[PRODUCT REVIEW] B.A.P 2014 Seasons Greetings.

Read on UnitedKpop.

One thing that can be said about the K-Pop genre is that you are never short of merchandise to buy. I will be honest; sometimes I think it can be a bit of overkill – emblazon anything with a K-Pop idol and there will always be a fan to buy it. This is exactly what I thought initially when my sister bought the B.A.P Seasons Greetings 2014 package, however, my feelings soon began to change after I saw it.

Behind the Controversy: Why the Rising Sun Symbol can be offensive.

Read on UnitedKpop!

Risqué K-Pop duo Troublemaker recently came under a little fire for the ‘couple hoodies’ they were photographed wearing. The image on the front included what looks like the rising sun symbol, and many commentators cited how offensive this symbol is in Korean culture. Apparently, it was all a misunderstanding and the symbol in question is actually a flower. Nevertheless the tension surrounding the rising sun symbol is almost palpable, so we thought it would be good to post a short piece that gives a little background explanation to any K-Pop fans that might be curious.

[PRODUCT REVIEW] No Hong Chul Medusa MTM Long Sleeve Shirt

Read on UnitedKpop

You might already know of the South Korean comedian No Hong Chul from the very successful variety programme “MBC’s Infinity Challenge” or perhaps from his appearances on many other South Korean programmes as both presenter and guest. Hong Chul is known for his energetic and slightly looney character as well as his unique fashion choices. He has a fashion line which showcases his larger than life taste in clothing on his own website. This review is for a jumper from his collection.

[EDITORIAL] Lee Yoo Rin’s Jaehyo Fantasy: Is legal action an over-reaction?

Read on UnitedKpop!

This year, despite having experienced their share of bumps along the road, Block B signed with new agency Seven Seasons and had a very successful comeback. All was very quiet on the Block B controversies front for a while, until a blog entry that an adult stage actress named Lee Yoo Rin had written regarding member Jaehyo gained significant popularity online.

[PRODUCT REVIEW] Elstinko Long Sleeve T-Shirt 309

Read on UnitedKpop

‘elstinko‘ is a South Korean fashion brand that is characterised by its very bright colours and ‘beast/monster-like’ themes. The brand has many interesting products comprising of a variety of hats, backpacks and clothing.

This particular product is actually a jumper, despite its deceptive title (though elstinko also has some t-shirts in its range). The jumper features some funny features in the multiple orange ‘horns’ protruding from both shoulders and a zip mouth which, when the interior lining is pulled inside out, looks like a big tongue!

[EDITORIAL] N.O.M: Helping or Hindering Acceptance of Homosexuality in South Korea?

Read on UnitedKpop!

|| A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR ||

It’s been a long time since I wrote this piece, I have gotten a lot of criticism for it since publishing about a year and a half ago and the criticism is still coming today. In retrospect, I am not entirely happy with this piece, and I just wanted to take the time to clear up a few things.

1 – I accidentally conflated “homosexuality” and “homo-erotica” in this piece. I am aware that these are two very different things. I was trying to make the point that stereotypical portrayals of homo-erotica can often lead to stereotypical interpretations of homosexuality. However, I did not clarify this well enough at all. I apologise for this. I have learned a lesson in the importance of clarity in my writing!

2 – I have been labelled a “hater” of N.O.M because of this editorial. I can assure you, I am not. I actually enjoy some of their music and wish them every success.

3 – This article is by far not the best thing I have written, and the criticism I continue to receive for it has taught me an awful lot about my writing. The overall point I was trying to make was simply not well made, so I am going to clarify it here.

I feel that the use of homo-erotica in K-Pop (shown through concepts and fan service) can often have a negative effect on interpretations of real homosexuality. This can especially be the case in a country like South Korea, where homosexuality is not fully accepted or understood by many (but by no means all) people.

N.O.M can dress and express themselves however they wish to, all power to them, but I think entertainment industries should be careful when basing concepts off of areas that can have a real effect on real people.

Despite all this, I DO see how these portrayals could have a positive effect of attitudes towards homosexuality in Korea too. I hope that, in the future, homosexuality can be fully accepted all over the world. Love is love.

Thank you for reading.

===

‘Nature of Man’ or N.O.M as they are more commonly known are a 4 member, all male K-Pop group that debuted with their first single ‘A Guys’ back in August of this year. When considering the plethora of K-Pop rookies coming out seemingly every month, it might not surprise you if you missed their promotional period. It might surprise you when you learn more about them though, because their concept is very unusual – often dubbed ‘3^rd sexuality’, but perhaps better known to you and I as homosexuality.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK] Block B - 'Very Good' MV Maximum Close Up Version.

Read on UnitedKpop.
After a very tumultuous history, it was quite difficult to envisage any kind of future for Block B, let alone a good one, but they are now back with a new label and a newfound confidence. Their single ‘Very Good’ has indeed been just that, gaining the group their very first music show win on Inkigayo earlier this month. The song is loud and brash and had a music video to match, showing the members busting into and proceeding to rob a bank. The second version of the MV offers a ‘Maximum Close Up’ and is a little bit more mellow and casual than the first. However, the fashion is still very cool. Check out our British high street matches.

[UNITEDKPOP SONG REVIEW] Block B - 'Very Good'

Read on UnitedKpop!

After what must seem like an eternity to British BBCs, Block B has finally had their comeback since traversing even more difficulties. After not receiving payment from their previous agency Stardom Entertainment, the members filed a lawsuit against them. This obviously meant that their activities as a group were put on hold for the foreseeable future. The boys actually lost the lawsuit, but fortunately they were able to negotiate things and transfer over to a new company – Seven Seasons. Even though many of the members were still working separately on their own projects, there are clearly many people incredibly happy to see them working as a group again. They have since released two songs, ‘Be the Light’ and ‘Very Good’. In this review we are focusing on the latter single.

[EDITORIAL] Regarding 'We Got Married' Idols: Differences in fan reception.

Read on UnitedKPop

Before getting started on this piece, I must admit that I have never actually watched a single episode of the South Korean programme ‘We Got Married’. However, I do know that the basic principle of the programme is that a male and a female celebrity embark upon a fake married life together for the entertainment of its viewers. This will include a wedding photoshoot and even a honeymoon amongst many other things. I recall when I first heard about the programme some time ago and was left quite perplexed by the whole thing. Having said this though, I can still understand why the programme has done so well over the years, it provides a space for viewers to fantasise, whether that be in entertaining the fact that there might actually be a real relationship forming between the two celebrities, or perhaps by allowing the viewer to put themselves in the place of the ‘wife’ or ‘husband’ of their bias.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK - UNISEX EDITION] B.A.P - 'Stop It' MV

Read on UnitedKpop
While this is not a new concept, with the song having been released almost a year ago now, the fashion for B.A.P’s ‘Stop It’ is perfect for the changing of the seasons. It is around this time of year (especially in Britain) when the weather is slowly adjusting from a slight mugginess to cold, but still not really settling on either. It may leave many of us pondering what to wear to suit it without being too hot or too cold.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK - UNISEX EDITION] VICTOR

Read on UnitedKpop
In honour of VICTOR supporting Jay Park in his European tour and the great performance they gave during the London stop on the 21st at the Hammersmith Apollo, we thought we would create a ‘Get the K-Pop Look’ for the rookie group!

[EDITORIAL] Male Aegyo: A form of power or pressure?

Read on UnitedKpop

‘Aegyo’ is something that might be seen as quite strange by us British viewers. I remember trying to explain it to my Mother once and then realising how very unusual a concept it is. For those that are not familiar, ‘Aeygo’ is the Korean name for acting cute. Many K-Pop fans will be familiar with it as South Korean celebrities are often expected to partake in the act on variety shows and are either praised if they can do it, or berated if they cannot.

[EDITORIAL] MBC's 'Radio Star' and Goo Hara: Why apologise?

Read on UnitedKpop
A short while ago, a few members of the girl group KARA appeared on MBC’s ‘Radio Star’. Member Goo Hara was asked about her dating history and this led to tears being shed and a lot of apologies…but, perhaps, not from the parties you would expect.

[FILM REVIEW] Jackal is Coming a.k.a Codename: Jackal (2012)

Read on UnitedKpop
Jackal is Coming (a.k.a Codename: Jackal) is a 2012 comedy film directed by Bae Hyeong Jun starring Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jaejoong.

UnitedKpop Personal K-Music Playlists: Holly

Read on UnitedKpop

This may look like quite a narcissistic theme of posts for us to write, and well, it is. However, we don’t just want to shove our personal K-Pop choices in your face, we actually want to begin a dialogue between ourselves and you – the reader!

We want you to get to know us, but to also share your opinions on our song choices and - more importantly - make your own playlists that you can share with everyone.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK - UNISEX EDITION]: TEENTOP - 'Rocking'

 

Read on UnitedKpop

TEENTOP are back again, this time with the crazily energetic and fast-paced electro-pop track ‘Rocking’! Everyone, limber up your legs ready for dancing and look here to see how you can mimic their style on the British High Street!

[EDITORIAL]: Fighting!: Asian cultures and being a goood influence.

Read this on UnitedKpop
I would be lying if I said I tried my absolute best during my GCSE exams, quite frankly, I was fairly lucky to get the grades I needed to study at A-Level. I remember feeling happy when we were given time off on study leave and I remember spending time with my friends in the park nearby the school and going to get burgers and chips from the shops on the day of the actual exams. Yeah, not a lot of time spent studying there, right?

[UNITEDKPOP STORE REVIEW] KPOPTOWN



Read on UnitedKpop

International K-Pop fans, such as us Brits, have to be quite creative when it comes to bringing the genre closer to us. Unfortunately, we are unable to pop to our local shop to get our K-Pop fix in our home country, so we have to rely on the world of e-commerce to feed our needs.

Online shopping is not exactly uncommon nowadays and people all over the world are using the means to buy the things they want, even the daily shop can now be done at the click of a button.
However, when you aren’t buying the item in person, there are a lot of factors that can leave the consumer feeling disappointed and annoyed with the service they have received. We hope that our reviews can help you make a well-informed future decision about where you chose to purchase your merchandise from!

Today’s review is for KPOPTOWN (www.kpoptown.com)

[GET THE K-POP LOOK - UNISEX EDITION]: NU'EST - 'Face'.

Read on UnitedKpop!

After our first Unisex edition of ‘Get the K-Pop Look’ featuring Bangtan Boys was published, we received a request from a male reader to try and recreate the look from rookie group NU’EST’s debut MV for ‘Face’.

[EDITORIAL] From Scandals to Misunderstandings: taking responsibility for your actions.

Read on UnitedKpop

BIGBANG’s leader G-Dragon is, unfortunately, not a stranger to controversy and scandal. He has been accused of plagiarism and found to have smoked marijuana in the past to name a couple of the more serious ones. While it is fair to say that the K-Entertainment industry will have frenzy whipped up about the even the smallest of incidents, there are still many celebrities that seem to attract more attention than others with their behaviour.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK - UNISEX EDITION] Bangtan Boys (BTS) - 'No More Dream'.



Read on UnitedKpop.
All the UnitedKpop ‘Get the K-Pop Look’ articles have been previously directed at a more female audience in the sense that all the clothing suggestions made have been girl’s items. This time around, we have an article featuring all male clothes! Our source of inspiration comes from the fierce rookies Bangtan Boys with their debut concept in ‘No More Dream’!

[GET THE K-POP LOOK]: f(x) - 'Rum Pum Pum Pum'

Read on UnitedKpop
f(x) have recently made a comeback after quite a while away from the limelight (well, it’s a while when  you consider how incredibly active most K-Pop acts are). The lovely SM Entertainment girls are back with “Rum Pum Pum Pum” – another bouncy electro inspired song to add to their repertoire.

Essential Summer Playlist 2013

Read on UnitedKPop.
When asking someone who is not originally from the UK what they knew about Great Britain before coming here and one of their answers will undoubtedly involve bad weather of some kind. It is quite true though that Britain is often cold and very wet for the majority of the year. How else would we have such a flourishing countryside?

Recently however, we have been subjected to quite a heatwave and temperatures have reached highs that we have not seen in SEVEN years! Add to the particularly harsh winters we have had and it is easy to see why everyone has been going crazy over the summer weather.

      It seems that the Korean music scene is particularly passionate to spread the summer vibes this year, with many artists providing some great songs fit for playing on the beach. We thought we would compile a short ‘Essential Summer Playlist 2013’ for you to dance along to in this hot weather.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK] 2NE1 - 'Falling in Love'.

Read on UnitedKpop
2NE1 made a big comeback recently with a surprisingly bouncy reggae-style track “Falling in Love”. While the girls’ usual themes exude sleek style and swag, they seem to be venturing into more feminine territory of late, especially when you consider the soft concept for their last single “I Love You”. In this music video, you can see the girls smiling and laughing while bobbing along to this happy track whilst still maintaining that classic hip hop flavour. It definitely gives Blackjacks a refreshing summer tune to dance along to on the beach. (Or, if you’re anything like me, to dance to inside your house away from the sunlight like some sort of vampire-esque creature).

[EDITORIAL] 'The Greatest Shows on Earth': A Fair Representation?

Read on UnitedKpop
Channel 4 recently broadcast a series entitled ‘The Greatest Shows on Earth’. The programme was headed by British TV presenter Daisy Donovan, who is a self-confessed television addict that set out to test a theory that a nation’s television can serve as a window into its soul.
Each hour-long programme focused on one area of the globe: Brazil, India, Egypt and Abu Dhabi and lastly, South Korea. Donovan sets out to see how exactly each area’s wider culture links to their most popular programmes, often getting actively involved in productions.

It is typical of Channel 4 documentaries to tackle subjects that have not yet been covered, often because these topics are very niche or even controversial. Personally, I feel this makes for a more intriguing watch, it taps into a part of viewers curious about the taboo or simply quite strange and unusual. However, I am sure that I was not the only British K-Pop fan that was particularly excited to watch the episode that covered contemporary South Korean entertainment.

[EDITORIAL] SBS Running Man's 'Dong Fury': A racial issue or just comedy?

Episode 150 of SBS’ incredibly popular ‘urban’ variety show ‘Running Man’ was a Marvel Avengers special. Each of the members and guests assumed their own superhero characters, many of which were based on the original Avengers team. This episode was very much anticipated, probably in part due to the huge success of the recent Hollywood film Avengers Assemble (2012) and perhaps also because adventurous themes such as this give the programme producers the chance to go all out with the costumes and special effects.

[KOREAN DRAMA REVIEW] 'Flower Boy Next Door' (2013)

 

 

Read on UnitedKPop.

‘Flower Boy Next Door’ is a 2013 drama based on Yoon Hyuk Suk’s webcomic ‘I Peek at Him Everyday’. It is the third instalment of the tvN ‘Flower Boy Series’ after ‘Flower Boy Ramen Shop’ (2011) and ‘Shut Up Flower Boy Band’ (2012).

All of these dramas do not have a connected narrative, but as you may have guessed, all share a Flower Boy theme in one way or another.

[GET THE K-POP LOOK] EXO - 'Wolf'.

EXO finally made their long-awaited comeback late last month after about a year away with the very wild track ‘Wolf’. As expected, the boys have dominated the charts with this latest single, showing a very dark and almost tribal concept. EXO’s fashion is always interesting, and this music video shows off an innovative, yet rather understated style.

Want to see if you can mimic this look on the British high street? Look no further!

[EDITORIAL]: Is there such a thing as privacy for South Korean idols?: Son Ho Young’s Tradegy.

 

 

Read on UnitedKPop

I can almost hear you now: “Oh no, yet another angry rant on something that has been debated about countless times already?!” I know, I’m sorry. But I have felt so motivated to say my piece about this situation that I simply had to write a (very) small piece on it. I hope I will be able to stimulate thought and conversation with this article, despite this well-traversed topic.

[10,000 WORD DISSERTATION] The Rise of K-Pop in the UK: How and Why do niche interests become mainstream?

Acknowledgements

Although very cliché, I would like to thank my family.  They support me consistently in so many ways that I don’t think I could ever repay them. This includes not only putting up with my obsession with Japanese and South Korean cultures but embracing them fully and listening to me chatter about it all incessantly!

Not only this, but my family have helped me keep going when I have felt like giving up and always help me occasionally battle/tolerate my worst enemy – my own mind!

I would also like to thank all the lecturers that have helped confirm to me my love for Media Studies and the more eccentric academics (most notably Tara Brabazon) that have taught me that being an ‘academic’ doesn’t mean you have to lose your energy and passion.

Lastly, I would like to thank every person that helped me along with this project, including in the less obvious ways that they probably do not realise. Also, even though they probably won’t see this, I would like to extend my gratitude to every British K-Pop fan that assisted me in my research for this project. I never expected to gain half the response I received – so interesting and helpful! What a dedicated fandom!

Oh, and thanks for all the lifts Dad! Literally couldn’t even try for this degree without you.

[EDITORIAL]: Marital Issues – ‘Shotgun’ Weddings in the K-Entertainment Industry?

When it was revealed that female singer Baek Ji Young was getting married to her actor boyfriend Jung Suk Won, I was very happy for the couple. Most fans of Baek Ji Young will be aware of the troubled past the singer had and it really seems like these two are very happy together. Most people familiar with the South Korean culture will know that it is usual for individuals over around the age of 30 to be looking to settle down and start a family (as is also the case with many other cultures), so there is also there is also that pressure to be considered.

[Get the K-Pop Look] Block B - 'Nillili Mambo' - 'Classy Pirate Style'!

Block B have had a lot of trouble as a group since their debut in 2011. It is so sad to see such young individuals having to deal with these controversies and setbacks in such a short space of time. However, the band and their fandom have shown themselves to be a very strong and resilient bunch.
Even now, as a few of the members continue with solo work, one can sense the support that is always buzzing in the background for this group. There is no doubt that BBCs will wait for the day when their favourite artists will be able to greet them as a solid unit once more. In homage to guys, I thought I would attempt to emulate on of my personal favourite concepts they have had – the ‘Nillili Mambo’ style!

[EDITORIAL] Role Idols: Should they be expected to set an example?

T-ara's Hyomin drove many into jealousy with her 'ant-waist'. 

 

UnitedKPop version.



[Disclaimer: all articles I will be referencing in this piece will be sourced from allkpop.com. This is not to criticise Allkpop specifically in any way, but is simply because it is one of my main personal sources for K-Pop news updates!]

“Ant waist? What on earth is an ant waist?!” I exclaim to myself as I scroll through my newsfeed. “She has a great body; I wonder what she does to get that….eats one meal a day. Alright then!”
This is an almost daily occurrence as I update myself on the world of K-Pop. I’m not going to pretend that I am not insanely jealous of the beautiful celebrities I am confronted with each day (I mean come on, how can people look so flawless?), but more often than not I find myself shaking my head.

Drama: The Asian Way.

“Is this the drama with the girl who dresses up as a boy, but then dresses up as a girl and sneaks into an all boys’ school?” Asks my brother as he absent-mindedly plays on his phone whilst offering a running commentary on the drama I am currently watching.

This has become a running joke between us, used whenever I start trying to discuss any of the South Korean or Japanese dramas I have watched in the past.

[FILM REVIEW] I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay (2006)

[Read on UnitedKPop!]

‘I’m a Cyborg, But That’s Okay’ is a 2006 film directed by Park Chan Wook – someone you might be familiar with through the hugely successful film ’Old Boy’ from his ‘Vengeance Trilogy’.

Get the K-Pop Look: Spring Inspiration!

(UnitedKPop Version)

After yet another incredibly long, dark and damp winter season, spring is finally on its way! Okay, so maybe the current British weather is still making you feel otherwise, but that doesn't mean we can’t start getting our wardrobe ready for when the spring weather finally gets here, right? (Please let it get here!)

[FILM REVIEW] Ouran High School Host Club (Movie) (2012)

The film ‘Ouran High School Host Club’ is a feature directed by Satoshi Kan released in March 2012. It is set as a direct continuation of the live-action series aired back in 2011.

Valentine's Day Special: K-Entertainment Couples!

Read on UnitedKPop.
In honour of Valentine’s Day, we are getting romantic by celebrating just a few of the publicly existing couples in the South Korean Entertainment Industry.
Read more to start feeling the love!

EDITORIAL: Sharing is Caring: 'Japan's Galapagos Effect'.

Read on UnitedJPop

The term ‘Galapagos Effect’ has been coined by many writers to explain Japan’s unique technological advancements being kept from the rest of the world. You do not have to be an expert on the country to know about its amazing inventions and unique gadgetry – most of which has neglected to leave its shores.

One of the biggest examples of this would be Japan’s mobile phone system; it is completely unique to those used by other countries. The mobiles are also equipped with a number of advancements, such as linking your mobile directly to your bank account and being able to screen videos from your mobile to your laptop instantly. Of course, this progression has begun with mobiles from other countries now too, but it is often through very different processes and, for Japan, is old news.

Aside from being a pretty cool and apt term for this, when I first heard of the ‘Galapagos Effect’, I thought it could also be applied to Japan on a much wider scale.

Dealing with Depression: The Do's and Dont's.

Let me clear up straight away that this is only advice I am offering from my personal experience with anxiety and mild depression. As such, I would encourage readers to try out these tips for themselves, but to also realise that everyone is different and this sadly WILL NOT take away your difficulties entirely. Hopefully, it will help though. :D

The best place to start will be with my own story, I am a 21 year old female, currently in my 3rd and final year at University.
I suppose my symptoms manifested (noticeably) around 4 months ago, just before I was due to return to University after summer.

[FILM REVIEW] Cyborg She (2008)

[Read on UnitedJpop]
‘Cyborg She’ (also known as ‘Boku no kanojo was saibogu’ which literally translates to ‘My Girlfriend is a Cyborg’) is a Japanese film written and directed by South Korean Kwak Jae Young. It was released in 2008.

[FILM REVIEW] Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005)

‘Sympathy for Lady Vengeance’ is a 2005 film directed by Park Chan Wook. It is the third instalment in the director’s “Vengeance Trilogy”, following ‘Sympathy for Mr Vengeance’ and ‘Old Boy’. As you may have guessed, all three share the theme of gaining revenge on others, but they are not otherwise linked.

Japan and South Korea: The Strained Relationship.

[Read on UnitedKpop or UnitedJpop].

It was recently reported by AllKpop that a Japanese magazine targeted at an adult demographic published a cartoon portraying PSY very ‘negatively’.

The cartoon features a character that possesses a striking likeness to the South Korean rapper beating someone whilst shouting out: “Gangnam Style!” He then proceeds to tie up two young girls and force-feed them Kimchi – a well-known traditional Korean dish.

[KOREAN FILM REVIEW] Woochi the Demon Slayer (2009)

Long ago, powerful wizards were entrusted with the task to guard earth and its inhabitants from evil demons that were imprisoned many years ago. The demons can be controlled by a magic pipe that was confiscated by said wizards, so human and wizard-kind alike are able to live their peaceful lives separately. That is, until the demons manage to escape from their prison to earth. This leaves only one option – the wizards must descend to earth to protect the very vulnerable mankind…