At last... I was able to upload the vid file from my camera to YouTube. It took forever since internet traffic last night was a killer. Had to sleep it off and upload the vid today.
Here's the video in all it's screamy pleasure! Enjoy!
This page is dedicated to my love for the different faces and emotions that characterize the crazy world of Korean pop music and dramas... be it SYRUPY SWEET, DARK AND SEDUCTIVE, or RADICAL AND ZANY! Yes... I am Filipino, and I love Korean dramas and music!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Blogging from the front lines! 2AM LIVE IN MANILA @ The Venice Piazza
 |
| YES... I WAS AT THE PIAZZA! YAHOOO!!! |
Why am I here considering it's still a Friday and I'm supposed to be at work?
I filed a leave with my boss yesterday when I realized that the 2AM meet-and-greet was today (I earned a couple of extra leaves last week since I worked through the Lenten holiday). My boss knows how much of a Kpop fan I am, and understood why I wanted to go on leave (or at least I think he understands --- right, boss? Hahaha!). I seldom attend Kpop events, but I think this was pretty important considering that actual artists were visiting... and no less than 2AM too!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
SNSD conquers Japan with "Run Devil Run" and "Mr. Taxi"
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| The girls of SNSD --- Yuri, Tiffany, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yoona, Taeyeon, Sooyoung, Jessica and Seohyun |
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Did I just see a Jay Park video?!?!? I think I just wet my pants (hahaha!)
But I guess hotness and time appeals and heals all wounds... because the b-boy is back in Seoul, and he's got more than sweet chocolate abs to back up his latest attempt to establish himself at the top of Kpop (not that I'm complaining about what he's got... oh boy, I'm not!!! hahaha!).
Just saw that his album is out, and just saw his video. Yes. I think I wet my pants. See for yourself.
"Abandoned" by Jay Park
Will find time to review the album later this weekend (still got Infinite on queue... hehehe!). For the meanwhile, let's just clean ourselves up, shall we? (hehehe!)
B1A4 --- Be The One, All For One (at last... a new guy group!)
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| Presenting the boys of B1A4 --- Jinyoung, Baro, Gongchan, Sandeul and CNU |
I've seen quite a number of group debuts since I started listening to Kpop (which is around a year and a half), and what I've noticed is that it seems easier to form a girl group than a guy group. Seriously --- no sexist mumbo jumbo intended.
It does make sense though. When it comes to pop and dance, girl groups tend to find a larger audience since it's easier to create chemistry and vocal harmony between women (although it's just as easily feigned than real... hehehe!). For men, it's harder due to a couple of things --- One - not too many men have tenor or falsetto baritone voices that have an ear to blend with their bassists. Second point - Putting just good looking men together doesn't necessarily mean that they will sell in the long term. Chemistry is key both in voice and image.
B1A4 is a group that, in my own humble opinion, fits the bill.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Top of the Charts for April Week 4 (courtesy of Soompi.com)
Here are the top songs of the week, folks... courtesy of Soompi.com (www.soompi.com)
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
AND OUR TOP 10 IS....
Sunday, April 24, 2011
And the girls of f(x) are back!
It's been a week more or less since I've last posted since I've been preoccupied with a class that I've been handling since early April. Apart from that, it's Lent (if you're Catholic, you'd know that it's an important time of the year).
It's been an interesting time too for Kpop, considering that we've been bombarded with a whole lot of group debuts and comebacks. Lots of good music coming out of the woodwork... sadly, I don't have that much time on my hands to review every single thing that comes under my radar. There are days when I wish that someone could just pay me for blogging all the stuff that I'm into... hahaha! Wishful thinking, right?
To make up for the lack of content this past week, I've decided to do a coup... three reviews for two interesting groups that have recently earned my interest --- f(x), and B1A4. I'll be posting my review for f(x)'s new album "Pinocchio" first... I'll try my best to post my review for B1A4 before I go to work tomorrow!
~ D
Although they've been around since 2009, these gals have been on hiatus for an entire year. I first encountered f(x) when I was watching one of my favorite reality shows - "We Got Married". Nickhun of 2PM is a personal fave of mine (who doesn't like him, right? hahaha!), and he was paired off with Victoria of f(x). That got me googling to check out who Nickhun was paired off with, and I found out about the five incredibly lush ladies that make up this group.
In an industry dominated by cheeky, sugary electro-pop cheese that Kpop songs are known for (which, trust me, isn't an entirely bad thing hahaha!), f(x) brings a refreshing take of Kpop fare that isn't overloaded with too much vomit-inducing "aegyo" (cuteness). Their first full-blown album, "Pinocchio", is a very good example of that.
It's been an interesting time too for Kpop, considering that we've been bombarded with a whole lot of group debuts and comebacks. Lots of good music coming out of the woodwork... sadly, I don't have that much time on my hands to review every single thing that comes under my radar. There are days when I wish that someone could just pay me for blogging all the stuff that I'm into... hahaha! Wishful thinking, right?
To make up for the lack of content this past week, I've decided to do a coup... three reviews for two interesting groups that have recently earned my interest --- f(x), and B1A4. I'll be posting my review for f(x)'s new album "Pinocchio" first... I'll try my best to post my review for B1A4 before I go to work tomorrow!
~ D
 |
| The lovely ladies of f(x) --- Amber, Krystal, Sulli, Victoria and Luna |
Although they've been around since 2009, these gals have been on hiatus for an entire year. I first encountered f(x) when I was watching one of my favorite reality shows - "We Got Married". Nickhun of 2PM is a personal fave of mine (who doesn't like him, right? hahaha!), and he was paired off with Victoria of f(x). That got me googling to check out who Nickhun was paired off with, and I found out about the five incredibly lush ladies that make up this group.
In an industry dominated by cheeky, sugary electro-pop cheese that Kpop songs are known for (which, trust me, isn't an entirely bad thing hahaha!), f(x) brings a refreshing take of Kpop fare that isn't overloaded with too much vomit-inducing "aegyo" (cuteness). Their first full-blown album, "Pinocchio", is a very good example of that.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Top of the Charts for April Week 3 (courtesy of Soompi.com)
Here are the top songs of the week, folks... courtesy of Soompi.com (www.soompi.com)
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
[01:41] 004 Wheesung - Story of a Cold Heart 
[03:01] 006 Yangpa - It Hurts
[04:04] 008 Clover - La Vida Loca
[05:06] 010 Orange Caramel - Bangkok City
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
AND OUR TOP 10 IS....
[00:00] 001 CN Blue - Intuition
[00:35] 002 Kim Tae Woo - Echo
[01:41] 004 Wheesung - Story of a Cold Heart
[03:01] 006 Yangpa - It Hurts
[04:04] 008 Clover - La Vida Loca
[05:06] 010 Orange Caramel - Bangkok City
Runners up in the race to the top...
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Rania --- a South Korean experiment in Crazy, Sexy, Cool
I initially read about the new girl-idol group, Rania, by reading through my usual Kpop blogs. Apparently they stunned the Kpop world with their debut --- since nobody could really stop writing about them! What got me curious was that this group was being met with a whole lot of bad PR about them being too sexy.
It was pretty obvious that they were gunning for that image when I got to see their pictures online. 7 pretty Asian girls clad in pointy, black, leather two-piece mini's. That's pretty much a fantasy come true for most straight guys (hehehe!). Even for a gay guy, I have to admit they're hot.
So... ok... they've got the looks. They were able to sell themselves visually to me. Now I wanted to sample their music.
Their debut album's lead track is an electro-pop single titled "Dr. Feel Good". Sort of reminded me of another American album (which is funny, since one of their producers is Teddy Riley, who's a pretty bad-ass producer himself in the US), but I didn't want that to distract me.
When I listened to the song for the first time, two things caught my attention:
First --- THEIR ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION IS GREAT! Most Kpop artists would always insert some English phrase into their pop tunes to make it sound more impressive or current for some reason. Sadly enough, a lot of these efforts lack good execution and skill. But these girls knew how to speak the words rather fluently. I was impressed by that!
Second --- The song wasn't your usual Kpop tune. It was electro-pop (which is the rage right now in Korea), but the bass and the underbelly rhythm of the music had a strong pop-rock-slash-hip-hop feel to it. I guess that added to the dark sensuality of the music.
Now if they're so good, why all the darn flack?
I guess people got hung up on the fact that the girls are "too sexy". Ok... take a look at these lyrics from the first part of the song...
Doctor, doctor I felt it the first time
I knew what you were thinking by looking at me
Honestly, I didn't dislike the stares you gave me
My body started shaking like I waited for it
I need a fi-fi-fi-fix
Some type of d-d-d-drug
The Doctor came close to me
And his eyes suddenly changed
You have a special interest in me
You got me feelin f-f-f-feelin' feelin...
Doctor, Doctor Feel Good
Come make me feel real good
My hardened heart has started to melt
Doctor, Doctor Feel Good
Come make me feel real good
Suddenly the frustration in my heart is gone
I wanna feel real good
I need to feel real good
I wanna feel real good
'Cause I've been really bad bad
If that didn't spell out S-E-X on a silver platter, I don't know what will!
Now watch the video and the dance (with English subtitles, of course)...
Honestly, if you're used to American videos and music, you begin to tell yourself that this is just an absolutely well-made song. A song with great strong voices combined with a catchy rhythm is bound to make a splash anywhere it drops, right?
In South Korea, that line of thinking may not necessarily apply. I've seen the Korean concept of "sexy", and it's a bit less forward that what I've seen Rania do in their videos and TV appearances. Based on what I've been reading in the major Kpop blogs, major stations like KBS, SBS and music mogul MNET have asked the producers of Rania, DR Music (which apparently also produced the famous girl group BabyVOX back in the late 90's and the early part of the last decade), to tame both their costumes and choreography. Their reply was a black leather bolero on their shoulders. I wouldn't even be surprised if the networks also requested for a "clean" version of the song.
Rania basically pushed a button that most girl groups have been pushing for some time --- a little bit more "crazy, sexy, cool" in the Kpop biz. Many groups have done it --- SNSD, Kara, BEG, Secret, 4Minute --- name it, they're tried it! I guess Rania may have pounded on the button a little harder than others, but I guess it was bound to happen at some point. With the influx of Western media through the internet and its great influence over the tides of world music and pop culture, a group like Rania would basically exemplify the push and pull of pop and traditional values.
To say the least, Rania was a great risk for both DR Music and Teddy Riley. Time will only tell if the risk was well worth it.
For now, the song is playing in my Kpop favorites list. It's a cool, hot song... can't help it ^^,
It was pretty obvious that they were gunning for that image when I got to see their pictures online. 7 pretty Asian girls clad in pointy, black, leather two-piece mini's. That's pretty much a fantasy come true for most straight guys (hehehe!). Even for a gay guy, I have to admit they're hot.
 |
| The girls of Rania (not in any particular order): Semi, Riko, Jui, Di, Joy, T-ae, and Xia |
So... ok... they've got the looks. They were able to sell themselves visually to me. Now I wanted to sample their music.
Their debut album's lead track is an electro-pop single titled "Dr. Feel Good". Sort of reminded me of another American album (which is funny, since one of their producers is Teddy Riley, who's a pretty bad-ass producer himself in the US), but I didn't want that to distract me.
When I listened to the song for the first time, two things caught my attention:
First --- THEIR ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION IS GREAT! Most Kpop artists would always insert some English phrase into their pop tunes to make it sound more impressive or current for some reason. Sadly enough, a lot of these efforts lack good execution and skill. But these girls knew how to speak the words rather fluently. I was impressed by that!
Second --- The song wasn't your usual Kpop tune. It was electro-pop (which is the rage right now in Korea), but the bass and the underbelly rhythm of the music had a strong pop-rock-slash-hip-hop feel to it. I guess that added to the dark sensuality of the music.
Now if they're so good, why all the darn flack?
I guess people got hung up on the fact that the girls are "too sexy". Ok... take a look at these lyrics from the first part of the song...
Doctor, doctor I felt it the first time
I knew what you were thinking by looking at me
Honestly, I didn't dislike the stares you gave me
My body started shaking like I waited for it
I need a fi-fi-fi-fix
Some type of d-d-d-drug
The Doctor came close to me
And his eyes suddenly changed
You have a special interest in me
You got me feelin f-f-f-feelin' feelin...
Doctor, Doctor Feel Good
Come make me feel real good
My hardened heart has started to melt
Doctor, Doctor Feel Good
Come make me feel real good
Suddenly the frustration in my heart is gone
I wanna feel real good
I need to feel real good
I wanna feel real good
'Cause I've been really bad bad
If that didn't spell out S-E-X on a silver platter, I don't know what will!
Now watch the video and the dance (with English subtitles, of course)...
Honestly, if you're used to American videos and music, you begin to tell yourself that this is just an absolutely well-made song. A song with great strong voices combined with a catchy rhythm is bound to make a splash anywhere it drops, right?
In South Korea, that line of thinking may not necessarily apply. I've seen the Korean concept of "sexy", and it's a bit less forward that what I've seen Rania do in their videos and TV appearances. Based on what I've been reading in the major Kpop blogs, major stations like KBS, SBS and music mogul MNET have asked the producers of Rania, DR Music (which apparently also produced the famous girl group BabyVOX back in the late 90's and the early part of the last decade), to tame both their costumes and choreography. Their reply was a black leather bolero on their shoulders. I wouldn't even be surprised if the networks also requested for a "clean" version of the song.
Rania basically pushed a button that most girl groups have been pushing for some time --- a little bit more "crazy, sexy, cool" in the Kpop biz. Many groups have done it --- SNSD, Kara, BEG, Secret, 4Minute --- name it, they're tried it! I guess Rania may have pounded on the button a little harder than others, but I guess it was bound to happen at some point. With the influx of Western media through the internet and its great influence over the tides of world music and pop culture, a group like Rania would basically exemplify the push and pull of pop and traditional values.
To say the least, Rania was a great risk for both DR Music and Teddy Riley. Time will only tell if the risk was well worth it.
For now, the song is playing in my Kpop favorites list. It's a cool, hot song... can't help it ^^,
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Top of the Charts for April Week 1 (courtesy of Soompi.com)
Here are the top songs of the week, folks... courtesy of Soompi.com (www.soompi.com)
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
Runners up in the race to the top...
[06:24] 011 I.U - Story Only I Didn't Know
[06:54] 012 Hyun Bin - You I Can't Have
[07:39] 013 ZE A - Here I Am
[08:15] 014 SG Wannabe - Only
[08:58] 015 2AM - The Greatest Love
[09:28] 016 G.na - Black & White
[10:02] 017 Monday Kiz & Gavy NJ - Love Is The Same
[10:47] 018 M To M - Trash Like This
[11:23] 019 Mighty Mouth - Tok Tok
[11:46] 020 Kim Hyung Joon (SS501) - oH! aH!
[12:20] 021 Navi - Well Done
[12:50] 022 Jung Yup - Nothing Wrong
[13:20] 023 M4 - My Love
[13:55] 024 Younha - It's Beautiful
[14:25] 025 Chi-Chi - Don't Play Around
[14:55] 026 5dolls - It's You
[15:38] 027 Sori - Heart Is Dancing
[16:08] 028 Kim Bo Kyung - Like A Spring
[16:50] 029 Davichi - One Person
[17:32] 030 Dalmatian - That Man Is The Opposite
[18:18] 031 J-Cera - Love You Whenever
[18:48] 032 Kim Soo Hyun - Dreaming
[19:21] 033 Super Junior M - Perfection
[19:51] 034 MBLAQ - Again
[20:22] 035 Suh Young Eun - Don't Blame You For Forgetting
[21:03] 036 Gummy - I Want To Wait
[21:35] 037 Secret - Shy Boy
[22:11] 038 Lee Jung - Why Love
[22:44] 039 Kim Hyun Jung - One Minute One Second
[23:14] 040 Han Groo - My Boy
[23:54] 041 Handsome People - Shall We Dance
[24:29] 042 Heo Kong & Hoony Hoon - Love Only Me
[25:07] 043 Lee Sun Jung Band - Break The Wall
[25:37] 044 LPG - Angry
[26:07] 045 Monday Kiz - When This Night Passes
[26:37] 046 Lim Jung Hee - Sunflower
[27:07] 047 Kang Seung Yoon - You are Heaven (Midas OST)
[27:37] 048 Teen Top - Angel
[28:07] 049 Lady Jane - On Friendly Terms
[28:45] 050 10cm - That Is Not It
NOTE: A vid featuring a sampler of the top 50 songs are at the bottom of the post. The time tracks for where the songs are featured in the vid is indicated in the list below... just in case you want to skip to a song you're interested in listening to.
AND OUR TOP 10 IS....
[00:00] 001 K.Will - Heart Is Beating
[00:31] 002 Wheesung - Story of a Cold Heart
[01:11] 003 Lee Hyun - You Are The Best Of My Life
[01:41] 004 Big Bang - Tonight
[02:23] 005 Song Ji Eun (Secret) - Are You Crazy
[03:05] 006 DBSK - Before U Go
[03:41] 007 CN Blue - Intuition
[04:41] 008 Kan Mi Yeon - Paparazzi (feat. Eric)
[05:11] 009 Infinite - Nothing's Over
[05:44] 010 Girl's Day - Twinkle Twinkle
Runners up in the race to the top...
[06:24] 011 I.U - Story Only I Didn't Know
[06:54] 012 Hyun Bin - You I Can't Have
[07:39] 013 ZE A - Here I Am
[08:15] 014 SG Wannabe - Only
[08:58] 015 2AM - The Greatest Love
[09:28] 016 G.na - Black & White
[10:02] 017 Monday Kiz & Gavy NJ - Love Is The Same
[10:47] 018 M To M - Trash Like This
[11:23] 019 Mighty Mouth - Tok Tok
[11:46] 020 Kim Hyung Joon (SS501) - oH! aH!
[12:20] 021 Navi - Well Done
[12:50] 022 Jung Yup - Nothing Wrong
[13:20] 023 M4 - My Love
[13:55] 024 Younha - It's Beautiful
[14:25] 025 Chi-Chi - Don't Play Around
[14:55] 026 5dolls - It's You
[15:38] 027 Sori - Heart Is Dancing
[16:08] 028 Kim Bo Kyung - Like A Spring
[16:50] 029 Davichi - One Person
[17:32] 030 Dalmatian - That Man Is The Opposite
[18:18] 031 J-Cera - Love You Whenever
[18:48] 032 Kim Soo Hyun - Dreaming
[19:21] 033 Super Junior M - Perfection
[19:51] 034 MBLAQ - Again
[20:22] 035 Suh Young Eun - Don't Blame You For Forgetting
[21:03] 036 Gummy - I Want To Wait
[21:35] 037 Secret - Shy Boy
[22:11] 038 Lee Jung - Why Love
[22:44] 039 Kim Hyun Jung - One Minute One Second
[23:14] 040 Han Groo - My Boy
[23:54] 041 Handsome People - Shall We Dance
[24:29] 042 Heo Kong & Hoony Hoon - Love Only Me
[25:07] 043 Lee Sun Jung Band - Break The Wall
[25:37] 044 LPG - Angry
[26:07] 045 Monday Kiz - When This Night Passes
[26:37] 046 Lim Jung Hee - Sunflower
[27:07] 047 Kang Seung Yoon - You are Heaven (Midas OST)
[27:37] 048 Teen Top - Angel
[28:07] 049 Lady Jane - On Friendly Terms
[28:45] 050 10cm - That Is Not It
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