G-Dragon X Taeyang Performs in "Infinity Challenge" Music Festival 2015 (Photo : YG Entertainment)
South Korean popular TV Variety Show "Infinity Challenge" held its annual music festival with a new line up of songwriters.
The music festival was held on Aug. 13 with the episode aired on Aug. 22. The following is the review and ranking of the songs in the festival based on overall performance, lyrical content and popularity.
Rank #6 - "I'm So Sexy" - Dancing Genome
Park Jin Young and Yoo Jae Suk's dancing skills are the best among all performers and the concept is really good. However, the concept did not really fit the latter. Good-natured Yoo Jae Suk, while can be naughty, fell short in embodying the song. Moreover, the song is just forgettable and overshadowed by other songs in the festival. It lacks more impact.
Rank #5 - "My Life" - Sangjuna feat. Hyorin
During the preparation for the festival, the team did not have a lot of conflicts thanks to Yoon Sang open-mindedness and willingness to compromise with what Jung Junha wants to do on stage. Jung Junha wanted to do hiphop and went the trouble of writing the lyrics and practicing rap. Kudos to him for writing sensible lyrics with the contagious "Assalaam alaykum...Sawadi Kap" part.
However, the song feels like it is all over the place. There are too many elements in the performance that seemed detached from each other. Based on the broadcast, Junha rapped, danced, and even rollerboarded on the EDM mix of Yoon Sang. There is also no interaction between Junha and Hyorin. It would have been great if the two did the dance together just like what BoA and Gil have done on 2013's festival.
Rank #4 - "Mapsosa" - Hwangtaeji
The collaboration of YG Entertainment's G-Dragon and Taeyang with Hwang Kwanghee is one of the most anticipated performances in the music festival. Both Taeyang and Kwanghee are new to the festival, while G-Dragon is a veteran of previous festivals. However, the song is like hodgepodge of various beats and sounded like the mixes that dancers use for a performance. The song seemed unpolished.
The lyrics are mediocre compared to G-Dragon previous works. I expected more, especially when he said that BigBang paid more attention to the lyrics due to rap survival show "Show Me The Money". Upon reading the lyrics, it would have been better if they wrote about the struggle of people born in 1988 or late-20s, which is at the crucial stage of not knowing whether to play and be carefree or start getting serious in life and settle down.
On the other hand, I like Taeyang's part. I imagined him not giving a damn to the world and play and dance in the club. Kwanghee proved that he is still an "idol," while there are some comic parts in the song and choreography.
Rank #3 - "Leon" - EU God-G isn't EU
The concept of the pair is based in the film, "Leon: The Professional". Listening to the beat and melody of the song, I expected sensual lyrics perfect to the story of a 12-year-old girl falling in love to someone older. The idea fit the two. However, my thoughts did not reflect in the lyrics, which made me wonder if IU watched the film or she simply maintained her pure and innocent image.
Moreover, IU may have compromised with Park Myung Soo for adding the EDM beat at the end. I hope it will not be included in the actual single as it sounded displaced.
Rank #2 - "Wonderful Barn" - The 5 Emperors
There is much anticipation on Hyukoh's single since the intro previewed in the previous episode that made the cast dance. The band also chose to be the last performer in the "Infinity Challenge" Music Festival 2015. Thus, expectations are high. The lyrics narrate the story of the prodigal son and the sad story contrasted the upbeat melody of the song that made the audience dance.
I applaud Hyukoh's band for offering something new. The song is far from the band's slow and melancholic sounds similar to Coldplay or Keane. The only disadvantage I found in the performance is it slowly died down at the end, which would have been good in the record or album. Being in the festival and the last performer, it should end in a high note. However, the audience liked the song, nevertheless.
Rank #1 - "$ponsor" - Eutteugeottasi
As expected from Zion T. who can make a good song from everyday experiences. No wonder that this song skyrocketed to the top spot of music charts. The lyrics is simple yet funny telling a story of a Sugar Daddy willing to give everything that money can buy to the woman he loves. The beat will make you bounce, but it is still easy on the ears and will be popular to both young and old.
In the end, it is a great compilation of songs from the songwriters.
