2012 MAMAs

Ok, so after quite a hiatus from blogging I am back. The holiday time is such a busy time for me, so please accept my apology for the lack thereof.

I got up before the crack of dawn so I could watch the live broadcast online of the MAMAs (MNet Asian Music Awards) for those who don't know, it is like the VMA or MTV music awards of Asia. The biggest award event of the year for these artist.

Four and a half hours later, here I am. For anyone who is interested in watching they are replaying the awards now... wish I would have known that... I would have watched the replay and gotten more sleep haha. Here is the link to watch the 2012MAMA performances. Not only will you see some great K-pop performances, but also performances by Adam Lambert and B.o.B.

Indeed I was one to vote this year. I am pleased with the results. Some of which include:
Best Solo Dance Performand: PSY, Gangnam Style
Best Female Group: SISTAR
Beat Male Group: BIG BANG
Best Collaboration Performance: Trouble Maker
MNet PD's Choice: B.A.P (YESSIR!!) As much as I would have liked to see them win more I am happy they received an award)
Best Dance Performance Male Group: SHINee (YAYYYYYY!!!!!!)
Best Dance Performance Female Group: f(X)
International Favorite Artist: PSY
Best Music Video: PSY, Gangnam Style
New Asian Artist: EXO (I really wanted B.A.P to win this one... but I like EXO too)
Style in Music: Gain
Guardian Angel Worldwide Performer: BIG BANG!!!!!
Best Rap Performance: Epik High
Best Male Artist: G-Dragon (of BIG BANG) Get ya Crayon!!!!
Best Line Award: SUPER JUNIOR!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
Best Global Female Group: KARA
Best Global Male Group: SUPER JUNIOR!!!!!!! (OH YEAH!!!!!)

And the grand prizes:
Artist of the Year: BIG BANG (!!!!!!!!!!!! just wish I coulda seen them in concert earlier this month TT.TT)
Album of the Year: SUPER JUNIOR, Sexy, Free & Single (YESSSSSS!!!!!!)
Song of the Year: PSY, Gangnam Style (Op, op, op, oppan Gangnam style!!!!)

I would have loved to see TVXQ win an award and for SHINee to win another... and Block B!!!

As always BIG BANG had a FANTASTIC performance. I have to say one of the best performances for the event.

So much is going on and there is so much that I have missed updating on... I hope to get a recap written ASAP!

Enlistment and Combacks and Psy, OH MY!

... In my Dorothy (lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!) voice... you know... from the Wizard of OZ....
NM

It has been announced that Jungmo, the guitarist from TRAX, will be enlisting for mandatory military service at the end of the month, but he will be going into public service due to health issues. The band will be on hiatus until Jungmo and Jay both complete their service, but I will be looking forward to their return.

 And the nominees for MTV EMA 2012 Best Asia Act are... *drum roll* ... Super Junior and Han Geng. Well they are two of the nominees. I have to mention Han Geng since he was a part of Super Junior. He is doing great with his solo career and I must give him props for that. Super Junior has come a long way throughout the years. Their recent performances have been amazing. Many people missed seeing Siwon during a lot of performances as they promoted Sexy, Free & Single, but how about SPY?! I think the choreo and the concept suited them very well. Yes my favorite parts have to be when Kyuhyun pulls his collar up to hide his face and then Ryeowook uncovers his when they trade places near the beginning and the end, when Sungmin 'shoots' the audience/camera. Haha. It shows that SJ works very hard and are devoted to ELF, their fans. I seriously hope they win! I mean, they weren't selected as ambassadors for Gangnam district for nothing. ^^

Welcome to the Hallyu Wave

To those who don't already know what the Hallyu Wave is, let me fill you in. The term 'Hallyu Wave' or 'Korean Wave' refers to the significant increase in the popularity of South Korean entertainment and culture starting in the 1990s, in Asia, and more recently in other parts of the world. As one put it, it represents a surge in the international visibility of Korean culture.

To put this more simply, 'Oppan Gangnam style'! Yes, this is a k-pop song. Part of the viral goodness of the Hallyu Wave. The popularity of Psy's song has spread faster than wildfire. Being a dedicated k-pop fan who keeps up with debuts and comebacks, new
singles and albums (and mini albums), I had already heard Gangnam Style at least a month before the MV went viral and Americans got Psy fever. Hello?! Psy has other great songs too. Do any of you realize the stress that this man must be going through knowing that he has his work cut out for him to be able to top the success of Gangnam Style? At any rate, I don't think Psy would disappoint. After all, he topped 'Right Now' with the now viral hit... wait? You mean to tell me that you haven't heard of 'Right Now' ok, well here ya go:

Now wasn't that worth watching too. :P

There are so many great artist (referred to in the k-pop realm as idols) and groups in k-pop. Some more well known than others. It is a growing genre, one that is spreading in popularity. Many k-poppers (fans of k-pop) have been voicing their concerns for the spread of the genre into the western world fearing that k-pop will lose its originality and fall into the black hole of 'American pop' music. C'mon, you can't tell me that you haven't heard some of today's rap artists or even some Alt. or rock groups releasing some sort of POP song.... American pop is practically a black hole sucking up every other genre in its path and spitting out the leftovers into a pile of it-all-sounds-the-same-anymore ditties that cause earaches within a week of being aired on the radio.

I will soon be posting on news in k-pop from September as a catch up, since I am just starting this blog. I may even make a year to date post. So please stay tuned.