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.
...and I can't wait for the main course, which won't be here until November 27 at 6pm KST. Let me take you back.....
We knew that Mr. No Love would be releasing something again. It was in August 2016 he released his Korean solo debut, Mr. No Love featuring the hit single "Think About You." 2pm had a comeback the following month and at the end of 2016 he released his third Japanese album, "No Shadow." Then fans got word that in January 2017 he would hold two concerts during his birthday weekend. We all knew what would be going down.... We (the fans) figure he would be entering the military soon for his mandatory service. 2pm announced that hey would hold final concerts, before member enlistments. It was during this time Jun. K was injured after falling from stage equipment, fracturing his right elbow and right ring finger. 2pm ended up rescheduling the concerts in June and omg it was so emotional on the last night of the six concerts.
Ok so typically you don't write articles like with the info from the past but you discuss the updates first, but this is my blog and I don't have to be journalistically correct. Plus I needed you to understand how we have come to where we are now....
Sometime in the middle of November Jun. K announced he would be releasing his 2nd Korean album on November 27th. A full schedule of events was posted as well leading up to the release. As a fan it has been a glorious week. I seem to be waking up to Jun.K news every morning. This was some really awesome public relations. I don't feel like he had the same type of promotions for Mr. No Love.
Each day fans got a glimpse, a tease of song titles and lyrics. Jun. K is a phenomenal songwriter so the lyrics revealed just draw the fans in further. Fans already know Jun. K's levels of experience, work ethic and skills of perfection, so our expectations are high but excited.
"Let me tell the truth, from today on, those guys are all my girl's fans."
"Don't worry about getting a cold until the winter is over."
"Mister, hang on, can you rest for five minutes before moving this? I'm worried that I might have left something behind over there in the bedroom."
"I don't know anymore, either. I'm probably just one of those people."
"The weight of the world that I have to make by myself. I don't drag it. I go holding the weight".
JYP released "November to February" featuring Somi.
And FINALLY.... The ALBUM SPOILER....
Now we wait for the video teaser due to be released on November 26th and finally the full album and full video release on Monday the 27th.
As a fan these words can't even express the way that I feel about the release of this music. Its bittersweet, which is exactly what Jun. K is trying to convey in this album. Moving into your 30s after your 20s is bittersweet on one hand you have lived as in adult but youthfully and now you are moving into a new level of maturity still youthful, but there are new expectations put on you. I should know because I am 33 years old. I know all too well what it is like to move into your 30s. And for Minjun or should I say Jun. K there is a sense of the unknown as he has to leave what he loves... Music for a little while and fulfill his mandatory enlistment, for TWO YEARS!!! I am sure he will find time to do music, but this is a very questionable time for Korean Idols as you never know if you will get out and be received or be considered old news. I am just glad that his promotions for this new concept has been going so well and I hope that he is well received from the Korean people as he must move into enlistment and I much watch..... I am dying.... slowly!!! 😢 At least we get one last present. LOVE YOU JUN. K !!!
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
So I like to write when I have time... and I do this on asianfanfic.com and honestly they are about 2pm so check em out i should write one for Taec Fans....🤔
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....
