K-pop and J-rock hits Bangkok
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of BEC Tero
Did you know
Travis Payne was the choreographer for Michael Jackson’s film This Is It.
To promote the Asian pop radio station Tofu Pop Radio, online at www.tofupopradio.fm, the Tofu Music Festival was held in Bangkok on August 23. The line-up of artists included groups from Japan and Korea.
From Japan was the visual kei J-rock band SuG, veteran rock band Lucifer and electro pop group Tempura Kidz. The Korean performers included top girl group 2NE1 and rookie K-pop group Got7, who are particular favourites in Thailand.
2NE1 stand out from other K-pop girl groups due to the strong and independent personalities of the four members. As the headliner and highlight of the Tofu Music Festival, their show was similar in production and set list to their official AON: All or Nothing World Tour concerts.
COLOURFUL SHOW
The girls — leader CL, 23, Bom, 30, Dara, 29 and lead dancer Minzy, 20 — opened their show gracefully on a spectacular stage by belting out “Crush,” the title track of their latest album.
According to concert directors Travis Payne and Stacy Walker, 2NE1’s performance was divided into four parts, using the colours pink, white, red and black to represent the girls’ different personalities and the different types of songs performed. The performance was compelling to watch because of the great selection of songs, the quartet’s impressive singing skills, their elegant choreography and the well-designed stage production.
STRONG AND SOOTHING
During the pink segment of their performance, which was meant to represent the group’s strong and funky side, 2NE1 wore red outfits inspired by military uniforms. The girls sang the dynamic and powerful songs “Crush,” “Fire” and “Clap Your Hands” during this part.
After heating up the atmosphere in the hall, the girls led their Blackjack fan club into the breathtaking white segment. The singers sat on beautiful white swings in front of a castle and forests background. The fans were blown away by 2NE1’s soothing and emotional ballads “Missing You,” “If I Were You,” and a special acoustic version of “Come Back Home.”
BEING BOLD
During the red part, 2NE1 displayed their sexy side, especially during the song “I Love You,” in which each of them danced provocatively with four lucky guys onstage.
CL started the black section, which represented rebellion, with her bold solo single, “The Baddest Female.” The energy of the crowd went through the roof when the group sang their hit “I Don’t Care,” which was rearranged as a rock song.
The girls were clearly satisfied with the energetic response they got from their fans, with CL saying that she didn’t know why it took the group so long to come to Thailand. 2NE1 ended the show with their fun song, “Can’t Nobody.”
J-rock band SuG, who two years ago were presenters in TV commercial for a green tea, gain more Thai fans every time they hit the stage in Bangkok. The guys always put on a solid performance, with soulful singing and a great ability to get audiences to engage with their show.
After their rehearsal at Impact Arena on August 22, SuG — vocalist Takeru, guitarist Masato, guitarist Yuji, bassist Chiyu and drummer Shinpei — met with the Thai press for a group interview.
RETURN VISIT
As usual, the guys were asked how many times they had visited Thailand. Takeru said that Chiyu and Masto had visited the Land of Smiles five times. Comparing their previous trips to the latest one, Takeru joked that the tom yum koong seemed to be even more delicious this time.
When asked what impressed them most during their latest visit, Yuji said that they were stuck in a traffic jam on their way to a TV station for an interview. To make it on time, the group had to get out of the car and take the BTS Skytrain instead.
INSPIRING SONGS
When talk turned to SuG’s latest single, Takeru explained that “B.A.B.Y” is more suitable for dancing than their previous hit, “Gimi Gimi.” Yuji said that he gets inspired to write songs from the feeling they get during their live performances.
At the end of the interview, Takeru told the press that Masato liked Thailand a lot and that he’d like to stay in the kingdom forever. Masato smiled and said that he will stay in Thailand in the future.
Vocabulary
- visual kei (n): a movement among Japanese musicians characterised by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes
headliner (n): a performer or act that is the star attraction on a programme and typically performs last
set list (n): the list of songs that a group of musicians plans to perform
spectacular (adj): very impressive and exciting
belt something out (phrasal v): to sing a song loudly
compelling (adj): that makes you pay attention because it is so interesting and exciting
provocatively (adv): in a way that is intended to make somebody sexually excited
rebellion (n): being unwilling to obey rules or accept normal standards of behaviour, dress, etc.
bold (adj): brave and confident
engage (v): to become involved with and take an active interest in something
Idiom
go through the roof: to rise or increase very quickly
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