EXO wrecks bias lists with "Call Me Baby" M/V

I don't think I've been this excited about an Exo single since "Growl".

Exo released their second full-length album Exodus yesterday and the music video for lead single "Call Me Baby" came out today. And, man, do they slay the song. The vocals are awesome, the choreography is intense, and the music videos are on point. I'm gonna need SM to release a dance practice video. And soon.

I'm happy that there seems to be a more even distribution of lines and airtime in "Call Me Baby". We hear more from Lay and Xiumin in this new track - with vocals that are so on point that it's killing me. We also see a marked improvement in their dancing (coughCHENcough). Everyone, I feel, was given time to shine in the music video but I couldn't help but be distracted by Xiumin's energy, Lay's high notes, Chanyeol's hair, and Jongin's hips that have no chill. That's my bias list, I think. Heh.

My only real complaint is that it had nothing to do with the teasers (aside from the cities used in the teasers spelling out "Call Me Baby"). But here's to hoping they put out a video for "Exodus" where all our teaser-related questions are answered.

Can't wait for them to start promoting on music shows!

Kai and Xiumin killing this move

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EXO at Incheon Airport

Chanyeol, Chen, Sehun at Incheon International Airport (20141026)

Sometimes life hands you a box of chocolate. Most times, these chocolates are handed out to others and you feel spurned. And okay, fine, also begrudgingly happy for them.

I go to Korea and I get a 5-second glimpse of BTS. Meanwhile, my friend goes to Korea and right out of the plane, bam!, EXO. And she has video and photo proof. UNFAIR.

You know how long the walk is from the arrivals gate to the airport exit? That takes enough time for people to pull out their phones for a few pics and a video. You know how short the walk is from a car parked by the pavement to a salon's front door? Too short.

Can you imagine the amount of screaming I did the moment I saw her message on Kakao Talk at like, 6 in the morning? My trip was just 2 weeks ahead of hers. How does she get so lucky to be at the airport when a bajillion idols were coming home from the 2014 MBC Korean Music Wave in Beijing? I have incredibly bad timing.

Again. UNFAIR.

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My Lists: 15 favorite k-pop songs of 2014 thus far

Once again, another 6 months have passed just like that and we're now entering the second half of 2014. How is time flying by so fast?!

The first half of 2014 saw the return of the king of k-pop Rain, as well as the debuts of two amazing rookie groups, Got7 and Akdong Musician. We've also been given the long-awaited full-length albums of 2NE1 and Taeyang (it was about damn time, honestly). And this past months also gave me my current addiction; a song by artists I never paid much attention to before, Soyou & Jung GiGo.

So just as I've done for the past year, I'm listing down my favorite songs released during the first half of this year, for the months of January to June 2014.

Rain - "La Song"

Got7 - "I Like You"

Gain (ft. Bumkey) - "FxxK U"

Soyou & Jung GiGo (ft. Lil Boi) - "Some"

Bangtan Boys - "Boy In Luv"

CN Blue - "Can't Stop"

Girls' Generation - "Mr. Mr."

2NE1 - "Come Back Home"

MBLAQ - "Be A Man"

A Pink - "Mr. Chu"

Akdong Musician - "Melted"

Exo - "Overdose"

Taeyang - "Eyes, Nose, Lips"

Beast - "Good Luck"

Taeyang - "1AM"

What are your favorites of the year so far?

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My Lists: 10 favorite k-pop dances I wish I could do

I love dancing and it's one of the major reasons why I love k-pop. Like, I do admit to having danced miss A's "Goodbye Baby" or A Pink's "No No No" in front of the mirror in the safety of my own bedroom once or twice before. However, there are a handful of k-pop dances that I still want to learn but whenever I go and watch the videos, I'm immediately muttering to myself, "nope, not gonna happen." I've seen the dance practice versions, the tutorial videos, and possibly all the covers, but there's a difference between knowing how the dance goes in your head and actually being able to execute them properly. Sure, I can do Brown Eyed Girls' "Abracadabra" but there are those dances that just seem impossible to learn. And today, I'm listing down my 10 favorites.

10. Infinite's "BTD (Before The Dawn)"

9. EXO's "History"

8. miss A's "Breathe"

7. Rain's "Hip Song"

6. Infinite's "Be Mine"

5. 2PM "I'll Be Back"

4. SHINee's "Lucifer"

3. B2ST's "Fiction"

2. EXO's "Growl"

1. SHINee's "Everybody"

These are just some of the most epic dance videos in k-pop and there are so much more out there. What're your favorites though?

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My Lists: 15 favorite k-pop songs from the second half of 2013

Looks like the second half of 2013 was filled with a whole lot of black, white, red, and gray.

And just like that, we're in 2014. My obsession has yet to wane and I don't see it going anywhere in the next few months, so I forge ahead.

In many ways, 2013 has been a very memorable year in k-pop. There were several songs released this year that are still on my "Favorites" playlist and are still on constant rotation. As I did 6 months ago for the first half of 2013, I've listed down my favorite songs from the second half of the year that was.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my top 15 favorite songs released after July 2013.

miss A - "Hush"

Kim Hyun-joong - "Unbreakable"

B.A.P - "Badman"

B2ST - "Will You Be Alright?"

f(x) - "Rum Pum Pum Pum"

G-Dragon - "Who You?"

Seungri - "Let's Talk About Love"

Jung Joon-young -"10 Minutes Before Breaking Up"

IU - "The Red Shoes"

T.O.P - "Doom Dada"

SHINee - "One Minute Back"

2NE1 - "Missing You"

Exo - "Growl"

SHINee - "Symptoms"

G-Dragon - "Crooked"

So here's looking forward to yet another year of awesome music. Ciao!

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The Kpop Superfan Member Test!

During last week's Kpop Music Monday on EYK, instead of doing their usual music video review, they put up this Kpop Superfan Test instead. And guess what? I was bored enough to do it.

So basically, they posted a list of all these kpop groups and how many members each one has and we're supposed to try and name all the members. One point for every correct answer. 

I tried my luck and got a 106/124. Which, according to their scoring system, tells me "101-119 points: Holy smokes, Kpop guru! What else do you know??!!"

I honest to goodness wrote down my answers without the use of Google. I swear it. And my answers are as follows:

The thing is though... I may know people's names, but not necessarily know who they are in the group specifically. Ask me to match the name to a face for groups like EXO and Teen Top and I'll be at a total loss. And like, I only know the name of B1A4's Gongchan because I see it on tumblr and it sounds like Gongcha, which is an awesome bubble tea place. I do not know how U-Kiss' Kiseop looks like either. Or the members of FT Island who are neither Hongki nor Jonghoon.

But also, I can't believe I missed out on some of the idols who I do know. Like, how can I not have remembered Baro? He's the only B1A4 member I actually know (thanks to We Got Married). And how is there only one other member of Infinite that I'm missing? And Kara! What's the name of the 5th girl from Kara? I know all their faces but can't quite remember her name. Damnit.

Have you tried to take the test? How did you fare?

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Current Addiction: EXO's "Growl"

I've just recently started listening to EXO, ever since they came out with "Wolf" and their new album XOXO. For some reason, previous tracks "Mama" and "History" just weren't able to hold my attention for more than a few listens. But the moment I heard "Wolf", I knew I had found my new crack. And even more so when they released their latest single "Growl".

Not only does "Growl" have one of the best music videos to come out of SM Entertainment in years, possibly ever, it's also an awesome song in itself. The hook is catchy, the vocals are powerful, and it's just that type of song that makes you wanna dance. And need I even mention how awesome the choreography is? Good job, Exo. Good job.

So the music video is awesome. The live performances have all been awesome. And then SM goes and releases a dance practice video?! While it doesn't differ much from the actual music video, it is always refreshing to see the boys in everyday wear and dancing for the fun of it. Kai is especially adorable at the video's end.

How many versions of this song can I listen to and watch? Apparently, not enough. So it's a good thing 2BIC released a short snippet of their acoustic cover of the song on YouTube and I've been listening to it on repeat ever since. So. Good.

And yet I still want more. If you know of any good "Growl" covers, let me know. Dance covers too! I've seen a handful, but I'd love to see some more. I'm an Exotic now, apparently.

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My Lists: 15 favorite k-pop songs of 2013 thus far

I can't believe we're more than halfway through 2013. Is the speed of time relative to one's age? Like, the older you are, the faster time flies by you? It sure feels like it. But, anyway, that's neither here nor there. Back to the point then...

I've actually been seeing a lot of blog entries, forum threads, and youtube vlogs listing people's favorite songs released in 2013 so far and I thought of making my own list. So here, in no particular order, are my 15 favorite k-pop singles released from January of 2013 until date of blog entry.

SHINee - "Why So Serious?"

Lee Hi - "Rose"

Infinite H - "Special Girl"

B.A.P - "One Shot"

2PM - "A.D.T.O.Y."

Henry - "Trap"

Exo - "Wolf"

MBLAQ - "Smoky Girl"

U-KISS - "Standing Still"

CNBLUE - "I'm Sorry"

Psy - "Gentleman"

SHINee - "Dream Girl"

2NE1 - "Falling In Love"

B.A.P - "Coffee Shop"

Xia Junsu - "11AM"

What about you? What are your favorite k-pop songs so far this year?

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