Song of the Week - #24

Lee Hyori (feat. Park Ji Yong) - Amor Mio


When this song first came out, I listened to it over and over again until I practically knew the lines and harmonies inside out. It's such a beautiful, emotional ballad and while Hyori sounds stunning her duet partner totally steals the show for me. I hadn't heard of him prior to this, but I was completely floored when I first heard his gorgeous voice.

Glorious Photo Shoots: August Issue Round-Up

As I will continue with my magazine related posts because there are just certain photo shoots that needs to be seen by everyone, I thought I would do this monthly thing of posting some of my favorite ones that have come out during the past month. Since new pictorials are released all the time and I love seeing my favorite idols and actors/actresses looking gorgeous, I thought it would be a shame not to share those pictures with you.

In the picture above you're blessed by the presence of Lee Hyori herself, looking stunning as only she knows how.

WINNER Finally Debuts With "2014 S/S"

Since Winner lived up to their name by taking the #1 spot on both M!Countdown, Music Bank and Inkigayo this week, thereby joining the labelmate Lee Hi by winning on their debut stage, I thought it would be appropriate to dissect YG's new boy group and their awaited debut.

Can You Identify The Copycats In OC's New Video?

Two Orange Caramel comebacks? In ONE year? Pledis must be in a really good mood. Or greedy for money considering how poorly their other acts seem to be doing. Yes, I'm still mourning the loss of Hello Venus members Yoo Ara and Yoonjo, let me cry in peace.

Anyhow, the teasers this time around made no sense whatsoever, but one thing is certain. Whatever this group releases is awesome, in one way or the other. There are always insanely catchy songs, crazy videos and eye-catching dance moves involved whenever Nana, Lizzy and Raina makes a return to the scene, and for that I am forever grateful.

Kara Returns To The Throne With "Mamma Mia"

I have never will nor will I probably ever be, a Kamilia, but I do love me some Kara every now and again because I typically like their music. Past hits like "Rock U", "Lupin", "Mister" and "Step" for example are still hanging onto their spots on my playlist. However, things have slightly changed since we last saw them with "Damaged Lady". Kara are no strangers to member replacements, but to have two members jump ship this far into their career was probably not the best imaginary scenario for remaining members Hara, Gyuri and Seungyeon. Through the controversial reality show "Kara Project", 20 year-old Youngji was chosen as the new member and now she's joined the group to help regain their once-upon-a-time #1 spot.

Eye Candy Saturday - Junhyung

Seemingly out of nowhere, Beast's main rapper and recent composer Junhyung has been showing up on my radar more frequently these past few months. I never really understood his appeal until his group's latest comeback, and now he's slowly but steadily climbing up my bias list. He's immensly musically gifted as he is quite the triple threat, meaning skills in singing, rapping and dancing, has a knack for writing and producing as well as being a really sweet guy. What more can a girl ask for?

6 Female Idols That Rock Short Hair

As most females have long hair for some unknown reason, those who choose to cut their hair off seem to stand out more from the bunch. There's actually a lot of women that suit short hair, some of them even more than they would do longer locks. These female K-pop idols are the ones I think rock short dos the absolute best.

Recent Girl Group Comebacks: Spica, Ladies' Code And Secret

The summer is sadly coming to an end, and as I wipe my tears away in agony over school starting in less than 2 weeks, it's a relief the K-pop industry shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it seems like everyone is having a comeback all at the same time and I felt it was the perfect opportunity to do a combined post about some of my favorite girls that have recently made returns after months of absence.

Ha:tfelt Stuns With "Me?"

Former (well, maybe not technically but pretty much) Wonder Girl member Yeeun, also known as Yenny, has made her awaited debut as a solo artist under the name Ha:tfelt. Yes, that's a lot of names for one person. It's maybe more than a mere coincidence that her first mini album is called "Me?". Who is really this teen idol turned musician? This album gives us an answer.

Song of the Week - #23

Secret - U R Fired

Easily the best song on their newest mini album, "U R Fired" delivers an all fronts and makes me hopeful about this group's future. I can see why this isn't the title track, but instead we get an awesome b-side that I know I will listen to many more times in my nearest future.

Eye Candy Saturday - Luna

The time has come for yet another f(x) member to be highlighted in this glorious segment. I am a big fan of Luna as she is, along with Krystal, my favorite in the group. Her talents often go unnoticed which is simply quite terrible considering just how amazing she is. Her voice is like a gift sent from the heavens, her dance skills are top notch and who could forget her gorgeous in- and outside.

Midyear Check-Up - Top 5 Albums

Sunmi - Full Moon 

For her first album ever, Sunmi brings out the big guns and shows everyone just what she's capable of as a solo artist. There's a variety of sounds and styles, yet it all blends perfectly together thanks to Sunmi's clear vocals which seem to have improved immensely since her Wonder Girls days. 

Favorite Songs: "If That Was You", "Who Am I"

BTS - Skool Luv Affair

One of the major strengths of this relatively new group lies within the brilliant composing. Their songs have interesting lyrics and talk about topics listeners feel familiar with, and therefore manages to reach out to that teenage demographic. It also helps that they have actual rappers that know what they're doing, because it helps giving the group a genuine hip-hop sound that other groups trying the same concept wish they had. 

Favorite Songs: "Boy In Luv", "Tomorrow", "Spinebreaker"

Taeyang - Rise

The main dancer, vocalist and ab-flasher of Big Bang made a majestic return as a solo artist after several years of hiatus this June. I'm generally not a fan of that typical "YG" sound, as is the reason why I don't really like any of their acts, but this album really won me over. Taeyang gets to showcase his vocal skills in both up- och down-tempo tracks and present catchy melodies and great lyrics.

Favorite Song: "1AM", "This Ain't It", "Love You To Death"

After School - Dress To Kill

This group's first full Japanese album sets the bar for K-Pop idols overseas releases really far up. Although I have enjoyed their Korean material too, this album is by far my favorite of theirs and by far my favorite on this list. Every single song on this album is worth listening to, and how often does that happen that you can listen to an entire album without skipping one or two songs? That's how good this album is. 

Favorite Songs: "Triangle", "Crazy Driver", "Heaven", "Spotlight"

Beast - Good Luck

Beast continues to be amazing in the music department with their 6th mini album, and proves once again that they're one of the more skilled groups in the industry. There are plenty of different sounds to choose from on this album, but all of them share that specific color that only Beast has. All of the members are put to good use, and member Junhyung sure has a bright future as a composer and producer, if not for Beast than for other acts too. 

Favorite Songs: "Good Luck", "Dance With U", "Sad Movie"

What are your favorite albums of the first half of 2014?

Midyear Check-Up - Top 5 Videos

Watching music videos is one of the biggest joys in following K-Pop, especially those who bring that little extra. There have been plenty of releases for the first half of 2014, and that also means a lot of music videos to accompany the title tracks. These are my personal favorites that have come out during the first 6 months.

Song of the Week - #22

Orange Caramel - Abing Abing


Seriously guys, this song and music video were recorded and shot entirely as a commercial for Baskin-Robbins, but it's better than what most K-Pop groups have released this year. Orange Caramel are awesome, enough said.

Red Velvet's Debut Is Certainly...One Of A Kind?

So, SM has debuted another girl group, 5 years after f(x) made their way into the Kpop-sphere. This new four-membered unit, consisting of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy and Joy, has already made big headlines, but maybe not for the reasons you would expect.

JTBC's "Crime Scene" - My New Favorite Variety Show

By accident, as it seems being the way I end up finding all sorts of new things, I stumbled upon an episode of cable channel JTBC's reality variety show "Crime Scene". I had never heard of the show prior, and it's not so strange considering it is not on one of South Korea's major broadcasting channels. However, the series is highly addictive and also allows the viewer to engage on a more personal level. As season 1 has just ended, I am already anticipating another exciting season with plenty of thrilling cases and entertaining guests.

Midyear Check-Up - Top 5 Songs

I wasn't sure whether I was going to do one of these or not, but then I though why not! It's my blog and I decide what I want to do with it. Below I will present my favorite videos, songs and albums (both full and mini versions) that have come out since January up until June. It's already August now (Jesus Christ the time flies, doesn't it?), so I am a bit late but whatever. It's not the end of the world.

Queen Hyuna Is Back With "Red"

This woman is just amazing. She might not be that much of a rapper, or a singer either for that part, but when she is on that stage, she owns it. There's really no other idol who possess that much stage presence, charisma and eye-catching confidence. She is beautiful, sexy and knows exactly what she's doing. Her company knows of this too, and Cube wants to push that sexiness as much as they can. Sometimes they fail, like with "Ice Cream" two years ago, but this time they've pretty much hit the nail on the head. 

Song of the Week - #21

Block B - HER


I honestly don't know why I can't seem to get into Block B as much as I would want to. They release good, solid songs and videos, are great performers and have entertaining personalities. Still, there's just something not connecting between us, but I guess it's like that between people you meet in everyday life as well. Their new track HER is such a jam. Perfect for summer, it's fun, energetic and just the right amount of cute.

Eye Candy Saturday - Bora

Sistar had their comeback about a week ago with flirty summer track "Touch My Body", and while I liked the song the video and especially the choreography was not their best work yet. However, all the members looked absolutely stunning, and Bora in particular stood out to me. I've always liked her and admired her, and I think she has a great personality and is beautiful on top of that too of course.