$8.75
2 Edition •July 2014
CONFESSIONS OF A SASAENG A KCRUSH ORIGINAL BY JOELLE HALON
MUSIC JOURNEY
. . . s u l P
DANNY JUNG J. Chung Sits down with the famous instrumentalist and and ask the questions fans want answers to in our Exclusive interview
This Month in:
04 Too Many Boy Bands? Boy Band History 06 Girl’s Generation Earns TIME Honor: Was it Deserved? 08 AOA Freshman Mini Album A Solid Effort 11
Confessions of a Sasaeng
54
Crush of the Month
55 Ask the Writer Presents: Yongeun Lee 58 2014 Spring-Summer Fashion Trends 60 Color-Me Bland: Ayu’s Colour a Palette of Wasted Potential
16 B2’s Good Luck Smooth and Impressive 19 Celebrity Birthdays June 2014
62 2002: The Global Turning Point
23 Men’s Dress Suits
66 Confessions of a Sasaeng complete Q&A
24
70 Aspirations for Fame and Success
MUSIC JOURNEY:
63 Album Exclusive: Team H “Driving to the Highway” This Summer
29 Puffy AmiYumi
71 2NE1 and the Public Inquiry
31 Why People Want To Visit Korea
73 Charitable Hearts of Kpop Stars
34 The bigger scandal Idol Dating or Fan Behavior? 36 Recipe: Strawberry Kakigōri 38 More Celebrity Birthdays July 2014 42 Approach to Beauty: How Spending Suggests Beauty Ideals in America and Korea 43 Indie Spotlight: Standing Egg Standing Tall 46 Teacher’s Corner 49 Super Star Saxophonist – Danny Jung What you need to know
Editorial Director Denise Coley Senior Contributing Editor J. Chung Senior Contributing Writer Joelle Halon Contributing Writer Anomis Ananda Contributing Writer Jonathan You Layout & Design Director Douglas Siclari
THE EDITOR’S DESK As I write this, I am so happy to bring to you the 2nd Edition of our magazine. It is exciting that we will be sharing our first artist “CRUSH” Of The Month (July & August) on page 49. There’s a behind the scenes interview with a Korean horror writer, and an English teacher’s perspective on teaching and living in Korea.
Learn it Love it
WORDS AND TRANSLATIONS
10 summer related words in Korean. 바닷가: The seaside. The shore. (‘바다’ indicates ‘the sea’)
In hearing how some idol fans are going, too far in order to see or meet their favorite groups or solo artists, we wanted to investigate and bring accurate information to our readers about this subject. I hope you will read our Cover Story – “Confessions Of A Sasaeng“.
여름: Summer. (봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울 – are the names of the four seasons.)
Look through our “Star’s” birthday section. Learn more about the cosmetic use of the U.S. and Asian woman. And, did SNDS deserve the Time magazine honor, plus, a lot more.
Meaning clothes as in what people wear. Should not be used as a plural- for example ‘옷들’ wouldn’t make sense.
We look forward to being one of your first choices in finding out what’s happening in the Asian entertainment community while living in the U.S.. Visit us online at kcrush.com. You will find interesting and in-depth articles and interviews there as well. Enjoy and have fun reading Kcrush America.
옷: Clothes, outfit, attire.
수영복: Swimsuit. ‘수영’ is a word meaning swim. 복’ is an outfit. 시간: Time or hour. ‘한 시간’ refers to one hour. 기억: Memory. Remembrance
Denise Coley
Founder/CEO/Editor-In-Chief editor1@kcrush.com
소원: Wish. 난 소원이 있어요 - Means “I have a wish.” 무더위: Steamy heat. Hotness to describe the weather. ‘Etreme heat’ 더위: A noun for ‘hot.’ ‘Hotness.’ ‘Heat.’ 메아리: Echo. Resound. 모래: Sand. ‘모래 사장‘refers to the sands or the sandy beach. ‘ 모래밭’ means ‘sandpit or ’sandbox’
TOO MANY BOY BANDS? BOY BAND HISTORY One common opinion of the boy bands in Korea these days, whether you are a die hard fan or someone who can never tell one band from the other, some would agree that there are currently too many of them in the Korean pop industry. And, the list of boy bands is practically endless, increasing each year. There’s always a band that’s rising to fame while some just fade from the scene before you know it. And sometimes along with the number that’s rising also, come the issues. Korea’s trend for boy bands started in the early 90’s, the general opinion the band that started it was ‘Seo Taiji and the boys’ and later boy bands like Solid, Noise, Ref, Deux, Turbo joined the music industry followed by H.O.T, Sechs Kies, NRG, Shinhwa, god and countless others. It seems using abbreviations for a band name was also, a fad in the music industry, which is still used today. Music back then was less ‘idol-like’ and my personal judgment would be that the lyrics and music in the 90’s were less “up front” compared to the songs getting released these days. Whereas, the average age for band members was much higher, thus it was definitely a rare sight to find teenagers in any bands before the ‘boy-band’ frenzy in the 90’s emerged. When Seo Taji and the Boys emerged in 1992, they turned the music around completely for Korean music. The band’s leaders Seo Taji and Hyun Seok Yang (The current owner of YG) were still in high school. Before this time, foxtrot music, folk, metal and ballad songs dominated the music charts in Korea. Thus, the music that Seo Taji and the Boys produced later impacted a lot of musicians and huge number of fans followed them around everywhere as they enjoyed Seotaji, who was in charge of writing the music. He is highly regarded and often nicknamed as the cultural president. The Boys disbanded and went their own separate ways saying they wanted to finish on the top after spending five years on the top, in 1996. The next massive boy band that debuted in the same year was notably H.O.T, the band formed by S.M Entertainment. The music and image of H.O.T influenced many bands that followed. They especially gained popularity from the female population. After they came onto the scene, other boy groups like Sechs Kies, Taesaja, NRG, Shinhwa, Eagle Five, 1TYM, g.o.d, Click-B, Fly to The Sky,UN and many also others appeared.
4. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
H.O.T split ways after five years, the three members, Tony An, Jaehoon and Woohyuk formed another band called J.T.L. The main vocal Kangta and Heejun stayed on with their management company. The whole story behind the reason of their split is an untold mystery to this day except there was a rumor circulating that there was a kind of dispute within the company at the time of the split. Many of those bands survived the average of three years or even less, however Shinhwa has been together since their debut in 1998. Also, Fly to The Sky are still in the music business as a team since 1999. After watching many bands come and go for years, the reason the majority of these boy bands or groups tend to only last a couple or few years at the most, I assume is because of their issues with contract or management, the lack of sales or popularity. And, the fact that most of these boy band members need to serve in the mandatory two year military service tends to make it harder to make a comeback when they return. The issue of bands splitting up, whether is in the fault of the management or merely the members themselves, is a common thing. As observers looking in, we see these band members as great friends in the same group, but the fact is in most cases they are just strangers put into a work environment-whether they get along or have issues in their companies, we would be the last to know. If, the story gets out and a lawsuit is filed, still the whole story would not be revealed to the public. In such cases of conflict or dispute on the disbandment of former groups like H.O.T, Shinhwa, DBSK and the recent happening of EXO’s member leaving his company, the real reason or the incidents, again, we can only speculate. Being in the Kpop industry is so tough, these bands are put into hours of training, controlled hours of sleep and what they eat under busy, hectic schedules. So, we see all these boy bands on the air now, but in a few years only the few lucky ones will stay together and spare their fans grief from splitting up or leaving their group. Nothing can be predicted or planned to perfection, especially in the entertainment business, but these incidences should be taken notice of, things should be amended, so that these band members or trainees don’t get mistreated, if that is the case. They should be fully informed of what is written on the contracts they sign, for instance. Maybe this is the most crucial step these management companies need to take in order to avoid the unpleasant incidences that have previously occurred. And, note that the music and entertainment business is complicated, but these fundamental matters should be taken care of and protected. Here is wishing the seasoned and the new groups much success and happiness.
J. CHUNG 2nd EDITION 5
“GIRL’S GENERATION EARNS TIME HONOR: .....WAS IT DESERVED? JOELLE HALON released their list of top 25 songs for the first half of the year on June 2, 2014. To many readers, it is a surprise that Girl’s Generation’s “Mr. Mr.” made the list. This isn’t the first time Girl’s Generation caught TIME’s attention. In 2013, TIME covered the girls in two articles: “Can the New Single from K-Pop Stars Girls’ Generation Challenge ‘Gangnam Style’?” and “Who Is Girls Generation, the Group That Beat Bieber for Video of the Year?” in January and November, respectively. Both articles were about “I Got a Boy.”
TIME
“Mr. Mr.” is one of Girl’s Generation’s strongest songs in recent years. The song is a catchy dance track as per Girl’s Generation and SM Entertainment’s style, and the MV showed why SM groups are known for their colorful videos and awesome dance skills. The video comes with a story, too, which is part of
It’s great K-Pop is getting recognition in the United States, especially since coverage is sending the message that K-Pop is more than Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” With that considered, the list felt a bit premature. June wasn’t over yet, so what if other songs came out? Plus, other K-Pop songs were a bit more successful internationally. Did Girl’s Generation earn the honor of being on the list?
WHY “MR. MR.” DESERVED THE HONOR Girl’s Generation is known the world-over as one of Korea’s premiere female idol groups, so it makes sense for them to earn the honor. They remain active through various capacities each year through concerts and promotions in Korea and Japan, so they always have material to keep fans happy. The girls have one of the most active fanbases (SONEs) who are supportive of the girls. Plus, reading through comments on Tumblr and Reddit, many international K-Pop fans got into the genre through Girl’s Generation in recent years, so they serve as ambassadors for the K-Pop world. 6. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
“Mr. Mr’s” appeal. The story involves the SNSD-girls trying to fix their player-boyfriend’s heart as he is materialistic and cold, and while the girls operate on him, they put him in a drug-induced stupor via Calcium chloride making the video how it is. The storyline and imagery have an artsy appeal. Many of the songs on TIME’s list have artistry or emotion attached, so it seems the staff looked at more than just the songs’ surface. Based on this, “Mr. Mr.” earned it’s spot with good reason.
DID “MR. MR.” TRULY EARN THE SPOT?
However, when YouTube views are factored in, “Mr. Mr.” did considerably better with over 25 million views at the time of publication versus “Come Back Home’s” over 17 million. YouTube measures worldwide appeal better than a singular music chart—repeat views and viewers refreshing the video aside— so just by these numbers alone, Girl’s Generation earned the right to be named one of TIME’s 25 best videos so far.
While there are many who enjoyed “Mr. Mr.” and consider it one of SNSD’s best, there are just as many who feel “Mr. Mr.” was a weak song and not up to par with previous Girl’s Generation songs. Some of these fans also didn’t like the glitchy composition of the MV, saying it lacked flow and clear storytelling. With this, some K-Pop lovers felt “Mr. Mr.” was the beginning of a WHY IT’S A BIG DEAL waning career for Girl’s Generation. Girl’s Generation is the only K-Pop group mentioned on Despite the dislikes, “Mr. Mr.” ranked high on music the list; other artists are followed and fairly recognized charts worldwide including the US. On the Billboard by many in the US. In a country where many don’t charts, “Mr. Mr.” peaked at 110; on US world charts, it really consider K-Pop a legitimate music genre, it’s a peaked at number three. Earning spots on US charts surprising choice, but a good one to help the spread of is a big deal since K-Pop typically does not; BigBang, Hallyu and knowledge about K-Pop. Seeing them on a Taeyang, and Psy have done it in recent history, but it’s list from a big-time magazine may generate curiosity, and that’s a good thing especially since many have still a rarity. entered into the world of K-Pop through SNSD songs Even though “Mr. Mr.” ranked high on the charts, like “Gee,” “Into the World,” “Oh,” and “Genie,” so 2NE1’s Crush performed better, peaking at 61 on the “Mr. Mr.” could be added to the list of “SNSD K-PopGateway” songs. Billboard chart and second on the US world charts. 2NE1 seems to have more US-appeal due to their harder-edged style and due to their US tour in 2012. Another reason their addition is a big deal is, because The New York Times named 2NE1’s New Evolution K-Pop’s popularity is finally being recognized in this Tour, as well as Big Bang’s Alive Galaxy Tour, as one country, helping those of us who are fans breathe a of the best US tours of 2012. Despite their immense little easier and possibly feel a little less “odd’ about our success, Girl’s Generation does not have this backing to musical choices. It’s almost like validation that we were their name for US accolades. If TIME looked at sales aware of K-Pop’s potential all along and our media is and US media coverage, 2NE1’s Crush and the lead finally seeing it. track “Come Back Home” may have been the better Congratulations, Girl’s Generation. You earned your choice due to audience appeal. spot on TIME’s list. Thank you for being an ambassador for K-Pop.
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AOA FRESHMAN MINI ALBUM A SOLID EFFORT By: Joelle Halon Ace of Angels (AOA) are back with their first mini album, which is surprising since they’ve had five singles prior to the album release. The girls have definitely grown with each release, but they did not lose their fun quirky sides despite dabbling in sexy concepts. The seven-song (five new songs and two instrumentals) AOA 1st Mini Album does a nice job capturing both their fun and sexy sides with songs that will appeal to different audiences.
8. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
OVERALL IMPRESSION AOA was always one of those girl groups that had a lot of potential. Since their debut in 2012, they’ve developed a cult following, because of their band concept; but they really caught the public’s attention with 2013’s “Confused” and 2014’s “Miniskirt,” the latter earning them an Inkigayo win. AOA’s 1st Mini Album showcases stronger vocals overall. Their vocals have more finesse since they debuted where songs sounded more amateurish and lacked direction. This is not the case here. Harmonies are better, and each girl definitely improved, even Jimin, whose high-pitched rapping can sometimes be a bit grating for some listeners. However, Mina needs more lines! She is so neglected in the line-department. It would be nice to see her stand out. While there are plenty of pros for the album as a whole, how did each song stack up individually?
“FANTASY” “Fantasy” is the intro song, so it’s sadly short. The instrumentals have a nice, jazzy flow, and combined with an R&B sound, it has great potential to be an amazing full song. The girls sound amazing during the song’s 1:18 duration. The beginning chords sound very dreamlike and like opening a music box, fitting in with the fantasy theme. The sound is enough to make a listener feel pumped for what’s to come! At times, “fantasy” sounds like they’re singing “fancy.” Some stronger pronunciation here would have helped, but overall, this is a nice intro!
Grade: B-
“SHORT HAIR” “Short Hair” is a perfect title track, and it should do well on the music shows. Upbeat songs are definitely AOA’s strong suit, and it shows here. With the addictive “oh oh oh” and well-harmonized verses, “Short Hair” is a great summer song. It’s spunky without being annoying. Jimin toned her sound down a bit which helped the song quite a bit, and other members had a chance to show off their vocal prowess. As for the lyrics, “Short Hair” is a motif that is popular in many K-Pop songs and MVs because it signifies renewal and reinventing oneself, and that is the message the song sends: Guy and girl breakup; girl feels lost in her feelings; girl is ready to move on… or is she? The song is one that is easy to relate to, which is part of the appeal.
Grade: B+
JOA YO! “Joa Yo!” is another song that is perfect for summer, and it’s one that has potential to be released as a sistersingle to “Short Hair.” The song starts out strong and catchy, especially the “shu-bi-du-bi-la-baba” portions. The sudden “whoa!” prior to the first set of “shu-bi-du-bi-la-baba” is a bit startling, so if you’re listening with headphones, remove them slightly after they sing “AOA, I like it, I like it” the first few seconds in. The lyrics are cute and bright for this fun love song. The lyrics create a nice image of a couple on a road trip to the beach, and that’s part of the fun. The harmonies during the chorus add to the fun, and it sounds like the girls had a lot of fun performing the tune. This is the major sell point of the song. While it is a fun tune, the rap portions feel out of place and can get annoying, if you are a person who enjoys listening to a song repeatedly. This was definitely a case where Jimin needed to be toned down just a bit, because she tends to overpower an otherwise adorable, fun song.
Grade: C+
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“MY SOULMATE” Hyejeong, Yuna, and Seolhyun own this song. “My Soulmate” is a soft, mid-tempo ballad that is peaceful and relaxing. This song is one that should be played on repeat because it’s so pretty. This is probably the best song on the album because it’s pleasing to the ears. The girls showed great vocal control with the song. The chorus, like with other songs on the album, showed a strong ability to harmonize. Jimin’s rap, too, was softer, so nothing felt out of place. What was included in the song should have been there, so there were no issues with transitions and arrangement. In other words, “My Soulmate” was nearly perfect in execution!
Grade: A “YOU KNOW THAT” Just like “My Soulmate,” “You Know That” is a definite standout. The song starts out with a nice Spanish sound that helps set the tone for the type of song of which listeners will be treated. Choa sounds best in this song. The tempo and beat matches her voice well, so it sounds effortless when she belts out her notes. The other girls stave off a bit, so it feels like they’re allowing her to have the spotlight. By doing this, the song doesn’t feel like it’s overloaded with content because the beat is definitely something a listener should feel here. The song has an ability to sweep listeners away to a place that is lively and enjoyable. While it is upbeat, the vocals are lighter than in “Short Hair” and “Joa Yo!” It is the best of the dance and vocal worlds.
Grade: A AOA’s first mini-album effort is fairly solid despite a few missteps: The album has a few standout songs worth listening to, but there are one or two that may get annoying after a while. The girls are definitely improving, and that’s what makes this album worth a listen!
Overall Grade: B+
JOELLE HALON
10. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
Want Need
Confessions Obsession of a Sasaeng Desire
By: Joelle Halon
Name all the things you do in the name of your favorite idol group or celebrity. Do you collect posters, playlists, magazines, and albums? If so, it can’t be helped. You didn’t choose the fan life: The fan life chose you. Anyone familiar with the K-Drama Reply 1997 may remember Si-Won (APink’s Eunji) and her undying love for H.O.T. Si-Won camps outside Tony Ahn’s house; ditches school to see H.O.T perform; and melts down whenever anyone has anything bad to say about them. While it’s funny on TV, many fans do what Si-Won did, but without humorous results. Sasaengs have no boundaries, and actions have been well documented, including: •EXO’s Baekhyun’s brother’s wedding being crashed
While it’s funny on TV, many fans do what Si-Won did, but without humourous results
by sasaeng fans (Mnet). •EXO fans were banned from attending an Inkigayo taping when “Growl” was being promoted. EXOtics were banned due to not following rules and not maintaining a peaceful environment for other fandoms. •During the 2011 Angrl Price Festival, a fan tried to pull SNSD’s Taeyeon off the stage.
Translation: I dedicate to Taecyeon my period blood letterOk Taecyeon, You cannot live without me Sprinkled with a few strands of my pubes.” •B.A.P’s Himchan’s laxative-laced coffee served to him prior to the “Power” performance May 11, 2012 on KBS Music Bank. •Fans causing a several-car pileup chasing Super Junior’s vehicle. •Sasaengs breaking into FTIsland’s dorm, stealing personal property, and defecated by emergency exits. •Sasaeng fans bothering JYJ so much that JYJ started to fight back violently according to audio recordings (SeoulBeats). These incidents occur, but not much is done about it besides a few plans by the Korean Ministry of Sports
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and Tourism. Despite artists expressing frustrations with sasaengs, companies often do not try to curb sasaeng behavior. “Sasaeng fans are a part of the K-Pop machine,” said Colette Bennett, pop culture writer for CNN/HLN who covers Asian culture extensively. “I believe it may stay that way for a while in Korea. Despite [sasaeng’s] extreme actions, there have never been any legal actions taken against them. I think rather than be encouraged by big corporations like SM and YG, they will more likely just let it go on and pretend they don’t see it happening.”
actress Gu Hye Sun and idol group EXO. “I had friends who would tell me I looked like actress Gu Hye Sun…” Jin said. “I think I did too. I watched TV shows they were in and started to feel like they were friends. I wrote fan-fiction about how we became good friends. I start imagining her and me going to movies and restaurants and having fun times. She would be in my dreams. Then, I decide to move to Seoul to see if I can find her to become friends like in my dream. I told my family I was in Seoul to find good job so they let me go.”
According to a few Jin is open Over the years, photos and videos about her psychologist, wanting to emerged showing experience sasaeng actions. look like a celebrity may as a sasaeng Recently in Japan, despite her two members from f am i ly ’s indicate a mega group AKB48 disapproval. self-esteem issue were slashed by She is candid someone wielding about what a saw during a handshake event. she did down to the fine details. In AKB48’s case, there was Even though she does not show little security. For Korean idols, her face, she paints a picture of security, also seems to be an issue. her appearance. “If the companies managing these bands won’t step in and make sure authorities are on the scene prosecuting these girls,” Bennett said, “it makes a broad statement as to how much they actually value the health and wellbeing of the young men and women in their bands.” “I Was a Sasaeng” Twenty-six year-old “Jin” has her life together now. Residing in Japan, Jin has a college degree, boyfriend, and a job at her aunt’s company. Not too long ago, she spent years following Korean 12. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
“I started buying clothes to look like [Gu]. I got my hair fixed and cut,” Jin said. “When I turned 20, I got surgery to make my eyes and nose look like Gu Hye Sun’s so I can feel very pretty.” Plastic surgery seems like an extreme step in idol worship, but it does happen. Many plastic surgeons report how people often bring in photos of celebrities in hopes of achieving a certain look. Issues like self-esteem, careeradvancement, and wanting to fit into a world that idolizes certain beauty preferences drive the need for plastic surgery. According to
The Anatomy of Sasaeng In many cases, sasaeng fans in Korea and abroad take extreme measures to find out everything about their idols, including: •Camping outside an idol’s home or dorm •Calling around and finding people willing to share a favorite idol’s location or plans •Harassing other “normal fans” in order to be the “last fan standing” to see an idol •Ditching school to attend events •Stealing or prostituting for money in order to hire “sasaeng taxis” to follow celebrities around. According to eNews World, taxi services assisting extreme fanatics charge anywhere from 50,000- 1,000,000 won (50-1000 USD) for several hours of celebrity stalking. •Finding jobs at credit card firms, banks, and hotels idols may frequent in order to find out more about their lives •Commit crimes such as breaking and entering and theft in order to enter an idol’s personal space and keep mementos •Create online groups and SMS circles in order to keep other sasaengs in-the-know about celebrity whereabouts •Intentionally try to harm an idol in order for that idol to remember them or to get closer to that idol.
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Joongang Daily, a poll conducted by e-Seoul showed 41 percent of teenagers were “willing to have plastic surgery for beauty,” which is 10 percent higher than 20-somethings and 20 percent higher than those in their 30s.
daughter?’ They also found out I stole money from them to get my plastic surgeries.” Her father sent her to live with an aunt in London. While there, Jin worked hard to earn a college degree and get a job.
“My aunt kept me busy and had me go to school to But according to a few psychologists, wanting to look learn English and become a business woman like her. like a celebrity may indicate a self-esteem issue, while Then, EXO came out,” Jin said, following with a long some interviewed felt this was highly unusual but pause. “I thought they were all so cute! All my money possibly cultural. According to the Korea Times, the went to merchandise.” average cost of cosmetic surgery on the eyes and nose is around 7 million won: Jin described her love for My father could not look at me. My As $6,500 USD. EXO, she seemed excited. mother cried all the time because I She mentioned the fanmail “I told my dad I had a she wrote, the pictures she nose problem so I can get was a disgrace and she missed my drew, and the fanfiction surgery,” said Jin. “I did not she created. All seems like old face. tell him I wanted to look harmless fan behavior. “I like Gu Hye Sun. I took shipped them all together money from him to pay for my eyes. He didn’t know and created wild sexy stories. I learned how to draw this.” After a brief pause, Jin described her motives for to send them pictures. I was in love! I loved them so the surgery. “I wanted to meet Gu Hye Sun so bad. much,” she said. I wanted her to see me and love me because I have Suddenly, her tone turned serious. her face. I wanted her to be my friend. I even tried to get into Sungkyunkwan University because she went there. But it did not work.” She explained her school scores were not good enough to get into the university. After her move to Seoul, Jin was homeless, often relying on the kindness of others for room and board. Eventually, she needed to take a darker turn to fund her exploits. “I sold myself to stay in Seoul. Had sex for money. I did not want to go home. I told my friends I would meet her. I didn’t want to look like a babo [Korean for ‘fool’] in front of my friends. ” She never did meet Gu. One of her friends she remained in contact with at home told her family what she was doing. “My father came to look for me and [found] me in a coffee shop. Seoul is big city and he still found me! But, my father is very smart,” Jin said. “He must [have] remembered my love for coffee and looked at all these places first. He brought me back home and I was not allowed to leave my house. “Mother and father were very upset with me. My father could not look at me. My mother cried all the time because I was a disgrace and she missed my old face. She told me ‘What happened to my pretty
Himchan_Power_Performance_After_Saesang_ Incident_May_112012_via_YouTube “I had a thing for Kai’s hair,” she said. “I wanted to touch it. I found a fan forum and joined. They all have ideas [on how] to find EXO and follow them to get close. They gave me ideas like buying cheap cell phones. We created SMS accounts to stay in touch. We found taxi drivers willing to help us.” Jin revealed she was still in London when she first started to engage in these activities. “At first, I helped others in Korea. Since I worked in my aunt’s office, I knew phone numbers and airport contacts and taxi numbers,” Jin said. “I made it sound like I was finding information out for business purposes. Someone in 2nd EDITION 13
the office found out what I was doing and threatened to tell my aunt. So I quit job and moved back to Seoul without telling my aunt.” This time, her move was better equipped with a plan for better living arrangements and a way for her family to not locate her. “I decided to no longer go by my given name and became Jin. I used that name so no one found me,” said Jin.
group were hitting each other to prevent each other from seeing the members. I didn’t get a piece of Kai’s hair like I wanted. But, there were several other times we had a chance to try. We kept talking to drivers and hotel clerks. They gave us information for a fee.” Her excitement quickly fades after another pause. “I guess because I’m getting older, it started not to feel right. One time at an airport, I saw girls mob the guys. One member sat on the ground yelling at fans to stop. Another member picked him up. I saw tears in their eyes, but fans didn’t care. Something changed in me, and I did not want to see EXO sad and hurt.” Jin realized she didn’t want to be a sasaeng. She opted for treatment.
“I moved into an apartment with another girl and we spent many hours planning routes to follow EXO when they went to interviews. We planned fan meets to stand outside their dorms. We booked cars to follow them. We found out when each member was doing things so we can find them. We found out where No, no! Good Fans do not do this! “I felt sad,” Jin said. “I they ate and when. I focused said to myself, ‘this is not Good fans thank their idols and how it should be.’ I got on Kai because I wanted to touch his hair. I wanted to cut show love, through kindness. We are close to EXO but at what a piece of it so I can treasure it. cause? The members “We managed to follow their are crying and fans don’t not fans by being mean! car lots. We saw them at care! Then I realized I am airports,” said Jin excitedly. “I managed to touch a not a fan. I am crazy. I am psychopath. I didn’t realize member once. I don’t remember which one since I was standing back crying too. This was not fun. I there was a mob of girls too. Some people in our went home that night and told my roommate I did 14. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
not want this anymore. She told me we were doing the was busy chasing after EXO and Gu Hye Sun, because right thing and that we were doing things other fans I was so taken in by the chase, nothing else mattered. did not get to do. I told her ‘we are not fans.’ I told her I didn’t care. ‘No, no! Good fans do not do this! Good fans thank their idols and show love through kindness. We are “I changed my face and became someone I wasn’t. not fans by being mean!’ She hit me and scratched me I change my name to become someone I wasn’t. I because I made her mad. I packed my clothes and left. sold my body to chase after a fantasy. Someone else A hotel let me use their phone and I called my father took my identity. I was consumed by obsession. Then to apologize for making him worried. He came and when I saw EXO members get pushed, I saw hurt. got me and sent me back to my aunt since she knew a Then I realized they have families too who look out doctor there who would talk for them and love them I changed to become someone to me and help me. I was in really instead of the love I the hospital for six months. I wasn’t..Someone else took my have. When I felt that the boulder was gone, I could identity. I was consumed by the breathe.” “I let my family down bad,” Jin said. “I hurt people. I obsession remember the looks on Until both issues are EXO’s faces and that keeps addressed, sasaengs will me from being sasaeng again.”Helping Sasaengs, continue to cause a ruckus all while fueling the K-Pop Helping Idols machine. While Jin recognized her misgivings, many often do not. “One of the worst parts of this unfortunate situation is that sasaengs will not seek help,” Bennett said. “They are usually very young, doing this with a group of other girls, which likely makes them feel important or that they belong. As in other parts of Asia, mental health is swept under the rug.” On petition site change.org, K-Pop fans have created petitions asking South Korea and the entertainment industry to create laws preventing sasaeng behavior and protect celebrities from getting hurt. Laws may help, but would it fix the issue? What about looking into the mental health of sasaengs and providing them with the assistance they need to live life as healthy fans? “Do you ever feel like you have a boulder resting on your chest making it difficult to breathe?” Jin added. “You can’t move, so the weight of the boulder feels heavier and heavier until it feels like your entire body is ready to die? I didn’t realize I felt that way when I
Colette Bennett is an Asian culture enthusiast. You can find out more information on her website at http://colettebennett.com. (Read the complete Q&A on page 65)
JOELLE HALON Do you find yourself exhibiting obsessive behavior and depression when following an idol? Do you find yourself too invested in that person’s life? Don’t be afraid to reach out and seek help. Resources are available.
In Korea http://www.counsel24.com/ Numbers by City/Region: http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/ international/south-korea-suicidehotlines.html In the US Nationwide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE Crisis Helpline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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B2’S GOOD LUCK IMPRESSIVE AND SMOOTH
JOELLE HALON B2st’s new mini album, Good Luck, came out June 16, and it does a nice job of following in the footsteps of last year’s Hard to Love, How to Love album. Given how Hard to Love was one of 2013’s strongest albums, and one of B2st’s best efforts, it felt like it would be hard to improve upon a hit.But, B2st did a great job here, and provided B2uties with another crowd-pleaser. Each song is unique, and given how many were written by Junhyung, it’s a win on many levels!
The Songs “Good Luck” “Good Luck’s” overall sound is impressive from beginning to end, and this is due to the amazing instrumentals that accompany the song. The instrumentals start slow and build, which makes the sound even more exciting! “Good Luck” then turns into an awesome dance track. There are many things to note in “Good Luck.” Not only is the overall composition strong and thrilling, but the lyrics are clearly pronounced, so even a non-native Korean can sing along. However, while this is helpful, English speakers may be put off by some of the “Engrish” moments like “why you leave me alone.” Throw the latter issue out the window, “Good Luck” is a strongly composed, smartly written, and addictively sung song. Grade: A 16. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
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“We Up” “We Up” pays homage to late-1970’s disco, so it is a song that has “dance to me” written all over it. Hyunseung just oozes perfection with his parts, and he’s the reason this song is a winner. His strong vocals combined with the chorus make the song memorable to some degree. However, the overall song just didn’t feel like it was executed well. Typically, Junhyung’s rap is a show-stopper. In “We Up,” it felt sorely out of place and made the song feel like a mess at around 2:24. Sometimes, K-Pop needs to break out of the formula of adding rap in every song, and song would have benefitted without. Grade: C______________________________________
“Dance with U”
“Dance with U” has a lot of potential to be a great song, but it just falls flat. The bridge for the song is amazing and addictive, but Yoseob actually sounds a bit too whiney. This is another song I’m on the fence with, too. Yoseob has a lot of lines, and he’s one of my favorite B2st members, but his lines felt a little whiney when the song began. This is a bit unusual given how Yoseob has such a soft, angelic voice. However, Junhyung and Hyunseung save the song during the chorus, so Yoseob’s lines feel almost canceled out. The best element of the song is the line that goes “when I was your man.” The way this section is executed can provide chills, if listened to with headphones, which is definitely recommended for this song. Grade: C ________________________________________
“No More”
“No More” is soft and delicate and shows an amazing side to B2st. “No More” is this album’s “Lightless” (Orchestra version, of course), because of how pretty and dainty it is without losing the power B2st is known for. The instrumentals, lyrics, and Dongwoon’s swoon-worthy singing blend to make the song memorable. There’s not much to say other than this is one of the strongest songs on the album, and should get more air-time. Grade: A ______________________________________
“History”
Paired with B.A.P’s “Body & Soul” and Taeyang’s “Take It Slow,” “History” just screams “bedroom time.” It oozes sensuality and sexuality to the point of almost sounding scandalous in the most delicious way possible. This song has it all: Nice beat, great piano, and a smooth R&B sound. It’s a beautiful story wrapped in sexiness. Grade: A ______________________________________
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“Tonight, I’ll Be By Your Side” “Tonight…” has a 1960’s appeal, the “oh, oh, oh” part and how fast the song begins really created the effect. Junhyung sounds perfect; the soft rap definitely suits him! Usually, this is the type of the song rap doesn’t typically fit, but it does. And the lyrics are gentle and gently sung, which makes the song more beautiful and easy to enjoy. There are a lot of subtle nuances in the instrumentals that make it more enjoyable, so headphones are a must. When the guys sing together, you can also pick out their individual voices in the harmonies, which creates a cool effect. Grade: A __________________________________________
“Sad Movie”
The piano and violins set the tone. The vocals are amazing. The “wah-ahhh,” and that makes an otherwise fantastic song unbearable to some degree. Take that out of the equation, though, because the real star of this “movie” is the instrumentals. WOW! The piano and strings make the song haunting in a good way, and there really should be an instrumental version of this song on the album. Grade: A ______________________________________ Overall: Good Luck is a great effort and definitely worth the money. Each song is well-written, and lyrically enhanced albums are usually the best. Junhyung outdid himself here with the writing and composing. And, this is an album he should be proud of! Great job, B2st! Average Grade: B+
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS YOO-CHUN PARK (JUNE 4TH)
Park Yoo-chun is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actor, best known as the member of the Korean pop group JYJ and the former member of the boy band TVXQ. From 2003 Park performed as a member of the best-selling K-pop boy band TVXQ. In July 2009, Park and two other members, filed a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment. In November 28, 2012, both parties agreed to cease further accusations. Park has since appeared in various dramas and is acclaimed for his acting skills.
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HYUNA (JUNE 6TH)
HYUN JOONG KIM (JUNE 6TH)
Hyuna Kim, is a Korean rapper, singer-songwriter and entertainer. And, also, the lead rapper of the Korean girl group 4Minute, she also has a notable solo career. Hyuna was the former rapper of the Korean girl group Wonder Girls but left the group in 2007 due to health issues. In 2008, she was signed to Cube Entertainment then joined 4Minute. Psy’s “Gangnam Style”, which she appeared in has attracted 2 billion views as of June 2014.
Hyun Joong Kim is a Korean entertainer, actor and the leader of boyband SS501. He is known for his role as Yoon Ji-hoo in the 2009 Korean hit drama, ‘Boys Over Flowers.’ In 2011, Kim debuted as a solo artist with his Korean mini albums titled ‘Break Down’ and ‘Lucky.’ .
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS KANG HO-DONG (JUNE 11TH)
Kang Ho-dong is a Korean show presenter and comedian. He started his career as a ssireum wrestler winning Cheonhajangsa Ssireum Championship as the youngest to win at the age of 18. After switching his career to entertainment he appeared in many TV shows and emceed his own programs. In 2011, Kang was accused of evading taxes he withdrew himself from all TV shows and commercials, but later returned to entertainment a year later.
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JIWOO CHOI (JUNE 11TH)
Mi Hyang Choi, is a Korean actress and model. Her most well known works are dramas like Winter Sonata, Beautiful Days and Stairway to Heaven. She was given her first major role in a film in 1996, but due to her lack of acting experience, she was replaced by another actress. Choi continued to pursue her career later featuring in many TV dramas and films as a lead actress. She is currently regarded as one of the top actresses in Korea with a loyal fan base in Japan, China and other countries.
HAN-SUN JO (JUNE 17TH)
Han-sun Jo is a Korean actor. He made his debut in a beer commercial in 2001 and starred in films like, Temptation of Wolves (2004), Cruel Winter Blues (2006), and A Better Tomorrow(2010).
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JUNE 2014
MINHO LEE (JUNE 22TH)
YONGHWA JUNG (JUNE 22TH)
Minho Lee is a South Korean actor, singer and model. He is best known for starring in Boys Over Flowers (2009), City Hunter (2011) and The Heirs (2013), which all became huge hits across countries like Japan, Philippines, China and the rest of the world. His large base of fandom contributed in making Minho into an international star. The, yet to be released film, ‘Gangnam Blues’ will be his first leading role in a movie.
Yonghwa Jung is a Korean singer, songwriter and actor. Also the leader and guitarist of the popular rock band called CNBlue which debuted in 2010. He’s written numerous songs for his band and for other artists, appeared in various TV shows as an emcee. He also has a successful acting career having featured in TV dramas including ‘Heartstrings’, ‘Marry Him If You Dare’, and soon to begin shooting ‘The three musketeers’ before the end of 2014.
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NICKHUN (JUNE 24TH)
Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul is a Thai singer and actor active in South Korea in a boy band 2pm where Nichkhun sings and raps. Nichkhun was born in California to Thai-Chinese parents. At the age of five, he moved to Thailand with his family then later moved back to the United States for high school in California. He was scouted by a scout manager of JYP Entertainment and Nichkhun came to Korea in 2006 after signing an eight year contract with JYP Entertainment.
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS RAIN (JUNE 25TH)
SOHEE AHN (JUNE 27TH)
Ji Hoon Chung a.k.a as Rain, is a Korean singer, actor, model and producer. He was accepted by JYP Entertainment as a trainee after auditioning 18 times at other agencies. So far Rain has released 7 albums, 28 singles, starred in 5 dramas and 6 films. He won many major awards worldwide for his popular dramas and films. His most famous film role would be his lead role as Raizo in Ninja Assassin.
Sohee Ahn is a Korean idol singer, actress and model and the former member of the popular Korean girl group ‘Wonder Girls’. She became a JYP trainee at the age of 12, after two years of training she joined the Wonder girls. The group is known for mega hit single, ‘Tell me’.
22. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
JIWON HA (JUNE 28TH)
Ha Ji-won is a Korean actress who is best known for her lead role as Gil Ra-im in SBS’s romantic comedy drama, Secret Garden(2010) which became an massive hit internationally. After debuting in ’96 she is well known for her ability to do most of her own stunts. And, her skills in martial arts enables her to cover diverse action roles.
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JUNE 2014
SEOHYUN (JUNE 28TH)
Seo Joo-hyun is a Korean singer and actress. She is famous for being Girls Generation’s youngest member. She was discovered by an agent in the subway who encouraged her to take an audition for SM Entertainment. In 2003, Seohyun auditioned and joined the company’s casting system. Since that time, Girls Generation has had a very successful career as the top girl group in the Kpop industry.
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빠른 남자 패션 QUICK MEN’S FASHION The fabulous trends in menswear this year will leave you inspired and even a bit intrigued. Men’s dress suits have taken the term dapper to an all new level. The overall silhouette of the classic suit is still maintained, but the color has been given a much needed revamping. Currently, bright shades of blue such as petrol and ultramarine are popular for layering and offsetting rich earth tones. Violet, bright green, and even yellow blazers are being combined with neutral toned cardigans to create an eye catching styling combination. Even texture is being experimented with, for example velvet blazers with cotton pants are fun, but can also create a formal look. Menswear this season is daring and eccentric. Be bold this season and take on these amazing trends!
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MUSIC JOURNEY: CENTRAL, EAST, SOUTH, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA PROMISES VARIETY JOELLE HALON K-Pop has been the dominate Asian music scene for a few years, and it’s the music scene many think about when someone mentions music from Asia. However, there is so much more available outside the K-Pop scene that you should give a shot! Let’s take a musical journey through Central, East, South, and Southeastern Asia to see what you’ve been missing!
CENTRAL ASIA КешYou: From
Kazakhstan, КешYou formed in 2006 by producer Bayan Yessentayeva, but the original members are no longer with the group. In 2012, the current members, Kamshat Zholdybaeva, Zhanar Dugalova and Aidana Medenova came together, and their music is generating a lot of buzz in the Central Asian music market. Their catchy dance tracks, beautifully shot MVs, and powerhouse vocals are impressive! Their current hit “Rizamyn” should get more views on YouTube due to its catchy sound and addictive chorus.
Shabnam Surayyo: As one of the
reigning queens, Shabnam Surayyo adds beauty and flair to the Tajik music scene. Debuting in 2004, she rose in popularity in 2006 when her music ranked number one in Tajikistan, and she hasn’t been stopped since, earning international attention over the years. Her songs like “Ty i Ya” and “Yoram Biyo” are great starting points for your beginning enjoyment of Tajik music!
Seydi & Rowshen: The men of
Turkmenistan really know how to “bring it,” as shown by Seydi & Rowshen. Their use of traditional instrumentals in their music helps to create a unique sound paired with their softer vocals. Check out their song “Gal Yalniz” to get a great sample of their sound.
Gulzada: Gulzada comes from Kyrgyzstan, and she’s delightful! Her music combines both modern electronica and traditional Kyrgyz sound to create a unique mix that perfectly accentuates her voice. Her deep vocals are part of her appeal. Check out “Jaz,” which means “Spring” is Kyrgyz.
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Yasmina: Hailing from Uzbekistan, Yasmina,
at times, incorporates South Asian sound and traditional music to create a distinctive sound that accentuates her voice. While a lot of her music has a mid-tempo beat, her songs are addictive and danceable. Her most known song outside of Uzbekistan is “O Lally Lalli,” and it’s a nice introduction to the music she makes.
EAST ASIA China, Taiwan, Hong Kong: China is so rich in music, it’s difficult to single out one artist. With artists
like Rainie Yang, Kelly Chen, Jolin Tsai, Faye Wong, Jane Zhang, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau, and groups like M4M, Hit-5, and S.H.E, China has a music industry rich in tradition, pop songs. And, ballads that can attract anyone’s ear. Internationally, C-Pop is generating a lot of interest and predicted to be the next wave of music once K-Pop begins to wane. Even with the aforementioned artists who are known internationally, you wouldn’t even be scratching the surface of what C-Pop can bring!
Japan: Like China, Japan is rich in music. Prior to the Korean Wave, J-Pop ruled the Asian scene for
international fans in the late 1990s and early 2000s when singers and groups like Perfume, Ayumi Hamasaki, Every Little Thing, Do As Infinity, Gackt, and Puffy AmiYumi garnered attention in the anime realm. Today, groups like AKB48, BabyMetal, and Namie Amuro are just some of the names that come to mind. Even so, internationally, some groups deserve more attention like Kalafina, Fiction Junction, and Sound Horizon.
Ri Kyong Suk: Most
everyone knows the struggles of North Korea and how their country is run. In the past, they’ve had some worthwhile singers, one of them being Ri Kyong Suk. Born in 1970, she is known in both North and South Korea for her soft yet powerful vocals. She’s most known for her renditions of “Arirang” and “Nice to Meet You.”
Kiwi: Not many outside of Mongolia know about
the country’s thriving music scene. One of the most popular groups is Kiwi, a trio consisting of Uka, Agi, and Naamuunaa. For some, the harsher Mongolian sound may be off-putting, but they are worth checking out for their disco-esque sounds, strong R&B presence, and fun pop songs that young people enjoy. “Sanaandgui” is one of their softer songs and one of their most enjoyable.
L.A.V.Y: Not many
think of Macau, and that’s a shame because their music scene is beginning to garner some attention. L.A.V.Y is leading the way with earpleasing music. The group’s name is formed with the first letter of each member’s name
(Leo, Angelo, Vincent, and Yaz). International fans shouldn’t have a hard time diving into their sound since their most known song “I’m Not the One” is in English. It has a nice 90s-feel and worth adding to a music list ASAP!
SOUTH ASIA Soosan Firooz: Described
as one of Afghanistan’s first female rapper, actress Soosan Firooz comes with some controversy as she challenges societal norms in her music. Often a voice for women’s rights, her music calls for people to see women as human. Another topic she covers is the hardships of refugees, a topic she is also familiar with since she was one earlier on in life. Firooz keeps performing despite threats against her, proving how much moxie she has! Check out “Naqisul Aqi” and “Our Neighbors.”
Joler Gaan: Gaan hails from
Bangladesh and is one of the better known Fusion singers in the country. Fusion combines traditional music and Western influences to create a unique sound. Gaan’s music is chock-full of peaceful tranquility, and the instrumentals can make a listener easily feel like they’re being transported to a different time and place. Gaan’s music feels like yoga for the mind, especially the song “Emon Jodi Hoto.”
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Dechen Wangmo:
Representing Bhutan, Dechen Wangmo has been labeled as the “Queen of Bhutanese Music.” Her vocals have a jazzypop feel to them as she combines a Western feel with the beauty of South Asian sound. Wangmo has the power to lead Bhutan onto the international music scene, especially with songs like “Black as Snow” and “Do I.”
Genesis of Pink: Genesis
of Pink hails from the Indian state of Sikkim. Hailed as “Sikkim’s first female band,” the girls, Mahima Apchunna Rai, Dechen Gyurmi Zangmu, Annies Pamo Lucksom, and Shrishti Rai, burst onto the scene in 2013. Vocalist Mahima composes their music, and the singers are not afraid to cover social issues like rape, violence, and HIV/AIDS in their music. They are leading the way for other female musicians, and that’s a massive part of their appeal. Their first single “Who Are You” is a nice punk-rock anthem that is sure to get you feeling excited!
Zero Degree Atoll: Formed
in 1987, Zero Degree Atoll is one of the crowning jewels of Maldivian music. Their sound is rich and folksy while embracing Maldivian culture. They are inspired by the island and the land, and this is felt in their music’s beat and pulse. While the Maldives has changed, Zero Degree Atoll does its best to hang on to tradition. “Dance Coma” shows off what the group can do while giving listeners an opportunity to embrace Maldivian heritage.
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Sonam Pakhrin: From Nepal, Sonam
Pakhrin has a certain romance to his voice that can easily sweep listeners off their feet. The instrumentals have nice crossover potential and can catch the ear of anyone who loves traditional Indian and even modern Spanish sounds. His song “Kina Yeti” encompasses his romantic sound and cross-over abilities.
Atif Aslam: Pakistan has a
thriving music community and for good reason! Atif Aslam is one of those reasons, because of his worldwide appeal. His music has been used in Bollywood and Hollywood films putting him and Pakistan on the musical map. Aslam dabbles in pop and rock and has performed worldwide. With so many chart-topping hits, it’s hard to choose just one single that points out his strengths! “Kuch is Tarah” is a strong starting point, though, and hopefully it leads you to others from this talented man!
Forlorn Hope: This group is
one of the significant groups in Sri Lanka’s underground metal scene. For anyone who enjoys metal, this is the group for you as they come equipped with sick drumming and throaty screams. According to their YouTube description, “Forlorn Hope was formed with the sole aim of spreading chaos.” “Blessed are the Helpless” may be a good way to go to introduce yourself to the group.
SOUTHEAST ASIA Putri Norizah: Putri Norizah has made her name
in Brunei and Malaysia. She comes from a musical family: Her father, Ibnor Riza Haji Ibrahim is well known in Malaysia, while her mother, Norhayati Haji Mohamad Nor, was famous in Brunei. She is recognized worldwide for her vocal abilities, and YouTube, K-Pop, and J-Pop lovers may recognize her for her amazing covers. “Kesubukan” shows her range and strengths and definitely should be given a chance.
Maria: Maria is Brunei’s
most successful singer and often ranks high on the Bruneian music charts. Since her debut in 2005, she’s racked up the awards ranging from Pelangi Artist of the Year and first place in Top 35 featured Bruneian artist list. Her talent is undeniable. Her soft, youthful voice is sure to fill you with joy. Her song “Whispered Heart” shows off her soft vocals.
Touch Sunnix: Known
for smooth vocals and soft harmonies, Touch Sunnix usually comes to mind when foreigners think of Cambodian music. Her music is folksy and covers the traditions of Cambodia. Her story is one of tragedy, though, as she survived an assassination attempt in 2003; the shooting claimed her mother, and Sunnix has since been paralyzed, but she maintains hope she will be healed. Send her warm wishes while listening to “Jong Keut Jea Pka” and show your support!
Galaxy: From Timor-
Leste, Galaxy is known for their reggae jams mixed with rap, funk, and hard rock. In their music, they take contemporary sound and blend it with Fataluku trandtions. Part of their appeal is how they sing about contemporary issues like corruption, AIDS, and Timor’s struggles as a newly independent nation. Give “Takamatan” and “O Maria” a chance!
Cherrybelle: Fans of J-Pop and K-Pop
will appreciate Cherrybelle as they fall into the kawaii/aegyo realm. Their upbeat songs are as ear-pleasing as their MVs are eye-catching. They pretty harmonies, and each girl’s voice does stand out, which makes them stand out a bit. “Bukan Cinderella” and “Dilemma” are fun to listen to despite some of the similarities to their K-Pop and J-Pop contemporaries listeners may find.
Xtreme: Laos is another
country that is beginning to have a thriving music scene, and this is evidenced by how there are fan bases in-andaround Laos and in Europe. Xtreme is one of the groups catching international attention with their catchy dance tracks, hot dances, and handsome men. “Touch Me Baby” is a guaranteed earworm.
Zee Avi: Avi hails from the beautiful
country of Malaysia. She a multi-talented artist who not only sings, she also plays guitar and ukulele. In 2007, she caught the world’s attention when YouTube spotlighted her “No Christmas for Me” video which provided her with many record deal offers. Her jazzy sound is soothing to the soul, and she deserves all the recognition she can get. Check out “Bitter Heart,” “Honey Bee,” and “Concrete Wall” to get you started, but all her albums are something special!
Side Effect: Burmese group Side Effect breathes life
into Myanmar’s punk rock scene. The Indie group began in 2004 and has since resonated with the youth scene. They are inspired by everyday life in their hometown of Yangon, and this is evidenced by the emotion Darko C and Tser Htoo incorporate. Eaiddhi’s guitar riffs and Hein Lwin’s bass add some nice layers to Tser’s self-taught drumming abilities. Listen to “The Change” and “Moe Nya Ate Met Myar” and show them some love!
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Sarah Geronimo: Sarah
Geronimo is one of the faces of the Pinoy pop scenes. In 2003, she quickly earned fame when she won The Star for a Night competition, and she’s performed for Pope John Paul II! She’s also the only female artists in history to win all the major Aliw Awards. Talk about accomplishments! On May 1, 2014, she released a new song titled “Maybe This Time” for the movie of the same name. From Singapore, Ming Bridges has a lot of potential to be popular outside of Asia with her bubblegum pop songs and bubbly personality. She splits her time between the UK and Singapore, and has albums in both Mandarin and English, which should appeal to a broad audience. Plug in your headphones and go listen to “I Want U Back,” “Summertime Love,” and “Under the Stars.” One of Thailand’s super-groups, Candy Mafia has gotten better over time. They consider 4Minute and 2ne1 among their influences which captured them some negativity when they debuted because fans thought their music sounded too similar to 4Minute’s. Since then, the girls have found their own identity to become a top-tier group in Thailand. Listen to “Cliché,” “My Boy,” and “Automatic” and get lost in their catchy hits.
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While she’s not as active as she once was since starting a family, Vietnamese-American Trish Thuy Trang is one of the reasons Vietnamese pop came on the radar for international fans. With songs like “Shades of Blue,” “Ice Queen,” “Ichiban,” and “Such a Girl,” it’s easy to see why. Trish composes and writes many of her own songs, and while her voice wouldn’t be considered “powerful” by some listeners, she has an emotional depth that overcomes any weakness. Next time on our journey, we’ll visit North Asia and Western Asia! Hope to see you then! In the meantime, do you have any Asian artists you enjoy? Let us know on Facebook at KCrush America!
JOELLE HALON
PUFFY AMIYUMI
P
uffy AmiYumi is a pop/rock duo in Japan. The group goes by the name “Puffy” in Japan, but to not get involved in naming conflicts with Sean Combs, they came up with a different name to use in the United States, which is “Puffy AmiYumi.” They can sing in Japanese and also, English. The group members were formed when Sony Corporation began searching for two young women to create a duo that would be a hit. Ami Onuki was picked when she sent a demo tape in response to an advertisement, and Yumi Yoshimura was discovered by a talent agency. In the end, they were both scouted by the same talent
agencies that were connected to Sony and they were put together in 1995.
BY: JUYEON OH
These two had a special and a unique chemistry from the start. They gained success in Japan in 1998, with the release of their Jet album and tour. “Asia no Junshin,” which is their first release, was a big hit in Asia and sold a million records and their success continued with more releases. Their next five albums helped them gain more audiences and also, highlighted and introduced the range of their music. They collaborated with many pop musicians to create unique styles that were not familiar in Japan such as country, rock, and bossa nova. In first five years, they had 2nd EDITION 29
total of 14 million sales in Japan! Puffy made their appearance in the United States as a part of Music Japan’s “An Evening with Japan’s All-Stars” showcase in Austin, Texas. When they got done with their performance, they received a letter from an attorney for Sean “Puffy” Combs asking to change their band name. The name was soon changed to Puffy AmiYumi. Their music is a collaboration between the producer Tamio Okuda, and American singer/ songwriter Andy Sturmer as well as Ami and Yumi. They often sang songs together from the Beatles, ABBA, The Who, The Carpenters, etc. Both Ami and Yumi mentioned that it was hard to put their music into just one genre because they have so many different influences. Their fashion style seems to change every now and then. It goes anywhere from natural look to funky, cute, and natural. They have a lot of different styles, mostly depending on the theme of their album/songs. Puffy AmiYumi was first introduced to the American market in 2001, with the “Spike” album. Five years later, the group was still very popular in Asia and started getting more noticed in the United States. Their music became very popular and became successful on television and in the world of fashion. The variety show called “Pa-PaPa-Pa-Puffy” aired on TV in Japan from 1997 to 2002. An animated series “Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi” aired on American television, Cartoon Network in 2004. The series featured both of the live 30. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
and animated versions of Onuki and Yoshimura and a soundtrack CD of the tunes used on the show were released. Cartoon Network fans were already into Puffy AmiYumi after they wrote and performed the theme song for a series Teen Titans. “Hi Hi Puffy Club” aired in 2006. They also, had merchandise lines that included shoes, clothing, and toys. In 2006, the group celebrated their success by having an international concert tour and releasing the “Splurge” album. Puffy AmiYumi recorded a few more albums such as “Hit & Fun”, “Honeycreeper”, and “Puffy AmiYumi X Puffy”. From 1999 to 2002 Yumi Yoshimura got married to singer Takanori Nishikawa, but after media accusing Yoshimura of cheating, Nishikawa filed for divorce. Yoshimura remarried her long time friend a businessman on December 31, 2009. On August 1, 2012, she had a baby boy. However, they ended up divorced on their fourth anniversary December 31, 2013. Ami Onuki married Teru, a vocalist of the rock band Glay and had a baby girl in 2003. There were rumors mentioning a divorce, but the Japanese media ignored it and Ami or Teru have never confirmed it. And, when Ami was on both of the CD covers of Puffy’s album “Hit & Fun”, you could clearly see her engagement ring on her finger. And, she continues to wear her ring. We would like to hear more music from them soon. Plus, we wish them much success.
WHY PEOPLE WANT TO VISIT KOREA By: Juyeon Oh
There are many different reasons why people want to visit Korea. It could be, because of the culture, education, food, celebrities, or they are just really into visiting different places. In this article, I’ll be talking about top 5 reasons why people want to visit Korea.
FOOD:
Korean food is very popular around the world. For those of you who are not familiar with it might think that it’s just another “Asian food,” but you will definitely change your mind after actually trying it. Unlike American dishes, where we don’t normally have more than three different types of dishes, Koreans like to get very creative. You will find all sorts of flavor combinations that you won’t find anywhere else. If, you love food and want to experience brand new taste, it will be worth the travel to visit Korea. There are multiple Korean restaurants all over the world, but they are not the same flavors you would taste in Korea.
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Shopping:
You will be amazed when you walk into the clothing stores. It is nothing like the shopping centers we have here in the United States. Everything has its own designs and it looks very fancy. Most places are open day and night so you can go shopping anytime you want. The clothes are a little pricy, but trust me it’s definitely worth it. They use great materials and they don’t use any cheap fabrics that are bad for your skin so it won’t give you any rashes or discomfort, if you have had those problems in the past.
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE:
If you’ve ever been to traditional palaces and temples, you’ll know that it’s definitely an eye-catcher. It may seem boring to some people, but believe it or not it’s one of the most visited places for foreigners and even Koreans. The texture and the way palaces were built are incredible. It’s really cool to see where and how people used to live hundreds years ago. And, it’s crazy to think that they came up with an idea to build something like this especially when they didn’t even have the tools they needed back then.
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KPOP:
Let’s face it, Kpop is one of the biggest reasons why so many foreigners want to visit Korea. Kpop is getting recognized everyday and more and more people want to come to Korea to see their favorite idols. Most Kpop groups don’t come to the US very often so it’s very hard for the fans to see them in-person, therefore, their only option is to visit Korea.
PLASTIC SURGERY:
Korea is also very famous for their plastic surgery. Many people from different parts of the world come to Korea for surgery, because the country is known for its great results and even celebrities come to get things done. It’s so popular that every single building you go to will have at least one or two plastic surgery offices.
Whatever reason a person decides to visit Korea, they are sure to have a very good time.
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The Bigger Scandal: Idol Dating or Fan Behavior? JOELLE HALON The past few weeks, the K-Pop world has been abuzz with news involving Girl’s Generation’s Taeyeon and EXO’s Baekhyun. When news of their relationship broke, many in the K-Pop world did not take kindly to the news, especially K-Netizens who took the relationship as an act of betrayal.
that is possibly a bigger scandal than the dating news itself. Hate the Ones You Love? From yelling “betrayer” to Baekhyun during Inkigayo, to inundating Taeyeon’s Instagram with messages calling her a “bear in fox clothing” and “shameless,” so-called fans have spent days spamming message boards on various social media in order to allow their anger to be seen and heard.
Hate the Ones You Love?
Taeyeon/via Wikipedia Commons Korea On June 18, Dispatch released images of Baekhyun and Taeyeon in her car, sparking rumors that the two were dating. When the images came out, K-Nets and their amazing abilities to figure out even the smallest discrepancies in images and text took to their Instagram accounts and took notes to call attention so alleged secret messages and signs between Baekhyun and Taeyeon. Then, SM confirmed the couple’s relationship, creating a firestorm 34. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
As fans, we’ve invested time and money into a group so they can be successful. We go to the concerts, buy the merchandise, send fan letters, and sit on YouTube for inordinate amounts of time trying to drive video views up to show love for our favorite artists. This is our job as fans. It’s what we do. Looking around, many of us can probably boast about our K-Pop album collections, our CDs, plushies, and miscellaneous items that show how proud we are of our biases. We love them, but we don’t own them.
coming across: Fans own the idols. Idols only exist to meet every whim of fans regardless of how minute. When idols do something regarding their own lives without the permission of fans—and this includes dating… “Hell hath no fury like a fan scorned.” Some of the issues K-Nets have include: Taeyeon, being a few years older than Baekhyun. Baekhyun is still part of a young group. Flaunting the relationship comes across as ill-mannered and cocky when fans feel he should be more focused on the group especially with Kris-Gate still ongoing. Taeyeon and Baekhyun were sending each other messages in “code” on Instagram. Some of these messages were sent using fan gifts and fan-made signs; fans felt “Taenstagram” was only for them.
Reading the message boards and translated texts, that’s the attitude 2 Edition 34
Baekhyun is no stranger to controversies from underage drinking to underage smoking according to fans, and they feel he doesn’t own up to these issues. Fans perceive Taeyeon to have lost interest in SNSD. They feel her messages and interviews have a depressed tone; now they feel it’s, because she is investing all her time into her relationship with Baekhyun. Baekhyun stated in an interview that he wanted to wait until he was 35 to date. Fans took this as gospel, held him to his word, and since he’s not 35, they viewed him as breaking a promise. To some degree, it is easy to see why fans are upset at the pair. With EXO being in a rebuilding state, Baekhyun should be focused on helping his team and trying his best to be the best member he can be to help raise the entire group. And, perhaps, Taeyeon shouldn’t have been, so obvious about her Baekhyun-love in the many Instagram posts she posted according to fans. With that said, Baekhyun and Taeyeon are human and have the right to fall in love and be in relationships. This is where fan-love tends to go too far to the point of seeming delusional. When fans start bashing their idols for alleged betrayal when they are attempting to live their own lives, that’s when things go too far. When fans do this, why does a group need anti-fans when the worse type of hate comes from within?
35. K Crush Magazine/July 2014
Does bashing singers, calling them names, and engaging in all-around cruelty make you feel better? Does it lessen the blow alleged betrayal caused? It probably doesn’t, so what is the point? It is one thing to share your displeasure, but it’s another to engage in all-out war against an idol. Does it make it better to know you are making them feel worse? Idols are Human.
Idols will fall in love regardless of what fans want and what companies tell them to say in order to create a specific image that fulfills a fan’s wants and desires. As fans, we may want our idols to stay single forever in hopes that that small .00000000000001 percent an idol may fall for a fan and live happily ever after. This is not the case with Baekhyun and Taeyeon. They fell for each other, and after the anger subsides, fans should be able to accept that. It’s okay to feel angry; it’s not okay to attack someone, because you’re unhappy. The number one thing to remember is that idols are human and should be allowed to be human.
How would you feel, if you were Big Bang’s Daesung in Secret in their position and fans started BigBang/GIF Maker going after you? Anymore, it feels like K-Idols are nothing more than robots out to please fans. Yes, it is their job to entertain you, but it is not their job to live by fan-set rules. Part of the issue is that K and International fans hold idols to, too high of a standard. And, on too high of a pedestal that any sort of bobble can set the whole world crashing down. To some fans, idols are viewed as having this strange god-like aura that no one can mess with and that idolfan relationships are the only ones that should exist.
Let a person be happy, no matter who they are as long as they are not doing physical harm to others or to the personal property of others.
But, idols are human. Idols make mistakes.
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STAY COOL WITH STRAWBERRY KAKIGŌRI THIS SUMMER Lemon kakigōri may sound sour, the sweetened condensed milk helps sweeten it while bringing out intense flavor. /via Wikipedia Commons
JOELLE HALON As the summer begins to heat up, cool, tasty desserts are often in order. In Japan, kakigōri is one cool treat that is sweet and yummy and perfect for a hot summer day! Plus, it’s easy to make if you have a food processor or an ice shaver.
What is Kakigōri? While it looks like a snow cone, the taste and consistency is much better. Kakigōri differs in the preparation and flavor since its consistency is more like packed snow to the snow cone’s chippy-shaved ice. Another difference is how kakigōri is sweetened with condensed milk and flavored syrup; snow cones just have flavored syrup. The condensed milk paired with the snow-consistency also helps the syrup adhere to the treat so each bite is rich in flavor. Unless a snow cone is eaten quickly to extremebrain-freeze proportions, the syrup tends to drip to the bottom of the cone or cup, leaving you with a barely flavorful ice chunk.
Recipe Strawberry kakigōri is easy to make. In fact, it’s so easy, you can even skip purchasing ready-made syrup which are filled with preservatives and artificial sweeteners.
Strawberry Syrup • • •
2 Cups of water 2.5 Cups of sugar 1 Pound of chopped strawberries
•
In a large saucepan set to medium-high heat, warm the water and sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves and bubbles start to form on the water’s surface.
•Add the strawberries to the sugar water and simmer them over medium-low to medium heat. If you want a light strawberry flavor, simmer the strawberries for 10 minutes; for a stronger flavor, heatf for 15-25 minutes. Stir frequently so strawberries do not stick to the bottom of the pan. •Turn the heat off and remove the mixture from the stovetop. •Strain the strawberry mixture, making sure to place the syrup into a sealable container. The stewed strawberries should go in a different container to be used as a topping or as a separate treat. •Place the syrup and the strawberries in the fridge to cool overnight.
36. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
Kakigōri Base Food Processor •Place one-to-two cups of ice cubes in the food processor. Make sure the ice doesn’t go all the up to the top or else the blades will not move properly. •Use a standard double blade in the food processor to pulverize the ice. •Pulse or chop the ice until it is the consistency of packed powder snow. If your processor has a shaved ice setting, this is even better! You may need to scrap the sides of the bowl in order for the processor to crush all the ice. •Pour the ice into small glass bowls.
A pink ice shaver/snow cone maker available on Amazon.com
Ice Shaver In a Japanese ice-shaver (available at online retailers for between $15-$60 dollars), follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for the ice. With an ice shaver, you get to choose how much ice you want. Assembly •Once the ice is placed in a bowl, add the desired amount of syrup on top of ice. The snow will absorb it and turn into a pretty shade of red or pink. •Add some of the chilled stewed strawberries (optional). •Pour on a tablespoon to two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/black-decker-10-cup-food-processor--fp1510
•Eat and enjoy!
Must Tries:
The syrup recipe can be used for different fruits, too! Try it with blueberries, peaches, and lemons! You can even make kakigōri using green tea! Mmm…
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E R O
M CELEBRITY LEETEUK (JULY 1ST)
Jeong-su Park is a Korean DJ, television, host and actor. He is mostly known as the leader of the boy band Super Junior. Due to his comical way of presenting and acting, Leeteuk can be seen in many variety shows on TV and is also very active in a lot of radio djing and emceeing.
38. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014 38. K Crush Magazine/July 2014
BIRTHDAYS
DOOJOON YOON (JULY 4TH)
Doojoon is a South Korean idol singer, actor and the leader and sub vocal of the Korean boy group ‘Beast’ which debuted in November 2009. Dujoon is also a credited actor.
SUGIZO (JULY 8TH)
Sugizo is a Japanese singersongwriter and record producer. He is a lead guitarist and violinist for rock band Luna Sea. Sugizo’s solo career began in 1997 and has since collaborated with many artists. In 2009, he officially joined the heavy metal super band X Japan. He is known to experiment with many genres of music, putting his political views into his work as an anti-war and environmental activist.
E R O
MCELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS BYUNG-HUN LEE (JULY 12TH)
TAEMIN (JULY 18TH)
HA YOUNG OH (JULY 19TH)
Lee is a Korean actor, best known for starring in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), I come with the rain(2009), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013). For Korean films, he starred in Joint Security Area (2000), A Bittersweet Life (2005), The Good, the Bad, the Weird(2008), I Saw the Devil (2010). Lee debuted as an actor in a drama in TV 1991 and has since starred in many TV drams, films and commercials, making him one of the most sought after actors in Korea.
Taemin Lee is a Korean idol dancer, singer, actor and promotional model and is also the youngest member of the Korean boy group, Shinee. He was discovered at the S.M. audition casting. In 2008, he was chosen as a member of Shinee and the group debuted in the same year.
Ha Young is a South Korean idol singer and the member of the girl group A pink. She is a vocalist, rapper, dancer and the youngest member of the group. She has also featured in many music videos as well as many variety shows of other artists.
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JULY 2014 TABLO (JULY 22ND)
SOO AE (JULY 25TH )
YEO JIN CHOI (JULY 27TH)
Daniel Armand Lee is a Korean-Canadian rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Born and mostly raised in Seoul, he also spent his childhood in other countries later attaining a Canadian citizenship. He debuted as the leader and rapper for the hip hop group Epik High. Tablo produced and co-wrote most of the songs of Epik High. His musical style varies from hip hop to electronic music such as trance, trip hop, as well as rock.
Soo Ae Park is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a rapper in a girl group but after struggling for six months the group disbanded and in 2002 she was able to get a minor role in a drama. She started gaining bigger roles in dramas and films and is currently recognized as a highly commended actress in Korea.
Yeo-jin Choi is a KoreanCanadian model, actress, dancer and entertainer who debuted in the entertainment business via the Super Elite Model Contest held in Canada in 2001. She’s known to have won the Korean version of the Dancing with the stars in 2012.
40. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
2 Edition 40
E R O
MCELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS IN SUNG CHO (JULY 28TH)
MINWOO-BOYFRIEND (JULY 31ST )
In Sung Cho is a Korean actor and model, best known for his leading roles in TV series What Happened in Bali (2004), The Wind Blows (2013), and a gay themed film Frozen Flower (2008) plus many numerous commercials. He initially debuted as a clothing model in ‘98 then started his acting career in a popular daily sitcom Nonstop 2.
Minwoo is a member of the Korean boy band, Boyfriend who debuted in 2011. The band consists of six members- they are also the first Korean band to have twins as the members in the group. Their fanbase was officially named “Best Friend”.
ARE YOU A GREAT FAN? WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW! SEND US A BRIEF LETTER ON WHY YOU ARE A GREAT FAN AND YOUR LETTER COULD END UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF K CRUSH! MAIL SUBMISSIONS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO: Kcrush America SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT 512 N. Hampton Rd., #306 DeSoto, Texas 75115
2nd EDITION 2 Edition 41 41
APPROACH BEAUTY: TO
T
HOW SPENDING SUGGESTS BEAUTY IDEALS IN AMERICA AND KOREA
he old adage, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” may still hold up, but what about, “beauty is in the eye of the ‘beholdee?’” Women spend thousands of dollars a year on cosmetics, many of them trying to stay on trend or emulate the looks of their favorite starlets. Women, the proprietors of beauty, are the consumers who are deciding what being beautiful means, but that doesn’t mean that women across all cultures share the same definition of what it is to be beautiful. American women spend an average of 100-130 dollars a month on cosmetics. A 2013 study conducted by Mint.com, a financial blog, estimated that American women will spend a lifetime average of 15,000 dollars on cosmetics. But, what exactly are they buying? Statistically, American women spend more money on cosmetics like eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, and foundations because the average American woman believes that the idea of beauty is to “enhance” what you have by adding to it. This idea is perpetuated by American culture. A Harvard study that tested people’s reactions to photographs of women made up in varied styles, (natural, moderate and glamorous), showed that, “the highest contrast makeup (glamorous) increased attractiveness significantly,” in the eyes of the study’s participants. This study indicates that Americans value an enhancement approach to women’s beauty, but across the ocean, this isn’t the case. In the east, Korean women, and most women from Asian countries in general, have a different idea of what it means to be beautiful.
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Korean women believe that beauty truly is “skin deep,” in the respect that being beautiful means having amazing skin. The idea is that if your skin is at its best, there isn’t a need for tons of color cosmetics. Natural beauty is the goal of America’s eastern sisters and examples of this beauty ideal can be seen on the faces of Korea’s starlets and Korean pop stars, such as the beloved Yoona. The look is achieved by investing in skincare, particularly facial products. Korean women, on average, use from 10-18 skin care products in their daily routine. This number does not include the money they spend on skincare that isn’t used on a daily basis, such as masks and exfoliates. American women in comparison only use 1-3 facial skincare items daily and, as a result, aren’t spending nearly as much on cosmetics as Korean women. Skincare products are by nature more costly than color cosmetics and Korean women spend seven times more on cosmetics than Americans. Overall, it seems as though both American and Korean women are willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money in pursuit of ideal beauty. Both cultures appear to value similar types of beauty, but approach achieving their ideal from different angles. American women, generally, try to achieve a natural look by using cosmetics to enhance what they have, while Korean women achieve this look by trying to perfect their skin and negate the use of color cosmetics. One thing is certain, however, beauty ideals seem to be both universal and specific to each culture.
INDIE SPOTLIGHT: STANDING EGG STANDING TALL The Hatching of Egg
JOELLE HALON
Since 2010, Standing Egg has been one of the top names on the K-Indie scene, and with good reason. Their expansive résumé and easy-listening tracks filled with acoustic jazz, Latin inspiration, and reggae help them stand out in the Korean music industry. Over the years, they’ve gained immense popularity among K-Pop listeners. Standing Egg has three members named Egg 1, Egg 2, and Egg 3. While the people behind the group lack names, their mascot, James the Egg, does. Little is known about the eggs outside of Standing Egg, so they do a nice job remaining elusive and mysterious, so much so that not even their genders are known. However, Egg 2 is male and is said to be a vocal trainer. The three eggs compose and produce their music. Since they work “behind the scenes,” the egg-trio often use instrumentals and vocals by various K-Indie artists such as Clover, Windy, Christina (Clazziquai), or Ra.D to name a few. Working with different artists is part of the reason why Standing Egg is so refreshing as a group. Throw in how the vocals are not smothered in auto-tuned splendor but are instead bathed in rich acoustics, and you have a music experience that is akin to how music used to be: A raw experience that tickles the listener’s senses.
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The Philosophy of Standing Egg Part of the group’s philosophy comes from how difficult it is to make eggs stand, but that is what they hope to achieve through their pure sound: They are attempting to stand tall in a music industry saturated in heavy beats, electronic sound, and auto-tuned vocals. As long as the egg can stand, they are making it in the industry. So far, it seems like they are doing a great job!
Music and Outreach Since their debut, Standing Egg has released sixteen albums, mini albums, and singles: 1.
With (2010)- 13 Tracks
2.
Fly (2011)- Single
3.
Ache (2011)- Single
4.
Lucky (2011)- Eight Tracks
5.
Like (2012)- Ten Tracks
6.
Keep Going (2012)- Single
7.
A Perfect Day (2012)- Single
8.
Every Day for You (2012)- Single
9.
Ballad with Windy (2012)- Six Tracks
10.
Due to a Different Time (2013)- Single
11.
Ambler (2013)- Ten Tracks
12.
Shine (2013)- 11 Tracks
13.
Moment (2013)- 12 Tracks
14.
Confession (2014)- Single
15.
The Artist Diary Project Pt. 8 (2014)- Single
16.
36.5 (2014)- Ten Tracks
While they haven’t experienced mainstream success many K-groups know, they have a cult following that is evident on several online K-Pop music stations, for example, Plug.DJ, where listeners often add Standing Egg and other K-Indie groups to their playlists, indicating their popularity despite how quiet they are when it comes to announcing album and single releases.
44. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
Part of the reason why so many are aware of Standing Egg is via social media. The trio is active on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube via posting singles, information regarding upcoming singles, and any tidbits of information they feel fans need to know. They update content themselves instead of having someone do it for them as is the case for many mainstream groups. Personal touches like this are why Standing Egg stands apart from other groups: Accessibility. Plus, they like when people mention Standing Egg, and fans have said the group “likes” and “favorites” these messages and often follow fans in return on different social media platforms. It’s nice to see a group who loves their fans as much as the fans love them!
Recommendations Standing Egg is a listener-friendly group, so any song is worth listening to, if you want to get into them! However, a few songs serve as an instant hook if you need some encouragement!
“Keep Going”
“Lalala”
“Have You Ever Fallen in Love?”
“Blue Sky”
Plus, all their music is available on YouTube on their channel (standingEGG). Take the time to check them out! You will not be disappointed!
JOELLE HALON
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purchase a dishwasher at E-Mart or other similar stores, but they take up a considerable amount of counter space which is usually limited. One more important thing to note, it is very rare to come across a kitchen with an oven. Again, you can purchase a counter top-oven, but traditional Korean food isn’t cooked over kitchen. Because I had already in an oven. Koreans have little need realized that I liked my director’s for ovens, and if you plan to bake, wife, I waited until she left to swipe you will need to be very creative in a away my tears of disappointment toaster style oven. before I set to work making my apartment livable. Over the course Bathrooms of three years, I stripped wallpaper with black mold, painted, There are subtle differences when and replaced laminate that was you travel to any country, for unsalvageable, and of course example, you will find that the scrubbed and scrubbed. light switch in Korea is outside the bathroom and not inside. While this is a perfect opportunity for a jokester, a newbie is often literally in the dark fumbling for the light. If you have an EPIK apartment you may have a tub, if you don’t, your bathroom will vary from a room with a tub to a small room with a showerhead over a toilet adjacent a washing machine. One very nice perk of Korean bathrooms is the floor drain. No matter if you have a tub or not, you can splash in Kitchens the bathroom as much as you like, the floor drains all the water away. As a Westerner, you may be This is especially convenient when used to little luxuries, if you are it’s time to clean the bathroom. Just tall, get ready to spend time in grab the shower head and rinse the the kitchen bending over short whole bathroom, squeegee, and counters. Korean apartments do you’re done. Just don’t forget to move not have dishwashers. You can your toilet paper and toothbrush.
A Foreign Teacher’s Apartment in Korea As a foreigner, (or way-gook as you will be called when you arrive), it’s wise to be researching what to expect when you arrive in a foreign country. No doubt you have lots of questions about where you will live. One of the biggest selling points about most Korean employment arrangements is that the apartment comes with the job. It seems almost too good to be true. No rent? What can you expect when you arrive? Well, it depends on whom you are working for. If you happen to be working for EPIK (English Program In Korea), you can expect reasonably spacious living in an apartment that usually has hard wood floors, nice kitchens, a bedroom with furniture, and possibly even art on the walls. If you are working for a hagwon (private academy) your accommodations will vary. In my case, my apartment was large but old. There was limited furniture, (the bed, for example was broken) crumbling laminate, and a crusted46. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
Cooling Again, your experience will vary depending on your school. Many apartments provide air conditioning. Some do not. If you do have air conditioning, though, you will want to be aware that you will be paying a premium for the electricity to run it. Many who have air conditioners choose not to use them, opting for fans until the heat is simply unbearable because the cost can be high.
as sitting on an ondul warmed floor when it is bitterly cold outside. Just keep an eye on the thermostat. If you leave it on for too long, or set too high you can expect a very high gas bill.
Heating
High Speed Internet When you move into your apartment you will have access to what is probably the highest speed internet you have every come across. Whether you are a gamer, like to stream movies, or chat on skype, the internet in your apartment can keep up with whatever you need it to do, multi-tasking like a pro.
Similarly, the ondul heating, or floor style heating, can be expensive. It is a Korean style heating that is actually hot water heated by gas and pumped through the pipes under the floor. The heat rises and warms the whole apartment. There are few pleasures and sweet
Korean apartments, like any apartments in a country away from your own, take settling into. Most are spacious, comfortable, and ready to receive you for a very nice stay in Korea. Those apartments that are not often just need a little love.
Student’s Preschool Teaching in a Korean preschool can be an unnerving experience if you aren’t prepared. Throw in the language barrier, and the necessity to be specialized in child care, preschool students pose a special challenge to English teachers abroad, but don’t let that scare you off. The daily schedule Depending on the school you work for, your day might begin before instruction does. Students are picked up in private vans that careen around the streets of each Korean city picking up children for the day. Usually, the task of picking up children falls to the Korean co-teachers, because they can easily communicate with patents. Still, you may find yourself bobbing along in the jump seat
helping students into the bus and herding them into the school. This is a great time to get to know your students, especially as they are allowed so little time later on in the day. Korean schedules are very intense, even for preschoolers. This is extremely important to keep in mind when lesson planning. Not only do your students have short attention spans, they have been receiving instruction since 9 am, and really just want to play. Free play isn’t built into the schedule, and as the whole day is tightly structured. Korean Preschoolers So, what are the students in a Korean preschool like? They are kids! They’re energetic, naughty,
shy, talkative, and downright dirty at times. Are you surprised? If you work well with children in your native country, you will likely get along well in Korea. Don’t even think about trying to teach preschool, if you don’t love kids. You will find yourself disgusted and stranded and full of regret, and most likely miserable for a year (or possibly fired, I have seen it happen more than once). Try an experiment. Imagine this: The FIRST day I was at my school, my co-teacher stepped out for 30 minutes or so (it was made clear the class was meant to continue). I will never forget the lesson. We were working on shapes. I would say “Circle, circle. It’s a red circle”. Before long, one student urgently told me wajanshil (toilet) then shouted sunnnsiingniiiiim 2nd EDITION 47
(teeeeaaachhhheeerr) until I came to help him. Meanwhile, another student sneezed the entire contents of his nose on to the table and harassed his neighbor with whatever he could scoop up. I knew I was supposed to know what to do, and keep teaching. I managed, but barely. At this age, even though the students were 4-5, they couldn’t communicate well enough to help even though many of them wanted to. Preschoolers are adorable, but remember there is a lot more to being a preschool teacher than cute pictures of you and your students for Facebook. Since you will be teaching EFL to toddlers and students who don’t have much of a grasp of their own language or attention span, I found that little ditties went a long way to redirect their attention. Anyone who broke out into a rendition of “soft kitty, warm kitty,” from The Big Bang Theory (usually me) commanded the attention of the classroom.
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Respect As a foreign teacher, you may believe you will come to Korea to be respected, especially by preschoolers right? Well, yes, foreign teachers are expensive and treated well, because they are needed, not because they are culturally respected. Your students will see you generally as a curiosity and a peer, and not a teacher. Although, you are afforded the title in English, the respect is generally commanded by the Korean teachers who can communicate in Korean, from Preschool to High School. I was not offended by it, and neither should you be, just be prepared. Friendships that Last Your relationship with your students will vary depending on their English. Some students will seek you out to try their new found love of Disney in English, for example. Others show affection in simple ways, a card on teacher’s day,
or someone’s mother will tell the director’s wife (in Korean) that you are their child’s reason for learning. Or, as in my case, they might come to you and say something that is only partially lost in translation “you are my favorite fat teacher” I will never forget the little faces and voices of those that I taught. I am still in contact with some of their families. When building relationships with anyone, remember patience, love and in this case a few baby wipes couldn’t hurt.
SUPER STAR SAXOPHONIST – DANNY JUNG With an exclusive interview By J. Chung Danny Jung is a super talented and inspirational Korean-American saxophonist who grew up in L.A. and Texas. He is easily considered as one of the most successful and well known saxophonists in Asia today. Danny took up playing the saxophone while he was a junior in High school after being captivated by a saxophone performance he saw on TV. It must have been evident that he had the talent at a young age, he received a full scholarship to transfer to Berkelee College of Music, located in Boston, MA, while he was a Business student at the University of North Texas – thus he undertook the over 16 hours of training at the school and did live performances at bars and clubs at night. By chance he received an offer to record sessions in Korea during a vacation from a colleague at school, the composer and producer Giho Jang. And, that eventually paved way to launch Danny’s career as an artist later. His debut single titled ‘Reflections’ was released in Korea in 1999, then a year later in 2000 his debut album ‘Make a Wish’ was released. Danny was the first Korean to ever sign a deal with Navarre Corporation. And, in the same year, and his album was
also released in the States and in Canada. Since then Danny Jung has had a brilliant and bustling career. He has performed on various concert stages, produced and released many records, and collaborated with other artists. The artists he has collaborated with include Noran Brown, Bumsoo Kim, Johan Kim, Lena Park and Ailee, to name a few. His music covers genres from jazz, soul, gospel, classical, pop, kpop and more. Danny has fans from various age groups and from all over the world. As a listener of his music for many years, I especially like listening to his music. His live performances are so powerful and yet so soothing to listen to. His music has been consistent over the years, yet it has evolved, and so much during that time. Currently, Danny Jung is also the founder and head of Jazzlife Entertainment a company he set up in 2004. For this month’s issue, I was able to talk to Danny Jung to ask him questions on how he gets his musical inspirations, what he does in his spare time and what kind of food he likes. You can find out what his secret passion is.
eager to ask him about what he would be doing in the next fifteen years of his career. I hope the readers of Kcrush America, and especially the fans of Danny Jung, will enjoy reading this interview. But, if you’re not familiar with Danny’s music, I hope this interview will interest you enough to check out and listen to his music or watch his performances live.
Since he has been in the music industry for about 15 years, I was
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INTERVIEW: DANNY JUNG By J. Chung
Q: It’s been 15 years since you released your debut album, how has your music changed since? I believe my music has been relatively uniform throughout the years. The one thing that has changed is that before I was into full production, putting everything on there like...a horn section, a full vocal choir part. So, if you listen to a lot of music I released in the past it’s pretty full production oriented. Whereas ,the music I’m releasing now, and in the later years, it’s become more organicnot using as much aesthetics or reverbs. It’s become more organic and I’m not using as many instruments, because if I go on tour with this mind set, I can’t bring my 50 piece orchestra and all that, all the time. So, I play with a trio or a quartet-meaning drum, bass, guitar, keyboards or whoever is playing the chords. It’s really simple, if I have a certain sound live, it should be similar to that of a recording. So the trend now is live recordings. I try to record every show wherever I go and I look back at the recordings and there is a certain amount of energy I get from an audience that I won’t get from a studio. Through the inspiration I get from an audience, my music and the direction of the music also changes. Therefore, to save that is amazing and to release that it’s even more amazing. When you’re in a studio everything is so time consuming and you’re on a clock
under time pressure. I feel like I’m not a hundred percent there with the music ‘cause it gets more articulate, made up and not so, you know, organic. I am still gonna be doing studio recordings, but I like to incorporate a lot of live work inside my releases.
Q: Where do you like to get your musical inspirations from? I like to get my inspirations from a lot of different things. I listen to a lot of other different musicians. What kind of musicians? Well...where shall I start? I’ve been listening to a lot of Kenny Lattimore, and music from a lot of soulful young musicians.
Q: Out of all the albums you have, what is your favorite and why?
Q: You got married last year and have a cute son, does your family give you inspirations to make better music? That I don’t know right now. It’s probably not the right time for me to answer this question, because I’m just a new daddy and uh...I don’t think I’ve had any time to think this through. I am still in that observing mode I guess. (Laughs)
I would say my very first record is my absolute favorite, which was ‘First Make A Wish’, because I had a wish (Laughs) and that was to do what I’m doing right now. And that kind of set a landmark for me to pursue a direction. And, ever since, I’ve had a great career. I think I spent the most money on that record and the most time. I went through emotional distress during the first record, because it was a make it or break it kind of situation. My mother was actually able to hear that record before she passed away. So, I also like that record, because she was waiting her whole life - her life was so I could become a great musician one day and she wanted to see me take off. And, that’s when she, I believe waited until that time. So that’s why it’s an important record for me. 2nd EDITION 51
Q: Who do you want to do a collaboration with in the future? Well, as far as the artists in Korea... okay, I’ll tell you one thing. I’ve collaborated with everyone I wanted to collaborate with in Korea. I mean from top to bottom in every age group. All the singers that I thought that were great artists here in Korea. Some of them may not be as famous, or my style in music but –
Q: What kind of music do you listen to in your free time? I listen to Jazz - a lot of old jazz... Charlie Parker. I love Charlie Parker, where a lot of what jazz originally came from. I love listening to big band music. I love listening to a lot of old time soul. Donny Hathaway’s music. I just love listening to LP records just over and over again. Music back then was so organic, it’s one of those things you can listen to over and over again and never get sick and tired of. Whereas when you listen to songs produced nowadays, yeah it sounds great and people are really into it, but the trend is usually two, three months then you might not want to hear it again. When the music is organic you can listen to it over and over again. It’ll be different every time you play it.
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in life. For example, somebody may need to hear my music at some situation in life and it may influence them in a certain way. I wouldn’t say one person listens to only my music 24/7...365 days every year of their whole life. They have different people and different tastes. I would say right now, the whole reason we are doing this interview is you appreciate my music and I would say you are the person for that question.
Q: You seem to travel a lot, (Q: When you do a collaboration, do you usually where is the one place you’d reach out to them first or do like to do a concert? they come to you?) Well... a lot of them have come to me for collaboration and some I approached, when they would say something like ‘I meant to call you’ ‘I was going to ask you, but you asked me first.’ So it’s nice to be in demand in that retrospect.
Q: What is your favorite food? I love cooking. Cooking is my secret passion. I do all the cooking at home. I cook for my friends. So, I can make anything. I love Asian food. I love Persian food. I love Indian food. Anything that has a lot of complex spices. Indian food I believe has the most complex spices, recipe out of everything. I enjoy the challenge. I love Indian food the best I would say.
Q: Who is your number one fan? You are. (Laughs) I would say there’s a certain type of...Fans, they don’t come and go, but they become interested in certain times
You know...I love travelling. But one thing I really, really enjoy is performing wherever people love to have a good time, and that’s where I wanna be. And, I add that to the audience.
Q: Do you own many saxophones? Can we ask you how many? I own quite a few, but I have been giving away so many saxophones. I sponsored and endorsed, so I have quite a few, but so many I can’t really count. I don’t like to play them all. I like to play only one and that saxophone is a Selmar Mark VI - which was a recent purchase.
Q: What other instruments can you handle? I love playing the piano. It’s enough to write my music. I am not a big music fanatic. I just love playing my instruments. I’m not into music like people assume that I would be.
Q: What will you be doing in the next 15 years? I am going to be doing exactly what I am doing right now. I believe that our network is at value, I also value relationships. I love meeting new people and just the other day, I wanted to do a show on this venue and I got to know the owner a bit - he’s a really great guy and he opened the doors so I could perform at his venue, and that wouldn’t have happened, if I had given up on that relationship. And, there are many, many relationships just like that. Everything we do is related to who we know and how we manage our relationships with people. In fifteen years I’m going to be knowing many more people and I would be associating with more people, and that would change the direction of how I, and where I, perform my music.
Q: What would you advise to a sax beginner?
Q: What do you do in your free time?
What would I advise? Don’t start. I don’t encourage it. You know why? Don’t start unless you know this is something you really want to and gotta do. If it’s something you just want to do, because it’s cool and you think you can get girls...it’s not easy so save your money. You gotta put a lot of passion and a lot of time into it.
I practice. I cook. I watch and go see a lot of live music. A lot of artists fail to do that, but I believe in going to see a lot of live music. I was recently in a place called Cafe Cordiale in Seven oaks, California, and they have a jam session every Tuesday - anyone can just come up and blow a few tins, so I enjoy doing that a lot. They don’t have that here in Korea, but I ‘d like to see more of that in the near future.
Thank you for this interview Danny, it was a pleasure talking to you and I wish you all the best in your career. Thank you. I’d like to see this when it gets printed. And have a great day.
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Crush of the Month
15& (read as Fifteen And) is a
South Korean duo, that consists of two young girls: Park Jimin and Baek Yerin. They debuted in 2012, under the label, JYP Entertainment, with the single ‘’I Dream’’, released in October 5th of that year. Their name has a true meaning: it’s the combination of the duo’s age when they debuted and the ‘’&’’ symbolizes the success they want to achieve in the future. The audition process was different for each of the girls. Park Jimin won the talent show, ‘’K-pop Star’’, in 2012, and, like any other winner on the show, she had to pick one major label out of the three possible choices (JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment or SM Entertainment) to sign with, in that same year. She, eventually, chose JYP Entertainment. On the other hand, Baek Yerin had a regular audition like any other kid who wants to become a K-Idol.
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In 2008, she auditioned with the song, ‘’Listen’’, by the famous singer, Beyoncé Knowles. However, she was already known as the R&B genious on the TV Series, ‘’Star King’’, when she was just ten years old. Baek Yerin trained for four years until she debuted along with Park Jimin, as 15&.
Overall, the duo has one album and a total of four singles. ‘’I Dream’’ was their first official single and they promoted it with performances on SBS Inkigayo and in some high schools, as well. Even though, they only sang three songs at those high schools (‘’I Dream’’, ‘’Put It In A Love Song’’ by Alicia Keys featuring Beyoncé and ‘’Ma Boy’’ by Sistar19), the concerts attracted many people, both students and nearby citizens. Their second single is titled, ‘’Someday’’, and was released in late March of 2013. The song managed to peak in some music charts, such as, Olleh, Melon, Daum, among others. They promoted the track on the finale of the talent show, ‘’K-pop Star 2’’. Their third single is called, ‘’Can’t Hide It’’, and was released on the 13th of last April. Repeating their last actions, the duo’s comeback stage was during the finale of the talent show, ‘’K-pop Star 3’’. The track preeceded the album, named, ‘’Sugar’’, which was released on the 26th of May, 2014. ‘’Sugar’’ is a ten-song CD, which included all their previous singles plus brand new tracks. To help the promotions
of the album, 15& released a fourth official single around the same time that the CD was released, it is called, ‘’Sugar’’, thus, the title-track. 15& promoted the tracks in music shows, such as, M! Countdown. The duo also made a few appearances on some variety shows: In 2012, they were on Mnet’s ‘’Beatles Code’’, while in 2013, 15& were on MBC Every 1’s ‘’Weekly Idol’’. Last but not least, in 2014, they appeared on Arirang’s ‘’After School Club’’ and on SBS’ ‘’Star King’’, respectively. In case you’re wondering, the duo’s tracks are quite popular in South Korea, charting all three of them (‘’I Dream’’, ‘’Someday’’ and ‘’Can’t Hide It’’) under the Top10, on Korea’s Gaon. The only song that didn’t chart that well was their fourth single, ‘’Sugar’’, making the first time that they didn’t score another Top10 hit. Their songs are staying very popular on Korea’s Billboard Hot 100, charting all four of their songs under the Top40 of the chart, and two of them Top10 hits. You can also, check out a special cover they did, last year, of Ke$ha’s tune, ‘’Tik Tok’’, in their official Youtube Channel. We want to wish these two young ladies much continued success.
ASK THE WRITER PRESENTS: YONGEUN LEE Yongeun Lee is a film script writer who lives in Seoul, Korea Lee has written scripts for horror films, which includes “Red Eye” (2004), “Yoga Class” (2009), “Unborn But Forgotten” (2002), a high school set horror movie – “Wishing Corridors 3”: “Wishing Stairs” (2003) and a comedy movie called “Surprise” (2002). She’s also, written a book based on the very popular Korean drama ‘The Princess’ Man’ (2011).
times, it gave me more of an eerie feeling. But, overall the story is just interesting and fun to watch. Horror shows are best seen when you watch at pitch dark. ;)
Lee says she works mostly on horror themes, because that is what she enjoys the most and it doesn’t scare her much to watch horror films. When Lee has free time from work, she likes to paint. And, since she lives with her three cats, she likes to spend fun time with them. (She is actually able to take one of her cats on regular walks on a leash.) Working in the film/TV industry not just in Korea but anywhere is very competitive - you have to have your definite style in order to draw viewers to your work.
young as I was, I would write similar stuff. I also, loved the movie “Goonies” as a child and wrote a story based on it. I conducted an interview with writer Lee, whom I have known for a while. If, there is anyone out there considering becoming a writer or anyone who is interested in knowing how writers think and work... I hope this might interest you.
When did you start writing, My favorite work by Lee is probably and did you have the talent “Yoga Class”. A group of girls since you were young? sign to a 7-day program at a very secretive yoga institute and they are given 5 rules to keep, but if anyone breaks any of those rules, harsh consequences await them. A lot of people sacrifice themselves to enhance their appearances and these girls in the story indeed pay more than they bargained for. And, due to the Indian music played at
By: J. Chung
I don’t know whether I had the talent when I was young, but I think I really enjoyed writing. I remember when I was in elementary, I used to play with an older girl in my neighborhood and we used to play writing up bits of stories. She used to be into writing teen romance stories and as
The first time I ever felt that I had the talent was when I was in the first year of middle school and my home room teacher commended me on my work. He was a children’s book writer. He used to make us write essays. And, one day, he praised me on my essay. I got so proud of myself.
When did you decide to become a writer? Because, of my homeroom teacher, I was able to enjoy writing. But, my dream at the time was to become an artist. I was really into art since I was in elementary school, but my parents did not sponsor me to take art lessons.
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I was still very absorbed into drawing and won many awards. I used to draw stuff and give them away to friends. Instead of deciding to become a writer, I think I got into a situation by chance and became a writer. In my opinion, drawing pictures and cartoons is not much different to writing scenarios. Because, my job is writing to produce into images, I consider my childhood dream fulfilled.
What kind of films or books to you enjoy usually? I used to read a lot until I was in my mid 30’s. After that I think I haven’t been reading as much. For books, I usually enjoy criminal, psychological genres. The same genres for films, I enjoy psychological thrillers. My favorite kinds of films are horror films but maybe it’s due to my age I don’t enjoy it as much as I used to. ^^
Where do you like to find the inspiration to write? I get inspirations mostly from reading news articles, rather than having instant ideas popping into my head. If I continue to think into it, in most cases, thoughts would emerge suddenly out of nowhere.
What is the most difficult point about writing for you? It is difficult to express what the character is feeling through their actions instead of through conversation.
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When something results in something only I find interesting, it’s a pity, but film scenarios isn’t writing about something only I find interesting.
For books, I would say from the authors mentioned prior, Miyukui Miyabe’s, “The Devil’s Whisper” and Natsuo Kirino’s “Grotesque.”
How do you release the stress Which is your favorite work you get from writing? written by you? I have three cats at home. If I lie down and roll around with my cats for a while - I become instantly happy. ^^
In what kind of environment do you like to work in? At my home. And, because I’m so habitually used to working at home, I can’t seem to concentrate in an environment I am not used to.
Which writers do you enjoy particularly? Miyukui Miyabe and Natsuo Kirino. Miyabe brings out a warm feeling to her work even when she’s writing criminal novels. Kirino gives out a chilly feeling to her work. Natsuo Kirino’s work is more to my preference.
What kind of horror movies would you recommend? I don’t have a good enough memory to remember every interesting horror movies I’ve seen, but I will recommend the top movie of mine for many years. Roman Polanski’s ‘Rosemary’s baby.’ Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. For a Korean film, director, Youngnam Goh’s “Suddenly At Midnight.” (I recall getting so frightened while watching it on TV when I was young.)
The ones I was attached to never made it into a film production. ㅠㅠ
What are your hobbies or interests? Researching criminal investigation is my interest and hobby.
Could you give any advice to anyone who wants to be a writer? The only way is to read and write diligently, and building a lot of experience. Even if you don’t have a profession as a writer right now, there is always time available to write even if, you’re working all day in the convenient store. Consider that you’re collecting moments of experience and enjoy yourself. Remember and observe the diverse people you meet on the way. The stories you see and read on the internet are stories of others. Make your own experiences and memories and turn them into stories. I have one advice I always give to my Juniors: “The one who can sit the longest wins. Do not get tired of writing.”
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2014 Spring-Summer Fashion Trends Anomis Ananda pastel, creating a sense of freedom and happiness. Spring and summer are the seasons of new beginnings Psychology teaches us that colors can affect our mood. and emotions, which makes them perfect for colors. We often choose a favorite color or some we feel like at During the first, when nature is being reborn after the moment. There’s a large range of colors to choose the long cold months, when we see the first flowers; from this year – anything goes! The two major trends and during the second, when everyone has the words this year vary from the picturesque vibrant colors and pastels, to the contrasting black and white; from the “vacation” and “beach” on their minds. floral designs to the graphic lines. The combination of The color of 2014 is the “Radiant Orchid”. It “reaches black, white and red are never out of fashion. Some of across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the additions are orange, apple pink and oil green. The the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive stamps are bold, making a statement on their own. director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded Think Nature! The spirit of the spring is in all natural creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued colors – green as the grass, blue as the sky or the sea, in today’s society.” The color is a combination of pink and red as a rose, yellow as a dandelion… The fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, which radiate on line is carefree as the wind, with dresses and skirts the skin, producing a healthy glow, and it’s suitable for made of silk and chiffon, flared and wide, or straight both men and women. The color premiered during the and narrow. The fabrics are light and frivolous, at times 2014 spring fashion shows and variations of this hue even transparent. will carry into clothing and accessories throughout the While these may rule mainly in the western world this entire year. year, the Korean trends are a little different. They go The trendiest of 2014 Spring-Summer seasons is the for both men and women, and are both very colorful splash of colors – they are bright and vibrant, sometimes and graphic. There are floral fabrics in multiple colors, 58. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
with small or large flowers, or some with large stripes. The “waterline” trousers for men are still in fashion. The jackets are following the body line, and some feature large floral stamps. The trend in make-up goes all natural, with slight splashes of colors – blue, green, yellow, violet, pink, in a fine combination with brown. No more “smoky eyes”, no more dark eye shadows. The lips can be shaded in simple pink or peach gloss, or a deeper color lipstick, but the main idea is to underline the healthy look of your face, with a touch of pink or coral blush at the tip of the cheekbones. A modern and surprisingly versatile shade, the new Radiant Orchid enlivens the skin, making all who wear it feel healthier and more. The blending of both cool and warm undertones, purple is an appealing hue for distinctive combinations and flattering to many hair, eye and skin. This shade is seductive when combined with red, and pairs very well with lavender, violet and pink, which provides a vast range of lipsticks, blushes and nail polishes. The accessories are catchy, neutral or colorful, with innovative or classic designs. From the classic bags to the carry-on-purses, from classic high-heels in black and white, to quirky platforms with colorful stripes.
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Color-Me Bland:
Ayu’s Colour a Palette of Wasted Potential In the early 2000s, Hamasaki Ayumi was considered one of the premier JPop artists not only in Japan, but worldwide amongst anime fans. There’s a reason she is affectionately known as “Divine Ayu” by her fans as she holds many records in Japan for album sales, number-one hits by a female artists, and for having the most number one singles consecutively. With songs like “Vogue,” “Forgiveness,” “Far Away,” “Seasons,” “M,” “Kanariya,” “Moments,” and “Alterna” just to give a very brief list of recognizable hits and favorites, Hamasaki is just one of those artists where greatness is expected. Ayu is one of the reasons I fell in love with JPop and KPop, because of her amazing lyrics and ability to tell a story. For me, she is the queen of JPop and one of the artists many should listen to in order to get into JPop as a genre. 60. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
Her new album, Colours, however, failed to deliver. It’s starting to become clear that no matter how beloved or divine an artist is, sometimes that special magic that once made an artist special fades and we’re left with a subpar effort that barely passes acceptable levels. Colours featured ten songs from the extremely likeable “Now & 4Eva” that perfectly captures what fans once loved about Ayu to “Lelio,” which is so repetitive to the point of becoming a song that could be used to annoy someone you may not like very well. At times, the production of the album feels rushed despite the world-class team who helped make it a reality, and this is sad considering Ayu’s superstar status. Many of the songs are so over-processed and auto-tuned, it’s like her record label lost faith in her abilities to sing and sell a record. With this, the overwhelming dance tracks
detract from the overall quality, sending a message that her record label and possibly Ayu herself sold out in order to remain relevant in an Asian music industry saturated in dubstep and electro beats.
For longtime Ayu fans like myself, Colours is a huge letdown. For those who enjoy loud music, auto-tune, synthesizers, and dance tracks, this album may be appealing. Overall, it’s forgettable save for a few songs. Hopefully, upcoming albums will have Ayu returning Songs like “Lelio,” “Feel the Love,” “Terminal,” “Merry- to her roots so listeners can once again capture the Go-Round,” and “XOXO,” have so much auto-tune and beauty that made her divine. digital “enhancements” that, at times, Hamasaki sounds like a vocaloid. There are hints of her actual voice, but Grade: D+ it’s hidden by synthesizers and instrumentals that are often louder than she is (see “Terminal”). Plus, repetition of the lyrics like in “Lelio” where “lelio, lelio, lelio, lelio DJ” makes up the bulk of the song sounds more like a punishment for someone you may not like over an enjoyable song. These songs may make listeners ask “Ayu, what happened to you?”, because they do not live up to the level Ayu is capable of surpassing with each song she sings. Songs like “Pray,” which is the theme song for the anime Budda 2, captures the magic Ayu once had. There is so much emotion in the song, especially when paired with the lovely track. There’s something special here in her voice that captures the heart to the point where a listener may cry due to the beauty of the song and due to longing for Ayu of the past. “Angel” also carries the same emotional tones, which is a plus, but at times when Hamasaki sings “I wanna be an angel for you,” she sounds almost whiney, so this takes away from the romance and ability to capture the heart. “Angel” would have had potential if the chorus was toned down somewhat, helping the song have a soft landing. “Now & 4Eva,” “What is Forever Love,” and “Hello New Me” capture the spirit of prime-Ayu. The songs’ beats definitely sound like classic Ayu with bouncy music that doesn’t overpower the tracks and sounds that serve as nice bookends to tracks to oldies-but-goodies like “Vogue,” “Alterna,” “Trauma,” “Still Alone,” and “Duty” for “Now & 4Eva” and “Powder Snow,” “I Am…,” and “Carols” for “Hello New Me.” The music isn’t overpowering and the vocals don’t sound as auto-tuned even though they still are. “Pray,” “Now & 4Eva,” “What is Forever Love,” and “Hello New Me” save the album from being unsalvageable, thus making it mildly listenable.
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2002: THE GLOBAL
TURNING POINT
T
he ascension of Kpop in the global market is a new thing for those Kpop lovers abroad. Its short history is marked at a mere dozen years since the introduction of Winter Sonata, the Korean drama that signaled the very first wave of Kpop phenomenon. Winter Sonata aired in 2002 over the KBS2 network, opening the floodgate of Made-in-Korea drama and music throughout Asia, and subsequently worldwide. And, exactly ten years later when Psy’s Gangnam Style splashed the global market through YouTube in 2012, the worldwide Kpop-hype peaked its grand revolution that no one could ever possibly have seen it coming before the 2K era. Until the 90’s, Kpop was simply a localized phenomenon that was isolated within the Korean pop culture with no one outside ever heard of Korean pop music or drama. The style was typified by either a melodrama or a ballad rhythm, regurgitating to the eyes and ears of those who searched outwardly for something new and different. Winter Sonata changed all that in one sweet scoop for a melodrama that did not involve the old ways, but relied on fresh genre, beautiful scenery, and resonating music. It is really a mystery why Winter Sonata was able to do what it did. 62. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
JONATHAN YOU
It could simply be dumb-luck, so to speak, that it was produced at the right time for the right circumstance. Or it is possible that Winter Sonata was a new breed of a media art for the new generation. Either way, there is no doubt that it marked the beginning of a whole new world: the global Kpop world. Since then, historical series as well as contemporary miniseries followed with a varying degree of success in the global market . One notable development of Korean dramas includes the fusion of Kpop melodies in the drama. Incidentally, Kpop also had its notable beginning in 2002 with BoA reaching number one for the first time on the Japanese chart. By the mid 2000’s, a huge portion of the East Asian music market was dominated by Kpop according to INA Global (5/2/2013), a wellrespected French publication of a scholarly review on the creative industries and media. The global fame of Kpop celebrities came hand-in-hand on both drama stage and music platform. They both began together in 2002 like the Siamese twin that can live only interdependently. It appears to be more than a coincidence that 2002 was also the year that marked the worldwide presence of Korean legacy. With Korea’s early exit from 2014 World Cup, one can only wonder, if the
incredible run of 2002 Korean soccer team to the semifinal of the then World Cup in Korea had anything to do with the outburst of Kpop in the same year. However, there may be another underlying factor that could have made Kpop’s run possible. Apart from the Internet that made it a snap to connect globally among the fans of Kpop, it benefitted from the infusion of new blood that could define the genre of Korean music and drama from outside of the box. The generation that is extremely difficult to define was born and raised by the so-called Korean Baby Boomers, a post-Korean War generation that was influenced by the influx of American/British pop music and culture. The Kpop generation is the generation that grew up around parents who would listen to Rock’n Roll and watch Hollywood Cinema. 2002 is somewhat reminiscent to 1970 when the Beatles landed in Japan and Love Story romanticized the hearts of the Koreans. The pop culture since then dominated Asia for the last half a century. Will Kpop do the same in the hearts of present Kpop mania worldwide? There is a good vibe, though, only time will tell.
ALBUM EXCLUSIVE:
TEAM H “DRIVING TO THE HIGHWAY” THIS SUMMER JOELLE HALON
The summer months bring many blockbuster album releases in the K-Pop world. With so many releases from the many idol groups, some great albums may be missed that should be given a chance by K-Pop lovers. Electronic music duo Team H, comprised of singer/actor Jang Keun Suk and producer/ songwriter DJ Big Brother Kurt Jung, released an album July 16 titled Driving to the Highway. According to Dawn Hazelett, the Facebook administrator for the Eels Family Fan Club and Eels Club North America— the fan clubs for Jang Keun Suk—Driving to the Highway is “a whimsical journey of the soul” while “discovering many emotions along the way.” “[The album] is more of a getting back to a natural concept,” Hazelett said. “Gone is the heavy makeup and brooding, aggressive attitude.” In the past, Team H has had a more hard-hitting, beatheavy sound, so Driving to the Highway steps away from that to show a different side that listeners can chill to throughout the season and beyond. As Hazelett said, it has an inviting festival atmosphere that is lighter and carefree and focused more on the celebration of musical energy.
“Team H is a very energetic, charismatic duo with exceptional chameleon attributes,” Hazelett said. “They can be dark, aggressive, and testosterone-driven. They can make you lose yourself in a dance frenzy of an upscale club atmosphere. They can also emit powerful sexuality or boyish charm.”
Boyish charm is what listeners could expect in Driving to the Highway. “Take Me,” the album’s title track, shows that side, which helps makes Jang and Jung relatable and different from other groups dabbling in boyish styles or dark concepts. Title Track: “Take Me” Released June 25, 2014, “Take Me,” which can be viewed on
YouTube, takes on a summery vibe where Jang and Jung are seen hamming up for the camera and having fun with anyone they meet, matching with the album’s vibe. “The song [was] approved by all involved for the title track for the single release,” Hazelett said. “It was created by producer DJ BB Kurt Jung who wanted to make it a happy, fun, energetic summer song. It is a very upbeat track mixed with electronic dance music which is the duo’s trademark genre. ” “When Jang Keun Suk first heard this track,” Hazelett continued, “he felt as if he was running in a field of green grass. To portray this concept, the music video was filmed on beautiful Jeju Island.” When listening to “Take Me” and watching the video, it’s clear Jang and Jung had a lot of fun. Pairing the song with the beauty of Jeju helps envelope listeners in the summer vibe, and it truly does feel like listeners can escape with them. “The boys of Team H were very psyched for the filming,” said Hazelett before revealing Jung sprained his ankle, which didn’t seem to be an issue. “If you 2nd EDITION 63
watch the music video, you can’t even tell. Both boys are running happily though the woods and fields.” Besides the MV’s fun and charming elements, international fans may enjoy that the song is in English. The lyrics align with wanting to take a journey to discover new things, making the song an enjoyable tune for road trips and days at the beach.
What to Expect from the Album While listeners can expect a summer feel and relaxed tone, Team H’s signature electronic sound will remain. The softer vocals are sure to win over new fans, too, making the album a nice introduction to the world of Team H. “I’ve heard three songs so far, and I’m pretty impressed with the production of this album,” said Hazelett. “The carefree, happy journey was captured perfectly through their hard work. When they start to tour, this will be another Team H-party [for] sure. This will be more like an after-sundown outdoor festival: Light, airy, and full of energy, exactly the summer vibe they wish to convey.” If you’re looking for a summer album that will delight your senses and make you want to get up and dance, check out Driving to the Highway and prepare to have some fun as the warm summer lazes forth! For information on Eels Club North America, visit their Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/eelsusa
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Fold, Tape, and Send. It really is that simple
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Confessions of a Sasaeng
The Complete Q&A By: Joelle Halon
JH: I have a few questions to ask you if that’s okay.
On your blog, you mention you’re a former sasaeng. Do you mind me asking why you feel you were a sasaeng?
Jin: Yes, I was sasaeng. I like Korea and Japan idols
too much. First, I listened to music and feel happy. I watch TV shows they were in and started tofeel like they are friends. I stillfeel happy. Then I had friends who would tell me I look like actress Gu Hye Sun and like actress Horikita Maki. I think I did too. So I start buying clothes to look like them. I started getting hair fixed and colored like them. When I turned 20, I got surgery to make my eyes and nose look like Gu Hye Sun so I can feel very pretty. I told my dad I had a nose problem so I can get surgery. But I did not tell him I wanted to look like Gu Hye Sun. I took money from him to pay for my eyes. He didn’t know this. I hung pictures all over my walls of Gu Hye Sun. I wrote fanfiction about how we became good friends. I started imaging her and me going to movies and restaurants and having fun times. She would be in my dreams. Then I decided to move to Seoul to see if I can find to her to become friends like in my dream. I even tried to get into Sungkyunkwan University because she went there. But it did not work.
JH: What happened when you moved to Seoul and tried to get into Sungkyunkwan University?
Jin: I tried to do what fan forums said: Called
different taxi companies and hotels to see if she stayed there. I tried and tried, but people hung up on me. Taxis will not help me unless I had money. I had no money because I got plastic surgery. The school told me I did not have test scores to get it. I tried to get jobs so I can have money. I did not get hired. I walked streets day and night. Nice men allowed me to stay over to sleep and shower. But I needed money. I
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started to sell myself to stay in Seoul. I want to meet Gu Hye Sun so bad! I wanted her to see me and love me because I have her face now. I wanted her to be my friend. It made it not so bad.
JH: What do you mean you “started to sell” yourself “to stay in Seoul?”
Jin: Ummmm, what is it called? Prostitute? Sell my body. Have sex for money.
JH: Is it okay to ask why you did this? How did it make you feel?
Jin: Yes. It’s okay. I did not want to go home. I did
not want to feel sad because I told all my friends I will meet her and take selcas and show [we are] best friends. I will do anything so not to look babo in front of my friends.
JH: Did you ever get to meet Gu Hye Sun? Did your measures pay off?
Jin: NO! My one friend told my family on me. I told
my family I was in Seoul to find a good job so they let me go. My friend told my family I was selling myself for money. My father came to look for me and found me in coffee shop. Seoul is a big city, but he still found me! But, my father is very smart. He must remember my love for coffee and looked at all these places first. He brought me back home, and I was not allowed to leave the house. Mother and father were very upset with me. My father could not look at me. My mother cried all the time because I was a disgrace and she missed my old face. She told me ‘what happened to my pretty daughter?’ They also found out I stole money from them to get plastic surgeries. They sent me to live with my aunt who lives in London for work hoping to cure me. It worked for a little bit. I no longer think about Gu Hye Sun. I feel so much better! I was sad for so long because I think Gu Hye Sun betrayed me and my love. My aunt kept me busy and had me go to school to learn English and become a business woman like her. I did good in school! I earned a college degree. I was happy!
JH: It sounds like your life is heading in a positive direction. :D Good for you! You mentioned you were happy. That’s past tense. What happened?
Jin: EXO came out. JH: What happened when EXO came out? Jin: I thought they were all so cute! Kai and Lay
and Suho became my biases. I bought all the CDs, all the posters, magazines. All my money went to merchandise. I had money to buy stuff because I had good job. I got up early to watch the music shows before work. I wrote fan letters, lots of fan letters telling them how much I loved them. I created a blog to write fanfiction. I shipped them all together and created wild sexy stories. I learned how to draw to send them pictures. I was in love! I loved them so much. And I had a thing for Kai’s hair. I wanted to touch it. So I found a fan forum and joined it to become Hwa Jin Sun, my nickname Jin I gave you. They all have ideas to find EXO and follow them to get close to them. They gave ideas like buying cheap cell phones to stay in touch. We created SMS accounts to stay in touch. We created secret codes for members. We also found taxi drivers willing to help us.
JH: Were you still in London at the time? If so, why
did you need taxi drivers and secret codes? Were you trying to help others in Korea get closer to the group? Jin: At first, I helped others in Korea. Since I worked in my aunt’s office, I knew phone numbers and airport contacts and taxi numbers. I made it sound like I was finding information out for business purposes. Someone in the office found out what I was doing and threatened to tell my aunt. So I quit job and moved back to Seoul without telling my aunt. I decided to no longer go by my given name and became Jin. I use that name so no one found me. I moved into an apartment with another girl and we spent many hours planning routes to follow EXO when they went to interviews. We planned fan meets to stand outside their dorms. We booked cars to follow them. We found out when each member was doing things so we can find them. We found out where they ate and when. I focused on Kai because I wanted to touch his hair. I wanted to cut a piece of it so I can treasure it.
JH: Did your planning pay off this time? It seems you spent a lot of time figuring out where to be and when. Also, it seems you spent a lot of time contacting people. Is this true? Did you accomplish your goals? How?
Jin: Oh yes! It paid off this time. We managed to
follow their car lots. We saw them at airports! I managed to touch a member once. I don’t remember which one because there was a mob of other girls too. Some people in our group were hitting each other to prevent each other from seeing the members. I didn’t get to get a piece of Kai’s hair like I wanted. I was sad. But there were several other times we had a chance to try. We kept talking to drivers and hotel clerks. They gave us infomation for a fee. It was fun while it lasted I guess.
JH: What do you mean “it was fun while it lasted?” Could you explain?
Jin: I guess because I’m getting older, it started to
not feel right. One time at an airport, I saw girls mob the guys, and one member sat on the ground and was yelling for fans to stop. Another went and picked him up. I saw tears in their eyes, but fans didn’t care. Something changed for me and I did not like seeing EXO sad and hurt. I felt sad. I said to myself ‘this is not how it should be.’ I got close to EXO but at what cause? The members are crying and fans don’t care! Then I realized I am not a fan. I am crazy. I am 2nd EDITION 67
psychopath. I didn’t realize I was standing back crying too. This was not fun. I went home that night and told my roommate I did not want this anymore. She told me we were doing the right thing and that we were doing things other fans did not get to do. I told her we are not fans. I told her “no, no! Good fans do not do this! Good fans thank their idols and show love through kindness. We are not fans by being mean!” She hit me and scratched me because I made her mad. I packed my clothes and left. A hotel let me use their phone and I called my father to apologize for making him worried. He came and got me and sent me back to my aunt since she knew a doctor there who would talk to me and help me. I was in the hospital for six months. I got diagnosed with OCD and phlegmatic disorder. Now I can control my impulses better and act like a regular fan.
JH: That’s interesting that it took one event with your favorite group to change your thinking. What was that like emotionally for you? How are you controlling your impulses better, and what is it like being a regular fan?
Jin: Do you ever feel like you have a boulder resting
on your chest making it difficult to breathe? You can’t move, so the weight of the boulder feels heavier and heavier until it feels like your entire body is ready to die? I didn’t realize I felt that way when I was busy chasing after EXO and Gu Hye Sun because I was so taken in by the chase nothing else mattered. I let my family down bad and I hurt people. I didn’t care. I changed my face and became someone I wasn’t. I change my name to become someone I wasn’t. I sold my body to chase after a fantasy. Someone else took my identity. I was consumed by obsession. Then when I saw EXO members get pushed, I saw hurt. Then I realized they have families too who look out for them and love them really instead of the love I have. When I felt that the boulder was gone, I could breathe. I feel so bad! I remember the looks on EXO faces and that’s what keeps me from becoming a sasaeng again. I listen to the music and movies but don’t feel like writing stories and chasing them.
JH: Has your life changed for the better since your sasaeng days? How has it changed?
Jin: My life is better now, thank you. I made up with
my family, but they don’t want me to talk about my illness because they are afraid I will do it again. My 68. K-Crush Magazine/July 2014
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: “Baekhyun-ah, I told you Stop messing around, or we really don’t know what we’ll do next Why do you think we went all the way there and caused a fuss? Our puppy is so cute when he’s mad But it’s time to tone down that personality isn’t it? You’re a public figure hehe Try treating us like we’re insects one more time, we really don’t what we’ll do next time And send your brother our congratulations on his wedding~”
JH: Why do you want to keep your sasaeng name? Jin: My sasaeng name reminds me of my past. I will not be a bad girl anymore. People who will see it who are sasaeng will remember me and maybe they will listen to what I have to say.
JH: If you can say anything to your family, friends, EXO, or Gu Hye Sun, what would it be?
Jin: I will tell my family I am sorry I disappointed
aunt rehired me. I moved back to London because it was safe for me there. My doctor is there. Now I live in Japan for the year to work a business deal for my aunt’s company. I am very busy! When I was sasaeng, I wasn’t this busy because I focused too much on chasing idols. I also have a boyfriend. I didn’t have one before because I was dating Kai, kekeke. I can laugh about it now.Someday, I want to write a book about my experience so I can help others. I want to help others like me so we don’t hurt anyone else. Maybe I will become psychologist. But I want to keep my sasaeng name.
you. I will do my best to bring happiness to you. I will tell my aunt sorry I made you worry. I will tell my friends thank you for telling my family on me because it helped me see I was a bad person. A crazy person. EXO and Gu Hye Sun, I am sorry I hurt you and followed you. I will not do it anymore and I will try to help others so they will stop too. I want you all to be healthy and happy.
JH: Thank you so much for your time, Jin. I appreciate how open you are in sharing your experiences. :)
Jin: You are welcome, Joelle. I just want to help someone not do what I did. Please tell who you are writing to to stay strong and do not do bad things. 파이팅!
JH: Have a great week, Jin. Thank you once again! Hwaiting!
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ASPIRATION FOR FAME AND SUCCESS The success of Kpop on the global scale, coupled with Unlike in the case with the conventional celebrity the success of sports celebrities such as Yuna Kim, changed the perspective of Korean parents whose lone goal used to be the best education possible of their children for a better future. It is not a phenomenon, but it is definitely creeping up visually in progress. There are already many Kpop celebrities that are from outside of Korea to begin with. Names such as Tablo, Lena Park, Ailee, and John Park are just a few that are coming strong. The popular vocal groups such as 2NE1, Girls’ Generation and F(x) all have one or more of members who were raised overseas.
SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment are house names for Kpop in Korea. They have trainees working hard day and night yearning for the days of becoming the next Wonder Girls. They are young people who basically went all-in to become tomorrow’s Kpop star someday. These hardworking no-name trainees are not just in Kpop stages, but they are everywhere. They are on ice rink. They are on the green and in driving ranges. SAT ‘hakwon’ and top schools no longer monopolize the lives of Korean youngsters anymore. One of the pitfall for all these wanna-be’s is that they are not talent-driven. They all work hard, but they most likely will not make it beyond the backstage singer/dancer at best simply because they do not have the talent to splash on big stages. There are plenty of anonymous posts online in Kpop forums confessing the failure they experienced chasing Kpop dream. One such testimony says everything about the lives of Kpop trainees, “I have always dreamt of being a Kpop idol since I was 12 and now I’m 15 so I wasted 3 years of constantly dreaming and taking singing + dancing lessons + learning Korean (I’m partially fluent) and wasting a lot of time and money…” (July 2011, forums. soompi.com).
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path in Korea of the early days, Kpop trainees are now often sponsored, and perhaps even encouraged, by their parents to go all-in with all the financial supports, forsaking their normal path of education. The real perk under all the fame and celebrity status of their children, is of course the wealth that may come along for the parents. However, it is an extremely difficult path to succeed. As is the case in most other entertainment or sports industries, there is virtually zero chance for success if you don’t have the required talents. And even if you have all the talents in the world, it still is not automatic that they will succeed as Kpop stars. Having many Kpop potentials is a good thing, but not if they are driven by anything other than pure talent. The very nature of Kpop demands an extremely narrow range of age spectrum that coincides with the most important part of their lives: education. The stake is too high with a tremendous fallout for them to go to a talent show with no real ammunition. Everyone can duplicate passion and hard work. The talent however cannot be earned by practice or for a price.
The trainees and their parents must realize that they are giving up a great deal by choosing this path. The price for having a shot at Kpop fame is the entire future of the one who is taking that shot. There is no easy way to say this: it is a do or die move at a young age before even having the chance to see the whole world ahead. The only thing that really matters is whether there a natural talent in them that are following this path.
2NE1 AND THE PUBLIC INQUIRY
T
he latest wonder of Kpop artists is by far 2NE1, formed by 4 members of YG Entertainment in 2009. With 3 of its members raised overseas, they brought a fresh air to the pop circle in Korea with a distinctive mixed style. Other than their latest released album, however, the headline made by 2NE1 involves its vocal member Bom and her nearly four-year old misdemeanor charge that was dropped in 2010. It is difficult to fathom why this has resurfaced after many years of forgotten memory in the minds of the public. At the center of the scandal was in large part the unsubstantiated speculation by the press. It appears as though the fans were feeding off
JONATHAN YOU
of the media frenzy. The public fury is understandable but without grounds.The event unfolded 4 years ago in a silent investigation that led to non-prosecution. The allegation may have a moral culprit, but by no means an offence serious enough to draw such attention. It is only because there had been investigations targeted at the celebrities in the past that twirled in an attempt to create a political propaganda during the unpopular regimes. Segye Inbo, a minor daily newspaper in Korea, first reported it in its 6/30/2014 edition under the editorial that alleged a preferential treatment by the District Attorney’s office. And all other media caught on within a 24 hour window, which began expounding the story. The
press cried out that Bom was given an official ‘Indulgence’ for her transgression. A lot of what the press is decrying are conjectures. The YG Entertainment Director Yang Hyun-Suk, which is the official sponsor of 2NE1 and Bom, vehemently denied all accusations
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as ludicrous. The fact that Bom was properly prescribed of Amphetamine, the substance that she was accused of smuggling into Korea, for medical reasons by her doctor should be good enough to clear the air for any abuse allegation, let alone the charges of narcotic smuggling.
reporter who did not even produce any shred of evidence to support the story. For the moment, a huge cloud hovers over the 2NE1’s immediate future that is about to kick into a high gear with the latest scheduled world tour ‘All or Nothing’ on July 5th and 6th at Yokohama Arena in Japan. With Yang’s intrepid clarification, it appears that fans are understanding the situation better as the story is moving forward. In the aftermath of this Bom fiasco, one must wonder how things got so out of hand initially. Here is where responsible media could have diffused the situation before it even began. Kpop is a huge cultural breakthrough that is growing beyond anyone’s wildest dream.
Unfortunately, it began with the first stone that was cast by Segye Inbo accusing Bom with smuggling narcotics with intent to distribute, a baseless allegation that even the persecution office dismissed. There is no reason for the paparazzi style media to throw a wrench at the The issue at hand is why this was moving wheel. It will only destroy brought back after 4 years, and with what wonderful things that are in such preposterous allegations that store for the global fans. The media entail a pure fiction by a Segye Inbo is often guilty of labeling celebrities
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guilty before they are found guilty. In the process, they create readers and clicks for their articles. Then again, they also created a monster that can only feed off of gossip at the expense of Bom. Her fans, and everyone else should stand strong with her. Here’s wishing her the best.
CHARITABLE HEARTS OF KPOP STARS JONATHAN YOU Unlike in US where the charity works of celebrities come naturally, and by and large for the good of the heart, Korean celebrities were less genuine in their motives to give their hard-earned money back to the society. Many decades ago, the celebrities in Korea were somewhat under scrutiny to the public as to how they spent their wealth. The charity works were coined with a publicity stunt rather than out of a genuineness of the heart, and their motives were more often questioned than not by the press that dwelt on creating a fiction out of thin air. The criticism on the charity works of celebrities has a valid point whereas the charity works have often been extremely event-oriented. Whenever a large-scale disaster takes place, which can attract national attention, the celebrities feel the pressure from the eyes of the public and the press alike as to who is giving and who is not. The giving in the minds of celebrities is like a double-edged razor. You are questioned if you do, and you are criticized if you don’t. Earlier in the year (4/24/2014), an article was published in Money Today, asking the very question, “Celebrity Charity, is it really something to be sarcastic about?” (Translated from the Korean Edition) It is a subject line that no one really wants to visit. Even the press is not free from its hook that divulges the ugliness of its cliché. There is no question it was done more out of a duty-bound obligation by those who are extraordinarily blessed with fame and wealth than out of true compassion and genuine spirit. In the recent years, however, the rise of ‘Kpop’ brought a new life along with the persona of new-generation celebrities.
When the ferry disaster took place just over 12 weeks ago on the southern sea of the Korean Peninsula, there were moments of silence regarding the charity work of celebrities. It appeared as though everyone was afraid of stepping forward until when 14 year old Connie Talbot, not a Korean, but a young English child-singer, broke the silence with her intent to give for the victims, followed by a Kpop star Song SeungHeon who blatantly gave away $100,000 according to The Kyunghyang Shinmun (4/20/2014). It opened the floodgate of other celebrities that no longer feared to step up with enormous amounts of aids. It is unclear what their motivations are. Nonetheless, there is a hope with some of the newer faces in Kpop in this new millennium. Names such as Jang Na-Ra and Moon Geun-Young register at the top of most charities by celebrities with known aggregated amounts of $5,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, as of 2009. These are the ones who were not fazed by the sarcasm of public or press in their good deeds. There are plenty other names that follow of which some are younger and newbies, but plenty more who are older and veterans. It is doubtful that these people are bothered by the scrutiny of the public. Most of them were doing it consistently for years, if not for decades. It is only now that their deeds are coming into light. They are the celebrities whose hearts were in the right place from the beginning. Had the charitable culture in Korea been more mature, the celebrities would have been a lot more forthcoming with their desire to give, not to show off, but because they care. It is now time for us to recognize their efforts for what they do as much as why they do it.
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