AUGUST 2020
SCHOOL UNIFORMS COOL CO N C EPT OR CON CERN I N G?
DREAMING OF NORMALITY? C ON C ERT R EM I N I S CI N G B ACK TO S CH O O L ALT E RN ATI VE L I STEN I N G
NEWS 03 NEWS ROUND UP
MUSIC 04 COVERAGE Dreaming of Dreamcatcher 16 ALBUM REVIEW Stray Kids 18 INTERVIEW Willie Weeks 20 ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT Somi
WELCOME Hello UKP Magazine readers, Here at UnitedKpop we hope you’re all well and safe. September is drawing closer, and the Government is ploughing on with their plan to have workplaces and places of education back to ‘normal’ in just a matter of days ... we’re not wholly convinced, so have distracted ourselves with concert reminiscing, stationery shopping and journalling. Lore Walsh Creative Director l.walsh@unitedkpop.com
22 R&B SPOTLIGHT Crush 24 INTERVIEW Bursters 28 PLAYLIST 30 WHY DO IDOLS WEAR SCHOOL UNIFORMS?
TV & FILM 32 DRAMA REVIEWS Strangers from Hell
LIFESTYLE 34 FASHION ON A BUDGET 36 STATIONERY MUST HAVES 38 BULLET JOURNALLING 101
CREDITS Writers
Editors
Emma Alford Keri Baptiste Keeley Burridge Triya Chakravorty Shannon Cooper Amy Furney Rhiannon Healey Caitlin Holloway Samera Iqbal Jessica Morrison Helen Rodgers Nathan Sartain
Michael East Kristine Phillips
Special Thanks My Music Taste Willie Weeks Duff Press
Designers Lore Walsh Chelsea Macasaet Visda Photographer Chiara Fulgoni
NEWS KOREAN CLASSES USING “LEARN! KOREAN WITH BTS” TO BE OFFERED AT UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE If you enjoy Korean culture, love BTS or both, this news will be a delight!
BY SAMERA IQBAL KERI BAPTISTE
You can also access these learning resources through Big Hit Edu, who have been releasing 3-minute clips to WeVerse since March. A book package will be available from August 24th.
Middlebury College of the United States, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and EDHEC Business School of France, Ain Shams University of Egypt, and University of Languages & International Studies and Than Long University of Vietnam will open formal Korean lectures that use “Learn! KOREAN with BTS”. CEO of Big Hit Edu, Choi Young Nam said, “KF and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies are all partners who have a high understanding of our content, so we’re anticipating that we’ll be able to create even greater synergy in the future.” “Learn! KOREAN with BTS” is a program that ultilises pre-existing footage of the boys themselves, such as Run BTS! and Bangtan Bomb, to teach fans about Korean culture and introduce vocabulary commonly used by BTS members.
SOK online FEST, the first K-pop festival from Spain, will be held on August 29th at 2PM CEST. This unique festival creates a special connection between K-pop artists and fans. Spectators will not only watch the performances but be able to take part in a Q&A or giveaways with the promoter and artists through social media. The line-up has 4 groups and solo acts, with Hyemin MCing the event. These acts are boy group M.O.N.T (몬트); member of MAXXAM Oh Saebom (오새봄); R&B indie singer Cha Seungju (차승주); EDM Duo High Tension and the MC herself, Hyemin.
BigHit’s independant educational company, Big Hit Edu, will be holding a signing ceremony with the Korea Foundation and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on August 12. Here they will finalising their plan to work together to promote Korean studies abroad. According to this agreement, the three companies would bring their skills together to meet the increasing demand for teaching Korean studies abroad, while promoting the teaching of the Korean language.
SOK ONLINE FEST TO HAPPEN THIS MONTH
For more information on the event, visit the SOK Entertainment website.
KBCE ANNOUNCES DATE FOR KINGSTON KOREA FESTIVAL 2020 Kingston Korea Festival will be back! Korean British Cultural Exchange (KBCE) has announced that the festival will take place on 26th September 2020. The festival aims to celebrate Korean culture during the holiday of Chuseok (harvest). During this, visitors can usually participate in a range of activities, including Kimchi making, paper lantern making and the opportunity to try on traditional Korean costumes, as well as watch live performances. However, this year activities might change due to UK regulations surrounding COVID-19. KBCE hopes to organise the festival in a safe way. You can sign up to their newsletter to find out more information.
WONHO WORKS WITH UK COMPOSERS FOR “LOSING YOU” Wonho has returned with his prerelease track, “Losing You”, and fans are loving it! “Losing You” is an all-English RnB ballad that emphasises Wonho’s vocals. Its lyrics serve as an emotional message to the fans that continued to support him after his departure from MONSTA X. As well as Wonho himself, the song is composed by four UK-based composers: Corey Sanders, Jon Maguire, Neil Ormandy and Nick Gale. Wonho will release his debut album, “Love Synonym #1: Right for You”, on 4th September 2020.
DREAMING OF DREAMCATCHER OCTOBER 2019 WORDS KEELEY BURRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY CHIARA FULGONI
Good things come to those who wait. And those who waited a year for Dreamcatcher‘s return were London InSomnia’s, who gathered in full force for the first show of the European Invitation from Nightmare City tour on Thursday 24th October 2019. Not even the rain, which according to member Gahyeon had been pouring down all day, could deter the fans, who waited for hours in the dreary weather to see the girls. But the waiting paid off. Summoned once again by their In Somina’s through My Music Taste, who organised the entire European Tour, Dreamcatcher were back. As the show was about to begin, music swelling and screams rising, it was obvious that there were many more people than at the show last year. In such a short space of time, Dreamcatcher have amassed a fiercely loyal fanbase. Their InSomnia filled the hall to the very edges, something that Gahyeon commented on later in the show. “Last time we were here, the venue was only half full. But now there’s a lot more of you.” The pride in the replying cheers was just a small snapshot into the strong bond that Dreamcatcher shares with their fans. And it was present throughout the entire show. The girls, dressed an individually styled school uniform inspired attire, opened with greeting the audience. As they usually stand seven members strong, the absence of member Handong was felt immediately. Dreamcatcher did not let this go unspoken. Far from it. They acknowledge that she wasn’t there, promising that they would bring her with them next time. At this point, a generous fan stepped up to help ease the absence somewhat. An almost life-sized cardboard standee was passed through the crowd until it reached the stage where Sua took it happily. There was a lot of laughter over this, and some members were even happy to point out that they were now taller than Handong. The playfulness of the moment really allowed that close bond between the girls and their fans shine, all within the first few moments of the concert. It wasn’t long after this that they swiftly transitioned into their first performance. Fly High, a fan favourite, set the tone for the rest of the evening – high energy, fun, yet commanding. Dreamcatcher’s stage presence cannot be understated. They filled the small stage not only with their polished choreography but with immense power. They are truly captivating to watch, their smiles genuine, the intensity of their gazes during key moments genuinely alluring. A year has made them assured in their places on stage and the added confidence radiates from their performances. This was particularly evident going into the next song. Chase Me was an incredibly strong debut song, one that established Dreamcatcher’s concept with little hesitation. Now, the girls match this lack of hesitation. The song is powerful and the members did not hold back in their performance.
And what they paid forward in performance, the crowd paid back in their response. Fan chants were executed to perfection – understandably as InSomnia’s have now had a long time to learn them – with some male voices in the crowd being particularly loud. It was perhaps a good idea to calm things down a little with their next song. It’s Okay, a track from their 2017 mini album Prequel, gave the chance for the group to sing directly to the fans. Their voices could be heard distinctly, with Siyeon, in particular, offering up some wonderful high notes. Giving some attention to lesser-known B-Sides, such as Wonderland from Alone in the City, added to this lower energy section. Singing with cardboard Handong was also a popular pastime throughout these performances. The relaxed wandering of the members on stage, interacting with fans by throwing out finger hearts and glowing smiles, allowed everyone to catch their breath after the opening. But that lull did not last long. Soon, they threw themselves into a full group cover of Camilla Cabello’s Havana. This had been seen before by many fans, but never in person. Thus, it’s safe to say that quite a few members of the audience got rather excited to see it live. The girl’s vocals carried well, and their choreography was on point. And to keep with this theme, maintaining the excitement from the cover performance, Dreamcatcher launched into What, followed up directly by Goodnight. With these two songs perhaps being some of the best to sing along to, especially with the chanting during What’s chorus, the atmosphere truly felt heightened. With Dreamcatcher, their duality is one of their biggest draws: Dark and serious when performing to their concept, bright and lively when not. This also means that they’re more than capable of switching up their style to match with other concepts too. Splitting up off stage, Siyeon and Sua returned alone, armed with their unit stage – a cover performance of Taemin’s Sayonara Hitori. Initially, there was a murmur of confusion, maybe at the song choice. If there was any doubt in the room, it was quickly erased. The initial gentleness of the song contrasted with the later intensity fitted bot Sua and Siyeon perfectly. For Dami, Yoohyeon, Jiu, and Gahyeon, two lighter songs gave them the chance to provide a little bit of extra fan service. Twice’s TT followed by Red Velvet’s Bad Boy – cute and sexy as some might put it. But given the fact that huge smiles were given all throughout, it was hard to take the covers too seriously, in the best way.
Trying other artists singles, however, would never hold up to Dreamcatcher’s own singles in a sea of InSomnia’s. You and I was the next for the group to take on. A particular moment of surprise came when Dami performed the magic trick she became well known for during promotions for the title track. Perhaps it was due to the fact that this was not unexpected that it felt like seeing the small illusion for the first time once again. The extendable cane appeared and the crowd near enough went wild, sparking a small smirk from Dami. The second of these powerful singles was Piri. This stands as one of Dreamcatchers more experimental releases, taking influence from the more diverse discography outside the main singles. Make no mistake; Dreamcatcher knows their sound, and they do it well. Yet the heavy EDM or quieter, acoustic tones of some of their other tracks can often get forgotten outside of the more dedicated fan base. Piri, with its heavy bass, synth-driven melodic lines, and overall more diverse instrumentations, makes for a song that is still true to the sound the group has become known for but allows them to stray with little consequence. On stage, this is translated in assured dancing and some great moments where the pace is slower, building anticipation for the low base drop and chorus. Of course, a Kpop concert would not be complete without some interaction between the songs, and Dreamcatcher were more than happy to provide. Taking a moment to pause and discuss their newest mini-album, Raid of Dream, the girls asked the crowd what their favourite song out of the five found on the new release was their favourite. A resounding cry of Silent Night was returned; a song that almost feels like a sequel in style to the ever-popular Sleep Walking. Both songs abandon all pretence of rock-inspired style for full EDM, and it’s a sound that may one day be an interesting avenue for them to try in their lead singles, if not at least a blend. The group teased, asking whether fans would like them to perform Silent Night. Instead, they played a snippet, allowing the girls to sing along and share it with those who requested it. This then happened for all of the songs on the album, ending with Deja-Vu, the title track. When the small part of the song being played stopped, In InSomnias continued to sing. In fact, they sang the entire chorus acapella, putting huge smiles of surprise on the girl’s faces as they listened. It was a tender moment and one that both the group and fans in London will no doubt look back upon with pride.
But it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. Dreamcatcher took on the song themselves for one of the next performances. Deja-vu is again a song with varying pace and intensity. It’s also a song that’s recently been promoted. There’s a certain kind of thrill that comes with hearing a newer song for the first time, something that the artist on stage inevitably picks up on. Feeding off the energy in the room, the performance they gave for this song stood out. All too soon, the evening drew to its close. It was during this goodbye segment that Dreamcatcher acknowledged the dedication of fans in London, and how much their fanbase has grown. With promises made to return, everyone knew this was not quite the end. But the heartfelt words were perfectly timed none the less. The second the members disappeared off stage, the atmosphere shifted. In the dark, it took one InSomnia to begin chanting the group’s name for the whole room to chime in, catching like fire. Then, out they came once more, adorned with tour hoodies and ready to forgo the pristine choreography to once again play around with the crowd. For the encore, the girls sang along to tracks such as Mayday and July 7th. There was a lot of giving from the audience too. Light up signs for Sua and Jiu, using their real names, a panda hat for Dami, and many funny stills of the girls could be spotted, items that Dreamcatcher took with pleasure and had much fun with on stage. At the very last minute, the customary signed flag was brought on stage for a photo opportunity. Capturing the moment with their London InSomnia’s, Dreamcatcher thanked everyone one last time and walked off stage. As is often the case, the energy from the fans did not subside. Though a certain tiredness could be felt in the air, it only went to show how much the fans poured into the concert, just as much as Dreamcatcher did. For a group that debuted a mere two years ago, they have started to achieve something that most girl-groups find challenging – growing and loyal and passionate fanbase. There’s no doubt that when the girls return – when, and not if, as they will surely be called back by InSomnia’s once more – there will be even more fans awaiting them. And with the dedication that the group shows to their concept, genre, and performance, it’s no wonder everyone keeps coming back for more. Thank you to My Music Taste for our own invitation to nightmare city!
STRAY KIDS GO LIVE CAITLIN HOLLOWAY
Stray Kids are an absolute powerhouse in the Kpop industry at the moment and I always look forward to seeing what they bring out. As this is their first official studio album, I was even more eager than usual to see what kind of tracks they were releasing. However, I definitely didn’t expect to see all 8 members dressed like chefs, dancing in kitchens and seeing a Stray Kidsthemed race car zooming around a track all in one music video. Despite the slightly hectic MV, I actually love the song and choreography for the title track ‘God’s Menu’. The way that the lyrics liken the song to a dish that everyone can enjoy is actually a really fun concept. I like the way that, as Changbin says in the first verse, the song really does ‘satisfy all your five senses’. The whole
song is completely addictive to listen to, especially the hook. I’ve caught myself multiple times dancing along to it without even realising it. This song has firmly placed itself in most of my playlists and I think I’ll be listening to this one on repeat for a very long time.
like ‘Do whatever you want, Break the mould together, Gather here in this haven right now’. This message gives a real sense of unity and protection to their fans and I feel like the lighthearted feel of the song really adds to it.
Here’s a wrap up of some of my favourites from the album:
TOP and SLUMP: I was so excited to listen to these two songs as the OP and ED of the upcoming anime ‘Tower of God’. OP is full of energy and I absolutely love this mix of synth and guitar on the backing track. It definitely doesn’t feel like a typical anime OST and Stray Kids have really given this song a life of its own. SLUMP, on the other hand, is much more chilled out and wistful and seems perfect for unwinding after an action-packed episode of Tower of God.
Airplane: This one is much more chilled out than the title track. ‘Airplane’ feels like the perfect summer song for our current situation. With lyrics like ‘Today is the day to fly away, Looking forward to the cloud bed’, they really grasp the excitement of being on that plane, heading somewhere exciting. Though the lyrics can seem a bit cheesy at times, the song itself is really fun to listen to. Despite being unable to travel, I feel like they have really captured the feeling of longing to get away and explore another corner of the world. I can imagine myself listening to this song sat next to a pool with not a care in the world. Haven: I love this one. The fact that Stray Kids are creating this ‘Haven’ for anyone who listens to them is a great concept. I really like the sense of empowerment around this song, with lyrics
Considering I was already a fan of their EPs, it is absolutely no surprise that I love their first studio album. I’d definitely recommend this album if you’re in need of a bit of extra energy!
THE BRAIN BEHIND KPOP: PRODUCER WILLIE WEEKS HELEN RODGERS
Willie Weeks had his first big Kpop break back in 2016 when BTS featured a song he cowrote ‘Wishing on a Star’ on their Japanese album ‘Youth’. Since then, he’s continued producing spectacular Kpop tunes for artists such as Taeyeon, NCT’s Mark and EXO’s Xiumin, and Starship’s rookie boy group Cravity. Willie has now mastered the art of creating an exception title track as he helped produce Monsta X’s ‘Follow’ and ‘Fantasia’. UnitedKpop sat down with Willie Weeks to find out how to write a hit Kpop song, what his favourite Kpop artists are and how he became a music producer. HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? I grew up in a family of producers so it’s kind of the only thing I knew I wanted to do. From early on, I was seeing the music I’d produced being performed and being enjoyed by fans which was a big buzz and is the main reason I do what I do. HOW DID YOU BECOME A MUSIC PRODUCER? I started producing when I was around 13. I played drums first, I studied drums at college after I left school and, the whole time I was at school, I was producing as well and working with artists. WHEN DID YOU START LISTENING TO KPOP? I’ve been listening to Kpop since 2011 and I fell in love with it because of SHINee, EXO and Girls’ Generation. When I first listened to Kpop I was so excited because it has so many elements of the music I grew up listening to like R&B and soul chords. There are so many different styles in each song which means that there’s a lot of freedom to play and have fun.
WHICH KPOP ARTISTS DO YOU LISTEN TO THE MOST? NCT have got such a cool edge and a real quirkiness to them. Their songs always have a bit of madness to them and I love that. I think GOT7 are pretty progressive, too. They have got a fresher sound and are always pushing boundaries. I also recently found out about Victon and their song ‘Mayday’ absolutely blew my mind. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT YOU’VE HAD DURING YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Definitely writing ‘Follow’ for Monsta X. It was the first time I had a full-on music video put to one of my songs and the song was trending which was very special. It was a little bit overwhelming to see how far my music had travelled. WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION WHEN YOU WRITE? I always aim to write a title track – you always want the single – so it’s important to constantly be thinking about how the music is going to affect the choreography.
You need to write something fresh, new and exciting for live performances. WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT WORKING IN THE KPOP MUSIC INDUSTRY? The Korean music scene, along with Japan, is one of the greatest industries in terms of honouring songwriters. They put your name on the TV screen when groups perform live and you get song credits when companies release the tracklist. HAVE YOU EVER MET A KPOP ARTIST? The closest I’ve ever been to meeting a Kpop idol is seeing TVXQ! printed on an aeroplane when I landed in Japan. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PROJECT TO WORK ON? I had the opportunity to write for BTS before they really blew up and I’d love to write something for BTS again.
SOMI
ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT
EMMA ALFORD
I.O.I forged a path for success for all eleven members who won Produce 101 back in 2016 and for Somi, it is only just beginning as she celebrates her first year as a solo artist. After finishing in first place in the show and appearing in a multitude of variety shows, it was almost a guarantee that her debut single, “Birthday” would be a defining point in her career. Today, at the age of 19, she is proving her talents as an artist with her new single, “What You Waiting For”, released days after securing a U.S. record deal with Interscope Records, the same label working with BLACKPINK for their global activities. Although Somi found her place in I.O.I, the start of her journey dates further back to her time in JYP Entertainment. She first stepped in the spotlight with the roster of SIXTEEN, the survival show that would ultimately form TWICE. Somi just missed out on a spot in the group during the final episode but she would continue as a trainee after the show’s production. Two years later, she would be the sole representative for her company in Produce 101. Throughout the series, she became a hot favourite; ranking first place in online votes for multiple episodes. Impressing both the trainers and public with her charm and talent, she would become the winner and take her place as the centre of I.O.I; representing the group on and off-stage. During their one year promotion period, all of the members showed off their talents and Somi was no exception. From the bright beginnings of “Dream Girls” to the fierce concepts from “Whatta Man”; she proved that she was diverse and deserving of
her role as centre. However, the public would also get to know her in the months that followed. Her family also grew in popularity with her father, Matthew Douma appearing in Descendants of the Sun around the same time of his daughter’s debut. In early show appearances, Matthew has been very honest about the hardships of Somi starting as a trainee and also how he helped her with advice and support during SIXTEEN and as she grew as an artist. The Jeon family have continued to flourish over the years and although she may be busy, Somi still has love and support for her father & sister; who are seen frequently during her solo reality shows. Despite being a frequent face on television, she didn’t cement her own solo career until last year. Being one of the last members of her Produce group to release music, Somi would ultimately depart from JYP Entertainment after a mutual agreement and join The Black Label, YG Entertainment’s independent label owned by producer Teddy. The plan for her to debut as a solo artist was already set in motion when she was signed as the label saw infinite potential for her to grow as an artist. Joining the label gave Somi the chance to experiment with musical styles and production; helping Teddy with writing the lyrics for her debut song, “Birthday”. It was a song that would show a transition from the young teenager fans met in I.O.I and the confident artist that was growing with each performance. The transition was a little longer than some fans may have expected as her comeback
would come a year later. The reason could be for many reasons; considering the history behind the company overlooking The Black Label but during this delay, Somi hasn’t wasted time on meeting fans and promoting in the public eye. Through variety shows and her Youtube show, I Am Somi; she has shined a light on her life both as an Idol and as a growing young woman. At one moment, she is meeting friends for lunch or playing Animal Crossing; the next she is working on choreography or in the studio. Growing as an artist, she has also used the show to be genuine with her fans; sharing her emotions when graduating and bravely looking over hate comments online. You cannot deny that Somi has become more confident over the past year and despite the pandemic halting the production of her show and delaying the comeback slightly; she has taken on the feedback and help from The Black Label and her fans. Her new single, “What You Waiting For” is a step away from the youthful concept of “Birthday”; blending English and Korean in an electronic teen-pop beat that is catchy and showcases her diverse talents & styles. The single is also the first song that Somi has actively produced; written and composed alongside Teddy, Danny Chung, R.Tee and 24. Looking back, she has blossomed from a fresh-faced trainee, to one of the main names in I.O.I. Now, with the InterscopeBlack Label partnership; she has now become a popular rookie in her own right and the journey has only just begun.
R&B SPOTLIGHT CRUSH NATHAN SARTAIN
Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, Crush has been a mainstay in Korea’s underground scenes, floating between mainstream success and understated brilliance just as seamlessly as he shifts between hip-hop and R&B influences. Originally debuting as part of Dynamic Duo’s Amoeba Culture label, the 28-year-old now finds himself on P Nation, musically as daring as ever.
The new chapter started in August 2019 with the double single NAPPA. It followed 2018’s pop ballad ‘Lay Your Head On Me,’ and swapped the conservative, emotive acoustic guitars for bleeding synth melodies and slapping trap percussion. Lead-single ‘NAPPA’ particularly showed off the star’s personality, utilising bouncy tropical synths and improvisational jazz inspirations to deliver a vocally freeform masterclass. Lyrically humorous, with Crush continually riffing off the track’s title, it’s a joyful three-minutes packed with plenty of substance. And, although B-side ‘Lookin 4’ ditches a lot of the vibrancy for murky synths and bubbling romanticism, it still feels just as substantial, and overpowers the listener in pure sensuality. From there, it was time for the 28-year-old’s second
full-length studio album. Titled From Midnight To Sunrise, the LP was a sonic story of the late night hours turning into morning, threading a relaxing, healing sound throughout a 40-minute runtime. In many ways an amalgamation of the bygone eras of R&B, jazz and pop he so often borrows from, it’s a record which may feel somewhat restrained in terms of its lack of high-octane, full throttle bangers, but is anything but conservative when looking under the surface. From the beatboxing undertones heard on the horn-laden ‘Wonderlust,’ to the euphoric cacophonous ending section of the largely acoustic ‘Sunset,’ all the way to the soothing closer ‘Nighty Night,’ there’s always something fresh and exciting to pick out, and really revel in. Testing the limits to his songwriting and production skills all whilst staying firmly within the integral concept, From Midnight To Sunrise is Crush at his apex, operating without shackles or boundaries. Afterwards, the R&B mainstay was afforded some less taxing projects, appearing on a couple of original soundtracks and taking part in Hyundai’s “Digital Lover” project. Although nothing truly stood out, the breezy piano ballad ‘Let Us Go,’ does stand above the rest in quality, drawing out emotion with emphatic vocal shakes and a pronounced rawness. The resonant, rather downbeat ‘Digital Lover’ has its moments too, with its plodding percussion and twinkling keys supplementing the soulful line deliveries competently, even if it does fall foul of being a tad formulaic. Sadly though, like many artists, Crush saw COVID-19 throw an earth-sized spanner in his plans. Now at the age in which many see their career stunted for a stint in the military, the 28-year-old undoubtedly had plans of more splendour in store for the rest of the calendar year, but has instead had to bide his time carefully. Never one to dwell though, the P Nation artist signed on as a regular guest on the Begin Again Korea series, in which numerous artists busk around the country, and started the
homemade project. ‘Mayday,’ the first (and so far only) release of the venture which seeks to show fans how he’s been working during self-isolation, went down perfectly too, bouncing between self-loathing pertaining to stress, hair loss and drowning in thoughts, and wishing to simply enjoy “Sunday vibes.” Centred around a slightly unrefined recorder loop, skeletal trap beats and airy synths, the track is sonically light, favouring tangible comfort as opposed to relentless charisma. Complete with a nice feature from Red Velvet’s Joy, ‘Mayday’ has tons of charm, displaying Crush at his most carefree and comfortable. However, such languorous efforts often don’t stick in the mind for too long, and so the R&B star had to capitalise on his forward momentum a different way. Returning with the double single OHIO, the 28-year-old takes all the energy and charisma of his early career, matching it with tremendous flair and artistry. Its titular lead-single particularly, which is an urgent, rapid unleashing of anxiety over heavily forefronted slapping percussion and antsy piano melody, is utterly stunning. Rhythmically enrapturing as it cascades towards a somewhat subdued bridge in which the artist declares that he wants to make his significant other “feel so good,” ‘OHIO’ is a hyper-charged single full of pep. On the other hand, the accompanying track ‘Let Me,’ penned by Devin Morrison, does dial down the sonically arresting elements, taking it to the realm of ‘90s R&B tinged romantic magnetism in the form of a gushing love song. Plus, almost all of us have made declarations
of love in some capacity, whether on a marble bench or a Marbella beach, and such a tender number can evoke such innocent, fond memories and feelings. It mightn’t have the energy and zip of its musical neighbour, but it’s just as visceral, making for attentive listening.
To conclude, the last twelve months have seen shrewd development from Crush. Breaking out from being sidelined as a reliable hand in palatable chart bothering R&B-cum-pop offerings, he now sees himself making the music he himself loves, unafraid of showing pensive introspection and unfiltered thoughts. With the backing of Psy, the sky is the limit for the 28-year-old when he does return from serving his country, and his career may continue to reach new heights.
FOLLOWING A UK TOUR IN 2019, BURSTERS RETURNED WITH A FULL ALBUM 'ONCE AND FOR ALL' JUST AS THE WORLD LOCKED DOWN IN MARCH.
YOU CHOSE TO FUSE A MORE HARDCORE MUSIC STYLE WITH POPULAR STYLES AND SOUNDS - WHAT INFLUENCED THIS?
'Once and For All' merges alternative and popular sounds, takes a strong stance on social and moral issues and offers a left of field listen to Kpop fans open to a heavier sound.
DAEGUN: It was a very natural development. We definitely didn’t intentionally add pop elements to our music to follow the mainstream sound. Our band members, including me, like to listen to a huge range of genres including pop. And we’re a band that never ties itself down to one genre, but constantly combines various ones when we create new music. So that’s why the sound naturally comes out that way, I think. For example, I actually didn’t like rock music at the start. I originally liked ballad and pop. But Junyong and Gyejin, whom I was friends with in middle school, recommended Linkin Park to me and that’s how I got into rock. Similarly, our members typically listen to very different assortments of genres, get influenced by them, and want to incorporate them into our own music. We express ourselves with the influences we get from other music and our own lives, so it’s natural that BURSTERS has quite a wide range of music styles.
UnitedKpop spoke to the rock band about their latest album. YOUR ALBUM ‘ONCE AND FOR ALL’ COMBINES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SOUNDS - HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? HWANHEE: There is no fixed ‘BURSTERS’ sound’ because we define our sound as ‘constantly changing and combining various elements in new ways’. So I think getting out of whatever our current pre-existing sound is and going for the next new territory will be a never-ending task for us. Just as our new album contains a lot of new attempts that distinguishes it from previous albums, we will keep striving to come back with a ‘new BURSTERS’ in every album to come. BURSTERS is one band, but the five members really differ from each other in terms of the music and message that each pursues. Since such an eclectic set of members are all involved in the composing and lyrics writing, the unique colour of each member end up showing through in the final product, and a separate, new colour of ‘BURSTERS’ also gets created.
FILM AND LITERATURE TRANSLATORS OFTEN DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATING SOME KOREAN IDEAS INTO ENGLISH. DID YOU FACE ANY CHALLENGES WITH LYRICS YOU FELT DIDN’T TRANSLATE WELL? DAEGUN: We worked hard to not lose or twist any nuances one would get in Korean. Actually, a different language is not just a different communication system but entirely different sensibility and culture, you know? So we never stopped contemplating and working on this. Making an English album was really worth it though, a worthy challenge.
YOU OFTEN EMPLOY A MORE ‘PUNK’ ATTITUDE TO YOUR LYRICS, DISCUSSING SOCIAL AND MORAL ISSUES. ‘SMELL THE ROT’ HAS A VERY APT ‘FUCK THE SYSTEM’ MESSAGE FOR THE CURRENT CLIMATE. WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO CHOOSE SUCH A POLITICALLY AND SOCIALLY CHARGED TRACK AS YOUR TITLE TRACK? JUNYONG: I wouldn’t say ‘Smell the Rot’ was intended to show our political stance, but it is true that it’s the strongest expression of everything we BURSTERS have felt in our lives up to now. The song is a call for everyone to face the wrongs we ignore because we are so focused on just going through life. It’s to admit what’s wrong as wrong. ‘Smell the Rot’ is also clearly the most characteristic sounds of BURSTERS, and also has the core message of the entire album. That’s why it’s the title track. IS THERE A TOPIC YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT BUT HAVEN’T COVERED YET? HWANHEE: I’d like to express everything a human being feels and faces in life. It can be from the realm of personal life, or from that of environment, politics, or society. I just want to express every emotion that passes back and forth between us human beings. IF YOUR MUSIC COULD PROMOTE REAL CHANGE, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST ISSUE YOU SOLVED? HWANHEE: That’s a very tough question, but if our music could solve something, I’d wish for our music to help eliminate depression and suicide. My hope is that our music can lift up people who are downcast and give them strength.
WHICH SONG ON ‘ONCE AND FOR ALL’ WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR FAVOURITE AND WHY? BURSTERS: Unlike our past albums, our latest album had a huge number of candidate songs. It’s because we had worked on this album for such a long time three years. We listened to each candidate repeatedly and thought about it a lot. We also never stopped discussing with each other about this. Our goal for this album was to present songs that best express who we are, but also attempt a variety of genres we haven’t tried before. We ultimately show the tracks according to that goal. HWANHEE: ‘Remind You’. I incorporated a lot of pop elements to the bass line, and the result was so satisfying. I remember coming out of the recording booth in the best of moods. GYEJIN: ‘Savage’. So I’m in charge of synths for BURSTERS, and in ‘Savage’, the synths kind of play the main character role, whereas it’s usually only in the background for all our other songs. So this song is really meaningful to me personally. JUNYONG: ‘Colors’ is the first BURSTERS song that all five members sing together from start to finish. I like that the five of us unite for this song. It’s also great that the audience can sing along whenever we perform it. DAEGUN: ‘Therapy’ has my special regard because it’s a song that weaves in and out of various musical colours throughout. So the song really captures BURSTERS’ musical spectrum, I think. Also, the vocals came out exactly like the ideal sound I’ve been pursuing. TAEHEE: ‘Barriers’, simply because it’s a good song. That’s what I thought as soon as I heard it - ‘This is a good song.’ I also get so pumped whenever we perform this.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? TAEHEE: I’d have to say our latest album, the second full-length. We devoted a really long time to it, and it contains everything from songs we’d only been able to show at live shows till now to past songs reworked anew. The album really shows the entirety of BURSTERS’ career as a band. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT OF TOURING THE UK? TAEHEE: It was the London stop of our UK tour. Since the tour was our first tour outside of Korea, we really did go through a lot getting used to new places. And, since our anticipation was just so high leading up to it, there were certainly some letdowns during the tour. But when the London concert started, the lights came on, and I could suddenly see so many audience members in front of us. Every second of that concert was euphoric - people we met for the first time that day were singing along to our songs. We always dream of more live performances. We want to continue with more performances and bigger audiences. DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANYTHING TOURING IN THE UK YOU’D LIKE TO TAKE BACK TO THE GIG SCENE IN KOREA? DAEGUN: Our local stage crew during our UK tour was so fantastic I wanted to bring them back to Korea. Also, I really felt that the UK has a great foundation in place for bands to do rock actively. I wish I could bring that over to Korea. JUNYONG: This isn’t about music, but I loved that the UK has no age-driven hierarchal culture like Korea does. I felt a lot of new things from being able to have such free, friendly conversations with no regard for age difference. It was a fresh feeling I’d never felt before. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ALBUM BY ANOTHER KOREAN ARTIST? JUNYONG: Seo Taeji – [7th Issue] I went to the artist’s nationwide tour during this album’s promotions. I enjoy listening to this album even now, and it’s still the best record for me. DAEGUN: Broken Valentine – [Aluminum] Broken Valentine and BURSTERS have been close for a long time, doing rock music together. I’m sure we are close because our personalities match, et cetera, but I
also think that a part of it is because we respect and enjoy each other’s work as musicians. GYEJIN: Broken Valentine – [Project. Nabla] I listened to Broken Valentine ever since I was a young boy in school, dreaming of becoming a rock star. This band was a big influence for us BURSTERS. Daegun even featured on this album for the song ‘Justice for Them’. HWANHEE: Seo Taeji – [7th Issue] Like Junyong, I love this album. It’s true that it’s the album that had a big impact on you when you’re young that really stays with you. My wish is that BURSTERS can also make music and albums that can impact people like that. TAEHEE: Baek Yerin – [Every letter I sent you.] It’s an album full of beautiful lyrics and melodies. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO? JUNYONG: Maybe it’s because we’ve been doing strong, hardcore music for many years, but I’ve actually been listening to a lot of Ballad and Kpop lately. I often discover unique qualities and interesting structures in genres opposite to ours. DAEGUN: Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Pop and Dance Music, like Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, etc. GYEJIN: Lately, I’ve been really into Don Broco’s music. And I think my ears lean towards the more extreme sounds, like EDM and heavy metal. But I don’t set limits on what I listen to and what I don’t. Side note, all the members enjoy I See Stars and Story of the Year. HWANHEE: I’ve been enjoying Pop lately. I’ve been listening to Troye Sivan, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, etc. TAEHEE: I’ve been listening to a lot of Jazz, Pop, and Instrumentals. Nowadays, I’m hooked on John Mayer’s ‘Covered in Rain’ and Baek Yerin’s ‘0310’. WHY SHOULD UNITEDKPOP READERS GIVE ‘ONCE AND FOR ALL’ A LISTEN? JUNYONG: From the very start, we set the goal for <Once and for All> to be the album to show all of BURSTERS, to capture who we are. That’s why we chose ‘Once and for All’ as the album title. It was the mindset of ‘Let’s show our band with this one blow’, and we really did pour all of ourselves into this album. So if someone’s learning about BURSTERS for the first time, this would be that one album to tell that person everything there is to know about us. In addition, we are finally getting to directly communicate with our overseas fans! It’s the first album with all the songs in English.
DO YOU LOVE KPOP AND HAVE A PASSION FOR WRITING OR DESIGN? DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE TO OFFER THE UKP COMMUNITY?
W W W.U NI TED KPO P.CO M/A PP LY
DOUBLE UP PLAYLIST INTERNATIONAL EDITION BY AMY FURNEY The impact of people of colour on a variety of genres and fashion trends is unmistakable. The globalisation of the world means that trends from every different continent are easy to access and follow; it is in this manner that Western audiences have been able to access Kpop. But, what is not particularly well established is how Kpop utilises its inspirations; while the notion of girl and boy groups was established in the West, Korean performers have utilised a variety of cultures in order to give their songs a global sound and presence. While this playlist does not seek to explicitly argue that any of the artists listed as “appropriating” the cultures mentioned, it does seek to bring the influence of these cultures to the reader’s attention. The alternative song recommendation also aims to let you check out what has influenced some of your favourite idols! LATATA – (G)I-DLE
Come Back Home - Seo Taiji and Boys
One of the first ‘Kpop’ groups as we know them today, Seo Taiji and Boys shifted the popular music from love ballads to dance-focus. Dressing in baggy pants & black shades it was highly mimicking popular trends State-side. Performances of the song on Youtube also show several of the individuals participating in black-face. With YG himself being in the group, it comes to no surprise that his future label would be so care-free in copying and pasting elements from different cultures into their own productions. CHECK OUT: New York State of Mind – Nas The Baddest Female – CL
While the song’s stylistic quality is very fluid, there is a strong Indian influence to (G)I-DLE’s debut song’s music video. Several scenes depict the group members posing with henna paint on their hands; a form of temporary tattooing that is frequently used to celebrate special occasions. It’s subtle, but definitely present! CHECK OUT: O Saki Saki – Batla House
The music video for this song uses grills and provocative dancing in order to set out the argument that CL is in fact the baddest female. The song also borrows drum & bass and hip-hop sounds and the music video matches the aesthetics with tattoos, ski masks, bandanas and grills; the latter being a of tooth-wear that originated from the hip-hop culture in the 1980s and 1990s. While the melody feels more modern, it does broadly feel like it is an attempt to ‘liven up’ traditional rap elements from this era. CHECK OUT: Gravel Pit – Wu-Tang Clan
Want - Taemin
become very popular within Kpop in recent years, and this song is arguably the start of the still ongoing trend. CHECK OUT: Solo Tu – Akon ft. Farruko How You Like That – BLACKPINK
Michael Jackson was not just an American pop icon, but also a trendsetting person of colour. His influence can be felt across the globe and many look to him for inspiration. His mark is also apparent in the Kpop scene, with artists such as Taemin making stylistic choices in musical style, choreography and fashion that remind us of the King of Pop. CHECK OUT: A Place With No Name – Michael Jackson Good Boy – GD & Taeyang
It is no surprise that the duo from Big Bang make an appearance on this list. The Big Bang boys have frequently used R&B, rap and hip-hop elements in their tracks. However, I would like to draw attention to the use of African American Vernacular English within this track such as “where you at” in an attempt to assert their legitimacy and masculinity within these spaces. CHECK OUT: Game Over – Dave Rollercoaster – CNBLUE The group have put a reggae spin on their usual rocktoned tracks with this offering. Reggae beats have
The most recent release on our list, but not one without its fair share of questioning by fans. While YG reluctantly removed the depiction of the Hindu god Ganesh from the music video, there is still the Middle Eastern sitar sound that eclipses Lisa’s rap verse. CHECK OUT: Adda El Kalam – Saad Lamjarred
WHY DO KPOP IDOLS WEAR SCHOOL UNIFORM? TRIYA CHAKRAVORTY
School uniforms are a quintessential part of Kpop. They resurface again and again: in GFRIEND's storybook styles, EXO's iconic old-school vibe, and even Blackpink's street-style take on the theme. Whether you think they're a rite of passage or a tired sexualisation of children, you can't deny their immense popularity among Kpop artists.
You might be wondering why the Korean school uniform – which consists of a shirt, blazer, tie and skirt or trousers - has the 'Western' look that it does. The first school uniform in Korea arrived in 1886, in Ehwa Girls' University (now Ehwa Womens' University), but this and its successors over the next twenty years, were firmly hanbok-based.
But why is Kpop so obsessed with school uniform?
The 'Western' style uniform worn by Koreans today actually came from those worn in Japan. In 1921, principal Elizabeth Lee of Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University in Japan introduced the 'seifuku' school uniform, meaning 'sailor clothing'. The 'Western' look of these sailor outfits came from the fact that they were largely based on British Navy uniforms at the time. In the 1930s, when Korea was under Japanese rule, the blouse-and-skirt uniform was introduced, along with the sailor uniform.
One of the simplest answers could be that Kpop is young people's music. Uniforms are a unique symbol of youth, and wearing uniform allows artists to connect with the large proportion of student listeners. A 2018 Reddit survey found that 73% of Kpop fans were between the ages of 13-24. In fact, many Kpop idols themselves still go to school - take the JYP star Yuna from Itzy, who debuted at 15, or SHINEE's Taemin, who debuted at just 13. However, that can't be the only reason. Pop music around the world is loved by young people, but not every country is filled with singers dressed in shirts and knee socks. Another answer may be that South Korea is simply obsessed with education. Amazingly, 70% of Koreans between the ages of 25-34 have had post-school education – which is the highest in the world. But that statistic is hardly surprising when you see Koreans' attitude towards school. Seoul is packed with 'goshiwon' study rooms, countless study cafes, and 'hagwon' after school academies. Korea holds a fierce tutoring culture - a 2019 study found that 75% of students received some private tutoring. The annual 'suneung' university entrance exams are treated so seriously that banks start trading later, planes grind to a halt, and students can even call a police vehicle to hurry them to exams in emergencies.
Kpop idols wear these school uniforms to look attractive, cute and sometimes sexy. However, this raises some concerns: is it wrong to sexualise something largely worn by underage people? Also, these idols don't just wear these uniforms as fashion looks. They are frequently asked to advertise the actual school uniforms students wear. Students purchase their own uniforms from school shops in Korea, and there's a myriad of brands to choose from. It's easy to see why Kpop idols, being extremely popular among young people, would make the perfect representatives for these brands. However, many of these adverts emphasise looking attractive in uniform, especially for girls, and this is quite controversial. Korean uniform adverts are notorious for offering things to 'turn men’s' heads' or show an attractive 'bodyline'. Many would argue that this isn't something children should worry about, especially when at school. This issue was brought into the spotlight in 2015, when Twice was in a Skoolooks advert for skin-tight 'corset' inspired school uniforms, with the slogan 'Let's See Who Looks Skinnier!' The
ads were taken down soon after their release, but the message was clear: girls should aspire to look as sexually appealing as possible in school uniform. When it comes to Kpop idols wearing a uniform, the immediate argument is that many idols are underage, so nearly everything they wear could be considered sexualising young people. But the problem is, when idols themselves take part in school uniform adverts, it sends a direct message of how students everywhere - not just idols - are expected to act. A study involving more than 9000 students found that they preferred shorter or tighter uniforms, showing that the message has already had its effect. And this problem is by no means just with a uniform. Kpop stars push particularly female customers to take up everything from exhaustingly long skincare routines to extreme diet programs. But the thing that makes the branding of school uniforms so controversial is that it can only be targeting - and sexualising children. However, we mustn't lose hope. Many teen feminists are pushing back. A Korean feminist movement that began in 2018 called 'Escape the Corset' is also joined by schoolgirls, calling for more comfortable and less revealing uniforms, as well as a stop to sexualised uniform adverts. There are many young activists speaking out about this issue, including feminist activist Kang Min-jin who voiced concerns about the paradox of girls being expected to appear 'sexually innocentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and yet being faced with an 'entertainment world, which... exploits teenage girls in a sexual way'. In Kpop comebacks this year, I've sensed a shift away from the traditional 'schoolgirl' look and towards runway chic with Itzy's Wannabe, festival-style florals in Twice's More & More, and stark n' dark looks in Seulgi & Irene's Monster. There have been exceptions to this rule, though - notably in TXT's Can't You See Me - but I sincerely hope my suspicions are correct. School uniforms have been part of some of Kpop's most unforgettable looks, but the sexualising of young people, especially young women, is simply not on. I say as we enter the next generation of Kpop, let's leave school uniforms where they belong - in the classroom.
JESSICA MORRISON
STRANGERS FROM HELL
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” and “Hell is other people” is written all over this psychological series in red ink. The consistent spine curling aura and atmosphere experienced from watching “Strangers from Hell” really puts other attempts of psychotic K-Dramas to shame.
SPOILERS AHEAD In regards to plot, it is quite simplistic. Revolving around Jong-Woo (played by Im Siwan) an aspiring crime author who becomes an apprentice in Seoul. However, due to low cash, he has to move into a cheap apartment with a shared kitchen and washroom. His living space consists of a suffocating and claustrophobic box room, with just enough space for a small single bed and a desk. If that isn’t bad enough, his neighbours certainly make his life in Seoul less bearable and the paper thin walls separating each ‘prison cell’ even allow each tenant to hear each other’s breathing. However despite this, Jong-Woo made an attempt to make it work. Owned by a cheery landlady with a happy-go-lucky persona (played by Lee Jeong-Un), the remaining apartments in the “Eden Residence” were only supposed to be a temporary living space for the tenants and were subject to renovation. The dire conditions really do explain the low rent and the place seems inhabitable. As a viewer, you can really feel and experience this with the lack of natural light in each room and the
eerie never ending corridor, adding to this sense of danger and fright.
The Tenants:
Jong-Woo really got more than what he bargained for, without a doubt! As if the conditions weren’t bad enough, the strange and certainly psychotic neighbours make the Eden Residence a breeding ground for paranoia. From the very first episode, all the characters seemed like they had the desire to kill, judged by their inhuman characteristics and behaviour.
The Twins:
Byun Deuk-Jeong (played by Park Jeong-Hwan), is one of the first tenants that Jong-Woo is introduced to and his consistent strange laughter and behaviour really reveals to Jong-Woo what sort of people he will be living with. It is soon to be discovered that he has a twin brother Byun Deuk-Soo, who forces his brother to take the bullet for his crimes – one of them being the killing of countless cats. It is typical for murderer’s first victims to be smaller animals before they progress to humans, suggesting to us that there is a definite thirst for blood.
Hong Nam-Bok:
Played by Lee Joong-Ok, Nam-Bok is a convicted sexual offender who wears a tracking anklet. He fits the predator stereotype and collects pictures of women that he prints off or cuts out of inappropriate magazines, sticking them all over his wall. Although he does not have a lot of dialogue, his disturbing personality is projected through
stalking Jong-Woo in the corridors and sneaking into his room while he is at work. Sometimes he stands in the doorway and watches him from afar, wearing the same stained white tank top and never changing from the creepy expression printed on his face. Without a doubt, he is the biggest contributor to the disturbing atmosphere experienced by us as viewers.
Seo Moon-Joo:
From the outside, Moon-Joo (played by Lee Dong-Wook) appears to be an ally, his calm and charismatic appearance gives us reassurance that not all the residents in the Eden residence are odd. However, what strikes as unusual is the fact he is a private dentist but lives in a small room inside the residence. It is certain that Jong-Woo’s greatest mistake was to trust Moon-Joo, as over the course of the ten episodes, MoonJoo encouraged Jong-Woo’s murderous tendencies and desires to surface. In a way, it shows that killers are nurtured and taught and are not born with the desire to kill. From a fan of the series’ perspective, he is hard not to favourite due to his drop dead gorgeous appearance, soothing voice and pretty smile. Although Dong-Wook played the hidden psycho character well, his appearance really diverts you away from the fact he is the villain of the series… Especially since he enjoys collecting the teeth from his victims, even making a charm bracelet with them. Somehow fans excuse this due to his pretty-boy face.
Ahn Hee-Joong and Kang One element of the drama that Witnessing the breakdown of somewhat dampened it, was Jong-Woo was slow but apparent. Seok-Yoon: Both characters were temporary residents of the Eden Residence, as they were more aware to their surroundings and were deemed to be the outliers of the psycho residency; it is easy to predict that their downfall would be imminent. They did not possess the same killer instinct as the others and therefore had to be removed. Ahn Hee-Joong (played by Hyun Bong-Shik) is depicted to be the ex-mafia looking character and certainly not one that could be trodden on. He always established his own dominance whenever he was confronted by another resident and made it clear that he is a threat. However after his eventual capture, he is slowly broken and his macho attitude is reduced.
Kang Seok-Yoon (played by Noh Jong-Hyun) appeared as a more prominent and important character in comparison to Ahn Hee-Joong due to the friendship he develops with Jong-woo. Jong-Woo is finally able to see some sense of normality when Hee-Joong moves in. The aspiring rapper moves in with the same reasoning as JongWoo, a lack of money and his naïve character was the reason for his downfall. Although he never doubted the others were strange, his lack of care for his surroundings definitely contributed to the reason for his death. Like Jong-Woo, instead of moving, he decides to stay and risk his life.
the clear incompetence of the police force. Within K-Dramas, it is sometimes typical for the police to be incompetent and oblivious, so the storyline can continue longer. There wouldn’t be any substance or much of a story if it ended too soon due to it being stopped by the police. But clear dismissal by the police isn’t just annoying, but it also makes the series seem unrealistic. The main officer Seo Jung-Hwa (played by Ahn Eun-Jin) is the most suspicious of the Eden Residence and always questions Jong-Woo about the strange occurrences, knowing something is going on there. However, despite her suspicions, she decides to tackle the issues herself and not involve other officers, often approaching Jong-Woo but never willing to take any suitable action. Even after the disappearance of a detective after going to inspect the Eden Residence, all the force seems to turn a blind eye. If Jung-Hwa had been smarter with her approach to the situation, involving other officers, requesting for warrants, then lives could have been saved. It could be noted that the ‘blind eye’ attitude was intentional, as a way to show that those who are lower down in society aren’t considered as important. At the beginning of the drama, there weren’t even any security cameras in that street, showing those in poorer regions aren’t treated as much of a priority.
Due to his unbearable co-workers who all look down on him due to him only being an apprentice and the psychotic neighbours who make him sleep with one eye open, his murderous tendencies become enhanced. As stated before, it was also Moon-Joo’s influence that pushed him to be the true villain of the series, really proving that murderers are crafted and he became what he tried to keep fictitious in his novels. Within the final episode, we see Jong-Woo’s final form, a handcrafted killer who was under the wing of Moon-Joo. He even called Jong-Woo his “Greatest creation” in his final moments after being attacked by the once sane aspiring author. Despite the drama showing us Moon-Joo killing all the residents, we soon discover that it was actually Jong-Woo really emphasising Jong-Woo’s loss of sanity and perception. When it comes to psychological thrillers, “Strangers from Hell” is an absolute must watch! Wrapped up nicely in ten episodes and the eventual cliff-hanger at the end of the series may suggest a series two in the future!
All ten episodes can be watched on Netflix.
Korean celebs are known for sporting high-end outfits from the likes of Saint Laurent, Gucci and Chanel etc. But they can also make cheap clothing look expensive. If you don’t feel like splashing out on a new wardrobe, here’s how you can dress like your faves on a budget.
Headwear is everything
Jin did just that in this shirt from H&M shirt, costing around $11 (£8.60). As Jin shows, fashion is not about the price, but wearing clothes with swagger and confidence!
Ripped jeans are foolproof
You can never go wrong with a hat, whether it’s a bucket hat, baseball cap or even a beanie! Not only are they stylish, but they also provide protection from the sun on those hotter days.
Idols (both male and female) have been known to rock just about every kind of ripped jeans, from skinny jeans to the ‘boyfriend’ baggy jeans. And why not?
These hats are super easy to find in almost any high street fashion retailer like Primark, New Look and River Island (to name a few.)
Ripped jeans are a fun twist on the everyday jeans. Paired with a classic graphic t-shirt, you create an easy everyday look that any idol would be spotted wearing.
You can also get them online for super cheap prices. Yesstyle has a range of hats, so you’re guaranteed to find something that suits you!
The best part is you can choose any colour – from black to the classic blue, to the acid wash. The options are endless!
Simple tops are a must
The shoe game is real
Notice how your faves tend to go for the dressed-down look? That’s because it’s chic without having to break the bank. If you’re feeling casual, then a hoodie or sweatshirt is right on point. Want to doll it up? A smartcasual shirt instantly lifts your whole outfit! BTS’
Sneakers are the way forward! Take your shoe game to another level with some trendy, savvy sneakers. An idol favourite, sneakers are easy to find and come in a range of styles and colours.
The best part is that you don’t have to worry about brands and prices – all that matters is that they look good and feel comfy!
And finally, no look is complete without accessories Oversized sunglasses are an absolute necessity when it comes to looking like a Kpop star. Not only do they look fab, but they’re also a great way to protect yourself from the sun’s rays on those hot summer days. But for those colder days, a scarf is ideal. Like sunglasses, the bigger the better! Long, knitted scarves that can be wrapped
around the neck multiple times are the best for recreating the idol look! We hope these tips will help you to create the idol look without pulling on the purse
strings! Raid your wardrobes, you might have more of these items than you think just waiting for you to put the perfect outfit together.
Fashion on a Budget by Rhiannon Healey
Firstly, you can grab these cute BT21 blank notebooks from Etsy seller ‘Duru Naru’. The notebook is £3.26, though does cost £8.15 for shipping as it is coming from South Korea. But it is a great addition to your stationery if you are a fan of BTS or BT21!
8 Korean stationery must-haves
SHANNON COOPER
This September, schools are set to go back to normal and studying is to be resumed. So to help prepare for getting ready to go back to school, college or uni, here are some super cute Korean stationery pieces that are must-haves!
Another Amazon purchase is this holographic BlackPink pencil case. A subtle way to show your love as a Blink!
Amazon do an inexpensive cute 30cm plastic ruler by PHILSP for only £2.78, with free delivery! A must-have addition to any pencil case.
For the ARMY out there, on Etsy you can get a handmade BTS notebook by seller ‘ourlostfriend’, the cost ranges from £4.50 to £5.00 depending on the style and delivery is £2.15.
YesStyle do a bunch of decorative stickers costing £4.21 they come in different designs, perfect for making your notes that little bit more interesting.
Another YesStyle product must have are these coloured gel pens, and you an get them for £8.09.
With a little search on Ebay, you can find these PonyBrown sticky notes, perfect for writing down memos. They cost £5.99 with £1.00 postage.
Finally, a cute little addition to any backpack, are these BT21 backpack buddies. You can get them at Forbidden Planet for £3.99. With 8 characters to collect, it’s a fun accessory for your bag.
BULLET JOURNALLING 101: WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE JOURNALLING A TRY! KERI BAPTISTE
Bullet journalling has been a widely accepted replacement for the pre-planned planner pages. Developed by Ryder Carroll, your own journal can be as simple or as artsy as you like! From YouTube to Instagram, people have cropped up to share their artistic talents and express themselves, and share that expression with others. From the outside looking in, bullet journalling sounds terrifying. The problem with the prevalence of ‘pretty’ bullet journals on social media means that it can be quite daunting to want to take that jump. However, if you do, bullet journalling can be used for a thousand and one different functions, all designed by and for you. Here are some ideas! PLANNING PAGES This is standard for planning out your day to day life. Whether you’re focusing on a week overall or one specific day at a time, these are the pages that hold your to-do lists and your events.
MEMORY KEEPING PAGES This would be the journalling section. Write about your day, your week, a moment of happiness or misery. A bullet journal is a good place to record how you’re feeling. This can also double as memory pages after a big holiday or a day out with friends. NOTETAKING PAGES Are you studying? Does your job require you to take copious amounts of notes? Since your journal doesn’t have set pages, take up as much space as you need. These can be simple and quick or bright and detailed, depending on how you’re taking them and how you remember best. GOAL TRACKING PAGES At whatever point in the year you are, everyone has goals to accomplish. Track these in your bullet journal. For bigger goals, make a note of the steps you can take to achieve them. You could also have smaller goals, like writing every day or reading 30 books in a year.
And now, you ask, what does this have to do with Kpop? Kpop journalling has recently grown in popularity alongside the growing influence of idol groups and singers worldwide. As you would expect, it’s journalling – written or artistic usually – about your favourite idol groups, idols and other Korean media goodness.
PLAYLIST PAGES Keep track of your most played songs for the month. This could be favourites from one particular album, songs that created an overall mood or remind you of a season. It is a good way to look back and remember what you were enjoying at that point in your life. K-DRAMA PAGES More like personal reviews, these pages are used to share how you feel about the latest show you’re watching. Include pictures and stickers, use bright colours, and create a spread to remember what you were enjoying (or not enjoying). TO REMEMBER Instagram is a resource While it can be daunting, looking at how other people use BuJos can be a fantastic way to gather ideas yourself. It can also be useful to replicate them exactly until you get comfortable enough to experiment
CONCERT PAGES Remember all those fantastic experiences, the lightsticks and the music, with a concert spread! List the setlist, your favourite songs, a moment that made a scream – anything! Make sure to add some of the shaky pictures you took on your phone! BIAS FOCUS PAGES Make a spread dedicated to your bias. Make it simple or elaborate as you want. Have a theme, pick a poem. It can be a good way to just get creative and try new things, all the while celebrating someone who means a lot to you.
Nothing is perfect! Bullet journalling doesn’t have to be perfect or pretty, regardless of how the internet makes it seem. It takes practise and numerous skipped pages to make everything as detailed as you can find online. Remember, you have to start somewhere and be proud of the imperfection - it means you’re learning! Your journal is for you Your bullet journal is for you, no one else. If something doesn’t work, no matter how ‘essential’ it seems, drop it. The flexibility is one of the major benefits of the bullet journal method, so make sure you utilise it!
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