Now that's rock and roll!

In the past I have posted about some pretty great K-popping imagery/fashionista looks that have crossed over into the realm of metal and the gothic. If you have read either of these , you will know that I am totally into my Princes of Darkness and Angels of Death, a throwback from my past that happily endures on. This time, however, I am fangirl-ing at some true (maybe 'tru' is better, like the 'nu' of 'nu metal') K-rockstars! I think I should probably still call it K-pop, I don't think K-rock seems right, and I think they may consider themselves K-pop, who knows. If the term doesn't already exist, I will coin K-pop-rock. It sounds like a sweet. Oh wait, it is a sweet pretty much. Well that's fine, because let me tell you, I am pretty sweet on these boys myself.

Introducing, Yanghwajin band.

Admittedly not the 'product placement' that I would have proposed, but really, it's nothing like this kind of front centre, left a bit, travesty. And let's all just pretend that we didn't find this in the archives. Though fifteen-year-old me would totally have fought to be friends with this motley gang.

They are so rock that they don't even have a catchy idol name. No acronyms as far as I'm aware.

Hyun Woobin (1992) is the vocals of the group. Blood type AB. 182cm.

Kim Dohyung (1992) is the guitarist. Blood type A. 176cm

Jang Kyunjung (1992) is the bassist. Blood type O. 181cm.

Choi Jaemin (1994) is the drummer. Blood type O. 180cm.

Choi Youngin (1995) is the second guitarist. Blood type O. 170cm. (Bunny, please don't take it out on the whole band...)


Now, yes, I admit that they are dreamy boys (4 out of 5) but this is not why I love them (though it maybe was the reason why I first started investigating them). I am genuinely convinced that they are super cool and really talented. They haven't properly debuted yet, but the song they are famous for, if they can be called famous yet, is the OST for the drama City Hunter, the song being It's alright (I really did think that they were singing "We're so rock" the first time I listened). This song is, again, not the reason I love them, though I do like it, as a real song, a lot. I like the choral slightly high toned chorus. And I love the little scream at the end, great work.

But the reason I feel so warm towards them is their covers. I will start you off slowly, saving the best til last...

Miss A, Bad Girl Good Girl :

Look at them, playing their instruments, doing a bit of great improv., and having fun and acting like they should be at this age! (I really dig their choreography at around 2:33).

They have also done good things with 2NE1's Can't Nobody (take notice of the GREAT bleach blond undercut twinned with a KISS t-shirt, but please ignore what I think may be school uniforms in other parts...) and Lonely, and H.O.T's Candy (listen and watch past 1:10 please!! This is where is 'drops'. And there's a SLASH poster at 1:35, bedroom door ♥and a bit of headbanging right at the end).

But the money shot, the pinnacle, comes in the form of a couple of actual heavy metal covers! YES! They don't just have the t-shirts and posters, put they actually know the songs!!! You can see them performing Back in Black, or the crème de la crème, HOLY DIIIIIIVER!

It's not the best cover of this song ever made, but it's pretty fantastic considering it's played by a bunch of S. Korean 16-19 year olds. Great job boys, double thumbs up from me. After seeing this video I trawled and trawled for more, but sadly I could not come up with anything else (just a We No Speak Americano cover I'm trying to ignore, even though they do really well with the pronunciation!!) They did tweet something about Smells Like Teen Spirit and I nearly lost it altogether, but I've not managed to locate a version yet...

Though what I did find was their reality TV show, Legendary Band (밴드 정무문), which made everything make a whole lot more sense, kind of. They seem to go on there, do some performing and get advice from the greats, like Boohwal, who they also preform against in some type of totally unfair but paired down Battle of the Bands. Unfortunately I can't find any subtitled episodes, but what I have watched is still pretty entertaining, especially if you love K-pop-rock X metal as much as I do. In the first episode, there is screaming coaching from Boohwal leader Kim Tae Won (5:20) as well as simultaneous beat boxing and bass playing from Kyunjung (5:55). Watching their little faces as they are taught how to be rock and roll, studying tentatively and learning, who needs subtitles! They are taught play with your teeth boys, tap faster, that's the way to do it! That's how to be rock and roll! Then, when we get a rendition of Mary had a Little Lamb (7.30) played with teeth on an electric guitar I just about die. The moral of this story is that I am a pretty happy nuna.

I never thought I would be lucky enough to see the day when I get to revel in K-pop-rockers studying Metallica (see episode 2) and playing Dio covers!! This has all gotten me so excited for 2AM's Jinwoon's rock album debut, and has made me want to swoon over No Min Woo in Rock Rock Rock (docu-drama about the life of Kim Tae Won, lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Boohwal, or “Resurrection”, as well as the different people who played a part in its history, such as former lead vocalist Lee Seung Chul) all over again. I love it when K-pop crosses paths with something else that I love almost equally as much, say metal! Thank you Yanghwajin band. I will be waiting for you with open arms and ears.

My only worry, and apparently many others' too, is that they are with Can Entertainment :( This is the same company as F.Cuz, and I'm sure you don't need me to remind you what has been going on there as of late :'(
Fingers crossed these boys make it through to debut!!! Hwaiting!