Friday, November 20, 2009

You're Beautiful: Impressions


With only two episodes left, I still have no idea what direction this drama is taking.

I first heard about "You're Beautiful" because Lee Hongki was set to make his return to acting in the drama. However, once I started watching the show, the story drew me in, just as much as the story for Boys Over Flowers did.

The story centers around the life of the popular fictitious group A.N. JELL. The three members of AN JELL are Hwang Tae Kyung (played by jang Geun Suk), Kang Shin Woo (played by rookie actor Jung Yong Hwa), and Jeremy (Lee Hongki's character). Each member has a completely different personality, ranigng from "charismatic" to "energetic." To this trio of singers, a fourth is added, but that's where the twist comes in. The singer Go Mi Nam, is supposed to join the group, but, as he's away in America, the group's manager manages to convince his twin sister, Go Mi Nyu, to join in his place, only until Go Mi Nam returns, however. Go Mi Nam's return is continuously delayed, which gived Go Mi Nyu the chance to get to know the other group members.

Without giving too much away, Go Mi Nyu (known as Go Mi Nam to the group members), gets involved in a love...pentagon. Not only does every member of AN JELL manage to fall in love with her (what a lucky girl!), but another girl is added into the already complicated drama dynamic, in the form of a fake lover of Jang Geun Suk (UEE of After School).

For a cast filled with such young actors, I think they're doing a stellar job, and it's one of the reasons I keep watching the series (that, and Hongki is just too adorable!!). I'm torn because I don't know what's going to happen--I want to know how it ends, but at the same time, I'm afraid that not everyone can become happy in the end, so I want it to keep going until then. With the last two episodes airing next week, to those who have watched it: what are your impressions thus far, and how do you think it's going ot end? To those who haven't: Where have you been all this time?!

Review: Super Junior Vol 3 [Repackage]


Before their comeback earlier this year, I had not heard much of Super Junior, aside from Kim Bum (who, I admit, was only interested in because he shared the same name as the Boys Over Flowers actor). One day, while casually browsing the web, I came across a preview of their new song, Sorry, Sorry. Instantly, I was hooked.

Since then, I've cultured my love for Super Junior (I remember the game that I played to learn their names--Find Heechul) by watching their weekly performances on music shows, watching shows they have appeared in during their younger days (Full House? Explorers of the Human Body?), and, in general...watching anything I could about them.

Recently, I was lucky enough to be gifted with a copy of their 3rd album, and, after listening to it, I have to admit, I'm very pleased with the direction they've taken. Listening to their earlier work, I was certainly not disappointed, but I felt that something was missing. The earlier concepts seemed to lack a sort of sophistication, and did not appear extremely unified. For the third album, Super Junior opted to ditch the messy-jungle-themed clothing (During their "U" days, for example) and adopt a sleek, streamlined look. Although they've always had clean choreography, something appears even more cleaned-up about it for their Sorry, Sorry performances.

However, I digress. There is a wide range of sons on the album, and enough of a difference in them to please anyone. From the catchy, electronic songs like Sorry, Sorry, Why I Like You, and MONSTER, to the slower songs, like Let's Not..., Super Junior's third album has something everyone can listen to. The repackaged album increases the sweetness by adding four additional songs. Their second song for promotion, "It's You," made by the insanely popular composers, E-TRIBE, became an instant hit, and it's obvious why. The strong beat in the back, mixed with the smooth vocals made for a song that was guaranteed to be successful. In addition to "It's You," the rapackaged album contained three other songs. Their titles are "She Wants It," "Love You More," and "Love Disease." "She Wants It" is a shockingly different song, best described as a "hip-hop" song. Filled with Eunhyuk's and Shindong's rapping, it's refeshingly different. Love Disease is a softer song, and has a sweet melody. The last new song, "Love You More," is the debut song of the members Ryeowook and Sungmin as composers and lyricists. This song showcases all of the member's vocals, and is surprisingly well-written.

With all of the great things about this album, there are some downfalls as well. Unfortunately, most of the songs only showcase the vocals of the three members with the most powerful voices -- Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung. While this may be a smart move overall, I felt like osmething was missing when I didn't hear the voices of all the members. In addition, while there are some very memorable songs, others do not seem as strong.

However, despite it's minor shortcomings, I still recommend the album to any Super Junior fan, as it might be their best work yet.

--Buddhu (Sana)

Rome's Rant: Sailor Moon Live Action - A Review

So... I'm not gonna make excuses for myself about this post. Haha, let's just move right along with what it's about ok?Sailor Moon Live Action. Have you seen it? I'm currently watching it and I must say, it is the corniest thing I have EVER watched. What gives? But... for some reason I am glued to my computer screen watching this awkward show! Luna is a stuffed slightly glowing cat... ehh... the Youma (the bad creatures) are highly reminiscent of Power Rangers (In fact the whole show is highly reminiscent of power rangers!). The girls wear wigs too. The wigs are actually a great idea. I ALWAYS wonder how people can never recognize Usagi (Serena) and the others. I mean, in the anime, NO ONE else in the school has blue hair or blond pigtails. It's kind of a tell. So the wigs in the live-action are a brilliant idea. Then again, how funny would it be for the Ami (Amy...) actress to have dyed her hair blue.

I digress though, the show is actually a guilty pleasure. It might be out dated but honestly, a good story is a good story. Check out Boys Over Flowers-- It's been remade three times (four?) and the story still works! What IS it about these stories though? ... I suppose that question can be answered in another post.

Review:
It's a good watch. 50 episodes. About 25 minutes of show. The transformations are so killer; freaking amazing!! The hand motions they these girls do are awesome, I geek out over them each time. It's a bit sad. Confession: I tried to learn Sailor Moon's Transformation hands. I dare you to watch a couple of episodes. Tell me you didn't try to mimic the hand movements. The girls still have the whole friendship thing down, but it has another level to it. Unlike the anime, conflict between girls don't end in one episode, they continue to the next. They may not be the same conflict, but... what mean to say is they each earn each other's friendship. In the anime, it seemed that the fact that they were protectors was enough to bond them. The Live-Action has a bit more conflict in that area. The girls are pretty (for the most part) and it's interesting to see the greatest fan fiction romance take place amongst the 'real' Usagi and Mamoru. All in all, I think it's a good waste of time. ^_^

Edit: From out SayNOW... 
This one is really awkward...


Rome's Rant: What's Gonna Happen to the Noky Brothers?

"Always Keep the Faith."This quote is synonymous with the one and only TVXQ! Anyone in kpop, upon seeing or hearing this quote knows whom it refers to, and the phenomenon that backs it up. Unless you've been disconnected from kpop, cpop, or jpop for the past 4 months, then you know what's been going on. I'm neither going to summarize nor go into any of it. Because, quite frankly, it's depressing as well as frustrating.

In kpop, cpop and jpop a lot of the groups have certain "couplings" to them.One such coupling from TVXQ! is the 2-U couple. Yoochun (Mickey) and Yunho.


Towards the end of 2008, 2-U couple became "Noky Brothers." A mixture of 'No' from Yunho and 'Ky' from Mickey. Lately though, with the whole three vs. two thing, the coupling is up in the air.
The conflict makes me wonder what will happen to the fun "Soul Fighter" coupling of JaeJoong and Changmin, as well as the infamous, and most popular, "YunJae" couple of Yunho and JaeJoong.

 So, why dedicate a post to the Noky Brothers as opposed to the other couplings? Well the Noky Brothers, made their coupling official when TVXQ! tried to make Korea happier through the countries rough economy. They made themselves public.

Fans like myself are wondering what's going to happen to the Noky Brothers now? Honestly, I want to believe that their friendship is strong enough to be alright after this... rift, but...

In any case, I know I cannot be the only fan feeling this way.  So, I decided to post their message of happiness back from those good times. We have to somehow find a way to 'keep the faith' because, right now, things aren't looking too great.

To all TVXQ! fans who are having a hard time trying to "keep the faith" I hope this will help. You're not alone,...

Ha Ha Ha CF 1
Ha Ha Ha CF 2
Ha Ha Ha A Capella version (played on this week's show. There will also be a Krome Radio cover on Krome Radio Volume 3: The First Album)

Babelpop's NEW contest!


If you tuned in last night, then you heard our announcement about BABELPOP's new CONTEST!!!! Get a chance to win $100 gift card to YesAsia on Christmas by participating in the contest. All you have to do is: register at Babelpop.com and post on the website (posting includes pictures,comments, reviews,videos,and news). Every 10 points means 1 entry into the contest and every post is a point. This contest is a great opportunity to buy all those artist's CDs you've been dying to get! Remember, there will only be 1 winner so register ASAP and start posting!

22nd Show: Homestyle

Yo Yo YO!!! Krome Radio had yet another UNPLUGGED show on Ustream this week for our 22nd show. If you missed this one...I believe that it was our best show yet! Not only was there slammin music but Sana and I (Adio) hosted a Krome Radio Kribs for the after show and we did a live video feed. Join us again on December 3 for our 24th show...there will be no show next week(November 26 2009) due to Thanksgiving. We hope everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving. Don't go into a food comatose. Here's the playlist we had for this week (the ones highlighted in Red are the ones we couldn't find for the mixpod):

HaHaHA(Acapella) byTVXQ!
Say a Lil Something by Jam Hsiao
Suddenly by Gackt
Chu by f(x)
Let me Hear your Voice by Big Bang
Gary Noise by Linus Blanket
Heart Wall by Claire Kuo
Cupido by Ivy
Tired of Waiting by 2PM
Retreat by Janice Vidal
The Next Door by Exile
Go On by Jerry Yan
Flea by Clazziquai Project
Opus (Ballad Version) by Rurutia
Thunder by FT Island
Blue Tomorrow by Super Junior M
Fetish by The Far East Movement
Slow Down by Yoga Lin
Virgin by AOI
Hip Hop and South by Drunken Tiger
Unique by Danson Tang
Slow [e] Motion by Epik High
Hello I just want to by Andy Lau
Forever by E.Bul
Sign by Brown Eyed Girls
Asuwa Kura Kara by TVXQ!
Rain by Angela Aki

~*Instrumentals*~
Abracadabra by Brown Eyed Girls
Insomnia by Wheesung

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Join us on USTREAM!!!

Hey All!

Since the servers are still down, Krome Radio will be on USTREAM again tonight! Join us in the Ustream chat here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/krome-radio for another UNPLUGGED show! Get ready for YOUR WORLD TO BE ROCKED!!!!!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

21 Show: Replay/Unplugged

Since the servers were down this week, we decided to bring our show onto UStream and have an UNPLUGGED version of Krome Radio. Unfortunately, internet connection died towards the end of the show so we finished up the rest of the songs when we finally got connection again. If you missed this weeks show, you missed an awesome time but here are the songs we played (red ones aren't on the playlist):

Deja Vu by SS501

Planetaruim by Ai Otsuka
Bit by Bit by Jeremey Ji
Ring Ding Dong by SHINee
Cold Life by Janice Vidal
Obsessed by BoA
Love Rock'n Roll by Jaurim
Smile Maker by NEWS
Baby Baby by JJ Lin
Time to Love by T-ara and Supernova
You are...by W-inds
Super Girl by Super Junior M
300 Pianos by Andy Suzuki
Forever by Jun Jin feat Linda
After by Zhang Li Yin
Season by Arashi
Shelter by JaeJoong and Yoochun
Where You At by Taeyang
Tegami by Angela Aki
Breathe by G-Dragon
Every Time by Xiao Yu
Funny Bunny by The Pillows
Raining by FT Island
Twilight's Chapter Seven by Jay Chou
Bye Bye by Taegoon

~*Instrumentals*~
Rokkugo! by Super Junior T
Hyousa (Music box Ver) by Rurutia

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

20th Show: Andy Suzuki!!

To celebrate our 20th show we had the up and coming artist Andy Suzuki on the show! He let us know a little bit about his current on-going experience of trying to break into the Japanese music industry. If you missed this show, unfortunately, you missed out on a lot of laughs, a chance to get teary eyed and the possibility of swooning (he sang live on the show). You'll just have to wait until we post the show on youtube.

Not only is he great with writing about personal experiences (check out the song '300 Pianos' and 'Fool'), he is surprisingly down to earth and charming.

Andy Suzuki is John Mayer meets Sara Bareilles. Imagine their half-Asian lovechild. Then add an electric violinist who solos like a lead guitarist and a percussionist who swings his dreds harder than anyone ever asks him to. The outcome is Andy Suzuki & The Method.

Andy Suzuki is a half-Japanese, half-Jewish singer-songwriter based in NYC who writes songs in English and performs Japanese cover songs by artists such as Angela Aki and Naotarou Moriyama. Check him out at the links below:

http://www.myspace.com/andysuzukimusic

http://www.twitter.com/andysuzukimusic
http://www.youtube.com/andysuzukimusic
http://www.facebook.com/andysuzukimusic

HOW TO GET ANDY'S FREE EP: "Free Hundred Pianos"
email andy at andy.suzuki.music@gmail.com to get the link to download his free EP, "Free Hundred Pianos," which contains 6 songs from his full-length studio release, "300 Pianos." If you want all 13 songs, look for him on iTunes, Rhapsody, AmazonMP3, etc

HOW TO GET ANDY TO PLAY AT A COLLEGE/CLUB/COFFEESHOP/HIGH SCHOOL NEAR YOU:
email andy at andy.suzuki.music@gmail.com with your idea!

Thirsty for more? Check out Daehyun Kim's and The Korean Pop Addicts articles about him here and here (respectively)!!


Friday, November 6, 2009

20th Show Songs!

Hey guys! Thanks to all that tuned in to our 20th show! We had a great time interviewing Andy Suzuki and we hope you all did as well. He's a cool guy and not bad singer at all -_^. Hearing him sing live on-air was awesome.

Here is the list of songs we played! Enjoy reliving the show <3
not in the song play list.

BIG BOY - Big Bang (TOP Solo)
Obsessed - BoA
Letter ~ Greetings to a 15 Year Old -Angela Aki
Rain is Fallin' - w-inds ft. GD
I Love to Breathe - JANICE
Better Man - Andy Suzuki
Move - Wonder Girls ft. Lee Min Woo
D-T-S - KAT-TUN
Tears In The Rain - Ariel Lin
Fool - Andy Suzuki
Mask - Vic Zhou
You Said You Love - 8Eight
Juliette - SHINee
300 Pianos - Andy Suzuki
My Man - Davichi
Under My Skin - Sarah Connor
Sanctuary - Utada Hikaru
Tegami (cover) - Andy Suzuki

~*Instrumentals*~
Wipe the Tears (Inst.) - AJ
Cang Zai Wei Xiao Li De Mi Mi (Inst.) - Cyndi Chaw

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Info about Andy Suzuki


On Thursday we played a song by Andy Suzuki who is a singer/song writer who recently released an album titled "300 Pianos". Although he sings mostly English songs, he is also thinking about breaking into the Japanese industry. Hear his cover of Angela Aki's "Tegami", which we played on Thursday, here. We'll be doing an interview with him this Thursday (November 5, 2009) so if anyone has questions for him leave a comment or shoot us an e-mail.

Here is the link to "Tegami" by Angela Aki herself. It's a wonderful song which carries a lot of meaning. The side panel has English translations worth checking out, so please do.

19th Show Songs!

If you enjoyed the music from our 19th Show, check out the songs we played compiled nicely and neatly for you in the list below! ^_^

Also, we announced we'd be having an interview next week (Nov 5th)! To find out more about who we will be interviewing (ANDY SUZUKI!), check out the post above! Also, TUNE IN!!

What Time Is It Now - 2PM
Smile Maker - NEWS
Hurry Hurry - FT Island
On My Mind - KAT-TUN
Baby Baby - JJ Lin
Wealthy 2nd Generation - AJOO
Love Gravitation - Jolin Tsai
Sha Sha De Yong Qi - VENK
Part of Me - Ayumi Hamasaki
Owls. Shadows. Tears. - Epik High
Xin Wo - S.H.E.
Tegami (cover) - Angela Aki covered by Andy Suzuki
Wanna - Kara
Reirei Tenohira (Ballad Ver.) - RURUTIA
Crazy Love - TVXQ!
Stomp - Lee Min Woo
Sunny - Super Junior H
Music - Epik High ft. Kwill
Forever - Jun Jin ft. Linda
Irreplaceable - S.H.E

--
Wasurenaide - TVXQ!
Tou Tou Ai (To Love Secretly) - Yan Zou Qu
Thanks to Love - Garden Sisters