Variety Guide : 안녕하세요 Annyeonghaseyo Hello Counselor

Hello Counselor is the official English translation of the program, which is good since just "hello" is kind of weird. Hello Counselor is pretty self explainatory.

Each week, four guest all over Korea share their concern and let 140 audience member decide whether their concern is a valid concern. The most votes winner will get to win weekly prize. The limit of winning is 5 times. The MCs of the show is Shin Dong Yup, Lee Young Ja, Cult Twos' Kim Tae Gyun and Jeong Chan Woo. This show is an award winning show and all four MC won KBS award in 2012. This year Hello Counselor and Shin Dong Yup is awarded again on national level.

Along with the MC, celebrity guest of 4 or more comes in the discussion and participate in voting. The guest varies each week, singers and comedian are popular choice but actors and announcers guest too. 

The program usually start off with introduction of celebrity guests and talking to the previous week winner. Titles of 4 concern is read and one of the MC will read the concern. Types of concern vary but the running gag is Shin Dong Yeop gets concern that is kind of 19+ rated and Lee Yeong Ja gets food related concern.

Cult Two Kim Tae Gyun and Jeong Chan Woo are famous comedian duo on radio so they are familar with story telling. Kim Tae Gyun is particularly famous for Okhui character, where he sounds like animated female.

This program offers a real insight on today's Korean culture, it is my must watch show for anyone who is interested in Korean culture. It's refreshing to see the general public of Korea, since Kpop idols are all so glitzy. I am sort of sad to say that Koreans in general are attractive too. Where are attractive Korean guys in my life?? Oh right, in Korea.

I'm loving San.E Break up Dinner featuring Sanchez of Phantom

Half way through the song made me squeal in excitement. That's because Sanchez part sets in. I love his vocals in this song. It was flawless. This is what I want from Phantom, to sing or rap songs that brings out their best quality.

For me, as always.. If there's piano playing, I most probably would love the song. I was surprised by the style of song because his previous single was playful and cheeky. I did love his previous singles but this is my favorite style. I like songs that are more sad than happy. Maybe I'm bitter about being single? LOL.

Sanchez, I can talk about your voice all day, and I might just do that in a blog post. I think this is the best of Sanchez I have ever heard. I always fall heads over heels on his voice but in this song just makes me melt. I want more!!! Brand New Music, can I have one single where Sanchez just sings alone?? That would be so awesome!

Although the song is more sad than his previous singles, San.E is able to maintain that same persona. I can feel San.E personality flows through the rap. San.E is on roll! Great songs keep on rolling out, it's a wonder why JYP don't let him promote more. Can you see why I was so excited when he transfer to Brand New Music? 

It's been a good year for Brand New Music, I can't wait for new release! Especially from Phantom..because I am disappointed in New Era. GIVE ME SWEET PHANTOM BACK! Or at least a great song that really brings out the best of them. I have nothing against sexy concept, I just want a great song. 

What makes me smile :D

Ahhh... Jiyongie, Kwon Ji yong! G Dragon.... 니가뭔데?

I absolutely love Who You by G Dragon! It's so fun and bright! I listen to the song and I can't not move to it. It's such a playful upbeat song. 

I love the beginning a lot. It'd be fun to hear the fanchants to it. This song needs fanchant! My favorite of the song is the lively piano accompanion. That brief stop and play part was genius, it builds up expectation and he delivers.

Normally, I dislike random adlib but for this song, it works. It doesn't seem out of place and it is something I would want to sing too. The highlight of the song is "baby I just want you back" part. It's so catchy, I end up singing along.

This songs reminds me of Geek's 어때, which ironically they remind me of GDragon. Based on my limited Korean, 니가뭔데 kind of translate to, "who are you to do this to me?" It's like you're confused on why you like person. 

I also really love the MV for this song. It was perfect but of course I was jealous. I wish I could be part of the fans in the video. It's a fun event and you got to be part of the video. It was so sweet of GD to give credits to his fans. My heart melts at the end.

I'm loving Kanto (TROY) What you want featuring Kim Sungkyu of Infinite

Omg it's a Brand New Music and SM collaboration???!! Hah! Okay technically SMC&C but let me feeel! Expect me being bias, but I won't try to cheap on the critic if I had to.

I thought Troy was going to debut this year...what is this Rhymer? Bumkey and Kanto only so far... And it's November already. Nevermind, I like you still give us something great despite the wait.

When the news of collaboration first broke out, I was surprise it was Sungkyu who will be feature. After his solo work, I have the impression he was more rock influenced. So I did come expecting something like Bang Yong Guk's I remember.

Turns out, it was not rock at all... Just straight up hip hop rap track. Honestly I was a little disappointed. However some parts of the song reminds me of Primary, Gaeko and Choiza "? Question Mark" which is one of my favorite hip hop track so this song is easy on my ears.

Kanto sounds matured. I can't believe he's younger than me. I think in this case having two unique vocal color doesn't make it odd. It works well, I'm sort of surprised. It's a good introduction to Kanto rap style. 

I really like the MV, as expected by BNM.. Cameos! Troy members are like the king of cameos. Did you notice them on BNR Did not say anything MV? Swings is there as well, but I was surprise by D.O Lee Hyun Do appearance! I wouldn't know if not the "D.O" 

I'm hating Miss A HUSH

IHush, don't tell me on Say A...that's the Fanclub name right?

Anyway it was lackluster and I think the occasional "yeah" was off putting. Like YG, JYP artiste sounds okay with English parts but do they really have to put in so much English? I come for the Kpop... As in Korean pop, I don't need English.

Since I am a fluent English speaker, it is only natural that I tend to catch on the English part more. Don't bluff me, say you don't agree that "give it to me" part reminds you of Sistar song! 

The choreography is meh. I guess it is hard to live up to their past choreography. It's been a while since their last comeback, is it bad that I expect more? This doesn't seem something worth waiting for. 

Honestly I have never been a steady fan of Miss A, it's either okay or no. It's something to grow liking to than something I like right away. This review is based on 1st impression, I may end up humming to this song anyway.

I'm loving Untouchable VAIN featuring Koonta of Rude Paper

Untouchable is back with Bain.. I mean Vain! Do you know that the sound "V" doesn't exist in Hangeul? That's why Koonta was pronouncing it as bain...it's a little awkward but I find it charming.

Koonta's voice is piercing yet attractive. Guy vocal normally lower tone but Koonta's voice is high pitch without sounding like a female. I find his voice strangely addicting. I want to keep on hearing his voice.

I really want to give high praises to Untouchable but I suck at reviewing hiphop. I can't explain in words why I love Untouchable. I just like them. I'm one of those people who think rappers sounds similar to each other. Now that I hear more Korean hip hop, I am better at it. 

I do know that Rap isn't merely fast talking and it has to have rhythm. It's also more on lyric wise. I have yet to check the translation but I still believe that music transend through language. I will try to intrepret myself!

Skimp through the English lyrics, I think it talks about their dignity in Korean hip hop scene? Hmmm I think I need to listen more!

I'm hating Phantom New Era Feat Navi

It hurts to write this but OMG PHANTOM WHY????

It's such a huge contrast from their previous single "I Already Know" which was so sweet and lovely to this totally sexy "New Era". OMG ARE YOU TELLING ME, FUTURE STUFF WILL BE LIKE THIS?! Yes, I am MAD, hence the capslock. 

I watch anything Phantom, because they are my favorite trio and yeah the teaser is effin porno. I was shocked. MY PHANTOM.......... The MV was less shocking thanks to the teaser. Ahaha what a tease. I think their promotion work this time around since more people are talking about it. I'm sad it has to be like this.

The song was nothing that I love, in fact if they debuted with this... I would not be a fan. It doesn't show the full quality of Phantom's talent like their other previous single. Navi is a singer that I don't really like. I just don't like her voice, she can sing but just not my favorite. The whistle was annoying. I felt the song could have been better. To be honest, I didn't really pay attention to the song while watching the MV. Um.. I'm only human...the MV was hot. Lol even hotter than Troublemaker Now MV.

While watching the MV.. In my head, I was thinking about how Cho Yong Pil would react to this. They freakin sang a song title (to be) ”Like Cho Yong Pil". This is nothing like Cho Yong Pil would do right? Bounce was such a lovely song.......oh gosh why Phantom you do this to me?!

Update : Now that I have actually listen to it several times, I just grew even more disappointed. It is definitely catchy but that's it. Their talent is so severely underuse in the song. The lyrics was good, but they don't expand it further. It's stagnant. Their previous single lyrics, made me think and reflect afterwards. New Era lyrics is just plain.

I am writing this as a fan. I want so badly for Phantom to be popular because they do deserved it but I hate the fact they had to resort into this. Naked teaser and a Naked version MV? You deserved better than that!

I'm loving MYNAME Day by Day feat D.O. (Lee Hyun Do of Deux)

I understand EXO is famous but it's annoying to see their fans comment everywhere. It's a little disrespectful. Learn Kpop history for a bit. Lee Hyun Do is a big sunbae! Anyway I am guilty as charged because I ashamedly too, thought it was Do Kyung Soo. I am happy either way, since I love this song! The style of the song is just my style. I love every single beat of the song. I feel it's flawless.

I always thought that idols shouldn't have featuring because they have a rapper and less parts but Lee Hyun Do part is irreplaceable. I prefer having him in the song because it adds a different tone. Idols rapper tend to sound similar to each other. 

The MV has a nice color, the scenery is good but I couldn't understand the effects used. There's double people, disappearing and backwards..it's kind of there to add interest without purpose. I do like the sets. It's just nice to look at. I love the fact Lee Hyun Do was included in the MV. 

I hate the choreography though. I honestly never dislike a choreography. I thought it's tempo is rather odd and I prefer less movements. The choreography doesn't suit the song at all. I had a hard time watching their performance. I definitely would have skipped their performance had not I heard of the song.

MYNAME is an idol that I overlook because of their name. It's a group that I don't want to be involve. How weird is it to say "OMG, I love MYNAME!" Hahahaa. I know I'm a bad person. Even if you say it in Korean, it still sound awkward.  If their next single is still good, I will make sure I memorize their names!

비밀 (Secret)

I don't want it to be confuse with the same name group, hence the title is in hangeul. 

Having been disappointed with "Makjang" genre in the past... I made a vow not to watch anymore of it's kind because it's either ridiculous or too many heart boiling moments that calls you to throw something at your TV.  Makjang, for better explanation do visit dramabeans.com... Is basically contains murder, plot twist and sometimes ridiculous scene. 

I missed a lot of dramas this year due to busy schedules, I did hear that this drama is melodrama (it means prepare ya tissue!) but thought nothing of it. I saw the cast did their promotion on Happy Together and it was a fun episode so I decided to support the first episode.

Makjang it is. So many ridiculousness I just know this is bad for me. Curiousity kills the cat, I stuck with it because I want to know how the heck MinHyuk end up with YuJeong. Oh and I want An Do Hun dead. Please scriptwriter, make it happen!

I am not going to reveal anything on the plot because spoiler is not good for this show, you need to watch without spoilers. You need to be on the edge too! The review of Korean audience and international audience seems good, I'd say watch it!

There is an article on the last episode being unpredictable. Yeah right. Pretty sure someone on Soompi forums would have guess it.

Don't continue reading unless you watched this drama.

My prediction, Kwangsoo and his brother might be the one behind it........... You can't go more unpredictable than this.  

UPDATE aww man, My prediction was wrong, Ahn Do Hun didn't die. Nevermind the ending was good la, my kind of ending. 

Qualification of a Kpop Fan

You may not agree with me in this post but this is my blog and I'm open to discussion.

I was reading comments on blogs and it gets on my nerves to read some of this so called fans. Here are some of the examples

1. I'm a big fan of _____ but I don't always remember all the members name

2. I'm a big fan of _____ but I dislike one member

3. Mention other group or singers 

Why do they call themselves big fan? I don't think you have the rights to refer yourself in such way. Remembering members name is the very basic of Kpop knowledge. I'm not asking every fan to memorize their blood types or what kind of food they like. Though, that would qualify you to call yourself a "big fan". 

Groups to me is all about teamwork, to dislike or worse, hate on one member is the same as not liking the group. It makes my mind spin to read that kind of comment.

A good way to start a war on the comment section is to comparison. OMG, stop that! I usually ignore because I like too many groups to join a war. It hurts to read though. There should be a rule that you should not mention other group in the comment section! You are not helping your favorite idols! Respect other fandoms.

I do think there is a qualification to call yourself a Kpop Fan. You don't just like the music. You live the Kpop Fan lifestyle.

Good Doctor Review

The thing with Kdrama, regardless of different theme or settings, it always have that typical Kdrama plots. If it ain't broke why fix it? Right?

I do like medical theme drama but I have learn that you should not expect much medical part in the drama. That being said, I think the scriptwriter manage to balance it out. It has few interesting cases but nothing makes me get out of my sest kind of cases. 

Honestly I thought the drama was boring. The bits I like is too little. I enjoyed Inhye, nurse Jo and headnurse parts only. The main characters for me, does not feel realistic. I do think Joo Won, Moon Chae Won and Joo Sang Wook are great actors but the way of their character potrayed is just don't feel right.

I think the drama would have been better if it was more focus on Joo Won's character growth than other unnecessary plots. I would also prefer more interaction between ShiOn and Director. Ryu Deok Hwan's cameo did nothing to me....I don't know why it is not utilize properly. 

Good Doctor for me, only serves as a good in between drama. I probably won't remember this drama in the future.

Studying Korean

Note : I wrote this post months ago. I forgot to post it up.

How I started to learn Korean is weird. I just find it fascinating that the Thai fans had hangeul on their signboards at the concerts. I go on Aheeyah.com and slowly learn some basic. I find it very interesting to type in hangeul on keyboard so it was something I did for fun. What made me really want to learn hangeul was seeing non kpop fans having Korean names on their profiles. Lol. I was jealous, someone who isn't a Kpop fan have Korean name? Absurd. So I studied more, till I could read without constantly checking the romanization.

Now being able to read Korean is easy, but understanding Korean is not. I think partly because there's a number of ways of expressing in Korean and spelling Korean is hard. I would have tweet more or even used more in hangeul if I wasn't so worried about spelling. 

My vocabulary is expanding thanks to watching Kdrama everyday and all I listen to is Kpop. I get little moments of happiness when I'm able to understand Korean tweets. I'm currently studying like 10min per day of Korean by myself. Yo, I'm a lousy student.

If I were to give a tip on how to read hangeul faster, read Korean subtitle on variety program. It usually appear in seconds so you have to pause from time to time. It's basically killing two birds with one stone, you can have fun and study! 

This isn't a tip, but I practice writing hangeul for better understanding. It's easy to type on keyboard, however it is more effective to be familiar with writing hangeul. I think? Hahaha still in progress.

I'm loving Lee Jung I am Sorry

I wish for more songs like this! "I am Sorry" by Lee Jung has everything I love in music. Great piano melody, good hook, perfect amount of adlib and so much soul! I love rnb ballads hybrid kind of songs. I'm not a pro in genres but it's close?

I'm fond of Lee Jung since I got to know him in Unstoppable Marriage sitcom. He is a funny and witty guy with great talent. I enjoyed him on Immortal Songs 2, he should just appear permenantly! I wish him more success!

My favorite thing about the song is how Lee Jung projects his emotions, it's just perfect. Some singer has trouble of projecting emotions properly. Lee Jung does it well enough for you to feel it without destroying the quality of music. 

The MV is simple and artsy. I dislike the lighting.. You can't really see his face properly. I thought every scene is carefully thought out. The scene with him on the piano is beautiful, when he dance with the drawing girl is just so cute. I thought the dance part could have been projected better.