U-KISS YO! Neverla-a-a-a-a-a-and

This isn't the Super Junior post that I promised (that had a few setbacks) but I had to rush this one through, priority delivery from U-KISS.

Oh U-KISS, as much as I did enjoy the "bran new kiss" and 0330 I am just so happy that you went back to what you're best at, and that is... ridiculous electro, auto tune, jarring soundbites, insane over production, lots of random english, terrible rapping (although it is getting better... maybe), repetitive dance choreography and dance moves that look like no one is quite sure how to do it right and lots and lots of guyliner.

Its a beautiful thing!!!!!

AND KISEOP ACTUALLY HAD LINES TO SING!!!

and we can tick off our checklist of k-pop video essentials with ease:

futuristic? - YES

post apocalyptic? - YES

silver/grey and all black/all white outfits? YES

some kind of smoke / steam / falling snow effect? YES

dramatic colour tint lighting & light shining from behind? - YES

costumes with sparkling, fringe or embellishments?  YES

2 tone hair on at least one member? YES

abandoned warehouse set fitted out in gleaming neon lights? YES

water floor dance? YES

at least one homoerotic moment? - YES

I am so pleased with you boys ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Lately kpop has been so busy trying to do something different but you have steered clear of the non summery summer songs and the western cloned club bangers and just went for that pure K-POP song structure insanity, like only U-KISS can.

I'm looking back so fondly on Manmanhani and Bingeul Bingeul right now... oh the good times I had.

They have done me proud. Considering they're still often the punchline of jokes (including my own) when you take a step back, its really a pretty impressive back catalog (don't forget Shut Up) seriously, every one was a winner to me, 0330 took some getting used to but it was fine for a change, they really havent disappointed once (aside from the whole member swapping thing... ) and this is perfect.

Lets celebrate with the ultimate U-KISS album intro... sing-a-long with me... Euuuurrrryyybody!!!

or try this close second for the return of the gun shots and overuse of the Brave Sound "ayyyy!" button.

Additional note!

I may have made a statement earlier today in an email to JJH that I was "over" Eli. Several repeat viewings have confirmed that of course that is not the case, but really he does need a fringe at all times. And I am thankful but amazed that Dongho's perfect hair remains undamaged for yet another promotion. (O_O)b

but do they have to always give him the lines like "and we'll stay forever young" *gulp*

 

UPDATE EDIT!

Eli has torn his knee ligament and won't be able to perform the comeback :(

This is some pretty bad luck considering he broke his hand at the start of the Shut Up promotions, and much as I really do appreciate an injured boy... (and I may or may not have a very creepy video stored somewhere of Eli with a sling... but lets move on)... I would have certainly preferred to see them all do this dance and not have to go with that awkward thing where you make someone sit in a chair at the side of the dancing looking like a total dweeb (sorry Minho, sorry Donghae..). They have apparently changed the choreography to avoid further injury to the other members : /

FURTHER UPDATE!

so, I am still loving "Neverland" but now i've listened to the album... TOO MANY BALLADS.  There are glimmers of the afore mentioned U-KISS which I adored, but ultimately... too many tracks I want to skip.  That's about as in depth as my analysis is going for today, i'm not in the mood to try and listen with an ear for constructive criticism, instead I just want to risk a knee injury and flail my arms around to Neverla-a-a-a-a-a-and a-a-a-a-and. I guess a part of me truly does miss that BRAVE SOUND "uh ohhhh, uh ohhhh".

PS. Hoping for a photo with crutches, although knowing Eli it will most likely be ruinied by some atrocious denim ware and an unwanted sleeveless shirt.  Is it too much to ask for a suit and crutches?

- BUNNY

감사합니다 / kamsahamnida!

Just a note to second the no-GIF zone apology / say thank you for the encouragement /excuse to post this:

*Kiseop*

Technically it is the next day already, so I repeat:
Only 2 frames, but the only 2 frames you need to see today.

They really have been working it hard, and so deserve a number one already!! AJ is making all the effort to make himself at home, and get close with the other members. I couldn't be happier.

U-KISS Hwaiting!!

♥ Nunas Hwating ♥

NUNAS UPDATE - SRS BSNSS

OK so Photobucket was having a massive freakout and all our precious GIFs disappeared (temporarily) but everything seems to be back in order now, but shame on you Photobucket, shame on you

-_-

If you happened to visit our blog in that time it was a terrifying sight, no GD flicking his fringe and smiling at you,  no GTOP cheek pinching, NO LEE TAEMIN APPRECIATION CORNER!?  oh and all the helpful group directory pictures went too,  it was a scary place to be. A world without GIFs is certainly not a world I want to live in...

So now to celebrate the return our of GIFs and also to give a special HWAITING to a Nuna currently studying hard in Scotland, or self motivational HWAITNG to a Nuna trying not to lose her mind in the midlands...  I'd like to reveal to you one of my finest animated GIF masterpieces to date.  Only 2 frames,  but the only 2 frames you need to see today.

♥ DONGHO ♥

Please set aside a few hours to gaze lovingly at all the glorious scans from the U-KISS "Bran New Kiss - 0330" CD booklet, you won't regret that use of time. Marvel at them here.

Also you might recall I hinted at a further update for our Anniversary celebrations, and you might have notice that didn't happen. sorry! When I have the time...

- BUNNY

Spring has sprung!

It feels like Spring may really be here - or is at least on its way. I may have left the house in the rain this morning, gray clouds hanging just above me as if I were Seungho, but it soon peaked at 13 degrees centigrade when I was walking to work (in a fur coat!!). And I checked, apparently it is even warmer in Seoul right now, at 15 degrees centigrade highs in the day. How I love Spring (I know you prefer winter Bunny, sorry). But do you want to know the best thing about Spring, the highlight? It could be the K-pop return to the rolled up trouser? Or it could be the generous adoption of pastel colours and stripes in the wardrobe department of the stylist nunas! YAY.

ZE:A have definitely been making the most out of their pastel pinks, baby blues X beige combo and some lovely meadow green too for their Here I Am comeback stages. And I have been happily watching every one of them, analysis closely Siwan's butterpfly hands etc. They may not have the coolest togs in town, lacking the Jeremy Scott t-shirt that has been doing the rounds or those lovely Louboutin rivet shoes that have appeared all over the K-pop shop, but they have been making the most of their limited budget, probably on dye to re-colour the clothes (has anyone else noticed that they pretty much seem to be identical garments, just different colours often?).

Keep up the good work, boys! I think they got an award at MTV Daum Music Festival? See them here, being adorable as ever.

U-KISS have also been making the most of the seasonal changes, in their lovely array of strips and knee high socks. I already got excited about this, but you can never give these lovely underdogs too much love - they need all the help they can get. Not least of all because they constantly tweet begging us to help them get to number 1, including voting links and all. Poor babes. I genuinely really really want them to get first place for once. ZE:A too. But U-KISS maybe even more so right now.
This bias may have a root to its cause, and it may lay, just possibly, in the 0330 MV ***starring*** Dongho in lead role. It may not be prime Spring time colours and clothes like the promotion pictures, but the Spring showers are pretty appropriate to Glasgow weather!

Welcome to my tragic love story, just to "break in my heart".

I can't even tell you how much I love this song. The twinkly piano opening matched with a random forest located actual piano, slightly reminiscent of Jane Campion's The Piano film (though not a beach this time). A piano which Dongho plays (we ignore the girl/love interest). We see him sleeping, quietly, peacefully, like an angel, sporting a wonderful stripped pajama top - my mind could not have concocted a happier image if left to its own devices. But wait a second, hang on one moment. Something I did not spot the first time, or the tenth time of viewing, and had to have my most valued Unni point out to me - Eli is watching Dongho sleep, looking over at him, meanwhile telling us to "Yo, listen up..." Excellent!!

As Hoon's vocal talent kicks in, so does the storyline, and Dongho is back in school uniform. Uh oh. And being jumped by Kiseop and Hoon. I want to be jumped by Kiseop in a subway tunnel, no fair!! Both of then arm and hands draped over Dongho's shoulders, what a pair of lovely hyungs ♥

And I really must say, I love the shimmy dance at around 1minute that AJ is impeccably rapping to - Soohyun really has it down to a tee, his lapels whipping about. And AJ has certainly mastered a fabulous shoulder shrug, fully embodying his confusion and attitude as he sings 'Because I couldn't do anything again / I regret it again everyday. I'm sorry / I pray, I want you to be back / I can't. I can't stand it. I cannot stand a day without you. / My tears are falling again." Or something along those lines.

But one question. This is a teen love story, right?? Dongho is in school uniform. But why is he handing her back fabric, fabric which I can only assume to be clothes?! Why would he have her clothes?! Such a smug teen!

Oh wait, stop the press ----------- after this comes Kiseop's one line!!

Oh tonight again, tonight again, her
Bless his cotton socks!

Dongho's rap. Wow. I think his voice has gotten lower, and it may be that he is chaneling this cocky adolescent teen in love, or it may actually be that he is cocky considering all the film roles he is simply forced to turn down these days. Whatever it is, he needs to keep doing it.

"You, drooping your shoulders
You, taking a rest on the ground
You, hitting your chest in frustration..."

And this is also where the storyline starts kicking off. Something has happen, because Eli is getting angsty, shoving Kevin and all sorts! Dongho goes from looking happy on the phone to having Eli snatch it away from him. Is Eli jealous of him (or her)? But then they all seem to gang up on Dongho, Kiseop, Kevin... Even AJ puts a hand on the shoulder, pouts whilst shaking his head and seems to says "Shhhhh". All the hyungs are crowding around. Combined with the shhhh-ing does that mean that they are actually comforting him? Who knows, someone help me work it out?

Seems like this may not be the only thing to work out. As AJ and Eli go into my second favourite rap of the song, the couple rap, another equation pops up in the form of my favourite line of the song. It is the "You make me pissed off" or "Feeling like a freak, invading my soul" of 0330:

Don't deny our r²π

Maybe this equation is actually the answer, as after this, everyone seems to be friends again... Happy times. And the couple are back on (we won't dwell here), and Soohyun lets out out a lovely long note atop a roof. Wrapped out with a last touch of forest mid-rain piano playing that is our lot. And I think I love every bit of it. I like it so much I've not even migrated to watching the "drama version" as my daily dose, not least of all because they seem near on identical to me. Maybe we can play spot the difference?

*
*
*

To end this Spring time bonanza, I would like to mention a little SHU-I. Bunny and I have a very challenging relationship with this band, partly because we find it near on impossible to identify each member. As soon as we have it down with one photograph, we look at another and it is right back to square one, even when we are sat side by side without our magical powers combined. One day I am sure they will earn their own lengthily post. However, until then, this will do - their new Springtastic Japanese debut MV Smile For Me. I am not embedding it - there is no point for a song that I will only ever "listen to" on silent from here on out. You can hear why for yourself. But look:

------Prior warning------ maximum kawaii (かわいい = Japanese for cute)------

Looks at them frolicking, handling the chihuahuas all so tenderly! Talk about a dream come true. Perfect concept.

Boys nuzzling dogs, boys cuddling dogs, dogs licking the noses of boys...!

It's a happy Spring for all.



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Postscript

Anyone for tennis?

Think that Kyuhyun and Dongho Donghae may be playing as a pair in mixed doubles. I'll partner up with Ryewook then, no problem there.

Well done stylist nunas

Just a brief post further to yesterday's unnecessary worries,

WELCOME AJ AND HOON

Stylist nunas did a great job! Bunny and I usually only complain about bad stylist nunas, mourning the loss of fringes and the like, but we have no grounds for that today. Just look at them all.

It's bowties and stripes all round! Rolled up trousers and almost a full house of fringes!

Eli doesn't even look like Eli (sorry Bunny but YAY!) and AJ may be lacking a fringe but just look how wonderfully he has matured since Paran!!! And I can see touching (almost); I can feel it - there is going to be touching.

And what a lovely power of three. Hoon does looks a whole lot like 2PM's Wooyoung here, but I am referring to the best phase of Wooyoung, so hopefully he will be safe (Bunny, thoughts?). Soohyun is totally working this selca, being the hyung and all. And AJ, well, what can I say, I am totally sold and this is by the mouth alone I realise.

What a good start to the day.

New kids on the U-KISS block

Finally, the news has come in as to who is going to, dare I say it, replace Xander and Kibum in U-KISS. If this means nothing to you, check out Bunny's post here.

First announced was Hoon.

I'm not sure how excited I am about him, but I would hate to judge a book by its cover. He has nice collar bones by the looks of it, so let's give him a chance.

A 91-er, which means he still has three years on Dongho, he's a theatre major at university, and has prior acting experience. But don't worry, he also comes complete with 'impressive vocal talent'. I should hope so! But really, the solo single he released in 2009 is total balladsville, so this best not be the direction U-KISS are heading in. Even though I did read, and am trying to forget, that they want U-KISS to bring out a ballad debut album in the U.S.?! What are they thinking. Anyway, he is a happy 180cm and is skilled at Tae Kwon Do. Also, apparently he likes basketball, snowboarding and wakeboarding, so he may be good for some variety entertainment...

As he was the first to be released, and is the-one-with-the-voice, I was hoping the next would be the wild card - the Kiseop of the new U-KISS era. But, hmm, I'm not so sure. Meet AJ.

Mullet, mullet, mullet!

Oh wait, that's not good. Try this.

The mullet remains!

Or this?

Improvement? I guess the pastel suit is a bit better.

Maybe this?

Cats usually help!! Oh well, I guess stylist nuna will have a busy time on her hands pre-(re)debut later on this month. I'm not saying he is a terror, but considering these are mainly publicity shots, from when he was in Paran (now disbanded - see why), there is work to be done. Admittedly he was around 15 or 16 I believe, and is now the ripe age of 20 (another 91-er). He went to Korea Kent foreign school, so he will be speaking some English I bet, and he is a rapper apparently, or was in Paran, so that gives us some hope musically. He is also 180cm, the same as Hoon, so there will be no bickering over shoe lifts. The only hobby I can find for him so far is 'street basketball'? Oh, and he's an A. Maybe we will end up getting on like a house of fire.

Loving U-KISS as much as I do, I will be sure to give them a try. There just best not be any horrible surprises along the way.

Kibum & Xander leaving U-KISS?! 시끄러!!

By now the Big Bang album has dropped and we are waving our "hands up high, high and low" in electro euphoria but spare a thought for the less popular groups,  the ones that are grossly underestimated and don't win the music show awards even where their hair looks great and their song is an absolute banger, i'm talking about you U U U U U-KISS. 7 member "international" boyband U-KISS (Ubiquitous International Korean Super Star) who hit us with the shocking news yesterday that Alexander and Kibum are officially leaving the group and it gets worse... they're going to ... *building looming anticipation*... add 2 new members. As further statements come out it seems that Kibum's contract was ended, sadly not by his choice, and he'll be leaving the company (in wrestling terms he's been "future endeavoured" - as in "we wish him all the best in his future endeavours" mind the door doesn't hit you on the way out) whereas Alexander (whom its still unclear whether he wanted to leave, possibly to continue his "studies" or as protest for Kibum's forced departure? as yet unsolved mystery) will remain under the management company for work on his "personal overseas experiences" (in other words they want to keep Xander because he's entertaining, good at speaking and for lack of a better word... ubiquitous).

Well facts aside, what does this mean for all the KISSMEs (U-KISS fanclub name) around the Ubiquitous International Korean world?

Much as we love to mock him and are basically confused, delighted and then repulsed by him and his eyebrow smoothing gestures, it can not be denied that the loss of Xander will affect the boys greatly.  Sure, I don't mean there will be a loss musically, honestly I don't think there will a lot of mourning for his contribution to singing, rap or dance (aside from my enjoyment hearing him rapping "being like a freak invading my soul" in "Shut Up!") but really where on else on earth, no, where in the universe are we going to find another guy like this.  A androgynous half Chinese half Korean 22 year old (who always looks 17) who speaks 7 languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese who skirts the line between completely stark raving insane and then the voice of sense and reason which guides the rabble of U-Kiss boys brilliantly as leader and can rectify even the most inappropriate press conference blunder. And then there's his contribution to Twitter, the incessant preachy Christian messages inter-spliced with self authored fan fiction with his own bandmates, the emotional outpouring of a lonely pop star, and a photo of every dessert he eats (he seems to have a sweet tooth so you often get 3 in a row... I still don't know how i've resisted not replying to him to ask if he's ever seen "Antique Bakery") and all of this in the emoticon laden writing style of a 13 year old girl. Let's not forgot those twitter interactions with his daddy dearest, wine exporter and devout christian (and very touchy on the subject of his son being compared to a hot lesbian) Antony Eusebio. I'm kind of cringing already at the thought of superdad making a statement on his beloved son's departure, don't do it Tony. I'd like it if he held back a little more and the most we should get is some father to son tweeting "I saw some chocolate Kinder Eggs today and thought of you" , like the good old days.   Anyway, it can't be denied, Xander is a talent (of some kind) and with 7 languages and the face of an exotic princess from another dimension, I feel for sure this won't be the last we see of those eyebrows, or hear of that marvelous sing song Hong Kong english voice.

Really, now I think about it, the greatest loss of all is going to be for Pops in Seoul, U-KISS's 3 English speaking members Xander, Eli and Kevin's regular hosting spot and captivating car crash hosting as MCs and VJ's on Airang TV.  You've never seen it? Picture 3 kids loaded on a diet of pure sugar and kept trapped in a radio station booth for 3 days with only stuffed animals and cue cards for company, and then have them attempt to host a programme with as much awkward reading from cue cards as is feasibly possible, throw in their complete narcissism and undeniably camp presenting techniques and you are not even half way there.  I have a headache and really can't face trying to find some of their "best" pops in Seoul work, so if you're interested this fairly tame example will have to suffice.

I have to be honest now and say I'm probably not going to miss Kibum so much (and not just because its so confusing to have 3 Kim Kibums in k-pop), I mean, he was always that one who was kind of "surplus to requirements" and... ah I don't want to be so mean, why kick a man when he's down, but frankly, if I had got his photocard at random in my U-KISS - "Breaktime" album then I would have been pissed off (as in "you make me pissed off" - thanks Eli), way worse than the time I got a Minho card in my SHINee Lucifer album and literally threw it back on the table (any readers want to swap? you gotta get me Key). You see what i'm saying? Kibum is my least favourite. With boyband's there's always that one that you kind of don't mind when the staple is over his face in a magazine, right? There I said it. I mean I don't care much for Soohyun either but somebody has to sing the songs... and Kibum is always looking so ... unfortunate. All this being said, I didn't want the guy to get kicked out of his own band?!! I admit I didn't realise it before it was too late, but I was quite attached to him and his tiny pointy chin, long neck and smirking face more than I realised (I should probably take this chance to give more time to Thunder from MBLAQ, who I also keep at an arms length in the staple over face category, and its not just his face, its his voice.. ugh don't start me off on Thunder..). The 'surplus member' syndrome is a crucial part of the k-pop boyband dynamic, what i'm saying is, he was important in his own way. and now he's left to a life of what could have been with his famous SS501 celebrity brother and their joint plush character goods venture. I wish him well. I really do. Let's remember him well with his ludicrous hair and visor pretending to eat Alexander's head.  And let's celebrate his work with the truly marvelous FUCKYEAHFUCKINGKIMKIBUM TUMBLR "KFK is an overripe cantaloupe tumbling towards irrelevance" which employs some of the finest post labeling comments i've ever seen on tumblr. I thank them for their work. lolcats indeed.

You might have noticed from my tone that saddened as I may be, I don't seem like I'm going to be losing any sleep over this particular episode of k-pop drama, and you're right. I'm a U-KISS fan but they're not my main concern right now,  I have MBLAQ's health issues to worry about, I have Big Bang comeback distraction, I'm worried that my beloved OK Taecyeon hasn't had a fringe in MONTHS, I worried about the amount of camera time Kwanghee gets every time I want to see the rest of ZE:A, I'm worried about SHINee baby dino and his girlfriend - what happened to them?   But some one out there, probably more than one person (not including Kibum himself) is crying over this and that is a tiny slice of heartbreak right there.  Kicking someone out, having another guy leave for mysterious reasons and then the cardinal sin of REPLACING them is probably not going down well with hardcore U-KISS fans,  and those fans are dedicated, I mean they have been supporting the boys from the start,  the corn rowed 14 year old Dongho (far left), Xander perm (far right), don't even talk to me about Eli, very start:

2010 and 2011 has had numerous k-pop break up / member departing drama and it seems like they still havent learned that the fans want respect and the idols want to be treated fairly.   Sure U-KISS have been around a while and they havent won anything and they're management company are probably hanging by a thread on shutting the whole U-KISS party down, but you know what NH Media management?  work with what you've got! don't got swapping people out, revolving member groups are so tacky,  Menudo, Morning Musume....  oh and don't forget "Xing" after all that's where you got Kibum and Kevin from in the first place.

As for these new members, we'll have to wait and see. I personally never understand anti fan trend of boycotting new members, I mean can you believe there was a time when people didn't want Kyuhyun in Super Junior?! and I know FT Island lost Wonbin but we got Seunghyun... why bitch about it?  and really U-KISS fans, think back,  the last time U-KISS got a new member we can all thank our lucky stars that we were graced with the vision of ulzzang perfection we all know at Lee Kiseop:

You can't be all bad NH Media. Don't disappoint me.

Would it be ok to put in requests for attractive ulzzang members?  bbjjang? that beauty off Ulzzang Shidae (the one who had to watch his girlfriend play the peppero game with Chihoon)? or maybe we could recruit some other celebrity younger brothers?? I suppose there's always the trainee cast offs from the other agencies when they get desperate,  who knows , they might strike gold and get a Yoon Doo Joon or a Hyunseung... 

Until then. U-KISS HWAITING! KIM KIBUM HWAITING! ALEXANDER LEE EUSEBIO HWAITING!  grab some tissues, time for some happy memories (set to music from a 2PM Cocacola advert...) :

 

 - BUNNY

BEST FACE is my oracle

Having spent the most wonderful few days with my Bunny bestest unnie, we discovered a whole world of fulfilled desires. His name is Park Taejun/Taejoon (박태준), and if you are anything like either of us you really will hail him as some type of oracle.

Meet the nunas' favourite ulzzang (얼짱 = "best face", a name in S. Korea given to those with the prettiest of faces who are consequently made famous for it)

Born on 3rd September 1985, and that is not a type-o, he is 26 years old.
He weighs 60kg, is 177cm tall and is blood type AB (perfect match with Bunny).
He made his "debut" as a public beauty in 2009 with the 2nd season of Ulzzang Generation.

So, at age 26, yes, he has been to the army.
And apparently he has two cats, Hyori and Angee.

He has his own shopping mall called Aboki. He is one of the main models, though he does garner modelling support from his finest array of friends at times.

Very helpfully indeed, each garment has around twenty high resolution images for you view. And the name/height/weight of your model is stated, just for good measure.

He has appeared on two seasons of Ulzzang Generation. Here he plays games of all sorts and mainly has all the fun ever. And you pretty much always find him flagged either side by his two best friends Chihoon and Jiho.

Chihoon (lighter short hair) is on the left and Jiho (longer dark hair) to the right.

It is also Taejun who created the Flower Boy Share Company, and thus the entire TV show that goes with it. You can see the first part here. In this show Taejun, Chihoon and Jiho form a company and a band under it, consisting of themselves. This is the 'story line', though really how important this is I am unsure of. They did release a single, but it is not something I can honestly boast about. Jiho does attempt some guitar playing though. However, in all truth, this programme is more about three very special ulzzangs, and how close and touching their relationship really is. Taejun is the hyung at 26 years, Chihoon is 22 and Jiho is the magnae at 21. Following suit then, Taejun is always in control of any situation.

And this is why we love and worship him. I think Bunny would agree that we have a lot to learn from him. He coerces these boys non-stop, but always for their own good. Such a responsible hyung.

There is a surprise in every episode we have seen so far, and it has not disappointed yet. Be it a communal wash (episode 1 shower, episode 3 bath), drying each others' hair, awakening three to a bed - a mess of tangled limbs, or an English charm appeal to "Dave", it is guaranteed to make you smile. And we all have Taejun to thank for this.


The only thing I do wish is that Kiseop were still a full time ulzzang, though I know U-KISS is important to him. Back in the day they were all on Ulzzang Generation, hanging out together. Seeing a time when all these beauties were united warms my festive heart. Cue the Christmas Handbells

From left to right: Kiseop, Jiho, Chihoon, Taejun.

I think this may be the one time Kiseop actually is allowed to ring the bells.

You can watch the complete handbell performance at the start here.


Please give Taejun a lot of love.

Here is his Tumblr and some bonus footage of some sweet ulzzang magnae revenge (Jiho in orange shorts).

I'm going crazy, crazy

In the wise words of Se7en:

I’m a person who never starts to apologize
I’ll shout even louder at you every time (here we go again)
There’s no way to stop our madness
I don’t know what to do
I don’t even know why we started this

No matter what I say now
You won’t listen
You don’t believe me (no~)
The love in our hearts when we first met
Where has it gone to?
Have we gotten rid of it?

I dislike how our love has changed
I’m tired of repeating our arguments everyday
Much worse than when we’re alone
Being stuck in an endless time
I don’t want to blame you for that
I guess we are going crazy~

I’m going crazy, crazy
In our love, we just going crazy


And do you want to know why I/we have gone crazy? I blame it on all the crazy co-ordinator nunas! Seriously ladies, I thought you loved our boys as much as I do - am I wrong? I can't be wrong otherwise why would you put Onew in legwarmers over his jeans, Junhyung in a giant fascintor (did you forget he is the rapper and not Yoseob! I know he is 'the joker', but still!), and this is in just one airing of Music core!

Thank god someone put Simon D in a golfing knit jumper to placate me! And the U-KISS boys were on mega touching mode to make me smile again (though these really aren't the performance outfits I had my heart set on!)

Really though, I am displacing my most intense and complex angers on these poor unfortunate souls when, in all honesty, this Music Core airing is not my main concern. What is at the forefront of my disturbed mind is the witch hunt is now on for whoever the crazed nunas are who did this to my beloved 2PM!

Seriously, what a hella headbomb travesty! Right now I am so mad that I can barely express in words my honestly heartbroken reaction to their fall from grace. Talk about some fresh hell Bunny! They look like old decrepit men in semi drag, and not in a good way but in the very worst way. Seriously boys, what the hell? You need to learn to say "NO!" to these nunas - even you yourselves must realise this is not a good look. Your last comeback was such a happy one, and now, dare I say it, I already want you to Go Away! In the words of Eli, You Make Me Pissed Off. And I'm not the only one who is mad - everyone over at omona seems to agree with me. What you should mostly be in fear of though is my very own Bunny unnie. Maybe this time it is irreparable, I just don't know. (And our dearest friend Alice, so new to the world of K, is no doubt experiencing the pains of a devoted nuna way too early on in the game - you were her favourite 2PM!) I have read that there would be more Junho in this MV and, you know what, I'm not even sure that I want more Junho at this rate. He may have come off the best out of this, along with Junsu, but that is not the point. How can these blasphemous words even come forth from me, why has it come to this?!

Let's just leave it with the fact that I am bracing myself for the 12th October, the final blow of the full MV.

We're back in the game!

Yes, yes, YES, U-KISS. Fabulous work, fantastic!
From boys 2 men indeed.

This week you have done me so proud.

You started off with the suited and booted teaser image, and I will fully admit that you had Bunny and I a little worried. Not like you'd done anything bad or terrible, just that you hadn't really done yourselves justice. And you've had time, plenty of time to think up something a little more exciting than a suit. And you know what suit says, don't you? Suit says low key and conservative, it says "I'm not dancing; I'm concentrating upon my vocals". And we all know what this means - a one way ticket to balladsville. Usually I'd say you can't really go wrong in a suit, but for some reason, you did a little, sorry. I guess the suits can come back out later, post-comeback week, when we've all calmed down a little, or you are trying to calm us.

Soohyun babes, you are just not meant to be a blonde. I call time out on that I'm afraid.

However, there were song titles to accompany this image, and Rock Ya Body certainly gave me some hope, as did the lines, "Oppa hates you!" Call me a terrible and a bad feminist, do, but this vaguely sadistic line got me riled indeed, and in the best possible way.

And then you got down to business, just like I'd hoped you would, and you hit me with this:

I just knew you'd see sense soon enough Soohyun! Thank you!! You may not be the ichiban babe in the band, but you certainly get brownie points for getting right back on track, with no if's or but's.

Excellent work, boys! I love industrial chic, and you know how well black suits you from the Man Man Ha Ni video! You are definitely learning. And yes Eli, we are both, Bunny and I, very happy to see that your full fringe beauty has been restored. No complaints here, none at all!

It must be said here that I feel as though Kiseop to U-KISS is the modern day Joe Dellesandro to Andy Warhol's Factory: it's not really for your creative skill that you are here. It's not your fault babes, it isn't; you were born with this lovely visage and body, and we are going to make darn well sure that everyone knows it. I don't doubt for a second that you have the voice of an angel, but it just so happens that you have something even more beautiful that outshines it. You may have only had one line is Man Man Ha Ni, but yours are the close ups I remember best (alongside those of Dongho, naturally).
Having been a K-pop fanatic for rather a little while now, I don't know why I didn't trust my instinct enough to know that these clothes would surely be the ones they will wear for promotions. This said, you can imagine my delight at the greeting video for Japan and the opening of their blog - the clothes in action. And when I say "in action", I mostly mean the way Kiseop's "shirt", complete with giant inverse V, clings to his body and moves so well with him. He evidently is not spared by the new rules and regulations of the K-pop stage... At least you are not the only one, Ki Kwang has also been dressed accordingly this week.

I hope you are following that, up until now, I have only good things to say. I have been waiting for the songs with baited breath. Will they live up to the industrial chic? Will Oppa really hate me? This week, just watching, and waiting...

Tonight it finally paid off and the songs are here, they arrived (or at least four did and the rest with intro), and my god you have made me happy!! After finishing My Girlfriend is a Gumiho last night I didn't think I would ever be cheered again, but I was wrong. Every single one of the four I have heard are club bangers, and I think that even T.O.P, god bless his mind body and soul, would agree. I am so happy I could kiss you (maybe even all of you).

Shut Up is giving me everything I need for a title track! I feel like dancing around and throwing my arms about violently right up until the break down kicks in, and then the throwing of shapes starts. It's just fab, everything, the whole thing. Just as the sweat get's too much, and it does, there are some sweet vocals to lower the pulse just enough to continue. I am so happy with this - hardcore electro arrangements all the way - well done boys, really well done. I just know I'm going to lose my shit entirely once there is a whole video to accompany, bloody faces and all.

Is it just me, or is there some type of sauna-esque feel to the blue lit room?! Because I can feel the heat in that room!

Light It Up is also amazing, possibly one step better than the last track!! It makes me feel as though I'm at some euphoric rave, and I may as well be on all the stimulant substances available to me - when you sing "up and down, all around" my heart really does go "boom boom boom". There is something very MBLAQ about this, and I mean that in the best possible way, not the plagiarism way.

Rock 'Ya Body starts a little slower, but really provides little respite to the party once it gets going. I really am clapping to this, all the way! So chic. Singing "Baby jus' show me what you got" with some type of snake charming tune underlaying it - why did no one ever think of doing this before. You are just so damned international.

Avatar is the hard dance hit for sure. The intro is so serious and then it drops into some type of avant-garde beat. I am so checking your style, 100 percent. The casio keyboard had me at middle C! You really do have my mind, it's yours.

Boys, I don't know which numbers you think you are going to perform in those album cover suits, but right now you could pretty much do anything and I would be ecstatic.

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!

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