Teenz on top?

And when I say teens, I mean teens. Teen top - the official name of this brand sparkling new band. Their musical stand point, "emotional teen pop band". Boy oh boy, I don't even know what to make of this, which is why I feel the need to work it all out publically (and legally).

So, what first hits me is the name. I know half, or a least a portion, of the boys I lust over are barely legal. And thanks to dearest Bunny I just had yet another Dongho (UKISS) scare, but anyway, to put this fact in the name itself - now that's just bullying your poor old nunas.

After reading the name again I realised that I had seen it before; this is the six-member group which will be featured on MTV USA this September. Their company T.O.P Media claims the show is to be named "Vice Guide to Everything". Does this mean it's actually a Vice production? I'm not sure, but I am sure that k-pop is starting to get a bit bigger certainly than it was over in the west, and I hope that this band will set a good example and not embaress me and my nearest and dearest.

Apparently, since January, MTV have been combing for idols who have yet to debut. As it turns out, this programme will show the boys at the time of their actual debut, as well as some of the formative stages. According to some sources, one of the MTV associates claims that, "Niel, who is the lead vocalist, has the tone of a young Michael Jackson. They are fit to compete in markets overseas too because the English skills of one of their members is at the level of a native speaker." Well, how about that, UKISS.

Without further ado, lets have a peek at the members. The websites for them are all in Korean and as I'm only a beginner I'm not so hot at navigating this, so you'll have to make do with some real tooty pictures I found with English descriptions:

Always best to start with leader. So, a whole 17.8 years of age - they better get big sharpish before he outgrows his teens. He seems tall-ish, I can say that much, and I do love me a rapper. An artiste too! Actually, I've seen one of his drawings on twitpic (yes they have a twitter). I reckon he's probably better at exercise, but at least he's trying.

Oh, dancing boy, how snazy! '95, hmm, that would make him still 14, and yes, still in middle school. -----MAKNAE alert----- However, with music appreciation as a hobby, how edearing. But I'm stopping here. Self-defence skills, he may need these...

Power voice, I look forward to being blown away, but all 52kgs of you. Now we are onto '93, moving up - up and out of danger. It's legal, just. Although he is in 2nd grade middle school apparently - is this because he maybe spent too long in kpop training and not enough time at the books? Imitating something as a hobby though, how scintilating! Puzzles he also gets brownie (or should I say Cubs) points for.

Devil bad rapper. Now this is what I am talking about. With a face like his, 'bad' rap skills and some piano on the side, we may just have out next Seungho (MBLAQ) protege right here. There's even English as a speciality - could it be than I've already discovered my 16 year old ichiban?

Emotional voice and a profile picture way to genki for my liking. I'll blame it on him being not quite 16 yet, but I don't like it all the same. I'm also not into soccer - sadly this one may be a bit of an early write off. Also, Niel, what a name to choose from all those cool western names you could have had, like CAP or L.Joe...

Oh god, even reading 'lovely Ricky' makes me want to holler out in a Bianca (Eastenders) style fashion, and that's without this terrible gormless picture to accompany. Poor boy, he barely stands a chance with that kind of introduction. Lucky for him I've seem some slightly better evidence of him about the interweb, in the form of twitpics again.

So yes, welcome to the boys. Fresh faced and none yet out of school (though we may have a drop-out on our hands).

Next up, the music. I saw a clip of their debut live stage, one of their own songs maybe(?), and I was not enthralled, but then I discovered this darling clip:

How sweet of them. And seriously, Nirvana t-shirt, are you kidding me. DREAMBOAT. I knew that L.Joe had my heart from the start, I just knew it. Those sick piano skills, the grunge edge. What a pair, honestly. And I take back all the mean things I said about you Niel, I LOVE the emotional voice. I was a bad nuna and I did wrong, and no you're not too genki either. The smiling looks they exchange, it's precious, just precious. And they re so fresh and clean that they aren't even covered in jewels yet!! I'm too excited. Taeminnie (SHINee) you certainly have some competition.
Having seen this and then looking through some of the comments prime viewers are making I do feel a slight warning: "The pianist is on fire! The vocalist is like a Korean Justin Bieber. My interest is piqued~" snarkybookworm1989. Yes, this is the demographic that I have evidently entered myself into. Oh dear.

But then even better that this is the whole band, covers galore:

YES. Couldn't have chosen better myself! 2PM baby. This is what I always want. All kpop bands should model themselves on this, and then it can't go wrong, can it? Grow up to be beastly idols my young boys, and you will surely do well.


And not forgetting HEARTBEAT! I wish I could find a better quality one for you, but sadly I can't as of yet. You can hear them, just, and they do good! And the dancing, well done boys. I am totally satisfied by this cover, and to achieve this praise they have pretty big boots to fill (we are talking Junho, Taec and Chansung here). We even have the acrobatics at the end!! So nimble at their young age.


And some Big Bang to follow? Of course. They really have picked THE BEST hyungs available. Lies, such a banger too. We even have some real good T.O.P attempts with the rap, possibly by L.Joe, and I'm not going to laugh at them, as I'm pretty sure he was going for gold. We can't expect him to have a voice as deep as T.O.P's yet, he's still going through puberty for christs sake. The silhouetted thrusts at the beginning too... that's the way to do it.

Having written this then, and touching on the surface of what is to come, and having had an emergency conference with my one and only K-sensei, I am totally sold on Teen Top. This may be my answer to your Infinate Bunny. The only problem seems to the the name - there is no way to really make this sound plausable, but I guess I'll get over that in time.

I see high tops, I see skinny jeans and a cap. There is even what I would dare say are bowl cuts. A name is just a name, right?

The debut title track Clap is to be released on 9th July. I will be there ready and waiting with open arms. I am begging, hoping to god, to the high heavens, that this is not a BEAST Bad Girl repeat. Please let them have a good debut song, and a mini album with club bangers to boot.

Note the pussy bow that Niel is rocking. Dreamy!

For more of your researching needs see:
Their official website
Their YouTube channel
Their flickr
And Soompi for general articles