Busker Busker

Busker Busker
Busker Busker in February 2012
Busker Busker in February 2012
Background information
OriginCheonan, South Korea
Genres
Years active2011–2013[a]
LabelsChungchun Music, CJ E&M Music
Past membersJang Beom-june
Kim Hyung-tae
Brad Moore

Busker Busker (Korean: 버스커 버스커) is a South Korean indie band who rose to fame through their runner-up performance in the South Korean music audition television program Superstar K3 on Mnet. The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Jang Beom-june, bassist Kim Hyung-tae and drummer Brad Moore.

Busker Busker 1st Album and its single "Cherry Blossom Ending" were released in March 2012. The band's six-month contract with CJ E&M came to an end in 2012, and they then joined Chungchun Music, releasing Busker Busker 2nd Album in September 2013. In December 2013, they announced they had temporarily disbanded yet the members have repeatedly hinted at a reunion.

Career

[edit]

Before Superstar K3

[edit]

The group Busker Busker was founded by the band's guitarist and lead singer, Jang Beom-jun (장범준). His vision was to create a busking art group that focused on street performances and sought to bring an artistic cultural presence to the streets of Korea. His vision included all art mediums, not just music, and he sought to create festivals that would showcase the budding talents of local artists. Members of Busker Busker included university students, mostly from the Cheonan campus of Sangmyung University. Prior to Brad Moore joining the band, the band's name was Pinky Pinky and was only a subset of the total Busker Busker group. The band's drummer had to leave the band in order to keep his compulsory commitment to join the South Korean Army.

At that time, Jang and Kim Hyung-tae (김형태) were both university students at Sangmyung University where Moore also worked as an English instructor. They met and the three became the new bandmates, renaming the band Busker Busker. However, the band was still a loose formation, as many members of the Busker Busker group would rotate in and out of band performances. The Busker Busker group set up multiple performances in the summer of 2011 in a local Cheonan park, which is where the Busker Busker band's fame began to escalate. At the same time, Jang, Kim, and Moore were participating in the Superstar K3 auditions as a trio, because they were the only members of the band that were able to participate in the process. After their auditions aired on TV, the band solidified as a trio. Moore stood out as he is Caucasian and spoke only a little Korean.[1]

Participation in Superstar K3

[edit]

Busker Busker auditioned for the third season of the survival audition show Superstar K. They were eliminated after performing the song "Juliette" with another auditioning group, Togeworl. However, despite only making it to the Top 48 of tryout contestants, it happened that Yeri Band, originally in the Top 10, dropped out.[2] As a result, Busker Busker, along with another band (Haze), were given a second chance to appear on the TV show and signed on to be a part of the show's new Top 11. Busker Busker's first song on the show, "Tokyo Girl", was extremely popular and the band survived the first elimination round as well as achieved their first chart-topping release. After repeating their previous success, the band managed to avoid elimination. Eventually, only the last three groups remained which included Busker Busker, Ulala Session, and Togeworl. Going into the second-to-last show, the three groups were asked to honor a promise they had made earlier on the show, that if they were to end up in the Top 3 of Superstar K3, they would strip dance. They performed in Hongdae in front of a group of onlookers.[3] After the live performances of the second-to-last show, and the live voting was completed, it was determined that Busker Busker and Ulala Session were to be the final two groups remaining. The last episode of the season was the final competition between the two remaining groups, with Ulala Session taking the top place.[2]

Busker Busker 1st Album and Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album (2012)

[edit]
The band at the Expo 2012

After the completion of Superstar K3, the group had been highly elusive and took time off from public activities to determine their music direction,[4] in part due to the difficulty the band had practicing.[5] In addition, while the band was scheduled to take part in a Superstar K3 Top 11 Concert Tour, Moore returned home for the Christmas holidays. As a result, the band temporarily found a new drummer for the concert while Moore traveled to America. After Moore returned on January 12, the band resumed practices in order to prepare and record their first album as a separate entity from the Superstar K3 TV show.[6]

On March 29, 2012, Busker Busker released their first album, which was simply titled Busker Busker 1st Album. All songs on the album were written by Jang, including the lead single "Cherry Blossom Ending". The album quickly became a national sensation, with every song on the album entering the K-Pop Hot 100 and Gaon Digital Chart. The album sold over 50,000 copies during its first three weeks. On June 21, Busker Busker released Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album, which contained music not included in their first album. Some of the songs on this wrap up album were recorded during the first album's preparation, but they were left out as they didn't coincide with the album's spring theme. After their "Youth Bus" encore concerts on June 22 and 23, they ceased promotional activities.[7] At the end of the year their first album sold over 136,000 copies.[8] After their six-month contract with CJ E&M Music ended, they joined Chungchun Music.[9][10]

In March 2013, "Cherry Blossom Ending" was called the "carol of spring" as it topped the music charts a year after its release.[11] It charted for the ninth consecutive year in March 2020.

Busker Busker 2nd Album and "indefinite" hiatus

[edit]

Following the great success of their first album, Busker Busker released a second album on September 25, 2013. "Love, At First" served as the album's lead single. After promotion ended for their second album, Busker Busker announced they were temporarily disbanding, putting the band on an indefinite hiatus. They have not been active since. Jang debuted as a solo artist in 2014, Kim started the media art studio "PigRabbit" and Moore focused on his Drum-DJ band "Brad Project".[12][13]

Members

[edit]
  • Jang Beom-june – lead vocals, guitar
  • Kim Hyung-tae – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Brad Moore – drums, percussion

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[14]
Busker Busker 1st Album 1
Busker Busker 2nd Album
  • Released: September 25, 2013
  • Label: Chungchun Music Inc.
  • Format: CD, digital download
 1

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[14]
Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album
  • Released: June 21, 2012
  • Label: CJ E&M Music
  • Format: CD, digital download
 1

Singles

[edit]
List of songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[18] 		KOR Hot
[19]
"I Believe" 2011 7 14 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 7
"People in Seoul"[b] (서울사람들) 3 3 Non-album single
"Neo-ege Juneun Seonmul"
(너에게 주는 선물) (with Superstar K3) 		41 — Next 11: Superstar K Season 3 Top 11
"Cherry Blossom Ending" (벚꽃 엔딩) 2012 1 1 Busker Busker 1st Album
"If You Really Love Me"
(정말로 사랑한다면) 		1 1 Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album
"Love, at First" (처음엔 사랑이란게) 2013 1 1 Busker Busker 2nd Album
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[18] 		KOR Hot
[19]
"Tokyo Girl"[c] (동경소녀) 2011 1 1 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 1
"Livin' la Vida Loca" 17 35 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 2
"The Station"[d] (정류장) 6 10 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 3
"Finally Met You"[e]
(어쩌다 마주친 그대) 		8 15 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 4
"Makgeolli-Na"[f] (막걸리나) 2 3 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 5
"You are Different"[g] (그댄 달라요) 11 14 Superstar K3 Top 11 Part 6
"Juliette" (줄리엣)
(with Togeworl) 		28 29 Next 11: Superstar K Season 3 Top 11
"Spring Wind" (봄바람) 2012 18 22 Busker Busker 1st Album
"First Love" (첫사랑) 2 4
"Yeosu Night Sea" (여수 밤바다) 3 5
"Ideal Type" (이상형) 7 9
"Loneliness Amplifier"
(외로움증폭장치) 		6 8
"An Alley Way"[h] (골목길) 23 36
"At the Entrance to the Alley"
(골목길 어귀에서) 		15 23
"Calling You" (전활 거네) 11 16
"The Flowers"[i] (꽃송이가) 8 10
"Perfume" (향수) 13 24
"It's Hard to Face You"[j]
(그댈 마주하는건 힘들어 (그마힘)) 		3 4 Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album
"Neon Sign" (네온사인) 8 9
"Showers"[k] (소나기 (주르르루)) 6 6
"Please Wait"[l] (기다려주세요) 12 12
"Autumn Night" (가을밤) 2013 9 9 Busker Busker 2nd Album
"Too Much Regret" (잘할 걸) 2 2
"Love Is Timing" (사랑은 타이밍) 3 3
"Cool Girl" (시원한 여자) 5 7
"Your Lips"[m] (그대 입술이)
(with Chae Ji-yeon of Putput) 		4 4
"Juliette" (줄리엣) 8 11
"Beautiful Age" (아름다운 나이) 7 8
"Night" (밤) 6 6

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, showing year released with directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Cherry Blossom Ending" 2012 Digipedi
"If You Really Love Me" M-Media Works
"Love, At First" 2013 Un­known

Awards

[edit]
Year Awards
2011
2012
2013
  • 2nd Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards: Song of The Year (April) ("Cherry Blossom Ending") [41]
  • 10th Korean Music Awards: Best Pop Album (Busker Busker 1st Album) [42]
  • 10th Korean Music Awards: Best Pop Song ("Yeosu Night Sea") [42]
  • 10th Korean Music Awards: Netizens’ Choice Music Group of the Year [42]
  • 5th Melon Music Awards: 2013 Top 10[43]
  • 5th Melon Music Awards: Album of The Year (Daesang) (Busker Busker 2nd Album)
  • 15th Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best Band Performance ("Love, At First")

Notes

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  1. ^ Indefinite hiatus
  2. ^ English-language song titles are from the K-pop Hot 100
  3. ^ Also translated as "Dream Girl"[26]
  4. ^ Also translated as "Bus Stop"[28]
  5. ^ Also translated as "Met You by Chance"[29]
  6. ^ The literal meaning is "Thick Rice Wine"[30]
  7. ^ Also translated as "You're Different"[31]
  8. ^ Also translated as "An Alley"[33]
  9. ^ Also translated as "Bloom"[33]
  10. ^ Also translated as "It's So Hard to Face You"[34]
  11. ^ Also translated as "A Shower"[34]
  12. ^ Also translated as "Please Wait for Me"[34]
  13. ^ Also translated as "Lip"[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Averett, Nancy. "Busker Busker's Brad Moore on Superstar K3 and Korea's K-Pop Machine". Pacific Standard.
  2. ^ a b "Sing the miracle!". The Korea Herald. November 8, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Will Busker Busker Keep Their Promise to Strip Dance?". Soompi. October 31, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  4. ^ "Busker Busker suspends all public activities". Newswave. November 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 24, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  5. ^ "'Busker Busker' drummer Brad reveals his girlfriend". TVReport via Nate. November 19, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  6. ^ "Busker Busker's Brad is Back". in2KPop. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  7. ^ "Busker Busker to Briefly Cease All Promotional Activities". Soompi. June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  8. ^ "Busker Busker on Gaon's end year charts". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  9. ^ 입력: 2013년 03월 11일 15:23:16 (March 11, 2013). "허니지, 버스커버스커와 한솥밥 먹는다 - 스포츠경향 - 生生 스포츠". Sports.khan.co.kr. Retrieved October 30, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Busker Busker's Brad Moore on Superstar K3 and Korea's K-Pop Machine". Pacific Standard. January 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  11. ^ "Busker Busker Top K-Pop Chart With Year-Old Single". Billboard. April 2, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  12. ^ Jin Eun-soo (June 18, 2014). "Busker Busker lead goes solo". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  13. ^ Yun, Chloe (December 30, 2013). "[BNT PICK] The Most Charming Band, All About Busker Busker". BNT News. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Gaon Weekly Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  15. ^ Cumulative sales of Busker Busker 1st Album:
  16. ^ Cumulative sales of Busker Busker 2nd Album:
  17. ^ Cumulative sales of Busker Busker 1st Wrap Up Album:
  18. ^ a b "Gaon Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Billboard K-Pop Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  20. ^ Cumulative sales of "I Believe":
  21. ^ Cumulative sales of "People in Seoul":
  22. ^ Cumulative sales of "Neo-ege Juneun Seonmul":
  23. ^ 가온차트 관찰노트 2편 [다운로드차트 누적 이용량] [Gaon Chart Observation Notes #2 (Download Count)]. Gaon Music Chart. December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ Cumulative sales of "If You Really Love Me":
  25. ^ Cumulative sales of "Love, At First":
  26. ^ "버스커 버스커(Busker Busker) - 동경소녀(Dream Girl)". October 16, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ Cumulative sales for "Dream Girl":
  28. ^ "버스커 버스커(Busker Busker) - 정류장(Bus Stop)". October 16, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "버스커 버스커(Busker Busker) - 어쩌다 마주친 그대(Met You by Chance)". October 16, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "버스커버스커(Busker Busker) - 막걸리나(Thick Rice Wine)". October 16, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "버스커 버스커(Busker Busker) - 그댄 달라요(You're Different)". October 16, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Cumulative sales for "Yeosu Night Sea":
  33. ^ a b "버스커버스커 1집 (BuskerBusker 1st) by 버스커버스커 on iTunes". iTunes. March 22, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  34. ^ a b c "버스커버스커 1집 마무리 BuskerBusker 1st Wrap Up Album - EP by 버스커버스커 on iTunes". iTunes. June 21, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  35. ^ "버스커버스커 2집 BuskerBusker 2nd by 버스커버스커 on iTunes". iTunes. September 25, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  36. ^ Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Rookie Of The Month (October) Cyworld. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  37. ^ Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Song Of The Month (October) "Tokyo Girl" Cyworld. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  38. ^ Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Song Of The Month (April) "Cherry Blossom Ending" Cyworld. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  39. ^ a b 2012 MAMA Winners Archived March 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Mnet Asian Music Awards. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  40. ^ a b 2012 Melon Music Awards Winners Melon. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  41. ^ 2013 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards winner Archived August 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Gaon. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  42. ^ a b c 3호선·버스커, '韓대중음악상' 3관왕..싸이 2관왕(종합) Naver. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  43. ^ Star, Korea (April 20, 2011). "'2013 Melon Music Awards' announces the top 10 music stars of the year". Yahoo! Entertainment Singapore. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
[edit]

Media related to Busker Busker at Wikimedia Commons

Awards and achievements
Preceded by 14th Mnet Asian Music Awards - Best New Male Artist
2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by 14th Mnet Asian Music Awards - Best Band Performance
2012-2013 		Succeeded by
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