BIG BANG IS BACK! Most definitely incredible (hey move)!

B to the I to the Bang, Bang!

Anyone that did not know Bunny or I better may think that we have totally gone off Big Bang. It once used to be the most tagged band on here, but then we dwindled, and almost...stopped? I personally have no great explanation for this, other than being entirely overwhelmed by everything they do, pretty much to the point where I am catatonic and totally beyond words or phrases of and kind to describe either them or my reactions. Yes they make me that happy, and pretty much on a daily basis.
Admittedly, I had such big plans for the GTOP debut! But it was just all too exciting. New outfits on EVERY live performance, and a whole variety of ad lib/improvised moves in the breakdown. I started trying to GIF them all, I really did, but then it all got too much, and most of all I was terrified that I may have missed one, and the list would not be complete!! O to ka jo?!

In an attempt to not totally overstep/sidestep the return of Big Bang after over two years in the making, I am going to take it one step at a time. i.e. there will surely be more posts on the subject from both Bunny and I, but this is at least a start.

The album is amazing, I genuinely love it all, every single track. listen here.
Even with the comedy factor though, I guess I have to say that Cafe was my least favourite track. Note the past tense use of the verb. That was until I saw these:

From Top left to bottom right: GD, Seungri, Daesung Taeyang, Daesung, TOP.
(Yes, I know I have Daesung in here twice, but seriously, credit where credit is due!!)

I don't think I have ever been so inspired to have an attempt at making my own version of a piece of clothing seen on screen. In the live performance from the SBS hour long comeback show we not only get close up zooms on their faces, but even the mid shots are able to show close ups of their faces, it's just that they are printed on their chests. It's genius!

Already liking the song more, I have decided that the translated lyrics are pretty much up to scratch too, and this is in addition to TOP's down and dirty English (in bold) which he delivers in possibly his deepest bass tones to date:

The usual Ice Coffee, Expresso double shot
Close your eyes,
Let it slide smoothly down your throat, Music we used to love
My heart beats Faster
The tremors when i first met you
The Cafe helps me remember that attraction
I always helped her get the syrup (my italics)
Now I hate that sticky sweetness

TOP and coffee will never get old.

...To Be Continued

HWAITING! 화이팅! FIGHTO! ファイト！

-- Welcome back Infinite --

Before the Dawn

How happy I am to see you fighting, hwaiting (try(-ing) your best chant in Korean). It is always an excellent start to the day for me when I get to see some live action fights in K-pop. Don't ask why, just take my admission and run with it. Or if it's necessary to say a word or two on the subject, let's just say that Japanese dramas and films are what got me hooked on it. Full of young violent boys they are. Take Gokusen, Blue Spring, Crows Zero, Go... So I guess it's not just me that appreciates it.


Watching the video reminded me of this so much that I feel I need to make a written note of some of my most favoured fighting MV's. So let's make this a Top 5, in no particular order:

Infinite - Before the Dawn.

Such great acting, boys!

ZE:A - All day

This is what your Sports Science training is for, Dongjun.

Big Bang - Haru Haru

I never want to make TOP this mad.

Shinhwa -Yo!

This ending genuinely breaks my heart. Oh, MinSwoon!!

2AM - I did wrong

Poor JinSwoon and his topknot.

Please feel free to tell me yours... I would genuinely love to extend this to a legitimate Top 10.

L understands.

IT'S COMING

What's coming? All of it, all of us probably. GTOP 11 track album, BIG BANG album, Digital Single from "that other guy", potentially a return to form from Nuna's when were are actually compelled to write about k-pop music and not hair cut misdemeanors and shameless neverending crush confessions... what am I talking about? crushing IS Nunas at is best so ignore that last part.

Anyway, today we all witnessed it, Taeyang, G Dragon, TOP in gunplay action. GTOP in matching pimped out medallion wearing glory doing "The Perculator". 2PM in a beautiful creative dream homage to the art of mime. 2PM dance dance revolution breakdown with light up boots and FULL TEAM shirt ripping. 2NE1 giving us enough pointed shoulder envy to last all year and obligatory eyesight test as I squinted desperately through low quality dark intro to hunt for the insanely hot backing dancer. Yes it was the 2010 MAMA awards. Otherwise known as "the YG and JYP win everything because SM hates MNET and no one else bothered to show up awards". I am speedily skimming over what was one of the most exciting days for a k-pop fan since the Turn It Up MV came out, but I have to keep it brief for the sake of my health, I can't even make my self link up the videos, i'll lose it all over again. A full report, screecaps, GIFs and all, would most likely kill a mere mortal like me. I know you understand. I'm going to work on stamina and hope I'm a little stronger in time for the Gayo Daejun (New Years Specials).

HWAITING!

- BUNNY

GD is my temporary secretary

Having had some exceptional interview X interviewee dialogue brought to my attention today (thank you Alice!), I just couldn't resist making a note of it here, and then sharing something else with you that I have been mulling over and contemplating in my head all day long.

First means first, Taemin, bless your mind, body and soul babes. You have made me as happy as a lamb, as happy as the time I first heard that T.O.P. likes Nine Inch Nails! Who knew!

Q: Now that you are past your first and second albums, what styles of music or concepts would you like to experiment with in future albums that you have not had a chance to do yet?

Onew: I want to try band music.

Taemin: I want to try something like Linkin Park. It seems really stress relieving.

Key: Definitely not trot music (Korean folk music).

Full interview here

Seriously, please, just try it. Go ahead boys, if it goes wrong I won't be mad, not one little bit. I just insist on a music video to accompany, please. Maybe a look like this though, more glam rock than nu metal:

See, even your Big Bang sunbae's know it's worth a go...

Onew pretty much already has it down to be fair (with a little help from "Foreigner"). But I feel he can go further than this:

*****************

But now, to the real reason for my post. I cannot and will not get G-Market, the new G-Dragon CF song, out of my head. It will not budge, and I sure as hell don't want it to. If this is any indicator of what is to come on the new Big Bang album then I am already beside myself, delusionally happy!

All the way from ur head, shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes

Gmarket, Gmarket, Party (aauuu...)

Honestly, it may be the most commercial song in the whole entire music making industry but frankly I couldn't care less! I love it. And this is without even a proper video. There are so many fantastic songs that this reminds me of. But most of all it would have to be this:

Temporary Secretary by none other than Mr. Paul McCartney!

That's not to mention the Hammer time at the start too! Oh Captain G! Captain G Sparrow!! And the hats. So many fabulous hats!! This one really reminds me of Austrian yodelling:


Which in turn, reminds me of Hyunseung also with his milkmaid hat in the new BEAST teaser for Lights go on again.


And both of these remind me of the one and only Rain yodel scene from I'm a cyborg but that's ok. (you can watch it here)

But the main moral of my story is still, it ain't nuthin' but a G thang!

I wanna rock with you, dance with you, run around in the rain with you!

Now this is what I call a comeback image!


Take some advice for your comrades, 2PM - this is how we do it! 2AM, spot on my loves. Seasonal yet sensational and sexy. It is definitely Saint o'clock - just look at those collarbones on JinSwoon!! There is not a swatch of tacky bleach in sight, no Dame Edna eye shadow, and merely the classiest of outfits. This is what K-pop should be! Seulong is brooding, Kwon is quite the young Victorian gent, and I like Changmin's crop (very Minho - SHINee).

You may think I'm being too harsh, but I assure you I am not. 2PM must learn. If they don't there's nothing I can do...

Take me at my word 2PM! You are walking a fine line. If it wasn't for so much Junho in shot in the MV then you'd be in much bigger trouble!! Just look at this live performance! Chansung's slick Malfoy hair, Nickhun's ridiculously vile hairband! The dancing is a ridonkulous take on the 'spotty dog' in parts, and the song is fundamentally just not all that. Thank god Junho is taking up the slack. And yes Alice, I like his glove too.

Obviously, so looking forward to Big Bang's comeback, hwaiting!

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

Finally, I am ready for Solar

It has taken a while, but I am back by Taeyang's side with a smile on my face. For someone who claims to adore Taeyang as much as I (often platonically), you may be wondering why there has been a total lack of reaction to the fact that he has just released his first solo full length album, Solar. If so, you and me both. I thought the release would send me wild a la T.O.P, have me typing to the point where I was almost sick down myself from my joyful garggles. But this didn't happen. I'm still not sure why. Maybe this was always going to be the case. I mean, if I insist on listening to songs like Where U At and Wedding Dress on constant repeat then these songs being on the album is hardly going to blow my mind in the same way hearing/seeing the songs the first time round did, and other songs are always going to have a fight to stand up to them. Essentially, I just was not blown away. I think I wanted something rap-ier, harder, not so much of the love songs which I ended up with.

And the single I need a girl wasn't quite what I was craving either, even with the GD rap. The original MV is nice, lots of Taeyang and Dara (2NE1) and GD in bowtie and comb over and later a lepeoard print shirt...
but it still wasn't what I was looking for. Taeyang didn't even change his hairstyle or loose the frontal shave, though he claims that that (and the terrible facial hair) are down to him being too busy and not caring enough about what he looks like. I'm not sure that I believe him, but I'll agree to it to save myself the upset that his style intuition is not quite that of T.O.P's.
The live stages too, I could take or leave really (sorry!).

But then I started to listen to the album properly, not just the advance release teaser tracks, and it began to grow on me. Albums are put into a certain order because they work well in that way, and this is definately true for Solar I believe. The intro works great (I've blocked the few seconds of creepy children), asking me if I'm ready for solar, as it actively prepares me; it calms my rushing k-popped pulse rate a little, which is good for me I know, and takes it down a notch or two for what is to come.
Superstar, track two, didn't thrill me at first, but it's a real grower that has taken root. Then there's I need a girl. Once you get past the nervous, hungry and desperate title, his voice is lovely, and it is a nice song. Remember he also plays the piano. I like to imagine him playing along, rather than dancing around with the creepy stubble beard. And again, GD gambling and rolling around the floor in the video helps.

I like the harp at the start of Just a feeling and, again, it is a really lovely song. Very summery.
Next up, You're my. At first I didn't like this, mostly because of the (terrible)English lines. "You're my chocolate, my sweetest chocolate, I really wanna have you-u". A little suspect if you ask me - ignorance is bliss in such cases, had it been in Korean I would have had no qualms. But his voice IS that of velvety chocolate. Get past the dodgy English shock to the system and you'll learn to love it.

Now it starts getting good, with good ol' Teddy (1TYM) let out of his cage, "this is for the ladies!"
I'm actually obessesed with this song, Move. Not a banger in the conventional sense, but fantastic. And Teddy's lyrics KILL me:

...and your body is my wonderland,
I could play all night,
(so just move move, baby don't stop it)
I cock it and I load it,
call me mister big rocket,
you so precious, face shinin' like crystals,
I'm so vicious like Sid with my Sex Pistols...

...Niagra falls, baby I got you wetter than...

Go Ted. So sexual, so punk. I never expected so much from him. God knows what the live performance will end up sounding like though. If you've heard him on GD's Shine a light Leaders you'll know what I'm getting at - over excited child at a party.

Ah, Breakdown, more like let down. It sounds like it's going to be epic, for the first few seconds at least, some proper hard rap, and then it just gets a bit.....jokey, for want of a better adjective. But even this is growing on me, or I'm softening. Either way.

After you fall asleep, in translation, is the next track, and it totally has me. Repeat worthy and all. I can assure you that I will be doing some more research into this Swings fellow.

So yes, after that is Where U At andWedding Dress(both prior digital releases) and Prayer and another off the mini album released last year. As afore mentioned, no surprises but all super songs.

And last, certainly not least of all, Take it slow. Don't laugh, but it reminds of my childhood and Annie Lenox whilst actually making me feel mid-coital activity. I don't understand it either. And maybe too much, sorry, but it really does. It's so beautiful, but it's almost too much. So slow but with the capacity to have my heart race like some of the best club bangers.

Anyway, I'm sorry. No more.
But I guess what really consolidated all this was LISTENING TO THE LIMITED DELUXE EDITION on repeat in my car all weekend. Yes, you read right. Bless Tower Records.

I don't know how much I like the T-shirt itself, but really, just to have it and know it's mine. GD blates has one, and does T.O.P for sure. If it's good enough for them...

Oh yeah, and the YG FAMILY card! I'm so happy/proud/excited to have this in my wallet. All I need now is an A.N.Jell/You're Beautiful one and I'll be off.

I don't really know what the card or serial number means. But I will be researching this too. And the one of however many photos I got was the one with leather gloved hand to mouth, and "God Bless You" 'hand written' in the corner. How sweet.

It's times like this when my imminent departure from Japan breaks my heart.

"Hello sexy guy and hello handsome boy and hello hello"

From a classic GD style "Hello" to an even more classic set of self introductions. Meet Big Bang at the start of Idol World, 2007:

Dearest GD, looking around 15 years old(pretty much still was); (hidden) snaggle tooth and all. "I'm your believer", god I'm glad he soon stopped using lines like that." A completed leader", I guess I'll allow him that one.

Taeyang, forever making puns on his name; back then and even now with his new Solar. Hot passion, for god rather than girls, but hey ho. Like GD's afore mentioned line, I'm glad Taeyang waved a fond farewell to these corn rows. A wise move certainly.

It's a good job that I have never fallen in love then, isn't it. Don't get me wrong, I love Strong Baby, but there's just somthing about ol' V.I. that I can't quite get past. And "Charisma boy", I wonder if SHINee's Minho saw it and stole it?

Forever putting a smile on ones face, but maybe here for the wrong reasons. Yes you are fantastic Daesung, you are wonderful. But this pony tail is not. I literally got the fright of my life when it went to camera two, revealing this travesty. What a way to start out. No one else has gone crazy babes, just you, with this hair.

Best til last, Big Bang's natural smoky.

He was on it from the word go, of course he was. And the look on his face as he tells us - could he be any more smoky or sincere? I think not.

This Idol World post will one day be what it should be, full of numerous screen caps of unforgettable formative Big Bang moments, but for now, this will have to do. Tales of
an awakening GD who has flashbacks of being drugged, getting up and discovering a 'bear' in the next room; GD and TOP using all their might to spread Daesung's legs; TOP trying to lie about not having "skin ship" on a first date.

In fact, talk of TOP's loves cannot wait. Because what followed this was then a claim that he has no interest in girls! Don't break my heart babes. However, when asked about porn
the lie detector machine which he is hooked up to starts blinking - apparently his attempted denial is a lie. Upon which he gives in - he has already lost this battle (see hand over face): "I watched it when I was in elementary school". YIKES. 5th grade, at a friends house. That would be 11 or 12 years of age then. He even tries to backtrack from this by saying his friends dad is a man? Really I think this is irrelevant TOP, is not every friends dad a man? Not such a quick thinker back then evidently. I couldn't love him more for it. Dirtbag from the word go - maybe this is why he has the finger gestures he does.

Watch Baby Baby at 3:07 to see them slide horizontally, side to side. We can finally be sure where he picked this up.