MBC Competition: Pumashock Hwaiting

Click Here for and update on the competition

As you  may know, MBC is holding a competition for a new international K-Pop artist. Videos for the competition have been flooding Youtube for weeks now, all filled with aspiring musicians. This blogger is pulling for Natalie White, aka YouTube star Pumashock, all the way! She writes and creates her own original songs and remixes the songs of popular K-Pop artists, blessing them wiith her special touch and beautiful voice.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. She was featured on a Korean Show called Star King which introduced her to a wider Korean audience.Girl's Generation (SNSD) even got to see her remixed version of Gee and were thoroughly amazed at her rendition of the song (see their reaction here). Recently she was featured in a Korean commercial for Supremo Coffee . Natalie has been working hard to achieve a musical career and it seems as if this is just what she needs to break out into the industry. She writes her own songs and knows Korean and English, meaning that all her songs will actually make sense ! Please vote for her between Nov 28 - Dec 3. You are allowed one vote per day. If you're still not convinced about how great she is, watch the videos in this post or go to the link at the right to see her Youtube page. Natalie Fighting!
~Chan

PS. To vote for Natalie, click on the link above and go to gallery. At the top of the page change the search list to US, R&B, and Username. Keep searching the pages until you see the same clip of Pumashock as the one above. And don't forget to share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Change of Plans and New Blog

Don't worry. You'll be seeing a lot more of these Girls!

After long debates and hard thinking, I've finally decided the state of this blog. TeddyChanTastical will for now on be a blog about entertainment. The main focus will of course be Japanese and Korean culture, but I will also blog about books, movies, and other things that are listed are listed as entertainment. I will no longer blog my pictures on this blog, but will instead upload them on this blog. My new blog will be more personal than this one is and will actually have stories about my life which I will draw out (:]). and once the site is up, I promise I'll update (regularly). It is still under construction but will most likely be up in December, so be on the look out! I've already exported my older posts to the other blog, so be sure to check it out! You can also go ahead and subscribe if you like. Believe me it will all be worth it in the long run. New Posts will be coming soon! Stay tuned K-Pop fans!

~Chan

Kisses from the sweetest Teddy! (...Okay it's Grr, but let me have my fun! :P)



BoA in Step Up 4! Rumors Buzzing



BoA Kwon is set to star in a new movie.



So today I went on BoA's old Youtube page to find out if any of her new songs where on there like "Copy & Paste" and "Hurricane Venus". I went on to her old American page and scrolled down to see that people are still commenting on there. I was just about to go search for the songs somewhere else when I read this comment:

BlazinNSoul (5 days ago)

Spam Marked as spam

Looking forward to seeing Boa in next step up movie!! Say what ya say lol. Yep no joke on that news and she even got the main female character role. Take that to all ya hatters!! Filming starts next year on location in NYC. Only question is who is going to be the male lead hmm? Any recommendations as not just anyone can fill Boa's shoes after all!!





(Bold added) Could this be true? Is singer,actress,dancer pop star BoA Kwon really gonna be the next lead in the new Step Up movie? Well according to my sources, it's true! Well, sort of. BoA has been cast to be in a new dance movie set in New York. The movie will be directed by Duane Adler who also directed films such as Save the Last Dance and Step Up. Adler says he had BoA in mind when writing the script and she's already signed up for it. There are no reports that the new movie will actually be another installment of the Step Up series. I don't really think they need to add another one anyway. The only thing missing from this new movie is a male lead.

The movie will start production next year in NYC. I think the movie will be a good thing for BoA to help her awareness in the States. She's amazingly talented in dancing, and she's been a guest star on a Korean drama before, so she has some experience acting. Praying that she has fun and success. I'm rooting for you girl!

Click here for an Update on BoA's new Movie!

ATTENCION! Makeover Coming Soon

I may not be on the blog for a while because I'm giving it a total makeover! I've been doing a lot of thinking and believe that its time for a new beginning. This blog is called Teddychantastical because of my character Teddy Chan, but I haven't even let the world know who she is. Instead I've been rambling on and on on non-chan related topics. So, I'm gonna take some time off and start working on sketches, strips, and stories that I can add to my blog so you can see my talent (which is why I started this thing in the first place). I may do the occasional rant and ramble now and then, but Chan (and maybe 2NE1) will always be the main topic, and don't worry, I promise you'll like it (IHope)!

Going Gaga: Why I'm Sick of Monsters

 She came and took the world by storm. Her music was catchy, her style was outrageous, and she had creativity that blew many away (yes, even me for a while). Lady Gaga came and ruled the music scene, becoming the one on everyone's lips. She quickly rose to the top of pop charts and was being featured on quite a few tracks. It seemed like everyone wanted a piece of her, or at least be like her. Soon the accusations came along saying that singers like Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and even Janell Monet were trying to imitate Gaga. The accusations even went across the oceans to the other side of the globe as Japanese and Korean artists were accused of trying to imitate Lady Gaga's style, or as I like to call it, going Gaga. Some artists accused of going Gaga are G-Dragon, CL, and even seasoned veterans like BoA and Lee Hyori. This my friends, is absolutely absurd. There is no way that these artists are trying to be like Gaga. The American artists mentioned above, excluding Monet, have probably followed her trend's at the urge of their producers or to gain popularity, especially Christina who shocked me with her "Not Myself Tonight" video which made me think she wasn't trying to be herself, but I can't and refuse to say that the Korean and Japanese artists are following this trend.

    Most of the comments I see like this happen to be on Youtube were little monsters, Gaga fans, are claiming that other musicians are trying to steal Gaga's style. I find this hilarious when I see these comments on the videos of professionals like Lee Hyori and BoA who have been in the music industry for years!  A lot of these monsters only say this because they see the artists have sported blond hair (something they have done before). A lot of theses comments came over Hyori's video for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" were she wore clothing that many thought was similar to GaGa's , but in fact GaGa would never dress in this fashion (see picture below).  

Would you ever see gaga wearing this?

I'm not the only one that feels this way either. Other fans have posted comments in defense of Hyori .



boalohanuiloa1

1 month ago   Exactly! Idiots are saying same thing bout BoA now because of her blond hair and Game MV. Stop with the lady gaga thing already! Where did lady gaga get that image from?? Madonna was doing that long before her time. Her look is nothing new... just new in this generation. Her timing was just right with the music industry and fans ate it up.

KyuhyunDonghae

2 months ago stop comparing hyori to lady gaga. there's nothing to compare.



so basically, what you're all saying is put a blonde wig on someone and they're automatically copying lady gaga?



when you look at lady gaga, the blonde hair and insane fashion is WHO SHE IS. while for hyori, it's just for the concept



     Rapper/singer GDagon was even put under the bus for "going Gaga" after sporting blond hair for his solo album Heart Breaker. He doesn't even sound like Gaga at all. He doesn't even look like her! The only thing that looks remotely Gaga-ish is that red thing on his face and the blond hair, yet some have posted videos on YouTube trying to convince others that GDragon is ripping Gaga off. One in particular even tries to say that GD is a pre-sex change version of Gaga! All of these ignorant comments and videos need to be stopped!

Don't they look like twins!? Didn't think so.

Too many people are trying to accuse K and J pop singers of "Going Gaga". This claim is utterly ridiculous and off beat. Most of these artists have a different style, sound, and personality than Gaga, but the accusations keep flying. All you have to do is add blond hair and the viewers will continue ranting, "She's trying too hard to be like Gaga",
 "she stole this look from Gaga" or "why are Koreans imitating her?" People asking these questions are under the impression that GaGa is "original" when she actually gets some points of her style from other artists. The caution tape outfit? Inspired by Paulina Rubio's "Algo Tienes" video. Blond hair bow? Project Runway. Most of her edgy "original" style? Madonna.  This proves she isn't really that original , just shocking, catchy, and who knows- maybe another fad like that Ke$ha girl will prove to be. I'm not here to bash either of them, but it's really upsetting when the said artist who is supposedly being a style thief has had a longer career than the said "victim" has and has transitioned from many styles of looks, clothing, and yes, hairstyles.
~Chan











2NE1 Coming To America? YES!

Korean pop group 2NE1 is coming to America! Well, it's not official yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. There are a lot of reasons to suspect that the YG is preparing the girls for an American debut in the upcoming years. They just announced that they will be uploading the first and second season episodes of 2NE1 on their YouTube channel later. The videos will be copyrighted, so they won't be taken down by the YouTube police, and will also have legit English subtitles! Finally international fans (like me) will be able to understand them. The group has already received some support for their future album by producer Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

I guess this video was the start of the rumors, but the new sound of the group has also gotten fans buzzing about an American tour in the future. Well when ever you come, I'll be here to support you! Let's go BlackJacks!
~Chan

Come 2011, They'll be rocking like this in the US.

*UPDATE!  It appears that the group is definitely going to make an American debut, and they've only just released their first studio album in Korea! According to an article on omgkpop.com they have already made ten American tracks for a new English album with Will.i.am's help and will come to America in 2011! Sadly the group won't stay in America too long since they will also be promoting in Japan and keeping up with their fans in Korea. I can't wait! And believe me, I will do everything I can to make sure they don't flop like other Asian artists have, and if they water down their talent like this artist did , I'm gonna be P.O.ed! They better perform on BET, MTV,VH1, and anywhere else they must to be a success! Below is a sample of how they'll sound in English.

~Chan

UPDATE!: click here to read an interview with 2NE1 posted on allkpop.com.



  

2NE I'm Busy, 난 바빠

I've been listening to this all day over and over again! I really want this album, although I've already heard a few of their new songs earlier in the year. I wish They'd make a video for this one soon,or at least have a performance of this posted! But the romanized lyrics are from Lyricsmode.com while the English translation is from this site. The video is being used for promotional purposes only. Buy that Album! 2NE1 fighting!
*If this video doesn't come up in case it's taken down, go on Youtube and look for it! This song is amazing!*

 Nan bappa, very bappa

Nan bappa, damn bappa

Nan bappa, very bappa (x4)

Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go

Let me go!
Sohn jom nwajweo jungmal gwanshim eopseo
Maleul anhaedo ni bbeonhangame
Boy, I heard it before
Shigan eopseo bounce jigeun nan bappa
Jigeut jigeut-han ni jipchakae heundeullijin ana
(Damn bappa, very bappa)



Niga ipeul yeol ddae mada deullinun geon blah, blah, blah
Gwiman apa ow! Turn around, joyonghee ga, ga, ga
Naega eereol ddaemada namjadeul da
They be like damn, d-damn
Shigan eopseo bounce, jigeun na bappa

So baby, bounce bounce bounce, keep groovin' let's go!
Geunyang munghagae seo-itji malgo
(Bounce, jigeum nan bappa)
I ain't got time, time, time for you jungshin charyeo
Jungmal noonchi eopneun babo
(Get out the way, yo! )


Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go


Dodaechae wae jakkujakku nal gwaeropineundae
Talk to my hand, dashi malhaejulgae, boy, I don't care
Niga aneun yeoja wa naneun dalla (Yuchihan)
Jangnan geuman deo eesang nan mot chama


All my ladies feelin' naughty
That don't need no man to p-party
Dugeungeorineun speakers
Cheoreom twinggyeo meori, deung, heori


Choomeul chugo shipeundae namjadeuli banghae hal ddaen
Eereokhae nal ddara haebwayo stop- bikyeojullae



So baby, bounce bounce bounce, keep groovin' let's go!

Geunyang munghagae seo-itji malgo
(Bounce, jigeum nan bappa)
I ain't got time, time, time for you jungshin charyeo
Jungmal noonchi eopneun babo
(Get out the way, yo! )

Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go



Nan bappa, damn bappa
Nan bappa, very bappa (x4)
Y'all already know
2NE1 like you never heard it before
Let's go


Turn it up, it's goin' down
Get out the club if you ain't feelin' this sound


Get out the way, yo way
Get out the way, yo way, way
Get out the way, yo way, way
Get out the way


Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go (Bikyeojullae)
Nan bappa, neomu bappa
Nan bappa, let me go

~English~
I’m busy Damn Busy

I’m busy Very Busy (x4)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Get outta the way!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~



Let me go! Let go of my hand I really don’t have interest in you
Your game is obvious even if you don’t say anything
Boy, I heard it before
No time bounce! Right now I’m busy
I won’t get shaken by your tiresome obsession



Whenever you open your mouth I only hear
Blah Blah Blah
It only hurts my ears ow! Turn around quietly go go go
Whenever I act like this all the men
They be like damn d damn!

No time bounce! Right now I’m busy
So baby bounce bounce bounce
keep movin’ let’s go!

Don’t just stand there spacing out
(Bounce! Right now I’m busy!)
I ain’t got time, time, time for you, Get a grip
You really are a fool with no wits (Get out the way yo!)

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~
Why are you keep bothering me?

Talk to my hand
I’ll tell you again boy “I don’t care”
I’m different than the girl you know
Immature jokes, no more I can’t stand it anymore

All my ladies feelin’ naughty
that don’t need no man to p party
The thumping speakers Boom! Boom!
Bounce your head, back, and waist like the speakers

When men bother me when I wanna dance
Like this “Try to follow me” stop. Get outta the way
So baby bounce bounce bounce
keep movin’ let’s go!

Don’t just stand there spacing out
(Bounce! Right now I’m busy!)
I ain’t got time, time, time for you, Get a grip
You really are a fool with no wits (Get out the way yo!)

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~

Y’all already know,
2NE1 like you never heard it before, let’s go
Turn it up, it’s goin’ down, get out the club if you ain’t feelin’ this sound!

Get out the way yo way,
get out the way yo way way
Get out the way yo way way,
get out the way~~

I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~ (Move please!)
I’m busy ah~ Very busy ah ah
I’m busy ah~ let me go~

2NE1: New Music, New Look!

Makeover! The girls pose for the cover of their new album "To Anyone"

       Ladies and gentlemen, 2NE1 is back and they're flier than ever! The all female Korean group released their album "To Anyone" September 9 and they are flying up the American and Canadian iTunes charts, placing in the top three* they haven't even toured North America yet! I can't really speak about the album quality (since I don't know Korean) but a lot of sites are giving the new album great reviews. From what I've heard so far, I must say that this album has a different sound than their first one. There is a lot of auto tune - something I had to get used to- and more of CL and Minzy rapping. Profanity is used in some of the songs, but the group still manages to keep up the great music their fans have grown to love. CL also throws a little humor in with a line from Go Away saying "Fiancé? Beyonce! I’m walkin’ out of destiny" using the reference to refer to a relationship. Videos for their songs "Can't Nobody", "Clap Your Hands", and "Go Away"can be seen on Youtube, (or my play list on the right)  while another for "It Hurts(Slow)" will be revealed soon. My favorite songs so far are "Can't Nobody" and "Clap" which reminds me of "Fire" from their first album.
 

 New Look

Along with a brand new sound the group is premiering a new style and you have to admit that they've changed a lot! All of the ladies have under gone a makeover and are rocking bolder edgier styles than before. So far I like all the looks and think the girls look great, especially CL. I promise I had no idea who she was when I saw her. I thought she was Dara or Bom, but I must say that she looks great with her blond hair. She's also getting more attention from the cameras than before and dressing in more form fitting feminine styles. Just check out anyone of their new videos to see her new wardrobe and hair. Her attitude seems to be a bit more "I'm too fly for you" or is that just me? Lovin it either way!

Minzy's (Minji's) hair has grown, and she has noticeable extensions in their new video. She still has her bangs which we know and love her for. Her hair has changed from a pretty red to a rich black. I personally like this look better than   the previous style she had before. She looks more natural and the contrast between her fair skin and dark hair bring more attention to her face. She is also seen wearing blue contacts.  Like the others, Minzy's style has gotten a lot sexier too- a bit too sexy for a sixteen-year-old. This is especially true in the "Can't Nobody" music video were she wears a tight revealing piece and does some suggestive dancing. I understand that Minzy is in a group with older females and if the whole group gets a makeover,she should too, but the clothes she's wearing look a bit ridiculous. Not to mention she doesn't seem to comfortable wearing some of the styles and is it me, or those she need a bit more practice in heels. Don't get me wrong, I love Minzy, she's my favorite in the group, but that's why I'm disappointed in some aspects of  her wardrobe. If the manager or the PR consultant wanted to give the girls a new look, he/she should have done so with the youngest member's age in mind. Other than that, I love Minzy's look, style, and her as artist in general.

She looks like Michlle Phan!





Bom (right) is rocking a fierce red do and bangs. I like the new color on her. It's dark enough not to damage your eyes yet rich enough to subtly demand attention from everybody. Bom always seems to be in the background compared to the other artist . She's always singing the hooks or the chorus and I think they should give her more spotlight. She has great singing abilities and should be considered more than just a pretty face.



  Dara's makeover isn't as bold as the others are. Truthfully, I didn't even know she had done anything different , but she has a warm brown color in her hair that compliments her skin nicely and the  braided look is gone. I like this look on her, although I think that she really needed a makeover- she's pretty the way she is. I also love her street look in Clap You Hands, she looks so unbelievable gangster.

Upgrade!





   I love most of the new styles the girls are wearing, although some of them should tone the look down. The blond is working on CL and  doesn't to get Minzy's spiked jacket!
  To get more info on the group and to see sneak previews of their music and videos, join their fan page on Facebook.  You can also buy their album on iTunes

*I'd also like to point out the fact that Christian rappers Lecrae and TripLee are on the list*



I do not own 2NE1, their albums, or any of that other stuff. I just really like the music. Photos taken from this site unless noted otherwise. ~Kay?:D

~ Chan

K-pop! Favorite Groups and Break Downs

I've been a Korean pop fan for almost a year now and I must say I can't get enough of it! I'm adding new artists, groups, and songs to my play list everyday and I don't see an end to it!. Who knew that accidentally stumbling on one video would have made me an addict? Although I haven't been a fan for a long time, I have started to notice some trends that a lot of K-pop groups seem to follow. For instance, almost all of the  k-pop groups with few members follow the same format of rappers and singers, and then there's the "trip to the dark side and back"  trend I've seen in a lot of videos. Then there was the really huge difference I found in Korean music that really differed from American music, like super groups. Below are a few of my findings.

The Format (2NE! Example):

 Most of the K-pop groups I have listened to follow a very basic format that usually works in groups of three or more. All of the members usually possess the ability to carry a note. Usually there are two main leaders in the group that contribute to most of the vocals. For example, in the group 2NE1(pictured above) Sandara (Dara) and Park Bom (Bom) are the vocal leaders. They are usually the ones dominating the chorus or hook in the song. The third member of the group usually spends his or her time switching between vocalizing and rapping. Minji (Minzy) takes this role in the group, and is also the dancer. Last comes the rapper. This is the person who spits most of the hot rhymes in the group. They also contribute to the vocals, but only a minimal amount. CL is the main rapper in 2NE1 and has the best flow and most air time most Korean rappers in groups.  The rappers usually have a tom boyish style and will rarely be as seductive as the other members of the group, but love to boast about how they are the best rapper in the city/country (kinda like American rappers).

Super Groups

For some reason, Korean music producers like to create Korean Super Groups that usually have 8+ members. I have no idea how they do it, but somehow it seems to work. Groups such as SNSD (nine members)or Girl's Generation, and the all male group Super Junior( ten), both pictured below and to the left respectively, are just two examples of the super groups that have K-pop fans going wild. I don't deny these groups are favored across seas, but I don't really like these types of groups. I actually like to learn about the artists that I am listening to, and I do not have time to learn all thirteen members' names and try to point them out when I'm watching their videos.

Many groups have tried to help fans with this confusion by giving their members edgy cuts, bold colors, and making their talents standout in the group (the dancer, the rapper, the back up rapper, the sweet one, etc.) Although this might help some, I still fail to remember their names. I also wonder how the group feels when most of the fans only  favor certain members and act as if the others don't seem to exist. Are they all able to get equal camera time or sing equal parts? I would highly doubt it. Membership is also another concern with me. Recently a few members have become inactive in the groups I listen to. For example Super Junior has shrunk from thirteen members to 10, and if rumors are right, one of the members in SNSD has either quit or been dropped. Maybe it's a sign to the producers ...

Split Personality: Videos

I have noticed that most K-pop groups usually start off the same way: really cute, happy, bright colors, and seem to be really sweet. Then as their career takes off they begin to ... change. They ditch the happy pinks and blues for darker, more serious colors in their videos. Their songs no longer are about having a crushes or other topics of the sort, instead they go to hurt, betrayal, and seduction.

      One example of this would be the girl group Kara. They transitioned from sweet girly videos like "Rock You" and began to do more sexy videos like the ever popular "Mister" and "Lupin" (both of which I love, BTW). Note that I have only really seen this in girl groups, but I don't doubt that the boy groups do the same. I know that groups are supposed to grow and try to change their image, but it seems as if most groups follow this formula. Start out sweet and innocent, turn into sexy and seductive. It seems that Kara switches back and forth between the two styles. Wonder Girls is the only Korean Group I have heard that hasn't really done this, but since I haven't seen all of their videos, I can't really say for sure (Buy Wonder Girl's English album at Justice stores or online.)

  

Translation Videos Lie

One last thing I know about K-pop is that direct translation videos sometimes make no sense at all. Listening to English covers of the songs can also be tricky. Some of the people who make the English cover have no idea what they are (singing) about and makeup their own lyrics to the songs while keeping the original chorus or hooks. If you want to know what  a song really means or to see the direct translation find a reliable sites that shows the lyrics. Also remember translations in English may not be the same in Korean since some Korean words may not have a meaning in English,or may have multiple meanings.

PS. I Still Love J-POP! It was my first love and I will  never let it go!

(Korean and Japanese artists and songs You should know)

• 
  
  4Minute- "I,My,Me,Mine", "Hot Issue", "HUH"
• 
  
  2NE1-anything by them
• 
  
  After School-  "Because of You"
• 
  
  BigBang- "We Belong Together" check out their English version also, "Lollipop","Wedding Dress"
• 
  
  BoA- "Possibilities" "Love Letter","ID :)", "Touched" ,"Eat You Up" English album available
• 
  
  Kara- "Mister" "Rock Your Body"
• 
  
  Pumashock- listen to her covers of Korean songs as well as her own music.
• 
  
  SNSD- "Gee" "Oh" "Chocolate Love"
• 
  
  Utada - "Sanctuary", "Simple and Clean", Japanese versions are better in my opinion, she also has English albums.

* I accidentally deleted my play list, but in it's prime it had over 80 songs, both K-pop and J-pop
~Chan