I admit to not being well-versed in Korean popular music. I further admit that my vision and hearing have been focused on and tuned into MBLAQ since I discovered who they were and what they were about. I felt then that I was experiencing the cream of the crop. That there was no need to explore further because MBLAQ, and specifically G.O, were satisfying all of my Korean music needs and yes, I was hooked. I dabbled and listened to other Korean pop groups here and there, but I always found myself returning to MBLAQ. To me they sounded different. Better. Honest. And although I love so many of their songs – so much so that it is next to impossible to choose a favorite, I have to agree that Oh Yeah, 전쟁이야 [This Is War] and Mona Lisa are perhaps some of their most iconic ~ at least in the non-ballad category of their extensive catalog. There are many performances of these three songs worthy of revisiting. For today though, I am choosing the 21 October 2012 GS & Concert performances because in addition to sounding fierce and intense, G.O’s stage presence was equally powerful and disarming.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 393”
I know that MBLAQ’s heart-wrenching break up song 녹 [Rust] is an absolute group effort but I cannot help but single out G.O’s haunting vocals in the unplugged version that was the closing song on the group’s last recorded album as a five-man group, Winter. The level of sorrow heard in his voice is palatable. Admittedly, I could not listen to the song for a long time. I found it to be extremely telling with regard to circumstances the group was facing at the time the album was released. For me, there will always be sadness connected to Rust, but I cannot deny the absolute beauty of G.O’s voice which among the five, carries the most honesty in interpreting the heartache of a break up. I am biased indeed – but if you listen closely, you will hear it as well, and agree. In all of its sadness, it is another amazing G.O Vocal Virtuosity moment.
If I had my choice of the kind of variety programs I would most prefer seeing G.O grace, it would have to be those that are focused on utilizing his voice, intelligence and humor. His voice is a given. Any time G.O is given the opportunity to sing off the stage is going to thrill me just as much as if he is on the stage. Letting the man use his wit and intelligence pushes his attractiveness quotient up exponentially. G.O’s humor will accompany him each and every time, no matter what the forum, this is true. But those shows that have an eye towards thoughtful subject matter that call upon knowledge say, over opinion . . . well, I love to watch G.O exercise his mind power. When he and Joon guest MC-ed on KBS2 TV’s 위기탈출 넘버원 [Crisis Escape No. 1], we got to see G.O tap into his reasoning and knowledge bank a little, and do so with charm and humor.
The Fangirl Lane 