Yet...

Song of the day: Yet by B2ST/BEAST [click here to listen]

Now I have to admit that I really don't know much about this group; it just so happens that I when I was browsing around youtube listening to random kpop songs, I added a few of their songs to my playlist but I've never actually bothered to find out about them. Also, they're a few parts where one of the members speaks English but has a slight Korean accent which has caused controversy because people misheard it and thought he said a curse word when in reality it was just the accent. All of that confusion then lead to the song being banned or something ... I'm not too sure because I don't keep track of things like that. But just for future reference: He didn't curse lol.

Sunset Glow...

Song of the day: Sunset Glow by Big Bang [click here to listen]

Words cannot describe how much I adore this song. Absolutely no words. Honestly, I forgot how exactly I stumbled across the group Big Bang but I know it was filled with wondrous memories ... especially since I believed this was the first song of them I heard. It's so lively and energetic and vibrant and if I could see music, I'm pretty sure this would look like rainbows!^^ It's like the perfect summer song driving along the coast staring into the ocean and dancing crazily in a convertible car with your arms flailing around alongside your friends as the sun sets into the waves that crash peacefully onto the shore -- ok maybe that's too much detail but this song deserves it ... is just that great. Seriously, how can anyone be angry after listening to this?! And even the video screams of summertime and beach trips and hanging out with friends and bonfires and no curfew. And sure people could argue that Big Bang has changed their style since then, which I would agree -- but at the same time it's almost like they haven't changed at all. I think they've developed and are maturing and starting to find themselves as a group (or as a whole) but they're still versatile and when it comes down to it, they can release a joyful song like this one next year and it'll still be amazing. LOVE.

Step...

Song of the day: Step by KARA [click here to listen]

If you're looking for something upbeat, cutesy, that'll get you in a good mood immediately ... this is the song for you! In addition to AfterSchool, KARA was also one of the first girl groups I listened to when I discovered kpop ... or I should say they were also one of the first girl groups that lead me into wanting to listen to more kpop lol. Although they were extremely girly (more girly than AS and sometimes even SNSD) and they had an extremely child-like image with hand gestures and eye-smiles galore, I still managed to be drawn to their music. They're not as child-like now (like every other group, they've matured over their years and changed up their image either a lot or a little) but even so, their songs are making hits. This one I'm blogging about has only been posted for nearly two months and it's already reached 16 million views! So this goes to show that no matter how girly they are, kpop girl groups will always manage to draw in millions of crowds ... me being one of them!

Ah...

Song of the day: Ah by After School [click here to listen]

One of the reasons I'm particularly excited about After School is because they were one of my ealiest memories of kpop. They were one of the first groups I discovered and nearly fell in love with despite their cutesy-pop style that I wasn't quite used to; I loved their style, their music, but soon enough forgot about them after becoming nearly absorbed in SHINee's music. So this is a complimentary post to them: An appreciation post to After School for creating lovely memories. They seem to be the the "mature" group in the kpop scene, with the leader being 30 years old! But it doesn't show at all and they seem to make very versatile music from electro and pop to hip hop to r&b and to slow songs so check them out if you're interested!^^

Quasimodo...

Song of the day: Quasimodo by SHINee [click here to listen]

I know you're probably thinking: another song by SHINee, but you know they're my bias group so what do you expect, Can you blame me?^^ Now especially with the cold weather ... I really love this song. It kinda gets me into a quiet, mysterious mood and lets my thoughts wander into places unknown. Ok ... I'm getting poetic on you guys haha. Well, the best way to describe this song is only to have you listen. So click the link and enjoy the near unfathomable and wonderful talents of SHINee.

I Can't Breathe...

Song of the day: I Can't Breathe by MissA [click here to listen/watch]

I looove this song. Can I revel at just how cool and fun the music video is? Now forgive me because this is one of those groups where I stumble across one of their songs and like it but fail to look into them personally. I love this style, aslo. So if any girls are at a loss for a cute outfit to wear one day, just watch this video and I'm pretty sure you're going to be inspired.^^

Wedding Dress...

Song of the day: Wedding Dress by TaeYang [click here to listen]

Well other than the fact that this guy is beyonddd beautiful ... I love this song. Now being the opinionated blogger that I am, I have a problem in regards to this song and the fans/listeners. Many people only recognize Taeyang for this song only although he has plenty of others that are just as good (if not better) than this. Now I'm not saying this song is bad, because it's koala-tea^^ however I wish people would give him a chance, look into him and realize his talent beyond this song. Also, a lot of people listen to this and hear the phrase "you should be my lady" and the words "wedding dress" and think it's a sweet song about falling in love and whatnot, but it's actually nothing like that. In fact, the lyrics are the exact opposite: about how he lost his love to some other guy and that the wedding dress that he's seeing her wear on this day should basically be for him. Yeah, pretty depressing actually lol but watching the video provides more clarification rather than my redundant explanation.^^

Forever...

Song of the day: Forever by One Way [click here to listen]

YES, another song by One Way, but often times when I discover a new artist, I look up loads of their music at the same time so when I add their songs onto my playlist, they're ordered one after the other which makes me want to blog about all of them at the same time ... if that makes any sense at all lol. So it's been raining lately, of course this song is just perfect to blog about today. Ah, also I think this group is a tad underrated(?) if I may say so myself. I don't hear much about them from fans or even from television shows in Korea. I think pop music tends to get much more recognition than other genres of music such as this r&b-indie-ish genre ... which I never quite understand why because -- unpopular opinion coming through -- artists such as this group have just as much (if not more) talent than those in a lot of pop groups. Anywho, One Way is an amazing group with great amounts of talent.

"Let's talk Pepero..."

I'm one day (or a few hours) late, but this is in celebration to 11/11/11, or the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the (techinically) eleventh year! Now in regards to the chocolate-coated cracker sticks pictured below, South Korea is very well-known for these snacks known as Pepero when it comes to special occassions or celebrations. 

Topic of the day: Pepero

  

 According to my excellent skills of browsing the internet, Pepero (빼빼로) is a cookie stick dipped in chocolate syrup. A company by the name of Lotte Confectionary began manufacturing these snacks in South Korea in 1983 and has been selling strong ever since. This snack was inspired by the popular Japanese cookie stick, Pocky, that was produced by a company named Glico, and has been referred to as the Korean version of it.

Now what's the deal with this Pepero snack and why is it important to South Korea? Well South Korea has an observance called Pepero Day which is similar to Valentine's Day here in the U.S. The observance is held on November 11th since the date "11/11" resembles four sticks of Pepero (clever, right?) The holiday is observed mostly by young people and couples who exchange Pepero sticks, other candies, and romantic gifts on this day each year. How'd it get started?, one may ask. According to one story, Pepero Day was started in 1994 by students at a girls' middle school in Busan where they exchanged Pepero sticks as gifts to wish one another to grow "as tall and slender as a Pepero". Some teachers have encouraged children to exchange healthy snacks instead of Pepero by proposing the alternative "Garaetteok Day" in order to help combat obesity ... but that's another topic for another post on another day.^^

Currently, Pepero is made and sold in 10 different: Regular (or chocolate), strawberry, almond chocolate, nude (with chocolate in the center), nude lemon cheese, cocoa, and a few others. It all sounds so delicious, I want to buy some ... unfortuantely I don't live in an area where Pepero or Pocky sticks are readily available. However, that shouldn't stop me from celebrating. So ... HAPPY PEPERO DAY, fellow Peperonians! 

Butterfly...

Song of the day: Butterfly by G-dragon [click here to listen/click here to watch]

I apologize for my recent obsession with the slow, acoustic type songs over the pop-electro beats, but the slower songs seem to compliment the cold weather we're having this season.^^ Now this song is easily one of my favorite songs by G-dragon and I remember when I first discovered it (although very vague memories, the emotions are still there lol) I was so in awe by the music video and the song that I immediately added it into my playlist. The mv honestly reminds me of of a quite odd situation if the rock band Gorillaz were ever to travel into Alice's Wonderland or something lol but it's absolutely lovely.

G-dragon kind of went through this stage that many people would refer to as "odd," when he had bleach blonde hair and all his songs were either sappy love songs or depressing songs about his life and childhood. Interestingly enough, that's when he created a name for himself in the kpop music industry (that's also when I found myself being drawn to his style.) He's very enthusiastic and seems motivated when it comes to making music and performing and he's extremely versatile--I think people would be satisfied with at last one song of his regardless of what genre of music they listen to.

Rainy Days...

Song of the day: Rainy Days by One Way ft. Jun. K from 2PM [click here to listen]

Of course one of the main reasons I'm making a post about a song titled Rainy Days is because of the rainy weather that we've been having for the past two or so days here in Southern California! I'm sooo excited and got inspired from the small raindrops pelleting against the hood of my car as I was driving home yesterday, so this is a post dedicated to the rain.^^

Rainy days are 100 times better when listening to Rainy Days (excuse my not-so-funny-but-so-supposed-to-be-hilarious joke) but the rain is awesome.

Have You Ever Fallen In Love...

Song of the day: Have You Ever Fallen In Love by Stanginh Egg [click here to listen]

I'm going to keep this description short and simple: Standing EGG is probably my favorite k-indie band. Their music is very soft and smooth, heartwarming and can give even the meanest person a fuzzy feeling inside their tummy. The voices mixed with the melody creates one heck of a song, I'll tell you that. Also, their music videos are beyond lovely. They keep it simple, not too much going on, and very sweet...and the lighting effects are ecstatic (oh goodness, now you know a group is good when a fan begins to fangirl over the lighting effects in the mvs lol) so for all those indie-lovers out there who are interested in other cultures, this is the absolute perfect group, no joke...well, in my opinion anyway.^^

In addition, for this particular song there are two music video versions - one acoustic and one not...and they're totally different. If interested, you can watch the regular version if you click here, and the acoustic version if you click here. I'm sure you'll enjoy both of them. And watching these videos makes me wonder if South Korea is as beautiful as my mind believes it is. Well...so long for keeping this description "short and simple" lol. Very lovely group, nonetheless.