Cat

I just listened to the album, too. In fact, I listened to Stay With Me, 1AM, the Intro and Nose Mouth Lips twice. I appreciated NML a lot more the second time, too. Stay With Me is awesome. I love the 80s-90s RnB influences all over this album, and how soulful his voice is. BTW, I heard that CL sang backing vocals on Body??

So they are going for a new image too? I was all for it until I saw three of them in knickerbockers. Actually scratch that. I sort of like the executive shorts look. If anybody can pull off shorts with high socks and loafers, it is K Pop idols.

Thanks for the translations. Eyes, Nose, Lips is so pretty. But sad, lol, as you might expect from the MV. I can't wait to listen to the whole album but I am at work right now. LOL, re: the tats, that's ok. I don't need a gun tat pointing down my pants either. In the MV he did have some tats on his arm and neck in Portuguese (translated as "one love" and "one heart") but they are probably fake as well. I'm not a big lover of tatoos so it's no big loss IMO. LOL, it must be promotion for a clothing line. Luhan's is my favorite, as is Kai's (and his shoes). Suho: Deep thoughts. D.O.: Please don't kill me, thirsty fangirls. Luhan: New EXO-M leader. Tao: Over this [!@#$%^&*]. Chen: You want me to stand on this rotating soundstage with my hands on my head like a doofus? Kai: :::SIDE EYE::: Here's the mash-up:

One can only hope there's no false advertising. I like the last pic especially but hey, where did some of his tats go?

I wasn't expecting a slow ballad as the first release (not after the teaser), but I like it. I like the simplicity of the song, and the simplicity of that one-shot MV. Pulling away from his face to reveal that body lol you can see Taeyang and his management are keen to sell this album And then the fireball that really gets the song moving. I wish I understood Korean so I could get the song's meaning, I think that would make me appreciate Eyes Nose Lips much more. By the way, is that a picture of him or his first love being decimated by fire behind him?

Don't get me wrong, I loved me some Queen Bitch Dina back in Season 1. But tbh I think she got spooked when Danielle (the TRUE queen) outsmarted and outbitched her in every way. So she left in S2 (ran more like) for her own show on HSN but IMO that was a borefest and she looked like she couldn't have cared less about the people's houses she was doing over. Then she appeared one more time on NJ to support Teresa and trash her sister. Like, I don't hate Teresa and I think Caroline is a blowhard, but Dina shouldn't have gone out of her way to do that. Not when she was posting in her blogs peace/love/happiness and she has faith in God that she and Caroline will one day reconcile. Oh! She also didn't attend her favorite brother's wedding because he didn't want it to be featured on her home design show and went for RHONJ instead. Now she's back on NJ, too. Eh. I'm over her.

LOL, yep, Cheap broke ground with this K-pop thing on SON and 2 years later, I am now belatedly infected with the love of all things Korean. Cheap has Taeyang from the group Big Bang in her avatar (and a solo artist in his own right -- RnB) and he is manly HOT. And truly Swaggerlicious. I went for the kooky, adorkable, possibly-batting-for-the-men's-team Sehun from the group EXO. Because I love his intense eyes and the way he dances, lol.

I used to love bitch queen Dina so damn much. And then, I don't know, the love faded. OH, NO RHoNJ, you are NOT going to SUCK me BACK IN!!! P.S.: Regarding BH, I hope Lisa doesn't come back to the franchise. I will love her all the more for it. Maybe that will kill it dead but I doubt it. Bravo will keep it afloat in the hopes of keeping its loyal fans. If they brought back Camille fulltime, I might consider watching even without Lisa, but if it's just going to be the "Hi! I'm Kyle!! Aren't I fabulous?" show with Brandi Glanville as her evil nemesis, then no thanks.

The first thing I did this morning was turn on my phone and look to see if it had been released. The Rise poster you posted said it would by 6/2/2014 but maybe it's just on i-tunes or something. "Offline release" on 6/10/2014, sigh. That really was an excellent interview (on a good website, too). I wonder if it was conducted in English? Taeyang was really honest about saying what he liked and didn't like in terms of his music, and even about difficulties within Big Bang. I hope Rise is a big hit for him. I would LOVE it if he released a mixtape of his all favorite stuff! For free!

I guess we assume that people in Asian have an iron grip on their emotions. But they just express them in different ways and contexts. And Koreans do show sadness and happiness more readily than, say, the Japanese. In EXO's case, at moments of high tension, they really let lose. Suho and Tao have all sobbed in public, and when Kris left, Suho and Tao were also the ones who went on Twitter or Instagram to express their feelings of sadness or betrayal (now, whether SM Entertainment pushed them to do that, I don't know, but it does illustrate who the two most emotional members are!). The crying jags may also be because SM work those poor kids to the bone and have done since their pre-debut days. Have you seen Luhan's legs and arms?! He looks like an Olympic gymnast. They train them constantly and as a result there often seem to be a lot of dance-related injuries. Many EXO members have sad eyes at times. It's no coincidence that Kris left -- he realized that Korean idol life -- and the price to pay for it -- was too high. Yeah, definitely. Remember my crazy Tao-Sehun post?! It was more or less in chronological order. The change in Sehun's baby face and height from early 2013 to the most recent shot of Tao hugging Sehun from behind (which was 2014, I think) is very noticeable. And I remember Chanyeol with his little face and ears in the early vids, lol. Now he looks so tall.

Your post ^^ made me look back at my previous post about Chanyeol smacking D.O.'s ass, and I now realize (judging by Chen's T-shirt as he runs over at the end) that the tumblr gifs was not from EXO's early days but rather last week's Seoul concert! Which puts Chanyeol's comment about D.O. being the most handsome (in your post) in the context of "Sorry for hitting your ass. In public. While you were singing and dancing." LOL! Grovel, Chanyeol! Man, I forget how incredibly young these kids are, and then you see shots like this and realize they are only babies still! D.O. and Luhan still look about 15. And your clips of Suho watching himself from two years ago -- agewise, I can't tell the difference between Suho then and now, apart from the hair which makes him look very angelic. "hello I am exo's guardian angel, leader suho!" embarrassment level: 100% Also saw Lay referred to as "healing angel Lay." WTF. I mean, I like Lay and all but perhaps they need to retire this 'exo superpowers' concept. It is hot. Look at that pout/snarl! So, did I get the wrong day? I have been looking for the release of Rise but maybe it is just available as a download only. If anyone has an idea of where I can find it, let me know.

Thanks for that link! I am really excited for Monday and the release of Rise. In fact, with work being so depressing at the moment, it is literally the only thing I am looking forward to on Monday. I really hope the teaser wasn't lying and that the Tears for Fears sample features in it because I love that song. Great live performance by Taeyang in Japan. ETA: ugh, hate posting from my phone!

This was published on my Tumblr feed and literally made me LOL. EXO -- when they were kids (literally) starting out: Happy dancing. Chanyeol slaps D.O.'s ass. D.O.: The !@#$%^&*], man? Quickly back to happy dancing. Chanyeol smacks D.O.'s ass again. D.O.: I'M GONNA FUCKIN KILL YOU. OMG at Twinkletoes dancing over to break things up.

OMG, can I come too? LOVE Tokyo! T.O.P. is intensely hot in that Reebok spot.

Same here! I had a crush on Sehun before I even considered he might be that way romantically inclined, but now that I've seen these two together on EXO Showtime and YouTube, I ain't bitter. In fact, I love them both all the more. It's part puppy love, part burning-hot attraction. Frankly, they are the cuteness.

LOL, thanks re: the avatar, he's totally adorkable IMO. And sorry again about all the gifs. I fell into Tumblr yesterday and there were so many hilarious ones, I literally couldn't climb my way out without grabbing at least 10. I love XOXO too, and didn't realize that they never released it as a single on its own. It is so melodious-- not to mention the title track on one of their albums. Honestly, though, I love the YouTube vid that a fan produced here. The hangul/romanji/English translations are the focus, as are the color-coordinated shots of whoever is singing (particularly love DO's!). It's simple, fluffy and to the point and works better than an actual MV -- which, in EXO's case, would prob be filmed in the same dark garage, or in the Korean version of Pottery Barn. I don't need to see EXO in matching pink sweaters, buttondown shirts, khaki pants and loafers swaying to the vocals, kthanx. You are right -- CL is beautiful, especially in that MV. I love her with that smooth dark hair. I think this is the most listenable 2NE1 song I have heard to date (not that I am an expert on many of their songs).

Forgot to respond to this part. I saw the Chinese version, and I honestly cannot choose between Baekhyun/DO and Chen/Luhan. Chen really impressed me with his singing -- once again I feel like I have been overlooking this guy who is really talented. And Luhan's voice was so light and sweet. The only funny moment was Lay's English at the beginning and he said "gull" for "girl," but I found it endearing and totally understandable. I am impressed by EXO-M in general, though -- their version of Overdose was cleaner (in song) and more focused ( dancewise) than EXO-K's. Their dance version of History was cleaner, too. But D.O.'s voice is a big asset for EXO-K and he rocks both ballads and faster tracks. He comes alive when he sings, just like Kai is completely blissed out when he dances. LOL somebody on AsianJunkie posted that losing Kris was one thing, but if Kai or DO ever decided to make a run for it, SM would make sure to burn their passports and send ninja assassins out after them, lol. Songwise, it was a really good move for SM to release a ballad like this after the heavy dance tracks of Mama and History because it got to showcase their versatility. It must have worked for the group because they also released a string of love ballads right after that, and then Miracles in December. And then choosing to go back to dance and Growl was another wise shift. IMO the only really wrong move has been Wolf (or "Wurf" as they pronounce it in the song).

I never thought Suho would suit the blonde locks (I don't think D.O. would, either. Don't get me wrong, I love D.O., he's so cute and shy and cuddly, but I'm not sure that blonde is for him) but it does. He looks really cute! Blonde also really suits Kai whose luscious mouth you can just see on the right and who is truly one of the most beautifully-looking people Korea has ever produced. And then on the left, you have my lovely, kooky, awkward Sehun giving us the Smize. lol. I am completely infatuated. Also: I am pretty convinced that he and Tao are in a romantic relationship IRL. On EXO Showtime, they are literally always together, getting into mischief. Be warned -- I kind of went nuts on Tumblr: Early days of EXO (well, early 2013): That third gif, lol. Self-explanatory. Tao gave Sehun a bracelet. On EXO Showtime: Work it Tao. Lover's tiff. Growl promotion: LOL At the MaMa Awards. Tao invited Sehun to spend Chinese New Year with him and his parents in China this year. Hmmmmm.

First of all, love love LOVE your avatar! And your signature! I sense that BigBang are currently in your #1 fave spot at the moment. Um, those pics of T.O.P. (am I correct?) with his natural hair color are so striking. Especially the last one. I love his eyebrows and his mouth, and the way his shirt is all messed up at the collar. Is "1 Year with CL" a reality show? Maybe I need to get into that to get to know CL. I have to say, I love the "deck of cards" design for the 2NE1 T-shirts. Is the second one CL with the dark hair swept over one eye? Because I like that one.

Our wires crossed! All I can say is one giant Unf to Taeyang boxing with his chain in his mouth. UNF, boy! I liked both songs you posted -- I think I might prefer Gray's one a shade more (even though the chick in it has a terrible nose job).

GD went to Paris, met Pharrell http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13289933.html#comments#comments and posed with Taeyang for a new photobook: I am also posting an older EXO song called What is Love, very ballad-y, RnB, back when they were just figuring out their image: Highlights: - Baekyun and D.O.'s soulful voices, - Kai's beautiful face. And beautiful jacket. - face-twins Luhan and Sehun randomly toasting marshmallows with each other (!).

Taeyang's Rise teaser spot!!!!!! I am definitely feeling the short blonde hair... the outdoor training... and the Tears for Fears sample at the end. Everybody wants to rule the world! Omonatheydidnt gives its verdict: http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13293504.html?page=1#comments Also up: 2NE1's dance version MV of Gotta Be You: http://youtu.be/q3r9trAy_vg Omona unimpressed. Maybe it's the sweaters they are wearing. http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13294131.html#comments#comments And 2NE1's Bom has caused some "controversy" on the reality show Roommates. http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13293817.html#comments#comments Korean controversy lol OMG. They should check out reality TV in the UK or US!

Speaking of Scandinavia -- I am listening to Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked And I am currently obsessed -- OBSESSED -- with EXO. This is Growl which is just awesome:

Cheap, I saw this on Omonatheydidnt and was just coming here to post this very image! Even though I don't know Taeyang's work (hello, next Monday!), that face. That back! Those arms. Unf. OMG, remember Psy? Gangnam Style! Everybody doing the cowboy? LOL. That seems a long way away from all this. Like a novelty song. BIGBANG and Beast are Must-Check Outs for me right now, though God knows if I had the time I would be on the internet all day surfing YouTube for all the bands you mentioned and their MVs. Like, Jay Park, GD and T.O.P. look really interesting. So does Gray. So do Junhyng and Junho.... I can totally understand your initial hesitation about trying new material because it does get to be an obsession -- I am more easily distracted at work now because all I want to do is replay Crooked or History or Growl in my head or something. It is scary how quickly this infiltrates your spare time. Thanks for your list!

At the risk of being EXOcentric... TY for posting this! I was worried that after the Krisis, EXO would quit major promotional work in a bid to regroup, but this gives me hope that they intend to continue as a unit of 11. Chen is growing on me. I haven't noticed him as much because Suho, Kai, Luhan and others get a fair amount of the spotlight, but he has a sweet smile. Suho has such charisma, no wonder he is leader. But lol at that fangirl screaming in the vid. Your #1 fan, Suho! Sehun, swooooooon. It is SO wrong the bias I have for this guy. I just adore him.