JennyWec: 2015

Sunday, June 21, 2015

T-ara's sub unit activities

How many subgroups of T-ara?

Besides T-ara have released albums with their full line-ups or members, they also have project to divide their members into three subgroups in order to make more different music style and to please all fan clubs and viewers who have been supporting and following T-ara for such a long time. And T-ara subgroups that they divided are T-ara N4, QBS and solo singers.

First of all, T-ara subgroup that they divided is T-ara N4. On April 12, 2013, Core Contents Media announced the launch of the group's first sub-unit, T-ara N4, which stands for "T-ara Brand New 4", consisting of four members: Jiyeon, Eunjung, Hyomin, and Areum. But since Areum departed from the group T-ara, extra member Dani is replaced her in T-ara N4. So the currently members of T-ara N4 are Eunjung (leader, Main vocalist, Hyomin (lead vocalist, main rapper), Jiyeon (vocalist) and Dani (rapper).

Original members: Areum, Hyomin, Jiyeon, Eunjung

T-ara had previously tried sub-units with the promotions of their sixth Japanese single "Bunny Style!” in which the B-sides were sung by units of two and three members; however this was their first time doing formal unit activities. The group's debut song, "Jeon Won Diary", was inspired by the 1980s drama of the same name. Produced by Duble Sidekick, it is a "funky and intense" dance song with elements of hip-hop. With the main motif of "Jeon Won Diary" being about breaking away from the same everyday routine, T-ara N4's extended play, Jeon Won Diary, and the music video for the title track were released on April 29, 2013.

MV Jeon won diary by T-ara N4

Second, T-ara subgroup that they divided is QBS. A Japanese sub-unit called QBS was announced in May 2013, featuring members Qri, Boram and Soyeon. The group focused on the Japanese market.

Boram, Soyeon, Qri

The sub-unit released their debut single "Kaze no You ni" (Like the Wind) on June 26, 2013. It’s written and composed by Takanori Fukuta. The song is described as a refreshing pop tune with an evergreen melody that leaves a "lasting impression". To promote the single, QBS held a live show at the Sunshine City Fountain Square in Ikebukuro, Tokyo on June 10, 2013. The group performed "Kaze no Yo ni", along with Boram and Qri's "Shabontama no Yukue" and Soyeon's "Love Poem" from their "Bunny Style!" single, in front of 2000 fans.

MV Like the wind by QBS

Finally, T-ara subgroup that they divided is a solo singers. Core Contents Media announced on March 10, 2014 that T-ara’s members would be debuted as a solo singers for their project. And two members who were announced to do a solo debut are Jiyeon and Hyomin. They are considering promoting simultaneously, but also considering having Jiyeon promote in early April and Hyomin promote in early May. The company revealed a bit about the detail for Jiyeon solo debut that would be joined by a famous producer Double Sidekick and a dancing designer by Yama & Hot Chick, who ever worked with the group T-ara before.

On March 28, it was announced that Jiyeon would start promoting on May 20, with single "1min 1sec" or "Never ever". The single peaked on the Korean charts at 17 and excelled in China, becoming the first Korean song to reach a 99.5% YinYueTai score.

MV Never ever by Park Jiyeon

Next, Hyomin, she would be promoted as a solo debut on early May, 2014. Her music style is different from Jiyeon’s. It’s said that Hyomin’s producer would be Brave Brothers, a famous producer who belongs to a single “Only you’ by Hyorin, “Alone” by Sistar and “What’s your name” by 4 minutes and etc. On June 2, 2014. Hyomin's second teaser and album title was released. The EP or mini album will be called Make Up with the lead single "Nice Body"

MV Nice body by Hyomin

In conclusion, as you have seen T-ara N4, QBS, and Solo singers are T-ara subgroups that they divided for their project. I think all of these make people know more about T-ara and shows that T-ara become more popular to many people not only in South Korea, their country, but also in other countries like Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and etc. So, finally I hope you will enjoy everything I posted in here. If you have anything to discuss or update about T-ara subgroups, feel free to leave me a comment.

References:

http://www.generasia.com/wiki/T-ARA_N4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-ara#Subgroups
http://music.mthai.com/news/newsasia/184218.html
http://music.mthai.com/news/newsasia/185542.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyomin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Ji-yeon
http://www.t-araworld.net/2014/08/t-ara-teaser-picture-september-11-comeback.html
http://www.asianjunkie.com/tag/t-ara-n4/
http://favim.com/image/746160/
http://pantip.com/topic/32045264
http://brandinator.minus.com/mRKGuKOUY2ryR
http://www.gasookpopgalore.net/hyomin_t-ara_-_nice_body

Saturday, June 20, 2015

My favorite T-ara's discography

What is my favorite T-ara’s discography?

Throughout the years, South Korean girl group T-ara has released four studio albums (one of which was re-released under a different title), six extended plays (four of which were re-released under different titles), two compilation albums, two remix albums, thirty-five singles, a soundtrack single, four collaboration singles, and six promotional singles. T-ara's subgroup, T-ara N4, has released an extended play, and another subgroup, QBS, has released a single. And I, who loves and have follower them so far, also have my favorite album of T-ara. Thus, in this post, I will talk about my favourite three T-ara’s discography which are their studio albums, their collaboration singles, and their extended plays.

Firstly, my favorite T-ara’s discography that I will talk about is their studio albums. T-ara has about four studio albums which are ‘Absolute First time”, “Jewelry box”, “Treasure Box” and “Gossip girls”. Must say that the first studio album of T-ara are in Korean version and the rest ones like “Treasure Box”, “Jewelry Box” and “Gossip girls” are in Japanese version.

“Absolute first Time” album is considered as their debut album which released on November 27, 2009 under Core Contents Media and LOEN Entertainment. And here is a track listing.
1. "One & One"
2. "Cheoeum Cheoreom" ("Like the First Time")
3. "Bo Peep Bo Peep"
4. "Tic Tic Toc"
5. "Bye Bye"
6. "Apple is A"
7. "Falling U"
8. "Neoneoneo" ("You You You")
9. "Geojitmal" ("Lies" - Dance Ver.)
10. "T.T.L (Time To Love)" (featuring Choshinsung)
11. "Geojitmal" ("Lies" - Slow Ver.)
12. "T.T.L Listen.2" (featuring Choshinsung)
13. "Joheun Saram" ("Good Person")
14. "Norabollae?" ("Wanna Play?")

“Jewelry Box” is T-ara second studio album but a first Japanese album. It was released on June 6, 2012 under EMI Music Japan. This album debuted at number two on the Oricon weekly albums chart with sales of over 57,000 copies. This is a track listing.
1. "Bo Peep Bo Peep" (Japanese ver.)
2. "Yayaya" (Japanese ver.)
3. "Weironi" ("Why Are You Being Like This?" - Japanese ver.)
4. "Keep Out"
5. "Apple is A" (Japanese ver.)
6. "T.T.L ("Time to Love" - Japanese ver.)
7. "Roly-Poly" (Japanese ver.)
8. "Love me" ("I Go Crazy Because of You - Japanese ver.)
9. "Geojitmal" ( "Lies" - Japanese ver.)
10. "Breaking Heart " ("I'm Very Hurt" - Japanese ver.)
11. "Cry Cry" (Japanese ver.)
12. "Lovey-Dovey" (Japanese ver.)
13. "T-ara Tic Magic Music"

“Treasure Box” is a T-ara third studio album and a second Japanese album. It was released on August 7, 2013 under Universal Music Japan sub label EMI Records Japan. The group concept of this album is about “treasure hunting” and this is a track listing.
1. "Wanna Play" (Japanese ver.)
2. "Sexy Love" (Japanese ver.)
3. "Bunny Style"
4. "Deja-Vu"
5. "Like The First Time" (Japanese ver.)
6. "Sign" (Soyeon & Areum)
7. "Soap Bubbles" (Boram & Qri)
8. "Dangerous Love (Eunjung, Hyomin, & Jiyeon)"
9. "DAY BY DAY (Japanese ver.)"

10. "Beautiful Sniper"
11. "Target"

12. "Bye Bye" (Japanese ver.)
13. "Happy Birthday to you"

“Gossip girls”, their third Japanese album released on May 14, 2014 under Universal Music Japan sub-label EMI Records Japan in two limited editions and a regular edition. This is a track listing.
1."Just Now"
2."Lucky Wannabee!"
3."Number Nine" (Japanese ver.)
4."Lead the Way"
5."Keep on Walking"
6."Knockin' on My Heart"
7."Musica Musica"
8."Watashi, Doushiyou" ("Do You Know Me" - Japanese ver.)
9."La'boon"
10."A-ha"
11."Kioku Kimi ga Kureta Michishirube" ("Memories You Gave Me Guidance")
12."T.T.L Time to Love" (DJ Hanmin Remix - Japanese ver.)
13."Watashi, Doushiyou Part 2" (Japanese ver.) (Secret Track)

Second, my favorite T-ara’s discography that I will talk about is their collaboration singles. Some members or maybe all members of T-ara joined with other Korean girl group under the same company to produce many singles. Started with Jiyeon, members of T-ara joined with Seeya and Davichi with a single called “Women’s generation” released on May, 2009.

MV Women's generation by Jiyeon, Seeya, Davichi

And on September 2009, T-ara’s members, Eunjung, Jiyeon, Hyomin and Soyeon joined with Boyband Supernova, Kwangsu, Jihyuk, and Geonil for a collabotation single “Time to Love” and on October 9, 2009. T-ara and Supernova released a collaboration single again “Time to Love Listen2”. This time included all members from both groups.

MV Time To Love by T-ara ft Supernova

And in year 2010, T-ara’s members, Eunjung and Hyomin teamed up with Korean girl groups, Seeya (Soomi, Yeonji, Boram), and Davichi (Haeri, Minkyung) again for a collaboration single “Wonder woman”.

Wonder Woman by T-ara, Seeya, Davichi

On December 23, 2011, T-ara’s members, Soyeon, Hyomin, Jiyeon and Hwayoung with label mates girl group Davichi released a collaboration single, Christmastide ballad “We were in love”

MV We were in love by T-ara ft Davichi

On August 2013, T-ara joined with girl group Davichi and male duo Skull & Haha, Skull for a collaboration single called “Bikini”. On November 24, 2014. T-ara, Eunjung, Jiyeon, Hyomin and Qri with girl group F-ve dolls, Seunghee and T-ara N4 Dani released a Korean/ Chinese single cover “Little Apple” by Chopstick Brothers.

MV Little Apple

Finally, my favourite T-ara’s discography that I will talk about is their extended plays. T-ara released more than eight extended plays or mini album throughout six years, but only six extended plays which are my favourite ones: “Temptastic’, “John Travolta Wannabe”, “Black Eyes”, “Day by Day”, “Again”, and “And & End” Their genres are pop, dance-pop and electropop.

“Temptastic” is the first extended plays of T-ara under Core Contents Media and CJ E&M. This album released as a seven members of T-ara, including Hwayoung, new member at that time. The album was released officially on December 3, 2010. This is a track listing.
1. "Yayaya"
2. "Wae Ireoni ("Why You Are Being Like This?")
3. "Ma Boo"
4. "Mollayo ("I Don't Know")
5. "Gwaenchanhayo ("It's Okay")
6. "Yayaya (Inst.)

“John Travolta Wannabe”, the second mini album or extended plays of T-ara released on June 29. 2011 under Core Contents Media. This extended plays is a repackage edition called “Roly-poly in Copacabana” this is a track listing.
1. Roly-poly
2. Jinjja Jinjja Joahae (“I love you so much.)
3. Yayaya (Remix ver.)
4. Wae Ireoni ("Why Are You Being Like This?") (Remix ver.)
5. Ma Boo (Remix ver.)
6. Mollayo ("I Don't Know”) (Remix ver.)
7. Gwaenchanhayo ("It's All right") (Remix ver.)
8. Roly-poly in Copacabana

“Black Eyes”, the third mini album or extended plays of T-ara released officially on November 11, 2011 under Core Contents Media. The album’s genre is K-pop. Here is a track listing.
1. "Cry Cry"
2. "Goodbye, OK"
3. "O My God"
4. "I'm So Bad"
5. "Cry Cry" (Ballad Ver.)
6. "Cry Cry" (Ballad Music Video Ver.) (Digital Only)

“Day by Day”, T-ara’s forth mini album or extended plays. The album was released on July 3, 2012 by Core Contents Media. This albums released as an eight members of the group T-ara including Areum, a new eighth member, and a last album or Hwayoung before her departure. The album’s genre is K-pop. This is a track listing.
1. "Day by Day"
2. "Holiday"
3. "Don't Leave Me Alone" (Tteonajima)
4. "Hue"
5. "Keep Out" (Sarangnori)

“Again", T-ara’s fifth mini album or extended plays under Core Contents Media and KT Music. The album was released on October 10, 2013. This is a first album after Areum’s departure and the amount of members back to an original members of T-ara as six line-up after their first debut. The album’s genres are K-pop and dance-pop. This is a track listing.
1. "Number 9" (Neombeo Nain)
2. "Because I Know" (Neukkim Anikka)
3. "I'm in Pain" (Apa)
4. "Don't Get Married" (Gyeolhon Hajima)
5. "Number 9" (Neombeo Nain - Club Version)

“And & End”, T-ara's sixth mini album or extended plays. The album was released on September 2014 under Core Contents Media and KT Music. The album’s genres are K-pop, ballad and EDM. This‘s a track listing.
1. "Sugar Free"
2. "ORGR"
3. "I Don't Want You" (Namjugin Akkawo)
4. "Calendar" (Jinan Dallyeog)
5. "If I See Her" (Geunyeoreul Bomyeon)
6. "Sugar Free" (Instrumental)

In conclusion, as you have seen a studio albums, collaboration singles and extended plays are my favorite T-ara’s discography. With their hard working and concentrating on keep practicing their skill makes them successful in their work. As you can see from their single works, they not only released a Korean songs but also Japanese songs. I think this is a good evidence shows that T-ara girl group are very high responsible in their duty, for they often released a lot of singles year by year and also ambitious on their works.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

T-ara's members

Get to know about T-ara's members

In my opinion, As I have been following T-ara for a long time, I find something interesting or a bit surprised for T-ara. Say their group is quite different from many other Korean girl groups that I have known. First, they always change their leader so each leader has her period to do duty. Next, they often changed their members like added or dropped someone. In contrast, other Korean girl groups have their exact leaders, they will change a leader if that leader has reason or leave a group. Also other Korean girl groups seldom change their members, they just add more to replace if members of their teams depart. But T-ara just added more even though no one departs. Furthermore, seems they have only one main vocalist out of 6 people but 5 rappers; Eunjong, Hyomin, Areum, Hwayoung and Dani. Even a new members is to be added, they still give a new member as a rapper position or at least a rap part in a song. To me, a number of rappers is too much comparing to a number of main vocalist which is only one. I have no idea why it is like this. Today, T-ara remains only six members as before. However, it’s better to know more about each T-ara's member from past to present. So, In this page I would like to introduce members that I divided into three different types of T-ara members which are present members, extra members, and past or ex - members.

Firstly, I would like to introduce a first type of T-ara members that I divided which is a present members.

Stage Name: Boram
Birth Name: Joen Boram
Birth Date: March 22, 1896
Height: 155 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Position: Support vocalist
Blood Type: B
Education: Myeongji University – Post Modern Music
Hobbies: Playing golf, water skiing, watching baseball game, travelling
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Boram_0322
More information: Boram is a daughter of famous people. Her father is a singer, Joen Young Rok and her mother is an actress, Lee Mi Young. She was criticized that she was be able to work in this field because of her parent. She said on one TV show about this issue that she felt sorry about this. However, she still keeps on being a good singer and member for her group. Boram is an oldest person but smallest in the group, so she’s called “fake Maknae” (Maknae means a youngest person) by some fan clubs. Apart from this, Boram was a third leader of T-ara during in 2010-2011.

Stage Name: Qri
Birth Name: Lee Jihyun
Height: 163 cm
Weight: 44 kg
Birth Date: December 12, 1986
Position: Support vocalist
Blood Type: B
Education: Myeongji University – Theatre & Visual Arts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/QriPretty
More information: Qri used to be a net idol before became a new member of T-ara. With her beautiful and sweet face like a doll and attracted by men, fan clubs call her “a cute doll”. Qri became a new member of T-ara after Soyeon and Boram. She is a quietest person in all members, for she is such a bashful. Qri has been a sixth and current leader of T-ara since in 2014 – now.

Stage Name: Soyeon
Birth Name: Park In Jung
Birth Date: October 5, 1987
Height: 163 cm
Weight: 46 kg.
Position: Main vocalist
Blood type: B
Education: Anyang Art School
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sohotmelody
More information: Soyeon used to be a trainee under SM Entertainment for a future girl group project “Girl Generation”. With her powerful, charming and beautiful voice, she was expected to be a leader of Girl Generation. But she decided to withdraw from a SM Ent’s trainee causing SM entertainment had to find a new trainee to replace Soyeon and finally they got “Taeyeon” who has been becoming a leader of Girl Generation so far. However, Soyeon said she never felt regret to withdraw from a training. She prefer to be a T-ara. Apart from this, Soyeon was a fifth leader of T-ara during in 2012-2013.

Stage Name: Eunjung
Birth Name: Ham Eunjung
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 46 kg
Birthday: December 12, 1988
Position: Lead Vocalist, Main Rapper
Blood Type: O
Education: Dongguk Women’s University – Performing Arts
Hobbies: Movie, Fashion magazines, Reading
Twitter: http://twitter.com/taraeunjung1212
More information: Eunjung is an original member since the group music was ballad and the group was composed of 5 people. She was an actress when she was young. Eunjung loves learning Taekwondo and she is very skilful about this. She was a first leader of T-ara since Jiwon and Jiae withdrew from the group and T-ara's debut during in 2009 - 2010. Furthermore, most fan clubs know well that she easily sleeps. Eunjung ever made all staff members nearly in such a trouble, for she just had gone to sleep in a toilet before a live show.

Stage Name: Hyomin
Birth Name: Park Sun Young
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 43 kg
Birthday: May 30, 1989
Position: Lead Rapper, Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer
Blood Type: O
Education: Sungkyunkwan University – Acting Arts
Hobbies: Photography, Cooking, Drawing, Designing.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/b89530
More information: Hyomin is an original member of T-ara. She used to be a trainee under JYP entertainment and also a net idol. She loves photography and collecting a cameras. Hyomin is quite a close friend of Sunny, member of Girl Generation. Beside this, Hyojun, T-ara Jiyeon’s brother, also is her fan club. Hyomin was a forth leader of T-ara during in 2011-2012.

Stage Name: Jiyeon
Birth Name: Park Jiyeon
Birth Date: June 7, 1993
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Position: Vocalist, Main Dancer, Image of T-ara, Maknae.
Blood Type: AB
Education: HyeHwa All Girls High School
Hobbies: Sleeping, Watching Movies, Taekwondo, Sports, Cooking
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pjy1234
More information: Jiyeon is one of an original member like Eunjung and Hyomin. She is a first member of T-ara, except Eunjung who was an actress since she was young, that got chance to join a TV drama. Jiyeon is a Maknae, youngest member of the group. She loves taekwondo like Eunjung does. She learnt it to a highest level. She is a close friend of Luna, member of F(X) and IU, solo singer. Furthermore, Jiyeon is an only one member of T- ara who eats like a horse, also she likes playing energetically with other members. So everyone gave her alias as “Dinosaur”.

All of these present members have been working together under the girl group named "T-ara" for around 6 years already.

Second, I would like to introduce a second type of T-ara members that I divided which is an extra member. Well, a reason I called an extra member is that this new member only joins in T-ara sub-unit activity called T-ara N4 not a whole of T-ara's albums.

Stage Name: Dani
Birth Name: Kim Dani
Birth Date: December 23, 1998
Height: 167 cm
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
More information: Dani was born and raised in USA since she was 4 years old. So she is very good at English and Korean language. Actually, Dani was announced to be a ninth new member of T-ara, but now she is only a member of T-ara N4, T-ara sub-unit activities. In addition, she ever joined a collaboration single with F-ve Dolls in a song “Can you love me”. Beside this, she also joined in a music video “Day by Day” with T-ara when she didn't debut yet.

This extra member Dani is quite talented even though she is too young comparing to other members.

Finally, I would like to introduce a third type of T-ara members that I divided which is a past or ex-members. The members ever joined in T-ara’s discography.

Stage Name: Hwayoung
Birth Name: Ryu Hwayoung
Birth Date: April 22, 1993
Height: 170 cm.
Position: Main rapper
Education: Sungeul High School
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RHY422
More information: Hwayoung is a twin sister of Hyoyoung, elder sister who was a member of disbanded F-ve dolls. Hwayoung is cheerful. She is very skilful in rap that’s why she was given a position as a main rapper during she was a member of T-ara. Hwayoung was withdrawn from T-ara earlier than her contract in 2012. Her departure made most fan clubs upset and banned T-ara temporaily. T-ara members exposed that they also felt sad about Hwayoung’s departure. They said they just said CEO to do something but they didn’t expect CEO would solve problem by withdrawing her. However, Hwayoung said probably, this mightn’t be her way. She wanted to work as an actress career.

Stage Name: Areum
Birth Name: Lee Areum
Birth Date: April 19, 1994
Height: 167 cm
Position: Main vocalist, Rapper, new Maknae
Education: Hanlim School of Arts
More information: Areum decided to leave T-ara after joining for 1 year. She gave reason she fell in love with music in Hip-hop style and wanted to be a solo singer as her dream.

Birth Name: Lee Ji-ae
Birth Date: August 6, 1987
Height: 163 cm
Weight: 43 kg
Blood type: B
Position: Leader, Lead vocalist.
More information: Jiae was an original member of T-ara, also a first leader. She withdrew from the group before their official debut. She gave reason that a music wasn’t her style and she wanted to find out herself more. However, now she is a member of Jevice, Korean pop female duo under DreamT Entertainment. Her well-known stage name is Hana.

Birth Name: Yang Jiwon
Birth Date: April 5, 1988
Height: 166 cm
Weight: 49 kg
Skill: Cooking
Hobbies: Watching movies, exercising, eating a treat
Position: Lead vocalist.
Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
More information: Jiwon used to be a member of girl group Five Girls under Good Entertainment but never debuted due to financial problem. So she moved to Mnet Media, new company, and was a member of T-ara. However, T-ara didn’t debuted yet, she had decided to withdraw from the group due to creative differences. Today, she’s a member of Spica, Korean K-pop girl group under B2M Entertainment. Her Spica position is a lead vocalist.

Even though today these ex-members don't work with the group T-ara already, but they still work in a music field.

In conclusion, as you see that a present members, extra members, and past or ex- members are a three different types of T-ara members that I divided. All of these members ever were or have been in part of T-ara's success. Even though, nowadays some members already departed from the group and T-ara left only 6 members out of 11 members. Yet T-ara is still popular. The group still be loved and supported by all their fan clubs around Asia. All these left members still keep working their best for T-ara more future success.

References:
http://writer.dek-d.com/phantoms/story/viewlongc.php?id=952455
http://pantip.com/topic/30775040
https://sumandu.wordpress.com/kpop-profiles/girl-groups/t-ara-profile/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-ara
http://www.blike.net/node/35108
http://women.kapook.com/view11236.html
http://bajigurfams.blogspot.com/p/t-ara-members-profile.html
http://www.generasia.com/wiki/JEVICE
http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Hana_%28JEVICE%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spica_%28band%29
http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Yang_Ji_Won
http://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1_%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B5
https://kpopgirlsinindia.wordpress.com/category/t-ara/