Compilation of all New Drama Teasers & Trailers for January and February.

I have been posting teasers as the come out on our FB page. However, all of you don't follow us on FB (if you want to look at the link below) so for those of you missing out on our info, I decided to just compile all the new teasers onto just one blog post for your easy viewing pleasure.  Feel free to let us know which one's you will be watching and whether the teasers changed your mind one way or the other.  I know that the teasers for Kill me Heal Me have especially made me more excited for it to air next week.

Kmuse's End of Year Countdown - Favorite kdrama Actors of 2014

This was a really hard segment to write. I counted it up and had watched over a 100 different dramas from all over Asia.  Needless to say, there was a lot of competition for a spot on this countdown.  There were so many that I HAD to have on my list since it would not be a complete list of my favorites without them, that it got a tad lengthy.  So please bear with me and I will try to make this as enjoyable as possible with pretty pictures.  I also would suggest any of these dramas to viewers searching for something new to watch since I am sure a lot of you are looking for a good holiday dramathon.

5 Min Trailer for Upcoming Drama "Triangle" is Released

I personally think they should have started out with this Trailer since it looks way more interesting then the previous teasers.  Emotional separations, fated interaction between the brothers without knowing of their connections, and a fight.  What is not to love?   I like that it looks like the focus is going to be on the brothers and that the romance might be secondary.  It might just be because the leading man is Lee Beom Soo but I am getting a heavy "Giant" type vibe from this teaser.  He seems to be playing a similar character as in that drama and the music gives off an epic drama vibe.  But that is OK since "Giant" truly is an amazing drama that deserves to be emulated and if this is even half as good, then I will be one happy viewer.  Triangle starts Monday the 5th and is replacing Empress Ki.

Triangle 5min Trailer

 

New drama "Triangle" releases first trailer.

The upcoming kdrama "Triangle" will be debuting on May 5th following Empress Ki and so far it looks like it is going to be a solid birth secret, melo, possibly epic kdrama.  I love all three actors that play the brothers and am really crossing my fingers for a solid show.  Is it too much to ask for an intense conflicting drama with random moments of bromance added in?  Lee Bum Soo plays the oldest brother and a dedicated cop.  Second brother played by JaeJoong is an up and coming thug, and Siwan plays a rich playboy youngest brother.  Separated when they were young, fate brings them all back together in what is to be an angst driven, and hopefully well crafted drama.

Triangle 1st Trailer

Jae Joong Joins Cast of Brother Drama Triangle

So we finally have a the third actor slotted into the drama Triangle's cast and it is our Dongsaeng's bias Jae Joong.  I know that this drama is probably not on everyone's radars yet, but since I am a huge Lee Bum Soo fan (he will be playing the oldest brother) I have been actually following the casting news pretty closely.   Triangle will be replacing the ratings juggernaut Empress Ki on the MBC Monday/Tuesday time slot.  It will also mark the first non Sageuk drama to fill thit time in over a year so it has big shoes to feel.  The story follows the lives of three brothers who were separated when they were kids.  The oldest (Lee Bum Soo - Prime Minister and I) becomes a cop and reconnects with Jae Joong's (Protect the Boss) character, who is actually a local gangster.  Not sure about the youngest dongsaeng's (Im Shi Wan - Moon Embracing the Sun) but judging by the casting he might be the innocent sweet one. 

So far we are minus a lot of leading ladies but since it is rumored that the script readings start in another week or two, I suspect we will be hearing something post haste.  So what do you think?  Are you going to be checking in to see some brotherly angst?  I know that I will and I anticipate, if nothing else, there will be a lot of attractive eye candy moments now that Jae Joong is on board.

Kmuse

Ramblings and Musings: Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng

Well, hiya there!  And how are you doing?  I'm just fine, thanks.  Sorry for my MIA action this week on Monday.  I didn't forget.  I wasn't sick.  I wasn't out of town.  I just really had nothing to say.  Sometimes Mondays are like that you know.  I'm still enjoying the latest music video releases from the likes of KHJ and Junsu and wasn't really ready to discuss any others that have come out (because they just weren't as epic and monumental in my extremely biased opinion).  Today though, as often happens, I was waxing philosophical as I showered and dressed for the day.  So many thoughts and ideas were spinning around in my head and so I decided that I would strike while the iron was hot and write it all down in preparation for next week's Monday Morning.  Did I mention that today is Wednesday?  I would have posted it today while still fresh but Wednesday is Unnie's day, so you will get the slightly stale version.  Sorry.  Sort of.  Stale isn't the best word for it.  Better to write while the juices are flowing, right?  And what I'm writing about isn't time sensitive or anything.  So it's more like putting my thoughts on ice for a few days.  Once they're thawed by Monday morning, they'll be just as fresh as they were the day they went in, down, whatever.  You know what I mean.

Soooo, what's today's topic?  Well, funny you should ask.  As I was writing this, I was actually trying to remember myself.  I got a little panicky because I couldn't remember and here I was telling you how I was going to share this mind-blowing stuff with you.  So I stalled.  Could you tell?  I am like blog ninja so I doubt it.  Stealthy as I am and all.  Two ideas, completely different from each other, are actually swirling around up there.  One is angry and full of vitriol and the other not.  As I tend to be a generally nice person (hahaha - no really.  shut up) I'm going with the non-vitriolic.  Okay, that's more due to the time sensitive thing mentioned earlier, as by Monday morning it will most certainly have developed and changed as it is an ongoing thing.  I suppose I shouldn't be all vague and mysterious about it.  I'll just tell you, in case you haven't already guessed, it's about the whole SM/JYJ/FTC thing.  You know, Fair Trade Commission finding SM and some other acronym guilty of preventing JYJ activity and issuing sanctions against them and SM's swear word swear word swear word response.  Ugh.  I don't want to talk about it.  Okay, yes I do, but not now.  Some other time, if for no other reason than I don't want your Monday morning to start off all angry and boiling over.  That's not a good way to start the week, wouldn't you agree?  Besides, your Monday Morning Therapist shouldn't be responsible for committing such a crime.  That's like a malpractice lawsuit just waiting to happen.

No, today I will not talk about that.  Today I will talk about something else that is percolating and mulling around up in there under the hair.  Today I talk boy bands.

I was out to lunch with some of my gal pals yesterday.  One asked a couple of them about a recent concert they had attended.  This concert featured blasts from the past such as Boyz II Men and New Kids on the Block.  They were kind of sheepishly admitting that they ended up enjoying the NKOTB more than they thought they would.  Come on girls!  You're children of the 80s and teens of the 90s.  That was our playground.  Why shy away from it?  Now, as a matter of full disclosure, I will say that I myself, back in the day, never could claim to be a fan.  Why?  Because that's just my personality.  It may not come as a total shock to you, but I am one that tends to automatically avoid pop culture.  If everyone is doing it, it's not for me.  For example, and please don't judge me too harshly here, I am a former Twi-hard.  Oh yes.  I read the books.  I went to the Twilight Prom.  I went to multiple book signings.  I dressed up.  I was very much into it.  But it was back when it was still this small phenomenon and not the ugly monster it became.  This was long before the first movie was ever made.  Once the movie came out and it became a part of mainstream pop culture, my interest died.  Poof.  Gone.  Ick.  No more.  I haven't even seen either one of the last movies.  I just don't care.  It was cool and kind of underground (oh goodness, please don't call me a hipster - groan) back in the day, but now it's just a hot train wreck and I'm running far far away from the carnage and trying to play off the fact that I was ever there.  What was it that changed?  The stories didn't.  They're still the same that they were.  But when public attention grew, I changed.  I have always been this way.  It is my curse, my anti-pop culture curse.  So, back in the day when groups like NKOTB and later NSync and Backstreet Boys were popular, I couldn't have cared less.  I listened, no joke, to classical music.  Yeah, like Mozart and his homies.  Yo, he was da bomb!  Why?  Because no one else was doing it.  It wasn't what was expected of me, a teenage girl, and far be it from me to ever be a stereotype.

Okay, so what does this have to do with what I'm here to talk about?  Well, I of course took that opportunity to point out to my friends yesterday at lunch that there was nothing wrong with liking boy bands.  They, knowing my "weird" interests of course laughed.  And then the topic moved on and was done.  Except it was resurrected in my mind this morning as I had my ponderous, contemplative shower time.  It got me thinking about the differences between those boy bands of yesteryear and those I love and adore today.  And it got me thinking about culture and society in general.  Why?  What is the appeal of Korean boy bands to someone who, back when it would have been socially acceptable, steered clear of such things?  My own personal quirks aside, I came up with another additional reason, and it's one I believe with a rather large scope.  A scope that reaches far beyond hotties dancing and singing (though, I am still a big fan of that of course).  Going along with my shun-all-things-pop-culture, I never understood those that followed celebrities or cared one whit about them.  I didn't know who married who, who cheated on who with who, or whatever current news/scandal was going on in the entertainment industry.  TMZ and Inside Edition were totally lost on me.  It even went as far as to anger me when people cared about such vapid nonsense.  Ha. Now look at me.  Now I care, but not even about my own culture - about one on the other side of the world.  A culture I have no personal connection to.  I wish I did, but I don't.  I simply stumbled upon it one day and was caught up in this whole new world in a way I have never before been.  Is some of that the novelty of it all - the fact that it's something no one else around me is doing?  Yes, definitely.  I fully admit to that.  Yet, there is more.  There's a whole world of stuff out there that my friends aren't following that I too am not following.  So why the K world?

You know, when I first started watching dramas, I insisted to my teasing husband that my interests would never go beyond just watching a few tv shows now and again.  I told him that I wasn't interested in learning about Korea or Korean culture or society.  I wasn't going to try to learn the language or any other silly tomfoolery such as that.  It's laughable now to me, as here I am two years later and so completely and totally engrossed in this culture that I must every once in a while step back and remind myself that I am just a visitor here and sadly not a full-time resident.  Though, and this is just me rambling more, at the same time I'm grateful to be who I am from the culture I'm from.  I'm proud of my heritage.  There are points about my culture that I love and treasure.  I have not, nor do I ever plan to, denounce my American culture.  I am a red-blooded Daughter of the Revolution and American to my core.  This, however, does not preclude me from recognizing and appreciating things and aspects of other cultures, and, as has been the case with Korea, embracing a good majority of it.  As I sit back and watch my own beloved society crumble around me as widespread entitlements and general bad behavior start to take root, I look to cultures, such as those in the East, longingly.  Our different culture's entertainers illustrate the divide so well.  Let's take a look-see, shall we?

When you think of a Western entertainer, what kinds of things come to mind?  Most likely they're related heavily to wealth and a posh lifestyle, as well as the vices that come from such things.  Now, wealth isn't bad, wealth doesn't equal these less-enviable traits.  However, at the same time, celebrities in our culture are often given a free pass to do things that regular people wouldn't do.  I will refrain from getting all preachy, and just leave it up to you to think about.  Think about qualities in certain celebs that you see that you don't like.  Certainly there has to be something.  Now, look at Korean celebs.  I am fully aware that they are not perfect and that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than we know about.  I am not an idiot.  They're human and fallible just like the rest of us.  A glaring difference though is what society as a whole is willing to put up with from them.  Western world celebs can get away with some crazy stuff and it doesn't hurt their careers.  But look what happens to Korean celebs when they do minor things - things that here wouldn't raise an eyebrow, but there can be career killers.  There is arguably a greatly increased social awareness on the part of Korean celebs.  Not only that, but the whole idea of respect is more valued there.  I will never forget the image of Big Bang bowing, down on their knees, to their audience as they finished their tour.  Where were the smashed guitars?  The destroyed stage?  The wild after-party plastering the front page of the gossip rags?  What did they do?  They acted like pretty darn good well-behaved young men.  And they immediately went back to work.

Again, I'm not here to argue that their way is not without its pitfalls and troubles.  Of course it isn't.  I'm not even going to get into the whole concept of them working themselves literally to death (when you think for example of all the car accidents that happen in the middle of the night due to exhaustion and such).  It's not perfect.  It's not without its own flaws.  I will, however, argue that given the choice, I would much rather support those that work extremely hard for what they have and don't abuse it so openly and brazenly.  I love and appreciate seeing a celeb apologize for silly missteps instead of wearing it proudly as a badge of honor.  I much more enjoy seeing a "yes sir, can do" kind of attitude than a "screw you, it's all about me" one.  Am I over-generalizing?  Yup.  I sure am.  I will argue though that my over-generalization is based upon years and years of watching from the outside.  Call me a goody-two-shoes or what have you, but I like that the Korean artists are well-behaved and respectful and humble.  I love the "scandals" and how minor they are.  I love just how pure and innocent that world is and mourn the day when it is lost, as it most certainly will be.  I hope not, but I'm sure it will happen.  It happened here, it can happen there.  I for one hope that I am long gone by that point because I don't know if I could handle seeing so many wonderful things that they have going for them disappear through apathy and vice.

You know, I had a moment the other day when this struck me.  And it wasn't about the giltz world of the idols.  It was while watching a news report on that incident in Japan where the lady was under the train and the crowd rushed to lift the train car off of her.  The news reporter I was watching was just shocked, because, in her experience, more often, crowds just stand there motionless for lack of not knowing what to do.  But the fact that the entire crowd immediately rushed to action floored her.  How sad is that?  No really, how sad is that?  What a perfect illustration of the different directions a society can take.  Not that everyone here is cold and heartless and callused.  Of course not.  Most of us are warm and loving and caring and would do whatever we could to help someone in need.  Yet, as a people, we've lost that ability to work together as a whole.  We've become so separated and segregated that we've lost that sense of society.  Leave it to someplace like Japan to show us how positive a healthy sense of community can truly be when used for good.

My take away from all this is to not put one above another.  I simply want to say that there is something that we can all learn from each other.  No matter where we are from or who we are, we have good in us that can and should be appreciated by others.  This is ultimately how Korea won my heart.  Sure, the boy bands and dramas helped draw me in, but the people and culture and what they have to offer kept me coming back for more.  Imagine what a force we could have in this world if these cultures drew the best from each other and incorporated it even just a little bit more instead of blindly and foolishly thinking that one has it more figured out than the other.  There has to be a way to find balance, to bridge the gaps that separate us and find common ground that we can all believe in and support.  Korea has a heritage and a culture that they can and should be proud of.  The people of Korea make me happy to know them better.  I am proud of and humbled by the wisdom and maturity they demonstrate.  Their voice may be a quiet one in all the overwhelming buzz of the world, but it's one we should really stop and listen to - we just might be able to gain something of value.  I know I have










Now, what kind of Monday Morning Therapist would I be if I didn't give you something pretty to look at and/or listen to? A pretty lousy one I'd venture to say.  I'm going to start with one that is slightly personal.  I'm honestly a little nervous to put this out there for fear of looking like an even bigger weirdo than I already am.  But really, what else is a girl supposed to do when, by a total and freaky coincidence, her biggest hearthrob just so happens to have the same colored bedding as her and posts a selca on Twitter?  Especially on a lazy Sunday afternoon when she has nothing better to do?  So yeah, I had a little fun with it.  And I'm kind of proud of how it turned out.  It makes me laugh and I'm hoping it will make you laugh too.  If for no other reason than the silliness of it.  Oh goodness, you guys....  this is so embarrassing!  I was trying to mimic his face and look really goofy doing so.  It's not fair when your idol is undeniably prettier than you.  Okay, time to stop with the stalling and just yank the bandaid...  Here it is --

Omigosh, I swear I am not some freak ssasaeng or anything.  I had this bedding l o n g before I even knew who Jaejoong was.  I swear.  And I really suck at imitating him.  And no, pervs, I wasn't going to go topless.  Trust me, no one wants that.  No one.  But yeah, this is what happens when I have too much time on my hands and too much material available to not do it.  What kind of fan would I have been if I had let an opportunity such as this slide by?  And what kind of poor excuse for a crazy blogger would I have been?  Just try and get this image out of your head today.  >:-}

Change in plan...my computer is seriously messed up. I can't put anything else on here.  I don't even know if it will publish at all at this point.  So I will have to post any videos I wanted to share on the FB page.  I'd link it, but again, computer isn't working and letting me do such things.  My apologies.  P.S.  Never let your children touch your computer unless you want it bombarded with all sorts of "goodies".  Grr.  I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids....

More Baby Love {Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng}

Good Monday morning.  It is indeed a fabulous Monday.  I have a monster headache that kept me up a lot of the night and a Little Popper home for day 2 of a stomach bug.  But, I will not let that get me down or sway me from coming here and sharing some love with you all to help you through your Monday as well.  No siree!  You're going to have to do better than that Monday!  (*Please note:  Just so we're clear, Monday, this is not me issuing you a challenge.  I know the force of destruction you are capable of.  I would never be so foolish as to tell you to "come at me bro".  I am merely trying to portray a stiff upper lip for my dear readers.  Please, for the love of all that is good in this world, please go easy on me.  Just let me maintain some of my dignity and street cred, even as I cry "uncle" in your wake).

Okay, so let me just get the obvious out of the way first for today and give you proper warning.  It's going to be yet another Jaejoong related post.  You're either cool with that and cheering or groaning in despair and clicking the little x to shut me up.  Hey, what can I say?  It's just been a Jae kind of month.  First with the single track pre-release of "One Kiss", followed by the release of his first solo album "I" and MV, "Mine".  After that it was his birthday and then his fan meet/mini concert.  Toss in the fact that he's the world's most gorgeous creature and you can see why he's come up a lot lately here.

Forgive me for a moment while I just have a mini rant.  Mini.  Not big.  I have to get this off my chest though because it has really been bothering me.  I just want to know why, when he has topped the charts for 2 weeks now, why he has not been able to appear on television music shows like Music Core or Inkigayo?  Okay, that's a rhetorical question there.  I know why.  And it really infuriates me.  It's so not fair.  I know that no one that can do anything to change it will ever read this, but if they did, I would want to let them know that it sure isn't painting them in a very good light in the world view.  Guess what Shady Dealer Dudes and Dudettes in The Industry?  Like it or not, Korea and KPop are appearing on the world stage.  More eyes than ever are turned in your direction.  You think that things like this won't go unnoticed or ignored?  We see what's happening.  We don't like it.  We can't do much about it, but for being so image conscious when it comes to public appeal, you're screwing up here.  It's wrong and petty and needs to just end.  Now.  No, not now.  Yesterday.  No, not yesterday either.  4 years ago.  LET IT GO!  Move on.  Let these young men continue unhindered in their careers.  As their popularity increases, it just makes you look worse.  They've paid the price for their audacity to stand up for themselves.  No, you know what?  For the sake of argument, let's say they were 100% completely in the wrong (they're not, but let's just say that).  Even if they were 100% in the wrong 4 years ago for breaking away, ...seriously?  4 years later we still have to be playing these childish games?  Guess what?  These 3 guys aren't going away.  They are not fading into obscurity as you hoped.  They're here, they're loved by many, and they're going to keep finding success despite your petty attempts to stop them.  Let. It. Go.  Chill.  Move on.  Enough is enough. Rant done.

Ahem...sorry, where was I?

Ah yes, the marvelously talented, impeccably beautiful, Perfect Personified, Kim Jae Joong.

As I mentioned, he held a two day fan meet and mini concert in celebration of his first solo project as well as his 27th birthday over the weekend.  Now, I'm a stay-at-home-mom.  I didn't have the luxury of attending it myself obviously (trust me, you would have known if I had been there as I would have never shut up about it...ever), but others did and they scored some fancam moments.  A quick little search of our addicKtion lifeline/dealer, aka YouTube, nets some lovely gems.  Today's prescription will be some doses of clips from this event.  Take as needed and repeat as many times as you want in a 24 hour (or longer) period.




This is a cute little clip where Jae calls Junsu while on stage. Cute! My understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong here, is that this is from the first night and on the second night he called Yoochun. These three...seriously so adorable! I just love them all.

P.S.  Yes, there are plenty of other videos available out there of other songs from the album.  But since I love him so much and want to support him in whatever tiny ways I can, I'm only going to include the two songs that are already publicly available.  Hate me all you want, but there it is.  Which reminds me...I'm hoping for a very special package to arrive anytime now!  My album and JJ poster is on its way.  My fellow Jae-obsessed friend already had hers delivered on Friday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is going to be in my little hands and ringing in my lucky little ears very, very soon.  Today would be great.  Would really help perk up this Monday, don't you think?

And that's it for me today.  The headache is demanding no more screen time from me at the moment.  I hope that you all have an absolutely wonderful Monday and week.  May your day and week be filled with great dramas and toe-tapping music.  May a smile spread wide on your face at at least one point in your day.

 

Happy Birthday Jaejoong!!!!!

It is morning in Korea.  The morning of January 26th.  You know what that means, right?
This is big.
This is epic.
This is the event I have been waiting for since we started this blog 10 months ago.
This is the day that I get to personally and publicly wish my #1 bias in THE ENTIRE WORLD a very happy and wonderful birthday.

That's right, it's my Jae baby's birthday.

*happy fangirl sigh*

If you're a regular here, it's no big secret how I feel about this man.  Perfection Personified is the label I have attached.  Not only in sheer looks alone (though those are just out-of-this-world amazing - like seriously, how can a human be so beautiful?), but personality-wise as well.  At least as far as I know.  I mean, I haven't personally met the man, obviously.  I haven't gone sasaeng and stalked him.  Nor will I.  I made him that promise long ago to just admire from afar.  And buy every piece of music he ever attaches his name to.  But, I have, in my admiring from afar, seen him in interviews and such, and have drawn the conclusion that he is a giant goofball and I love goofball.  I love weird.  I do.  It makes me smile.  I love his awkward moments.  I love his laugh.  I love when he embarrasses himself.  He is just so darn adorable.  Good looks and all aside, he sincerely just seems like a really cool guy to hang out with.  Like really cool.  Like, "hey, call me sometime Jae and I'll show you around" kind of cool.  Nothing weird.  I'll behave.  Heck, I'll even bring my husband along if that will make you feel better.  I just want to have fun and laugh and not even go all fangirl crazy, though I can't promise that the occasional SQUEEEE won't escape from time to time.  I mean, you are Jaejoong after all and I am only human.  But I'm a good girl and will be respectful and chill.  Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon?  We've got that here.  I could totally show it to you.  And hold your hand in case you're scared of heights.  You know, whatever would help.  *giggle*  So, if you're reading this JJ, drop me a line sometime and we'll hang.

While I wait for him to call, how about we enjoy some visual tributes?

^Not my meme creation, but it is on my Pinterest board and I thought it was rather fitting and appropriate so I included it here.

So, not only is it his birthday, but he also has a concert today and tomorrow in Korea before launching an Asian tour.  I wish of course that he was coming here, but I of course wish him well in his upcoming concerts and tour.  I wish I could be there, but I think my invitation and tickets must have been lost in the mail or something ^-^

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy of his new album.  A friend of mine just got hers today, so I'm hopeful that sometime this weekend it will be in my little hands and I will be a very happy girl.

There are so many things I could say, but I will leave it here for now and just include a couple of videos.  I have been enjoying an inundation of amazing Jae videos all this month that my friend (the one with the album that I am officially so jealous of right now) has been posting.  I wanted to share them, but they aren't exactly "official" videos and it would be a tragedy if they got taken down because I drew attention to them (you know, since I have that kind of reach and all ---pssshhh).  If you want some good stuff, let me know and I can steer you in the right direction.  Otherwise, just enjoy these nicely official ones and support this most amazing artist and his first solo album if you haven't had the opportunity yet.

(Okay, so a couple "non-official".  Sorry.  The first is obviously his solo MV.  The second is my most favorite kiss scene in any drama.  The 3rd is a compilation of kiss scenes. And the 4th is a new addition - a preview of an interview to come on MTV-K!!!!  SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Him saying his name?  How in the world can that be so unbelievably sexy?!?  I don't know, but it is.  So incredibly hawt!  Trying to breathe....)

Jae baby, you are awesome.  I wish you the very happiest of birthdays, especially as you meet with so many lucky fans tonight and tomorrow night.  It's been a tough road at times I know, but we, your fans, appreciate all your hard work and perseverance and stand behind you 110%.

Happy 27th birthday and we look forward to many more in years to come as your career progresses!

생일 축하해 김재중씨!!!

사랑해요!



and

Dangling the Carrot {Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng}

I know I've teased you with this before, but today?  Today I mean it.  Honest.  Cross my heart.  Pinky out and ready to seal the deal.  Today's post will be blissfully short.  You know by now maybe that I tend to ramble.  And babble.  And go on and on and on and on and on....  But today I have some catch up to do.  See, I didn't finish my reviews last week (GASP!) so I'd like to spend my blogging time today righting that wrong.  The injustice of it all and all.  Too bad too because, wow!  Did I ever have something spectacular to talk about today.  Oh well.  Guess it will just have to wait.  (*snicker snicker* Do you think anyone bought that?).

I do have a little to share though for our weekly dose of Monday Magic Cure-All meds.  I had hoped to put this up last week but it didn't come out until late that night.  So yes, it's been out a week and maybe, just maybe you've already heard it, but just in case....  Did you know that Jaejoong of JYJ released a track from his upcoming solo album last week?  The song is called One Kiss and it's from the Mine album, which is set to be released on the 17th of this month.  This song is amazing.  Granted, I am incredibly biased, but still, amazing.  It's a departure from JYJ's normal more, oh I don't know, R&B style?  This one is rock.  Oh yeah.  Jae goes rock.  And I love it.  Ever so much.  The first night the song came out I listened to it on repeat all night long, my phone under my pillow.  Anytime I stirred that night, Jae's voice would lull me back to a happy and peaceful slumber.  It was beautiful.

Also last week, a teaser was released for the upcoming video associated with the album.  Forgive me for a moment here while I shock you all and say something that might be construed as negative.  Now, before you get all up in arms, I will say that the teaser did get me excited, and there were a lot of really cool things about it in those 42 seconds, but....  Is it just me or did it REEK of Twilight?    You know, as in sparkly vampires? Specifically the soundtrack for the Twilight movie?  Not that it's the same soundtrack, just the sound was a tad reminiscent of the movie.  For me.  But what do I know?  I'm just a suburban mom sitting at her desk dungeon with obviously too much time on her hands.  How about I just say this?  I am so over the whole vampire thing.  The teaser was AWESOME in a lot of ways, and I'm still so excited for the 17th (3 days BAY-BEE!), but I was a little "meh" about the vampire thing.  I have high hopes still that the video and song and entire album will totally ROCK SOCKS!!!  I am keeping the faith and trusting in my Jae, my HERO, to pull it off, even if, *shudder*, it's a vampire theme.

And there.  Done.  No really.  I am going to leave it there and get to work on playing catch up today.  You're free!  Enjoy the Jae candy and have a fantastic Monday.  May you be healthy (seriously, EVERYONE is sick right now - what the heebie jeebies?) and happy and able to chase away any of those pesky Monday blahs.  It's going to be a great week - I can smell it.

Tah tah and we'll see you next time!
Adios!

And...We're BACK!!! {Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng}

Good Monday morning to all of you!

Were you beginning to worry?  Wondering where the ever-wordy Dongsaeng had taken off to?  I kind of disappeared without a trace or even much of a word of warning, huh?  I didn't even realize just how long I had been gone until now.  Dec 10th was my last normal post.  The 12th if you count Seungri's birthday greeting.  That's a really, really long vacation.  I hope that you all enjoyed your holiday and festive season.  I also hope that so far 2013 has been good to you.  My family and I have been crazy busy trying to soak up as much fun time as possible with our little break and, thankfully, I think that we were pretty successful in accomplishing that goal.  Now I'm recharged, re-energized and ready to jump back into "work".  I just sent the kids off on their merry way back at school and life is returning to its normal schedule. Ahh!  It's a wonderful thing!

Now, while I did take a break from writing for a few weeks, I certainly did not take a break from my dramas, no sirree.  C'mon, you know me better than that, right?  As if I could survive without them.  Perish the thought.  So, which ones have been keeping me entertained and breathing?  Number one, hands down, has been King of Dramas.  I can't believe that I haven't really even talked about this one.  Oh my goodness - how I am loving this drama.  There is only one episode left and it airs today.  SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!  So excited for the finale, yet so sad to see it come to an end.  Kim Myung Min as Anthony Kim and Jung Ryu Won have kept me on tenterhooks with their slowly budding romance.  But seriously, one cannot talk about King of Dramas without mentioning Choi Siwon of Super Junior playing the over-the-top actor Kang Hyun Min.  He has stolen the show if you ask me, and by you being here, I'm just going to assume that you are asking me ;) I have laughed so hard at his comedic genius spattered throughout this drama.  My favorite are all of his awesome Engrish moments.  I have had to fight hard not to use his "Mother Father" line.  Like when I clumsily and with amazing grace and skill clunked my head while plugging in a vacuum cleaner last week  {I had a house full of children, none of which have seen the show and therefore couldn't appreciate the hilarity that me using that line truly would have been.  No, instead they would have gone home to their mother and father - my incredibly virtuous brother and sister-in-law - and told them how Aunt Dongsaeng cursed, and then they would have been banned for life from ever stepping foot into our home again and my children would have never forgiven me for driving their dearly beloved cousins away.  We couldn't have that, now could we?  Talk about mom guilt. Aish.}.  ;)  So, 17 episodes in, one to go and I am so in love with and impressed by this drama as a whole.  It has solidified my love of Jung Ryu Won, who, you may remember, I fell in love with in the movie Castaway on the Moon.  She is beautiful and her acting is just mesmerizing.  As is Kim Myung Min's deep, gravelly voice.  Oh my!  That man, an actual real-for-real oppa of mine (wahoo!), won me over with his voice alone.  I could do without the lacquered hairdo, but between the voice and the suits?!?  Forgittaboutit.  Sealed the deal right then and there.  If you haven't given this one a try yet, I would recommend it.  If for no other reason than the interesting insight it gives us into the behind-the-scenes world of dramas.

If I could just watch King of Dramas all day every day, I'd be good with that, but as we, I'm sure, all have come to find out, two episodes a week is not nearly enough drama.  There must be supplements in there.  I found one supplement in I Miss You.  That's right, I finally dove into it head-first.  At least for a couple of marathoning days.  I got nearly caught up, and then fell back behind.  I'm liking it, it's just that, like most melodramas, I can only handle so much at a time before the palette needs cleansing for my own sanity's sake.  Granted, while definitely a heart-rending story, it's not quite as bad as I had built it up to be before I started in on it and so I'm doing better with it than I thought I would.  Yoochun has also stolen my heart.  It's no big secret that I'm a big ol' JYJ fan, but my attention has always been focused on Jaejoong and a little bit on Junsu.  Micky kind of always missed the mark for me.  Personality-wise I adore him.  I'm just not that in to him as an idol.  And, though this will certainly earn me a few shoes thrown my way, I wasn't a huge fan of Rooftop Prince.  He just simply didn't win me over in that one.  And I've only seen a few minutes of his other drama, S-something Scandal so far, and none of Miss Ripley or the other few on his resume.  For some reason though, with Missing You, he's finally grown on me.  While no one can ever outshine my Jae (duh), I can finally get an idea of how Yoochun can be so popular as well.  Maybe it has to do with how he is aging.  He looks more...substantial?  Less twiggy and more manly.  He, like a few others who took some time to grow on me *cough cough GDragon cough*, is growing up quite nicely.  Quite nicely indeed.  He's reached swoon-worthy level in my book and I couldn't be happier.  Now it feels like my JYJ fangirl trifecta is complete.  I adore the whole set and can appreciate them all "as men".  I think this must be what fangirl heaven is like.  Unnie and I are ironing out the reviewing of this drama, so I don't want to give too much away yet, but it will be talked about in greater detail in the future to come.  Sorry for the lousy timing and thank you for your patience.  I know we, okay, I, have been promising for a while now and have yet to deliver *hangs head in shame*, but it is coming.  You know, like the review of Full House 2's finale (bet you thought I forgot about that one too, but no, just got insanely busy with Real Life).

One might think that that is surely enough drama to keep a busy mom occupied during the busiest time of the year, but no.  I had to throw another one into the mix.  I needed a fluffier piece and finally started one I've been meaning to watch for quite some time now - Mary Stayed Out All Night/Marry Me Mary.  I've made it to episode 12-ish I think and I'm enjoying it.  I was loving it, then it started to drag a bit towards the middle.  Yet another case of When Good Dramas Go Flat.  All my JKS Eels out there, hold onto those shoes, I'm not saying that I don't like it, I'm just not as obsessed with it as I was in the beginning.  JKS is sure pretty though, I will give you that.  This is one of those dreaded dramas where I equally love both male leads and wish she could end up with both.  I keep waiting and hoping that one of them will do something to fall a bit in my esteem, but no, they're both pretty much still amazing.  Grr.  I don't like when I love both so far in.  You know she can't end up with both and so it's just going to hurt that much more when one loses.

Yeah, so that was supposed to be just a brief recap of what I've been up to in dramaland the past few weeks while we have been apart.  Guess my drawn-out absence has made me extra chatty.  What I've really come here to talk about (i.e. crazy fangirl SQUEEEEE over) is the very exciting event happening today sometime.  I don't honestly really even know what to expect.  A video?  Just a track?  Will it be available here?  Agh!  I don't know.  I'm nervously anticipating that I will have something awesome and epic to share with you sometime tomorrow in the way of video.  Any guesses as to what the heebie jeebies I'm talking about yet?  So cryptic I'm being.  In case you missed the most exciting news, my Hero, Jaejoong will be releasing his first solo album this month on the 17th.  But, wait, there's more!  One of the songs titled "One Kiss" will be released sometime in the afternoon on the 8th.  With the time difference, that puts it somewhere late Monday-ish for me.  But like I said, I don't even know for sure if there's going to be a video.  Here is the release from C-Jes, see if you can decipher it better than me.  I sure hope so because I'm a little confused.

“Kim Jaejoong’s album title track is “Mine”, a rock genre song with a strong sound, which has been worked on with Kim Bada. A large-scale music video has also been produced to match with the lyrics. He’ll be pre-releasing “One Kiss” during the afternoon on the 8th. As a song showcasing Jaejoong’s unique emotional yet husky voice, it’ll be a sophisticated song that matches well with this cold winter season.”

“After releasing the pre-release track on the 8th ahead of the January 17th release date of the album, the music video for ‘Mine’, its making-of footage, and teaser videos will be released in the following week.”

I'm going to guess, according to my not-so-good deciphering skills, that there will not be a video for "One Kiss", that it's just the title track "Mine" with the video.  I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.  Please, oh please, prove me wrong, but either way, there should hopefully, fingers crossed, be a song coming out sometime today with or without a video that I'm hoping will be available on iTunes for purchase.  EEEEEEE!!!!!  So exciting!

And finally, I must leave you with a prescription to help lift those Monday blahs you may be experiencing today.  It's probably pretty obvious what it will be.  Since I don't have a Jae video to share, how about Super Junior M's new video that came out late last night?  I stayed up wayyy too late, but was so excited that I did when this one popped up in the feed!  I really liked this song.  Not the biggest fan of the video itself per se, but I really liked how the guys looked, and that's all that really matters, right?  Did you see my Donghae???  And Siwon's eyes?  I'm not even a big Siwon fan, save for his performance in King of Dramas, but his eyes captivated me through this whole video.  Ryeowook has popped up on my SJ radar for the first time.  I was all like "whoa" when I saw him.  And Kyuhyun.  And Sungmin.  And Henry.  Okay, they all were fantastic.  So, if you haven't seen it yet, here's SJ-M's newest video "Break Down".

And with that...I just got a call from the school nurse.  Aigoo.  Looks like we're off to a fantastic start of the second semester with Little Popper #2.  The child just got a bike for Christmas so that he can ride with his bestest buddy that recently moved down the street and today was his first time riding it to school.  Wouldn't you know, that no sooner had that morning bell rung, then I get a call letting me know he had an accident on the way in and may or may not need stitches.  Delightful.  So I'm going to dash now and do the mom thing.  Never a dull moment, and I only have 2!  Imagine what poor Unnie deals with ;)  (P.S.  Just so you know, I'm not doing the whole 'blog before I go pick up my kid' thing here.  The nurse and I both decided to let him try to stay and we're just watching and waiting to see how he does.  I'm on call so to speak.  He tends to be a little lot overdramatic so it's the best course of action to take with him.  Just trust me.  We've got a nice 9.5 year history going together and this momma knows her boy).

As Real Life beckons me once again, I bid you a fond adieu.  I hope you have a wonderful (and accident-free) Monday!  Thank you for sticking with us despite our extended vacation and I hope that you are just as excited as we are about what this new year will bring here on The Crazy Ahjummas!!!

Unnie's WWU: Unnie Speaks!!

Since this is a Wednesday Write Up, not a review, I can talk about anything I want to.  First up, I apologize for not keeping up w/ my WWUs for the last couple of weeks.  After my trip to So Cal I went through a little post trip depression.  I missed my friends & the excitement & I just wanted to go back for more Big Bang.  Like a magic spell or hypnotism.  I LOVE my family but for the first time, in a REALLY long time, I did something just for me & as a result, I had a hard time accepting that my vacation was over.  A little post vacation blues if you will.  I decided that it was time for me to "reboot" myself.  I took a little break from all things K related to help me get past the blues.  Not completely cutting myself off.  After all I still had Full House 2 to watch.  I am so addiKted to that lovely piece of not serious fluff.  It has been the perfectly ordered medicine for my blues.  Minus the long weekend wait for the next episode.  That I don't like.  But the flip side of that is that I actually do, to a certain degree, look forward to Monday mornings.

So many wonderful things have been happening in the world of all things K.  Music videos, scandals, law suits ended, concerts, new shows, musical award show wins, MTV European Awards, & the world Star Craft competition.  So many things to talk about.  I don't even know where to begin.  Too many topics for my poor ahjumma brain.  So instead of talking about one thing I have decided to talk about all sorts of things that I've noticed but haven't really commented on just recently.  

*rubbing hands together* where to start? where to start???  

How about with this week's release of Lee Seung Gi's (aka Dimple)  latest Mini Album, "Forest".  It is a beautiful album.  And the first, hopefully not the last, song off the album to be get it's own MV & honestly the MV is really lovely.  That is the actual adjective I used when the video came to an end.  "Lovely" How often do I use that word?  Almost never.   And Lee Seung Gi's voice is amazing.  I loved the MV & the song.  But don't let me be the only one enjoying it.  See for yourself.  

Official Lee Seung Gi MV for Return (Looking Back):

See?  Lovely.  Perfectly lovely MV.  

Next up to talk about...(these btw are in no particular order)

Did I ever mention the fact that I am a PC gaming widow?  Yes, yes I am.  My husband loves online video games.  His current poison is DiabloIII.  He & our 14 yr old monstrosity play against each other a lot.  It would be more but I have strict usage rules for the kids.  Anyway a couple of weeks ago CA came to me excitedly to report on something K related to me.  The huge Star Craft World Competition.  On Nov 17th & 18th Professional Star Craft players around the globe competed against one another in this global competition.  it took place in Shanghai this year.  it also included World of Warcraft players as well...

From the actual Webpage:

"The field has now been narrowed to the 32 best StarCraft II players and 10 best World of Warcraft Arena teams—each of whom will face off for more than $500,000^* in prizes and the title of world champion."

Now granted I didn't tune in, neither did CA.  But he was giddy that he could tell me about something that had to do with my AddiKtion.  Usually it's the other way around.  Although he hardly ever gets excited when I try & tell him about this or that.  His typical reaction is to just nod his head benignly, smile & say, "Oh that's nice."   Still I loved his participation.  What a sweetie for trying to keep clued into the K world.  

Let's see what's next?  Ahhh yes, there was the HUGE scandal that wasn't really a scandal at all when IU accidentally Tweeted a pic of her & Eunhyuk's (of Super Junior fame) picture was released of her in her jammies.  And everybody either cheered them on or freaked out that they were "possibly" in bed together.  is it because they're Naughty Naughty?  Nah. According to IU's peeps it was taken on a day when IU was really sick & Eunhyuk came to visit her & try to make her feel better.  What is the real story?!?!  Oh the heck cares?!?  Really.  If they are dating, good for them!  If they are just friends, good for them!  What happens to them in their personal life, should stay their personal life.  IMHO I hope they find happiness, whether it's together or not I don't care.  There was also the cry of they did it on purpose as a publicity stunt.  People get better lives.  Step away from the magic box & stop jumping to conclusions & "judgments"   Whether it was legit or a set up who cares.  Not me.  It was a cute picture of them both.  And anytime Eunhyuk wants to come & take a pic with me, I'll be happy to participate.  Ahem...in my jammies or out of them.   >:)

And how stinking cute is GD's dad when he brags about what a good son GD is & how proud he is of him?!?!  Omo!!  Omo!!  So cute!  What a sweet dad.  Just the idea of getting a weekend stay at their new vacation house sounds wonderful.  I love that his mom decorated a room just for GD & that his dad was very specific in that the "Ji Yong Crayon" room would not be rented out, ever.  Fine by me, as long as GD is staying there the same weekend I am.  Let's just keep that info from CA when I ask him if I can go by myself for vacation to Seoul.  I have no intention of telling him I plan to stalk oppas in person.  

As for awards? Well, Psy took home the award for Music Video of the year from the MTV Euro Awards & I say good for you Psy oppa!  You rock.  Well done.  I'm also happy to report I still hear "Gangnam Style" on the radio here pretty regularly.  yesterday I saw an article that said he was up for "Man of the Year" from Time Magazine.  I was so happy for him.  Fingers crossed he wins, he gets my vote.   Then today I saw this article from "Gawker", talking about how Bill O'Reilly recently dedicated an entire segment to Psy & the "Gangnam Style" MV, & it's popularity.  Although all O'Reilly & his idiot sidekick "Dr" Albow manage to do, is prove their stupidity, racist tendencies, & the fact that they are in fact cut off from the real world, by simply opening their mouths.  2 biggest morons on the planet IMHO right now.  But I want you guys to remember that not all conservatives are like Bill O'Reilly.  He's a special kind of stupid all on his own.  I know lots & lots of conservatives that are great, loving, compassionate, people.  Me?  I don't talk politics.  I keep all my political feelings to myself.  Trust me I am informed & have strong opinions BUT they are my business & no one else's.  To quote my daughter whom I just overheard telling off her brothers, when they started arguing, "End of discussion!"  hehehehe...it was seriously so awesome listening to her telling them off.  

And another awesome award, more than well deserved, was when my favorite JYJ man, Xiah Junsu, won at the Musical awards, for his performance in the musical "Elisabeth".  If anyone can get me a legal copy of that musical on DVD I will gladly kiss you.  Or you know, less creepy, pay you.  I actually cried when I read about his win & his wonderfully humble speech.  I was so happy for him to finally be recognized.  Way way way overdo.  Junsu Fighting!

But that is not the only good news for JYJ...

No our Mickey has also received praise for his latest K drama performance in I Miss You.  I admit freely I have not started this one yet.  I want to.  I really really want to.  But it's a melodrama & I have a hard time with those.  I really prefer comedy & rom/com over melodrama.  I get far too emotionally involved & have been known on more than one occasion to do the big ugly cry over a melodrama.  You know the cry...the one where you gasp for air you're crying so hard & you have snot running form your nose & your choking.  Your face gets all red & blotchy & you find yourself wondering for your sanity.  It's a TV show!  Why am I crying so hard over a TV show?  What is wrong with me?  I'm already not a pretty crier so I try to avoid those shows.  I hear great things about I Miss You though & am just waiting for it to either get at least 1/2 way through it's live airing before I start or I might wait till Winter break & just marathon it one day.  It would help if we got a nice big snow storm during winter break & the kids & I were stuck in the house.
{^_-}

And then last night I heard the most amazing news!!  Best news I've heard all year long.  A few months ago you remember I went off & did a serious post about my frustration with the treatment that our beautiful JYJ received in their home country from certain entertainment affiliates.  To date still my most read post, in a 24 hour period, on TCA.   Well last night, a friend posted the news on FB & Twitter that the JYJ/SMEnt court battle has come to a close.  That is MY Christmas Miracle, my fellow AddiKts.  Have you heard?  Allkpop released the news first here.  And I was so excited.  I had a difficult time falling asleep last night.  And it kept me going this morning as I battle a sore throat & stuffy head.  And all I could think was that now maybe we'll get to see our boys on Korean Music shows finally.  Inkigayo Mnet etc...  Maybe Jaejoong's wish to be on an episode of Running Man will come true & I was giddy!!  Until that same friend posted this article quoting the responses of the major stations in SK to the news of the dropped suits.  Which in my opinion translates into KBS is fine with having the boys on their shows.  However, MBC & SBS are too cowardly to say they'll have them on their channels because they haven't yet been given the "all clear" from SMEnt or it's allegedly corrupt President.  But I am cautiously optimistic that it will all have a happy ending for JYJ.  If anyone deserves the "Happily Ever After" ending, it's JYJ.  Don't you think?  

Now you may be asking, "Unnie do you think it was your article that blew the whole thing over & caused SMEnt to finally give our guys a break?"  Well....*blushing* you said it, not me.  {{Giggle.  Just kidding.}}  Of course I don't.  I doubt, I or my little article, had absolutely anything to do with it at all.  I'm not that naive or that vain.

Let's see I'm also watching King of Dramas, up to episode 3.  Siwon rocks the comedic timing in this one.  Way better than his performance, so far, in Oh My Lady.  So between the epic awesomeness of the hair styles in FH2 & Siwon's performance in KOD, & Dimple's new MV/album release, I am a happy happy unnie.   I'm gearing up for more holiday fun & for Winter Break & for a new year.  A new year, new dramas, new music, new music videos & more TCA blogging & reviews.  And that Addikts wraps up my WWU.  I hope you have all had a great Nov.  And I hope you have a great Dec.  I will be back next week as well.  No worries.  I'll probably disappear again as I get closer to Christmas but I will do my best to not neglect my WWU's until then.  

Saranghamnida, 

P.S. I apologize if this post rambles or makes no sense.  Like I said I am battling the beginning part of a cold & this post took all day to write because the computer screen made my head hurt so much.  So I had to keep stopping myself & starting again later.  Which means this post is probably disjointed & makes no sense in places.  I'm also on cold meds.  Ooo I am high as a kite.  Not really.  It's just Dayquil.  But it still gives me blank spots in my head.  Does that make any sense?  Plus I just had a lot of different topics & things I had been setting aside to talk about with all of you.  As usual I hope you got a giggle or chuckle & that my post made you smile at least a little.  Lots o' love guys!!

JYJ Solidarity Day *End of special day Edit*

Hey guess what TCA is doing today 10-12-12 on FB?

We're going to join our friends in an impromptu celebration;

JYJ Solidarity Day.  

Picture source credit goes to Bonstanceus
Thanks B-Chan!

We want to celebrate the class & dignity & grace these guys have shown in the face of trials.  

Do you not know why we want to show our JYJ solidarity?  Go Here & read the story.

We just decided it yesterday but have been so busy we haven't been able to really advertise it.  So I'm doing that now.

How do you participate?

Easy peasy!

Just change your Facebook Cover/Profile, or BOTH, picture to any picture you want of JYJ.  That's it.

Oh & spread the word.  People need to know what went down this week.  We'd like to show our wonderful JYJ guys how much we love & support them. And more importantly that SM & SBS have no real power.  Won't you guys join us in little display of love?  Oh come on, you know you want to.

You know my favorite picture, so why don't you show me yours!  Change your cover & then head on over to TCA FB or visit TCA on Twitter or me on Twitter & show me the picture too.

Fill up the Twitter & FB feed w/ pics of our beautiful JYJ?!?!?

Who doesn't want to see that?!?!?!

See you there AddiKts!

Saranghamnida,
Unnie & Dongsaeng!

*****************EDIT***************
Thank you so much to all of you who participated in the JYJ Solidarity Day on FB & Twitter!  We had so much fun!  We should do a JYJ Solidarity Day everyday!!  Oh heck yeah!  Any day my FB & Twitter feeds fill up w/ hawt pics of JYJ is an awesome day to me.  It was like opening dozens of boxes of Happy!

TCA received emails & Tweets & FB messages & even comments on this here blog.  The outpouring of love for JYJ from our readers & fellow AddiKts was overwhelming for this crazy ahjumma!  Thank you for your wonderful support for JYJ.  Over the last few years they have treated us w/ amazing music, beautiful voices, sexy hot dance moves & humor & love, & exemplary examples of dignity & grace.  We know that none of the JYJ boys or any of  our fav K Idols will ever read this here modest little ahjumma post/blog & that they are completely unaware that it's even here, which is totally fine...we don't do this for them.  We do it for you guys!  {{and for ourselves because we're AddiKts too!}}  However, I am so glad that we could help spread the word on such talented guys.

And AddiKts thank you again for the lovely things you said about Dongsaeng & myself.  It was a very emotional day today.  Knowing that we have helped even a few of you to not feel so alone in the lovely K World & that you love us as much as we love you, has made the many, many late nights writing, drafting, organizing these blog posts so worth it all.  {{I doubt CA will agree with me there...he misses his wife.  Giggle.}}  But to me, & I know to Dongsaeng, it means the world.

Komawo chingus.  Saranghae!
구마워 친구를.  사랑해!
Thanks friends.  (We) Love you!
Unnie

Unnie's Wednesday Write Up: The Flip Side of the KPop Sparkle

While perusing various ideas for this week's WWU I decided to once again poll friends & readers to see if any of them could help me unblock the writer's block.  Just some topic that would spark an interest in my brain & get it moving again.  Thank you peeps for the many creative ideas that now reside on my iPad for future use.  Then I saw an article that a friend posted on FB, that detailed the recent mistreatment of one of my favorite KPop stars, Kim Junsu (Xiah) of JYJ.  What he had to endure at the hands of one of the top entertainment companies in Seoul, is deplorable.  Now to be honest this is not the first time this company or one of its underlings has snubbed our lovely Junsu or the rest of the guys from JYJ.  Oh no.  It's just another example of the blacklisting & bullying our boys have had to endure in the last 3 years.

Pardon me AddiKts as I take a brief departure from our usually light hearted topics & delve a little deeper into a subject that I feel very strongly about.  I hope that you stick through this post & hear my plea at the end. I am one of those people that have never been able  to sit idly by & allow people to be bullied.  No I have always done by my best to stand up for those I see being treated unfairly, unjustly or with cruelty.  Will my little post make a difference I highly doubt it but at least I went down fighting the only way I could.

Let's get back to my topic this week....
Now most of you already know of the details as to why JYJ has been blacklisted (IE Banned) by the beasts of the South Korean Entertainment industry, aka SMEntertainment & SBS, but there are a few of you that are unaware of the details, so for you I will give a few background details...

In 2004 a new group called, DBSK entered into the world of K Pop.  The group included 5 incredibly talented young men.  Including the 3 men who would later go on to form JYJ.  What happened?  Well the boys, who were all signed by SMEnt, as TEENAGERS, entered into a grossly unfair contract.  A contract that would then give the bulk of their earnings back to the conglomerate SME, something that SMEnt is well known for doing. Taking advantage of the talent it signs at incredibly young ages.  Thereby leaving their talent, {{with all their hours & hours w/ very little sleep or down time because they are too busy; training, touring, promoting, singing, dancing, entertaining, as if they were slaves w/ very little to show for their hard work, sincere effort, sweat & tears}} out in the cold, contract wise.  Figuring out that this contract was grossly unfair, 3 of the 5 members of DBSK, 5 years later, decided that they would try to renegotiate their contract, all to no avail.  Here is where it gets tricky.  What happened to the other 2 men?  No one really knows.  No one knows for sure if it was all 5 men wanted out of the contract & the other two changed their minds, or if the other 2 were pressured to change their minds or if they were never a part of the break away to begin with.  Only those parties on the inside would know those details of the break up, and so far no one is talking.  The other 2 men, also incredibly talented stayed w/ SME & continued to be DBSK.  Meanwhile Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun & Kim Junsu decided to take their case to the courts.  And they won.  Their contract was declared invalid by the court.

Once the court declared the contract invalid,  they thought they were free of the SME snare.  However, they have found themselves in quite the opposite of that original belief....this story is far from over.  Appeals were filed, of course.  Years of dragging this & the guys through the court systems.  Hearing after hearing all with no clear answer or ruling.  During all this court drama, allegedly SM began what amounts to nothing more than coercion, bribery, blatant blackmail, strong arming, & threatening.  Proving they are nothing more than playground bullies, who then "encouraged" the entire student body to blacklist the students, in this case JYJ.

Even though the men of JYJ won in court, SM once again, Allegedly - stepped in to interfere by ensuring that their contract w/ a Japanese based entertainment/production company, that was helping them to become JYJ,  would be stalled.  They have had numerous other troubles as well... everything from having a hard time getting passport clearances that would then enable them to promote their new album, to not being allowed to perform their songs on the stages of Inkigayo.  No wonderfully fun & zany appearances on variety shows, & certainly no interviews scheduled to help promote themselves.  Imagine being blacklisted & banned by your own countrymen?!?!   Now Allegedly - SME has managed to not just influence the South Korean entertainment companies to keep the men of JYJ off their stages but they have also somehow managed to allegedly attain control of the courts.  As once again the court's final decision has been delayed...this time...indefinitely.  When will this nightmare for our beautiful JYJ end?  Who knows.


Now what prompted my tirade against SM?  Well this week, Kim (Xiah) Junsu was invited to perform at the 32nd National PARA Games Opening Ceremony, hosted by none other than SBS.  A concert that was promoted w/ his name in full use for the event, drawing in thousands of fans.  He was scheduled to be the last performer of the evening.  However, just before the group ZE:A went on, Allegedly - SBS introduced them as the last performance of the evening.  And when ZE:A was done, the cameras were turned off & packed away.  At this point the MC for the night came back on stage & announced to the waiting & probably confused audience that Junsu was the actual last performance of the evening.  Remember by this point the cameras were packed, the show was no longer being filmed or airing on TV.  Did this blatant & disgusting show of blacklisting stop our Junsu?  No.  He went on stage w/ his beautiful smile showing the audience & the world that he was not going to be pushed under or aside by anyone.  By all accounts, he performed his songs full of energy & happiness, telling the audience he was "grateful to be invited to such a wonderful event" & then going on to say that this was his "first official gig as a solo artist and he was so happy to be there." 

Now there is a classy, graceful, intelligent, caring & inspiring man if ever there was one.  Our Junsu ever the dignified & gracious gentleman.  I was so proud of him!  What an example of grace under fire.  I applaud his humanity.  Thank you for your heart Junsu.  It's one of the reasons you are so loved by so many adoring fans.  

While my heart breaks for this amazing man, my insides seethe w/ anger at the injustice & cruelty of SBS & SME & the other cowardly companies who refuse to stand up to SM.  While the South Korean entertainment industry are patting themselves on the back for garnering attention around the world for the success of Psy's Gangnam Style, they are at the same time trying to push down one of the most talented & creative men/groups around, just because he & his fellow JYJ members had the audacity to stand up for themselves & ask for fair treatment & to be properly compensated for their grueling schedules.  THIS is the prime example of the "Flip Side of the KPop Sparkle".   Does this mean South Korea or all of the entertainment world found within are corrupt?  Of course not, what a ridiculous conclusion to jump to.  These few men that seem to hold the most power & influence seem to be the main reason things are bad for artists.  Remember what they say, "With absolute power, comes absolute corruption".  I think these conglomerates have way too much money & avarice & are as corrupt as they can be, which has gone to their heads & they have forgotten how to be decent human beings.  

The South Korean entertainment industry is known for its hard, tightly packed schedules for its talent.  Schedules that go all night long, filming schedules, concerts after concerts, promotional tours, endorsement deals, interviews.  Very little sleep, improperly balanced diets & it leaves our favorite K Idols exposed & vulnerable to car accidents, health issues, exhaustion, & I imagine is responsible for a big portion for the depression & suicide problems facing SK artists.  For a prime example of exhaustion leading to accidents, there was the huge car accident that nearly killed 3 members of the sensational group Super Junior, several years ago.  Which btw also happen to be a K Pop group under SMEnt.  There are no unions in South Korea & these companies work these men & women to the bone.  

I have not heard of this kind of malfeasance since McCarthyism took root in Southern California in the 50s & destroyed the careers & lives of anybody who stood up for themselves in the entertainment industry.  Today this would never fly in the US, where the talent gets final say in their contracts & their schedules.  Maybe you'd say US stars are spoiled & pampered too much, & I would wholeheartedly agree.  And I believe there are few to none of our US stars, that have 1/10 the same work ethic that our favorite K Idols have.  Do I still love K Pop & K Drama & South Korea?  Oh heck yeah!  But these things need to be changed.  These artists are human beings & they deserve to be treated fairly & paid fairly for the amount of work they put in.  They need to be protected from the greed & corruption they are forced to tolerate day in & day out. 

To that end I have a message for these corporations pushing out pop idols like automatons on a conveyor belt & pushing the talent to the breaking point.  Just so you know SME, & your dirty partners in crime, you know who you are btw, you can pat yourselves on the back for all the awesome attention that the KPop phenom is garnering.  But this means that the world is noticing you as well, which means the world is going to notice the dirty details soon enough.  You can only hide it for so long.  Then the whole thing will burst open & all your shady "under the table" dealings will be shown in the light of day.  

I will do my best to help expose you for the slime bags you really are, you might be saying who cares what a stay at home mom in the US thinks of all of this?  And you are probably right.  I am just a stay at home mom.  I live in the safety & comfort of my upper middle class white suburban neighborhood.  In the middle of nowhere Wisconsin.  I am little and yes I admit, to you, I am even insignificant.  But haven't you ever noticed how the little guy always wins in the end?  And eventually all of us little guys & girls will amount to one great big voice & we won't be silenced so easily.   Then like Daniel in the Lion's Den we'll prove that you, the evil in this story, cannot win.  Bullies never win.  Someday someone or something is going to stop you & justice will prevail.  Until that day I will continue to cheer on all of the JYJ members.  I will cheer for their hard earned success & I will cry at their conquests.  They say that it isn't surviving the trial that shows who you are, but surviving the trial w/ grace & dignity & a smile on your face.  So far I think JYJ is the winner.  All you are doing is proving you are too ignorant to see you are showing your true colors to the world by your treatment of these amazing men.    

The saddest part of the whole thing is that all of us who were not able to be there in the beginning of DBSK & witness them as the powerhouse they were.  Oh we have their YouTube MVs & fancams of their concerts etc... but if you have ever gone back & listened to their albums or seen their performances it is very obvious that this was THE group.  I am so sad that I will probably never get to see all 5 men together on stage or in a new MV.  I weep at the loss of friendship between the JYJ guys & Yunho & Changmin, the other 2 men of DBSK.  I can't imagine the heart break that JYJ has had to endure through their trials w/ their bullies.  How terrifying it must be to think your own countrymen have ill will & grudges against you.  The trials of dealing with all of this must be exhausting.  Emotionally, mentally & yes even physically.  To feel as though you are constantly having to fight so hard just to make small gains in your career.  Jaejoong, Yoochun, & Junsu we are on your side.  We pray for you.  We weep alongside you.  We support & encourage you to keep following your dreams & never let the bully win.  

Keep your friendship strong & continue to give us beautiful happy pictures of your sweet bromance...

My favorite JYJ picture.  They are so sweet & cuddly here.  

I leave you AddiKts with this plea to please, of ALL the posts you read on TCA, that THIS one you share.  Like it, Google + it, Pin & re-pin when you see the pin on Pinterest, help spread the word.  SME & SBS & their dirty dealings need to be exposed.  Do I really think TCA can make a difference?  No, not really.  We are small & insignificant.  But all of our voices combined can make a difference.  Even if its just to help the men of JYJ see that they are not alone, we are all rooting for them & love them.  Sometimes that is all that is needed.  They need to see our hearts.  Another way you can help is by signing this Twitition to try & get SBS to apologize to JYJ.  It may not actually happen but anyway we can get the word out helps.  

Until next week....

Saranghamnida, 


P.S. All of my sources for this Ahjumma Article can be found at the following links.
Twitlonger
American K Pop Fans
Asia Sentinel