Opinion: The best ballads have this in common

  • I'm not against English lyrics, but I do think there's a particularly effective and strategic way to use them for slow ballads. We don't talk about this enough.


    The best ballads have this in common. They keep the English to a minimum instead of using them simply to fit a rhyme. When the English lyrics are being implemented in one of these ballads, it's to highlight the theme and message of the song.


    When group members are singing their verses in Korean, it builds up to a strong English chorus and creates so much harmony. It's K-pop at its finest.


    Agree or disagree? What are some other examples you can think of?


    Examples:

    "Kingdom Come" - Red Velvet

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    "Hurt" - NewJeans

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    "Spring Day" - BTS

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    "If You" - BIGBANG

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  • for me ballads should be vocally driven. If you're not a vocally strong (or semi strong at least) group, I avoid them. The language of the lyrics doesn't seem to bother me as much. (Universe is one of the best power ballads in kpop ever.)


    Like i like bp but i don't enjoy any of their ballads because i don't think it suits them or it's something they can pull off very well.

  • for me ballads should be vocally driven. If you're not a vocally strong (or semi strong at least) group, I avoid them. The language of the lyrics doesn't seem to bother me as much. (Universe is one of the best power ballads in kpop ever.)


    Like i like bp but i don't enjoy any of their ballads because i don't think it suits them or it's something they can pull off very well.

    Kind of agree with this, ballads with strong vocals hit differently, though there are some ballads that I really adore from the singers with not so strong vocals like AKMU's

  • the best ballad doesn't even have English in it


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  • if we're only talking about kpop then to me for a god ballad it has to be touching...like regardless of the language used it has to pull on some emotions within me or resonate certain things with me...

  • for me ballads should be vocally driven. If you're not a vocally strong (or semi strong at least) group, I avoid them. The language of the lyrics doesn't seem to bother me as much. (Universe is one of the best power ballads in kpop ever.)


    Like i like bp but i don't enjoy any of their ballads because i don't think it suits them or it's something they can pull off very well.

    Vocally strong just like EXO! I also thought of "Universe," by the way. Great song. :finger-heart:

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