Manga and Anime Maniac

On the 8th of January 2015, the Ticket Open: Hologram Musical "School OZ" Trailer 30 Sec Ver. was released.

Owned by SM Entertainment

On the 19th of January 2015, the School OZ Highlight Medley was released.

Owned by SM Entertainment

On the 6th of February 2015, the One Day Once Chance (Original Ver.) M/V was released.

Owned by SM Entertainment

School OZ Hologram Musical OST is set out in a hardback book style case and comes with the Cd and photo book.

Track List:

One Day One Chance - Original Ver.

One Fine Day

MAMA

소원을 말해봐 (Genie)

Intro - Destination

아틀란티스 소녀 (Atlantis Princess)

Pretty Girl

Evil

Mr. Simple/I Got A Boy

Twinkle

Evil (Reprise)

셜록 (Sherlock (Clue + Note))

One Day One Chance - Original Soundtrack Ver.

One Dream

One Day One Chance (Reprise)

빛 (Hope)

으르렁 (Growl)/주문 (Mirotic)

I remember this musical being advertised and I wish I'd have been able to head off to South Korea to see it live, but I also hoped it took off so that it could head over to the UK, but I'm just glad they released an OST for it.

I love that the OST is mainly other SM artists songs as it was nice to hear them sung at times by the opposite sex.

I absolutely love One Day One Chance - Original Ver. This is one of my favourite songs from this OST, I've been in love with it since it's release. I love the melody and Changmin's vocals are stunning. Also the whole cast harmonising towards the end is perfect. I still think even 9 years later this song still sounds fresh and new.

One Day One Chance - Original Ver.

One Fine Day is a song that showcases each of the cast. It's a song that catches you off guard as it starts out as a ballad and speeds up at the chorus which I love.

One Fine Day

As an EXO-L, I was already familiar with MAMA. But adding these cast members to this track took it to another level.

MAMA

As a SONE, I absolutely loved 소원을 말해봐 (Genie). They all fit this song perfectly, it's definitely another of my favourite tracks that I listen to a lot from this OST. I never felt that the male voices shouldn't be there and I loved that they kept the original lyrics even for the guys.

소원을 말해봐 (Genie)

I feel I'll keep repeating myself with a lot of these songs but as SHAWOL, I was already familiar with Intro - Destination. I love the build-up to the track and it still sounds so good sung by the cast.

Intro - Destination

While I'm not as a familiar with BoA's song's I knew 아틀란티스 소녀 (Atlantis Princess) was one of hers. I feel that this track was perfect for Seulgi. It really allowed her to shine, especially as a rookie idol. At the time Red Velvet had only released digital singles, so I think it was perfect to bring Seulgi into this musical.

아틀란티스 소녀 (Atlantis Princess)

I wasn't as familiar with f(x)'s b-sides, but I knew Pretty Girl. I love the change up to the track and I love how Luna and Seulgi compliment each other on this track.

Pretty Girl

Evil is another SHINee track and it's one of my favourites. I love this version too, it fits Seulgi perfectly.

Evil

I love the Mr. Simple/I Got A Boy mashup, that also had the appearance of both Leeteuk from Super Junior and Yoona from Girls' Generation. The mashup works so well together.

Mr. Simple/I Got A Boy

Originally sung by Girls' Generation sub-unit TTS, I love hearing Twinkle being sung by the opposite sex. It shows that it works well sung in a lower key. This song suits both Key and Changmin perfectly.

Twinkle

We get another snippet of Seulgi with Evil (Reprise).

Evil (Reprise)

I love this version of 셜록 (Sherlock (Clue + Note)). Having the whole cast sing it, like with MAMA, takes it to another level.

셜록 (Sherlock (Clue + Note))

I love listening to One Day One Chance - Original Soundtrack Ver. As is includes the original audio from the musical too. I actually can't listen to the Original version without hearing this version along with it.

One Day One Chance - Original Soundtrack Ver.

Another of my favourites on the OST is One Dream. I love the melody and I love the vocals.

One Dream

I think One Day One Chance (Reprise) really establishes how good the melody for this track is. I love that they each seem to get a line to sing before harmonising again. You can tell this was the closer for the main musical.

One Day One Chance (Reprise)

I think all SM/SM Town fans know 빛 (Hope) as it's a song that's used a lot to end SM Town concerts, where all the artists come on to perform together. I love this song, I personally think it's a song that lives up to it's name.

빛 (Hope)

Music Beast

Concluding the album we have 으르렁 (Growl)/주문 (Mirotic), which at the time of the OST's release were probably 2 of the most iconic songs from SM. I have to say I love how they all harmonise singing these songs. They all fit the songs together perfectly.

으르렁 (Growl)/주문 (Mirotic)

I love how it's not a typical soundtrack of just the songs, and includes dialogue from the actual musical. And I have say that credit needs to be given to Jo Eun as even though she wasn't promoted alongside the rest of the cast, she does sing on the OST and she sounds amazing.

It's odd to think that this musical is nearly 10 years old, I think if something was done like this now it would blow up and hit new heights.

What were your thoughts on School Oz Hologram Musical OST?

Do you have a physical copy?

Did you get the chance to go see the show in person?

What were your thoughts on One Day One Chance being the leading single?

Do you have a favourite track from the album?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Wednesday, 4 January 2023

My Top 15 K-pop Albums of 2022

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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For me 2022 was a busy year of K-pop comebacks, every month was full with new releases, as well as debuts which, I've decided will have it's very own post. There were a few sad disbandments in 2022, with TRCNG finally announcing their disbandment, along with CLC and NU'EST, but I'm glad that members of TRCNG are re-debuting.

Today I want to share with you my favourite 15 albums of 2022, this took me a while to finalise as I had so many albums that were contenders, some albums were easy and I knew they would place within my top 15, but some took some deciding.

I would like you to please remember that this list is my own personal opinion and I know it won't reflect everyone else's, so please no hate and respect my decisions and opinion.

NO.15

Google Images

Coming in at No.15 we have ENHYPEN and their 3rd mini album Manifesto: Day 1.

For me this was definitely my favourite album of theirs in 2022, it really shows how they continue to grow and improve since competing on I-LAND

Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)

Owned by Be:Lift

Foreshadow

Owned by Be:Lift

NO.14

Google Images

Coming in at No.14 we have AESPA with their 2nd mini album GIRLS.

I've been a fan of all their title tracks and I definitely prefer their 2nd mini album against their 1st, for me this mini album is full of amazing tracks and concluding it with their previous digital tracks was the icing on the cake for me.

Girls

Owned by SM Entertainment

Illusion

Owned by SM Entertainment

NO.13

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Coming in at No.13 we have MIRAE and their 3rd mini album MARVELOUS, last year MIRAE appeared as one of my honourable mentions, this time they get to appear in my final line up. All their albums are really good and they've definitely been part of my favourite rookies. This album though was my favourite of theirs this year.

Marvelous

Owned by DSP Media

MIRAE

Juice

Hyunwoo

NO.12

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Coming in at No.12 we have Astro's Moonbin and Sanha with their 2nd mini album Refuge.

This album had to be included in my top 15 list as I couldn't stop listening to it, the title track WHO even appeared as my 5th most listened to track on my Spotify wrapped. Each track is catchy and memorable and definitely my favourite release of theirs so far.

WHO

Owned by Fantagio

fantagio 판타지오

Ghost Town

Owned by Fantagio

fantagio 판타지오

NO.11

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Coming in at No.11 we have WEi with their 5th mini album Love Pt.2: Passion.

There's something for me with WEi doing dark and grungy style title tracks, Spray is definitely one of my favourite title tracks of theirs and of their 2 mini albums released in 2022, this one is definitely my favourite, I was hooked from the start of each track.

Spray

Owned by Oui Entertainment

WEi

Moonlight

Imbabey

NO.10

Google Images

Coming in at No.10 we have Golden Child with their 6th mini album Aura.

Golden Child have never appeared in yearly album charts, and this time it's all thanks to seeing them live at MIK in London. I knew they were gearing up for a comeback when I went to see them live, so decided to check it out and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this album, I'll definitely be following them more from now on.

Replay

Owned by Woollim Entertainment

woolliment

3! 6! 5!

Dark Space

NO.9

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Coming in at No.9 we have Kim Yohan with his 1st solo mini album Illusion.

I absolutely love this album, and had it on repeat quite a few times, each track is amazing, it's one of those albums that when it finishes, you restart it.

Dessert

Owned by Oui Entertainment

WEi

Selfish

yuju

NO.8

Google Images

Coming in at No.8 we have Chungha with her 2nd full album Bare & Rare Part 1.

I've known of Chungha since her solo debut, and I only really listened to her title tracks but because I was going to be seeing her live at the MIK Festival in London, I checked out this album as it was released just before and I loved it. Each track is amazing, I was obsessed with Sparkling and seeing it live put it on a whole new level. Whenever I hear Sparkling and California Dream, I get goosebumps and it takes me right back to MIK.

Sparkling

Owned by MNH Entertainment

CHUNG HA_Official

Crazy Like You Ft. BiBi

Chaecado

NO.7

Google Images

Coming in at No.7 we have Tomorrow X Together with their 4 mini album Minisode 2: Thursday's Child.

So far Minisode 2: Thursday's Child is one of my favourite TXT albums, for me it's right up there with The Dream Chapter: ETERNITY. For me TXT are one of the most versatile K-pop groups out there, for me there's nothing they can't do.

Good Boy Gone Bad

Owned by Big Hit Music

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go

Zaty Farhani

NO.6

Google Images

Coming in at Noo.6 with have TVXQ's Max Changmin with his 2nd mini album Devil.

I decided on a whim to watch Changmin's Devil M/V and I was hooked, so I took the plunge and listened to the album and for me it's a musical masterpiece. It's something I'd not heard before as a K-pop fan. From the first listen, I knew this album would be making and appearance in my top 15.

Devil

Owned by SM Entertainment

Maniac

Owned by SM Entertainment

NO.5

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Coming in at No.5 we have Stray Kids with their 7th mini album MAXIDENT.

One of these days, Stray Kids will rank higher than No.5, and one think is for sure, is that Stray Kids are always consistent, they never fail to bring something new and push the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in K-pop. This is why they're one of my favourite groups to watch and listen to.

Case 143

Owned by JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment

3RACHA

Jaeguchi

NO.4

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Coming in at No.4 we have KINGDOM with their 4th mini album History of Kingdom: Part IV. Dann.

This album from start to finish is aesthetically pleasing and is my favourite album from KINGDOM, they still remain to be one of my favourite rookie groups, and while I was gutted by Chiwoo's departure, I can't wait to see how much Hwon grows within the group.

승천 (Ascension)

Owned by GF Entertainment

KINGDOM (킹덤)

단심가 (Promise)

Owned by GF Entertainment

KINGDOM (킹덤)

NO.3

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Coming in at No.3 we have BTS with their anthology album PROOF.

I fought with myself on whether to include this album as part of top 15 because it's not necessarily a whole new album, but the choices of songs included as well as the Cd only of demo tracks meant I couldn't keep it out of my countdown. Each track takes you back in time and allows you to see their growth as a group.

Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)

Owned by Big Hit Music

For Youth

Owned by Big Hit Music

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

NO.2

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Coming in at No.2 and just missing out on the top spot we have PENTAGON with their 12th mini album In:vite U.

This album is definitely one of my favourite albums released in 2022. and if you saw my top 15 for 2021, you'll know it's a big jump up my chart from that year. The more I listen to PENTAGON the more I fall in love with their music and they're amazing live too. I'm so glad my friend Mary kept pushing me to pay attention to them.

Feelin Like

Owned by Cube Entertainment

Call My Name

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

Before we find out who has claimed the top spot, lets have a look at some honourable mentions for 2022.

AB6IX - Take A Chance

Google Images

Sugarcoat

Owned by BRANDNEW Music

BRANDNEW MUSIC

APR PROJECT - BOYHOOD S#2

Google Images

장면 (Scene) (Feat. 호현(Feat. Ho Hyeon))

Owned by APR Entertainment

APR PROJECT

JUST B - = (NEUN)

Google Images

Me= (naneun)

Owned by Bluedot Entertainment

JUST B

Woosung - MOTH

Google Images

Phase Me

Owned by Transparent Arts

WOOSUNG

ONF - Special Album [Storage of ONF]

Google Images

Your Song

Owned by WM Entertainment

ONF OFFICIAL

Treasure - The Second Step: Chapter Two

Google Images

Hello

Owned by YG Entertainment

TREASURE (트레저)

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

NO.1

Google Images

Coming in at No.1 we have Girls' Generation and their 7th full length album Forever 1.

I may be being bias with this one but for me this album was worth the 5 year wait and was the perfect way to celebrate their 15th anniversary, that being said 2023 is my very own 10 year anniversary for listening to both Girls' Generation and K-pop.

This album is just stunning and harbours all things Girls' Generation, showing that you can release new music while still keeping that original sound.

I hope we don't have to wait another 5 years to see them get back together again.

Forever 1

Owned by SM Entertainment