Listen  to the entire thing here!

Long time no see my (now sure to be readerless) blog!!

Eh, school is kicking my butt and Kpop is full of crap atm. Tth, I’m over it.

My impromptu hiatus probably would have continued, but I just had to comment about SS501’s new album, which is so frickin’ good!!

I mean, I didn’t really like them, and aside from that BOF song, none of their previous music really grabbed me, so I really had no expectations, but holy moly!! I’m really liking this. My favorites are “Love Like This” and “Green Peas,” but all the songs have something special to them.

Rebirth is such an appropriate title with how mature and fresh this sounds. Aside from the oblig ballad in the middle, all the other songs are so peppy and fun without being gimmicky. I’ve read a lot of comments about it being boring, but I prefer to call it subtle, which is so not a bad thing right now.

I don’t wanna say the album sounds indie, cuz it so doesn’t;;; but it does sound more natural and less manufactured than what’s been coming out lately. Maybe it’s just the girl-autotune overload, but this is so refreshing and easy listening

Okay, I’m officially a SS501 fangirl now, and look at that, their music was what finally got me.

Back to my cave. Peace.

It’s…. not good.

Okay, first off, I still haven’t gotten over the disappoint of the mini album. Um, although there is the occasional EP here and there, Cpop isn’t really into halfsies. Not a cool move SJM. Not a cool move.

This album reminds me a lot of “Genie” in that there’s one great song, one decent song, and the rest are utter crap because SM knows they can get away with it. I know unconditional support is a popular sentiment among Kpop fans, and while I’ve never been able to get there, I’m pretty damn close with these guys. That’s why I know this must be pretty terrible since even through my very rose colored glasses, I’m still seeing the suck.

In fact, I”m starting to become disillusioned with Kpop in general. Sure it’s always been shallow, and that’s fine; in fact, that’s probably why I love it. However, with all the mass debuts, plagiarism accusations, and just plain mediocrity, it seems like the pop scene doesn’t really care about music anymore as long as the boys are pretty, the girls are cute, and the concept is ~^fierce^~. It’s like building a skyscraper in a swamp. It may look impressive for a little while, but without a stable foundation, it’s all gonna come crashing down eventually. Music is that foundation, and Kpop is treading in muddy waters right now.

Bleh @ late night, sleep deprived rant. I’d love to be wrong on this one.

Aside from drama, the other thing these two have in common.

Why so soap opera these days Kpop?

First off, glad the truth about Kangin finally came out. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d be stupid enough to start something with random drunk people, so that’s good. However, I’m not all that surprised that he turned out to be more than just “a witness.” Idk what it is about Kpop, especially SM, especially SuJu, but telling the whole truth seems to be an excruciatingly difficult task. Had he just been straight to begin with, I would have more sympathy. Now, it looks like he’s still gonna be charged with some shit, which is gonna be pretty damn sucky for him and SJ.

Then there’s YG’s pride and joy being formally told to stop promoting his “plagiarized” songs or else. No one (including me) really cares enough to fully analyze whether these accusations have merit, but this has proved to be a great opportunity to bash/defend him, and we all know what us netizens’ favorite activity is^^

Personally, I don’t really like GD, and after like three listens, I found Heartbreaker to be pedantic and trite (yeah, the shiny wore off real fast), however, that doesn’t automatically mean I’m gonna jump on the “he’s a copycat” bandwagon. My opinion makes no difference, but I’m gonna have to say “no” on this one. Plagiarism is a heavy accusation, and last time I checked, there’s a difference between sounding similar and sounding the same.

While I don’t think Sony has a particularly strong case, perhaps this will make people realize that YG isn’t some revolutionary force of Kpop producing innovative and dynamic music from the minds of brilliant musicians. Truth is, while I don’t think they’re copying ideas, they’re definitely inspired by concepts of western music– much more so than any other Korean company.

Eh, for both KG and GD, what’s done is done, and all that’s left is for the public to either forgive or crucify. I’m guessing this will all be old news once pictures of SNSD picking their nose come out or something. Ever since Jay, it seems like netizens are trying to think before they type, and that’s good news for everyone.

Mmmmmmmmmm No link cuz I’m lazy like that.

Still in studying hell so gotta make this quick. Fuck school and fuck SJM but for entirely different reasons.

So Jessica did make it into this mv. I find Hansica sort of weird to think about, but they were both adorables separately. Cliche plot is cliche, and pc me thinks perhaps they’re giving the wrong message. That being said, who doesn’t love hot people more, so whatever I guess.

Song is typical Korean hook song with some English and autotune. It’s different enough from “Sorry, Sorry” but netizens will probably accuse them of self plagiarism anyway. The dance is way more intricate and awesome though.

But seriously, SM needs to find a better lyricist. Chinese is such a poetic language, and they had so much potential with the lyrics. This sounds like it was written by a five year old. Eh, maybe they wanted to make it easier for the non Chinese proficient members to understand, but it no good for my ears.

EP due end of month? Still bitter it’s not a full length thing but I’ll take what I can get. Bring on the live performances!!!!

Quick post because I really need to study—

Prior to the Azn, I was pretty obsessed with tv. I used to have like a list of shows I couldn’t go without every week, and when things overlapped (because oh yes they did), I always agonized over what to watch first. I know, I know, I led a tough life O__O. Anyways, I’ve cut back a lot since those days, but I still have a couple shows I can’t go without–

Gossip Girl (season premier TOMORROW OMG!!!) Like everyone else, the only reason I watch is for Blair and Chuck, and it’ll be interesting to see them together (for a little while at least). College has a way of ruining shows like this, but I’m gonna be optimistic. I really hope Dan and Serena are over for good, Nate gets something interesting to do besides look pretty, and Vanessa and Jenny get run over by a cab. Other than that, I’m up for whatever.

House (season premier next Monday) This used to be my favorite show ever, but the last few seasons haven’t been all that great. Still Hugh Laurie can just read the phone book, and I’d still watch every week XDD. That whole hallucination crap last season was kinda lame, but House being in the psychiatric ward to kick things off should bring lots of lulz. I hope this season they give Chase and Cameron better storylines, stop with House/Cuddy, give Fourteen like negative screentime, and of course, have lots of delicious House/Wilson anything. Fingers crossed for a good season!

I also really like Entourage (when is that coming back?) and 30 Rock, but I don’t really keep up with those. Anyways, what are you gonna be viewing this season? Also, any new shows worth checking out? My roomie has been trying to get me into True Blood, but I sort of have a negatively conditioned response to vampires (see: Twilight).

Oh, and just cuz this post is not enough Korean boyband— SJM mv tonight!!!!!!!!!! laskdjfakldsjfalskdjf

No embedd cuz this needs to be watched full screen at the source!!!!

OMFG!!!!!!

It’s one in the morning where I’m at and I’m having a very hard time not running around screaming like a little girl.

Fuck it’s so hot!!!!!!!!! I can’t think properly right now because I need sleep but mostly because alskdfaskldjf teh hotness!!!

Um, okay but seriously, boys are looking good. As far as the song goes, I’m not feeling it just yet but maybe the full song will change my mind.

Yes, ICU fobby english but it’s like a SuJu trademark now and I’ve grown rather found of it

I’m guessing this isn’t the same mv as that 70’s smoke den themed one with Jessica?

What is this?!?!!?!?!?!? I love it!!!!!!1! Zhou MI! Henry! Looking so good!!!!

Not exactly the most dynamic thing ever, but it’s better than shirts with bugs and ripped leggings. Although, do they have something against wearing color in China?? Siwon’s outfit reminds me of a priest and Ryeowook looks like an angry Harry Potter but omg ♥ all!

Here’s the article about their comeback. It says they’re releasing a mini album (wtf SM????) and I think it’s gonna be out on the 11th? Either that or some other promo/teaser thing is gonna be released then. Then the mv is gonna be out on the 14th, and they’re having the Sohu chat thing on the 18th.

Oh who cares, I’m just glad I can get some regular SuJu again. With all the depression happening in Kpop right now, I could use a pick me up~~

I hope he’s happy in America, and I hope 2PM can make it through this.

That is the title right?

Anyways, long weekend so I decided to check this out.

It’s okay I guess. Better than I expected in some parts, and exactly as I expected in others. The dubbing freaked me out at first, but I got used to it. Other than that, it’s just really, really Chinese.

Breaking it down:

Plot Pretty different from the manga, and that’s probably a good thing. However, I’m so used to the original, I find myself constantly comparing this or that. I don’t think the storyline is as tight and cohesive as the original, but it has its moments. I know it’s China, but there is way, way too much focus on studying and getting good grades as a central plot point. No one denies that doing well in school a rl priority, but it makes for hellishly lame and boring tv.

Characters Bleh @ the main love triangle people and the older folk, but ♥’s all around for the remaining two boys (I don’t think they’re called F4 in this) and the older sis. On paper, the main girl should be way more annoying, but I guess it’s a testament to the actress that she’s actually tolerable ~half the time. Neither of the main guys are written well, but the main main guy is cute enough that I like him slightly more. I don’t think I’ve ever liked a Rui after Lei, and I don’t think I ever will. However, initial bias aside, this guy is just all over the place and omg shallow, but his hair needs to diaf sfm. I find the two other boys so adorable though; especially the one that falls for the main girl’s bf, he’s such a cutie!! Also, that other guy and the main guy’s sister– omg love!! Both characters are more developed in this, and honestly, I find their stories much more interesting than the main characters’. Finally, every parent/teacher needs to diaf. All too annoying in that stereotypical Chinese adult kinda way.

Filthy Rich Factor The wealth of F4 is like another important character, but this fails so hard at delivering. I get that budget is an issue, and at least all of the locations are gorgeous and fitting, but aside from that, I’m just not feeling it. The Korean and Japanese versions were obviously big budget, and the Taiwanese one wasn’t, but all the characters all did a good job of portraying the aloofness and disconnect with reality that comes with unimaginable wealth. I’m not feeling that at all with these guys, and without that, the story just doesn’t work. They just seem like ordinary, if not slightly better dressed dudes, and that defeats the purpose of the entire story.

Basically, I’m liking the side stories, and parts of the main love triangle are tolerable. If only they lightened up on the school school school aspect and made the guys’ wealth more exaggerated, I think I’d love this way more. Still, idol dramas are a big step for China. I remember years ago when MG came out, it was banned in China. Look where we are now. Idk if I have the patience to finish watching, but it’s been a fun way to kill some time this weekend.

Supposedly, SJM is coming back this week, but there’s been so little buzz idk what’s up o__O

To say I’m excited would be an understatement.

.

THIS IS HOW

EXCITED I

AM EXCEPT

MULTIPLIEDBY A

BILLION AND

ONE!!!!!!

.

In other words, very excited.

However, with excitement, also comes expectations, so here’s a list of things– trivial or otherwise, of what I would love sfm to happen with the second album.

1. No SuJu covers This is by far the thing I wish for the most, but also the least likely to occur. I read that they’re not doing “Sorry Sorry” but who knows. I loved the Chinese version of “U,” but personally, I think it’s an insult to Henry and Zhou Mi as well as to the other non M SuJu members for SJM to sing and promote SuJu songs so much. M deserves their own music as much as the main group and other sub groups do, so please at least let their main song this time be an original. Also, as a fan, I really don’t need to hear SuJu songs in another language especially if it’s not sung by all of the same people. If SJ as a whole decides to cover fine, but I never like them as much as the original anyways.

2. Have passable Chinese Okay, I’m taking off my fangirl hat for a moment, to say that I find it insulting SM debuted M when the Korean members didn’t even have a basic grasp of the language. Honestly, it’s a matter of respect for a country and their industry. It’s incredibly arrogant to go work in China and call themselves targeted toward the Chinese market, but have more than half the group not even be able to communicate without a translator. Hopefully the boys have worked on it (I can see ZM cracking the whip~), and thing will be easier this time around.

3. Go promote in Taiwan I obnoxiously wish this all the f’ing time, and I’m not going to stop. It doesn’t need to be a long promotion. Just go on YLBFB and KXLL and I’ll be a happy camper.

4. Collaborate with some Awesome Chinese Folk I’m not super in the in with Chinese singers, but the ones I’ve heard have been great (even if most haven’t been idols). SJM needs to network more. They’re not really connected with the rest of Cpop which is understandable, but not ideal.

5. Stop with the (same) Fugly Clothe For the most part, SuJu is styled quite nicely in Korea, and you rarely see them wear the same thing twice. I know it also has to do with a country’s customs, but their outfits last time around were ridiculous.

Anything you want? Idk how many of these are gonna come true. My hunch is very few