K-Pop Conversion Step 5: Dark Appeal

The K-Pop community continues to grow, reaching as far as the other side of the world. With more acts breaking into the Western music scene, audiences are increasingly becoming aware of K-Pop and are rapidly showing interest. Time and time again, this specific formula for dragging others into the hype of the Hallyu Wave has proven totally successful.

This week we will take a look at some of the darker concept releases, which are particularly intriguing to those who have been a part of the metal, emo, or scene revolution of the early 2000s (like yours truly). Show your friends that K-Pop isn’t just stereotypical bubble-gum pop with the following tracks!

“Chase Me” - Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher(드림캐쳐) _ Chase Me MV 2017.01.13 PM 12:00 Dreamcatcher(드림캐쳐) Debut Single [악몽(惡夢)] Release. ▶Dreamcatcher(드림캐쳐) More Information Dreamcatcher Home : http://www.dreamcatcher7.com/ Dreamcatcher Twitter : https://twitter.com/hf_dreamcatcher Dreamcatcher Facebook : http://facebook.com/happyfacedreamcatcher Dreamcatcher Weibo : http://weibo.com/dreamcatcher7 Dreamcatcher Instagram : http://instagram.com/hf_dreamcatcher Dreamcatcher Fan Cafe : http://cafe.daum.net/Dreamcatcher7

As the quintessential horror group, Dreamcatcher is synonymous with the dark concept, and is the first girl group to really focus on a heavy metal sound behind their vocals. Their music is very reminiscent of the popular metal music days of the mid-2000s. It will not only spark interest with their unique sound, but will also elicit a nice dose of nostalgia for older fans that remember those metal days fondly.

“도깨비” - CLC

안 넘어오고는 못 배길 일곱 '도깨비' CLC만의 카리스마 파격적인 변신이 돋보이는 다섯 번째 미니앨범 [CRYSTYLE] 2017년 1월, CLC가 변신과 함께 새로운 도약을 준비한다. 이번 미니 5집 [CRYSTYLE]은 'CLC 만의 스타일'이라는 의미로 미니 4집 [NU.CLEAR]의 '아니야'로 이미 검증 받은 CLC만의 예쁘고 엉뚱한 매력이 극대화 됨과 동시에 성숙해지고 카리스마가 강해진 모습을 확인할 수 있다.

It doesn’t get much fiercer than CLC’s “도깨비.” With influence from label mate HyunA’s fierce and sexy themes, CLC came out and destroyed the world with this concept and skyrocketed into the spotlight. We all love the badass lady concept, and if your target is adverse to the usual cute concepts, they’re bound to love this track.

“Black on Black” - NCT

Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play Music http://smarturl.it/NCT2018EMPATHY [Tracklist] 01 INTRO: Neo Got My Back 02 BOSS 03 Baby Don't Stop 04 GO 05 TOUCH 06 YESTODAY 07 Black on Black 08 텐데... (Timeless) 09 일곱 번째 감각 (第七感 ; The 7th Sense) 10 WITHOUT YOU 11 WITHOUT YOU (Chinese Ver.)

Black, black, and even more black. Who doesn’t love black? Who wouldn’t love 18 talented boys dancing in all black? Okay, maybe dodge the actual member number at first and just introduce this addictive track and mesmerizing choreography from NCT. Nothing is quite as intense as the beat of “Black on Black”; the entirety of the song is rap, which just adds to the hard-hitting beat, since there aren’t any vocals to soften the overall feeling.

“Voodoo Doll” - VIXX

*Warning: Graphic Content

VIXX, who have presented new paradigm with unique concept, performance, and powerful stage, comes back with the 1st regular album on Nov, 25th of 2013! Within a year and a half! VIXX came back as 'VOODOO DOLL' who has sad fate! Now release the 1st regular album title song 'VOODOO DOLL' M/V!

Oh, she’s talking about VIXX’s “Voodoo Doll” again? Yes, yes I am, and I will never shut up about it. “Voodoo Doll” was one of the first songs to convert my strictly heavy-metal listener self. Its unique and dark concept was darker than anything I had ever seen before. Intense is too mild of a word to describe “Voodoo Doll,” which is likely to capture the heart of anyone that prefers darker themes over the happy, bubbly ones. The song was definitely a pioneer in its concept and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable not just in K-Pop, but in music in general.

“Warrior” - B.A.P

@ TS Entertainment B.A.P (비에이피) - WARRIOR (워리어) MV

B.A.P’s debut track “Warrior” has certainly established the group’s signature mastery of intense songs and dark themes. With choreography that involved fighting and alluded to gun violence, B.A.P was definitely pushing the boundaries like VIXX. The mastery of rap from Yongguk and Zelo stirs a feeling in me reminiscent of an intense metal track, which is probably why I was also drawn to it in the first place. “Warrior” truly goes off, and it’s difficult to not find yourself addicted to its intensity.