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: SID- Outsider

New SID album! *flails*

If you don’t know, SID is my absolute favourite band. Been a fan for over three years now (so proud of that length of time it’s kind of pathetic). This is their first album since their 10^th Anniversary Best and the Side B Collections (1 & 2), and the first one with new songs since… M&W? Wow, it’s been a while. No wonder I was so excited.

So, let’s start!

Album Review: First Sensibility- B.A.P

I am so excited to review this for you! It’s B.A.P’s first album, First Sensibility. So let’s check it out, and see if it lived up to my excitement. This is a bit overdue, since I had other stuff on my plate, but it’s out now.

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.

Hot K-Pop Guys Born In: February

Back. After so many months. My exams are over, so I'm just chilling and I thought I should update :) Hope everyone had a good New Year!

So, without further ado:

P.O. (Block B)- 2nd February 1993

Our Block B maknae, super-alien, just all-around cutie.

Kyuhyun (Super Junior)- 3rd February 1988

I have a boatload of Kyu pics, so to be fair I just searched up a new one

Baby! One of my first K-Pop biases, and one of my top ones. My Kyu. Have a wonderful, magnificent birthday!

U-Know Yunho (TVXQ/DBSK/Tohoshinki)- 6th February 1986

My sister's #1 bias is Yunho, so I've put up one of her favourite pics. Hope this near-angel has a wonderful birthday.

Jongup (B.A.P)- 6th February 1995

Double birthday on 6th February! Could I love this adorable dance-machine anymore? He looks super hot in this picture, but allow me to tell you he is absolutely adorable and perfectly clueless.

Lee Joon (MBLAQ)- 7th February 1988

You must know Lee Joon. Super hot in stage, super adorable in variety, super awesome all the time. Happy birthday, dude.

Woohyun (INFINITE)- 8th February 1991

Decided to go with a cute picture

Wow February has a lot of birthdays. And let's never forget Woohyun! Our heart-machine and awesome singer, have a great birthday!

Han Geng- 9th February 1984

I don't care if you don't like him. I do. He's a sweetheart and a wonderful person, and he was a part of the K-Pop industry and made waves in it, so he deserves a place here, at least.

He also deserves a wonderful birthday.

Chansung (2PM)- 11th February 1990

Famous shirtless picture. Look at those chiseled abs. Here's to hoping Chansung has a great birthday, our sweet maknae, and that 2PM have a successful comeback soon.

Dongjun (ZE:A)- 11th February 1992

One of the top athletic idols, ZE:A's own Dongjun! Happy birthday.

Donghyun (Boyfriend)- 12th February 1989

There is something about his eyes. I can't quite explain what. Anyway, have a happy birthday, Donghyun!

Raehwan (BIGSTAR)- 15th February 1992

OMG I share a birthday with Raehwan?! Awesome! Happy birthday to both of us, then!

Ravi (VIXX)- 15th February 1993

Ravi too?! Wow, double birthday on my birthday! Awesome!

Yunyoung (A-JAX)- 15th February 1993

Another 15th February birthday? Lucky me! Happy birthday to this cutie too.

Eric (Shinhwa)- 16th February 1979

Leader of one of the most magnificent bands. Eric is truly an awesome person and he deserves an amazing birthday.

Changmin (TVXQ/DBSK/Tohoshinki)- 18th February 1988

I love his smile

Yes, both TVXQ members are February babies! My Changmin, I hope you have a great time on your birthday <3 baby="" it="" kyu="" p="" spend="" with="">

Kevin (ZE:A)- 23rd February 1988

Another ZE:A birthday... hope Kevin has a good one.

Changsub (BTOB)- 26th February 1991

Sleepy Changsub, have an awesome birthday! (And stop freaking dieting)

Feel Dog (BIGSTAR)- 26th February 1992

Double birthday! Happy birthday to this adorable kid.

Ricky (Teen Top)- 27th Feburary 1995

This silver blue hair will always be my favourite

Happy birthday to our adorable faux maknae!

That's all for now. I'll update when I update.

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.

Album Review: 楔-kusabi- KAT-TUN

J-Pop boyband KAT-TUN are back, smaller than ever, with only 4 of the original 6 remaining, and they’ve come to us with their new 10-track album 楔-kusabi-

My first (mini/)album review since Seungri’s. I must warn you, this is my first KAT-TUN release, so I don’t know crap about them. I am being completely honest on this one; there is no bias. Unfortunately, this also means I don’t really know which voice is whose…

                

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.

SID in Singapore at Music Matters Live 2013

   Nothing has made me quite so giddy in such a long time. I've missed my SID, my favourite band, and seeing them at this live show just made my insides burst like fireworks. Everyone who was there, I envy you so, as I envy anyone who has seen them live.

   They didn't sing too many songs; they did Monochrome no Kiss first, then Uso (my first SID song and still one of my favourites), then V.I.P, One Way (not all of it though, sadly), and last of all Natsukoi. 

   Stuff I loved: SID. I love SID's lives. They are always good. Also, what they wore! Shinji stylish as always, and Mao and Aki wore sleeveless... allow the regular-teenage-girl-ness in me to flow a bit while I sigh. Also, I liked their song choice. Uso and One Way, these songs are almost always performed, and for a reason. V.I.P, I can tell SID are going to perform this many times in the future, but what I loved best was that they ended with Natsukoi. I love Natsukoi, it's so upbeat and warm-- the perfect ending. Also, in one part Mao and Aki shared the mike. I love heard Aki (and Shinji) sing! Yuuya lip-synched along to nearly all the lines, and it was so heartwarming.

   Stuff I didn't love so much. Unfortunately, there were quite a bit. The organisers didn't seem very good. In the beginning, Shinji's guitar volume was too low, and in the middle of One Way it stopped working completely. You could see crew members scurrying around the stage, pulling wires, trying to fix stuff. Also, cameramen, you know Shinji's part of SID too, they're not just three members. You could've at least given Shinji some nice shots when he was doing the guitar solos.
   Also, Mao wasn't at his best. He was better than 90% of the whole world, though, because that is how amazing he is, but yeah, he was having some problems. A little out of breath sometimes, and his voice was shaky too. Maybe he was nervous, or it was the heat (he was sweating a lot), or was this during that time when he was really sick, and passed out backstage? It kind of hurt to hear him sing like that, I really hoped he was okay, and enjoying the stage.

   But even with all the drawbacks, I will always love this stage. One simple reason: English. Mao spoke English. It sounded quite rehearsed, and his cute accent was just ripping through his words, but it just poured a happy fire into my heart. He was so cute. He talked about how it was SID's first time in Singapore, how they loved Singapore, and then he asked the crowd if they loved J-Rock, and SID. Of course they screamed yes. He introduced the next song V.I.P, and he did it pretty well and very, very cutely, saying it was an anime theme for Magi, and he also introduced Natsukoi very, very cutely. Mao did most of the talking, though at the end Shinji and Yuuya (who was a ball of sunshine all throughout) thanked the crowd and said they loved them. It was just so, so nice to hear, and not too embarrassing. You could tell Mao worked hard to memorise those lines, and he pulled them off very well.

   This half an hour has really shot my spirits to the moon; that's the power SID has over me. Can't wait until SIDNAD vol. 9.

More Thoughts on YG's WIN Show

Just finished the second-to-last episode, the one before the finale that’s going to be broadcasted live. If there ever was a time to go On and On, it’s now. (whoo, VIXX reference!)

Watching this last episode has just reinforced my belief that YG is going to debut all 11 of them. Now I’m also quite certain he is going to debut all 11 of them in one group, rather than two separate ones. Seriously, if he doesn’t, I’ll be extremely shocked and disappointed– letting one team go will be a total waste, and YG ain’t stupid. If one of the teams don’t debut, I’ll… I’ll change the avatar of every account I have on every site I’m on to this derp face of Hoya.

Seriously, every where I go, I’ll be known as the chick with that picture of Hoya looking ugly. Because, people? Hoya is fucking gorgeous. He’s gorgeous like Cadbury eggs. And by that I mean he’s yummy in so many different layers. And just really, really yummy.

Okay, going back on topic. Why, do you ask, am I now so sure all 11 will debut? Firstly, I was always rather certain YG’d do that. YG’s a businessman, he’s not gonna throw away assets, and he’s not gonna leave the future of his company up to some teenage girls with phones. Viewers are emotionally attached to both teams, and it’d be stupid of him to throw that away. Also, if he was going to debut only one team, which fool would put Seungyoon and B.I. on two different teams? B.I. is YG’s next gold (and diamonds) boy. And screw you if you don’t love Kang Seungyoon.

Also, this last episode is just gearing us up for an 11-member group. Up till now, the teams have been kept pretty separate on the show. You think it’s a coincidence, eleven of them all getting together on the last episode, and talking about how much they love each other and how they want to debut as 11? It’s not a coincidence. It’s YG showing us that they’re all cool with each other, and that when they debut together they love each other. Because this is the sort of stuff fangirls love (myself included).

Now that I’ve watched about 8 episodes (I skipped one, sorry) I guess I know the boys better. Actually, rather than the episodes, if you really want to know them, you’re better off watching the extra cuts. Onewomansubs, everyone’s favourite subber, has a list of all the extra cuts compiled. My favourites are the chicken fight, Team B’s Quiz battle and, of course, Seungyoon’s cuts.

Anyway, here’s pretty much what I got so far:

• Jinwoo laughs in a way that reminds me of Sungyeol, and he’s not so passive as you’re sometimes led to believe

• Minho? He’s super cool, funny and awesome. He’ll win over a lot of hearts, male and female

• Seungyoon is freaking adorable. No comparison

• I love Seunghoon’s talking voice

• Taehyun’s got a lot of fans for a reason, he’s not as self-centered or diva-like, they play that up for the drama

• B.I is actually really funny, and when he yells out ‘Hanbin!’ it kills me every time

• Jinhwan, I just really, really like you. He’s just super-sweet, you can easily tell

• Bobby is a bucket of sunshine, just all on the surface

• Joonhwe is so intense

• Yoonhyung is a hidden variety star, we need to get that kid more screentime

• Donghyuk is perfect, loving, golden maknae (who actually grills everyone’s meat! Seungri, are you watching?)

• NamSong (Taehyun and Minho) and BobB.I (Bobby and B.I.) are going to be very strong ships in the future, especially NamSong. I’ll just be happy when we get my Seungyoon in a good ship (people, ships are directly proportional to individual popularity. It’s not coincidental that popular members usually get shipped together)

• I have the weirdest personal crack ship of Seungri-Jinwoo. Don’t ask, people. I don’t even know why. Freaking hell, I’m even writing a continuing fanfiction.

And that’s all I got now. Now off to go and do weird things online that I can never share with anyone who knows me in real life.

My Thoughts on YG's WIN Show

   -gasp- Not an MV review? No, because I didn't put a colon in. Ha! Instead, it'll just be me rambling on and on about this damn show.

   I told myself I wouldn't, but I started watching this show anyway. More than anything, I was pretty scared of crushing my own heart. I'd probably end up loving all eleven of them, and be so hurt no matter which team didn't get to debut.

   Some backstory, I guess, on this show. This is YG's way of deciding which of his two teams of rookies (Teams A and B) would debut. We get to look into their training and their skills and stuff, and at the end the viewers vote for who they want to debut. Killer way of hyping up a group's debut, eh? Also kind of brutal, since you're pretty much airing one team's failure, humiliation and the crushing of their dreams to anyone who wants to tune in.

   Team A consists of most of the older trainees, who are vocalist Kim Jinwoo, leader and main rapper Song Minho, main dancer and lead rapper Lee Seunghoon, lead vocalist Kang Seungyoon and maknae and main vocalist Nam Taehyun. Most of these guys are actually known from before-- Minho is that friend of Zico and most of the other Block B members, who almost debuted in Block B but then debuted in BoM later (BBCs, remember Match Up season 1, when we saw our manly Zico cry like a baby? It's that Mino). Lee Seunghoon was on a talent show for his dancing. Kang Seungyoon, well, apart from that he was on Superstar K, he already has a solo career-- he came out with Wild and Young earlier this year.

   Team B is younger and their members are less well-known. There's B.I., probably the most famous of them all, who's been hyped as the next G-Dragon. There's also lead rapper Bobby, and oldest hyung Jinhwan, vocalist Joonhwe, main dancer Yoonhyung and maknae Donghyuk. 

  Yeah, the Team B paragraph is quite a bit shorter than the Team A one. It's not really my fault. Yes, I might be a tiny bit Team A biased, but I think this is one area where Team B kind of lack-- I don't notice half the members. It just feels like there's only B.I, Bobby and Jinhwan-- and maybe I only notice Jinhwan because he's my Team B bias and I like him so much (and he looks like Block B's U-Kwon!). (Also, Bobby really reminds me of B.A.P's Himchan sometimes, with his eyes and his rabbit teeth... very cute). And how can you not know B.I? They talk about him quite a bit, and he's really involved. But Donghyuk is just the good-looking maknae, Yoonhyung the Indian-looking guy and Joonhwe is well and truly the other guy. Joonhwe's voice is really good (all their voices are, to some extent) but it feels like they're just continually pushing him to the background, and it sucks. Team B is really team B-- it's a B.I show, and you'll always know it.

   For Team A, the problem with their members is completely different. While Team B is so tight, Team A are not very close at all, and their teamwork has been criticised. Every WIN viewer knows Kim Jinwoo, even if for the wrong reasons. His voice is very pretty indeed, but he's a rather soft and sensitive guy. He can't take pressure and harsh critique very well, and he has a tendency to break down and cry. He's forgotten lines and messed up. He just seems to think that he's always going to fail, and let the team down, which is why he usually ends up failing. It's so sad to see because he's actually very talented.

   There's also Team A's resident diva, maknae Taehyun. To be fair, his concerns are pretty real, but sometimes he just comes across so diva-ish, and caring only about himself.

   Skills-wise between the teams, it's tough to choose. I'm not much into rap, but I can tell you the one rap that struck me in the show so far (only 5 episodes so far, and I skipped episode 4) has been Minho's. He seems pretty damn good, and he has stage experience and all that. He's the newest trainee in Team A, but he was picked leader for a reason.
   Vocally, both teams are pretty good, but I gotta give it to Team A. Seungyoon's vocal colour is really nice-- strong, husky, and when he did that adlib in the first evaluation... wow. Jinwoo and Taehyun are damn good too. They've been given good opportunities to show off, and when they have, they've stuck in my mind.
   Team B owns the dance title. They are tight. Team A are good (my Seungyoon's improved a lot!) but Team B really take this one. Choreography-wise, B.I versus Seunghoon... they're both good, but I saw that a lot of the choreo Team B did wasn't actually made by them, so...
   Variety skills, it's well and truly just Bobby. Seriously, the other boys are cute, and thus cutely funny, but the only one I think might actually make your stomach hurt is Bobby. The others do have potential (I think Seungyoon and Seunghoon especially. Love those two. I shall call them 2Seung.) but Bobby is just bursting with charms.
   Visuals... Team B has Donghyuk and Jinhwan-- I find those two very cute. But Team A's Jinwoo is perfection. Cute, innocent, fresh face, and a personality that will win him a lot of fangirls, Jinwoo is the top visual. Easily.

He's kind of scary-looking here. Hmm.

   The next episode will present the viewers with the first opportunity to vote. It's Team A with Taeyang versus Team B with G-Dragon. Team A have not won a single evaluation yet, so this one is double important for them. Hopefully it'll be a close battle. Most viewers are hoping for an 11-member band to come out of this, so a close ranking of votes should help that. I'm pretty sure we're gonna get 11 members. YG's so smart, we're just eating out of his hand.

Getting hand-fed by this guy. My skin just crawled.

   And now... my own crazy thoughts. I'd really like to jump into the screen sometimes. First thing I'd do: give Jinwoo an ice-cream and a hug. Tell him he's perfect like he is, and he shouldn't pressure himself too much. Secondly: slap that damn hairstyle off Taehyun's head. You're a good-looking guy. Stop giving yourself a middle-parting. Seungyoon keep doing your thing, you're awesome. Bobby, stop being so cute. It hurts my teeth. And just freaking show the other Team B members more.

   Well, I'm out. More ranting and blabbering later.

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.

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: 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.

The K-Pop Guide: Shipping

Ah, yes. One of the more divisive topics among fans, though generally viewed as harmless. Shipping.

You probably got a taste of it in my SHINee guide, but here’s a little refresher: shipping is basically making up couples, usually in the same band. Today I’ll expand a little more into it, as well as the good and the dangers of it.

Shipping is spread in different fandoms in different degrees. If you’re into SHINee, you’ll see ships everywhere. In B2ST they’re rare. You’ll have to dig if you want Block B ships. The reasons for why there’s little or more shipping vary, but usually it’s based on two factors: the members themselves and the company. SM (who own TVXQ!, Super Junior, SHINee, SNSD etc) promote shipping like crazy. They’ll make the members of the ship have same clothes or accessories, or the choreography or something will coincidentally have the ship members fall together. This is why SM bands generally have more ships. It also depends greatly on the members of course. When we have fan-service kings like Jonghyun and super-affectionate guys like Siwon, ships are bound to sail.

Ships usually have names. Since Korean first names are usually two-part, most ship names are made by joining two parts together. Like YunJae (Yunho and Jaejoong), EunHae (Eunhyuk and Donghae), JongKey (Jonghyun and Key)

JongKey

The sequence of names in the ship name also matter. If you’re more well-versed with yaoi (the standard name for male×male fiction) you’ll know that when things get… adult… there’s usually a top and a bottom. The ‘top’s name comes first, usually. For example, YunJae is sometimes made into JaeHo, where Yunho bottoms (but I find that kind of awkward to think about).

There’re a few categories of ships (well, in my mind anyway) so I’ll list them:

The Fan-Service Ship

This one is caused by the members actually doing their best to promote the ship, usually egged on by the company. Most ships, if they get popular enough, eventually roll on into this kind of ship. The members just get more touchy than usual, describe the other by more… suggestive terms. Since I adore Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, I’ll use his ships to describe. A proper example of a fan-service ship for Kyuhyun would be KyuMin, his ship with Sungmin. Kyuhyun’s a pretty good fan-servicer, and this ship goes far in SJ.

KyuMin

The Personal Ship

My favourite kind of ship. This one is a ship-starter, and might tumble into a fan-service ship, depending on popularity. This one is just genuine closeness, no fan-service. For example, JongKey of SHINee started as a personal ship, but then became a fan-service ship. The Kyuhyun ship would be KyuMi (yes, the names are close, it’s also called QMi), his ship with Zhou Mi. It’s the Kyuhyun ship I ship.

KyuMi

 

The Crack Ship

This one… just stems. From nothing really, it just occurred. We just need one frame, or one picture, or one word, and it booms. These are usually just fringe ships, difficult to find stuff for, and usually just done in good humour. Occasionally this is just done to make up ship names. I’ll just leave my once-shipped OnHo of SHINee here.

OnHo

 

The Cross-Band Ship

Most ships are in one band, but some cross-over to other bands. These are somewhat rarer than in-band ships. A nice example would be KyuMin, the Kyuhyun×Changmin ship. Kyuhyun’s from SJ, and Changmin TVXQ! They are quite good friends, which is usually the base of a cross-band ship. I ship this too, actually. Sorry Mimi. 

The cross-band ship is also the root of:

The Hetero Ship

Most ships are homosexual, since co-ed bands (bands with both guys and girls) are rare. They’re usually done for fun– very few ships are viewed as ‘real’ by usual shippers. Hetero ships (where it’s actually male×female) are sometimes viewed as just fun, but also sometimes viewed seriously. Some stem from dating rumours, like Kyutoria (Kyuhyun and f(x)’s Victoria) or from shows like We Got Married, like Yongseo (CN: Blue’s Yonghwa and SNSD’s Seohyun). 

YongSeo

  

Now remember, shipping is usually done just for fun. Very few actually think their ships are real. It’s just fun to squee over some of your favourite members of your band acting all sweet or lovey with each other, or just saving some pictures or writing some (occasionally hilarious) fanfiction. Most shippers usually have a multitude of ships they support, usually with overlapping members. Just don’t take it too seriously, don’t bring down other people’s ships, and you’ll be fine. 

For example, my recent cross-band crack ship of B.A.P's Daehyun and B2ST's Gikwang. People, they wore the same shirt in a very short amount of time! Couple matching!

Gikwang extreme right

Daehyun on the right. Same shirt.

 

But of course, there always is a section of those who take it too seriously, and it gets completely out of control.

YunJae was a ship in TVXQ! (DBSK), and it was immensely popular. In 2009, three members of TVXQ! left, Jaejoong one of them. So the ship ended, right?

Nope. A great deal of YunJae shippers believed YunJae was real, and it followed the two of them. Matching them up, rumours flying every time they happened to be in the same country. People went to TVXQ! and Jaejoong concerts (his solo concerts, plus ones with his new band JYJ) and held up YunJae banners, went to fanmeets and randomly yelled out the other’s name. People, the TVXQ! split up was really painful, I’m sure, for the members as well, so I think the least we could do is not keep yelling out ‘Yunho’ or ‘YunJae’ at their concerts, whether or not YunJae was ever real.

Though Jaejoong is totally gay and Yunho is questionable.

Well, I hope my guide on shipping did something for you, and if not, I’m just happy to say a little about my favourite ships.

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.