I recently discovered that one of my favourite "groups" made a comeback in Korea. I still remember how I adored their debut album on my first listen back in 2007. However, there was quite a lot of controversies surrounding them. One member was accused of copying/imitating Jaejoong (lead singer in DBSK). Jaejoong's fans would harrass this guy, online and outside his house, because of his similiar looks. I still remember how they critised him for holding his microphone in a similiar style to Jaejoong. I guess they believed he was out to "replace" dear Jaejoong and they couldn't have that could they?
Even so, I still don't understand what was going through those girl's minds. So what if this guy looked similiar to Jaejoong? So what if he held his microphone in a similiar way? It still doesn't warrant you the right to harrass the poor guy. I remember a statement being released that he was scared to even leave his house. HIS OWN BLOODY HOUSE!! *breathes* I'll rant in another post *breathes*
Anyways, they haven't been consistently releasing material so I was surprised to learn that they went out of hiding this year. I had a listen to their new mini-album and was surprised to find a song that I love sleeping to - To My Girlfriend. However, they have tweaked the song a bit and added a rap in the middle. It seriously messed with my mind for a while. Why change something that was great to begin with? But I guess it was "necessary". It made the song more upbeat and more listeners would tune in to hear Csp rap.
Apparently I uploaded this to my sharing site a long time ago. Here's the link if you're interested: 내 여자 친구에게 (For My Girlfriend).
It may seem like I haven't been writing, but I have, honest. It's just that my entries were written on Notepad which was saved onto my USB... and has now gone missing. I wrote about six entries because I decided to utilise the time I have traveling to university. Now that I've lost those entries, I don't really feel like re-writing them. I also tend to blank out when I'm trying to post as opposed to the many thoughts screaming in my head before I sit down in front of the computer.
I used to listen to Japanese music more than Korean. Eventually they balanced each other out, but Korean music has become more dominate these past few years. However, I would like to blame it on the availabity of Japanese music compared to Korean music. Despite how popular it is, there aren't that many sites dedicated to providing new Japanese music. The few that are, which I did follow, have now closed. I'm currently in the process of going through my bookmarks and realise that a lot of sites have died. Cleaning it up and finding new resources will be such a chore.
Anyway, I'v recently started listening to Flower. Yep, Flower. I've got nothing against their name, but finding anything related to them is kind of hard. They're one of EXILE's sister groups, three in total, and probably my favourite one. What's unique about these groups is that there are two singers and the rest are dancers. When I first started listening to EXILE and decided to check out their promotional video, I found it odd that only two people were singing and everyone else just danced. It was a foreign concept, acknowledging that these dancers were part of the group. Over time, I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Now I would like to present to you the two songs that I've had stuck in my head this week. Underneath is just a part of the translation that I liked.
Flower - Still
I’m still in love with you
Even if the scenery that I saw together with you that day changes
I continue to shake with love for you
I still remember you
Surely I’m the way I am now because of those days
If possible, I want to tell you “thank you” credit: verduistering @ LJ
(the song begins at around the two minute mark)
Flower - Sakura Regrets
If you live your life alone no one can betray you
Nothing is certain, I know, but I want something to believe in credit: verduistering @ LJ
I used to read a lot as a kid. My favourite series were undoubtedly Harry Potter. My favourite children book author was Ronald Dahl. Despite the numerous books I've read, these two are held close to my heart. [Harry Potter, now and forever more, will be a series of books that will own my heart and soul. Harry Potter has my childhood and will be a story that I will share with my children and grandchildren (if I have them).]
Anyway, I love books, I love the many different worlds that I can experience. I love when they are written right, I'm rooting for the protagonist with everything they do. I love getting lost in a book and not realise how much time has passed because I'm so interested and entertained by the thrilling stories.
As I grew up, I found less time to enjoy this hobby. During high school, the only books I read were the compulsory school books. I had completely abandoned books, and along with it, my imagination. But they have never abandoned me. They were always there, just waiting for me to be ready to pick them up and start again. To pick up where I left off, like old friends.
Since the beginning of this year, I've started to read when I'm not exhausted from university or when I happen to have some spare time. I tend to borrow any books that seems interesting at the Rowden Library. While I was looking for The Hunger Games, I found this poster. Now I'm intend to read all the books on this list. It'll take a while, but I'm still going to accept this challenge.
* I read a lot of fanfiction during high school. Some of them, in my eyes, were worthy to be published as books. It just goes to show how you can find gems in the oddest places.
Music represents different things for all of us, but there's probably always a song that will remind you of a key moment of your past. A song that may be flawed but is precious to you for reasons unknown. Or maybe it's the artist themselves that have spoken to your very soul that endears them to you.
There have only been 2 groups that I care for on a personal level. My interest for them stems further than just their music. Sometimes I think it's unhealthy to care for an artist beyond their music and take an interest to other aspects of their lives; but it's part of the fan culture breed in kpop. The way in which kpop is conducted unconsciously creates this belief that you share a certain bond with an artist. This probably explains why some fans are willing to spend most of their income (if not all) and time on these artists. (I'll stop here or else I'll ramble on. Maybe I'll make a post about my insight of kpop another day)
Anyway, SHINHWA and DBSK are the only groups that I care for on an intimate level. I follow many other groups but Shinhwa and DBSK will always have my loyalty. Sure, things are complicated with DBSK right now, but when they come back, I'll be there to cheer them on. Which is exactly the case for Shinhwa right now.
They have been inactive for 4 years, and in terms of kpop that's a lifetime. Most groups can't survive unless they do continuous promotions in kpop; which I believe is due to the fast-paced and ever-changing world of kpop. Fans have short attention spans because kpop is just saturated with idols right now. If you disappear, another will surely come to replace you. To last in kpop, you need to be unique and stand out among your fellow peers.
And well, Shinhwa definitely fits that criteria at least. But it's what Shinhwa has gone through, together, that has me loyal to them. They will always have my respect and admiration.
This is how my adoration for Shinhwa began.
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I was around 9-10 years old when I was first introduced to Shinhwa. Their existence was made known thanks to my cousins who were into kpop at that time. They shared with me songs from many other groups that are now considered legends by today's standards. However, they were just another idol group back then.
Out of all the songs that I heard, it was Shinhwa's Perfect Man that I took a strong liking too. And that, my friends, is how my love affair for them began. It shouldn't be too surprising when I admit that despite whatever awesome new material Shinhwa may ever release, Perfect Man will stand at the top as my favourite song. It will stand there, full of pride, and serve as a reminder of all the sentimental feelings and memories that is attached to it.
Of course, one song does not warrant undying and unconditional love. (This is probably where the kpop fan culture comes into play). My love for them was cemented when I started having access to their appearances on variety shows and reading articles about them. Through these various medias, I saw for myself their souls laid bear for anyone who cared to see. I saw just how much their group and members meant to them that they went through extremes to protect and save what they deem as the most precious thing in their lives. They fought for everything most groups took for granted and against everyone who didn't believe in them.
It is for their perseverance, music and brotherhood (which is so much more than fanservice) that I hold them with utmost adoration and awe.
Therefore, after 4 years serving their country, they are back. And this girl right here is one freaking happy fangirl.
