Summer Time Special lacking stripes..

Last week was a Music Core special broadcast from the Caribbean Bay Water Park, you know Caribean Bay the default go-to on location waterpark for every idol reality show and apparently music show, or maybe you just know it from "Cabi Cabi! the hottest hottest! Cabi Cabi! in crazy crazy!" that horrific commericial for the place which is guaranteed to raise the temperature with it's summery feel whilst it simultaneously raises your seething jealously as you watch lifeguard 2PM paired up with bikini clad Girls Generation...

Anyway, music special from the water park? its only June but yes! why not! and look at this, a lovely bit of nautical set design! I sure hope i'm in for a fine array of sailor outfits and some short shorts...

Well get ready to be disappointed, its not that kind of special, it was just regular Music Core at a fun location with a bit of a theme to the stage. Also my pet peeve the use of pyrotechnics in a daytime concert,  ugh, why do people continue to do this, we don't see and sparks and flares we just see clouds of billowing smoke, we don't need bursts of flame blowing waywardly in the outdoor winds when broad daylight is showing us all too clearly how close out precious boys are from roasting their perfect fringes. I actually began to worry that Beast had somehow set themselves ablaze (pressumably from someone accidentally lighting a match a few inches too close to their collective smouldering hotness - Yoseob aside) in their performance of Fiction, it really did seem at one point like I was looking at Dongwoon through the hazy vision of an inferno whilst his make up melted off his face and he screamed out for Noona to help him... but fear not everyone, it looks like spontaneous combustion, but I promise you they are all fine.

Gikwang and HyunSeung... literally smokin'.

Staging complaints aside, the nautical outfits were seriously lacking, "pale blue" was the choice of a few, or just all white like FT Island who looked like a group of emo angsty angels whilst the flames (of hell?) burst around them.  There one was man representing some sailor stripes beautifully, sadly he wasn't performing, but he was one the MCs, all hail SHINee's Onew and this perfect moment of him dancing along mid song (I think its Norazo's new song... lols) as only The Onew Condition can :

I LOVE HIM.

Well that feels more summery, more like we're at the beach right? having a party on the beach!! wooo!

OK so i'm over it, there were no jaunty sailor hats, nowhere near enough stripes and stupid flames blazing but Music Core did something right, I present you with ...

"ROOKIE BOYBAND PINK/PEACH & WHITE THEMED WATERPARK BACKGROUND ADORABLE SUMMERTIME CUTEFEST BATTLE"

Watch them one after the other and then watch them again and again alternately and then when you're really ready for it, watch them both playing AT THE SAME TIME. I'm serious. DO IT. and then keeping doing that forever. AND EVER. You will never need to watch anything else, only those two wondeful performances from B1A4 and Boyfriend. Trust me, i've been surviving on nothing but these clips for 7 days now and I feel GREAT.

I also feel strangely attracted to boys under 20 wearing dungarees or tracksuit jackets or white Doc Martins... but thats only natural.

Fingers crossed for a proper nautical special before the summers over... I want sailors! I want shorts! I want socks! I want hats! I want special summer stages! I want it all!!

although truthfully, it's not really like anybody is ever going to win over this MASTERPIECE:

NEVER FORGET !!!

 - BUNNY

K-POP Book Club - A Literary Review with life lessons

This is not current news or relevant to anything in particular aside from me stumbling across the screen captures in a untidy folder of all kinds of forgotten and unwritten blog post fodder. I'd even edited the screen captures together already, in a "here's one I made earlier" type affair.

Super Junior's Miracle Show (aka "Human Network Super Junior’s Miracle") was a TV show broadcast in 2009 presented by Super Junior members Leeteuk, Shindong, Eunhyuk and apparently also Sungmin and Kangin (although 2009 was when Kangin met some trouble with the law... and Sungmin isn't in the only episode i've seen).  The premise of the show is SuJu "plant hopes and dreams for teenagers troubled with hardship by giving them support and encouragement" and find role-models and mentors for these trouble youths (I'm guessing bar fights and hit & run accusations didn't make Kangin the ideal role model...)

I'm not sure if it always follows the same formula, but the feeling I got was this is still very much an idol variety show, with amusing talk segments, silly games and challenges with the added heartwarming sentiment and human life story angle thrown in their for good measure. It's also interesting becasue Leeteuk, Shindong and Eunhyuk are the MCs, there's no comedians and comediennes shoved in to bulk up the numbers or help out with some amateur idol hosting,  of course this is because those three are basically pros, successful radio shows, years of tv experience (compared to current influx of rookie groups stumbling over their cue cards) and they even have their regular comedy "Teukigayo" spot on "Strong Heart" (another very popular celebrity talk/variety show) - I suppose wisdom and experience really do come with age, but i'd like to think SuJu are just naturally gifted. If only Heechul had been there.

Ok the real reason I chose the watch this show was because the other idol guests were MBLAQ, SHINee and Brown Eyed Girls. Its rare and exciting enough to get a fourway idol group interaction but somehow this combination struck me as a MUST SEE situation, despite the fact that all of them are missing a member during filming. In case you're wondering, BEG's Ga-in is filming elsewhere, MBLAQ's Joon is sick with a cold (why oh why couldn't it have been Thunder...) oh poor Joonie, at least they let him have a day off as this was 2009 when MBLAQ are relatively newbies (they have to give full rookie style member introductions) not like these days where the poor boy works through his insomnia, casually mentions he's bipolar, performs a day after a random vomiting fit and falls off a stage during and elaborate twirl (he's had a tough time) and finally SHINee are missing Minho (sorry but its not the greatest loss, its not like they're filming Dream Team) as he's at school - nice to know they make it their sometimes.

After some introductions and the mandatory promotional dance performance we meet the first kid who wants to be a news reporter. Everyone is on their best behavior for his 5 minute interview and giving encouraging nods and sympathetic "ahhs" to his story and his good grades and good intentions and after imposing on him a forced dance lesson of Brown Eyed Girl's Abracadabra "hip dance" the entire cast unites in a "HWAITING!" cry and promises to find him a suitable mentor, before sending him on his way for now.

Time for an idol talk segment and really, its a good one.  "scholarship quiz" - "it raises your IQ!" oh really?! Discussion time - Narsha define's "mentor" for us, Taemin describes the programme we're watching for us, and then something I really did not see coming ...

"What book became a mentor for you?" 

Now I don't want to undermine anyone's intelligence here, but I had never considered a k-pop literary review appearing in a tv show,  i'm still coming to terms with seeing T.O.P reading / holding a copy of and pretending to read "Mama Makes Up Her Mind" in the "Knockout" video:

Whether or not he can read that is besides the point, its a hip hop video and that screen shot above is promoting two things, firstly - MCM Luxury monogram leather goods, and secondly - LITERACY.  Way to go T.O.P.

Anyway back to the Miracle Show.  BEG's Miryo talks about a book called "You're Lonely, Aren't You" which helped her through a difficult time in her mid twenties and gave her hope. Now we turn our attention to Mir. What kind of books does Mir read?

Mir reads Death Note, an excellent manga of course, but what valuable lesson has Mir learned from the teachings of Death Note?

I see.  Let's move on...  but not before a quick joke at the expense of G.O and his creepy debut image, moustache and all:

G.O then introduces his mentor book Lee Oisoo's "Even women don't know women" which despite its title is apparently about "how people can become poets through tough ordeals". MBLAQ fans may recall the group actually go visit Oisoo at his home in their first reality show, so I wasn't too surprised by G.O's poetic revelations. And as the cast imply,  he's got a moustache, he looks a bit like an author, so y'know, he probably reads and stuff.

As for SHINee, this is when things started to get interesting...

Key starts us off in full Mother Teresa mode talking about Kim Hyeja's "don't hurt them even with a flower" that helped him to overcome an attitude problem, realise he was a happy person and worry about all the helpless children in the world.  God bless you Saint Key.

Is your mind blown yet?

Taemin chimes in with "I read Bernard Werber's - les papillion des etoiles" (I looked it up, French philosophical science fiction, I don't think its been translated into English, just french - korean..), I would love to know if this is a set text at school or something he just picked out for himself on his weekly sunday browse at the bookstore,  either way, Minnie has some brilliant philosophical advice for us all:

The wisdom of a 16 year old pop star. Justin Bieber doesn't even know where Germany is and Taemin's gaining life lessons from French Sci-Fi. You lose Bieber.

Of course Jonghyun reminisces about reading Kafka in high school, i'm not even making this up... and still somehow they manage to turn it around to talking about perving on a girl's bathroom...

Finally what is Onew reading at the moment? Jo Hyeryeon's "Future Diary" (Korean comedienne) and of course he too is learning valuable lessons about modern society,  and in particular such a heartfelt message of optimism:

He is then made to deliver a video message to his future self and then book club is over.  I was going to stop the post here but I feel like you also need to know about the idol's troubles segment, or at least you need to know that Key admits to being a bitch on national TV:

Please be my friend Key, please. I don't even mind if you phone me up and tell me i'm fat like you did to Nicole. I know you're just being honest, and that's why I love you.

Shindong gives Key some great advice that he puts to use, kind of relunctantly, later in the show - basically Shindong suggests any criticism of a girl can be smoothed over if you end it with "...but you're still pretty", when the second average normal person youth looking for a mentor arrives she tells us she wants to be come a Herbal Doctor, "one who combines intellect with looks" priceless Key cuts in with "just go for intellect..." Shindong prompts him "and..." and Key finishes "...but you're still pretty".   GOLD DUST MOMENT.

You think this program is over now? they just go off in two teams and look for a mentor for these kids? no no no. This is South Korea and that would be no fun, they must play "Sudden Wealth Jump Rope" - "Let's Earn our Travel Allowance", charades whilst skipping rope to amass petrol money for their bus trips to find the mentors...  yup.  You should probably watch this for yourself, i'll just mention highlights include Taemin's dance animal impersonations and a questionable action as G.O mimes Lord of the Rings.  I'll admit I didnt even look for the next episode to see if they found any mentors for these kids and helped them with their dreams,  I kinda felt like this show wasn't really going to surpass its own brilliance of k-pop book club, Baby Dino reads Kafka and SuJu/SHINee/MBLAQ/BEG skipping games.     and Key you can be such a bitch... but you're still pretty.

You can watch the entire episode I watched here in parts 1 2 3 4 5 (book reviews in 2 & 3, skipping charades in 4 & 5)

- BUNNY

SHINing romance - standard JongKey, rare sighting of OnHyun...

Reader warning - this post starts off informative but somewhere along the way it dilutes itself into a shameless fantasy vision of fanfiction-esque interband love support. If that's not your thing then sit this one out, but if it is then I want you to know that I am an avid JongKey shipper but i'll basically ship Key with anyone, it just makes sense.

Following on from a recent comment discussion stemming from this post, I have noted the request for more coverage of a specific Hello Baby episode and taken it upon myself to enlighten the unenlightened and re-delight the previously delighted.

Just to get any stray readers up to speed, "SHINee Hello Baby!" was a TV show aired on KBS from Jan - Apr 2010 where the 5 members of SHINee (aged 17 - 21) had to raise a 4 year old toddler together. Hilarity, stupidity and heart warming moments galore, topped off with a healthy side helping of special SHINee bonding. All kind of troublesome parenting issues were tackled, from persuading Yoogeun (that's the kid) to have his hair cut, to family vacations, education, shopping trips, meal preparation and of course numerous rounds of competitive charm appeals, games and challenges in an attempt to be chosen by their 'son' as the best appa (father) that episode (although the results each week largely depended on the random luck of Yoogeunnie running in their direction).   The family dynamic  unfolded pretty much from episode one. Key's the doting mom, Minho's the loving dad, Taemin is the curious (but stupid) older child, Onew is the awkward uncle and Jonghyun, ahh Jonghyun, first as awkward as Onew but soon the competitive streak and longing for skinship kicked in and I suppose the best way to describe his place would be... slightly creepy stepdad (married to Key of course).

Anyway, skip forward through all of this and the last episode (I think) is also Jonghyun's birthday.  They send Jonghyun out on and errand to get some photos printed and some stationary supplies for their time capsule project but "baby dino" (my affectionate nickname for the guy ... obvious reasons) just treats himself to some snacks and buys a load of candy. Unbeknown to him the others are preparing a surprise party which he returns to with lollipop in mouth.  SHINee leader Onew is absent the first half of the episode (rehearsing the musical he was in at the time) but arrives at the party with gifts in tow, in the car on his way:

True to his word, Onew arrive's with flowers and a gift:

If he thought the flowers were a bit much then he was surely more surprised and delight with the gift box full of underwear ?!

Unsatisfied with Onew's display of gift giving, there is still something more Jonghyun is angling for, from his nearest and dearest of course...

Oh, I kind of skipped over the bit earlier in the programme where Baby Dino just went all out and proposed to Key:

(FYI. he's talking about Yoogeun being his child, unless he's got another one somewhere?!)

So in regard to the original comment thread where I said there was a GIF worthy moment of Jonghyun X Key affection, i've basically covered it (and a little more) in screencaps,  but ahh the moving image brings a greater joy of course,  so please revel in this glorious JongKey fan video set my not so secret no so guilty pleasure, Justin Bieber - Baby.   (I promise it's just that one song! although, truthfully that's the only song I have and i'm too scared of the truth to download any more).

Pay special attention from about 1minute in, for the clips from above ^^

♥

Finally,

For any JongKey shippers devastated by the recent news that Baby Dino is dating some actress chick, I know it was hard for us all to imagine the split and watch the heartbroken Almighty Key spit out a cover of Rhianna's "take a bow",  but think about it logically,  in what situation would SM suddenly come out and admit that one of their idols is happily dating at 20 years old? I sense a "Hollywood Beard" situation.  Besides, I don't think for a minute that a girlfriend could deter Key. Whether attached to Jonghyun or not, whether the guy is gay, straight, bi, asexual or beautiful nonsexual alien species beamed down from a distant planet, I don't mind, always my favourite shining SHINee boy.
That boy is so damn FABULOUS !!!

 - BUNNY

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