Idols: Looks Only?

There are many people who question the talents of the idol stars.  Many think that all idol stars are, are pretty faces with somewhat decent personalities (if that much).  They don’t seem to realize that idols are extremely talented, hardworking, personable and then good-looking. 

                Then the question arises, “What about SM?”  True, it is a known fact that SM only hires “good-looking people” (for the most part). Even the idols under the company will admit that.  But even with that, look at who they produce (in terms of idol stars).  Let’s take for example the cash cows of SM, Super Junior, DBSK and SHINee.  These three boy bands are immensely talented.

 Let’s start with Super Junior since there are so many of them.  They can all dance, excepting Heechul. They all have extremely loveable personalities.  They can all sing (including Heechul). As a matter of fact, they have three of the top idol singers in Korea in that group (yes, I am referring to KRY [Kyuhyun, Ryeowook and Yesung]), and you can tell anyone that I said that, because it’s the truth. They have very successful radio personalities in the person of Shin Dong, Heechul, Eunhyuk, and Leeteuk. Many of them play instruments, including Sungmin (who can do everything), Donghae, Heechul and special member Henry Lau.  They have a number of actors, such as Kibum, Siwon and Donghae. They are all good-looking, including Shin Dong (despite his weight) and Ryeowook (even though his good looks are a bit creepier than the normal).  To add to their marketability, there is no dull member in the 14 member boy band.  Even the quieter members have some quirks that make them fun to watch and all the more loveable.

DBSK, as five or (even though I hate to say it) as two, is another exceptional idol group that sets the pace for all of their hoobaes.  They can sing and dance at the same time (without sounding all breathy and tired).  Their music is exceptionally well written, which shows that even if they don’t produce or write their own music, they know how to select songs that suit their voices and capabilities.

SHINee, is probably the most mediocre boy band in SM, yet, their talents are still very good.  All around player, Kim Kibum, better known as Key, can sing, rap and dance.  Baby faced Taemin, is an amazing dancer, and has recently improved his vocals, so much so, that he has more lines in the Japanese remakes of their Korean songs.  Rapper Minho can at least carry a tune on key.  Leader and main vocalist and the lead vocalist, Onew and Jonghyun are both exceptionally skilled singers.   This group has the widest range of personality, from the diva Almighty Key, to the competitive and charismatic Minho, to the innocent and adorable Taemin and the clumsy, loving leader Onew, to the masculine Jonghyun, each aspect of every personality is present, thus creating a talented and loveable boy band.  It’s no wonder this group is the pet group of the company and the founder Lee Soo Man himself.

Other super talented idol stars include, but are not limited to:

Big Bang – choreographer, dancer, music producer, lyricist, vocalist, rapper

Beast – dancers, writers, producers, actors, vocalists

Bang Yong Guk – producer, lyricist, rapper

SNSD - dancers, singers, actresses

T-Ara – actresses, singers

SS501 – Vocalist, businessman, rappers, dancers

Note:  I used SM artists because SM Entertainment is the one that is known for choosing their artists based on looks.

B2ST ....hmmmm

So...I've been very inactive.  I blame it on the fact that I'm now a working woman.  Anyways....I decided that my next few articles will be based off of other people's opinions.  Facebook is a handy tool.  I'm an administrator for a Lee Gikwang fan page and I asked the fans a few questions.

1. Favorite B2ST Song:  The results showed that the talent and performance of B2ST has been strong and appealing from the beginning.  Their debut song Bad Girl clinched the number one spot with 12.7% of the votes, with Breath following closely behind with 12.4%.  In the third and fourth position were Shock and Fiction with 10.7% and 10.2% respectively.  In fifth place is On Rainy Days, which had 9% of the votes.

2. Favorite B2ST MV:  B2ST's newest video was clearly the favorite, receiving 25% of the votes.  Breath came second with 20.2% followed by Bad Girl (Korean Vers) with 14%.  In fourth and fifth place were Shock (Kor. Vers) and Say No with 9.4% and 7% respectively.  Not surprisingly, 10.8% voted that they liked all of the videos.

3. Favorite B2ST album:  The favorite by far turned out to be none other than their newest work and only full length album, Fiction and Fact.  Containing ten songs, including the sad break up song Fiction and it's orchestra version, it's no wonder the album is the favorite.  Coming in a distant second place was my personal favorite, Lights Go On Again.  The title track, Beautiful, is a catchy song that has a 7 minute music video to boot.  In third place was Shock of the New Era.  The title song, Shock, features complex choreography and has a rock feel to it.

4.  B2ST Bias:  The results for this are extremely biased, since it is a fan page for member Lee Gikwang.  He recieved the majority of the votes followed by lead vocalist Yoseob and Leader Doojoon.  In last place was Hyunseung, who recieved only one less vote than rapper Junhyung.  Maknae Dongwoon came in fourth, with one vote more than Junhyung.

Shin Se Kyung and Jonghyun Break Up

I was sitting down ALL day at work thinking of what to write about.  I considered writing about the training processes, the lack of rest that some idol stars get, why some idol stars are so popular as opposed to others...but nothing really seemed quite right.  And then, I came home and went on AKP only to find out that Shin Se Kyung and Kim Jonghyun had broken up.

So, of course, since this is kpop imo, I'll give my thoughts on the whole thing.

Eight months ago, when the news was released that they were dating, there was a whole lot of mixed emotions.  Some of the more rational fans thought it was good that they had both found someone they liked and were bold and strong enough to go public.  There were some who believed that it was a cover up by SME to divert attention away from the JYJ vs SME scandal.  Other fans were heartbroken because I guess in their crazy little minds, this lessened the chances of them being with SHINee's lead vocalist (even though the chances were already close to non existent anyway.  However, everyone (with the exception of those who thought it was a cover up) had gotten used to the thought, and many had even accepted and approved of it.  And now, this.  Sad right?

Honestly, I couldn't care any less about whether or not they're together.  Then again, that might just be my personality.  I'm one of those people who wishes that celebrities (from everywhere) were able to have more of a private life.  Why should they have to answer to us, the fans, when they decide to date (and in this case, break up?).  After reading some of the comments under the article, I've gathered that many people are undeniably happy that the union has ended and that just as many people are sad.  My question to both groups is why?  It IS their lives.  Apparently, they're fine with the split.  The reason they broke up is because they're both too busy. They probably haven't even seen each other much over the past few months anyway, which means that the relationship wasn't really growing, so what was the point of being in one.  They decided to remain friends; if this is true, then there are no hard feelings.  Anyone who's ever been through a break up knows that when you harbor any strong emotions for the other party, there's no such thing as remaining as friends, right?  So yeah, I doubt anyone's heartbroken.  Of course, this is only MY OPINION.

Still, though, as a fan of both parties, I wish them all the best in their respective careers.  I hope that this doesn't have any negative effect on either of them, because we all know how some, and I stress the word some, fans can become.  I also wish for their happiness, and if that includes a boy/girlfriend, then I hope they find that right person that can complete them and all of that good stuff. Peace. 

Top 10 Idols to Take Home to Mama

 So, this article was released on AKP this week about the top 10 idols to take home to your parents (as chosen by some of the artists making their round of promotions) from SBS Inkigayo Magazine. Here are the results:

Females:
1. IU
2. Taeyeon (SNSD)
3. Sandara Park (2NE1) and UEE (After School)
4. Woori (Rainbow)
5. Victoria (f(x))

Males:
1. Jo Kwon (2AM)
2. Jay Park
3. TOP (Big Bang) and Doo Joon (Beast)
4. Yonghwa (CN Blue)
5. Sung Gyu (Infinite)

Jo Kwon was chosen because of his actions on "We Got Married" (WGM) and for a thoughtful remark that was made by him.  You can read the full article here: http://www.allkpop.com/2011/06/who-are-the-top-idols-to-take-home-to-parents


So, seeing as I'm female, after reading this, I decided to put together my own top 10.

10. TOP (BIG BANG)

I choose him because of his weird personality and masculine image.  He's the perfect combination of gentleness and innocence and manliness.  Just by looking at him, you can see his masculinity come forth, but it's not overpowering and I don't get the sense that he's trying too hard.  Also, he's a bit of a dork, which makes him approachable and sweet.





9. Youngwon (Dalmatian) and Yunho (DBSK)

The cuteness of Dalmatian is my 9th choice.  His adorableness, witiness and talent make it easy to love him.  I guess it's only his appearance that I'm going on why I'd take him to meet my parents, but he's definitely made the list.

Yunho, the leader of DBSK, has made my list for the same reasons as TOP.  His masculinity is undeniable, which is definitely a plus. Not to mention the dude is incredibly talented and good looking.  He also has a caring nature that made him look like the father figure of DBSK, which shows that he'd be a good father.




8. Daesung (Big Bang) and Dongwoon (B2ST)

Daesung is definitely one of the sweetest idol stars in the K-pop world.  He placed in number 8 because of this factor.  With a sweet smile always ready, a warm and tender heart and a personality that is sure to make everyone around him smile, he is a perfect candidate to take home to meet the parents.  Add to that the fact that he has his head screwed on straight and a successful career and you've got an almost perfect man.

Son Dongwoon is one of the most respectful idols to ever grace the stage.  His western looks make him all the more attractive. He's always ready to clear up any misunderstandings that involve him, even to the extent of apologizing, even if he wasn't in the wrong.  Add to that his family background (mainly the father who is also very open minded, opinionated and intelligent), and you've got a pretty worthy person to introduce to the family.


7. Sungmin (Super Junior)

Super Junior's king of cuteness - Lee Sungmin.  Smart, handsome, and talented are three words that can be used to describe this young man.  He is often overlooked; something that is bound to happen when you're a member of a group consisting of 13 members (yes, I still include Han Geng in the count).  But his hard work has made him the understudy for the main vocals and dancers in the group.  Added to his success  as a musician, he also has a knowledge of Chinese martial arts, which I know would be comforting to my father (I'm an only daughter).  Also, his family background is pretty decent, as well as his finances, so if things go wrong, he would still be able to live comfortably.

6. Brian Joo

Number 6 on my list is none other than the talented Brian Joo.  A handsome young man, with amazing vocals, and a loveable personality, Brian Joo is probably one of the most eligible bachelors in the Korean Entertainment Industry.  Seeing as I'm from a Christian family, his firm belief in God and his strong Christian principles also gave him high marks on my scale.




5.  Daniel (Dalmatian)

<--- Just look at the adorableness in the photo.  He's respectful, talented, handsome and since he was raised in the United States, his English is flawless.  He has a fun personality (which is evident in the videos that he and Yoseob posted online during their trainee days) and a serious swag (which you can detect in every single one of Dalmatian's MVs).




4. Soohyun (U-Kiss)

Okay, sure he's not THE best looking idol star ever. But he is handsome enough. And he's a total gentleman (reference "U-Kiss Vampire").   Every parent wants to make sure that their daughter is treated like a total princess, and with Soohyun by her side, this is more than just a possibility, it's an inevitability.





3. Kim Hyun Joong (SS501)

First off, I must  say that it killed me to put him in third place, simply because I LOVE THIS MAN!!  However, this is the list of who I would take home to meet my parents and so, he placed third.  His lovable, comfortable personality can easily put anyone at ease. And although he's not very affectionate, he is very thoughtful and loving (as seen in Double S variety shows).  Also, his 4D personality ensures that there's never a dull moment when around him.




2.  G-Dragon (BIG BANG) and Siwon (Super Junior)

Respectful, talented, hard working and ambitious, GD falls in second place.  Even when his concept (in MV's and such) demand a bad boy, he still manages to look sweet and adorable (excepting the videos from the old days - he managed to look semi-gangster). Not to mention that he is definitely one of the most successful idol stars EVER.

Choi Siwon, considered the handsomest member of Super Junior, tied with GD for second place.  Reason being, I'd be able to communicate with him (in my native tongue), he's a talented actor, he's a very astute Christian and he's very masculine.  He also comes from a very influential family, meaning that if his career in the entertainment industry flops, he'd still have money to live off of comfortably (even if he has a family to support).  Also, he is a serious martial artist, and has studied the Chinese martial arts for years, meaning that whoever he marries won't have to worry about being attacked when she's with him.





1. Yang Yoseob (B2ST)

Yang Yoseob placed first on my list.  Although he's not my ideal type, he's not far from it.  The reason I think he's THE  perfect man to take home to my family is because of his childlike cuteness that contrasts sharply with his adultlike maturity and sense of responsibility.  He is one of the few idols that constantly reprimands his fans when they step out of line; he's almost like a father figure towards his fans.  He also takes his work very seriously, going beyond what is required of him to be the best.  Add to that his natural talent (vocals and dance) and the most lovable personality in kpop.  So he's my number 1.


What about you?

Teddy Riley....SM Ent....

A few months ago, girl group Rania debuted.  They were hot and sexy and sparked some serious interest in the kpop industry for their unprecedented raciness.  A lot of hype preceded these girls onto the stage because they were advertised as a girl group put together by veteran producer, Teddy Riley.  For those who don't know, Teddy Riley has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Brittany Spears, both big names in American entertainment.

Recently, it has been revealed that Teddy was leaving Rania.  Speculation surrounded his decision to leave...some believed that he was leaving due to the scandals involving a member of his posse.  However, in a press release, he revealed that he was not leaving Rania as group, but instead he was leaving the company (due to the misuse and extortion of his name) and that he hoped that Rania would be able to join him at SMEnt, where he had been signed on as one of their producers.

Now, there are a lot of Sone's and Affi(x)tion's that are upset about Teddy Riley going to SMEnt...they fear that Girl's Generation and f(x) would turn into the next Rania.  So here's my opinion...I'm not a Sone or an Affi(x)tion either, but I'm pretty much unbiased when it comes to these issues.

1.  Teddy Riley is a music producer.  This in and of itself, suggests that he had NO creative control over the girls.  So the genius behind the choreography and stage outfits of the group of underaged girlies was not Teddy Riley...it was someone.  The genius behind the beat for both Masquerade and Dr. Feel Good was Teddy Riley.

2.  For those of you saying that you don't want K-pop to become more Americanized, it's obvious you have no idea what you're talking about.  K-pop is already an imitation of the American pop scene.  Many of the producers are American (especially SM who buys a significant amount of songs from other artists and producers). Not to mention, that SM Ent, wants to break into the global market.  By snatching Teddy Riley as an exclusive producer, they have employed one of the best music makers in America, as well as sensitizing the Korean community to non Asians (and not just Caucasians).

3.  I can't really say anything about SM never having original songs, because that's not really true. But hopefully, adding another reputable producer to their staff will minimize the amount of remakes and bought songs that SM artists release.

So that's my opinion on SM hiring Teddy Riley.  I think it's a good idea on SM's part...it will definitely help with marketing the SM stars in America to have the esteemed Teddy Riley behind them.  Peace.

Kpop IMO

So, just restarted a blog.  This time it's just me, J (or Jae or Jay...however you want to spell it).  So, anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a MAJOR sucker for Kpop (anything kpop....well, most things kpop anyway).  This blog is just a collection of my thoughts on current trends and issues in the kpop world.  I will admit that I do have a few serious biases, but I'll let you know when I'm dealing with my biases just so you know that my opinion my be biased due to my biases lol.  Ok so that's all for the welcome. Peace.