More Drama Favorites: Rookies, OSTs, Fashion, and More

*Post contain some spoilers*

Favorite Rookies

Seo Kang Jun - Seo Kang Jun is very quickly making a name for himself in the acting world. He is able to bring second male lead syndrome to many with his roles and I am looking forward to the possibility of him playing a lead one day. He'd be great in a high school drama, he's young enough and he has a sweet and fun personality in real life (as seen in Roommate), which makes him all the more desirable.

Lee Tae Hwan - Seo Kang Jun's fellow 5urprise member has also managed to carve out a niche for himself in the acting world. It's hard to believe that this mountain of a guy is only 20, but because of his stature and impressive acting chops he has managed to go from goofy high schooler in King of High School to serious detective in Pride and Prejudice without skipping a beat. I hope that the future holds more great roles for him.

Ahn Jae Hyun - My favorite show stealer! Even though Ahn Jae Hyun was only supposed to be Jeon Ji Hyun's little brother in My Love from Another Star he quickly turned his character into the one to watch by not only being good looking but also being able to show a range of emotions in the little bit of screen time he had. His performance in the show quickly made him popular and also helped him garner roles alongside other swoon-worthy vets like Joo Won in the movie Fashion King, and Lee Seung Gi and Cha Seung Won in You Are All Surrounded.

Favorite OSTs
It's Okay That's Love - The entire OST was amazing. It was a great mix of popular pop songs and original songs in different languages. OSTs have a way of getting dull and predictable but this one never did. It had some really amazing songs but two of my favorites were Sleepless Night by Crush ft Punch, and It's Okay, That's Love by Davichi.

My Lovely Girl - Even though I didn't really like the drama, I did enjoy listening to all the familiar voices sing the songs of the show. My absolute favorite was I Want to Love You by Alex Chu. Alex's voice is so smooth, and the romantic yet bubbly song came in at all the right moments.

Fall in Love with Me - This OST had a great mix of pop rock ballads and sugary sweet pop songs. My favorites were This Is Not Me by Aaron Yan, The Unwanted Love by Aaron Yan, The Only Rose by Aaron Yan, Melted by Popu Lady, and The Warmth in the Pocket by Hebe.

Fated to Love You - I didn't pay that much attention to the entire soundtrack but I knew that every time Goodbye My Love by Ailee was on I was probably supposed to be crying. Such a heartbreaking song and Ailee's powerful vocals just made the song that much more emotional.

Pinocchio - I really like this OST. It's not overly sad or sappy sounding. It has just the right amount of slow songs to get your emotions in check. My favorite songs are Kiss Me by Zion.T and Non-Fiction by Every Single Day.

A Witch's Romance - My favorite song from this drama is You'e In My Heart by Park Seo Joon. Park Seo Joon isn't the most amazing singer but he held his own and displayed some pretty nice vocal talent. For some reason I just found myself waiting for this song to come on every episode.

Angel Eyes - An OST in English isn't uncommon but they very rarely make you want to sing at the top of your lungs over the dialogue. Run to You by Lasse Lindh was definitely that song for me.

In a Good Way - Good Morning Hard City by Adrian. This song was a nice mix of rock and pop and it popped up at all the fun moments of the show making it that much more enjoyable.

Partners by Blood - Do You Ever Shine by Mayday is one of the most exhilarating OSTs ever! It not only jump started the show but also gave every action scene the right dose of excitement. Though they used the English version in the show I think the Japanese version (linked) strikes the right notes too.

Healer - What the Eyes Say by Tei was my favorite song of this show. Tei's smooth vocals were perfect and bringing out the emotions of the show.

Favorite Drama Outfits
My Lovely Girl - Rain's Blazers
   Rain's multitude of snazzy blazers definitely striked the right balance between cool music producer and stern CEO. Although his wardrobe was pretty monochromatic it never looked boring.

Empress Ki - Nyang's Consort/Empress Wear
  I always love the costumes in historical dramas. Ha Ji Won looked pretty great as a boy but when she wore her most feminine outfits her beauty really shined.

Hotel King - Ah Mo Ne's Chairwoman Ensembles
   She may have dressed a little crazy at first but when she started wearing normal clothes she always wore something pretty that showed off her fit frame.

Miss Korea - The Pageant Gowns
   You can't really go wrong with the pageant gowns featured in this show. I think they were a bit more modern then the ones actually used in the early 90s but they were pretty and made even the poorest of girls look like a million bucks.

Favorite Second Male Leads
King of High School - Yoo Jin-woo
   Although I didn't like his character at all and never had any hopes for him getting the girl I still felt bad for him. He had such a horrible relationship with his father, and his poor mother...his poor mother. Anyway, I may not have wanted him to win the girl but I did hope that the rest of his life would pull together, plus it's Lee Soo Hyuk. Who wouldn't root for one of his characters?

Fated to Love You - Daniel
  As usual the nice guy does not get the girl. Daniel was your stereotypical second male lead. Super nice to the girl and wanting her even though he could see that her heart was somewhere else. The thing I liked most about Daniel though is that he never became too pathetic over Kim Mi Young. The "too nice" second male leads always become so desperate by the end, but he played it cool the whole time while making his feelings known at just the right moments.

Pride & Prejudice - Kang Soo
   Lee Tae Hwan is shaping up to be one of my favorite young actors so it's no surprise that his character in Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorites in the show. The thing I like about this character as the second male lead is that his affection is innocent. While Dong Chi is proving that he's not a murderer with kissing (because that makes sense), Kang Soo is patiently and quietly waiting for Yeol Moo to overcome her trauma. He's not trying to force anything. Of course, this makes him lose out but let's face it after all of this he was never going to get the girl anyway.

Fall in Love with Me - Leo
  Leo may not have won Tao Si over but in the end he got the right girl for him. I think that Leo was a great second male lead. When he saw that Tao Si was falling in love with someone else he prepared himself to let her go especially since Xiao Lu seemed like such a great guy. However, he stepped up when he saw that her heart was in danger and told Lu Tian Xing to back off if he wasn't going to treat her right like any long-time friend should do.

Trot Lovers - Sajangnim aka Jo Geun-Woo
  The reason why I liked sajangnim is because he was everybody's second male lead. He became a good friend and source of advice to both female leads. And though he only had romantic interest in one he handled the love square very maturely.

Pinocchio - Bum Jo
   So, I was never rooting for Bum Jo to get the girl. For me it was Choi Dal Po and Choi In Ha for life. But he still made a great friend and protector. I felt bad for him seeing the girl he liked go through so much guilt for the guy she liked. He did a great job at setting Dal Po (Ha Myung) straight too.

My Love from Another Star - Lee Whi-Kyung
   Why doesn't the nice guy ever get the girl?! Aside from following her around like a lost puppy for years, he also did whatever and I mean whatever he could to get her affection. How could she ignore such grand gestures coming at her for years? Even when he knew she liked someone else he still risked his life to save her. Why? Why? Whyyyyyy?

Tomorrow's Cantabile - Park Yoon Hoo
   I loved everything about his character mainly because the actor was so pretty. That cheeky smile did a number on me so I have no idea why Soel Nae Il wasn't affected at all. Anyway, Yoon Hoo was the epitome of sweet not just to Nae Il but to pretty much everyone. Even though you could tell Yoo Jin had pretty much given into the other characters from the beginning, the fact that he chose to remain so cold on the outside made the character really typical and for most part unlikable. Yoon Hoo was like a little burst of sunshine.

Favorite Second Female Lead
Doctor Stranger - Oh Soo-Hyun
   Very rarely do we get likable second female leads. usually they're manipulative and desperate but not so with Oh Soo Hyun. The things that made me root for her happiness more than her being with one guy was the fact that her father, step mother, and brother treated her very coldly and the fact that Han Jae Joon was using her. She had the attention of two great looking gentleman and even though you could tell she was falling for Park Hoon she never overdid it with her affection, at least not in Park Hoon's eyes. Of course, Han Jae Joon could see it pretty clearly, but in the end everyone ended up with who they were supposed to be with.

In a Good Way - Bai Xue
   At first I wasn't so sure if I would like Bai Xue. Although she was always nice she seemed to have a kind of witchy side to her that had yet to be revealed. I thought for sure that side would come out when Liu Chuan started falling for Jia En, but I'm glad that my prediction was wrong. Even though I didn't necessarily root for Bai Xue to be with to be with Liu Chuan I felt bad when she got rejected by him for the new girl. Thankfully she handled it like a champ and ended being the best friend to everyone.

Favorite Parents
Fall in Love with Me - Papa and Mama Tao
   Tao Le Si's parents were awesome. They knew when to stand up for their daughter and when to let her live her own life. They were a very realistic set of parents. They protected Tao Si when she needed them to, comforted her at the right moments, they were even willing to send her away to be with the man she loved despite the drama. They treated her like an adult while still reminding everyone that she was indeed their daughter and they had a right to have a reasonable amount of interest in her life.

Favorite Noona Killer
A Witch's Romance - Yoon Dong-Ha
   There was quite a number of noona romances put out this year. For the most part none of them disappointed in the romance department but what made A Witch's Romance great is that both of the lead characters were at great ages despite being 14/15 years apart. Dong-Ha was young but had also suffered his own ultimate heartbreak that made him more mature and wiser than most guys his age. I also liked that he never really hid his feelings. He was pretty confident in his feelings for her and confident that she also had feelings for him. They were on a good path before "polar bear" showed back up. Despite polar bear, Dong Ha's sincerity and persistence won out in the end. Yay!

Favorite Songs of 2014: September to December

The last four months did not disappoint me. This season's crop of songs were characterized by sultry vocals and softer instrumentals meant to make you feel warmer or colder as the holiday season approaches. Of course, there were also your soon-to-be club favorites, and some fun tracks from some of your favorite rookies.

Over the last 12 months Korean Music has been good to me and I was happy to be able to spend an entire year exposed to it. I hope 2015's music is just as great!

1. Rewind by Zhoumi ft Chanyeol - It has a Big Sean vibe, doesn't it? Anyway, I liked this song as soon as I heard it. The beat is on point and Zhoumi's singing is quite nice. Chanyeol's rapping has been noted as being too weak for the song, but I don't have any problems with it. I also liked the Chinese version of the song.

2. NaNa by Jay Park - I think I'm becoming addicted to party tracks and this one is a pretty great one. Jay Park's rapping has become much stronger since his New Breed days but the highlights of this song are the instrumental by Cha Cha Malone and the rhythmic rapping of Loco. It's an addicting song and the MV features many familiar faces such as Dumbfoundead.

3. So Good by Jay Park - Everyone's been influenced by Michael Jackson this year, Jay Park is no exception. The familiar but fun song adds some brightness to Jay Park's lists of singles from this year.

4. Missing by Teen Top - I loved the song from the moment I heard it. Teen Top's harmonious vocals over the lush instrumental really make this song enjoyable. Though it fits in with the gloominess of the season the groovy tempo makes it a bit brighter.

5. No Makeup by Gaeko ft Zion T & Yenny - Gaeko's first solo release of 2014 did not disappoint. The rapping and feature vocals were great. The song really displayed why Gaeko is a mainstay of Korean hip hop. The slow instrumental driven by a strong drum beat and just the right chords on a electric guitar give the instrumental so many intriguing elements. The lyrics and style of the video are also really unique as it centers around a call between a woman and a man who's relationship has turned cold. The woman chooses to use the excuse of not having any makeup on to avoid meeting her boyfriend.

6. Go Crazy by 2PM - I'm so glad they came back with this track. It's fun and has the perfect mix of funk, disco, and pop. The MV is fun and makes you want to dance, but it also shows how tired 2PM is now. Nobody can be a beast idol forever.

7. 12:30 by BEAST - BEAST reprises their dark concept with this eerie MV and hauntingly beautiful song. If BEAST can be praised for anything it is that each of them have such strong vocals that really add to the charm of this song.

8. Pretty Age Twenty-five by Song Ji Eun - Song Ji Eun's first solo release of the year was bright and sultry. This coming of age song is perfect for making any woman feel confident and assured in the age that she is, and the amount of understanding and beauty amassed so far.

9. Rose by Gaeko - This dark R&B track is perfect for this time of year and perfect for exhibiting the feelings of a man who loves his girl more than she loves him. Gaeko's smooth vocals went well with the lyrics and made the song feel that much more intense.

10. Thinking of You by Seo In Young ft Zion.T - Seo In Young and Zion.T combine their unique vocals in this cozy fall song that expresses the longing for each other after a break up. The video is also quite pretty combining well filmed vignettes of the heartbroken duo with unique water color & kaleidoscope effects in the artists' silhouettes.

11. Christmalo.win by Seo Taiji - Seo Taiji works his unique magic in this mix of rock and hip hop. Weirdly enough the mix of Christmas and Halloween also makes the track great. The video is really creepy but kind of fun also.

12. Yanghwa BRDG by Zion.T - Zion.T slows things down as he reflects on the life of his father, family and self in this soft, simple but well orchestrated song. The song makes you feel warm.

13. Sofa by Crush - Though this is another song about longing, it has Crush's super strong vocals as well as a more up tempo beat making it a good, head-bobbing R&B track, rather than a typical ballad. The instrumental is very full with piano and strings, but when you add that beat it really takes the song to another place.

14. Thinking About You by Loco ft Jay Park & Gray - The sound of the song is quite familiar but also very addicting. Loco's always melodic rapping is what's really important in this song. His ability to almost sing the verses moves the song along in a smooth way.

15. Happen Ending by Epik High ft Cho Won Sun - DUDE! This is my song, fa reals. Okay, I'm back, but I said all I needed to say. This song is awesome! Despite the intense lyrics it has a bright tempo and the feature vocals are perfect.

16. Spoiler by Epik High - Epik High returns with not only great singles, but also a very good album. Though Born Hater was talked about the most, I became addicted to this song upon it's release. The deep voices narrate the sad ending of a relationship well. And Tablo's high singing in the chorus is very complimentary.

17. U by John Park - First off I must say that John Park's transformation into sultry leading man is quite alluring. His deep vocals and the soul/pop style of the song makes a pretty strong impression. The MV completes the dark concept.

18. Still I'm By Your Side by Clazziquai Project - I'll start off by saying that the MV was great, it was comedic, romantic, and had a twist ending. The song itself is a great mix of the funk, R&B, and electronic genres. Even though it's a softer song with silky smooth vocals it is super groovy making it easy to dance to which, I personally love.

19. This is Love by Super Junior - This smooth and funky song makes you want to fall in love. The soulful vocals and instrumental are fitting with the one shot filming of the music video and maturity level of one Korea's most influential male groups.

20. Call Me Back by Clazziquai Project - To me, Clazziquai can do no wrong. I just love the vocals of Alex and Horan. They befit the upbeat jazzy instrumental well.

21. I'm Different by HI SUHYUN ft Bobby - The cutest stalkers ever team up with the Korea's newest hip hop sensation in this bluesy/swingy track about trying to attract your crush with your awesomeness. I wasn't sure how well Su Hyun's vocals would go with Lee Hi's but I was pleasantly surprise. They actually sound really good together, and Bobby's slightly high pitched, raspy rap gave the perfect intermission.

22. Hormone War by BTS - The kids impress me once again. Their rapping skills are always a cut above most idol rappers, but what I really like about this group is their playfulness in the video. It goes well with the sort of tongue and cheek subject matter as well as the fast tempo rock style of the instrumental.

23. Good Boy by GD x Taeyang - So you say you want a club joint? Well, GD and TY decided to answer you with this wildly addicting hip hop track. At first I was a little disappointed in this highly anticipated song because it seemed too familiar (reminded me of MTBD by CL, among others). However, the more I listened to it the more I weakend my resolved. Now I bounce to it every time it's on. The fun and colorful music video as well as the dance practice video are receiving quite a lot of attention too.

24. Sogyeokdong by SeoTaiji - IUs version of the song got a lot of attention, but I am fan of Seo Taiji's cut. The nostalgic feel of not only the video but also the electronic instrumental makes the song perfect for Fall. Because I didn't grow up in Korea, I can't exactly relate to the whole of the video and song but the song calls to mind for everyone time spent in one's hometown.

25. Crave You by Clazziquai Project - Though the instrumental doesn't disappoint in this song I became convinced of Alex and Horan's vocal power after to listening to this song. Their harmony and their ability to soothe you and excite you at the same time is really impressive.

26. I'm Sorry by Teen Top - Teen Top impresses once more with a groovy track that expresses the apologetic feeling one has after neglecting their lover. I think Teen Top is one group that can seduce with their vocals alone. They have very tight harmony that they never fail to exhibit to give the song a fuller sound.

27. Error by Vixx - I am almost ashamed to say that this is my very first VIXX song. But what can I say, I am still new to K-Pop. I like that this song, like most of this songs on this list, feature a very unique element to the instrumental that takes it a notch up. They sing well together, but I like that they have notable voices when singing or rapping their own parts.

28. You, End, and Me by Raina ft Kanto - Raina's beautiful high pitched voice and Kanto's shockingly deep voice--it's a well-made match. The song sounds bright but is actually about breaking up. I don't think Raina's voice should ever be used for sad sounding songs no mater how sad the subject matter is, even though I have no doubt she'd sound beautiful. I am happy that the song was arranged like this, it gives off kind of a hopeful vibe.

29. Erase by Hyolyn x Jooyoung ft Iron - Everybody already knows that Hyorin has an amazing singing voice, but how many of us can claim that we knew Jooyoung had pipes like that? His soft yet masculine voice pairs well with her airy soulful voice. The jazzy instrumental also befits the theme of wanting to forget an ex. Iron was a nice surprise too.

30. The Space Between by Soyu, Kwon Sooil, Park Yongin - 2014's queen of the co-ed collab strikes again. Not only is the video just as cute and funny as the one for Some, but the vocal pairing of Soyu and the male vocalists of Urban Zakapa works just as well. It's a romantic song with a subtle funk undertone that actually narrates the hearts of a man and a woman as they fall for each other.

31. Stop, Stop It by Got7 - This song calls to mind the experimental sound of 90's R&B. It is a JYP song so that's not really surprising. It has a nice tempo and the kids killed the choreography. A+

32. Days Like Today by 2AM - One thing I really like about the video is the fact that the lead actor lip syncs to it as he goes throughout his day and thinks about someone. It a soothing and soulful song.

33. Not a Boy, Not Yet a Man by Cross Gene - Cross Gene released quite a few songs this year. Most of which were not all that great, but they all had really nice music videos. This song however is a bit different. Though the music video isn't as artistic as the others, the song is really nice. The song does sound a bit familiar but I guess that's just the sound of the season.

34. Home by Roy Kim - Even Roy Kim's sad sounding songs have a way of uplifting you. This encouraging song about going home when you're feeling weak is just beautiful. His soft vocals over his characteristic acoustic guitar sweep through the song as electric guitar and piano boldly comes in mid verse.

35. You're So Fly by BTOB - BTOB is one boy group that knows how to have fun in their MVs. Aside from that the song is quite fun as well, sounding very similar to to the electronic R&B/Pop tracks of the late 80s.

36. Day N Night by Huh Gak ft Simon D - It's kind of a typical R&B/hip hop track but Huh Gak's amazing voice and Simon D's deep rapping make the sad song feel rich. I do think that the instrumental is quite unique, including what sounds like tongue clicking and whistling.

37. Home Meal by Kim Bum Soo - Kim Bum Soo's soulful voice perfectly expresses the emotion of longing, longing not only for a home meal but for what comes along with it--fellowship with family and the warmth that only home and your parents seem to be able to provide, especially for a single male.

There you have it folks. My favorite songs from September to December in a neat little list that you can reference when you're looking for another artist or song to add to your repertoire. If you would like to listen to the song and watch the video, feel free to click the links attached to each title. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My Favorite Korean Albums of 2014

I love listening to albums because sometimes the best songs from an artist are the songs that aren't released as singles. To me, you really miss out on knowing what an artist's music really consists of when you only listen to the singles.

This year I listened to quite a few albums, from artists that I haven't heard of, and in genres that I don't commonly listen to. After doing so I feel much more certain of my music tastes, the artists I like, and the fact that Korean music is awesome.

Here are my favorite albums (EPs & mini albums included) of 2014, this doesn't include everything I listened to or even everything I liked, just my absolute favorites in no particular order.

HI HIGH by High4 - I was really surprised by the range of songs. The first two songs they released had more of an R&B feel, so I expected them to carry that sound out, but they successfully did funk, electronic, and even a ballad. I love every single song!

Crush on You by Crush - According to Taeyang, Crush is one of the "new Korean R&B cats." To me he one of the most talented artists to come out in recent years. After hearing Crush's voice of Gary's Shower Later last year I haven't been able to get enough of the kid. Anything he's on I want to hear. His album was ah-may-zing! It had a great selection of R&B songs and incorporated just the right amount of hip hop. One song that was really great was the new jack swing track Hey Baby ft Zion.T. Crush showed off his very best in this album and I can't wait until his next album.

Crush by 2NE1 - Though I am technically a new fan of 2NE1 they have yet to disappoint me. This was an amazing album full of great songs and great lyrics. One thing that always impresses me about 2NE1 is the combination of genres that they do so effortlessly. To have reggae, electronic, R&B, hip hop, and pop in one seamless album can not be an easy feat but they make it seem so natural. I always love that their lyrics are about typical female emotions without sounding whiny.

The Manual (Repackage) by Eddy Kim - This album is what you get when you pair absolutely beautiful vocals with soft and sultry instrumentals. Eddy Kim's mix of jazz and soul is really addicting. The album is soothing but not slow, and it picks up in all the right spots.

Red Light by f(x) - I doubted f(x)'s talent, but this album is so great that I could no longer question how great these ladies are. They're one of the few girl groups that have truly interesting songs, mixing multiple genres of music into one easy to listen to album. From the Bollywood inspired track Milk to the disco, funk track All Night, they manage to effortlessly combine many many different styles of music while maintaining a playful pop sound as well.

Spellbound (Repackaged) by TVXQ - This album launched my love affair with TVXQ, even though my first TVXQ song was Mirotic. This album made me want to listen to album after album and even sparked my interest in JYJ. Every song has a more retro sound, coming from genres like R&B, swing, disco, rock, dubstep, and electronica. It also has a great selection of soulful ballads and heart stopping love songs.

Overdose by EXO - My favorite EXO album to date. I love all of their albums, but the thing I like most about this one is that every single song had a different sound. However, I feel that the change in sound from song to song doesn't alienate any audience member. It shows fans that the members of EXO have grown as people and artists, and that they and the songwriters and producers they worked with are recognizing that.

Rise by Taeyang - There's not a song I don't like. This album received great reception not just from Korean fans but from international fans as well. After listening to the full album it's easy to understand why. The album is a great mix of dance tracks, hip hop tracks, and slower more soulful tracks. The first song usually sets the tone of an album and Rise definitely sets you up for an amazing listening experience.

2014 S/S by WINNER - YG was definitely on a roll this year. Not only did their mainstay artists shatter records and break boundaries but their rookie groups managed to claim top spots of their own. Much like most YG artists there was no barrier put on WINNER's songs. There's great range and the selection of tracks show off the talents of all the members.

Blink by Clazziquai Project - SUCH A GOOD ALBUM! I didn't even know this electronic/jazz group existed, but after listening to their latest album I've pretty much fallen in love with them. The thing I like most is the very thoughtful arrangements of their songs. When dealing with this mix of genres I feel like some people fail to truly combine them in an enjoyable way, but Clazzi has completely mastered it. The smooth vocals of Alex and Horan also accompany the instrumentals perfectly.

Play by Akdong Musician - These fun folk artists are also among YG's chart topping rookies. The album is really beautiful--enough said.

The Vgins by Ven - Mix R&B, hip hop, and a little dubstep and you get head-bobbing awesomeness. I like this album's bouncy tracks as well as it's notable features (Beenzino, Deepflow, Odee). Ven's vocals are very unique (reminds me a bit of Zion.T) and they pair really well with the percussion heavy instrumentals.

Go Crazy by 2PM - This album is like the 70s brought back to life. Almost all of the songs have a disco/funk sound. It's a really awesome album full of great dance tracks.

Ace by Taemin - Our little baby is growing up and talking about things! Anyway this album was a great display of not only Taemin's vocal talents, but also his talent as a performer.

These are some of my favorite tracks off of other albums that I really liked.

*Shoebox by Epik High: Happen Ending, Rich, Spoiler, Burj Khalifa
*Locomotive by Loco: Hands Up, You Don't Know, Thinking About You, No Manners, If I, Hold Me Tight
*Up All Night by Beenzino: How Do I Look?, Up All Night
*Full Moon by Sunmi: Full Moon, Burn, Who Am I, Frozen in Time
*Sugar by 15&: Star, Sugar, Oh My God,  Rain & Cry, Silly Boy, Somebody
*Inspiration by Louie (of Geeks): Where You At?, Are You Up?, Side Mirror, Walk, High, Change the Game, Secret

Korean Drama Inspired Prom Looks

Pretty & Innocent: Jan Di from Boys Over Flowers

When Jan Di was styled by her rich friends she would go from pauper to princess. However, she never lost her sweet and innocent look. 

Left: Amber-Cobalt Prom Dress for $89.90

Center 1: Gracelyn- White Prom Dress for $99.90

Center 2: Carrie-White/Silver Short Prom dress for $119.90

Right: Coletta-Black Prom Dress for $179.90

Glamorous: Pageant Contestants from Miss Korea

You can't get anymore glamorous than dresses fit for a queen, or in this case multiple queens. If you're planning on going glam then you'll want a lot of sequins, glitter, and some luxurious fabrics like satin, silk, and chiffon. 

Left: Juliana-Silver Long Prom Dress for $299.90

Center: Kiyomi-Black Lace Chiffon Strapless Dress for $139.90

Right: Vivianne-Royal Strapless Prom Dress for $199.90

Sophisticated: Tae Yi-Ryung from The Master's Sun

Even her casual clothes were elegant. She was the queen of sophistication in this show. She also managed to looked sexy without showing too much skin. 

Left: Cleopatra- Ivory Single Shoulder Dress for $199.90

Center 1: Tali- Black Sleeveless Long Dress for $36.90

Center 2: Camryn- Black/Nude Long Prom Dress for $139.90

Right: Selena-Red Prom Dress for $39.90

I apologize for the quality of character pictures. It's hard to take a good screen shot when they're moving. 

All dress options and pictures are from Windsor. The pictures are the property of Windsor, no copyright infringement was intended. 

Favorite Songs of 2014: January to April

 

Photo source: anneviolet.wordpress.com

photo credit to owner 

I think 2014 has been very kind to Korean Music fans thus far. We've experienced triumphant returns and stellar debuts, and I personally can't wait to see what else the year has in store for us. During the first four months of the year there have been many notable songs released and with each passing month my taste and knowledge of Korean Music gets wider and more eclectic. ~pats self on back~ All that being said, here is the list of songs that I have had on repeat since January, ordered by most listened too.

1. 30Sexy by Rain: The King of Kpop returns with his sexiest song and MV yet. At first the song, especially the high pitch electronic sound really irritated me, but the more I listened and the more I watched the MV, the more I liked it. Now, I play it like once a day and bonus, my sister likes it too. 1 point in the column for Kpop fans!

2. Spellbound by TVXQ: If you've read my "TVXQ's Comeback Singles" blog post then you already know how in love I am with this song. It shows off how amazing TVXQ really is, vocally and physically (they danced soooooo hard).

3. Just One Day by BTS: I wasn't originally a BTS fan, but this song got me. It's not only sweet sounding but the lyrics are sweet too. Bonus: I was able to pick up the chorus really quickly. Yay me!

4. Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms by HIGH4 ft. IU: Definitely my favorite debut so far. I am in love with this song! IU worked her magic and wrote a stunning song that not only showed off her talents but HIGH4's talents as well. I am really looking forward to their album.

5. 200% by Akdong Musician: Another stellar debut! These kids know what they're doing. They're not your typical K-pop group and they aren't trying to be. #RESPECT One of my favorite MVs of the year so far. It's so cute and heartbreaking that it should be made into a full blown drama. I'm sure there are about a hundred dramas like it already, but this time it should star this adorable brother/sister duo.

6. Be a Man by MBLAQ: Though I have known of MBLAQ's existence for some time, I only just now started listening to their music. Shame, I know. Anyway, this song is so cool! Their harmony is so tight you can't even slip a piece of paper in there and they are definitely one group that pulls off the mature, mysterious vibe that other groups sometimes have to fake.

7. Metronome by Jay Park ft Simon D & Gray: I'm not that big a fan of the MV, or I should say I'm not a fan of the half naked lady and some of the weird projections. However (comma) I like the sound of this song. I've been listening to a lot of Jay Park lately and I think this song solidifies his transition from super sexy slow jams to hard hitting hip hop.

8. Hold Me Tight by Loco ft. Crush: I should probably move this song up the list, but I'm just going to leave it here and geek out. So, Loco is an artist on AOMG which means AOMG is doing something right because this dude is AH MAY ZING! His flow is perfect, he never loses the beat, which sometimes happens in Korean Rap. And the addition of Crush takes a great song to the next level. I would really love a full album from this dude.

9. Sometimes by Crush: Speaking of Crush, he also released a single early this year and I loves it. Crush's voice is beyond..., it's just beyond and I love the MV with cameos of other Amoeba Culture artists like Zion.T. The song and video really displays Crush's all around talentedness (if that's not a word, it is now).

10. The Manual by Eddy Kim: Sometimes you have to slow things down and strip all the synthesizers away. This acoustic song is really something special because it truly lets the artist's vocal talent and the message of the song shine. A must listen in my book.

11. Come Back Home by 2NE1: The ladies of YG are back and still rocking that whole electro-raggae-pop thing that they do so well. Great song from beginning to end. It's fast when it needs to be, slow when it needs to be and everybody sounds really good. The video's crazy too!

12. Ooh Ooh by Eric Nam ft. Hoya (of Infinite): I was a little reluctant to like this song, just because it felt so Bruno Mars-y. But I don't want to take anything away from the talented and adorable Eric Nam or the people that worked on this song so eventually I gave in and anytime I need a pick me up this song is among the first I turn too. I am a big fan of the funk sound the song has and for some reason I really enjoy the addition of Hoya. The MV is pretty awesome to.

13. Can't Stop by C.N. Blue: Listened to this song right before starting this post and I must say it is probably the prettiest song on the list. C.N. Blue does it again and shuts down the rock ballad section of my life (that's a good thing for those of you who may be lost by the words "shut down"). Anyway, Yong Hwa and Jung Hyun's vocals are perfection and the instrumental is a work of art. And the MV? Well, let's just say that it was magical for me too.

14. It's You by Neon Bunny: Two cheers for Indie Synth/Electro Pop! I started to listen to Neon Bunny because of "Eat Your Kimchi's" YouTube introduction of her. My sister calls this a "Forever 21" song. I most certainly could hear the song playing in the background while shopping at my nearest trendy teen store. However, the song is so much more than that. Neon Bunny's music has a way of making you feel happy and upbeat even though you don't know what's she's saying (talking to my fellow non-Korean-speakers).

15. Some by Soyu & Junggigo ft Lil Boi (of Geeks): This is a great song. It's sounds so sweet and upbeat even though it's about the irritations that come with relationships and trying to be with the person you like. The video's really cute.

16. Beep Beep by BTOB: I love the jazzy/blues-y sound of the song and the clarinet in the instrumental is awesome. The lyrics present a clever metaphor of traffic and a frustrated heart/mind. They look like they're having a lot of fun in the video, part of that probably comes from the scantily clad young ladies and another part is probably from the various cars that they get to pretend to drive. My favorite part of the video starts at around 2:07 where they are suddenly dressed in suits and standing around a piano, now that's what I call a "breakdown."

17. Overdose by EXO-K: I haven't fully committed myself to loving this song however, I find it very hard to pass over it and not play it. It's a good song but it's also a little typical so I'm not sure if I can really go all out for it. However, EXO is like my favorite male group in K-Pop so, I have to support them. If you ask me, the video is really a mix of several videos from other SM artists (like TVXQ and Super Junior). I'm not saying that's a bad thing but I think a little originality could have gone a long way. Choreography is pretty amazing as always though.

18. Victorious 2 by Swings ft Gray: The lyrics are a little awkward (that may be due to translation), however it is a very inspiring song that takes you into Swings's mind just a little bit. If you're getting into Korean Hip Hop then Swings is a "Must Listen To" artist. Swings's flow is amazing and I am a big fan of his punchline form of rapping. It's a good fighting montage song.

19. Delicious by Toheart: Key and Woo Hyun are too adorable to ignore. The first time I heard the song I was a little annoyed especially by the "come on girl love is so nutritious, come on girl it's so delicious." What's that about?! Anyway, I have started to enjoy the song particularly because of the guys' vocal talents. The video is really fun too.

20. Full Moon by Sunmi: Love the soft and sultry sound of this song. Not a big fan of the MV because of it's rather raunchy choreography, but I do like the dark vampire concept.

21. Beat by 100%: My very first 100% song. They sound great and look great. The video is kind of weird to me, but I think that's what they were going for so I'll let it go.

So, that's my list. I'm very excited to see what else 2014 has to offer in the world of Korean music. 

How about you?

TAIWAN: "Fall in Love With Me" First Impressions

(photo credit to owner)

I spent a week watching nothing but Just You just so I could watch this show. When news of Fall in Love With Me broke, there was some backlash from fans because Aaron Yan's love interest wouldn't be Puff Guo. The pair played opposites in the show Just You and fans couldn't stand to see another pair in romantic situations. This is what sparked my interest in Just You and consequently in Fall in Love With Me. First, I wanted to know what was so great about Just You and then I wanted to know who Aaron Yan was. I achieved those goals well before the show aired so I'm proud.

Anyway, when I saw the teasers for the show I have to say I was worried. It reminded me so much of Just You. A hardworking sweet girl juxtaposed to a staunch boss of an advertising/marketing firm. The similarities are hard to ignore but I didn't want to count the show out because of that.

After watching the show I am happy to say that it seems to be doing a decent job of separating itself from Just You. It's just as funny and endearing as the other show but the concept is a bit different.

Overview:
There's a snobby CEO, Lu Tian Xing, of a popular advertising firm in Taiwan who has a short temper and there's a spunky girl, Tan Le Si, who is working hard to take care of her brother's advertising company after his death. They bump into each other and are instantly at odds. Though Lu Tian Xing owns a very successful company he's lost his spark and creativity and declares that he's taking a vacation in order to get his mojo back. While on his vacation he becomes Xioa Lu who helps Tan Le Si and her company in their advertising efforts. Though Tan Le Si can see that he looks exactly like Lu Tian Xing she believes that he is Xiao Lu. From there all kinds of stuff starts to happen. I don't want to give away anything.

My Thoughts:
I've only watched the first two episode but I think I may enjoy the show. It was funny, sweet, and has a touch of mystery that gives the show a bit more depth. I'm most interested to see the development of the characters. Right now they are the typical Asian drama archetypes so I am hoping that they surpass that in interesting and fun ways.

If you're watching you're in for a long ride. The show is 30 episodes and since it's only 1 episode a week it'll take quite a while before we get to the meat of the show. However, being accustomed to Taiwanese dramas now I am ready for the ride and really excited to see Aaron Yan in something else.

KPOP: HIGH4's Debut Song

I just have to talk about this because I have only heard the song like four times and I'm already in love with it. I'm so excited about this group and anxious to hear more from them. This is my first time being super excited about a new group so I definitely felt a need to talk about their debut song "Not Spring, Love or Cherry Blossoms."

Background on the Group:
The group is composed of four members. Kim Sung Gu, leader and a vocalist; Kim Alexander aka Alex, rapper and dancer; Baek Myung Han, vocalist; and Yim Young Jun, rapper and maknae. "HIGH4 is currently preparing to release an album in May, and will proceed thereafter with various television promotions, acting projects, and musicals," as reported by Soompi.com.

Background on the Song:
The song was written by IU who is also featured in the song. It's a soft song with a great beat, a good mix of R&B and pop that many KPOP artists are great at doing. The chorus is catchy, too catchy. The video already has over 500,000 views on YouTube and it's only been 2 days. It has also accomplished an "all kill" on music charts (Read More About It). It is about how lonely they are during spring which we all know is the season of romance, so no spring, love, or cherry blossoms, they're having none of it.

My Thoughts:
After my first listen, I thought the song was good but I wasn't that impressed however the song is super catchy and that made me return, and once I returned I was hooked. The voices of the vocal talent shine and make for a song that is easy to listen to on repeat. The rap after the second verse was not a distraction nor did it mess with the flow of the song, I approve. Overall all it's a sweet sounding song that doesn't have that sweet of a message. The entire song is springtime perfection but my favorite part is when Kim Sung Gu sings. Ahhhhhhh! Daebak! His voice is deep enough and soulful enough to get me to fall in love with him. Compared to the other vocalists his voice is just ahskajhdjshdijdhfihfdu. So, I can't really explain it but I'm sure some of you know what I mean. And the little bit of choreography at the end was so cute! The whole video was good. I have completely fallen head over heels for the song and really really want to hear more from the group.

HIGH4 Fighting!