Let’s talk about something out of the mainstream~
In light of the fact that the Korean pop industry is being bombarded with unoriginal acts, POPSEOUL! has decided to have a bi-monthly feature on musical talents that don’t get a lot of press but deserve the recognition because they were not manufactured by entertainment companies to rake in profits and be media magnets. I know it says “Indie,” but I am not going to limit it to those specifically under independent labels, and the featured artists and groups are going to be fairly random, depending on if there is any relevant news or not.
Loveholic is notable for having a lot of their music featured in movies (200 Pound Beauty) and drama soundtracks (My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Coffee Prince, etc). Their musical style leans toward soft-rock and folk-esque ballads, with polished arrangements and penetrating lyrics. Their sound is very clean and simple with an air of sophisticated.
Loveholic featured three exclusive members: Kang Hyun-min on main guitar, Lee Jae-hak on bass, and Ji-sun as the featured vocalist. Hyun-min and Jae-hak were experienced music producers, and after deciding to create Loveholic in 2002, they held auditions for the singer and found Ji-sun, who was a vocalist in the underground music scene. In 2007, however, Ji-sun decided to leave the group, and from a recent interview on KBS music program “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook,” compared to Hyun-min and Jae-hak who dedicated themselves so easily to music, she felt out of stride with them and was unable to express herself as she wished. Thus she left the group to pursue solo activities with her first solo album being “The Mermaid…Comes Back Home,” which has a similar sound to Loveholic but a little more experimental also featuring a distinct 80s vibe.
In the meantime, the remaining members of Loveholic changed their name to “Loveholics” (really it’s like they changed nothing at all) and produced the single “Butterfly” that featured the vocal talents of fellow Fluxus artists in late 2008. Recently, it has been announced that actress Shin Min-ah, who sang in the movie (no one really watched, despite it looking really promising) “Go Go 70,” will be the featured vocalist for Loveholics next single “Miracle Blue.”
As it looks so far, Loveholics will be a project group with different featured artists.
Of course, I have to put “Flowerpot” up here because that is probably their most popular song right now in the public.
Loveholic’s “Flowerpot” MV
Loveholic “Loveholic” & “Chara’s Forest” Live
Ji-sun “He Doesn’t Love You” Live
Loveholics “Butterfly”
first!
nice idea poseoul
Yeah, agree! popseoul should do this more often,
*popseoul
doesnt alex sing this in wgm?
did alex cover it then?
Alex is also part of Fluxus so he just provide vocals like he did in butterfly.
finally you guys featured a descent band….love their song “dance with my daddy” from 200 pounds!!
Yeah, loveholic!
There are so many other bands like Loveholic such as Love & Pop, Misty Blue, Urban Humming Stereo! gotta love them all!
Loveholic is an amazingly talented band, even without lead vocalist Jisun, who has ventured out to be solo. With or without Jisun, the band, now Loveholics, will do perfectly fine. They’ll become the next Boohwal, who feature different soloists to sing for them each album they come out with.
ah~ i remember that song from WGW. I actually liked it better when Alex sang it. Not that he’s any better singer than her but the song sounds better with a man’s voice.
yeah totally agree. love butterfly song
i’ve always thought that JiSun is one of the best singers..
Their songs are usually not my cup of tea, but I do appreciate the originality..
with an air of sophisticated? man popseoul you really need an editor. but loving the whole idea about the indie posts. i love anything from the pastel label.
Hey great post… I’ve only liked Kpop recently & I was wondering how come there aren’t many popular bands or singer song writers in the scene.
oh wow, loveholic’s here?? that’s great. after coffee prince (off topic: which i think yoon eun hye did a perfect job, acting not overdone) i really was impressed. that drama had awesome songs.
It’s a beautiful idea.
This is why I love you PopSeoul. The less known bands really need and deserve this. ^_^
Thanks for doing this.
LoveHolic rocks!
actually allkpop did it first…
I love love love this group! Their songs are so beautiful and they’re so underrated!
They are such an incredible band! Gotta check them out!
Now THIS is talent. The newbies that have been popping up need to take a page from Loveholic’s book.
Loveholic is one of favourite Korean bands. Refreshing to hear Korean music other than idol crap. I love their songs “Sylvia” and “A Doll’s Dream”.
Wow, at last! A Korean band that actually has instruments on stage. This is refreshing.
Keep this up, popseoul!
Never listened to any of loveholic’s songs but I loved Jisun’s solo album. You guys should definitely check it out
I’m really digging this band. I think it’s a great idea to showcase the non-mainstream talent that is out there. Most of the time they are far better than the mainstream music artists. Good on you popseoul. Keep them coming!
nice!
i like loveholic ^^
you should do this more often!
I like some of their songs. The vocalist has an amazing voice. =3 Too bad Ji-Sun has left the group though. D:
Yeah, I saw that allkpop was doing this feature, and now you guys, too. I’m glad. I had all but given up with this site, but to see this is refreshing.
Nice you featured my favorites! It’s still sad everytime I think about it and it’s been some years already since she left.
http://www.imeem.com/christaluvsdrama/playlist/WQr9MXLh/ji-sun-loveholic-vol1-mermaidreturn/
loveholicc <33
Jisun must be the one that’s always featured in Epik High’s songs! Great group!
I LOVEEEEEEE Loveholic <3
theyre like one of the few korean bands that i love
I love this indie spotlight!
do the new indie band MATE. good music. bonus: hot drummer teehee
I love Loveholic, it is my favorite korean band… Thx popseoul for posting this beatiful idea,
ever since i heard jisun’s voice… damn, the other female vocals from everywhere else just don’t cut it.
dear popseoul writers,
please feature another indie band in this corner. i fell in love with loveholics after you wrote about them. please let us know of any other good bands like them… thank you!!
soft rock? more like pop electronica/lounge.
(not that any of that’s a negative thing, just clarifying)
I ABSOLUTELY LOOOVE LOVEHLOLIC! Discovered them awhile ago :] One of the first Asian music I heard actually lol. They’re so amazing<3
i miss the loveholic with jisun,,,,,T-T
I love love love their music! And I love their collaborations with Epik High!
that’s a good idea popseoul ! >:]
promoting people who deserve recognition (:
i heard alex’s version of flowerpot..but first time hearing this. i like this version also ^^
Loveholic is amazing
AGREEEDDD! i don’t know why they’re not so “hot”, but i love em! great idea popseoul ><
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NttiQuVO1r8
The first song in Korean that I loved…
I have even seen the movie “Singles”
Back in the day, 2003….
… and when he leaves for his flight… to America…
the camera is expected to circle them…
this is the Korea I like…
martijn koldijk
Ulsan
I am really curious,
is Loveholic actually quite popular in Korea’s music scene,..or so underrated that they’re not that popular?
can somebody (especially Koreans) please give me answer on this one?
I do sincerely hope it’s the former one!
because here I am, a non-Korean (i’m an indonesian-chinese living in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia), 27-year old guy, working, yet after my brother introduced me to this magical group about 2 years ago (he also knew Loveholic from his non-Korean friend), I still NEVER, I repeat, NEVER got bored or tired listening to their music/songs!
now this is what I’d call REAL talent!
not just some manufactured idol with bland, boring-commercial tunes.
in fact, some of their songs, can really leaves me with such very strong emotions, and thousand of feelings.
for example, my favorite song of them, “Sylvia” , the melody especially the chorus part -although I don’t understand the language- is just so hauntingly-beautiful, that it always, always makes me shiver & got ‘goose-bumps’ !
not only that,
but knowing, and listening Loveholic has really inspired me to really want to start forming a band here in Indonesia, that hopefully would be able to touch a lot of hearts with a genuine, heartfelt music, like they do!
basically, I am just so thankful that I’ve got to know this band (thanks to this global & internet era too!), even though they’re probably not that “mainstream”.
Loveholic has seriously made some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever known in my life.