As April comes to a close and we welcome the May flowers, the Weekly Kpop JAAM team put together a special feature in which we recommend some of our favorite Korean songs to listen to.

Jenna: Big Bang – Loser

Big Bang has returned after more than three years with the first letter of their ‘MADE’ series. They released double title tracks: “Loser” and “Bae Bae”. Both songs achieved an all kill on various music charts and topped many iTunes charts around the world. “Loser” and “Bae Bae” also hit the Melon rooftop, which means that it’s being streamed a countless number of times, a combined 19 times. Congratulations to Big Bang on their successful comeback!

“Loser” reminds me of a blend between Bad Boy and Blue from their ‘Alive’ mini-album, two songs that I absolutely love. Loser reflects the real world and challenges that everyone faces, loneliness and sadness following a particular breakup. The chorus is sung by Seungri and both G-Dragon and T.O.P include powerful and smooth raps. Daesung and Taeyang sing the verses before the chorus and Taeyang gets the bridge. The two vocals both have such beautiful voices and truly captivate listeners.

In conclusion, I think that “Loser” captures all the parts of a song that I love, powerful and smooth rap, beautiful vocals, and a catchy chorus. I can’t stop humming the chorus and I’m so happy that Big Bang has finally made a comeback after three years, I can say that I’m well satisfied with this release and I can’t wait for next month’s next release. “Loser” perfectly showcases the multiple talents of Big Bang.

Asha: Lim Kim – Love Game

“Love Game” is one of the title songs of Lim Kim’s 3rd mini album Simple Mind. This song along with the other six songs all wonderfully exhibit Lim Kim’s unique style of music and feature her uncommon, husky tone of voice which sets her apart from other solo artists. “Love Game” is a fun, upbeat dance song with a spunky beat. Although this genre is similar to what some may consider “cookie cutter” kpop, Lim Kim’s special style shows through very clearly, making it a refreshing listening experience.

This song illustrates the frustratingly playful experience of love through the hilarious plot and brightly colored sets of the music video as well as the story-telling lyrics. Lim Kim sings about the “love game” in which one must be cautious with their plays or else they will end up hurt in the end. She is able to take a theme which could be considered sad and turn it into a humourous and lifting musical experience.

This song is definitely one of my favorites by Lim Kim, but in all honesty, every one of her songs is a joy to listen to and the great variety of style not only shows her versatility, but it keeps things interesting. For me, it’s impossible to get bored of listening to her because there’s always something new to hear if I want to. If you’re looking for a song to jam out to, “Love Game” is a great song to listen to. If a more mellow song is preferred, I highly recommend her song “Without Knowing It All”.

Angela: f(x) – Goodbye Summer [feat. D.O. of EXO]

This song is about two graduating high school students who have liked each other for a while, but never confessed to each other and expressing the regret that they never did when the school year ends. Amber raps in the middle in English, Krystal and Luna sing mainly in this song, harmonizing beautifully with D.O from EXO, and the soft tune of the guitar in the background flows well with their vocals.

“Goodbye Summer” is a soft, melodious song that a lot of us can relate to, because this song is well-known for its innocent, first love-like lyrics.

Maddy: Eddy Kim – The Manual

“The Manual” is one of my favorite songs and Eddy Kim one of my favorite singers. I might go as far to say that this song is my all-time favorite. The slow, acoustic track is a far cry from the fast-paced dance singles that kpop is known for, but its sweet lyrics combined with Eddy Kim’s vocal talent make for a soothing love song that entrapped me upon first listen.

The lyrics, written by Eddy Kim himself, unfold into a guide to romance that instruct the proper way to be in love. The gentle approach is both relatable and desirable, stripped of pretentiousness. It complements the music video, filmed in the scenic city of Amsterdam and features Eddy playing his guitar and singing along. It provides a relaxing escape that connects the viewer intimately with the musician.

This was a strong debut for Eddy Kim, who previously appeared on music audition program Superstar K and made it into the Top 6. The Manual did not just attract the attention of an international audience, but also sparked several covers and promotion from fellow Korean celebrities.

Whenever you have trouble sleeping or stuck inside on a rainy day, Eddy Kim’s “The Manual” is the perfect tune to fall in love with.