K-Pop Bias Battle with KOKO Culture

Hello peoples! I finally have some koreaboo friends close by. Yay! #kpopforlife
Anyway thanks to these awesome friends I can talk about Korean entrainment and they actually know what I'm talking about. In the spirit of sharing our enthusiasm we've started a YouTube channel called KOKO Culture. On our channel we'll talk a lot about our kdrama and kpop obsessions but there will also be videos about our lives as Koreaboos in New Orleans!

We've already posted our first video.
Check it out: KOKO Culture | K-Pop Bias Battle

REVIEW: Pretty Man or Bel Ami

**This review contains spoilers**

I'll start off this review by saying that I absolutely loved this drama. It was so funny and endearing that I was even able to convince my sister to watch it with me. Thankfully she enjoyed it as much as I did, which makes me think that this drama is a great suggestion for any K-Drama newbies.

There were so many classic K-Drama elements to enjoy from the evil mother/vice chairman to the inevitable and sometimes painful-to-watch love triangle. On top of that it had a pretty spectacular cast that included Jang Geun Suk and IU. What more can you ask for right? I'll be honest, not every single moment was a hit, but overall it is a drama worth watching.

WHAT I LIKED:

The very first thing I enjoyed was IU's character Kim Bo Tong. She was exactly like any K-Drama fan imagining life with one of their favorite actors. She was special (in a good way) from the start and thankfully she never really lost that even though she did mature throughout the series.

I also liked the relationship she had with Ma Te. I know most people would disagree with my sentiment of her creepy obsessive stalker mentality being cute, but it worked on her. One reason why it worked is because Ma Te let her do it and he showed the audience that he cared for her even if he didn't love her. At first I was worried that their relationship would be him taking advantage of her feelings for him and her letting him, but it developed into a pretty meaningful friendship that then developed romantically (which we all saw coming).

I like Jang Geun Suk's smile. As pretty men go Mr. Jang is one of the prettiest, however I wouldn't say he is the prettiest man in the world. For much of the drama I refuted that claim when I saw him. However, when he smiled he looked so great. He's definitely his prettiest when he's smiling.

The best thing about the show was it's level of comedy. Many romantic comedies don't actually have that many purely comedic moments but this one did and I liked that. One of my favorite moments was when Ma Te drew on Bo Tong's face. When David told her about it instead of being mad she was happy that he touched her face. It was hilarious, but it was only one of many moments that had me laughing.

Na Hong Ran was a great villain. The writers did a good job at not making her a sympathetic character at all. Even when she had the chance to receive sympathy she gave it up, so there was never a moment when I actually felt sorry for her. However, I did like that she redeemed herself a touch. It wasn't enough for us to start liking or even forgiving her but it was step in the right direction.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
Choi David was overall a really likable character. He was so cute whenever he smiled and his adoration for Bo Tong was endearing, but toward the end he became a little pathetic and a little creepy. The fact that he named his car "Bo Tong" and called her his baby was really pushing it. And telling her that he doesn't care if she loves him was just sad. I never like the second male lead stooping to such painful lows. Even when the girl you like doesn't like you back: maintain your dignity, if that's all you can do then do it. He kind of gave his up, but he got shreds of it back at the end.

Hong Yu Ra as the mentor/ex-sister-in-law/manipulator. It's not so much that I didn't like the character, but there wasn't really a point to her being there. She just barely moved the story. I understood at the beginning why she was needed but toward the end she wasn't as necessary (which is probably why she "left"). To me they should have either kept her consistent or not used her at all.

All the secret children. **SPOLIER ALERT** The chairman was a very busy man, if you know what I mean. Out of no where David is his son and Ma Te is the chairwoman's son and I am like "WHAT?!" They played it off really well though. The writers did a good job exposing all of these details however, at a certain point I had a hard time knowing what to believe and keeping up with who was related to who.

At the end of this series I was pretty satisfied especially considering that it was funny all the way to the end. The ending was too sappy or vague so I enjoyed it.

I know this drama is kind of old now, but if you haven't seen it I highly suggest it. I know I gave away some pretty big details but if you're a true kdrama fan so you actually care about that part. Spoilers are half the reason I start watching dramas.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this drama or will enjoy this drama as much as I did.

REVIEW: Ex-Girlfriend Club

Ex-Girlfriend Club was sadly cut by a whole four episodes, from 16 to 12. However, the sudden ending didn't seem empty and I got what a wanted, a happy but still funny ending.

I was really looking forward to this, mostly because of the cast. Song Ji Hyo seems to act in something like once a year these days so I really needed to see this show to support her. Also, this is Byun Yo Han's first leading role since enchanting us in Misaeng so I had to support him too. However, they were only two of the many acting jewels that were a part of this production.  For the full cast list CLICK HERE. Now let's get into the review.

Synopsis: A film producer, Kim Soo Jin, and a manhwa (comic) writer, Bang Myung Soo, who were once inseparable friends meet up again after a long break to make a movie based off of the comic. Everything seems to be pretty standard but Soo Jin's company is in danger of going under and if that wasn't enough Myung Soo's exes want a say in how the movie goes. Obviously this will result in some frustrating but also hilarious situations. 

Things I Liked:

1. The relationship between Kim Soo Jin and Bang Myung Soo. They're friends! I know it seems impossible but at the beginning of the show these two are adorable friends that reminisce about good times and fight like only real friends do. That adorable friendship or at least elements of their friendship remained to the very end and that made for a very enjoyable and realistic show.

2. The ex-girlfriends. As irritating as it would be for your exes to come out of no where and try to control you, your friend, and your project years after breaking up, these were not your usual exes. All three women were tough in their own right. The three exes had strong minds and strong opinions and they never missed a moment to share them. It was also really hilarious to see how three exes of the same man interacted with each other. There was a bit of cat fighting but also a bit of understanding and encouraging.

3. Kim Soo Jin. I don't think Song Ji Hyo plays weak characters. If she has I haven't seen it so it's no surprise that as cute as her character is she wasn't going down without a fight. Kim Soo Jin was the perfect example of what most women are like in real life. They can be sweet, but they also have their own standards and expect the people they hang out with to uphold those standards to a certain degree. Soo Jin was sweet most of the time but she definitely didn't stop herself from getting angry if need be. Toward the end of the show her character was mostly on the sweet side, but if things start to work out how you want in your life wouldn't you be on the sweet side too?

4. Bang Myung Soo. He wasn't the super mean jerk or the sweet pushover. He was a normal guy with normal feelings and it was great to see him get attention. Like Soo Jin, Myung Soo was like an actual human: he was sweet, he was outspoken, and he was hilarious. I guess it was the webtoon writer in him but he had a lot of comedic sense which also made the show very enjoyable to watch.

5. Understandable villian(s). There may have been more than one antagonist depending on how you look at the show. However, none of them were so bad that you were hoping someone would come out of no where and just kill them off. They were normal. They became mean because of understandable situations and they were a tolerable amount of mean. It all made sense!

6. The theme song. One of the best theme songs I have ever heard. It's a folk and synth mix that is bouncy and playful and perfect for the show as well as summer. Check out Variegated by Jannabi.

What I Didn't Like:
Basically my main complaint with the show it that it was cut short. I felt that the cut didn't completely harm the series overall but it did have some effect on it. The flow in the last few episodes became really weird. It wasn't a major problem nor was it super obvious but as a fan of the show I could see that some things were altered from the original plan. I really wish that the show could have kept its run despite the low ratings. It was such a great show and for it to be cut like that was really frustrating.

I think the keywords for this drama are normal, sensible, and funny. The drama wasn't an epic melodrama or anything but it had a lot of good moments and a good cast that made it enjoyable to watch. It was perfect for the sweet days of spring and the dog days of summer, and if you've been wanting to watch it fall isn't too late. 

If you're looking for a drama that you can just watch without aging or feeling exhausted after every episode then I recommend this show. The best part is that now that all the episodes are out, it can be marathon-ed. I think this is one of those underrated dramas that only people who don't fantasize about living in k-dramas can appreciate. If you're looking for a good show to marathon then I recommend this one. 

Mini Movie Reviews: 2011 (Part 1)

Death Bell
Year Released: 2011
Cast: Nam Gyu Ri, Kim Beom, Lee Beom Soo, Yun Jung Hee, Lee Chae Won, Moon Woong Ki
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: A murderer lurks in the school halls seeking revenge for a student's wrongful death.
Mini Review: Not the scariest of movies but definitely suspenseful. It had a lot of layers to it that I didn't expect. It was a good movie especially for those of the mystery or thriller genres.

You're My Pet
Year Released: 2011
Cast: Kim Ha Neul, Jang Geun Suk, Ryu Tae Joon, Jung Yoo Mi, Choi Jong Hoon, Kang Ha Neul
Where I Watched: Hulu
One Sentence Synopsis: A man becomes a pet for a lonely woman.
Mini Review: This movie would have been kind of weird without the whole "pet" part, but even with that part it was weird. There was no fluidity and it was irritating seeing the female lead choose between two guys because she wasn't really good enough for either. Also, the musical scene was really horrible, but it did have some funny moments.

Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow
Year Released: 2011
Cast: Kim Myung Min, Han Ji Min, Oh Dal Su
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: Korea's first detective tries to solve the mysteries behind corrupt officials.
Mini Review: I really can't explain how I felt about this movie after watching it. I thought it was going to be really great but I was kind of disappointed. It had some great elements and great moments but they never really came together. The thing that probably confused me the most was the sort of haphazard introduction of the Christian faith as a source of strife. It's not that I am confused that they chose to use it, that part makes sense, but the way it was brought up in the movie wasn't always fluid and the end really threw me off. It's a movie that I am willing to watch again to see if I get it better, and it's a movie I would recommend to other fans of Korean dramas/movies to see if they can explain it to me.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: May to August

Eat by Zion.T - Zion.T has always delivered great songs. The beauty in his work is it's simplicity. He manages to stir up emotions and even get the party going without a whole lot of extra sounds and equipment. This song is a perfect example of that. It's a bit stripped down but it's the perfect song to express longing and love.

Pray by Babylon - It was inevitable. After being a part of many successful songs as a feature artist he was bound to fly solo. I like Babylon most for his strong vocals. Dude can hold a note and that was definitely proven through this song.

Mannequin by Primary - I am so happy that Primary is back! This song is of course in Primary's typical retro R&B/Funk sound but Beenzino and Su Ran manage to make it feel new. Also, the lyrics are a bit more trendy than what I usually expect from Primary songs.

Playback by Playback - A really cute debut track. It has a retro R&B sound to it but it's accompanied by sweet vocals so it still has a pop feel.

Sold Out by Yankie - "Sold Out but we never Sold Out!" Great hip hop song with several amazing features and one awesome message to haters.

Ah-Ah by Teen Top - I really enjoy listening to Teen Top because their harmonies are so beautiful so I was pretty excited about this song. They didn't disappoint. they delivered a fun track that is just as well sung as any of their slower songs.

Bang Bang Bang by Big Bang - How could you not like this song? It's the perfect summer jam in so many ways. It gets you so hype and just when you're about to reach the max they slow it down in the chorus. It's electronic heavy so it runs the risks of sounding like a lot of other songs but luckily Big Bang is fly enough to keep it fresh.

If You by Big Bang - Such a beautiful song. Makes you wanna cry just listening to it, let alone when you actually raed the lyrics. I must say that my favorite part of this song was T.O.P. opening it up. At this point I still don't think T.O.P. is that great of a singer but he sounded really nice in this song.

Variegated by Jannibi - I wouldn't usually include OSTs, but this is one of the best k-drama theme songs I've ever heard. It's folksy, and bouncy, and perfect for a light summer drama.

View by SHINee - *cue the fan girl scream* I love this song. It's pretty trendy so I am familiar with the EDM based sound but thankfully SHINee gives us better vocals than most EDM works so the sound is taken to another level.

Kiss My Lips by BoA - One of the Queens of Kpop is back and she is AH MAY ZING! The song has a great R&B undertone while still being trendy enough for the pop side. Love it!

Awesome by N.Flying - I really enjoy the rock/hip hop crossover. It's not a completely unfamiliar concept but I think it was the perfect way to finally introduce N.Flying. I like the fact that nothing about them is gimmicky. They can really play their instruments and rock out, and they have decent rapping skills. So, I am excited to see a lot more from them.

Get by Urban Zapaka - A great song! I like that Urban Zakapa can take their sound and add Beenzino to make it even more accessible. I've only listened to a few of their songs but it seems that they usually go more for ballads. I like that this song is a bit more trendy and upbeat.

Trauma by Eun Ji Won - This song reminds me of so many R&B songs from my childhood, so I kind of fell in love with it for that reason. Also, I think Eun Ji Won sounds really good singing songs like this.

Over & Over by Pippi Band - The video is going to weird you out a bit, but once you get pass that you get a really awesome song. Zion.T featuring is just the cherry on top. If you like with synth-rock and are excited for the return of 80s music then this is the song for you.

Mirror by MBLAQ - As sad as I am to see a 3-member MBLAQ instead of a 5-member MBLAQ, I have to say that G.O, Mir, and Seungho held it down and released a good song.

My House by 2pm - The video is really good, the mix of fairy tales and 2PM's undeniable manliness is enough to make any girl fall. I think Jun.K did a great job with the song also.

Blue Horizon by Cokejazz & Hoody - You can blame my following Jay Park on Instagram for introducing this gem to you. Synth-pop with a touch of jazz, the perfect song for a chill summer drive. Also, if you're wanting to hear more Hoody, who is being dubbed the new queen of underground R&B, I suggest listening to her song Baby Oh Baby.

Um Oh Ah Yeh by Mamamoo - Mamamoo returns with their signature retro sound and a completely crazy and fun video.

OMG by JJY Band - I probably shouldn't endorse this song, but what can I do? I just love Jung Joon Young's voice, I like that he chose a more fast pace rock song this time around too.

Listen by Khalil Fong - So Chinese R&B may not exactly count as "kpop" but I had to tell somebody how much I like this song. If not for Crush including Khalil Fong's "Love Love Love" in his Melon Playlist I wouldn't have ever found out about this great artist. I like that he has yet to count out real instruments even if he does include electronic sounds here and there, plus he has a really sweet voice that works with slow ballad, upbeat tracks, and multiple genre fusions.

7E77 ME B43Y by Seulong - I really like the sound of this song. I can't quite explain it (synth-R&B?) but it's just perfect, not only for Seulong's voice but also for the lyrics of the song.

My Everything by Bumkey - Funny how impending jail time can make you want to release an amazing love song. I love this song, it's what R&B should sound like and of course it doesn't hurt that Bumkey has one of the best voices in music today.

Bassline by Nuol ft King Kong & Huckleberry P - This song is dope for a whole host of reasons but my number one reason is that the rapping surpasses even the most talented and prominent Korean rappers. This is a must listen--straight fiyah from beginning to end.

Dope by BTS - If we're being completely honest with ourselves, then we would say that this song is like most of BTS's songs so as awesome as it is it's a bit too familiar. However, BTS never fails at their crossover songs so it has to be said that as familiar as the song is, it is still quite good. Especially if we consider the number of rookie groups putting out similar songs with less fire.

It's Okay by BtoB - I've been a fan of BtoB for some time now, so I am happy that they are getting more and more attention for their talents. This song is so well sung, it's just about ridiculous. Listen to them runs, that harmony, you'll fall for them in no time. I even think that the rap part is stellar.

My Last by Jay Park - This song stole my summer. It was the first song I wanted to play whether I was escaping the heat at work, taking a drive, or playing outside. It is not only well produced but I also enjoyed Jay Park's singing and rapping, Loco's rapping, and Gray's sing-rapping. The perfect summer jam especially for Korean R&B/Hip Hop lovers like myself.

Just Right by GOT7 - I love this song for so many reasons. The video is fabulous and the message is sweet. But I think the thing I like most about it is how fresh the sound is for GOT7. Also, I noticed that they are constantly maturing their sound, so I am proud of them.

Love Me by Melody Day - I like the retro sound and even though the lyrics are a bit typical, the girls sound really good.

Party by Girls Generation (SNSD) - At first I found this song to be a bit of a let down, just because it sounds like so many other songs. However, I can't deny that it is a perfect summer jam.

Comes and Goes by Hyukoh - I am pretty proud of myself for being into this band before they truly came into prominence. They're great for the fact that they really just put out the music they like and somehow it works. From Ohhyuk's one of a kind voice to their unique mix of genres, they're really a great gem especially for people who are moving out of the pop world. I like this song because even though it's basically indie rock, it does not feel as exclusive as most indie rock songs. It's a type of sound that fans of several genres outside of rock can enjoy.

Champagne by Yunho (TVXQ) - As sad as it is to welcome a life without Yunho being active in entertainment I like that his last track was a fun party track and not some sort of sad goodbye song.

Married to the Music by SHINee - SHINee's ode to 80s pop, particularly the music and video of Michael Jackson, is enough to get any party started, so it was a great track to close out the summer to.

Devil by Super Junior - First off, I must say that the video is awesome. I love summer action movies and this was the perfect time to release a video like that. It's the perfect accompaniment to the song. The song is really great. I can't pinpoint what genre or sound they are pulling from at the moment but it is a welcome change for the group.

Gotta Go to Work by BEAST - A sweet song that perfectly fits BEAST's maturity level.

Don't be Shy by Primary - I love the reggae sound but my main reason for liking this song is ChoA's
pretty stellar vocals. To me it's easy for talent to get lost in kpop groups, I like that she was able to
show off on her own with this song.

Won & Only by Simon Dominic - Simon D is back and bringing good old school hip hop back. And if you just can't get enough of Tablo's daughter, Haru, then I suggest watching her in this video.

Hooka by Hyukoh - This song is quite different from Comes and Goes and yet I'm still a fan. Hyukoh's voice is a bit difficult to come by in this genre but it fits perfectly with not just the more metal based instrumental but also the thoughtful lyrics.

Kontrol by Kim Sung Kyu - I just found it hard not to like this song. Sung Kyu has a great voice and this song showed that off very well.

New Rasta Virus by Rude Paper - Reggae is starting to gain a lot of traction in Korea these days. As someone who grew up listening to reggae it's really fun to hear Korean artists take on the genre and add a smooth hip hop flair to it. I really should listen to modern reggae artist from the west.

Lion Heart by SNSD - Still loving the retro sound that a lot of girl groups are taking on these days. Sometimes it's hard for me to get into SNSD because they don't have anyone in a lower range to round out their sound in the chorus, but I think that it worked out with this song. Video was so cute!

You Think by SNSD - They went for a bad girl image and killed it. The song is quite trendy but it doesn't work against them. It is very reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s R&B songs.

Sweet Girl by B1A4 - I like this sweet song that shows off B1A4's vocal talent as well as how effortlessly they can switch genres.

Bad by Infinite - It's in Infinite's go-to 80s electronic pop-rock sound, but they always manage to have an edge that other groups just don't have when trying to use this sound.

My Favorite, Recent K-Pop Trends

OG COMEBACKS 

From g.o.d to Jinusean, many K-Pop originators have been releasing new music putting the youngsters to shame with reminiscent tracks that not only attract the older K-pop fans but also excites the newer generation.

HIP HOP/R&B

That's right, this has become a trend in K-Pop. Though a lot of K-Pop songs have always had a rapping portion or some sort of R&B influence, these days that influence is getting stronger and stronger. Whole groups have been composed with the main members being rappers instead of singers. Also Hip Hop and R&B singers that long dwelled in the underground indie scene are starting to get a lot more attention.

90's THROWBACK

A lot of songs these days have a 90's sound to them. However the 90s sound isn't exactly from Korea, instead it's more in the vain of American 90s R&B and Hip Hop. Though there are similarities between the two countries, 90's American R&B and Hip Hop has a more grimy street vibe where as 90's music from Korea has a lot of pop twisted into it. Either way, there are a lot of great songs that have taken on this sound. One of my favorites is Life by Rubber Soul. 

SINGLE SUB-UNITS

These days instead of someone being the featuring artist, artist are creating sub units for one single. The trend seemed to pick up serious steam after Soyu's successful collaboration with Junggigo for Some and now the collabs won't stop. The most recent example of this is Jimin N J.Don of FNC. Of course, who can forget GD X TAEYANG, one of the best collabs of 2014.

SOLO ALBUMS/PROJECTS

A lot of talented group members have been flying solo. Some even have solo tracks on their group's album. With the formal introduction of band members' stellar talents many fans have been impressed over and over again by not just veterans but also rookies.

Trends that should stop:
1. Rookies: Is it just me or is there like a new rookie group every week these days. I like that more and more people are debuting and getting into the rotation sooner rather than later, but there's so many that it is hard to keep up with which ones are which. Also I think a lot of them can get lost in the shuffle. I've been trying to stay on top of it as much as possible but as soon as I grab one, another one knocks them out. I think agencies should slow down a bit and really look for the most optimal time to release their new artists. From their standpoint that might be exactly what they're doing but I'm not so sure that peak season is always the best season.

2. Nonsensical videos: I really hope that music videos in general will start to match the songs at least a little bit. There's nothing wrong with an artistic video or a video that showcases the good looks and smooth moves of a group but I think that a great music video could be made with sticking to a cohesive and thought provoking story line too.

3. Disbandment & Member Losses: I know am not alone in hoping that the groups that are together stick together until the end. I know that sometimes people have to think of themselves first but it's so sad to see your favorite groups get shaken up and broken down. It's sad and I hope that it doesn't happen too often this year because last year was crazy.

Trends that I'm Excited to See:
I am hoping that as 2015 progresses that there will be a rise in Rock music from Korea. It's already starting with the comebacks of F.T. Island and Lee Moon Sae. And you can't forget the solo debut of Jung Yonghwa. Also, last year we saw the return of 10cm and other residents rock groups of Korea. Jung Joon Young made an awesome comeback recently and the Indie band Hyukoh is steadily on the rise. I think that it's safe to say that Korea is ready to rock out.

I must also note that with the debut of Hip Hop/Rock Band, N.Flying, and Rock/Hip Hop tracks from a few other groups that the mix of the two genres might be a popular one this year. I am looking forward to it.

Mini Movie Reviews: 2000-2010 (Part 1)

Korean Movies are a great break from Korean Dramas. It gives you all the subtitles and good looking actors that K-Dramas provide but in a more digestible dose. Plus, movies are an easy way to get your non-drama watching family and friends to open their minds to foreign entertainment. I've gotten more into watching movies and I must say that I am impressed with many of the movies from Korea. Here are short reviews on a few of the movies I've seen.  

Friend

Year Released: 2001

Cast: Yu Oh Seong, Jang Dong Gun, Seo Tae Hwa, Jung Woon Tae

Where I Watched: Hulu

One Sentence Synopsis: Old friends become enemies as they get caught up in the gang life.

Mini Review: I couldn't pass up on the chance to watch a classic movie that people are still talking about. It was a good movie but it wasn't as fluid as I thought it could have been and some moments made me uncomfortable but that's what I get for watching an R-rated movie. Anyway, it was a good gangster movie and a good show of friendship and how it can change in a second.

My Tutor Friend

Year Released: 2003

Cast: Kim HaNeul, Kwon Sang-Woo

Where I Watched: YouTube

One Sentence Synopsis: A college student becomes the tutor for a high school student that is the same age as her.

Mini Review: This movie was bit hard to digest, part that might have been from the horrible quality while watching and part of it might be that it was adapted from an internet series so the movie writers decided to smash as many events as possible in the time allotted. Anyway, the pacing of events was a bit off to me, however the events that occurred were entertaining, so I think it's a movie worth watching. 

Please Teach Me English

Year Released: 2003

Cast: Jang Hyuk, Lee Na-Young

Where I Watched: DramaFever

One Sentence Synopsis: A woman falls in love with a man in her English class, but can't really get him to take his focus off their foreign teacher.

Mini Review: It was funny with just the right amount of romance added in. It was also interesting to see the process (however exaggerated) of learning English as a second language.

200 Pounds Beauty

Year Released: 2006

Cast: Kim Ah Joong, Joo Jin Mo, Ji Seo-Yun, Sung Dong Il

One Sentence Synopsis: A romantic comedy that takes a fat girl to a skinny pretty girl with a lot of plastic surgery.

Where I Watched: Hulu

Mini Review: It was funny and endearing. It also gave thoughtful commentary about the pressures to be thin in the entertainment industry despite being talented.

My Tutor Friend 2

Year Released: 2007

Cast: Park Min Ki, Lee Chung Ah

Where I Watched: Hulu

One Sentence Synopsis: A Korean college student tries to tutor a foreigner living at his dad's boarding house in Korean.

Mini Review: For the most part this was a cute and funny movie, there was only one event that threw it off for me. Park Min Ki's character, Jong Man, is supposed to have been a really great boxer but gave it up. The event that kind of hindered the flow of the movie, to me, was when he returned to boxing. It was a bit out of place, other than that I thought it was a fun movie. 

Crazy Waiting

Year Released: 2008

Cast: Son Tae Young, Jang Geun Suk, Jang Hee Jin, Danny Ahn, Yu In Young, Kim Sam Ho, Han Yeao Reum, and Woo Seung Min

Where I Watched: YouTube

One Sentence Synopsis: Four couples try to stay together as the men serve their mandatory military service.

Mini Review: This was another movie that I felt lacked flow. I know that it was in the anthology style focusing on multiple couples at one time so it wasn't going to be the most fluid movie, but I still feel there was a way to make the movie less choppy.

19-Nineteen

Year Released: 2009

Cast: T.O.P., Seungri, Huh Yi Jae, Kim Young Ho

Where I Watched: DramaFever

One Sentence Synopsis: A coming of age tale of three teenagers accused of murder.

Mini Review: I consider this a good starter movie and Big Bang fans will be pleased with T.O.P and Seungri's acting skills. I thought it was well written and I thought it was very relatable. I am no longer 19 but I still feel growing pains as I am moving into adulthood. I thought this issue was addressed in a very creative and suspenseful way.

Mr. Idol

Year Released: 2009

Cast: Park Ye Jin, Ji Hyun Woo, Kim Su Ro, Lim Won Hee, Jay Park, Jang Seo Won, Kim Randy

Where I Watched: Hulu

One Sentence Synopsis: The pains of becoming an idol condensed into a movie. 

Mini Review: It was pretty predictable, but I still enjoyed watching it. It addressed common place problems within the music industry in Korea, so the situations that came about and how they were resolved weren't necessarily shocking but the movie was well written and the acting was pretty good. I wished they would have addressed the stories of the other boy band members a little more.

My Girlfriend Is an Agent

Year Released: 2009

Cast: Kim Ha Neul, Kang Ji Hwan, Jang Yeong Nam, Ryoo Seung Ryo

Where I Watched: Hulu

One Sentence Synopsis: Two exes meet again as enemy agents.

Mini Review: This movie was hilarious. I laughed the whole time.

The Man from Nowhere

Year Released: 2010

Cast: Won Bin, Kim Sae Ron, Kim Hee Won, Kim Sung Oh, Kim Tae Hoon, Lee Jong l, Thanayong Wongtrakul

Where I Watched: DramaFever

One Sentence Synopsis: A girl gets kidnapped by gangsters after her mother is killed, and he next door neighbor starts kicking butt to get her back. 

Mini Review: This was actually my first taste of Korean action films. It was so legit! The back story, the fighting, the villains. At no point was I bored, disappointed, or felt lost. After watching it I fully understood why it was such a popular movie, it was action packed and not did the villain but also the hero sent chills up my spine. Kim Sae Ron also displayed the talent that would carry her into her current status as a promising child actress. Two thumbs up!

JAPAN: First impressions -- Heat & Death Note (2015)

Image from asianwiki.com

Heat is about a real estate agent who wants to use an entire town for one of his clients. In order to buy up the town he becomes a volunteer firefighter so that he can become close to the residents and buy them out. I thought of this as a second coming of a Bitter Blood and started it right away. There are many similarities between this show and Bitter Blood (Partners by Blood) - action packed, funny, and a full cast of characters that are just as important as the main lead. So far, the main lead, Tatsuya Ikegami, is a self-centered workaholic and it's clear that he does not care about actually doing the job of a volunteer firefighter correctly. However, as episodes go on and hi-jinks ensue you can see him start to understand the importance of being a firefighter and hopefully as time goes on he will start to act more like one before someone really gets hurt. The only thing I am unsure of at this point is if there will be a romance in the show. Right now there are two potential matches for Tatsuya: Sakura Azumi and Eri Yuki. Even though it seems that he has a relationship with Eri Yuki, there seems to also be room for him to care about Sakura Azumi too. Right now, that is not the focus of the show but there's always that underlying plot, isn't there? I've only seen two episodes of the show so far but it's very entertaining and endearing. I am looking forward to watching the remaining episodes of Viki.com.

Photo from asianwiki.com

I can't even remember how I stumbled upon the information for this show, but once I did I had to watch it. I have not read the manga, seen the anime, or watched the movies, but I was not going to pass up a chance to watch the live action television version of the show. [I'm sure I can watch the anime in no time if I really want to and catch up on the movies.] Since I have no real reference for the show I can't say if it's just as good or better than any of the others, but I can say that it is pretty interesting to me as someone who is experiencing it for the first time. As of now I am both fascinated, entertained and freaked out by the show, but I am sure that's the feeling you generally get when dealing with any version of Death Note. If I were to just talk about this version I'd have to say that the acting is good and the actors are definitely keeping my attention. In that regard I guess it may be worth watching to someone who's already a veteran of Death Note.

REVIEW: High Society (Practically Spoiler-less)

I was so excited for this show when the announcement was made about the full cast. Three of the four leads already captured my attention in other dramas so I was really looking forward to seeing them again. After watching just a few episodes I knew the drama was going to be good and I was glad that the show kept my attention until the end.

First off, I have to say that I like that the show wasn't overly cliche. Korean drama writers seem to love the themes of money and love, so I was worried that this would be a mix and match version of so many other dramas I've already seen. I'm happy to say that it wasn't that. Of course, there were very familiar elements that I've seen time and time again but the writers, actors, directors, etc managed to give the show an appropriate amount of sprucing up so that I didn't feel like I was watching The Heirs, mixed with Secret Garden or something like that.

The fact that I was able to lose myself in the drama was a good sign. It meant that even if there were majors errors I didn't care. That's the mark of a good drama.

Aside from a well written and well executed show, the acting was just as I had predicted: A-Class. It's really funny how young, and in some cases, green, the leads are. Three out of the four leads didn't even start as actors yet they delivered performances that even veteran actors can appreciate. I applaud them for a job well done. My favorite has to be Park Hyungsik. The transformation he undertook to play his character is marveling. If we think about the last notable characters he played then I think it's reasonable to be shocked at the type of character he played in this show, and how well he played Yoo Chang Soo. I'm already excited about his next role and this one just ended. Uee's character wasn't much different from some of her other characters but she still shone in this show. I really like Sung Joon. I like the characters he takes on and how he seems to grow into a better actor with every role. This is my first time seeing Lim Ji Yeon and I am really excited to see her in more. She played her role really well and definitely made her character lovable to the very end. Overall, it was very good casting of the four leads and I also have to give a nod to Ko Du-Shim as Min Hye Soo (Uee's mom) and Yoon Ji-Hye as Jang Ye Won (Uee's oldest sister). They did a great job at scaring me with just their eyes. *shivers at the memories*

One of the best parts of the show was watching Yoo Chang Soo's relationship with his mom. In most shows about rich kids all we get is Evil Rich Parent vs Nice Poor Parent. I like that in this show we got to see a healthy relationship between rich child and rich parent. It was sweet and funny, but mostly it gave us a fair portrayal of parents. There are some mean parents, there are nice parents with expectations. I liked that the writers didn't just explore the love and relationships between the leads but between family members too.

Lee Ji Yi grew to be one of my favorite characters. She was bold but in the sweetest way and she didn't try to do what she couldn't. She was smart and knew when to let go. Her character knew her place and tried not to step outside of it too much. She was able to win over many hearts by being honest but humble. My other favorite character had to be Yoo Chang Soo. Not only was dude's hair game out of this world, but I actually liked that he tried really hard not go against his parents wishes. When his parents set a rule he wanted to follow it even if it meant going against what he wanted to do. Isn't that so normal. I really appreciated these two characters for being as normal as they could be while still keeping me excited about their journey through the show. I also really enjoyed watching the two as a couple and comparing their innocent love to the other relationships on the show. It was pretty refreshing to have them break up all the bitterness, even though they had their own set of problems to face.

If I have to give a critique about the show it would be the haphazard way they handled Jang Yoon Ha's (Uee) brother, Jang Gyeong-Joon (Lee Sang Woo) at the end of the show. They didn't give him any time to hash out his problems at all. They just kind of ignored the events that happened and I think that they hoped we would too. But that was the one thing that I was really curious about in the aspect of the show and they kind of swept it under the rug, and made his part pointless. Aside from that the rest of the show was worth watching.

If you are looking for a serious show that's realistic enough then this is the one. There are so many good aspects of the show: good acting, well thought out characters, and fair portrayals of all types of people that could exist in real life. However, my favorite aspect of the show is that it was it's own show. I wasn't sure how the show would turn out after the first episode but I am really glad that the writers didn't piece too many familiar aspects together and try pass it off as something original.

First Impressions: Last, Mrs. Cop, Yong Pal

It is once again time for another crop of dramas, and since it's summer the action dramas are almost nonstop. I have yet to see an action drama that I didn't like, but the jury is still out on three of the newest action packed k-dramas.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Last is about Jang Tae Ho, a stock manipulator who becomes homeless after a deal goes horribly wrong. So far I've only seen two episodes but I'm already on the edge of my seat dying to know what will happen next. In just two episodes Jang Tae Ho has been murdered, come back to life, and is well on his way to becoming a crime boss among homeless men. If that's not intriguing enough for you then let me tell you about Kwak Ham Seung played by Lee Bum Soo. His character holds the most mysteries in my opinion. How'd he become like the king of homeless people? I really need to know how one makes something like that happen. There are so many questions but I think the most exciting idea from the show is the fact that there is hope in the bleakest of situations. We get to see how one man does what he can to turn his life back around. Of course, I don't think any of it will be legal, but it will be thrilling.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Mrs. Cop is about Choi Young Jin, a female detective and single mom. I am assuming that the show will be about balancing life as a tough cop and life as a sweet mom. Already we see that Choi Young Jin has a hard time actually balancing the two roles and frequently chooses cop over mom. Although this is a very familiar concept it seems that it will definitely be one worth watching as we've already seen how much more focused on cop work than mom work the main character is. What I am hoping from the show it that it lacks as many cliches as possible. The whole woman-should-be-at-home-taking-care-of-her-child thing isn't wrong but this woman is a single mom, if she doesn't do her job then she really won't be able to take care of her daughter. So far, I've only seen one episode and from what I can see there is another theme that will be more impactful: life of a cop vs life as a father/husband/mother/wife, etc. I think that even though the show will mostly be focusing on Choi Young Jin's journey it will not neglect the other members and their journeys for balance as well. I am optimistic that the show's theme will be well written and I'm confident that it will be well acted.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Yong Pal is about Kim Tae Hyun, a young surgeon who tries to make money to take care of his sister any way he can, including operating on gangsters outside of the hospital. So far, I love this show. It has thoughtful action, snippets of comedy, and of course lots of hospital scenes (I don't know where my preference for medical dramas is coming from these days.) In the first two episodes, the writers and actors have managed to capture my attention and I am so excited for the continuation of the show. The only thing I am not understanding at this point is Kim Tae Hee's role, but I am sure that will come with more episodes. I think the thing I like most about this show is Joo Won playing the genius surgeon who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, who seems cold on the outside but is actually very thoughtful, and who is cocky and arrogant but not afraid to beg when need be. He just one of those actors that you look forward to watching. I've only seen him in four other productions and in each one he's been someone different. That type of acting prowess is hard to come by these days so even if it's a commercial, if Joo Won's in it I will be watching it. 

First Impressions: High Society & Hidden Identity

When I saw the announcements for these shows I was really really excited. I honestly haven't seen Kim Bum in anything since I watched Boys Over Flowers (my fault for not being attentive). Also, I've become a fan of Uee since watching her in Hogu's Love and Park Hyungsik since watching him in The Heirs. I don't even need to talk about my excitement at seeing Sung Joon in something new. I was just all around ready for these two dramas and thankfully they have finally come to me. 

Cue my happy face. 

Anyway, I've watched the first two episodes of both shows and indeed I was not disappointed. For more specific details on how I felt upon first watching please continue reading. 

High Society (aka The Privileged)

So, I am not going to lie, I am getting serious Heirs vibes, but like a more adult version of The Heirs. Uee is playing a character very similar to her Hogu's Love character. She's blunt and not afraid of saying what she's thinking. It's always a bit refreshing to get female characters like this, but I think the thing that is going to make this drama special is that none of the characters are actually what they seem to be. At first glance Sung Joon's character (Choi Joon Ki) seems like a nice, poor guy who has to work his way up the ranks to get any recognition. However, he also seems to be calculative and cold in some ways. I am looking forward to seeing the future interactions between the characters and how they develop as they get what they want or lose what they wanted. So far the double life that Uee is living also seems to be on verge of unraveling and it's only been two episodes. As of now I know that 5 or 6 of the episodes have been released, so I need to catch up and see if any of my original feelings and thoughts will stick. I definitely recommend this show though, if nothing else you can at least count on some Grade A acting.

Hidden Identity

I had to take a pause and absorb the greatness that is this show after watching the first two episodes. I really didn't know what to expect from this show. So far, tVN nor Kim Bum have disappointed me but I wasn't expecting a show this good. Pretty boy Kim Bum, who has never been shy of using his fists in dramas, slimmed down for the role of a disgruntled cop. Even though the change was drastic and shocking, he now fits in perfectly with the darkness of the show. The show is well cast and at the moment it is well written. Every episode is like a mini movie full of action and suspense. I think the suspense is really killing me. It's only been two episodes and so many unimaginable events have occurred, waiting to see how they'll turn out has me on the edge of my seat. If you're a fan of the action dramas then you will love this show.

These were must-watch dramas for me so I am very happy that they are finally out. If you're pondering watching either then do not hesitate any longer. I definitely recommend both. I am watching High Society on Viki and Hidden Identity on DramaFever. 

First Impressions: Jeju Island Gatsby, Producer, Ex-Girlfriend Club

I spent my weekend like any true K-Drama fan: catching up and starting new shows that I've waited all year to see. I must say that these three shows definitely didn't disappoint. From the acting to the story line, I am officially on-board for these dramas.

Jeju Island Gatsby a.k.a. Warm and Cozy
So far I am totally in love with this drama. The thing I like most is the dynamic between the two main characters played by Yoo Yeon Suk and Kang So Ra. The working chemistry of the two actors is very visible but what's better than that is that the two characters are actually in an amiable relationship from the beginning. I think it's rare to have this type of drama to start off with the two leads not completely hating each other, but I think it fits the setting of Jeju-do. How can you hate anyone with such beautiful scenery surrounding you?

So far the story is off to a good start too. Kang So Ra's character, Lee Jung Joo, gets her house money stolen by her friends so that they can buy a cafe on Jeju. Fortunately she catches them and decides to make the house a cafe herself. Unfortunately, this doesn't really put her on the good side of the locals who also hate Yoo Yeon Suk's character, Beak Gun Woo. Though the drama starts off with Kang So Ra crying, a lot, it seems like it will be light and enjoyable romantic comedy.

Producer:
Although I am really excited to watch this drama, after watching the first four episodes I feel like it's missing something. I can't put my finger on it but I think it's missing some tension or something. I'm not really sure what it's lacking at this point, but I can tell you what it isn't lacking. Right now the show has an really interesting concept that I can't wait to see play out. It also has a very great cast that seems to work together well.

I've never seen Cha Tae Hyun act in anything but I can see why he is such a highly praised actor. I thought it would be awkward to watch him act after seeing him as himself on 2 Days, 1 Night but the way he is playing his character has totally sucked me in. I completely forgot that he's a clumsy father of three. I think my favorite thing is going to be a mean IU. So far she's acting out her character well and I hope that as she softens it seems natural and not forced. I also appreciate that instead of Gong Hyo Jin's character being the nice version of a female lead it's a strong and relatable character. I also like that Kim Soo Hyun's character is similar to his character from Dream High: clueless but talented. I have high hopes for this drama.

Ex-Girlfriend Club:
After just 4 episodes I am completely in love with this show. It's cheeky, funny, and on the tongue-in-cheek side of dramas. I also really love the theme song: Variegated by Jannabi. This drama is for all those people who are looking for realistic and strong female leads as well as a male lead that's strong enough to put up with it all. I think the thing that intrigues me the most is the friendship between the two leads played by Song Ji Hyo and Byun Yo Han. Instead of the writers forcing romance they are focusing on how they work well as friends. Of course, this is a k-drama, so I am expecting them to be coupled off but I am not focused on the fact that they aren't because watching their relationship as it is now is just as entertaining.

If you're looking for a drama to start I would highly recommend one of these. 

TAIWAN: Fall in Love With Me Review

After months of letting the drama's episodes pile up I finally finished it and just in time to wrap up 2014. It was quite an entertaining drama from beginning to end. Character development was natural, rivalries were fierce, and resolutions were happy. Overall I am glad that I watched it, I'm also glad that it was only 20 episodes, some of it was a bit too melodramatic for me.

What I Liked:
1. The Soundtrack. Sometimes the soundtrack gets really irritating because it's the same five songs played over and over again but this time I latched onto the soundtrack pretty quickly. It may be because most of the songs were sung by Aaron Yan, it could be that I just liked the sound of every song, either way I would recommend listening to the soundtrack outside of the show.

2. The male lead. I'm just a touch biased to Aaron Yan after watching him in Just You with Puff Guo. Like many fans, I feel in love with Puff and Aaron together, but I was very open minded about his pairing with Tia Li and after a while I found myself really liking that couple too. There are quite a few reasons why I like watching Aaron Yan, the first being that he's a amazingly good looking. Aside from that it's his queue of facial expressions that he doesn't mind busting out at any given moment. For a singer he's a pretty decent actor.

3. Lance. There's always a villain and Lance was a pretty good one, but in the beginning he didn't start out so bad. Part of the reason why I liked Lance is because it's not like he was wrong in his thinking. He may have been wrong in his actions but in all honesty he had some pretty valid points. From wanting Tian Xing to return back to the company he was supposed to be running to forcing his family to recognize that they're biased against him. To me he had the right to request those things and if people would have just listened to him he probably wouldn't have turned out to be such a bad guy. In the last few episodes, to many he might have been a complete jerk but for some reason I found the pettiness funny and a little bit enjoyable. I think it's because it was closer to real life than any other part of the drama.

4. Tao Le Si's Parents. So regular parents do exist in drama land! These parents were written perfectly. They knew when to stand up for their daughter and when to allow her to make her own decisions. They gave good practical advice and unlike some parents treated everybody with respect and kindness, even if they didn't exactly like them.

What I  Didn't Like:
I just thought about it and I can't think of anything I didn't like. When you get used to watching dramas you realize everything comes with a territory. I've watched so many forced kisses and wrists grabs, and secret plots that I think I've become immune to it. Though there were moments when I cringed and protested there was nothing that completely drove me up the wall so much that I have to complain about it.

There were too many enjoyable or at least understandable moments for me to have any big dislikes. There were things I disliked in the context of the show, but I found nothing wrong with the writing or cinematography. I just thought of one while writing this.

1. Lu Tian Xing's dandy clothes in the first half of the show. I am not a fan of dudes dressing overly eccentrically. His wardrobe in the beginning was just too much, it made me want to punch him the face. I know I should probably want to punch him in the face more over his attitude than his clothes, but seriously who dresses like that for EVERYTHING!

2. Thought of another one. Why did the writers have to write him to be such a jerk as Lu Tian Xing when he was capable of being nice as Xiao Lu and later as Lu Tian Xing. the bipolarity in all honesty didn't really need to happen. I know they were trying to establish two different characters within one person but they gave Lu Tian Xing no redeeming qualities in the beginning so of course Tao Zi wouldn't fall in love with him. But in the end it all worked out so I guess it wasn't that much of an thorn in my side.

Well, if you're used to Taiwanese dramas then I recommend you check this one out, however I would not recommend it to first time Taiwanese drama watchers. Part of the thing that made this drama enjoyable was recognizing the actors and seeing how the played these characters different from their other characters. If you aren't familiar with the actors then I would say that this drama should be put on hold. 

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: January to April

Korean Music has been so good to 2015 so far. We're only 4 months in and the list of songs that I have on repeat is almost endless. And much like 2014 we've heard epic comebacks and impressive rookies, making the selection of songs vast and varied. Check below for my favorite songs of 2015 from January to April, in order of most listened to, and linked. Also, just so you know this isn't even all the songs I liked from these four months, but I thought 52 songs was enough. 

1. Cheers by Gaeko x Yankie ft Babylon & Beenzino - Had to start of the list and of course my year. This is what I think we can all refer to as a "Turn Up Song." Every thing about it gets you in a celebration mood, from the sound to the lyrics, to the feature artists.

2. Good Times by Paloalto ft Babylon - Love the instrumental for this song, especially the intro. It gives off a cool west coast hip hop vibe but it feels unique to 2015.

3. Your Love by Elo - You really can't go wrong with something produced by Gray and of course Elo's smooth vocals just bring it all home. This song helped me convert a friend so I hold it in high regards.

4. Just by Zion.T & Crush - I honesty have some sort of disorder. Every time I hear this song and watch the MV I just want to cry, it's that amazing. If you've seen it you know how simple everything is for Cruch and Zion.T: all you need is smooth vocals, a slow and bouncy jazz/blues instrumental, and a black and white video. All the fancy sets, flashing lights--don't need 'em.

5. Deja Boo ft Jonghyun ft Zion.T - This is one of many songs from Jonghyun's BASE mini-album that I loved, not liked, loved. First off the jazz funk combination is becoming a mainstay in K-Pop and it's a sound that lends itself well to Jonghyun's vocals. Also, having Zion.T feature is like icing on cake, it's just as smooth but is doesn't overshadow the main artist.

6. You by G.Soul - 15 years! That's all I can think about sometimes when I listen to this song. I have to say that the 15 years of "training" didn't go to waste. G.Soul has an amazingly soulful voice, making the emotional R&B ballad hit home in more ways than one.

7. Interstellar by No. Mercy ft Yella Diamond - I didn't follow MONSTA X's journey into being through No.Mercy, however I will say that the show put out some pretty great music. I like that the song is upbeat and has a raw hip hop feel while taking full advantage of the brass band sound that a lot of songs are incorporating these days.

8. My Type by Jessi, Cheetah, & Kangnam - This song is great in so many ways. Not only does it feature two of the best female rappers that Korea's ever seen but it also showed off Kangnam's unique but steady vocal skill. I also can't leave out the fact that Verbal Jint produced a hard-hitting, club worthy track. It's hard not to like this song.

9. My Love by Eddy Kim - This song is so romantic and if the lyrics weren't enough to make you swoon then Eddy Kim's beautiful voice will. I like that it had a Beatles kind of sound too it, soft but still a bit rock n roll.

10. Mileage by Jun Yong Hwa ft YDG - Such a fun MV. The song is really cute and Yonghwa sounds amazing, but the MV is everything. It's cute, funny, colorful, and just plain awesome. A must watch.

11. Man of the Year by Hanhae ft D.meanor - This may not be the most unique song on the list but I like it for it's throwback sound. This song totally reminds me of early 2000s R&B/hip hop songs. It's slow but has a good beat, and Hanhae's flow with D.meanor's soulful voice is a great combination.

12. Life by Rubber Soul ft Mad Clown - If you've ever listened to a TLC song or watched a TLC video then this song will give all kinds of flashbacks to the 90s. At first I didn't really like it, but the more I listened the more it grew on me. Much like Man of the Year, I like that it reminds me of the songs I grew up listening to in the States (in the 90s) and of course the lyrics have a nice message.

13. Island by Primary & Oh Hyuk - I am so glad that Primary is back, it's been too long. Anyway, this is a very thoughtfully produced song. A lot of Primary's songs go for a R&B/hip hop/funk/jazz feel, but this one was a bit different. It definitely still had those elements in them but I feel like they were downplayed so that OhHyuk's voice and the lyrics could take center stage. I think that if you are a Sam Smith fan then you'll like this song, it has that feeling.

14. Automatic by Red Velvet - Red Velvet completely transformed themselves and I am not mad at them for it. This song is so sultry and smooth. Also, they killed their choreography.

15. Love Is Madness by 15& ft Kanto - So, I don't think you can ever really go wrong with a 15& song. The ladies just sang so well, I am in awe every time.

16. Zero Gravity by Zion.T - So, upon first listen this song doesn't seem like much. It's a typical Zion.T song--slow, jazzy, but incredibly catchy. Although the song isn't much of a break from Zion.T's usual offerings it is still an amazing song. The vibe is so chill and the video is really nice.

17. Apologize by Eddy Kim - Eddy Kim's go-to blues/soul style does not disappoint in this song. It's perfect for a break up song. I also really liked the video, it gave Eddy Kim a different and stronger image.

18. Pretty by Infinite H - I thought the video was really entertaining and I liked the 90s hip hop feel of the song.

19. Buckubucku by MFBTY - The greatest thing about this song is that they stuck to the basics and made something that any hip hop fan would like. And can I just say that though this was an MFBTY song, Rap Monster practically stole the song with his verse.

20. One Fine Day by Jung Yong Hwa - Yonghwa's voice must have been made for ballads. He sounds so beautiful and that's really all that matters.

21. Auditory Hallucination by Jang Jae In ft NaShow - I wouldn't usually include an OST (Kill Me, Heal Me) in this list but I had too. For one, the sound and lyrics of the song perfectly reflected the emotions in the drama. A lot of OSTs tend to be cheesy and sound really similar but this one was very fresh especially considering the drama.

22. Pillow by Soyu & Giriboy ft Kihyun - Soyu's beautiful voice, Giriboy's melodic rapping, and Kihyun's smooth vocals was a really nice combination, one that is really enjoyable to listen to weather you're a fan of Starship Entertainment's survival program or not.

23. Call Me Baby by EXO - Aren't we all just a little bit happier now that EXO's back? Well, I am. The kids killed it, from the sound of the song to the choreography. I found myself crying from joy after watching it the first time--that's how sick it is! A. MUST. LISTEN.

24. Unpretty Dreams by Jessi - Jessi's rapping is amazing but I have to say that her vocals over Gray's instrumental is what truly makes this song special. Somehow Gray managed to make a complicated instrumental easy to listen to and Jessi rapping on top of that made the song even more catchy. More than that though are the lyrics about Jessi's struggle and journey to success.

25. Your Number by SHINee - I didn't realize how much I missed SHINee as a unit until I saw this video and listened to the song. It's not actually K-Pop because the song's in Japanese but I liked it so much that I couldn't miss an opportunity to talk about it. For one thing SHINee killed their choreography--it was so smooth and they were so in sync that it made me really appreciate them as a group again. The song had the same effect--they were in such amazing harmony.

26. Ice Cream Cake by Red Velvet - The music box intro goes well with their sweet image and the song is furthered with a more pop sound that kind of reminds me of f(x).

27. Bawling by Primary & Oh Hyuk - The jazz sound I've come to love is back and I am glad to say that I still love it. Primary and Ohhyuk make such an amazing combination of smooth that it's hard to dislike. The pairing perfectly conveys the emotions of this song about growing apart.

28. I'm Bad by Nu'est - I don't know what it is about Nu'est that I find appealing. This song isn't all that special but there's something about it that makes it worth listening to. Maybe it's because the members actually sing really well. I haven't heard them live but when listening to them in music videos their vocals are always good.

29. Just Do It by Gray ft Loco - Had to have him on the list. These days it wouldn't be a favorites list if Gray isn't on their somewhere. I like that this song is exactly in Gray's style: bouncy hip hop with a mix of electronic and real instruments, a great beat, and melodic rapping.

30. Bang Diggy Bang Bang by MFBTY - This song is more on the pop side, but I'm not mad at it. It's a fun dance track with just the right amount of hip hop influence that gives it a bit more strength (trying to avoid the word "swag").

31. Too very so Much by MYNAME - So, the sound's a little typical, but it's still a fun song.

32. Lovekiller by Niel ft. Dok2  - Very unexpected collaboration but it totally works. Niel has a very unique voice (among idol singers) and it goes well with the sound of the song which is highlighted by guitar and accompanied by a very trendy snapping sound. Dok2 did a great job, he added a little edge to the song.

33. Coach Me by SanE, Hyolyn, Jooheon - A sensual R&B song that is taken home with Hyolyn's vocals, and SanE and JooHeon's rapping.

34. So What by Beenzino - Beenzino uses a very nice sound in order to tell people to leave him alone.

35. Bounce by Boyfriend - Now that Boyfriend's narrowed down their concepts to be more fantasy/fairy tale they seem to be gaining more traction in the industry. I think the 80s pop mixed with the brass band sound that's typical of funk was a good combination and one that look forward to hearing more of it's done this well.

36. Sniper by Shinhwa - Great comeback. I like this comeback because it's right on trend with current idol songs and concepts. Though I praise other OG idol groups for their throwback sound, the more modern sound is really attractive on Shinhwa.

37. Young by Giriboy, Mad Clown, Jooyoung ft No.Mercy - I don't think this one of the most unexpected combinations but is was a really good one. Each of the rappers had strengths that the others didn't so with each new verse there was a different feel. 

38. Take Care of You by Giriboy - I'm actually a big fan of Giriboy. This song is a great display of his charm which is a very melodic rapping mixed with singing that can only be done by him in his songs. Though the song is quite simple it sounds quite deep and full and it goes perfectly with the words.

39. Tell Me One More Time by Jinusean ft Jang Hana - I really love this song. I like that Jinusean brought it back in not only the sound of the song but also the video. Jang Hana may still be a trainee but I think she did an amazing job in this song. I also found all the celebrity cameos in the MV super entertaining.

40. Break Up with Break Up by Pretty Brown ft Kanto - It's an upbeat R&B song with a lot of soul. The video trend these days seems to be the fish eye effect (Also in NC.A's Cinderella Time)--it's kind of fun. 

41. blu by IRON ft. Babylon - Iron's long awaited debut finally comes to us. He's been keeping busy with many features, but his single was a great way to solidify his place in Korean hip hop. Though the song has a lot more pop and rock influence than maybe one would expect, it worked. It also seems that Babylon is also carving out his niche as a sought after feature artist on hip hop tracks. This is the third time he's on this list so who knows what more we can hear from him. I look forward to more of the both of them.

42. Ahh Oop! by Mamamoo ft eSNa - The 60s R&B sound that Mamamoo does so well is alive and well in this song. The song also has a bit of an edge that their other songs didn't have so it feels fresh.

43. See You by Primary ft BSK & Gaeko - This is Primary going back to basics and because it's him it works so well. Besides the funky sound Kim Bum Soo's vocals are just perfect for this song: their smooth but powerful so the song has a lot of soul.

44. Flower by Junsu (XIA) ft Tablo - A very powerful song in sound, lyrics, and delivery.

45. Me You by San E ft Baek Yerin - I honestly think San E is like the king of sweet hip hop collabs. Much like his collaboration with Raina (A Midsummer's Night Sweetness) this song is about a relationship and features an amazing female vocalist. A great springtime song.

46. Love Game by Lim Kim - If I am not mistaken this song is Lim Kim's first dance track. It's definitely more on the dance pop side of music but her unique vocals separate it from most mainstream dance pop songs.

47. Awoo by Lim Kim - I love it and if you're like me you'll love it to. She did a great job of making the song sound as flirtatious as the subject matter. I also feel like this song would be played a lot on American radios (you know if it were in English).

48. I Need U by BTS - I have to talk about the music video first. I am calling it the sequel to their Danger MV. It's kind of dark and has their usual theme of angst but it also reminds me a lot of B.A.P.'s One Shot, and the drama Shut Up Flower Boy Band. It's basically like their a bunch of punks that love being around each other, however somehow they sneaked in "I need you girl" which to me makes the MV a little weird but.... Now the song, it's a bit different from what they usually do but it's still a nice song and it showcases everything we love about BTS--great rapping, great vocals, and an edge that other idols groups may not have.

49. Apple by Ga In ft Jay Park - So, it's not that hard to decipher what this song is about, but I like the jazz/funk sound, it works well with Gain's voice and it goes well with Jay Park's rapping.

50. Spring Breeze by Lee Moonsae ft Naul - I truly love this song. This is my first time listening to a Lee Moonsae song (I think) and it's stirring a fan up inside me. The song is perfect for spring and has a chill surf rock vibe like The Beach Boys. Also, the music video is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

51. EOEO by UNIQ - Didn't know I'd like this song as much as I do before clicking on the link. The sound is kind of standard for many idol groups these days - hip hip/electro, but I still think this song has a great beat and the rapping is on point, so I am pleased.

52. Bae Bae by Big Bang - I had to include this on the list (just in time). For one thing, the video was just weird, I can't describe it any other way. You can go look in the comments because I am not alone in thinking that they were on something. Despite that, and the sexual nature of the song, I actually really like the sound of the song. It has a bit of a reggae undertone to it but it's also kind of electro-funky. It's good and it's so Big Bang.

First Impressions: KBS's "A Style for You"

The first episode of KBS's newest variety show "A Style for You" was recently released on KBS World TV with English subtitles. When the show was first announced and the MCs were cast I didn't think much of watching it, but upon seeing the first episode on KBS's YouTube channel I thought "It wouldn't hurt to see what the show is about."

When reports of the new show started coming out I couldn't catch on to what the concept of the show was going to be and in all honesty after watching the first episode I am still not sure. The description on the first episode reads: "Global interactive style show is coming up to upgrade your beauty, fashion and life style! To be global style icons, 4MCs of “A Style For You” will work in the field to create their own unique style and become the leaders of K-Style!" 

This statement definitely helps to pinpoint the point of the show; basically they'll be trying to help these idols find a signature style that will not only work for them and their image but also keep them off of worst dressed lists. Sounds like a fun concept, but I think that the execution of this concept in the first episode was a bit awkward. The four MCs are Kim Hee Chul (Super Junior), Gu Ha Ra (KARA), Bora (Sistar), and Hani (EXID).

First off, they kept referencing videos of foreigners talking about their style and makeup. Since none of the MCs referenced these videos I was left wondering what the point of showing them in the episode was. Maybe it's a teaser of what's to come, but I think it just used up airtime that could have been filled what something else. 

The show seems to be following a mission to mission format, where each episode the MCs will complete some sort of style mission that will help them on their journey. In the very first episode they got rid of their stylists and makeup artists so the MCs were left on their own to pick their outfits for their various schedules and even the press conference for "A Style for You." 

<
In this challenge we got to see how the idols like to dress and their thoughts on their fashion. This challenge pretty much confirmed why they were chosen to be on the show. Although none of them looked absolutely hideous, they didn't exactly look like a put together idol. In some ways their fashion senses are refreshing. It is weird and uncommon, especially to international fans (I think), to see people so polished all the time. I understand that they have an image to maintain, but they aren't dolls so I'm sure that the pressure to look "perfect" all the time can be daunting. On the other hand, they have access to a lot of nice clothes but they seem to wear the worst of them. Hopefully they will come to a compromise between comfy and stylish, their personal style and the style that will make them look like stars. 

Who's style do I like the most? Right now I don't think I really like anybody's style. They each have elements that I kind of like but so far no one has but together a whole outfit that made me think "They look so nice!" For Hara, I like that her style is sweet but she's also an adult so I think she should mature her color choices and silhouettes. I like that Bora tends to go for more street wear but I think that even street wear can be styled to look more sophisticated. Hani dresses a bit more masculine which isn't necessarily a bad look for her but she needs to learn when to add in feminine touches. And Heechul really needs to stop dressing like an eccentric ahjumma. It'd be nice to see him dressed as a gentleman, just once. I like that Heechul isn't afraid of prints and color but he doesn't know when to stop. I hope they help him tone it down. It's been reported that Hara is determined to make Heechul cut his hair. I hope that she succeeds. He has such a nice face but he keeps taking away all of his appeal with the sloppy hair. I wish all four MCs the best of look on their style journey. 

So far I have also noticed the dynamic between the MCs. It seems that the maknae, Hani, is a bit on the outskirts of the other MCs. This is sort of understandable considering that she's pretty new to the business and even newer to the popularity that the other three MCs are now used to. Also, they've come to know each other well after being in the industry together for a number of years.  I am hoping that in later episodes the other MCs will be able to integrate her into their circle more. They do seem to want to look out for her though. When she was on the runway for the press conference she started to dance a bit, ruining a chic entrance, and they quickly stopped her. Although the incident was a bit embarrassing I think that as time goes on she'll be able to learn a lot about how to carry herself from the unnis and oppa. 

How would I rate the show? Right now I'd give it a 6 out of 10. the concept seems interesting and the MCs do a good job of actually being entertaining, however, I hope the format and editing becomes a bit more streamlined as the show goes on. If you're into fashion or these particular idols I think you'll enjoy watching, but if you're not then I would skip it. 

You can watch the first episode on YouTube now.