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AllMy Days!! I am so pleased you are back on this thread! I am only a K Pop newbie and want to learn more about all other worthwhile acts. EXO just happens to have grabbed my attention the most but I don't want to be the dumbass who incessantly fangirls one group only. Forgive me if I post a lot about them for now while I also find out more about GD, BEAST, 2NE1 and others. I still have so much to soak up!

Oh so that's Dujun. He was very watchable in the Adrenaline MV. And too bad about Junhyung because he is clearly very good-looking! T.O.P's hair is SO amazeballs! It has got to the point where I would seriously consider getting a cut like that for me (don't know if you are familiar with UK girl group The Saturdays, but Frankie's asymetrical short hair with long front fringe has always fascinated me). However, what looks hot on guys and Frankie may not work on other women. I saw a Japanese criticism on a website recently over one of their idol's new short hair and look: "She looks like a middle-aged housewife who is tired of life" lol. I haven't seen many Korean women in K Pop with shorter hair. Most love long and the hyper girly look.

Junhyung? Dujun? I need an EXO style face-sheet for this group. And for ShiNEE and Super Juniors too. All these K Pop groups yet to discover! It's crazy how good some of these guys look with platinum hair *looks at Exo's Kai/Sehun* OTOH I watched the MV Wolf (by guess who) and couldn't warm to the song. The chorus line, holy [!@#$%^&*]. "Ahoo Ulf Ahoo!" Plus Kai has dreadlocks and it looks so... not right.

Awwww little Tao! He certainly took Kris's leaving to heart -- he went all out on Instagram/Facebook. He does seem sensitive (and you forget how young these kids really are when you watch the MVs). Maybe because he's living in Korea, away from home, and still learning Korean -- in some of the Showtime stuff, he seems to lean on Suho for support. He kind of hero worships him. It's funny because from his angular face, I just assumed he was diva-ish but not so much, maybe. I wouldn't watch EXO Showtime religiously unless you are a major, major fan of the group (which I am prob on the way to becoming at this rate) and just cannot get enough of them. It was cute but obviously very controlled in that what you see is what SME want you to see. Still, the first episode was helpful in that it helped me with facial recognition, lol. Like, now I can recognize Suho, Xiumin and Chen in addition to my lovely Sehun/Kai/Tao/Luhan (it's harder when he's not Sparkly Princessing himself up)/Kris (not that it matters anymore). ... Speaking of Beast, Cheap, here is Adrenaline in Japanese: And here are Omonatheydidnt!'s thoughts on the MV (if you want a laugh): http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13255077.html

It is going to be a long weekend here so I cannot wait to watch these ! I keep hearing about Crush, it must be a big song for the group. And yes, Omonanotheydidnt is a great place to check out if you like K Pop... Fans tend to post new stuff almost as soon as it comes out. I have to say, though, I am not crazy about 2NE1's "Minnesota Sweater" theme in some of these promo pics. Unless it's irony! The cool thing about that GD MV in London is how little out of place GD looked in it. In fact, he looked like he fit right in with the city! Sometimes these J Pop or K Pop groups do a MV in a foreign country (NYC seems to be popular), and they look a little awkward and out of place. The only ones that didn't IMO where Japanese dance group World Order where the whole thing is tongue in cheek and playing on Japanese stereotypes. So I watched the first episode of EXO Showtime on YouTube and I think I can see why you like Suho! He is hilarious and definitely has a lot of authority in the group and works overtime to make everybody laugh and in good spirits. He is probably trying to make up for the fact the Kris is withdrawn and aloof. Watching the episode in hindsight was very revealing because Kris definitely put up a wall between himself and the group, and it is clear how unhappy he was with the whole idea of being a K Pop "idol." He does eventually warm up towards the end of the episode, though, and even laughs at himself, which was reassuring because at first he seemed cold and standoffish. However, he doesn't seem to share the same closeness with anybody the way Suho and D.O. do, or Tao and Kai. As for the others, Kai seems to be the recipient of many a boy-crush within the band, lol. He must be considered one of the better dancers, too. And Tao appears much shyer than I expected. Finally, Sehun is fast becoming a joint favorite with Luhan for me. Not sure why. He just exuuuuuuuuudes cool IMO. So there you go -- favorite EXO-K member: Sehun. Fave EXO-M member: Luhan.

Or allowed to define this season of NY (which I am loving btw). IA with everything you posted, Eric (and I say that as someone who likes both Ramona and Kristen).

Finally! An Asian girl group I can get behind. I have kind of been avoiding them because of all the underage schoolgirl/subserviant little pixie undertones that seem to appeal to 45-year old Japanese salarymen. 2NE1 look like they are more fun than that. Love the girl in the Crazy Vest! BTW, have you seen this? 2NE1's Gotta Be You promos? http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/13258767.html As a London resident, I love that GD came over here to shoot a MV and he fits right inn with that whole East End vibe of that MV. I like that he mixes genres, too. This guy must appreciate all kinds of music and has the musical ear/judgment to put together unexpected combinations. I am going to have to ask you why Suho is your fave and D.O. your #2. Obviously I can see why D.O. is high on your list -- the singing, the swagger. Suho is the one who does the hoppity bunny move in the middle of Growl, right? BTW, did you say earlier that Kris was your favorite? I think I have nominated Pink Hair as my current fave because of that shrug/head flick/finger snap in Growl. Sehun, Kai, D.O., Lay, Tai and Kris are all close behind, though. OK, I am going to stop now because you must be tired of responding to all my random, "beginner K-Pop" posts, lol.

Well, consider me STILL completely confused, because I cannot tell Luhan and Sehun apart! OK, let's see if I get this right. I am guessing (based on Growl) that Lady Face/Pink Hair is Luhan. Honestly, I cannot take my eyes off him in this MV. Because, obvs. WHO is this hot piece next to Luhan? Is he the guy in your avatar and siggy? I'm going to go with... Chen of the leopard-print (bwahaha!) in Overdose? Kris is the easiest for me to pick out, weirdly, because he's the tallest and coolest-looking. It sucks that he's left. Silver Hair. Sehun? I'm starting to think that he's one of the best dancers. I am told this is Kai. Clearly crazy-hot: Tao looks like a diva in the most fabulous possible way: So basically THIS ...is ZERO help whatsoever because they all change their hair color every other day! I have to say I prefer the first version of Growl because of the dancing and transitions. And thank you for the BigBang MV! I have heard of G-Dragon but have never really checked out a lot of his stuff. Obviously going to now. BTW, Beast looks like they mix a little punk pop in their stuff.

Growl is awesome. I love the transitions too and baby-face Luhan snapping his fingers, snapping his head and hoisting his shoulders... who knew he was such a lady killer?! Yeah Jpop is a little too ballady and cutesy, and I cannot abide the girl groups who are a little too little-girly for my taste. There is KAT-TUN, but even then they look so sedate. Kpop is so much more exciting and inventive next to them! I love their hip hop stuff. I guess what I like about Jpop is that some of them do really fun J dramas too, and I enjoy those. Matsumoto Jun especially. I will have to check out Beast and Junhyung's stuff, though. Thanks for the head's up!

I assume that Growl has already been spoken about here but I figured it was worth posting again because it is SO catchy:

By the way, what's the consensus on Jun Hyoseung (Korea's wannabe Beyoncé) and her first single Goodnight Kiss? I'm finding it kind of budget.

Kris -- he really was one of the hottest. I love his white suit. BTW, your siggy reminds me of the fast flamenco-claps beat in "Overdose" which is perhaps my favorite part. And it's so funny seeing how far they have come from "MAMA" in some ways. I can't believe I didn't go out to the Far East before -- oh, wait, I know why. Because my firm kept postponing this trip for, like, 8 years and because I really couldn't afford to do it otherwise. And I haven't actually got to South Korea yet! I was sent to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore instead (but am already lobbying to go to Seoul for a work trip, lol). Still, Korean music and TV is EVERYWHERE out there. Ironic considering that tensions between Japan and Korea are at an all-time high, and yet K-Dramas pull in the ratings and K-Pop is huge. I can see why. K-Dramas are all about forbidden romance and tragedy and huge emotions, and K-Pop goes that extra mile, I think. It is more R n B, the beats and the dance routines are more catchy and extra. K-Pop has really internationalized their music (thanks also to Koreans living in major US hubs like NYC and LA, I suspect) and put their own spin on things (kind of like how Samsung took the i-phone, tweaked it and made it... better?). Anyway, all this to say that I am now obsessed by it ALL. It is a total addiction. I want to learn Mandarin, Korean and Japanese, like, immediately (currently learning Japanese only because, you know, full-time job and all). If I had the opportunity to live over there for a while, I would in a heartbeat (even though it would be difficult to get to know native Japanese/Koreans/Cantonese at first). Cheap, you are in the Tri-State area, right? Are there opportunities to learn Korean (if you wanted), or do stuff linked to Korean culture and pop culture? I'd say: plan for that 10-day trip to Korea if you can. Doesn't have to be this year necessarily, but save some money, check out some flight deals, go with a US tour group if you have to, then run out and explore Seoul's trendiest areas! Soak up the music! Eat yummy food! Go with any Korean-Americans if you can. At the very least, it would be a unique vacation experience.

I keep watching EXO-M's version in particular over and over again because even though both versions are practically identical, the EXO-M one is giving me everything! Especially when they segue into their suits for the big finale, the move on the chorus of Overdose is ace -- and then one of them (Tao? ) does that amazing front flip. Holy [!@#$%^&*]! To think, we will only see 5 of them perform that killer routine in Mandarin. Because obvs there is no going back for Kris at this point. They say he is into launching an acting career, perhaps he can be the next Mike He (big Taiwanese drama star). And yes perhaps SME will learn their lesson but somehow I doubt it. I really like Love, love, love. First time I've heard it. Cheap, I went to Asia in March for work and got into the music and dramas over there. I am wearing out my computer watching all this stuff! My siggy and avatar are of Park Shin Hye and Lee Wan who were in the crazy-tragic Korean melodrama Tree of Heaven which is basically Wuthering Heights but with Korean teens living in Japan. I am tempted to get EXO on there at some point though. Like, Arashi was huge in Japan when I was there (Matsumoto Jun, you hot piece, you), but their songs and dance routines are not a patch on EXO's.

Whoever conceptualizes EXO's choreography (for that video specifically) is the BOMB -- because that whole routine I want to learn! EXO always give good dance. So obviously all this has been overshadowed by the fact that Kris has left EXO-M and is suing SME (EXO's production company). Asian Junkie has been covering it well since the beginning, but here is their latest post: http://www.asianjunkie.com/2014/05/exo-m-members-an-amusing-sasaeng-report/ I... can see why he left (these music companies are ruthless when it comes to milking their young cash cows to the point of overexhaustion), but I can also understand why the remaining EXO members feel blindsided.

Gah, didn't realize there was a thread on this board. Off to look for it now.

I can't with any of the Atlanta husbands, Todd aside tbh. If Peter is Papa Smurf then Greg must be Granpappy Smurf. He just says whatever Nene tells him to and hobbles around looking lost. Papa Smurf thinks he's all that and a bag of chips, and he really isn't. Apollo? His horrendous behavior this season and terrible rap sheet speak for him. Todd is by far the most reasonable and rational of the husbands but given how badly some of these RH husbands end up looking, you never know what SL they throw him next season. Cheap, on a completely OT note, I am dying to hear your thoughts about k-pop, and specifically the EXO meltdown currently underway, lol.

Exactly. And guess what's coming up? And guess what I don't want to watch anymore? NJ. NJ feels like an exhausting, needy relationship that I just cannot go back to anymore.

Damn, that was Sharon?! I totally thought it was Marysol, too! Sigh, my RHoM. Lea, Marysol, Alexia, Ana, Adriana... how I miss you! Speaking of Sharon of the OC, I didn't warm to her in the first episode but I am now really loving her and how she doesn't pretend her marriage is uber-perfect. Vicki -- hate her trying to justify every shoddy thing she has done as selfless and giving. She is dickmatized by that wrinkly old perv and is willing to throw anybody under the bus (including her daughter) in order to rationalize keeping him on as her chewtoy. Um, Heather is obviously snooty, pretentious and cold, but I still love her (and Dr. Terry) for it. She shouldn't have gone running to Eddie about Tamra's pregnancy issues, though. That is a HUGE no-no in the Girl Friend Code! I hope she quits too but prob for different reasons than you! I did think I wanted her to have her own show but IMO it is Lisa's interaction with the other HWs (specifically Kyle) that makes RHoBH. It is this frenemyship that keeps bringing the drama and, unfortunately, the hurt. But most of all, I need all the HWs of BH away from my screen for a while. I am burnt out by all of them.

Bingo!

AGREE with so much here (except that I love Carole!). Honestly, it makes me happy to watch RHONY right now. And LuAnn is bitchtastic perfection. Jacques (LuAnn: "Jahhhhhhhhhhh-kuh") unfortunately caught an attack of the uglies this season.

There was a VT shot when Kristen was literally without words and (I thought) on the point of tears after Ramona bitched her out. Maybe I'm getting things confused, though. I only watched the episode once and all in one sitting.

Just because I love you so much (and, hell, Heather too): You know I don't hate on Gwyneth like some people! Hello -- Winona + Gwyneth 4-eva! But I do think she is divorced consciously uncoupled from reality. Which is fine -- 99% of Hollywood are -- but the problem is, she thinks she isn't. She thinks she is making people's lives better by dispensing advising about puy lentil, ginger and radish carpaccio being a great system cleanser and buying $15,000 crystals to balance all that important chakra. Kristen did not come off badly (although she really shouldn't have started the discussion with Aviva. With Ramona, she was well within her rights to call her out about Heather's party) but Aviva just treated her really nastily at the playgroup (and obviously disdains her) while Ramona came at her and just shut her down. Ramona was a real bitch to her and Kristen was almost in tears but, to be fair, that is Ramona. Ramona does not pretend to be sweetness and light and then get underhanded behind the scenes (and I know what are you thinking *cough*BH*cough* but we're not going there!). Her underhandedness is evident for all to see. She thinks she is really good at it, too, but the cameras catch her looking pleased with herself after and it is hilarious. To me. Eh. Bethenny. Overrated. Sonja... gosh, I feel for Sonja so because about +5 years ago I was going through a difficult, drawn-out time and denying just how depressed and overwhelmed I was (things are SO much better now so there is light at the end of the tunnel, folks). Therefore, I can't help watching Sonja from that perspective and really feeling for her, and am sort of invested in her crazy self triumphing against the odds.

RHoNY: I am deeply, deeply in love... with NY this season! It prob isn't getting anywhere near the ratings it used to get back in the "glory" days, but I think the group is as good as the original six. In fact, I actually love this group more because Jill was such a toxic weight, Kelly and Cindy were awful, and Bethenny's voice really bothered for about the first two seasons. This week's episode felt like Season 2 RHoNY, with the Hamptons (woah at Mario and Ramona's amazing Hamptons home. Who knew?) and the "channeling Ralph Lauren" parties and every HW pretty much featured equally. Basically I love each lady on the show, even though they are hardly without flaws. Sometimes it is their flaws which make them so watchable *cough*Aviva*cough* Mario is so hot, and was even hotter flirting with Carole. I am so wrong for even thinking that. And damn at all the cheating digs going on in the episode! Carole is obsessed with Aviva's diss of her but after Aviva pulled out her book to condescendingly congratulate her on a "job well done," I can see why Carole is so pissed. Aviva thinks she is so magnanimous and giving and supportive and saintly; in fact she is mostly deluded. In some ways she is a lot like Gwyneth Paltrow. Heather is upfront with everybody, it is really refreshing. Especially when she confronted Ramona right away about why she didn't come to her party. She kept it light and simple. It's so funny how she knows exactly how to handle slippery Ramona. Kristen vs. Aviva and Ramona. First of all Aviva is a hypocrite not wanting to discuss things and pretending to be offended about the bug-eyed toy "on Ramona's behalf." Bitch, please. You have called Ramona much worse. Kristen was, of course, completely out-maneuvered by "do as I say, not as I do" OCD Aviva (OCD people will always have their bases covered) and of course Pinot McCrazyEyes. I love Kristen but she is an innocent little Bambi, cowering in the woods from big-game hunters hungry for some veal chops. Pinot McCrazyEyes is shady, a bitch, totally self-absorbed, [!@#$%^&*]-stirrer extraordinaire but still the queen of this franchise. I also believe that she loves Sonja and only wants the best for her. Her comments were only to wake Sonja up to prioritizing what is really important. Sonja is obviously reeling with one big loss after another and is partying to try and escape from thinking about it. Because the thought of losing my home would put a giant knot in my stomach. LOVE LuAnn is defacto HW and snooty Greek chorus to the whole damn thing.

LOL OMG I totally missed that. It looks like Porsha's foot actually makes contact in the first gif.

Lisa and Gina. Somebody somewhere needs to make this happen!