Seoul Music Awards 2016 Roundup: Who Slayed, Who Flopped?
Here’s a roundup of the performances from the 25th Seoul Music Awards, which aired on January 14th. BoA suffered from some vocal malfunctions, Ailee forgot to do yoga before taking to the stage and Brown Eyed Girls were nowhere to be seen. Mess! I’ve posted all the performances below, and ranked them in some special categories.
BoA – The Shadow + Kiss My Lips
Vocals: 5/10
Choreo: 10/10
Outfits: 7/10
Stage Presence: 8/10
Visuals: 6/10
Comments: BoA started her performance off incredibly, channeling her inner Janet and mercilessly slaying that choreo. It all went a bit pear-shaped though when she came back and bravely decided to sing without a backing track – a decision that ultimately did not pay off. BoA’s vocals sounded shaky and weak, plus she was missing a lot of notes. She tried to redeem herself with some fierce adlibbing, but the damage had already been done. Hopefully Ailee and Taeyeon’s stanning made her feel better.
SISTAR – Shake It
Vocals: 8/10
Choreo: 6/10
Outfits: 6/10
Stage Presence: 7/10
Visuals: 7/10
Comments: All in all, an above average performance from SISTAR. They hit their notes and slayed their choreo, without breaking a sweat. Hyolyn looked as ~exotic~ as ever and the visual member diligently tried her best. Too bad the song still isn’t that great.
Apink – Remember
Vocals: 7/10
Choreo: 6/10
Outfits: 8/10
Stage Presence: 7/10
Visuals: 7/10
Comments: Apink kicked things off with a cute tribute to SNSD’s 2011 MAMA Awards performance from Namjoo and Bomi, who barely made it down to the stage in time for the start of the song. I was living for Bomi’s belts during the chorus and Namjoo’s ice queen vibes throughout the whole thing (2:15, 2:58 and her kept distance at 3:15 had me howling). Overall a little messy, but I love the palm tree visuals and the Genie-inspired outfits, plus that key change chorus still snatches.
Ailee – Worth It + Mind Your Own Business
Vocals: 9/10
Choreo: 6/10
Outfits: 8/10
Stage Presence: 8/10
Visuals: 4/10
Comments: An absolute MESS of an opening with that failed leg stretch. The good sis clearly isn’t getting enough potassium. Tragic! Ailee made up for that though with powerhouse vocals, plenty of hair flips and sexy hooker boots. Who else but the Korean Beyoncé?
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/utadarulez/GIFs/aileeflop_zpsxfadljda.gif
Taeyeon – I
Vocals: 8/10
Choreo: N/A
Outfits: 4/10
Stage Presence: 2/10
Visuals: 8/10
Comments: Taeyeon literally just stood there and sang in a dress she borrowed from Adele. Cute starry visuals and a smoke covered stage helped create the illusion that she was a beautiful Aryan angel sent down to bless us with her vocals.
Red Velvet – Dumb Dumb
Vocals: 7/10
Choreo: 8/10
Outfits: 5/10
Stage Presence: 7/10
Visuals: 6/10
Comments: Red Velvet had the best of the “dance off before the song” segments. Vocals were a little off at times, but the song is such a bop it didn’t really bother me. Also I still want cake every time I hear their name. What kind of impacT?
Hong Jin Young – Cheer Up
Vocals: 9/10
Choreo: 3/10
Outfits: 6/10
Stage Presence: 6/10
Visuals: 6/10
Comments: Youthful trot queen slayed everyone (except the guy with green hair from BTS) with her Ayumi Hamasaki-esque vibratos, inspirational lyrics and graceful stage presence. K-pop’s very own “Born This Way”.
Jang Jae In & WonWoo – Auditory Hallucination
Vocals: 10/10
Choreo: 0/10
Outfits: 3/10
Stage Presence: 3/10
Visuals: 7/10
Comments: Indie queen Jang Slae In snatched with her ethereal beauty and perfect vocals while performing her surprise hit single for the Kill Me, Heal Me OST. Taking home the OST award, Slae In showed that with hard work, determination, and an appearance on a reality show, you too can live your dreams. The best part is, the girls who bullied her in high school probably have Wonwoo as their wallpaper on their G4s or S6 Edges. Talent always wins! 
EXID – Hot Pink
Vocals: 8/10
Choreo: 10/10
Outfits: 10/10
Stage Presence: 10/10
Visuals: 4/10
Comments: Reasons this performance slayed:
- Celebrated their impact with some tribute dances to their hits before rising to the stage like the legends they are.
- Hani is still converting the gays with her sex.
- Commanded the stage and slayed the catwalk to show off their fierce PVC outfits.
- Single-handly brought back the signature move trend.
A literally jaw dropping performance.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/utadarulez/GIFs/slaygirls_zpsoqt1htbu.gif
GFriend – Me Gustas Tu
Vocals: 8/10
Choreo: 10/10
Outfits: 10/10
Stage Presence: 10/10
Visuals: 10/10
Comments: Everything about this (the choreo in particular, my God) snatches with permanent hair follicle damage. Welp, looks like I’m a certified GFriend stan now. Shocking, considering I have always hated aegyo stuff.
And there you have it. All the K-pop girls who performed in one convenient place. Are you ready for another year of K-slayage?
Gifs and cute awards graphic made by me.