After lunch we were taken to the studios of SBS for the rehersals of a K-Pop show 'Inkigayo' which would be broadcast live at 5pm. I didnt know what to expect as I dont watch korean tv much so asked a teacher what this tv show was and was told it was a famous k-pop show. From what I've seen of korean tv they sometimes interview foreigners and add a soundtrack and captions in korean so didnt know if were going to be subjected to any of that.

At the studios there were already large crowds of teenagers lined up. There were two lines, one for the 2.30 reheresal that we were going to, one for the 5pm live show. Many had banners and other fan items to wave in the crowds. There were many tall slick haired security guards to keep the crowds in line and other tv crews filming the line.

When we went in the studio was an auditorium with a large stage with lots of bright lights. You could see lots of tv production equipment on the side gallaries and cameras positioned in front of the stage. We had been told beforehand that no filming or photography was allowed.

The first act was a dance act to a song I've heard before. I tried to film but the guy told me no. So what I did was put my camera next to my knee and my hand over my knee, which meant I wouldnt be able to see clearly what I was fiming or taking pictures of.

Each act was three minutes and performed one song. Then the three presenters on one side of the stage with their own background scenery would chat. My students have told me the two guys are each from different groups, B2ST and 2AM, and the female presenter is a solo artist.

I dont know the names of K-Pop but this was a good way to be introduced to them. The next act was U-Kiss which I had just seen last week at the Asia Song Festival in Daegu.

youtube : U-Kiss - Someday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeVdgKl9 qjw

There was a girl group Kan Mi Youn, a girl trio Orange Caramel doing a sort of J-Pop routine, and male artist Wheesung who I had also seen previously at the Baekje Festival.

youtube : Kan Mi Youn - Dont Wanna See You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opv3lSut oUs

youtube : Orange Caramel - Shanghai Romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARO_oC2 ooE

The guy I liked was Kim Hyun Joong wearing a leapord scarf and doing a good dance number. FT Island was sort of a Beatles style rock band. This was followed by girl duo Davichi and four girl group Secret who have sang another song 'madonna donna' that I quite like.

youtube : Kim Hyun Joong - Do You Like That
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrBihoZS Gac

My favourite was the final act Brown Eyed Girls. They are controversial for their dance moves and lyrics which are very provocative. I liked the song which has a melody part like the TV show The Professionals in the UK from the 70s.

youtube : brown eyed girls - sixth sense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFlqWXbP dUw

I did put clips up on my youtube channel and was getting lots of hits. But the organizers that arranged the trip were contacted by SBS and I was told to remove them. So I cant include any pictures or recordings of artists in this blog post. All clips are taken from the actual broadcast which other people have posted on youtube.

Many of the big name stars dont come to the 230pm rehersal and just come to the live show at 5pm so we didnt see them. There is a way of registering for tickets if you want to attend but I dont know how and I expect the website would be all in korean.

This was a good education in K-Pop and having gone to the Asia Song Festival in Daegu the weekend before. Now I recognize songs when I hear them and stop to listen. My kids really love my videos (which I cant make public on the internet) and just want to watch them instead of doing the lesson.