We’re back with another K-Music Time Capsule, and today we’re listening to DBSK’s ‘Love in The Ice’. This gem of a ballad was first released in Japanese in 2007, as part of the EP ‘Summer’. The next year, a Korean version was included in the legendary ‘Mirotic‘ album.
The legends
How many names does a band need? Whether you call them DBSK, TVXQ, or Tohoshinki, this is the band that got me into K-pop in the first place. Their huge success in Japan made them sort of a gateway band for J-pop fans, myself included. Their pan-Asian success is in fact the reason for the multiple names, being based on the different pronunciations of the Chinese characters making up their name. It more or less translates to ‘Rising Gods of the East‘. And they were.
My heart has never recovered from their ugly breakup in 2010. It felt like a betrayal yet we knew they were right to demand better treatment from the agency. I tried sticking around for JYJ and the duo Yunho-Changmin left of DBSK, but honestly it was too painful. T_T
While newer generations of fans have probably heard ‘Mirotic‘ and poked fun at the video-clip, I fear some of the ballads might not be getting love anymore and that’s a darn crime. It’s songs like ‘Love in the Ice‘, ‘Bolero‘, ‘Picture of You‘ or ‘Begin‘. They showcase their true greatness as a band, and they’re good songs as well.
They were the absolute kings of harmonizing and that’s a straight up fact. Nobody can cover their ballads well, simply because those five voices fit together so perfectly. That’s not an easy thing to replicate, much less surpass. I know I’ve looked far and wide, and there’s no cover that can hold a candle to this performance of ‘Love in the Ice’. It’s a powerful and emotional ballad and the harmonies will bring tears to your eyes. And it’s *live*. Bring your lighter out and enjoy:
