It has been awhile since I have visited Broken which is why I felt like a Vocal Virtuosity moment today. And, 둘이라서 [Because We Are Two] is on my mind, probably because it recently rotated in during a shuffle play of tracks on my MBLAQ playlist after being absent for awhile. Hearing G.O’s wonderful composition with his crystal clear and powerful vocals at the helm was all I needed to make sure it found it’s place in the VV archives before I close this countdown out.
Today may be G.O’s 519th day of military service, but it is also the one year anniversary of his recording studio. Yes, one year ago today we all discovered that G.O created a space ~ no, more like a gorgeous sanctuary to create, compose, write and record music. If you recall, the night before he left for training camp, G.O opened a chat room in MBLAQ’s Daum Cafe wherein he mentioned that after two year’s time he was not sure he would return as a singer. News of his recording studio may not have be the convincing factor that he would return as a singer, but it made one thing perfectly clear to me: G.O’s passion for music was solidly intact. And, with his many survival reports since he has powered up his studio, it is clear G.O spends a great deal of time in it nurturing his creativity.
Eloquence is described as being good with words and expressing things in a pleasing or persuasive manner. It can also be described as possessing the quality of graceful expression. I have always appreciated G.O’s soft spoken manner and even when there are times I do not understand a word, I still hear eloquence. Continuing my look back at June 2015 and specifically the comeback release of MBLAQ’s Mirror, I revisit today some of G.O’s eloquent excerpts from ArirangTV’s Pop In Seoul interview of MBLAQ wherein he talked about the evolution of the group and of course, the music.
We were but eight days into April when G.O surprised us with another update. He is truly spoiling us, don’t you agree? But I am not complaining. This lovely selca came in the wee hours of the morning actually of 9 April 2017 while most in the east were asleep and most of us in the west were wide awake with our day well under way. For this reason, I was actually thrilled to have that 14 hour time difference between Chicago and Seoul!
Today is a special day for me. It is a day I think I will continue to commemorate because it was on this day three years ago that I first met G.O. Yes, I am corny and nostalgic, I know. It really was sort of a life-changing event for me. A good one at that. This 413th day was originally a One Shot day on my countdown calendar, but since G.O gave us a lovely selca back on 31 March, and I am in happy anniversary to me mode, I thought I would bump the one shot back a day in order to celebrate this latest update/survival report.
I honestly do not believe I could have envisioned a better special stage than the one G.O was given during MBLAQ’s Men In Blaq concert, back in August 2011. From a visual perspective when I watch it, my first thought is always . . . my god, a star was so being born at that moment. The romantic stage backdrop, the soft lights, the elevated platform and G.O’s angelic voice were all breathtaking. G.O’s stage during that tour featured his first digital single, 내 꿈에서라도 [Even In My Dreams], and is the perfect frame and foundation for today’s Vocal Virtuosity moment on this 339th day of our amazing main vocal’s service.
What is his process? Does the melody come and then the lyrics? Are there sometimes only lyrics and no melody? Or only a melody which he gently sets aside to contemplate or place before collaborators for words? Perhaps it is a maelstrom of words and melody that collide simultaneously within his heart and soul wherein all of the parts piece together like an intrique puzzle and a song is born. Whatever his process, G.O has proven himself to be an adept lyricist and composer. Our first glimpse of his writing prowess came with Tykeys 한번만 [Only Once], but with MBLAQ, we had our first taste with 돌아올 수 없는 [Can’t Come Back], his powerful dance track composition which provided the backdrop to Mir’s lyrics. Traveling back today to Blaq Style ~ 3D Edition, to honor Composer G.O.
I recall feeling a rush of absolute excitement when the charmers of MBLAQ released the track list for their 8th mini album, Mirror, and there was a song penned by G.O entitled, I Know You Want Me. I could not even begin to wrap my brain (or emotions) around the fact that he wrote a song with a seemingly provocative title. And, he gave that song an English title. The anticipation of hearing a new G.O composition was overwhelming . . . I could hardly wait!
Inasmuch as writing about G.O has become a necessary habit, I did not anticipate the well of emotion that I would experience while doing so while being in Seoul. I tried very hard to have as many posts ready to publish prior to my arrival, but I have to be honest, I am kind of happy I get to write while here in Seoul. While it is not adding any new dimension to how I write (or what I write for that matter), I do feel different while doing so. It is 17 October 2016, my 13th day in Seoul, and G.O’s 243rd day of service. No, I have not seen him but just being in the same city (and time zone) makes me pretty happy! Today, I honor composer G.O by ruminating on the heartbreaking 기도 [Prayer] from Love Beat.
I think one of the main reasons I love Broken so much is that the men of MBLAQ took the sensual vibe of Sexy Beat, let it mature like a fine wine and came back with sheer elegance and sophistication when they released their 6th mini album. With the smooth groove, 둘이라서 [Because There Are Two], I felt as if G.O was also maturing as a writer and composer. Coupled with that was his instinctive ability to call upon outside assistance from respected writers, composers and producers (Avengers and Radio Galaxi) to help take what was simmering in his melodically sound retro soul and give it cohesion and vibe.
