Do You Like Ballads? Or Do You Hate Them? (1 Viewer)

[Emanresu]

Do You Like Ballads? Or Do You Hate Them?


I've noticed there's a good number of people in the kpop community that seem to despise ballads.

Ballads are actually my favorite.

Probably 70% of my favorite songs in kpop are ballads of some form or at least slower and ballad-esque.

Anyone that likes them? If you don't? Why? Just find them boring? Just want more upbeat songs?

Thoughts?

 

[Belgizen]

I only like Kyuhyun's ballads (they tend to have a more powerful chorus)

 

[raymondchouku]

I do like ballads. Especially OST ballads.. They're really the only way of telling singing capability, so..

 

[Emanresu]

I only like Kyuhyun's ballads (they tend to have a more powerful chorus)

What's a favorite by him?

 

[potato]

I love ballads. When they're done well.

I think people underestimate ballads quite a lot because of their simple tune - even I do - but ballads are a great way of conveying feelings through a song. I think international fans don't like ballads because they rely heavily upon lyrics rather than the music itself. Most I-fans don't know Korean so they can't relate to the song at all. I'm guilty of this a lot as well.

Which is why I really enjoy ballads that incorparate other instruments other than just piano or guitar to create different textures. Love Poem by IU is a good example I think. Although it is relatively simple, IU's voice really shines and the mix of instruments makes it pleasing to the ear.

 

[Belgizen]

What's a favorite by him?

oh god....
I have to go with Goodbye For Now but I love all of them
this one makes it extra special since it was released right before his enlistment and I cried so much because of the song

 

[Belgizen]

I love ballads. When they're done well.

I think people underestimate ballads quite a lot because of their simple tune - even I do - but ballads are a great way of conveying feelings through a song. I think international fans don't like ballads because they rely heavily upon lyrics rather than the music itself. Most I-fans don't know Korean so they can't relate to the song at all. I'm guilty of this a lot as well.

Which is why I really enjoy ballads that incorparate other instruments other than just piano or guitar to create different textures. Love Poem by IU is a good example I think. Although it is relatively simple, IU's voice really shines and the mix of instruments makes it pleasing to the ear.

the only thing I don't like is that a lot of Korean ballads tend to stay the same and have a lullaby feel which makes me feel bored

 

[Drew_B]

I love ballads. When they're done well.

I think people underestimate ballads quite a lot because of their simple tune - even I do - but ballads are a great way of conveying feelings through a song. I think international fans don't like ballads because they rely heavily upon lyrics rather than the music itself. Most I-fans don't know Korean so they can't relate to the song at all. I'm guilty of this a lot as

This is a good explanation actually.

I thought I didn't like ballads but then I remember I love almost every single one from the classic 90s Disney movies.

Ballads for me are all about the lyrics. So it's harder for me to get into Korean ballads if I dont understand what they are singing about. As opposed to upbeat songs where the beat alone is enough for me to enjoy the song.

My Mirotic album came in yesterday and I'm curious to give it a full listen cause I know TVXQ were all about some ballads in the 2000s.

 

[blueberries]

I find them boring. Even with some of my fav artists like IU's ballads are pretty boring to me. There is couple ballads I have ended up liking though, but it's rare.

 

[Emanresu]

I love ballads. When they're done well.

I think people underestimate ballads quite a lot because of their simple tune - even I do - but ballads are a great way of conveying feelings through a song. I think international fans don't like ballads because they rely heavily upon lyrics rather than the music itself. Most I-fans don't know Korean so they can't relate to the song at all. I'm guilty of this a lot as well.

Which is why I really enjoy ballads that incorparate other instruments other than just piano or guitar to create different textures. Love Poem by IU is a good example I think. Although it is relatively simple, IU's voice really shines and the mix of instruments makes it pleasing to the ear.

This is a good explanation actually.

I thought I didn't like ballads but then I remember I love almost every single one from the classic 90s Disney movies.

Ballads for me are all about the lyrics. So it's harder for me to get into Korean ballads if I dont understand what they are singing about. As opposed to upbeat songs where the beat alone is enough for me to enjoy the song.

My Mirotic album came in yesterday and I'm curious to give it a full listen cause I know TVXQ were all about some ballads in the 2000s.

You guys bring up a good point I hadn't thought of.

The central importance of lyrics for many and how they may be even more crucial in ballads given their structure.

I had never though of that, actually.

As I'm sort of completely different.

One of the central reasons I listen to kpop is specifically because I don't understand the lyrics.

I prefer to find my own interpretation of the meaning through the music and how their voice sounds. I don't want to "know" what is said.

Which means there isn't that lyrical barrier for me like you guys are describing.

@DrewB you got you're album in? Awesome N. You hadn't listened to it prior online?

 

[potato]

the only thing I don't like is that a lot of Korean ballads tend to stay the same and have a lullaby feel which makes me feel bored

I agree. IU's second ballad on her recent album is actually called 'Lullaby'

But those type of songs can be great when you're in the mood as well.

 

[Belgizen]

I agree. IU's second ballad on her recent album is actually called 'Lullaby'

But those type of songs can be great when you're in the mood as well.

yeah but I don't like those
I really need an upbeat chorus.
it's just not for me and my 0.1 sec concentration span.
And I think that's what kpop fans think of if they think about ballads, but when you let them listen to a song like Goodbye For Now, they're surprised

 

[Drew_B]

You guys bring up a good point I hadn't thought of.

The central importance of lyrics for many and how they may be even more crucial in ballads given their structure.

I had never though of that, actually.

As I'm sort of completely different.

One of the central reasons I listen to kpop is specifically because I don't understand the lyrics.

I prefer to find my own interpretation of the meaning through the music and how their voice sounds. I don't want to "know" what is said.

Which means there isn't that lyrical barrier for me like you guys are describing.

@DrewB you got you're album in? Awesome N. You hadn't listened to it prior online?

There are definitely some f(x) songs with lyrics so weird I'd prefer to make up my own interpretation lol.

I bought the Mirotic album based mostly off of three songs. I wanted to wait and be surprised by the rest of it.

 

[jasque]

I like

They seem nice to sing

 

[Jichuus]

I'm a really big fan of ballads. In fact, I hardly listen to any other type of kpop songs unless it's a group like Itzy or Twice. I commute to my university and listening to ballads while looking out the bus window is extremely relaxing. Artists like IU and Taeyeon dominate my playlists.

 

[NASA]

I love ballads. They can start off a bit slow but they make me feel a lot more strongly than pop does. Ballads can make you feel powerful when it has a good climax, it can help you work through your feelings, it can make you cry from how beautiful they can be, I don't get how people can think ballads are boring, personally I just think you're not listening hard enough, but if you're not listening because it isn't your thing then that's fine, but don't call it boring just because you don't get it. My favourite currently is still Timelapse by Taeyeon, it relates to my biggest heartbreak (not romantic tho) so well and it's still something i'm working through even though it's been a long time now, so having a song that I can relate to so well and cry to when I feel sad about it is really comforting.

"Memories that were happy because we were together,
I'm erasing all of it"
I wanna erase all of it, forgetting isn't enough.

 

[potato]

I love ballads. They can start off a bit slow but they make me feel a lot more strongly than pop does. Ballads can make you feel powerful when it has a good climax, it can help you work through your feelings, it can make you cry from how beautiful they can be, I don't get how people can think ballads are boring, personally I just think you're not listening hard enough, but if you're not listening because it isn't your thing then that's fine, but don't call it boring just because you don't get it. My favourite currently is still Timelapse by Taeyeon, it relates to my biggest heartbreak (not romantic tho) so well and it's still something i'm working through even though it's been a long time now, so having a song that I can relate to so well and cry to when I feel sad about it is really comforting.

"Memories that were happy because we were together,
I'm erasing all of it"
I wanna erase all of it, forgetting isn't enough.

I love this song too

The whole of My Voice is top tier quality. Some of my favourite ballads by Taeyeon are:

 

[NASA]

I love this song too

The whole of My Voice is top tier quality. Some of my favourite ballads by Taeyeon are:

I and My Voice are her most iconic albums to date, I loved all of her other releases too but the songs in I and My Voice just feel so much more Taeyeon, and I can relate to them much more too, I think her comeback Dear Me might actually find a place in those god tier releases though, cuz i've fallen in love with Taeyeon all over again, it feels just as sincere as I did when it first came out. I love I so much that I got the letter tattooed on my wrist.

 

[potato]

I and My Voice are her most iconic albums to date, I loved all of her other releases too but the songs in I and My Voice just feel so much more Taeyeon, and I can relate to them much more too, I think her comeback Dear Me might actually find a place in those god tier releases though, cuz i've fallen in love with Taeyeon all over again, it feels just as sincere as I did when it first came out. I love I so much that I got the letter tattooed on my wrist.

My Voice (Deluxe edition) is probably one of my favourite albums of all time. There isn't a single song that I dislike on the album.

Dear Me just screams Taeyeon and I love it too. The classy vibe, beautiful vocals and heartfelt lyrics really make it shine. She's not only reassuring fans, but herself too and I think it's beautiful. I hope your tattoo turned out great btw~

 

[RandAlThor]

I love Ballads In kpop mostly SM because of the just crazy solid harmonies and vocals.
SNSD has 20-30 i would count.(with the jpop) Complete, tinkerbell, Merry go round 3 on the first album.
Rv has about a third to a half of that.
all my bias group have strong ballads.

I usually prefer not to watch em subbed.

but ballads fit my 'soaring ' over all sweet spot.