Reaction to EXO's Call Me Baby

You guys have no idea how much I anticipated for EXO's comeback this year, especially because of all the drama in this group - I'm talking about...(I can't say it)...Luhan and Kris, who left the group. This is quite a big topic and I will be covering this later on.

Right now, what I want to say is that, I have never in my life seen any music company go through all that trouble (really, I should be using the term, 'hard work') in a Comeback. But, this is EXO, you're talking about so it's pretty understandable.

The teasers, mysteriously called 'Pathcodes', that led on to their comeback, were simply a work of art - no kidding. They filmed in 10 different locations abroad for each member with clues about their new album to be figured out by EXO-Ls (their fans and hopefully I fall into that category too...). Me? I was completely hopeless. I figured out nothing. It was terrible - I don't deserve to call myself a fan, I know. But EXO-Ls were pretty smart; they figured out the name of the song by the first letters of the places and in the order the Pathcodes came out.

The Pathcodes look like movie trailers because firstly, the quality is amazing, secondly, the effects were incredible and all of them were so beautifully crafted and thought of. I swear, it was even scary at times...

Here are some of my favourite Pathcodes:

Chanyeol

It seems like something out of Twilight. This might just be me.

Baekhyun

My heart was literally racing. OMG!

Sehun

It gave me the impression that perhaps Sehun was a werewolf or something...what am I chatting about?

Xiumin

I have to say that I agree some EXO-Ls who said that Xiumin looked a bit like G-Dragon in this. LOL!

Kai 

Right at the end, when he disappears, doesn't it remind you of Harry Potter for a second? One of my biggest regrets in life: where was I when EXO came to London this year? Seriously...

Chen

Some people were saying that the fact that Chen closes the book with Overdose written on it, which is meant to symbolise their last album, implies that they are coming back with a completely new concept and that they have left behind past. Well, I don't really know, to be honest.


After all these Pathcodes came 'Call Me Baby'...

(KOREAN VERSION)

(CHINESE VERSION)

From this, I can tell there is clearly a change in EXO.

1. Everyone seems to get a more or less equal number of lines - this is possibly because they now have two fewer members so more for everyone else, basically.
2. This meant that we suddenly see more of Chen! I think this is the most number of lines Chen as got in any mv so far. Hurray for Chen Chen!
3. Whoaaa...the car.
4. And for some reason, I feel like we're not seeing Chanyeol and Sehun that much in this music video, unlike the previous ones.
5. Speaking of Chanyeol, his hair is just...WOW!
6. OMG! Those jeans must be TIGHT! And why do I feel like they've all lost weight? I feel like they had to train so hard for this comeback. Poor EXO...
7. Lay...
8. Their transitions are literally so smooth and they're making the camera-sliding-transition their trademark ever since Growl from 2013, I think. 

I absolutely love this! I will definitely be watching this over and over again at least 3-4 times each day - yes sure, call me obsessed if you will. 

Kpop Highlights #9 (Red Velvet)

Red Velvet - Ice Cream Cake

Well, what can I say? I think this is my favourite song so far by Red Velvet. The beginning of the song really creeped me out. But as soon as the beat started to kick in, I fell in love. LOL! I have to say though, I was more entranced by the visuals than the actual song. I mean, look at that ice cream cake! It's simply irresistible. The clothes are also so wearable and cute - I really love it, especially the skorts. And I cannot forget their hair! I love how they have a colour theme for their hair, with shades of blonds and oranges. But...the giant cat really threw me off. 

On another note, this song features Red Velvet's new member, Yeri, who was just added this March. And speaking of which, I was utterly surprised (though I shouldn't really be,living in this era) by the fact that Yeri has just turned 16 this month - she's the one with the two pony tails by the way. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=glXgSSOKlls

Kpop Highlights #8 (Sistar, Song Ji-Eun, 2NE1)

Sistar - I Swear

It has a very melodious and sweet-sounding tone, which is very girly but totally fits in with Sistar's concept. It isn't exactly exhilarating but has certain restorative elements which lifts your spirit. This is clearly highlighted within the music video as well ever see is Sistar having fun and doing things they enjoy. On another note, I found the bit where they were shopping in the supermarket really cliched because that's one of the most stereotypical places Asians tend to think of whenever America is mentioned (I'm guessing here based on experience). I mean, they go abroad to film the music video in North America (not exactly sure where) and one of the main features is a supermarket. I find this quite funny.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PrNPhVexE4

Sistar - Touch My Body

This was out before I Swear and to sum it up, I love it! Absolutely love this song and I always will. The concept as usual is sexy and I think it really fits in with their image and song. It doesn't look forced or unnatural at all. In fact, their sexy concept is actually so subtly portrayed that you get used to it very quickly and don't tend to make such a big deal out of it. The music itself has a really exciting and refreshing feel, as well as being slightly brassy and loud. I now feel like I can't wait for summer to come.

FYI: the weather in London right now is a bit retarded (yes, it has even come to the stage of me using that word). Seriously, it's driving me insane. One second it's all sunshine with highs of 18C and the next second it's icy cold. I sometimes think...no I officially declare that the weather here is bipolar.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q33SoblaZbU

Song Ji-Eun - 25

I recognise the girl from Secret's Yoo Hoo. I believe this mv is meant to have a sexy concept (just how many times have I said sexy in this post, already?) but this isn't really portrayed. However, I really enjoy the song. Like Touch My Body, it's uplifting and addictive. Plus you have to see the dance practice, which by the way has significantly more views on YouTube than the mv itself. I know very few women who can dance that confidently in heels.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT9MPZRzQn8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TegGHsWUZj4

2NE1 - I Love You

This is actually an old song if you were to compare it to other songs in my highlights, but I had to include it because it has immediately become one of my favourite kpop of all time. Once you start listening to it, you can't get the song out of your head - it's very soft and melodious at times and yet still has elements of electric.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUrUPzLm5SI

Some of the most entertaining Kpop dances

Kpop, as most of you should be aware, is synonymous with dancing, and in other cases, crazy and weird  dancing. These are just a few of my favourite kpop dances (and no, sadly dancing isn't my profession and don't think it will be any time soon - I prefer Ben Goldacre's Bad Science over going for a street dance lesson). They are crazy and wonderful - if you have a group of eccentric kpop fans, you guys should get together and bust out some of these moves just for a laugh and make me awfully jealous.

In no particular order...

Orange Caramel - Catallena 

This just has to be my favourite dance of all time. I have watched it a million times and I cannot get bored of it. The most hilarious part is at the start when Nana breaks her voice when she's screaming. I also really love the fact that even though they are doing the cheesiest and weirdest moves like that 'hoi hoi hoi' bit, they look absolutely comfortable and natural. I love it!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxZvLRPF2j0

T-ara - Bo Peep Bo Peep

All I have to say is that this never gets old. Ever! And it's actually so adorable. But I really don't understand why there is a rating on it - honestly, lol!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nG9-W1pqgg

Crayon Pop - Bar Bar Bar

This is my favourite after Catallena. It's so good for a work out as well. I mean, the majority of the time, you would have to be jumping. That could seriously improve your fitness. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZC7yA1Cymc

2PM - Go Crazy

This is so much fun, just by watching!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbXInOWXDQ

T-ara - Roly Poly 

Ahhh... the classic 1970s dance recital. So cringey and wonderful.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kowfLIRpQaU

Orange Caramel - My Copy Cat

This is another dance practice video from the lovely Orange Caramel. I really want to know how to do that skipping thingy ( great use of technical terms!) which Lizzy does first,  joined by Nana and Raina.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D1lD_opdls

AOA - Like a Cat

It's unbelievable. They actually look like female cats-turned-humans. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=srK7Vj5p9Tg

Super Junior - Mamacita

My favourite part is when they do that head-hitting thingy ( another great use of technical terms - you can really see that dancing isn't my profession). I showed the mv to my non-kpop friend and that's all she remembered.  

The following is a fan-made video because SM Entertainment hasn't released an official dance practice, which is a downright shame, and it's a mirrored version, but the best version out there. There is a dance practice to it but it's by BTOB and I wanted to promote Super Junior here so I had to ignore that. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOyD6tRd4Fc

2NE1 - I am the Best

I love this song. I remember I was watching High Kick 3 and they used this to promote a blender. LOL. Good times...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl19JYqW6MI

T-ara - Lovey Dovey

Everyone needs to see the bit where they're going round and round in a circle - I'm completely mesmerised. Unfortunately the video quality is bad - but that's all I could find. If you want, you can  search for the music video.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvynY2OJnt0

Girls Generation - Gee

I can't stress how much I'm in love with this dance. It's the complete definition of adorable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScIpxucdmo0

Well, that's all for now. If you guys have any suggestions or Kpop dances that are beyond crazy than the ones here, please share. I am very  much happy to create 'Some of the most entertaining Kpop dances #2'. 

2NE1 and BIGBANG recognised by YouTube Awards 2015

A massive congratulations to 2NE1 and BIGBANG, two of the finest Kpop groups alive on being recognised by YouTube and becoming two of fifty other groups to have over 164 million subscribers and 47 billion views (wow!), alongside mainstream artists like Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Ariana Grande.

YouTube released this video 2 days ago. I think Kpop fans will realise that they used clips from 2NE1’s Come Back Home and GD x Taeyang 's (part of BIGBANG) Good Boy, both such incredible songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ52K6Y8JNw

I am truly so happy and emotional whenever people recognise Kpop, especially like this and I really couldn’t stand not sharing this with the rest of the world, which I assume is what many Kpop fans are feeling right now.

Girls’ Generation won a YouTube Award back in 2013 and I think BIGBANG was part of YouTube Moments 2014 (I’m not quite sure...). But the point is that, I really hope that our Kpop community grows as a result, not only in the US but in the UK (where I really feel is lacking some Kpop spirit – come on, there are less than 10 students in my whole entire school who pays Kpop any attention), as well as the rest of the world. Fighting!

Okay, reading over what I just wrote...it’s not that deep.

Some of the comments on YouTube were questions on why EXO was not chosen. I think that EXO has great potential...no scratch that out...massive potential in becoming big like BIGBANG and 2NE1. But unfortunately, they don’t have their own YouTube Channel. They are incorporated into SMEntertainment’s channel instead. They have an EXO-K channel but sadly that only has 426,420 subscribers and a total of 184,032 views to date – I’m not even sure if that is created by fans or if it’s official.

Well, there’s nothing we can do but hope...

Kpop Highlights #7 (IU, Yoon Hyun Sang, GOT7, BlockB, G-Dragon)

IU - My Old Story

This series of Highlights begin with a very evocative and emotional song by the amazing IU. The song itself is actually very short but nonetheless sensational for numerous reasons. Choi Woo Shik is such a talented actor despite being so young - I love all of his kdramas. He can act like an egoistic and cunning prosecutor one second or a wimpy high-school boy subject to bullying from his step-sister the next second. Having him in this mv was perfect! The song has a chilling sensation to it - something like a horror story based on a 'gone-wrong' love story where the heroine dies a tragic death. Overall I can say that it is one of my favourite songs.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=npttud7NkL0

Yoon Hyun Sang x IU - When Would it Be

Well, this is a lovely duet and heart-warming. I get similar emotions when listening to this with IU's My Old Story - it's absolutely sensational. I said this was a duet but the spotlight is mainly on Yoon Hyun Sang as IU only comes into the song after quite a long time though she features in the mv from start to finish.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HFiVaK15

GOT7 - A

Now, moving onto a lighter topic...This is my very first song of GOT7 and well, my first impressions of the visuals weren't that great. I felt like I was watching something out of Disney Channel - in other words, a bit childish. Look, it's just my opinion and I know that some of you Got7 fans think they are one of the best-looking boy groups in the world. I'm sure they are - but perhaps not right now. Nevertheless, the song has a very addictive chorus and I just love it! Love it! It's brilliant - it's been in my head for around 4 days straight.

(I wasn't being sarcastic about me loving the song by the way).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eISomx-VMow

Block B - Jackpot

Warning: we are slowly approaching the creepy side of Kpop...

LOL. Block B is one of my favourite groups of all time, because they are so original and crazy and their music videos are hilarious and fun to watch. I love the fact that they are nothing like the usual boy group where all they ever talk about is love, break-up or girls and all that lovey dovey stuff. But these guys are no where near the definition of gentlemanly or genteel. In this music video, they kidnap a young girl and do all sorts of horrible things to her. It's completely barbaric and atrocious...and I love it! But seriously you have no idea how sorry I was feeling for the girl until at the very end when she left with her middle finger up to them. GOSH!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Yscg5vtVQ

G-Dragon - Crayon 

This music video is literally so fun to watch! Okay, let's start in chronological order. Firstly, his night-robe says 'wonder woman' - what on earth?! Then he goes for a shave, but what exactly is he shaving? He literally has no facial hair - perhaps it was his imaginary beard. Then there's Pinocchio
and then him communicating with morse code, and then (the best part) he intently watches this girl on TV only to find that it's him dressed as a girl. There's also Issac Newton with his apples and the whole thing is just completely bizarre. Oh and not to mention, he dances around wearing a giant duck with ballerinas in the background, and I'm not even going to try and find out why the song is called 'crayon'.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ULhmadHkg

I think everyone would agree that this guy is a nutcase - LOL!


(in a good way)

Kpop Highlights #6 (2PM, 4Minute, Super Junior, Amber, High4)

2PM – Go Crazy

A fast-paced and electronic feel with such an overly-addictive chorus that just completely lifts up your spirit, is what you should expect in this amazing song by 2pm. It instantly became one of my favourite songs of all time. It’s hilarious at times and very fun to watch and listen, especially at the end when one of the guys (note to self: learn their names!) realizes everyone else has fallen asleep or ‘dropped dead’ due to having used up all their energy, casually shrugs his shoulder and decide to lie next to them in a very funny child-like way.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwD51VS0Uko

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbXInOWXDQ

I understand why they’re all so happy because usually kpop dances require weeks of vigorous training due to all those complicated moves and synchronizations, but in this case, it’s mainly just compromising.   

4Minute – Crazy

Just when I felt like I really needed to see a comeback of 4Minute – they came back, more confident than ever. Well, what do I think? Ummm, yes it’s crazy alright. I like the song and the whole music video plus their outfits. I felt that it was very powerful and had that ‘ooompf’ to it. But I thought the choreography was at parts a bit over the top and…inappropriate. Okay, I know it’s 4Minute we’re talking about but if you know about my sensitive and good-natured self, you’d understand what I mean. Nevertheless, they still stand as one of my favourite kpop groups!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCLBTmjJBY

Super Junior – This is Love

I love this! It’s very classy and everything in the music video flows so smoothly, which is actually a very difficult thing to do when you are working with 12 guys, and you have to try and make sure each of them gets a share of the vocals.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=utmykx9RUEw

Amber – Shake that Brass

Before anyone says anything, let me make one thing clear – Amber is a girl. It is highly unlikely that you will ever come across someone like Amber in the Kpop Industry. You see, the norm here in the world of kpop is that girls are girly, sexy or cute – definitely not boyish, dressed in baggy shorts and t-shirts. I feel like Amber is such a phenomenal and unique addition to kpop and a break in the barrier of the two genders. I realise that she never really got the attention she deserved before in f(x) but I’m glad that SM Entertainment is finally allowing Amber to shine. As for the song, it’s very fun and lively and definitely Amber-ly.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYGeGI1Ihlc

Lim Kim x High4 – A Little Close

This is such a perfect song. I absolutely adore the vocals in here and my sister loves playing this song in the background when she’s doing her homework (although she just gets distracted and not get her work done and eventually gets on my nerve – but that’s not the point); I understand totally why. It’s because it’s got a really calm and a moderately slow beat to it and it’s just really so satisfying! It’s just sad that High4 isn’t promoted as much as they should be – they’re really talented and more people need to notice that.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL39IvoAclE

How you know you're watching a Kdrama...

There are quite a few things which I have noticed that seems to crop up now and again during my lifetime of watching kdramas. Okay, apart from the obvious fact that the characters are all speaking in Korean and oriental-looking, I have managed to pick out a couple of other habits or 'events' which appears in multiple dramas.

For instance...

Love stories between Rich Guys and Poor Girls

Rich Guys

Gu Jun Pyo (Boys Over Flowers)

So Ji Sub (The Master's Sun)

Cha Seung Jo (Cheongdamdong Alice)

Lee Tae Ik (Full House Take 2)

 

Poor Girls

Cha Eun Sang (The Heirs)

Why is it that we're always poor?

 For once, can't we be arrogant rich girls who saves the desperate poor guys?

Geum Jan Di (Boys over Flowers)

I totally feel you, my Dongsaeng! 

Yes, people may classify this as a form of sexism. That's up to you - but just keep in mind that not all kdramas follow that pattern. Trust me, if it did, I wouldn't be writing this right now because I would have stopped watching kdramas altogether. But you see, that didn't happen

The Heirs is honestly the perfect example of this, and in some respects, I sort of see the character Cha Eun Sang as a reincarnation of Geun Jan Di from the legendary Boys Over Flowers. Yes, Lee Min Ho is the leading male actor in both dramas, whose character falls in love with both of the girls. But, there are just so many more similarities between the two characters: obsessed with work, ending up in a rich private school, being bullied by other rich girls, etc. However, I think that producers have made attempts to turn the stereotype around if you closely examine the latest dramas. So, this isn't such a bad thing.

Piggyback rides

A rather dramatic one...

From Good Doctor (an amazing drama - so sad)

'

GUY:

"Sure, hit me in the head with a teddy bear why don't you?!!"

(see the full list here: http://www.dramafever.com/news/8-of-the-cutest-k-drama-piggyback-rides/ )

From watching kdramas, I am beginning to feel like it is the norm to see couples giving piggy back rides whilst walking down the road in South Korea, especially at night. Well, I don’t know- for those of you who have lived or are living in Korea, is it really? I find this actually extremely adorable but you can’t really do that in real life…

GIRL: Oh no! I twisted my ankle for some bizarre reason.

GUY: That’s a shame! Tell you what, I’ll give you a piggy back home.

(In the land of Kdrama)

GIRL: Omo! Thanks!

(In reality)

GIRL: (clears throat) I think I’ll just take a cab…

Soju

You cannot miss this at all, no matter what kdrama you are watching. The consumption of Soju and other alcoholic beverages are highly prominent. You will usually see characters going off for a drink after finding out they’ve been rejected by their lovers, or as a way of releasing stress after a long day at work, or as a get-together for work colleagues or to in the process of drinking, accidently confess their love for another character and make things awkward the morning after. Personally, I have vowed not to ever drink alcohol so I will never really understand the magical powers inside Soju, in making Kdramas entertaining and lively.

Ramen

This guy hasn't even bothered to cook it!

A perfect midnight snack or a substitute for lunch or dinner when the characters don’t feel like cooking, be it home-cooked or instant ramen. Flower Boy Ramen Shop is the perfect example – as you can see from the name…It really is such a genius invention though.

Car Accidents and other car-related accidents

Prime Minister and I

The heroine runs across the road, after her child, when the traffic lights turn red. Then, suddenly she finds herself in front of a large accelerating van, only to be saved by the hero whose miraculous sense of timing pulls her away from danger. This is pretty common in romantic comedies and is used as a turning point for many relationships: to cause the heroine to feel like it’s her fault for putting the hero in danger and come to such a stupid conclusion that there’s nothing she should do but desert the guy, or the opposite, to result in progress between the two lovers.

Everyone having the same phone and other sneaky ways to advertise 

this brilliant meme is referring to The Heirs

These are the extremely cute Emotion Eye Smartphone Android, produced by LG in South Korea, which was used by almost every single character on Birth of a Beauty.

But you know what I mean just by looking at the pictures. They also have a tendency to promote Samsung a lot too – it’s not even just phones, they also promote Samsung Cameras and even vacuum cleaners! Other than electronic devices, they are also promoting certain shops such as Discovery ,which I suppose is a clothing brand for winter and sporting activities. Subway (where you get those foot-long sandwiches) is included amongst many of the places where the characters tend to eat.

Prime Minister and I

the same place in You're all Surrounded

SNSD Taeyeon falls on stage & other tragic accidents

Taeyeon

The sub-group of Girls Generation, TaeTiSeo, or in short, TTS, made an appearance at the 24th Seoul Music Awards on the 22nd of January 2015 (Well, that's today actually). Well, that is hardly surprising. However, as they were leaving the stage after their performance, let's just say things went a bit shaky...

From the video, taken by a fan, you can see that one of the members (that is Seohyun we're talking about here) trips or stumbles but manages to get her balance back but, the unlucky one is indeed Taeyeon who falls next and seems to have suffered an injury as that part of the stage seems to have collapsed.

I really hope it's nothing serious, especially when Yuri revealed that they were working on a new album comeback this year.

What I am really concerned about is that stage falls are unfortunately common in the world of Kpop. Sure, it's funny and amusing to see your idols fall or trip sometimes on stage, but stage falls are sometimes definitely not a laughing matter.

'The 1st Pangyo Techno Valley Festival' took place on the 17th of October 2014 ,where 4Minute, T-ara, JungGiGo, and Cherry Filter were invited to perform. During 4Minute's performance, a ventilation grate where fans have somehow got onto to get a better look at the performance, collapsed. The unfortunate fans fell about 10 feet. 4Minute had no idea that the accident occurred until they left the venue. 

The BBC News reported that 12 died at the scene of the accident and 4 more passed away afterwards. In total, it was reported that 16 had died and 11 were injured. 

It was really a tragic accident...(I feel kind of sad just writing about this). 

BBC also said at the time of the incident:

'After the Sewol ferry sank six months ago, with the loss of more than 300 lives, many alleged that the country's regulations had not kept pace with its rapid economic development.'

To be perfectly honest, to relate this with the infamous ferry incident is a bit far-fetched and seems exaggerated. It's not really logical to state that just because of these two incidents Korea is unable to catch up with its own developments. Come on, one was a Kpop concert, the other was a ferry - there isn't really much of a relation.