Music Bank in Japan recap

No awards, no comebacks, just another show to sell the Hallyu in the moneyed land of Japan.

Still it was a worthwhile watch, and most of the performances were up to snuff (hey gotta impress the neighbours)

The key performance (if there were more than one) below, and some short words on what I thought.



KARA: For once, the fan favourites were first. Great to see them back, performances same as it ever was, good.



Infinite: The best male rookies impress with their maturity in sound and performances, and deserve an extra push. Maybe the Japan performances would get audiences sitting up




Rainbow: The mid-tempo tune is growing on me, and the voices blend nicely. Only adequate stage presence though (peg it to low X-factor and weak choreo). Japan looks accepting of them though



U-KISS: The only time the Brave Brothers worked for me. Seasoned hands at the song, and it suits them to a T, but funnily they were the Japanese OLs favourite.



IU: Back from a break, back on form, and all the better for it. She hits the notes like the old days, and wows.



Baek Ji Young: From class to masterclass. The audience just kept quiet (and enjoyed), though they spazzed over T.O.P in the Background video.



2PM: The obligatory "work up the crowd" song. Would be better with the lady accompaniment like the old days.



4Minute: Only okay, but fans looked satisfied. Very toned down from the earlier days.



Rania: No point turning it down in Japan, they are so accepting. The performance is stronger and all the better for it.





X5: They really have the rookie air about it. Slightly weak at some points, and a vocal quality gap is obvious. Room for improvement.



Park Hyun Bin: The biggest young male thing in trot makes his appearance!! Nice, but really still a novelty. i love my trot though!!



SECRET: Way better from when I last saw them. Girls can now really hold their vocals, instead of looking like a Hyosung-Ji Eun thing. Not digging pink though



BEAST: Prefer "Rainy Days" but this is pretty good & their lives do have a standard befitting that of A groups.



Baek Ji Young (ft. Taecyeon of 2PM): The song has dated really fast, and still not a fan of Taec's voice, but still a fine guilty pleasure (the lyrics!!).


KARA & Rainbow: DSP's modern fairies re-interpret the classic fairies. I love the intent and still have a soft spot for said song, but the performance looked a bit rushed.



SNSD: They have their standards. Not wow, but still very watchable. Another crowd favourite.



DBSK: This song despite its epicness, has always left me a bit cold. Very charismatic guys though, so can darn well pull it off. Fan support, wow.



And of course, the obligatory final happy song:



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