1st Gen Female Soloists - The Rate - Who paved the way?

Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
I have a lot to talk about the next one.








































































#22

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Score: 8,023

Paved the way: 10 x 2 (me, @Kneehigh Girl)
Brought to naught: 6 x 1 (@soratami)
Me: above

Peak: #02
Nadir: #22 (2x)



...Not exactly because of "Emotion" per se, but because of this one track:



It would have been my 11, but this is from her Us era, so it's not a solo song :(

Back in 2009, my dad bought a Chinese phone for me. A few ringtones were already in it by the time I got it, and this was one of them. HOWEVER, it was named "Korea song", so I never knew the proper song name. One day, I had to format my phone, so I lost that file. And since I didn't know the name of the song, I couldn't listen to it again. I asked several K-pop communities about it if anyone knew its name - since I didn't have the file anymore, I had to give a detailed description of it. Nobody knew, sadly.

Then, around 11 years later, I was at plug with a friend from EscUnited. There was a contest there where we had to send eurodance entries. I was helping him find one for the contest, and this video appeared on Youtube.



And I was !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JKLSDFJKLFSDJKLSDFKJLDSFJKLDFSKJLSFDJKLFDSJKL because I had finally found it!!!!!! I was super emotional and even cried. I also felt like a clown because I already knew Yoo Chae Young, but couldn't connect the dots dddddd the number of years wasted. Fun fact: someone actually sent this entry to the contest, so I would have found it either way.

Back to Emotion, I think it's one of the biggest classics in 1st gen history. Perhaps the most famous one? I can't really back that up. Anyway, I'm sad it missed the top 20 (by little).

I would have loved to post her most recent stuff, whether as a singer, actress, or host, but she died of cancer in 2014, so I have none. Gone too soon. Also, please don't forget to do check-up exams!
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★★★


@Kneehigh Girl (10): This such is still such a blast! Can’t believe she passed away so young though ☹

@berserkboi (9): Lovely chorus melody!

@RUNAWAY (7,75): god Eurobeat was popular in Korea in the 90s huh?


★★★



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Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
SO I am going on a trip to visit my family and I'll spend around two weeks there. It is likely that I won't have time to update anything. Nothing different from usual!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I wanted to get to the top 20 before I left, so let's go!







































































#21

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Score: 8,027

Paved the way: 10 x 2 (me, @Kneehigh Girl)
Brought to naught: 5 x 1 (@Empty Shoebox)
Me: above

Peak: #02
Nadir: #31 (2x)



East Asia goes back to Egypt after some months, this time with "You", or "Nuh"!

This is AVA's comeback single, my first KPSC entry, and SNSD Yuri's favorite karaoke song???? I'm not sure about the last one but it was on Youtube so it's 100% true!!!

Her take on Ancient Egypt has CG robots, so she truly (and literally) rewrote history. I think this might be one of her most palatable singles? At least to those who dislike her signature screeches. I mean, it ended 21st out of 80, so.............

I don't know if it's problematic somehow, so I'll just focus on the song. It's one of my favorite singles of hers because I just love the details in it. I've even seen comparisons to goa trance songs... and I don't know if I agree? I do enjoy the subgenre, so that would explain me enjoying it. Also, that haircut suits her SO well. I hope to see it more often in her obviously-not-singing moments.

To anyone who is wondering, this is what plays at the beginning of the mv:

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★★★


@Kneehigh Girl (10): I remember watching the Hong Kong Kiss Concert from 2001 back in spring 2003 and this was the final song she performed. It was the first time I heard the song, and it was amazing. I also love the music video, meaning this is probably the song (and video) I listen to the most.

@Attis (8,5): The last part where she kinda scream is amazing

@berserkboi (7,8): Eurodance suits her, and I am kinda getting into her trademark screech here ddd


★★★


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Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
TOP 20

Pupil
Sad Expectation
Poison
Invitation
Don't Know
Eternity

Come
Ari Ari
Cheol-soo, I Love You

You Who Left
Sword (Acoustic)
If It's The End

Burden
Emotion
Smile

Coming of Age Ceremony
I'm A Man

So Chan Whee: Tears
Bada: Music
Park Jung Ah: Yeah​
 
Kneehigh Girl

Kneehigh Girl

How both Emotion and You leave before Cheol-soo, I Love You is so strange! I love all three, but the latter less.

Because I am an obsessive idiot at times, I actually spent time figuring out where the "From where you are, you can hear their dreams"-sample used in the intro for the You-MV comes from. It's from Under Milk Wood (1971). It annoyed me for so many years, I felt so proud of myself when I finally solved the mystery.
 
berserkboi

berserkboi

He/Him
RUNAWAY said:
This is not a drill!!

Uhm Jung Hwa's Invitation is being reissued on LP in a transparent red color! I OF COURSE pre-ordered, and it's literally cheaper than tracking down a CD version. If anyone is interested, I shop with Ktown4u and their service is stellar. Link below <3

https://www.ktown4u.com/iteminfo?goods_no=75530
Click to expand...
@RUNAWAY babe - since this is the Best Song Of All Time TM - can we combine forces and vote for it in the Monthly Charts?? Also Sailor Moon turns 30 this year so Moonlight Densetsu too! <33
 
Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
Good news! My computer is back AND I got the files I needed again so we can resume the rate.
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And since we are talking about Uhm Jung Hwa.....................


































.................we are NOT eliminating her now.

#20

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Score: 8,032

Paved the way: 10 x 1 (@RUNAWAY)
Brought to naught: 6,6 x 1 (@Ezz)
Me: 7

Peak: #13
Nadir: #64



First of all, thanks to this elimination I found out that Kim's discography is now available on Spotify!!!
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"You Who Left" is one of the singles from her fourth album, "Wild Beauty". I picked this over the other single, "Let Go", because it is more distinct from her usual sound - even though the latter is not her typical dance tune either.


It is more dancey, though, whereas the former is slower, more haunting, and more traditional. I remember being surprised when I first listened to it. I like how dramatic it is and I also love the video - plus, I think it's the era she looked the prettiest? Perhaps it's the curlier hair. That being said, I still prefer her typical sound so I didn't score it as highly. It's definitely a stand-out in her career, anyway!
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★★★

@berserkboi (9,5): Is this the Irish Ladies Rate? Dddd

@Kneehigh Girl (8): Did not expect to like this as much as I do. It’s a nice, soothing song.

★★★


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Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
I nearly missed today's elimination because I was trying to write an e-mail to my teacher to question some corrections she made on my test. It turns out that I don't have her address so I'll have to wait until tomorrow. ANYWAY





















































And since we are talking about Uhm Jung Hwa.....................


































.................now she is leaving. ff

#19

UJH-Pupil.png



Score: 8,045

Paved the way: 10 x 2 (@RUNAWAY, @berserkboi)
Brought to naught: 5 x 1 (@Kneehigh Girl)
Me: 8

Peak: #19
Nadir: #61



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"Pupil" is the debut entry of Uhm Jung Hwa. Released in 1993, it's part of the album "Sorrowful Secret". That was the only single off her debut and pretty much the start of a glorious, iconic career.

It was released while the "K-pop" we know was being molded - just a year after Seo Taiji and The Boys' debut! Therefore, it's not as dancey as some of her releases in the 90s and the 1st gen more well-known sound in general. It's discreetly synthy, and perhaps kinda jazzy? I'm not the best person in the world with music genres.

Ah, she has this life-changing performance where she wore a giant dress. A visionary!


My favorite part is the intro with the fairy-esque synths. Then, the instrumental break in the middle of the song. I have the impression it's a bit longer in the MV? Unsure though. All in all, great debut, and she got better and better along the years. No wonder she paved the way.
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★★★


@berserkboi (10): Gloriously beautiful! Like a lost PSB track!

@Kneehigh Girl (5): The long instrumental part around the middle of the song is pretty good. Aside from that, it’s not for me.


★★★


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Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
It's a holiday tomorrow in my state so I don't have to complain about writing this up so lately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The way we truly won!





















































































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#18

Extra-Park-Jung-Ah.png



Score: 8,114

Paved the way: 10 x 1 (@RUNAWAY)
Brought to naught: 6,5 x 1 (@Ezz)
Me: 8

Peak: #05
Nadir: #51



Park Jung Ah is the leader of the long-lasting girl group Jewelry. She is also the one who spent the longest time in it and its several lineups - pretty much all of them except the final one! That's around nearly a decade. That means, yes, she was part of one of the best k-pop songs ever source me!!!!


She released "Yeah" in 2006 whilst the group was in a forced hiatus as some members had left and the company had been looking for replacements. Her debut single was produced by MJ&iRoK - which apparently was their debut as producers as well? According to Wikipedia, she tried to move away from the "manufactured pop girl" image by............. singing live! Horkheimer and Adorno shooketh and proud!

She embraced rock music for her debut. I've seen some people compare her MV with Britney Spears's I Love Rock N Roll because their outfit + background were similar. Well.

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Rawk gals supporting rawk gals! No rivalry!!!!

It's a pretty nostalgic song - maybe not as nostalgic as pop-rock has gotten popular again dddd but you got it! - and she has the presence + charisma to sell it. Listening to it right now, I think I underscored it a bit. She would have gone up one position, perhaps? But let's say it's for the good. Who wants to be cursed 17?

Anyway, go give your support to MAMADOL, which she is part of!


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★★★



@RUNAWAY (10): this song is fucking awesome. I’m in LOVE with her voice <333

@Kneehigh Girl (8): This was her song?! Or is this a cover (or did someone else cover it?)? A massive wave of nostalgia just washed over me. I like this song, but had completely forgotten about it until now.

@berserkboi (8): Fun little track



★★★


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Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
For our 16th + 1st place, there is a song I've never expected to make this far.





























































How do I feel about it?



























I don't know!!!!

#17

LJH-Cheol-soo-I-Love-You.png



Score: 8,136

Paved the way: 11 x 1 (@FunkyButChic)
Brought to naught: 6 x 1 (@Ezz)
Me: 7

Peak: #17
Nadir: #64



Not me being the second lowest scorer for a Lee Jung Hyun song ddddd I admit I might have been a bit cruel, but it is, along with the 2009 Crazy, the single of hers that I listen to the least. It's not a song I've seen being mentioned by fans, so I was shocked it finished higher than Change, for example.

"Cheol-soo, I Love you" is a single from her sixth album, "Fantastic Girl". She drifts away from her usual techno sound to an EDM sound that could have been sung by any group from around 2008-2011 (or T-ARA later on). Cheol-soo is a male Korean name and the reliable Youtube comment section mentioned it was like their version of "John Doe" (and another one mentioned the right-wing politician as well ddddddd).

I think it's a song that starts well - the intro is the highlight for me and the melody is right up my alley. The verses are pretty nice too. Then the chorus........... I don't know, it just lets me down because I find it so underwhelming. That's probably why it's not one of my AVA must tracks.

That being said, poor @FunkyButChic losing two 11s in two days, especially after showing excellent taste by praising LGBTQIA+ sensations N.O.M in KPB #justice. Also, anticipating the commentary, I get the feeling of loving a son you know through a rhythm game - as that's how I first heard her as well. Just different songs, different games.
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★★★

@FunkyButChic (11): I loved playing this in Audition Online back in the day. Her other songs in the game had to grow on me but this one was an instant love. There’s a sleekness that made it ahead of its time, especially in the way that sugary chorus cuts through the dirty bass.

@berserkboi (9,5): Everything works in unison here, let’s call this my fave of hers!

@BeingNormal (8,25): Points mainly for the production tbh

★★★




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Kneehigh Girl

Kneehigh Girl

Surprised I Love You, Cheol-Soo lasted this song, tbh!

Fantastic Girl is probably my least favorite album and definitely the one I listen to the least. There are still a lot of songs that I like - I just don't like them as much as other songs/albums. And of course, this is the album that's available on Spotify.
 
Ana Raquel

Ana Raquel

she/her
Starting our tie with...























































































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#14
(TIE)

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Score: 8,182

Paved the way: 10 x 1 (@FunkyButChic)
Brought to naught: 6 x 1 (@Ezz)
Me: 9

Peak: #14
Nadir: #31



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"I'm a Man" is the lead single of Ji Yoon's fifth album, "Man". It's a funky track that resembles MJ quite a bit due to the music genre + styling + dance break, I guess?

Enjoy a bit of the translated lyrics:

"I really thought that you would be different from other men. So I gave you my all, and I thought I was going to give you as much love even if I became your girl. But only the time was long, you eventually found another girl and left me. You should never expect from men, never give your heart to them."
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So while Park Ji Yoon Gets Slammed for Allegedly Being a Feminist, the MV is a trip! It starts with the poor girl eating a rotten apple (with a maggot? worm? snake? in it YET she keeps eating it afterwards), a sauna (?), and a car explosion WITH the rotten apple-eating version of hers.

I believe it ended up a bit overlooked for being released a bit after Coming Of Age Ceremony, but I think it's a fair addition to the mature persona she had started to build. Also, I have to represent the bisexual community and say that I'm single.
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★★★

@FunkyButChic (10): The beat alone is a 10.

@berserkboi (8,5): Very good little song!

★★★


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