Korean R&B music - playlist 2018

In terms of Korean R&B music, I would say 2018 is PLT's year. Lots of amazing releases as a group and as solo artists. In terms of solo work, I especially enjoyed Villain's mini-album (Bank Robber).

Without further ado, here are some K-R&B music released in 2018 on my playlist:


PLT (Planetarium Records) 
- Full album released this year: Case #1 ,  Case #2
- Single albums released this year: Hocus Pocus, Day:Off, IGOHOLIC
- All their songs are amazing!!! They have great vocals, lyrics, song production, and MV! I highly recommend their music!




Villain - 'Manitto'
- He released his first mini-album this year, entitled 'Bank Robber'. Highly recommend!
-  excellent song production and great vocal ranges

Jung Jin Woo - 'She's got everything'
- He released his first full album this year, entitled, 'Rotate'.
- It seems like he is experimenting different styles in this album. Overall, great vocals and song production as always.
- A little disappointed that Jung Jin Woo's Satellite 2018 on the new album wasn't the full version of the song he sang on Kpop Star 5...

June (준) - 'Serenade' (single)
- He also released a mini-album this year entitled, 'Have a nice trip'.
- His music is consistently R&B, which I enjoy.

Hoody - 'Sunshine'
- Fun, enjoyable track to groove to! I really enjoy the dance MV

Brand Newjiq (브랜뉴직) - 'Hello'
- Looks like Brand Newjiq is no longer a duo...
- A slow soulful track, with impressive vocals!

Kim Jo Han(김조한)  - 'Still in Love(아직은)' 
- Korean R&B legend, Kim Jo Han. Enough said.

Sam Kim - 'Make up' feat. Crush
- Some 90's R&B element in addition to great production and vocals
- Great collaboration - their vocals fit well together




McKay - 'You will never know' (English version)
- Another impressive track by McKay. He sounds a lot like JB...




Ra.D - 'pingpong' feat. Brother Su
- whoa, it's been a while since I've heard new music from them.
- Great track with soothing vocals. Very much their style




Yoon Jong Shin - 'Night Drive' (October Monthly 2018)
- relaxing track, good song production, versatile vocals

Album Review: Brother Su - 'Paper'

Album release date: 2013
Genre: R&B/Soul, Kpop
Rating: 4/5
Review by: jct

Singer-songwriter Brother Su, has finally released his debut album entitled 'Paper' on July 4, 2013. Here, Brother Su continues to show promise and potential as he displays his own musical personality and style.


Promise and Potential

From the beginning, things start off well, with "Why are you being like this feat. Swings", which is a strong, up-tempo tune that's full of bounce and personality. It reminds me of his second single, "You Got Me" released in 2011. And it continues to go well as you move along the tracks.
Of note is "I'm With You feat. Ra.D" which is a very nice collaboration with singer-songwriter Ra.D as they have such great chemistry. The song is about pondering over a past relationship and missing that special person, as he sings, "When I'm with you girl, I want to stop time that's moving so quickly." Ra.D then continues, "Girl, when I'm with you; you, who matched my footsteps. I sometimes forget how precious you are."

Here, I noticed some vocal similarities with the speaking-type of singing. In a way, it is a unique feature of the music under Realcollabo label. The lyrics of his songs are also sweet, kind and honest, such as "Girl Next Door" where he sings, "Let's meet up whenever we have time, I'm very glad to meet a friend my age. Although we met for the first time today, I think we have a lot of things in common. It's making me more curious as to why that is."

Despite his smooth and relaxing vocals, there are some songs that are somewhat bland, and there is a bit too much featuring of other artists in this album (nearly half of the album). However, most of the time, he sounds like he is enjoying himself and singing what's actually in his heart. All the songs, from beginning to the end, are written, composed and produced by himself which deserves applause. Overall, his debut album certainly proves that he is a talented and well-rounded artist.

Tracklist
01. Intro (늦잠)
02. 왜 이러니 (Feat.Swings) (Why are you being like this)
03. 소심해서 그래 (Feat.달총이 of CHEEZE) (Because I'm so Timid feat. Dal Chong of CHEEZE)
04. 윗집 여자 (Girl Next Door)
05. 좋대요 (Like it)
06. I'm With You (Feat.Ra.D)
07. 다른 별 (Feat.Lovey) (Different Stars)
08. 팔베개 (Sleep with your head on my arm)
09. Outro (늦잠)
10. It Was You (CD Only) (Bonus Track)

CHEEZE - '빠빠빠 (Papapa) feat. Brother Su' (2013)

Track 10 from CHEEZE's first album released in Jan. 2013. It's a very upbeat fun R&B track.

Note: CHEEZE and Brother Su are both under Ra.D's realcollabo management.


Listen below: 



Lyrics: 

무표정한 사람들, 뭐 그리들 바쁜지
할 수 있는 일마저 거짓말처럼 들리지

* I just wanna chill with you
I can't wait to be with you

White T-shirts blue jean, hair waxed and brown kicks,
close the closet
I walk down the aisle, stair and street
I would be delight to hear your 'hello'
I can teach you something new to say, 'I don't mind'
Don't you take the time to get your mind?
Don't be fast about your city's life
겁 먹지마, 나를 따라와
따라닷다 콧노래가 나와
바라만 봐도 죽이네 날씨가
한 발짝 천천히 가도
You don't knocking on the heaven's door

Coming down, 그냥 걸어도 늦진 않잖아
Slowly smile, 같이 걸어도 좋아
*
Could you tell me who you are

Put the earphone in to my white phone and music is
on & on 에 혼자 걷기도
오래간만 인 것 같은데 나를 걱정하게 해
똑같은 매일 또 같은 내일이 다가오는 게 머리 아픈데
이렇게 때론 하루를 버려버린 채 일상에 찌든 때를 빨아내야 해 하얗게
Yeah, I don't care 마지못해 돌아가는 일주일 한달 일년, 다 미뤄둬 지금은,
Like a gangster, 더 현실에 겁주는 목소리로

Everytime you better let it go, then everyday you
wanna say it ho! Your day and night gonna be untie. Yeah Everybody
ready get, set, go!

[BrotherSu]

뒤척거리다 눈떠 그대로 wake up해
gotta move, 눈 부비고 dressed up and
길 나서, 버스 타서
바퀴에 몸무게 얹어놔 또
지나가는 사람들 구경해봐
피곤한가봐 속눈썹에 다
피로가 대롱대롱 매달려 있어
보는 내가다 지쳐. 아이고!
빈틈없이 꽉 막힌 거리같은
노트는 갖다 치우고
지금 아님 다 망칠 거 아니니까
오늘은 싹 잊고
하루쯤은 나랑 놀도록 해
기분에 맞춰다니고 한번쯤 all day
같이 편안하게 좀 chill, ok?
이따가 치킨 어때?

Lyrics credit: mnet

Brother Su (브라더수) - '왜 이러니 (Why Are You Being Like This?) feat. Swings' (2013)

Brother Su is back in 2013! He has been quite busy this year - featuring on several artists' albums and releasing his first full album! Here's a R&B/hip hop track about the daily life of a youth (school, hanging out with friends, drinking, etc.) by Brother Su.

Tracklist
1. 왜 이러니 (Why Are You Being Like This?) feat. Swings

Listen below: 

New Music: Mad Clown (매드 크라운) - '바질 (Feat. Brother Su)' (2011)

Mad Clown (매드 크라운)  is a Korean male rapper who recently released an album entitled 'Anything Goes' on November 4, 2011. Track 9, "'바질 (Feat. BrotherSu)" is a mid-tempo R&B/Hip Hop track about a broken heart and that where ever he goes, he is reminded of her. The melody and beats are nice with Brother Su's amazing vocals. The rest of the album is too hip hop/rap for my liking though.

Tracklist
9. 바질(feat. Brother Su)


Listen below:

Brother Su (브라더수) - 'It Was You' (2010) (digital single)

Brother Su is a Korean R&B singer-songwriter and also a rapper. He was recruited by Ra.D, and the first artist signed under Ra.D's label - Realcollabo. Brother Su released his first single, "It Was You" on February 10, 2010. The title track, "It Was You", is a slow-tempo R&B track with relaxing acoustic guitar sounds, romantic lyrics and smooth vocals.

Tracklist
1. It Was You
2. It Was You (Ra.D Remix)

Listen below:

Track 1

Track 2




Korean lyrics:

시간은 나와 흘러
걸음이 빨라 가끔은 느린 나를 울려도
가면을 쓴 사람들 가득찬 이곳에서 손 내민건 (It was You)

그렁그렁 매달린 눈물을 닦아준건 It was You
Could You Be My Darling 이젠 내가 널 안아줄게

You're Not Alone. I'll Be Here, Your Side
Don't be scared. 혼자가 아니란걸 알게 해준 너에게
I Just wanna thank you. I appreciate (it)
부끄러워 전하는 노래

왜 아무도 없어 따뜻함이 남은건
내 방구석에 남은 내 이불뿐이라고 생각했던 내게
MJ처럼 'You're Not Alone'
나도 모르는 사이 내게로 다가와 손내민건 It Was You

하루일에 지친 날 일으켜줬던건 'It was You'
Baby, Are You Listenin' 이젠 내가 널 안아줄게

You're Not Alone. I'll Be Here, Your Side
Don't be scared. 혼자가 아니란걸 알게 해준 너에게
I Just wanna thank you. I appreciate (it)
부끄러워 전하는 노래

길거리에서 마주치건 
지하철에서 마주치건
버스 정류장에서 마주치건

밤에 일기를 쓸때도
추워서 커피를 살때도
혼자 시트콤을 볼때도

길거리에서 마주치건 
지하철에서 마주치건
버스 정류장에서 마주치건

밤에 일기를 쓸때도
추워서 커피를 살때도
혼자 시트콤을 볼때도

You're Not Alone. I'll Be Here, Your Side
Don't be scared. 혼자가 아니란걸 알게 해준 너에게
I Just wanna thank you. I appreciate (it)
부끄러워 전하는 노래


Lyrics (English translated): 

Time flies with me
It walks too fast so it makes me cry sometimes
Among this place full of masked people 
The one who reached out to me, it was you

The one who dried my tearful eyes, it was you,
Could you be my darling 
Now I'll be the one who hold you 

Chorus:
You're not alone, I'll be here,  your side
Don't be scared
To you who let me know I was not alone
I just wanna thank you. I appreciate (it)
I'm shy so I send this song instead 

Why there's no one? 
I thought that the warmth left
Only under my bedclothes in my room
Like MJ "You're not alone" 
Who reached out to me while I don't know, it was you

Who raised my exhausted body up after day's work, it was you
Baby, are you listening
Now I'll be the one who hold you 

(Chorus)

Even when we meet on the street
Even when we meet on the subway
Even when we meet at the bus stop

Even when I write my diary at night
Even when I buy my coffee to ease the cold
Even when I watch sitcoms alone 

(Chorus) 

Korean lyrics credit: daum
English translated lyrics: jctmusicnotes, xxsashaxx