being related, have their own individual careers to worry about. Krystal has grown and developed herself as an individual outside of Jessica’s shadow. BUT she may not feel the same toward the label after what happened to her sister. I’m a little worried that Krystal will try to join her sister and leave the group.
I really, really hope that Krystal doesn’t leave too soon. 😦
I feel like I get involved in fandoms at all the worst times. Back when the Spice Girls were popular, the moment I got into them, Geri left a few months after I became a fan. I became a huge fan of Avril Lavigne AFTER she toured my hometown. 😦 I almost won tickets to go see New Kids on the Block in my city. Too bad I didn’t learn about them until after the drawing…My tickets went to someone else.
Maybe I carry a shadow around me. Whenever I promote a group or artist, whenever I start to like something, it seems like I can never fully enjoy it.
I hope that this year will be a great year of K-pop for me. I really miss f(x). I want to see them on stage again, happy, showing off their skills, and giving us their “surprise” comebacks once more.
That’s all I wanted to say. I’m getting a bit sentimental here. 😥
Back in February, f(x)’s Amber released her first solo music video “Shake That Brass” featuring Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon. Soon after, Amber dropped her first solo album Beautiful. Amber has been getting a lot of attention for the music video as well as the album.
The album showcased Amber’s “hidden” vocal abilities, as well as revealing personal sides to Amber’s personality, something fans never got the fullest extent of in her quintet group, f(x).
The music video for “Shake That Brass” was known for it’s cameo appearances from other K-pop idols, revealing Amber’s social networking skills and popularity.
For the last three weeks, Amber has been performing “Shake That Brass” on several Korean music shows. Each stage has been a little different from the other. Though Amber featured with Taeyeon on the original track, she featured with other artists from SM Entertainment, YMC Entertainment, and Woollim Entertainment on stage.
So my question for you K-pop lovers is which feature did you like best?
This is not a question just to make any of the artists feel bad. All of the ladies who featured with Amber were amazingly talented, but they each had their own charm. I’m curious to know which performance impressed upon viewers the most, and I also want to know people’s opinions about each performance. Maybe you liked them all. Or maybe there was another artist that didn’t feature that you would have liked to see perform. Whatever it is, I want to know people’s opinions.
Taeyeon, of all the performers, carried the most confidence. It was pretty obvious that she was used to performing. She has an amazing voice that was well-suited to the song. Amber personally asked Taeyeon to feature in the song.
Taeyeon struck that balance between shining in the spotlight and supporting Amber. In her performance, she didn’t take over the music video, but when her part came, she made sure it was her best. She carried a hint of elegance about her, but her soft, melodious voice added a lovable charm that fit well with the song. She had a queen-like presence in the video.
During promotions, Taeyeon only featured in the video. But after promotions, at SM Town Taiwan, Taeyeon happened to perform the song with amber for the first time on stage.
2) Amber featuring Red Velvet’s Wendy
Rookie Wendy featured with Amber and did pretty well! This is probably Wendy’s first feature. As Amber’s junior, she obviously did well not to outshine Amber. Wendy has a very strong voice. What I appreciated about this performance was the fact that Wendy suited the hip-hop imagery better than the other features. Even her outfit fit well with the theme. Her use of caps made her blend in well with Amber as well. Amber dresses comfortably, so Wendy adding a bit of “tomboy” in her look made it perfect.
As someone who carries a young and fresh vibe, this kind of song invites rookie artists like Wendy. I applaud her courage. She stood in for one of the most popular idols in K-pop, Taeyeon. She challenged herself, hitting those notes within the song. She also seems to carry a little sass about her, giving it her own unique charm. The cherry on top is that she speaks fluent English…
3) Amber featuring f(x)’s Luna
Luna was the third person to feature on Amber’s stage. It’s clear to see from the number of performances with Amber that Luna was in demand by fans. This is natural, considering Luna is from Amber’s group. Luna felt the most natural. Luna was more in sync with Amber, and it was clear to tell they have performed together before. Luna’s bubbly and upbeat personality fit well with the song. Of course, Luna is a vocalist. Her vocals suited the song well.
At the end of these performances, there are interesting interactions between Luna and Amber. Their close relationship is clearly obvious. To add, Luna’s outfits are just as quirky as Amber’s, which added that f(x) flair.
Though Amber said she really wanted to work with new people this time, for f(x) fans, it was a dream come true to at least see two members from the group together on the same stage. f(x) comes out with ONE comeback a year after all.
Amber featuring Ailee
This was the one and only performance Amber had with Ailee, and yet it was a powerful one. Ailee made the song her own rather than following the “standard”. Ailee is known as the “Beyonce of Korea”, and her vocals were clearly shown in this performance.
To add, her chemistry with Amber was noticeable. She and Amber are best friends, according to Amber. Rather than seeming like Ailee was featuring in the performance, it almost seemed like a fun duo between friends. This performance is so impressive, it’s hard not to watch it more than once. Amber and Ailee seemed really excited to be performing together, and this performance seemed like it was the most fun.
Ailee’s asset is also the fact that she speaks English very well.
Amber featuring Lovelyz’s Kei
Kei is even more of a rookie than Wendy, but she took up the challenge. Kei is probably more similar to Taeyeon as far as performances. Lovelyz sort of reminds me of SNSD. They both give off an element of “sweet charm”. The difference is that Kei is even more adorable! Her performance with Amber was charming as well as entertaining. That ending bit though! So charismatic! And very energetic! Kei brings so much energy to this performance.
Kei gives it her all with her vocals. Kei helped in providing the entertainment for our final “Last Brass” week. She gave her cute, “lovely” addition to it. It really suited the upbeat song well. She felt like the perfect girl to attract a young and lively crowd.
So now that the promotion weeks are coming to a close (hu hu 😥 ), I just have to ask: Which did you like? Give me reasons for why you liked that stage! Who would you have LIKED to see Amber perform with? I’ve heard a lot of people say f(x)’s Krystal…
Amber’s appearance on Mnet’s 4Gaji has been circling everywhere across the internet. Many K-poppers get the chance to get inside the mind and heart of K-pop star Amber of f(x). Amber’s album just dropped more than a week ago, and already she has received attention for her “hidden” vocal abilities, her popularity within the music video “Shake That Brass”, and her very personal and intimate feelings in the song “Beautiful”. To promote the album, Amber has been performing on Korean music programs, has become involved in fan signing, and has allowed shows like After School Club and 4Gaji to understand the meaning behind her album even more.
Ailee, Got7’s Jackson, Miss A’s Min, Crayon Pop’s Ellin and Eric Nam, some of Amber’s closest friends, also reveal hidden secrets about the artist on the 4gaji show. Amber also shows us her new Music Video for her song “Beautiful”.
Check out the episode below if you missed it February 24!
With two months of tumultuous drama, f(x) Amber’s solo debut crept up on me! Before I know it, I hear that Amber’s ALBUM has dropped! I had heard that Amber’s solo was due to come out in February, but so much had happened, I was taken off guard. Anyway, I immediately purchased the album as soon as it dropped.
I suppose it’s a good thing I was so busy. Last year, when I was anticipating f(x)’s Red Light comeback, I was so anxious and excited, I couldn’t stand waiting.
This time, it showed up at the right time, right when I needed a smile on my face.
f(x)’s Amber is considered the “charming” tomboy of the f(x) group. She debuted with her group in 2009 and has garnered much attention since then.
Amber is one of the few females in K-pop who presents a “boyish”, or rather comfortable, image. Within f(x), she already stands out. But among other female K-pop idols, she is also very unique. This made her popular first. What added to this imagery, was her likable personality. Amber is known as a “social butterfly” in K-pop. Who DOESN’T know Amber? She knows everybody! She has featured in others’ music videos often, collaborated with several artists, is always asked to MC for shows, and everyone calls her “friend”. She is liked among her fellow idols, but also among those idols’ fans.
Amber has “layers” to her personality, and that makes her interesting. She’s funny, she’s always showing herself having fun, and she has the “heart of a teenage girl”, as one Korean radio station put it. In other words, she’s very youthful and high-spirited. She’s straightforward and down-to-earth, but has also shown herself to be understanding and open-minded. Although Amber has a tomboyish side (where she likes basketball, skateboarding, taekwondo, and wears baggy clothing), she has also shown more feminine sides to herself (where she enjoys cute doggies and stuffed animals, enjoys shopping, and doesn’t mind wearing heels here and there). All of these qualities make Amber interesting to people.
Amber has a “humble” air about her. She’s an idol, but acts like a fan. She’s a queen, but mingles with commoners. She’s a senior, but makes friends with rookie idols. She has many talents, but hides them quietly. K-poppers can only fall in love with her.
Thus, it was no surprise that Amber was the first f(x) member to go solo…
Well, it may have been shocking for some…
Amber is known as the “rapper” of the f(x) group. Many people only knew Amber as a rapper. Some other f(x) members, such as Luna and Krystal, were better known for their vocal and dancing abilities. To add, Amber never had the perfect female idol “look” or image. To add even more to that, Amber is from the USA. Her accent and language skills are not as fluent as some of the other members. Some people assumed Luna or Krystal would be the first to debut for these reasons.
So, there are some who don’t know what to expect from this album. I’ll bet people’s expectations are very low, which will be good. Why is this good? Because it will be fun to see the surprised look on many K-poppers’ faces when they actually hear this album.
The title of the album is Beautiful, which is the name of the first track on the album. It suits the album. I’ll explain why later…
First, like I do with every review, I want to review the debut as a whole. I usually start with the teaser images and overall packaging…Especially when it comes to f(x) and their members…
If you want to read reviews about f(x)’s other albums, click the links below:
As you all may know (or not), f(x) is a group from “powerhouse” label SM Entertainment that pulled me into the Korean Wave officially. I’d always been interested in BoA since 2003, but I purchased more of her Japanese material than I did her Korean material (though I enjoyed both). I’d heard about f(x) on one of BoA’s fan websites. I didn’t initially take off with them…At first, I just couldn’t understand the big deal with the K-pop group craze. But then…
Amber. Yes. I was doing an article about androgynous fashion. I was super interested in that sort of look. Amber was one of the first women to pop up on google when I was looking up artists who embrace the style. My interest in her grew. Later, I found out she was from the USA, the same country I’m from. Her English made it easy for me to relate to her. Soon, I’d given many of f(x)’s songs a chance. I heard some good stuff.
f(x) is an unconventional group. In other words, you never know what to expect from them. I can honestly tell you to expect the unexpected when it comes to their solo debuts as well.
So, yes, it seems that I might be a little bias in this article. But I just want to be honest: I will give it what I think it deserves. I may be a fan of f(x), but as most of my readers know, it doesn’t mean I thought everything f(x) came out with was perfect. You may have gathered that if you read the reviews above…
With all of that aside…
There is only one way of putting this debut: It’s very “Amber”. If you know Amber, she is lively, bold, and colorful. She presents herself confidently, even when she is not really feeling that way. The teaser images for Amber show Amber’s unique and humorous personality. She is seen wearing her usual comfortable clothing and everything is absolutely colorful. Amber’s favorite color is red, and so we see a lot of that color in the photos. Amber reveals her striking charisma throughout the debut.
Most people have seen the “Shake That Brass” MV that accompanies the album and promotes Amber’s debut.The MV has received a lot of attention for reflecting Amber’s personality to a “T”. Amber shows all of her interests: She plays basketball in the MV and hangs out with all of her friends. There is even a reference for her affectionate nickname given by fans, Llama.
Amber has stated in her mini biography: “Creating a stage where there are no restrictions is my dream. And it doesn’t even have to be on a real stage, a street is fine. Just as long as it’s a place where everyone can join in and have fun!” In this MV, Amber seems to be living out her dreams. The song and overall style of the MV is without the normal K-pop restrictions. Everyone seems to be having genuine fun. The most genuine person is Amber herself.
In interviews, Amber revealed the freedom she had when dealing with this album. She personally asked SM for this solo debut. She personally requested Taeyeon to feature in the song “Shake That Brass”. She also wrote several songs for the album. So, this debut is pretty much ALL AMBER.
The MV included all of her friends, and all of those friends were idols themselves. Of course, her connections made this a spectacular debut.
The album itself didn’t disappoint, but it may have been a bit shocking. Just from listening to the first song, you wouldn’t expect the album to carry such substance and depth…And if you don’t know Amber well, you really wouldn’t be expecting what’s about to come next…
This album was truly for the fans. Fans have been asking for the following things FOR YEARS from Amber:
1) For Amber to sing more (Because her die-hard fans knew she could sing all along)
2) For Amber to write more music (Because her die-hard fans knew she could write music)
Fans also love Amber for her charm, youthful spirit, humor, and all of her darn K-pop connections.
Combine all of the wants and desires of fans with her personality, and this album delivered it.
This was Amber’s goal for the album: “This album is like an introduction about myself. Every track represents my experiences in life. It’s kind of album that saying ‘Hello~ I am Amber’. I hope to get a lot of support from you” (Amber).
I will review each song.
1) Beautiful
This is the first track on the album. It is also the title of the album and it was the first song Amber promoted on Twitter. In far contrast to “Shake That Brass”, “Beautiful” is a meaningful ballad with acoustic undertones. Amber personally wrote, composed, and arranged the song herself. It sounds like her style of music, if any of you are familiar with the songs she has written before.
Amber reveals to the “less-informed” her melodious voice in this song. This song is sweet, but also carries substance. Amber revealed that she wrote this song three years ago.
It’s a song that seems to focus on Amber’s struggle with having a tomboyish image and her fears of being judged. Tomboyish Amber is not like all the other girls, and she is constantly pressured by people (including fans) to be more feminine. But Amber has learned to be proud of herself and love herself. There are plenty of fans who love Amber for her tomboyish appearance and support her (that’s how she got to where she is now). But there will always be closed-minded individuals out in the world. Amber has had to deal with this. In the lyrics, she mentions how people have said “Hurtful things” and how she had to suck it up and put on a smile. However, instead of being angry at those who criticize her, the song expresses Amber’s happiness with “being herself”. The song truly is “beautiful” and inspirational. Fans who listen to the song know exactly where it is coming from. The lyric video is moving, displaying a collage of photos from when she was a little girl, photos during her debut, and her new, more mature images for Red Light. Amber thus shows us how much she has blossomed. This song reveals a side of Amber most don’t know or understand. It reveals the first part of Amber’s personality.
This song is tasteful and refined. I love this song. It brings tears to my eyes. This is a must-listen.
Amber has a brief rap segment in the song. It almost feels as if Amber is featuring herself. lol ❤ doe.
2) Shake That Brass
This is the promoted song and the second track off of the album. I can see why this song was promoted first. 1) It is the only upbeat song on the album. 2) It reflects the “Amber” personality everyone knows and loves the MOST. She gives us the “rapping” Amber that she’s known for.
The song is lively and upbeat, just like Amber herself. Within the lyrics of the song, Amber refers to her “pet name” Llama, given to her by one of her fans. The whole phrase “shake that brass” is exactly something “Llama” would say on some posts on her Twitter or Instagram. The song is exactly a reflection of Amber. The first two songs on this album reveal Amber’s two very different sides.
“Brass” is in reference to a “brass” instrument. And, of course, it also is meant to be a a cover-up for “ass”.
Amber stated in a radio interview (SBS Cultwo Show) that she made this song last summer. She also said she wanted a song that talked about herself…Which was pretty obvious.
This song seems to, again, fulfill Amber’s dream of a “free stage”. It’s a song anyone can dance to. It’s not over the top. It conveys Amber’s cool and yet dorky charm. But the song is just so darn catchy. It doesn’t have the same depth and substance that the other songs have, but it certainly livens the mood a bit.
The song has the light message of letting go of all of your troubles for awhile, just having a good time, and letting go of shyness.
For some, the song seems a bit out of place on the album. But I thought it fit well with an album that is meant to reveal more about the artist.
Amber sort of reminds me of Will Smith in her rapping style and with how fun she is. Songs like “Switch” and “Getting Jiggy With It” come to mind immediately.
This song is featuring Girls’ Generation (SNSD)’s Taeyeon. I personally enjoyed hearing her voice in the song. I thought it added some sparkle. But there are a lot of people who hoped that Amber would do all the singing and rapping by herself, which is understandable. Many people are hoping that Amber herself would shine for her title song, rather than letting the vocals of an SNSD member shine. Some people felt Taeyeon was a random debut because most people do not understand Taeyeon’s relationship to Amber or the song. Personally, I felt her vocals made the song great.
Amber personally asked Taeyeon to be in her song. She was thinking over who she wanted, and thought Taeyeon would be perfect. This works for live performances. Amber is not used to performing alone, and said she needed someone around to critique her. I think having a feature in the title makes Amber feel more secure about the performance. She’s used to working in a team. I think Taeyeon is the perfect teammate. Taeyeon is her senior and has experience with music.
3) Love Run
This song is one of my favorites. Amber’s English shines in this song. It’s a moving, soft pop number, revealing Amber’s soft vocal abilities yet again. I absolutely love this song. It reminds me of some of Utada’s songs, like the “Flavor of Life”. And y’all know how much I love me some Utada.
Amber’s vocals also shine in this song, and it’s surprisingly catchy for a soft tune.
Believe it or not, this song was said to be based on a drama about a dog. XD All of Amber’s fans know how much Amber loves dogs. This song has thus become an addition to the album as a reflection of Amber’s personality. Amber seriously has a soft spot for those little dogsies.
I’ve really enjoyed how deeply personal and expressive the album is…
4) Heights
This song also reveals Amber’s vocals, but it is more of a synth-pop number. The song is really catchy. It is one of my personal favorites. The song seems to be about Amber’s time as an idol. One line mentions how tired she gets sometimes, but then it seems in the bridge she mentions how others remind her to keep pushing forward. She even mentions that sometimes she gets scared. This song seems to be about her long, hard journey through K-pop, and thus another puzzle piece to Amber’s whole picture is revealed.
The song is encouraging in a wistful way. It both makes the listener reflect on days gone, but also encourages the listener to keep moving forward. Man, so many songs take me to another world. Amber’s voice is addictive as well.
5) I Just Wanna
The final track of the album (Yea, I know just five songs, right?) is “I Just Wanna”. Does this song sound familiar to you? That’s because there was a song called “Good-bye Summer” from f(x)’s Pink Tape album with the same sound.
What most people didn’t know is that Amber wrote this song originally in English. It was called “I Just Wanna” before it ever became “Good-bye Summer”, re-written and translated for a Korean audience. Plenty of f(x) and Amber fans got wind of this and were upset that Amber did not get a chance to sing it. In “Good-bye Summer”, it was sort of hijacked by Krystal, Luna, and EXO’s D.O. Everyone felt it was sad that Amber wrote a song and didn’t even sing her own song. Fans begged and pleaded for the full English version.
So, this caters to the English-speaking fans, and makes this album multilingual.
Well, surprise, surprise! Amber put the song on her debut album! This is “fanservice”. That, in itself, shows that Amber is very connected with her fans and their interests.
The song itself feels a little different from “Good-bye Summer”. It adds Amber’s personality in there. “Good-bye Summer” focused on friends who love each other but can’t seem to tell each other. “I Just Wanna” was also about friends who love each other, but it’s not as evident that the feelings can’t be expressed. One line says, “I wish I could say these things to you”, so the two lovers can’t quite get their feelings across in the English version either.
Eric Nam featured on this track. Eric Nam and Amber did a phenomenal job with their duet. I always knew Eric Nam was an amazing vocalist, but he and Amber harmonize their voices well. They are best friends after all, so it’s only natural that they would sing so well together and convey the feelings of the song like it was meant to sound.
The interesting part is that Eric Nam is NOT an SM artist. Since when has an artist from another unrelated label featured in a SM album? SM, the Korean label that Amber is under, usually recruits artists within their label as features on fellow label mates’ albums. “Good-bye Summer”, the Korean cover of this song, featured an EXO member.
I wonder if B2M is getting some of the profits from this song…
Well, that’s it. I know. That is all. This is an EP, so it was not meant to be too long. But honestly, everything was so good, I really wanted more.
Overall, the album had some amazing surprises. The concept and overall feeling of the debut was very true to Amber. It was genuine. The concept was not at all surprising or different from what most fans expected, but Amber was definitely being herself. The most surprising sides to the album were the number of ballads and soft pop numbers introduced on the album. And not one song is horrible. Most of the songs are beautiful and meaningful, hence why I think “Beautiful” was the perfect album title. To add, I think this album showed Amber’s natural beauty and the things that make her attractive as an artist. She’s a rapper, singer, song-writer, and composer. She also speaks both Korean and English throughout the album, appealing to a wide-ranged audience. All of these talents and skills are valuable in K-pop, and even somewhat rare to find, especially among female K-pop artists. Thus, the album itself is valuable.
The only disappointment was that there were only five songs. This lead to other disappointments. Because there were only five songs, it was lacking in variety. Only one song was upbeat. The other songs were softer. If there are people out there who hate ballads and soft songs, they may be disappointed to find only ONE upbeat song. But that doesn’t necessarily take away from the album. The songs are high quality and really good. This is a strong debut album and shows Amber’s professionalism. She has music experience, and this album shows it.
I give this album a 9/10. It is a very professional album. The songs are amazing, surprising, and shows the best of Amber’s talents. Amber’s inner beauty shines, making the title, “Beautiful”, perfect. The only issue is the lack of variety and the fact that this is not a full album, which are not major issues, just my preference. The overall album is a must-listen. I recommend this album to all K-poppers. It’s the perfect debut from a solo female artist, and possibly my favorite.
f(x)’s Amber has finally released her first solo music video and, so far, it caught the attention of fans from many different K-pop fandoms from many different labels.
Many Youtubers have stated how “unique” Amber’s video is in comparison to other K-pop MVs released by other female K-pop stars, especially in comparison to other female “group” idols who have gone solo.
The song and music video has generally received positive reception from both fans and newcomers.
There are SIX reasons why many people considered this mv unique and why it stood out:
1) Amber herself made the MV unique. She was not dressed in skimpy, overly sexual attire. She did not dance overtly sexy nor overtly cute, which is usually the case in K-pop, especially solo debuts. She was her genuine self, and nothing seemed forced. Amber is known as the “tomboy” of the f(x) group, but that is all the more reason the feeling of the MV was so different. She was seen wearing baggy, colorful clothing. Therefore, emphasis was put on the story-telling, the talents, and the overall happy feeling of the song. Her personality shined more than anything.
2) Amber plays basketball in the MV. This may not seem like much, but how many K-pop females play sports in their music videos? Really, tell me, who ever did it before Amber? None of the other females. In K-pop, it’s very rare to find women who are sporty or tomboyish.
3) All of those cameo appearances, doe! There have been cameo appearances in other MVs (like from Sistar’s Touch My Body). But this MV is just packed full of K-pop idols! It will certainly draw in a crowd from many different fandoms. Amber seems to be living the dream she always wanted to live since her debut: “Creating a stage where there are no restrictions is my dream. And it doesn’t even have to be on a real stage, a street is fine. Just as long as it’s a place where everyone can join in and have fun!”
4) All of those cameo appearances, doe (again)! And from different labels, too! Has SM EVER allowed artists from different labels to feature in their videos? This is like giving promotion to their rivals, right? Either Amber has so much creative freedom, she can decide who and what she wants in her MV, or she’s just good at charming the pants off of the people at SM. This makes this MV stand out ten times more! I honestly saw some artists from JYP, B2M Entertainment, and plenty others. Amber brought K-pop together in a unique way. The atmosphere was friendly, and that’s appealing to fans.
5) The song is upbeat, fun, and fabulous for all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The song is absolutely catchy. There are also quite a few famous dances, such as the “Nae Nae”.
6) For those who weren’t prepared, YA FOUND OUT Amber speaks perfect English. Why? Because she’s from the USA, that’s why. So, she’s also one of the first female foreign artists from a group to go solo as well. This also makes the song stand out, especially for those who weren’t prepared for such perfect English…
The STARS OF THE MUSIC VIDEO:
1) Amber herself (of course)
2) Taeyeon (who featured and supplied her amazing voice and gorgeous looks)
3) g.o.d.’s Joon Park, who starts the song off playing his instrument wonky. Amber had to straighten him out.
4) Got7’s Jackson Wang…Dat face doe! XD Priceless! I mean, he is “Wild and Sexy”, after all…
OTHER MAJOR CAMEOS:
Hyoyeon (SNSD)
Min and Jia (Miss A)
Brad (Busker Busker)
Woori (Rainbow)
Aron (NU’EST)
Rome (C-Clown)
Ellin (Crayon Pop)
Irene Kim (Model with pastel hair)
Ahn Young Mi (Comedian)
In Amber’s performances, the following ladies made an appearance:
Red Velvet’s Wendy (Woot! She finally gets a chance to showcase her own individual talents! Get it gurl!)
f(x)’s Luna ( 😉 I guess they heard the fans’ cries, since so many people asked for Amber to perform with one of her fellow members. Such a surprise!)
I feel that Amber’s solo is turning out to be exactly what fans were hoping for. Some fans have said they were hoping for more, but most people were pretty satisfied.
Check out how K-pop fans reacted to Amber’s “Shake That Brass”!
Amber’s other song, “Beautiful”, is also amazing, and many people should check it out.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you all think about Amber’s new solo debut!
Excuzie, Attention ERRbody! f(x)’s Amber Liu is the first f(x) member to debut solo. Her album will drop February 13, 2015 online and February 16, 2015 for hard copies! SNAP, CRACKLE, AND POP! The anticipated debut is really happening, and fans are eagerly counting down before her debut.
On February 12, 2015, before her official debut, she will begin radio programs to promote “Beautiful” and will also have a “Mention Party” for fans on Twitter only. Amber will then start promoting “Shake That Brass” on KBS’s Music Bank, SBS’s Inkigayo, and MBC’s Show Champion.
She will be the first female from a SM Entertainment group to debut solo. This is for some, who were expecting other more “Korean” members to debut first (or more well-known members to debut first), surprising news, but for most fans, it was one of the most anticipated solo debuts in K-pop! Many fans were wishing Amber would have a solo debut for years now.
Most people know Amber Liu as the charming and immensely popular tomboy of the f(x) group.
From watching music videos, people might only know her as the “rapper” of f(x). But, as most of my readers know, I have done some research on the woman and have gathered a “portfolio” of sorts revealing all of her talents, both recognized and “hidden”.
This album features Girls’ Generation (SNSD) member Taeyeon and Eric Nam, one of Amber’s best friends.
Amber is promoting the songs “Beautiful” and “Shake That Brass”.
“Beautiful”, also the title of the mini album, is a song Amber said she has “held on to for three years”. The song was written, composed, and arranged by her. Amber has always received praise for her lyrical abilities. She wrote the song “Good-bye Summer” for f(x)’s Pink Tape album and “Summer Lover” for f(x)’s Red Light album.
On Amber’s Twitter, she gave a hint as to what “Beautiful” means.
This song is a soft ballad with a rap, just like “Good-bye Summer”. It’s different from the upbeat pop songs f(x) usually promotes. Amber’s “angelic” voice shines through. She released a lyric video for the song.
The second song, “Shake That Brass” will be featuring Taeyeon from Girls’ Generation (SNSD). This is the song that will come with a music video. The first teaser for the mv shows Amber’s unique humor and youthful spirit. The second teaser shows a more “cool” side to Amber. The third teaser shows Amber’s charm and popularity. She seriously knows everybody in K-pop and is well-liked. The song is more upbeat and quirky than “Beautiful”. She also had a hand in the song-writing for “Shake That Brass”. The overall mv combines these elements, creating the perfect introduction for Amber as a solo artist.
So far, I really like that two different songs will be promoted. In this debut, Amber is revealing two different sides to her already: one that is meaningful and personal, and the other that is fun and humorous. It really gives me high expectations for the album. I assume we will be hearing a variety of different genres and we will be exploring the many layers of f(x)’s Amber. This is really her time to shine.
The one thing that’s very “f(x)” about the debut are the colorful outfits. Amber brings out her lively personality in vibrant colors and tomboyish couture. She sports some “red, white, and blue” which pays homage to the nation she was born and raised in. To add, Amber is back to her blonde hair. Of all the hair colors that Amber sports, blonde is the most common hair color she has had. It fits with her sunny nature, being a Cali girl and all…
With blonde highlights…
Amber wears glasses, so she makes use of them in the first teaser.
So far, the reception has been overall positive. Very few people have negative things to say. That is a plus. Who can really hate Amber, doe?
My only anxiety about group artists going solo is the threat it has on the security of the group. I hope f(x) will promote and make music together, despite solo debuts.
Other than that one anxiety, I love me some Amber! ❤ In fact, I love the whole Liu fam! Follow Jackie Liu’s Youtube Channel, Jackie X Soy as well!
Too bad. Afterwards, he seems to get the chills from consuming too much ice cream while left alone in the shop! Poor Youngjae! He’s so sweet. I’m sure there are plenty of girls out in the world who appreciate his generosity and thoughtfulness.
Generation Next 