Oh My Breaka Shaka...

K-pop has faced numerous plagiarism issues in the past year, everyone from G-Dragon to Lee Hyori and CN Blue got hit with some kind of trouble. Some of them were dealt with smoothly, others just became a big mess. SM Entertainment (home to Super Junior, SHINee, F(x), Trax etc) seems to have a great plan to avoid time wasting trivial plagiarism accusations and opts for copying songs its own artists have already released. Its probably even the same song writer who got stuck with having to write the Chinese hit again so just went with the default.  Compare and contrast:

Super Junior M - Super Girl (2009)

Kangta - Breaka Shaka (2010)

I envision a weary SM songwriter called into a boardroom and questioned about the similarities between sections of these songs, where he would break down, slamming fists on the glass table exclaiming "but you have no idea how hard it is to fit mandarin sentences into upbeat euro disco! that's the only rhythm I could think of!! I just had to use it again!" and then the top SM exec just nods his head and says "fair enough".  It's only Kangta's Chinese album anyway.

If you were going to clone a song, i'd say Super Girl is a fantastic choice,  one of the finest k-pop (sometimes in Chinese) songs i've ever come across. "You're my shuuper ghurl" has never failed to impress even my most hardened nonplussed non k-pop friends.  The video is also a masterpiece, the rare delight of cuts between 2 dance sets and a storyline... with a party! its a real treat! Its also a treat to see Super Junior M (a 7 member "subgroup" containing 5 of the usually 13 member group Super Junior and 2 additional Chinese speaking members, taking Super Juniors maximum number up to 15, just in case you're not up to speed) looking their very best. Especially you Donghae, especially you.

The first time I played "Breaka Shaka" I was ready to hit the floor laughing by the time he got to "its the torn, it's the torn, it's the torn" (mainly because I thought he was trying to say "time") but I pulled myself together and enjoyed the bubbling club beat euphoria beats I could hear faintly building in the background, and then it went into Super Girl 2 for a bit before the euro disco anthem really kicks in and then back to Super Girl 2 for the verse again, by which point I realised I was totally into it.  Also I like to imagine the video is an intentional homage to the life and work of Super Junior's favourite jesus-o-holic, mountainous eyebrows Choi Siwon.  I'm referring to the points made by various members of SuJu that Siwon lives his life like its a movie shooting, you can watch everyone making fun of Siwon on Strong Heart here and please pay special attention to the Siwon impressions by Kyuhyun and Donghae, especially Donghae's morning reenactment in the first clip.  

Really there are so many Siwon moments in this video, smugly smiling at himself in the mirror (see Kangta 0.47), pointing at himself in the mirror (see Kangta at 1min), wagging finger (1min17), sitting legs crossed in a chair looking like a boss (see throughout) even slam dunking his dirty laundry into the basket (dance move at 3min47).  Was this one big SM private joke? well i'm laughing too.

If you have no idea who Kangta is by the way, he's SM's solo star, originally he was in the 90s boyband H.O.T (looking like this), then he was in a couple or other groups, released a lot of stuff and acted in a few dramas and then in 2008 got a terrifying crew cut as he entered into the army. February 2010 his military service was over, he grew out his hair, got back to work at SM Town and finally hits us with this Super Junior -esque return to form.

Oh and about my theory of Kangta poking fun at the masterful Choi Siwon,, it's all the more poignant because they can look so freakishly identical that its sometimes difficult to tell them apart. See for yourself:

See what I mean?

- BUNNY 

What was the name of that game?

Basically, Bunny and I had big ideas for our evenings, we honestly did, but then we got chatting, exchanging videos, and before we knew it, we were deep in a whirlpool of related videos. I'm not even going to try to claim that they were things we had never seen before - for most of them we have. But this makes them no less joyous upon viewing. And there were certainly a few I hadn't seen at least.

It all started with a viewing of the maknae line covering Orange Caramel on one of the numerous Chuseok specials out this week. Quite innocent, with some fabulous Dongho (UKISS) and Dongjun (ZE:A) action, sadly Sungjong (Infinite) may have been a little too much, but over all a bloody good show. But as we basqued in this glory, the memories came flooding back, aided but discussions of TRAX and Oh! My goodness. Memories of what I hear you ask, well, of Heechul and Jungmo...(note Heechul sticking out his tongue afterwards)
So obviously, we both wanted to reminisce about the wonderful fan video, compiled but a most dedicated netizen, of Heechul's rainbow history. A whole 4:20 worth. "I'm in heaven when you kiss me" - I'll bet it's what they all say, for sure.

Heechul gets so much stick, or at least he used to, about being a bit too keen on the boy love, but I am here to run to his defence. Seriously S. Korea, what the hell do you expect! The games you "force" (I'm sure it's not really) these boys to play. They already live together, sleep together (in the same dorm), what more do they have to give? Their dignity too? I'd say so.

So, I ask, what is the name of this game?

"Kiss me darling, kiss me tonight....stay by my side, stay here a while". Just look at it, look at it from the outset, some fab Khun X Wooyoung action. The lady dancing around in joy - it is me, it is a projection of myself. Over spilling with unfettered delight! I think it may be the Christmas jumpers that knocks it over the edge. Boys in knit, with greaseproof paper...the mind boggles.

I think in England we call this "Suck and Blow", no? I can assure you that this is no festive one off though, I'm not clinging at straws here. All the kids are doing it these days!

And, then there's this game:

Variation on a theme? Cleverly titled "Passing the card game", but this isn't fooling anyone I don't think! And, it's not even as if this is a recent thing.

So, as you may have guessed, it really has been a busy evening. I even got taught about a game that I never knew existed...

"Rip the paper" game? Well, OK then. To be honest, I've never really thought much of ZE:A, but as of tonight I will be thinking of them a lot more. I think I may even have to attempt learning their names. Same goes for F.Cuz.

Really, my absolute favourite games are when they decide to mix the groups up a little, like on Shin PD (R.I.P). You can only imagine my delight when, just as we have decided enough is enough, ZE:A and UKISS combo pop up on my screen playing yet more un-namable games. And such a fun looking game. It would almost work for Halloween, something I'm getting pretty excited about.

The more K-popped costuming I see the better. Bunny has merely wet my palate!

In all honesty this was a last attempt to 'save' an evening from lacked productivity. I know I will regret this tomorrow when the BL haze has cleared. But right now, I feel just like Kim Jae Wook, and I had to let it all out.

Sorry unnie!

"..no way, losing ma bra-ain..."

Oh gosh, I thought Shock (Beast) and all the joy and surprise this song could ever elicit from me was dried up, literally. And I never even really liked Can't let you go even if I die (2AM)- sorry JinSwoon, but I did wrong is infinitely better!

I take it all back!

Whilst on the subject of Beast, I'm not sure about this Junhyung:

This really better not make an appearance on your comeback stage. The ballad is already less than exciting (trust me, I am clenching a tight fist as you read). With this terror coif combined, how the hell am I meant to resist flicking forward to Dalmatian..?

Vampire Blood Donor

I feel cheated. I gave blood on Friday, and I actually like giving blood, and I got to look at the amazing ceiling again and was feeling pretty great about the whole thing, until I saw this clip, and now.. i'm heartbroken. I can assure you that I did not get this kind of special treatment:

This is taken from "Night Star", you know that variety show that Onew from SHINee is on and they drive around and film in the back of a truck , and then think of weird stuff to do in the middle of the night? Like that time Onew surprised me (and no doubt delighted his 30/40 something hyungs) but managing to get hold of 3 members of Girl's Generation at 3am to come and do laundry with some youths about to enter into the army. Also its the show where Onew keeps dazzling everyone with his legendary "spicy finger" forehead flicking attack, latest victim - Supreme Team's Simon Dominic DANG DANG DANG.

Anyway, the special guest was Se7en who suggested they should all donate blood, although it later transpired Se7en was not actually fit to donate! For reasons unknown, but heres my possible suggestions 1 - recent tattoo work? 2 - underweight? 3 - goodness knows what kind of medication half of these kpop beauties are permanently jacked on, but recently CN Blue's Jung YongHwa couldn't donate blood due to his acne medication (bless him) so we'll be nice and suggest that, as opposed to some kind of post cosmetic surgery beauty enhancing poison.

Fan's flocked to the after hours blood drive where celebs and fans donated side by side and that lucky lucky lady got serenaded by an Onew & Se7en duet just inches away from her.  "Jealous" doesn't even begin to convey my thoughts here, I want my blood back and I will have to consider donating in future based on the caliber of celebrities they can arrange to serenade me mid donation. I want that girl in the video to be me (even if Se7en does look kind of creepy throughout, adorably creepy though..).

To somewhat cushion the blow of my less than eventful blood donating experience, Onew and Se7en (and the other Night Star MCs who I have no vested interest in) all wear vampire capes (I was pretty into it) and play a special food punishment game where they have to talk about "good deeds" they have done. Se7en talks about previously inspecting the cellphones of his juniors G Dragon and Taeyang to make sure they weren't up to no good, and perfect Onew proudly talks about buying his dad a car.

 

Seriously, vampire Se7en with (accidentally?) perfect matching crucifix ring is way less creepy than trying-to-be-cute-whilst-serenading-you Se7en. And seem as i've now brought up the vampire look, Halloween is just over a month away and I'm hoping South Korea delivers me some more ghoulish delights. I'd like more of the classic horror themes, although the mysterious dark side  of k-pop (as so brilliantly covered in this post by Jessica Jane) is appreciated greatly (and I am still so desperate to see our Lee HongKi corpse paint prediction come true), I'd be happy to see some of the less intense, more jokey fancy dressed based costumes, just for the fun of it. Dracula capes, really it's never a bad thing.... or is it ....

 wait a second, are they on board a pink school bus? with teddy bears?? uh oh nuna.

I have mixed feelings of delight and remorse as I reminisce over "UKISS Vampire". A show that explored bloodtype personality theory through the dorm life of the 7 members. Early in my k-popping days this is what introduced me to U KISS, and it was great, good, ok, not so great,,, it was one of those full on, full speed teenage boys in a confined space reality show messes that are only really watchable but the sedated or the infatuated. I was neither, I was just very interested in blood types and I hadn't even watched Wild Bunny (god help me) so it was bearable, I tried to learn names, at least until I couldn't take it anymore and gave up watching, I just wasn't ready for it.

Now i'm ready, after months of building resilience to the hyperspeed incoherent English babbling, insanity and awkward cue card reading MADNESS of Pops in Seoul, following Xander's twitter addiction daily and all the god blessing I can handle, living through the trials and tribulations of dealing with Eli's hair upset, wondering what ever happened with the rest of "Rasing Idols", discovering I had been missing out on one of the greatest K-pop mini album intros of all time, repeated listens of the autotune pop masterpiece "UKISS - ONLY ONE" album and repeated viewings of Man Man Ha Ni and Binguel Bingul, I really miss U-Kiss. I'm ready for the new album (whenever that is) and I'm ready to watch all of U KISS Vampire.

U KISS, you're definitely not MAN MAN HANI...  but don't let me down on this comeback, and Eli, don't even think about messing this up.

BONUS:

*just edited this post to include largely rrelevant but necessary Dongho knitting GIF*

- BUNNY 

お久しぶり。

Golly has it been too long. So long that the fear has set in. How to start, what to say - I need a big important post because it has been so long, too long.

Having lacked consistent internet for almost 6 weeks, I feel blighted with a patchy and un-up-to-date awareness of what is most important to me in this world. I was almost two days late to see my first screening of SHINee Lucifer, and god knows how long over due my first live performance viewing of Se7en feat. T.O.P Digital bounce was (which finally came shamefully in the company of non-sympathisers - the pain of it). I have a gap of at least 4 Khuntoria episodes, and I have only just cleared the backlog of my 1000+ google (k-pop) reader, half the videos I am so desperate to study no longer active. Woe is me. From here on out I will be a better yeodongsang, Unnie, I promise.
With the excuse that I currently only have the use of my fathers pre-historic laptop, lacking screen shot/video download facility, the dilema of what to post is heightened. Feeling the need to comment on so many things all at once, and as a result gargling and choking on my own over-enthusiastic thoughts/words, a catch-up run down is, I think, my best option. So, please dont mind my lack of in-depth analytical spirit - you can always rely on Bunny for the best and most thorough modes of education anyway.

In no particular order, here are some things that have delighted me most in my painfully drawn out weeks long hiatus:

The SHINee Lascoste shoot. Wow, just wow. I want to put in all the pictures - I shalln't, but boy oh boy is it tempting. Instead, I have opted for the one which blew my mind most substantially. There is no Taeminnie, I hear you say. But for me this was one of those occassions where Onew once again stole the show.

I'd say that Key and Minho are really just here for good measure. I like the dog leash-esque set up a lot. I think it's good for Minho.

Really, if we want to talk about some good Minho, then he we are:

I feel that I can confidently say, Minho at his best.

How? Why? did I discover what 'Oh mona FFAF' (live journal Oh mona they didnt free for all Friday's) really meant so late in the day ---- the best excuse to post GIFs, images, videos, you name it, forty plus pages worth, for no reason other than that you love it! Basically, let's just call this post my personal FFA.

Something else to be had from the real FFAF then, hand picked by Bunny herself:

Cloak + Taemin + Bike = perfection.

I will take that this is the same era as Minho's bowl, Juliette or JoJo maybe, and run with it. This is not to say that I don't love them now, but just to ensure we don't forget our roots, and their fabulous pasts.

Now, I know I'm no F. Cuz fan (heaven knows I wish I could be), but I couldn't let this slide away unnoticed. Call me fickle, shallow, unethical, I have no pride. But forget their terrible music (sorry bunny) and F. Cuz (focus), and look, just look:

Taken from I love pets, maybe the best k-concept for a programme ever. Flawless boys kissing small costumed mammals. This can't be my official reason for liking a band, can it? I am willing with my whole heart that the next mini-album has at least something that I can work with. I just need something, anything, to musically justify my 'liking' this band.

I'm also looking forward to something new from U-Kiss soon, and I'm really hoping that they pull a BEAST style Shock comeback out of the bag. We need something drastically new, I feel - I hope you are listening diligently Eli. Or maybe, if that is too much to ask, can we just have something like this?

And if they were always eating, and never talking, then maybe we could forget about the problematic pitch of their voices?

Back to SHINee again, I just can't keep away, they have truly be excelling themseleves of late. So many images and GIFs I want to archive here, so that they are NEVER lost.

:

and then theres this:

A summer holiday I dream of having. Imagine Key's snaps. The amount of nude male torso's on his film would surely deserve a look.

and did I mention how much I liked this?

The ever zealous Minho, with fully recovered pins.

Or this?

Welcome to my Korean post-punk dream.

and lastly, this?

Exquisite bowl movement. This slow-mo GIF satisfies me to the extent Muybridge's Running horse probably did the Victorians.

But, to be honest with you, SuJu have also been doing a really great job of late:

But why would they then go and cut this fringe off you Donghae, WHY?!

And my new favourite Maknae to confirm his place, adding to the long list, is none other than Kyuhyun:

His ShinPD performance pretty much made my week. The fear in his eyes and self reference to himself as hospital boy, in combat with MBLAQ’s Muscle Boy.

There has also been a lot of love between the members, some healthy skinship, which never fails to warm my heart:

And to be honestly, Eunhyuk just seems to be sexually abounding these days:

All has been a little to quiet on the 2AM front for my liking, but a few things have come up which has raised a smile:

Jinswoon rocking the ever hot onew-esque comb over. I wish I could say that it is just the hairstyle, but we all know this would be a lie.

Seulong, just SO LONG!

Thankfully, 2PM have been slightly more active these past few weeks and they have enjoyed a few photoshoots of note:

I never thought I could appreciate such jogging attire to this extent. Maybe the quiff helps?

And this is probably one of my all time dreamteam bands:

Junho on drums, OF COURSE. But let's not get me started on drummers, let's not even approach that pandoras box just yet.

Wooyoung as a cat. I told you, boys and small animals - any combo works.

So, yes, everyone has been working hard this summer, working up a sweat, and not least of all Big Bang, with their new Japanese release. Though my nerves are nearing their wits end awaiting the new full length Korean album, which was originally for 'this summer', I would be lying if I didn't admit the Japanese single, Beautiful Hangover, wasn't a wonderful concelation. And of course all the outstanding Japanese interviews and TV performances that have come along with it. T.O.P and GD's Japanese pretty much has my on my knees. Not wanting to go into too much detail on this, or the songs, this being an overview and all, and me feeling slightly late on the subject, let's just watch what I feel to be THE most important shoot of the summer, which just managed to pip Lacoste to the post:

There are no words.

Finally, let's wrap up with a little MBLAQ, just for good measure. Old news to everyone else, but not to me, Seungho and Mir's English:

Obviously with sound is best, but really, you must concentrate on these expressions too.

So these would be just some of the things I would have posted and expanded upon in the recent weeks. Please accept this as my apology.

To close, round up if you will, my top 3 news items:

1. Sungmin's (SuJu) sick ink - I never suspected he had it in him! And just look at this voile (Bunny, think Antique):

2. The Human Centipede has just hit cinema screens here in England. But you know what I'd rather see surgically conjoined (mouth to anus) to be one MBLAQ super-being:

3. L. Joe (Teen Top) is going to be in Mnet Scandal (dating programme)!! Now, honestly, they are just asking for trouble:

It has been a pretty great few weeks I'd say, at least in the world of K. I will leave you with my favourite headline of the whole summer.

Anyeong