Someone on Twitter said: JYP can’t relate... Taecyeon... who is in 2pm but is not my boo but I do ship with my boo, its a long story, had to ask the fans to help 2pm deal with a STALKER/sasaeng anti or weirdo chick... he had to create an instagram page (which he was probably gonna do anyway) all because this person has been making fake accounts and hacking his... but JYP did nothing while they did put out a statement for Got7 or Day6 BUT did nothing for the money makers, 2pm (Yes check that data, their Japanese merch and tours kill in sells and they bring the money even while on hiatus) so HOTTESTS got stupid upset... here we have 51K which Taec has been apart of for about a year now releasing a statement... NOW I don’t usually get mad at JYP (this should be a blog) because they have been good about this in the past (like when Jun. K’s dad passed) but this time (I guess cause Taec was complaining who is not with JYP) they did nothing... I can’t .... and honestly 51K took their time getting this done too. Taec has been complaining for like 2 weeks now if not longer. (Throws hands to the sky, then flips a desk) I just hope my boys are safe and not dealing BS... Taec’s Military is over and he has been cast in a new KDrama, my bias Jun. K has like 6months left in the Army, I think Woobaby has like 8 months or so, Junho and Channie only have about a month into their duty... At least Khunnie is in a drama right now.... Hottests have to wait SOOOOOOOO LONG!!!! #hottestsalwaysnextto2pm
I'll get back to that in a moment, but first, a fellow kpopper tagged me to a post from Buzzfeed discussing African American BTS stans who are dealing with Racism within the ARMY standom. Upon moving into these Twitter groups with Armies, these young ladies found themselves in a ball of hate as they were taunted and called n*****. This is not necessarily disturbing to me because the truth of the matter is that I have always known racism. I know that it exists. What sucks is that that once again African American WOMEN are finding themselves excluded from a group that they really shouldn't feel excluded from... The article stated that some had decided to come up with an African American Army subgroup. Youngins' may not know this one but: "Can't we all just get along?" Stories like this are not new to me, but in all honesty, it hasn't happened to me...YET.... First, I am a Jun. K stan (FOR SURE), but I have pretty much kept myself in a small group, as a matter of fact, I have two VERY close Jun. K stan friends one in London and one in Singapore. For about 2 years now its been us in our own personal chat group. I consider myself the elder as I am the oldest and the 2 are my little sisters. I take it seriously as a friendship, created from an admiration of Jun. K but I hope it can continue as friends even after Jun. K. (WHOA way sentimental) (We talk about everything sometimes) Recently, I have dived further into the standom. My boy band is 2pm, our Fandom is called Hottest, We have all kinds of Hottests, Japanese Hottests, Indonesian Hottests, Pinoy Hottests, Arabic Hottests... It's worldwide... obviously. I started talking to more and more hottests because at a time like this...a generational shift which really means our boys will be on a long ass hiatus because of the Military we have to stick together to hold each other up while we wait. Hottests have been the best sweetest friends ever. Knock on wood. I haven't had a bad experience as a hottest dealing with race or anything else. I have never even been in an argument with Hottests. I think this is because most of us are older and by older, I mean like 50 with a daughter who is 25 and a granddaughter that is 4 and they all love 2pm. The Armies in discussion are teenagers or in their early 20s. AND... I tend to have a different experience as an African American being that I am what they call high yellow... Personally, I like to think that Hottests are just good people. 2pm has shown us again and again and again and again (If you are a hottest you get it) that they are decent humans. Let's continue to be real Korea is an Asian country that has some strong nationalistic views and unfortunately believes some stereotypes about Black folks. (They had a famous blackface character up until recently.) A young friend of mine says it's getting better, and I have another friend, an awesome Melanin enriched chick who has made Korea her home. Another friend talked about how people literally gawked while she was on the metro. I have never been to Korea...YET... but because of my experience in the United States, because of the way I look I can only imagine people would still gawk trying to figure it out.... most people know I am "something" but there are questions like: What is she? WAIT STOP... just remember the most WOW moment with a Korean lady in the USA... She literally looked at my skin and looked at her skin then looked at my mom and wanted to know "What happened?" Because I was lighter than her (a Korean woman), yet my mom is brown skin as she is African American. (Mom was offended and I am just like welcome to my world). Yeah, there is that skin color thing in Korea as in getting your skin as close to milky is the best) I am reminded of a time that someone made a comment about Jun. K's completion in his music video versus in person and it was almost as if he apologized for having dark skin. AGAIN "Why can't we all just get along? Trying to conclude: Why does this happen? Do we ask white people why do they like Beyonce or tell them that they can't like Beyonce? Why can't little black girls like Korean Pop artists? I can't even get into the appropriation of black music that is Korean Pop. Save that for another blog. The real question is why can't black girls be black girls and why are we ridiculed for the beautiful melanin of our skin? I guess the world will never know. Overall I love 2pm, I love my skin, I love my mom's skin, I want to touch Jun.K's skin, I love Hottests and I am glad to have all of it. If there are black girls out there who love KPOP but are hiding it... PLEASE let it be known... we can make our own group. Black KPOP Stans unite!!!!
OK so truthfully life sets in and blogging gets pushed aside...its horrible, but I am a teacher of special students so and I never reward myself with time alone to blog. AND my computer died in December....
Horrible things have happened in kpop recently anyway... well maybe not that recent but back in December..
Starting with a really tragic event... the death of SHINee member JongHyun. On December 18, 2017 Jonghyun actually committed suicide. You really have to wonder what was hurting him so bad that he took his own life. Its such a shame and it was just sad. Media outlets provided many sources of videos and pictures of the funeral. Which I found both morbid, but a fascinating look at Korean culture. MANY celebrities in the Kpop world attended or paid their respects to Jong Hyun and his family.
RIP Kim Hyun Jong
Also in the news a scandal with a University... Kyunghee University to be exact and this school is no joke academically. I went to the website and the Korean wasn't confusing, but the science was...smh... the scandal involves CNBlue Leader Jung Yong Hwa. Its seems that his admission to the university was suspicious as in he was let in because he is a celeb and not because he is super smart. And from the look of things it also seems like he was in pursuit if a doctorate and a little delay in the mandatory enlistment of the Korean Military. I swear maybe they should do away with the mandatory enlistment thing because it seems like every year the celebrities have a scandal with the enlistment. I mean really what do celebrities know about the military. Blood Sweat and Tears fall onto the dancefloor and stage not crossing enemy lines. Plus they get in the military and still get special treatment.... I can really go on and on about military and scandals, Rain, Song Seung Heon, didn't Seven have a little issue? ETC ETC.... What is crazy is the celebrities do things to delay enlistment, but when they get caught they end up enlisting immediately because it looks more honorable to enlist when you are in trouble. So its like just do it and get it over with.... Well I mean he's not my bias, but my my bias made the news of course...smh....
February is like his bad luck month.... Last February Kim Min Jun, Jun. K of 2pm fell during what was supposed to be 2pm's farewell concerts as Jun. K would enlist. Instead the concerts were cancelled, later rescheduled as Jun. K healed from injuries sustained from the fall. This also pushed his enlistment date back. I, of course was excited because there was something very uneasy about last year and his last concerts etc. They seemed oddly sad. Given extra time Jun. K made music and released another Korean album November 2017, the promotions went well for that and then we got news that he would release a Japanese album and have a Japanese tour before enlisting. BUT of course February happens and scandal seems to follow my MinJunnie. Caught at a checkpoint in Gangnam Jun. K was drunk driving. As an adult I was very upset and disappointed. If you know 2pm's history then you know that Nichkhun had a dui scandal a few years ago. JYP of course had to release a statement AND decided to cancel all promotions and Jun. K was to take a hiatus. Which created more disappointment because all six members were to perform during the Winter Olympics . Fans were excited to see OT6 because member Taecyeon, currently serving in the military would be on stage too. So most of us were upset, but as STANS we forgave him and waited patiently to see just what JYP Japan and Sony Japan had to say about his Japanese albums. Hooray for us because they are going to release everything and he will still hold the Japanese tour. Unfortunately scandals like this are not the best in Korea and we fear that he will not be able to have a successful career in Korea. I just hope my Jun. K can stay out of trouble for a while.... maybe enlist quietly....
And in other enlistment news... G-Dragon has enlisted as scheduled, I am really trying to figure how T.O.P is doing tho....
Bet you didn't know that South Korea was in perpetual war with North Korea, when you fell into the kpop/kdrama Hallyu wave. Now, you are probably a full-fledged member of a fandom, your walls are covered with posters (or in my case you have framed the posters for future use), you have a special case for all those special limited edition releases, and even though you may never reach Korea for a concert you have your bands light stick... only to find out that your bias of the group you love or that special actor has to enlist and will NOT have another comeback for 2 years. OH, you didn't know... now you know. Its hard, but they HAVE to enlist. The coming year will be especially hard for me as my bias (Jun. K of 2pm) will be enlisting soon.
It is administered by the Military Manpower Administration. There are two forms of service: active duty or non-active duty service
Length of service varies according to branches:
♤21 months for Army and Marine Corps
♤23 months for Navy
♤24 months for Air Force.
♤The non-active duty service, e.g. civil service or public service worker, is from 24 months to 36 months.
So basically for TWO YEARS your bias will "sort of" be out of the spotlight. (I will explain the sort of part in a minute.)
I think I have actually mentioned this subject before...http://kdramaseoul.blogspot.com/2017/02/2017-enlistment.html Click the link above to see the 2017 enlistment list, your 1988-89 babies basically. Of course, 2017 is almost over and 2018 will have a whole new group of beautiful biases. It IS what it IS my dears. I am sad and I will be crying my eyeballs out, but after getting over the devastation of our biases heading over for military training, what can we do? Let's make a list... 10.) Watch their catalog of Kdrama. Taecyeon of 2pm enlisted in September and luckily he has a few dramas and movies. If you want to see your bias and you miss him go marathon his Kdrama. If your bias is an actor you may have already watch everything, but that's why you can watch it again and again and again and again. (If you are a 2pm fan you just sang that in your head) 9.) Listen to every song they ever made. So if you are like me and your bias hasn't been in a drama, then listen to his catalog of songs. Korean, Japanese... heck they may even have a Chinese version. Make a playlist of party songs or ballads. Don't just listen in your room with the speakers blasting, put your headphones on and listen to every changing chord. (His music is basically all that I have ) 8.) Look for English translations. I find that I listen to the music and I don't actually know what they are talking about. I make an assumption from the chorus which is usually in English. I have been trying to make an effort to look up lyric translations. 2pm being my bias group has songs spanning 2008-2017 as a group, in both Korean and Japanese. Including full albums, mini albums, and singles... so much to analyze. 7.) Check out the members. Ok so... I am very LOYAL to my bias like VERY, like it's all about Jun 2 da KAY!!! BUT other members in 2pm have released solo albums as well. Junho and Wooyoung both have really good songs AND a couple were produced by JUN. K so why not give the other members some love, just don't go falling in love....LOL!!! 6.) SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH You ever go to youtube and look up and 3 hours have passed... yes me too, but your bias is on youtube. South Korea is awesome because there are so many shows with celebrity guess. OR maybe like 2pm your bias has had tv programs. Well someone from the fandom who loves other fans has subbed it in English for you. Search and find. FANCAMS can also be amazing. Dailymotion also has videos, as a matter of fact, my international friends use Dailymotion. Other fans have uploaded concerts for your viewing pleasure. Youtube is my friend. 5.) Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/ Other Social Media Instagram is my BESTIE, twitter and I are getting closer. In this day and age, Social Media is what has increased the amount of knowledge we have about KPOP and Kdrama. Our biases have accounts. If it wasn't for Instagram I wouldn't know ANYTHING about the whereabouts of my bias. AS A MATTER OF FACT... my bias just uploaded a pic of him with your bias, that is if your bias is Taecyeon, remember that "Sort of " part I mentioned. Once upon a time the celebs would enlist and they were out of the spotlight, but with Instagram, we found out that Taec was able to take a day off and had coffee, lunch, dinner something with Jun. K. Prior to that OkTroll tweeted to his bandmate a few days before their date. Siwon was also good about posting while he was enlisted. Jung Il Woo just posted recently as well. So although that can't make music or star in a drama they can post on social media. THANK GOD!!! 4.) Write a Fanfic. So before Jun. K had his accident last year postponing his enlistment I was getting ready for it by writing a fanfic. I like to write and get crazy story ideas and sometimes I just have to get them out. Now if you don't like to write maybe you like to read. There are great fanfics and fanfic sites out there. (Or start a blog;) I post my fanfics on https://www.asianfanfics.com I was working on one, but my real job took a lot of time maybe this winter break I will be able to get back on it... If you are into 2pm check it out: Taking Chances 3.) Powwows with other fans I am so lucky I have friends around the world who love, Jun. K. Or 2pm. Granted these friends are in different time zones and we only chat through social media it's still nice to have someone who completely understands the obsession. 2.) Count Down the days So I don't like this one very much, but I guess it helps others. SO many fans will count down right from Day 730 or 800 or whatever all the way to Day 0. I don't think I am going to be able to deal with seeing such big numbers. But if it helps you get through the 2-3 years by all means.... 1.) Choose a new bias... Chris Brown stated it like this: "These H*es Aint' Loyal." But the truth shall set you free. For those who can't wait 2-3 years... new groups, new actors are always coming out. Jun. K is my forever tho... LOL!!!! I am super Loyal... ok that is not true... I actually like Kim Hyun Joong BEFORE Jun. K, but with his scandal and everything.... I had to move on (not to say I don't appreciate his work.) And there you have it... I hope that you are able to make it through your bias's enlistment. I hope I am able to get through my bias's enlistment.
Omg if you are not watching, "Save Me" you need to get on that stat. Go to DramaFever go wherever you can and watch. It's not cliche and it's a true thriller! Aside from the crazy scary cult, there's a governor who seems good, but...is he????? A story line of gangsters and Korean mafia-style gang banging... corruption and misguided believers of the cult and government officials intertwined.... suspense everywhere ....Taecyeon is in it, but all the twists and turns of this drama make you forget that he was the main reason you started watching in the first place. I put it to you like this, this drama has such a realistic cult storyline written that as a Christian I had to pray over myself after watching a scene when the had a girl who was allegedly possessed by Satan. Its all super interesting and it's almost over... :( and the mentioned Daegu... I wonder if that was coincidence or Taec's love for band member Jun. K
I am at the half way mark of the Kdrama "Save Me." This drama is deep, dark, and disturbing, but I can't stop watching. Based on a small town that seems to be brainwashed by a cult, Han Sang-Hwan (Taecyeon), and his 3 friends set off to help or "save" a girl entwined in their lives from childhood well "teen hood" It is very dark and scary because cults are real and happen any and everywhere. I don't want to give anything away, but the poor girl in this drama really doesn't have anyone to turn to... actually its downright frightening because I live in a small town that could be influenced by a cult easily. This is what had my mom shook...during the first 4 episodes she was like this could really happen. I am glad that Taec wasn't afraid to try this role. AlsoWoo Do-Hwan who plays Dong Chul, Sang Hwan's bestie is a cool fresh face. I think this might be his break out drama. SPEAKING of TAECYEON...
Most of us know him from Kpop beastly Idols, 2pm... they celebrated their 9th anniversary and had a live session on v-live app. Honestly I don't know what happened for 2 reasons 1. I was in church during the session, and 2. the english subs aren't up yet. It looks super cute and fans everywhere celebrated with an awesome hashtag #To9etherForeverWith2pm...
Honestly I am holding back the tears...because I know that as time progresses, our boys will be enlisting... and that's when the news broke out.... Taecyeon has enlisted... JYP reported that he wanted a quiet enlistment and he kept his date a secret... so hottest had a really awesome day seeing the boys together... and then their bubbles busted several hours later.... They say my bias Jun. K was supposed to enlist with him but because of the accident couldn't... I am not sure how I would have handled that since Taec isn't my bias and I am sad.... I really want Jun. K to enlist because I don't like that ppl think that he threw himself 9ft, purposely to get out of the service. Maybe someone will have pics of the enlistment... In the meantime Imma need to know when Jun. K is joining Taec....
Leave it to Minjun to give us all the FEELZ and post on his Instagram...
Ok so let's start with whitewashing... It's a thing that has been going for what seems like forever...it started when Europeans came to North America, Carribean, and South America. You know when they said they discovered a land that was already occupied, but the people who occupied the land they called Savages and killed many of those Natives. They brought this idea called slavery and had people from Africa working the land...while they raped them, creating little half-breed illegitimate children which went on to create a sick psychological idea that light skinned is better than dark skinned. Ok, lets move on from that sick history and let's go to Hollywood the place that is creating the most whitewashing currently. Back in the day they would do something called black face... they wouldn't put black folks in a movie they would paint themselves....slowly they allowed blacks in film, but they basically legit have black, yellow, brown, red, etc face still to this day. Back in the day, they would do yellow face as in have a white person play as an Asian. The would even tape their eyes back. (Disgusting) It's still happening. There are so many roles given to white people enough the character is based on a person of color. The latest situation was Ghost in a Shell...the main character was supposed to be Asian. But the TRUTH is that the white execs in Hollywood don't believe people of color will make a movie successful. They look at the statistics (based on white survey) and basically say look at the stats, people of color don't sell movies or music. SO DUMB!!!!!! SO I SAY ALL OF THAT TO BRING US TO THIS:
An all white kpop group... omg I feel like I need go back into the history of kpop....I've been a kpopper for about 3-4 years now. Has influenced me... Hellz yeah from the way I talk to the way that I dress.... Do I want to be Korean... Hell no... I am black. I am an American Black. I am a Black American. Do I love Kpop? hellz yeah...can I sing in Korean... Hellz yeah... if my bias Jun. K said to come to Korea and sing on my record...HELLZYEAH!!! That still wouldn't make me kpop....BUT THE TRUTH DISGUSTING THING ABOUT THIS ALL WHITE SO CALLED KPOP GROUP is that for like 100 years people of color have been trying to break into crossover success. LISTEN to me.... there are legit great rappers ASIAN rappers and WE both white and black folks don't believe that these people can sell records which is why you don't see Asian rappers on MTV. They have tried but it never sticks. There is true talent in Korea... Rappers, singers.... I didn't believe it either. But then....
(this one is for 19+)
And this was just the guys... now don't get me wrong there are black producers and singers IN KOREA, Cha Cha Malone works with Jay Park. Recently this awesomeness was released...
Ok ok let's be real Kpop is a lot like hip hop/R&B and I could make the argument that Korean Artists and record labels have appropriated this style but I'm not.... I am not. That actually has happened in MANY COUNTRIES. Koreans have taken hip hop and R&B and made it into what they have today. BUT to take that thing they have made and put white folks in it... ugh... disgusting... BUT when I tell people that I listen to Kpop people are like HUH? I don't usually get into this stuff but wtf.... I guess I could say why even call it Korean Pop, it's all just music... you are so right... it is all just music...but I am not the one who created an all white boy group who decided to call my music kpop.... its sick... let's not.... This is just like back in the day when a black artist would make a song and then white producer use to have white singers re-release the song and it would just be the worst...this is the same thing....
This is what this (k) pop group has done.... you can take the idea but you can give it the same feeling.... PLUS girls like kpop for more than the music... um HELLO KOREAN MEN... if we wanted to listen to and wash white men... we have Nsync, Backstreet Boys and One Direction.... New Kidz on the Block...hell even O-town... 98 degrees... please do away with yourself EXP Edition....
2016 Train to Busanwas released in a few theaters in the USA. I, of course, tried to find one nearby and get my boyfriend to take me.... unfortunately, he did not... and I figured one day I will see it... Speed up to December 2016-January 2017 my mom and I watched Goblin... here comes some backstory. Gong Yoo is the main lead inTrain to Busan and Goblin.... you are about to be REAL mad at me, but MOST Dramabeans know Gong Yoo from, Coffee Prince... yeah not me... haven't watched that one yet.... I will get right on it. Anyway... I haven't drama's since Goblin finished.... I have been drunk in love with Jun. K and 2pm...(he's doing so much better by the way) and I realized that I will run out of things to listen to and watch of him before he even goes into the military at this rate, so I found clips of a movie Jun Ho of 2pm was in called Memories of the Sword. I was like, oh we gotta do this tonight and by we I mean me and my mom. Luckily it was on Netflix so we made that our plan for Friday Night... after that movie ended, I saw that Train to Busan was available on Netflix too...after promptly freaking out I was like OH we have to do this too!!! SO yeah I had to give you the back story.... TRAIN to BUSAN was a superb Zombie Movie.... First, if you haven't seen it you should go to Netflix and watch.... ONE thing I LOVE about Korean Movies and Drama is that within one episode I might be laughing my a$$ off literally, angry the next moment and crying in another moment. Train to Busan was no different. These Zombies were hysterical. Usually, zombies are lethargic and slow... looking to feast on brains or entrails. These zombies were bat sh*t crazy. If you want to be surprised then don't keep reading. The zombies in this movie turned fast and would run fast. The comedy came when they would run they were like imbeciles and would topple over each other. They seemed pretty strong and wanted to bite at any part. These zombies seemed more like possessed grudge demons. Now will be honest the storyline is a simple one, but aren't all zombie movies. AND as most ASIAN films/dramas it keeps you guessing at the end. I am just glad that this movie lived up to its hype. I am already terrified of our zombies... but those zombies... I will be a casualty for sure!!!
OH, AND PLEASE WATCH: Goblin: The Lonely and Great God it is also amazing. Like the storyline is awesome going back into Goryeo legend/ folk tales and present history and the fact that there is God but the God like guardian angels on Earth. At times it was like Men In Black, other times it was like Touched By An Angel... either way, you will like it. In the meantime, I better figure out how I will binge Coffee Prince.
This morning I woke up to news that Jun. K had fallen off the stage during the third concert of 2pm's 6 nights concert. The concerts seemed like a gift to fans two member's Jun. K and Taec Yeon would be enlisting soon. According to some concert-goers, the fall seemed very scary, but according to the current news, it appears that he has fractured his elbow and a finger. Let's hope for a speedy recovery for our Min Jun Oppa!!!
Drama fever posted an article about Korean idol who will enlisting to do their mandatory service. I am so distraught cause my Min Junnie, my Junkay!!! will be going away.... for so long.... I almost wish he could leave us with a scandal like Kim Hyun Joong. No body forgot that dude cause he had all kinds of baby mama drama throughout his service and he will be out on February 11. The list according to drama fever is: 1. JYJ's Junsu 2. Big Bang's TOP 3.Ji Chang Wook 4.Seo In Guk 5.Joo Won 6.Lee Min Ho 7.Jang Geun Suk 8.Hwang Kwang Hee 9. Kim Soo Hyun 10. SJ's KyuHyun 11. 2pm's Taecyeon 12.2pm's Jun. K 13. Yoo Ah In 14 Beenzio Chincha... there are some heavy hitters on this list... as a matter of fact majority of these idols have shaped my opinion of kdrama or kpop in some way. Seo In Guk's role in Reply 1997 (Answer Me 1997) sucked me in further to the kdrama world as this was one that I watched in the beginning of my kdrama life. Lee Min Ho... the man... the legend... so many kdrama beans are probably going into shock. Lee Min Ho is like 1995's Leonardo DiCaprio. Heartthrob to many. For me...Meh... I feel like he has been typecast as the jerk the girl falls in love with and they go through what they go through.... until they can either be together or die. Kim Soo Hyun...what a pretty guy... he was "My destiny" (You sang that didn't you) he played the hell out of an Alien that lived through the Joeson Era who would make horses fly when he was drunk and who get a fever/flu whenever he kissed a girl. We all fell in love with Do Min Joon the alien. Y'all already know how I feel about 2pm member's Taecyeon and Jun. K, well how I feel about Jun. K. How could he leave me!!!! Anyway... I probably wouldn't mind Taec leaving but whether its Taec, Jun, Junho, Chansung or Woo Young it doesn't matter because even though I love Jun. K and I love when he is solo... I love 2pm as one whole group. Now there are a few that I know but I have never watch them in a drama or listened to their music (at least not how I listen to 2pm. Jang Geun Suk also known as Pretty Man had a scandal, but is quiet now and this guy will be living I know there are a many of fans who are sad about this. Any dude who is in a kpop boy band... I know all their loyal subjects are losing their minds... I should know I am losing mind because my 2pm boys.... Ji Chang Wook... I know the name and honestly I though he had already been in the military but I was wrong... he will be entering soon and he just recently had a premier of his movie Fabricated City... in which Jun. K of 2pm was there and later took a pic with Ji Chang Wook, I thought oh maybe they are trying to be friends now so that they can keep each other company while in the military.
First... Jun. K released another solo album in Japan. This was called No Shadows and its pretty sexy, following the sexiness from his first Korean solo called Mr. No Love. Album Art:
In December he did a few concert dates in Japan. He celebrated Christmas (his life is an open book on the gram) And the next thing you know with not much warning we get a heartfelt single with a video on Youtube, that doesn't even feature him....
So I am like what's this? Now we already knew back in December that he would be doing two special concert dates in January. I was, of course, sad because I have no passport. (HAHAHA) But now we have this new single and I was like why... I keep wanting to say We because I am a hottest and feel like all of us hottest were feeling a "way". Anyway then, of course, we find out that Jun. K would be releasing a special Korean Solo. I pre-ordered it immediately and of course, I am still waiting because the way my kpop dealer is set up... it has to come from Korea to China then to the USA... it will go from NY to DE... I had tracking text me when I was waiting on No Shadow... packages go through so much.
It's on Itunes and they released a teaser for it so I am most excited to hear an "Alive" remix and "Phone Call" in Korean. Jun. K is really into R&B and Hip Hop so his albums really reflect this.... I mean Mr. No Love, No Shadow and 77-1x3-00 are all like drench in R&B/Hiphop... slightly trap. I have been excited during this time. Talking with my Instagram friends about him and his music. My mom sings his music unprompted. (HAHAHA) And This morning (at 2:30 am) I was supposed to watch him live while he prepared for his concert and what did I do? Turned the alarm off and continued sleeping only to wake up at like 4:30 trying to figure out what happened (HAHAHA). I am waiting for the broadcast to be uploaded on the Vlive website. This morning my gram friends are sharing posts that were moving on the gram from the concert and one pic got me....
Pay no attention to Woo Young in the back, but you see Khunnie holding Oppa!!! Cause he is in the Old Boy crew... but he is Thai and exempt from both Korean Military and Thai military and our Taec Yeon and Min Jun are not and they will be going away soon. You can always tell when your bias has to leave whether it is Kdrama or Kpop, Because they will do everything that they can do before they go... Taec Yeon had his group activities first, then a drama, and web drama, then he did a Japanese solo and finally a movie. Jun. K being the voice of the group has been doing that. After group activities he did a Japanese solo and toured, now a Korean solo and concert... what other way would you celebrate your 30th BDAY? But then I saw this pic and all of what I just said about the military came into my mind and I realized the next time I see the 2pm crew all together like this will be in 2020. (Jun Ho is missing because he is filming a drama)
My eyes started to sweat from this I was like wait what is happening eyes don't sweat but my eyes were sweating...
2014-2016 has been an awesome time having included these guys. They debuted in 2008 and I have spent recent years catching up on this group. I know, and many people don't want to admit this but, I will... things won't be the same in 2020. We don't want them to stay the same. I am not saying I will forget 2pm or Jun. K, but the magic of current times will be remembered in my heart. In 2020 or whenever Jun. K or 2pm is able to return to Hottest I am going to reflect on this blog.
So on the heels of Jun. K's Korean Solo Debut, 2pm with be out with music this month. I am excited even though I am still buzzing from Jun. K's hotness!!!!
In celebration of this AWESOMENESS I would like to do a top ten of my fave 2pm videos/live performances....starting with Number 10....
Missing You... and Number 9...Back 2 U
So um yeah I know its 10 and 9 BUT WHOA!!!
Number 8...
I Hate You
Past member Jay Park is also seen as this was one of their first songs....
Number 7...
My House
They know it would be a fairytale to be with them LOL... This track was written and produce by my love Mr. No Love... Jun. K
Number 6...
Without You
Raining on their bodies, and the dance moves....this song makes me like fall into a trance... LOL
Number 5...
Don't Stop Can't Stop
This is my fight song.... (Cause I can't stop)
Number 4...
True story I am not the biggest 2pm Japanese album fan, but this song is catchy and the dance is so cute... and Jun. K's voice is.... yasss... and this particular performance is over the top....
Number 3...
I'm Your Man Let's just say... Summer School 2015 my student found out how good looking Jun. K is in blue LOL!!!!
Number 2...
Again and Again
I just want to go to the skating rink and ask the dj to play this so I can skate to it.... Love this song....
AND NUMBER 1....
ADTOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY FAVORITE EVER LIKE EVER!!!
Go ahead and enjoy the spoiler... for the sixth album Gentlemen's Game
Galaxy of 2pm (2pm's Latest Japanese album and possible last before their military service) was released on April 27, 2016. With that album pumping, 2pm's Jun. K's Love Letter (Japanese mini album) from December of 2015 along with a track called 50/50 by 2pm members TaecYeon and Jun. K, I was good to go. I actually have all of 2pm's music and even though my bias is Jun. K, I was waiting to hear more about 2pm's JunHo, who was releasing a Japanese mini album after the Galaxy of 2pm tour. I also started watching, "TaecYeon's Kdrama, "Let's Fight Ghost". I HAD NO IDEA of what JUN. K was up to....
Jun. K in Allure Korea
I noticed he was working out, with pics of him on instagram posted showing him in the gym and with some trainers. I was like oh great my sweet Jun. K is becoming a muscle head drinking protein shakes. Then there was a post of him in Allure Korea Mag. And I saw skin showing....which was different for my Jun. K. ALL of us who have Jun. K as our bias know that he NEVER shows skin. LIKE NEVER!! The last time we saw Jun. K's skin was like 2010 for the Caribbean Bay Ad.
For those that don't know he is the one in the long blue and white diamond shorts. They are promoting a water park so they had to be very goofy. (LOL) WAIT there was the time in 2013 with their Korean Album "Grown" which he looks somewhat crazy and not necessarily sexy.
I mean we see that he is muscular but unlike his bandmates, he is not looking sultry, but more manic.
ANYWAY I have digressed because the point is to discuss current Jun. K. I was so consumed with teaching summer school and all the trips I must take this summer that I had not really read the articles about my Junnie I just saw the pictures and thanked the Lord for producing such as man. Next thing you know BOOM he is on the cover of Mens Fitness Korea. And I am just like wow, of all the members I NEVER expected Jun. K on the cover of Men's Fitness, not because he isn't sexy or healthy but because he has always been so MODEST, if anything I thought Jun Ho would be next. NOPE Jun. K...
God is good and all the time God is good.
#Yasssssssssssssss
I was still clueless about what was next. JYP (2pm's label) was discussing a JYP nation tour (that's when all the groups on the label do a big show) So on July 28th Junnie posted a schedule of upcoming events and I was like...
Basically he would be releasing his first Solo album in Korea (his previous mini albums were Japanese) Then on August 2nd JYP releases:
An I was like:
(Well really they released a remake of a Jun. K song called 가지마 (Don't Go) featuring Baek A Yeon, a female artist from JYP. I actually thought that was for her promotions.)
And just when I thought I had recovered JYP teased me (us) with this:
And I was like:
OMG look at BAE!!!!!!!! #YASSSSSSSSSSSSSS Jun. K out here slaying, and snatching edges like Beyonce. Most of us concluded that his hair was a little different but we let him have the weird hair because he was showing us so much more. Even his bandmate Jun Ho was like and I am paraphrasing: "I lived with bruh for 6 years and never saw him shirtless." Yes Jun. K had wtf'd us all. Jun. K had female and male fans like this:
Even bandmate Nichkhun was like... "seeing him perform made me want to cry." (They are fanboys of each other, so supportive.) Anyway the album was basically release digitally. I know you can buy "Think About You" on iTunes, and there are apps available if you speak/read hangul (korean) and if you have won ₩ (korean money) that have his music available. I had to do it the old fashioned way...first I pre-ordered the CD. I don't want there to be any confusion about that... I PRE-ORDERED the cd. Actually CDs won't be released until August 12th, so it probably won't arrive to my doorstep until August something.... (If I can figure it out I am going to buy a copy in LA this weekend) but in the meantime I did a little conversion and have been listening to the album since Monday.... it is great of course his voice is just as another fangirl said: Buttery....
I wish I could edit this so instead of toast he would say Jun.K like "Do you want some Jun. K, its buttery." LMAO!!!
If you don't love Jun. K I suggest you start loving him. If you already love him then *highfive* I feel like Jun. K is the most underrated Kpop star out there.... so I will leave with the full length of the two videos he has released thus far... If I am not consumed in my teaching life I will do a unveiling of the cd for all my Jun. K lovers out there! The album is call Mr. No Love.
Of course here we are amidst another terrorist attack... It is so frustrating that this is happening all over the world over and over again. AND the one thing that being a fan of K-Drama and K-Pop does for me is to realize and recognize that the fans are ALL over the World. I feel like due to the fact that being a K-drama/Kpop fan is spread out, meaning it is easier to find a fan of an underground artist in the United States than it is with K-Drama/Kpop. That happens at random if ever. MANY of the people I have chatted with about K-Drama and Kpop live outside of the U.S. Many of my readers are living in different countries... so when these terrible things happen the first thing I think of are the K-Drama/Kpop fans. My thoughts are with those who were effected by the attacks in Istanbul and the previous attack in Brussels. All my K-drama and kpop fans let's come together in prayer and thoughts for our fellow K-drama/kpoppers. We may not have anything in common, but one thing brings us together is the love of Korean Drama, Korean pop and Korean culture.
If you are in Japan then you have been listening to Jun. K's Love Letter since 11/25/15 (25/11/15 for my foreign friends). You may have even had the chance to see him in concert and I am super jealous. Luckily I pre-ordered Love Letter and got it today 11/30/15 (30/11/15) and I am pleased... of course. His voice is so smooth. One thing I love about Jun. K is that he does the kind of music that he wants to do and I am just glad that JYP allows him that freedom... but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that JYP is Jin Young Park aka JY Soul. His music is on the R&B vibe as well. Looking at Love Letter is exactly that... A smooth Love Letter sang by one of Kpop's most soulful voices having grown up looking up to American Singers such as Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and Whitney Houston. At times his voice reminds me of KC from Jodeci, but smoother and powerful making forget that 95% of the album is in Japanese, leaving the hooks in English. I am kind of surprised because I feel like Love Letter is much more mellow than his first Solo Mini Album Love Hate aside from Love Letter first single which is the track Love Letter, which listening to the song sound like a trip in time to Judy Garland's 1949 film, In the Good Old Summer Time, which showcases american standard, orchestra backed songs. In the video we see our lovely Jun. K cosplay as Charlie Chaplin and meshing 1920s-30s with 2015. I am just like how does he and Super Changddai come up with this sound AND how did the director come up with a video concept going along with it??? Moving on.... After Love Letter the following four songs remind me of songs that would play on the radio station my parents listened to on our way back from Philly. Better Man is simple, beginning with an acoustic guitar allowing us to really hear Jun Min's (Jun. K's real name) voice. The english lyrics explain "You make me want to be a better man." I don't understand Japanese at all but you can hear a vulnerability in his voice. The simplicity of the composition allows for the listener to catch all his runs. Following Better Man is a mid tempo jam that sounds like Jun. K and Changddai were inspired after a night of listening to the B side of various albums of the 80s and 90s. I don't know what the sound is called. Its Pop. Its got that 80s flavor, but 90s mid tempo... it doesn't know if it is a dance track or a slow jam. Regardless it is catchy. Track 4 is called Walking on the the Moon. After Mr. Doctor on his first mini album I thought Walking on the Moon would be similar in the psychedelic hip hop trip that was Mr. Doctor (a song featured on Hot 97, like seriously a Japanese rap song on an American Hip Hop station that is a major accomplishment) but with his raspy voice I was again reminded of singers like KCi and Sisqo. Jun. K and another producer BoyToy put together a composition of trumpets, pianos, and drums creating a melodic true R&B/ Hip Hop infusion that although isn't as Psychedelic as Mr. Doctor it is still funky. Which leads us to the last track "Hold Me Tight" which is 100% slow jam, but because its Jun. K it is a little cabaretish too.... I get lost in his vocals, I can't help it.
Jun. K with his dogs Denver and Noopy
Unfortunately I have to go buy the B version so I can get the songs Sorry and Love Game.... Jun. K always makes me feel warm and fuzzy.. like fuzzy socks...
