Album Review: BEAST- Good Luck

BEAST! *B2uty flailing*

K-Pop’s perfect boygroup BEAST are back, this time with a mini album! Knowing BEAST and the consistently high standard of music they bring, Good Luck is something to look forward to.

So, let’s go!

Album Review: Jun. K- Love & Hate

Review of Jun. K’s Japanese album, Love & Hate. Jun. K is 2PM’s main vocal, and this is his chance to really shine.

This whole album is just truly Jun. K. It’s displaying all the different aspects of his music and skills, and it has an added, distinct flavour of his unique, beautiful personality. If you’re a fan, this album is a joy. If not, you’ll still enjoy going on this ride with Jun. K.

Well then, let’s go.

My Thoughts On: Jun K’s No Love PV

Yes! A PV this time! It’s 2PM’s Jun K’s Japanese solo project. The PV I’ve decided to talk about is No Love, simply because I liked it better than I did Love & Hate. It was either this or my beautiful B2ST’s Adrenaline, and this one had more to talk about.

First off: I love Jun K. So, so much. His voice cleanses my heart and soul. I love his personality and humor code. I love his lyrics and composition (he did Game Over off 2PM’s last album, Grown, and that song is the shit). He is my sky and sun. (Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration).

Anyway, I was so excited to see he was going to have a solo project! So even though the name of the song is No Love, believe me, plenty of love is going into this post.

My Thoughts On: B.A.P's 1004 MV

Let me preface this by saying that the teasers of this really got me hyped, and let me tell you, TS released a lot of them. My Baby feels exploded for this release, and I was on when it was released real time (12:00 am KST, today!).

This song did not disappoint. The song itself is perfection. And coupled with the MV? Wow.

My Thoughts On: VIXX’s Voodoo Doll MV

VIXX is back, doing what they do best. Remember my last VIXX MV review, G.R.8.U? I think we only need to look at the title to know this song is nothing like G.R.8.U.

And, people, VIXX got their first music program win with this song! 1^st place on Music Bank, beating SISTAR’s Hyorin. I started this review a long time ago, before I posted the kusabi album review, but my Starlight feels have now exploded and I must finish it now.

I must warn you, the video is rated 19+, and even parts of the dance was banned. Don’t worry, the MV is not so bad. Seriously, all those people saying they were scared of the MV must’ve been watching it at midnight alone in a dark room. The video is certainly a little creepy, and definitely gory, but it’s all quite tasteful. Okay, that might’ve sounded a bit weird, but I’m currently formulating torture techniques for my fantasy story, so –shrugs-

The song is pretty damn good. Very VIXX. Dance, with that strong, longing edge that I’ve quite come to expect from a good VIXX title track. Ken sings quite a bit in this, and I love his voice here. And Leo is actually a pretty good vocalist; his ad-lib in this song, anyway, was quite good.

My J-Rock Exploits in Review (bands, PVs, etc) part 1

   A special thank you to the guys (and girls!) over at SЯ: JROCK UK UPDATER, who have rekindled my love of J-Rock, and helped me discover great artists. Thank you!

   So basically I'll be trying to regularly update the internet on what I've discovered in the world of J-rock, what's come out and how I liked it, and all that. Hopefully help at least one other person to discover something good.

Album Review: Seungri’s Let’s Talk About Love EP

My Seungri baby is back! Long overdue review, and not really an album, but who gives a fuck? This is all about Seungri and how awesome he is.

Okay, I will try to be unbiased, okay? But I mean this quite seriously, the EP is pretty damn good.

He's so gorgeous, I can't

My Thoughts On: Seungri's Gotta Talk To U MV

  BIGBANG's baby-no-more maknae is back, blowing any other artists out of your thoughts. With the upcoming release of Seungri's Let's Talk About Love, he's given us his new music video Gotta Talk To U, and as soon as I watched it I just had to jump behind my keyboard and talk about it.

My Thoughts On: VIXX’s G.R.8.U MV

(I wrote so much of this review, but then there was a power cut and I lost all of it ;_;)

Sorry B2ST, just saw this MV, and I adored it so much I have to write this >.<

Starlights, this is only my third VIXX MV, so if I make any mistakes, feel free to leave a comment and correct me :)

VIXX are back with the perfect summer song G.R.8.U, off their mini Jekyll. Warm colours, sweet smiles and lyrics, everything’s there in this MV that is sure to please. I have to warn you, though, I’m quite sure this was made keeping Starlights in mind, but if you like adorkable guys you’ll enjoy it.

My Thoughts On: B.A.P’s Hurricane MV

After releasing the tracklist and name of their new mini-album Bad Man, B.A.P have jumped on my radar again (don’t hate me, there was INFINITE and B2ST and Junsu). And so I’m finally getting this Hurricane MV review out there.

This MV has made quite a stir in the B.A.P fandom. Everything has really been looked at and talked about over and over– way more than the buzz over Coffee Shop. The MV has been loved and chuckled at, and usually both at the same time. As for me, I much preferred Coffee Shop, song and MV-wise.

The MV was filmed in Las Vegas, but for those of you worrying for the underage members (which is, like, all but two) there was no gambling or anything of the sort, and the only partying took place in a limo with no drinks and no chicks. But there was a stripper pole. That Daehyun was a little too fond of.

My Thoughts On: INFINITE’s Destiny MV

Yes, I know I said I’d be doing B.A.P’s Hurricane MV but I couldn’t help myself. It’s INFINITE’s Destiny.

This MV… I love it. Among all the explosive July releases, this MV (and song) fits my tastes the best, though B2ST’s Shadow is also close. Really, the song, the styling, everything about this MV is just what I love. I am totally an INFINITE fan now. Man in Love, my first song of theirs, I didn’t quite like. After being impressed by both Special Girl and Without You by INFINITE-H, I was put on the fence by The Chaser. Before the Dawn and Destiny, however, have totally won me over. That and of course Ranking King.

My Thoughts on: XIA Junsu’s Incredible MV

-slaps self to keep from mindlessly fangirling-

Okay, here we go with the title track of Junsu’s new Incredible album which, if reports are to be believed, lives up to its name. Right here, though, I’ll just be talking about the MV.

The song Incredible is, in my opinion, pretty nice. The tune is catchy, Junsu sounds good (as if that’s news) and it’s great fun– in essence, the perfect summer song. I've got this song on damn repeat as I put in all the pictures and links. It's played like twenty times already and I'm not close to being sick of it.

I’m trying super-hard not to compare this with Tarantallegra. People, I fucking love Tarantallegra’s MV, regardless of what anyone else says. Incredible is nothing like Tarantallegra, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but the sad thing was I kind of (foolishly) expected it to be. Anyway, off we go.

July is an Awesome Month, People

And let me tell you why.

• Junsu had his comeback. I already put up my thoughts on his 11am Special Clip, and you can rest assured I’ll be putting one up for the Incredible MV soon. Also, he had his showcase, that I very narrowly missed out on, and instead spent the time immediately afterwards reading everyone’s tweets about him.

It’s not like I could’ve watched it anyway. Yes, there was a livestream, but internet connection is shit. So instead I just fangirled afterwards, while staring intently at pictures.

• B.A.P comeback! After Coffee Shop, B.A.P have released the teasers for their new Hurricane MV, out on the 17^th. I have no idea what to expect. At the time of writing I only have DaeJae teasers, and they look terribly posh (the video was shot in Las Vegas). The name, though, isn’t one you’d necessarily associate with posh. Still, I am so, so excited, and Daehyun and Youngjae look so, so good.

Wait, just got the Yongguk and Himchan teasers… why? Why do you part Himchan’s hair like that? Why?!

• B2ST comeback! 

-dies of B2uty pride rush-

    -comes back to fangirl-
After pre-released tracks Will You Be Okay? and I’m Sorry, B2ST have released the tracklist for their upcoming album, all songs having been co-composed by our super-awesome Junhyung. People, fangirling over B2ST is not anything cringe-worthy. It’s something to be proud of. B2ST are awesome, and you can expect awesomeness, because they will always deliver. I expect them to win a couple of music shows, alongside:

• INFINITE’s comeback. They are INFINITE. I’ve just very recently become an INFINITE fan (though I’ve long been a fangirl of Hoya), and it’s quite lucky for me too, since they’re coming back with new song Destiny. I adore the members, yes, but damn it if they beat B2ST because I will always be a B2uty first.

So what can you expect from me this month?

• A review post on Junsu’s Incredible MV
• A review of Junsu’s Incredible album, which is said to be spectacular (if I can get my hands on it, no promises)
• B2ST comeback song review (and their album, if I can)
• B.A.P’s Hurricane MV review
• INFINITE’s Destiny MV review

I don’t know if I can pull it all off, but damn it, I’m trying. Until then: 

There’s never enough Junsu.

My Thoughts On: Xia Junsu’s 11am Special Clip MV

People, I need to spazz over Junsu right now and I don’t care that it’s not really a ‘proper’ MV. It’s gorgeous and it must be spazzed over, and it’s the Special Clip MV off LOEN’s channel.

Okay, if you’ve even gone a little bit through my Tarantallegra post, you’ll know I adore Junsu. My sisters are convinced he’s my ultimate bias. I don’t have an ultimate bias. But damn it if Junsu’s not up there. This clip is just another spurring on of my fan-love. And I have to spazz more online, my sisters aren’t fans so I can’t fangirl around them.

The clip is shot all in one go, the first in Korea, CJeS says. Seriously, Junsu is so impressive in this. I can’t imagine how many times he had to film this. I’m just gonna put this out there now: Junsu looks gorgeous in this. (I’m actually adding this in after I’ve written a lot of the post.) This song is too sad, too serious, for me to just burst out how gorgeous he is in this, so I have to say it now. Let’s get his album teaser pic and one choice screenshot in:

I'm sorry, I'll admit I got lazy choosing the shot, but he's just amazing all through

My Thoughts On: B.A.P’s Coffee Shop MV

What’s this? A new MV I’m talking about? Yes, people, yes. I love B.A.P, so I’m putting aside my laziness and getting this shit done now.

Coffee Shop is the first of three title tracks in B.A.P’s new album, released on 28^th June, Daehyun’s birthday. Dae I love you. Watch it on TS’s official channel.

Okay, first off, Coffee Shop doesn’t have a usual K-pop MV. There’re no dance scenes, everything is shot outside, and we barely even have any group shots. It was filmed in the U.S, and I think they had International fans in mind when they did it, so this is a bit of a treat for us!

This MV is pure eye-candy. The guys all look so super gorgeous, and we get so many shots of them, so I have to limit my screen-caps to 20. This will be hard. My ‘Why so Serious?’ MV review had… twenty-eight screenshots. What? 28? Coffee Shop MV is much prettier. So… maybe 25. Yeah.

Hot K-Pop Guys Born In: June

First off, am I seeing this right? My Dongwoon post has more views than my Siwon post?

Of course, I'm pleased. Don't get me wrong, I love Siwon, but for too long I feel BEAST has been overlooked by international K-Pop fans. It's like they don't even recognise that Dongwoon's gorgeous.

Gorgeousness, people.

So, just as a little show of love to Dongie Pongie, I shall be having a little feature on all the K-Pop stars I know that were born in this month though I'm so dumb and this month is already ending.

Micky Yoochun (JYJ)- 4th June 1986

Confession: I don't find Micky Yoochun attractive, especially not recently. But he was adored for his looks in Korea, and honestly, it would be a crime not to include him.

AJ (U-KISS)- 4th June 1991

This picture is so adorable I can't

 Gather around, KissMes, as we fangirl over our charismatic kitty rapper that went to an Ivy League University.

Kim Hyun-joong (SS501/Solo singer)- 6th June 1986

Certified one of the best-looking idols out there, one of the stars of his generation, you must know Kim Hyun-joong.

Dongwoon (B2ST)- 6th June 1991

Oops, almost forgot our Dongie-Pongie! (The B2ST guys came up with the nickname, guys, not me) Shirtless picture, because I am kind. Started this whole post, and wow... just look at that guy.
Also, B2uties, spread the hotness. Tell people. He deserves more love. You can read my little feature on him, too.

CNU (B1A4)- 16th June 1991

Our handsome classical scholar, Shin Dong-woo, always in our hearts. And that hairstyle we will never forget.

Ryeowook (Super Junior)- 21st June 1987

Our cutie pie Ryeowook, we just have to have you, even if you're not exactly... 'hot'.

Yonghwa (CN: Blue)- 22nd June 1989

Nothing sexier than a man in a rock band, and lead vocalist to boot.

Nichkhun (2PM)- 24th June 1988

I have so many good Nichkhun pictures, but I've decided to go with the least touched-up and most adorable one

Love him or hate him, he was named the best face by plastic surgeons in Korea, and we cannot deny he is gorgeous.

Rain (Solo singer)- 25th June 1982

You must know Rain. If not for his fame, then at least for his scandals. He is Rain. Period.

Minhyuk (CN: Blue)- 28th June 1991

Second CN Blue birthday of the month, and this time it's the drummer! God, the good-looking guys in this band never end. (Actually, they do. They're only four members, after all)

Mika and Karam (The Boss)- 28th June 1990 and 1991

Left: Mika and Right: Karam

Another confession: I am not a fan of The Boss. But being rather versed in Yunho-Jaejoong-DBSK gossip, I know them (or more specifically, Karam). And I think it's so cute that they both have the same birthday, just one year apart. Especially since they have a ship, that is so cute I'm going to die.

Daehyun (B.A.P)- 28th June 1993

Daehyun! My great B.A.P bias, I adore him so. He's so loud, and always eating, and his voice is so deep and beautiful.

With his birthday still coming up, what we're gonna trend is still undecided, so think about casting a vote at this poll.
Also, B.A.P's new music video's coming out on his birthday, so give him and the band lots of love!

Dongho (U-KISS)- 29th June 1994

Second U-KISS birthday, and this time it's our adorable maknae. How we love this knitting, embroidering, slightly whiny kid.

N (VIXX)- 30th June 1990

Last June birthday, this time it's VIXX's leader N. Too many caps, but that silver hair still gets me, even if it is red now.

Well, that's all we have for this month. Next month we'll have Leeteuk, Doojoon and so many more.

My Thoughts on: Xia Junsu’s Tarantallegra

Junsu’s releasing an album. You are excited. That’s all there is to it.

Don’t say that you’re not excited. You are. If you say you aren’t you’re lying to yourself and to me.

Okay. Sorry about that, I’m alright now. Just got caught up in the craze. But yeah, Junsu’s releasing another solo album soon, and I’m be gonna sharing my thoughts on the title track of his previous one, Tarantallegra.

Bit of a mouthful, eh? Tarantallegra. Don’t worry, just enter ‘Junsu T’ in Google, and ‘Junsu Tarantallegra’ should be one of the recommended searches. Or click here to watch.

Actually, the name of the song comes from a spell in the Harry Potter series, one that makes you dance uncontrollably. Draco apparently used it on Harry in the second movie.

It’s an appropriate name.

Right, so this MV… let’s just say it’s pretty awesome. I downloaded it May 4^th this year, and I have watched it pretty much everyday since. Usually twice or three times. Because I’m weird and addicted.

Okay, in this MV, Junsu wears a lot of different outfits. I’m actually gonna count them as they come up, yeah?

My thoughts on: SHINee’s Why so Serious? MV

Another MV review-thing. This time it’s SHINee, with their new MV, Why so Serious? Yes, I know I’m late, but screw it! I love SHINee.

Okay, let’s get something very important out of the way. During this MV’s production, SHINee’s main vocalist Jonghyun was injured, so he doesn’t appear in it. In fact, they even re-recorded bits of the song with his vocals in it, so his voice isn’t even there. Being a proper Shawol (SHINee fan, for those who don’t know– the word is a shortened form of ‘SHINee World’), I was very upset. I miss Jjong. But, I will, though, try to be as unbiased as possible.

We miss you, Dino

 Since ‘Why so Serious?’ is the second part of their album, I just can’t help but compare the MV to Dream Girl, the first part of the album. And as amazing as the boys look here, I really felt Dream Girl was better– and not just because of their wicked mike-stand dance.

My Pick: Heart-touching K-Pop Songs

The general notion about K-Pop is that it’s all generic, catchy music, all dance or pop songs, that get stuck in your head but aren’t really that great. While it’s true there are a lot of songs like that, there’re also quite a few really good ones as well, and I’d like to list some of them here.

Please know, I really don’t listen to that many bands, and don’t know a hell of a lot of good songs. So don’t burn me for missing out on some good ones.

Blue- BIGBANG

Video link. Lyrics link. 

 

Of course a BB song was going to be here, but no, it’s not either of their eternal classics Haru Haru or Lies. It’s much newer, off their latest album Alive. This song… this song. This one actually has a bit of a story for me.

The first ever BIGBANG song I got was their biggest hit Lies. Honestly, I was underwhelmed. Still, I was totally in love with Seungri’s face, so I went ahead and got Bad Boy. Another unimpressive song. I wouldn’t give up, though, and got Blue, the most amazing song ever. It let me know just how talented these guys are, how beautifully G-Dragon can sing, and that Seungri actually doesn’t look too bad with the ‘Spock’ haircut.

J-rock band SID are my absolute favourite band in the world, and they make the most amazing rock ballads and sad songs. I think SID would be proud of Blue.

 I told myself I wouldn't talk about the lyrics, 'cause you shouldn't need them to get the feel of the song, but freaking hell. "I was born and I met you. And I have loved you to death."

Movie’s Over- Block B

Video (unofficial) link. Lyrics link.

 

Block B aren’t really known for their more touching songs, and this song wasn’t released as a single. But it is absolutely amazing. It’s super cool to hear Zico sing instead of rap, and everyone’s vocals just come really well together. Taeil, especially, our little superstar, got to show off a little in this one.

Fiction- BEAST

Video link. Lyrics link.

BEAST are really good at these types of songs, but really, nothing beats Fiction. Junhyung's rap in this is just amazing. You can really feel the emotions in everyone's voices in this song. Really, nothing like a BEAST song when you really wanna feel. I was actually gonna mention a couple of things I liked in this song, when I realized I loved everything about this song.

Rain Sound- B.A.P

Video link. Lyrics link.

The first song of B.A.P I ever heard, the one that actually made me a fan. This song... is amazing. So amazing. Daehyun impresses with his vocals, and the rap... wow. If the song doesn't get you, the video will. It's not just that the boys look gorgeous--which they do--but just the emotions they portray visually, along with what they're putting in their voices. And Himchan.

I Wanna Love- TeenTop

Video link. Lyrics link.

Not really as... sad as the other songs here, but they should still be here. I think what really makes this song a winner is the guys' voices. Their voices are so sweet, so fresh, you can't help but be carried away with them. My only peeve with this song is that there just isn't enough of it-- and I mean that literally! They had to fill up some seconds with that bit that the rappers sing. 

Heartbeat- 2PM

Video link. Lyrics link.

I wasn't really sure if I should include this, because I might just have fooled myself into liking this song simply because I like the 2PM guys. But I really do like this song. The video, especially, really gets me. I just feel there's something kind of... unique about 2PM? Their videos, their dances. I really like the part where they're like puppets, moving around like on the girl's whim. 

Special:

Love Song- BIGBANG

Video link. Lyrics link.

Damn. I really didn't wanna include two BIGBANG songs on this, since everyone just keeps going on and on about them, but damn. I love this song. There is something super-special about it. T.O.P's opening bit gets me every time, and Seungri with his sweet voice is just really too much for me. The video, also, understated and not distracting, really lets you enjoy the song.

Well, that's all I've got for now. There're a ton of other great K-Pop songs out there, and I really recommend you go out and search. You will find some amazing ones.

My thoughts on: U-KISS’ Standing Still MV

Don’t expect something long and emotional on this one. Definitely not as highly-charged as my post on B.A.P’s One Shot MV.

This time around it’s U-KISS, with their new video Standing Still. The video is pretty much usual U-KISS-fare– there’s coordinated outfits, cool settings and some sexy dance moves. And since I absolutely adore these boys, I have to have a post for them.

Okay, did I mention I love U-KISS? Yeah, so this was a pretty disappointing MV for me, especially as the first time I’d heard the song was when they’d performed it on M! Countdown. I was really impressed with them then, and honestly, the MV isn’t as good.