XOXO

I wouldn't have a post title like that if there was nothing that warrants it. But EXO's album has been on replay for me these few days hahaha so there. Lemme talk briefly about a few K-pop songs/albums that really got me recently.

1. EXO's 'XOXO' album
It's amazing! I love it although there are a couple of tracks I don't exactly dig, but still, I wouldn't skip them if they come up on iTunes. This album was really worth the one year wait. I got my albums today and I'm so happy with them (hehe). However, to the girl who wanted to trade her Baekhyun photocard for 'any EXO-M members', but told me, "Baekhyun can trade for someone better" when I offered her either Chen or Tao, shit you. LOL. Anyways, check out the Dinoseoul team's thoughts on the album here. It's pretty objective I assure you!

2. Henry's 'Trap'
Ahhh this single is great! I understand Kyuhyun's participation in the track but Taemin seemed a little unnecessary though. But of course I'm not going to complain. Hahahaha! I'm so glad that one of my favourite members of Super Junior is finally getting the recognition he deserves! He is handsome, sings well, dances well, plays the piano and speaks English with a swoon-worthy accent. Okay I will stop here abruptly because I have a review of this song coming up on Dinoseoul.

3. SPICA. Everything of SPICA.
I just kept replaying their singles, especially 'Painkiller' after watching them live at Music Matters' K-pop Night Out. I totally got hooked (to their songs and... Jiwon. Ahem.) Seriously, check them out - even the rapper sings much better than many other so-called 'vocalists' in other groups. And uhm, here's my picture with them just because.

4. SKarf's 'Luv Virus'
Wasn't really feeling the song when I first heard it, but it started getting really catchy the next few listens. From their live performances, I really feel that Ferlyn has improved a lot and I'm really happy for her. Good to see them still going decent, and I'm excited what is going to come next!

Yup, that basically sums up my K-pop life recently. I'm not even getting used to work I'm so sad gonna have Monday blues. Goodnight!

SMTOWN Live World Tour III in Singapore

Wow. Just, wow. SMTOWN was just the most amazing concert ever. I was a little skeptical on whether I should go at first, but boy, am I glad that I decided to. I was really impressed with most of the performances and I especially enjoyed the collaboration stages. Anyway, here's how my day went down.

My friends and I reached pretty early - around 1pm, considering the fact that we got seats. We were disappointed when the merchandise booth stated that the lightsticks were sold out, but we were so happy later when we got free ones from Samsung by just waving. Lol. We took it one step further and did body waves as well. SO. EMBARRASSING. We also went around collecting hand banners which was a lot of fun. Most of them were EXO ones though. I'm not complaining - I just wished that I could have gotten some SHINee and the TVXQ one. Uh well.

So cool! But what do I do with them now?

Things seemed pretty bleak in the evening when it started pouring like crazy. The sky looked so dark it gave me such an end-of-the-world feeling. But the ominous clouds eventually cleared and we were all so thankful.

Fast forward to when we entered the concert venue. There were so many people that I think they gave up on bag checks, so we got to our seats pretty quickly. Our seats were pretty decent, and the atmosphere was awesome. And we absolutely had no idea that the extended stage was going to be so close. Haha we kinda freaked out.

Mandatory ticket shot and an awesome view.

My amazing concert companions ^^

Anyway, the concert itself was just uh-ma-zing. I was definitely looking forward to seeing EXO the most... just because. It was my first time seeing EXO, BoA, f(x), Kangta and Super Junior live. And they were amazing. All of the acts were, even though there were some slip-ups (literally - lots of the artistes slipped on stage and some fell).

Thankfully my kungfa panda didn't fall at this part.

While it was disappointing that some of the performances were lip-synced to - EXO's 'History' and 'MAMA', SHINee's 'Lucifer', and the one that upset me the most - Taeyeon's 'Devil's Cry', the collaboration stages were really impressive. I especially enjoyed Changmin's and Kyuhyun's 'Just the Way You Are' and 'Open Arms' by Ryeowook, Onew, Baekhyun and Chen. Of course, it was also great getting to hear TVXQ's 'Humanoids' even before it was released. Lucky us. Hehe.

Oh god Baekhyun please come into my open arms.

Of course my favourite Taemin and SHINee charmed the socks off of me with their cute little antics and English. Haha!

2min moment at 2:37. Urgh Taemin can you get any cuter?

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And Internet War ft. Jonghyun and Taemin. That totally sent all of us into fangirl spasms. LOL.

Lol at how Taemin has to bend to be on eye level with Jonghyun.

The weather took a turn for the worse when BoA was performing 'Only One'. It was horrible that I missed the Sehun and BoA dance break because I was busy putting on my poncho. I was so looking forward to that part! :(
I was so impressed with f(x) when they performed Electric Shock (how apt lol) live in the heavy rain. It was totally a the-show-must-go-on moment and I was incredibly touched.

And as if on cue, during the last song 'Hope', the rain suddenly stopped. It was like the heavens knew. I was even more touched and even though it was a happy song I started tearing up. It was beautiful. Even as I write this and reminisce I feel like crying. Hahaha I'm such a softie, pfft.

Anyway, to end off, I am so glad that I decided to go for this. It was indeed the biggest K-pop event in Singapore thus far, and I anticipate the next one in 2014.

Do check out Dinoseoul's write up here, photos here.

And also watch the highlights of SMTOWN Live World Tour III in Singapore that I did if you haven't! :)

D-DAY

Today is SMTOWN. SMTOWN is today. Can I just say how excited I am? Wow, seeing so many artistes (of which I all like - I know, so many) performing over a span of four hours is gonna be really insane and absolutely fun! I can't wait to see SHINee perform since they were the first K-pop group I ever liked. But man, am I looking forward to watching EXO? I've been following them since Teaser #1. And I really love them okay.

Okay. So fangirlish. Meh. Goodnight!

Super Junior - SPY Review

Super Junior finally released the music video of their follow-up song, SPY, a good one week after the single was released.

The first time I heard this song, I was so pleasantly surprised at the cowboyish introduction. It gave off such a happy vibe and I was so happy that there was an actual melody to it. However as it went on, especially when Kyuhyun started droning his insanely low notes in the verse, my mood took a 180 degree turn.
And by the end of the song I was totally unimpressed with what seemed like a mash-up of three songs - a cowboy/Wild Wild West inspired tune, a Bond inspired hook, and chanting similar to that of Superman and Gulliver (also songs by them).
The composer was probably going for a 'playful' and 'varied' song but honestly this doesn't do it for me at all. I feel that songs shouldn't have too many motifs (unless you are talking about concert band/orchestral music) and this song totally deviates away from that rule. It would have been a perfect song if the droning verses were replaced with something akin to the beginning. Or you know what? Scrap that, it would have been perfect if the entire song sounded like that. Words can't explain how much I love Eunhyuk's parts in this song. Gone are the days when Super Junior got quality songs like No Other and Mirror.

Alas, as much as I dislike the song, the SM effect has yet again hit me and this song is now stuck in my head, to the extent that I feel inclined to make a cover. Oh no. Hahahaha.

Now, on to the music video. There isn't really anything to say about it except that's a typical SJ-dancing-in-a-huge-box and close-ups of them singing their lines video. Of course the boys look dashing wielding pistols and shotguns all decked out in sleek suits but I am getting so tired of the low-budget production. Seriously, what's up with all the random squirts of blood coming out from nowhere? I know it fits the concept, but it turned out to be more of a distraction than a complement to the video.
The thing that irks me the most, however, is the fact that the video for this song could have easily been scripted into a storyline - but no - laziness just gets better of everyone and Super Junior once again ends up with a less-than-stellar recycled music video.

The choreography of the song though, is quite impressive to me - especially the part before Kyuhyun sings his verse where he has to pass through some sort of 'obstacle course', and also the part just before Ryeowook takes over his lines. The disappearing-and-reappearing-as-another-person act is just genius. All these Bond-inspired dance moves are what redeem the song, making their live performances really enjoyable.

It also seems like any new SJ single is not complete without a small solo dance part from Eunhyuk. Not that I mind though, because I really like them.

So all in all, terrible song and music video, but amazing choreography. But no matter what I, or anyone for that matter, say about SJ's songs, you know that they are still going to top the charts and sweep ELFs off their feet. While many are getting sick of this formula they are using, you have to admit that it works and I don't see any reason why they are going to change it, although a huge part of me still wishes that they will.

Till then, I will just continue replaying SPY and watch SJ snag all their awards. Go kick it in the butt, boys!

Merry Christmas!

Ahh this is so beautiful I never knew Amber could play the guitar. Respect x1000000.
And Henry is really cute hurhur. Chinese pride!

메리 크리스마스!~