Musing While Cruising the Hallyu Highway
The agony of that moment when the tease of yet another western R&B song slips into the infinite and we are left wondering, what if . . . This is how I feel when I watch a backstage moment with Tykeys where G.O not only showed his playful maknae side, he also revealed how deep, lush and expansive his playbook of western songs truly was (is) when he teased with a couple lines from Craig David’s Walking Away.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 409”
While it is true that G.O has had a lot of experience being the younger brother, much of that experience comes from being the younger brother of two older sisters. Outside of perhaps his peers and well, yes of course, his brother-in-law, he has not been the younger brother to an older brother. And before you Seungholics start screaming that indeed G.O has been and is a younger brother, I will say that I see your point; but really guys, Seung Ho is only three weeks to-the-day older than G.O. I think those two perhaps view themselves on more of an equal playing field. Nevertheless, I believe with all of my heart that G.O views Seung Ho as a brother (and an older one at that) not only in the colleague/peer sense, but in a family sense. Where am I going with this you might ask? Well, since I have been showing Tykeys quite a bit of love as of late, I wanted to touch on an early younger/older brother experience. G.O was Tykeys’ maknae after all and Kim Hyun Jung indeed his hyung. When I look at early pictures of the two, as well as their overall dynamic, I am convinced G.O endeared Hyun Jung as a more than just a band mate, he was indeed family and yes, an older brother. Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 405”
Just tell me how . . . how I can rid my heart of this pain? Just tell me how, how did I not see the love right here in front of me? Just tell me how, how it is that I have only seen you as a friend? Just tell me how, how is it that I love you now? This seems to be the running theme of Tykeys’ gospel-infused R&B song, 말해버려 [Just Tell Me], one of my absolute favorite cuts on the incredibly rich and neo-soulifric Ty Project No. 1. Every song on this wonderful album that features G.O’s expressive and impassioned vocals is a Vocal Virtuosity moment and I am thrilled to have the time to expose all of them before he concludes his military service.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 402”
Gratitude is learned at very early age. I am certain most all of us were taught as children that when you receive something, you say thank you. But not all are as well-versed in the art of being gracious for things that not necessarily tangible: admiration, support, respect, love. Often we seem to forget that these too are great gifts to receive and as such should require equal gratitude even if we cannot touch them or hold them. G.O understands the art of gratitude. And I suspect it has been with him ever since his cognizance developed and he could understand the concept. He certainly understood it extremely well in the early days of his career. I thought it was a good day to share another installment of G.O’s Fabled Fan Service here on the countdown.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 372”
My recent time travel to 2007 keeps coaxing me back for more, and with good reason. I have denied myself the pleasure of sharing Tykeys’ 연상연하 [Old and Young] for almost a year now. Yes…a year!! The second single from their amazing Ty Project No. 1 is a stand out neo-soul treasure all about (what some may deem) the forbidden love between a younger man and older woman. And as many of you know, there was a MV released along with the song…starring our dreamy main vocal as the leading ‘younger’ man.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 356”
It is difficult to come by definitive and clear facts regarding everything there is to know about Tykeys. And I suppose that is all well and fine because what we do have in way of pictures and video prove to me that they were an incredibly talented neo-soul R&B sensation that simply did not get the recognition they deserved. However bad the situation was when things ended for the group, it does not take away from the fact that they gave us some incredible music in one amazing album. For this 352nd day of G.O’s service, (and Fan-Camming Friday day), I share a moment of solo work from those early days. A clip of our soulful crooner backed by a live band singing one of his favorites, Wildflower.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 352”
Other than getting the opportunity to talk about G.O every day, another plus about this series for me is going back and watching performances or MVs that I may have not watched in a good long while (or sometimes never even seen before ~ it happens). I have to admit that often times, it feels like I am experiencing the excitement of seeing these moments for the first time all over again. I woke up this morning and I really felt like hearing, seeing and experiencing some Tykeys. True, every day I rev my playlist up, there is a good chance that a Tykeys song will find its way into the shuffle – it’s a given for me. A little visual provocation will always boost the experience and such is the case when watching the MV for Tykeys’ classic R&B groove, I’m Sorry. Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 340”
As time continues to move further away from the year 2007 – a year that I am going to deem remarkable in and of itself simply because the world formally met G.O and his gorgeous vocal artistry that year, I continue to hold on to every note and every lyric seared into tape then expertly produced in the form of Ty Project No. 1. I cannot and will not let go. The music is too good and the vocal synergy between G.O and Baek Su Kyung far too perfect to store away and forget. As such, I choose a moment, almost ten years old now, for this 321st day of G.O’s service, a vocal virtuosity moment where he and Su ripped into Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You on Nam Kyung Yeon’s radio show back on 2 June 2007.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 321”
It is Christmas Eve and I should probably share something in the spirit of the season. But that would be rather predictable, don’t you think? Instead, something sweet for G.O One Shot day. A .gif with some extra special sugar for the holiday season.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 311”
Nuance. It has become one of my favorite buzz words used often when I describe G.O. From the subtle tones and inflections in his voice when he sings, to the expression in his eyes or even a move or shift in the way he tilts his head, dances, is photographed, or speaks. Little things that may not seem obvious, but (for me) somehow capture a mood, a moment, or characteristic that is exclusive to him. As is clear there is so much about him that I adore, why not have a little fun exploring those nuances that further endear him to so many of us.
Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 278”
The Fangirl Lane 