Category: K-Variety Show

K-Variety Reco: Stray Kids (스트레이 키즈) and Mix & Match

K-Variety Reco: Stray Kids (스트레이 키즈) and Mix & Match

by eastasianlover ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Such handsome bois up and down XD

Okay, totally different from what I usually do. Perhaps my recommendations of variety shows till now have been for laughs and lifting bad mood up. And I usually do not review two programs together either.

But this time I decided on these two because they have very similar formats and both programs are very inspiring. I personally do not like survival shows. Apart from showing idol lives and their hard work, they’re just full of tears. And big productions at the level of Produce 101 end up being plagued with issues like evil editing and stuff.

Well I did recommend Idol Producer to my readers a while back. But that was again because it was funny and inspiring at the same time. I did end up not finishing 2nd season of Idol Producer. Anyway, through these two programs, I will probably try to introduce to people two of the iconic boy groups that I love wholeheartedly: Stray Kids and iKon.

Now, Mix & Match is a 2014 9 episode reality show where the Team B from a previous survivals show, WIN: Who is next, are pitted against each other to see who’s up to par to form a new YG group. Stray Kids is, similarly, a 2017 show of 10 episodes where these YG trainees compete against as a team and against each other to determine who is good enough to debut.

Mix & Match Bobby
This precious kid OMG!

It seems that the leaders in both the groups had already trained and formed a team with the other members. So, their bond was good to begin with. Add to that the stress of possibility to lose some of your teammates you have trained with for years, I guess it’s their recipe for a successful survival program?

It was so sad to see the people who initially left, but audience digs friendship and stuff including me, so well, it teared up me too and I prayed hard for people to return back too. Was it successful is something you’ll have to find out through the programs. The missions these guys went through were kind of similar as well.

The differences between the two would be addition of three new members in Mix & Match to already 6 member Team B. Three of the original 6 were fixed to debut at the beginning of the show and remaining three had to fight with the new three members for their places.

Stray Kids did not have any additions because it was a team formed by the leader Bang Chan on his own. From the premise and further interviews from JYP, it seems that JYP did not have any hand in putting the guys together since the beginning. Bang Chan did it all on his own and hence, it was crucial for JYP to see their teamwork and chemistry and determine if they’re worth putting his time and money in.

I don’t think it’s from the survival show though :rummaging the brain hard:

People would ask me what’s good in a bunch of kids fighting to debut as an idol group? My answer is, one I see them working hard till like 5 am and then to attend school at 7 am and so they’re going without sleeping for so long just to achieve their dreams. I cannot forego my sleep no matter what circumstances and these guys are putting in so much hardwork, of course I am damn inspired. Not that I endorse the lifestyle these guys follow, it’s just too unhealthy. But if they’re happy, I am happy too.

Second is, you actually see them achieving their dream, at least most of them. Plus these guys produce such good songs for 15-20 years old, based on their dreams, their hardships in life. That’s talent right there. Don’t you relate with them? Ah, there are people out there going through similar things like normal us and they’re giving their best to change that. I should do it too. No, I can do it too.

That’s inspiration right there. To think bunch of kids would help me in my down time and help me get up and rise and shine.

Conclusion: I highly recommend these two series, because they’re short; you get to learn a lot about SK’s idol industry and idol lives; they’re inspiring, at least to me; there is quite a lot of entertainment and emotions and last but not least, there is a bunch of unexplored and unreleased but amazing music there.

Final feelings: ୧☉□☉୨

Watch here: Mix & Match; Stray Kids

Personal front: Finally a weekend where I am not going out. Unfortunately, I got so addicted to my friends in past two weekends that there is a major missing happening here. I did not meet them this frequently when we were in college together, but I actually traveled 5 hours one way to meet them, that too consecutive weekends. Wow, I am surprised at myself, wouldn’t have imagined doing that 2 years ago.

It’s funny how people around you change you. People, I know you are not reading this, so I can write it peacefully, but I am missing you guys too much, like ‘I wish I could fly and meet you guys right now’ missing.

Anyway, I don’t have much to write about here. I guess I’ll be writing about my friends for next month or so coz no other topic to discuss. Lol. I’ll stop boring you guys with my friends’ details. But they’re the best group I have found till now. I might have said this for more people before and that might have been true till then. But these guys are gold of a different level. Anyway, peace.

Today’s song: Another Stray Kids song? This song talks about their aspirations and how they’re in hell doing the survival show and their training period in general but now they only have one way to go, up. IN first two listens, the music makes you a bit tipsy for some reason but it’s still interesting and grows on you very easily.

I guess I’ll post one more from iKon. This was done while they were doing WIN: Who is next, but it’s a really inspiring one too. I still cry when I read the lyrics. Their performance was legendary at that time though. Linking both performance and studio version, coz the feels are best in the live version:

Disclaimer: None of the pics and videos belong to me. They belong to their respective owners. Thank you for letting me borrow them.

K-Variety Recommendation: Weekly Idol (주간 아이돌 )

K-Variety Recommendation: Weekly Idol (주간 아이돌 )

by eastasianlover ♥ 1 Comment

I love variety shows. The most interesting ones are Korean Variety shows. One amongst them shines at the very top, and it’s called “Weekly Idol”. I have been hooked to this show for quite some time and continuously doing marathons. Not only this show has introduced me to new and old idol groups, which I would otherwise be reluctant to follow, but the laughter it gives is the best anti-depressant out there for K-Pop lovers, take it from the girl who has always relied on these kind of shows (variety or drama) for emotional support. I mean, I do sound biased then, but I can really, really, always, go back to the shows. They’re the best.

This particular one is very famous. Two MCs, Jung Hyung Don and DeffCon, also known as Doni-Coni pair in the show, invite an idol group for their weekly episode and then do different segments with the members. The instant reactions bring much laughter, especially when the idol groups are male idol groups. Doni-Coni, don’t hesitate in making fun of or sarcastic remarks on the idols. And in the process, get humiliated (in a comic way) too, by much much junior idols.

What’s the best thing is, the show has been on for more than four years, they shoot it in a basement room whose walls are totally white, no paintings, nothing. Sounds depressing, right? But the colorful CG and appropriate music doesn’t let you feel gloomy about the background. The effects are just too awesome! More awesome are the games they play. The show has come a long way since it started back in 2011. They have changed and added a lot of corners. Idols have started to come individually as well to promote their solo albums and all. There have been episodes where senior groups come to promote their junior groups. There have always been those summer specials, anniversary specials etc. where they do the broadcasts outside, sometimes even going international.

And why do I suddenly feel to write about this show has got two reasons. One, as stated earlier, I have been doing marathons for this show for past one week. Second, reason, this news: jung-hyung-don-to-leave-broadcast-activities-because-of-anxiety-disorder

Although, the show is not going to be the same without him, I wish him good health recovery and please sir, come back soon!

Various corners they have/ had are as follows (I might be missing some, I haven’t come across more segments in the episodes I have watched, though I know more exist. Please, feel free to add in comments):

1. Random Play Dance: One of my favourites. They play the hit songs of idols randomly, starting from any verse and idols have to perfectly dance to the songs. There is always that black hole who forgets his/her position and leads to humorous situations.

2. Profile Verification/Rewrite: This is another favorite of mine. Idols have their profiles posted on their official accounts and fan cafes. These are generally specs like height and personal talents they have. The producers compile these facts and the MCs do their best to prove the claims false, going as far as negotiating the heights mentioned in the profile XD

Weekly_Idol_MC_ask_Dong_Woo_to_sleep_on_show_INFINTE
Dong Woo from Infinite had to sleep during the show to prove that he can sleep instantly on lying down XD

3. DoniConi Idol Call Center: The Weekly Idol team receives calls from idol group’s fans and ask them to answer the questions or make them do what the fans want. A lot of times it includes doing aegyo, measuring various body parts, even the circumference of thighs or maximum length of open eyes, touching the butts etc. Hilarity ensues. Earlier, they used to take questions from Twitter, but now direct calls are taken.

4. 99 Seconds Challenge: The idols have to complete a team relay challenge in time specified by MCs, based upon number of people, generally 99 seconds. If, even one member fails, they have to start the whole thing again. If they’re unable to complete the mission, they are given punishment specified by group members only.

5. Idol Self-Ranking: MCs ask idols to rank themselves based on some random criteria and group members have to do so.

In recent years, they have introduced a lot of prizes for idols including Korean beef, housewarming gifts etc. on winning and punishments like toy hammer etc. on losing the games. I’ll try to compile the links I have got, where I go and watch the episodes. These might be overlapping and don’t belong to me. Due credits to their owners:

 

Weekly Idol Episode Wise: Weekly Idol Eng Sub on KShowOnline

Playlist: Weekly Idol with INFINITE:

Playlist: Weekly Idol with BEAST: 

Weekly Idol with CNBlue: 

Weekly Idol with EXO: 

Weekly Idol with SNSD: 

There are a lot of episodes out there on YouTube, frankly speaking. I tried finding more playlists, but posting links to individual is a little tough. Anyway, happy laughing!!!!!!!

K-Variety Review: Bounce Indo (두근두근 인도)

K-Variety Review: Bounce Indo (두근두근 인도)

by eastasianlover ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

One sentence for this show: Hilarious yet as an Indian and k-pop fan, downright embarrassing. Four episodes have been released for this series where some fan is subbing it on youtube, but KBS has started airing it officially on their KBS World YouTube channel with one episode out as of now.

Also known as Fluttering India or Exciting India, Bounce Indo is a variety show where five K-pop idols come to India to “exchange” their culture with ours, to see the scope of bringing k-pop into India. These five celebrities include: Kyuhyun from Super Junior, Suho from EXO, Minho from SHinee, Jonghyun from C.N.Blue and Sunggyu from Infinite.

I was actually looking forward to this, despite knowing that the stars were landing in Mumbai and not Delhi (which is nearer to my home town) because I wanted to see my country from their perspective (I love different point of views) and I wanted to know how would THEY like this relatively unknown place to South Koreans. I was utterly disappointed in the show and the cast as there were many other Indian fans which is evident from all the criticism I have read in articles and comments.

If the Indian K-pop fans are to believe, the Mumbaians weren’t allowed to meet their revered idols. I still don’t get the mentality. First of all, you’re coming in India to promote your culture and then you don’t deem the people, who are already familiar with your culture, worthy of the attention they deserve. In my honest opinion, they could’ve just let the fans meet, take pics and autographs and talk to them, off the camera, may be? One cannot deny the already established fan base existing in India. And how uncontrollable can a crowd of 20 odd people be? Agreed, the fans are, most of the times, a little difficult to manage, but we are talking about just a few.

Moreover, as one of the comments on the official video mentions, there were less preparations on the part of the people coming here. If one is going to survey a place for potential market, any common person would know to better equip themselves with at least a little cultural knowledge before diving into unknown waters. They needed it more so, because this was kind of an official expedition. I might be basing this on just first episode, but one can’t be expecting more from a five day trip after watching the first day.

In the first episode itself, they admit that India is not what they used to study about back in their school time. Also, the fan girl Babu, said that there are like a thousand k-pop lovers in Mumbai itself. I am pretty sure there are, a lot more in whole of India (they probably don’t know or are just underestimating the might of Indian population 😉 ) especially in big cities like Delhi and north Eastern States.

I am not criticizing every thing. Even if it was scripted (which I don’t believe), their acting is, no doubt, funny. The convivial environment they create and the way they bear strangers, who don’t even know them, taking pics with them, hats off! (I do envy Babu, who got to show them the way and click pictures with them). I also appreciate the pain they took, coming to a totally unknown country and trying to indulge in their culture (I would personally love doing that).

The major complaint is the way they tried to portray their popularity in India giving a somewhat false representation (Honestly, it was not surprising that they didn’t find a single fan on the Gateway of India. But if they had allowed the fans on airport, there might have been chances of them getting to know places where they could find more k-pop lovers. They did seem a little disappointed because no one recognised them here.).

All in all, with most of the comments and articles I have read from Indian fans, I am pretty sure I can safely say that it came as a little repulsive to Indian fans including me. Some things are embarrassing on our part and some on theirs. Even so, I do recommend it to people for the sole purpose of pure entertainment. As a proud Indian, I cannot give a green light to ALL the things shown in the show, but most of them are correct (It might take long posts to correct such things, which is going to be an excruciatingly painful process, so I would rather stay away from that. But IF someone has got any questions from the videos, or wants to ask something about India or anything else just out of curiosity, I would definitely answer them. Just post them in comments).

Here is the link to watch the official episode 1 from KBS World:

Enjoy!

Changmin bids goodbye to Cool Kiz

Changmin bids goodbye to Cool Kiz

by eastasianlover ♥ 2 Comments

I know, I know. It’s too old a news. And I was frantically waiting for this episode on KBS World TV channel of youtube. It actually exceeded my expectations. What a close and exciting match! It was worth the wait. Now it’s 2:30 a.m. here and I’ve a lot of work tomorrow (I mean today morning). Couldn’t wait for the morning though.

The last basketball game. I’ll miss you Changmin and I’ll miss watching basketball on Cool Kiz

Video

KBS Cool Kiz 1st Basketball match

by eastasianlover ♥ 1 Comment

Credits – KBSWorldTV

These one week basketball trainees did a wonderful job. It’s probably the first time, I got this excited while watching a game and had this much laughter reading CG comments from PD-nim together. Good job Cool Kiz!!!

What Am I Doing?

What Am I Doing?

by eastasianlover ♥ 1 Comment

So yesterday, I didn’t have much work at the company, so I took out time to search about internships. What other resource better than wordpress? Alright, I just wanted to see what other’s experiences are and if possible, some opportunities, may be? That’s because, I had been discovering a lot of things here recently (like lucky draws and online free classes). So I thought, may be, may be, I’ll get to see some posts with internship opportunities?

That aside, I did get a lot of posts about people’s recent intern experiences and it was, seriously, fun to read them. A lot of them also told about things like what you can gain, how it helps your resume, and that today’s trend is shifting to hiring interns in the same company from doing job interviews to hire freshers. As I was reading various stories, only one thought was coming to my mind – “what am I doing?” I know I’m doing my training too (which actually can’t be called internship) and I do get a lot of time after and before that. But time is flying so fast. Almost a month has been finished and I haven’t been able to start what I had in my mind.

I have a lot of things I want to learn and do in my life, and I’m sure everybody has. But I keep realizing every now and then, that I’m not doing enough for it. Sure there are circumstances sometimes (in my case most of the times, but that may, as well, be an excuse) but one has to work hard. Every morning, I wake up with the thought, that I have to do something, something substantial so that when I go to bed and analyse my day, I can have that satisfaction, that yes, I achieved something today. But no. All I keep doing is watching K-Dramas whenever I get unrestricted net (i.e. out of the company). Sigh!

Oh! That reminds me, I was watching ‘We Got Married’ Khuntoria Couple. That couple has been the only one till now, which felt real real. I just love their chemistry. I know, it’s a thing of past. To tell you the truth, I have been against this show and even though, I watch it, I still am. I started this show with TeukSo couple. I know I am gonna cry I reach on the end for this couple. Now-a-days, it totally looks acting. But it still is cruel.

You make a pair and have them act as husband-wife for, don’t know, how much time. Isn’t it obvious, people can develop real feeling? Alright, they are professionals. I understand. But what I see is, the idols are, generally, not allowed to date (not that they don’t but still). And suddenly, they (some of them) get opportunity to share their life with another person (don’t tell me they share their life with their fans too, I know that but realize, it’s much more with that person). They do events for each other, even during concerts; preparing food, one house (though it’s only one day per week), going on vacations, meeting each other’s family and friends and even wedding photoshoots. And, after a year or so, they are asked to break up just like that. It’s so heart breaking for people like me, how would it be for them?

Khuntoria Couple
Khuntoria Couple

For those, who don’t know what “We Got Married” is, it is a South Korean reality show, where they make a guy from entertainment industry marry (not literally) a girl from the industry. They take interviews of idols and then based on their answers, choose the partners. The couple is not told about their partners and the first meeting is to know who that person is. The starting is always heart racing (I mean for the couples for whom I have seen the show). How will they react, what will they do, everything makes, at least, my heart, flutter. Then they start their new life, meeting each other once every week for filming weekly episode. For first few episodes, they get to know each other. Then they get a home for themselves (now they have something called WGM village where the pair gets home right away). There are members’ episodes too in between, if any one of them is in some group. They do activities and complete missions given by WGM team. it’s a lot fun, really. If you start once, you can’t stop, especially if the whole series has been aired. And you know what? The episodes are available with english subs with respective couples only in them. That means, if there are three couples at a time and you are interested in one only, you’ll get the episodes for them separately. The last part is their divorce, where they are just told to dissolve the marriage (which is why I dread starting it whenever I find that someone from my favorite group has been there). That’s all there is, to it.

What? You are saying I’m crazy, ranting for no reason?  Oh really? Then tell me, people make such big deal out of actors and actresses who film a drama together, which is generally 4-6 months? And, they have to be a different character. Here, they have to act as themselves (the irony!) and that too, for around a year or more than that (leave the exceptions). From a normal human being’s perspective (I’m not saying I’m normal but yes, I’m talking about me), I find it too painful. If I keep myself in their situation, I don’t think I would be able to bear it. So, people out there, who are working hard to entertain us, please don’t play with their hearts, even if it is for entertainment of some people. Ah! I again come to the point where I say, they are human beings also. No such post of mine goes without this line.

Huff! I’m tired after so much jabbering. So, I’ll take my leave for now and focus on my problem stated above. I’ll try to ‘try hard’ :P.

On the side note, I have been given the name of Japanese here in Thailand too. I just can’t escape the status can I?

Right now, I’m listening to f(x) (you can tell by mention of ‘khuntoria’ above), so, I’ll post this song today – 

Intimate Note: Bringing K pop idols together since 2008

Intimate Note: Bringing K pop idols together since 2008

by eastasianlover ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I was watching the episode of intimate note starring Super Junior for like the twentieth time! It makes me laugh whenever I watch it.

Okay, so what is Intimate Note? It is a reality show which aims to bring people (basically idols but nevermind) together and (sometimes) finish the awkwardness between them. Now since I have been able to watch the episode with very famous idols only (Subbing problem. *Sigh* Oh Lord! Why don’t I understand Korean properly? >.<), I can tell you about them only. But trust me, they are worth spending your time. The happy ones will make you roll in the aisles and sad ones won’t leave you without making you cry. I have watched the episodes only for Super Junior, Fly to the Sky (took a lot of effort to find but I was successful, anything for my love!), SNSD and the one involving one of the former members of DBSK (there are more and I’m starting to go to them too regardless whether i know the groups or not, considering the entertainment the show provides). The staff members give the hosts and other members (if present), instructions to give the concerned pair various missions and the pair has to accomplish them.

intimatenote

절

As far as Super Junior one goes, Leeteuk with Heechul talks to the producers about awkward relationship between Kangin and Sungmin and asks them to help the group in bringing them together. Surprise follows as there is one more couple with uneasiness between them. The weird missions and their reactions turn everything into hilarious situation. What comes after is Miss Intimate contest for the four members and you will fall down your couch when you see their witty and funny performances. You will also watch Hangeng’s perfect (err…?) Korean and Kyuhyun’s humorous love for his hyungs. Gotta love it!

200905-12-183811-1

Next is SNSD. Yeah, that was alright. Not as good as SuJu but for those who love these girls, you’ll get to know their weird habits and more, as they take their anger out on each other with much love. Eight girls out of nine are able to do the show and tell you more about stories related to their day to day life on this episode.

The DBSK one was not related to all the members (I wish it was but bad luck). Xiah Junsu was invited to someone else’s episode in order to find friends for this lonely soul. It was so-so, too. But the fans like me get treat to their eyes watching him complete missions.

The episode in which Fly to the Sky duo was featured, was totally heartbreaking. It was Brian Joo’s and Hwanhee’s last vacation before they were to go solo and break the duo. The friends around them asked the producers for help. Both of them had a lot of misunderstandings and this was the reason why they decided to go on their own paths. They had grown so apart that they had o record their last album separately as they didn’t want to see each other. When they meet on the show and have to do various activities together, they get a chance to talk it out with each other. Towards the end, the tears are shed (I was one of them TT_TT) as they reminisce about their journey and resolve the differences. This episode will make you laugh and cry. And if you exactly know their story (which Brian told himself on Strong Heart), you’ll cry more.

I haven’t watched more but these four were more than enough for me (No, actually, first and last were). If you wanna watch more, try now:
http://imeimo.wordpress.com/variety-shows/intimate-note/

For Fly to the Sky one:
http://koreapopshows.blogspot.in/2011/11/intimate-note-english-sub-w-fly-to-sky.html

Enjoy!

K-Variety Recommendation: Stalker (스토커)

K-Variety Recommendation: Stalker (스토커)

by eastasianlover ♥ 1 Comment

No, no. I wasn’t being stalked or anything. I am talking about SS501’s mini-series “Stalker” which aired on Mnet from 19th January 2006 to 16th February 2006. This 5 episodes series shows how popular idols and groups are stalked by some people and how, sometimes, it becomes so dangerous that people get hurt, not only mentally but physically too.

Stalker

The series starts off with a girl being carried on back of a person with members running along and you instantaneously know that this is some serious shit. Then they start introducing events which make them reach the conclusion that they are being followed each and every minute. Their house is messed up, their clothes go missing just before their stage performance, they receive threatening mails and calls, their staff member is attacked etc. etc. They try to solve the mystery of this person. They take help of cyber police, install CCTV cameras in their dorm and watch old tapes of their filming to track down any suspicious element.  And they do catch some people in the process but whether they are the actual stalker or not, that you can find out after watching the series.

mnetss501stalker

It’s actually scary stuff. The series is based on events which have actually happened in their lives and some other idols too but it’s not like real real. And it has been shot around the time when they were actually being tormented by someone like that. The series is to prevent such happenings in their real lives and tell people that it’s burdensome to them. Obviously, it is a kind of torture to a normal person too. If such things happen to someone, they can’t focus on anything. And human intuition is such that you get to know one way or other if you are being watched. Either you get chills or feeling of being constantly watched or some other form (I have experienced first two only but if you have other responses, I would love to know).

Thus, this series actually has a deeper meaning. It lets your imagination run wild and come up with various reasons why someone would do such thing. Is it just a crazy fan or someone who holds a grudge against them or some attention seeker or just some other maniac whom they have unfortunately fallen victim to? And you are compelled to think about human psychology and how their minds work. How can someone be like that?

What do you think?

Here is the link where you can watch the series with English subs : http://ithetimes.wordpress.com/mnet-ss501-stalker-eng-sub/

Enjoy!