Congratulations SHINee! [EDITED]

Now you probably already know this – or maybe you don’t but – SHINee won number one on M! Countdown! Yay!!! I’m really, really excited and extremely happy for them. Those boys have been working so hard since they debuted (and certainly before) so to see them get this award – and see their reactions! – makes me so happy. They deserve this for all of their hard work and I hope they feel accomplished. From their reactions, they just seemed overwhelmed – but in a good way. I’m very pleased for them and extremely proud to be a part of SHINee World (lol). Here’s the video in case you haven’t seen it:

Besides that, the boys also performed Romantic for the first time (Romantic, yes! My second favourite song!) and Love Like Oxygen. The Romantic performance was amazing. You would think that by now, I’d be used to Jonghyun’s amazing vocals but watching that performance and seeing him hit almost every single note was just mindblowing. Boy, they really trained him well…anyway, the others sounded great too and they harmonized really well. If you don’t believe me, watch the performance again but instead of actually watching it, put down the window and just listen to it. They sounded really good and the JongKey duet thing was unbelievable – they sounded so good! I kind of feel like I didn’t hear Minho in that perf though – I’m not sure why…I saw him singing…

Anyway, the LLO performance was just as great as it always is. And there’s an added bonus since the boys wore the colourful outfits from their MV for this performance. I don’t think they’ve ever performed in them before so it was very cool and a bit of a surprise at that. Also I’m really starting to hear MinHo more often now when he sings his duet part with Taemin – actually he seemed really into this performance. I was pleasantly surprised. Now I’m not saying he isn’t always into it, it’s just that he had his game face on for the whole thing this time instead of just the rap. Hmm, I’m really starting to see the charisma. Or maybe it’s just that he’s getting more close-ups now…that certainly helps. XD

In the Romantic performance, while of course everyone did their best, Key and Jonghyun really stood out to me and I found it interesting that they were also the ones who were crying the hardest when they won. It was really touching though. Oh and I have to give Taemin props for not breaking down as well – he was a bit teary-eyed at first but he managed to keep his composure. And Leader-shi did very well too – he managed to remain composed long enough to say thanks and everything but then he started crying too. There’s also a fancam where you see him comforting the others and so on and it really enforces your idea of him as the leader. Aww, sundubu’s really growing on me, you guys – now I officially heart them all. And I keep hearing people saying that MinHo was teary-eyed too but I didn’t see it. He looked slightly stunned but other than that, he was his usual calm self. Anyway, the important thing is

Shining SHINee is Number One!!!

Pimp post!

Hey!

Calling all WP and LJ users who are also fans of SHINee’s flaming Charisma, Minho! I’m inviting you to a brand-new comm that was just created for all of us MinHo lovers to spazz over him. It’s sensibly titled “My name is Minho!”. It’s a great place to be a part of and run by some really awesome people! So come one, come all and bask in the MinHo love.

Join now!

Maki

Happy birthday to me!

So yesterday (the 12th) was my birthday and as a present to myself (by way of my mother – lol), I finally gave in and ordered SHINee World from Yesasia. So in about two weeks, I will have my own copy of my favourite group’s cd in my hands. XDD I chose Version A, btw – I just prefer the colour pictures. Naturally, they stand out more. Don’t believe me. Check these out.

Tell me that is not beautiful. Honestly, black and white just doesn’t do those boys justice. Anyway, I’m just super-excited and wanted to share. Good night.

….and on a side note, I totally love Big Bang now! I’m a fan, a big fan. Adios!

Mnet Countdown

So….I had originally been planning to come and talk about Episode 7 of SHINee’s reality show but I made the mistake of watching the latest installment of their hosting of Mnet’s Countdown Ranking and now I have officially lost the ability to think. So here, just watch it – there are no words…except that, I think I’ve fallen in love with Minho. Dang it, they’re just getting me one by one! First Jonghyun, then Key, now Minho! *sigh*

edit:

Okay, I think I’ve regained control of my mental faculties now. The first thing I have to say is whoever the hairstylist was for that show, that person should style their hair EVERY DARN DAY!!! Everyone’s hair looked so wavy and smexified except for Taemin but that’s okay because he doesn’t need any sexification. We’ll just let him be cute for now, the cute is good.

So…Key looked really, really adorable in this segment! Like, really cute – like ‘if he was in my class, there’s no way I’d be staring at the board’ cute. He also looked – and acted – extremely cunning/mischievous too – shame on him though, trying to scheme his way to the top. lol. Oh, and they all looked so lovely in their uniforms, except for Ondubu, of course, because he was the teacher. Lol, teacher Onew – I really liked his yellow finger.

Oh, you should watch this for the expressions. Because the expressions in this segment KILLED me, killed me dead! Everyone had some funny look going for them but number one has got to be Minho’s charismatic looks, especially when he was ’sharing thoughts’ (lol!) with Taemin. My lorsh, the CHARISMA!!! Where did it come from?! How come I haven’t seen it before? Well, honestly, he’s just oozing it now. Minho fighting!

Hmm, anything else…just that this is THE BEST M! COUNTDOWN EVER! I really hope they just keep getting better – I can’t imagine what they could do to top this one. Although I’m sure they will…XDD

Maki

P.S: I think someone read my post about Minho because he’s getting way more attencion now…or maybe he’s just finally becoming comfortable in front of ze cameras. Either way, I’m happy.

Special Stages

Okay, all I have to say is whoever came up with the idea of special stages was really, really smart. I just watched the Wonder Girls special stage with Big Bang which must be ridiculously old now since they were singing Lies and Tell Me and I really enjoyed it! I was kind of apprehensive at first because those are two groups that I never would have put together but their duet thing really worked! Usually I don’t like to see Big Bang dancing but they looked really good doing the ‘Tell Me’ dance and they actually looked like they were having a lot of fun. Even TOP looked happy and he usually only looks that way when he’s rapping. YooBin and TOP make a really good couple, by the way – as rappers though, not romantically. I preferred the “Tell Me” performance to the “Lies” one but that wasn’t bad either. So I wholeheartedly approve of special stages now…hopefully we’ll get a SHINee/SNSD one soon. (I don’t know why but I’d really like to see that).

Video in case you didn’t see it:

Maki

SHINee Bulletin!

So we interrupt your usual web browsing to bring you a little update on SHINee…well okay, it’s not so much an update as something that I just noticed. So I downloaded a number of SHINee’s “You’re Like/Love Like Oxygen” performances – the very first one as well as their most recent Mnet and Inkigayo ones – and I watched them back to back the other night and I realized that with each one, you can really see them improving. You’re probably going “Well, duh, if you perform a song ten million times, your performances are definitely going to improve” but I mean, I’m amazed at how well they do and at how much better they sound every time! I’m so proud of my boys! They’re getting to be such wonderful performers (and they weren’t bad to begin with)! ^_^ I’m very, very happy. Now I can’t wait for their next single…

Also, I finally took another listen to ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’ and OMG, I love it! I don’t know what happened before – maybe it’s because I was so blown away by the rest of the album that I didn’t pay as much attention to this song as I should have but whoa, this song is really amazing. Last night when I listened to it again, it really blew me away. And I’m listening to it right now and ~replay~ing it non-stop. So yes, I take back what I said before – ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’ is a great song, it is not boring or soporific – it is lovely and it really allows Jonghyun to showcase his vocal ability so props to SME for giving him a solo. Yay, now I can honestly give SHINee World an A++.

And in honour of the boys’ improvement, here’s the video of their latest Inkigayo performance on the 500th anniversary special. Pay close attention to Jonghyun’s lovely, lovely white outfit and hope that it will erase the impression of Taemin and Minho’s matching pants. Honestly stylist, as much as I appreciate how well you dress Bling-Bling, that doesn’t mean you should neglect the others – please don’t make them wear those ugly, splotchy pants EVER again. Ugh, my eyes. T_T

By the way, is it just me or is Jonghyun’s collar getting looser and looser every performance? I know for sure his tie is but the collar too…

Maki

SHINee’s Reality Show

Dang it, if the next noona does not pick Minho, I am going to fly to Korea, find SHINee, squeal fangirlishly for about a day, and then go on a date with him myself!

Why won’t they pick Minho?! I know Key and Jonghyun are cute and funny and charming and Taemin is adorable and fun but Minho’s a really sweet, caring person and it makes me so sad every time an episode goes by and Minho gets bypassed AGAIN!

…….

………….

……………………

So you’re probably thinking, what about Onew? He hasn’t been picked either.

Well – and this is just my opinion but – sometimes when you look at Minho, you can really see his vulnerability and he really seems genuinely upset when he doesn’t get picked. I’m not saying it doesn’t affect Onew either but I think it’s easier for Onew, since he’s older and all, to get over it than for Minho. Of course, this is based solely on what I see in the show so I could be wrong but it’s honestly what I think.

NOW PICK MINHO, DANG IT!

a fuming Maki

SHINee!!!

And since there wasn’t enough SHINee in my last post…I watched the extended version of their Mnet news interview a little while ago (Watch it, watch it now!) and nearly died laughing.

Highlights:

- Minho talking!!! and modeling…ooh~

- Taemin smiling BIGBIGBIG and just being too cute for words

- Jonghyun being verrry humble – lol, just watch it.

- Onew grinning just before he fakes a sad look for the camera.

- Key doing the ‘wall walking’ move behind Minho’s head

- The hairstylist fixing Jonghyun’s hair while he talked to Onew and Key (What? I thought it was funny…)

- Jonghyun calling Onew “hyung”

- Onew’s new hairstyle (bedhead!) – I seriously think they should leave it like that…I love it.

- Key acting very weird…”I am healthy”. Okaaaaaaay.

AND ULTIMATELY, Key pushing Jonghyun out of the way and telling the camera crew “good job” in the funniest voice ever! It makes me laugh every single time.

Music Rivalries

One of the guys on Jeopardy tonight had Onew’s hairstyle. Sorry, I couldn’t help noticing it.

You know I don’t understand why some people act as though you have to choose sides when it comes to music. Like the people who don’t listen to SNSD just because they like the Wonder Girls or vice versa. Yes, I understand that they are the two main girl groups but there’s no actual rivalry between them so why should there be one among their fans? I think it’s silly not to listen to a particular group just because they are your favourite group’s ‘rivals’. This is music, people, not politics – you don’t have to choose one! You should just listen to whatever you enjoy…*sigh*

In other news, I got my Chinese textbook. It looks totally alien to me – but that’s okay, I already knew learning the language was going to be a challenge. Also, I saw the official pictures from the Wonder Girls’ new music video and I am loving the retro vibe! Mushroom cuts, ftw! I’m starting to get really excited for their new album. WG fighting!

Maki

By the way, Episode 6 of SHINee’s reality show is out! Going to check it out after I watch the new 90210 – I missed it on Tuesday night since I was too busy watching SHINee things.

SHINee Album Review [EDITED]

So while my mom monopolized the phone in my room and prevented me from using the net, I decided to finally sit down and write this album review. (I mean, I was listening to it anyway – I might as well.)

Now you should know that I’m no musician so my review is based solely on my own, personal experience of the cd and it’s probably a little biased since I’m writing it after having listened to it a gazillion times in the last seven days. And I’m not sick of it yet – wow. You can feel free to disagree with anything, I say – I mean, it’s really just my opinion but it’d be great if you’d give the cd a try at least.

Anyway, I’m now looking at the romanized lyrics that vicvickyrox posted on the SHInee community on LJ today (Credits to naver.com & PurpleSnow@wordpress) and all I have to say is I do not give Taemin enough credit! He really sings a lot. By the way, I know that quite a few songs on the cd are remakes but I don’t know which ones they are and I’d like to remain in my ignorance regarding that. Thanks for reading if you do!

So without further ado:

~Maki’s SHINee World Album Review~

Overall, I really liked this cd which is a little surprising since I’m not really one for ballads – usually when I’m listening to a cd for the first time, I skip over the slow songs and listen to them later on when I’ve got more time (or I just never listen to them…sorry Rihanna). However, I couldn’t really do that with this cd since it’s comprised mostly of those (and by ballads, I mean, love songs of a slower tempo). I know some people were disappointed that there weren’t more dance tracks (and in a way, I was too – I really wanted more songs to dance to) but I think the plan here was to showcase the vocal talent in the group and I think they really managed to do that. I mean, if they couldn’t sing, there was no way they would have pulled off all of those love songs (and there are a lot of love songs). One of the things I really liked about them though is that even though they’re love songs, they’re not really slow and dragging – they still manage to be quite upbeat, even the ones about heartache.

Now since I speak absolutely no Korean, I focused mainly on the sound of each song and then as I learnt each voice, the way their voices blended together and sounded on their own. I have to say that these boys harmonize really well together. I mean, the choruses were often my favourite part of the songs because of course, that’s when I got to hear them sing together and they always sound really good. I find Jonghyun and Key’s voices to be the most distinctive and so the easiest to pick out. Unfortunately, I’m still mixing up Taemin and Onew’s voices – I think it’s mainly because I can’t believe how mature Taemin sounds when he sings. And Minho has a lovely voice – I really don’t know why he doesn’t sing more. Speaking of, initially, I wasn’t keen on all of the rap in the songs but now I really like Minho and Key’s parts and I think that they really add something extra to the songs.

This is one of those rare albums where I listen to every song and the exception here is “Y Si Fuera Ella”. I know a lot of people like it and you’d think I would too considering how much I love Jonghyun’s voice but…I just think it’s boring. Sorry! I’m going to listen to it again though and see if I can hear what everyone else does – I mean, I really want to like it, I just don’t. You would think it’d be hard to pick out a favourite on a great album like this but I’ve managed to choose a few. Love’s Way, Romantic and Graze really stand out to me, Love’s Way in particular. Oy, Jonghyun’s voice in that song just kills me – they all sound really good though and I feel that it’s a really nice first album and a great way to enter the pop scene. I just hope I’m not the only one who sees it that way.

Ultimately, I’ll give it an A-. (Grade changed – see edit.)

edit from Sep. 10th:

So, I finally took another listen to ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’ and OMG, I love it! I don’t know what happened before – maybe it’s because I was so blown away by the rest of the album that I didn’t pay as much attention to this song as I should have but whoa, this song is really amazing. Last night when I listened to it again, it really blew me away. And I’m listening to it right now and ~replay~ing it non-stop. So yes, I take back what I said before – ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’ is a great song, it is not boring or soporific – it is lovely and it really allows Jonghyun to showcase his vocal ability so props to SME for giving him a solo. Yay, now I can honestly give SHINee World an A++.

Laters, Maki.