MAMA was such a giant deal in Okay-pop, however I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t even know when it was taking place this yr! The hype positively appeared underwhelming. So quite than slog by way of your complete present and its meaningless awards, I hopped on YouTube and watched the performances. Listed below are the three that caught out most to me.

3. Jeon Somi – The Approach + Quick Ahead

She’s had fairly a musical transformation, and her confidence owned this stage. Each songs are complete bops and meshed nicely collectively. The one awkward level was that too-long costume change transition between them. The stage went silent… and never in a great way. Fortunately, the pay-off was value it.

2. RIIZE + TVXQ – Rising Solar

Rising Solar won’t ever not go off — particularly in a stay setting. It was a blast to see RIIE carry out it (give them music like this, SM!), however then TVXQ got here in to indicate precisely why they’re the rightful house owners of this Okay-pop traditional. Someday I’ll have the ability to see this track carried out stay… I’m manifesting it…

1. Yoshiki x Taehyun x Hueningkai x Jaehyun x Anton x Han Yujin – Countless Rain

Countless Rain is one other track that may by no means not go off. Yoshiki is such an expressive, emotional performer and I beloved seeing this tone rub off on the assorted Okay-pop stars who joined him. It was an awesome alternative to showcase particular person abilities throughout the context of a legendary J-pop traditional. The excessive key was a little bit of a pressure for the TXT guys (who in any other case did an awesome job), nevertheless it’s truthfully a pressure for nearly any vocalist. The emotion and theatricality of the stage made up for any of these shortcomings, and truthfully it’s simply refreshing to see an idol efficiency that targeted on singing quite than choreo and staging.