Because Empty Fame Is Evil. That's Why.

NGL, I've had to the most to calm the fuck down in order to do a post with a semblance of coherence. Because, this was one of the most happy surprises this show has ever done.

Cuz the idea of SHINee's TAEMIN BEING A GUEST ON SUCHWITA????? LORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDE! (❤ ω ❤)

*Calming down*

On top of seeing him and SUGA interact, what makes this a MUST-SEE episode can only be brought up bulletpoint style:

* Taemin and Yoongi are both 93z--something that, as mentioned by both of them, is a rarity in K-pop. Not many 1993 folks became idols.

* Taemin is his group's maknae while Yoongi's considered the second oldest (after Jin). So their idol experiences are v. different w/r/t the members' dynamics.

* Taemin is also technically Yoongi's sunbaenim (senior) since SHINee debuted 5 years before BTS.

* Both are v. influential for different reasons that each admire in the other.

It's not like Taemin and Yoongi were total strangers. More like fellow idols who would chit-chat in a general way while doing their respective promotions. If anything, Taemin's connection to BTS is usually focused on his v. close friendship with Jimin.

*Takes a deep breath*

WHICH MAKES JIMIN'S RANDOM APPEARANCE HALFWAY THRU THIS EPISODE A MILLION TIMES AWESOMER. From then on, there's Taemin and Yoongi's nascent friendship, Yoongi and Jimin's bond (no explanation needed), Taemin and Jimin's besties' vibes, and all three having a friendly convo.

This is deffo one of those episodes I've rewatched a few times cuz the tone is lulzy, the conversation goes from introspective to casual, and the overall mood is extremely cordial.

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How abt a double-layered return to Suchwita? ;)

Filmed on September 3rd (but not airing until Nov. 4th), episode 21 of SUGA's talk show had the first guest to do a second appearance: Jungkook sitting down to have some noms in between talking abt his solo adventures. Early on in the episode, Yoongi acknowledged that Jungkook's first ep was a bit chaotic because, realistically, he (JK) only had one song to promote.

This time around, he had a full album plus several performances to chit-chat with his hyung. As much as I loved the loopy vibes of JK's first episode, I really preferred the way things flowed this time around. The conversation had more depth (in terms of Jungkook's own musical tastes and colors) with some funny asides. ON TOP OF THAT, Jungkook drops a v. mild spoiler that he and Jimin filmed some kind of travel vlog show at some point this year. #EXCITE

Even better, halfway thru the episode, Yoongi sat up and turned around, calling Taehyung from his hiding place. So the fun vibes went up a few levels and everyone (including the viewers) had an even better time.

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As a bonus, here's an 18-minute surprise concert that Jungkook did on Times Square on Nov. 9th of this year:

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This is a grab bag of 10 episodes of LeeMujin Service featuring male and female idols showing everyone a thing or two abt having singing talent. Each episode goes for abt 30 mins or so. Since I've already done a post abt the one centered around Jimin, I've opted to not include it on this list. ;)

ETA: for the curious, the groups these folks are members of are (in no particular order): NMIXX, the BOYZ, STAYC, LOONA, and SHINee.

No commentary needed other than I hope y'all have a good time while checking out at least one of these episodes. :D

I'm also using a cut to save your reading pages (cuz I'm nice like that.)

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Le Sserafim is a 5 (originally 6) member group that debuted a little over a year ago. As the first official HYBE girl group in a long time, expectations couldn't be higher. Especially once folks learned some of the young women that signed with HYBE/Source Music. Its name is an anagram for I'm Fearless.

The makeup was interesting: 1 semi-professinal ballerina (Kazuhua), 2 newer trainees (Eunchae and Kim Garam), 1 veteran trainee (Yunjin), and 2 former bandmates circa IZ*ONE (Chaewon and Sakura.) It's worth pointing out that, w/r/t the last two members, this was the 2nd group that Chaewon debuted one and the third one for Sakura. As I understand it, Sakura wasn't keen on re-debuting AGAIN but the Hybe/Source Music offer was too good to pass.

In any case, shortly after debuting, the group got caught up on past bullying accusations (for Kim Garam) that, had it been another company, would've probably sunk the group. Instead, Le Sserafim continued debut era as 5 unofficially until late July 2023 when it was announced that Garam was out for realsies.

Le Sserafim went on doing their thing, supported by Chaewon (as the leader) and Sakura (as the matunnie.) They've done two full comebacks (for actual albums vs. eps or digital singles.) The latest one ("Unforgiven") had a pretty solid title track...and the most unexpectedly AWESOMECAKES b-side ever: "Eve, Psyche & Bluebeard's Wife".

This Jersey Club-inspired song took over as one of THE biggest hits of 2023. I couldn't help but make the connection with the (Black and brown) ballroom scene + I liked the way the long title worked w/r/t the themes (of women pushing past taboos and forging a new path) of the song. IIRC, it had something like 5 or 6 remixes with a ton of folks including my girl BIBI.

The MV

Trigger warnings: the camera work is non-stop. There are lots of flashing lights too.

Watch on YouTube

No one knew there was going to be an MV, but this song ended becoming so big I feel it almost eclipsed "Unforgiven"'s status? Some ppl have said they wished this song had been title track instead, but I'm not wholly convinced abt that.


The Dance practice

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My fave live performance

Trigger warning: Typical Korean music show camerawork (zooming in and out, tilting); flashing lights; busy background graphics; fans are singing-screaming along

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Another fave (but not live) performance

Trigger warning: Typical Korean music show camerawork (zooming in and out, tilting); flashing lights;

Watch on YouTube

This is perfect if you want to get a clearer sense of the choreo in action, so speak.


The docus

Le Sserafim released a 4-part documentary called The World is Your Oyster that tracks most of the beginnings of the group. OTOH, I like that it's on the shorter end (a little over an hour long) and available for free on YT via the group's official channel. OTOH, it's a sort of retcon on how Le Sserafim came to be as Kim Garam has been edited out of the narrative. There's also ZERO mention of the bullying scandal and its aftermath.

It's been a while since I first watched it, but I know that the most that gets shown of her is, like, an arm.

Anyways, winterosy (one of my fave K-pop channels on YT) did a BRILLIANT 34-min video essay on Le Sserafim's discography and their thematic storyline. I'm in total AWE of not only what winterosy says but also the editing.

Do yourself a favor and check it out if you're curious abt LSF or if you're a casual fan of theirs or just of girl groups in general. Winterosy gets to the point of why this group is among the top 4th gen girl groups and, chances are, will remain there for (hopefully) a long time.

Watch on YouTube

This year has been the second year in a row in which girl groups have been dominating the Kpop music landscape. So many great rookies and returning veterans dropping awesome song after awesome song and wowing everyone with fantastic performances.

Everyone has their likes and dislikes. I totes get why some ppl might dismiss girl groups cuz they think their music is fluff (said in a derogatory way). But the truth that no many want to admit is that girl groups keep the Kpop industry going. Despite how some fans and locals tend to discard older groups in favor of rookies.

This video essay from felt2000 focuses on how there have been occasions when companies push their girl groups to the forefront to distract from scandals, make a ton of money off them, and then push them off what's referred to as 'the glass cliff'.

A thoughtful, well-researched, and spanning a lot of different eras and girl groups, this might not be an uplifting video essay. But I still appreciate the starkness and freedom that comes from telling the truth. Because, for me at least, it makes me appreciate girl groups that much more.

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BILLLIE is a 7-member group that debuted in early November of 2021. I gotta admit that they didn't catch my eye until abt a year later. Which I think happened cuz Spotify had included "Ring X Ring" (their debut song) on a playlist.

FTR, I wasn't impressed. If anything, I remember thinking 'well, that's a song' before permanently hiding it from rotation. This is an opinion that I have to this day. Some months later, their song "GingaMingaYo" started blowing up and I listened. Repeatedly.

Fast-forward all the way to late March of this year. They drop their song "EUNOIA" and I end up watching the MV with this kind of face: 😍😍😍, heheh. This would mark the hot-and-cold thing I have when it comes to this group. Sometimes, I really love their songs while others I avoid them like whoa. Although I'm not a Bellie've (their fandom name), I do approach every single release from this group with as few expectations as possible. Thankfully, I've enjoyed more of the discography than not, so I'm calling it a win. I also feel they're a truly versatile group. So creative too! There is some v. intricate lore for those who are interested in such things.

In some ways, I feel this group's discography (IHNI abt any other content they have, though I imagine there's something out there) is one that rewards listeners who want something outside of the same old, same old. ;)


EUNOIA is an excellent intro to BILLIE as a group because (both in terms of song and MV) it does showcases the high talent levels when it comes to vocals and choreo. Also the members are hella charming AND the melody is perfection.

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The dance practice is super fun to watch since the members are wearing different sports gear. ^__^

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My fave music show performance.

Trigger warnings: Korean music show camerawork (lots of zooming in and out, tilting, etc), graphics-heavy background screen, lots of bright lights, and fans (happily) scream-singing along.

Watch on YouTube

It's Live performance

Throwing in this extra bit in case anyone would like to enjoy the song w/o all of the goings on from the performance above. I also like the musical arrangements in this version (w/r/t the beats, etc.)

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STAYC (their name is an acronym for Star To A Young Culture) is a 6-member girl group that debuted back in 2020. I knew of them because of a random YouTube docu (that I think you can only watch on YT Premium?) called K-Pop Evolution.

Each hourlong episode covered an aspect of K-Pop: its origin, the first idols, the globalization of K-Pop, Fandoms, Trainee Life, how K-Pop MVs get made, and how trainees end up debuting as a group. FWIW, although I do think they went a bit too heavy with mentioning BTS (they don't appear in the docu per se; only clips from concerts do), it's a good starter pack for folks who might be curious abt that whole world.

In any case, there was that one episode that focused on how an agency chooses trainees from its roster. It's partly told from the trainees' POV (there are many scenes of them practicing in order to make the cut; their dorms; short interviews with some of the trainees) AND the other half is told from the execs' POV (the SRS BIZNESS meetings where the producers and directors assess each trainee; the planning that goes on given that they have an actual deadline to prepare a group for debut.) There's some drama (some of it due to Year 1 of Panini) too. At the end, 6 trainees go thru the final elimination and STAYC is born.

Musically-speaking, STAYC's "thing" is cute and upbeat music. Their songs are meant to shake you out of a bad/sad mood. There was one attempt to move past that image via a late July 2022 title track called "Beautiful Monster" that was a bit of a 180 turn. The song itself is fine? But, even though the members were v. excited abt it, fans didn't vibe with it. IMO, I think it was a matter of the song being somewhat too mature (both in terms of mood and melody) for a group of mostly older teens (3 out of the 6 members were under 20 y.o. and the oldest member was 21 at the time.)

So STAYC decided to go back to the bright and adorable concepts that are, LBR here, their wheelhouse. NO ONE DOES THAT CONCEPT AS WELL AS STAYC DOES. #IT'S A FACT

Their latest song is called "Bubble". Despite the loopy MV, the lyrics are pretty good (like most of STAYC songs are, actually. There is a lot of thoughtfulness under all that fluff.) The members sing abt how awesome it is to be weird. There's this one line ("I'm one of a kind and I like it this way") that I like (and I can imagine being v. comforting to many.) It's also pretty neat how they equate other folks' negative criticisms as 'bubbles' that they (STAYC) choose to pop cuz they don't have time for that, heheh.


The MV

Trigger warnings: Plenty of visual f/x from beginning to end

Watch on YouTube

Dance Practice

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Fave live performance

Trigger warning: V. INTENSE BACKGROUND GRAPHICS, typical K-Pop show camerawork that includes a lot of tilting and zooming in/out, flashing stage lights, and the crowd is singing-yelling (fanchanting).

Watch on YouTube

Gonna kick off my YAYS TO K-POP GIRL GROUPS with Chuu's "Howl". This is a song that's left me rolling all over my FEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS every. single. time. I've listened to it.

But, in order to explain why I love it so much, I first need to add some much needed context. I've tried to summarize things as best as I can. However, I'm (at best) a casual LOONA listener, so feel free to correct me if I've gotten a detail or two wrong. :D?


2018

* August - Chuu debuts alongside 11 other young women in Blockberry Creative (or BBC for short)'s newest girl group called LOONA. They do fine in Korea, are possibly a smidgen more popular internationally.


2021

* September - Reports pop up stating that BBC is in financial trouble. As they own a ton of money to their own staff (!) as well as outside contractors (such as MUAs, hairstylists, choreographers, etc). It's estimated that the total amount can be up to $1-1.5M US.

* Late fall - News mention that Chuu has filed some paperwork with the courts regarding her contract (PUT A PIN ON THIS)


2022

* January - Having somehow navigated the debt from the previous year, BBC announces that LOONA will have a 2-day concert in Seoul. This is a big deal cuz it's their first in-person concert in 3 years (due to Panini.) And they also drop that Chuu won't be participating in the concerts due to health reasons. Per what I remember, she showed up at some point but didn't perform? IDEK, y'all.

* Late March - It's reported that Chuu has filed to break her contract with BBC. That said, she's still participating in certain things including the survival show Queendom alongside LOONA.

* Late May - BBC announces that LOONA will be doing their first world tour (yays). Then, 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE TICKETS GO ON SALE, BBC tells folks that Chuu won't be participating in the ENTIRE tour cuz of "scheduling conflicts"--which, um, what???

* October - Chuu appears in an episode of Dr. Oh's Golden Clinic. This is a show lead by a female psychiatrist called Dr. Oh Eun Young in which she counsels ppl who talk to her abt their problems.

Among the many things abt Chuu's episode (including her breaking down in tears), three things stood out as WTF:

1. Training (from pre-debut onwards) has been so grueling that there had been times in which members only get a maximum of 20 mins to go outside and get some fresh air. Sometimes, they don't get any free time at all. This, obvs, has taken a toll on Chuu's mental health.

2. Chuu is v. frank abt her ED but I'm choosing not to go into detail here.

3. (Again, remember this episode aired in October 2022) Chuu mentions that she's yet to get paid for the ENTIRETY of 2021. o__O?!

Ppl are, ofc, pissed off and demand BBC to do something abt this.

* Nov. 25 - BBC releases a notif abt Chuu getting kicked out LOONA basically due to her being a "bad" person.

RECORD SCRATCH MOMENT CUZ WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

This (rightfully) pissed off Orbit (LOONA fandom). Things get even more heated three days later when Chuu herself posts on her Insta that she's not sure of what's happening but that she thanks folks for their support and trust. This is followed by fellow LOONA member Hyunjin going on an app (or maybe it was a fancafe? I truly don't remember where I saw this) saying that her head and heart hurt. She also mentioned being v. angry (at the situation.)

By then, all but 2 of the members had filed to break their contracts too!

IIRC, Orbit began a dual hashtag campaign ( #IStandWithChuu and #JusticeForChuu) that became extremely popular. To the point hat there's this massive outpouring of support for Chuu from Korean celebs and folks from behind-the-scenes (photographers, producers, etc) in the form of social media posts stating how sweet Chuu is and include either (usually both) of the hashtags

* December - For some weird-ass reason, BBC decided to announce LOONA's upcoming album. NO idea why they thought this would go over well? (SPOILER: It didn't.)

Orbit started to put pressure on BBC via boycotting the upcoming album AND spreading the word to NOT buy anything LOONA related + avoid streaming LOONA music. Then this spread to other fandoms. It was a really neat to see (considering how...contentious all K-Pop fandoms can be. Every so often we all get it right.)

ANYWAYS, by the end of the month, BBC announced the cancellation of the upcoming album. BUT THINGS HAD JUST STARTED.


2023

* August - EVERY SINGLE LOONA MEMBER IS FREE FROM THEIR CURSED CONTRACT WITH BBC!!! HOOORAYYYYYYY! (this was a lengthy and delicate process. Some members had to appeal the initial rulings, etc.)

As a bonus, LOONA members were granted the right to use the LOONA name for their activities. Oh, and some of the members are able to perform LOONA songs w/o incurring in any penalties (though this has to do with the agency they're signed to and other stuff regarding legalities, etc.)

Now, according to the members themselves, LOONA HAS NOT DISBANDED. It's just that things are, well, complicated. Everyone's signed to different agencies. Though, fwiw, there's a steadying idea that everything they do is connected to the LOONA lore at large.

Regarding BBC, well, once LOONA was free from their clutches, they had one (1) female artist who also left the company. #DESERVED


(Oof, that wasn't much of a summary, was it?) /o\

ANYWAYS, fast forward to October 2023 in which Chuu debuts under her new agency. My fave song (and the one that inspired this whole post) is "Howl".

Watch on YouTube

The first time I watched this video (I don't think it even had captions on), I was incredibly moved. It was so great to see Chuu smiling, enjoying the sun, and reuniting with her friends.

WHEN I READ THE LYRICS, THO? I was a mess of tears. The song is abt Chuu having had to build walls around herself/put on a mask in order to protect herself while going thru a v. dark moment. As the song progresses, she realizes that her friend had her back and that, as two ppl with scars, the best thing they can do for each other is be each other's heroes. There's this line "Even if God turns his back on me, you're there". ;______;

I was already in the K-Pop fandom when the sleazy news abt BBC started to appear. And I deffo remember keeping an eye on the LOONA stuff. So, at least for me, seeing Chuu (as well as the rest of the LOONA members) come out the other side and be free to do what they want do (PLUS GET PAID) deffo adds a layer of emotion to this song.

She did a showcase for her new mini (also titled "Howl") and talked abt the support from her fans and the other members while she worked on the album.

Here she is performing the song live

Watch on YouTube

She also has her official YT channel and another channel called Chuu Can Do It that's got to do some stuff with environmental stuff.

FWIW, I'm not quite done talking abt LOONA as I'm sure there will be another mention in a near future post. ;)

STAN LOONA! (hahah, pardon the cheesy moment.)

V being the guest in Suchwita episode 18 completed BTS' individual members' appearing in the show. There were a ton of high expectations. Not only because V (like most of the members) didn't do a ton of in-person interviews (off the top of my head, I can only think of 2 Japanese shows and 1 episode of Yoo Quiz) during the Layover promo cycle. Just like the rest of the members, his involvement in the entirety of his first solo project was deep; so much of it was a good representation of what V sees as great ways to connect with ARMYs and any future/casual fans as well (see V-icnic, his fangsign event; inviting ppl (while in disguise) to see him sing; and v. few appearances in Korean web shows.)

Suchwita was an excellent platform for him. Not only because of his friendship/bond with Yoongi would put him at ease, but because everything abt that show invites some degree of self-reflection and personal insight.

The thing abt V is that he's the kind of person who has a v. unique way of moving thru life. Or, better said, he's a loveable weirdo who also happens to be TREMENDOUSLY handsome, LOL. However, by sitting down with Yoongi, he could let go and be as candid as he felt comfortable with. Secure in the knowledge that his hyung wouldn't trip him up or push him in uncomfortable ways.

This results in an episode in which V and SUGA discuss the 2018 burnout; V's process when it came to working on the album (including why he chose to work with songs others had written for him); the general vibe of the entire album; his friendship/dynamic/bond with Yoongi as well as with the rest of BTS, etc.

There's also a LOT of hilarity cuz, if there's one thing that Yoongi does when it comes to interacting with the maknae line is BE HELLA CLOWNING with them. The way he's so terribly indulgent with Jimin, Jungkook, but especially V always leaves me feeling a ton of emotions as well as quite light-hearted.

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Unrelated to the episode, here's a lovely performance of "For You"

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And now, my posts abt Suchwita hit pause once again! That said, the Fannish 50 (with a few of them being BTS-centric) will continue. :DDDD

ETA: there's an ongoing conversation abt ideal bodies (including dieting as an idol) during the first half of the episode. Adding a soft warning for topics that some folks might find triggery.

Just like with Jin's episode, Hobi's appearance in Suchwita was filmed back in Feb 17, 2023 (or, roughly, a day before Hobi's actual birthday). But, per Hobi's request, it didn't air until July 19, 2023 (or abt 3 months and change after he enlisted.)

This time, Hobi wasn't quite promoting "On The Street" (his collabo with J.Cole)--though he did talked a little abt it.

Instead, the episode was an exploration of Hobi's own history, pre-debut to early post-debut BTS' lives, being the first member to launch a solo album (and do an amazing solo concert that I wrote abt on this post), etc.

There was, as expected, a LOT OF GIGGLING happening from both Hobi and SUGA as well as some good observations on the idol industry and how they both see themselves AND BTS within that world.

One thing that's mentioned but not super delved into is how close to BTS and Big Hit were close to get dissolved. From Sope's perspective is a moment they reminisce abt being told the group had to move out of their dorms cuz the company had run out of money. Rapline stayed put out of, I guess, stubborness. Bang PD was able to raise some additional funds and BTS lived to deliver the true breakthrough of their rookie era: I NEED U.

Fun fact abt that: An investing firm gave BH ₩4 billion (or around $3.6 million US) and held 30% of BH. Which is how BTS was able to try for one last time to reach for actual success. By the time the firm sold the stakes back to BH, the firm had made ₩108 billion (or around $75 million US.)

After the episode's over, we get a LOLARIOUS teaser for the next BTS member to appear (Jungkook) that feels extremely chaotic. :DDDD

Watch on YouTube