Song of the Week: Rise Up - F.Cuz

This week we're focusing on a song that I really, really, REALLY love - and I mean that.  Seriously.  It's called Rise Up by K-pop boy band F.Cuz (what a name - I mean, I know it's supposed to equate to "focus", but it really doesn't, at least not in my mind).  Anywho, this group is not really one of my favorites, but there are a couple of their songs that I really like, with this being one of them (obviously).

I don't know much of anything about this group, except that they debuted pretty recently (last year I think) and not too long ago they went through a member shifting issue (I don't know what happened, I just know they started with four members, and now they have five).  If you want to know more, google it.

Anywho, below are the lyrics*:

Somebody hands up
Jump high to the sky
Nobody rise up
Oh, rough winds, blow

New one
Better than yesterday
Winds, blow

Call out my name
Put away that sad expression
I will sing for you, I'll never let you go
Believe in my words again
Go crazy once more
When you hold my hand, oh, come into my world

Somebody hands up
Jump high to the sky
Nobody rise up
Oh, rough winds, blow

I'll make it, make it shine

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

You make me rise up again

You light up the fire in my dark heart

A milestone that held onto me, who was wandering and lost

Don't worry, here I am, don't worry, say my name

Now I will protect you, I will dance for you

Don't pretend not to know

I am beating inside of you

Get up, now get up, I'll never break it up

Believe in my words again
Go crazy once more
When you look me in the eyes again, oh, come into my world

Somebody hands up
Jump high to the sky
Nobody rise up
Oh, rough winds, blow

I'll make it, make it shine

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

Somebody hands up

The sun rises again

Nobody rise up
Oh, rough winds, blow

I'll make it, make it shine

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna shout it out

Oh, oh, I wanna, oh, I wanna rise up

So pretty much, although it might not seem like it from just reading the lyrics, this song is pure awesome.  The techno beat, the awesome autotune that's only there just enough to be cool, the totally danceable melody...  Yah, I love this song.  I don't have much else to say, except that there is no music video, and I don't care.  I mean, if they did do a music video for this song it would be just as awesome as the song is, I'm sure, but I don't necessarily think it needs a music video.  It's just fine the way it is.

Anyways, enough of my talking.  If you like techno music, if you like pop, if you like to dance (especially if you like to dance - like me!), you will probably love this song.  You just gotta look it up and see...er, hear...for yourself.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.

Translation credited to pop!gasa

Soundtrack Spotlight: Finding Mr. Destiny (aka Looking for Mr. Kim Jong Wook) (2010)

A/N: Yay for trying new things.  This segment is pretty much gonna be me talking about a particular movie or drama and it's soundtrack, whether that be score, insert songs, opening themes, closing themes, what have you.  Other than that, these should be pretty short, sweet, and to the point.


Seo Ji Woo is a disheveled theater director who can't seem to forget her first love, a man she can barely remember.  Her father, whose lifelong priority is to see Ji Woo get married, drags her by the ear (figuratively) into the office of a company that specializes in tracking down first loves.  The man who runs this company, Han Gi Joon, is a fastidious man whose number one focus in life is cleanliness and order.  After some cajoling from her father, Ji Woo finally agrees to let Gi Joon try and find her first love.  There's only one problem: she can only remember his name, Kim Jong Wook.  Throughout the process, Ji Woo insists Gi Joon should not continue with the search, as she really is not interested in finding her first love.  But being who he is, Gi Joon in turn insists that he must complete the task, since she is his first client and it is important that he finish what he was hired to do.

So starting off this segment is one of my favorite movies of all time, for many reasons.  This is also going to be a very short segment because I really only have one thing I want to talk about.  The music in this movie is good - the score does a good job of enhancing the mood of each scene, whether that be sentimental romanticism or goofy comedy.  It's nothing too amazing, but it does its job well.

Aside from that, there is an aspect to the music in this movie that is unique (that is, it's not altogether unusual or all that rare, but it's still rather different), and that is the musical that is featured here.  As mentioned above, Ji Woo is a theater director, and what would a theater director be without some theater to direct?  That's one thing about this movie that I really like: while it does play a large role in the latter third of the movie, the musical is only described enough that we really get a sense of how important it is to everyone involved.  Through the course of the movie, only one song from the musical is ever heard or sung in its entirety, a song called Destiny Midnight, which is really cool in its own right.  It's a big Broadway style musical number with a really cool melody and interesting choreography.  I'd recommend looking that up just on its own, it's that cool.

What I really want to talk about, however, is the credit song, or rather the song that plays over the credits.  People who are familiar with Gong Yoo's work (as I am a little) may already know this, but I didn't and it shocked me: he's an excellent singer.  If he wanted to, he could have his own music career (personally, though, I'm glad he chose acting as his main career).  But really, the song that he sings over the ending credits is one of my favorite songs ever (off of a movie soundtrack, that is).  It's called Second Love and it's a really happy song.  The melody is light and bubbly and the words are really...well, they're kind of similar to a lot of other songs, but that's not the point.  The whole song is just so...happy.  It's a really bouncy song, and even if you haven't seen the movie (which you totally should, by the way - wink, wink, nudge, nudge) you really should look up this song and give it a listen.  I don't think I've seen anybody who can stay upset after listening to this song even part of the way through, and I definitely think it'll brighten up your day.  So go find it and listen to it - after you've watched the movie, of course.

Song of the Week: Most Wanted - Will Pan

All right, getting back into the swing of things.  This week I thought I'd pick back up with a song by a guy that I genuinely like as a person (there aren't TOO many of those floating around...just so you know).  That guy is Will Pan (or Wilber Pan, depending on who you ask).  This guy has a pretty extensive background in music and he's even done a fair bit of acting (see Miss No Good, Pandamen, and Endless Love, just to name a few).

But the song we're focusing on today is a song called Most Wanted from one of his most recent albums.  The song is really cool, as you will soon see, as is the music video.  But I'll get to that in a minute.
Below are the lyrics*:

The shiny black paint outlines the contours quickly
Tracking down your elusiveness, lock target and focus on operation
Decode your every movement and intercept your information current
Say say say say you love me, this program locks and gets started
I am going to be the legend of the next generation, oh

I am wanted by the top assassin's operation
When the precise opportunity is here, I implant love into your brainwaves
The operation of love assassin, I will not miss (lose)
I am the killa killa killa killa
Do not try to resist no no no
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one

The shiny black paint outlines the contours quickly
Tracking down your elusiveness, lock target and focus on operation
Decode your every movement and intercept your information current
Say say say say you love me, this program locks and gets started
I am going to be the legend of the next generation, oh

I am wanted by the top assassin's operation
When the precise opportunity is here, I implant love into your brainwaves
The operation of love assassin, I will not miss (lose)
I am the killa killa killa killa
Do not try to resist no no no
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one

Decode your every movement
Intercept your information current
Say say say say you love me
You are my most perfect masterpiece

I am wanted by the top assassin's operation
When the precise opportunity is here, I implant love into your brainwaves
The operation of love assassin, I will not miss (lose)
I am the killa killa killa killa
Do not try to resist no no no
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one
No no no no (killa killa) baby, you're my number one

Okay, I know.  Right off the bat you're probably thinking one thing just looking at these lyrics: this song is REALLY repetitive.  And yes, it is repetitive.  I don't care.  It's still amazing.

But the main talking point here is really the music video.  It features a story about a psychotic dude (played by Will Pan) who's stalking a girl to the point that he says at the end of the music video that if he pretends to have killed her, THEN she can be free to go anywhere she wants and she'll be safe - because he'll be in prison where he can't get to her.  It's so freaky.  Plus the look that Will gives at the end of the video - creepy, dude, creepy.

The choreography is nothing to write home about, really.  It's pretty awesome in some places, but most of the video is focused more on the story (as it should be, I might add).  But in any case, it looks freaking amazing.  The lighting is awesome and the visual style to the dancing parts is really cool (plus Will Pan has electric blue hair in this video - yah, it's that awesome).

So on that fabulous note, I will just say that if you haven't seen this music video, you should see it, just for kicks.  The techno beats and awesome looks to it will definitely leave an impression - whether that be good or bad.  But whatever the case, for future reference, watch out for any really creepy dudes with awesome Asian hair.

P.S. I'm totally just kidding, by the way.  If I saw Will Pan on the street...  I'll just leave that to your imagination (in other words, I like him).

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Mandarin.
Translation credited to Oniysoshi

[OLD] Song of the Week: Darling - V6

Now this week is going to be interesting, because I understand that this band, having been popular way back in the late nineties, is still going.  I know I've said before that bands like Arashi, though they do exist, are not the norm, and yet I never cease to be surprised by the number of long-running groups like this.

The group I'm referring to is the J-pop band V6.  I've likened these guys a bit to the K-pop group Shinhwa, simply because Shinhwa has also been popular for a very long time and both groups have members of about the same age.  But I digress.

The song I'm going to discuss today is a song from about a decade ago.  This song, entitled Darling, was used as the opening theme for the 2003 drama Kimi wa Pet (aka Kimi wa Petto or Tramps Like Us).  It's quite unclear to me why they chose THIS song for THAT drama, as the lyrics have almost nothing to do with the story and the connection between the tone of the lyrics and the tone of the show is vague at best.  I guess they just wanted an upbeat opener to get people interested?  Anyways, whatever the reason, the song is quite catchy and I like it.  Below are the lyrics*:

Darling, darling, it's okay, right?
The undoable shot is turning good
Darling, darling, I don't get it
Our minds fit so well it hurts

Your coaxing last night
was a lie like aroma oil
When morning comes,
Where are you running off to?
It's no problem whether or not
We plan our next meeting
In the moments when you can't move without batteries
I'll be by your side

Drive navigating by your unwanted feelings
Today, tomorrow, and I guess the day after too
We can't see what's gonna happen

Darling, darling, it's okay, right?
The undoable shot is turning good
Darling, darling, I don't get it
Our minds fit so well it hurts
Darling, darling, be troubled
It won't click if you flounder around
Darling, darling, it won't end
I want to be hitting in reverse

More than the feeling of
Not really wanting to go home to the same place
Our feet heading towards "reality"
Are much more precious

Pull out those feelings that
Won't let you struggle onward, stay
Sun? Rain? Even the calling of a storm
Half depends on you

Darling, darling, it's okay, right?
The undoable shot is turning good
Darling, darling, I don't get it
Our minds fit so well it hurts
Darling, darling, do you know?
If you don't close your eyes, you won't be able to see
Darling, darling, it's okay
Ambiguously I want to be hot

Darling, darling, it's okay, right?
The undoable shot is turning good
Darling, darling, I don't get it
Our minds fit so well it hurts
Darling, darling, be troubled
It won't click if you flounder around
Darling, darling, it won't end
I want to be hitting in reverse

So, yah. I don't really know what to add. I don't know who wrote this, but I'd kinda appreciate it if they'd write something that actually, oh, I don't know, MAKES SENSE? I mean, I know most of the verses make sense, but aside from that, I don't really even know what this song is about, let alone what most of it means.

But, focusing on the positive, the beat of the song is really addictive and I really like the melody as well. The fact that it doesn't make sense really isn't as big of a deal to me as it would be if I could understand Japanese (if you understand Japanese and you listen to this song...I'm sorry). That being said, I guess this is one of those songs that people don't really care that it's pretty nonsensical because the beat and the actual music are pretty good.

The dance is kind of interesting to watch, being that this music video was produced back in the late nineties and you can TOTALLY tell. The style of the video, the clothes they're wearing, and the hairstyles on these guys definitely scream nineties to me - which is totally fine. This is another classic case, though, of the music video having absolutely nothing to do with the song. They aren't really even doing anything in the video except dancing and a couple of them do some cool flips and stuff. I'm guessing this is what you might call the Japanese equivalent of an American music video (except this is way cooler).

Anyway, while this song might be an oldie (at least it's old to me), it's definitely a goodie, and I'd totally recommend it to anybody that's a fan of pop or dance music. It's a total classic from a very interesting band of longstanding fame. Go ahead and check it out if you're so inclined. And if you aren't, well, that's okay. Not everybody can be cool.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate. Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.
Translation credited to ryuuen

[OLD] Song of the Week: D-Day - History

This week is a group that just debuted about five months ago.  That's right, I'm talking about the K-pop boy band History.  I know pretty much nothing about this group, aside from when they debuted (and that their first music video was awesome!), but I have nothing negative to say about them thus far.  Good voices, nice looks, awesome music...

There I go again getting ahead of myself.  The song I'm focusing on this week is actually not this group's debut music video (though I also love that song).  The song I chose is a lesser known song called D-Day.  It's really cool, but I'm not gonna get too far ahead of myself.  Below are the lyrics*:

I prayed every day as I looked into your eyes
That I would get to live by your side, that I want to protect you
Every night I looked through my heart
And thought about it many times
Why is my heart pounding?
My answer was you

From today on I won't call you by "you" (I won't)
From now on I will call you "love" (I will love you)
I won't say much, but I'll show you from one to ten
It's from today, you and I have started anew

Last night I wrote you a letter and prepared a gift all night
I prepared it for you
I'm already worried
What face should I be making?
I wear the best clothes I have
I look in the mirror again and again and fix myself up (fix myself up)
After finishing all preparations
I run toward you

From today on I won't call you by "you" (I won't)
From now on I will call you "love" (I will love you)
I won't say much, but I'll show you from one to ten
It's from today, you and I have started anew

Yeah, from some point my eyes keep drawing you out

Turn your ears to my heart, your name keeps flowing from my lips

Your bright face and a silhouette, so shining sun

No one could have crossed our line of destiny

Now I walk on this path with you

Smile at me so everyone can see

I will always be where your eyes can see

There's no need for words, I'll give you everything now

The times we spent together

Were so comfortable for me (comfortable)

As if time stopped

As if this place stopped

I will honestly confess to you

The moment I first saw you I stopped in place (stopped)

I'll tell you again, I already wanted you from then on (I only wanted you)

From today on I will make you my girl

I love you, you and I, we've already begun

Time goes by, I will stay by your side

Looking back everything was meaningless

Wherever you are, wherever that is

I will walk, I will walk again, you never know

Don't pass me by, wherever you are

Even if it's the end, it will always be timeless

Even if time will stop soon

Open your heart, open me up more, you better know

Yay, another really romantic, REALLY cheesy song.  Go, me.  But you know what?  I don't care.  This song is awesome for the melody, if not for the lyrics.  The type of heavy, slower beat that this has is really cool, I think (and hey, this is my thing, so my opinion is what we're gonna go with).  There's a fair amount of rap in this too, and a decent amount of Engrish (English that's either spoken with a very heavy accent or that doesn't really make sense, as is the case here).  I know there are a couple lines that give me the impression that the person writing this (or people; I wouldn't know) either don't speak English very well or they were just trying to make it rhyme.

I understand the rhyming thing (I suck at making things rhyme; trust me on that one), but you could try a little harder to have the words actually MAKE SENSE.  That's kinda important, especially in a song that's supposed to be heartfelt and emotional (I know, it's pretty over-dramatized, but as I've already said, I don't care).  This song does not have a music video, but I'm not entirely sure it needs one.  I'm sure they could come up with something awesome (Koreans are usually pretty good at that), but I don't think that's absolutely necessary for the enjoyment of the song.

So all in all, go look this one up.  If you like rockish type ballads or heavy beats (or both) you'll probably like this.  But don't take my word for it.  Find out for yourself.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.

Translation credited to Kpopfannzone

[OLD] Song of the Week: Metamorphosis - JJ Lin

This week is a song by an artist that I don't listen to much, but when I do...it's awesome.  He's been around for a while, and his music just keeps getting better.  It's JJ Lin.

The song I'm focusing in on is a bit older.  It was a music video done a few years ago for a song that is really cool.  The music video itself is really cool too, but we'll get there in a minute.

Below are the lyrics*:

He neared the balcony over water and took his inspiration at the spot
He looked and it's there
But when I am before her, it's like there's
A mountain range between us
One last letter from Shan Bo and Ying Tai
Parted mountains and emptied the ocean
The paper that expresses my love for her makes me sound
Stupid
During these several millenia, the Bible for love
Wasn't passed down from our ancestors
Darwin's expression is very troubled
The theory of evolution can't explain it

I hate the present
When a deep love is easily betrayed
I hate the ancient times
When one can only wait for fate
I hate the future
When that promise is too easily corrupted
Hurry and rewind
The ending is always equally bad

The wheels on the horse carriage drive over mountains and cliffs
All just to confess
The race car goes faster just for an earlier
Bye

I hate the present
When a deep love is easily betrayed
I hate the ancient times
When one can only wait for fate
I hate the future
When that promise is too easily corrupted
Hurry and rewind
The ending is always equally bad

After millenia of existence, love's appearance
Is changing with evolution
It appears quietly, there's no vaccine in sight
Who uses feelings to while away time?

I hate the present
When a deep love is easily betrayed
I hate the ancient times
When one can only wait for fate
I hate the future
When that promise is too easily corrupted
Hurry and rewind
The ending is always equally bad

I hate the present
I hate the ancient times
When one can only wait for fate
I hate the future
Hurry and rewind
The ending is always equally bad

This song is kinda sci-fi in its own right.  It's very interesting just reading the words, even without the melody.  The melody itself is kinda techno-punkish with a good (and I mean GOOD) beat to dance to.

Speaking of dance, this music video rocks.  JJ Lin has become known over the years for his epic dancing ability and awesome choreography in his music videos...well, the ones he does that actually warrant a dance routine (he does a lot of slow music videos).  Although this video is undoubtedly several years old, that doesn't matter.  The dancing is still amazing and the story line to the video, although a bit piecemeal, is still interesting - not to mention the chick with the spearmint green hair.

The other thing to note about this video is the awesome computer effects.  I love it when creative people get together to produce stuff like this, because they always come up with some of the most excellent computer graphics work I've ever seen.  I'm not saying this video is the MOST amazing I've ever seen (I have seen some REALLY unique stuff that was pretty awesome), but it's right up there.

So on the whole, this video continues to be one of my favorite JJ Lin songs ever, and I hope I never get tired of it.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Mandarin.
Translation credited to DoReMii

[OLD] Song of the Week: Birth - KAT-TUN

This week another Japanese entry (with a group that's actually Japanese this time).  The song I'll be focusing on this week is by a group of guys that I really don't know a whole lot about, but I do know they're pretty good singers and really good dancers.  KAT-TUN is the group I speak of (pronunciation is interesting on this one; I'm told you're supposed to say it like you're saying "cartoon" with an English accent).  This group is one that I like not so much for their music, but more for their personalities.  A few years ago they had a variety show (in Japan that can mean just about anything, but trust me, this one was good) on TV wherein I got to know their personalities and temperaments fairly well.  But I digress.

Back to the song at hand.  This particular song, entitled Birth, was used as the ending theme for the 2012 drama Youkai Ningen starring KAT-TUN member Kamenashi Kazuya (Kame for short).  It's really cool as you'll soon see, and while it's not explicitly connected to the drama, the tone is similar and it fits really well.  Below are the lyrics*:

Light and shadow, the traveling rain will never come again "here"
I only try to move forward, while searching for you in an endless world

From "here" what will be waiting for us?  In which "place" is tomorrow?
In a time which will never return, I want to know the reason of my birth
Even if I'll have difficulties to understand things I believe
Doubting of things I don't know, I want to see you

There is no night without dawn, someone is waiting for you with an outstretched hand
Without me never give up, go ahead!

Light and shadow continue to go on, a painful birth
In that endless world which only falls down then stands up
I remember, I remember that I'm born to meet you
In an unknown tomorrow, I'll engrave only the sound of your voice in my chest

Nothing is healed, pain is among my belongings when I'm in a corner of that huge city
Without limit from me to a sinless you
I noticed that place isn't good since you're not in it

There are no tears that we cannot dry, I'll surely find you in the next town
The dreams that we can't believe in don't change, go ahead!

The light is overflowing on me, I wonder if there is darkness in the bottom of my heart
When someone is self-confident, his memories traveled
I heard, I heard, I see you under the same sky
Yes, believe in the life which goes on, in the miracle that leads us

The world still turns without even noticing our lives
But now I feel like believing in our encounter

Light and shadow continue to go on, a painful birth
In that endless world which only falls down then stands up
I remember, I remember that I'm born to meet you
In an unknown tomorrow, I'll engrave only the sound of your voice in my chest

And I walk

I love this song.  Personally I'm a little sad this doesn't have music video, even a "drama trailer" music video like they do with a lot of Korean drama themes.  But aside from that, this song rocks.  There's a lot of really cool electric guitar riffs in this, along with some really heavy techno beat type stuff.  When you watch the drama, it totally fits the feel of what you just watched.

The vocals for this song are pretty cool too.  This isn't the strongest I've ever heard out of KAT-TUN, but then again, they tend to focus more on individual sound than cohesive sound (I won't get into my opinion of that; they should totally focus more on their "harmony", so to speak).  At least that's what I've noticed.

Anywho, this song is awesome.  Plain and simple.  Pure awesome.  So go look it up.  Watch the drama while you're at it.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.
Translation credited to makikawaii

[OLD] Song of the Week: Dream Girl - SHINee

Now for a song by one of my favorite K-pop groups ever!  SHINee!  They are awesome.  Since their debut in 2008 they've rocked the charts, shooting straight to the top and staying up there for a few years now.

I don't have much to say about these guys except they rock awesomely.  The song I'm focusing on this week is one of their latest music videos called Dream Girl.  The video for this song is kind of strange and very unique, but it exhibits SHINee's original unique style quite well.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Below are the lyrics*:

SHINee's back

When it started is not important
I only see the perfect you in my eyes
In this gray world, only your red lips shine
The moment I try to kiss your lips
I wake from my dream
Your face is still so clear
The heat of your hand that I held is still warm
You come to me at night but disappear in the morning
I can't just let you go like this every day

Baby I know this is all a dream but
Baby oh please don't leave me

Dream girl
Seems like I can touch you but I can't
Dream girl
Every night I wait for you like this
Dream girl
You sweetly whisper love to me
Then you disappear in the morning, dream girl

Hold on for a moment, this isn't a dream
That dazzling smile, that's definitely you
My heart makes me go after you in secret
The moment you turn the corner, you disappear like a dream
Your face in my dream is the same every night
It feels like I should go a little closer to you now
But you only give me a slight smile and disappear like that
I can't just let you go like this every day

Baby I know this is all a dream but
Baby oh please don't leave me

Dream girl
Seems like I can touch you but I can't
Dream girl
Every night I wait for you like this
Dream girl
You sweetly whisper love to me
Then you disappear in the morning, dream girl

I'm afraid of the days without you (although I'll forget when tomorrow comes)
I try holding onto you earnestly, but without any promises you leave me

The feeling of seeing your eyes, your lips - you're so beautiful
I can't take my eyes off of you for a moment
No words can take anything away from you
From your head to your toes, you're the one and only girl
From one to a hundred, I treat you gently
The day you choose me is when the world stops
You're my world

Dream girl
Seems like I can touch you but I can't
Dream girl
Every night I wait for you like this
Dream girl
You sweetly whisper love to me
Then you disappear in the morning, dream girlDream girl
Seems like I can touch you but I can't
Dream girl
Every night I wait for you like this
Dream girl
Remember our love
When the night grows deep, she finds me, dream girl

So upon rereading the lyrics to this song, I'm reminded that oftentimes, songs like this sound way cooler in Korean - mostly because when they're in Korean I can't understand them (at least not immediately).  I do think it's kinda funny that this song is mostly about a woman that either doesn't exist or she does exist, but she's untouchable.

I mentioned previously that the music video for this song is quite unique.  I mean that in one of the best ways possible.  It's very...interesting.  There's a lot of flashy colors and effects and all kinds of cool stuff, which fits the song very well, since it's a rock-pop-ish kind of song (actually it's pretty much solid pop, but I don't care - I don't really pay much attention to genres anyway).

I do have one note, however.  I want to find the person or people that made the choices regarding wardrobe for the five guys in this video.  What on earth possessed you to put THOSE colors together in THAT way?!  In what universe does that look okay?  Not good, but even okay?!  I do not understand that.  Now, I mean this in the most facetious of ways, because no matter what they're wearing, these guys are still awesome.  It's just in this particular video...wow.

Anywho, aside from the atrocious wardrobe they have going, this video rocks pretty awesomely.  Take that together with the fact that the song also rocks and you've got yourself a chart-topping single.  Here's to all the wonderful SHINee singles and whatnot to come.

P.S. Seriously though, dude - why sunflowers?

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.
Translation credited to Kpopfannzone

[OLD] Song of the Week: Chu Shen Ru Hua (Superb) - Fahrenheit

For this week it's back to Taiwan for a song by one of my favorite groups of all time, Fahrenheit (or Fei Lun Hai as they say it).  This is the first Asian group I ever liked back when I first started watching dramas, which was got me into the music in the first place.  These guys are super cool (we don't speak of the fact that they are technically not together anymore...their contract ended and they didn't renew it...sad face).  Since they stopped producing music as a group, though, all of the members have continued in showbiz in some capacity.  Aaron, who's my favorite of the four, continued in music as a solo artist.  I'm not nearly as certain about what the others are doing, except that Jiro has been acting a lot and he was hosting on a TV show for a little while before his last two major dramas came out (Absolute Boyfriend and Fabulous Boys...both of which I WILL be watching VERY soon).

But enough about that.  The song I'm focusing on this time is an older song that was used as the opening theme for the 2007 drama The X Family.  This drama features all four Fahrenheit boys in varying amounts of screen time (one of the boys is only in two episodes...and the drama is fifty-five episodes long).  The song is called Chu Shen Ru Hua (Superb) and it's COOL.  Below are the lyrics*:

This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me

I've been patient for so long, it's feeling comfortable
Justice is boiling in my blood, forming a sea of fire
Every nerve is a match, the soul is gonna burst
You are waiting in the darkness, I wake up

Hot blood never feels tired
Even if it's raining
It can't extinguish the flame in the heart
Night is only missing a thunder
Only missing a moment
The steam in the chest is smoking
I'm ready to make the world feel ashamed

This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me

You said, "Why is the other side of love hate?"
You said, "Why is truth moving farther and farther away?"
You said, "Why should I save the world?"
I said, "I can't stop"
You said, "Why should I carry these burdens?"
You said, "Why can't the good defeat the evil?"
You said, "Why not put aside everything?"
I said, "I can't stop"

The story began in the swamp, I woke up from the chaos
The time bomb had been placed in my mind
The volcano hidden in my heart is about to explode
So come on
This life I defend my love, unable to stop

Tomorrow I'm not afraid of any danger
Even if love is frozen by snow
My heart has a long summer
Hurry, please test my limit
Please go ahead and put me in training
What other ultimate trials does God have?
I'm ready to make the world feel ashamed

This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me
This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me
This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me
This is my era, I will give you your future
If you want to live, then quietly follow my rule
I'll detonate the entire era, no one can escape
Look at me being superb, the galaxy is buried by me

All right, aside from this song being pure AWESOME, there are some cool things to point out about the lyrics.  For one, the somewhat subtle connection to the drama even though I don't think this song was written specifically for the drama.  At the very least, the lyrics do fit the tone of the show and they make sense overall in the span of the story.  Plus there's a lot of really cool imagery in this song, and I love imagery.

The music video is one that is interesting to watch, what with the science experiment sort of thing happening throughout.  There's really no specific story line to it other than the Fahrenheit boys looking like they're in prison (or at least one of them is) and the others are rescuing him.  I like this music video a lot.  In fact, it was really the first Asian music video I ever saw that had nothing to do with Romantic Princess (I was watching that drama at the time and thus was looking up everything under the sun from that soundtrack).

Overall, one of the first Asian music videos I ever saw, and as far as I'm concerned, still one of the best.  It's a cool song with a cool drama attached to it and I recommend both to just about everyone out there.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Mandarin.
Translation credited to the X Family Wiki D-Addicts team

[OLD] Song of the Week: Dream Out Loud - Romeo (Park Jung Min)

This week I shall again cross borders with the song I'm focusing on.  The guy who did this song is one of my all time favorite singers.  Park Jung Min.  This guy used to be in a group called SS501 (another awesome group with five very talented guys in it), but after the group disbanded a few years ago (sad face) they all started solo careers.  Jung Min is the one I've followed the most because he was my favorite in the group.  Recently he began producing music in Japanese as well as Korean (a lot of Korean groups and single artists do that to increase their popularity/audience) and it's all REALLY cool.  It's much darker than any of his previous music (either in SS501 or solo), but I really like his new image.  He also decided to take the stage name "Romeo" in Japan (I've no idea why) and from what I've heard, his manager/producers say "Romeo" is like the alter ego of Park Jung Min.  Interesting.

But enough about that.  The song I'm focusing on is called Dream Out Loud.  It's a very poetic song, as you're about to see.  Below are the lyrics*:

Before the fear waxes full
What kind of dream shall we pledge?
The wind continues to blow against our hollow
It sneers but I won't care

Because we know
The things that continue to challenge us
When we are joyful
Nothing can stop our way

Even if the world sinks into tears
I want us to be in light tomorrow as well
By your breath I can tirelessly fly
Together, dream it out loud

The sky's blue concealed black
Let's stop comparing already
The things that charm only us
Are definitely nearby

In the moment when I wrapped you
The flame was born today again
After burning

Even if the world sinks into tears
I want us to be in light tomorrow as well
By your breath I can tirelessly fly
Together, dream it out loud

In the depths of your gaze
Gently cross over the rainbow

Even if the world sinks into tears
I want us to be in light tomorrow as well
By your breath I can tirelessly fly
Together, dream it out loud
Dream it out loud
Dream it out loud

See what I mean about it being poetic?  Oh, my gosh, this is one of the most poetic songs I've ever heard...ever.  Sadly, it does not have a music video, but who cares?  The vocals on this song are AMAZING.  Seriously.  I am SO happy Park Jung Min has kept his solo career going, because his voice is too amazing to not share with the world (yes, I fangirl every time I hear this song).

That being said, his new darker image is definitely very interesting.  He talks a lot about vampires and stuff like that, and if you saw the pictures...oh, boy.  Yah, it's dark.  But sometimes a drastic change of image is not necessarily a bad thing.  So, my hat's off to Park Jung Min (I don't wear hats, but that's beside the point) for bringing us this wonderfully beautiful song.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.
Translation credited to aeternum min

[OLD] Song of the Week: U & I - Ailee

This week I realized that up until this point I have only been focusing on songs by boy bands or single male artists.  I'm going to rectify that this week by choosing a song by possibly my favorite single female artist in all of K-pop.  Her name is Ailee and she's awesome.  She's beautiful, has an AMAZING voice (she's been dubbed the Korean Beyonce; she not only sounds almost identical in the timbre and tone of her voice, with the right hair she also looks a heck of a lot like Beyonce), and she can dance pretty well too.  The song I'm focusing on is her latest music video entitled U & I.  It's pretty cool all by itself, but I'll get to that later.

Below are the lyrics*:

Wait a minute, wait a minute, sorry for interrupting but
Why are you saying the same things over and over again?
One of us has to say it first
Let's just end it here
I want to stop fighting now
There's not a day where we just let things go
My days have no meaning now
I don't smile even for one minute or one second
I can't do this anymore, I want to tell you today

I don't want to care where you are or what you do
Whether you leave or not, do whatever you want
The same thing repeats every day, U & I, U & I, U & I

Wait a minute, wait a minute, will you get off of me?
Why are you doing this, let go of my hand
Even after hearing it several times, your words are all the same
Tired of all your lies and excuses, now just get out my face
We can't turn things back to how it was before
We became worse than strangers, we became burdens to each other
Besides you I have no one else
But I don't care anymore, I just wanna tell you

I don't want to care where you are or what you do
Whether you leave or not, do whatever you want
The same thing repeats every day, U & I, U & I, U & I

You may think I'll be crying here where you left me
But I'm alright because it won't happen again
You and I, it's over now

I don't want to care where you are or what you do
Whether you leave or not, do whatever you want
The same thing repeats every day, U & I, U & I, U & I

So, in case any of you may be unfamiliar with this, there are in fact four types of K-pop.  They are: "We're so in love, let's be together forever"; "I'm so in love with you, but you hate me"; "You're so in love with me, but I hate you"; and lastly, the type that has nothing to do with romance whatsoever.  Ninety-five percent of K-pop can be broken down into these categories, with some variation of course.

So why do I bring this up?  I mention this because this song is of the third variety - the "You're so in love with me, but I hate you" variety.  This brings up something about this style that I think is worth saying: Ailee is very good at this kind of music.  She has a strong voice and this kind of big-band-ish crossed with Broadway style music is wonderful for her.

The music video is also something interesting.  Like I said before, the music is very much like a Broadway musical number crossed with a big-band-ish sort of feel.  The music video fits that perfectly.  It's done in a very Broadway-esque style with lots of dancers in cool outfits and a lot of sparkly stuff.  Aside from the numerous sets and different costumes though, there really isn't a whole lot to this music video, which is not really a bad thing.  The focus should be on the song and the person singing it, and oh, boy, do they do a good job of that.

So all in all, cool flashy music video, awesome song, REALLY awesome singer...I think this one has everything a K-pop fan could ever want.  Well, everything except the obligatory hot shirtless guy.  I guess I can't always have it my way.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.
Translation credited to pop!gasa

[OLD] Song of the Week: Breakdown - Super Junior M

This week I'm going to do something that I will do many times in the future for this segment (more with the Japanese stuff, but it applies here too): I'm going to talk about a song from a group that's not necessarily Chinese or Taiwanese.  For anybody reading this who doesn't know who Super Junior is (even if you aren't Asian, they're practically everywhere; if you haven't heard of them, shame on you) they are a VERY popular K-pop group that started a few years ago with thirteen (count 'em, THIRTEEN) members.  A couple of years ago they decided that they wanted to appeal to a larger market, so they formed a subgroup called Super Junior M, which sings in Mandarin Chinese.  Originally composed of seven members (five from the original Super Junior and two new recruits), now they have expanded to eight members.  If you want more detail about what happened or how they started, google them.

Anywho, the song I'm focusing on is called Breakdown and to my knowledge it is their latest music video.  It's quite an awesome song and you will soon see why (or not).  Below are the lyrics*:

This isn't like me, I can't calm down at all
Passers-by can see that I have a special anticipation for you
I lost control, what do I do now?  I'm almost unable to leave
Yeah, our conversation is completely ordinary
Why is my heart beating exceptionally fast?
Each and every movement, in your presence, is so easily seen through
Because I've gotten lost in your eyes

For you my armed heart breaks down
What's left is my bare confession, my defenseless love
I need to be selflessly brave, block rumors
So baby, let's go go go go go
For you my emotionless mask breaks down
All of my expressions have revealed my adoration for you
Even if I get hurt I won't feel regret, I just want you to rely on me
So baby, let's go go go go go

Along the way I remove my armor, running faster with all my might
I catch you up, protecting you so you won't get hurt
Even if I get covered in bruises, it doesn't matter to me, it's all for you
Perhaps you think I'm too crazy (Yeah, you can call me crazy)
Actually, I think so too (but I can't stop loving you)
Love is like an intoxicating melody

For you my armed heart breaks down
What's left is my bare confession, my defenseless love
I need to be selflessly brave, block rumors
So baby, let's go go go go go
For you my emotionless mask breaks down
All of my expressions have revealed my adoration for you
Even if I get hurt I won't feel regret, I just want you to rely on me
So baby, let's go go go go go

It's like I've almost found myself again, but failed once more
Again you're breakin' me down, breakin' me down
How many times have I already gone far away, but come back again?
Love's always breakin' me down, breakin' me down

For you my armed heart breaks down
What's left is my bare confession, my defenseless love
I need to be selflessly brave, block rumors
So baby, let's go go go go go
For you my emotionless mask breaks down
All of my expressions have revealed my adoration for you
Even if I get hurt I won't feel regret, I just want you to rely on me
So baby, let's go go go go go
The way out has completely broken down
Like falling to ruins, break down
Loving you makes me completely break down

Okay, so maybe this song is a little cheesier than I remembered.  But who cares?  It has a snappy beat and a really cool melody.  The vocals are amazing too.  Seriously, you get Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Henry together, and you are down for some amazingly awesome vocals.

The music video is totally standard Super Junior: simple sets, cool lighting, and basically a monochromatic color scheme.  It's pretty obvious (at least to me) that the reason they do it that way is to keep the focus on the people in the video instead of the location of the video, which makes total sense.  Of course, who would even notice the background with all of the awesome choreography in this video?  That's another thing Super Junior is known for: REALLY COOL DANCE MOVES.  And this video is no exception.  I do have one beef with this video, however: whoever came up with the wardrobe, what is up with that THING on Siwon's head?  It looks like a small rodent curled up to take a nap in his hair and nobody bothered to do anything about it.

All in all, totally one of my favorite music videos from Super Junior M and I hope they continue to be this completely awesome for a long, long time.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Mandarin.

[OLD] Song of the Week: Sayaendou (As Alike as Peas in a Pod) - NEWS

This week it's back to Japan.  The song we're focusing on this week is a really interesting one from a boy band called NEWS (or NewS, whichever one you like better).  This song is from an anime called One Piece, more specifically from the seventh movie of the anime One Piece.  I have never seen One Piece personally, but I can say from what I've heard it's pretty ludicrous and very strange.

That does NOT apply to this song, however.  While the lyrics are kind of doofy and the song is pretty much just describing some of what happens in the anime, I don't care.  I love this song.  The song is called Sayaendou; I don't know of a direct translation of that title, but one rough translation I've heard is As Alike as Peas in a Pod.  I think that works as well as any other, and since I haven't heard any others, we'll just go with that one.

Now for the lyrics.  Like I said, the lyrics for this one are kinda doofy and it's pretty obvious this song was written specifically for the movie it came from, but I still don't care.  Below are the lyrics*:

When I awakened I was in the middle of the ocean, surrounded
A grim pirate yells at us
"How long're you gonna sleep?  They're almost here"
It was then that everything started to move; it was the real thing

Countless shadows drew near; my heart was racing

Bravo!  Bravo!  We're like peas
Bravo!  Bravo!  The tears we shared together
Bravo!  Bravo!  We're peas again today
Bravo!  Bravo!  The precious one piece
Gandaraada gandaraada, I can hear it from my pillow
Gandaraada gandaraada, the spell is breaking
Soon I'll have to go, so I'll say goodbye before I wake from my dream

We're in the middle of the ship; in an instant we're surrounded
In the distance, the pirate shouts
"I'm gonna go pay them a visit; you protect the ship"
With my fist raised, I realized we were pirates too

My friends are beside me; there's nothing to fear

Bravo!  Bravo!  The treasure we've found
Bravo!  Bravo!  Is the smiles we've shared with each other
Bravo!  Bravo!  We're peas again today
Bravo!  Bravo!  Let's gather the wind and go
Escape, escape, we won't let go of this
Escape, escape, they won't catch us
Soon I'll have to go, so I'll say goodbye before the sun rises

We'll meet again tomorrow; I believe

Bravo!  Bravo!  We're like peas
Bravo!  Bravo!  The tears we shared together
Bravo!  Bravo!  We're peas again today
Bravo!  Bravo!  The precious one piece
Gandaraada gandaraada, I can hear it from my pillow
Gandaraada gandaraada, the spell is breaking
Soon I'll have to go, so I'll say goodbye before I wake from my dream

So by now it's kinda obvious that I don't like this song for the lyrics.  I don't really care about the lyrics quite honestly.  The magic of this song comes from the awesome music and melody, as well as the totally awesome vocals.  It's a really bouncy song and it will totally get stuck in your head if you listen to it at all.

I think it kind of goes without saying that this doesn't have a music video, and the videos I have seen (that weren't fan videos for specific actors that have nothing to do with the series) are just like trailers for the anime.  They're just clips of the anime and probably some of the movies put to the music.  I myself have also made a remix to this song with footage that has nothing to do with the series, but I digress (if you want to see the video, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noDkDDAH8-c).

So while I haven't seen the movie that this comes from, or any of the aforementioned anime, I definitely love this song and I suggest people go look it up.  Just please don't hunt me down if this song won't leave you alone after you listen to it.  It is very catchy.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.
Translation credited to the One Piece Wikia team

[OLD] Song of the Week: Hyde - VIXX

This week we are picking up a bit of the K-pop phenomenon with our song choice.  The song we are focusing on this week is one of the latest from K-pop boy band VIXX (Value In ExCess).  It's their most recent music video and it kicks major butt.  The song is called Hyde as in Jekyll and Hyde, and oh, boy, if this isn't the most awesome of their songs to date, I don't know what is.

Now, in case it wasn't obvious enough, I really like this group.  Every single music video these guys have put out has been awesome.  They haven't been around all that long (I think they debuted last year), but oh, my gosh, they are seriously amazing.  The awesome dance moves, the totally awesome set pieces and themes for music videos, not to mention the effects...all of it just culminates to make a vortex of extreme AWESOME.

But enough of the fangirling.  This song is just awesome (how many times can I use that word in one review?).  Below are the lyrics of awesomeness*:

New generation is back
Yeah, we killin' this track right now
We started from the bottom
But we just do it now
Just follow

There's no way I said those words
There's no way I said I would leave you
Girl, please believe the me of right now
(There is a crazy person inside of me)
Oh, how do I explain this?
You'll probably think it's all an excuse
I'm not the same me as yesterday
(There is a crazy person inside)

Don't leave (leave me)
I love you (no, I hate you)
I'm both Jekyll and Hyde, don't run away from me

I'm not a bad person, I love you
Don't give me those scared eyes
There's a different person that's not me inside of me
There's a different me that's not me inside of me

Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control

There's no way I said those harsh words
There's no way I hurt you
Girl, please believe me, who's in front of your eyes
(There is a crazy person inside of me)

I only know you alone (that's all a lie)
You know me (no, you don't)
I'm both Jekyll and Hyde, don't run away from me

I'm not a bad person, I love you
Don't give me those scared eyes
There's a different person that's not me inside of me
There's a different me that's not me inside of me

The devil you saw last night was not me

Actually, I don't really remember myself, I think I'm crazy

I try to block myself, but as I saw myself jumping around, I knew I was sick

I need a remedy called you, come inside of my body

A different person that's not me has been caught inside of me

Only you know me, you are my last

I'm scared of myself if you leave me

There's a different me that's not me inside of me

I'm not a bad person, I love you
Don't give me those scared eyes
There's a different person that's not me inside of me
He's trying to hurt me

Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control
Just can't control

So as far as love songs go this one is pretty unique.  I've never seen the Jekyll and Hyde concept worked into a love story scenario before.  It's quite interesting, and makes for one heck of an amazing song.  The melody and such for this song is also quite interesting.  It's like techno-meets-pop-meets-dance, if that makes any sense at all.  It's really cool.

Speaking of dance, the music video for this song is pretty rockin' awesome too.  The choreography for this is really cool and the dance moves don't feel recycled like some music videos do (then again, VIXX doesn't usually have that problem).  The video is kind of dark, but that just adds to the tone of the song.  There are lots of skulls and that sort of imagery, as well as a poisonous snake and a HUGE spider (there's maggots too...that part's kinda gross).  The makeup on the guys is really almost walking dead-ish as well.  They have large black circles painted around their eyes and they have makeup on to dull the tone of their skin so they look really pale and ghostly.

All in all, totally awesome song, totally awesome music video...it's definitely worth checking out if you're into techno dance beats with some awesome makeup and effects thrown in for fun.

P.S. Seriously, how many times did I use the word "awesome" in this review?

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.
Translation credited to pop!gasa

[OLD] Song of the Week: Wei Xian De Nian Tou (Dangerous Idea) - Show Luo

So this week I'm gonna talk about a song by one of my favorite people (not celebrities, people in general) on the face of the earth.  Luo Zhi Xiang, otherwise known as Show Luo.  I mentioned last week that Arashi has been in the music industry for 14 years and that that's pretty much unheard of.  Well, this guy has them beat.  Show started in the music industry when he was 15...he's turning 34 this month...do the math.  18 years is a pretty LONG time to be in music.  Now, granted, he only really started to pick up the fame around the release of his fourth album, which was in 2006, and the international fame didn't pick up until about his sixth album, which was released in 2008, but still...  Give the guy some credit.

But I'll stop now.  I'm pretty convinced I could write a book about all the ways Show is completely and totally awesome (yes, I'm a major fangirl...get over it), but I shall spare you the whole of it.  The song I'm focusing on this time around is a song that makes me want to cry every time I hear it.  It's called Wei Xian De Nian Tou (Dangerous Idea) and it is beautiful.  Below are the lyrics*:

Why do I seem like I've been struck down in just one night
Pathetic, silent, empty, tears, stubble, heartache
I can't tell friends about what you did to have them think
That you are bad

Why have you become someone I don't recognize
Deceit, selfish, arguing, corner of your mouth, eyes, distant
I resist my bleeding love, but I can't bear the pain of being mistaken
It was your heart that's changed, but you say that this was my fault

A heart of vengeance is a dangerous idea
Harming you, harming myself, it'll only make me utterly pathetic
Finding a new love to feign happiness, but the pretense is even more lonely
Seal off the relationship and not compare it, then it will heal

Constantly bearing it in memory is a dangerous idea
The world is rolling forward, no one can walk backwards
After distorting self-esteem to hang on we understand
The casualties from one's own wishful thinking is devastating

Why have you become someone I don't recognize
Deceit, selfish, arguing, corner of your mouth, eyes, distant
I resist my bleeding love, but I can't bear the pain of being mistaken
It was your heart that's changed, but you say that this was my fault

A heart of vengeance is a dangerous idea
Harming you, harming myself, it'll only make me utterly pathetic
Finding a new love to feign happiness, but the pretense is even more lonely
Seal off the relationship and not compare it, then it will heal

Constantly bearing it in memory is a dangerous idea
The world is rolling forward, no one can walk backwards
After distorting self-esteem to hang on we understand
The casualties from one's own wishful thinking is devastating

You can see why this song makes me want to cry.  The words alone are amazing, but coupled with the melody and the mood of the song, it's almost heartbreaking in some ways.  I know, I'm edging into the melodramatic, but what can I say?  I'm a girl.  I get emotional about these things, especially when the song sounds so beautiful and...well...emotional.

Aside from that, though, I do have to add that I'm rather sad this doesn't have a music video.  It isn't like it would be a video that would be that hard to make (although I can't say that from experience...oh, boy).  I'm not super upset, but then again the only reason I really want a music video for this is because I love watching Show.  Just look up some of his pictures and you'll see what I mean.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Mandarin.
Translation credited to o_ost1nao_o

[OLD] Song of the Week: To Be Free - Arashi

This week we are hopping over to Japan for a song by a group that I've loved for a LONG time.  Japanese music sensation Arashi.  Since their debut in 1999 (they've been in the music industry for 14 years now...yah, that's pretty much unheard of), Arashi has taken the music world by storm (ha ha, get it? cuz Arashi means "storm" in Japanese? ha ha...what, just me? okay).  I discovered this group in 2010 right at the beginning of my Asian-crazed fandom.  This was the first Japanese group I ever liked (still one of the ONLY Japanese groups that I like).

But enough about my obsession with Arashi.  The song I've decided to focus on is called To Be Free and it is amazing.  It's kind of a rock-ish type ballad in that it has a slower beat to it, but it's nice and loud, got lots of drums, and has a really cool melody to it.  Below are the lyrics*:

We admired the flowing clouds
Nothing at all obstructing them
The colors of the sky we engraved in our memories
Are like that day and we hope it won't change
Where should we go?
To a place we haven't seen yet
Time won't stop, reach out your hand

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free

We laughed together in the sunlight
Our innocent voices are resounding even now
An overflowing amount of wishes that face tomorrow
Hoping they will shine, hoping they won't change
You're not alone
So wipe your tears
I think you'll realize what's important

We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is
Simply searching for the light, to be free

Unable to look over our shoulders
We ran through to the end
Repeatedly going up and down
Those times were sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
To be free
We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is
We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free
To be free
To be free

So just reading the lyrics you can already kind of see why this song is so awesome.  It's about pressing through hardship and understanding that simple things are important and you are just fine the way you are.  This, my friends, THIS is one of the reasons I love Asian music so much.  They write about something OTHER than romance, failed or otherwise.  They write about important things like pressing through hardship, fighting for something you believe in, or even understanding that you're not alone in this world.  Granted, there's still a lot of romance and love songs and what not and that's fine too, but sometimes it's nice to break up the monotony a little.

The music video is also pretty cool.  It features a very washed out color palette, somewhat reminiscent of a faded memory or an old photograph that's been sitting in the sun for too long.  It also features a bold presentation of the bald eagle, the international symbol of ultimate freedom.  I love the inclusion of the eagle, mostly because I think eagles are beautiful birds.  Aside from that though, it's one of those music videos where the people stand around and sing.  Not my personal favorite, but it works well for the tone of the song, I think.

All in all, while not a favorite music video of mine, this is one of my favorite Arashi songs ever made.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.

[OLD] Song of the Week: Where Are You? - Taeil of Block-B

A/N: So here's how this is gonna work.  Basically in this portion I'm going to pick a song - it could be very recent or it could be really old - and write a little bit about it and the person/group that sings it. I'm not doing a review necessarily, because that would seem a little odd to me, but I will talk about the lyrics, mood, and overall feeling of the song, as well as talk a little about the music video if there is one.  With that out of the way, onward and upward.

This week's song is a song that I fell in love with within the first twenty seconds of listening to it.  It's called Where Are You? by Taeil, a member of Korean boy band, Block-B.  While I am not a fan of most of the group's work, this song is amazing.  Knowing what I know about Block-B's style, this song really surprised me.  Most of Block-B's music is hardcore rap.  It's loud, it's boisterous, and it can be kind of obnoxious. While I love a song with a good beat and I LOVE to dance to just about anything, for me hardcore rap rarely does the trick.  Now, when I say hardcore, I do not mean dirty, though they do have a few lyrics that are really stretching the limits a little when it comes to how I judge things.  They don't talk about sex or drugs or anything else that seems to be so popular in America, but they do have a couple songs that are quite...umm...strange, I suppose.

But back to the song at hand.  This is a slow, moody love ballad with a melody that really works in its favor.  It does not have a music video, but I don't think it needs one.  It's quite moving to listen to, and Taeil's voice suits the song wonderfully.  Below are the lyrics*:

I have made you cry again

Tears are falling from your beautiful eyes

We're breaking up again

Your beautiful face is slowly getting further away

I'm thinking it's for the best

This frustrating love is now over

Even if I vowed to never think about you again

Why am I looking at your picture today?

Your expressions and your beautiful smile

That made me smile at times

Your mistakes and your voice

To me, they're so vivid

Your grumbling and your bad habits

That made me cry at times

Your rude tone and past mistakes

I can now understand them

Where are you?

I said I'll be okay

That I will never fall in love again

Even if I vowed to be okay living without you

Why am I thinking about only you today?

Your expressions and your beautiful smile
That made me smile at times
Your mistakes and your voice
To me, they're so vivid
Your grumbling and your bad habits
That made me cry at times
Your rude tone and past mistakes
I can now understand them
Where are you?

Why, when you were trying to fit in with me
When you couldn't look forward to yourself
When you were in so much pain because of my selfishness
Why didn't I know?

Your tears and your deep sigh
When you began to let me go
If you can come to me
You would never let go again
Your grumbling and your bad habits
That made me cry at times
Your rude tone and past mistakes
I can now understand them
Where are you?

Come back

These words might seem a little cheesy just reading them, but they sound amazing when they're in the song.  I listen to this song over and over again, and I highly recommend any fans of Block-B and anybody else looking for a good ballad should give this a listen.

A/N: By the way, in future weeks I'll try to rotate around the three main languages I listen to music in (besides English), which are: Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean.  I might also throw in an English one now and again, because there is some pretty interesting music in English coming out of South Korea and a couple other countries.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Korean.
Translation credited to Kpopfanzone

An Introduction

This blog is kind of an offshoot of another blog I have, entitled "Oh, the Drama!".  This blog currently contains a segment I've been doing called "Song of the Week", but I recently decided I want to change the format of this segment - in other words, I want to give it its own blog.  So that's what this is gonna be for.  I'll probably divide things up by country or genre, depending on which works better.  I'll also do something I'm going to call "Soundtrack Spotlights" where I'll talk about a particular drama or movie and its soundtrack, whether that be insert songs, opening and closing themes, or just background music.  I'm planning on doing this probably once a week or so.

Also I'll be moving all my previous posts of the "Song of the Week" segment over to this blog for the sake of keeping things together.

I need to point out though that I won't be really starting on this until the middle of December, since that's when the school term ends for me.  I'm really busy and I can't always be thinking about all my homework AND my blogs, so I'm postponing updating them until the school term is over.  Thanks.