#like i’m really gagged that this was the album title the whole time and i never knew

[bitesonmyneck]

[yizhou-time]

(46) ATEEZ FIC RECS

🍓 fluff | 🌀 angst | 💥 nsfw | 🎧 personal favourite

if any links don’t work or the wrong writers have been tagged please let me know!

ATEEZ/MULTIPLE

Want You Back | @whimsicalwritingsandmore 🍓🌀

opposites attract w/ matz | @beenbaanbuun 🍓💥🎧

↳ are you ready to get so hooked on something you’ll read every story connected to it and simply sit there waiting for series updates?

Addams!ATEEZ | @fruithoughts 🍓💥

HONGJOONG

Less Than Three | @kbandtrash 🍓

Runaway | @lilacmingi 🍓🌀

To Make An Album | @bambikisss 🍓💥

Never Alone | @iwannasuckyourmonstercock 🌀

Hopefully | @idyllic-ghost 🍓

↳ my hongjoong roman empire and it’s just made up leave me alone

SEONGHWA

The Way to His Heart | @edenesth 🍓🌀🎧

↳ again not a series reader in the slightest but this one is so well done you never know what’s happening next and then you get grown through a loop in the best way possible

let’s not fall in love, again | @baekhvuns 🍓🌀💥🎧

↳ HOW THE AUTHOR CAME UP WITH THIS IS BEYOND ME BUT I REREAD THIS ALL THE TIME I LOVE IT I CANT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOVE IT JUST PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ IT

no title | @mymoodwriting 🍓🌀💥

bodyguard | @baekhvuns 🍓🌀💥

↳ this became my personality for a solid month after its release

cat named mars | @hwaightme 🍓

checkmate | @atinystraynstay 🍓🌀

the lamb and the wolf | @seonghwaddict 🍓💥

YUNHO

Guerilla | @sorryimananti-romantic 🍓🌀💥

opposites attract | @tainsan 🍓🌀💥

↳ another one that became my personality for a solid month after release

what builds a home | @cosmicdumpling 🍓💥 (only a little!)

PILLAGED | @lilacmingi 🍓 (a little 🌀)

something to give each other | @sungbeam 🍓🎧

↳ read this at 5:34am and it changed my life i’m not kidding

Promise | @sorryimananti-romantic 🍓💥 (only a little!)

↳ did my life just change? yes! this authors fics always change my life but this was something else!

entombed | @ghstzzn 💥 (and kinda 🍓) 🎧

YEOSANG

no title | @ateezmakemeweep 🍓🌀

RETURN TO ME | @thewonandonly 🌀💥🎧

↳ this is the the best yeosang fic on this app like i can’t explain any of it like this is one i strongly suggest you read (this is a threat, read the goddamn fic) and that fucking ending i’m literally i can’t it takes everything in me to not spoil it every time i recommend it but i’m telling you you have to read this you know that feeling you get when your heart wrenches and you physically feel it? you get that the whole time with this

for the hope of it all | @starrysvn 🌀🎧

↳ not gonna lie thought about killing myself after reading this 😭😭😭 /j

SAN

The Art of Climbing the Corporate Ladder | @ennysbookstore 🍓🌀💥🎧

↳ another one i can’t explain you have to read this for yourself because you think you know and then no you fucking don’t and then you get really mad and then really sad and then you’re like oh no and then y/n saves it and then san says stuff JUST READ IT

Ceilings [PART 2] | @yoongiseesawmp3 🍓🌀💥

↳ FINALLY THIS GODDAMN TROPE DONE RIGHT LIKE GAG EM THANK YOU GUYS THIS IS SUCH A GOOD READ AND IT DOESNT MOVE FAST LIKE THE OTHER FICS THAT DO THIS TROPE PLEASE

seasons out of time | @nonclassyparty 🍓🌀💥🎧🎧🎧

↳ this is the most soul crushing, heart wrenching, bone shattering piece of media you will ever read like i can’t genuinely put into words how much this fic means to me on like a level like i can’t even describe it help it is one of those fics thag you have to read for yourself and you’ll understand because just when your hopes are up theyre down when they’re down they’re up again in some strange way part two is in the works so i’m preparing for my heart to get stamped on by the author and part 1 is like for me genuinely the absolute best fics on this app so I can’t wait

Reassuring Words and Mellow Touches | @hongjoongsart 🍓🌀

↳ you know when you like feel smth in your gut and you don’t know what, this is what this does to you I swear

a broken routine | @vampzity 🍓🍓🍓🍓🎧

MINGI

Goodbye Summer | @shocymer 🌀🌀🌀

↳ i did cry when i finished this

nightmare, daydream | @mingigoo 🍓💥

One New Message | @hwaightme 🌀

Home | @lovepookie 🍓🍓🍓

WOOYOUNG

Home for the Holidays | @highvern 🍓🌀💥

Say You Love Me Too | @crazyformfics 🍓

change of heart | @hotteoki 🍓

place in me | @starrysvn 🍓🌀🎧

↳ this is my wooyoung roman empire and it didn’t even happen irl

If Without You | @sorryimananti-romantic 🍓🌀

JONGHO

so lovely | @deathbyyeekies 🍓🍓🍓🍓 🎧🎧🎧

↳ i kid you not reading this changed my life like genuinely i’m a changed person now

killin me softly | @deathbyyeekies 🍓

glasses w/ jongho | @beenbaanbuun 🍓

zemblanity | @in-san-ity 🍓🌀💥🎧

↳ it’s so nice watching tropes finally being done right like you don’t even understand how badly i needed this

20:15pm | @xuchiya 🍓

the fear still lingers | @03jyh23 🌀🌀🌀🌀🎧🎧🎧

↳ TOOK EVERYTHING IN ME NOT TO THROW MYSELF OFF A BRIDGE AFTER READING THIS IF YOU’RE WANTING FUCKING INCREDIBLE ANGST READ THIS SHIT AND YOU’LL PHYSICALLY FEEL YOUR HEARTBREAK LIKE MINE DID

[yukeri]

ESCAPE ROOM is Lovemonth's second single album and was released on June 30th, 2022. The title track was "ESCAPE ROOM" with "왔다갔다 (Come 'n' Go)" as a promoted B-side. This is Lovemonth’s first comeback where the group is not promoting with their full lineup as Rudy is on hiatus.

~TRACKS~

ESCAPE ROOM

왔다갔다 (Come ‘n’ Go)

Not Friends (Lovemonth Ver.)

Hair:

Yumin continued to rock her usual straight, platinum blonde hair, but chose to get it cut short and get bangs. Her haircut along with the stage outfits for this comeback, a lot of comparisons were made to Rosamund Pike and the “i’m bored lemme ruin some random guy’s life real quick” vibe she often gives in her movies.

Yeojeong stuck to her long, brown look…but she got bangs this time! Fans asked if she would ever go with a new, bold look for a comeback on Vlive and she was like “I mean…if a role allowed me to? idk” which launched a bunch of “secure the bag” memes.

Byeol decided to come back with a bolder look: long, center-parted, jet black hair that was dyed ombre to grey. Her biggest decision though? No bangs. ælifes were shook; Byeol had had bangs ever since her trainee days to the point where there were countless jokes and tons of theories in the fandom as to what was actually under them. Some ælifes missed the bangs, but most not only saw the lack of bangs as a chicer, more mature look for her, but it had a lot of ælifes questioning their sexuality…

Hotaru surprisingly gave her scalp a break and went with a more natural chestnut brown bob. ælifes were similarly gagged by her transformation, but there was a lot more pushback as many fans really missed her Manic Pixie Dream Girl™ looks. Hotaru apologized for her lack of colorful hair and promised fans that ✨Magical Girl Hotaru✨ would be back soon.

Chowon had long, curly, jet black hair with a comma bang. ælifes were a little confused since she seemed to steal Rudy’s previous hairstyle…? 

For those keeping track, that makes 4/5 girls with bangs. Literally all the active members got bangs except for the one that’s known for them.

Stage Outfits:

ESCAPE ROOM

As the promotions for ESCAPE ROOM would be shorter, the designer decided to go with a simple, but effective silhouette that would be memorable to audiences. What encapsulates that more than a suit? The girls wore both classic suits and newer, oversized suits with cropped tops underneath in neutral and pseudo-neutral colors like black, white, navy, burgundy, and slate grey. The girls usually wore sneakers with the oversized suits and heeled boots with the more classic suits.

왔다갔다 (Come 'n' Go)

The costuming for their B-side was a bit of a hot topic. Not for the stage version; those outfits were relatively tame. Simple white lace tops with white pants, black shoes, and an oversized black jacket for the male backup dancers to drape over them at the end of the routine. The controversy came with the dance practice video costumes: Lovemonth wasn't really known for a sexy side, but they definitely showed it in the dance practice with their collared shirts and intimate dancing with the male backup dancers.

~THE CHARTS~

"ESCAPE ROOM" peak positions:

Genie: #72 MelOn: N/A FLO: #78 VIBE: #83 Bugs!: #91

Music Show Wins: 0

~ERA HIGHLIGHTS~

Whew chile this gon’ be a doozy........Lovemonth in their flop era! 😃

The whole #WhereIsRudy debacle really took whatever anticipation there was for Lovemonth’s comeback and completely deflated it.

The music video, which was more of a performance video with better camerawork, took a whole week to hit 1 million views.

Usually there were campaigns to get the Lovemonth music videos views, but the ælife community was in shambles. Half the community was on strike due to the mistreatment of Rudy that resulted in her seemingly leaving the group.

There were still ælifes that tried to remind everyone that regardless of Rudy’s status and treatment, there were still five other girls in the group working hard to deliver a comeback, but it sort of fell on deaf ears.

The charts weren’t any kinder: ESCAPE ROOM was their lowest-charting release, ranking lower than their debut. The Rudy scandal really took all of their momentum.

The worst part was that you could see it on the members’ faces. Any time they were on a variety show, when they were backstage at music shows, even on their social media. You could see how much this was affecting them.

Despite all the doom and gloom, the silver lining came towards the end of their comeback era: My Girlfriend’s a K-Pop Idol!

The web series had casted Byeol and Hotaru as a duo and gave them two of the most slayful songs to ever exist.

Both tracks were for the gays and the gays went UP accordingly.

The web series became very popular and First Memory (the duo from the series’ name) actually trended on NAVER. It boosted the popularity of Byeol and Hotaru, and of course Lovemonth by extension. Not enough to hint at a possible chart reversal, but enough to keep the threat of disbandment at bay.

Byeol and Hotaru started appearing on radio shows and variety shows as if they were an actual duo, which perturbed a few ælifes, but most saw it as a blessing in this dark time for the group.

The popularity of the duo gave the company some ideas…but anyway, at least the ESCAPE ROOM era ended on a high note!

~SCANDALS & CONTROVERSIES~

#WhereIsRudy pt. 1: During the months of Lovemonth’s hiatus, all but one of the members seemed to be keeping busy. Yeojeong was doing well as a model/actress, Chowon had been hosting After School Club consistently since their last comeback, and the other members had other activities that they were working on. Except Rudy. Her absence was constantly being brought up by ælifes to which members usually answered that she was resting. Then suddenly they stopped addressing it altogether. Anytime someone would ask they just…wouldn’t answer. Rumors started going around that she had left the group since she was the only one who was not active at all. The most suspicious moment came during one of Byeol’s Twitch streams: someone asked her about Rudy’s absence and she replied, “Ah…Rudy-unnie has returned to Thailand…she thought about her family quite often during our MOON promotions and wanted to see them.” Her reply was strange as she was very hesitant; as if she 1) realized she probably shouldn’t have been relaying this information to hundreds of people, or 2) she wasn’t telling the truth. Even stranger, she abruptly ended the stream, citing an “emergency”, and the stream (at that point, around 2 hours and 37 minutes in length) would not be available for replay. All of this happened before ESCAPE ROOM was even announced.

#WhereIsRudy pt. 2:  An anonymous Reddit user found the social media pages of Rudy’s friends and family and discovered she was none of their recent updates. As a result, Byeol got a bit of hate for allegedly being complicit in Rudy’s disappearance. All of the suspicion came to a head when all of Rudy’s social media went dark; ælifes panicked and started demanding YURI&Co. for answers.The #RudyDeservesBetter hashtag that was swirling around ælife Twitter during the tail-end of their last promotions morphed into the much more prevalent PR nightmare #WhereIsRudy hashtag. It was not just a hot topic across K-pop Twitter itself, trending in several different countries and becoming cannon fodder for every K-pop tea and news channel on YouTube. After being flamed across social media for several days, YURI&Co. finally had to release a statement. They apologized for the lack of communication on their part, explained that Rudy had been showing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and that she was spending her time resting in addition to seeing a licensed professional. Many ælifes were satisfied with this information and sent well wishes to Rudy, but some felt there was something the company wasn’t telling them…

Everybody loves…Yumin?!: On a lighter note, the members appeared on Jackie & Jill, a popular YouTube channel that is known for chaotic, unfiltered interviews with rookie groups and soloists. Jill, one of the hosts, is known for being an out lesbian and playfully flirting with female idols. Well, Yumin’s generally masculine-leaning clothing choices and all-around charismatic energy have garnered a lot of female fans over the years, but combined with her new I Care a Lot hair? The girls who love girls were frothing at the mouth, including Jill…and it was a glory to behold. From Jill whispering “I know what you are” to a completely taken-aback Yumin when she casually stated she's never had a boyfriend, to their impromptu “teen drama confession” scene where Yumin dips and almost kisses Jill, it was all very fruity. Yumin’s tags across social media were in shambles for weeks. Hell, they’re probably still a wreck.

~ACTIVITIES~

Probably the biggest and most memorable activity (outside of Yeojeong’s neverending list of acting credits) was Byeol and Hotaru landing supporting roles in the web series My Girlfriend’s a K-Pop Idol!, a show about a Canadian ESL teacher’s assistant who falls in love with his seemingly ordinary supervising teacher only to find out she is secretly a K-pop idol. Byeol and Hotaru played conniving Chung Dayeon and dim-witted Kondō Miori respectively, two fame-hungry idols that would do anything to get to the top. The show featured two performances from them as the up-and-coming duo, First Memory: “Better 나 (Better Me)” and “NAUGHTY”.

Byeol and Hotaru: a medley dance cover: “Be Natural” by Red Velvet and “NAUGHTY” by First Memory…a.k.a. them.

Yumin, Yeojeong, and Chowon of Lovemonth teamed up with Hady and Serim of 7LITE and Yunny for a special stage cover of “Hush” by Miss A.

And because a Lovemonth era wouldn’t be complete without a cover of a Girls Generation song, the girls did a special stage cover of “Lion Heart” by Girls Generation for MCountdown’s special Sunny Summer episode. Yumin, in a shocking turn of events, did not look viscerally uncomfortable the entire time.

[another-fantasy-world]

The Idol’s Inspiration

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆      ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Title: The Idol’s Inspiration

Pairing: Valkyrae || Rachell x Fem! Reader

Summary: In which the international singer find’s her inspiration in a certain brown eyed-often screaming- streamer

Warnings: None? Fluff. Awkward Crushing. Top Rae? (Oh Gosh)

Word Count: 2,905 Words

@short-kid27​ helped me with this one. Go check her out she’s actually great

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆      ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

-

You scoffed when you saw what your bandmate tweeted out, tweeting as if he wasn’t using his phone either. Deciding to throw something at him, you spot a plastic perfume bottle, reaching out for it, only for Luna, your other bandmate to slap your hands of her perfume bottle.

“Don’t you dare.” She playfully glares before turning back to her original position, with her hair stylist tending to her long reddish-brown hair.

“Sebastian, you are so lucky you’re on the other side of the room right now or I swear to God, you would have a concussion.” You frowned, before turning back to your phone, further proving Sebastian’s point.

“See?! What are you even doing?” He loudly asks, you barely hearing him from the noise of blowdryers.

“Writing.” You answered, annoyed. It wasn’t a lie tho, You were now writing a new song, since your management once again are rushing you to write at least 12 songs for your new album.

“We wrote 3 songs yesterday. Calm down.” Your bassist, Luna reassured you, who just finished her glams.

“We’re supposed to be finished with this by the end of the month. How am I supposed to calm down?” You complained.

Ever since your band, Coldify, got enough attention, your management barely gave you enough time to just breathe and write like you used to, How were you supposed to produce quality music?

“Choco Milk?” Jace, your drummer offers you his second cup

“No thank you. Hot sweet things stress my throat. Maybe later though.” You stood up, thanking your stylists, before changing into your casual clothes, since you would be doing a Q and A session first as a soundcheck and also for extra fan service before the concert proper.

Once you finished changing, you walked out of your dressing room, only to find that your bandmates are now all set up, all except you.

Jace is fiddling with his drum sticks

Luna is tuning her bass guitar

And Sebastian is playing a random tune on his electric guitar.

You rolled your eyes at them, before slinging your own acoustic guitar over your shoulder, the familiar weight and pressure of it’s strap makes you smile.

“Are we ready guys? We can start now, there’s only 5 minutes left.” You asked them, plugging in your “in-ears”

They all nodded at you and you guys started to do your signature intro, you playing a few notes on your acoustic, followed by Sebastian and Luna, then you all run out, hearing the screams of your fans intensify, before Jace started banging on his drums, ending your intro with all of you guys harmonizing your band name and lifting your right arms up, showing the compass tattooed into the insides of your wrists, symbolizing your band and the friendship that will never grow old.

“What is up LA!?” You loudly said into the mic, chuckling when they screamed louder than your own mic.

“Well, we certainly need to up the mic volume later.” Luna giggled, sitting on one of the chairs positioned in the middle of the stage.

“Mhhmmn. Let’s all calm down first yes? You guys save your energy for later.” Sebastian winked into the crowd, also sitting on one of the chairs, with his mic in his hand.

“Great, great. We’re all settled in, Please sit down and let’s start this 1 and a half hour Q and A? Soundcheck? Fan service? Whatever you want to call this whole shebang.” You joked, thanking the staff that gave you your own water bottle.

“You know the drill, if you don’t that’s fine. My name is Luna and I am the one who plays the amazing silver-gray bass back there.” Luna introduces herself

“That amazing silver-gray bass that you would marry someday. I swear you are inlove with that thing.” Sebastian teased, earning him a loud smack to the shoulder.

“That is animal abuse. Stop it.” You hold in your laugh, but bursted out laughing anyways when you saw the appalled look on his face.

“My name is Jace. And I bang my sticks into a hallow cylindrical thing for a living. I heard they’re called drums but whatever. I also live with these idiots and I, unfortunately, am the one who holds their leashes.” Jace introduces himself, smiling into the crowd

“Okay, Father. My Name is Sebastian. aka the most attractive one in this group. I play the guitarrrrrr. You guys can call me Seb, Sebastian or Daddy. Your choice.” He winked.

“Ew.” All three of you pretended to gagged, before laughing at Sebastian’s pouting face, your audience also laughing at your antics.

“Okay- Okay, Stop. We need to be serious. Gosh. My name’s Y/N! And I’m your local sapphic lead singer. Yes, I need to say that everyday because people still debate that I’m straight. It’s annoying” You introduce, taking a sip of your water

“Right. So this is how it’s gonna work. There are multiple Coldify interrogators, as we call them, roaming around, all you have to do, is raise your hand, first one they see wins the first question. And the cycle continues until we run out of time.” You explained

“HmmHmmn. So are you guys ready?” Luna asks, earning a few “Yes!” and “WHOOOOO” making all you guys chuckle.

“Okaaaay! on 3. 1,2,3! OH! That redhead with the all black attire. I like that.” Sebastian calls, waiting for the guy in the uniform to hand the girl the mic.

“What’s your name love?” Jace asked the now blushing girl

“Ah. Kadie. I just wanna say that I am such a big fan and I wanted to know if, besides the tattoo you guys have right now, the compass, are you guys still planning on getting a matching tattoo?”

“Ooooh. Tattooes. Hmm. I personally would love to have another tattoo. But you see, Sebastian here cried when we first tattoed. And I am not looking forward to that at all.” Luna answered, laughing when Sebastian whined.

“Oh yeah. No. Not again.” Jace agreed, while you just smiled and nodded.

“Next Question Please.” Sebastian interjected before you could even talk

“Hi my name’s Catherine-” You guys interrupted her to say hi

“Hehe. Hi. Uhm, I wanted to know if you guys have like, favourite youtubers or streamers?” She asks shyly, which made you smile.

“Oooooo. Okay, now you guys get to know why I tweeted that earlier.” Sebastian chuckles

“Okay Mr. Snitch. But uhm. I would have to say... Sykkuno. His voice is just the best-”

“Excuse me? Corpse?! Hello? Corpse has the best voice don’t even. He’s my favourite, what you said was just Corpse slander” Sebastian interrupts Luna, to which Luna answered with a glare.

“Uh-huh. Okay. As I was saying, Corpse’s voice is good, but Syk’s is just this wholesome anime type voice that just melt’s your heart you know? He should be a voice actor for like, an anime protagonist. AND HIS PERSONALITY IS SO GOOD AND WHOLESOME LIKE WHAT THE FUCK?” Luna gushes, nodding to Jace before she goes on a full rant

“I’m sure you won’t match with him, expecially since he’s quiet and you’re loud and abnoxious.” Sebastian casually says

“You know what?”

“Pokimane...” Jace speaks into the mic, interrupting the siblings from fighting. “...Because she’s actually a really good gamer, and she also has a cat called called “Mimi” and that’s major points in my book.” Jace says, smiling.

“Hmm. That’s actually a tough choice... I would have to say-” You were interrupted when your phone let out a noise, letting you know you forgot to silent it.

“BABUSHKA!” Your face felt hot as you desperately tried to put your phone in silent, but it was too late.

“My phone just outed me what the hell?” You mumbled into the mic, hiding your face as you hear your fans laugh and coo at your cuteness and embarrassment.

“Anyways, if that didn’t answer your question, I don’t know what will. But uhm, Valkyrae. 100 percent. She’s just really skilled in video games and has probably played more games than me. Also, she’s absolutely fucking gorgeous and I just love her personality and all.” You smiled, still feeling a little bit embarrassed

“I just love her personality- Please, last night you fell asleep to her playing a horror game. She screams alot in that video, I’m just saying. How could you sleep to literally her screaming in your ear?” Sebastian shrugs, ignoring the glares you sent him

“Just this morning, you were frowning because there was another viper on the team Rae was fighting against in Valorant, and you accused that viper of being a copycat.” Jace added

“Or the fact that you always flinch, or dodge and curse whenever someone shoots at Rae-” Luna finishes making you cover her mouth before she says something more

“Okay. I think it’s pretty obvious that I have a crush on Valkyrae but please- Stop.” You grumbled, frowning playfully at your fans when they awed at your band’s interaction.

“Next Fucking Question Please.” You huffed, closing your eyes and leaning back into your seat, trying to settle your beating heart

Rae will for sure see that. Oh my god. Thoughts of Rae seeing your clip of literally simping for her has your heart running marathons.

“Hi! Uhm, this question is for Y/N”

You hear the gasps of your bandmates, but you pay no attention to it since you were still gay panicking inside

“What will you do if you ever met Valkyrae in person?” a familiar voice echoed in your ears, you of course can’t figure out who it is.

“I honestly don’t know how I would react. Maybe faint? But then probably hug her? I dunno? Kiss her cheek maybe? I mean, how would you react if you meet your long time crush?” You answered mindlessly, chuckling silently knowing that you probably faint and be knocked out for God knows how long. Or maybe you’d fumble and embarrass yourself.

You hear your bandmates join in the laughter with the audience, and that made you open your eyes, throwing a confused glace to Luna who just patted your back and made eye contact with who, you presume, asked the question.

You followed her gaze, eyes widening when you saw the brown-eyed brunette beauty holding the mic. Your brain lagged, trying to comprehend the situation.

“Uhm, I mean- Unless, You know? She’s uncomfortable about it. I don’t wanna make her uncomfy, you get me? First impressions are a thing. I mean- I’m just gonna shut up.” You just spat words out before your brain could even comprehend it.

Come on Y/N keep it together. She gotta think that you’re cool. Not an awkward gay mess.

“Pfft- Little too late for the first impressions that included you being cool.” Jace threw his empty water bottle at you

“...I said that aloud didn’t I?” You asked, now trying to hide your face behind Luna’s back, who’s doubling over from laughter

“Please, someone tag me when you decide to upload this very moment. I wanna blackmail Y/N with it.” Sebastian wheezed out.

“I think we can do something with the hugging thing. Just don’t faint on me.” Your eyes snapped to Rae’s as you see the smirk etched on her face, her hands still holding the microphone

Your eyes widen as your fans, screamed and a series of “OOOOOOHHHH” and “Get it Y/N!” erupted, making your embarrassment amplify even more.

“Is it embarrass Y/N day today? God, please- Next Question please. Oh Jesus.” You put your face in your hands, trying to hide.

Thankfully, they didn’t pry anymore, your embarrassment slowly subsiding as they asked about your daily life, career, albums and upcoming awards. After finishing a couple more questions, you guys sang a couple cover songs, and that’s what concluded your soundcheck. (Sebastian managed to sneak in Janet’s PETTY song, which you rolled your eyes on but sang nonetheless.)

You walked out and to the backstage as you shoved Sebastian playfully for making kissy faces.

“Y/N and Rachell sitting on a tree-” He was suddenly cut off by someone

“K-I-S-S-I-N-G” Your gaze wonders to Pokimane, or Imane who just interrupted Sebastian

“Kissing?! Isn’t it a bit too early for that? Why would they kiss-” Sykkuno says glancing between Rae and I

You wondered if they said anything else because you’re going to be honest to yourself, you were only looking at Rae’s eyes. The deep brown orbs you only ever saw through your screen, was now staring right back at you, her brunette hair tied up in a bun- She’s staring back at you.

Quickly averting your eyes, you felt yourself grow shy, you now also find your shoes very attractive.

“Keep your head up or else you would faint on me and I don’t want that. I prefer to hug a conscious person, Thank you very much.” you lifted your head so fast you could’ve given yourself a whiplash. Darting your eyes around Rae, you quickly find that your friends + Imane and Sykkuno have left the both of you alone.

“Sorry. You just caught me off guard there. Hi! Uhm. I really don’t know what to say to you- Uhm.” You rub the back of your neck, nervously smiling at Rae you in turn smirked at you, raising her brow in the process.

She quietly chuckles before opening her arms, signaling for a hug, to which you launched yourself in, trying not to breathe because that would be so weird.

“Okay so now can you take out your knife and stab me just to make sure that this is real.” You stated, looking directly into her eyes

“...But I’m not the Impostor?”

“...Okay that’s clever-” You laughed, taking a sip out of your water bottle, leading her to your dressing room

“Speaking of, do you mind if I play with you guys sometimes? I’ll find time, I promise.” You say, watching the time considering you only have half an hour to change and get ready, not to mention your crush is right in front of you as well.

“Wait really? Yeah! Just DM me on twitter! I’ll organize a lobby just for you.” She replies, plopping herself on the sofa you have.

“Awe, I feel so... special” You smiled, finally composing yourself, emerging from behind the curtains, already in your performance outfit

“The almighty Creator of the Year, creating a lobby? For lil ol m-” You were greeted with a facefull of pillows thrown at you, just for that statement. Which made you laugh.

“Shut up.” She grinned

“I’m sorry, m’lady” You curtsied playfully, expecting her to start smacking your shoulders, instead when you lifted your head up, she was just sitting there with a soft smile on her face.

“You’re wearing my merch.” She stated

You widened your eyes then looked down, the hoodie that you just randomly picked up was her merch.

“I’m sorry, do you want it back?” You spit the words out before your mind could comprehend how idiotic that sounded

Rae bursted out laughing at your statement, putting her hand over her mouth while doubling over. You rolled your eyes at her and plopped down on the sofa, crossing your arms.

“Yeah, Yeah. Go on. Laugh. At least I can spell broccoli right.” You teased, poking her side

“OKAY! LISTEN HERE HOTSHOT! I-”  she was interrupted by a series of knocks on the door.

“Y/N! PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE DECENT AND IS NOT SEDUCING RAE BECAUSE THAT’S JUST WRONG” Sebastian loudly asked through the door

“Oh My God. Please just kill me.” You rubbed your face with your hands

“I’m pretty sure I’ll be the one doing the seducing but okay.” You hear her mumble under her breath, making you look at her with a scandalized look on your face

“DOOR’S UNLOCKED SEBASTIAN. DON’T BE AN IDIOT..” You replied

“Don’t mind him Y/N We’re just coming in to say that you have 5 minutes until we have to go onstage.” Luna softly replies, shoving Sebastian out your field of view.

“I’ll be right there Lune.” You stood up, smiling at Rae

“I guess that’s it. I’ll talk to you later? I think? Just check your DM’s soon yeah?” She pulls you into a hug, kissing your cheek as she pulls away.

“Good Luck out there. I know you’ll do great.” She smiles, walking out, leaving you to your thoughts

“Huh?” You touched your cheek, a smile slowly paints itself upon your face

"Come on, lovergirl we're running late." Jace drapes his arm around your shoulder

"She kissed my cheek." You say, still shocked

"Lucky You." Jace says, his ears reddening.

...lucky bastard

"POKI KISSED YOU TOO DIDN'T SHE?!" You screeched

'Hush!" His cheeks are also red now.

"Huh. I guess today's our lucky day." You grinned, now extremely happy and hyped

"Oh, check your e-mail now by the way. Manager says she sent our line up there." he pats your back, getting into his position, as best as he can considering the stage is now pitch black

"Huh. Okay." You pulled out your phone, sending a piece of paper flying. Bending down to pick it up, you feel your heart soften into mush and then it decides to run another marathon.

Just incase my Twitter DM's don't work, or if I'm streaming. xx 09-xxx-xxx-xxx

"Be still, my beating heart." You sighed out

Valkyrae just gave you her phone number

[sailorsero]

you know i’m stupid for you 1/?

author: claire (@sailorsero​) ship: adult kaminari denki x reader prompt/genre: band/musician!au/poppunk!denki wordcount: 1483 warnings: swearing (for the moment, this is all) a/n: • written for the BNHarem Making Beautiful Music Collaboration - check out the masterlist to see everyone elses!) • thank you to @unbreakablekiribaku​ for the header!  • i do not give permission for this (or any of my writing) to be reposted, by anyone, on this or any other website. please don’t do it! • title from ‘stupid for you’ by waterparks

you know i’m stupid for you part one

***

RIOT! PRESENTS: DYNAMIGHT - A ROTATING HEADLINE TOUR Combining forces for the second annual Riot! Radio/Magazine empire tour are punk pop staples Chargebolt, indie rockers Plus Ultra! and newcomers Rolling Thunder, fresh off the release of their debut album, ‘Revelry in the Dark’. The tour format of a different running order each night, the mix of genres and an abundance of talent promises a sick show you won’t want to miss! The tour starts tomorrow night in Fukuoka, ending in Sapporo at the end of the month. Tickets | Details

Day 1: Fukuoka

***

The past 24 hours had been hectic and overwhelming; the last minute preparations, the packing, the 17 FaceTime calls Mina insisted were necessary for packing, the flight to Fukuoka, the hotel, meeting the approximately 3674 people involved in the tour (okay, really approximately), the soundchecks, the press, making sure Todoroki didn’t get lost (again). It could have been enough to have you considering your plan B vocation of Professional Kitten Cuddler (you’d seen a Buzzfeed article once), if it wasn’t for this feeling, right here and now.

The house lights had dimmed away to almost nothing, causing the steady thrum of chatter from the crowd to surge into a roar of anticipation that matched your own perfectly; waiting sidestage in the dark knowing you were on the precipice of doing what you loved most always made you feel electric.

You’d followed Shinsou onto the stage as the eyewateringly bright lights hit, securing the strap of your bass before looking without seeing out at where you knew the crowd was. You were really here, on this stage, with your best friends, on the biggest tour you’d done so far as a band. You let yourself bask in the joy that brought for a moment longer, before turning towards your bandmates, tilting your head in silent question. Quick nods from Tokoyami and Shinsou and a peace sign from Mina were all you needed before you turned to Todoroki to count in. Everything after that was the most beautiful white noise.

***

8 songs flew by quicker than you could ever remember, Shinsou’s synths fading out as Mina yelled into the mic like she was going for Present Mic’s radio slot.

“Our record is available from the merch table and we are on all relevant social media - @ rollingthunder! Our TikToks are epic! We have been Rolling Thunder, you have been fucking beautiful - goodnight!!!”

“‘Our TikToks are epic’?!” Shinsou rounded on the lead singer as soon as you were all sidestage again.

Mina put her hands on her hips, giving off the energy of an elementary school teacher who had to do this a lot. “They are epic! It’s not my fault you never want to be in them!”

“Maybe that’s why they’re epic?” Todoroki deadpanned, removing the sweat-soaked towel from around his neck.

The snort you gave out at the impossible-to-tell-if-it-was-intended-as-an-insult-or-not-because-it’s-Todoroki insult died off early as you caught sight of him.

Fuck. He’d actually gotten hotter overnight.

Kaminari made a beeline straight for you from the door that lead to the backstage area, 100 watt smile firmly in place. “Hey, you. Great set out there! Totally dope!”

“You were watching?” You were too caught off guard to school your tone into anything less giddy, and you knew you’d be hearing about it until you could hide in your bunk on the tourbus. Maybe not even then if your bandmates didn’t respect the sanctity of the curtain.

“Yeah, of course! We were up on the balcony, in the private bit? You know?” You assumed Sero and Kirishima formed the ‘we’ he was talking about, as they appeared one after another through the same door, grinning widely.

“Yeah, totally, I remember they said there was somewhere to watch the other sets from...cool!”

A part of you died inside as you heard yourself reply and you wondered briefly if there was any chance your whole band wasn’t watching this interaction. Hearing ‘cool!!!’ mimicked in four wildly different attempts at your voice shut that down.

There was no way Kaminari hadn’t heard all four impressions, but he was nice enough to pretend he hadn’t.

“Yeah! So, uh...you could totally watch our set, now! If, you know, you want...” He trailed off, looking hesitantly hopeful and fiddling with one of his many, many earrings.

His golden eyes had been staring into yours for the whole of your conversation so far and you found yourself getting lost in his gaze, all of the noise of the crowd buzzing and the crew swapping the setup over becoming distant to your ears.

Until his bassist slapped him on his back - hard - shit-eating grin all over his face.

“Smooth like silk, Denks!”

“Shut up, Sero!” Kaminari whined, breaking eye contact with you to shove at his bandmate’s arm. 

No one said anything for what felt like the longest seven seconds in history. Kirishima cleared his throat politely and smiled encouragingly, but seemed to run out of ideas after that.

“We’ll watch you guys! But only if you tell us how awesome we were!” Mina’s arm slid seamlessly to link with yours as you remembered how much you loved this pink-haired angel. She was a socialising expert and had rescued you all right before the silence had slid past the point of no return into Awkwardsville.

Kaminari seemed to share your sentiment, as it wasn’t with only a little relief he began to shower the rest of your band with praise. It was only when he’d rambled his way to complimenting the way Tokoyami held his guitar that Shinsou decided it was his turn to steer the conversation. “Don’t you have a drummer? Did he not want to watch our set?”

“Nah, he said he ‘didn’t wanna watch a bunch of electro emos with stupid hair sing about going to Hot Topic or what-the-fuck-whatever’,” Sero cheerfully announced, ignoring the choking sound the apparently-direct quote forced out of the blonde you couldn’t take your eyes off of.

“Wow. He’s charming.” Shinsou replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“He is, isn’t he?” Kirishima sighed, sounding like he’d have actual stars in his eyes if you could bring yoursef to stop looking at Kaminari and check. Which you Absolutely Could Not.

You’d met Kaminari at 1 this afternoon, and he’d been pretty much all you’d thought about since 1:01.

***

“Okay, so, Chargebolt - Eijirou Kirishima, Hanta Sero, Katsuki Bakugou, Denki Kaminari. Plus Ultra! - Izu...”

You were pretty sure one of the tour managers was still speaking, introducing the other band you were sharing this tour with, but you couldn’t focus on anything else. Kaminari. Denki. Denki Kaminari.

The ear you could see was adorned with multiple piercings, and the one you couldn’t was covered with a sweep of blonde hair with a black lightening bolt dyed into it. Golden eyes, pink lips. Not particularly tall, or jacked, but lean and muscled where you could see. A black Fatgum Records T-shirt over a black and white striped longsleeve, tucked into ripped jeans that fell into laced up boots. Were those fingers tattoos? It was definitely yellow nail polish and a multitude of silver rings. Talk about ‘exactly my type on paper’. Fuck!

You wondered for a second who exactly it was who had given this man the right. Then you realised he was moving - towards you.

“Hey! Y/N Y/L/N, right? I heard you guys on Present Mic’s show, the Live Lounge? That was incredible!”

Had your mouth been wide open the entire time he was talking? You really couldn’t be sure either way.

“Hey! Yeah, that’s uh...me! Thanks, I was really nervous but he was so cool.”

Kaminari nodded enthusiastically, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Present Mic? Yeah, what a legend! We haven’t been on for a hot minute but we’ll probably go back next album cycle.”

You were pretty sure you were supposed to be making introductions to everyone in the room right now, but before you knew it, it had been fifteen minutes and the only person you’d spoken to was Kaminari. A way-too-stressed-for-the-first-day-of-tour looking woman was trying to politely usher Kaminari away to wherever Chargebolt’s schedule had them being right now, but he hesitated after he said a (hopefully) reluctant goodbye.

“Yeah, so...it’s so cool to be working with you! And, y’know, that work is...touring together, so we could like...hang out! Yeah? If you want?”

You ignored your own manager materialising at your side tapping her watch for a moment longer to nod quickly and breathe out a response.

“Yeah, we could, I want.”

Kaminari’s face broke out into a smile as big as the gag Shinsou was doing behind him. “Yeah. Yeah! Great! See you later!”

You’d pretended not to watch them leave the room.

The rest of your band had been only too happy to inform you that you’d failed to pull it off.

***

i have decided to make this a multi-chapter fic and will post/link a masterlist and link to ao3 when i post there so you can follow this story if you would like to!

ao3  • collab masterlist

[passionate-reply]

This time on Great Albums, we tackle a slightly more obscure artist, but one who’s near and dear to my heart: Frank “Fad Gadget” Tovey, the very first artist signed to Mute Records, and the one behind MUTE 002. Find out what’s so great about him by watching my video, or reading the transcript that follows after the break.

Welcome to Passionate Reply, and welcome to Great Albums! Today, I’m going to be digging into the work of Frank Tovey, better known as “Fad Gadget.” While Tovey was the very first artist signed to Daniel Miller’s Mute Records, his legacy doesn’t seem to be remembered quite as strongly as many of his labelmates. He never achieved the heights of pop stardom that Depeche Mode did, and despite being a daring and experimental artist in his own right, he doesn’t have quite as prominent a cult following as, say, Einstürzende Neubauten. Fad Gadget may not be for everybody, but he’ll always be an important artist to me. As a teenager, he helped me bridge the gap between listening almost exclusively to mainstream synth-pop, and becoming much more interested in underground styles like industrial. And my first love was this album, Tovey’s third: Under the Flag.

Tovey’s first 7” release, featuring the tracks “Back to Nature” and “The Box,” was released on Mute Records in 1979, as MUTE 002, second only to Daniel Miller’s own “Warm Leatherette.” His early singles, as well as his debut album, Fireside Favourites, stuck to a similar sonic template as “Warm Leatherette”: sharp, punkish assaults on common decency, propelled by a harsh synthesised pulse or two. But for his second LP, 1981’s Incontinent, Tovey went in a different direction. He maintained his bile, and impatience with the societal status quo ante, but assumed the guise of a Medieval fool, and incorporated a substantially larger proportion of traditional instruments into his sound.

Music: “Blind Eyes”

For his follow-up to Incontinent, Tovey would straddle the line between gritty, industrial synth lashings and that counter-cultural dark cabaret. And sometimes, he’d even do it within the same track, as on the fearful “The Sheep Look Up.”

Music: “The Sheep Look Up”

On “The Sheep Look Up,” a sparse, piano-driven intro unfurls to reveal a menacing electronic undercurrent. But the piano doesn’t depart from the track--in fact, it keeps up with the pace just fine. As jarring as the synth’s entry feels initially, it’s never the only source of tension in the track. Like a lot of great electronic music, Under the Flag approaches technology with nuance. While it’s one figure in the album’s bleak, dystopian landscape, it’s far from the only one. The lyrics of “The Sheep Look Up” are much more concerned with criticizing mob mentality and mass outrage--not to mention the role of governments in stoking that outrage, peddling jingoistic nationalism and seething hatred of perceived enemies of the state. In a lot of ways, this is a tale as old as time, and one that’s as likely to be told alongside a lute as it is a synthesiser. Sometimes, tradition itself is the target of Tovey’s ire, as on the track “Plainsong”:

Music: “Plainsong”

“Plainsong” is named after one of the earliest forms of music in the Western tradition: the monophonic, Latin-language chants used by the Church in the Early Middle Ages, also called “plainchant.” The track sonically embodies the wearying effect of simplistic, repetitive chanting, with its choir of distorted voices that repeat the main chorus, and refuse to stay in tune or rhythm. The title would seem to lead us to interpret “Plainsong” as an indictment of religious indoctrination, in particular, but I think it can also be read more broadly. Aside from that title, the lyrics don’t actually mention religion in any concrete sense, which makes me inclined to interpret it as also applying to all the other ways society uses music and rhyme to instill its values into people. Who among us wasn’t raised with insipid sayings like “blood is thicker than water” or “curiosity killed the cat,” that reinforce social norms and squash independence of spirit? Religion, like technology, is only one of modern society’s countless rotten pillars. While Tovey doesn’t single out religion in “Plainsong,” he is clear about the victims of such brainwashing being “young ears.” Childhood is invoked several times on Under the Flag, but features most prominently on “Love Parasite.”

Music: “Love Parasite”

The titular “Love Parasite” is, of course, a human infant--though it’s insidiously portrayed as something monstrous. Those of us who dislike children might be inclined to read “Love Parasite” as a brutally honest portrayal of parenthood as a miserable, soul-sucking experience, and hence as a rebuttal of the societal expectation that everyone ought to have children. While I do like that interpretation, I think it’s also important to remember that the “Love Parasite” is a human being, too. The fact that so many unwanted and unloved humans are brought into this world to begin with produces a tremendous resource for those institutions like church and state to exploit. It’s precisely this relationship between vulnerable people and the apparatus of government that defines the narrative of the album’s title track.

Music: “Under the Flag I”

The title track of Under the Flag is actually split into two parts. The first half of it appears as the opening track, and the second half closes out the album. That makes it even more tempting to parse it as a summation of the album’s themes than a title track normally is! Rather than distilling the overarching ideas of the album in a more abstract way, the “Under the Flag” tracks drill down to the level of an individual, struggling to make his way in society. He’s one of those unwanted children who grows up without a stable home life, and ends up working for the government and trying to make a difference in the world...but failing. By giving us this singular protagonist, Tovey centers his focus on human suffering at the most relatable and personal level possible. And with the final line of “Under the Flag II,” and hence, the entire album, he asks us, quite pointedly, “Under what flag?”

Ultimately, “under what flag?” is the central question proposed by the album. It also seems to be the question being asked by its striking sleeve design, featuring a photo of Tovey by the famed Anton Corbijn. The first thing we notice is its bold, black-and-white colour scheme--perhaps a nod to the idea of black-and-white, good-vs.-evil style thinking, often favoured by demagogues and others who seek to mobilize the masses. But after a second or two, we quickly realize that while Tovey is a flesh and blood man, the flag he seems to be holding up is merely painted on the wall behind him. It’s an image that perfectly epitomizes the contrast between the arbitrary, superficial nature of concepts like nations, and the painfully real human suffering that they can cause. Throughout the album, Tovey pits these abstract notions of communal well-being against the plight of the individuals they victimize--as on “Scapegoat,” a track centered around the perspective of the one person who’s saddled with the blame of a whole society.

Music: “Scapegoat”

After the release of Under the Flag, Tovey went on to release one more album under the name Fad Gadget: 1984’s Gag. He then released several albums as Frank Tovey throughout the remainder of the 1980s, first heading in a more synth-pop direction, and ultimately ending up releasing a full album of folk music, 1989’s Tyranny and the Hired Hand. While perhaps initially perplexing, I’ve always thought it was a natural move for Tovey. He was clearly interested in the exploitation of the underclass, and the expression of their fundamental humanity. And those themes are truly timeless.

Music: “Sixteen Tons”

Sadly, Tovey wouldn’t get a chance to re-emerge in the 21st Century, as many of his contemporaries did. He died in 2002, aged just 45, due to a congenital heart defect, while fresh off of releasing a new greatest hits compilation and supporting Mute labelmates Depeche Mode on tour. I can so easily imagine Tovey thriving in the present day, with the rediscovery of so much underground 80s synth in the 00s, and the impact that that had on electronic music--not to mention how he would react to our era’s tumultuous politics. To me, he’ll always be the artist I’d bring back around for one last release if I could.

At any rate, my favourite song on Under the Flag is “For Whom the Bells Toll.” Admittedly, this is a somewhat sentimental pick for me, since it was one of the first Fad Gadget songs I heard and really liked. It’s got clattering mechanical percussion, harsh, textural synth swipes, and, boldly enough, no actual bells. In the context of the album, it stands out for being a bit straightforward, thematically, with a narrator simply pining after a lost love--presumably one who’s deceased, given the title. But what I think really sets it apart is its less-than-conventional vocals. Besides some singing, and a bit of background yipping and howling, we also hear some disgusting, dry retching noises, and even a very hi hat-like sneeze. It’s one of the most memorable instances of Tovey’s artistic preoccupation with our lowliest bodily functions, which, considering the scope of his career, is quite impressive. That’s everything I’ve got today--thanks for listening!

Music: “For Whom the Bells Toll”

[supernaturallyobsessedchic]

When He’s Sick

Pairing: Dean x reader

Warnings: sick!dean (it’s a thing, trust me), man flu (most women in relationships, also maybe some gay men would know the constant struggles when their man is sick the ‘man flu’ (usually it’s a cold)), mentions of depression, mentions of panic attacks, fluffiness

Word Count: 2,466

a/n: was reading @supernatural-jackles​ preference list, the title is same as her preference when the boys are sick. Here’s my imagination running wild when I should be preparing to post 7 Days to Die. But, Dammit Jen’s so good, plus, Jen, I hope this is okay...I never talked ahead of time with you about it, this happened spontaneously....I guess read and let me know if it’s all good. If not I’ll remove it.

~

They had been in the town for a number of days. Hunt finished, long finished. But it turns out, someone, somewhere, somehow, the boys got sick with a nasty virus.

Sam was the first down and out. Not throwing up, but heating up with a fever. But his gut feeling like he isn’t going to last. Even if he ate something light on his stomach.

Y/N offered a small variety of foods to the giant. Saltines, applesauce, banana, toast, mashed potatoes, soup, anything light. But he turned it down.

She heard retching in the bathroom. That leaves with the older Winchester. Now when he’s sick, he’s sick. Really sick. Hearing him lose the contents of last night’s supper told her he wasn’t going to be able to keep anything solid down. At least not heavy. But they need to eat something.

He came out after washing up, pale as a ghost. If not dead already. It worried her, seeing how pale he was.

“Any leads on Dick?” He asks, words slurred. A garbled burp escaped. Only to turn into another throw up session. When he felt something coming up, he turned at his heel to make it to the toilet.

It had been weeks since Bobby’s death, Dean was running himself ragged finding Dick. Both him and Sam both wanted revenge. But at least, Sam knows when to stop to sleep and eat. But Dean, has one speed. Go.

She could only shake her head. He needs to take a break.

“You are in no condition to keep this up Dean.” She says from the door.

“Rain or shine, I’m hunting Dick.” He says. He hears her snort. “Oh grow up.” he groans as another wave hit him. Only making him groan louder, unable to throw up.

She took the time to head out to grab some supplies for them before they leave to head to the hunters cabin where they hid out, but also primarily lived.

Grabbing canned soups, broth, and even grabbed a thing of potatoes to mash up. She had weird, not so traditional ways of getting nourishment when sick but also something to be easy on the stomach.

Driving back she heads to their room. Sam still in bed, sound asleep. She hears a moan from the kitchen. To find Dean on the floor.

“Dean!” she says, concerned. Dropping the groceries on the table before rushing over to help him up.

“I’m fine.” He slurs.

“You’re not fine, you’re on the kitchen floor for no reason.” She says, helping him up.

She could feel the muscles in his arms trembling, they were fatigued.

“The floor moved on me.” He mumbles.

As she struggles to get him up right, she had his back at her chest, so his head fell back on her shoulder. He was out of it. But she wraps an arm around to touch his forehead.

“Dean, you’re burning up. We need to cool you off.” She says. Pushing him up to his feet.

“Seriously, I’m fine.” He continues.

He’s up, but knees weak nearly gave out. She has his arm around her shoulder as she practically dragged him to his bed. When his but landed on the side of the bed he didn’t stop the rest of his body to fall onto the bed with a significant bounce.

“No you’re not. You got something, you and Sam both. You threw up, and are running a fever. You need to stop and rest. It’s not gonna kill you.” She says.

He didn’t have the energy to fight her. He doesn’t even fight her when she takes his boots off. Undressing him down to his t-shirt and boxers, tucking him in bed under a thin layer of sheets.

I’m gonna have to play nurse. She thought.

Pulling the thermometer out on the boys. Sam rang a temperature in the hundreds, but it was easily manageable.

“102, just rest up Sam, ‘kay?” she says.

Sam nods. “No problem, this sucks.” He groans.

“I’m making some soup and mashed potatoes. It’s cream of chicken and veggie soup. What’s best is you could also put some of the soup on the potatoes.” She suggests.

“Sounds good, my stomach has calmed down some, so I’ll try some.” He says.

“That’s good.” She says.

“How’s Dean?” he asked.

“His fever is nearing 104, he ate a few saltines before taking the fever reducer. He’ll try to throw up, but it just turns into dry heaves, I can tell they hurt. Whatever he got, it’s worse than what you have.” She says.

“If he gets worse?” he asks.

“He might need to go to the hospital then. For all I know it’s just the flu.” She says.

“The flu can get bad though.” Sam goes.

“In kids and the immunocompromised. And the elderly…And the uninsured…” she listed.

Sam chuckled. “It’s so sad how it’s preventable, but the government makes it a fucking hassle to just take care of your own health.” He says.

“And they die as the end result, because the meds they need or the care they need are too much for them, and they can’t get them. It’s wrong on so many levels. It’s like they’re bullies stealing our lunch money, they’re holding it out of reach and we’re too short to grab it.” she says.

“That’s what I was thinking of saying. But I’m not thinking straight.” He says.

“It’s the fever. Rest up Sammy. I’ll tell the caretaker we’re staying until you two are a little better. At least better enough for the road trip back to the cabin.” She suggests.

“I know I could, him I’m worried about.” Sam says. She nods, agreeing.

 She was only able to get them the room for a couple of more hours before they had to move out. Sam was able to eat her soup and potatoes, Dean not so much. The smell of the food made him gag.

“I’m sorry sweetheart, I just made it look like your food smells awful, and it don’t. it smells amazing, my stomach is just in knots.” Dean whines, rolling on his side in his bed.

“It’s okay Dean, I know. I could tell you wanted to try but your stomach is making it rough. I’ll just pack it up in some topper wear and I’ll pack us up and drive us back.” She says.

“Um, no, you’re not driving my car.” Dean says, trying to get up. Only to dry heave while getting up, lurching forward, nothing coming up.

“Dean, you’re in no condition. Neither is Sam. I couldn’t get us to stay longer. You’re just going to have to deal with it.” she says. “I’ll help you out to the car when we’re ready.” She says.

 The drive was smoother than it could have been. Dean passed out in the back seat; Sam curled up in his usual sleeping position when it came to sitting in the passenger seat.

She didn’t like driving older vehicles. They drove like boats, and this was worse, it was a truck. The year wasn’t that far off, but it was old enough. The four door truck had comfy, inviting seats that took Sam and Dean into dreamland in the instant they got comfortable.

She managed to get the cabin just fine, unpacking without jostling them awake. She got their beds ready with cleaner sheets, Sam was easy to wake up. He was eager to get into a bed. Dean was reluctant, already cozy and relaxed he was content with sleeping in the truck.

“Dean, you can’t stay in here. You’ll make your fever worse.” She says, nudging him awake more.

“Fine.” He mumbles, sitting up sluggishly. Shoulders slumped.

“Come on Dean, I’ll help you.” She says.

“I can walk myself.” He snaps. He’s grumpy.

She snapped her hand away from him, letting him walk himself. But kept to herself after that. But it didn’t really stop her from checking in on him.

Cleaning the cabin she put on her phone her music she’d sing to while doing such chores. Grew up on country music she listened to some old Keith Urban Music, from his albums Defy Gravity, Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy thing, and Be Here, she dusted singing along to Standin’ Right in Front of You.

“Y/N, please stop singing! I’m trying to sleep!” she heard Dean shout from his room.

Feeling guilty, she just hummed the song as she cleaned. She felt bad for a minute, the feeling sticking with her throughout her cleaning.

She cooked up more soup for the boys, cleaned, and once done she just jammed out on the couch with the TV on Spanish Soap Operas. Trying to shake the guilt feeling she had early, as it crept back up on her.

 That night, after the boys ate and got situated for bed, one Winchester had something on his mind.

She was watching cable television, surfing here and there trying to get away from Spanish Soaps, but always finding her way back when finding nothing else on. She heard the floor creak behind her.

Her headphones were off, music off, just relaxing watching TV, she turned to see the older Winchester standing adjacent of the couch. Looking exhausted.

“You’re not coming to bed?” he asked. Voice still rough from being sick.

“I’m not tired. Besides, you need the bed. You’re still sick.” She says softly.

“You’ve been cleaning all day, taking care of me and Sam, you’ve got to be exhausted.” He says, something off about his tone.

“Dean, it’s fine. Just go back to bed, rest.” She says kindly.

He doesn’t say anything to that, but sits on the couch with her.

“Do you even like Spanish Soap Operas?” he asks, hiding a chuckle.

“I don’t like Soap Operas period.” She says. “But we got only cable TV, and it’s 2 in the morning. There’s nothing on.” She says.

“I’m sensing there’s more going on.” Dean goes.

“Dean, why are you up in the first place?” She asks. “You’re sick, you need to rest to get better.” She adds.

“Well see, there’s this girl. She’s more than a friend to me. I’ve been kind of a dick to her lately.” He says.

“Dean, it’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have babied you; I should have kept it down when I was cleaning. It’s fine.” She says.

“And I know how sensitive you are, and can be. You love to take care of those you love. I’m the same way.” He says. “I guess I was more mad at myself for getting sick, I was so fixated on finding Dick I even didn’t care how sick I got.” He adds.

“You got a drive in you it’s scary, but it’s fine Dean. You’re only human. You have limitations, we all do. But you got to recognize your physical limitations and give yourself a break, and then get back at it again when you’re better.” She says.

“Back at you sweetheart.” He goes.

“Huh?” she asks.

“You got to know your mental limitations too. I’ve noticed how quiet you’ve been getting since we got sick. Plus, in the past, I’ve seen it happen. Sam mentioned it to me, Bobby knew it. Depression. It’s no joke Y/N. You got to take care of yourself mentally too.” Dean says.

She locks up, her walls going on. And he sees her tense. “And it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. but you can’t bottle it up. You got to deal with it. But you don’t have to do it alone.” He adds.

She nods, fiddling with her fingers.

“What has that demon told you in your head lately?” he asks.

“I’m not doing good enough to care for you or Sam.” She says quietly. Voice beginning to crack. “Stop trying.” She adds.

“You know that’s bull shit right?” he asks. He can see her shake her head.

“You snapped at me, yelled at me to keep it down.” she says. “That’s when it started getting bad.” She adds.

“And now?” he asks.

“It’s saying he’s going to throw you out; he doesn’t want you or your issues. You’re too much for him.” She says. Her throat holding back a sob.

“I’d never do that to you. You’re more than my friend, you’re my girl. I know I haven’t been the best friend lately. But I’m here now. Yes I’m sick, but I want to be there for my girl.” He says. “I’ll kick this demons ass for you, just tell me what you need.” He adds.

“I’m about to have a panic attack, I can feel it come on, can you hold me through it?” she asks, her voice disappearing.

Not saying a word, he invites her in his arms, and the two cuddle on the couch as she cries her eyes out, shakes and trembles, and works to get her breathing under control.

After a while she fallen asleep in the Older Winchester’s arms, when a wooden creak can be heard in the living room.

“How is she holding up?” Sam asks, walking in.

“She’s asleep now, that was a bad attack from the looks of it.” Dean says.

“How are you feeling by the way?” Sam asks.

“Better, but still a little under the weather. You?” He says.

“A bit better. Just a sore throat now.” Sam answers.

“I say we take care of her tomorrow, even if she’s not sick, but she needs us.” Dean says.

“I agree with that.” Sam says. “You up to carrying her or?” He asks.

“Dude, I’m exhausted. And I really don’t want to move her. Just grab us a blanket and some pillows, we’ll crash here.” Dean says with a groan.

“Sure thing.” Sam says with a tired smile. Heading into Dean’s room, grabbing a few blankets, a couple of pillows and heads back to the couch covering them up, and handing Dean the pillows.

“Night Jerk.” Sam goes.

“Night Bitch.” Dean says.

 Sun rose high that morning. Dean woke up with, feeling a warm spot on his chest. Seeing her still asleep, not moving from her spot.

Brushing a strand of hair back, his fingers grace over her forehead. His brows furrow when he feels how warm she feels.

She moans, waking up, causing a dry cough.

“Sounds like someone got sick.” Dean says.

“I feel sick too.” She says, her voice rough and scratchy.

“I finally get to return the favor, and take care of you for a change.” He says with a big grin, hugging her close making her giggle.

“I’m loving it so far.” She says hugging him back.

~

Copying and reposting someone else’s content is plagiarism and illegal. This work is property of supernaturallyobsessedchic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. An electronic reference link to the original posted work may be provided for purposes of promotion or assistance of publication by the readers discretion, if proper credits are given to the author in the re-post. 10/2/2020

~

Dean Taglist:

@pandazombie69​, @luci-in-trenchcoats​, @supernatural-jackles​, @becs-bunker​, @mlovesstories​, @winchesters-favorite-girl​

[piratewithvigor]

GNR Lies and Decade of Decadence by Motley

Alright! I finally have time to answer this properly!

GNR Lies

Opinion on cover design: Okay, so I am a MASSIVE sucker for album covers with a lot of words on them. Especially when they’re designed to look like a publication of some kind. And this one is intermingled with the song names AND the track listing AND pictures of the band. It’s simplistic, but very well done and relevant to the lives the boys were living at the time. Dealing with tabloids enough to turn the album cover into a tabloid. Plus it just looks cool. Very highly rated by me. Favourite song: Patience. Truly, could it be anything but? The whistling, the tender guitar, the counting in and don’t even get me started on the music video. Least favourite song: One In A Million. Drags down the whole end of the album. Simply a bummer to me. Underrated track: Mama Kin. I know it’s a cover, but Axl covers Aerosmith songs REALLY well. He and Steven Tyler have very similar performance vibes and you can hear it in the singing. Overrated track: I don’t think there are many overrated tracks here. I mean, beyond Patience, I haven’t seen really any talk about the album. Maybe I’m wrong and I don’t listen to the ratings, but I don’t think any songs here have been overplayed. Rate: I love the two very different vibes this album gives. Side one is a live concert of a young, hungry hard rockin band and side two feels like a continuation of Appetite in the way that all the songs could have probably made it onto the album if they had been written in time. It’s a great comparison, but it takes away the cohesiveness that an album needs for it to have a point as an album. I’m giving it a solid 7.

Decade Of Decadence by Motley Crue

Opinion on cover design: There’s so much to look at and love about this cover. Pictures through the decade in a very haphazard collage that reflects just how crazy the decade has been for the band. If I were to do it, I’d scrap the white background around the album title and band name. Otherwise, perfect and descriptive of what the listener can expect. Favourite song: Live Wire ‘91. Nothing on this planet will get me more hyped than Mick Mars going fucking ham and with one of my favourite Crue songs getting a bit of an upkeep, it only gets better. Least favourite song: Anarchy In The UK. Maybe this’ll be a controversial sentiment and maybe not but I fucking hate the Sex Pistols. Hearing the Crue lower themselves to that level to try and sound like them makes me gag Underrated track: Primal Scream. I listened to the album for the first time creating this answer and it was the first time I heard the song. Or even heard of the song. It slaps Overrated track: Girls, Girls, Girls. I know Nikki and Mick can do better. There’s proof even on the album. The music is pretty good, but the lyrics make me cringe and they always have. Rate: Greatest Hits albums are tricky for me. On the one hand, they’re usually how I begin getting into bands (as was the case with Tom Petty, Journey, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Paul McCartney’s solo career and GNR), but on the other hand, they’re very rarely created for anything except profit, which takes away a lot of creative options. I personally wouldn’t even say these are collectively Motley’s greatest hits (I’d give that title to the 2009 greatest hits album), so I really can’t give the album much more than a 5 or 6.

[itscookieoverlordtoyou]

40 Questions — Meme for Fic Writers

Don’t you sometimes see those ask games and wish you could just fkg do them all? On this sunny Saturday, we make our dreams reality lolol

1.  Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.

Short fic, I usually get a small scene I want written so I write around it, plus I love short stories with interesting punchline.

2.  Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

Probably, I don’t know them all ^^’

3.  Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?

Writing about stuff that disgust me I guess.

4.  How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

Like 5-6? I want to write about a restaurant but set in a world where people have powers I think the combo could be very funny. The main character has the power of insight, the plonge is a giant pool where you swim around cleaning. Backstories of characters with shitty and amazing powers and how they ended up here. Rival to lover character that has the power to see into the future.

5. Share one of your strengths.

Dialogues, subversion, and humor; classmates often said I have a touch to spin a sad story into something positive/happier.

6.  Share one of your weaknesses?

I get tired when I describe something for longer than 4 sentences.

7.  Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“In what kind of trouble have we walked right into?”, I ask my companions as they’re idly fixing their attire. Together, we’ve face many perils and this mission ranks among one of the most dangerous. Yet, the others had been…how should I say it…professional! Rescuing kidnapped princesses, vanquishing terrifying monsters, quests to restore mythical artifacts, save nations from insidious plots. Oddly enough, “Does this dress make me look fat?”, is not the answer I’m looking for.

Ribbon in my hair is the first time I wrote about my knights, I first dreamt about them when I as 18, my boyfriend at the time called my idea stupid and my world building pointless so I only started writing about them when I was 21. Now I write about them a little bit every year :)

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“Do you really want your last words to be complaints?”

“I die as I lived.”

“Will we become a fruit tree?”

“I don’t think so, it’s never been the case for my ancestors.”

“I’d love it if we could turn into a banana tree.”

“I’m not from the southern regions, plus I like apples more.”

“Just imagine, our fruits could have been banana flambée”

This death scene was a big finale to a story I wrote for a class in Uni, a story of war between clan of forest and volcano people, of the supposedly brutal death of a Goddess, of a mysterious apple tree whose fruit give vision of the past. I should revisit it.

9.  Which fic as been the hardest to write?

My analysis on D’Artagnan and the figure of the hero. Granted it’s an essay for school but I deeply loved it. I was too afraid to write or ask for help from the professor in charge of me (which made our relationship tense ^^’) but when I did, it was beautiful and I was very proud got 89% :D

10.  Which fic has been the easiest to write?

A play called Adelaide where an old couple reads their old fairytale book about a Prince on a quest to save a Princess. They bicker about the other misreading the story but we finally get to the part where the Prince tosses the princess apart to get a better view of the dragon of which he falls instantly in love. The book is actually their wedding album.

11.  Is writing your passion or just a fun hobby?

It’s one of my passions, but it’s not something I think I could live on so I delegated it to my hobby.

12.  Is there an episode above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?

The wedding scene in Shrek 2, my mind was blown when I saw it in theaters and when I need inspiration to write, I rewatch it.

13.  What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?

Presentation is important. If trying to read you gives people headaches, they’ll stop. Choose a nice big font, space with paragraphs, be mindful of your spelling and missing words. Read out loud because some things written are bad said.

14.  What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?

I must’ve been lucky in this regard, I don’t think I’ve ever received advice that made me go NO, but I did have to listen/read stuff that made me gag.

15.  If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?

I would love to the Adelaide acted out, some adjustments would be required because I’m no expert in play writing but I think I’d be great.

16.  If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?

Luyenor’a and Taram, names are placeholders as of now but they’re two of my knight, being the “only pairing I’m allow to write about forever” means I’d get more knight shenanigans done.

17.  Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

I’m doing bullets point of what I want to happen and write stuff without much order. Some days I have no inspirations for what goes in the beginning but have loads for a later point. I surf the wave when it presents itself.

18.  Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?

Word on my computer, a notebook in my bag, the note app in my phone.

19. Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?

I have little trinkets all around my computer to invite inspiration.

20. Describe your perfect writing conditions.

Freshly woken up, having eaten, drinking something sugary and sometimes apple cider because the alcohol help lower my inhibition.

21.  How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

I read out loud at least once the whole thing, helps with missing words but dude I reread my stuff on ao3 and always find mistakes still ^^’

22. Choose a passage from one of your earlier fics and edit it into your current writing style. (Person sending the ask is free to make suggestions).

I’m not going to put here because it’s in French and I don’t want to translate now but I wrote Vision of a world, mine when I was 16 and damn was I already depressed then?

23.  If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?

The Princess and the Soldier, some gay fairytale I think my first one, I’m sure I can do better bow

I also have one about a janitor and it’s a murder mystery I could redo

24. Have you ever deleted one of your published fics?

Once by accident, I was so angry I never rewrote it.

25.  What do you look for in a beta?

I don’t really use beta (beta reader right?) but I guess I’ve had like 3-4 when I was in Uni and had to read people’s wip and they read mine. They’d talk about what they liked, links they noticed, things that seemed weak or to change

26.  Do you beta yourself? If so, what kind of beta are you?

I usually just point out the stuff I like

27.  How do you feel about collaborations?

For a class in college, we had to act out a play we wrote collectively. Ten sketches written in pairs/alone. I made sure I was alone so I wouldn’t be saddled with someone else to write my sketch

28. Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

I don’t follow fic writers; I just am in a mood for a ship and read what’s available. I do like my friend @alumort ‘s fics tho ^^

29.  If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

There was a Phineas and Ferb fic focused on Perry I really loved. Their world building was something I’d never seen and they abandoned the story, so I did fanfic of a fic. Never dared to post it anywhere I mean it was their world to begin with.

30.  Do you accept prompts?

Of course, when inspiration is given I accept

31.  Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?

I don’t care about canon but I do love using it when there are little trivia to enrich the character.

32.  How do you feel about smut?

Love to read it sometimes, would love to write it. Some I’m like………….youveneverhadsexhaveyou…………………

33.  How do you feel about crack?

Love it!!!!!!!! I’m too self-conscious to write it tho. Oh maybe that could be a never before written trope I could try?

34.  What are your thoughts on non-con and dub-con?

Rape I can’t, dub-con where underlying requited feelings exist but anxiety™ don’t let the characters express them but they’re drunk so it surfaces is okay

35.  Would you ever kill off a canon character?

Hell yeah! I do when/if the death makes sense (I am still pissed at Kishi for Neji)

36.  Which is your favorite site to post fic?

Ao3 is where I post,I used devianart when I had one

37.  Talk about your current wips.

Marry Me for the Love of Cake: God I’m so sorry to the few people who followed it, I said I’d pick it up before the end of 2019 and well……I have the ending in bullet points

Yours, with Love: I hope I’ll finish it…I have most of the ending in bullet points

I guess I’m into rom com at the moment lolol

38.  Talk about a review that made your day.

I made my best friend read All this for a Roll Cake, and she laughed so much at my work, I took a picture I look at from time to time to remain humble.

39.  Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

Thankfully I’ve never received a rude review. My professor once told me it seemed kinda unnatural how unlucky my protagonist was vs. how lucky his love interest was (All this for a Roll Cake) but that was the whole point of the story so I just ignored her.

40.  Write an alternative ending to [insert fic title] (or just the summary of one).

Writing this I realised I lost my final version of All this for a Roll Cake T^T so I guess I’d rewrite the ending I have of the before the last version I still have.

Well this was fun ^^ got to revisit my works and remember many beloved pieces of fiction I wrote, I look forward to my next projects

[nctinfo]

[TRANS] KStyle interview with NCT 127 Vol.1 & 2!

Q. You have completed your first Japanese tour「NCT 127 1st Tour ‘NEO CITY : JAPAN - The Origin'」 yesterday, how are you feeling now? Yuta: I’m still in the state of lingering in the memories. First off because we got to hold this tour, I’d like to express words of gratitude towards our fans, staff and our members who worked hard together. This completely new experience became an opportunity for my confidence to grow. My mindset to show even cooler performances to our supportive fans has only become stronger.

Q. You also shed tears during the last greeting. Doyoung: The fact that our 2-month tour has come to an end was special, and the surprise event our fans prepared during the encore was touching so I let the tears flow. From the very first destination that was Osaka, to the last show in Saitama we went through a lot with our staff and members together, and thanks to our fans support we managed to complete the tour smoothly so I was really touched.

Q. With the tour being so long it seems like managing health condition must be hard. Yuta: Since we’ve spent so much time together if there's a member who’s unwell we know about it. When that happens each one of us cares and covers for the other. I myself managed to hold on till the and because of the help I’ve received from everyone. Before each stage, we all gather together and cheer for each other. Johnny: It’s also memorable when we’re in the middle of the concert on standby backstage, and we tell each other ‘Fighting!’, ‘Let’s do our best!’, ‘We can do it!’

Q. How was the tour for the newest member Jungwoo? Jungwoo: With each concert whenever I stood on the stage with the members I was happy, but on the other hand I also worried a lot. I haven’t got as much performing experience compared to the other members so I’m clumsier, and because of that, I thought I had to work extra hard. But I was still able to get a lot of experience on this tour. My performance, as well as overall acting on stage, have become more free than before so it seems like I’ve progressed. Taeyong: Jungwoo added a new charming point to our team. Through this tour he’s become a necessary part of us. Right now all of our members have fallen for Jungwoos charm kekeke Also Jungwoo is becoming more and more used to things so he’s able to show off his confidence, he’s grown so much through this tour.

Q. Haechan has joined the tour at the Saitama Super Arena as he’s only recovered from his injury, how does it feel to be back? Haechan: I was happy to be able to participate at last and my gratitude towards fans who waited and the members who filled in for me has become bigger.

Q. Please let us know of any episodes that happened when sharing room with other members on tour. Yuta: This time I was roommates with Taeil-hyung. We had 3 concert days at Saitama. Taeil-hyung surprised me with working out everyday early in the morning. After wrapping up day 1, he woke up super early on the next day and worked out. That was really something (laughs) Taeil: My mood gets better when I exercise. Yuta: Taeil-hyung has a six pack.

Q. That’s awesome! Jaehyun: It’s April Fool’s today! (laughs) Everyone: (laughs)

Q. It was a lie? Yuta: The six-pack was a lie, but the working out in the morning was real. Jaehyun: I was just rooming with Mark, and we just spent the time listening to music. And I always knew Mark is a good sleeper, but when he fell asleep in 1 minute I was really surprised. Yuta: Kinda like a manga protagonist (laughs) Taeyong: I was rooming with Doyoung or Mark a lot, and whenever we went to the convenience store I’d think ‘Let’s not buy much?’ but even then we always came back with a lot of things (laughs) We’d come back with 3 big bags of shopping, eat together while talking about one thing or another or stream on VLIVE while eating. Johnny: I’ve just been sharing a room with Jungwoo. The time has passed like water (laughs) Rather than doing anything it was a very peaceful time. Whether Jungwoo is just good at being quiet or if he didn’t exist……. (laughs) Jungwoo: (gets sulky) I’m disappointed….. Yuta: Don’t cry~ (laughs) Jungwoo: It’s a joke. We were listening to music and falling asleep while talking like other rooms…… That’s how we’ve been. Johnny: Ah! Today we promised to watch a scary movie together. Jungwoo: If other members want to watch too come to our room!

Q. Have you decided on the movie yet? Johnny: We haven’t decided yet, we’ll just look for something fun on Netflix. Jungwoo said he can’t watch alone. Jungwoo: I have to sleep with lights on. Johnny: So cute~ (laughs)

Q. Do the members usually watch horror movies together? Yuta: Recently we’ve watched two in a row. What was the title? Jungwoo: It was a movie called <Happy Deathday>. 2nd series has just come out! It’s a very fresh time loop movie. Johnny: I feel like he’s in charge of promoting the movie (laughs)

Q. Who are the members that don’t watch horror movies? Yuta: Mark and Doyoung! Mark: I don’t watch them. I’m scared~

Q. Who was Haechan rooming with? Haechan: Manager-hyung. Not a single episode here hehe Taeyong: Shall we ask manager-hyung then? (laughs) Haechan: This…. I’m sorry.

Q. You must’ve learned some new Japanese phrases at the tour? Taeyong: I’ve memorised ‘Cheers again’ from an anime. I use it at after parties. I like after parties! hehehe Jaehyun: ‘Once-in-a-lifetime bond’ Taeil: ‘Solo tour’ Johnny: ‘So there’s no regrets’, it’s something I wanted to use on the last day as the ending comment so I’ve memorised it. When I yell ‘So there’s no regrets scream!’ the fans shout with me and it makes me really happy. Mark: ‘Get home safely’

Q. Doyoung’s last greeting was entirely in Japanese. Doyoung: I wanted to speak Japanese so I was learning. I tried my best to memorise.

Q. Did you learn any gags from Yuta this time too? Yuta: I taught Jungwoo a lot. Jungwoo: It’s ‘Shall we eat something really delicious?’, ‘It’s nothing’. And ‘Bankai’ (a killer move in ‘Bleach’ manga) too!

Q. Since you’re from Osaka, do you teach them any regional dialect? Yuta: Not necessarily, but because Osaka was our first destination I’ve told them a lot. Usually, I just tell them when they ask specifically.

Q. You must’ve made a lot of memories at the Japanese tour if you were to choose only one to remain in a picture which moment would it be? Jaehyun: It actually is captured in a picture. It’s the surprise event during which fans were singing <TOUCH>. It’s a picture I want to look at over and over again. I think all members would agree? Everyone: Yes!

Q. <Wakey-Wakey>, the title track of your 1st Full Japan Album 「Awaken」 which was released on April 17th is a very powerful performance song and is packed with a lot of different parts. Which part of the choreography do you like? Taeyong: As expected it's the chorus. The choreography is eye-catching and it's a part that feels more powerful in this (already) powerful song. Yuta: Mark's rap part has an impact too, so it became a powerful chorus. Doyoung: I think the part where Johnny-hyung stands up in the first intro part is really cool. It creates the atmosphere of the song.

Q. The 'invader dance', where you move your fingers while stretching your arms sideways, is also a highlight. Speaking of invaders, there is this game called Space Invaders, which was very popular in the past, but you might not know it? Doyoung: I played a similar game though. (It was called) something like 'Galaga' Jaehyun: There was this airplane shooting game called 'RaidenX' at the arcade when I was younger. Taeyong: Although I never actually played invader, I tried my hardest to express it through my imagination.

Q. After you guys finished your concert in Fukuoka, you watched the music video of < Wakey-Wakey> together. Whose scene did you think were cool? Doyoung: Johnny-hyung's hairstyle had an impact as expected! Long hair!

Q. How did you feel with long hair? Johnny: Even though I was just dancing, it felt different from usual. I felt like my hair was dancing with me. It was like 'my whole body is one'? (laughs) Jungwoo: (bursts out laughing) Taeyong: I think everyone came out looking really cool (in the mv). The atmosphere was a little different from all the music videos we've done so far. We shot the scenes according to the individuality of the members and every scene showed the members well so I felt like the artistic feel of the music video was displayed. Taeil: I think the dance parts where we are wearing black is really cool. The set was nice, and the outfits really matched well with every member.

Q. What’s your favorite song on the album? Taeyong: I like <Kitchen Beat>. I like it as much as <Wakey-Wakey> because of the sophisticated beat and imaginative theme that feels like hip-hop. Mark: <Long Slow Distance> has a special feel to it because it's a ballad song in Japanese which the Japanese fans hear from us for the first time, and I think the members' voices go well with the song. Haechan: I like <Long Slow Distance> too. It's a ballad genre we never tried before so I hope the fans like it too. Taeil: I like R&B songs, so <Lips>. Doyoung: (I like) <Wakey-Wakey>. No wonder it's the title song too! Yuta: I like them all but I personally feel like <Kitchen Beat>  is really cool! I felt the song, Jaehyun: I also like every single song, but I had a lot of fun recording <Lips> and I think the song has a great feeling to it. Jungwoo: I also like <Kitchen Beat>. Because Taeil-hyung told me I did a 'good job'! (laughs) Everyone: Oh~ (clapping) Johnny: I like  <Blow My Mind> the most. I was so hooked on Doyoung's part that I could not get it out of my head for a few days. It's fun to sing and it's a song that is easy to sing, so I think the fans will like it too. Taeyong: <End to Start> too, I love it because it's a song with an intense theme from start to finish. 

Q. The album title 'Awaken' has a theme of "reflecting on yourself, discovering yourself and awakening". Who is the member who seems to be awakened recently? Taeyong: I really like sweets, so I ate a lot during the tour. Recently, Jungwoo has started to like Japanese food too and is eating it well. I was awakened to Japanese food. Jungwoo: The sushi we had on the tour was the best. Fatty tuna! Johnny: I think Yuta's Japanese has awakened (laughs). Of course, it's natural for him since he's Japanese, but it's just like how my English was awakened when we were in the states. I think I was also awakened to seeing Yuta doing well on the tour and speaking Japanese. Yuta: It may be so!

Q. You guys seem to like Japanese food. Please let me know what you like most in Japan! Haechan: I really like sushi, ramen, eel on rice and Motsunabe

Q. What sushi do you like most? Haechan: Either sea urchin or salmon roe, I like fish eggs. I didn't really like eel before but I really liked it on a ricebowl in Nagayo. Taeyong: I was awakened! To eel!

Q. How about the other members? Doyoung: I like the kindness of Japan. (in Japanese) Kind! I can feel the kind and friendly culture in everything, and I'd like to learn. For example. When we go to the venue for rehearsals, all the staff will say, "Welcome~", "Let's do our best-". I felt a very warm atmosphere. Mark: I like the delicate morality of Japan. I feel like there's also meaning in the small things, and like Doyoung-hyung said, the feeling that everyone is cherished can be felt from the kindness. I really like that Johnny: When I was in the car this morning and looked outside I thought 'beautiful' as I saw the scenery. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom right now! I can feel the history of the streets and it is so beautiful. Yuta: I feel like I'm also praised when I hear these things and it makes me happy.

Q. The subject is changed but you appeared on Japan's original Korean music program 'Power of K TOKYO LIVE' on March 4th. Please let us know your impressions. Taeyong: I heard that a new K-POP themed program was made in Japan and it was a very new experience. Although we also performed, it was fun that the members were also able to show their charms through the games we played. Yuta: The venue (of the show) was where we did our showcase tour (Toyosu PIT), so as I entered the dressing room I thought 'it’s been a while'. The members talked with each other and talked about ‘the showcase we did here'. Doyoung: That's right! Jaehyun: After losing in the drawing game, Johnny-hyung and I had to show various facial expressions in the punishment game, but it was fun (laughs). Johnny: It was a punishment game that requires fast reaction skills, but I think it worked out well. Some facial expressions came out I didn't even know I could to, please check on air to confirm(laughs)!

Q.  <NCT LIFE> will also broadcast on 'Kchan! HallyuTV'. It was shot in different places every season, please tell us about your memories or back stories. Doyoung: It was a fun and good experience to go to various countries. Even though we were shooting for the show, it felt like I was traveling with the members. I want to continue doing <NCT Life> if the chance is there in the future. Yuta: Where do you want to go next? Taeyong: Hawaii! Doyoung: I want to go to Hawaii too! America would be nice too.

Q. What were other sides of the members which got discovered while shooting <NCT LIFE>? Doyoung: We did a Yuta-tour in Osaka (NCT Life season 7: Osaka). Yuta-hyung planned everything we did during the trip, he really prepared it in earnestly. It was like he created a portfolio Yuta: yeah, that's right (laughs) Doyoung: He had never shown this deliberate image during our practices (laughs) I was really surprised. Taeil: When we just debuted we did sports in Paju to build on our unity (<NCT Life> season 3: Paju), I remember playing games and eating BBQ together. Mark also made fried eggs (Mark didn't know how to fry a sunny-side-up egg and the mess he created was highlighted) Mark: Yes! Sorry (laughs) Taeil: It was fun because it rather seemed like we were playing around instead of shooting a show. Johnny: In Chiangmai, Thailand (<NCT LIFE> season 6: Chiang Mai) the members celebrated my birthday with a surprise, but I was really surprised. However, I remember Taeyong more, who was beside was, also getting fooled/surprised (laughs). I was getting nervous because Doyoung's condition wasn't good but I relaxed when learned it was a prank and I was able to have fun and celebrate. 

Q. In Chiang Mai, Doyoung was impressive for answering all the questions during the game to guess the name of the animals in Safari Park so well. Taeyong: Doyoung's intelligence was proven. Johnny: On the contrary, I was angry at myself for not remembering any of them. After that (game), I started to respond with 'name' without knowing (laughs).

Q. Jungwoo hasn't been able to participate in a shooting yet, but if you were to go, where would you wanna go to? Jungwoo: I really want to go to Hawaii too. I heard it's a good place and there are a lot of things to see so I became curious after hearing so much about it.

Q. Amongst the members, who is has the best sense for variety shows? Johnny: excluding me, it's Yuta (laughs) Taeyong: Though Yuta has variety sense,  I think Jungwoo's variety sense isn't a joke either. So we have to do <NCT Life> again. Mark: I also think Jungwoo will be a hit. Jungwoo: I think it might be difficult with cameras in front of me...... I'll do my best, though.

Q. Finally, is there a message you want to give to our readers. Taeyong: On April 17th, our new album 「Awaken」 was released and we hope it receives much attention. Through this tour of Japan, I felt that everyone in Japan was looking forward to us, and my heart was full. We will continue to grow and strive to show only good images. Thank you very much for interviewing us like this today. We will be glad to take this opportunity again in the future.

Translation: Alex, Esmee @ FY! NCT (NCTINFO) | Source: Kstyle (1, 2) | KOR (1, 2) — Do not repost or take out without our permission!

[fivepercentgodsandearths]

Peace, I love and miss the 80’s era in Hip Hop, there was so many conscious MC’s such as Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, X-Clan, Brand Nubian’s, Kwame, King Sun and many more. I remember how we use to rock those leather Black Power or African medallions around our necks, I still have 2 left and one hangs from my car mirror to this day. I remember Flava Flav use to wear that damn clock around his neck and I went out and bought me one. The conscious organizations: Nation of Islam on the corners recruiting and selling their papers and pies. Dr. Yorks Ansaars in the streets selling his lies. The five percenters running around with book bags full of lessons teaching everyone they come in contact with. Conscious MC’s, Conscious music was the order of the day ! But what happened ? They are now replaced with rappers who are proud to be a nigga, proud to be a gangsta, proud to be promoters of black on black crime ! I listened to Capone n Noregas Album titled “ The War Report “ and these brothers talk all this Allah this and that and all these five percent lessons on this album and then on the same album they said: “ … gag her mouth so she can’t scream and start raping her… next day FedEx the tape next day in the mail “. Sometimes I wonder, do the listeners of this type of music ever stop and think and realize that these rappers are talking about killing another black man, selling drugs to another black man, raping a black woman ? Chew on that shit ! It was Paris (east coast) who said it perfectly: “ Mindless music from the one that makes ya, think less of the one that hates ya “. Seriously, what kind of Conscious Intelligent person sits and listens to Lil’ Jon and the east side boyz or get crunk wit it ? This is filth they feed to the public as if they are human pigs ! But hey, you are what you eat , right ? What happened to Conscious music ? The end of the beginning of Conscious music started with Niggas with attitude and after them came Hoes with attitude. N.W.A. sold so many records rapping about murdering black people that these white folks said this is what we want, THIS WILL MAKE US FILTHY RICH !. But this is a designed plan bigger then A&R’s and record labels, this was bigger then the F.B.I. This was the C.riminals I.n A.ction doing. Out with this black conscious crap and lets rock the Niggers back to sleep. Next thing you know conscious rappers started dropping off like flies. Conscious rappers like Intelligent Hoodlum, changed his name to a gangsta name and started rapping about gangsta life. You got Wu-Tang in the beginning rapping about the everyday struggle in the community and dropping the Nation of Gods and Earths lessons and then they flipped the script and started rapping about sniffing coke and picking up Mafia names. Fool, you not no damn Italians ! Why would you pattern yourselves after some people that hate Black people ! Did you see The God Father when they said only sell and put the drugs in the black community because the niggas aint shit and will never be shit. This happened for real !!! Go back and watch the movie “ Panther “ ! While your eating popcorn, your missing the message Tobie ! Fiddler plays his damn violin while you buck dance and shuffle your feet for whitey ! Negroes please, you mind as well paint your face black and yell Mammy ! You fake as Five Percenters on the mic ! You know who you are, you Wu-Tang members ! On Wu-Tang forever Rza said the meaning of Wu-Tang is: “ W-whistle U-universe T- truth of A-Allahs N-nation of the G-gods. Did Rza tell Wu-Tang what happened to his ass at the Nation of Gods and Earths 1997 annual Show & Prove ? Of course not ! Remember before 1997 he use to wear a cross around his neck with diamonds in it. After we got a hold to his ass, we found out he didn’t know no lessons but claim to be the razor sharp of the Wu! After we got a hold to him, now look what he wears around his neck. An Iced out Universal Flag which is the Flag of the Gods and Earths. I bet he knows his lessons now. Raekwon, Gza, Ghostface, Method Man and the rest, I listen to your music and how you use our lessons. Built for Cuban links the chorus was : “ why is my niggas always selling that broke shit, lets get money son, why you want to smoke shit, chill god, yo the son don’t chill allah, what’s today’s mathematics, yo Knowledge god ! “ and on the same ablum ghost and rae said: “ you memorize the 1-40 ? I’m at the 19th degree, if the civilized man doesn’t perform his duty what shall be done?…” This is all Nation of Gods and Earths lessons ! In a Hotel lobby back in Chicago around 1995 or 96 Raekwon said we couldn’t come up and build with them, The God asked him can we have your phone number and Rae said do you know 120 degrees ? The god said no ! Raekwon looked at me and said do you know 120 and I said hell yeah ! And Raekwon gave his number to me instead. Earlier that day, when Wu-Tang entered the door of the concert, I walked up to Ol’ Dirty Bastard and said Peace God !! Can I kick it with you all back stage, he and Rza asked me did I know 120 degrees and I said true indeed God and they said come on. 120 degrees are 120 questions and answers required for those in the Nation of gods and earths to memorize verbatim word for word. My whole point for saying all of this is, simple and plain you used our lessons to put a conscious message out and yet you never donated or gave a dime back to us. Method Man wearing our flag and has a righteous Five Percent name and I don’t know wear the hell he got it from but he donated over $10,000 to the columbine high school but Allah School in Mecca ( 5eadquarters in New york) floor was about to fall in at that time and you want to give these crackers money because little billy shot up his fellow devils !? I see Hell Razah, Killah Priest, 4th Disciple, Gza and more of these Pseudo-Conscious Wu-Tang members on Myspace and I ask them about doing a fundraiser here in Chicago so that I can raise money and start a community center to teach the youth about their culture and etc. and they take it as an insult. If I say, lets do a benefit concert to help the victims of September 11th or Hurricane Katrina you Negroes will break your neck for that. At least Arrested Development on Myspace is at least considering it and have not took it as a insult. Their down to earth and are not full of themselves, I respect them even if they decide and tell me no because they took the time to hear me out and see my legal paperwork. Wu members, I listen to your music on myspace, fool your not deep ! Your knowledge is a snack. Some of those Fischer Price lyrics you can take back to the Toys R Us. On return to the 36 chambers of Ol’ Dirty Bastards album, they couldn’t of said it no better: “ Coming in the name to proclaim your fame for protection, and you don’t know no fuckin lessons ! “ and Rza said on the same album: “ A Five Percent, but all he knew was 1-10, he love the Gods with his heart but his brain was full of sin… “. AFTER YOU READ THIS, YOU’LL PROBABLY PUT ON YOUR PAGE YOUR NOT A Five Percent, but let me do you a favor the only “ real “ members of the Nation of God’s & Earths that are Wu-Tang members that we as the N.G.E. acknowledge are: Rza, Allah Mathematics, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Poppa Wu, Allah Real and Masta Killah ! There maybe 2 more but anyone else is counterfeit and just use our lessons because without them their lyrics would be meaningless. Nas and Az, two more who use the terminology from our lessons. Nas said: “ as for today’s Mathematics we Allah’s children, and this goes on in every New York’s ghetto, kids listen as Five Percent says there’s pork in Jell-O “ and who remember Nas first album when him and Az said: “ We were beginners in the Hood as Five Percenters… “? and on another album Nas said: “ My movado says the God hour, that’s if you follow, tradition started at the school not far from the Apollo “ the five percent school is down the street from the Apollo theatre and the God hour means 7 o’ clock. All I’m saying is give back baby ! I shouldn’t have to ask you to come do a fundraiser, you should send money instead, for the cause that helped you sell records. Take the Five Percenter lessons away from Wu-Tangs album, Poor Righteous Teachers album, Brand Nubian Album what do you have ? Chew on that shit ! Oh yeah, I haven’t forgot you groupies. A few low self esteem women hitting me up and saving me as a friend on Myspace, asking me to teach them the lessons and yet never call me so I can do my duty as an educator and the same day they suppose to call to build, I see them all over the Wu-Tang members comment book posting messages about thank you for listening to me on the phone and I shed tears when we were on the phone. Then I look at the date before that comment, they were just saved as a friend THE DAY BEFORE. Here it is a day later after you just met him, your on the phone crying to him. Groupie shit ! Wanting me to teach you the lessons but never call when you say because your doing your groupie thing on myspace. Another one says she doesn’t have a telephone yet but posting her groupie thing all in their guest book. I’m a busy Intellectual who don’t have time for people who should be riding that little yellow school bus. Do you actually think these are real rappers ? Do you think they just have time to be on the internet everyday with you ? You talk to them on the phone but is it really them or an obsessed groupie like you ? Hamm ! Look, The Nation of Gods and Earths is not some hip hop fade. Just because Wu-Tang advocates it and unfortunately some of our lessons are in the Wu Tang manual, don’t mean its some hip hop stuff fans should study to be a wu-tang fan or groupie. This is what we teach our babies, our children, our women. This is what we live, this is our culture and everyday life. Wu-Tang got ya thinking that five percenters is all about smoking weed and stuff. Allah Jihad is a real estate investor and own properties, including the house I currently live in. I don’t smoke weed or don’t even take medications. I’m a vegetarian and live a righteous and productive life. I’m an author of a $35 book, that I have received over 12,000 e-mails to my website of people waiting to buy it. Do the math $35 x 12,00 = ? If my off the head calculation is correct, that’s $420,000 and I didn’t get on stage and profess to be something I’m not, promote genocide of my people and that’s just online customers. I’m successful and not a weed head, drug dealer nor do I act like something I’m not. You better go to www.immortalbirth.com and read “ about the author “. and on that note, I leave you as I greeted you in… P.E.A.C.E. Allah Jihad 1st. Born and elder of C-Medina(Chicago) Author of Immortal Birth of Allah: Rise of the Five Percenters Writer and reporter for the N.G.E. News (former nge power newspaperfive

https://www.wutang-corp.com/forum/showthread.php?9940-Message-from-the-honorable-Allah-Jihad-of-the-NGE-addressing-the-Wu-Tang-Clan

[quaymorris]

Album: Glory

Release Date: August 26, 2016

Another album cover, another Britney face shot. Aptly titled since it’s a close return to her former glory, at least musically and lyrically. It had been 5 years since her last top ten hit and a chart topping album (Femme Fatale for both). This album didn’t accomplish either, but everyone liked the sound much better!

She also met her current super hot young boyfriend on the set of one of the music videos off this album. Go look at his Instagram, I’ll wait. Rawr.

This is the third potential contender for Britney’s Holy Trinity.

Time for Britney to serve us greatness again!

Pretty Girls | 5 /10

*sigh* I don't hate this song, but it's not good. My boyfriend, however, LOVES this song. Mr. Rock Music Only would not stop singing it when it first came out. He called it a perfect bubblegum pop song so I'll just agree with him on this.

Also, this one wasn’t on Glory, thank god, but it was released during this era. 

Tom's Diner | 8 /10

Fun fact: Britney never finished recording this cover with Giorgio Moroder. He gave interviews noting that she was probably busy. Let me show you what she was actually doing. 

Yes, she was in Hawaii on vacation, far from the studio.

Another fun fact: She recently revealed that she forgot she covered it and she actually texted her manager saying this would be a fun song to cover.

Also not on this album but from this era.

Invitation | 7 /10

I don't know if this made the *best* album opener, but I really enjoy it regardless. That falsetto - yes ma'am! And the lyrics are so subtly sexy: Yes or no, but no maybes / Not gonna beg so don't make me 🎶 ...  I'm wet.

Do You Wanna Come Over? | 6 /10

Even though I don't really like it, I have to admit it's catchy and, considering the Spotify numbers, the GP probably would've pushed this up the charts if it had been released as a proper single + video.

Make Me | 5 /10

I go back and forth on this song. When I haven't listened to it in a while, I'm convinced it's perfect, but a few more listens convinces me it's not. It definitely sets the mood for the album and what she was trying to achieve, but 1) G-Eazy does absolutely nothing for this song and didn't need to be there and 2) It's really hard to understand what she's singing. If you're going to release a single to the GP, a damn lead single, maybe make it a song that's easy for them to understand and sing along to.

Private Show | 5.5 /10

This had to grow on me. The chipmunk voice is a little grating. But it's fun! I love the way she says "work it, work it, boy watch me work it!"

Man On The Moon | 6 /10

Oooh, more bubblegum pop. I can't decide if I think this song is good or just corny af. Lyrics are pretty solid.

Just Luv Me | 7.5 /10

Should've been a single. Maybe not lead, but it's a better r&b-styled effort than Make Me is. Her voice sounds better on this one as well.

Clumsy | 5 /10

Oops! Ok, talk about basic club music lmao. But I LOVE how catchy it is! Probably shouldn't have been a teaser single, though ... it's not that strong of a song. 

Slumber Party | 8 /10

THIS would've been better as the lead single than Make Me. But I also believe it’s a terrible second single. Also also this did not need a remix with Tinashe. Better promo would've propelled this further up the charts imo because that video is muy caliente. I love her deeper/half moaning vocals.

Peep the video to see her lick milk up in front of her man. Rawr.

Just Like Me | 6.5 /10

The lyrics aren't very convincing to me, but the slowed down chorus gives the song a little more depth. It's also sort of forgettable, though.

Love Me Down | 9 /10

One of the best tracks on the album tbh. The way she sings lo-lo-lo-lo-love me is instantly iconic and classic Brit. The half spoken/half sung nature is fucking flawless, too.

Hard To Forget Ya | 2 /10

It's not hard to forget this fucking song, though. The chorus sinks what could be a masterpiece. The verses are excellent!

What You Need | 7.5/10

In spite of my better senses, I do like this song. I'll always maintain that her voice is too thin to pull off what could be a masterpiece of a fucking song, but that doesn't stop it from being pretty damn good. The way she plays with the words when she sings is unmatched.

Better | 6.5 /10

It's good! But it sounds too much like Justin Bieber-style and not Britney Spears, the legend-style. You could put anyone on this song (JB, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, especially Selena Gomez) and it would work.

Change Your Mind | 10 /10

This is the best song on the album, bar none. Should've been a standard edition song AND a single. This is the lead single Britney needed. It capitalizes on some of the trends currently out there, but with a twist. A Britney twist.    

Liar | 7 /10

This is probably the most radio friendly song on the album. I think the GP would've eaten it up, albeit it would've enjoyed a very temporary existence. But Spotify numbers don't lie ...

If I'm Dancing | 9 /10

I wish she would make a whole album of songs like this. It feels so transcendental and exotic, a sound Britney hasn't really explored before. I don't really know wtf the lyrics mean, but I'm still here for it.

Coupure Electrique | 8 /10

I was slightly disappointed when she announced there was a track called Blackout and then it turned out to be this. Don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but the French is ... nonsensical.

Mood Ring | 9 /10

If she wanted a moody first single, move this up to the standard edition and release it. The production, lyrics, everything about it puts Make Me to shame.

Slumber Party (ft. Tinashe) | 7 /10

Even though the song is essentially the same, I'm dropping a star from the original because Tinashe brought nothing to it. They need to stop trying to make Tinashe happen.

L E A K E D  V I D E O

There have (so far) been no leaked songs from this era, but it had its own controversy in the form of a music video. Britney teased a video for the lead single Make Me, which is entirely different from the one we actually got. There’s a whole convoluted story behind that. Anyhoo, I’ll let you decide if it’s good or not (spoiler alert: it’s not), but this shit riled up the fandom.

God, G-Eazy makes me want to gag.

[earwaxinggibbous]

10 Worst Hits of 2018!

I hate the 2018 hit list.

I hate all the artists we brought back. I hate all the new ones we got. I hate the fact that Lil Peep kicked the bucket without getting on the hot 100 but XXXfuckassaton got three hits. I hate that nothing off of Kamikaze reached the year end hot 100 despite it being one of the only good hip-hop albums that dropped this year. I hate that we’re all alive and that Tumblr has banned porn. But life goes on.

Bad hit songs. Bing bang boom.

Fair warning, I’m gonna be hitting a lot of trigger topics including abuse, pedophilia and rape.

10. Lucid Dreams - Juice WRLD

Before I say anything, can I just point out that ‘Juice WRLD’ is one of the absolute worst rap names I’ve ever heard in my entire life.

Anyway, Lucid Dreams.

I feel like rap music has been having a lot of sad pathetic break-up songs lately. And this won’t be the last one, absolutely not. Pretty much everything about Lucid Dreams, much like a seizing, dying epileptic old man, is wriggling and frothing uselessly in a puddle of its own filth. With nothing to do but choke out on a mouthful of blood it can only try to scream weakly through a pool of foamy spit that’s settling towards the back of its throat. It’s sad in the same way that ASPCA commercials are sad, as opposed to how a good break-up song feels.

As Juice WRLD brokely copies the beat of Lil Uzi Vert’s smash hit XO Tour Llif3 from last year, and also randomly samples a song by Sting, he stumbles weakly through lyric after insipid lyric that sounds like it was written by a 13-year-old. I tried to find an example of specific bad lyrics but holy shit, I’d honestly be better off just putting the lyric genius page here, complete with verified translations of this lyrical xanax binge from our boy Juice WRLD himself.

It’s a break-up song, but it’s as whiny as one can get. With Juice WRLD claiming “evil girls have the prettiest face” (gag) and insisting the girl in this song “wants him dead”. His whimpery vocals don’t help any part of this droning septic tank that I can only describe as the closest similarity we’ll ever get between a song and the pokemon Muk.

Even the music video is just a shittier version of XO Tour Llif3, and while it’s honestly more interesting than the other 75% of rap videos, what does it really add? I can only imagine that whoever was directing it realized this song has literally nothing going for it other than the possibility that stoners and pill-poppers will mistake it for XO Tour Llif3 if they’re high enough and threw in some surrealist imagery with the excuse being that, well, it’s titled Lucid Dreams. 

Really the most egregious thing about this song is that, in the lyric genius page, Juice WRLD goes on some tangent about how popping pills isn’t cool and he was popping pills “before it was cool” and now kids are doing it. Hey Hi-C, you know these kids look up to people like you, right? Why not actually make a song about how doing drugs is bad instead of just offhandedly mentioning how you used to pop pills to, quote, “feel a-okay”? Not that I’m assuming you ever thought of that when you were writing this, most likely dosed up on a gallon of cough syrup.

Then again, I dunno if I wanna be preached to by the man who wrote a song titled All Girls Are The Same.

A lot of songs this year were underwritten and boring. Lucid Dreams isn’t the worst offender, but it’s definitely the saddest. And I don’t think it was sad the way ol’ Juicy Juice was intending. Personally, I’d rather just drink the kool-aid.

Blurgh... Muk cannot change you... Muk must replace you...

9. Meant to Be - Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line

Is it bad that I honestly wasn’t sure who was the feature and who was the headline of this song?

Anyway, here we have Florida Georgia Line returning for another year of meathead bro-country crap and Bebe Rexha returning for another year of having literally no personality whatsoever with a song that has so little substance it may as well just be air.

I’ve never really extrapolated my thoughts on Bebe, mostly because she’s a complete and utter non-presence in every track she appears on. I honestly didn’t even realize she had a music career of her own, I felt like she just existed to feature on everyone else’s shitty music. What the hell is she gonna sing about besides the damn factory she was built in?

I’ve also never extrapolated my thoughts on Florida Georgia Line.

Here’s what I’m imagining their brains look like:

Yeah. So a combination between two walking cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a literal sex robot. What can go wrong? Well. Everything.

With a title like Meant to Be, you’d think it’s about running screaming into a relationship because you know it’s gonna work. Not so, as it’s actually about staying relaxed in a relationship. We got time, right? At least that’s what like, 75% of it is about that.

Bebe seems more than ready to rush in and get sloppy, but you think Florida Georgia Line are 100% ready to enter a steady relationship with a dead person? I wouldn’t be.

The production is just a piano and some sad trap drums, so basically every other Florida Georgia Line song. It has nothing going for it other than maybe masturbating to the music video and Bebe’s sweet, sweet inflatable titties trying desperately to crawl their way out of her country girl flannel.

And that’s really it.

You tried.

(Or did you?)

8. Friends - Marshmello ft. Anne-Marie

Aww! They’re so cute.

Marshmello is kind of a cryptid to me. I never really understood the whole trend of producers and DJs wearing these weird things on their head. And part of me, well, all of me feels like Marshmello rides purely on quirkiness alone.

Look at him! He’s so wacky!

The production on this isn’t bad per se, other than this high-pitched squeal they drop into the final chorus, but it’s definitely not great and kinda has me wondering why Marshmello is basically producer of the year despite not doing anything much more interesting than all the other producers. At best he has a little bit more energy behind him.

Anne-Marie has apparently, allegedly existed before this year, but I have literally no recollection of any song by her. But if this song is anything to go by, she’s annoying and sucks.

Friends touts itself as “the friendzone anthem” and tries to be relatable to teenage girls who’ve had to friendzone a boy, and if I had to guess this is sort of in response to all the friendzone songs from 2016 like Treat You Better. This would be fine except 1. you’re two years late, 2. nobody wants to hear a friendzone anthem and 3. this song is the highest level of cuntiness anyone can comprehend.

Here’s the thing about the concept of the friendzone. Nobody sits around wanting to friendzone people. Nobody is chilling in their bedroom with their friends wishing they could have a friend who has a crush on them and then that friend is like “I like you” so they can be like “uhh we’re just friends”.

Which is why we don’t really need an anthem for it.

The friendzone sucks. It’s not even a real problem, dudes just make it a problem because apparently being friends isn’t good enough for them. Nobody wants to have a friend who’s crushing on them, nobody’s happy about that. And the catty Mean Girls tone that Anne-Marie takes to it makes it seem like she’s a strong independent woman trouncing on the hearts of men like some kind of TERF horse when really nobody feels that way when having to “friendzone” a person.

Plus judging by the lyrics, this guy is showing up at 2 AM in the rain. At some point you need to stop being friends when he starts obsessively stalking you, maybe a few words to consider would be R-E-S-T-R-A-I-N-I-N-G O-R-D-E-R.

Women have the right to see their male friends as just that. But nobody is proud of having to do it. It’s not a point of pride, it’s just a choice people make, like what shirt they wanna wear in the morning. Trying to sell it as some kind of bootleg female empowerment anthem is pathetic.

Also I swear to god she spells friends as “F-R-I-N-D-S” in the chorus.

“We’re just frinds, Deadmau5.”

7. Yes Indeed - Lil Baby and Drake

Who the good god damn is Lil Baby? I’d never actually heard of him until someone in my music history class gave us a presentation on Lil Baby and how cool he is. I’d literally never heard of the guy before, because I never really listen to any of these hits until the end of the year.

Turns out Lil Baby is just another mumble-rapper, this time jacking his style from Young Thug. Color me surprised, I guess. How come none of the mumble rappers I actually like came back this year? No Desiigner, no Lil Uzi Vert, no Lil Xan? No. Fuck you. You get Juice WRLD and Lil Baby, two of the worst rap names on the planet.

He’s on the list of rappers made famous by Drake, and Drake had a monster year this year. Even with me living in a hole I knew the impact God’s Plan had, but apparently all 25 of his crummy songs charted at some point. That is 25 monotonous Drake songs circulating through the radio stations, 25 Drake songs constantly weighing on the shoulders of the collective public, and 25 Drake songs even his detractors probably knew all the words to just through exposure. Even I’m sick of the guy, and I have Hotline Bling on my Google Play Music library.

Yes Indeed is honestly void of things to say about it. Drake is boring, Lil Baby has one of the worst voices in recent history I can think of, the beat is nothing, it’s just a nothing song. The only noteworthy thing about it is that Lil Baby references Pikachu, a big mistake, as Young Thug also referenced Pikachu on one of his first hits. Though I’ll admit a yellow car has more similarities to the electric mouse pokemon than diamonds do.

What bothers me about this song is less the song itself, as the song is a non-presence, but moreso that in a world where streaming has finally seeped its way into the Hot 100, we have come to the conclusion that this is what people want to hear. They wanna hear Yes Indeed. And I just don’t get it.

Also, “waah waah waah, bitch I’m a baby”. High art.

6. Te Bote - A whole shitload of people

I feel like Spanish reggaeton has been an on-and-off interest of the American public. But it really reached a head recently thanks to Despacito, which all Alexa memes aside, is a great fucking song. But the fruits of its labor have been less than impressive, from last year’s goat-screeching jam Mi Gente to whatever the hell this is.

It’s nice knowing that foreigners write music as shitty as we do.

The title, Te Bote, roughly translates to “I dump you”. But it can be read much harsher in Spanish as bote is often the verb people use to describe tossing out garbage. And boy, is this song... uh... you know.

I don’t like to barf out the word “misogyny” constantly just because, well, anything can be misogynistic if you look deep enough. There’s a point where even I, the ratty little feminist I am, just don’t care. But Jesus, referring to your woman as garbage in the most backhanded way is... wow.

But I’ll be honest, being an English speaking moron, I don’t care about the lyrics. My problems run much deeper than blatant misogyny and pettiness.

Namely that this song sounds like ass.

Te Bote has six artists on it. Six artists, and not a single one sounds good. Most of them are squealy. I don’t actually know who’s who except Ozuna and Bad Bunny. Ozuna is considered one of the worst Spanish artists of today, and I can see why, because he just straight-up sounds like the lovechild of Akon and Lloyd.

As for Bad Bunny, I was slightly more drawn in by him because he looks like a cross between Blackbear and Pitbull, and I dunno if he’s dropped any other better singles, but on this he straight-up sounds like Barney the Dinosaur. Not as much as Lil Yachty, but still. Most of the others sound like autotuned mice, but there’s one guy who tries some kind of low-voiced speed-rapping and it sounds weird and wrong. The production is nothing notable, and uses the bum, bum-bum drumline of literally every reggaeton and Spanish pop song including Despacito.

And I could forgive all of that.

But let’s look at this for a moment. Each artist has their own verse. That’s six verses. Six verses plus five choruses, one pre-chorus, an intro and an outro. And how much does that add up to?

Nearly seven minutes.

Seven minutes of the same beat. Seven minutes of basically the same kinds of singers. Seven minutes of misogynistic lyrics. Seven minutes of garbage, garbage, garbage. Imagine listening to this whole thing. There are people on this earth who have actually sat through this whole garbage song multiple times and thought, “yeah. I like this.” 

I mean of course Te Bote barely got any radio play, it’s nearly 7 minutes long with no breaks. So obviously some massive group of people had to be streaming it and listening to it by choice.

5. Taste - Tyga ft. Offset

Remember Tyga? He was one of the Young Money rappers that didn’t completely fall off after the 2000′s, along with Nikki Minaj and Drake. But after he put out $timulated, a song about how he fucked a 17-year-old Kylie Jenner but, in the words of Slim Shady, “look at her bush: do it got hair?”

we all dropped him, because that’s fucking gross. Kylie Jenner dumped him and is now dating someone else, I forget who because I don’t care. And with us having to deal with 6ix9ine I was comfortable leaving Tyga in the wastelands. 

Honestly? The only reason this song is even here is because it’s a return Tyga single. I’m not even mad about Freaky Friday, because like, whatever, it made me laugh like a stupid idiot, but this? We asked for this. A Tyga single in 2018, about nothing, with a nothing beat, and Offset still bragging that he’s the best member of Migos when that’s like being the twinkiest member of One Direction. And once again, people actively wanted to hear this song about nothing in a year full of songs about nothing that, at the very least aren’t by pedophiles.

I don’t even wanna talk about this anymore.

4. I’m Upset - Drake

Me fucking too.

Like I said, Drake dropped 25 songs on his new album Scorpion, and all of them became hits. The worst of which, in my opinion, being I’m Upset. Just look at that title. That’s how your father talks to you when you slam a window open with a baseball and he walks through the glass shards. 

This one has backstory, my favorite, longtime rival Pusha-T stated in some song that Drake actually had a secret child with a porn star and was planning on using that kid for like, an Adidas sponsorship or something. Which is fucked up. And at least part of that has been confirmed on Drake’s end, he did have a secret son with a porn star.

And then Scorpion and I’m Upset dropped. And it sucked. All of it.

The chorus of I’m Upset is weirdly catchy, but the beat is like every other Drake beat, Drake himself sounds about as upset as he can convey, which is very little, and it’s all just really really boring soundwise. When Drake goes on for long enough he begins to just sound like a bunch of bees. Bees, bees, bees, nothing but bees. And I’m tired of Drake bees! I’m sick of it! I don’t want anymore!

Anyway, lyrically the gist of I’m Upset is about how Drake doesn’t like paying alimony, and NO.

BAD DRAKE! BAD! BAD RAPPER! GO TO YOUR ROOM!

You do not get to be a world-famous rapper with fuckillions of dollars to your name and get to whine and bitch about paying alimony to your baby mama. You don’t get to roll on the floor whimpering about how your evil harpy whore of a porn star one-night-stand is (legally) receiving money from you to take care of the son that YOU ditched. 

You had 25 hits this year. 25. And you’re getting pissy because you have to pay and I quote fifty to a hundred thousand dollars child support. For you that should be nothing. You are practically drowning in money, and if you really don’t wanna pay child support you could, I dunno, raise your goddamn son instead of leaving him in the hands of someone who probably barely makes a fraction in a year of what you make in a month?

Look, say what you want about Eminem. At least he was a good father on record, and if he isn’t a good one in real life I’ll be very very shocked.

I’m upset too, Drake.

3. Roll in Peace - Kodak Black ft. XXXTENTACION

I fUCKING HATE KODAK BLACK

Might wanna consider writing stuff down, Kodes.

May I call you Kodes?

Anyway, Roll In Peace is the only song on this list that isn’t ACTUALLY in the Year End Hot 100, but I couldn’t just let it slide. Not when it’s a collab beween Kodak Black and XXX. Not when it sounds like ass and feels like being shot.

If Drake sounds like bees then Kodak sounds like mosquitos, right in your ear, in the deepest parts that can only be reached by one of those earwax slurping tools. The beat has that flute again, probably because it’s half of what made Tunnel Vision famous. (The other half being controversy of course.) X’s verse has like, two lines to do with the actual plot of this song. And what is the plot?

Oh, poor pitiful Kodak can’t roll in peace. Poor Kodak Black can’t have any time to himself! The media is just all over him and X for no reason whatsoever! He’s never done anything wrong, other than, oh I don’t know, the rape allegations? The abuse? Armed robbery? Assault? That one time X nearly killed a gay dude in prison for no reason other than the gay part?

Yeah, fuck you.

You can’t “roll in peace” because you don’t have the right to anymore. You are a bad person. And X, when he was alive, was a bad person too. Sure maybe he was claiming to be working on self-improvement, but the only way I’d believe it is if I saw it, and it’s too late for that now.

As long as you refuse to apologize, you will not “roll in peace”. As long as you don’t see that you have done something wrong and continue to blame it on systemic racism which is a very real thing that you continue to trivialize again and again so you can avoid your rape allegations, you aren’t allowed to have any peace in your goddamn fucking life.

You can’t try to deflect it on Lil Uzi who posts Satanic imagery on his Instagram despite wearing a Jesus piece. You don’t get to deflect. You get nothing, and you deserve to go broke and fuck off.

There’s a joke I can make, but it’s too soon.

2. Gummo - 6ix9ine

Oh, okay, I can do this.

Uh, Gummo is this really good movie directed by Harmony Korine about some kids in this town that was totally wrecked by a tornado. And after that everything’s in shambles, so these kids can just do whatever they wa...

Oh. Oh dammit.

GOD IS DEAD GOD IS DEAD GOD IS DEAD.

So imagine you’re me looking at the Hot 100 for one of the very first times about a year ago, and you see a song titled after one of your favorite flicks of all time. And sure, it’s being sung by a guy who looks like a Lisa Frank condom, but god you just love that movie so much. And sure, Nicole Dollanganger has already made songs referencing that movie, but you want MORE.

Then you play it and it has literally nothing to do with it.

It’s loud and obnoxious and stupid and has a very clearly hispanic dude dropping the n-word like he fucking owns it. He’s just screaming these nonsense lyrics about nothing. And it’s not like I just don’t get songs with screaming. I have the entirety of Carcass’ Reek of Putrefaction on my phone. But this? This sucks. It sucks! The beat doesn’t fit at all and no matter how I look at it it wouldn’t fit anywhere else, and 6ix9ine’s flow is the death of all art. The only thing he can do, much like a child in a well, is scream and scream and scream and it’s horrible.

And trust me.

This was far before I knew of 6ix9ine’s baggage.

In case you don’t know somehow, this Rainbow Brite little fucker was actually convicted of filming a sex tape of a 13-year-old. While I don’t think he actually had sex with her, he was at some level sexually involved with her.

How did we respond? We gave the ugly fucker a hit. And his hit was this. Where he directly references his sexual involvement with this 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

He doesn’t give a shit. And he knows his fans don’t either. He continues to release low-effort garbage music, and in an interview about FEFE he even openly stated that he doesn’t put any effort into writing lyrics. He doesn’t try, he’s a bad person, and his blind fanbase continues to shower him in money like he deserves it. 

We’re idiots.

An awful song made by an awful person. The only way to hold a candle to it would be, well, an even worse song made by an awful person.

Anyway, dishonorable mentions.

FEFE - 6ix9ine ft. Nikki Minaj

This song sucks too. And Nikki Minaj should be ashamed for working with this fuckhead.

God’s Plan - Drake

I’m almost definitely a minority in absolutely loathing this song, but I can’t stand it. It’s not structured, there’s no flow to it, it just feels like a whole lot of nothing with no point. And while I will give it to Drake that throwing money at homeless people is a really good thing regardless of why he did it, it was still a super obvious publicity stunt.

Plug Walk - Rich The Kid

Boring.

Girls Like You - Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B

Also boring. My tolerance for Maroon 5 has lasted way longer than anyone else’s, but I think it’s about time we let them go.

I Like Me Better - Lauv

I’ll be honest, the only part of this song I really hate is the weird synth interludes. The singing is fine, the content is fine, it’s all the perfect level of mediocre without that violin fart synth. 

No Brainer - The ‘I’m The One’ crew, but we replaced Wayne with an actual baby

Really just an even less interesting version of I’m The One, but without Li’l Wayne. Also Justin Bieber kind of looks like a trucker now, and I hate to say it, but that’s the most attractive he’s ever been in my opinion.

Freaky Friday - Li’l Dicky ft. Chris Brown

I’ll be honest, I actually love this song. It’s funny to me, I mean, maybe I’m a simple-minded man, but a good dick joke can send me off the rails. But I’m still at least a little miffed that we’re letting Chris Brown have money, so it gets a mention.

Gucci Gang - Li’l Pump

It would be here if it wasn’t also a hit last year. Consider this a placeholder for any crossover hits I didn’t like, like Mi Gente, Perfect, Believer, and Sorry Not Sorry.

Let’s do number one. And if you know me, you know what this is. If you don’t, don’t just immediately get pissed with me when you read it. Okay? We’re good here? Alright.

1. SAD! - XXXTENTACION

So here’s a fun little sobstory for you. Less than a year ago, my boyfriend introduced me to this great artist. They were in a really oversaturated genre but doing something completely different with it, and I fell in love immediately with their dark topics, interesting production, cool music videos, and general aesthetic. And their name was not XXXTENTACION, it was Melanie Martinez.

Late last year she was pressed with a rape allegation, and one that couldn’t be proved either way. Desperately I scraped through the bowels of the internet in search of something that could disprove it and came back largely empty-handed and wounded. Because Melanie’s music meant a lot to me, and I do mean that. I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t sure what to do knowing that a person I’d based my own aesthetic, my own writing, my art, and my music on would do something like that. I tried to force myself not to listen to her music, but it just wasn’t possible. 

Over time the wound scabbed up and closed and I finally gave up and decided to split the art from the artist, feeling like at the very least I wasn’t directly giving her any money by downloading her music on Google Play. But I’ll still never be able to get back the way she used to make me feel.

So what I’m saying is, I get it.

I’ve actually gone and listened to a few of X’s songs on my own before doing this. And I put myself in the mind of me a year ago discovering a new artist without those preconceptions. And I felt it. I don’t know how, but I did. I felt it. I listened to Look At Me, and I felt like if I’d heard it before I knew what X had done, I’d probably love it. Sure the production is a fucking disaster but the lyrics are just the kind of shock rap that entertains me. The production on Moonlight is really interesting and while I didn’t think Changes was very good and kind of guilt trippy, I could definitely understand it.

But then I circled back around to SAD!

And I lost it.

Something about this song just kills all the good will I might have ever had for this kid or his fans. And really it’s all because of one line, and everyone probably knows what that line is already.

So according to lyric genius this line might not actually mean what I think it means and could potentially be referring to X’s friend Jocelyn Flores, who took her own life tragically. And though on X’s song about her and every time he addresses her he seems to make it all about himself, he really did seem wounded by it. He seemed like a wounded, mentally fucked-up person who needed help.

Except that this song is about Geneva.

The girlfriend he allegedly abused.

The girlfriend who was pregnant, who he abused, and judging by this line, who he is now performing the age-old manipulation tactic of threatening suicide if she ever leaves on. 

When I remove this song from context, there’s no way of excusing that line. The rest of it I can understand, and he really does seem emotional in the verses, and I know we’ve all been in a place at some point of being somehow spurned by a lover and still missing them in spite of it. But to threaten suicide if they try to leave is inexcusable.

His voice sounds fine, and the beat is once again stolen from XO Tour Llif3, but there’s a point where I can’t really care about it. Because children do listen to this kind of music. And along with Melanie Martinez, this song brings me back to when I was young and one of my favorite songs was What The Hell by Avril Lavigne. A song about cheating on your S/O and not seeing a problem with it. My sister and I would sing and dance to that song all the time, so much that I never really realized what it was about, or that there was anything wrong with it. Not until I was an adult and I looked back on it. And wouldn’t you know it, children can sing along to SAD! too.

I know X is dead. And I know it’s not my business to dictate how people should feel about things. Geneva deserves the right to be sad about X’s death, and she forgives him, even though I really don’t. But the way people have treated her especially after X died is inexcusable, and it’s in part because he wrote songs like this. He didn’t just manipulate her. He manipulated everyone. Every single one of his fans probably really did think he would kill himself if his girlfriend left her. And yes, X is on record having thoughts of suicide, I would never take that from someone.

I used to have a close friend who would feign a panic attack every time someone criticized him. It felt like he was threatening suicide once a week. And I always supported him because I cared about him. It was exhausting. I ostracized people because they knew he was a bad person. I shut people, good people, out of my life because they wanted to help, and I said bad things to them. Eventually we fell out and I was left cold and alone with nobody left to take me back, and I slugged through mud for a year just to pick myself back up.

I can imagine that’s kind of what being an XXXTENTACION fan is like.

And like me, with any luck, they’ll regret saying the things they did too.

That’s all for this year. I’ll get to the best when I have more energy, but now I just can’t.

[lyricandword]

Kaizuki Rana (LinQ)’s blog: “The reason I call Itoh Maki my master” [Oct 14th 2018]

The reason I call Itoh Maki my master. 

When I joined LinQ, there were 26 members who were my seniors.

Maybe you can’t exactly imagine what I mean, but for me it was like being the new kid in class, in a school full of girls who were more experienced than me. 

Some of the members I knew from when we’d talked during my days as a trainee, and some of them took the time to teach me all the choreography.

But because there were 26 of them, naturally there were members who I barely knew beyond just saying “hello”.

And out of all 26, Itoh was one of the ones who I almost never got a chance to meet.

But she made a huge impression on me: During the talk portions of our concerts, I would always be looking at her, and I watched that video where the LinQ members make a surprise visit to her house over and over again.

She appeared on prime time variety shows like “God Tongue” and “Nakai no Mado” more than anyone else in LinQ, and I think out of all of us, she was the most well-recognised.

[Caption: LinQ, the idols looking for a comedian to mentor them // “Did Sakuma mean Itoh? When he said ‘There’s a girl with a huge face in this group’?” // “There’s a girl with a huge face in this group.”]

[Caption: If I had a small face, my individuality would completely die.]

Other idol groups loved her too, so she became like a bridge between them and LinQ.

Here’s us with the Up Up Girls (Kari). [1]

The first time I ever had a proper conversation with Itoh... was the first time we did a concert in Tokyo together.

I’m a total penny-pincher, so when there were 5 peoples’ worth of sandwiches from the catering left over, she caught me stuffing them into my bag and asked me

“Rana, what are you doing?”

That was the beginning, the first time she laughed and spoke to me. 

And then as we were waiting for the concert to start, she listened to me talk for a whole hour, looking like she was having fun, about all the things I do to try and save money, and I had so much fun just talking to her.

The same Itoh who I was so afraid to say hello to, the same Itoh who makes such un-idol-like comments on TV and in the media... I couldn’t believe she was so cute and so kind to her juniors!!!!

And that was when I fell for Itoh Maki, like she was the girl of my dreams. 

Before being an idol, before being a wrestler, what you need to know is that she’s just such a wonderful girl. 

But just after I joined LinQ, she moved to Tokyo and began working as a wrestler along with her idol work, so I hardly ever got to see her. 

There was a time during one of our concerts in Fukuoka, when Itoh wasn’t there, that we played a “gesture game” on stage.

I couldn’t make anyone laugh on my own, and I couldn’t seem to make them get into it. In the end, the game was awkward and nobody in the audience was having much fun. 

That’s when I realised how much presence Itoh really has. 

There’s nobody in LinQ who can replace her. 

That was when I thought “I want to be like Itoh, I want to get the audience having fun!!!! Even when she’s not here, I want to be able to fill in for her!!!”

So I started projecting my body on stage, I tried doing gags, and I tried posting jokes on Twitter,

but it’s just like I thought - I can’t be like Itoh.

When she sent a comment my way for the first time in a while, I gave a totally serious response, and I look pretty silly.

There’s still way too much I haven’t learned yet.

TV variety shows, books, viral Tweets -  I’m gonna research everything, so I can be more like Itoh. That’s my goal.

I want you all to be able to see the results of that research.

And one day, I want Itoh to see it too.

Every single day, Itoh Maki keeps evolving. So if I slip up even a little I won’t be able to catch up with her at all.

I need to evolve every day, too, so I can keep up.

Itoh once said  “I’m gonna be the Maeda Atsuko or the Sashihara Rino of the wrestling world.”

So: “Kaizuki Rana will be the Itoh Maki of the idol world”.

As Kaizuki Rana, member #004 of the Itoh Respect Army,  I’ll keep supporting her in everything she does, I’ll keep respecting her, and I’ll keep trying to reach her level.

Here’s the first photo we ever took together. (It was the first time I went to go see one of her matches in Tokyo, and it made me so emotional I started crying)

On my birthday, she came and gave me a BIG FACE towel in person.

Here’s when she did the Rana Pose with me.

And this is from today, when she had a match in Fukuoka, her hometown and the town where LinQ is based.

And I got to be there as the opening act for the match, as a member of LinQ!

When we did Calorie Nante [2], Itoh’s old entrance theme, suddenly she ran in!

“We got to sing and dance to a LinQ song together in the same ring.” Even just thinking about it now makes me emotional that I was able to have such an amazing experience. 

To Takagi, the president of DDT Pro Wrestling, and to all the wrestling staff, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!!!

I’ll keep working hard with the rest of LinQ so that one day you’ll hear from me again!!!

I’ll see you soon, I promise!

And to everyone who watched today’s match and became a fan of Itoh,  everyone who wants to see more from her, and everyone who couldn’t make it to Fukuoka and wanted to watch:

On October 21st, Itoh will be in a match at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan!

Seats on the floor are sold out, but you can still buy tickets for the upper floor!

If you’ve never watched wrestling before, maybe you think you won’t enjoy it if you don’t understand the rules -  if that’s what you think, then this is all you need to know and you’ll definitely have fun!!

[Images explaining the basics of wrestling rules.]

Sorry they look so hand-made (>_<)

This ended up being a long one, so thank you so much for reading all the way to the end!!

I hope you’ll keep on supporting Itoh Maki, and me, Kaizuki Rana!

[1] The original Up Up Girls, founded in 2010, and not the group signed with TJPW. The group was originally formed with “(仮)”, meaning something along the lines of “temporary” or “TBC”, on the end of their name. In the end, they never changed the name, and even left the “(仮)“ as part of it. The word is now part of the group’s identity and is a running joke - even their albums are titled “1st Album (title TBA)”, ,”2nd Album (title TBA)”, and so on.

[2] “Calorie Nante” (カロリーなんて, ~”Oh, Those Calories”) was released in 2011 as LinQ’s second single. It’s a song warning young girls not to take part in dangerous diets:

Calories, oh, those calories!  They’re a fiendish temptation, 100%! But it turns out... they’re full of vitamins and minerals too. Calories, oh, those calories! They’re not so bad after all!  You just need to take a look at what’s inside, and take care not to overdo it!

During live performances Itoh would hype up the crowd specifically for this song, leading them in chants and spitting water on them. The song was associated closely enough with her that it became her entrance theme when she first joined TJPW, and she used it right up until she was kicked out of LinQ.

[classic-rock-roller]

1. You and Axl have made peace with each other since he showed you kindness after your accident. One day, you hang up the phone from a call with him as Bonham gets home. She asks who it is, and when you tell her she says, “Ah, Axl. How is he, that bitch?” How do you respond?

He’s doing good. At least better than before. He’s on meds now so he’s no longer a psycho bitch. 

2. You get to your band’s hotel room one day to hear uncontrollable laughter coming from Sean and Linus. You get there and hear Bonham say into a phone in a very bad and exaggerated Eastern European accent, “Hello! You have reached Svertik, the famous cheese maker. What can I do for you this evening?” You ask what’s going on, and Erik says, “They bought a burner phone and posted the number online with the title, “War Angel hotline” and now she’s answering it and doing this crap.” How do you respond, and what does everyone say once the ‘hotline calls’ end?

“Seriously? You could at least answer burning questions.”

They don’t stop they keep coming at all hours of the night. One day I’ve had enough of hearing it ring so I take it, lower the window in the bus, and chuck it out the window while screaming, “By War Angel Hotline. Don’t fucking come back!” 

Linus: You realize we can get another one right?

Sean: Jesus! Psycho much 

Bons: Jesus Christ! You could have at least answered it 

Erik: That was unnecessary. 

They buy another one at the next stop and it starts over again but now we place a do not disturb function on it between the times we sleep.  

3. Bonham has been quiet lately, and one day she comes to you and the rest of the band and says, “I want to expand my artistic horizons, I want to cover that album So There by Ben Folds. Before you say anything, I know it’s nothing like our direction. I know that, and that’s why I want to do it by myself. This is going to be a 100% solo effort, and all I ask for is your blessing.” She wants to do something entirely on her own, which will translate into her taking at least a 2-year hiatus from the band. What do you all say and what is the final decision?

We agree because we have been touring non-stop and it will give us plenty of time to relax and come up with new material. Erik goes back to Germany to spend time with his family, Linus ends up using those two years to release a solo instrumental guitar project, Sean comes and lives with me and Kevin since his parents kicked him out after he joined our band, and this gives me and Kevin enough time to spend with Mal (and ends up with Eddie coming along right before we get back together) and then after the two years are up we get back together and bang out a kicking new album. 

4. Your band and NSP are collaborating on an album, and you need one more song. You’re struggling to include everyone until Bonham one day suggests that you get together with QR as well and do a big group cover of Rick Wakeman’s Buried Alive (available on request). How does everyone react to the suggestion and what do you all do?

We all think its a great idea. The only problem is Kevin and Danny keep fighting and singing over each other for the lead vocals part until I tell the two of them to stop acting like children. 

5. You’re at work one day when you get a call from Danny and Arin. “Yeah, we got a call from YouTube the other day. That Q&A we did with your band got taken down because of Bonham’s little mini-rant on that Waco incident from the 90s, and she was just arrested for conspiring against the government and disturbing the peace. She used a phone call to call Dan cause she said that you didn’t answer your phone and neither did Kevin, so we’re telling you.” How do you respond and what do you do?

“Ah fuck. I’m in work a the moment. Is Dan still on with her?” 

I hear Dan scream yes through the phone. 

“Tell her school’ll be finished in an hour and then I’ll drive down to pick her up after I drop Mal and Eddie off at a sitter’s.” 

“I mean we could watch them for you.”

Arin and Dan end up watching Mal and Eddie (and making a power hour out of it) while I go to bail Bons and get this whole mess settled. After some legal disputes (that bring us publicity) she is given a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again. 

6. Bonham went with Chuck to a party for one of their dad’s friends one evening, and when they get back you hear them arguing. “I don’t care what he was doing, you shouldn’t have hit him!” she says. You ask what happened, and Chuck says, “They had a male stripper there, and fucking Anita paid him to grind on me. I told him to quit and he didn’t so I punched him. And then they all got mad at me. I didn’t do anything wrong.” What does Bonham say and how do you respond?

Bons: You did do something wrong. He was paid to do that. You don’t just fucking punch him! 

Me: Yeah, not cool dude. You should be lucky if he doesn’t press charges. 

7. Your band is all making guest appearances in an NSP video, and as a result, you’re all wearing spandex pants. At one point, Sean says to Bonham, “Hey, uh, I just wanted to say that, uh, you guys (meaning you and her) look nice in your costumes.” You can see he’s a bit flustered but before you can say anything, Bonham says, “Thanks, these pants really do have a nice ASS-thetic.” How does Sean react, what do you say, and how do Erik, Linus, and Danny respond?

He blushes and runs out of the room while wrapping his cape around him. 

Erik: Do you have to go take care of something buddy! 

Linus: Yeah, just don’t be too long. 

Danny: I didn’t know those pants would have THAT effect on him. 

Me: I could see these pants having that effect on Kevin, not Sean. Linus could you go check on him, please. 

Bons *gag*: I really don’t need to think about Kevin being turned on by you in a spandex outfit. Do you seriously think us in spandex pants did that to him? 

8. Your band is filming a video one day, and at lunch, Sean is munching on an uncrustable. Bonham, who likes giving him shit, asks him, “How does it feel to be a grown ass man eating an uncrustable?” He looks at her and says, “Well right now it doesn’t feel so good.” He takes a bite, and says, “But now…” and smiles with a full mouth. How do you, Bonham, Erik, and Linus respond?

Me: I hate Uncrustables and PB & J sandwiches. 

Erik: How?! It's heaven in a sandwich!

Linus: I wouln't go that far. 

Sean *Though his full mouth*: I would 

Bons: Ok, I get the point. Don’t talk with your mouth full of food. We can’t understand you. 

9. Bonham is being overly critical in the studio one day, and at one point Sean has had enough. “I’m gonna need some ketchup for all those HARSH-browns you’re serving up.” How does she react and how do you and the boys respond?

Bons: ...That one was actually pretty good. 

Me: Bons, I think you have a run for your money in the pun department. 

Erik: Hah! Harsh-browns! Hah!

Linus: You all are idiots. 

10. You get a call one day saying that there’s a new fantasy game in development and they want you, Bonham, your band, Kevin, and a few others to do the voice acting. They want you to be the princess, Sean to be a child, Erik to be a traveling merchant, Linus to be the bard, Bonham to be a siren, and Kevin to be a priest. Soon, you learn that Arin and Dan are there too. They voice a wizard and the game’s deity, respectively. How do you all react to your assigned roles, and how does recording go?

I think its cool and we all have a good time. With a few hiccups here and there (Kevin and Danny seem to butt heads a lot) 

11. You, Kevin, and Bonham are at an award show when Kevin sees Blackie Lawless, someone who he’s a fan of. You all go up to meet him and Kevin says how much he appreciates his work. Blackie is beyond wasted, and he says to Kevin, “I’m gonna kick you in the nuts.” Before any of you can process what he said, he cocks back and punched Kevin in the dick, really hard. He groans and falls to his knees. How do you all respond?

Me: What the fuck?!

Bons: Why did you do that dude?!

Kevin is writhing in pain on the floor and just groaning in agony. 

____________________

1) You and your singer are making Christmas cookies in your kitchen when she turns to you and goes, “Hey, Bons.” You turn and ask her, “What?” She takes her flour-covered hand and smears it down your nose and arm before running away. What do you do?

2) You, Rudy, and your singer are carving pumpkins. Rudy puts his hand in his pumpkin and goes, “Ewww, it’s so gross.” Your singer rolls her eyes at him and goes, “Oh stop being a big baby.” Before she puts both her hands in the pumpkin and pulls out a bunch of seeds and slaps them on the newspaper covering the table. How do you and Rudy respond?

3) You take Mal, Will, Eddie, Jeremy, and Roxanne to the mall to visit Santa. While in line, you see Santa get up from his chair after listening to a little girl’s wish and he goes over to an older man with four elves. The next thing you know, he’s whamming on him and screaming, “Ho! Ho! Ho! Motherfucker!” Someone whispers in line that the guy he’s beating on is a child molester. How do you and your singer respond and how do you explain this to your kids who are between the ages of eight and two years old?

4) Your band is working on a new album and you and the boys go off to get lunch while your singer stays behind. When you get back, you find she has earbuds in and her head is cocked oddly to the side. Her finger is flicking oddly almost as if she’s following an invisible line. Sean leans over to you and goes, “What the fuck is she doing? Has she gone insane?” Your singer answers, “No, I’m trying to pick out the individual instruments from this song. Now shush.” How do you, Erik, Linus, and Sean respond?

5) You and your singer are at her work’s Christmas party with Kevin and Randy. She’s talking to a guy and she goes, “Ugh, I hate this music.” He looks at her and goes, “How can you hate it?” “I like metal.” “Oh, you’re one of THOSE girls.” You whip around at this point and go, “What is that supposed to mean?” “You know...you’d rather bang your head than be banged.” Your singer pulls Kevin over and kisses him deeply before pointing at the guy and saying, “Kevin, would you like to explain in painstaking detail our sex life?” How do you, Kevin, and the guy respond?

6) You and your singer are celebrating Christmas in your apartment but your old roommate, Stephen, has come over to spend the holidays and brought along a drunk Robbin. They’ve been at your apartment a bit when your singer goes to Stephen, “Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere, leave you for dead?” How do you, Stephen, and Robbin respond?

7) Your singer goes with you when you’re supposed to be the guest on The Ten Minute Power Hour with Dan and Arin. She refuses to go on the show though o she sits on the side. About halfway through the show, Dan gets up and starts to pull her into the shot, “Come on, people need to see you.” “No.” “Millions of people stare at you every day. How is this different?” He loses his grip on her and goes flying back through the shot. Your singer gasps and goes, “Oh my god are you ok?!” Before going to help him with the cut on his head. All he says is, “Hah! I got you in the shot!” She rolls her eyes before going, “I’m leaving after this. And you better cut this out.” How do you and Arin respond to this?

8) Your singer is still with you while you’re doing the show. Arin asks her something and she says, “Do you want to see something cool?” Dan shrugs a sure and your singer pulls out a switchblade. Both Dan and Arin jump back once she tosses it and it embeds itself in their table. Dan all but screams, “What the fuck?!” Your singer shrugs and goes, “I get bored. Also, Tommy taught me that so you can thank him.” How do you, Dan, and Arin respond?

9) While you are on the show, Dan and Arin ask you to tell some crazy stories of the bands you’ve hung out with. Your singer pipes up from the side, “Oh, I could tell you stories. There was that one time Tommy and I got super drunk and I kissed some random chick in the middle of the bar. Or the time I got in an all-out brawl with Nikki over the last bottle of Guinness. Or the time Kevin, Bons, and I had to disguise ourselves to get out of a crazy hoard of fans. Or...” How do you, Arin, and Dan respond?

10) When you’re wrapping up the show to leave, Dan and Arin say goodbye to you and Dan goes, “I’m a little afraid of your singer. Is she always like that?” Your singer pipes up next to him, “I hear everything you know.” How do you respond to Dan ‘s question and how does he react to your singer?

11) You are working on your album with Crüe and Nikki had brought a pack of Guinness with him. Your singer and Nikki have been drinking them throughout the day and there’s only one left. They both look at it and then dive for it. After a bit of tussling, your singer grabs the bottle and goes, “What have I told you, Niks? I always come out on top.” Before she pops the cap and chugs the beer while sitting on him. How do you, Tommy, Nikki, Vince, and Mick react to this?

12) You are over at your singer and Kevin’s when you hear your singer yell, “You are not taking a fucking knife in the shower. Lay the fuck down.” And the next thing you hear is Kevin screaming. You run to their room to find your singer straddling a shirtless Kevin and ripping these heart monitor pads off his chest. “Stop pushing them in. It’ll make it worse. This is what you get for doing too much cocaine.” What do you say and how so the two of them respond?

13) You know that your singer is dating Rudy’s brother, Robert, (after Kevin broke up with her so that he could get himself clean) but Rudy doesn’t know. You invite the two of them out to dinner on a double date with you and Rudy. How does Rudy respond to your singer dating Robert and what do you, your singer, and Robert say?

14) You and Randy are helping your singer set up for her and Kevin’s wedding. She places a sign by the bar that says, “Our wedding will have an open bar. It will also be heavily photographed.  So any drunken shenanigans will be well documented and thoroughly mocked for years to come. Proceed with Caution.” You say, “Did you add this because of Nikki and Tommy and the other heavy drinkers being here?” “Yup.” Randy goes, “You know this won’t stop Kevin right?” Your singer says, “Oh yes it will. Because he also has the threat of no sex for three weeks.” Kevin walks in right as she says this. How do you, Randy, and Kevin respond?

@osbournebemydaddy   your turn Bons :)     

[tgc-mamamoo]

[TRANS] TenAsia 10+Star Magazine Interview with MAMAMOO

Q. You’re a group that has debuted 5 years.

Solar: It doesn’t feel real. It still feels like we have just debuted. Wherever we go, it seems like we are still the maknaes. So to say that it’s been 5 years… it sounds gross (everyone laughs)

Q. Let’s look back to last year. What’s the most memorable thing?

Wheein: First, as a group, our song “Yes I Am” has received so much love. Including myself, each member has also featured in songs, or released solo tracks or OSTs. Since we have showcased our own music, we hope they will become presents to our fans.

Hwasa: Holding our solo concert “Curtain Call”. We have performed in Seoul during March and Busan in August. The concert was a time when all the things Mamamoo has done bloom like flowers, so the meaning is different.

Solar: To me, our concert was the most memorable. The concert consists of all our joys and sorrows. Although we only perform for a few days, the time of preparation lasts for months. The moment the curtain rolled up, seeing thousands of moobongs (Mamamoo’s lightstick) in the audience, I became overwhelmed by the tough times we had while preparing. (laughs) In addition, thinking that there were that many people who came because of our music, it made me want to cry too. Our first MooMoo fanclub ceremony (Picnic Live) was also unforgettable. We were able to communicate with fans, play games, and spend time with them, so it was enjoyable.

Q. During your concert, you cried when your fans held up slogans saying “Never Letting Go”?

Solar: It’s a phrase with a story. It was during a public broadcast when we just debuted. Other than our fans, many fans of other singers were gathered there. In between, MooMoos prepared a slogan event for us with the phrase “Never Letting Go” written. At that moment, I was so touched that I cried. (laughs) Inspired by that, we eventually made a song with the title “Never Letting Go”. After years have passed when I saw this slogan again at our concert, all the times in between started flashing in my head which made me cry.

Hwasa: Whenever we perform, our fans make us touched like that. (laughs) Thanks to them, every moment spent with our fans [can be remembered] through events.

Q. A strong relationship with your fans can be seen.

Solar: During our early debut days, we didn’t receive much attention. So our fans are the ones who stand by our sides and watch us grow little by little. Hence, we try our best to communicate with them. We listen to their opinions and create opportunities to meet them often even when it’s small-scaled. We did fanmeetings and a pork belly party. (laughs) Because of that, we are able to build a thick relationship with our fans.

Q. You’ve been picked by many rookies’ as their role models lately. How do you feel?

All: Ey~ (Mamamoo, who did not believe this, repeatedly replied with ‘really’.)

Moonbyul: That’s because we haven’t heard about this in person… (laughs) It’s fascinating. Even for us, we have role models too. When we first debuted, whenever we met our role model sunbaes, my heart would tremble and think that “yes, I aspired to become a singer because of this sunbae”. Now that we have become a role model to our juniors, I am thankful and I feel great. I also feel the responsibility to do even better in the future.

Solar: I am grateful. It seems like a proof that we have successfully walked through the path we chose until now, so I am happy.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to your juniors?

Hwasa: It feels embarrassing so I don’t know what to say. (laughs) I understand greatly the hearts of our juniors who have just started. I just want to tell them that they are already doing well enough right now.

Q. When you think of ‘Mamamoo’, you think of ‘the group who plays well on stage’.

Solar: Thank you for thinking of us like this. On the other hand, for as much of the expectations received, we feel just as burdened. We always worry by thinking about the need to show new performances on stage. But thanks to that, it seems like we are growing little by little.

Moonbyul: Hence, every day is a challenge to us. Since we have to prepare new adlibs for each performance, it feels like we are conducting missions. It is impossible to put down our nervousness.

Q. Thanks to your unique adlibs, you were invited to perform at the 37th and 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Moonbyul: I was told that we are the first to be invited to perform for two years consecutively. It is an honour. When we appeared in 2016, we told ourselves to not make any mistakes; as for our second appearance, we had the burden to be funny with our adlibs so I was very nervous. (laughs)

Q. To create refreshing performances every time, how do you overcome the burden and pressure?

Wheein: There isn’t any ways other than sticking closely together as four. Nothing can be done to relieve the burden. The nervousness before going on stage has become a strength among us. (laughs) This might be off topic, but whenever we have individual schedules, that’s when the emptiness hits the hardest.

Solar: Instead, the nervousness helps us create an even better performance. The fans who smile while seeing us perform give us huge strength too. If we see that the fans enjoy it, we will also be able to enjoy ourselves even more.

Q. You have a very strong impression for being bright and lively, for which you are nicknamed as “beagle-dols”. Do you feel burdened by it?

Solar: We worry about it a lot. On TV, we give the impression that we are fun, we play well and fool around a lot. But in real life, we are all actually very shy.

Wheein: There are many people who are unfamiliar with our serious and quiet sides. Sometimes, I feel frustrated by it too. Wherever we go, if we act shy, people react by saying “Ey, you’re Mamamoo though?” If we are quiet, others ask if we are sick. (laughs) I became reluctant to meet new people too. However, since most people perceive us as bright and positive, I accept this gratefully as a whole.

Hwasa: This is a part of life that I must face. We cannot explain to everyone who we really are and what we will be doing.

Q. Compared to what you expected when you first debuted, how different is it with your current state?

Moonbyul: Until now, we have been following what we pictured from the start. But of course, we have been hit with unexpected difficulties too. I’ve been accused for “being a singer just to hear certain words”… Because of these exaggerations, I wonder to what extent I can match myself to the colour we wished for.

Q. What was hard for you?

Moonbyul: When we first debuted, I have received a lot of misunderstandings. When we were trainees, we received trainings where we could actively voice out our opinions. Whether it’s related to music or outfits, we have personally participated in them. However, it is not the case outside of our company. As a rookie, it is difficult to spread your own voice. At the beginning, we’ve heard that we were ‘arrogant’. Right now, many people understand us more. In order to produce better results, I do not plan to stop expressing my ideas.

Q. RBW CEO Kim Do Hoon once mentioned, “Mamamoo will not stick to being ‘idols who only play well’.”

Wheein: This is similar to what we believe in. We are loved for having a fun and bright image. But now, we wish to appeal further in terms of music. Because we are people who will be doing music for a long time, we wish to naturally show you our transformation as it is. Hence, our upcoming year is very important. Compared to the past, I want to show you our certain growth in music.

Q. You must worry a lot about the new music coming up.

Wheein: It is now our assignment to not lose our trendy sense while trying out different genres of music. What I hope for Mamamoo is to develop into a high-class and refined team.

Moonbyul: It is not as straightforward as saying that we want to change our images. Having sudden changes might create antipathy instead. Whether as a team or as solos, we must show our diverse sides step by step through various routes and contents, until we are able to proudly say “This is Mamamoo.” Nethertheless, because the standards of people have risen, I’ve become more distressed. (laughs)

Q. Solar has featured in Super Junior’s song “Charm of Life”.

Solar: The fact that the sunbaes invited me to do this is already an honour, and it was fun recording it. The gags from the song seem to match well, so it was enjoyable.

Q. Moonbyul has released a solo track “Love & Hate” on your mini album ‘Purple’ - a song with different colours from the team.

Moonbyul: I was not a rapper originally, but my position changed as I joined the team. I wanted to showcase my vocals through the song “Love & Hate”. I performed this first at our concert. Because of the good reactions from fans, we decided to include it on the album. In the future, I plan to release more R&B hip hop music like “Love & Hate”.

Q. Hwasa has released a parody cover of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” called “Pink Panties” in the beginning since debut, and has received hot reactions. When will we be greeted with a solo track similar to this?

Hwasa: I have been consistently working on songs. But I’m not sure if there will be a song as creative as “Pink Panties”… (laughs)

Q. Wheein has participated in various featurings from Jungkey to Super Junior’s Heechul. What’s your secret to getting endless love calls?

Wheein: Do I have to say it with my own mouth? (laughs) During my trainee days, I worried a lot because of my voice. I thought it was too typical. At that time, our CEO told me I had a voice that could digest any kinds of genre, that I shouldn’t dwell myself in a slump because of this. Yet, I still couldn’t be completely satisfied with myself. Now, I finally understand what my CEO said to me. My voice has now become a strength that I hold only.

Moonbyul: Wheein normally listens to a lot of songs regardless of their genres. Therefore, she was able to develop a voice that fits various genres. Last year, Jungkey’s song “Anymore” that Wheein featured in has even won 1st on SBS Inkigayo. I was so surprised when I watched it on TV. Our baby was out there alone winning first, so I felt very proud. She was also the first within Mamamoo to ever win first on her own, so I was very proud of her. (laughs)

Q. You held showcases in Japan and Taiwan last year. How was the reaction of the locals there?

Wheein: To be honest, I couldn’t comprehend the amount of love we receive overseas at all. Since we have seen it first hand, I now realize that there are many fans who love us. Crossing country borders, I am really curious as to why they even like us. It is fascinating. (laughs)

Moonbyul: It was amazing. Even though our languages are different, I find it funny when they all understand our adlibs. Thanks to them, I have gained a lot of energy. If we are given the chance, I wish to visit more countries in the future.

Q. What dream do you wish to fulfill next year?

Moonbyul: World tour. This is my first time saying this since debut… but when I was in middle school, my dream was to become a “world star”. (everyone laughs) Through concerts, I hope our music can be heard by many.

Solar: First in general, I wish to do different kinds of music and achieve another year with more growth. Specifically, just like what Moonbyul said, I want to hold concerts more often. I want to hear people say “Mamamoo’s concerts are a must-go concert”.

Hwasa: It’s our 5th year now, so I hope it will be a year where our members can each showcase a lot of our own skills.

Wheein: I hope that Mamamoo as a team, and each member as artists, will be able to grasp their positions. I would also like to widen my promotions in various fields.

#PLUS #QUESTIONS

Solar

What are your new year’s resolutions?

To live diligently! I have worked hard last year too, but there are also things I regret and feel sorry about. This year, without any regrets, I will try to live diligently.

What does your remake project “Solar Emotions” mean to you?

A project with songs that I love, songs that mean a lot to me which I want to sing them again.

What other songs do you wish to remake through “Solar Emotions”?

There is a lot really. The song that came to my mind now is the late Kim Gwang Suk’s “Around Thirty”. It’s a song I really liked. I wish to sing it someday.

As a leader, when are you most thankful to your members?

Since trainee days, we’ve been together for almost 8 years. From then to now, I am always thankful that they trusted and followed me all this time.

Moonbyul

What are your new year’s resolutions?

To open my mind! I will be 27 years old now. All these times, I’ve developed habits and created a mold for myself. In the coming year, I wish to break the mold little by little.

To the “King of Search” Moonbyul, what does “search” mean to you?

Whenever I perform at events or appear on broadcasts, I get curious about our fans’ reactions, so I’ve started searching them up. Through that, I have now learned new words and slangs as well. It’s interesting so I’ve been monitoring well. (laughs)

What is the most interesting slang these days?

“제곧내”. At first, I thought it means “I will come down soon”. (laughs) But as I found out, it actually means “the title says it all”. (To all the staff around) Don’t you find this really eccentric?

What does “Girl Crush” mean to you?

A word that made me known to the world? It doesn’t only mean “a cool female who makes other females fall for her”. There is a burden and responsibility that comes with being a naturally cool woman.

Wheein

What are your new year’s resolutions?

To put my thoughts into action and achieve them! I am at the state where my sense of achievement is dry. (laughs) Hence, there are times when I feel bored. Even for a bit, if there is something that interests me, I want to try it out and experience the enjoyment through it.

What interests you these days?

I want to learn an instrument. First, I’d like to learn how to play the guitar… I want to get my own studio too. It is my dream to be able to make music and also draw at such place.

What do you want to draw?

Things related to music? Without the restrictions of a genre or subject, I want to draw freely and combine it with music. For this, I want to be able to go to exhibitions often too.

Who is your favourite artist (painter)?

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960.12.22 - 1988.8.12). His works still look trendy even now. They are known to be colourful and vivid. I was deeply impressed by him.

Hwasa

What are your new year’s resolutions?

To take better care of my health! Before, my goal has always been to work hard in everything. But now, I get sick at times when I shouldn’t be, so I’ve realized the importance of my health. (laughs) I hope my members will all take good care of their healths as well.

You’ve been loved for having strong makeup on. What makeup tips do you have for the new year?

Point makeup! The basic eyeliner stands out from the colour of your lips. I am the type who puts on red lipsticks to match the light pink eyeliners.

What is it like living as the maknae in Mamamoo?

A non-maknae-like… luxurious life? I’ve been living without feeling like the maknae. (laughs)

When are you most thankful to your members?

When they send text messages to my parents to ask how they've been. I am most thankful when they treat them like their own parents.

trans by tgc. (@tgcnim) - please take trans out with full credits.

Magazine photo credit @wheeinasmile