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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2014 10:31:44 GMT
Hi everyone,
I've been thinking that Japanese artists usually have less powerful voices than their Korean counterparts. I said usually, because I can think of Japanese acts like lecca, Pushim, Miho Fukuhara, Superfly, who all have distinctive and poweful vocals. (lecca shouldn't be here because she's mainly a rapper, I know.)
So, you see many Kpop singers who sing as well if not better than many Japanese singers. (I like Daichi but I know he ain't THE sh*t). No need to list the Korean ones, there's too many lol Now I'm NOT a kpop fan. Really. I'm mainly into K-R&B and hip hop. What I'm saying is that Korea puts more emphasis on vocal performance for its pop soloists in general, wheras Japan is more about the music or feel-good-ness. Unless we're talking about Enka. Yup I'm generalizing, because AKB whatever isn't good music at all, and most kpop groups have a few members who can't really sing. But I'm not talking about the idol scene, I'm talking about the soloists. Feel free to disagree and defend your opinion
Is it because of the food? You know, Japanese food is bland (from my experience in restaurants) whereas Korean food is spicy, even very spicy. Is that it? LOL
OK, you see what I mean See my theory is crazy and unscientific, but I find it funny at least. Or maybe it's the cultures, I get more intensity in Korea than in Japan whenever I watch dramas.
I love Japanese music (urban, electro and "jazzy") but yeah, it's something I noticed. The legendary pop singers in Japan are Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro who are not really good vocalists. OK, there's Ayaka Hirahara and then MISIA but I've never heard a powerful song from her. In Korea, you have Park Hyo Shin, Big Mama, Kim Bum Soo, Lena Park who all SLAY. There's also Insooni, Kim Yu Na (Jaurim leader) and new ones like Ailee.
On the plus side, Japan allows more room for distinctive voices (good or bad lol) than Korea.
Now, music wise, I'd take Japan. But for the vocals I'd take Korea.
Thoughts? Am I crazy?
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2014 2:28:00 GMT
Agreed. South Korea has a fantastic group of soloists (BoA, and their first and second generation groups are as equally talented as well (CSJH The Grace, TVXQ, JYJ, Brown Eyed Girls, Sunny Hill, Davichi) but their music quality is terrible. I think it's because artists in Korea rely way too much on gimmick and looks which tends to overshadow the actual talent and make the music second tier. You will hear more about plastic surgery, dieting and whose has the most banging bod or aegyo than who released a great album, who really showed off a new side to themselves.
I mean, how many talented people are put down for not being "pretty or handsome" enough?
Versus Japan where beauty, style and sound come in all kinds; and everything is generally appreciated (though Japan has a HUGE media market). Their music and lyrics are always better too, and K-idols who have swarmed into JPOP receive a significant musical boost in their J-releases. JPOP singers though, do not own a strong base of vocal singers.
But that brings up the question: Good singers with bad songs or decent singer with great songs? (I'd go for the latter).
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kuropie972
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Post by kuropie972 on Mar 7, 2014 12:25:09 GMT
Kpop concentrate a lot in Vocal that's true but a lot of them have vocal issues and bad technique. For me apart from group like Big Mama, the Grace, Davichi and soloist like Bada (from SES) and other because I can't seems to remember them right now, they are above mediocre. As for Jpop I like the vocalist from Dream Come True (Miwa Yoshida) she has a distinct voice that you can recognize. Back in the 80s and 90s there was a lot of good song with good vocalist when I listen to City Hunter soundtrack it's so good.
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kuropie972
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Post by kuropie972 on Mar 7, 2014 12:26:38 GMT
Also Korean love high notes even if it's bad or the vocalist is straining like hell I think they've influence a lot by Ballad from the states and powerhouse like Whitney, Mariah and Celine.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2014 19:12:50 GMT
Admin I agree with everything you said though I wouldn't put BoA in it. Groups like FTIsland have really bland Korean music but better Japanese music for example. I think it's a pity, such a pity that great singers are wasted talents, because their music is so freakin' boring and outdated. Depending on my mood, I could choose the "boring" song with great vocals. Korea really needs to improve their pop music productions. kuropie972 Would you say that some 80s and 90s Japanese singers are as good as Big Mama or just powerful? Any names? I'm curious. I like this dude (very famous but I forgot his name): www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDA-x9Urx8As for bad technique of some Korean ballad singers, that's true. I've always found most Korean ballads awkward and not appealing. So which Korean singers have bad techinque according to you? Diss time! Please don't say Kim Bum Soo...please just kidding you can say whatever you want I don't think that bad technique represents most Korean strong vocalists though nowadays but back in the day yes. But straining is definitely there, I really agree. Wheesung is one of them, I like him but I do feel sorry for him sometimes, especially after his vocal cords surgery. I also tend to "feel" Korean vocals more easily, the good ones, but when I listen to Japanese singers (especially the pop ones) I tend to focus on the music, not on their voices (usually boring). I'm not all about perfection, as long as I'm feeling the vocals then I'm in. And I'm not saying that having a big powerful voice is the best thing ever (a la Whitney Houston). I also love mild "mastered" vocals that catch your attention, distinctive ones, soulful ones, fragile or tough ones, unusual ones.
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kuropie972
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Post by kuropie972 on Mar 7, 2014 21:41:44 GMT
Don't get me wrong I love me some Korean singer I like Sohyang, the guys Brown eyes soul, 2BIC,Kwill ... as for Japanese vocalist like said before I really like Miwa Yoshida from Dream Comes true, Matsuko Mawatari- Homework_ga_owaranai yu yu hakusho ending Kahoru Kohiruimaki- Ai yo kienaide Kiyomi Suzuki- give me your love Momoko Kitadai-footsteps Jennifer Cihi Name of the game Mayumi Hashimoto Rhaxephon Kokia Kalafina (that's the most recent for me 2007) Eri Sugai I am like even if I like my Whitney and Mariah (I don't like when people cover it's a mess) I like mild vocals lights people can cover and show emotion when they sings that's the most important thing for me. As far as my little knowledge goes Most idols are straining when they get to sing from D5/E5 and breathing issue they breath support. Lena Park is not that great, her vibrato is so fast damn, the guys from 4men straining so bad Changmin from TVXQ also straining. After that I don't know a lot of people. If you want to know more go on this page because they know better than me and they talk about a lot of artists in Kpop and pop in general. onehallyu.com/index.php?/topic/552-official-vocals-thread-read-op-first/
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2014 21:06:31 GMT
Thank you for this list, I'll check them out! I already know Kokia, you have good taste. Well, idols having bad technique or straining is kind of a given...I'm not interested in them lol I've always thought something was wrong with Lena Park's voice, fortunately it reinforces my point of view, but I like some of her songs. Thanks for the link, 700+ pages though " The OP was awesome though.
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Post by Bunny on Mar 10, 2014 2:46:06 GMT
KPOP is "known" for their vocalist but honestly, they have terrible technique - the rappers scream, the lead and main vocalists screeches and the others go in and out of pitch, breathlessly. BUT I have to admit, KPOP makes "catchier" music.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2014 20:23:03 GMT
I agree that Korean idols have catchier music than Japanese idols, but for the soloists and non idol groups it's the contrary.
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kuropie972
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Post by kuropie972 on Mar 16, 2014 12:49:32 GMT
I wanted to add that most Korean singer are one dimensional they always sing the same way, there is no variety in they singing. They focus a lot on high notes but being a vocalist is not doing high notes but being able to use your voice in any range and to be comfortable in any part of your range. Korean are really impressed when people make high notes even if they strained most of the time. Most of them don't use their Head voice and also most of them have zero lower range whatsoever it's just pure air.
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