Hara, Gyuri And Seungyeon Leave DSP; Kara Is No More

We all saw this coming, didn't we? The fact that Kara's great days had passed was realized pretty much the moment Nicole and Jiyoung decided not to renew their contracts back in 2013, and it was actually quite surprising the remaining three chose to stay for two more years considering the troubles this group has had with their company over the years. In 2011 four out of five members filed for a contract termination but the issue was resolved later the same year, so it's clear that the relationship between the group and DSP hasn't always been the best.

With the addition of new member Youngji in 2014 (which I'm sure the other three weren't too happy about, at least I know I wouldn't be) the group made an amazing comeback with "Mamma Mia" and I thought they might be able to return to some kind of former glory, but no. DSP is genuinely one of the worst companies when it comes to promoting and handling their groups (I mean, look at Rainbow and A-Jax) so no matter how splendid their comeback was nothing concrete came out of it in terms of gain of public recognition.

Their comeback earlier in 2015, "Cupid" was probably the most disappointing attempt of a comeback I've seen from them, and that's where at least I knew that it was over. With Hara, Gyuri and Seungyeon's contracts expiring and them not deciding to renew means the end of an era in some way, as one of the greatest second generation girl groups disbands. I can't say I blame them because they surely know as well as many others that there's nothing left for them with DSP, and that embarking on solo activities is probably the best option. What will become of Youngji I'm not sure, but of course I feel bad for her since she only just debuted (and was met with good reception following her stint on "Roommate"). However, it's not fair for them to stay only because of her. I'm also not sure what this means for their Japanese careers, as Kara still is pretty popular over there and has been for some time, but probably one or more of the members will test out the waters over there like former member Jiyoung did. Either way I wish them all the best of luck, and will always remember them as one of the biggest girl groups of their time.

SNS Friday #8

Ett foto publicerat av TaeYeon (@taeyeon_ss) Dec 4, 2015 kl. 4:40 PST

TTS sets the holiday spirit by looking annoyingly adorable at the set of their Christmas MV.

TBT - Kara's "Rock U"

Released: July 25, 2008

This was the very first Kara single featuring Hara and Jiyoung, who were added to the group as original member Sunghee had left to study, and this addition truly did wonders for them. I suppose it helped that they switched concepts as well, as "Rock U" wasn't too similar to their debut songs. You can say whatever you want about the MV, and I think it's kind of cute although a bit alarmingly childish, but the song is so catchy. I can't help but shamelessly love it.

Glorious Photoshoots - September Round-Up

With September coming to an end the summer is officially over for this year, but so far where I live the sun is still shining and it appears as if the warmth is holding on to whatever remains of the season. This month's photoshoot round-up embodies the transition between summer and fall, with most of the pictorials falling somewhere in between. One of my favorites is CL's shoot for Vogue as seen above.

Glorious Photoshoots - August Round-Up

Goregous After School member and actress Uee stuns with her Grazia photoshoot. I had so much trouble picking which shots to include because they were all flawless.

Glorious Photoshoots - July Round-Up

One of the prettiest people in K-pop; Goo Hara, looks amazing as she shoots for Cosmopolitan on an equally gorgeous beach.

Summer, Love And Baking In Goo Hara's "Choco Chip Cookies"

Not going to lie, this review is not only a review but also an excuse to post pretty pictures of Goo Hara, who recently broke away from Kara (temporarily, of course) to go on a solo adventure. I've always liked Hara, like before I even knew who she was. I remember watching a clip from SBS' popular talk-show "Strong Heart" with her in it, and although I had no idea who she was I thought she was the prettiest girl I've ever seen. That's always been Hara's thing, her unique, gorgeous looks and cute yet spunky personality, and while she's a fairly competent dancer her vocals skills are nothing to brag about. With that in mind I had a hard time imagining her as a solo artist, but her debut "Choco Chip Cookies" featuring Giriboy has proven me wrong.

Kara's "Cupid" Is Sugar Without Sweetness

A year after making their grand comeback onto the scene as four members, Kara are back to show us they're still in the game. "Mamma Mia" was one of the highlights of last year, and possible my favorite comeback of the year too, so to say my expectations were anything but sky high for "Cupid" would be lying. Now I've seen what they can do and how they still work even after loosing two members, and in my head it was a no-brainier they would soon return to the top. After watching the MV for "Cupid" though, I wasn't so sure anymore.

Glorious Photoshoots - May Round-Up

Secret's beauty Sunhwa starts this month's round-up with this gorgeous outdoor shoot for InStyle.

TBT - Kara's "Step"

Released: September 5, 2011

This song is still, to this day, one of my favorite K-pop songs in general. Kara has a lot of great songs, which I assure you I'll be positing more of later on, but "Step" is a classic. The song is fun, energetic and colorful, and insanely catchy. Every time I hear it it makes me want to dance, and as a matter of fact I actually learnt the first part of the routine because I liked it so much.

Glorious Photo Shoots - April Round-Up!

Spring has officially arrived, and what better way to celebrate than with this iconic shot of f(x)'s Sulli for "High Cut". Also, about the lack of boys in this post...sorry not sorry.

Glorious Photo Shoots - March Round-Up a.k.a Spring Has Arrived!

Park Shin Hye starts of this month with this gorgeous "Céci" pictorial, fitting for spring and summer.

Twins Or Not Twins? That's The Question

When I first got into K-pop, I couldn't tell anyone apart. Asians all look the same, right? Actually they don't look alike at all but for someone with little exposure to East Asia I honestly thought everyone looked very similar. Nowadays I can separate people almost instantly, but back in the day there were always those members of a group that I literally couldn't tell apart.

The examples below may seem ridiculous now, but at the time they were perfectly justified. I guess it shows how much I've grown used to these kind of features as well.

PART 1 - The Reasonable 

SNSD's Yuri and Yoona


Well, they are part of the infamous SNSD triplets (along with Seohyun), so I guess this isn't the strangest one.

Kara's Gyuri and former member Jiyoung


There's something about they way that they both don't look entirely Korean, if you know what I mean, that makes them similar. So far not too weird.


Infinite's L and Woohyun


They both had dark hair and similar haircuts when I got into Infinite, so don't look at me like that for comparing these two!

Secret's Sunhwa and Jieun


Big eyes, similar hairstyles, fair skin..., I mean the similarities just go on and on.

Block B's Jaehyo and B-Bomb


Anyone who says these two don't look alike is simply lying to themselves. To this day I still see some resemblance of one in the other.

B1A4's Jinyoung and Gongchan


They're both pretty boys so of course I would get them mixed up!

A Pink's Bomi and Chorong


Back when Chorong still had her chubby cheeks they could totally pass as sisters, or cousins, or distant relatives.

PART 2 - The Unreasonable

4Minute's Sohyun and Jihyun


These two look absolutely nothing alike whatsoever. I'm still confused as to how I used to think they looked similar.

SHINee's Taemin and Key


Again, no idea how I could get them mixed up. Key and Taemin literally look like they come from two separate universes.

BTS' J-Hope and Suga


Sure, they're both totally adorable but in completely different ways. The only similarity they actually had at their debut was the black hair color. Nothing else.

Got7's JB and Jr


One of them oozes masculinity and the other takes the prettiest pictures ever. Doesn't sound too similar, does it?

f(x)'s Luna and Sulli


Apart from the fact that they're both gorgeous, Luna and Sulli really don't share any facial features.

SNSD's Tiffany and former member Jessica


Again, how could I even think in the slightest bit that these two looked alike? I don't get it.

So now the question is: who did you think looked alike at first sight?

Former Baby Kara Member and DSP Trainee Sojin Passes Away

My heart broke in half this morning when I read that former DSP trainee and member of reality show "Kara Project" Ahn Sojin had passed away. She was found dead in her apartment and as of now the suspicion of the cause of her death is suicide, which makes me all the more upset. I did watch the show as it aired and I instantly took a liking in Sojin, as she was both talented, humble and hardworking and it pains my heart to know she might have taken her own life.


As for the reasons why she might have done it, I don't think we'll ever find out but it doesn't really matter. I did hear that she had only recently parted ways with DSP and was therefore not part of the new DSP girl group April's line-up, and I'm sure that must've been difficult for her. Naturally there could have been many other factors as well, but it wouldn't be the first time an entertainment worker had decided to end their life as a result of the pressure of the industry.

I sincerely hope that she's in a better place now as I send my condolences to her friends and family whom I assume are struggling at this difficult time. I will always have fond memories of Sojin, even though I didn't get to see enough of her while she lived. May she rest in peace.

Song of the Week #35

Kara - Story


Kara's latest mini "Day & Night" was full of enjoyable beats and upbeat melodies, but this bittersweet ballad completely stole the show for me. Sure, it looks and sounds like your standard breakup son, but knowing that the three original members of the group, Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara, wrote the lyrics makes it all the more heartbreaking. It's not too far-fetched to think that it's about the recent loss of Nicole and Jiyoung, and suddenly the song comes to life in a different, more personal way.

A 2014 Year-end Festival Review - MBC Gayo Daejejun

The very last year-end festival of 2014 took place on New Year's Eve itself, as it has done plenty of times before. I actually find it really sweet and special to ring in the new year with both musical performances but also the fellowship of all the idol groups present. Although I can imagine that a lot of them would have wished to spend the evening with friends and family, it's still a special moment to do so with your teammates, on the stage in front of your fans.

2014 End-year Review - Top 5 Choreographies

I love me a good dance routine, and I know I'm certainly not the only K-pop fan who does. This industry may produce lots of generic music, but on the dancing front they're way ahead of any western music industry. Below I've gathered five choreos by different groups that I liked the very best during 2014. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

50 Most Beautiful Female Idols (10-1)

10. Kara's Hara


Although some people claim she has ruined her face with plastic surgery, I personally think she looks just as gorgeous as she always has. I remember back in the day when she dated Beast's Junhyung I wanted to dislike her because of it but I simply couldn't. I ended up being jealous of him instead,

9. Girl's Day's Yura


Yura certainly came in like a wrecking ball last year for me. Loosing the bangs was definitely the best decision she's ever made, because now I could finally see her lovely face. Her body is pretty amazing too, as shown in the picture above. Seriously, I almost choked when I first saw it.

8. f(x)'s Sulli


Smiling angel Sulli is also one of the those who have grown on me throughout the years, as I did find her beautiful but not too special at all. Nowadays though, when she has matured a bit and become more of a young woman I am all into the hype. What a princess.

7. Girls' Generation's Sooyoung


I'm being completely honest when I say that Sooyoung was my first SNSD bias, and to this day I'm still crazy about her. Her unique looks are what makes her so gorgeous, and I'm happy she's getting more love from the public with her recent dramas and various MC:ing stunts.

6. f(x)'s Krystal


Jessica might not be on this list, but the Jung family are well represented by the younger sister instead. Krystal has a rare kind of sheer star power that far from everyone possesses, that special "it" factor. I wish I could either be her, or possibly be her best friend. I seriously adore this girl.

5. Girl's Generation's Yoona


Here's another grower here, as I could never understand why people thought she looked so much better than everyone else. She was pretty, but in a plain way. Recently though, Yoona has proven herself to be well worthy of her position as visual, and now I'm definitely a big fan of her too.

4. 4Minute's Hyuna


"Hyuna is love. Hyuna is life"; I suggest you all try to live by those words from now on. Many people seem to hate Hyuna for no reason, but I guess having the looks and skills she has bring out the worst type of jealousy. She is a natural goddess on stage and a force to be reckoned with, don't try to deny it.

3. Girl's Day's Hyeri


How did I end up falling completely in love with this young woman? I don't know how it happened but I'm glad it did. Hyeri radiates happiness, youth and sweetness, and her bubbly personality is really just the cherry on top. Not only is she the prettiest ever, but she seems like a genuinely fun person to be around.

2. After School's Nana


Oh my darling Nana. It was literally love at first sight when I first laid eyes on her, and that love has continued for years now. Although my admiration of her has declined a tiny bit since then, hence the 2nd place, I still think she's absolutely stunning and nothing will ever change my mind about that.

1. Girls' Generation's Seohyun


As if there was ever any competition. I don't know how this happened because I didn't pay that much attention to Seohyun at all before, but suddenly something just snapped and realized all I've been missing out on. Ever since "Mr. Mr" I've been kind of crazy about her, so much she even managed to steal Nana's given first place, and that says a lot. I know my love for this fantastic woman will only grow more, because this is just the beginning for me and my new female bias.