I Salute You.

Sorry.
It has been over two months... and I/me and Bunny are sorry. Relocation to Japan (for the both of us) has taken its toll. And no internet connection to call our own for the first three weeks of living in our new Tokyo house damn near killed us. We missed a lot, and still have much to catch up on, but please bear with us.

We are not the only ones who seem to have lost their grip on life.

Just look at Kwangsoo of Supernova (orange sweater) - what happened?! I think he has been comfort eating... I think we, though it pains me to say it, may have something in common...

This past couple of months have been very emotional indeed. I have, amongst massive life changes, temporarily lost three of my most treasured hallyu stars - and Kwangsoo has lost his favourite hyung - to the South Korean army. I am no expert on the matter, but compulsory military service is South Korea in usually 21 months I believe, and there isn't really a conscientious objector option (bar going to jail). Avoiding it just brings shame and a whole lot of trouble, and you will probably never work again. I won't even bring up the disputed case of MC Mong again. So the fact of the matter is that I lost three of my nearest and dearest for the time, and that is that.

Yunhak (Supernova) went from this:


To this:


I really hope he is ok, and is not too cold in the bitter winter without his glossy fringe :(
He was the life and soul of Supernova. He got them to the top (in Japan) with songs like Shining Star, and he really was an excellent leader. I know he will be back, but will there really be anything left to return to??? No offense Sungje, but I don't trust you being left in charge of the band in his absence. All you do is take selcas of yourself and tweet them all day long!!!

There have been tears, lots of tears, so many, especially from Supernova. I may have cried with them.
"Anoooo, anooooo..."


Let's not even get me started on the departure of Heechul oppa too. Woe is me!


I hope he is not being bullied in the barracks for his effeminate streak and homoerotic tendencies.
We all miss him a lot, just like we knew we would. But luckily I discovered last night that he made provisions...of course he did!


As I watched a video of Super Junior and f(x) performing the amazing song Oops on the Super Show 4 highlights, look who appeared like a vision!!! There is his, number one oppa! And how else to greet him than to stand in a line facing the screen and salute him, for the entirety of his rap verse. Now that is respect. Heechul oppa, we all bow down to you, even in your absence. This is not to mention how truly brialliant this song is by the way, complete with intro growl. Thank you for bringing it to my attention Bunny!

Enjoy!!

Last, but certainly not least, we also had to bid farewell to Kim Jae Wook, of Antique and Walrus fame, not so long ago. Who went from Hedwig...


To army buff...

In basically a matter of hours.



Aigo.


But, all is not doom and gloom. There is light at the end of the tunnel. They come back. And here is some proof:

*WELCOME BACK JOO JI HOON OPPA*

We have missed you SO much!!! And I can't wait to see pictures and clips of you in the new Doctor Zhivago stage performance that you will be doing as your comeback?!


I guess it will be a 2012 hwaiting! we have to look forward to.

Enter the Tiger: Hot dad alert

Even though I have been an avid K-pop fan for well over whole two years now, it seems that there is just such a massive back catalogue studded with gems, and so much going on in the present, everyday all day, that I never really get the chance to catch up on much that happened before 2009. That means that there are huge black holes in my knowledge that I am only too aware of, and those people pop up in my google reader every now and again who I know are super important, but I just don't have enough time to indulge in researching them at that very moment, and then they get put on the back burner as something like this

Really Teen Top, after the first comeback teaser photo I didn't think it could get much better. Chincha! But then you thought L.Joe needed some heels? YA! Are you trying to kill this nuna here?

or this

Super Junior comebaaaack. Please, please let this image, and others like it, not just be for show. Please actually wear these stage clothes, at least in the MV.

or this

Bunny, I cannot stop listening to this on loop. Daily. All day. Everyday!! I wish this had been their Korean comeback single and they had made a MV and done live performances to boot.
All I wanna do is make you dance
I don’t need ya name, shake it for the cam
Let me see ya booty clap, clap
흔들어봐 body like that, that

happens.

Hovever, this week I did manage to make a little bit of time, though nowhere near enough, to spend starting to get to know Tiger JK oppa, dreamboat dad rap superstar husband that he is. Actually I feel like I first really took an interest when seeing this a few months back:

Hot dad babe alert.

But it wasn't urgent enough. This time it was a music video for the not-so-new but remixed song Doo Doo Doo Wap Ba Balu (두두두 합바바루) that did it. It's moving images, always, that's what seals the deal:

I have a small problem with the fact that it reminds me of OutKast, Hey Ya! or something a little calmer but a bit like that.
Even so, it is a nice summery song. And lovely, lovely yellow outfit scenes...

You may already know, but it's from the Drunken Tiger Feel gHood Muzik: The 8th Wonder (2009) album, and it features some of Korea's New Top Models making a cameo appearance. In his 16-year career Tiger JK has co-founded Drunken Tiger, an American Korean hip hop group (he has lived in the U.S. for a number of years), with DJ Shine in 1999 and now also has a record label, Jungle Entertainment, which includes his wife Tasha Reid on the roster. The has been a lot of award winning. See here for more.

When I first properly 'meet' a new-to-me k-pop star/participant in the k-pop realm, the first thing I always do is a google image search, just to get an idea of what I'm dealing with.


This is what we are dealing with:

1. Swoonworthy babe

2. HOT DAD

3. Fun time party oppa

4. Dreamy husband

5. Preppy jokester that still knows what's down with the kids.

I think he may be everything one needs in an oppa. The whole package.

And I also think I may have a new video to loop. Angry Tiger oppa monster, yes!

Angry oppa, who is wrapped in chains. Reminded me of this, just briefly.

And I would really recommend Do you know hip hop? and Great Rebirth and Good Life, just for starters, if you are not already a Drunken Tiger devotee.

Wish I could party with Tiger JK oppa.

In need of further assistance. "Care in the Community"

Yesterday was a very very special day, someone very special was born on that very special day 24 years ago, actually yesterday I found out that they were not alone, another very special person was born that exact day, that exact year… These people are particularly special to me, one is the other half to my whole, my beloved yeodongsang, brain twin and fellow Noona, the dazzling Jessica Jane… and the other is my latest whirlwind romance intense crush object of my affections, Supernova’s Jihyuk !! 

What are the chances of that!! Only a few days ago I was preaching Jihyuk’s charms to an unconvinced Jessica who dared to make the most offensive look-a-like comparison I’ve ever heard. NONSENSE. I am adamant that there is no resemblance whatsoever, he may have a slightly botched looking nose job but really, no, no way, and I’m not even going to entertain her ridiculous claims but telling you what terror she compared him too, birthday or not. This is karma JJH. Don’t you see, you and Jihyuk could be twins!!

You might have thought this was going to be another hearty tribute to my partner in crime, but instead its just another self indulgent love confession to Jihyuk and a loose attempt to make Jess see the light. Sure he cannot compete with perfect gelfling Yunhak in the standard looks department... but remember JIHYUK IS SOOOOOOO SPECIAL

It must be common knowledge that the boy basically needs a full time carer. Sometimes its Sungmo who has to keep and eye on him at the supermarket, check he's ok cutting the vegetables ... I'm not really sure he should be allowed to use a knife if he can't actually be trusted to feed himself...

Other days it seems to be Geonil that keeps him in line. Its pretty embarrassing when he can't even contain himself and has to be restrained on national Japanese TV:

So Jessica you're probably feeling pretty smug that you picked Yunhak all that time ago, to be honest, as leader and the eldest I thought he would probably end up doing a lot of the "caring" for Jihyuk... but it turns out, I think he might be another *special* case...

really....

Seems to me like the four of us would make the perfect double date ! Are you in?

- BUNNY

that 'special' someone...

I wasn't even looking and somehow I found him.

That special guy, and by special, of course I mean seemingly ever so slightly endearingly just a little bit maybe slow / stupid / retarded... in the best possible way.

SPECIAL AT ENERGETIC CHARADES:

SPECIAL AT DARTS:

SPECIAL AT WHAT SHOULD BE NORMAL EVERYDAY HAND ACTIONS:

SPECIAL FACIAL EMOTIONS:

SPECIAL.

Jihyuk, I think I love you.

- BUNNY

キミは Shining Star...

Jessica Jane,

I just felt like we needed a little something to perk ourselves up.

Visa Applications - ちょっとこわいい　ね!

Yunhak has a special cheer for us all.  HWAITING!!! 

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK!

 

Love from Unnie xxxxxxxxx

あしてるよ！

 - BUNNY

I'm sorry, what? I can't F.CUZ!

So, really neither Bunny nor I have ever talked in length here about F.Cuz. And really, we should have. It seems to be that their time is really about to come, I am sure of it. Traditionally Bunny has always been more of a supporter of the boys than me, I must be honest. But I have a feeling that this is all about to change...

So, without further ado, let me give you a brief introduction to F.Cuz (pronounced "focus"). Apparently on CAN&J's Entertainment, they debuted with their single Jiggy on 8th January this year, 2010. Sadly, I cannot say that I fully endorsed this song, even with lyrics like

Why Is not easy parting
Too easy for you to leave
(Bom Bom Bom shawty Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom shawty)
I take it every day I see even a forced smile worthy
Almost ready to say it but I'm happy too early (YEHP!)
You see, I live in a great
Watching too much chest mirror dancing
Higher volumes in my head again, hot
Whatever my own way yejeongat jeulgilrae

Happily the next single No one was a bit better, actually a lot better. It's pretty much a club banger. But the video did get a little scary. (Maknae is managing to hold it together, Kan is borderline and the other two are definitely falling short!) Three steps forward, two steps back.

Before we move onto the now let's first meet the members!
First up then, Jinon:

Hot hardcore kid look alert!!!!!

Jinon is leader of the band, born July 13th 1989 (exactly two years after me, to the day!). He is blood type B, 183cm tall and a whole 68kg. Prior to debut Jinon was in an SG Wannabe video with some big hair and doing diabolo(!) tricks. He is the main rapper of the group, went to art school and previously trained to be in Supernova (consequently their new video for Shining star is a must see! "Baby girl, booty booty")


Next up is LeeU:

Nice tucked in plaid.

Born on March 20, 1990, LeeU is a little shorter at 179cm, weighing in at 65kg, and blood type A (compatible, yes!). Rumor has it that we was a well know ulzzang ("best face") pre-debut, and was originally going to be a solo artist (a bit like Ki Kwang I wonder). His dad is a famous trot singer too. He studied is America for three years or so, so he is our English speaker in the group.


And then there is Kan (Rainism!!):

I shouldn't like leopard print trousers, I know I shouldn't, but, I do. And the studded sleeveless is excellent.

Kan, beautiful Kan, born 30th September 1991. He is a happy 184cm (tallest!) and burly blood type B. Also 72kg, yay! He attends art school at the moment and apparently receives prompt haircare thanks to his mother who runs a beauty salon. Best fact: he has been called 'The Terminator' due to his good physical stamina and strength.


Last, and certainly not least in Yejun:

Top button, check. Plaid, check. Bowl cut, check. All present!

Oh, why must the maknae always be my favourite (though him and Kan tie very close indeed)!! February 4th, 1992, damnit. 182cm, and still growing! Blood type B and 67kg. It can only get better! At art school now with Kan, his sister is a pro-golfer. Best fact: he is often known as "18th dimension" due to his fashion sense and eccentricities.


Jinon, Kan and Yejun used to be in a dance troupe, which apparently once included people like Rain. However, from the look of their acrobatics I may beg to differ. Apparently their concept is to "introduce pop art patterns and hip hop traits".

You like them all, right? How about a hug? Ladies or gentlemen, both welcome of course.

Now let's make you like them even more. Their second mini album 'Gorgeous' is coming out soon, and their new single Midnight Sun will be here in just a few days, on the 18th November. With that said, the MV teaser has arrived, and oh my is it a welcome treat. This time round I think they may have pulled it out of the bag. Just the right amount of 'crazy hot mad party', smoky eyes and maknae bowl cut.

I wish it was a classified 18 because of the boys alone, but even having them merely embroiled in such sexualized antics I am smiling ear to ear. Wow. Seriously, I cannot wait for the full MV! The excitement at clicking to confirm I was over 18 years of age, the anticipation had me from the start. Just to back track briefly though, yikes!!

Yikes Kan!! Two ladies at once. And such a super haircut. It is the prime balance of gelfling meets gent.

LeeU is really going in for the kill, dimpled marks around the grabbing fingers, he's using some force. And that coat, it's so TOP!!

Oh Maknae, you can't possibly really know what those eyes mean, can you?!

Sorry leader, you are doing the least for me in this video. Spiked hair X glove X diamonte combo, sorry, not my fav.

With thanks to the wonderful F.Cuz tumblr.

Roll on the 18th November. Finally, I am FCUZED (name of the official fan club).