Welcome to a blog by Green Tea and Chai. We're two friends who decided one day to team up and share our thoughts and travels, and sometimes our mild obsessions, on all things Korean and Japanese (for now). Take a look at our posts and feel free to leave comments. No obscenities, please. Enjoy!
SHINee's back again, with a new song Why So Serious, misconception of me. SMTown just released a teaser video.
I think I'm going to like this song better than the Dream Girl song. I'm liking the style of the video better than the fantasy Dream Girl. I would like to see the whole video before comment any further.
In this teaser, Jonghyun is missing. If you haven't heard, Jonghyun had been in a car accident on April 1st. Yup, no April fool's joke. After visiting his home, Jonghyun was driving back to his dorm when he hit the guard rails at Dongho Bridge. He had to undergo surgery to fix his nose. He will return to his normal schedule after his recovery. Rest long and get better Jonghyun, your fans can wait patiently for you.
I thought this was funny that SMTown had put this video out. The first time I saw this, I couldn't stop laughing. The managers of SHINee, Super Junior, f(x), SNSD and EXO danced to SHINee's Dream Girl.
The managers are:
SHINee's - in the red and black jacket
Super Junior's - in the white jacket
EXO's - in the black jacket and knit cap
SNSD's - in black pants and shirt with "I Trust" on it
f(x)'s - in black pants with red strip.
They look young for managers of these popular groups. They were pretty good considering that they are not performers but managers. They did keep some of the choreography simple when they got to their solo parts. Dancing with the mops instead of mic stands was funny.
SJ's manager is cute and a pretty good dancer. He kept to Minho's part well.
EXO's manager is kind of funny performing Taemin's part. He did some parts but he probably knows that he can't dance like Taemin, so he made a lot of the movements up.
I would have loved to hear what the groups said about their managers' performance.
Aish! I've been busy and behind on so many things.
One thing is SHINee's back...again and I'm liking the song. Dream Girl is their 2013 comeback song. Their 3rd album is Dream Girl: The misconceptions of you.
First off, I have to say, it's been a long time since all the boys look really good. In other concepts, there is always one person that the stylist messed up their hairstyle. I guess I just like short hair.
In the MV, I completely missed the song the first time I watched it since the visuals were so distracting. It's very fantasy, Alice in Wonderland-like concept. The clothes are very colorful and seemed so mis-matched. There a few choices where the boys look just odd, but overall I like the style.
For the song, I like it. They describe it as a mix of acid electro funk. To me, it's like a mix of Dazzling Girl and Sherlock. Taemin and Minho has more singing parts in this song. It seems like they are just increasing their parts more with each song. I'm so glad for them.
Choreography-wise, I've been watching their stage performances and I like that they dance with the mic stands. Very different.
This is what SMTown said about the album:
The 3rd album is released in twopackages: Chapter 1. "DreamGirl-The misconception of you" and Chapter 2. The misconception of me, and Chapter 1 and 2 have hidden keywords organically related with each other that the album gives the fun of finding and connection keywords and interpreting them in a variety of ways...the story-like element, the fun of listening....
Nice.
Here you go...Enjoy the video and the Dance Version too, cuz, you know I like those too. =D
While looking at my favorite videos on YouTube, I came across this video of SHINee's cover of Shinhwa's Wild Eyes. This is one of the songs I like from Shinhwa and SHINee is singing it. cool.
This video was uploaded in 2009, so I'm guessing this was around the time they performed it. SHINee debuted in 2008. Still young and they look it. Look at Taemin's bowl cut hair. =D
You can't but help compare and the original usually sounds the best. For someone who loves both Shinhwa and SHINee, I really like both but I prefer Shinhwa's version the best. I'm just glad SHINee covered it.
SHINee nailed the choreography. They were really great but how could you doubt them even at that age. They were usually great at their dancing. I must say this is a complicated choreography and they had to sing on top of that.
Now, the singing part. It sounded a little weak especially in the chorus. Onew and Key sounded the best and the rest were ok. I think Taemin struggled vocally. Minho did all the rapping and english is not one of his strong skills. Shinhwa had two advantages, Eric and Andy, they were fluent in english. I'm surprised Key didn't rap since his english is better but then again he sang the most. This would have been an all Key version of Wild Eyes. hahaha.
I'll give props to SHINee for performing Wild Eyes, maybe they should have done T.O.P. instead. Or maybe they did and I haven't found it yet. =) I think if SHINee performed Wild Eyes now, it would be a whole lot better.
Here's the SHINee cover of Wild Eyes, uploaded by Josefine Kaiser.
A little late but I just saw I AM, the movie from SM Entertainment at the HIFF. Go and see it, if....
If one of your favorite idol group is either Super Junior, SHINee, TVXQ, Girls Generation, f(x), Kanta or BOA and you have never gone to any of their concerts. Actually, you should see it on the big screen if you haven't seen their concerts. It shows some of their concert performances of their popular songs and it is like being at their concert. Plus, you get up close shots of their performances. It helps if you sit a little back and you have a bunch of fans in the first six or seven rows screaming when the group performs on stage. It's like being in the front row at a real concert. It felt amazing.
If you're a fan of any of those groups, then you should see this movie. You get to see their pre-debut days and how they auditioned and practiced. They were so young, normally around 14-15 yrs old. They are interviewed and they explained how they felt auditioning, performing and practicing. There were times I got all teary eyed because of how hard they practiced and how much they love their families and the sacrifices they made.
If you're into Kpop, then you should see this movie. I would think in any of the Korean groups or idols in any of the companies feel the same way,auditioning and practicing in a similar fashion. Watching them and listening to them is a little heartbreaking. It really made me appreciate all the hard work they have done.
One thing I felt sad about was Kangta and Boa. When they appeared on screen, there weren't any screaming fans in the theatre for them. They were popular back in the day. I discovered H.O.T. just last year, so I pretty much knew about Kanta. I knew of BOA just because she's in the SM company and I recognized the name. I hope the fans went home to look up Kanta. I believe H.O.T. was the reason why Kpop groups continued on until today.
I would love to go and see the movie again. The DVD and Blu-ray box set was released on Oct 3rd. I think it's a set I would love to own and if you're a fan you would too.
The "SHINee My Love" game is being released today along with the Dazzling Girl single. The CD is out but no MV yet.
The Social Game is out. There is a free registration from mobage.
This is the story line: The Hero, you, working for SME joined the Entertainment Department. You get a call one day from the president of SME. You have a project, she/he is to scout for artists in Korea to succeed as a group. You fly to Korea and met Onew, Jonghyn, Minho, Key and Taemin. You return to Japan with the 5 artists, where members and community life, lessons in debut unfolds. You must follow strict tradition of the entertainment world. The members look for a lady, love and getting a successful debut.
Here's the access to the free mobile game: Click here. ENJOY!!
According to SHINee's Official Website, they will or will be releasing a social game called "SHINee My Love" this month. I couldn't understand the exact release date.
It is being release by mobage. There's a free Basic Play and a pay-per-item usage. It's playable on smartphones.
I really don't understand what the goal of the game is but the concept seems to be you're going through their struggle as they debut. And you get to develop a romance with the member you like. The translation is a bit odd.
I haven't tried to look for the game on my phone and there's no link to the app.
I don't know if I would download the game. Although, I would be curious as to what the game looks like. Would you download the app? Let me know if you do.
Click here if you want to look at the article. Maybe you can understand it more than I can.
EMI Japan released the short version of the video. October 10th is getting closer. After listening to the short version, I'm getting excited about the full version.
First off, I love the song. I, also, love the choreography. I love the video. I must say, Key looks the best. Love his green shirt. As I said before, Key pretty much can carry off any outfit and look good. He may not be happy with his looks but he always seems to carry off any look.
It must be the style in Japan now, but it's just odd seeing Onew and Minho in a skirt, especially Minho. He always seem so conservative.
I'm not rocking the fur and feathers on the jackets but everything else looks great.
Yes, it might be because I just want to watch SHINee but the intro with the girl is too long.
EMI Japan has put out a SHINee members video about their upcoming song Dazzling Girl.
They look like they are in their Sherlock clothes. It's in Japanese, so I don't understand a darn thing, except at the beginning when the introduced themselves.
I like how they are comfortable speaking in Japanese. They look good.
I found a translation of what they are saying. Briefly, Key explains what the words Dazzling Girls is in Japanese.
Jonghyun explains that it's a piano, techo song with a light and fresh feel. That this is their first original song in Japanese. Their other songs were first released in Korean then translated into Japanese.
Then each member was asked what is their favorite part of the song. Onew said he liked the part that they sang Love, Love, Love. Key likes the part where they sing Dazzling Girl. Minho liked the Boom Boom Pow part of the rap.
They started describing their "part" in the video. Minho - hair designer, Key - Stylist, Taemin - makeup artist, Onew - designer and Jonghyun - cameraman.
Cute Taemin explained that in the middle of filming a toad came in the studio and distracted him, so he spent some time with the toad.
Then they discussed the other single Run With Me.
This is the video from EMI Japan. There are English Sub ones on YouTube.
The teaser is out!!! WoooHooo! hmmm...it's only barely halfway into September. October 10th is so far away.
It's only the chorus. The same part they used in the CF I posted in my earlier blog.
Chai is better than me at hearing if groups are pitchy, auto-tuned and their mistakes, I prefer the dancing/choreography more than the music. I just know what songs I like. When I listen to the CF I liked the music but only listened to it a couple of times. But, I noticed that it sounds very auto-tuned (if I can use that as an adjective).
In this teaser, I kept on replaying it because I could see them dancing. They look good. I'm just partial to guys with short hair. hahaha. I think I'm a bit too giddy to write about the video, I don't know what to write.
I wish they didn't put the teasers out so early because it's so hard to wait until the 10th.
It will give the information on the latest releases, member profiles, media information, watch videos, and venues confirmation (I'm thinking only for Japan venues).
I tried clicking for the one that says PC but it seems to just direct me to the phone app. It will work for Andriod and iPhones.
I just needed to share as I was looking at some videos in YouTube.
I had this one as one of my favorites. H.O.T. - High-Five of Teenagers. They were so popular during their time. I think I found this last year because SHINee did a cover of this song on a SBS show. SHINee looked so cute in their big puffy mittens. Too bad they didn't sing the whole song.
So, of course, I had to find the original group who sang "candy". I came to love this song as well. The members are Kangta the leader, Hee Jun, Woo Hyuk, Jae Won and Tony. When "candy" first came out they were so young, younger than their performance in this video.
When I first saw Hee Jun I thought he was just a MC or Korean comedian. I didn't know he was an idol. I just saw him in so many variety shows. He was funny so I thought he was a comedian.
Kang Ta still sings for SM Entertainment and still tours with SMTown.
Tony, just left his 1.5 year position as MC for Mnet's M! Countdown.
They had many hits after Candy, We are the Future, Warrior's Decendant, Haeng Bok Full of Happiness (which Suju redid).
I wish I had their song on my iPod but I just have to settle for this YouTube video.
There were many covers of Candy from Big Bang, Infinite, TeenTop but my favorite is SHINee. Too bad JongHyun didn't perform.
I do not own these videos.
Credit: misquesis for HOT video and mrsrehmacmd for SHINee cover.
Very unexpected surprise. I didn't expect a teaser group shot.
I could see which one is Key easily, but it took me a moment to figure out the rest of the boys. Minho and Jonghyun look similar and so does Onew and Taemin.
BIG NEWS for SHINee's Japan Fans. There's going to be an Official Fan Club "SHINee World J" event on 2012 Dec 20 (Osaka Castle Hall) & 24 (Makuhari Messe Event Hall). It's going to be opened for it's members. They are holding the event to become closer to their fans.
I don't know how to become a member but here's the site that you can check out: Shinee World J fanclub it's in Japanese. You can only view it on a PC and not a mobile phone, yet. Details on the event will be on the site at a later date.
If someone can read Japanese and joined the site, please message me the details. Shucks! I think I need to start learning to read Japanese. =/
Oh, and I found a CF with the Dazzling Girl music. Nice.
I don't own the video. Uploaded by: 013panxochannel2. Credit: SHINee Japan.
At long last, the final teaser photo for SHINee's Dazzling Girl, Onew! Click here for Onew's pic.
Yes! Finally, Onew looks as wonderful as he should. He looks like he just got out of the shower and dressed himself. I can now officially say that I do like this concept of theirs.
Even though they still look like young boys, they do look more mature, especially Taemin. They do look a bit sexy, more so than the Sherlock photos. I think being sexy is more of a look and attitude than just having less clothing. The shirtless photos didn't work for me.
What I seem to forget is that this will be released in Japan.
If you go on their Japan Official Website, it describes what's included in their single release. CD, DVD, Photocards, Trading Cards, etc. Wow.
All I want is their song. I just hope they release their single on iTunes. I think I've only seen their Korean songs on iTunes. One of their Japanese songs, Kiss Kiss Kiss, was only released on their Japan Juliette single and not on iTunes. I was fortunate to purchase that single in Japan on my trip there. I couldn't find it anywhere else, other than a video on YouTube.
The fourth teaser photo is up, and it's Jonghyun. Click here to see his photo.
Hmmm...I don't know about the chains and feathers. He still looks good.
So far, I'm liking this series of teaser photos better than the Sherlock photos. For my personal taste, I prefer the short hairstyle that they have. I didn't like the long hair that Key and Taemin had for the Lucifer and Sherlock comebacks. They did look good in it and I have gotten use to it but I didn't like it.
I think some idols need to be careful about having long hair. Taemin has a pretty face and will look like a girl with long hair. So does Key. And Heechul, from Super Junior. He did actually look like a pretty girl when he had long hair during the U comeback.
I can't wait for the last photo, Onew, and the song.
Since August 20th, SHINee has been releasing teaser photos for their upcoming Japanese single "Dazzling Girl." The single is said to be release on October 10th. Based on the teaser photos that the company has been releasing, they look more mature. I like these black and white teaser photos better than the Sherlock teasers. The Sherlock photos just didn't match them since it showed a couple of them shirtless. Taemin and Minho really didn't have the bulky muscular upper body to be showing off a look like that.
The first Dazzling Girl photo released was Taemin. He doesn't look like the baby face maknae anymore. His face is narrower and mature and he's rid of his "bowl" cut hairstyle. Although, he still has his innocent eyes.
The second photo released on Aug 22 was Key. Key, always the Diva, looks great in his short haircut. I like the dramatic photo. I think he's the most photogenic of the group. Whatever the hairstyle or clothes they give him, he always seems to carry it off well.
The third photo released is Minho. He seems to always have the most simplest, cleanest look. Nothing dramatic or odd or flashy.
Still waiting for JongHyun and Onew's photos. So far, this style is a lot better than the Sherlock comeback but I haven't seen Onew's photo yet. They always seem to mess up his looks with haircuts that doesn't match him, even in the live performances. In my opinion, Onew's last best look was during the Ring Ding Dong release.
Waiting for Aug 26, based on the pattern, that maybe the next teaser photo. I'll update the links when the photos are released. XD ~gt
My very first ever blog. A bit slow in posting but here I go....
I'm the green tea drinker. No coffee for me and let's not mix milk and sugar in my tea, thank you.
Who am I? Well, I love Kpop and Jpop, mainly SS501, Super Junior, SHINee and Yamapi (my first obsession). I also watch KDramas and JDramas. I'll especially watch most dramas with Yamapi and Song Seung Heon. And to a lesser extent, Daniel Henney. I like discovering idols to adore, while keeping the ones I have already. The more the merrier I say.
I like to travel and have visited my dream destinations, Japan and Korea, and wouldn't mind going back again and again. There is just sooo much to see, experience and eat. I would love to go to a concert to see one of my idol groups.
I'm slowly learning Japanese and Korean, a word at a time, and have known to mix both languages in one sentence (forgetting if it's a Korean or Japanese word).
I'm hoping to share my rambling thoughts as well as learn a few things along the way.
