KMK: Rain & Lee Hyori Big Comeback

Don’t call it a comeback! Okay, yeah you can actually, but really these two superstars never really left! Two of South Korea’s hottest K-Pop giants have new shiny albums.

First up is Rain; my BFWDNI (boy friend who doesn’t know it). Rain’s new album is called Back to Basics. Don’t get confused with Christina’s album of the same name! She went all old school Nineteen forties on us, but Rain doesn’t have time for all that. The forties are over. If you want to listen to it try the oldies channel. Rain’s Back to Basics is modern and now. He says it’s all about returning to his roots and recapturing the magic that inspired him to do what he does.

This is  Rain’s  seventh album to drop in only 8 years! He’s practically Rhianna like cause she releases so many albums it never seems like she goes away. Rain knows when it’s time to hit the movie screens, or to just fade away for a bit, before surprising us with something new! He’s even written some of the lyrics for the tracks.

1. Love Song
2. Hip Song
3. One
4. 똑같아 / Same
5. Love Song (English Version)

Okay, so not very flashy but they’re to the point! Her’e’s the video:

The video is so dramatic! The lyrics are so touching! I think he’s dead in the video because he sings about not being able to touch the girl, but she’s like right there or maybe he’s remembering her. Who cares! If Rain’s ghost was stalking me in my home I wouldn’t just lay there like that lady. I’d pull out the Ouija board and start a seance!

Things switch up  with Rain’s moody dance routine. I swear Rain is the only artist I know who can dance to a ballad! He should teach Christina some of those moves. And you just know he’d tired you out in all the right places with moves like that! Right? Yes! The girl just lays there immune to everything he does even when the shirt comes off! The Ninja Assassin abs may be gone but things still look better than fantastic!

Next up is Lee Hyori (이효리) who is dropping her fourth album H-logic! I’m glad she’s back! In K-Pop land if a girl reaches the big 30 it’s like they want to put her in the old folks home with granny. Meanwhile, the guys get to flaunt, strut, and generally do whatever they want like JYP who will be dancing well into his fifties, I think. And good for him! I just think the girls should be able to do it too and Hyori is doing her thing.

The new album is supposed to be her most creative to date bridging all kinds of musical genres into one cohesive piece of art! Sounds good on paper but it’s the ear that counts! Her first single is another ballad like Rain. It’s called Swing, but don’t let the upbeat title fool you it really is a melancholy song. Check it out:

I really like this track and the rap by hip hop duo Lee Sssang sets it off. Still, the Clown is a little bit freaky and out of place. Why have a clown? Does symbolize her ex? What’s the deal Hyori? Is the clown your past catching up with you? Anyway, the horns in this really gives the song an unexpected brilliance. Don’t you think?

Here is the teaser for H-Logic!

Some netizens are crying foul saying she’s subbing for Lady Gaga! Whatever, that’s just wrong. They’re saying the same about Christina’s album Bionic. Lets just set things straight: Lady Gaga always seemed to be a combo of Madonna and Bjork. It’s like she put them in a juicer, mixed ’em up together, and drank the result to become both of them. In the teaser the question is clearly asked: Who is Hyori? She’s obviously using the “style” of a few other artists to pose the question which the album will answer. That’s my take anyway.