If you’re anything like me, the last two weeks were spent glued to the TV watching the 2012 London Olympics. It was riveting entertainment to watch the best athletes in the world compete on the largest stage in the world. If there was a take away from the London Olympics, it had to be the rise and dominance of female athletes. For the first time in history, every competing nation had a female athlete. For major Olympic countries like the United States, China, and Russia, the women brought home more medals than the men even though women compete for fewer medals (cool stat of the day: if the U.S. Women were a country, they would be third in gold medals and fifth overall).
Of course, it all comes down to the amazing performances by women from across the globe like the emergence of swimming phenom Missy Franklin (and her leading role in the U.S. Swim Team’s video of Carly Rae Jespen’s “Call Me Maybe”), the Korean Women’s Volleyball team, ranked 15th in the world, reaching the semifinals riding the right arm of one of the world’s top players, Kim Yeon Koung, and Britain’s own Jessica Ennis not only being the face of the Olympics but securing a gold medal in the heptathlon.
To congratulate these great athletes, this week’s column is all about girl power. Songs from some of the best female K-poppers that you might know and others you won’t but all of them showing Girl Power in K-pop.
Park Mi Kyung – “A Reason That Doesn’t Seem Like a Reason”
From one of the original divas of K-pop, this song was Park Mi Kyung’s breakout hit and made her a superstar. She was a part of the same company as legend Kim Gun Mo and was instrumental in bringing the new western style of music to the Korean masses. Most recently Park Mi Kyung was a contestant on the show ‘I Am a Singer‘ and showed that she still had the tools to bring down the house.
Diva – “Yes”
Diva was one of the early girl groups to debut during the transition period to the modern age of K-pop. The trio comprised of members Vicki, Jinny, and Chae Rina, who was coming off of her Roo’Ra fame and the groups mixed sex appeal with fun energy set the standard for girl groups to come. The song was a huge hit but the group went through multiple changes and it was this first album that set the standard.
Yangpa – “I Want to Know”
Following her massive success from her first album, Yangpa released her second album in 1998 with the title single “I Want to Know”. It didn’t reach the same heights are her debut but the song showcased her velvet voice and probably didn’t get the recognition it deserved. Another great song from an underrated singer.
SES/Fin.K.L/Uhm Jung Hwa/Baek Ji Young/Boa
I’m grouping these ladies together because they’ve already been covered in this column extensively but it would be a crime not to include them on a list. If you don’t know who they are, please read about them here, here, here, here, and here and then sit back and enjoy the music.
Park Jung Hyun – “P.S. I Love You”
While Park Jung Hyun is a household name now, her initial debut came as Lena Park and she was one of the least known of the really great female vocalists. The song featured her R&B influenced voice and her enormous range. Park Jung Hyun would be the personification of the phrase, “better late than never”.
Hans Band – “Teacher, I Love You”
Before there was F.T. Island and CNBLUE, there was a three-piece girl band named Hans Band. Each member playing an instrument, these ladies had some success in the late 90’s with songs like “Arcade” and “Curiosity” but it was their debut single that many fans remember. We need more female bands anyway so all you young ladies, go pick up an instrument and rock out.
Tashannie – “Day by Day”
Singer Yoon Mirae (Tasha) has had a fairly long and winding career in K-pop and a stop along the way was half of the duo Tashannie along with member Annie Lee. The pair only released a single album in 2000 but the hit single would be influential. “Day by Day” was one of the best R&B songs of its time (it still might be today) and showed that Tasha had the singing chops to keep up with anyone. There’s a great cover version of this song too with Ha Dong Kyun and Lim Jeong Hee, another great female vocalist who should get more headlines.
Jaurim – “Magic Carpet Ride”
While the band isn’t all female, lead singer and front woman Kim Yuna was a pioneer of bringing the alternative sound to the masses and it didn’t hurt that she is an amazing singer and super sexy. Her voice and her sense of style change with each song to fit it perfectly but she has that powerful, alt-rock foundation which makes her unmistakable. Another beneficiary of the show ‘I Am a Singer‘, I’m waiting for what this band has up their sleeve next.
Park Ji Yoon – “Coming of Age Ceremony”
Park Ji Yoon had a successful career prior to this song but her switch to JYP Entertainment and the release of this single from her fourth album blew the roof off of her career. The song was scandalous, it was a sensation, and it was one of the most memorable performances in K-pop history. I don’t know where JY Park gets his inspiration from some of his stuff but this one was one of is finest and Park Ji Yoon pulled it off with perfection.
