INFINITE rides high on 2011 success
Korean idol group INFINITE is having quite a successful year. The seven-member boy band scored #1 hits on respected music chart shows M! Countdown and Inkigayo earlier this year with "Be Mine" and "Paradise," and delivered another all-kill with its first holiday single, "White Confession (Lately)," a feat made even more impressive considering the Christmas release was timed against powerful comeback singles by artists like IU, Wonder Girls, and collaborative duo Trouble Maker, composed of 4Minute's Hyuna and B2ST's Hyun-seung.
Already known and respected for its powerful dance moves - K-Pop fans will remember the sizzling-hot "scorpion dance" from their single "Before The Dawn" - INFINITE broke into the big time when "Be Mine" went to #1 on M! Countdown in September 2011. When "Paradise" topped both M! and the even more difficult-to-win Inkigayo, Inspirits (as INFINITE's fans are known) went ballistic.
To see photos of INFINITE, click here.
Even internationally, INFINITE is making quite the chart impact. Their first Japanese single, "BTD," scored a Top 10 finish on the Oricon charts, peaking at #7 to date. The K-Pop industry also doesn't hesitate to pay INFINITE some well-deserved compliments. For noted composer Lee Min Soo, who wrote 2011 Song of the Year "Good Day" for IU and "Abracadabra" for the Brown Eyed Girls, believes that INFINITE is "an idol group truly on the rise."
To underscore INFINITE's chart success and reputation as one of K-Pop's most anticipated successes, "Second Invasion," the group's February concert series, sold out in an astounding ten minutes. Now, with "White Confession" scoring an all-kill on the charts - INFINITE is poised to take Korea by storm in 2012. The holiday track, produced by noted Korean producer Sweetune, highlights the versatility of Sunggyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Hoya, Sungyeol, L (Myungsoo), and Sungjong. Its crisp melody, clean production, and stripped-down promotions show that INFINITE is more than just a flash in the pan. From all indications, this is just the beginning for INFINITE, and 2012 promises to bring this talented group even more success.
"White Confession (Lately)" by INFINITE
Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas, and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.
