Tiara adopts change, Mamamoo returns sexy

K-pop girl group Tiara performs during their 12th mini-album “REMEMBER” showcase stage at Blue Square in Yongsan, Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

MBK Entertainment’s girl band Tiara returned after a year and three months with their 12th mini-album “REMEMBER” on Wednesday, hoping to revive their old glory as one of the top girl groups in the nation. They band was forced to leave the K-pop scene for awhile after they were embroiled in a bully scandal in 2012.

Tiara debuted as a 6-member group in 2009, sweeping the local music scene instantly with hit-songs like “Good Person,” “Time to Love (TTL)” and “Bo Peep Bo Peep.” It did not take too long for the K-pop group to reach further into the Japanese market and a new member Hwayoung joined the band in 2010. But a scandal broke out two years later with the rumor that the band’s original members had been bullying Hwayoung because she did not go through the hardships they had gone through and took success for granted. Tiara’s agency denied the rumors but its decision to let Hwayoung leave the group led its fans to turn back on Tiara.

The group decided to continue their careers abroad and made a comeback last August with their seventh extended play, “So Good” with the title track “So Crazy,” which turned out to be not so successful.

Tiara stole the hearts of fans this time in adopting some musical changes in their new title track “Tiamo” produced by their longtime colleague Double Sidekick.

“We have always received much love with Tiara-ish music and we felt pressured to return to the music we are comfortable with,” said Eunjung during their press conference at Blue Square in Yongsan, Seoul. “But we needed a change and some new music. We enjoyed working on our new album thinking that our new song will be the starting point for our change.”

Former Tiara songs focused more on performances with unique themes like cat, robot or Indians rather than its musicality. Their songs often sang addictive verses that excite audiences.

The five tracks included in the new album deviate from dance-pop genre to love songs in medium-tempo. Tiamo, which means I love you in Italian, is Tiara’s message to their fans sung in harmony with piano, guitar and strings.

“We’ve been singing unique songs that many girl groups have never tried before. This time we returned with comparatively bland songs, which we hope our fans perceive as a change for us,” said Eunjung.

K-pop girl band Mamamoo speaks during a press conference showcasing “Decalcomanie,” a song in their fourth mini-album “MEMORY,” at YES24 LiveHALL in Gwangjin, eastern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

Mamamoo returns sexy, energetic

K-pop band Mamamoo made a comeback with their fourth mini-album “MEMORY” on Monday, adopting a sexy concept for the first time ready to captivate male fans.

“This time we will show enchanting images of us,” said Hwasa during the press conference held at YES24 LiveHALL in Gwangjin, eastern Seoul. “It is more energetic than sensuous in the way we show our sexiness.”

Mamamoo has been enjoying their popularity for quality vocals and their pursuit of original music, plus playful charm. However, they have given away the fun-loving characteristics on the stage and tempted audiences with alluring music and costumes, which the members say isn’t all that so new.

“If you are a woman, you have fantasy about the sexy beauty. I am satisfied we have taken the concept to show it to our fans,” said Solar.

Their new title song “Decalcomanie,” written by music producer Kim Do-hoon, plays accordingly to the band’s sexy concept with an 8-beat rock rhythm based on the rock music that mainly uses acoustic drums and a guitar sound. The song sings a story about a couple getting to look and act similar like decalcomanie.

The new title track is nothing like Mamamoo’s previous unique songs such as “You’re the Best,” or “Um Oh Ah Yeh” that have witty lyrics.

“We wanted to show a new charm apart from being humorous. We did not want to limit ourselves in one type of music but wanted to digest various genres,” said Wheein.

The new album has eight tracks including new songs such as “Draw & Draw & Draw,” and “I Won’t Let Go” as well as single leads from Aug. and Sept.

Solar added that Draw & Draw & Draw is a swing jazz type of ballad that plays perfect music for Christmas, in which the lyrics are like a picture is to a memory of a loving one.