This year has been an amazing year for many female Kpop groups that just started off for the first time in 2014. Even though the year is not over, I can definitely say that these groups have a good chance of becoming rather large and popular in the future; 1PS, Bob Girls, Red Velvet, Four Ladies, and Lip Service.
1PS (원피스, pronounced as One Piece Score) is made up of four members and is managed by 1theK, formerly known as LOEN Entertainment. They debuted their first album, The First Score, on March 3, 2014, with the song "Because I'm Your Girl". Made up of the members Yena (예나) the leader, Yoon Seo (윤서), Ji Eun (지은), and Sae Ha (새하), these girls in 1PS are all trained dancers; mostly in ballet. Their song "Because I'm Your Girl" reflects this ability, with one of the members constantly being shown to be doing ballet throughout the quiet, ballad like song. It's a peaceful piece of music, where the voices are balanced and bring about a warm feeling in you. While I'm personally not used to ballad like songs, I believe that 1PS will use their talent with not only singing but with dance, to make their mark.
1PS(원피스) - Because I'm your girl(여자이니까)
Bob Girls (단발머리) is also made up of four members, although they are the second girl's group managed by Chrome Entertainment. They debuted their first album, No Way, on June 10, 2014 with the song "No Way". This group is made up of Dahye (다혜), Yujeong (유정), Jina (지나), and Danbi (단비). What is so interesting with this group is, unlike most other girl groups, the singers all have short hair, going back to the name of their group, "Bob Girls", like the haircut called the bob. In fact, one representative from Chrome Entertainment made this statement about the group and their hair, "When a girl cuts her hair short, she doesn’t only go through a change in looks but people normally think of it as a change of her heart. Bobbed hair doesn’t just signify a hairstyle but it represents ‘woman’s transformation and change.’ Expressing its unique color through various transformations and change is Bob Girls’ identity." This being said, there is a certainly different experience when watching Bob Girls, shown in "No Way". Here, the dancing is sensual, and the music certainly reflects the feeling of sensuality as well. Listening to the lyrics, I definitely get the feeling of a certain romance behind it all, which is rather interesting, since the song also focuses on how you can say no in relationships. I would definitely like to see more music, which is already in the works.
[Bob Girls] 단발머리 - 노웨이(No way)
Red Velvet (레드벨벳) is certainly not cake (though that would be wonderful right now, would it not?) but instead are a four member group managed by S.M. Entertainment. They debuted their first album, Happiness, on August 1, 2014 with the song "Happiness". Made up of Irene (아이린) with pink hair, Seul-Gi (슬기) with yellow hair, Wendy (웬디) with blue hair, and is from Canada, and finally Joy (조이) with green hair. This group is mainly marketed as somewhat "hippie" type of music, which certainly the music video reflects by the blatant psychedelic background, kaleidoscope scene, and overall happiness (after all, that is the name of the song!) that one feels while watching the video. They also feature a cute sort of jelly bear sort of creature in the music video that seems to also be their mascot, seen many times in "Happiness". Definitely a very cute song, and a very cute group that I will hope to see more of.
Red Velvet 레드벨벳 - 행복(Happiness)
Four Ladies (포엘) is probably the most surprising out of the groups that I have seen as of yet. Managed by Jade Contents Media, this four member group debuted their first album Move on August 1, 2014 with the song "Move". There is Chany (차니), Yeseul (예슬), J-na (제이나), and Jayoung (자영), and three of the four are former members of MoA. What makes this song so interesting, is the raw sexual nature of it compared to most Kpop I have seen. In fact, it was said by their managing company, " Our strategy is to show raw sexiness. The teasers are just the tip of the iceberg." It's funny they say that though, considering the video shows a lesbian couple multiple times throughout the video. However, to perform in Manila for the October 5th Knation Music Showcase, they have had to change their image. So, concerning what we've seen so far, and the fact that they've had to change to perform, it shows promise in some interesting development for Four Ladies.
포엘(four ladies 4L) - Move(무브)
Lip Service (립서비스) I happened to save last for a reason. First off, I heard this for the first time at Otakon, and it officially was my friends' and my official Otakon 2014 theme song for some unknown reason. Well, except for how catchy it was! While being managed by Now Entertainment, this three member group debuted their first album Yum Yum Yum on February 4, 2014 with the song "Yum Yum Yum" with the leader BiPa (비파) who is Korean-American, Cora (코라), and Anna (애나). What is so impressive is how they could make such a catchy song about food and eating! While they only really featured two of the three for the most part, the dancing and outfits were fun and amusing, while the rapping was absolutely amazing. A plus for how well Lip Service did for their first song!
립서비스 Lipservice - 냠냠냠 Yum Yum Yum
I would say that definitely overall that I have been super excited with all these groups! I can certainly see all these ladies of these groups; 1PS, Bob Girls, Red Velvet, Four Ladies, and Lip Service all have shown promise in creating super good music that I think any Kpop fan would love. Let's hope and wish them luck in their musical endeavors and that they continue to be successful!
