My pride and joy…

So…Jonghyun performed ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’ for the final time on SBS Inkigayo today (yesterday). I’ve really been looking forward to this – and I wasn’t disappointed. Not at all.

credit: randy19972 on Youtube

The voice of an angel…

Okay. It’s been decided – ‘Y Si Fuera Ella‘, or ‘Hey ya’ as the Korean version is called, is the best song ever. I’m sorry, Jonghyun for not loving your song the minute I heard it – but I love it now. I love it so much now. It is the best song ever and getting to see Jonghyun perform it was amazing. Thank you!

Taeminnie, you’re making this noona cry…

Random post time!

Okay, I don’t know about you – but I have been a little bit concerned about my SHINee baby, Taeminnie for the past few days. Why? Because he’s seemed to have lost his smile. And that was the thing that made me notice him in the first place – he was so bright and he just never stopped smiling and his smile was so genuine and adorable – and now I don’t see it. I mean, he smiles, yeah, but it’s not the same. Ah, did you see his expression when they were accepting their GDA award? Everyone else was practically beaming, all smiles (even in the midst of his tears, Onew was smiling) and Taemin just looked BLANK and it was so odd – I couldn’t help noticing it. And it used to be that when they performed, he would alternate between the ‘fierce dance face’ and ‘cute, happy expression’ but now it’s just the fierce dance face all the time…

Ah, everyone I ask just chalks it up to exhaustion and I suppose that could be it but I can’t help worrying that there might be something more to it. IDK what – maybe it’s just that the holidays are coming up and he misses his family or something, I don’t know – I can’t know – and I suppose I should just put it out of my mind. I really care too much about these people. I just hope that if something is bothering him, he won’t just keep it to himself (he looks the type), I hope he can confide in his hyungs and even though they may not be able to do anything about it, just talking about things generally helps. Okay, this is a really odd post – I’m going to go now but I’ll leave you with a shot from GDA. credit: as tagged and jean7@soompi

Ah, smile more, maknae! Please? For noona?

Maki

More (pic)spamming by me~

Okay so I’m still working on my GDA post – man, by the time I post about it nobody will care – and I’ll try to have it up by tonight. Here’s a lovely, little SHINee shot to appease you though – it’s a scan from SHINee’s 2009 calendar (that I may or may not buy – I just saw the scans from DBSK’s and now I’m so torn – and BB’s are lovely too~ Ah, thank Goodness WG doesn’t have one!) Anyway, he just looks so happy and bright here that I had to share – besides, I’m overdue with spreading the Key love, right? So here goes…

credit: as tagged and ~hAeLiN on Soompi and shiddex on LJ for the re-upload

Happy Key!

Maki

I’m wishing on a star…

So do you remember that SHINee wish list that I mentioned in my last post? No? Well then your memory’s even worse than mine! Just kidding – this is probably your first time reading my blog and as such, I can’t expect you to remember something you didn’t see. Anyways, this is basically a list of random things that I’d like to see happen where SHINee is concerned, compiled because I obviously have too much time on my hands. Some of them are serious, others are silly and a little far-fetched and the rest are just normal requests so don’t take it too seriously, okay? I figure now, with yesterday being their 200 day anniversary, is a good time to post it. Okay, you’ve been briefed, now let’s go (in no particular order).

A Series of Fortunate Events

Okay, so you know how yesterday I said that this was a really great week for SHINee World? Yes? No? Well I did say that – and guess what? The good luck just continues! Why – what’s happening that’s so great? Well, nothing other than the fact that JONGHYUN-SSI’S GOING TO PERFORM ‘Y SI FUERA ELLA’!!!!!! TWICE!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I know I’ve been crushing on Onew a lot lately – and I still am – and I’ll admit that ‘Y Si Fuera Ella’s not really one of my favourites on the album – but dudes, none of that matters right now. The point is that JongHyun is going to go on a stage in front of lots of people and sing his solo song (yes, I know it was Alejandro’s first but for me, it’s his, okay?) and he’s going to sound amazing and undoubtedly blow us all away. And this I cannot wait for – I swear, that boy was born to sing and getting to see him carry off this song – the one that showcases his vocals so fantastically – is nothing short of a dream come true. I actually had a SHINee wish list that I was supposed to post here and haven’t yet – and this was pretty high up on it – and now it’s happening! So I’m very happy.

I know some people think it’s a little soon for someone in the group to have a solo performance but I don’t agree (and no, this is not just my bias talking) – it’s not as though they haven’t split up and done things in ones and twos and threes before and it’s not like they’re promoting the song, he’s just performing it twice. They’re just giving Jonghyun a little time in the spotlight on his own. And it’s precisely because SHINee’s a team – and a strong one at that – that I don’t think the others will be upset about this. I’m not saying it’s not possible – Jonghyun does get a lot of focus because he’s the lead singer and it’s obvious that their management are putting him in the forefront a good deal – but I honestly don’t think that the others will be envious of him or feel resentful towards him just because of this. I mean, if they were going to feel like that, it would have happened when they found out he was even getting a solo. Still as I said, it’s not impossible so I do sincerely hope that the others won’t feel put out because of this and that they won’t secretly (or worse yet, openly) feel resentful towards him as a result. (Besides Jonghyun will probably be all nervous and stuff before the performance and he’s going to need the others’ support. I want to think that they’ll be back-stage with him, like “Fighting, fighting, fighting! You’ll do great, Jonghyun (hyung). Ultra SHINee Transformation!” except Key who’ll just be like “Psh, what are you worried about?” at first but then when Bling’s about to go on, he’ll be like *poke, poke* “Don’t worry, okay? You’ll do great” and he’ll even throw in a ‘hyung’ for good measure. CUTE POINTS! How I wish I could see that…)

Now while I’m sure that Jonghyun will rock this performance – I can’t help but feel a little anxious. He has a tendency to overdo it sometimes and I’m afraid he’ll be so eager to prove himself that he’ll practice too much and strain his voice or he’ll belt out some note and end up cracking afterwards (like during that Love’s Way performance last week…>_>). Jonghyun-ssi, please take care of yourself, okay? Practice but don’t overdo things. You’re already an amazing singer and once you go out there and do your best, you’ll sound incredible. Don’t feel like you need to prove anything or try to impress us – once you open your mouth to sing, you will. Anyway, I’m praying for him and sending him good vibes from all the way over here and in case you’re wondering, he’ll be performing the song on KBS Music Bank on Friday, the 12th (the 11th over here) and on SBS Inkigayo on Sunday the 14th. Let’s be as supportive as possible, okay?

Fighting!

Oh, and before I forget, let me wish SHINee a happy 200 day anniversary! Good job, boys – I know you’ll just keep getting better.

Now I’m off to watch Minho’s monologue. Laters~

edit:

P.S:- Oh, and SM? Please put him in a suit. Please. Do not make him perform that song in regular clothes – epicness of this nature requires one to be dressed up. I mean, a few seconds into the song I’ll be mesmerized by his voice and totally forget what he’s wearing but I would still really appreciate seeing the suit at the beginning. I’m thinking of the one he wore during that Water concert thing – or better yet, one I haven’t seen! Anyway, I have faith in you, stylist noonas – I know you’ll dress him well.

Happy birthday, Minho boy!

So today, tomorrow and Sunday are all very, very special days to we in SHINee World. Why? Because today is our Charismatic Flame, Minmin’s birthday, tomorrow is SHINee’s 200 day anniversary (yep, still counting…) and Sunday is our leader, Dubu-ssi’s birthday (we’ll be the same age again – yay!!!!). So yes, good times are ahead and afoot~

Minho-ssi, I’m so happy that you’ve come to see another birthday – and such a big one too, EIGHTEEN (in Korea). Ha, I haven’t been this excited for someone’s birthday for a long time. Anyway, I wish you only good things, MinHo – I want you to grow kinder, more compassionate, nicer, more loving, more intelligent, taller (Just kidding!), I hope to see you grow as an entertainer and as a person, I hope you get some rest and get to be with your family soon, I hope you do well in your studies and pass your college entrance exam next year – with flying colours! You are such a beautiful person already – inside and out and I’m so grateful to have even the slightest claim to knowing you. Please continue to be there for the other members, to take care of Taemin-ah and be strong for your hyungs.  I won’t say I hope you never change – I just want you to change for the better. Ah, I love you so much already – it’s difficult to think I could grow to appreciate you any more (but I hope I do). Know that you’ll always have my love~ Saengil chukhamnida.

Sincerely,

Maki noona

P.S: – Make sure to read MinHo’s birthday iple entry as well as the other members’ birthday greetings to him either at SHINee Forums or here and for your daily dose of crack, check out this MinHo tribute video made by some Korean fans – it’s an A.Mi.Go parody.

Sanity? Hmm, I think I used to have that…

Prepare yourselves for the ramblings of a lovesick woman…

So I remember that in ’Josie and the Pussycats’, right at the beginning of the movie, there was a scene where the really popular boy band (IDR their name) were getting onto their private jet and there was this fan in the audience dressed in a wedding gown with a sign saying “______, marry me” and I remember laughing so hard at her because hello! who would really do that? And in a wedding dress too?! –  That was then.

Now – I could see myself doing that. Why, you ask? What could have happened to tip me so far off my rocker that I would even think of doing that? Well, nothing much really – I just watched this performance. Yes, I know that it’s super old but I only just saw it.

Ah, Onew – Onew, Onew, Onew – can we elope now? Por favor? No, seriously – why can’t we get married? I mean, I’m perfectly content to just live with him and have him sing for me on a regular basis. Nothing untoward has to happen – I really can’t think of Dubu that way anyway – so we would be just like room-mates – only better! Agh, I really want to be the girl he’s singing about…whyyyyyyy???? Why am I not?! T_T Dubu…..

OMG, he just sounded so good singing there – his voice was so smooth and lovely and strong and just deep enough, you know. And he’s wearing a suit! (well, kind of) But most importantly – HE’S SINGING IN ENGLISH!!! And he sounds amazing!! I will admit that his English is noticably more heavily accented here than say when he was singing Cracks of My Broken Heart - but still that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the song and he hajiman makes it sound so lovely regardless. I am not lying to you – every time I hear him sing a solo, i want to cry. It’s not the flailing/fainting awe inspired by Jonghyun’s voice but in a way, it’s a deeper reaction – he’s just so good at conveying the emotions of all of the songs he sings. He really makes you believe whatever he’s singing about – which works so much better when he’s singing in english, claro. Oh, to quote candychu over at Let’s All Eat Candy, ‘I want him to record like an entire solo album because I love his voice that much’ – yeah, SM, I am downright begging you now – give that boy a solo on their next album and please let it be like the songs he sings on radio shows -  please! And in the mean time, Dubu needs to sing a solo every time they go on a radio show – seriously.

So I’m going to go away now and see if I can find a rip of the audio for Cracks of My Broken Heart – you guys go watch those videos up there if you haven’t already. *sigh* I really should stop listening to these songs – every time I hear them, it steals a little piece of my heart… Boy, am I glad Onew decided he wanted to be a singer after all. Oh, and here’s a little more Dubu love for you: credit: qeagrumpygirl on WordPress - yeah, she really likes Ondubu too.

Don't be embarrassed, Dubu - you deserve all the praise

Bye~

Maki

Uhm, a DBSK post? What?!

So I’ve never really posted strictly about the men of Dong Bang Shin Ki before but I think maybe it’s time for that. What can I say? These ‘Wrong Number’ performances are really getting to me…

So I’d like to start by saying thank you to DBSK’s stylist (because those suits are fantastic – every single one, without fail, is a hit – with me at least), and also to their choreographer and to their hairstylists (but not the person who dyed Micky’s hair that pumpkin colour – I’m sorry, I just don’t like it, okay?) and to their producer and to the person whose decision it was to make ‘Wrong Number’ their second single and of course, to DBSK themselves for being so ridiculously amazing.

Now I am not the biggest DBSK fan – really I’m not – but I think they’re cool guys and I like a couple of their songs and I have always been extremely impressed by their performances. They always give their all, you know, and you can see from the caliber of their performances why they’re one of the most successful K-pop groups today – they’re really amazing entertainers. I’ll admit that when I first heard Mirotic, I wasn’t really impressed and the MV didn’t help much because I didn’t like the dance and watching half-naked men isn’t really my thing – I prefer guys clothed to be honest, hence the suit appreciation. As such, it wasn’t until I watched some of the fancams from their showcase (dancing in suits – yeah!) that I really started to take notice of them. I watched Mirotic first and thought it was okay and then I watched the ‘HEY! Don’t Bring me Down’ performance and about halfway in, I was like “Wow, I’m starting to see why everyone likes these guys – their dancing is amazing“. As such, during their comeback promotions, I checked out a good few of their performances – the ‘Hey! Don’t Bring me Down’ ones were a must – and I continued to be impressed by them. Performance-wise, they really do not disappoint.

And now they’re promoting ‘Wrong Number’ and I am so happy because I love those performances. They’re always so good! Just like with BB’s Sunset Glow ones, I never go looking for them or anticipating them but thanks to the blogs I read, I’m always alerted when there’s a new one and I usually check them out. You know, I decided during the ‘Mirotic’ promotions that Micky would be my favourite – why I try to decide these things, I don’t know – but every time i watch a new performance, I start leaning more and more towards Changmin. At first, I was like “Magnae? No! I can’t like him” but then after seeing more of his loltastic performance expressions and charismatic smirks, I changed my tune to “Who cares if he’s the magnae? He’s older than me!” So yay for Changmin! I ♥ him.

And then I watched the last ”Come to Play’ episode that DBSK were on – although I heard they were on it just a few days ago, yay! – and I fell in love with Junsu – he’s just so faily (I mean, that in a good way, mind you). He had me laughing throughout that entire thing – and of course, his voice is incredible and his stage presence is like whoa! and he can bust a move – I saw him popping and it was really good and I was like “Whoa, Junsu – I didn’t know you could do that” – so I’m pretty impressed with Junsu as well – I think he could be my number two. Ah, who knows? My heart is fickle…for now, Micky’s still my number one – but we’ll see what happens.

Hmm, so I don’t see myself following their every move or fangirling them religiously like with my other favourite groups but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on them because like I said, DBSK always impress…

Now check out their latest Wrong Number performance on Music Core – it’s in HD! WATCH.

Peace out (LOLOL, What?)

Maki

K-pop is making me like radio again.

You know I really don’t like the radio down here – I can’t stand being in the car without my iPod because it means I’ll have to listen to the radio and since listening to the radio usually frustrates me, I need my iPod. Hmm, it’s a long story but it’s a lot to do with all of the talk radio we get. I personally think radio should just be music with the hosts telling you the song names in between but that’s just me. Then again, maybe if I had Korean radio, it might be different. And now that I can listen to it – because of my live player – now I’m not listening, now when the boys are on! *sigh* I’m going to have to check their schedule and see if I can fix my timing. If I could really hear them ‘on the radio’ , I’d die!

So the boys went on ChinChinRadio today (you know, Taeyeon and Kangin’s show? Hmm, maybe soshisubs will sub it..) and performed three songs – Amigo, Love’s Way and a cover of Shake by Blackbeat. They performed Love’s Way, yay! You know that was the first video I watched. By the by, I think their hair’s already growing out – Key’s already looks longer…Their outfits are really nice, by the way – they performed Amigo in them last week, I believe or maybe the week before.

Amigo – Maybe it’s just me but I feel like the boys look a bit bored at times here…I don’t blame them, really. I mean, although yes this is their song and that’s super cool and everything, they must have to sing this like a million times a week. And that could get a bit old. Nevertheless, they all sound great here – Onew in particular, I find his voice is so clear.  Jonghyun’s notes were practically perfect and the way he sang that high note – it looked effortless and this is me speaking strictly unbiasedly. Ah, but the boys are really improving – Taemin is definitely sounding a lot better, although he kind of looks like he’s in pain when he’s singing his lines in the verses – I’m not sure what that’s about…Key and MinHo sounded really good too, both singing and rapping and you have to make sure to look at Jonghyun during MinHo’s part of the rap, he does this cute thing with his hand like he’s batting something away. I don’t know why he’s doing it but it’s really funny to see. And Taemin can’t keep still – he keeps miming the dance moves but of course, he doesn’t have enough room to do them. I can’t understand why they use the track with the dance break for the radio performances – they can’t dance here so just use the studio version. That makes sense, right?

Love’s Way – This could possibly be (no, wait, it is) their best performance of this song yet. Remember that ‘boredom’ I mentioned before? Yeah, it’s gone – and you know I’m thinking that it’s possible that they just looked like that because they’ve gotten so comfortable singing live because in this song, they look so comfortable singing, it’s definitely a big change from their first love’s way performance – it’s a good change though. Since I said that this is possibly their best performance, obviously the vocals are very good. Taemin is really improving, you guys! And Key’s getting a lot steadier, much more consistent. The rap was really good as well – they were both obviously feeling it. Jonghyun and Onew are amazing as always – speaking of Jonghyun, his high note – my favourite of the million he has – PERFECTION. Something always seems to go wrong when they perform this song and it usually clashes with the background vocals or there’s feedback or something but this time, nothing – it was perfect. He cracked afterwards (his first time?) – but considering that he delivered a great performance before and after, I think we can excuse him that, ne? To be honest, I’m tempted to say that maybe he overdid it a bit around the second verse but to quote someone on YT, he ‘was in the zone’ so I guess that’s why. (Do you see that’s it difficult for me to criticize him? I really don’t want to…)

And finally Shake – Is it wrong that this was my favourite performance to watch? It’s not just that they sounded good but they were really into this one, smiling and bopping along as they sang and just looking like they were really enjoying themselves. It wasn’t really like that for the other two (so I guess they weren’t so comfortable? Ah, I keep contradicting myself…) Uhm, SM, can SHINee have a song like this? No, seriously, it’s a really nice song and they sing it so well. So I don’t know Blackbeat or this song, even though I do know the boys performed it on another radio broadcast awhile ago – I never watched that one so I can’t say how well it stands up to the original but I will say that all of the boys sounded really good here – the singing, the rapping, the works and I really enjoyed watching them perform this one. It makes me want to go track down the original now…Oh, and Bling’s ‘Shake your body’ at the end killed me dead! I laughed so hard, OMG!

So feel free to check out the videos – I’m going to go look for that Shake song….

Adios,

Maki