iKON, the “TYPE BREAKER” [iKON sensation ①]
[OSEN=최나영 기자] They are the “type breaker” who is the “perfect type” for anyone.
That means, they are appealing to a wide range of the public, regardless of each one’ personal ideal type. iKON is rewriting the history of idol groups, showing a formidable influence not like that of a rookie from the very beginning. This is a report on the irresistible appeal of iKON, who is a “perfect type” for anyone.
◇ One of those songs of an idol boy group? A music good to listen to
iKON’s debut warm-up release “MY TYPE” for which B.I and BOBBY took part in writing the melody and lyrics is a love song with a sweet melody that can appeal to girls. After its release on the 15, “MY TYPE” has swept the top rankings on all the music charts and has stayed in the No. place for days.
In fact, many people speculated that iKON’s first release will be an “intense” song with a strong beat, considering the character of the group itself. However, “MY TYPE” was a serenade of a pure boy in love, which was an unexpected surprise to many people. In V-APP live-broadcasting, BOBBY pointed out that, saying, “You though that we will debut with an “intense” song, didn’t you?”
“You are my type my type/ You don’t need to say/ From the head to toe/ You are my type, when I look at you I can’t wait to have you/ I can’t get you out of my head until I fall asleep… Oh Oh your slender smile/ Oh Oh your eyes looking at me are perfect/ I can’t get bored even for a moment perfect/ Oh Oh your charming voice/ Oh Oh we’re getting closer/ Where have you been so far”
Such frank and sweet lyrics of “MY TYPE” is so impressive, and the well-built beat and edgy rapping based on the beat make the song “a song that can’t stop listening”. That is the secret how iKON captivated a number of listeners, going beyond their fandom. Of course iKON will soon to unveil a new concept different from “MY TYPE”, but it cannot be denied that “MY TYPE” made iKON’s first impression more widely appeal to the public.
◇ A real singer who can appeal not only to fans but also to the public
iKON is an idol group with a “drama”. Some people even ask if iKON can really called a rookie, because the team had strong fandom from even before their debut, which is absolutely attributable to the strategy of YG Entertainment that nurtured iKON. The drama of iKON’s debut was born naturally by two survival audition shows aired on TV.
About two years ago, team A won the final match in “WIN” show to become idol group WINNER. At that time, team B, who is now iKON, was standing on the crossroads between dissolution and reorganization. Fans who were supporting those “younger boys” had to cry and the members had to harden their hearts and minds. Then, another incident that shocked fans took place again, which was, the beginning of another survival audition show “MIX & MATCH”. Team B got new name of iKON, but the news that the team would be reorganized broke the hearts of the members and fans once again.
The number of members increased to seven from six. Along with B.I, BOBBY, JINHWAN, YUNYEONG, JU-NE, and DONGHYUK, CHANWOO who was selected through “MIX & MATCH” show became the members of iKON. Fans were relieved that no existing member was excluded from the team. However, the day of the team’s debut was still unknown and the members got more and more resolved for debut and success.
Meanwhile, iKON built bigger and bigger recognition among the public, going beyond their own fandom. B.I and BOBBY performed in Mnet’s popular rapper competition show “Show Me the Money 3” and BOBBY even became the winner of the show. BOBBY’s victory also has some symbolic meaning, in that he broke prejudices against an idol rapper.
Then, iKON became the model for a brand and shot photography for it, and recently, they met fans on V-APP live-broadcasting. In the process, B.I’s outstanding producing abilities, BOBBY’s talent that can even “chew up” the entire hip-hop scene, and JINHWAN and JU-NE’s talent as a vocalist have naturally been unveiled. The member’s hard work and growth into a real singer were displayed to the public, with the cheerful and cute personalities of each member. In a word, people have witnessed the process of iKON’s evolution into a skilled idol group, and the whole process of the team’s debut.
◇ The irresistible appeal of singing BOBBY
There is clearly something special about BOBBY. He is called a “TYPE BREAKER”, even within the team. The vocalist who leads the mood of entire “MY TYPE” song is rapper BOBBY. He sings the sweet lyrics with his flagship husky voice. That makes the song sound sweeter. BOBBY’s special voice flows in a pleasant rhythm, expressing the heart of a boy in love. Such new appeal of BOBBY who has been thought to be only a rapper, not a vocalist, is what is making this song all the more interesting.
In fact, some Internet users asked question about “who the member singing the intro part is”, and they were surprised at the fact that the one was actually BOBBY. Fans were already aware of how good BOBBY’s vocal was in songs like “Maybe Perfect”, but people who saw BOBBY for the first time in “Show Me the Money 3” were surprised by BOBBY’s singing.
By becoming the final winner of “Show Me the Money 3” show, BOBBY significantly contributed to breaking many people’s prejudice against idol singers, as he once promised. He is the ideal one for expressing the swag and groove of hip-hop, while being a surprising member who can express a variety of different concepts based on his uniquely likable characteristics. In “MIX & MATCH” show, BOBBY once said, “I hope iKON could be a group for whom the title as idol group is not enough”. It is expected that iKON who has finally made their debut after harsh training and preparation process will go beyond the boundary of idol singer and become the next leader of K-Pop’s global popularity.
Meanwhile, iKON will release “DEBUT HALF ALBUM ‘WELCOME BACK’” on October 1 and “DEBUT FULL ALBUM ‘WELCOME BACK’” on November 2, to begin their performances in earnest. Plus, on October 3, iKON will hold debut concert “SHOWTIME” at the Olympic Gymnastics Hall in Seoul, which is a very rare case for a rookie idol group who has just made their debut.
2015. 9. 18.
