Hot & Cool This week News: The Series (Episode 11)
Happy Tuesday everyone! It's about that time for this week'sConfessions of an Uncle Fanand I should start off with an actual confession; I was inordinately busy this past week and wasn't able to follow up on my beloved girl groupers like I usually do. However, I still heard and saw a few things that caught my attention so let's get right to it.
Cool Things of the Week
Definitely on the After School Bandwagon
For the past 2 weeks I've been blabbering on about howAfter Schoolnow has the best teasers in K-pop, especially after the stuff they released for their new single "First Love". The problem with having good teasers is always, can the actual song and video live up to the hype? To be honest, I wasn't blown away by the song but it's definitely on the Uncle Fan iPhone playlist and it's catchy. The music video on the other hand... well, let's just say I'm embarrassed by the number of times I've watched it. It doesn't just live up to the hype, it kills it.After School:1 Uncle Fan: 0.
E-Young Underused
Speaking of After School, I saw a video the other day of memberE-Youngmaking her own teaser of their new single but by playing four instruments by herself and mixing it altogether. It doesn't take a musical expert to see that the girl has skills which are being totally crushed within the confines of a girl group. To be fair toPledis Entertainment, this isn't their fault but a problem within K-pop in general. K-pop just doesn't know what to do with young musicians. Please don't give me the "What aboutCNBLUEandFT Island?" argument. There's more interest in their nail art and guy-liner than their actual musical skills. I hope she can get out in the indie or underground scene and play more because it doesn't look like mainstream K-pop is ready for her talents quite yet.
Are Girl Group Names Getting Weird Again?
First off, I'm not trying to hate on anyone or make fun of anyone so let me get that out of the way but, I've been noticing more and more weird K-pop girl group names lately. Back in the day you hadFine Killing Liberty (Fin.K.L)andMade In Lovely Kin (M.I.L.K)but then I feel like there was a moment of clarity when group names started to make sense. In 2010,Orange Carameldebuts with a name that I clearly understand but I still don't fullygetand that kind of kicked off the next round of weirdness. Groups likeDal Shabet,CHI CHI,FIESTAR,Crayon Pop... I realize they have meanings but do you really want a name that you have to explain to everyone all the time? Maybe names were always this weird and I'm just getting old.
Lim Kim + K-pop Makeover = Who is That?!
When we first metLim Kim, she wasYerim Kim, the shy girl with a unique voice jamming out toJamiroquaiwithDo Dae Yoonas a member of the group2 Monthson the New York audition for 'Superstar K 3'. Nearly two years later and with the help of some K-pop stylists, she's a whole new girl who I didn't recognize at all.
Girl Group Round-up
A recap of all the girl group appearances on variety shows this past week (that I was able to watch). Feel free to add any that I missed.
'Radio Star' - Not really girl groupers butHong Jin YoungandShinji(Hong Jin Young is quite the character)
'Star King' -After School(and poles)
'1N2D' -4MinuteandWoori
'Let's Go Dream Team' -SISTARand4minute(seeCurrent Top 5 Girl Groupers below)
The Taeyeon Experiment
Each week I will post a picture fromTaeyeon'sInstagram feed in the hopes that one day she will post a picture of her reading this column.
So how much of a nerd am I? I saw this picture today and immediately got a turkey sandwich because while I can't really tell, I assumed that's what she was eating.
Pic/.Gif/Video of the Week
Uh.... how come no one told meYuriwas onInstagram?! You guys need to tell me stuff like this. Follow her at@yulyulk.
*Send your pics/.gifs/videos toKpopUncleFan@gmail.comor tweet me@KpopUncleFan.
Uncle Fan Mailbag
Can someone explain what was going on here?"Allkpop, please give me the opportunity to the EXO album."-shevonneyeo
I saw a bunch of comments hash tagged out withEXOand I ignored them assuming it was some sort of giveaway but now people are just writing comments on random articles and asking for the album? Are these guysthat good? They're the newSMgroup right? Forgive me, for my lack of knowledge of boy groups is vast.
Best comment ever."Nana, in both teaser photos and video, makes me sweat real time."
-yoonaph
You and me both buddy, you and me both.
Uh... Do you know something I don't?"Uncle Fan, please be healthy okay?"
-lisesoshi
OK, this comment got me worried a little. I mean, yes, I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds and my eating habits aren't the best but, I'm not like... going... to die soon. I still enjoy running outside and I can lift stuff clear over my head... I'm going to eat a salad for dinner and go run until I puke.
A Few Non-K-pop Related Things
- I know I'm late to the party here but,Mariah Carey'slatest song "#Beautiful" was really good. I realize that most of the singing was by thatMiguelfellow and her range isn't anywhere near what it used to be but, as a long time MC fan, this was her best song in years.
- The 'True Blood' premiere was just so-so. I don't get the whole Lilith/Bill drinking of the blood thing.
- It's a couple of days late but here's agreat piece Time.com did for Father's Daywith famous dads writing letters to their daughters.
- Bora- Everyone knows she's pretty and all that good stuff but it's her athletic prowess that lands her at the top spot. She routinely destroys all other idols in any sports competition from archery (check out this past Sunday's 'Let's Go Dream Team') to those idol racing things they have (when she's not falling down). To top it off, today's 'Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education' show, she appears to show off her bowling skills as well. Plus, there is alwaysthis picture.
- UEE- The ratings for 'Barefoot Friends' are pretty dismal but I like UEE on this show so it would be a shame to cancel.
- Taeyeon- Instagram is good and all but, as they say:out of sight, out of mind.
- IU- Her drama is starting drag quite a bit but I'm still a loyal fan... for now.
- Nana- Like I said, I watched the newAfter Schoolvideo a lot... it's a very powerful visual stimulant.
Song of the Week
When I was writing about all the weird group names, I started to think of names I actually did like and one of the first that came to mind wasWonder Girls. It's simple, unique, and doesn't require any kind of explanation every time you hear it. To me, this is what a name should be. Plus, since we won't be seeing the group together any time soon, it can't hurt to revisit the hit that launched there careers, "Tell Me".
That's it for me. Have a good one and for everyone who graduated, enjoy the summer and get into some trouble... well, not too much.