Finally, a full rotation! =) I was planning on doing a different theme but decided to save it for later, so these are just some recent releases that I wanted to share.

Everytime (ft Baby G) - Dream Girls
Korean | Pop
After being quite impressed by their song Hey, Mr., I was looking forward to hearing this song. I'm still undecided about it. It's a simple, sweet pop tune. However, I felt that the thing I liked most about them - their strong, clear vocals - was lacking in this song. Instead, their voices come across as very light and wavering, making Everytime sound watered-down - especially in the chorus, which should really be the strongest section. It's a cute song, but not nearly as solid as their debut.

Heartbeat - 2PM
Korean | Pop/Dance
I know everyone probably already has this song or has at least heard it, but since I'm not a big 2PM fan I thought I'd share one song that I do like from them. What really appealed to me about this song was the staggered feel and how each word or phrase seems to be coming from a different place or level, especially in the chorus. It's got a good beat and I really like the accompaniment - the synths and strings blur together at times, and are distinct at others.

너에게 약속하는 7가지 - Tei & Kan Mi Yeon
Korean | Pop/Ballad
I love Tei, although this song is a bit different - rather than a very classic, dramatic ballad like most of his songs, it's sweet and pop-influenced, opening with bright upbeat piano and synths. While the sugary intro didn't really appeal to me, it quickly tones down to a tolerable level - Tei's rich, powerful voice suits the lighter atmosphere of this song surprisingly well. I've never heard any of Kan Mi Yeon's songs, but her light, clear vocals are a nice contribution, although I would have liked to see more of a connection between the two singers. A warm, lovely midtempo ballad.

時を止めて (Toki wo Tomote) - Tohoshinki
Japanese | Ballad
I love this song. From the a-capella style first lines, I was hooked. It's incredibly heartfelt and genuine. This isn't a very good quality rip, I'll try and post up a better one if I find one, but even from this rip I can tell this is going to be a gorgeous song. It's a midtempo pop ballad with splashes of R&B and a warm, rich atmosphere.

My Style - Mao Denda
Japanese | Pop/R&B
I've uploaded some of her songs in the past, this is her latest single. Mao Denda is really growing on me, her latest singles have all been pretty strong and My Style is no exception. Her strong, smooth voice is the highlight as usual, against a dense instrumentation of synths and occasionally strings, rooted by a rounded bass and light percussion. The melody is fluid and sweet.

하얀겨울 (With 비즈니즈, 애즈원) (Narr. 이준 Of 솔리드) - Alex of Clazziquai Project
Korean | Pop
A light, sweet winter song. At first I had mixed feelings about this song - I found it a little too cute and poppy. But it's definitely grown on me, I really love its warmth. The delicate synths add a bubbly touch to the song, and the overall buoyancy and youthful exuberance make for a great pre-Christmas song.

가슴이 사랑하는 법 - DNT
Korean | Ballad
Most of the songs I've heard from these guys are upbeat and dance-influenced, so this was an interesting change. I found their vocals in the beginning a bit too soft and the accompaniment to be a bit overwhelming, but it backs off after a bit and their voices really shine out - rich, warm, and decadent. Overall this song has a very rounded, polished feel - while still retaining a lot of emotion. Definitely shows their vocal potential, an interesting change of style.

내가 죽어도 - DNT
Korean | Ballad
DNT stays on the ballad route. A very classic Korean ballad that is reminiscent of SG Wannabe. Again, vocally it's quite excellent, a lot more than I expected from them. More dramatic than the previous song - compositionally it's a bit boring, but again, certainly shows their potential. One thing I do really like is their harmonies.

서랍을 비우다 - Vodka Rain
Korean | Soft Rock
I love these guys, and was delighted to see they'd released a new mini-album. 서랍을 비우다 is a calm song with gorgeous instrumentation, filled with isolated strings and warm piano. Laid-back and soothing, but definitely not boring. A perfect song to just relax to after a long day.

甘く果てしなく (Amaku Hateshinaku; Endlessly Sweet) - Tohoshinki
Japanese | Pop
So this isn't as "recent" of a release, but I had it uploaded and thought I'd share. It's an energetic, bubbly song by Tohoshinki, with lots of rich brass and warm harmonies. Like its title suggests, it's sugary sweet - but, a rare occurrence, without being overbearingly so. It's well-balanced and shows their maturity and youthful energy at the same time.

말하고 싶어요 - Rescue Jane
Korean | Rock/Ballad
I don't know anything about this guy, although apparently he's had some success as an underground artist and this song is from his first mainstream release, Opus 1. Either way, I love his warm, husky voice and the rich piano and string base of this song. Although it seems to be a fairly standard ballad, something about how his vocals come through and how powerful and expressive they are just makes this song so exceptionally good. Recommended!

Labels: 2PM, Alex, DNT, Dream Girls, Kan Mi Yeon, Mao Denda, Rescue Jane, Tei, Tohoshinki

Okay so the order for this rotation changed soooo much. I’m mostly satisfied with the final product. Tanaka Roma’s “Namida” originally ranked at #8, but then I was listening to it and was thinking, “Why the heck is this so far down?” And bumped it up to #5, which in turn moved Tohoshinki down to #6. Evan’s song originally ranked at #6, was bumped to #7 after moving “Namida”, then bumped down another spot to make room for JJ Lin. Point being: there’s just too many good ballads - don’t judge too much on the numbered spots, like I said they moved around a lot. Also, this is only based on my personal opinion, not statistics or anything. =)

Top Ten Ballads:

#10. 클래식 (Classic) - KCM
What a beautiful voice - high, clear, crisp, rich yet pure at the same time. The predictable string & piano arrangement doesn’t really do anything for me, I’d probably forget the melody if it wasn’t KCM singing it, but just listen to that voice.

#9. 슬픈 인연 (Sad Fate) - Monday Kiz
Monday Kiz had to be on this list somewhere. I have also uploaded this song before (and no I am not trying to be lazy by reusing old songs, haha). Kim Min Soo’s death really just shocked me. I loved this duo’s music already, but his death really drew me into their songs even more. This was their last release - it actually came out a couple months after Min Soo’s death. Their voices are ... just amazing. They compliment each other perfectly. The harmonizing is beautiful. Both singers are at the top of their form. The song sounds a bit unpolished, but this only adds to its raw, intimate emotion. I don’t listen to this song as often & it released fairly recently compared to the other songs, which is why it didn’t rank as high, but every time I listen to it I’m just completely taken away.

#8. 남자도… 어쩔 수 없다 (Namjado... Eojjeol Su Eopda/Men ... are unavoidable) - Evan
This is a song that I first listened to when it released, around 2007, IIRC. It really just doesn’t get old, no matter how many times I revisit it. Evan’s voice, although not the most powerful, is a pleasure to listen to. The melody will linger in your head.

#7. 大男人 小女孩 - JJ Lin
It’s always the first line of the song that gets me. JJ Lin’s voice rises over the accompaniment, filled with emotion. It is really the little nuances in his voice that make this song so perfect, the way he seems to be almost struggling with himself sometimes to express a phrase and finish the verse. His voice evens out more and more towards the end of the song, gaining confidence and power.

#6. Love in the Ice - Tohoshinki
It was a close call between Love in the Ice and Forever Love as to which song would make the list, but in the end, Love in the Ice won. A chillingly emotional song that starts out softly and just keeps building, getting stronger and stronger. Each member’s vocals are spot-on, the verses seamlessly joined and the harmonizing perfect.

#5. Namida (Sleepless Night MANABOON MIX) - Tanaka Roma
I’ve also shared this song before, I’m not sure if you would even call it a ballad, which is why it didn’t rank as high as it might have. Tanaka’s genuine, pure voice simply soars. It is a “remix”, but the original simply cannot match up to this. The piano that forms the base of the accompaniment is beautiful, supporting without overpowering. Such raw emotion in a song is so rare. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m wondering why I didn’t rank this higher.

#4. 童話 (Tong Hua/Fairytale) - 光良 (Guang Liang/Michael Wong)
Another song I've previously uploaded - one of my favourite Chinese songs. Guang Liang’s voice is smooth and precise, but heartfelt. The chorus is where the song really soars. Maybe it’s partially the lyrics of this song that I like, but nonetheless a wonderful ballad. To be honest, I was debating whether this song should be so highly ranked. Much of the reason I’m attached to it is personal value, as it’s a song my family often listens to and that my friends and I used to sing all the time at karaoke. Either way, it’s a great song that was very popular in Taiwan when it released, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. =)

#3. Only Human - K
The a cappella opening of this song is just amazing. K’s voice is a flawless blend of strength and a soft, melodic vulernability. The accompaniment is sparse, putting the focus just where it should be: K’s amazing vocal performance. I don’t know what else to say about this song, just listen to it.

#2. 같은 베개 (Same Pillow) - Tei
This is one of the most highly played songs in my iTunes. Although it’s more of an old favourite that I often return to than a song on constant repeat, it’s a great song. Tei’s deep, full voice is perfect for ballads. Certain notes have an almost rough edge, others polished smooth. The melody and arrangement is memorable, hopeful but with a hint of sadness.

#1. 한 남자 (Han Nam Ja/One Man) - Kim Jong Kook
And that brings us to my favourite ballad ever, Han Nam Ja. I uploaded this song a long time ago, waaay back in my fourth rotation. I usually get bored of songs, especially pop songs/ballads, but I’ve listened to this song countless times, and I just never tire of it. I honestly don’t know why - it’s just a classic ballad with light percussion, typical string & piano accompaniment. But Kim Jong Kook’s high, clear voice is absolutely full of emotion, bringing this song to a whole other level: tender, vulnerable, yearning, and, overall, stunning. The lyrics fit the song perfectly. You can read the translated lyrics here (scroll down, it's the last song on the page).

Runners-up:

Forever Love - Tohoshinki
Forever Love (a capella version) - Tohoshinki
Uploaded this song before way back in my 5th rotation, which was when Tohoshinki's "T" album released. I really love the a cappella version of this song too. More hopeful than "Love in the Ice", which found its way onto the countdown. Whereas Love in the Ice had more intensity, Forever Love is almost comforting, with a warmer, richer tone. Vocally, I think this is really one of Tohoshinki's best songs.

그립고... 그리운 (Yearning ... Yearn) - Park Hyo Shin
I would’ve thought Park Hyo Shin would make the list, but although he has a lot of great ballads, there isn’t really one in particular that really stands out to me. But if there was, Yearning ... Yearn would probably be it. Park Hyo Shin’s voice balances strength and vulernability, at times full and rich and others lightly soaring through the melodies. A very sad and emotional track.

Even Though My Heart Breaks - Fly to the Sky
I’m hesitant to say FTTS is at their best here, but they’re definitely close. Hwanhee’s voice is rich and deep, Brian’s lighter and cleaner but still as emotional. As much as I love their solo songs, these guys still sound way better together. Hwanhee’s voice can be almost a little too overpowering in solo works; Brian’s too plain - together, they just balance each other out. Anyways, Brian’s voice sounded oddly close to Hwanhee’s in certain verses - deeper in range, with that husky note to it. They still sound great, but the contrast wasn’t as clear. The arrangement is also quite plain.

환상 (Illusion) - Fly to the Sky
I was surprised to find that FTTS did not mark its spot on the list. They originally held a spot, but as I found more and more songs that I wanted to include, they kept getting moved down until they were completely off the list. Illusion is more of a slow-tempo pop/R&B song than a real ballad.

Only Wind, Only Wind - SG Wannabe & Kim Jong Kook
This song was definitely a contender. I mean, come on, just look at the artists. Kim Jong Kook’s soaring, clean voice creates a well-cut contrast with SG Wannabe’s deeper, huskier vocalists - but they come together perfectly. Style-wise, it leans towards SG Wannabe, but both artists are definitely giving their best.

Love? - Evan Yo
I don’t know anything about this singer. Love? starts out soft and accompanied only by a piano. Evan Yo’s lyrical voice brings the simple, unadorned melodies to their fullest. Then, all of a sudden, the song bursts into a full-fledged rock verse. The transitions between the two moods, repeated throughout the song, are well-executed. I’m not sure if it would even really be considered a ballad, but a good song nonetheless.

Labels: Evan, Evan Yo, Fly to the Sky, Guang Liang, JJ Lin, K, KCM, Kim Jong Kook, Monday Kiz, Park Hyo Shin, SG Wannabe, Tanaka Roma, Tei, Tohoshinki

Hello, I'm glad to see that people are starting to comment. ^_^ I'm doing a small update, I think only five songs ... if people continue to comment, the next full rotation will be up this week as well.

And by the way, feel free to suggest rotation themes or request songs. I haven't been updating my playlists a lot lately and they're still far from complete, but I'm hoping to work on them more during the summer. =)

가지마 가지마 (Gajima, Gajima) * Brown Eyes
Korean * R&B * Vol. 3 - Two Things Needed For The Same Purpose and 5 Objects

BROWN EYES <3 Their new album releases on the 19th, I've uploaded one song from it. And is it just me, or does the album name make absolutely no sense ... O_o Anyhow, 가지마 가지마 is a heartfelt ballad. It's pretty boring but their voices are so nice, it makes the song shine out. I believe the title translates to "Don't Leave", but I could be wrong.

Nostalgia * 요조 (Yozoh) & 에릭 (Eric) With Brown Classic
Korean * Pop * Nostalgia

Yup, it's Eric from Shinhwa. A nice, relaxing song. I don't know much about Yozoh, but her voice is really nice and soft; it fits in perfectly with the acoustic guitars. It's sweet but sad at the same time, and the rapped verse breaks the monotony of the song. I liked it. =)

꿈의 시간들 * Tei
Korean * Ballad * Gourmet OST

Okay, I'm usually not a fan of OSTs. The only OST I found memorable was the one for Coffee Prince, but the Gourmet OST caught my attention from the artists on it - Tei, Shin Hye Sung, Fanny Fink, Sweetpea, etc. Anyhow this song and the two following it are all from this OST. =) Ahh just listening to this song makes me want to watch the drama/movie (never heard of it before hearing the OST). Tei is one of my favourite singers, he has such a unique voice. It's not quite as powerful in this song, which is a little more upbeat than his usual slow ballads. Probably since it's intended as background music, not as a main feature ... his voice is really deep and kind of rough at certain spots, yet perfectly clear at others. <3 I like the string accompaniment in this song too. Recommended.

눈이 하는 말 * Shin Hye Sung
Korean * Ballad * Gourmet OST

I'm sorry, but I don't really like Hye Sung's voice. T_T It just seems like it's always disappearing beneath the accompaniment. I only like a few songs from his Love of May album, other than that his solo stuff never really impressed me. I uploaded this since I'm sure lots of Shinhwa fans will want to grab it. But, he does really shine through in the chorus of this song. His voice is really sweet, too. Worth a listen, but I preferred Tei's song.

Heyday - Fanny Fink
Korean * Soft Rock * Gourmet OST

I uploaded another song by these guys once, I love them. <3 I don't even know what genre to call them. O_o Heyday is kind of jazzy, and really cute. The vocals are kind of soft and breathy. Recommended.

Labels: Brown Classic, Brown Eyes, Eric, Fanny Fink, Shin Hye Sung, Tei, Yozoh

Finally, a full rotation! =) I was planning on doing a different theme but decided to save it for later, so these are just some recent releases that I wanted to share.

Everytime (ft Baby G) - Dream Girls
Korean | Pop
After being quite impressed by their song Hey, Mr., I was looking forward to hearing this song. I'm still undecided about it. It's a simple, sweet pop tune. However, I felt that the thing I liked most about them - their strong, clear vocals - was lacking in this song. Instead, their voices come across as very light and wavering, making Everytime sound watered-down - especially in the chorus, which should really be the strongest section. It's a cute song, but not nearly as solid as their debut.

Heartbeat - 2PM
Korean | Pop/Dance
I know everyone probably already has this song or has at least heard it, but since I'm not a big 2PM fan I thought I'd share one song that I do like from them. What really appealed to me about this song was the staggered feel and how each word or phrase seems to be coming from a different place or level, especially in the chorus. It's got a good beat and I really like the accompaniment - the synths and strings blur together at times, and are distinct at others.

너에게 약속하는 7가지 - Tei & Kan Mi Yeon
Korean | Pop/Ballad
I love Tei, although this song is a bit different - rather than a very classic, dramatic ballad like most of his songs, it's sweet and pop-influenced, opening with bright upbeat piano and synths. While the sugary intro didn't really appeal to me, it quickly tones down to a tolerable level - Tei's rich, powerful voice suits the lighter atmosphere of this song surprisingly well. I've never heard any of Kan Mi Yeon's songs, but her light, clear vocals are a nice contribution, although I would have liked to see more of a connection between the two singers. A warm, lovely midtempo ballad.

時を止めて (Toki wo Tomote) - Tohoshinki
Japanese | Ballad
I love this song. From the a-capella style first lines, I was hooked. It's incredibly heartfelt and genuine. This isn't a very good quality rip, I'll try and post up a better one if I find one, but even from this rip I can tell this is going to be a gorgeous song. It's a midtempo pop ballad with splashes of R&B and a warm, rich atmosphere.

My Style - Mao Denda
Japanese | Pop/R&B
I've uploaded some of her songs in the past, this is her latest single. Mao Denda is really growing on me, her latest singles have all been pretty strong and My Style is no exception. Her strong, smooth voice is the highlight as usual, against a dense instrumentation of synths and occasionally strings, rooted by a rounded bass and light percussion. The melody is fluid and sweet.

하얀겨울 (With 비즈니즈, 애즈원) (Narr. 이준 Of 솔리드) - Alex of Clazziquai Project
Korean | Pop
A light, sweet winter song. At first I had mixed feelings about this song - I found it a little too cute and poppy. But it's definitely grown on me, I really love its warmth. The delicate synths add a bubbly touch to the song, and the overall buoyancy and youthful exuberance make for a great pre-Christmas song.

가슴이 사랑하는 법 - DNT
Korean | Ballad
Most of the songs I've heard from these guys are upbeat and dance-influenced, so this was an interesting change. I found their vocals in the beginning a bit too soft and the accompaniment to be a bit overwhelming, but it backs off after a bit and their voices really shine out - rich, warm, and decadent. Overall this song has a very rounded, polished feel - while still retaining a lot of emotion. Definitely shows their vocal potential, an interesting change of style.

내가 죽어도 - DNT
Korean | Ballad
DNT stays on the ballad route. A very classic Korean ballad that is reminiscent of SG Wannabe. Again, vocally it's quite excellent, a lot more than I expected from them. More dramatic than the previous song - compositionally it's a bit boring, but again, certainly shows their potential. One thing I do really like is their harmonies.

서랍을 비우다 - Vodka Rain
Korean | Soft Rock
I love these guys, and was delighted to see they'd released a new mini-album. 서랍을 비우다 is a calm song with gorgeous instrumentation, filled with isolated strings and warm piano. Laid-back and soothing, but definitely not boring. A perfect song to just relax to after a long day.

甘く果てしなく (Amaku Hateshinaku; Endlessly Sweet) - Tohoshinki
Japanese | Pop
So this isn't as "recent" of a release, but I had it uploaded and thought I'd share. It's an energetic, bubbly song by Tohoshinki, with lots of rich brass and warm harmonies. Like its title suggests, it's sugary sweet - but, a rare occurrence, without being overbearingly so. It's well-balanced and shows their maturity and youthful energy at the same time.

말하고 싶어요 - Rescue Jane
Korean | Rock/Ballad
I don't know anything about this guy, although apparently he's had some success as an underground artist and this song is from his first mainstream release, Opus 1. Either way, I love his warm, husky voice and the rich piano and string base of this song. Although it seems to be a fairly standard ballad, something about how his vocals come through and how powerful and expressive they are just makes this song so exceptionally good. Recommended!

Labels: 2PM, Alex, DNT, Dream Girls, Kan Mi Yeon, Mao Denda, Rescue Jane, Tei, Tohoshinki

Okay so the order for this rotation changed soooo much. I’m mostly satisfied with the final product. Tanaka Roma’s “Namida” originally ranked at #8, but then I was listening to it and was thinking, “Why the heck is this so far down?” And bumped it up to #5, which in turn moved Tohoshinki down to #6. Evan’s song originally ranked at #6, was bumped to #7 after moving “Namida”, then bumped down another spot to make room for JJ Lin. Point being: there’s just too many good ballads - don’t judge too much on the numbered spots, like I said they moved around a lot. Also, this is only based on my personal opinion, not statistics or anything. =)

Top Ten Ballads:

#10. 클래식 (Classic) - KCM
What a beautiful voice - high, clear, crisp, rich yet pure at the same time. The predictable string & piano arrangement doesn’t really do anything for me, I’d probably forget the melody if it wasn’t KCM singing it, but just listen to that voice.

#9. 슬픈 인연 (Sad Fate) - Monday Kiz
Monday Kiz had to be on this list somewhere. I have also uploaded this song before (and no I am not trying to be lazy by reusing old songs, haha). Kim Min Soo’s death really just shocked me. I loved this duo’s music already, but his death really drew me into their songs even more. This was their last release - it actually came out a couple months after Min Soo’s death. Their voices are ... just amazing. They compliment each other perfectly. The harmonizing is beautiful. Both singers are at the top of their form. The song sounds a bit unpolished, but this only adds to its raw, intimate emotion. I don’t listen to this song as often & it released fairly recently compared to the other songs, which is why it didn’t rank as high, but every time I listen to it I’m just completely taken away.

#8. 남자도… 어쩔 수 없다 (Namjado... Eojjeol Su Eopda/Men ... are unavoidable) - Evan
This is a song that I first listened to when it released, around 2007, IIRC. It really just doesn’t get old, no matter how many times I revisit it. Evan’s voice, although not the most powerful, is a pleasure to listen to. The melody will linger in your head.

#7. 大男人 小女孩 - JJ Lin
It’s always the first line of the song that gets me. JJ Lin’s voice rises over the accompaniment, filled with emotion. It is really the little nuances in his voice that make this song so perfect, the way he seems to be almost struggling with himself sometimes to express a phrase and finish the verse. His voice evens out more and more towards the end of the song, gaining confidence and power.

#6. Love in the Ice - Tohoshinki
It was a close call between Love in the Ice and Forever Love as to which song would make the list, but in the end, Love in the Ice won. A chillingly emotional song that starts out softly and just keeps building, getting stronger and stronger. Each member’s vocals are spot-on, the verses seamlessly joined and the harmonizing perfect.

#5. Namida (Sleepless Night MANABOON MIX) - Tanaka Roma
I’ve also shared this song before, I’m not sure if you would even call it a ballad, which is why it didn’t rank as high as it might have. Tanaka’s genuine, pure voice simply soars. It is a “remix”, but the original simply cannot match up to this. The piano that forms the base of the accompaniment is beautiful, supporting without overpowering. Such raw emotion in a song is so rare. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m wondering why I didn’t rank this higher.

#4. 童話 (Tong Hua/Fairytale) - 光良 (Guang Liang/Michael Wong)
Another song I've previously uploaded - one of my favourite Chinese songs. Guang Liang’s voice is smooth and precise, but heartfelt. The chorus is where the song really soars. Maybe it’s partially the lyrics of this song that I like, but nonetheless a wonderful ballad. To be honest, I was debating whether this song should be so highly ranked. Much of the reason I’m attached to it is personal value, as it’s a song my family often listens to and that my friends and I used to sing all the time at karaoke. Either way, it’s a great song that was very popular in Taiwan when it released, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. =)

#3. Only Human - K
The a cappella opening of this song is just amazing. K’s voice is a flawless blend of strength and a soft, melodic vulernability. The accompaniment is sparse, putting the focus just where it should be: K’s amazing vocal performance. I don’t know what else to say about this song, just listen to it.

#2. 같은 베개 (Same Pillow) - Tei
This is one of the most highly played songs in my iTunes. Although it’s more of an old favourite that I often return to than a song on constant repeat, it’s a great song. Tei’s deep, full voice is perfect for ballads. Certain notes have an almost rough edge, others polished smooth. The melody and arrangement is memorable, hopeful but with a hint of sadness.

#1. 한 남자 (Han Nam Ja/One Man) - Kim Jong Kook
And that brings us to my favourite ballad ever, Han Nam Ja. I uploaded this song a long time ago, waaay back in my fourth rotation. I usually get bored of songs, especially pop songs/ballads, but I’ve listened to this song countless times, and I just never tire of it. I honestly don’t know why - it’s just a classic ballad with light percussion, typical string & piano accompaniment. But Kim Jong Kook’s high, clear voice is absolutely full of emotion, bringing this song to a whole other level: tender, vulnerable, yearning, and, overall, stunning. The lyrics fit the song perfectly. You can read the translated lyrics here (scroll down, it's the last song on the page).

Runners-up:

Forever Love - Tohoshinki
Forever Love (a capella version) - Tohoshinki
Uploaded this song before way back in my 5th rotation, which was when Tohoshinki's "T" album released. I really love the a cappella version of this song too. More hopeful than "Love in the Ice", which found its way onto the countdown. Whereas Love in the Ice had more intensity, Forever Love is almost comforting, with a warmer, richer tone. Vocally, I think this is really one of Tohoshinki's best songs.

그립고... 그리운 (Yearning ... Yearn) - Park Hyo Shin
I would’ve thought Park Hyo Shin would make the list, but although he has a lot of great ballads, there isn’t really one in particular that really stands out to me. But if there was, Yearning ... Yearn would probably be it. Park Hyo Shin’s voice balances strength and vulernability, at times full and rich and others lightly soaring through the melodies. A very sad and emotional track.

Even Though My Heart Breaks - Fly to the Sky
I’m hesitant to say FTTS is at their best here, but they’re definitely close. Hwanhee’s voice is rich and deep, Brian’s lighter and cleaner but still as emotional. As much as I love their solo songs, these guys still sound way better together. Hwanhee’s voice can be almost a little too overpowering in solo works; Brian’s too plain - together, they just balance each other out. Anyways, Brian’s voice sounded oddly close to Hwanhee’s in certain verses - deeper in range, with that husky note to it. They still sound great, but the contrast wasn’t as clear. The arrangement is also quite plain.

환상 (Illusion) - Fly to the Sky
I was surprised to find that FTTS did not mark its spot on the list. They originally held a spot, but as I found more and more songs that I wanted to include, they kept getting moved down until they were completely off the list. Illusion is more of a slow-tempo pop/R&B song than a real ballad.

Only Wind, Only Wind - SG Wannabe & Kim Jong Kook
This song was definitely a contender. I mean, come on, just look at the artists. Kim Jong Kook’s soaring, clean voice creates a well-cut contrast with SG Wannabe’s deeper, huskier vocalists - but they come together perfectly. Style-wise, it leans towards SG Wannabe, but both artists are definitely giving their best.

Love? - Evan Yo
I don’t know anything about this singer. Love? starts out soft and accompanied only by a piano. Evan Yo’s lyrical voice brings the simple, unadorned melodies to their fullest. Then, all of a sudden, the song bursts into a full-fledged rock verse. The transitions between the two moods, repeated throughout the song, are well-executed. I’m not sure if it would even really be considered a ballad, but a good song nonetheless.

Labels: Evan, Evan Yo, Fly to the Sky, Guang Liang, JJ Lin, K, KCM, Kim Jong Kook, Monday Kiz, Park Hyo Shin, SG Wannabe, Tanaka Roma, Tei, Tohoshinki

Hello, I'm glad to see that people are starting to comment. ^_^ I'm doing a small update, I think only five songs ... if people continue to comment, the next full rotation will be up this week as well.

And by the way, feel free to suggest rotation themes or request songs. I haven't been updating my playlists a lot lately and they're still far from complete, but I'm hoping to work on them more during the summer. =)

가지마 가지마 (Gajima, Gajima) * Brown Eyes
Korean * R&B * Vol. 3 - Two Things Needed For The Same Purpose and 5 Objects

BROWN EYES <3 Their new album releases on the 19th, I've uploaded one song from it. And is it just me, or does the album name make absolutely no sense ... O_o Anyhow, 가지마 가지마 is a heartfelt ballad. It's pretty boring but their voices are so nice, it makes the song shine out. I believe the title translates to "Don't Leave", but I could be wrong.

Nostalgia * 요조 (Yozoh) & 에릭 (Eric) With Brown Classic
Korean * Pop * Nostalgia

Yup, it's Eric from Shinhwa. A nice, relaxing song. I don't know much about Yozoh, but her voice is really nice and soft; it fits in perfectly with the acoustic guitars. It's sweet but sad at the same time, and the rapped verse breaks the monotony of the song. I liked it. =)

꿈의 시간들 * Tei
Korean * Ballad * Gourmet OST

Okay, I'm usually not a fan of OSTs. The only OST I found memorable was the one for Coffee Prince, but the Gourmet OST caught my attention from the artists on it - Tei, Shin Hye Sung, Fanny Fink, Sweetpea, etc. Anyhow this song and the two following it are all from this OST. =) Ahh just listening to this song makes me want to watch the drama/movie (never heard of it before hearing the OST). Tei is one of my favourite singers, he has such a unique voice. It's not quite as powerful in this song, which is a little more upbeat than his usual slow ballads. Probably since it's intended as background music, not as a main feature ... his voice is really deep and kind of rough at certain spots, yet perfectly clear at others. <3 I like the string accompaniment in this song too. Recommended.

눈이 하는 말 * Shin Hye Sung
Korean * Ballad * Gourmet OST

I'm sorry, but I don't really like Hye Sung's voice. T_T It just seems like it's always disappearing beneath the accompaniment. I only like a few songs from his Love of May album, other than that his solo stuff never really impressed me. I uploaded this since I'm sure lots of Shinhwa fans will want to grab it. But, he does really shine through in the chorus of this song. His voice is really sweet, too. Worth a listen, but I preferred Tei's song.

Heyday - Fanny Fink
Korean * Soft Rock * Gourmet OST

I uploaded another song by these guys once, I love them. <3 I don't even know what genre to call them. O_o Heyday is kind of jazzy, and really cute. The vocals are kind of soft and breathy. Recommended.

Labels: Brown Classic, Brown Eyes, Eric, Fanny Fink, Shin Hye Sung, Tei, Yozoh

Welcome to Fashion Scans, an mp3 rotation that features Korean, Japanese, and Chinese music as well as the occasional English song. Fashion Scans was created in October 2007 and is run by Haruhi with contributions from Carmi.

Please send all affiliate requests to Haruhi. Carmi is currently open to requests.

Files are for sampling purposes only, I am not responsible if you keep them for longer than the 24-48 hours permitted. Please support the artists by purchasing their CDs.

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