A Touch of K-Pop: January-March '14

Hey so guess what! I'm still alive.. Just not alive with an "I'm so excited to be blogging!" kind of alive feeling. If anything, I'm in a slump. A rut. Drama, blogging, and believe it or not, Kpop. Blame overly redundant dramas. Blame it my mood. Or the fact that my home computer screen needs replacing because it's so old and glitchy that my eyes hurt when I stare at it too long. Hey at least I got some new glasses that don't have scratches on them the size as the crack in the universe.

This was my March madness.

Why am I in Kpop rut though? Because honestly, these past few months haven't been that too exciting. For me at least. I think I got overly used to a string of my bias groups promoting, from October on-wards. So January and February were like filler months, and then March happened with the big girl group extravaganza, but by then I just wanted to hear good music, and I got it, and then I was good.

And now I'm hopelessly behind,* and I don't need to apologize for it but honestly I miss ranting a bit about the nonsensical things in Kpop so here I am once again, but this time with a slightly different format.

First things first though:

In two weeks I am going to a B.A.P concert with my mother in Dallas. It's her bias group, so don't look at me. I know I'm not a huge B.A.P fan but I do like a lot of their music and am pretty excited to be seeing them live. Now I just need to learn how to distinguish Daehyun from Jongup and I ought to be good.

Here's the second thing:

In June my husband and I are going to Miami for our 5 year anniversary trip (so cool!). The beach? It's not really my thing. I don't like sand, and I don't wear bikinis (I wear a very classy 50s era checkered bathing suit and I look damn fine in it). Miami, or rather... South Beach is the last place you would probably ever catch me and my husband on a vacation. But we're going because, well, you know... Block B will be there.

I'm going to see Block B in concert!

Hopefully they won't be playing those instruments though, or you know...
it probably won't sound very good. 

We have VIP tickets. I'm going to die. And probably cry lots as soon as as I see them. I'll be packing a a whole tissue box because I'll probably need it the moment they start to sing 'Be The Light'. It feels like this is too good to be true...

So onto the next stuff. I haven't blogged anything Kpop related but that doesn't mean I neglected the whole industry. In fact, my 2014 playlist seems to suggest otherwise. Here are 40 songs that I've noticed this year and currently dropped into a playlist, beyond the cut.

A Touch of K-Pop: October '13

Two things: First is Happy Halloween! to all who celebrate it (or acknowledge this happy costume and candy day). The Second is, I missed my blog birthday- on October 23 a year ago I started this lovely little sanctuary for myself. Back then I had no idea what this place would become. Sometimes, I still don't know. Which is why I give myself time at least one time a month to ramble on about a subject I love almost as much as drama: KPOP!

Uhm, greetings from Park Kyung-ssi? Always a character :P

I always knew October would be busy! What I didn't expect is that for a couple weeks I would be totally obsessed with YG's devil program WIN: Who Is Next. Or that Teen Top would once again entertain fans with another dance practice version of "Love Fool." [Note: It's more them beating each other up with pumpkin pillows than 'practicing'.] But now the month is over, and Blocktober comes to an end as well. Soon there will no more live performance of Block B's "Very Good." Waaaa! Why can't they just sing and dance forever?!?

More to say about WIN or Winner (blegh), live dates with Block B, why I tried and failed to like IU, a kid named Yoo Seung Woo, and I finally announce my thoughts on EXO (because, everyone always want to hear more about EXO right?? They just don't get enough coverage..)

P.S. I joined Tumbrl. I have no idea what on earth I'm doing on there- but it is a scary scary place! 

Honest Thoughts About Block B 블락비 - Part 2: A Blocktober Special

“131013 Ahh what a pretty number.” – Park Kyung

In honor of Block B’s first music show win on Inkigayo, what could be a better day to post my long-time-due second post for Block B. Months ago I introduced the first section of Honest Thoughts About Block B. Today, with the full disclosure that your dearest writer here is a diehard BBC (super fan!), I finish my thoughts, especially about their recent comeback.

Confession: I woke up this morning, read the news and then wept for 10 minutes straight. My husband just kept handing me tissue after tissue... He understands. He's a BBC too.  In all honesty (because that’s what this post is about), music program wins don’t mean too much in the long run. But to the fans and to the members of Block B – it’s just lovely.  

Coming up, reviews of "Be the Light" and "Very Good" along with a short history of Block B vocal performances and my general analysis (aka opinions) on select recordings.

A Touch of K-Pop: September '13

Okay so I’m a few days late (now into October, or “Blocktober” but more on that in a few days) Before I get side-tracked, I should focus on the exciting month of September. Or rather, the lack of excitement. Seriously this month was boring in Kpop. It's like the Chuseok holidays infested everything, and the only thing of excitement was waiting for fancams from the Idol sports event. 

Especially of this....

Even G-Dragon’s comeback barely sustained me. Oh, I’m not saying my ultimate bias has changed or anything. It’s just that his solo albums were good. Good you know, but not life changing. I bought them all and enjoy the songs immensely, but… and I shouldn’t admit this, but when you have to go and find translations on lyrics and then study them to find the true meaning of a song concept, only to see it’s just you know… pseudo-intellectual and all that stuff, that doesn’t really excite me.

I can be a bit shallow, namsayin’? Which is why my favorite song and MV of the recent while has seriously been BIGSTAR’s “Run Run” from back in August.

If you haven’t seen it, or even heard of the group, or cared one bit before now – I encourage you to give it a try. It’s certainly worth the entertainment. I don’t know anything about these guys, and I haven’t even listened to another song of theirs. All I know is that this MV is hilarious, there’s a rapper named Feeldog who looks great with a purple phone, and it’s got just enough of that 90s Slim Shady to make me want to dance… 

Over that way!!!

More up on why I still adore Teen Top, why I'm less enamored with BTOB, and why I'm starting to hate the wonderful world of Kpop. Except that, BLOCK B is back! So I can't hate Kpop after all! Kyaa!

A Touch of K-Pop: August '13

I just have one thing of note:

What's that, girls?? 

BLOCK B RETURNS!!!!!!

Actually, that is not all. But yes, Block B is returning under new management company 7 Seasons (which is somehow still affiliated with Stardom, but.. not?) and is rumored to be working on a comeback for late September or probably October 2013. Yesss! For all the hits this blog gets on the ever hopeful "block b comeback 2013" search results, I can finally announce that we have good news! It's Block B time!!! 

In the words of my favorite comment I found online (sorry I've lost the original source): 
"MY DERPS ARE BACK!"

Don't know who these guys are? Check out my initial history + thoughts about Block B HERE.



OH YEAH - I went to KCON and it was phenomenal. Still working on my review!

A Touch of K-Pop: June '13

Another month, and I feel like so much has been happening. Mostly I’ve just been surviving through the return of about every single girl group I don’t care too much about, but dutifully watching each and every new MV, just to make sure there isn’t something out there that will suddenly change my mind and turn me into a fan. After many wasted hours, verdict: nothing yet.

However, there is a new boy on the stage that has captivated my eyes, my ears, and my heart – and he isn’t even Korean. I’m talking of course about Chinese-Canadian member of Super Junior-M and now solo artist… Henry! 

I'm trapped! I'm trapped!

He’s a baddie. I mean, he’s a cutie. I mean, the song is perfection and I didn’t stalk Youtube for weeks just to catch up on every possible stage, live performance, piano version, violin version, or acoustic version for nothing. His song “Trap” is pretty much the catchiest thing I’ve ever heard, completely suits his voice, and for all the debate out there, I don’t mind at all that he shares his debut with SHINee’s Taemin or Super Junior’s Khuhyun.

Watch this video and just try not to sing along, or cheer on for SM’s former dungeon-dweller. I’m ridiculously happy to see that he’s been doing relatively well on the charts. It gives me hope in humanity. Or at least, for the part of humanity that listens to Henry. Have my standards dropped any? No, I just love Henry.

More on Teen Top, 100%, Daesung & Seungri, Wonder Boyz, and... Block B?

Honest Thoughts About: Block B 블락비 - Part 1

Because I just can’t leave K-pop alone, and I tend to analyze or overanalyze things all by myself, here I am again discussing things I probably have no qualifications to discuss. That said... Do you know what time it is?

It's Block B time!

Here’s the plan:

I take a K-Pop group that I adore to pieces, give you the lowdown, and then attempt to honestly consider their merits, as a group or just individually, through music videos, discography, variety appearances and social media. I’ll test them objectively based on talent, performance, charisma, and charm. 

You said charm???

Charm. And swag. Gorilla swag. 

The Short Story

Block B debuted in 2011 under label Brand New Stardom, with the hopes of emphasizing a strong hip hop flair in the idol industry. They have made 3 comebacks to date, even managing to stay afloat through scandal and controversy. As of early January 2013, they have been battling with their label over supposed non-payment of their earnings for over a year. The group has not appeared together publically during this time, though individual members have been keeping active in other more low key roles. Fans, known as BBCs, are waiting ecstatically for the day all 7 return as one. 

Update 6/7/13: Block B has officially lost the court case, but determines to keep fighting the original case to have their contracts nullified.  They have no intention of working with Stardom again.  Block B, fighting!
Update 8/28/13: They are back! Under new management, with their exclusive contract transferred to 7 Seasons. Comeback for October 2013??? 

A Touch of K-Pop: April '13

Sunday morning, and what am I thinking about? K-Pop of course! Here's another monthly edition of me ranting about whatever's on my mind. Read or skip at your own leisure. I won't mind. I'm a fangirl. To each her own. ;) 

All my biases at a glance... *heavy sigh*

What's up this month?
April brought some great joy to my life. Also some sad twinges of pain. Take the day Zico (and non-Block B friends) dropped a new cover and accompanying MV for “Feel So Young”: I swooned, I fangirled, I looooved, I danced, then I cried… for about 20 minutes. Then I did this on repeat for the next 5 hours. Because however exciting it is to see Zico doing awesome and new for a change, the fate of the rest of the group still hangs in the air. 

Seriously! When will there be [good] news about Block B! Stalking their twitter accounts on a daily basis to see if I can be the first to hear something has been mentally draining. Also, I run into lovely bits of information that I really could’ve done without. For example: Jaehyo went hiking one day, and his butt got firmer the next day. True story. He tweeted it. Now you all know. Thank your good friend Rosie for informing you of such. 

What else is up this month, or – more importantly – what else in the Kpop universe has been on my mind this month? Stick around for fandom updates (Angels, Melodies, Crowns – I’m coming!), some crazy ass stuff involving pink elephants and urinals (seriously, GD…), bias updates and changes(!!) and more. 

A Touch of K-Pop: March '13

It's the middle of week, nobody's home but me and my cat - I had planned to watch upwards of 7 drama episodes this day from 4 different shows I'm currently watching. What do I do instead? Get ridiculously side-tracked by K-Pop. As usual. 

Welcome to my new feature, where once a month I discuss my current thoughts on K-Pop: what's new, what's old, whatever thoughts that suddenly run through my head! Basically, an excuse to dish, fangirl, wail or bemoan, and link all kinds of brightly colored MVs. Bear with me for a bit. 

What's New:
Infinite's comeback with MV "Man in Love" and by the way, all I noticed was the CAT!  I like Infinite, I really do - but once I got over "Paradise" and "Be Mine" (dance practice versions), every other song of theirs takes months for me to warm up to. I suspect this new one will be no different. 

Man, I'm in love... with this kitty! Also, Hoya. But I think that has a lot to do with his role in Answer Me, 1997 (and being an awesome dancer) more than anything else. 


Read more for praises of EYK, itunes gift cards, Zico's eyelashes, G-Dragon's red lips, and - yes, I'm going to say it: Teen Top. Also, what on earth has P.O. been doing lately??

Block B: The Pits of Fangirldom

For anyone who’s been living under a rock the past few days, and didn’t take their allkpop news source with them, then you won’t have heard about the latest controversy involving Block B (my second favorite Kpop group).  On Friday it was reported that the seven members of Block B filed suit with their management company Stardom to nullify their contract.  The reasons:  they claim they haven’t been paid in nearly a year, seen any of the profits from their OST sales, and a ‘CEO’ of the company collected nearly $70,000 worth from their parents for promotional purposes, and then promptly disappeared with the funds.  Stardom’s response included a lot of the expected garble and denials, blah blah blah.

The point is: AHSHHHHHHKJEJ:EJOsdjf;poeoifjlksdjf*&@#^()!@)(^)$(^96#^^&%(&^%$797%!!!!

Translation: I think this is truly the pits of fangirldom.  A nightmare of hellish proportions, shocking my entire family (husband and sister included) into morose bits of sighing, almost-crying, and all around depression every time  we accidentally flip through a Kpop mixed CD and land on one of our many prized and priceless Block B songs (especially the slow sad ones). 

For anyone not familiar with my Kpop fangirl history, it’s a short one.  True, I’ve been poking around the Kpop world since nearly the same time as I discovered K-Dramas, but the chapter of my life where I could officially confess and publically announce my membership in not one, but two fandoms, happened only recently.  I’m primarily a VIP (BIGBANG), but running a close second is my love of Block B, and it’s no secret that being a BBC (*laughs at the name still*) has turned me into the perfect fangirl.  I swoon, I dream, bat my eyelashes, and generally try to convert anyone I can get my hands on into a BBC.  At the very least, I play their music a lot. 

So the news that my darling boys are suing their agency hit me hard in the gut. For days my heart has been fluttering with a whole array of woes and worries:

1.      They won’t be appearing in public anytime soon to sing beautiful music.

2.      They won’t be on any more variety shows, showing off their talent and personalities.

3.      They’re out on a limb, assuredly with BBC support, but in dangerous territory about to fight a court battle with an uncertain future.

4.      Will they emerge victorious? If so, what next? Will they sign with a different agency or persevere on their own?

5.      Will they lose, and be *whispers* forced to disband?

6.      A few of the members are probably talented enough make it on their own (Zico, Kyung, P.O. and probably Taeil).  But what about the others?



This development has done some strange things to this fangirl’s heart.  Never before have I had to deal with a scandal or controversy like this as it happened.  BIGBANG’s series of scandals in 2011, Block B’s own errors during the Thailand interview earlier this year, the legacy of DBSK (3 whole years of it!) – all were in the past before I ever came to even know about these groups, or even to like/love them.

The verdict: I almost wish I wasn’t so much of a fan.  The sadness in my life right about a group of guys I’ve never met, or even been on the same continent with is a scary bit of reality.  And the worst thing is that there is nothing I can about it.  I can’t fight.  I can’t picket outside the company buildings. I can’t even know what exactly is going on, or who is truly in the right, or who is wrong.  I can’t hold Zico’s hand and tell him to stay steady.  I can’t give the whole group a hug and say it’s going to be alright.  I can only sit back and wait for news as it slowly comes in, and hope that somewhere, sometime in the future things will be alright, and my OT7 won’t be torn asunder.  This. Sucks.

Some inspiration until I make it through:

A Very Biased Report

G-Dragon of BIGBANG and Zico of Block B

Having a “bias” is a very new concept for me.  When I first started watching K-Dramas and listening to K-Pop, and I came across the term used in reference to individual people, it almost seemed like the word was used incorrectly.  To me, having a bias was more a state of mind, and almost always comes with a negative connotation as in ‘I am biased… against something.’ For the record I still find it hard to start a sentence off with ‘My bias is…’ in reference to my favorite male and female actors and idols. 

Now I’m more amused than anything about how often I use the phrase, and its particular meaning. It’s just one more sign that I’m helplessly immersed in the lingo of modern fangirldom- a fact that has become an endless sort of amusement and irony to me. Take a look at my two precious K-Pop biases above, and realize that even my noona status can’t diminish how much I admire and respect (and completely adore to bits!) two absolute strangers from across the world.

Sometimes, having a bias is a scary thing – as is coming to terms with it. As such, I have put together a list of definitions from as many sources as applicable.  So what is being biased? What is a bias? And what does it mean to be biased, have a bias, or live professing such biases. Read more for this and many more questions (and probably fewer answers). 

Sharing the Love

 

There are times in your life when you just can’t express the happiness you feel, the contentment of life overall.  Days you thought would never exist, moments you never even dreamed of.  Today I was part of something special – While sitting in my kitchen, pondering the boring layout of electronics, kitchen devices and Tupperware for our upcoming Thanksgiving cooking space, from down the hall stalks my brother-in-law (only recently a holiday guest) with his iPhone singing softly to himself:  “Hellooo…. Hellooo…. Yes, sir, I’m one of a kind… *mumble*…. Hello, hello….” 

*Rosie dies a supremely happy person*

Rewind a few hours.  Really this is all because my husband’s plan to garner sympathy from his brother backfired almost completely.  We are a strange family.  For one thing, I spend almost every hour of free time in front of a computer watching Korean or Japanese dramas, and when I’m not sitting here at my desk being ‘productive’ (aka writing about these things) I’m listening to Kpop on my iPod, iPad or Pandora radio station.  I also have this crazy urge to share my love with any and every poor soul that crosses the threshold of my home.  Even if I know they will probably hate it.  Why hide who I am? I like watching and listening to Korean people to the exclusion of almost every other form of entertainment.  My long-suffering husband has been making painstaking efforts to meet me halfway.  We now share a common fascination with everything Block B.  I still love BIGBANG.  He listens to Girls Generation…  

"Here, listen to this. It's awesome, I promise!"

But when his brother showed up, I think he genuinely hoped to find someone else to laugh with him over G-Dragon’s crazy music videos, and to ultimately sympathize with an illness called “My wife is in love with a Korean rapper.”  Symptoms include eye-rolling, heavy sighs, and a hesitant aptitude for picking out Engrish-sounding words amidst a sea of Korean lyrics. 

It occurs to me that I’m actually a very lucky person.  My sister is just as K-Pop obsessed.  Both she and my husband watch K-Dramas.  My brother-in-law finished watching City Hunter all by himself, and last time my mother visited she requested a second mixed CD featuring her favorite BIGBANG songs.  Last night, we all started watching IRIS.  It’s absolutely killing me that I’m the only one with enough time on my hands to marathon the drama. Having to wait around everyone else’s schedules just to watch one more episode is agonizing!  (It’s even worse than waiting for subs, because they’re already there! You just need to sit down so I can hit PLAY!”)

Now if only for Christmas I could appease all of my friends with a mixed CD, I’d be one happy person.  How about a coupon for 5-10 hours of my time to sit down and watch some fabulous drama?  (Really, doesn’t that sound like a great present?)

"Seriously, if you don't watch this drama with me,
prepare to be mauled by my bear-ears beanie!"