From YouTube to YCME

I may be somewhat late, but I've come across an extremely talented singer. I've done small research and whether she wants to be known as an Idol or as an artist, she has an amazing voice. Her name is Ailee((Hangul: 에일리), born in New Jersey United States and part of YCM Entertainment.  She started off as a normal girl posting videos on Youtube of herself singing. While still in New Jersey singing, she collaborated with fellow Youtuber Johnyphlo and Decipher. As well as Brian Joo of Fly to the Sky. Ailee has also performed in singing competitions like the NY Kollaboration of 2006, winning Best Vocals. As a trainee she featured in Wheesung's song 'They Are Coming' that was released on October 9, 2011. 

Her debut single, Heaven, was released on February 9th 2012. The music video for Heaven also features BEAST's Kikwang and already passed 2 million views on Youtube. Her song won the Cyworld Digital Music Award for Song of the Month and Ailee won Rookie of the Month. For those interested in her video it shall be here.  Her single can be bought on iTunes for support.

Although she is just a rookie singer, she's already become an actress as well. Starring in popular teen drama Dream High 2 alongside big names such as Kang Sora, Park Jin Young, Kwon Hae Hyo, Kim Jung Tae and Choi Yeo Jin, T-Ara's Jiyeon and more. In the drama she played as Ailee, a member of popular girl group Hershe. She may not have many scenes but her voice makes up for that as she is also part of the OST for the drama. 


Ailee is an artist to look out for. She has the voice and the talent that would make anyone get chills. We look forward for this incredible singer to shine as well as the other singers. Ailee, good luck!

Going Global

 As some of us have seen, there's this current wave going global. I'm talking about the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, to some. It has been taking the world by storm with every year. It has struck all over Asia - China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia. It has struck Europe - The UK, France, Germany. South America - Brazil, Chile, Peru. It has been growing so much that it is now coming to North America as well. Although it is coming to America, it's not its first attempt. If some of you have been in touch with the Korean Wave for some time, you have seen Se7en, BoA, JYJ and more try to get into the American music market. Though it may not have been a huge success for them, they have paved the road for the current Idols trying to debut in the U.S.

Other artists such as Wonder Girls and Girls Generation have started their American debut in the past year. The Wonder Girls started out with an English version of their hit song Nobody in 2009. Being played on Radio Disney and other stations and even performing on The Wendy Willams show. They have also starred in their own movie, The Wonder Girls, on Teen Nick. They have also been nominated for Best Asian Act on Teen Choice Awards.
Girls Generation recently made their U.S debut and performed on The David Letterman Show on February 1st and on Live With Kelly the following morning. The girls performing on Letterman's show would make any fan proud as it's a show that can launch an artist's career.
Another group's American debut is highly anticipated. It is none another than 2NE1 who has been working with Will.I.am of The Black Eyed Peas. They've also been crowned Best New Band of 2011 on MTV Iggy without even debuting in the American market.

SM Entertainment - home of Girls Generation, Super Junior, TVXQ and more, has been going around the world with their SM Town concert. They've gone all over Asia, Europe, North and South America and every time, they are greeted by hundreds of fans at the airport. SM Town is loved so much that fans wanted more. SME agreed and sent their artists to North America for a second time.
Famous idol group Big Bang has also been spotted in NYC shooting their music video for Bad Boy.


The best way to listen to the varieties Korean music is The Korean Music Festival or Youtube. KMF is the most notable and annual event in Southern California. It's a program that brings only the most noted artists of Korea. Selling out to a full house of 18,000 each year, the Festival surpasses all expectations and records as it takes root as a Korean American tradition. The Korean Music Festival is held at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl and attracts people not only from Southern California, but also from the rest of the nation and the world. This festival all started in 2003 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Korean immigration to the United States and has since grown into one of the most anticipated annual events in California. Global artists such has BoA and Rain have graced the stage to be enjoyed by Koreans and non-Koreans alike. KMF is a 4 hour long concert that consists of 12-15 artist lineup of K-Pop Idol groups to famous 'Trot' singers of past years. At the end of the concert an amazing firework finale starts and all the artists come out thanking the fans and singing.

Since Korean music is now going global, we can see how much it is loved. Hopefully Hallyu will grow onto Americans and the world even more than it is now. So far is has grown on Ludacris who has worked with YG Entertainment to produce SOUL by Ludacris headphones in South Korea. Continue to support your favorite artists and we'll see a new world of music soon enough.