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." 

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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.

How to Fight K-Drama Boredom

Let's say you've been a fan of Korean Dramas for years and you've finally gotten to the point where the excitement has worn off. The recent set of dramas you've seen didn't take your breath away and you are considering giving it up but you really don't want to. What do you do? 

Even though I've only been a K-Drama fan for two years, I have hit a few slumps. The shows I wanted to watch didn't interest me as much as I thought they would, I am getting bored of the same story line, I hate the OSTs they choose, and the list goes on. However, I always find a way to renew my love for K-Dramas with these few tricks. 

1. Watch a drama from a country other than Korea. You can get dramas and movies from all over the world in subtitles for your language through multiple streaming sites. If Korea isn't holding your attention anymore then check out dramas from other countries. When I hit a K-Drama slump I usually turn to Taiwanese, Japanese, or American dramas. They are great at entertaining me until another K-Drama comes along that piques my interest. Also, it's fun to compare entertainment norms between countries.

2. Watch a few episodes of a drama you loved. Sometimes when I can't think of anything else to watch I watch a couple of episodes of a drama that I've seen already. I've re-watched the first few episodes of shows like Boys Over Flowers and Nail Shop Paris because they reminded me why I fell in love with K-Dramas. If you're not interested in re-watching whole episodes then find some clips from your favorite shows and relive the magic.

3. Watch other forms of Korean entertainment. Variety shows and movies are a great way to escape the monotony that K-Dramas can have. Variety shows are, for the most part, unscripted and often show a different side to the actors that you've come to love. Movies give you all the drama that you love in K-Dramas but in a shorter amount of time. At one point I didn't watch any K-Dramas, but instead watched like 10 Korean movies. It was kind of therapeutic. I got all that bad K-Drama taste out of my mouth and when I returned to K-Dramas I was able to see certain actors in a better light and really appreciate their talents.

4. Marathon a popular drama you haven't seen yet. There are always those dramas that people constantly talk about even years after it released the last episode. If you want to get out of a slump then I suggest power watching one of the shows you're most curious about. For instance, I got really into simulcast K-Dramas around the time The Master's Sun came out. I didn't watch it when it was out, but about a year later I just told myself to watch it and I FELL IN LOVE! Now whenever something comes out with the actors in it I am confident about the quality. So far following those actors has not steered me wrong and the show definitely restored my love for K-Dramas.

5. Take a break. I know you don't really want to give it up but if you're seriously not feeling it anymore then take an extended break. The few breaks I have taken have only been for a few days at a time, at most a week and a half but I enjoyed dramas much more after taking a little hiatus. You can clear your mind of all the sucky dramas that got your hopes up and really define what you'd like to see out of a K-Drama. Once you know exactly what you'd like to see you can search for shows that fit those parameters and restore your love of K-Dramas.

Here is a list of shows/movies that helped me get back to loving K-Dramas:

Running Man (Variety), Bitter Blood (Japanese), Just You (Taiwanese), Grimm (American), The Face Reader (Movie), My Girlfriend's an Agent (Movie), Architecture 101 (Movie), Misaeng (K-Drama Marathon), Marriage, Not Dating (K-Drama Marathon), Empire (American), Attack on Titan (Anime), Tokyo Ghoul (Anime), Dream Knight (Mini-Drama)

All of these shows were entertaining, introduced me to new actors, and gave me a chance to see a different side to some of my favorite actors.

Here's hoping that your K-Drama boredom will end soon!

My Favorite Korean Variety Shows (At the Moment)

Running Man

Where I Watch: YouTube, DramaFever

Overview: 7 MCs compete through a series of missions that keep them running.

Why I Like It: Running Man was the very first Korean Variety show I started watching. Even though I'm still new to the show I have watched all 219 episodes in just a few months. I like it because it combines comedy with action in a very real form. The MCs are super entertaining and I like seeing a different side to some of my favorite celebrities.

Roommate

Where I Watch: DramaFever

Overview: 11-12 celebrities live in a house together and interact on a daily basis. It's a look into how it would be like if celebrities lived in a boarding house.

Why I Like It: I was really excited about this show because the concept just seemed like such an entertaining one. How often would you get to see a bunch of celebrities actually living together? It was a "Must Watch of 2014" for me. I enjoyed the first season very much, everything happened pretty much how I expected. There were awkward moments, sweet moments, and heated moments but overall it was a very endearing show and cast. The second season recently started and I didn't know if I'd like it since I had gotten so used to the usual cast but I think I'm enjoying the second season much more. The cast seems a lot closer and like they're having a lot more fun together. I don't know if that is the work of the cast or the producers but I think the new format is much better.

Hello Counselor

Where I Watch: YouTube

Overview: Hello Counselor is a show where regular citizens send in concerns they're having and discuss it with the MCs and celebrity guests in front of an audience of 150 people. The MCs discuss about 3-4 concerns an episode and the concern that receives the highest number of votes wins a cash prize and the chance to compete next week.

Why I Like It: The MCs are hilarious but they also are very helpful to their guest. They try to lighten the mood as much as possible but they never take any serious concerns too lightly. As an international fan it is also really interesting to see the types of concerns that people from another country face.

Happy Together

Where I Watch: YouTube

Overview: The MCs including Yoo Jae Suk and Park Myung Soo interview celebrity guests. They do a lot of specials and invite guest that usually have something in common.

Why I Like It: It's always fun to get to know your favorite celebrities better and this show is one of the talk shows that give fans that chance. One of my favorite segments however, Late Night Cafeteria, has been taken away. That was the most fun of the show, but it's still a very enjoyable program. Both MCs and guests have good sense and good senses of humor.

Superman is Back

Where I Watch: YouTube, DramaFever

Overview: Fathers take care of their children for a 48 hour period without any help from the mothers.

Why I Like It: You get to see a softer and often funnier side of some of your favorite celebrity fathers so it's very entertaining for that fact. It's also fun to watch the children learn and grow and depend and communicate with their fathers. The show also tends to have a lot of celebrity guests that are just obsessed with taking care of the children as the fathers.