July 24, 2013

f(x) Comes Back: 첫 사랑니 (Rum Pum Pum Pum) [MV]

Yay!  f(x) is finally back!  Well, not yet, really, but their MV for their title song, "첫 사랑니 (Rum Pum Pum Pum)" [Is this (your) first love? (Rum Pum Pum Pum)] is finally out!

Upon first listen, I really like the song.  It's nice to hear SM finally not use English for the sake of using English (I don't count "Rum pum pum pum" as a word).  Sulli gets the only two English words in the song, "attention boys", and surprising pulls it off flawlessly.  I'm surprised because was garbled in "To the Beautiful You" and non-existent in the Funny Or Die skit with Anna Kendrick.  Mostly, it's nice to hear Amber using Korean to rap instead of the token English rap.

However, the music video (like a majority of SM's MVs of late), is disappointing.   I don't know if they've completely given up on anything not dance-related with f(x) or what, but after "La CHA ta", "Chu", and "NU ABO", f(x) just dances.  But then and again, it's happening to Super Junior too.

Unlike a majority of people, I really don't mind SM's box MVs.  I love the dances SM gives their artists and am always a tad annoyed when the plot line (which is usually weak and/or non-existent - hey at least their honest with their lack of ability with coming up with creative story lines!) gives me only a handful of shots of the dance.
But I digress.  Anyway, the MV was disappointing in the fact that SM is shamelessly copying from f(x)'s previous MVs, "Hot Summer" and "Pinnochio".  While "Electric Shock" was still in a box, at least it didn't really resemble any of their previous MVs (kudos for box creativity?).  However, the red hair and the "bouncing" camera shots of Krystal are straight out of "Hot Summer" and the "flipping" shots and the pointing/poking CG objects are straight out of "Pinnochio".

But I'm just disappointed in the fact Amber looks like a guy.  SM has been growing out Amber's hair and letting her drop hints that their next comeback would include her with a more girlish look.  But no.  They went the most masculine look that she's ever had.  Shortest hair too.  And might I add that this dance is so not meant for her look?  While the moves can't really be classified as "sexy" they are "sexy" enough for it to look mighty awkward for Amber.  Especially that moment when she has to lay on the floor.  Awkward!


So if you haven't seen it yet:


July 22, 2013

All Your Answers, Conveniently Located

To All That Read This Blog,

First and foremost, thank you so much for reading!  Never would I have imagined that a simple blog about my passion for SM Entertainment would turn out like this!

I love hearing from each and everyone, but I do get a lot of comments and emails to answer.  I have compiled all the useful information I can think of into four easy places:

Please check these sections before commenting or asking a question.  Most likely, I have already answered your question!   I spent a lot of time on these, so please put them to good use!
However, if you cannot find your answer there, don't hesitate to comment or email me!


Here are some other places to look!

Tell Me Your Wish...Er...Questions. (소원을 말해봐...아...대답): Commonly Asked Questions

For more answers:

July 9, 2013

Shorts: Flexibility

SM is big on their artists being flexible.
Anyway, here's a quick list of SM artists that can do the splits:

Super Junior's Sungmin, Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Henry
Zhang Liyin
Girls' Generation
f(x)
SHINee
EXO's Chen, Baekhyun, D.O., and Luhan [that we know of]
The Grace's Stephanie

These are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head.  Anyway, that's over half of SM's roster (plus I'm assuming Kai, Sehun, and BoA can all do the splits, but I haven't found any proof yet.)
Don't worry if you can't do the splits.  It is something most people can train themselves to do, though there are some people who physically can't do the splits.  I'm pretty sure, whether they could before or not, Kyuhyun and Heechul are incapable of the splits because of their car accident.

Let's Learn Together: ELVIS // AOA [Ace of Angels]

Let's Learn Together:  ELVIS // AOA [Ace of Angels]


Song:  ELVIS
Artist:  AOA [Ace of Angels]
Album:  Angels' Story - Single
Lyrics:  music.naver.com
Photo:  en.wikipedia.org
Company:  FNC Entertainment

English:  1 / 10
Translation Difficulty:  1 / 10




Please credit: "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast"
[Edit: 3/10/14]

Just a Few Words:
This song is a new favorite of mine.  I found it in my iTunes library when I overhauled it and I re-fell in love with it.  Definitely a good dancing song!  However, the lyrics are pretty simplistic and kinda...odd.  Elvis?  My grandma listens to him...(so not exactly culturally relavent).
This is also just one of those songs that works in Korean, but not in English.  Onomatopoeias aren't commonly used in conversational English, but more frequently in Korean.  So the part where it describes the sound of high-heels just doesn't translate well into English.  Also, 똑각똑각 is the click of shoes, but the only think I can think of that sounds like that are...high-heels.  But then and again, in the past, Elvis wore brogues which have a low heel...

English:  3 / 10.
-- So some lines are good and some, not so much.  "You're my Elvis" doesn't make much sense to me at least.  I get that Elvis was this mega-hottie back in the day and he was über famous and all, so maybe they're comparing the boy to Elvis...?  (But what does Elvis have to do with angels...?)
Anyway, the pronunciation of some things is kinda off too.  Firstly, the lack of the letter "v" in Korean leads "Elvis" to end up sounding like "Elbis", depending on who says it.  Also, "bling" ends up like "ba-ring".

Translation Difficulty:  1 out of 10.

10 Words:
  1. 충격 (noun):  "shock" or "jolt"
  2. 찌릿찌릿* (onamonapeia):  a tingly sensation associated with a small electrical shock; also used to describe the sensation you get when you see someone you have a crush on.
  3. 돌아가다 (verb):  "return" or "go [get, turn] back"
  4. 똑각** (onamonapeia):  the sound heels make when walking in them (usually translated as "click-clock")
  5. 멋쟁이 (noun):  "sharp dresser" or "smart dresser"
  6. 걸다 (verb):  "cast [put] a spell on" or "hypnotize"
  7. 반하다 (verb):  "fall in love (with)" or "fall for" or "be enamored (of/with)" or "give [lose] one's heart to sb" or "have a crush on sb" or "be taken with [by]" or "take a fancy to sb" or "be keen on"
  8. 매력 (noun):  "(sex) appeal" or "charm" or "attraction" or "magnetism"
  9. 들어오다 (verb):  "enter" or "come [get] in(to)" or "walk [step] in(to)".  Also "pull in".  Also: "come into sight [view]" or "come into one's head"
  10. 취하다 (adjective):  "be drunk on [with]" or "be enraptured" or "get intoxicated"
Credit:  dic.naver.com
*Credit:  Translator Café
**Credit:  소연언니
Politeness Level:
Casual
The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.


July 2, 2013

Playlist! Music of the Month: June 2013

With the beginning of July, check out our favorite K-Pop tracks from June!

Rachel
I'm a junkie for catchy tunes. I don't know anything about how a song should be structured or not, but as long as it's catchy (and occasionally, peppy), I'm hooked!

1.) 늑대와미녀 (Wolf)// 엑소 (EXO)

I can't stop listening to this song on repeat! The howls were ridiculous (and still are) but I'm over that. I'm totally in love with Baekhyun's and Chen's high notes. Totally psyched that they won both Music Bank and Music Core!!! EXO fighting!

2.) SUNSHINE// 레이보우 (Rainbow)

This is my aegyo song this summer! I need a sparkly song to get me in the mood of my job so this is the perfect song to put on repeat and make me happy and spunky.

3.) 와일드 (Wild)// 니인뮤지스 (NINE MUSES)

I never really listened to NINE MUSES before I heard this song. it was on the various music shows while I was in Korea and now I'm hooked!