I was asked to write an article for a South Korean magazine. As it turns out, Yeongene and Linus’ Blanket are far too popular for the magazine and they declined to publish this small piece. I thought maybe you’d enjoy it

When I was younger my Korean knowledge revolved around the automotive industry. My home town was plagued by these little Daewoo cars. The model was called Tico, not sure if they ever sold these in Seoul, but, in Lima they were multiplying in exponential numbers. All the cities’ arteries were dominated by yellow Tico taxis. They were like ants, believe me, they were all over. Hyundai was also quite popular but second came those Kia buses, these were the main public transport for many people during the 90s. I was never interested in cars and so, I wasn’t very fond of these Korean machines swarming my city.

When I tried gui for the first time I started to enjoy Korea. I loved grilling my food and the great taste of bulgogi and dakgui was enough to make me fall in love with the food. In recent days I’ve been a bit surprised about eating live squid not sure if I’ll try it, but I don’t find nothing wrong with that. Food is food my friends. So it wasn’t true love. There was the up and downs of a common relationship. What about the football team? I liked Korean national team indeed and enjoyed the run in 2002 World Cup! And I always liked the name Daejeon Citizen for a football team. I think I would be their hooligan if I lived there. But the only time that I fell in love with Korea, the one and only love, the one that happens at first sight, that was when I heard Yeongene’s fragile voice. I was wrapped by Linus’ Blanket and since then I slept dreaming the nicest dreams.

Some years ago I got a copy of the “Labour in Vain” EP. Can’t remember how it found me or how I found it. It just happened to be there. And this beautiful pop, that reminds me of the classy Swedish pop of the 90s and to the cutesy bossa influenced J-pop, came straight as an arrow to my heart. I was thrilled that Minsung, the original guitarist of Linus’ Blanket, played at the Japanese outfit Miniskirt, an underrated band that wrote such fantastic tunes as “Woody Allen Likes Japanese Noise Rock” or “Her Blue Contact Lenses Make Me Crazy”. Now Yeongene also contributes with international artists. What about working with Dugly Stewart! With him and his BMX Bandits, Yeongene released “Savoursmiles”, a fantastic record that should have been a winner on the year end lists everywhere… well if it was in a world were sites like Pitchfork clueless reviews didn’t influence people. Sadly bad taste put up on topp stupid bands as Vampire Weekend. Anyways, honey wasn’t made for the pig’s taste indeed.

I’ve stalked Yeongene and found her on Myspace. “Save Our Smiles” is playing but I can’t save my smile. The upbeat music doesn’t let me save it. I smile, because her voice makes me happy, because of inertia maybe, because pop is what puts my heart in motion, and this is POP! The way it has to be done, with sincerity, without any formula, just what comes out from your guts. And it seems our heroine has some very sweet guts right? Born in 1981 and waiting for the person who will be her husband she says. Lucky the person who wakes up everyday next to her candy-coated voice. That is pop heaven, and it only happens in Namyangju. Must be thanks to Gorosei.

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Listen
Yeongene – Save Our Smiles