[kmusic] SHINee You’re Like Oxygen first TV performance

choco-late shares some impressions and screencaps of SHINee’s latest, finding it enjoyable and now looking forward to the MV.

SHINee’s ‘Love Like Oxygen’ « ♥pretty boy power♥

Recommended reading. There’s some talk about the new SHINee single or something like that, but what caught my eye was this wonderful quote:

KOREA TOTALLY KNOWS ABOUT MY PEDO PROBLEM.

And apparently, they encourage it. So all I can say is, “You Go (Pedo) Girl!”

Super Junior - Don’t Don!

Recommended reading. Megumi does a track-by-track review of the second SuJu album, finding some good qualities to it but overall is unimpressed by what she considers a typical Kpop boy band.

There’s a good deal of sarcasm on display, but it’s kept in check somewhat. I think if this review was dripping with it, the review’d be even more fun, but that could just be me.

J-Firsts

Recommended reading. Selryam has a great idea here, listing significant musical firsts in his personal discovery of Japanese and other Asian music. It’s an interesting list, and I think can be a useful insight towards how tastes develop and interests refined. I’d actually be interested in seeing what other people could do with similar lists…

Happy 1st Anniversary MUSIC★MUSUME
[NEXT RELEASE] melody. 1st Best Album 「The Best of melody. ~Timeline~」 2008.10.08 OUT
[NEXT RELEASE] Tenjochiki 7th Single 「Here」 2008.10.22 OUT
[NEXT RELEASE] Kamiki Aya 3rd Album 「Are you happy now?」 2008.09.10 OUT

Jpop4U takes belated note of his blog’s one year anniversary, and continues to share information for upcoming releases with track listings and covers and other related goodies. Call me crazy, but I’m thinking the title for Kamiki Aya’s new album is meant to be ironic, based on the photos of her.

Congratulations to MUSIC★MUSUME, and we look forward to another year from you!

SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 4
SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 5
SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 6

Recommended reading. These last three parts cover the second half of the huge multi-group concert, featuring DBSK, Super Junior, Tenjochiki, SHINee, Zhang Li Yin, and - in the last part - BoA. Lots of mixing between the acts, lots of boy band flesh exposed, and lots of squee-ing, as to be expected. While there arent any pictures in these posts, the enthusiasm and details are still at level eleven.

You Show Them SoHee

SoHee from the Wonder Girls does get a lot of crap. Tsukiki points out some of the ways that people hate on SoHee, from having no personality to not being able to sing. All of the criticism is unwarranted according to tsukiki. She then shares a video of SoHee dancing to Beyoncé’s “Freakum Dress.” Ok, SoHee does a good job, but it isn’t Beyoncé.

SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 1
SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 2
SMTown Live 2008 in Korea, Part 3

Recommended reading. Actually, if you’re a fan of just about any SMTown act, Highly recommended reading. One of the spazzes is in Korea and attended this huge multi-group performance. These first three parts cover the first half of the show apparently, which includes performances by Girls’ Generation / SNSD, DBSK / TVXQ, The Grace / CSJH / Tenjochiki, SHINEE, Zhang Li Yin, and Super Junior. There’s also some mixing and matching, and all of the performers perform at the end.

This is an incredible write-up - if you’re not a fan, you may get lost at certain points (I only knew Tenjochiki by that name, so the CSJH thing caught me off guard), and the fangirling may put off some people. But the details are impeccable, the enthusiasm is infectious, and there are plenty of photos to please the eye. You get a very real sense of what it was like to be there, and feel that not being there means you’re missing out on something remarkable.

Introducing…. SQUEE SUNDAY!

Raid is looking for a pun? SoS? Because Raid does need HELP.

Nevertheless, Raid has a new feature. Eyecandy posts on Sunday. I trust in Raid’s ability to find some great ones, even if he’d rather a David Beckham over a Michael Owen. The first post is of Alex from Clazziquai and some girl I don’t know.

Meilin - Meilin Story [Debut Korean Single]

Amaiyume reviews Meilin’s Meilin Story. I think that Amaiyume’s reviews work a lot better when the artist or the release are relatively unknown to the reader. Otherwise, it’ll be be a summary of an artist/release to someone who already knows what Amaiyume is talking about. In this review for Meilin Story though, I knew very little about Meilin, but Amaiyume says enough (although I sort of wish more) to make me check her out.

SMASH ~ Another new K-pop boy band on the block and OMG SHINee!

I must admit, it’s all becoming a big blur of really nice hair and pseudo-macho posturing and sensitive crooning over heavy beats and homoerotic lapses… But I also know it’s not intended for me. HSJ’s Ryo-kun IS intended for me, but that’s a whole other story.

Anyway, Sarah is quite excited by this new group as well as the much-ballyhood album debut of SHINee, and shares clips of both. The SMASH MV is what you’d expect, and done quite well, I must admit. I’d suggest you all watch it, and leave Ryo alone with me in my sick fantasies involving candle wax and a mask made of rice pudding.

SHINee 1st Album Teaser

The spazzes share a clip and squee. My favorite part is this:

can you say sexy? Yes, I really am calling boys 3-7 years (SEVEN!! *dies) younger than me sexy.

Seven years younger? Damn, that’s nothing! I’d call it child’s play but that’d just take the joke too far…

Some PV Reviews (or Do Me Haru Crazy Love?)

Tsukiki brings us reviews of three recent PVs: Amuro Namie’s "Do Me More", Big Bang’s "Haru Haru", and THE Possible’s "Ijiwaru Crazy Love". She is impressed with all three PVs despite disliking Big Bang and THE Possible.

Hyori Lee - It’s Hyorish [Volume Three]

A detailed track-by-track review of this album from the Kpop diva, except I must confess - my eyes keep wandering to all the eyecandy of Hyori acting all Hyorish and stuff. I mean, wow. That firefighter shot shouldn’t be a close-up, I wanna see her working the hose and everything.

So come for the review, stay for the smexy pics. If only Hyori had the same back story as Harisu and Lady, I could just fall in love…

Big Bang ‘Oh My Friend’ MV

The spazzes have a pretty positive reaction to the new video from the Kpop boy band, and shares a download of it and “Haru Haru”.

HANKYUNG IS THE MAN ♥

Recommended. Spazzes shares the video and some pictures of Super Junior’s HanKyung during his portion of the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay. Said idol looks extremely happy in all of these; it’s definitely worth a look.

SHINee - The First Mini Album

Gale spends a short amount of time talking about her new found love for SM entertainment’s SHINee. The group’s name is positvely daft, and the cover to the mini album - discussed in brief - shows the members donning some equally daft trousers. Although with the right get-up they’re not that quirky. The guy on the left know’s what he’s doing anway. But enough about curious trousers. The entry doesn’t really reveal too much about SHINee or the mini album, actually, but it’s a nice teaser into what to expect.

Fangirl Alert!

Recommended oggling.  Waterpixie shares some eyecandy of the Chinese Super Junior subgroup (taken by one of the members himself) and shares some 100% fangirl comments on it. 

K-popped! Passionate about Korean pop culture

Recommend for K-pop fans, fans of Korean culture in general, or the K-curious. K-popped is a Malaysian-based blog that’s a little over a year old. I found it a while ago searching for a specific article and have been watching it, but it mostly covers stuff just outside my area of what I want to write up. Besides covering acts like the Wonder Girls and Lee Hyori, there’s reviews of dramas, movies, fashion, food and actual news from Korea. All very well done.

rain/colbert dance off!

Well, we officially live in the Twilight Zone. There’s nothing to do but get used to it. Angry Asian Man finds nothing to complain about in this clip from the Colbert Report; Colbert’s own justifiably huge ego gets damaged, and I can’t even come up with a decent pun. Stunning.

Step It Up feat. BoA - by Tsuki

Tsuki starts a new feature, noting artists who are on the wane (Step It Up) as well as those at their peak (Game On). The series starts with an assessment of BoA ande what she can do to get out of her perceived rut.

Vivid

A track-by-track review that basks in the “happy, sugary, semi-cheesy pop songs” that fill this release.

BoA - Vivid

wiro notes how much BoA looks like her younger self on the covers and recommends the entire single.

So Hot

A track-by-track review of my favoritest current song, making note of how knowing the Korean lyrics help in appreciating its humor.

Wonder Girls - The Wonder Years

Megumi does a track-by-track review of this 2007 album, focusing on the uneven vocals and how it keeps a relatively solid effort from becoming better.

Wonder Girls are So Hot…for JYP. Wait, what?

Recommended reading (and ogling, if you haven’t yet seen the “So Hot” PV). Chiakii dissects the Wonder Girls in true snarky style, alternating between compliments and humorous, direct criticism. It isn’t as if she’s being needlessly sarcastic, though: every point she makes is dead-on. It’s a great post to start your day with, even if you’re not a fan of the Wonder Girls.

Wonder Girls - So Hot

Groove Heroine shares some information on the single, as well as two performance clips.

DBSK Shanghai Concert

The spazzes share some photos of the popular Kpop crossover band, now making their way into the hearts of many a Chinese fangirl.

It’s the RELLA COMPLEX

At Good Morning! Junior, Yopotan makes the obvious comparison between High-King’s C/C and Super Junior’s Kim Heechul. (Well, it’s obvious if you’re me. Or her. Or someone else who likes both Suju and Momusu. Okay? Okay.) She also shares her thoughts on the single, and some pictorial proof that Heechul’s and Takitty’s dancing skillz are also very similar. Just humor me and take a look at the GIFs of Heechul, okay? You need to know this man. And then yeah there’s that H!P stuff too. (XD)

Yoo Bin taking a break from rapping

Recommended ogling and reading. Kchanstar not only has a smoking hot picture of the Wonder Girl rapper, but a very informative piece on how Yoo Bin has strained her vocal chords again and needs to take some time off. She then goes on to share news of what the Wonder Girls have planned in their upcoming schedule.

Boybands And Their Cover Originality!

blackmager considers the cover artwork of a few boybands and finds them repeatitve. However, it is not entirely widespread, as blackmager finds AAA covers to be fun and much more lively than the given examples from the likes of Arashi and KAT-TUN.

It has to be a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” What one person may consider boring and dull, another make look at difference expressions, hairstyles or fake eyebrows and find originality. However, to me, it seems appropiate that these album covers are considered unoriginal. After all, much as we love it, pop music can be extremely repeatitve and unoriginal.

Tohoshinki- Beautiful You / Sennen Koi Uta - Vox

Kahori has a solid review of the latest release from the Kpop boy band, noting how it continues their new mature image but not finding it especially outstanding.

On the Radar–SHINee

Recommended reading. sauder has a nicely detailed introduction to the latest Kpop boy band, focusing not just on the eyecandy but also on the sound and fashion. I especially appreciated the comments on the pants…

Vivid music!

A track-by-track review of the latest single from BoA which finds the upbeat mood of all three tracks quite enjoyable, even with the Bad Engrish.

Most conceited song of the year

Recommended reading. An excellent review of the new Wonder Girls song and PV, noting the arch irony of in “So Hot” but also noting the controversy in such an approach among foreign as well as Korean fans. All I know is, those pictures of SoHee feel very much like true love to me… truly depraved, disgusting, lock-me-up-for-what-I’m thinking love.

Into the New World

Charmy gives a short introduction into the Korean girl group SNSD, although I just stick with the Girls’ Generation name. Anyway, one night in IW chat with an eager Charmy ready to pounce on me with Korean girls - no, I dont want to phrase that better - and now I’m hooked. The ‘Kissing you’ song is my favourite so far, and it’s on show with a few other PVs on the post.

Charmy is quite taken with Tiffany, who I’m apparently not allowed to have. Not that I could anyway, but somehow imaginary ownership means something. I mean, not that my house mates know who Kamei, Sayu, Jun Jun or Nissy are, but they’re bloodly well not getting supporter rights for them! Such a complex world…or simply a complex, this idol worshiping thing. Anyway it’s a nice starting point into a group that might just win your hearts.

So Hot, you’ll get hooked!

Rift shares information and the MV for the latest from the Kpop girl group, emphasizing the parodic undertones of the video.

New SM Group: SHINee (샤이니)

The spazzes introduce a new boy band from SM, SHINee, and does the appropriate squee-ing over it. As for the question posed:

Do you think SM has a nursery? Where they’re training kids starting from birth?

Remember the SuJu visit to the orphanage?

Koda Kumi - Last Angel Feat. Tohoshinki [38th Single]

blackmager wonders if anybody else likes this release, and explains what’s so good about it.

To be or NOT to be - That is the QUESTION! ~Updated~

Recommended reading. Apparently, the attempt to break into the United States has been placed on hold. Strawberrie breaks the news and opines that BoA can at least go back to Korea for a while.

BoA to release “concept single”

So I’m guessing this is like a concept album but not so long. And I’m also guessing that theme of “Vivid” will not be tied into the famous American adult video company… which is a shame, but wouldn’t THAT be great way to crack the American market?

SuJu Visits Orphange

Recommended ogling. It is definitely an adorable image of four SuJu’s holding babies… but why do I keep thinking they’re recruiting for future members?

Guest alert: Carl Hiaasen AND Rain to be on Monday’s ‘Colbert Report’
Spoiler alert: Photos from the Stephen Colbert-Rain showdown

According to Stephen Colbert news/fansite No Fact Zone, Korean pop star Rain has been confirmed to be appearing as a guest on the May 5, 2008 episode of “The Colbert Report.” The rumor that he would be a guest last Monday turns out to be semi-true- he was there that Monday to pretape his segment, and the pictures of that are in the second link. It’s really exciting to see Asian pop music being promoted in a positive way, especially on such a popular show. Maybe Rain will be the first Asian artist to become successful in the States?

Unsubstantiated rumor of the day: K-Pop star Rain to appear on ‘The Colbert Report’ 4/28?
RAIN will go to STEPHEN COLBERT show in NY

No Fact Zone, the biggest Stephen Colbert fansite, as well as Rain’s members-only American fan blog (as reposted for everyone to see in the second link), is reporting that Korean pop star Rain (or Bi, if you prefer) may be on the April 28 episode The Colbert Report. This has yet to be confirmed by Comedy Central or by Rain, but if this is true…wow!

For those not in the know, Stephen and Rain have a long standing feud, stemming from the Time 100 as voted on by the people. Rain came in first last year, with Stephen in second, prompting Stephen to make this video, a parody of Rain’s video for “How To Avoid The Sun”. The Time 100 voting has come again, and Rain and Stephen’s fans are in fierce competition. Rain appears in the upcoming Speed Racer movie, so stopping off at the Colbert Report for promotion doesn’t sound that unlikely.

Super Junior: Thoughts On Future Subgroups (With H!P References Strewn Throughout)
H!P Kids Rankings

Nic’s first post comes up with possible Super Junior subgroups and what they could do. Although I don’t know a single SuJu member besides Heechul, I really enjoyed this. Reading Nic wish for certain members to get more spotlight and lines is very similar to how lots of blogs talk about H!P. In fact, Nic compares suggested subgroups to H!P groups. It’s a method that I’ve seen before with Aitakatta and one that really works, especially for people who don’t go off and learn all about the idols of these groups.

H!P Kids Rankings is pretty self-explanatory. That Hello!Blog ranker is still floating around and is used here. Nic’s thoughts are also thrown in between rankings. It breaks my heart reading about yet another dismayed Megumi fan.

[Article] Collab Creation Dreams…Ran’s Ver.

Ran of Pink Wota is inspired by fellow PW blogger Vee to come up with her own J-Pop/Western Pop dream collaborations. Her tastes are very different than Vee’s, but she still explains her choices thoroughly. While I’m not crazy about all of the artists, I love the idea of MoMusu with Ashley Tisdale- I’ve always thought of the High School Musical kids as the Disney equivalent of MoMusu, and Ashley in particular reminds me of Charmy. The last dream collaboration is very interesting as well, since she selects an artist that doesn’t fit with her previous choices.

Don’t Stop!

Recommended reading. Nic describes this blog as fangirling on Morning Musume, Super Junior, and some other acts to a lesser degree. The writing is lively and backs its opinions well enough, and there’s lots of screencaps and animated GIFs. Definitely worth a look.

I especially like the SuJu / Harry Potter connection.

Tohoshinki - Beautiful you / 千年恋歌 [22nd Single]

A track-by-track review that emphasizes the difference between the two ballads on this release, with the first song more mature-sounding while the second is more traditional.

Hankyung @ Olympics Event

Some photos of the SuJu favorite, representing his country. I wonder what his stance is on Tibet…

[Single] Younha: Touch / Yume no Tsudzuki

A track-by-track review of this 2005 single, which is deemed weaker than most of Younha’s other singles.