March 23, 2009 12:59 PM | by 
One thing I love about being a SoCal citizen is that my Kpop dreams are never too far out of reach. No, I’m not pregnant with Se7en’s child, but thanks for asking. Instead, I got to see Wheesung, Clazziquai, SS501, Jewelry and other Kpop sensations perform live at the Victory Concert held at the Nokia Theater in LA last night. For concert goers last night, the Victory Concert was held in honor of Korea’s win against Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
In keeping with the ‘victory’ theme, it was an easy battle for this showcase of Kpop entertainers young and old. The battle? The Lipsynchers vs. the Talented Ones. It was a sweeping victory for The Talented Ones. They’ve officially won the prize of my support and recognition of being well-rounded entertainers. The winners of the night included Clazziquai, Wheesung, Kim Gun Mo, Baek Ji Young, Tae Jin Ah and Lee Eun Mi. The Losers…er, Lipsynchers were Jewelry and SS501. While they’re both unquestionably pretty groups and probably really nice, god-fearing people, they were lacking the live talent of their counterparts. Given that I’m pretty hopeless when it comes to anything requiring intense coordination, I totally understand that singing and dancing live is no easy feat. However, when you’re performing with other people that do exceptionally well at singing AND dancing live, that’s got to say something.
Victory Concert Notes:
- Opened strong with Poppin’ Hyun Joon. My eyes almost fell out of my sockets watching him bust his bboy butt popping and locking.
- First musical opener: Clazziquai with “Love Mode.” I am reminded of myself as a 21 year old, severely in love with “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” and their hit song “She Is” and “Come to Me” previously. Amazing vocals and chemistry between the duo. Horan Choi puts faith in the idea of non-emaciated pop singers.
- Baek Ji Young, proved to us all that you can emerge unscathed from a sex tape scandal (circa mid 90s) by performing an upbeat, high-pitched tempo of her hit song, “Dash.” People my age lost their shit over this performance.
- Wheesung! Oh, how you undress me with your voice and arouse me with your dance moves. I was probably naked after your first performance of Craig David’s “Insomnia.” “Andwaenayo,” and “With Me” followed after, leaving me one happy Jinra. (Calm down, I wasn’t really naked.)
- Who would’ve thought that an ajumma (Korean for middle aged woman) with a funky asymmetrical perm ascending the stage would’ve equated to being Korea’s Joan Jett! Lee Eun Mi can seriously rock out and head bang with the best of ‘em.
- Tae Jin Ah gets the award for flashiest dresser of the night. Fedora, velvet jacket and sequins. When you’re a middle aged trot/bbongjjak singer performing with people young enough to be your grandchildren, this is how you grab attention. LA, way to not throw your panties at him. How disappointing!
- I’m amazed that Seo In Young made it past security with her surgically enhanced nose. It’s pointier in person! Your life is at risk if you happen to be standing in front of her!
- Jewelry = Underwhelming. Take note from the Wonder Girls, ladies. They sing AND dance live.
- Same goes for the Kim Hyun Joong-less SS501. They did make an effort at not lipsynching “Because I’m Stupid,” the Boys Before Flowers OST track. Vocals were weak, but that didn’t stop this old woman from fighting security to creep up near the stage next to me. Also, please keep their ages a secret from me — I don’t want to feel dirtier than I usually do on a daily basis. Future cougar, that’s me!
- Kim Gun Mo brought the house down with a bluesy, jazz pop explosion. He got everyone dancing consistently through his 5-song set, including latest hit “Kiss.” He was the only entertainer of the night to give an encore!
Overall, it was a fun night powered by win. Or victory, I should say. Thanks to Yoomee and Chor at Powerhouselive.net for inviting us!